Cultivation starts from devouring the Dao fruits

Zhao Yu's eyes brightened, revealing a satisfied smile, "Indeed, the White Ghost Emperor has become much stronger!"

No matter how the Nine Extremes Corpse Emperor attacked, the White Ghost Emperor easily blocked and threw him to the ground. Zhao Yu then tested the White Ghost Emperor's other attributes and found that his physical quality had directly increased by five times compared to before the evolution, and his combat power had increased to a terrifying extent.

Although Zhao Yu also possessed the Cultivation Level of the seventh layer of Body Refinement, if he were to fight with the White Ghost Emperor, he would basically be instantly killed.

"The evolution of the White Ghost Emperor is complete, this is also a sign of my successful cultivation. What a time to celebrate!"

Zhao Yu's lips curled up slightly, and he went to the study room, taking Shangguan Lingxiu and Wu Zixin with him, enjoying a delightful spring breeze beyond description.

In the following days, Zhao Yu spent his time cultivating, refining artifacts, and utilizing the Dao Fruits to devour the countless resources within the Beast Taming Sect to enhance the quality of the Red Emperor.

Ten years passed in a flash, inside the Quiet Room.

"Finally, I've cultivated to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Stage, and I can form my core now!"

Zhao Yu took out a Superior Earth Core Formation Pill and swallowed it, then he started running the Mountain Sutra, compressing his mana inch by inch inside his body.

As soon as the Earth Core Formation Pill entered Zhao Yu's stomach, it transformed into a hot stream rapidly compressing his mana.

While running the Mountain Sutra, all of Zhao Yu's mana was successfully compressed into a mass. Suddenly, he felt a pain in his head as a trace of soul entered the liquid mana within him.

That liquid mana underwent various changes as if it had come to life, rapidly condensing to form a flawless Golden Core.

Streams of extremely pure mana flowed out from the Golden Core, entering Zhao Yu's limbs and bones, strengthening his flesh and soul.

An immensely terrifying aura of the Golden Core rose within the main peak of the newly established Danling.

Li Xianjiao looked towards the direction of the Quiet Room where Zhao Yu was and revealed a joyous smile, "He made it! Uncle really advanced to a Golden Core cultivator effortlessly! Next, it's my turn!"

"Golden Core! My husband has finally advanced to the Golden Core!"

Shangguan Lingxiu was also slightly dazed, displaying a sweet smile. When she had married down to become Zhao Yu's concubine, she never imagined she would become the concubine of a Golden Core ancestor.

"Golden Core ancestor, my husband is truly incredible!"

Wu Zixin's eyes lit up and she continued handling the various affairs in her hands.

Tuoba Xue was also exceptionally excited, her delicate body trembled, "Golden Core ancestor, I never thought I would become the wife of a Golden Core ancestor! With my husband's speed of cultivation, perhaps one day, I could become the wife of a Nascent Soul ancestor!"

Wei Xinlan's face also showed delight, "My husband is amazing!"

Nangong Shiyao smiled tenderly, "Golden Core! My husband, truly incredible!"

Ling Qianxue's eyes flashed with joy and a hint of regret, "Incredible! Brother Yu really advanced to a Golden Core ancestor! If only I had married him earlier and become his cultivation partner!"

Su Bingyun revealed a pleased smile, her heart secretly fired up, "He really advanced to Golden Core smoothly! Truly remarkable! I must not lose either!"

"Golden Core!! Master, truly incredible!!"

Under Zhao Yu's full cultivation, Fang Shitou, who had also advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, looked towards the direction of the main peak, his eyes shining with joy.

"Zhao Yu."

"Possessor of the Dao Fruit."

"Life span 95/1463."

"Cultivation Level: Mountain Sutra Twenty-first Layer (0/100), Golden Core First Layer!"

Zhao Yu opened his eyes and felt a powerful and pure mana permeating his body.

In his heart, Zhao Yu mused, "This is the mana of the Golden Core Level. Indeed, it is much stronger than the Foundation Establishment Stage! Now that I have advanced to the Golden Core, I can start refining my Lifebound Magic Treasure, the Mountain Seal!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

It's a pity, though; I originally wanted to be a dashing sword cultivator who flits about in white robes, but now I will become a brute who smashes others with a seal!"

Most human cultivators at the Golden Core Level base their combat prowess on magical treasures, spirit beasts, spirit insects, corpse refining, ghosts, or other spell supernatural powers.

Among the techniques from the Mountain Sutra that Zhao Yu received, only the main cultivation technique was taught, with no accompanying divine skills, which meant he had to find a way to refine the Mountain Seal to unleash a Golden Core cultivator's combat power.

"Advancing to the Golden Core, cultivation has succeeded; how should this be celebrated!"

After bathing and changing his clothes, Zhao Yu left the Quiet Room and walked outside.

"Big Brother Yu, congratulations on your advancement to Golden Core. Oh, and for your cultivation success, I have a gift for you that I guarantee you'll love. What do you say?"

Just as Zhao Yu emerged from the Quiet Room, there approached a tall and shapely figure, her skin as smooth as ice and pale as jade, her black hair cascading to her shoulders, her features as if painted, and her lips and nose delicate, dressed in a white imperial robe embodying a noble and elegant demeanor, yet with a hint of playfulness, Li Xianjiao came over with a fragrant breeze and a smiling face.

Zhao Yu asked curiously, "What gift?"

With her pure white arms around Zhao Yu's neck, her seductive eyes sultry, exhaling softly, and her eyes moist, Li Xianjiao said, "Today, I will give myself to you! Aren't you celebrating?"

"This is truly the best gift I have ever received!"

Zhao Yu smiled slightly, lifted Li Xianjiao in his arms, and walked towards the bedroom.

The news of Zhao Yu's advancement to Golden Core quickly spread throughout the entire Northern Wilderness, causing quite a stir.

Most forces within the Northern Wilderness Cultivation World had guessed that Zhao Yu would likely advance to Golden Core, but his actual advancement still intimidated many who harbored ulterior motives.

Continue your saga on empire

After all, an ordinary cultivator who advances to Golden Core gains a lifespan of six hundred years, enough to dominate the Northern Wilderness for centuries.

Two months later, the New Xiaodan Ridge officially announced the hosting of the Golden Core Ceremony, and various major forces rushed to Xiaodan Ridge.

On the day of the Golden Core Ceremony.

"Huangye Valley offers up six stalks of Hundred-Year Spirit Subduing Jiao Grass, wishing the lord of the New Xiaodan Ridge, Ancestor Zhao, a long life without bounds, and a future ascension to the Cultivation World!"

"Mingxia School offers up…"

"..."

One by one, leaders from various forces stepped forward, presenting their congratulations and gifts.

"The Golden Core Ancestor! He has become the Golden Core Ancestor!"

Seated at a jade table, the Peony Fairy watched Zhao Yu receiving respectful congratulations from the leaders of various forces and observed the radiant Shangguan Lingxiu sitting beside him, feeling a twinge of unwillingness and regret in her heart.

The Peony Fairy had failed in her attempt to ascend to Golden Core more than a decade ago; the backlash from the failed ascension had reduced her cultivation level back to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and she had not recovered since.

Even if she managed to cultivate back to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Stage, it would be difficult for her to attempt Core Formation again.

After Zhao Yu had accepted all the gifting ceremonies, he announced the start of the banquet, and everyone began to enjoy the various delicacies on the jade table.

"I have seen Ancestor Zhao Yu!"

As Zhao Yu approached the table where Ling Qianxue was seated, a somewhat familiar voice rang out. He looked in the direction of the voice, only to see an elderly woman with a full head of white hair, thin body, and a face full of wrinkles, bowing respectfully to him.