Mortal Cultivator: Lin Tianzun

Chapter 73: Initial Formation of the Core Formation, Linghu Summoning (Part )
"Yes, Uncle Master," Lin Fan replied hastily, his voice respectful and his attitude humble to the extreme. In the presence of a Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse like Linghu Patriarch, the strict hierarchy of the cultivation world was like a warning bell, constantly ringing in his mind, forcing him to not slack off even a little.

Afterward, the two engaged in a lively conversation, covering a wide range of topics related to the path of immortal cultivation. Elder Linghu discussed his insights into cultivation, unreservedly sharing his years of valuable experience. He detailed how to find opportunities for breakthroughs during bottlenecks, how to meticulously grasp every subtle detail of spiritual energy flow, and how to remain steadfast in one's heart and remain unmoved in the face of the ever-present temptations of the inner demon.

Lin Fan listened intently, like a dry sponge, soaking up the sweet rain of knowledge. He nodded subtly from time to time, his eyes filled with the brightness of sudden enlightenment and sincere admiration for his predecessor. Every word of Elder Linghu was like a brilliant meteor streaking across the night sky, illuminating the layers of fog on Lin Fan's path of cultivation and giving him a deeper and more thorough understanding of this arduous journey. The benefits he gained were beyond words.

Soon, the faint sound of footsteps reached from outside the cave. A woman in a vibrant red dress strode gracefully into the cave. She looked to be about thirty, her figure graceful and elegant, like a willow swaying in the wind, revealing a soft and beautiful demeanor. Her face was beautiful, and even though the years had quietly left some marks on her face, they seemed to add a unique charm, making her even more graceful.

Yet, she exuded an icy aura that repelled everyone, like a biting winter wind, sending shivers down her spine. A faint, almost murderous aura lingered on her face, the mark of countless life-or-death battles, tempered in the blood and rain. It was as if she had long since become indifferent to the world's warmth and coldness, her heart as hard as ice.

Seeing her enter, Elder Linghu raised his hand and introduced her, "Lin Fan, this is the Red Buddha of our Yellow Maple Valley. He's already reached the middle stage of the Core Formation stage, and his ice-attributed techniques are incredibly powerful. Don't underestimate him." He then turned to the Red Buddha and continued, "This is Lin Fan, who has just reached the Core Formation stage. He's incredibly talented. You'll be seeing each other a lot in the valley from now on."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, speaking earnestly, "Junior Brother Lin Fan, greetings to Senior Sister Hongfo." Hongfo nodded slightly, her gaze like a knife as she scanned Lin Fan from head to toe. Her eyes were as sharp as substance, as if she wanted to dissect his soul. After a moment, she calmly replied, "Greetings, Junior Brother Lin."

Patriarch Linghu gestured for Hong Fo to take a seat, but Hong Fo said that he had important matters to attend to and had already met Lin Fan. Since everyone was a fellow disciple from now on, he said goodbye and left.

A moment later, steady, powerful footsteps emanated from the cave's stone gate, as if carrying a tremendous force. Immediately afterwards, a tall, burly monk strode in. He was slightly overweight, yet not at all bloated. On the contrary, his broad, robust frame gave off an oppressive, mountain-like, indestructible presence.

His face was broad, his complexion dark as ink, as if he'd been scorched by the scorching sun and weathered by the wind and rain. Every inch of his skin bore the vicissitudes of life and the fortitude of weathering. His thick eyebrows, like two thick, black dragons, menacingly stretched across his eyes. Beneath his brows lay a pair of piercing, tiger-like eyes, their piercing light gleaming deep within them, as if it could instantly penetrate a person's heart. Any subtle flaw, any hidden thought, would be revealed under his scrutiny.

Under the straight nose bridge, there is a wide mouth with strong lines. When it is tightly pursed, it shows a strong aura of determination and courage, and he will never compromise easily, as if as long as he makes up his mind, nothing in the world can stop him.

His hair was thick, glossy black, tied into a towering bun, secured with a simple black iron hairpin, exuding an unruly toughness. A few strands of hair fell across his resolute face, swaying slightly with his movements, inadvertently adding a touch of casualness and freedom. The slight gray at his temples, like medals engraved by time, silently spoke of the accumulation of years and the vicissitudes of the past.

This man was none other than Lei Wanhe. Every gesture he made revealed the demeanor of a master. Each step he took was accompanied by a steady, powerful rhythm, his robes fluttering gently with his steps. The powerful aura he exuded, carrying with it the authority of a superior, instilled awe in those present.

Elder Linghu smiled and said, "Junior Brother Lei, you've arrived just in time. Let me introduce you to Lin Fan, the newly promoted Jindan cultivator from our Yellow Maple Valley." Lei Wanhe's gaze was as sharp as a torch as he looked at Lin Fan, a flicker of undisguised admiration in his eyes. He said loudly, "Good boy, you've already reached Jindan at such a young age. The young are truly formidable!" Lin Fan hurriedly saluted respectfully, speaking humbly, "Brother Lei, you're too kind. I still have many shortcomings, and I'll need your guidance in the future."

"It's okay. Come to my cave more often when you have time. Let's drink together and have a good time!" Lei Wanhe laughed heartily, his voice echoing in the cave, exuding a heroic spirit.

Lin Fan quickly responded, a sincere smile on his face, "Of course, of course. Senior Brother Lei, such a generous gesture is truly what I've been looking for."

As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle fluctuation of spiritual energy could be heard from outside the cave. Lin Fan's heart stirred, and he turned to see Chen Minghui walking in with steady steps. Lin Fan instantly stood up and saluted respectfully, his attitude utterly reverent. "Master, you're here." After all, Chen Minghui was his nominal master, and in Lin Fan's heart, this master-disciple bond was as heavy as Mount Tai, irreplaceable. Following Chen Minghui, a tall, middle-aged man entered the cave. Lin Fan recognized him as the Jindan-stage cultivator surnamed Huang. The middle-aged man was tall and muscular, seemingly imbued with boundless strength. His face was resolute, and his eyes shone with a calm and resolute gaze, as if he could cling to his beliefs and stand firm in the face of any adversity. Dressed in a black, formal suit, he looked even more heroic and imposing. Seeing this, Lin Fan hurriedly saluted the Huang cultivator again. "Senior Brother Huang, I am Lin Fan. My greetings are best."

Chen Minghui looked at Lin Fan, his eyes full of emotion, and he couldn't help but sigh: "Alas, time flies so fast. I never thought that you would have reached the stage of Dan in the blink of an eye." His eyes showed the satisfaction and pride of a teacher seeing his disciple's growth, as well as a bit of nostalgia for the rapid passage of time.

At this time, the Jindan stage cultivator who called himself Huang had a kind smile on his face. He returned the greeting to Lin Fan with a loud and friendly voice: "My name is Huang Tianhua, nice to meet you, Junior Brother." He was tall in stature, but his actions revealed a perfect sense of humility, just like the warm spring sun, which made people feel warm and friendly.

Lin Fan quickly bowed again and respectfully replied, "Brother Huang, you're too polite. I hope you'll take good care of me in the future." In this cave filled with so many experts, Lin Fan knew that humility was the only way to survive in the world of immortal cultivation. Each of his predecessors possessed experience and strength beyond his reach, so he naturally didn't dare slack off, maintaining a respectful and eager-to-learn attitude at all times.

Afterward, everyone gathered together and embarked on a fascinating exchange of cultivation experiences. Elder Linghu spoke first, narrating his insights from the Qi Training Stage all the way to the Nascent Soul Stage, sharing his experiences at each stage. His insights on the exquisite application of mana were unique, and his analysis of the laws of nature was profound and accessible. His words were like keys, unlocking doors to higher realms for everyone, captivating them all, as if they had found a shining beacon in the darkness.

Lei Wanhe recounted his thrilling journey cultivating his thunder-based skills. He vividly described the thrilling moments of intertwining with the violent thunder spirits, bringing them to life, as if they were immersed in the midst of the lightning and thunder, the peril lurking everywhere. When he spoke of the key to breaking through bottlenecks, his face beamed with joy, his hands dancing with excitement. The audience listened, sometimes clenching their fists nervously, their palms sweating, and sometimes, with sudden enlightenment, their faces lit up with delight.

Lin Fan also mustered up the courage to share his cultivation experience from the time he first entered the path of immortal cultivation to the successful formation of the elixir, including his unique insights in practicing the exercises, the subtle techniques of controlling spiritual power, and his mental journey when facing difficulties.

Chen Minghui, starting from the perspective of fundamental cultivation and using Lin Fan as an example, earnestly emphasized the importance of a solid foundation. He elaborated on how a solid foundation, like a sturdy cornerstone, provides continuous support and guarantee for subsequent breakthroughs. He made everyone realize that without a solid foundation, one is like a tree without roots or water without a source, and it is difficult to achieve long-term success on the path of cultivation.

Huang Tianhua shared valuable insights on refining and selecting magical treasures. Drawing on his extensive experience, he explained the characteristics of different magical treasures, the key points of refining, and how to choose the most appropriate magical treasure based on one's own cultivation method and needs. He provided many practical and valuable suggestions that benefited everyone greatly.

Everyone chimed in, sparks of thought colliding and intertwining in the lively exchange. Everyone was immersed in the conversation, sharing their experiences and insights without reservation, while eagerly absorbing the wisdom of others. Everyone returned home with a rich harvest.

Not long after, a commotion erupted outside the cave. Most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yellow Maple Valley arrived one after another, numbering over a hundred. They filed in in an orderly fashion, each one respectfully saluting to Elder Linghu and the other Core Formation cultivators. Their humble demeanor fully demonstrated their respect for their predecessors.

Elder Linghu smiled and said, "Lin Fan's Core Formation today is a great joyous event for the valley. Let's all take this opportunity to gather and get to know each other."

So, under the guidance of Elder Linghu, Lin Fan greeted each Foundation Establishment cultivator one by one. They exchanged pleasantries, their words filled with warmth and friendliness. For a moment, the atmosphere within the cave was incredibly lively, filled with laughter and chatter. Though it was only a brief exchange, it served as a welcome acquaintance, laying a solid foundation for future interactions within the valley.

(End of this chapter)