The lingering echoes of thunder and fire dissipated like a retreating tide at the summit of Tianmu Mountain, leaving a scorched scent hanging in the air.

Seven elders in the Heart-Reflecting stage gathered on the open ground in front of the bamboo house, smiles on their faces brighter than the rising morning sun between the mountains.

Master Bai Shou stood with his hands behind his back at the foot of the steps, the three silver strands of beard under his chin trembling slightly with emotion. He glanced over the elders, his voice resonating with the heavy spiritual power unique to a Golden Core cultivator, echoing through the valley:

"Fellow Daoist Shi achieving a High Grade Golden Core is an unprecedented grand event in the five hundred years since our sect was founded!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping towards the direction of the mountain gate, and said loudly:

"The celebration banquet must be well organized, the Sect Treasure Vault should fully support it, and extend an invitation to the surrounding thirty-six sects to come and celebrate, so they can witness the foundation of our Tianmu Sect!"

"The Sect Master is wise!"

The elders echoed in unison, but only Li Xuan felt a jolt in his heart and secretly raised his eyes to look at his senior brother.

Sure enough, Chen Sheng’s brows were slightly furrowed, and the faint smile that had just formed after refining his pill gradually faded.

"No need."

Chen Sheng’s voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority as he stepped down the stone steps, the pressure of the High Grade Golden Core spreading like a thin mist:

"A large tree attracts the wind. The cultivation realm is surrounded by wolves, and the previous lesson of Mu Xia Valley is still fresh. A banquet will only attract unnecessary covetousness and bring disaster to the sect instead."

His gaze swept over the astonished faces, and he spoke with a flat tone:

"Instead of lavishly spending resources, it’s better to convert the treasure vault resources to fund me. I’ve just formed the pill, my Dao Foundation is unstable, and I need to refine a Lifebound Magical Treasure to stabilize my cultivation."

The smile on Master Bai Shou’s face froze, and for a moment, he was speechless.

His junior nephew had always been arrogant and solitary, with a strange personality. Now, having achieved a High Grade Golden Core, he seemed even more "eccentric"!

But then he thought of how after Wood Daoist formed his pill, he basked in glory but ultimately met a demise, being decapitated despite elevating his stage. Shi Jian’s caution seemed reasonable.

He coughed lightly and quickly agreed:

"Then let it be as Daoist friend says! However, when you formed your pill, the thunder and fire soared to the sky, purple lightning coiled around the mountain, and cultivators within a thousand miles could see it. I’m afraid we can’t keep this a secret."

"No problem."

Chen Sheng turned with his hands behind his back, the hem of his profound robe sweeping over the scorched marks in front of the steps, leaving a faint afterimage:

"I have decided to immediately travel the Four Seas, to temper my Dao Heart. If anyone visits, the Sect Master can simply say I am traveling abroad and decline all visits."

Startled by those words, Master Bai Shou was momentarily stunned. Just achieved the Golden Core and already planning to travel?

Chen Sheng changed the subject and said, "By the way, the mountain protection array of the sect should also be upgraded."

Master Bai Shou’s face turned from surprise to difficulty, he smiled wryly:

"Daoist friend might not know, our sect only passed down the Tier Two Array blueprints. When the founder suddenly passed away, the inheritance of the Tier Three Array was lost, and now no one can form it..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Sheng pulled out a yellowing scroll of beast skin from his sleeve and casually tossed it over.

"Years ago, I acquired it from an ancient cultivator’s cave mansion at the Grave Mound, the Tier Three ’Heaven-Burning Jiazi Array,’ which not only gathers spirits but also defends against enemies. It can invoke the power of the Celestial Stems and Earthly Branches when the array hub is activated, setting up sixty fire walls that even ordinary Golden Core cultivators can’t break through."

"In the past, my cultivation was insufficient, and I could only grasp the superficialities. Now that I’ve achieved the Golden Core, it’s the right time to put it to use. The Sect Master just needs to prepare the main materials of Profound Iron, Cinnabar, and Thousand-Year Phoenix Wood according to the blueprints, and I can form it within three days."

Master Bai Shou held the beast skin scroll, seeing the ancient seal script runes on it, feeling a heavy array aura rushing towards him, and was overjoyed:

"With this array, our sect can live in peace!"

Chen Sheng nodded, took out a piece of rice paper from his sleeve, with ink marks denoting the positions and distances of the array, even detailing each array hub token’s embedding depth in great detail.

He explained each detail, his voice clear and steady, and Master Bai Shou and the others did not sense any issues, quickly recording with jade scrolls, afraid to miss a single word.

Knowing his senior brother well, Li Xuan saw through it clearly. Although his senior brother seemed eager for resources, forming arrays, and planning an escape after forming the pill, appearing straightforward and defiant, he was actually more stable than anyone.

It was to prepare an early escape plan amid potential dangers.

After everything was arranged, Chen Sheng glance swept over the crowd, the pressure of the High Grade Golden Core suddenly released, making the elders instinctively straighten their backs:

"I will trouble the Sect Master with the array formation; everything else is settled, you may go now. Li Xuan, stay."

The elders dared not ask more questions and took their leave one after another, cupping their hands in respect.

Master Bai Shou, on his way out, even gave Li Xuan’s shoulder a pat, his gaze full of expectation: "Learn well from your senior brother."

...

Chen Sheng’s carefully chosen time to form the core was quite appropriate.

Currently, the current era’s favored child, Ling Wenxuan, along with his companions, had already achieved High Grade Golden Cores and were reaching for Nascent Soul level.

Nowadays, those old Nascent Souls were all on edge, fearing being targeted by these Killing Stars.

As a High Grade Golden Core from a minor sect, having only completed his cultivation at the age of seventy, as long as he didn’t stand out, he wouldn’t even qualify to be killed by them.

More likely, it was the disciples of those side-door major sects who might set their sights on Chen Sheng.

In the situation dominated by the favored of destiny, they would push someone out to take the blame, simultaneously taking the opportunity to harvest what the others don’t value.

The cosmic fortune net in this world was too tightly woven, making it too difficult for a cultivator without background to survive!

However, obviously, Chen Sheng would not let this conflict erupt. Seizing the current chaotic destiny, he directly chose to escape, temporarily stepping out of this fortune chessboard.

He could cultivate with peace of mind and also plan for himself, making his growth more reasonable.

... 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

In the bamboo house, sandalwood was re-lit, and Chen Sheng, sitting on the futon, tossed out a Jade Talisman:

"This is my Communication Jade Scroll, you can use it to contact me during my travels."

"By the way, you’ve achieved the Heart-Reflecting Perfection stage. Next, you should aim to Condense the Pill and target the High Grade."

Li Xuan quickly waved his hand, smiling wryly: "Senior brother jokes, a High Grade Golden Core is beyond my wildest dreams..."

"Cut the nonsense."

Chen Sheng interrupted, pointing with a finger, a streak of golden light heading straight for Li Xuan’s forehead:

"During this secluded cultivation, I created the ’Heaven and Earth Yin Yang Embrace Pill Technique,’ specifically targeting the key points of High Grade Golden Core. You should carefully understand it."

Li Xuan only felt a tremendously profound set of techniques flooding into his mind, with exquisite methods from cleansing spiritual energy, stabilizing the Dao Heart, to handling the tribulation of thunder and fire.

His divine sense scanned over, trembling with excitement: "Senior brother’s talent is unmatched! Such techniques are enough to let our sect’s legacy last for a thousand years!"

Chen Sheng waved off the remark, his tone regaining some of its proud edge: "It’s not worth mentioning. This technique should not be spread; otherwise, it will surely invite covetous intent."

"When you feel the opportunity to form the core is near, use the scroll to contact me, and I’ll take you elsewhere to refine the core—Tianmu Sect is too conspicuous for two successive High Grade Golden Cores."

Li Xuan was completely convinced, quickly cupping his hands in deep respect: "Understood, senior brother!"