Three months later.
Shenxuan Sect, an uninhabited mountain peak.
Han Xuanji leisurely watched the falling leaves. Within his Dantian, a Nine-Pattern Golden Core emitted a faint golden light. Flying Swords circled around him, complementing his extraordinary demeanor, making him seem like a young Sword Immortal descended upon the world.
Beneath his feet lay the corpses of numerous Yao Beasts, all of which had attempted to ambush him during his Breakthrough.
The Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm caused too great a disturbance, and Han Xuanji did not wish to Break through in a Cultivation chamber. Thus, he came to the outer Sect area to Break through. He had set up a Concealment Formation here, so his aura would not spread too far.
As for safety, while it wasn't perfectly secure, with numerous Magical Artifacts and Formations guarding him, Han Xuanji had no fear.
Host: Han Xuanji
Cultivation: Golden Core Realm, First Layer
Cultivation Technique: Feather Transformation True Scripture, Flying Immortal Sword Art, Unyielding Golden Body, Sky-Treading Steps...
Attributes: Immortal Aptitude, Extraordinary Comprehension Ability.
Perhaps it was due to his sufficiently solid Foundation.
Han Xuanji's Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm was incredibly smooth, and he successfully forged the most superior Nine-Pattern Golden Core, with a flawless Foundation.
Upon reaching the Golden Core Realm, various Advanced Cultivation Techniques truly demonstrated their power.
Although he hadn't fought anyone, he was confident enough to contend with all the heroes under heaven.
However, there was no need.
Han Xuanji felt that he was still in his growth phase and needed to further develop. What was the Golden Core Realm?
At the very least, he should emerge and sweep aside everything when he reaches the Ascension Realm!
Withdrawing his aura, Han Xuanji was about to return to Lingxiu Peak on his Flying Sword.
He noticed someone following him in his direction.
"Demonic Path spy?"
Han Xuanji's heart jolted when he sensed someone following him.
The Shenxuan Sect was extremely vast, and in this outer Sect area, it was quite possible for Demonic Cultivators to have infiltrated.
Han Xuanji's expression shifted, and he intended to directly make a move.
A voice soon came from a distance:
"Wait, stop!"
Han Xuanji couldn't help but stop, frowning as he looked at a figure in the distance.
The other party was flying on a Flying Sword in the air, a white robe fluttering in the wind. His demeanor and Cultivation were extraordinary, and he was also in the Golden Core Realm.
"I am Zhao Wuya of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and I mean no harm."
The white-robed man called out loudly.
"Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Han Xuanji realized that the other party seemed to be an ally.
The Heavenly Sword Sect was also a top Immortal Sect in Dongcang Continent. Its heritage was slightly inferior to the Shenxuan Sect, but its current strength was formidable and not at all weaker than the Shenxuan Sect. In recent years, it had also produced many Sword Dao Great Masters, making it a famous Righteous Path Grand Sect.
"I happened to be in the Shenxuan Sect for business, and seeing that you are also a Sword Cultivator, I became curious."
Zhao Wuya's eyes were bright and spirited as he excitedly looked at Han Xuanji.
Although Han Xuanji's movements when dealing with the Yao Beasts earlier were not significant, his Divine Soul was naturally powerful. From a great distance, he vaguely sensed a powerful Sword Intent and was quickly drawn over.
"What do you want?"
Han Xuanji didn't understand what the other party intended to do.
"How about we spar and compare our swordsmanship?"
Zhao Wuya smiled.
The Heavenly Sword Sect basically consisted of Sword Cultivators. They were on good terms with the Shenxuan Sect, but Disciples from both Sects often competed. Zhao Wuya came to the Shenxuan Sect this time also intending to discuss swordsmanship with a friend and improve together.
Of course, he had no ill intentions. Even though he often sought out people for sword duels, he had never caused any fatalities.
"Not interested."
Han Xuanji was not some battle maniac, nor did he want to inexplicably make a move.
"Could it be that you're scared?"
Zhao Wuya raised an eyebrow and said:
"I can suppress my Cultivation to spar with you."
Han Xuanji ignored this taunt, turned and left, not wanting a meaningless battle.
Seeing Han Xuanji's composure, Zhao Wuya became even more interested. Earlier, just by sensing a wisp of Han Xuanji's Sword Intent, he knew that the man before him was definitely not simple. With such an opponent, he found it difficult to suppress his inner excitement.
"Fellow Daoist, offense taken!"
Zhao Wuya shouted loudly, then shot out a Sword Qi from his fingertip.
This Sword Qi was not very powerful and carried no killing intent.
But it annoyed Han Xuanji. He was still in a hurry to go back to Cultivate and sign in; he had no time to play with him.
"Why bother?"
Han Xuanji sighed, no longer pretending, and swung his sword with a backhand.
Absolute Shadow Divine Sword!
This was an Earth Rank High Grade Sword Art, primarily focused on speed. Coupled with his Sword Intent, which was nearing Major Achievement, its power was extraordinary.
Countless streams of silver Sword Qi, refined to the extreme, instantly poured out, then transformed into a surging, roaring river of Sword Qi!
This river of Sword Qi was not chaotic; every wisp of Sword Qi contained a sharp will capable of severing Law. They intertwined and coiled, subtly forming the illusion of a giant sword spanning the sky, pointing directly at Zhao Wuya.
Boom!
Zhao Wuya reacted extremely quickly, also unleashing a sword strike. His Sword Qi, like a fiery Dragon, engulfed the opponent.
The next instant.
Wherever the giant sword illusion passed, Zhao Wuya's Sword Qi instantly shattered, unable to form even the slightest resistance, and was completely submerged and pulverized by that pure, overwhelming torrent of Sword Intent!
"How is this possible..."
This thought flashed through Zhao Wuya's mind. He hadn't expected the opponent's Sword Intent to be so powerful, completely crushing his own.
Before he could defend, the terrifying Sword Qi instantly struck his shoulder, sending him flying hundreds of meters away.
After a long while.
Zhao Wuya clutched his shoulder, suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and endured the pain, saying:
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for showing mercy!"
Just now, he had truly experienced the feeling of death. If the opponent had shifted his aim even slightly, he might have been gone.
"His Sword Intent completely surpasses mine..."
It wasn't until Han Xuanji had gone far away that he suddenly thought:
"Damn it, I forgot to ask who he was."
...Returning to Lingxiu Peak, Han Xuanji also breathed a sigh of relief. This battle had given him a bit more confidence.
Years of arduous Cultivation had indeed yielded results; even an Inner Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect was no match for him.
"Congratulations."
Han Xuanji silently nodded in his heart, considering it proof of his 'Gou Dao' (Cautious Path).
In the blink of an eye.
Another month passed.
Han Xuanji successfully Broke through to the second layer of the Golden Core Realm. The joy of the Breakthrough quickly faded, and he fell into contemplation.
Because he had run out of Golden Core Realm Medicinal Pills.
"Upon reaching the Golden Core Realm, the rewards from the Alchemy workshops on Lingxiu Peak are a bit insufficient."
After signing in for so many years, Han Xuanji also realized that there were differences in the Rank of each Dao Rhyme location.
For example, the Scripture Pavilion was clearly an Advanced Dao Rhyme location. Although there was a chance to obtain Earth Rank or even Yellow Rank Cultivation Techniques, there was also a small probability of signing in and obtaining Heaven-Grade Cultivation Techniques.
However, most of the Alchemy workshops on Lingxiu Peak had a low Dao Rhyme Rank. Although there was a chance to produce Advanced Medicinal Pills, they primarily focused on Medicinal Pills below the Golden Core Realm.
After all, the Shenxuan Sect had a dedicated Alchemy lineage. Alchemists with good talent would basically go to Danding Peak.
"It's time to open up new sign-in locations."
Han Xuanji took a Sect Flying Boat and arrived at Danding Peak, one of the Thirteen Peaks of Shenxuan.
Danding Peak was where the Shenxuan Sect specifically trained Alchemists. It had even produced some Grandmaster Alchemists. There were also many Alchemy workshops there, and they sold Advanced Medicinal Pills. However, each pill was expensive, and only Inner Sect Disciples could afford them.
"Qingyun Alchemy Workshop."
Han Xuanji soon arrived at an Alchemy workshop.
Among the many Alchemy workshops on Danding Peak, Qingyun Alchemy Workshop was undoubtedly one of the most famous. It had produced more than one Alchemy Great Master, and historically, it even had a Grandmaster Alchemist presiding over it.
The Rank of Alchemists ranged from first to ninth tier. An Alchemy Great Master generally referred to Alchemists above the fourth tier, meaning they could refine Medicinal Pills at the Nascent Soul level with a decent success rate.
A Grandmaster Alchemist, on the other hand, referred to Alchemists above the seventh tier. Such Grandmaster-level figures would be honored guests in any force.
In Han Xuanji's view, the Dao Rhyme level of this place was no worse than places like the Scripture Pavilion on Lingxiu Peak.
Han Xuanji walked in. The outer area of the Alchemy workshop was more like a market. There was a large flow of people here, and many storefronts displayed signs like "Five-Thousand-Year-Old Brand."
Compared to the small-scale Alchemy workshops on Lingxiu Peak, this place was undoubtedly much more prosperous.
One could even see Disciples from various peaks coming in groups to buy Medicinal Pills, and some were also setting up stalls on a nearby street, selling Spirit Medicine and Medicinal Pills.
"System, can I sign in here?"
Han Xuanji silently asked in his mind.
This place was quite large, to be honest, and he wasn't sure if it counted.
The System quickly responded.
Able to sign in, but the Dao Rhyme here is not concentrated. It is recommended that the Host sign in at a more concentrated Dao Rhyme location.
Han Xuanji thought for a moment, then passed through the market area and entered the inner region.
Fewer people came to this area; most were Alchemists entering and exiting.
Seeing Han Xuanji, a stranger, many people were curious but didn't meddle.
Han Xuanji did not rush in but stopped outside the entrance, then silently chanted'sign in' in his mind.
Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in at Qingyun Alchemy Workshop! You have received one bottle of Third-Tier High Grade Medicinal Pill, "Profound Origin Pill."
"Profound Origin Pill?"
Han Xuanji nodded slightly.
The Profound Origin Pill was one of the best Cultivation Medicinal Pills for the Golden Core Realm. Because of its good effects and minimal side effects, even a Nascent Soul Cultivator would feel a pang of heartache buying a bottle for their junior.
Now he could get a bottle for free.
He could only say, it felt great.
It also indicated that the Dao Rhyme level of this place was high enough.
After successfully signing in, Han Xuanji left the Alchemy workshop quietly, unnoticed by anyone.