Chapter 382 - 59: Pei Jingque’s Core Formation (2)

"And if you dilute a foul odor to a certain degree, it can transform into a wondrous fragrance."

"Fragrance and stench are fundamentally one, just as Yin and Yang are two sides of the same whole. This is the Great Dao; all paths lead to the same destination."

"Is that so?" Liu Huang’er looked surprised. She nodded, then tilted her head and asked curiously,

"Sister Dong, how do you know all this so clearly?"

"Have you forgotten what I do?" Dong Yuelan’s expression didn’t change.

"The Hundred Flowers Sect also researches fragrances. The scents emitted by some exotic flowers and rare herbs are equally beyond the perception of ordinary people."

"Naturally, this means I know a bit more about the Golden Core Grandmaster, Shi Fengxiao."

"I see!" Liu Huang’er realized.

"This scent is extremely strange." Zhu Ju raised his hand, and a wisp of the fragrance hovered over his palm.

"If one’s Physical Body’s perception weren’t extremely keen, it would be impossible to detect its presence."

"Constant exposure to this scent will cloud one’s senses and perception, eventually plunging them into an Illusion Realm where they can no longer control life or death."

"What a method!"

’It seems the Demon Sect isn’t just skilled at direct killing; they have plenty of other inconceivable methods.’

A scent...

...could also kill!

"Senior Brother." Liu Huang’er’s heart sank.

"Can you stop it?"

"The scent drifts with the wind and dissolves into the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. Unless we completely cut off all contact with the outside world, it’s impossible to block." Zhu Ju shook his head.

"I can only control the Array to try and keep it from concentrating in the Sect Disciples’ living quarters. I can’t eliminate it completely."

"Fortunately, we discovered it in time. It won’t have a major impact in the short term."

*

*

*

Time passed.

The scent within the Bright Void Sect, which Dong Yuelan had dubbed ’Moonlight Immortal Fragrance’, grew stronger and stronger.

But even so, only Zhu Ju could perceive its existence.

In his perception...

...a giant flower bud, about ten zhang in diameter, had appeared high above the Bright Void Sect’s grounds.

It somewhat resembled a night-blooming cereus.

Countless specks of pollen, invisible to the naked eye, drifted out from it, dissolving into the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and emitting a faint, strange fragrance.

And as time went on, the bud began to open, showing signs of blooming.

Fortunately, Zhu Ju was controlling the Array to isolate the fragrance to a certain extent, so the Bright Void Sect had yet to suffer any major losses because of it.

"Moonlight Immortal Fragrance!"

Standing in the pavilion, Zhu Ju looked up at the bizarre flower bud, which even a Dharma Eye could not discern, his expression grim.

"It seems this Demonic Golden Core doesn’t intend to let a single person from the Bright Void Sect escape."

The fragrance diffused through the world, affecting everyone without exception, whether they were at the Dao Foundation or Qi Refining stage.

The effects weren’t obvious yet.

Only some Mortals were walking around in a daze.

But after a while longer, the senses and perceptions of Qi Refiners would be affected, and in the end, even Dao Foundation Cultivators would not be spared.

’Escape?’

’Tainted by this strange fragrance, there’s no escaping that Golden Core Grandmaster’s perception.’

However, everyone in the Bright Void Sect was already prepared to die. They were just waiting for the moment to make a real move. If the worst came to worst, they would take the enemy down with them.

"Do you really intend to live and die with the Bright Void Sect?"

Dong Yuelan...

No!

It should be Zhou Yuantong. She approached slowly, her beautiful eyes glittering.

"Is it because of Pei Jingque?"

"Or is it because..."

...you’re confident you can escape?"

"One must always take the gamble." Zhu Ju’s expression was unchanged.

"You said it yourself. This Golden Core Grandmaster from the Celestial Corpse Sect is a Magic Cultivator, not skilled in close combat. Perhaps there’s a chance."

He had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and with two thousand disciples working together, it wasn’t impossible for them to put up a fight.

Although...

...the chance of failure was much higher.

"Heh..." Zhou Yuantong let out a soft laugh.

"His lack of skill in close combat is only relative. For a Golden Core Grandmaster, even if you are all prepared to die, wiping you out is just a matter of time."

Zhu Ju looked back at her.

"You seem to have forgotten that the Bright Void Sect still has Pei Jingque. If she ascends to the Golden Core realm, this crisis will resolve itself."

"Pei Jingque?" Zhou Yuantong laughed charmingly.

"It seems you don’t know. Someone who has taken a Life-Taking Pill has no chance of ever advancing to the Golden Core realm."

"A Life-Taking Pill takes more than just your lifespan—it takes your destiny!"

’Hmm?’

Zhu Ju’s face fell, and his heart skipped a beat.

That was something he truly didn’t know.

......

"VMMMM..."

The Bright Void Sect’s Grand Array operated at full power. A massive amount of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi gathered in the void, forming a giant vortex.

The vortex surged, its terrifying power threatening to erupt at any moment.

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged at the center of the vortex, his Divine Soul connected to the Array. The vast Primordial Energy was entirely under his control.

The feeling was intoxicating.

Alas.

A faint yet leisurely spiritual presence in the distance felt like a steel needle plunging deep into his body.

A Golden Core!

Shi Fengxiao!

The Celestial Corpse Sect’s Golden Core cultivator no longer bothered to hide his presence. His Golden Core Qi flared, brazen and unrestrained.

Two diametrically opposed auras, one dark and gloomy, the other sharp and bright, converged within him, forming a resplendent Pill.

Blindingly bright!

Dazzlingly brilliant!

It outshone the sun and moon.

Even with Zhu Ju controlling the Grand Array and connecting to the Earth Veins, he felt powerless to resist.

The opponent was waiting.

Waiting for Zhu Ju to give out, for the Bright Void Sect to collapse on its own.

He was in no hurry.

The Exotic Night-Blooming Cereus had already bloomed. The Bright Void Sect couldn’t possibly keep pushing the Array at such a high intensity forever.

The moment they relaxed even slightly...

...the fragrant stench would find a way in, turning the Bright Void Sect’s grounds into a living hell.

"BOOM!"

Suddenly.

A strange Qi surged from the back mountain. Violent winds raged, and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi churned like a tide.

"Hm?"

Zhu Ju snapped his head around.

"SWOOSH!"

"SWOOSH! SWOOSH!"

...

Figures shot into the sky one after another.

"Master!"

Shui Qianning’s voice was filled with apprehension.

"Master is undergoing Core Formation."

"Yes." Liu Huang’er’s beautiful eyes shimmered.

"Senior Sister will definitely succeed!"

Dong Yuelan shook her head gently.

For a moment.

Everyone’s attention was fixed on the back mountain. Even the distant Celestial Corpse Sect Golden Core, Shi Fengxiao, silently concealed his aura.

The Golden Core,

...will she succeed?

Everyone’s gaze turned to the back mountain.

The turbulent Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi caused the Earth Veins to tremble, houses to shake, and boulders to roll. Countless birds shrieked as they flew into the sky.

"WHOOSH..."

The Primordial Energy gathered into a pillar connecting heaven and earth, like a hurricane that could be seen clearly from a thousand li away.

"Can the Immortal Alliance see this?"

"Yes!"

Zhu Ju nodded.

"The signs of Core Formation cause anomalies in the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. No matter the distance, any Tier Three Array in this realm can sense this type of aura. That’s why both the Righteous and Demon Daos have a clear count of all the Golden Core Grandmasters in the world."

"BANG!"

Before he finished speaking, his face suddenly fell.

The Primordial Energy that had been gathering suddenly went berserk, unleashing countless gales that swept out in all directions.

The Core Formation,

...had failed!

"Haha..."

Maniacal laughter echoed from the distance as a plume of black smoke shot straight toward the Bright Void Sect’s main gate.

"Forming a Golden Core is not so easy."

Shi Fengxiao was shrouded in Black Wind. A strange, foul stench spread in all directions. Wherever it passed, rocks dissolved, plants withered, and all life faded.

The Bright Void Sect’s Array was also on the verge of collapse.

Zhu Ju raised his hand.

Twelve Celestial Star Array!

Myriad points of starlight converged in the sky, enveloping the entire Bright Void Sect grounds and blocking the approaching figure.

"Oh?"

"An array within an array. As expected of a sect that split off from the Jade Void Sect. You have a few tricks."

Shi Fengxiao was hidden within the Black Wind, his figure difficult to discern. Only his cold voice could be heard.

"However..."

"...it’s still just a Tier Two Array!"

Before his voice had faded, another majestic aura rose from the Bright Void Sect’s back mountain, condensing inward at an astonishing speed.

"A Golden Core!"

"This is impossible!"

According to the information he had, Pei Jingque had consumed a Life-Taking Spirit Pill, losing one hundred years of her lifespan. That was how she managed to reach the Dao Foundation Perfection Realm at the young age of just over 140.

But there was no precedent for anyone who had taken a Life-Taking Pill ever succeeding in Core Formation.

Not one person.

Not a single one!

And the breakthrough clearly failed just now, so how did she suddenly achieve perfection?

This defies all logic!

’Could it be that Pei Jingque never took the Life-Taking Pill? That it was all an illusion she created to deceive everyone?’

’A Golden Core at just over 140 years old...’

’Her future is limitless!’

’Forget about reaching the Nascent Soul realm—reaching the Late-Stage Golden Core is practically guaranteed. Given time, she will become a major threat to the Demon Dao...’

His eyes flickered, and a thick killing intent suddenly rose in Shi Fengxiao’s heart.

Just then.

A faint Divine Thought silently landed on him. It was weak, but it carried a warning.

The Immortal Alliance didn’t care about the existence of a Bright Void Sect without a Golden Core.

But once a Golden Core appeared, the sect became a pillar of the Righteous Immortal Alliance. How could they allow the Demon Sect to so easily destroy her path?

If they did.

...the Righteous Immortal Alliance might as well dissolve!

"Hmph!"

Sensing the warning, Shi Fengxiao snorted coldly. The Black Wind around him swirled, and he departed toward the horizon.

At the same time.

A fiery light shot up from the Bright Void Sect’s back mountain, transforming mid-air into a lifelike Vermilion Bird that tilted its head back and let out a long cry.

Primordial Energy surged within a hundred-li radius as a figure slowly walked out from the Fierce Flames.

"Senior Sister Pei!"

"Master!"

...