A mortal cultivating immortality can nurture spirit beasts.

On the nameless island, the once cloudless blue sky suddenly changed color.

Suddenly, a large, dark cloud appeared, covering a barren mountain. Instantly, streaks of silver lightning flashed, accompanied by deafening thunder.

At the same time, the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to rotate wildly around the barren mountain, forming a huge vortex several miles in diameter under the dark clouds.

Such an astonishing phenomenon naturally attracted cultivators within dozens of miles. Seven or eight Qi Refining cultivators, led by an elder Foundation Establishment cultivator, all mounted their magical artifacts and tried to approach.

Just then, a clear, cold female voice rang out.

"Trespassers, die!"

As the female cultivator spoke, she also unleashed a powerful surge of magic power at the Core Formation stage, causing the magical artifacts beneath the feet of these Qi Refining cultivators to shake violently. The leading Foundation Establishment elder immediately stopped in his tracks, not daring to approach any further, while warning the juniors behind him not to provoke her.

At this moment, the spiritual energy vortex seemed to have absorbed enough spiritual energy, and a clear chime suddenly came from the barren mountain. Then, the dark clouds and strange phenomena in the sky disappeared, and the sky returned to a clear, cloudless day.

"Someone must have reached the Core Formation stage!"

"Isn't that right? It's unbelievable that someone would come to such a remote island to form their Core Formation."

The Foundation Establishment elder also looked puzzled. After a while, he still didn't hear any other sounds. He mustered up his courage and asked a question, but there was still no response. Only then did he approach slowly with trepidation, but by then the desolate mountain was already deserted.

The Foundation Establishment elder looked disappointed. He had finally met a Core Formation stage senior and thought he might have some good fortune, but he ended up getting nothing.

……

……

Regardless of how the Foundation Establishment elder complained, Lin He, who was thousands of miles away, looked at Lan Chou beside him with a joyful expression.

After five years of cultivation, Lan Chou had naturally reached the Pseudo-Core stage. However, given that the next opponent might be a Core Formation cultivator, Lin He decided to let Lan Chou try to form a Core.

With the help of the three essential pills for Core Formation—Snow Spirit Water, Heavenly Fire Liquid, and Dust-Subduing Pill—and the inherent one-third success rate of Core Formation itself, Lan Chou actually succeeded in forming his core on his first try. How could Lin He not be overjoyed?

Xin Ruyin looked at Lan Chou with envy. Originally, she possessed the Dragon Roar Physique, but because of her identity as a genius array master, she had to flee from place to place, living a precarious life.

However, since meeting Lin He, although her Dragon Roar Body has not been completely resolved, it has stabilized. She has even become an apprentice of a Core Formation cultivator. At this time, she has reached the thirteenth level of Qi Refining. Moreover, with Nangong Wan's abilities, it is not difficult for her to refine another batch of Foundation Establishment Pills in the Chaotic Star Sea. As a result, she has a good chance of Foundation Establishment, and even Core Formation is not out of the question.

Seeing Lan Chou form her core, he was filled with envy, making no attempt to hide his longing.

Nangong Wan naturally sensed her disciple's thoughts. She said softly, "Ruyin, there's no need to be envious. Once I reach the late stage of Core Formation, I will do my best to help you establish your Foundation. With the help of high-grade spirit stones from Biling Island, you will also have a good chance of achieving Core Formation."

Lin He nodded and said, "That's right, Ruyin. The Chaotic Star Sea is not like Tiannan. If you were to form your core in Tiannan, it would indeed be difficult. But the Chaotic Star Sea has Snow Spirit Water, Heavenly Fire Liquid, and Dust-Reducing Pills, which greatly reduces the difficulty of forming your core. I will prepare these things for you when you form your core."

Xin Ruyin's eyes reddened upon hearing this. She struggled to survive amidst the treacherous world of various cultivation families, having to set up arrays for these families to earn spirit stones while constantly being wary of them. After all, some cultivation families, such as the Fu family, wanted to turn her into a full-time array setter.

In this environment, she was suspicious and cautious in everything she did. When Lin He saved her for the first time, she was still very suspicious of Lin He's intentions, precisely because of this.

But after spending these years together, she experienced firsthand a warmth and care she had never felt before. Xin Ruyin's eyes reddened, and she bowed deeply.

"It is my greatest blessing to have met you, Master and Young Master, in this life. From now on, whatever you command, I will do my utmost!"

Lin He and Nangong Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with smiles.

Nangong Wan glanced at Lan Chou and suddenly said, "Lin He, you're in such a hurry to make this avatar form its core, it seems you've really made up your mind."

Lin He nodded and said, "That's right, let's proceed with the strategy we discussed. Our goal now is to slow down the invasion of the six demonic sects. Before that, we must deal with those two-faced guys."

Nangong Wan sighed, "As you said, the strength of the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom is not as good as that of the six sects of the demonic path. Of course, many families or sects will want to be opportunists. Only those families that are deeply tied to the seven major sects of Yue Kingdom will choose to support us firmly."

Lin He sneered upon hearing this, "It's simple, they'll help whoever wins!"

Nangong Wan wholeheartedly agreed. In this cultivation world where profit is paramount, betrayal and ambush are commonplace. So-called agreements and protocols can be changed at any time, but only interests are eternal.

Nangong Wan suddenly looked at Lin He. Since they met, Lin He had never asked her for anything. On the contrary, he gave her the Youth Preservation Pill and had also given her the life-saving Reversal Five Elements Formation.

Lin He now possesses an external avatar at the early stage of Core Formation, whose strength is comparable to that of a Core Formation cultivator. Unbeknownst to him, his status and position with Nangong Wan have become equal.

Thinking of this, Nangong Wan's eyes sparkled, and she grabbed Lin He's hand, softly saying, "Husband!"

The way he called out "husband" was so sincere that Lin He suddenly realized that since Lan Chou had formed his core, he and Nangong Wan were now equals, both possessing the combat power of a Core Formation cultivator. In the past, Nangong Wan's inner conflict stemmed from feeling wronged, but now that feeling had vanished. With Lin He's aptitude and the high-grade spirit stones from Biling Island, his chances of forming his core were extremely high.

Seeing the beauty's deep affection, Lin He naturally wouldn't spoil the moment by refusing; instead, he took her hand and said...

"Wan'er, with Biling Island around, our future cultivation level will be far beyond Core Formation. If we can obtain the secret of the Golden Origin Hermit's Nascent Soul Cultivation, our chances of reaching Nascent Soul will be very high, and even Deity Transformation may not be impossible."

Lin He described the future to her, which was exactly the dream of someone like Nangong Wan who was single-mindedly pursuing immortality. She nodded and leaned comfortably against Lin He's chest. At this moment, there was no longer any barrier between them.

The fiery red flying sword carried the four of them back to the stone house. Then, Lin He took out the Great Teleportation Token and teleported back to Tiannan.

……

……

Several months later, Lin He, who was in seclusion in his cave, received a message talisman from Hong Fu.