Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

After speaking, he casually flicked his hand, and the pill floated lightly to Xin Ruyin's front, hovering there motionless.

Xin Ruyin was slightly taken aback and looked up at Zhuang Huayi.

The senior Nascent Soul cultivator's expression showed no intention of seeking favors in return; he was probably still mindful of his agreement with Senior Lu.

"Thank you, Senior Zhuang."

Zhuang Huayi accepted Xin Ruyin's greeting and nodded slightly before continuing, "The Core Formation is the first true chasm on the path of cultivation. One cannot lack temperament, magical power, and opportunity. You have a deep foundation in the Dao of Formations and an advantage in controlling spiritual power and cultivating your mind. Right now, you should calm your mind and nurture yourself. Once your Qi is complete and your mind is clear, you can choose a place to go into seclusion and attempt to break through. At that time, I will protect you."

She didn't say much, but every word she uttered hit the nail on the head.

The three-hundred-year pledge of protection is not merely about ensuring their survival.

Having agreed to Mr. Lu's request, she would not be perfunctory.

Xin Ruyin thanked her again and carefully put away the Dust-Reducing Pill.

As more people entered the cave, the atmosphere became lively.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhuang Huayi's centuries of experience had kept her calm and composed, allowing her to adapt.

However, after Yuan Yao achieved Foundation Establishment, her inherently carefree, straightforward, and lively nature could no longer be hidden, and she quickly became close friends with Xin Ruyin and Yan Ruyan.

Zhuang Huayi had exhausted the Phoenix Essence she had painstakingly accumulated in order to resist the Six Paths Supreme Saint, and now she could only recover slowly through meditation.

Although this place is the fiftieth level in Star City, which is rich in spiritual energy, the gap between each minor realm is huge for Nascent Soul cultivators, and they can only rely on hard work and perseverance to cultivate.

Fortunately, the Phoenix Sword Technique she cultivated was able to re-condense the Phoenix Essence.

She assessed her own aptitude and concluded that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm within a few hundred years was not just a possibility, but a certainty.

Besides that, she would occasionally help the three "little girls".

Two are at the Foundation Establishment stage, and one is at the Core Formation stage.

He shared some insights on cultivation.

Such guidance is extremely precious in the world of cultivation.

The key points of cultivation and breakthroughs in various schools and sects have always been closely guarded secrets, and ordinary independent cultivators have no chance to know them.

"From Foundation Establishment to Pseudo-Core Formation, the key lies in the accumulation and refinement of spiritual energy. If one has a blessed land with abundant spiritual energy, coupled with diligence and perseverance, those with decent aptitude can reach this stage in eight or nine out of ten cases."

On this day, the easternmost pavilion and waterside terrace.

Zhuang Huayi sat in the center, speaking in a calm and gentle voice.

"As for the formation of the Golden Core, it is the first true watershed on the path of cultivation. When the Golden Core is formed, lifespan is greatly increased and supernatural powers begin to appear; when the Golden Core is shattered, all previous efforts are wasted, and even the foundation of one's cultivation may be damaged."

Her gaze swept over the three people who were listening attentively, then turned to Yan Ruyan and continued, "After the Core Formation, the cultivator's greatest enemy gradually shifts from external tribulations to internal demons. Especially when one reaches the peak of Core Formation and intends to shatter the core to form an infant, the tribulation of inner demons becomes the greatest obstacle. There is no external force to rely on, no elixirs to help, and one can only face one's own heart directly."

Yan Ruyan, her expression focused, couldn't help but ask, "Senior Zhuang, what exactly makes the inner demon tribulation so terrifying? And how can one overcome it?"

Zhuang Huayi glanced at her and said slowly, "Inner demons are invisible, reflecting your deepest obsessions, fears, desires, and regrets. They may conjure up the person you most want to see, the scene you most fear, the thing you most crave, or the thing you most regret. To be immersed in them is to perish. To see through illusion..."

Only then can one's thoughts be clear. For those with unwavering resolve and no attachments, inner demons may be like a gentle breeze. But for the vast majority of people…

She paused slightly, "These are all trials with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death, which is why there are so many Core Formation cultivators in the cultivation world, but so few Nascent Soul cultivators. This is the main reason."

Her tone turned serious.

"Therefore, on the path of spiritual cultivation, in addition to the advancement of magical power, the tempering of the mind must not be neglected. Greed, anger, ignorance, pride, doubt, and all kinds of delusions can become fertile ground for the growth of inner demons. In daily life, one must constantly 'wipe away' these demons to keep the mind clear."

Yuan Yao was sitting cross-legged at the very edge, her arms wrapped around her knees.

Her small, fair feet were pressed together, her toes slightly curled, and she looked like a restless silkworm, her body swaying gently from side to side as she thought.

Hearing her master explain the critical points of Core Formation, her naturally alluring eyes narrowed into two crescent moons as she smiled, and she interjected with a soft, sweet voice.

"Master, Master! Could you also tell us about the opportunity for Foundation Establishment? And what does it look like when breaking through to the Pseudo-Core stage? Sister Xin is about to form her Core. Besides taking pills, what other methods can increase the success rate of Core Formation?"

Zhuang Huayi's gaze swept over her charming yet curious appearance, and a barely perceptible smile flickered across her cool and aloof face.

After a moment's thought, she continued her explanation, following Yuan Yao's question.

"The key to foundation building lies in 'abundant spiritual energy, spontaneously generated Qi'."

Her voice was gentle, like a clear spring flowing.

"When the dantian is overflowing with spiritual energy, and the circulation of qi throughout the body is smooth and unimpeded, a sense of eager anticipation arises naturally when the mind is calm; this is the time for Foundation Establishment. As for the False Core Realm..."

She looked at Xin Ruyin and nodded slightly: "It is a spiritual core that condenses in the center of the dantian after the spiritual energy has been liquefied, as solid as glue and with an inner radiance. Although this thing has not yet formed a pill, it has already begun to take shape. When circulating magic power, one can feel a deep pulse within it, which is called a 'false pill'. At this time, the cultivator's aura tends to be condensed, and the speed and amount of spiritual energy recovery are far superior to ordinary Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators."

She paused, then turned her gaze to the two of them, her tone becoming serious: "As for increasing the success rate of Core Formation, pills such as the 'Dust-Clearing Pill' are certainly external aids that can cleanse impurities and stabilize the dantian. However, the fundamental factor still lies within oneself."

"First, the foundation must be solid. The refinement of spiritual energy and the growth of spiritual consciousness at each minor realm of the Foundation Establishment stage must be done steadily and surely, without being greedy for quick progress. The purer the spiritual energy, the stronger the meridians in the dantian, and the more relaxed the dantian will be when forming the core."

"The tempering of one's mind must not be relaxed. The process of forming the core is long and requires enduring the pain of spiritual energy compression and soul tremors. If one is agitated or fearful, it is easy to lose control of spiritual energy and ruin all previous efforts. One must experience the world more often to temper one's character and be able to remain calm in the face of great events."

"Secondly, one can take advantage of favorable timing and location. If one can find a place with abundant spiritual energy and compatible attributes to cultivate in seclusion, or wait for one's own condition and the external energy to reach a state of perfection and harmony, one can increase one's chances of success. Some cultivators will specially refine magical artifacts or array plates to help calm the mind and stabilize the spirit, and protect themselves at critical moments."

Zhuang Huayi looked at Xin Ruyin.

Yuan Yao listened intently, forgetting to move, her hands supporting her chin, her eyes unblinking.

Xin Ruyin seemed lost in thought, silently memorizing every word.

Yan Ruyan was focused. Although these words were no longer that important to her, listening to them was still very beneficial.