CHAPTER 508

Lu Qing descended the mountain, not heading towards the three Holy Lords but instead returning to his own cave dwelling.

Though he and Han Lingshuang were old acquaintances, since she had come to visit the three Holy Lords, there was no need for him to intrude.

“Brother, you’re out of seclusion?”

As soon as Lu Qing stepped into his cave dwelling, Xiao Yan emerged from her cultivation chamber.

It seemed her cultivation session had also come to a halt.

“Yes, I just finished. Thought I’d take a little walk.”

Lu Qing sensed Xiao Yan’s aura and smiled. “You broke through?”

“Yes, Brother! I’ve broken through! I’ve now reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm!” Xiao Yan exclaimed joyfully.

“Not bad. Keep working hard, and strive to transcend your tribulation soon to attain the Golden Core Realm.” Lu Qing encouraged.

However, this was not unexpected for him.

Xiao Yan had always possessed exceptional talent in cultivation.

Lu Qing had intentionally urged her to solidify her foundation rather than rush for a quick breakthrough.

As a result, the girl’s cultivation base was extraordinarily firm and profound.

Now, cultivating in a place like Sacred Mountain—a land of abundant spiritual energy—she advanced at an astonishing pace.

“Mm! I will!” Xiao Yan clenched her fists, looking determined.

Though she hadn’t mentioned it before, she had been slightly affected by Xiao Li and Wuxing undergoing their tribulations.

After all, among their group, she was the only one yet to form a Golden Core.

Fortunately, she had now reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, placing her only one step away from the Golden Core stage.

“Brother, I’m going back into seclusion!”

With that thought, Xiao Yan’s enthusiasm for cultivation reignited, and she prepared to return to her chamber.

But Lu Qing stopped her.

“Don’t be in such a rush. The path of cultivation requires both tension and relaxation; that is the proper way.

Overindulgence in closed-door cultivation can lead to undue mental strain, which may result in diminishing returns.

Since you’ve just broken through, take some time to relax today. There’s no need to hurry back to cultivation.

Coincidentally, an old friend of ours might be coming to visit us later. You can come and greet her with me.”

“An old friend? Brother, who is it?” Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

In her memory, there weren’t many people who could be called ‘old friends.’

Moreover, those with the qualifications to visit Sacred Mountain were even fewer.

So, for a moment, she couldn’t figure out who it could be.

“You’ll know soon enough.”

Lu Qing smiled mysteriously.

At the same time, he sensed someone approaching his cave dwelling.

Before Xiao Yan could figure it out, the voice of the First Holy Lord rang out from outside.

“Lu Qing, are you in?”

“Let’s go, Xiao Yan. Our old friend is here. You’ll definitely be happy to see her.”

Lu Qing led Xiao Yan outside.

“It is truly a joy to meet an old friend again. Palace Master Han, it has been a long time.”

“Lingshuang-jie!”

At this moment, Xiao Yan also caught sight of Han Lingshuang. Her face lit up with surprise, and she ran forward.

“So it was you Brother was talking about!”

“Uh…” Han Lingshuang, who had been about to greet them, froze for a moment at Xiao Yan’s words. She turned to Lu Qing. “Did the Honored One know I had come to Sacred Mountain?” ᚱÃ𝐍Ọ𐌱ËŠ

“I happened to see you on my walk up the mountain earlier.” Lu Qing smiled.

“I see.” Han Lingshuang suddenly understood.

At the same time, she became even more in awe of Lu Qing’s abilities.

Earlier, she hadn’t sensed his presence at all.

Even though she had now stepped into the Golden Core Realm, the gap between her and the Honored One remained unfathomable.

“Congratulations, Palace Master, on transcending your tribulation and achieving a superior-grade Golden Core.”

Lu Qing sensed Han Lingshuang’s aura and was somewhat surprised.

From the subtle fluctuations in her energy, it was clear that she had recently undergone her tribulation.

She had yet to fully master her newfound power.

However, her spiritual energy was already formidable, nearly on par with the three Holy Lords.

“As expected, nothing escapes your eyes, Honored One.” Han Lingshuang beamed.

“Ever since I received your guidance all those years ago, I focused on tempering my foundation. Half a month ago, I finally transcended my tribulation and, by sheer luck, condensed a superior-grade Golden Core.”

Ten years ago, after the Holy Assembly had concluded, Han Lingshuang had visited Sacred Mountain to seek an audience with Lu Qing.

Through his guidance, she had come to understand the significance of Golden Core grades on one’s future cultivation path.

At that time, she had already been capable of undergoing tribulation and breaking through.

But after Lu Qing’s advice, she suppressed the urge to advance immediately.

Instead, she spent the next ten years refining her foundation.

Finally, half a month ago, she triggered crimson tribulation clouds, successfully overcoming her Heavenly Tribulation and condensing a superior-grade Golden Core.

It was precisely because of this excitement that, after only briefly consolidating her cultivation, she had rushed to Sacred Mountain—wanting Lu Qing to witness the results of her efforts.

To show him that she had not let his guidance go to waste.

“A superior-grade Golden Core!”

The three Holy Lords were stunned as they turned to Han Lingshuang.

When they had met her earlier, they had already sensed the extraordinary power in her aura.

She had even shown signs of being able to rival them.

But they had assumed this was due to some powerful cultivation technique she had practiced. After all, Cold Water Palace was one of the few remaining sects from the ancient cultivation era.

Its heritage was deep and unfathomable. It would not have been surprising if they had passed down some extraordinary techniques.

But they had never imagined it was because Han Lingshuang had condensed a superior-grade Golden Core.

For a moment, the three Holy Lords felt immense envy.

Having also received Lu Qing’s guidance, they knew the importance of Golden Core grades.

A superior-grade Golden Core, in terms of both power and future potential, far surpassed the inferior-grade Golden Cores they had condensed.

In other words, at least for now, Han Lingshuang’s cultivation path would be far smoother than theirs.

“So, Palace Master Han’s Golden Core is of superior grade. No wonder we sensed something unusual about your aura.” The First Holy Lord chuckled.

“It was merely luck. Without the Honored One’s guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to form a superior-grade Golden Core.” Han Lingshuang responded humbly.

Lu Qing, however, shook his head. “A superior-grade Golden Core cannot be achieved by guidance alone.

It is only possible because you were willing to endure the tedium, refining your foundation day after day for years. That is the true reason for your success.”

The three Holy Lords grew even more envious at those words.

They couldn’t help but feel regret.

If only they hadn’t been so eager to break through back then, if only they had received Lu Qing’s guidance before their tribulation…

Perhaps they, too, could have condensed a superior-grade Golden Core.

Now, while it was possible to refine an inferior-grade Golden Core into a superior one, that was an arduous path.

No one could guarantee success.

For the remainder of the day, Lu Qing welcomed Han Lingshuang and the others into his cave dwelling, where the Golden Core cultivators engaged in a Dao discussion.

In truth, it was more of Lu Qing giving insights and guidance while the others listened intently.

By the time the discussion ended, Han Lingshuang and the others felt they had gained immensely.

They yearned to immediately return to secluded cultivation and digest all they had learned.

As Han Lingshuang and the rest bid farewell and slowly departed—

Lu Qing watched their retreating figures, lost in thought.