Chapter 536

Chapter 536: Sword Intent Merges with the Golden Core

Golden spiritual power flowed from the Heart of Immortals and Demons, slowly entering Ye Yun’s meridians and leaving a cool sensation wherever it passed. The excruciating pain vanished instantly, replaced by a soothing warmth that seeped into his bones—an indescribable comfort.

As the golden energy moved through him, his torn muscles, shattered bones, broken meridians, and damaged five internal organs began healing rapidly. Though similar to the sensation caused by Mental Demons earlier, this time it was genuine repair.

The golden spiritual power didn’t linger, flowing steadily through every inch of his body, reaching even the smallest pores.

From afar, Ye Yun’s figure shimmered with a gentle golden halo, radiant to behold.

“Elder brother, what’s happening to junior brother?” Kun Huazi asked urgently.

“He was trembling violently moments ago—how is he now bathed in golden light?” Zhuge Chong fretted, worried Ye Yun might collapse under the pressure of the exotic spiritual energy.

Shu Anshi, equally astonished, replied, “I’m unsure, but his condition seems stable. His breathing is calm, his true qi surges like roaring dragons and tigers. He must be condensing his Golden Core. Do not disturb him—focus on your own cultivation.”

Zhuge Chong and Kun Huazi exchanged nods.

The two had been cultivating at ten zhang, continuously absorbing and refining the spiritual energy and hidden energy within them. Given their cultivation levels, enduring even a full day here was already challenging.

Yet they persisted despite the mounting pain from the accumulating energy. Ye Yun’s resolve had inspired them: their junior brother, whose pores had bled yet refused to yield, now stood unshaken at thirteen zhang alongside Shu Anshi.

Though Ye Yun’s cultivation realm was far lower, he’d surpassed them by reaching thirteen zhang—whether through secret methods or treasures mattered little.

With shared determination, both stepped toward eleven zhang.

Shu Anshi smiled faintly. These disciples had talent and diligence, but true mastery required trials they’d yet to grasp. Now, driven by Ye Yun’s example, they’d discover eleven zhang wasn’t as impossible as they’d feared.

His gaze returned to Ye Yun. Tian Yunzi’s inner disciple was extraordinary—wielding thunder and ice element energies, comprehending sword intent and spatial laws. Most astonishing was Ye Yun’s true qi, so potent it rivaled sixth-level Golden Core cultivators like Ding Qian despite him being at the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment. No one in millennia had matched this feat.

Now, at thirteen zhang, Ye Yun stood motionless, golden light pulsing steadily. His aura remained tranquil, true qi surging powerfully—a testament to his unexpected physical and mental fortitude.

Even Shu Anshi, knowledgeable in countless cultivation techniques, couldn’t fathom how Ye Yun achieved this. By all logic, surviving thirteen zhang should’ve been impossible.

Yet here Ye Yun stood, growing stronger by the moment. Shu Anshi stopped pondering and simply observed.

Inside Ye Yun, golden spiritual energy circulated. The wisp of Fire Spirit Qi coalesced into a crimson False Pill. Dan Fluid soon overflowed from its cracks, coating the pill completely.

Fire Spirit False Pill—formed!

Only a fraction of the golden energy had been used. As it continued flowing, his injuries vanished entirely. His Great Demon Body strengthened further, surpassing its previous limits.

Ye Yun watched his four False Pills converge, their Dan Fluids intertwining. For most cultivators, merging False Pills into a Golden Core carried risks, but Ye Yun faced no such hurdle. His powerful physique and deep insights ensured success once the False Pills formed.

The golden energy pressed the four Pills together, slowly fusing them. Remarkably, the Heart of Immortals and Demons still emitted abundant pure energy—enough to sustain the process even as his Golden Core took shape.

“Hm! Such dense spiritual power…”

A voice both familiar and strange echoed in Ye Yun’s mind. He froze—when had he heard this before?

“Such vast spiritual energy, and you won’t let me absorb any? You’re not being a good brother at all!” The voice rang out again, brimming with irritation.

“Vulture King?” Ye Yun froze. This voice came from the Divine Feather Vulture King, descendant of the Golden-winged Roc. Since arriving in the Great Qin Empire, he’d confined the creature to a spirit beast pouch with some spirit stones, then forgotten about it entirely during these hectic days. Yet now it could sense the immense energy through both the pouch and Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring.

“Obviously! You’ve trapped me here so long. If not for these spirit stones keeping me busy, I’d have killed you already!” the Divine Feather Vulture King roared.

“Ran out of stones?” Ye Yun smirked, sending a mental message.

“Only crumbs remain. I wouldn’t have woken otherwise. Imagine my surprise finding you overflowing with this pure, endless spiritual energy! Where’d you get it? Share now!” The vulture’s mental shout made Ye Yun’s ears ring.

“How can you sense my energy?”

“A Golden-winged Roc lineage skill. My cultivation now surpasses spirit beasts. Call me immortal beast from now on!” The vulture cackled.

“Immortal beast? So you’ve broken through Foundation Establishment into Golden Core stage?” Ye Yun’s eyes lit up.

“Naturally! My bloodline’s awakened, powers multiplied. I could flatten you with a wing!” The vulture puffed with pride.

“Oh? Then I’ll keep this energy for myself. Better than being humiliated later.” Ye Yun drawled.

“Haha! Just joking, brother! We’re bonded! Though not born together, we’ll die together someday! What’s yours is mine. Tomorrow I’ll teach you my skills – if you can learn them.” The vulture backpedaled hastily.

Ye Yun chuckled. “Wrong again. Who’ll die with you? I’ll reach Earth Immortal stage, surpass sainthood, outlive sun and moon. Death? Impossible.”

The vulture stammered, “Fine, I misspoke! We’ll conquer Three Realms, tour cosmos, live forever! Enough chatter – share the energy!”

Ye Yun turned serious. “How do I transfer it? Can’t channel energy continuously into Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring.”

“Just release me and feed me directly!” The vulture hopped impatiently.

“You’re certain?” Ye Yun’s lips twitched.

“Absolutely! Release me now!”

Ye Yun focused his mental intent. The spirit beast pouch ruptured instantly. Golden light erupted from his fingers, coalescing into a massive bird glowing with radiance. It expanded to three zhang wingspan, circling overhead.

“Where IS this? The energy’s incredible!” The vulture shrieked excitedly.

Its sudden appearance made Shu Anshi and others startle.

“Elder brother, this spirit beast of mine broke through to immortal beast rank during cultivation. Thought I’d let it stretch its wings.” Ye Yun explained casually as four False Pills merged within him autonomously.

Shu Anshi waved dismissively. “No matter. Let it cultivate.” The Divine Grace Palace higher-ups wouldn’t question a talent like Ye Yun raising peculiar pets.

“Vulture King, practice by the shore.” Ye Yun sent mentally, “I need this energy first. Will share leftovers.”

“Why so far? I’ll stay right here!” The vulture plunged toward Ye Yun’s position in the Spiritual Pond – directly into the thirteen zhang depth.

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted. Golden feathers flew as the vulture rocketed skyward, screeching: “What cursed pool is this? It BITES!”

Ye Yun snorted. “Spiritual Pond’s pressure crushes bones. Your cultivation can’t handle the depths. Start at the edge.”

“Traitor! Warn me next time!” The vulture grumbled, sulking toward shallower waters.

Ye Yun refocused inward. The Golden Core formation neared completion, but one issue remained – integrating sword intent. Though fusing four False Pills would grant attacks combining quadruple elemental forces, the true challenge awaited.

However, if he could fuse sword intent into the attacks formed by combining the four spiritual energies, each strike would carry lethal sharpness. Ye Yun dared not imagine how terrifying such power might become.

"Ancestor, are you still nourishing your soul?"

Since entering the Spiritual Pond, the Ancestor of the Sword Path had secluded himself to restore his spirit. The pond’s spiritual energy held no benefit for him – one misstep might even expose him to harmful hidden energy.

No answer came. The Ancestor remained wholly absorbed in his spiritual recovery.

Ye Yun observed the four streams of False Pill Dan Fluid reversing course within him, intertwining to slowly shape an alchemy pill. Though formidable, this Golden Core still lacked sufficient offensive power. Ye Yun knew mere Golden Core stage cultivation wouldn’t suffice when the Immortal Sword Sect’s Saint’s Secret Vault opened. As realms progressed, the chasm between stages widened exponentially. Even if he successfully condensed his Golden Core now, his combat power might only match a seventh-level Golden Core expert at best.

But infusing sword intent could change everything. Such enhancement might let him dominate any Golden Core opponent, though Nascent Soul experts would remain beyond reach.

Sword intent wasn’t spiritual energy nor tangible force – it represented cosmic law, heaven’s decree. Mastery over this weapon-ancestor’s essence meant effortless command over all arms.

Ye Yun directed threads of sword intent toward his coalescing Golden Core.

*Swish!*

The intent passed clean through, leaving no mark.

Undeterred, he tried repeatedly – stabbing, piercing, willing the blade’s essence into the core. Yet spiritual energy and sword intent remained incompatible.

"How to merge them?" Ye Yun muttered, again calling for the Ancestor of the Sword Path. No response. Truthfully, even if awakened, the Ancestor likely knew no solution – none in recorded history had perfectly fused sword intent with a Golden Core.

Most cultivators after reaching Golden Core stage, like Du Jianyin, merely channeled sword intent through spiritual energy for enhanced attacks.

Refusing defeat, Ye Yun experimented relentlessly.

Sword intent: celestial law.

Thunder Spirit Qi manifested Lightning Element Law. Ice and Fire Spirit Qis followed similar principles. Could four chaotic energies in the Golden Core stage reject sword intent’s fusion? What if…

*Flash!*

Lightning split his mental darkness.

Fuse law with sword intent!

*Boom!*

His body shuddered as cosmic tides roared through his consciousness.

Golden Core. Sword intent. Revelation.