Yue'er's words were not without reason.
Over the past five years, Lin Xuan's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Yet despite such extraordinary progress, he did not grow complacent. After a brief rest, he once again entered seclusion and continued to temper himself in silence.
Seasons passed in quiet succession—winters fading into spring. Two more years slipped away.
On this day, the sealed stone door of Lin Xuan's cave residence finally opened, breaking the stillness that had endured for so long.
He stepped out. His face, calm and unchanged, was the same as it had been seven years ago.
The Nine Heavens Profound Art was not only incomparably profound but also contained within it a wondrous effect—it preserved one's youthful countenance. Though years had flowed by like water, Lin Xuan's appearance remained untouched by time.
But his aura… that was entirely different.
By now, his cultivation had reached the very peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage—the realm known as the False Core!
In truth, Lin Xuan had already attained this level half a year prior. Yet, seeking perfection, he spent another six months refining and purifying his spiritual power, ensuring that when the time came to form his Golden Core, the process would be flawless.
Now, that moment had finally arrived.
It was time to make his final preparations.
Leaving his cave abode, Lin Xuan traveled toward a nearby market. A few rare materials still needed to be acquired.
He first sought out several special Restriction Talismans. Unlike ordinary formations used in battle, these restrictions were designed to suppress spiritual fluctuations within a radius of a thousand feet—a necessary precaution for what he intended to do.
After careful thought, Lin Xuan decided against forming his Golden Core on Spirit Pill Mountain. Although Tong Yu's intentions were not hostile, Lin Xuan's nature was one of caution. He preferred not to place his life in another's hands.
In a flash of light, he arrived at a bustling market. Descending to the ground, he altered his appearance and walked in.
This time, aside from purchasing alchemy materials, Lin Xuan also sought news of the current situation in You Prefecture. Seven years of seclusion had left him uncertain—had war already erupted between the great powers?
Several hours later, he emerged from the marketplace, his expression composed.
The restriction talismans were not difficult to obtain. Such tools were commonly crafted by cultivators adept in sealing arts, and talisman shops sold them readily. For nearly a hundred spirit stones, Lin Xuan had procured what he needed with ease.
As for news, that required little effort as well. Sitting in a teahouse, he found a talkative cultivator and, through idle conversation, drew out all the information he sought.
What he learned, however, was beyond his expectations.
Just as Daoist Ku Mu had once predicted, the grand battle at Heavenly Vision Mountain had unfolded disastrously for the coalition of sects led by the Snow Shadow Gate. Their unity shattered quickly—ambition and greed turning them against one another.
The Heavenly Vision Sect, having endured its darkest hour, seized the opportunity to strike back. The sect master, cunning and resolute, gathered his strength and prepared to deliver a single, devastating blow that would make all others tremble.
Yet, just as victory seemed near, calamity descended.
The demonic cultivators struck in full force, led personally by the Extreme Demon Venerable. Faced with overwhelming might, the Heavenly Vision Sect chose not to perish in futile resistance. After tense negotiations, their territory was absorbed and turned into a branch of the Extreme Demon Cave.
And that was not the only change.
The demonic path had transformed beyond recognition. Once, the three great powers—the Extreme Demon Cave, Ghost Valley, and Yin Spirit Cult—had jointly ruled Heavenly Demon City. Though the Extreme Demon Cave stood as the strongest, the other two maintained balance through alliance.
But half a year ago, that balance crumbled.
Through means unknown, the Demon Venerable forced a merger between the three sects. Outsiders called it a "union," but all knew the truth: the Extreme Demon Cave had swallowed the others whole—without a single battle.
The cultivation world was shaken.
Though their numbers had not greatly increased, the unification brought coherence and order. Under one will, the strength of the demonic path surged.
The storm was coming. Though swords had not yet clashed, the stench of blood already hung in the air.
The so-called righteous path did not remain idle. As the demonic sects plotted, the great orthodox factions united in turn, forming a joint council among their elder ranks. Disciples, vassal sects, and allied clans were placed under shared command.
The stage was being set for war.
A great upheaval was inevitable.
After leaving the teahouse, Lin Xuan stood silently beneath the dimming sky, his eyes deep as an abyss. A faint sneer tugged at his lips.
Righteous or demonic—it made no difference. When the winds of war rose, all were dragged into the tide. Even he could not stand apart.
All the more reason to advance swiftly.
A flash of azure light enveloped him as he soared into the distance.
Soon, Lin Xuan returned to his dwelling. From his storage bag, he took out an array plate and infused it with spiritual power. A dozen colorful array flags rose into the air, forming an intricate pattern before falling still.
He carefully stored the "Extreme Yin Array." Even after his breakthrough, it would remain invaluable.
He gathered the rest of his possessions. Though he planned to return after forming his core, without the protective array, this place could not be left undefended.
Finally, he entered a small stone chamber. There, a white egg rested quietly upon a pedestal.
Even with Lin Xuan's steady heart, a faint trace of disappointment surfaced in his eyes. Seven years had passed, and yet the mysterious beast egg remained lifeless.
He sighed softly, then waved his sleeve and stored it in his spirit beast pouch. "The Sky Fiend Demon Lord would not keep a useless thing," he murmured.
Leaving the cave, Lin Xuan sealed its entrance with two layers of restriction, then turned into a streak of light, vanishing into the horizon.
His destination was a vast desert—the most desolate stretch of land in all of You Prefecture. It was barren and lifeless, devoid even of wild beasts.
No cultivator would willingly tread such a place; there was no spiritual energy, no treasures—nothing worth the risk.
But for Lin Xuan, it was perfect.
He would rely on pills to break through his bottleneck. Whether the land was rich in spiritual energy or not mattered little to him.
He flew for two full days before a barren mountain rose before his eyes, jagged and lifeless, its surface cracked and bare.
Lin Xuan swept his spiritual sense across the land. Finding no trace of life, he nodded in satisfaction.
"This place will do."