Twenty days later, Shen Xian successfully returned to the sect.

Green Bamboo Peak, Rainfall Pavilion.

Shen Xian stepped slowly into the courtyard. The Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise followed leisurely behind him, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

“Young Master! You’re finally back!”

Wang Yu’s shout came from the spiritual spring in the backyard.

He was sweating profusely as he maintained the operation of the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map, continuously channeling spiritual power into the Purple Cloud Ganoderma within the scroll.

Upon seeing Shen Xian, he breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew his hand seals. He collapsed to the ground, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a sleeve.

“This task is truly exhausting!” Wang Yu complained with a bitter face, his voice hoarse. “Six hours every day without fail to accelerate maturation, meditate to recover when spiritual power is depleted, over and over again…”

The work seemed simple, but in practice, it was monotonous and taxed one’s mental energy heavily. It wasn’t something just anyone could endure.

Shen Xian’s gaze swept over the Purple Cloud Ganoderma. The edges of its leaves had begun to shimmer with a faint golden light. It wasn’t far from transforming into a Purple Immortal Ganoderma.

Clearly, over these past two months, Wang Yu had been diligent.

The corner of Shen Xian’s mouth lifted slightly. He casually took out a top-grade Green Spirit Pill from his storage ring and tossed it over.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Wang Yu fumbled to catch the pill. When he saw the pill patterns clearly, his eyes widened into saucers, and his breath hitched.

He knew the value of this pill too well. A few months ago, he had been fortunate enough to take one; not only did it completely heal his injuries, but his cultivation also improved significantly.

Obtaining another one gave him immense confidence for the upcoming Godfiend Battlefield expedition.

“Th-thank you, Young Master!” Wang Yu’s voice trembled with excitement as he carefully stored the pill away. He lowered his voice. “Was Young Master’s trip outside smooth? Regarding cultivation…”

He had assumed Shen Xian went out to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough.

Shen Xian’s expression remained indifferent. “Just wandered around a bit.”

The trip had been fruitful, but explaining it would be troublesome and unnecessary.

Seeing this, Wang Yu tactfully didn’t ask further. He cupped his hands. “Then this subordinate will head to the Artifact Refining Hall first. Young Master, please rest well.”

After Wang Yu left, Shen Xian walked to the edge of the spiritual spring to examine the Purple Cloud Ganoderma.

The golden patterns on the leaf edges were deeper than when he had left. Faint spots of light, like stars, flowed within its veins.

“Two more months and it will fully transform…” he murmured softly.

His gaze turned to the mystic tortoise, which was trying to sneak into the spiritual spring for a nap.

“Don’t act dumb. Hurry up and accelerate its growth.”

Shen Xian tapped his finger, and the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Soil Map slowly unfurled.

The mystic tortoise crawled over reluctantly. It opened its mouth and released a stream of pure water-attribute spiritual power.

The sun and moon cycles within the scroll accelerated. The golden patterns on the ganoderma’s leaves spread at a visible rate, and the starlight spots grew increasingly brilliant.

…

Time flowed like water. In a blink, another month passed.

The morning mist on Green Bamboo Peak enveloped Rainfall Pavilion as usual. Shen Xian’s daily life was calm and uneventful.

Every morning, he brewed a pot of spiritual tea in the courtyard, watching the tortoise slowly crawl toward the spring to begin its work.

The Purple Cloud Ganoderma had now completely transformed into a pale golden color. The starlight spots on its leaves flowed incessantly; it was one step away from full maturity.

During these days, Wang Yu often visited.

Since obtaining the Green Spirit Pill, his cultivation had improved significantly. His performance in the Artifact Refining Hall stood out, drawing Elder Li’s attention.

He brought fresh news from the sect: Zhou Ziling had been haunting the Scripture Depository, seemingly searching for something; core disciples were emerging from seclusion, preparing for the Godfiend Battlefield.

Shen Xian listened quietly, occasionally offering a comment.

He noticed the marks of spiritual exhaustion on Wang Yu’s wrists had faded, replaced by the healthy glow of improved cultivation. This inner sect disciple, who once had dim prospects, now carried a new spark in his eyes.

The tortoise continued its diligent work. Although it always feigned unwillingness, it never slacked off—especially when Shen Xian rewarded it with spirit fruits. At those times, a cunning flicker would appear in its beady eyes, and its efforts would double.

On this day, Shen Xian was meditating in the courtyard.

Morning light filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows.

Suddenly, an unusual warmth emanated from his dantian. The spiritual power within his body began to circulate on its own, like a dormant river bursting its banks.

“This is…”

He understood immediately. Another Dao Companion had broken through.

Was it Wei Zhaoli? Or Ye Qingxian?

[Host’s Dao Companion Ye Qingxian has condensed a Nine Revolutions Golden Core. Blessing return: fifty times the cultivation increase from Dao Companion’s breakthrough.]

As the prompt appeared, Shen Xian let the surging power flow.

Indeed. For the sake of the Godfiend Battlefield, Ye Qingxian was striving for perfection. And she had succeeded—a Nine Revolutions Golden Core, the highest quality possible.

And what about himself?

Changes in a Dao Companion’s foundation could trigger changes in his own. Since her Golden Core was at the apex, would his remain ordinary?

As he broke through to Golden Core Perfection, the spiritual power in Shen Xian’s body flowed through his meridians at astonishing speed. Each cycle condensed it further.

He felt his Golden Core undergoing a qualitative change.

Mysterious patterns appeared on its surface, each containing the profound truths of heaven and earth. The originally turbid core became crystalline and translucent, ultimately transforming into a flawless sphere of light.

“This is… a Flawless Golden Core?”

Shen Xian closed his eyes to observe internally.

In his dantian, the crystalline core radiated spiritual power several times purer than before. It exuded an inexplicable, awe-inspiring pressure.

Such a Golden Core existed only in ancient texts and legends. He had never heard of a living cultivator possessing one.

Different Golden Core qualities provided different bonuses. Higher quality meant stronger power manipulation. A Flawless Golden Core implied immeasurable potential.

Shen Xian felt a surge of elation.

With this core, even facing a Nascent Soul cultivator might not be impossible.

He slowly opened his eyes. A flash of brilliance vanished instantly, hidden once more beneath his calm exterior.

Good.

He clenched his fist, feeling the terrifying strength coursing through his veins.

Now, I’m truly ready.