Broken Pill

Chapter 151 Broken Pill

In one year, he killed twelve third-tier demonic beasts, something that other early-stage Core Formation cultivators simply couldn't do.

However, this was nothing out of the ordinary for Jiang Yun. If he wanted to continue, he could kill more monsters and collect more inner cores.

Jiang Yun returned to the outside of Canglan Immortal City, his heart stirred, and he communicated with the Fire Cloud Sparrow with his divine sense.

"We'll settle in the desolate mountains outside the city and then enter the city later."

Firebird immediately followed Jiang Yun's orders and carried him to land in a desolate mountain.

Upon landing on the mountain peak, Jiang Yun immediately used his powerful divine sense to scan the area. After confirming that there was no one around, he began to change his appearance and identity.

He turned into an old man with white hair and a hunched back, looking like he was about to die.

Furthermore, he used the technique of concealing his breath to reveal his cultivation level at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Hmm, so this is how a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the Great Perfection stage is trained. Renting a cave dwelling for core breaking and core formation won't attract anyone's attention."

"After the second and third shattering and re-forming of the core, you can simply change your identity again."

Jiang Yun did not enter Canglan Immortal City in advance, so he made preparations first.

Of course, aside from the issue of identity, there are some minor details that cannot be ignored.

The storage ring he wore on his left hand was something a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the Great Perfection stage couldn't afford, as it was a mid-grade third-tier storage ring, which didn't suit his current status.

Therefore, Jiang Yun took off the storage ring and replaced it with an ordinary storage bag, which he hung on his waist.

He then took out all the spirit stones and put them into his storage bag, so that he could rent a cave dwelling later when he entered the city.

Although I had very few spirit stones left when I bought the third-grade mid-level Dragon Trapping Formation last time, I could still come up with 10,000 spirit stones.

"Only twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones remain."

"However, there are still three high-grade spirit stones, which I obtained from the Xuan Dan True Person's cave last time."

Jiang Yun transferred all the low-grade spirit stones into his storage bag to rent the cave dwelling.

As for the high-grade spirit stones, they are kept in the storage ring for cultivation, setting up formations, or providing a power source for the puppets.

After doing all this, he looked at the Firebird beside him.

The Fire Cloud Sparrow is now his spirit pet.

However, the Fire Cloud Sparrow is a mid-level third-tier demon beast, equivalent to a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator in the human race.

Jiang Yun is currently a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the Great Perfection stage, so how could he possibly have a mid-level third-tier spirit pet?

This is obviously impossible.

Therefore, the Fire Cloud Sparrow also had to conceal its cultivation level.

"After the Fire Cloud Sparrow changed its form and became an ordinary small bird, its aura was around the early stage of Core Formation."

"If you teach it the art of concealing one's breath, it can almost hide one's cultivation level at the Foundation Establishment stage."

Jiang Yun had a thought and conveyed what he was thinking to the Fire Cloud Sparrow.

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this method upon me."

Fire Cloud Sparrow had witnessed Jiang Yun's method of concealing his form and aura.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for Jiang Yun to detect him when he set up the Dragon-Trapping Formation and approached him.

"This is the technique of concealing one's breath. I will teach you the incantation. With your cultivation level, which is comparable to the mid-stage of Core Formation, you will be able to master it in a few days."

When Jiang Yun first began practicing the Concealing Breath Technique, he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, so it took him some time.

However, the Fire Cloud Sparrow is a mid-level third-tier demon beast, so mastering the Concealing Breath Technique is very easy for it.

"Yes, sir!"

Having obtained the method of the Concealing Breath Technique, Firebird immediately began to study it.

"Master, I've learned it."

Several days later, Firebird mastered the art of concealing its breath.

After changing its size and transforming into an ordinary red bird, it appeared to be only a second-tier spirit pet.

"Very good, let's go into town now!"

At Jiang Yun's command, the Fire Cloud Sparrow flew onto his shoulder and headed towards Canglan Immortal City.

Half an incense stick later.

Canglan Immortal City, General Affairs Pavilion.

The pavilion was bustling with people, and the noise was incessant.

Ye Zhu was tidying up the mountain of jade slips piled up on the counter.

Suddenly, an aura of decline approached the counter.

He looked up and saw an old man with white hair and a withered face walking towards him with faltering steps.

The old man was hunched over and exuded the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the Great Perfection stage, but he looked like he was nearing the end of his life and didn't have much time left.

"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to rent a cave dwelling?"

Upon seeing this, Ye Zhu immediately stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and asked politely.

He had seen many fellow cultivators whose lifespans were nearing their end and whose cultivation was stuck at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

Most of them had gone bankrupt, hoping to break through to the Core Formation stage at the last moment of their lives and seize that sliver of hope.

Ye Zhu always treated this kind of person with courtesy.

After all, no one wants to provoke a cultivator whose lifespan is about to end.

Besides, this person is likely here to rent the cave dwelling, so there's no need to treat him coldly.

Jiang Yun recognized Ye Zhu at a glance.

When he first arrived in Canglan Immortal City and rented a cave dwelling, the person who received him was Ye Zhu.

At that time, Ye Zhu was already a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

His cultivation level has now reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

Although he is the chief disciple of Qingyang, he was assigned to Canglan Immortal City to manage market affairs. Without other opportunities, he probably has no hope of forming his core.

Jiang Yun recognized Ye Zhu and said calmly, "Ahem, this old man would like to rent a cave dwelling with abundant spiritual energy for secluded cultivation. Do you know of any cheaper cave dwellings available?"

Ye Zhu glanced at the storage bag at Jiang Yun's waist and smiled, "Fellow Daoist, you've come at the right time. There are still some spare cave dwellings available."

"Canglan Immortal City has thirty-six wards, but I wonder which ward's cave dwelling you wish to rent?"

"Seven Star Workshop!" Jiang Yun replied.

"Let me see." Upon hearing this, Ye Zhu began to examine the jade slips used to rent out the Seven Star Workshop cave.

A moment later, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he said, "There is still a vacant cave dwelling on Cuiwei Peak in the eastern district of Qixingfang, which is not rented out."

"It only costs six thousand spirit stones per year. What do you think, my friend?"

"Six thousand spirit stones."

Jiang Yun frowned slightly, feigning hesitation.

After a while, he took off the storage bag from his waist and handed six thousand spirit stones to Ye Zhu.

"Fine, this is fine. I'll rent it for a year."

Ye Zhu accepted the spirit stones, confirmed the number was correct, and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, you're very generous!"

"This is the cave dwelling token of Cuiwei Peak. You can activate the restriction by injecting magic power into it."

"By the way, fellow Daoist, would you like me to take you to your cave dwelling?"

Jiang Yun took the token and shook his head, saying, "No need."

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving your wish and attaining the Golden Core Dao soon!" Ye Zhu congratulated.

He knew that cultivators at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment only rented cave dwellings for a year to attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage.

Thank you for your kind words.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly, a smile playing on her lips.

He was already a Core Formation cultivator; renting the cave dwelling this time was merely a matter of breaking through his Core Formation.

The shattering of the elixir is something that can usually only be done when one has formed a nascent soul.

When attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, it is also necessary to shatter the core and then condense the Nascent Soul.

However, Jiang Yun's cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Shattering Pill Technique was not for condensing a Nascent Soul.

Jiang Yun put away the token and jade slip, preparing to leave the General Affairs Pavilion and head to the cave dwelling located on Cuiwei Peak.

Ye Zhu looked curiously at the Fire Sparrow on his shoulder and asked, "What breed is your spirit pet? Can you sell it to me?"

Me? I'm willing to pay a high price to buy it.

Jiang Yun shook his head, ignoring Ye Zhu, and strode out of the General Affairs Pavilion, heading towards Cuiwei Peak in the East District.

He was hunched over, his back looking desolate, a picture of someone nearing the end of their life.

"The previous location of the cave was in the western part of Qixingfang, but this time it is in the eastern part."

Jiang Yun arrived in the East District and quickly found Cuiwei Peak.

There are cave dwellings and neighbors on both sides of Cuiwei Peak, but he only rents this cave dwelling for breaking through the core and forming the core, so he doesn't need to deal with the neighbors.

Jiang Yun took out the restriction token, infused it with magic power, and entered the cave.

Upon entering the cave, the stone door quietly closed behind us, isolating us from all external influences.

The cave dwelling is spacious, with a main hall, cultivation rooms, alchemy rooms, and weapon-forging rooms, all simply yet practically furnished.

There was no futon in the center of the quiet room, but there was a jade platform about half a person's height.

The Jade Platform is filled with spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for meditation and spiritual practice.

Jiang Yun quickly checked all the array formations and restrictions inside and outside the cave. After confirming that everything was in order, he set up two additional warning arrays at the entrance and the door of the meditation room.

With his abilities as a mid-grade second-tier array master, he could get these things done quickly.

"Yun Que, go to the main hall and do not leave the cave. Do not disturb my secluded cultivation."

Jiang Yun gave the order to Fire Cloud Sparrow.

"Yes, Master."

Fire Cloud Sparrow accepted the order and went to the main hall of the cave to protect Jiang Yun.

"The process of shattering the core is extremely dangerous. The Fire Cloud Sparrow might turn against its master, so we must be careful."

"However, with my strength as a mid-stage Core Formation body cultivator, it can't do anything to me."

"Moreover, I also possess its natal demon soul, which controls its life and death."

In the world of cultivation, there are countless examples of spirit pets turning against their masters.

Jiang Yun is about to shatter his core, so he naturally needs to be careful of the Fire Cloud Sparrow.

After making some preparations in secret, he sat down cross-legged on the jade platform in the cultivation room.

He did not immediately begin the process of breaking through the core, but instead spent three days adjusting his condition to its peak.

Let's begin!

"When attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, one needs to shatter the core and condense the nascent soul."

"These three experiences of shattering the core should be carefully considered, as they will be of great help in condensing the nascent soul in the future!"

Jiang Yun took a deep breath and immediately prepared to shatter the pill.

He first took out two jade bottles and placed them beside him. One bottle contained the Myriad Spirit Jade Dew Pill, and the other contained the Glazed Vein Protecting Pill.

"One of these two pills heals injuries, and the other protects the meridians."

"After the core is shattered, I will definitely be seriously injured, but with these two kinds of pills, it won't be too painful."

The Myriad Spirits Jade Dew Pill and the Glazed Vein Protecting Pill were the core preparations Jiang Yun made for shattering the pill.

Immediately, he abandoned all distracting thoughts, focused his mind on his dantian, and began to circulate the technique in reverse according to the first step of the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Shattering Elixir Technique.

At first, only the direction of the flow of magical power became obscure, and the golden core in the dantian trembled slightly.

But as the reversal of the cultivation technique deepened, an indescribable tearing sensation came from the core of the golden core.

"Click."

A subtle yet clear sound exploded in Jiang Yun's mind.

"The Golden Core has developed cracks!"

Looking inward at his dantian, Jiang Yun saw that his golden core had cracked open, but it had not completely shattered.

After the crack appeared, an unexpected, intense pain, like a volcanic eruption, instantly swept through his entire body from his dantian.

That was not simple pain, but the extreme agony of having one's very life force and magical foundation forcibly destroyed.

The Golden Core is the crystallization of a cultivator's highly concentrated essence, energy, and spirit; it is the cornerstone for reaching higher realms.

At this moment, Jiang Yun was about to shatter it with his own hands, and one can imagine the pain he would experience.

"hiss."

Jiang Yun gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his body.

Even with his mental fortitude and endurance as a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, he couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

His body tensed instantly, his clothes were soaked with sweat, and his face grew paler and paler.

"This is just a crack; one can only imagine the pain of having one's core completely shattered."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yun immediately took out a Myriad Spirit Jade Dew Pill and put it in his mouth.

Once the Golden Core is completely shattered, immediately swallow this Myriad Spirit Jade Dew Pill.

At this moment, Jiang Yun continued to circulate the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Shattering Pill Technique.

The golden core in the dantian gradually began to show a second crack.

Then came the third and fourth rounds.

Suddenly, numerous cracks appeared on the golden core, resembling a spider web.

"Smash it!"

Jiang Yun acted decisively, shattering the golden elixir.

"boom."

The golden core exploded, and a deafening roar resounded within his body.

The violent spiritual energy instantly broke through the restraints of the dantian and surged towards the limbs, bones, and meridians.

"puff!"

Jiang Yun suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, but he swallowed it back down.

As he swallowed the mouthful of blood, the Myriad Spirit Jade Dew Pill that he had been holding in his mouth beforehand was also swallowed.

At this moment, the out-of-control spiritual energy rampaged through the meridians, seemingly intent on destroying everything, causing the meridians to become overburdened and resulting in multiple ruptures.

Fine cracks have appeared.

After consuming the Myriad Spirits Jade Dew Pill, Jiang Yun immediately used his powerful blood and qi to suppress the rampaging spiritual energy and guided it out of his body.

But the more you do this, the greater the pain in your meridians becomes.

"The Glazed Vein-Protecting Pill!"

At this moment, Jiang Yun quickly swallowed a Glazed Vein Protector Pill.

After swallowing the Myriad Spirit Jade Dew Pill and the Glazed Meridian Protection Pill, Jiang Yun was able to stabilize his injuries and his meridians were protected.

The damaged meridians were nourished and repaired, and the tearing pain was greatly relieved.

The two elixirs complemented each other, like timely rain, allowing Jiang Yun to continue suppressing and guiding the raging spiritual energy.

"This is the crucial step in breaking the elixir."

"These spiritual energies cannot be lost entirely; one must maintain the cultivation level of the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment."

"The process of forming a Nascent Soul seems to be similar in that it requires not only compressing and controlling the violent spiritual power after the core is shattered, but also absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."

"However, I am not in the Nascent Soul stage, so I do not need to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth."

Following the methods of the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Shattering Pill Technique, and with the added strength of his powerful physical body and blood, Jiang Yun finally suppressed and tamed the raging spiritual power.

"Fortunately, I have the physical strength of a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, otherwise this Core Shattering would probably have damaged my foundation."

Jiang Yun couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The shattering of the elixir was dangerous, but I never expected it to be this dangerous.

Fortunately, we had made sufficient preparations beforehand.

Next, Jiang Yun proceeded step by step to calm the raging spiritual energy within his body.

A full month has passed.

Only then did the violent spiritual energy within Jiang Yun's body completely subside.

He slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

At the same time, his aura was much weaker than it had been a month ago, and his cultivation level had dropped to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

"I've returned to the Foundation Establishment stage."

"However, his consciousness and physical body seem to be unaffected and have not fallen."

Jiang Yun gave a wry smile and immediately focused his inner energy on his dantian.

"Holy crap! How can there be 170 drops of liquid mana?"

After visualizing his dantian, he was so shocked that he couldn't help but blurt out a phrase in his hometown dialect.

Because he discovered that after the core shattered, the liquid mana in his dantian was not ninety-nine drops, but one hundred and seventy drops, almost double!