Chapter 174 Retrieve the Zither and Ascend Mount Dali Alone
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"The Golden Core that is formed without flaws is considered top-grade; with slight flaws, it is medium-grade; and if it is not even round in shape, it is low-grade.
If there are no other opportunities, it is very difficult for those with a low-grade Golden Core to transform into a Nascent Soul, for those with a medium-grade Golden Core to achieve Divinity Transformation, and only those with a top-grade Golden Core have the hope of stepping into Divinity Transformation and walking further on the path of cultivation.
Given Xing Ruo's foundation, the likelihood of forming a medium-grade core is high, and top-grade would depend on luck. However, among the tens of trillions of cultivators in the Southeast Region, how many can achieve Divinity Transformation?"
After saying this, Master Rou Jia couldn't help but glance over at where Yu Qingtan was.
The potential of this little disciple of hers to reach Divinity Transformation was very likely.
"Thank you for the teaching, Master!"
Master Rou Jia lectured for nearly an hour, and all five of them learned a great deal.
Although Yu Qingtan had read the Insights into Core Formation by a True Monarch of the Wendao Sect Water Vein, it was not as clear and straightforward as what her own master had explained in person.
The five of them raised several questions, which Master Rou Jia patiently answered one by one.
Not until noon did the five disciples take their leave.
When leaving, Yu Qingtan gave Li Xingruo a stick of Nourishing Soul Incense.
The piece of Fourth-Stage Soul Nurturing Wood she had exchanged for in the Hall of Merit of the Wendao Sect had been crafted into ten sticks of Fourth-Stage Nourishing Soul Incense by her, which were remarkably effective for nourishing the soul.
Li Xingruo had taken good care of her, so Yu Qingtan naturally wanted to repay the kindness. This was all she could do to help with the other's Core Formation, and Li Xingruo did not refuse.
On returning to her own courtyard, Yan Xi and Xiang Yiyi were already waiting at the door.
Yan Xi was still dressed as a maid, her face carrying a hint of unease, but she covered it up well.
"It seems you have decided to continue to fulfill your promise?"
"Yes, miss."
"Come in, both of you."
Once inside, Yu Qingtan made a seafood barbecue to treat Xiang Yiyi, and Yan Xi voluntarily helped out.
Xiang Yiyi didn't really have any serious matters to discuss with Qingtan, she just wanted to see her and took the opportunity to seek guidance on Technique cultivation.
After the barbecue, Yu Qingtan gave Xiang Yiyi some pointers, and Yan Xi found them very enlightening while listening at the side.
Both of them possessed dual Spirit Roots of water and wood, and with Yu Qingtan's current mastery in these two types of Spells, guiding them was no pressure at all.
By evening, Xiang Yiyi left reluctantly, while Yan Xi was arranged by Yu Qingtan to stay in a guest room in the courtyard.
The next day, Yu Qingtan took Yan Xi to pay respects to Real Person Qing Wei and Gongsun Yurong. However, when they came out, Xiang Yiyi had joined them.
The three of them went to the Task Hall, where Yu Qingtan took on a team task to hunt the Mount Dali Ape and then left Tianxiang Valley, flying on their swords towards Tianxiang Immortal City.
Yu Qingtan and the other two arrived at the Raoliang Tea House.
"Ah, Fairy Qingtan, you're here!"
Little Xiang Ru was thrilled and rushed over to cling to Yu Qingtan's arm.
"I missed little Xiang Ru, so I came to see you."
After introducing Xiang Yu, Xiang Ru, Xiang Yiyi, and Yan Xi to each other and chatting for a while, Yu Qingtan and Xiang Yu talked privately in a quiet room.
"Miss Qingtan, the Sect later sent two cultivators who had achieved great mastery in Zither Art to act as zither masters, but unfortunately, they could not play the Roaming Zither music.
I followed your suggestion and went to the valley to ask Real Person Qing Wei for help. It cost a huge amount of Spirit Stones and a top-quality Spiritual Artifact-level zither to redeem the Roaming Zither from the Sect."
Xiang Yu took out the Roaming Zither and handed it to Yu Qingtan, saying.
"You have gone to great lengths, Uncle Xiang. As for Spirit Stones, I can certainly give them to you. However, I have two items here that might be more suitable for you."
Yu Qingtan put away the Roaming Zither and then took out two small jade bottles.
Xiang Yu scanned the contents with his Divine Sense and stood up in shock.
"Golden Cores! A Third-Stage late phase inner core of the Sea Clan!"
"Uncle Xiang, do you choose to take a chance, or would you prefer the more secure option?"
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Yu Qingtan lifted the teacup, took a sip, and slowly asked.
Xiang Yu's face was full of conflict. She was only a Three Spirit Root, having barely managed to cultivate to the later stages of Foundation Establishment through her family's support, but she was already unable to exchange Merit Points for a Golden Core Pill from the sect, and she had also passed the optimal age for Core Formation.
Even with the aid of a Golden Core Pill, her chances of successfully forming a core were no more than ten percent.
Thinking of Xiang Ru, who had a Dual Spirit Root, Xiang Yu made up her mind and picked up the jade bottle containing a Third Stage Late Phase Canglong inner core.
"From now on, I will follow Miss Qingtan's lead! I only hope that Miss Qingtan will take good care of that girl, Xiang Ru."
By saying this, Xiang Yu was decisively siding with Yu Qingtan, shifting completely away from the neutral faction.
With the help of this Third Stage Late Phase Canglong inner core, she could achieve the status of a Pseudo-Core Cultivator, and her strength would not be weaker than that of an average Golden Core Early Stage Cultivator. Her lifespan could also be extended to around 280 years.
The Pseudo-Core Technique, much easier than forming a real Golden Core, could be achieved by almost anyone as long as they weren't extremely unlucky.
The main limitation was finding a good Pseudo-Core Technique and the right Externa Pill materials, but good Pseudo-Core Techniques were not scarce in Tianxiang Valley and were also quite affordable.
"Hmm, if you serve me well from now on, I will keep this Golden Core Pill for Xiang Ru."
"I will not disappoint you!"
"Alright, tomorrow I'm going to the Yunhua Mountain Range. I won't bring Yiyi and Yan Xi with me, so please take good care of them for me."
"Yes!"
"Keep an eye on the auctions at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. If there are any Third Stage Spirit Dew or Third Stage Wasteland Crystals, notify me in time or buy them for me."
Yu Qingtan took out a Storage Bag containing one million Lower Grade Spirit Stones and handed it to Xiang Yu.
"Yes!"
"Also, send someone to Suichuan Immortal City. Give this item to Han Daniu of the Sky Wolf Gang. Then, go to the You family and bring back a girl named 'Jiang Lai'. Be discreet, but make sure they know it's my order."
Yu Qingtan took out another Storage Bag and handed it to Xiang Yu, making arrangements.
"Yes!"
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The next day, before dawn, Yu Qingtan left the Tianxiang Immortal City by herself.
Upon arriving at the Yunhua Mountain Range, Yu Qingtan no longer hid and restrained her presence as she had before.
Instead, she flew directly with her sword, donning a beautiful light blue dress.
Now, confident that she could handle anything short of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, she wanted to see what kind of riffraff would dare to come after her.
Sure enough, she arrived at Mount Dali without any incident.
On Mount Dali lived a group of mighty ape Demonic Beasts.
The mighty apes, as their name suggested, were incredibly strong and had a taste for human brains.
The group of mighty apes that lived on Mount Dali once numbered over forty Second Stage creatures, but after participating in the beast tide attack on Suichuan Immortal City, only twelve returned.
Due to an agreement between the high-ranking members of the Demon Race and the Human Race during non-war periods, higher beings were not allowed to casually harm lower beings of the other side, which is why these apes had managed to survive until now.
Yu Qingtan arrived at the foot of Mount Dali, opting to wear dragon scale armor and carrying two Canglong Flying Swords as she boldly ascended the mountain.
With a single kick, she killed a grinning First Stage mighty ape charging at her and shouted.
"Mighty apes of Mount Dali, Fairy Qingtan has come for your lives, come down and meet your fate!"
After shouting, she felt a bit embarrassed, as it didn't suit her fairy-like demeanor, and was glad there was no one else around.
"It seems I need to find someone skilled in this area in the future!"
As Yu Qingtan thought this, she continued up the mountain.
Seeing such an intimidating figure, the First Stage mighty apes didn't dare to advance further and instead ran to report to their superiors.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Soon, two Second Stage Mid Phase mighty apes appeared above Yu Qingtan on a tree, then leaped towards her.