After pondering for a moment, Yu Fei turned to her elder sister and said.

“Now that this Lu Ancestor has fallen, will Bi Lake Mountain be willing to take action?”

Yan Lan spoke with some worry clouding her eyes.

Though Bi Lake Mountain has Lu Ping’an and Lu Wangshu as its pillars,

in her eyes, without Lu Changsheng, the Lu Family Ancestor, a Third-Rank Talisman Master, Bi Lake Mountain is like a top-tier False Core battle strength missing—a definite disadvantage against Xuanwu Ridge’s Sima Family.

Under such circumstances, why would they fight hard against the Sima Family for their Misty Rain Market?

“Although my marriage contract with Lu Ancestor was not finalized, in name, I am still considered one of his concubines. I believe Bi Lake Mountain wouldn’t leave us be, otherwise, how would their other allies view them?”

“Besides, Bi Lake Mountain and Xuanwu Ridge have already become mortal enemies, destined for relentless conflict. If they sit idly by, it would essentially mean pushing us away.”

Yu Fei said so.

According to the tributes their Misty Rain Market offers as a subordinate force, indeed, it shouldn’t be worthwhile for Bi Lake Mountain to provoke enmity with Xuanwu Ridge’s Sima Family.

But given their deep-seated rivalry, under this situation, if Bi Lake Mountain doesn’t protect its own, it would be akin to weakening their own power.

“Fei Fei, how you’ve been wronged…”

Yan Lan heard her younger sister’s words and sighed.

Previously, when her sister suggested marrying Lu Ancestor as a concubine, she had disapproved, feeling aggrieved on her behalf.

Now that Lu Ancestor’s whereabouts are unknown, her sister still has to carry the title of a grieving widow-to-be, which truly pained her.

“What grievance could there be?”

Yu Fei gave a gentle laugh, utterly unconcerned.

She felt hardly any sorrow for Lu Changsheng’s passing.

After all, she had only met this Lu Ancestor once.

Though this Lu Ancestor was handsome and refined, a rarely seen beautiful man, and she would have been willing to marry him, it wasn’t to the extent of love at first sight, nor the kind where one hears of his death and falls into despair.

Moreover, her decision to become Lu Ancestor’s concubine was purely out of self-interest.

With his death, her benefits have indeed diminished—but it wasn’t too much of a loss at least, now she wouldn’t have to be…

Yu Fei looked at her elder sister beside her, wrapping her arm around her waist. Her shapely figure clung to her elder sister like a snake, breathing softly as she whispered, “Sister, it’s just a title, it’s not as if it affects anything…”

“Besides, sister, didn’t you oppose me marrying anyone else…”

As she spoke, her lithe body shifted sensually against her elder sister’s. Her crimson lips moved forward for a kiss, her breath faintly coming in pants. Then she opened her mouth slightly, taking Yan Lan’s flushed earlobe gently between her teeth, softly nibbling.

“Fei Fei…”

Yan Lan’s cheeks flushed deeply, her legs weakening. Soon after, her charmingly radiant face moved closer to her younger sister’s red lips, kissing her passionately.

…

Outside matters were entirely unknown to Lu Changsheng.

At this moment, he was still wholeheartedly assisting Chu Qingyi in her Core Formation.

With Chu Qingyi’s comprehension of the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Scripture and the aid of the Yin Yang Creation Scripture, the two streams of mana integrated harmoniously, making Chu Qingyi’s Core Formation process significantly smoother.

Although achieving a First-Grade Golden Core was still slightly challenging,

the formation of a High-Quality Golden Core was already certain.

Thus, time slowly flowed by.

The nature’s Spiritual Energy within the Tianyuan Lotus began to surge ferociously, pouring into Lu Changsheng’s body like a funnel.

Initially, the Spiritual Energy within the Cave Heaven was as vast as a boundless sea, rich and dense like liquid.

Yet as it was steadily consumed, the Spiritual Energy had begun to grow much thinner.

After all, the Tianyuan Lotus contained no Spirit Vein.

All the Spiritual Energy depended entirely on the Tianyuan Lotus’s properties, accumulated over several millennia.

Still, despite its thinning, the accumulated Spiritual Energy was initially so abundant that it remained sufficient to support Chu Qingyi’s breakthrough to Core Formation.

No one knew how much time had passed.

“Buzz—”

Within Chu Qingyi’s Qi Ocean Core, a glimmering golden core surrounded by faintly seven-colored radiance bloomed, exuding endless divine light as it broke through the Sun Moon Furnace Cauldron, gradually orbiting atop her Dao Foundation Jade Plate.

“Boom boom boom—”

Her Dao Foundation hummed violently, surging forth tens of thousands of hues of divine light, illuminating in tandem with the golden core.

At this moment, a Yin Yang Fish swam into Chu Qingyi’s Qi Ocean Core, circling the radiant golden core suffused with a seven-colored aura, as if sculpting it.

With the movement of the Yin Yang Fish, tendrils of Yin Yang Energies began to rise and ripple, appearing almost like streams of the Great Dao Mechanism flowing, causing seven-colored Core Patterns to gradually emerge upon Chu Qingyi’s golden core.

“This…”

Chu Qingyi’s Mental Spirit was stunned. She couldn’t fathom what kind of method Lu Changsheng employed to make her golden core condense several levels within an instant.

But just at that moment, her Mental Spirit was briefly distracted.

She seemingly caught glimpses of herself returning together with Lu Changsheng post-Core Formation, where her junior sister, Xiao Xiyue, learned of her relationship with Lu Changsheng and was overwhelmed by grief.

Then, there was Lu Changsheng proposing marriage to her master, whose look was filled with disappointment.

“Heart Demon.”

Having broken through Core Formation previously, Chu Qingyi was aware that this was the Heart Demon arising during the process.

Ordinarily, with her Sword Heart Clarity, such distractions shouldn’t take root.

Yet for several days now, her involvement with Lu Changsheng had left her uncertain of how to confront things. All her fears, worries, and inner conflicts had bottled up deep in her heart and now erupted entirely.

“Break!”

Possessing an innate Sword Heart, cultivating Sword Dao techniques, and with experience in Core Formation along with her Core Formation Soul, she swiftly shattered this Heart Demon realm.

However, even as her beautiful eyes briefly opened and closed, gazing upon the strikingly handsome Lu Changsheng standing before her, her emotions remained indescribably tangled within.

Defeating the mountain bandit is easy; defeating the bandit in one’s heart proves difficult!

Although her Dao Heart was steadfast, the current circumstances deeply troubled her.

Noticing Chu Qingyi glancing at him, Lu Changsheng merely smiled gently, his slightly weary face radiating tenderness as he softly murmured, “Calm your heart.”

“Mm.”

Chu Qingyi softly responded, focusing her spirit to complete the final stages of her Core Formation.

For ordinary cultivators forming their cores, they often required a period of settling and maturing for a hundred days.

But as Chu Qingyi’s Core Formation was her second one, her foundation was substantial, supported additionally by the Nascent Soul Origin and Lu Changsheng’s assistance—she didn’t need as long.

On this day, Chu Qingyi’s golden core intertwined and fused with her Dao Foundation, creating a marvelous resonance. At this moment, sacred sounds representing the Great Dao reverberated throughout her being, and ten thousand streaks of resplendent light emanated from the golden core, purifying her flesh and blood.

Aligned with this, her innate magical sword let out faint sounds of euphoria.

“It’s still slightly lacking, but achieving Second-Grade Golden Core is acceptable; improvements can come later.”

Seeing Chu Qingyi successfully form her Core Formation, Lu Changsheng exhaled in relief, his expression brightened with joy.

As the saying goes: saving one life equals building a seven-layered pagoda!

Having successfully saved Chu Qingyi from a life-threatening predicament and enabled her to form her Second-Grade Golden Core, Lu Changsheng’s heart brimmed with fulfillment.

Moreover, assisting her with Core Formation opened up new strategies and pathways for him.

The next time Lu Miaoge, Xiao Xiyue, Ling Zixiao, and others attempt Core Formation, he could use a similar approach to boost their success rates and achieve higher-quality outcomes.

However, for them to achieve High-Quality Golden Core outcomes like Chu Qingyi’s, it wouldn’t be as straightforward.

After all, Chu Qingyi’s success hinged entirely upon Tianyuan True Monarch’s Nascent Soul Origin.

Though Tianyuan True Monarch had mentioned it was merely the remnants of Nascent Soul Origin,

this resource was an immense boon for a Core Formation cultivator—vast and overwhelming.

Not only did it heal Chu Qingyi’s meridians and flesh, but it also helped her condense her Second-Grade Golden Core. Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng’s cultivation level had risen from Core Formation Second Layer to the peak of Core Formation Third Layer. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Just one step shy of breaking through to Core Formation Fourth Layer.

“If I fully refined all this Nascent Soul Origin, I wouldn’t just reach the Fourth Layer—the Fifth Layer or even Sixth Layer might be possible.”

Lu Changsheng contemplated covertly.

The Nascent Soul Origin he transferred to Chu Qingyi’s meridians and Dantian had caused substantial wastage.

Still, he didn’t feel overly regretful about this.

At times, gains are intertwined with losses, and losses pave the way for gains.

After all, one cannot retrieve tiger cubs without entering the lair.

Yes, the comparison of Chu Qingyi—this Fairy resembling flawless jade-like buns—to a tiger’s den seemed… apt…

“Thank you, Lu Daoist…”

At this moment, Chu Qingyi slowly opened her bright and clear eyes, speaking gently to Lu Changsheng, though clearly unsure of how to interact with him.

“Heh, congratulations to my dear Qingyi for forming her High-Quality Golden Core.”

Lu Changsheng casually wrapped his arm around the beauty’s waist, planting a kiss upon her flawless cheek, his tone tender.

“…”

Chu Qingyi gently furrowed her brows, unsure how to converse with Lu Changsheng.

Their interaction felt overly intimate, and she feared he might soon blur the lines entirely and say something embarrassing.

Yet speaking as they might normally would seem distant—a hurtful stance.

“Qingyi, you’ve just undergone Core Formation. Focus on consolidating your realm.”

Lu Changsheng observed her slight discomfort.

Understanding that haste wouldn’t help, he decided to allow her time to adjust gradually.

“Mwah!”

Lu Changsheng stood up, donning his robe, preparing to investigate whether this Cave Heaven might hold other valuable items.

After all, Tianyuan True Monarch had mentioned leaving behind some Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.