Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

Chapter 518 Merging Elixir to Stabilize the Foundation

The morning after the elixir was combined, Li Yuan returned to his secluded cultivation room.

The stone gate closed, and a faint light shone through.

The dark golden core floated in the center of the dantian, a size larger than the previous spiritual energy core. Golden and deep purple spiral patterns intertwined evenly inside the core, circulating smoothly without the slightest disorder or deviation.

The boundary between the two forces has completely disappeared.

Li Yuan circulated his spiritual energy, completing a full cycle through his meridians. The spiritual energy surging from the golden core possessed dual characteristics from the moment it emerged; it did not require active adjustment of the proportions, as the spiral structure of the golden core itself naturally determined the fusion state of the output.

The concept of switching between spirit and demon no longer exists. Spirit and demon are essentially the same thing within the Golden Core; which one is invoked is simply a matter of different emphases during output. The operation is instantaneous and without interruption.

Li Yuan then examined the changes in the effects of the entries after the pills were combined.

After the total amount of spiritual energy and demonic energy were merged into one, the effects of the affixes that previously applied to spiritual energy and demonic energy respectively were extended to the entire Golden Core. However, this extension came with a discount.

Previously, the "Spiritual Essence Expansion" skill only increased the maximum spiritual power by 30%. After the fusion of the core, it affects the entire Golden Core of both the spirit and the demon, reducing the increase to about 20%. The same applies to other attributes that originally only targeted demonic energy, such as "Demonic Energy Condensation."

I tried absorbing spiritual energy on my own.

Spiritual energy surges into the body, and the dark golden core automatically converts it, resulting in an overall increase in cultivation level. No additional demonic energy is needed for balance; the fusion structure within the core automatically adjusts the ratio of spiritual to demonic energy. The same principle applies to absorbing demonic energy.

His cultivation level surged dramatically due to the Golden Core fusion. His foundation as a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator was now significantly stronger than before.

Then came the spell test.

Sky-Splitting Slash. Spiritual energy poured in, and a spatial blade of light condensed before his palm. The formation speed was significantly faster than before the Core Formation, and the penetrating properties of the demonic energy inherent in the spiritual energy greatly enhanced the sharpness of the blade of light.

Dark Erosion Finger. Dark spiritual energy condenses in the palm, containing both stability and refinement. The speed and duration of condensation are stronger than when it was driven by pure demonic energy before the Core Formation.

Spiritual and demonic spells are no longer restricted by attributes. The spiritual power after the fusion of the core inherently possesses both characteristics, so regardless of which type of spell is cast, it can simultaneously enjoy the dual bonuses of spiritual and demonic power, resulting in an amplification of the power of all spells.

After three days of seclusion, his condition stabilized completely after the elixir was combined.

The daily talisman-making continued uninterrupted, the effects of the Ink Spirit Control remained in full swing, the lines of spiritual ink on the talisman paper were precise and smooth, and the success rate remained at a very high level. After three days, the permanentization process advanced by another three days.

Li Yuan pushed open the stone door of the seclusion room and walked out.

Everything in the market was normal. Ji Wenyuan reported on the events of the past few days one by one: shop operations, personnel entry and exit, and array maintenance. There were no special issues requiring special attention.

Li Yuan sat in a chair in the main hall, sorting out his next steps.

Two things.

The first task is to refine the Qingyuan Pill. It's a low-grade, upper-level third-tier pill. I've refined one for that gray-robed cultivator at the White Mirror Market before, so I already know the formula and process. The problem lies in the main ingredient. The main ingredient for the Qingyuan Pill is extremely scarce; it's available at a high price but not on the market, and even with plenty of spirit stones, you might not be able to buy it immediately. The auxiliary ingredients, on the other hand, are relatively easy to gather, and I already have most of them on hand.

The second task is preparing for Nascent Soul formation. For a Golden Core cultivator, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is the most crucial step on the path of cultivation, but I have absolutely no understanding of the specific process. What conditions are required, what precautions should be taken, and what factors affect the success rate—it's all a blank slate. Previously, my cultivation focus had been entirely on accumulating experience in the Golden Core stage and the fusion of spirit and demonic essences; I had never delved into knowledge about Nascent Soul formation. I need to find relevant texts or consult experienced cultivators.

Neither of these issues can be resolved in the short term, but they can be addressed simultaneously.

Just then, Ji Wenyuan walked in from outside the door.

"Master, the Tianyue Sect's missions have been updated. There's also something else I need to report."

Li Yuan looked over.

"Tianyue Sect has posted new contribution point exchange notices in both Wulin Market and Qinghe Market, and the exchange list has been expanded with many new items."

Ji Wenyuan handed over two documents.

Li Yuan took the document.

First, let's look at the exchange list. Spatial Searching Technique is still listed, and the contribution points required for exchange are the same as when I last checked. He has always remembered this spell; its purpose is very clear: it can trace the spatial fluctuations left behind in the void, and theoretically, it can find the storage spaces left behind by predecessors after they opened them up using spatial shaping spells.

Let's look at the task list again.

Li Yuan went through each item one by one and selected them according to his own standards: those that allowed him to take on projects as a rogue cultivator without revealing his core strength, and those that offered rewards based on contribution points.

Three that meet the criteria were selected.

One of the tasks was to gather information about the affiliated forces of the Yuanzong sect in Lingzhou.

Yuanzong is a demonic cultivation sect in Lingzhou. The mission requires gathering intelligence on the activities of a Golden Core family under Yuanzong's jurisdiction, including their power distribution and external communication channels. This is a reconnaissance mission and does not require direct confrontation.

The contribution points reward wasn't much, but there was one thing listed in the bonus section.

The main ingredient of Qingyuan Dan.

Li Yuan's gaze lingered on this line for a few more moments.

The contribution points from the three tasks combined are enough to exchange for the Spatial Search Technique, and the bonus rewards from the Lingzhou task conveniently solve the problem of the main ingredient for the Qingyuan Pill. After achieving unity of spirit and demon, the perception of demonic energy is extremely accurate, giving one an advantage over ordinary spiritual cultivators when engaging in activities in Lingzhou.

Li Yuan did not rush to set off.

The time before departure was used for alchemy.

In the alchemy room of Misty Forest Market, Li Yuan continuously refined several batches of third-order Heavenly Origin Pills. From exchanging and observing with Meng Yangzi and others at the Pill Gathering, to successfully refining the Clear Origin Pill on their behalf, and then to continuous cultivation after returning, his experience in third-order alchemy had been accumulating steadily. With each batch of pills produced, his understanding of the principles behind the pill formula deepened further.

The control of the alchemical fire became more and more precise, and the perception of changes in the medicinal properties of spiritual materials during the fusion stage of the medicinal liquid became more acute.

Several days later, the timing of gathering the fire in a batch of Heavenly Origin Pills no longer required deliberate control; the technique had become almost instinctive. The pill formula was no longer executed step by step, but could be finely adjusted at any time based on the actual quality of the spiritual materials and the state of the fire.

Alchemy, Level 3 Proficient.

Li Yuan carefully put away the elixir.

The daily talisman-making continued uninterrupted, pushing the permanent progress of the Ink Spirit's control to approximately the 25th day.

Preparations for departure are complete.

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