"Ha! Help me reach rank 90? Boy, you're ambitious!" Grandpa burst into laughter, his booming voice echoing through the courtyard.
I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "If you don't want my help, that's fine. I have better things to do anyway."
His laughter stopped abruptly, and he blinked at me, startled. "Wait… You're serious?"
"I don't joke about cultivation, Grandpa," I said firmly.
The next thing I knew, Grandpa swept me off my feet, spinning me around like a child's toy. "My precious grandson! My genius! Of course, I'd love your help! How could I refuse such a rare opportunity?"
"Grandpa! Put me down!" I protested, though I couldn't help but smile at his antics.
When he finally set me back on solid ground, we all shared a hearty laugh. Once the mood settled, I straightened my expression and said, "Alright, listen up. This isn't going to be easy, but it's possible. I want to talk to you about soul cores."
Grandpa and Uncle Xin exchanged confused looks. "Soul cores?" Grandpa repeated, intrigued. "What's that?"
I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. "A soul core is a metaphysical crystallization of energy. It represents the advancement of a Spirit Master's martial soul comprehension or a bloodline's evolution to a higher life stage. Think of it as the pinnacle of cultivation foundation, it permanently amplifies a Spirit Master's potential and increases their affinity with their core element."
Grandpa scratched his chin. "And how does one form a soul core?"
"Formation requires immense spiritual power and a physique strong enough to endure the process. It's not something most Spirit Masters can achieve. In fact, if a Spirit Master hasn't formed their first soul core before the age of 40, they'll likely never succeed."
Uncle Xin frowned. "That's… discouraging."
I held up a hand. "But there are different types of soul cores. The one I recommend for Grandpa is an Elemental Core. This type of soul core is condensed from one's affinity and comprehension of universal elemental laws."
Grandpa's eyes lit up. "You're saying I could form a core from my poison element?"
"Exactly," I confirmed. "You've spent your entire life mastering poison. Your understanding of it is unmatched. If anyone on this continent could form a Poison Elemental Core, regardless of their age, it's you."
He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And what would that entail?"
"It's a difficult process," I admitted. "You'll need to enter reclusion, focus on gathering and condensing your poison energy, and use your spiritual power to harmonize it into a stable core within your dantian. It'll require a Titled Douluo-level body and a high spiritual realm to handle the strain."
Grandpa's usual confident smirk returned. "Sounds dangerous. I like it."
Uncle Xin glanced at me. "And what about you? Do you have one of these soul cores?"
"Not yet," I admitted. "But I'm working toward it. My recent experiences have laid the groundwork, and I'll form one eventually."
Grandpa grinned. "If you can explain all this so clearly, I'd be a fool not to try. When do I start?"
"Tonight, if you're ready," I said.
Grandpa's grin widened. "I was born ready."
Later that evening, Grandpa entered seclusion to begin the process of forming his soul core. Uncle Xin and I spent the next month training relentlessly, pushing our limits in preparation for what was to come.
One night, as we sparred in the courtyard, a sudden wave of pressure rolled over us. Uncle Xin froze mid-attack, his eyes widening. "Do you feel that?"
I nodded, my pulse quickening. The pressure was immense, heavy, and unmistakably powerful. It was coming from Grandpa's location.
Without another word, we raced toward the source. When we arrived, the sight before us left us awestruck. Grandpa stood at the center of his training ground, a faint, ominous green glow radiating from his body. The air around him shimmered with toxic energy, yet it felt refined, controlled, and terrifyingly potent.
He opened his eyes, and for the first time, I saw something new in them, a profound calm and absolute mastery. Grandpa had done it. He had formed his Poison Elemental Core.