Published: March 3, 2025
Chapter 540: Return to West Sand
Unlike Jiang Qiushui, who could receive some support from the sect when breaking through the golden core bottleneck, Ji Ruyan, as a cultivator who joined midway, received very limited support due to a lack of trust from the sect, almost none at all.
The Ji family was merely a small foundation establishment family, and they had only seen some improvement in recent years by relying on Ji Ruyan's connection with Liu Yu. However, when it came to breaking through the golden core bottleneck, they could not provide her with much help.
Therefore, all the resources Ji Ruyan needed for her breakthrough to the bottleneck were still provided by Liu Yu, including the "Golden Core Pill" and the "Heavenly Dust Elixir."
After all, she was his woman, and he had even set a Primordial Spirit Restriction on her.
From both a financial and emotional perspective, he should do his best to support her.
Once she succeeded, he would gain a golden core combat power, one that was diligent and dependable.
With the "Golden Core Pill," "Heavenly Dust Elixir," and various other aids such as insights on core formation and the Third Stage Spiritual Vein, the success rate for the two women attempting to break through the golden core bottleneck was naturally not comparable to that of ordinary cultivators.
If they still couldn't succeed, it could only be attributed to "fate."
This fact made Jiang Qiushui feel somewhat envious.
"Mm."
"Eleven years ago, Ruyan began her seclusion to break through the golden core bottleneck, and there has been no news since."
"However, from the sounds coming from within, everything seems to be going smoothly."
A slight pout appeared on Jiang Qiushui's lips, revealing her dissatisfaction, though she didn't express it outright and instead replied straightforwardly.
"Mm."
Liu Yu nodded slightly.
Ji Ruyan was eleven years younger than him, about one hundred and fifty-five years old this year.
Considering her cultivation speed, it wasn’t fast, but her foundation was extremely stable, so her chances of forming a core should be higher than Jiang Qiushui's.
But chances are ultimately just chances; whether she could succeed would still depend on her personal situation.
"Fourth-rank golden core?"
Thinking of this, Liu Yu placed one hand on Jiang Qiushui's abdomen and looked at her with a questioning gaze.
The girl’s face flashed with shyness, and she immediately turned away but still nodded and closed her eyes.
A thread of spiritual consciousness spread out, easily penetrating the obstacles of her physical body, and Liu Yu's spiritual consciousness entered her dantian.
Under her lack of resistance, the next moment, he saw a blue magical power lake.
On the lake of magical power lay a golden core the size of a peanut, shimmering a water blue color.
Through his spiritual perception, he sensed that the water-blue golden core had four tiny silver glimmers that looked like fine sand, just the right amount of four.
"It really is a fourth-rank golden core."
This thought flashed through Liu Yu's mind as he withdrew his spiritual consciousness.
Since it wasn't his own golden core, observing it was much more difficult; even if other cultivators didn't block him, he could only see this much.
Dao marks were still too "advanced" for golden core cultivators.
What he perceived as fine sand might appear differently to Jiang Qiushui.
It was entirely normal for different cultivators to see different images due to differences in realm.
After confirming the quality of the golden core, Liu Yu went on to explain the key points of cultivation at the golden core realm and the matters that needed attention before allowing Jiang Qiushui to proceed with her arrangements.
Regarding the “Chang'an Plan,” the girl still wanted to persuade him.
But seeing his unquestionable expression, she could only turn away with a gentle sigh and leave the cave dwelling.
After pondering for a moment, Liu Yu lost interest in continuing to read.
With the increase in strength and the tempering of the "art of spirit preservation," his powerful spiritual consciousness had reached seventy-eight li, instantly enveloping the entire Qingtai Peak.