Third-Rank Golden Core

Xie Wujie examined the handwriting carefully and soon discovered something peculiar. When he channeled spiritual energy into his fists using the Eternal Grip, his fists glowed like two lanterns, illuminating the surrounding inscriptions.

"The great endeavor of becoming Sect Master had only just begun, yet it was cut short by treachery. Now the Ten Great Sects have no place for the Immortal Longevity Sect."

"The Danxia Sect has grown powerful. In my lifetime, I wished to see the resurgence of the Longevity Sect and the return of the Phoenix’s successor. But after my Seven Seas were shattered, my cultivation was ruined, and my fate sealed—I will not live much longer..."

"I am unwilling, but still I await the destined one’s return. My eight brothers each went their separate ways to preserve the last seed of the Longevity Sect, so we might avenge the annihilation of our sect and seek justice for our thirty thousand disciples. Never again should we become helpless wandering souls, scattered to the four winds..."

"I was born of the Longevity Sect, and I shall die as its ghost. Alas, fate does not favor me; extinction is inevitable, and I have no hope to witness our sect's rise. But now that you have seen these words, it means the Phoenix spirit has found a successor, and hope for the Immortal Longevity Sect burns anew. Unfortunately, I am long dead and cannot meet you—I would have spared no effort, poured out my heart and soul, to nurture you into a great sect master!"

"Now, you must be on the path to seek the Eight Guardians. If you have reached the Golden Core stage, continue your search. If not, do not pursue them yet. First become a disciple of Danxia Sect, cultivate diligently, and refine your Golden Core. Only a third-grade Golden Core can fully unleash the power of the Phoenix Divine Art!"

"In the deep well of this courtyard, I have placed a golden crow wood box containing our sect's ultimate mastery—the seventh volume of the Phoenix Divine Art: Eternal True Fire. This fire surpasses ordinary flame, its power boundless. It can forge spiritual artifacts, refine elixirs, and even slay enemies. Yet this fire must never be revealed to the masters of other sects, or the flicker of hope for the Immortal Longevity Sect may once again be extinguished..."

"I am but a humble villager who survived the chaos of the world without ambition to make my name among the sects. The ancestral sect master never looked down on me for my lowly status; he even came personally to invite me to leave my mountain. Such trust left me deeply humbled. Even if I devote my life, I must offer my meager strength to the Immortal Longevity Sect... May the Immortal Longevity Sect endure through the ages!"

The writing ended here. Every line revealed an abiding affection and unwillingness to part with the Immortal Longevity Sect, which deeply impressed Xie Wujie.

Old Master Qin, even in his final days, could not forget the Immortal Longevity Sect...

Xie Wujie let out a long sigh, his heart filled with respect for the old man. The tomb lay not far away, and this small wooden hut was far from Danxia Sect’s main hall, in a remote corner, so the place was tranquil.

The grave sat quietly amid the woods, bearing the name Qin Shou. Xie Wujie carefully lit incense and bowed several times before the tomb, then moved to the well beside the house.

He fashioned a hook from rope and a wooden rod, pulling up the contents from the well.

Sure enough, it was a box. Inside were a book, some silver coins, and a set of fine robes.

By some stroke of fortune, the pale blue robes suited him perfectly, matching his attire as if they had been tailored for Xie Wujie himself.

"Golden Core stage—and a third-grade Golden Core." Xie Wujie clenched his fists. Achieving such a grade was exceedingly difficult; most people’s Golden Cores ranged from seventh to tenth grade, and even forming a tenth-grade Golden Core was an impressive feat.

A Golden Core is the foundation. The lower the grade, the higher the quality, and the greater the absorption of spiritual energy. This means faster advancement in later stages.

In other words, between two Golden Core cultivators—one with a first-grade core, the other with a tenth-grade core—under the same resources, the first-grade core operates at a hundred times the efficiency of the tenth.

A single duel could yield profound insight for the first-grade core, while the tenth-grade core would gain nothing.

Only a third-grade Golden Core could master the Eternal True Fire. Xie Wujie felt somewhat at a loss; he had only just arrived, and to attain such a favorable circumstance would be an arduous task.

Advancing to Golden Core was one of the most crucial moments for a cultivator, akin to a second birth. To forge a proper core, there was only one method—spend money.

Eat the best elixirs, drink the finest spiritual liquids; only then could the body be elevated. But though it sounded simple, it was far harder in practice.

Within the Ten Great Sects, goods were not bought with silver, but with spiritual stones. Each stone was about an ounce and served as the currency among the sects. Obtaining them was far more difficult than earning silver.

Since Senior Qin Shou advised him to build his foundation in Danxia Sect, and since he had found his way to this hut, Xie Wujie decided that staying in Danxia Sect would not be difficult—but there was a world of difference between outer and inner disciples.

Outer disciples were laborers, occasionally given spiritual stones, but inner disciples enjoyed priority access to resources. Danxia Sect had only three hundred inner disciples, while outer disciples numbered in the thousands.

If he were to stay, being an outer disciple would be no better than striking out on his own. To remain, he must become an inner disciple!

Xie Wujie silently resolved to settle the matter of his Golden Core first.

The next morning, Dongmen Qianyun came to see him as expected, carrying some food. She giggled, “Brother Xie? Are you awake yet?”

“I was just meditating,” Xie Wujie replied, then paused. “By the way, Brother Hongliu came to see me yesterday.”

“He must’ve tried to persuade you to stay, right?” Dongmen Qianyun said, setting down breakfast—a meat bun and a pot of spiritual liquid.

Here, spiritual liquid could be taken as a beverage, though its value was high and only inner disciples could afford it.

“I’ve made up my mind—I must join the inner sect,” Xie Wujie declared.

Dongmen Qianyun was surprised. She put down what she was doing and said, “It’s not easy to enter the inner sect. You need to reach the Golden Core stage—right now, you’re at most mid Condensing Stage, still a long way off. Besides, cultivation consumes rare treasures, and without much accumulation, it’s nearly impossible.” Dongmen Qianyun wasn’t discouraging him, just stating the truth.

Xie Wujie nodded. “I know. That’s why I plan to start a business in Danxia Sect...”

He already had a plan, so he said, “You need spiritual stones to exchange for elixirs, right?”

“If you need spiritual stones, I have plenty,” Dongmen Qianyun said. “I don’t cultivate, so I save all my monthly stones.”

“Stop right there. I’ve already benefited from you enough. If I trouble you for my business, what kind of man am I?” Xie Wujie replied.

He was determined—if he was to walk this path, he would walk it properly, regardless of how rough it might be. A man must press forward.

That day, Xie Wujie returned to the modern world, buying a huge pile of goods in the supermarket, leaving even the owner bewildered.

The owner was a burly man. He said, “Wujie, did you strike it rich?”

“Brother Hei, if I’d gotten rich, would I still be buying instant noodles and snacks?” Xie Wujie laughed.

Hei sighed, lighting a cigarette. “These things are fine for a quick meal, but eating them all the time isn’t healthy. Take my advice—if you can’t make it here, go home and find a job. I heard your ex-girlfriend has a new boyfriend, a real diamond bachelor.”

Hei’s words left Xie Wujie silent, a heavy feeling in his heart. “Thanks, Brother Hei. But I have more important things to do now.”

But as Xie Wujie opened the door, he saw a car already parked outside the supermarket.