Wu Zheng sat cross-legged in his cave, his eyes closed as the familiar energy from his Foundation Pillar surged within him. This was no ordinary session. Today, the time had come for him to ascend beyond the Foundation Establishment Realm and step into the realm of the Golden Core.
The energy swirling inside his dantian began to stir violently. The nine pillars that had stabilized his foundation trembled, cracks spreading across their surfaces as if they could no longer contain the spiritual energy within him. The intensity of the moment was palpable.
A low hum filled the cave, resonating from within Wu Zheng's core. His breathing slowed, deepened, as he guided the chaotic energy with his will. The steady pulse of Qi echoed in his ears like a drumbeat, signaling the impending transformation.
The first day of the breakthrough was marked by the gradual breakdown of the Foundation Pillars. Each pillar represented the strength and stability he had cultivated over the years, and now, they began to fracture. The sensation was like watching a mountain crumble, piece by piece.
Crack!
A sharp sound filled the cave as the first pillar shattered, releasing a burst of raw energy. Wu Zheng clenched his fists, sweat beading on his brow, but his expression remained calm. He knew this process well from his past life, though the pain was still significant.
The second and third pillars followed soon after, each one breaking apart under the immense pressure of his Qi. The energy, once contained within these pillars, now surged wildly through his meridians. His body trembled, but he remained focused.
By the second day, all the pillars had crumbled, leaving only a chaotic storm of spiritual energy swirling in his dantian. The next step was to condense this energy into a single point, the seed of his Golden Core.
Wu Zheng focused inward, guiding the flow of energy with precise control. His mind was like the eye of a storm, calm amidst the violent surge of Qi. The energy spun faster and faster, compressing into a tiny sphere at the center of his dantian.
Whoosh!
The air in the cave seemed to thicken as the energy condensed further, the pressure building around him. His bones groaned under the strain, and his veins pulsed with the flow of Qi. Each breath he took was labored, but his determination never wavered.
By the third day, the chaotic energy had condensed into a perfect sphere, glowing with a golden radiance. This was the most delicate part of the process. If the balance shifted even slightly, the entire breakthrough could collapse, and the consequences could be dire.
Wu Zheng's face was pale, his body drenched in sweat, but a sharp glint of focus remained in his eyes. He carefully nurtured the growing Golden Core, stabilizing the energy flow and ensuring that every ounce of Qi was perfectly aligned.
The core began to spin, slowly at first, but gaining momentum. As it rotated, it drew in the remaining energy like a black hole, refining it into pure essence. The faint hum that had filled the cave grew louder, resonating with the spinning core.
Boom!
A final burst of energy exploded outward, shaking the entire cave. But this time, it was not chaotic. The energy was refined, controlled, and it flowed seamlessly through Wu Zheng's meridians.
Wu Zheng exhaled a long, steady breath as the process finally completed. The Golden Core, a shining, rotating sphere, rested in his dantian, pulsating with immense power. His breakthrough had been successful.
He opened his eyes, his vision clearer than ever, as though he could see every detail of the cave's walls, each crack and crevice illuminated by his newfound power. He stretched his limbs, feeling the strength coursing through his body.
"Nodding in satisfaction," Wu Zheng muttered, "One more step towards the end. A very little step, perhaps, but still a step."
Unlike most cultivators, Wu Zheng didn't need to consolidate his realm. His experience from past lives gave him an advantage—he already understood the intricacies of the Golden Core stage, and his foundation was stable.
Wu Zheng waved his hand, and a translucent screen appeared before him.
[Wu Zheng]
Lifespan: 22/500
Potential: 31%
Cultivation: 1st Stage of Golden Core
Cultivation Technique: Heaven Origin
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Techniques:
Sword Serpent Technique (Mortal)
Swift Sword Technique (Mortal)
Two Bull Sword Technique (Mortal)
Spirit Wall Technique (Earth)
Qi Limit (Heaven)
Song of Inferno (Earth)
Moon Step (Earth)
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Equipment:
Dragon Shield Amulet (5th Grade)
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[System Functions: Notice Board]
[Spirit Lens]
Rewards pending
Wu Zheng clicked on the pending rewards. He had been waiting for this moment for over five years. As the system processed his action, he smiled faintly, knowing that this was just the beginning.