In the blink of an eye, over two months had passed.

The step from the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Golden Core Stage was a threshold that seemed tantalizingly close, yet it had become a lifelong nightmare for countless cultivators. Those lacking in comprehension might spend their entire lives hammering at that door, only to sigh at the heavens as their lifespan withered away.

But such limitations were for the mediocre. For Han Lie, who possessed the Pure Yang Sacred Body and top-tier comprehension, breaking through to the Golden Core Stage was as natural and effortless as drinking water.

After lying dormant for over two months, the radiant Dao Foundation within Han Lie’s dantian suddenly shattered, transforming into a vast, surging torrent of spiritual power. It was as deep as an abyss and boundless as the sea, churning and roiling with violent intensity. This immense energy then surged outward, scouring through his meridians, his flesh, and the very marrow of his bones.

Wherever the spiritual torrent passed, his body underwent earth-shattering transformations. These internal changes soon manifested outwardly.

Gurgle, gurgle!

Han Lie’s skin, once mapped with the deep wrinkles of age, began to plump with renewed vitality. His weathered face, which had previously resembled that of an eighty-year-old man, seemed to reverse the very traces of time. As his flesh filled out, his features grew tighter and more defined. Even the age spots earned from a century of hardship visibly faded away.

Once the spiritual power had scoured every corner of his being, it converged back into his dantian like a thousand rivers returning to the sea. There, it began to compress and condense. This grueling process lasted for several days. Under the continuous pressure, a Golden Core began to take shape. However, stray wisps of spiritual power remained wandering within the dantian, resisting the merger.

Han Lie focused his intent and fully activated the Yin Yang Demonic Art.

Instantly, the nascent Golden Core emitted a terrifying suction force. The stray energy had nowhere to run and was ruthlessly absorbed into the center. Once the final wisp was consumed, a perfect Golden Core—burning with the scorching intensity of a miniature sun—suspended itself within his dantian.

At that moment, Han Lie’s aura completely shattered the shackles of the Foundation Establishment Stage. He had formally stepped into the Golden Core realm!

Han Lie slowly opened his eyes. Within his dark, profound pupils, a golden rim flickered momentarily before dissipating.

“So, this is the Golden Core? The difference between this and Foundation Establishment truly is the difference between the clouds and the mud.”

Feeling the titanic power thrumming through his veins, Han Lie’s heart surged with emotion. Only now did he truly understand the terrifying gap between these two realms. Looking back, it seemed like a miracle that he had managed to survive against Bai Ling for so long.

Perhaps this was the true terror of the Pure Yang Sacred Body.

“Now, the hunter becomes the prey.”

Having been targeted by Bai Ling for so long, Han Lie finally possessed the confidence to face her head-on. Even if she had reached the mid-Golden Core Stage during his seclusion, it didn’t matter. With his current foundation and techniques, he was certain he could cross a minor realm to crush a mid-stage opponent.

“I’m running low on Spirit Stones… looks like I need to earn some.”

During his breakthrough, Han Lie had consumed another six thousand Spirit Stones. The stock in his storage ring was down to a mere three thousand. While that was a fortune for someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage, for a Golden Core cultivator, it was being dirt poor. A single intensive cultivation session could easily swallow every last stone.

Within the sect, there were many ways to earn wealth—working in various departments or refining pills and artifacts. However, the fastest way was undoubtedly accepting sect missions. These tasks were notoriously difficult, but the rewards were generous.

Since he didn’t know the first thing about refining and found manual labor too slow, Han Lie decided to try his hand at the mission board.

Having made his decision, he set off for Law Enforcement Peak.

As he reached the Immortal Bridge leading to the peak, he ran into Zhuo Hongyi. She was leading several Law Enforcement Hall disciples from her Vermilion Bird Squad.

“Han Lie?”

Zhuo Hongyi squinted, almost failing to recognize him. The change was simply too staggering. He had transformed from a man looking to be in his eighties to someone who appeared to be a robust, middle-aged man in his late fifties or early sixties. If he traded his coarse hemp clothes for white Daoist robes and a horsetail whisk, he would look exactly like an immortal sage.

“Captain Hongyi! Long time no see. How have you been?” Han Lie greeted her with a smile.

“It really is you! I almost walked right past you! You look so much younger!” Zhuo Hongyi exclaimed, her eyes bright with joy. It had only been two months! How could a man change this much? It was obvious he had succeeded in his breakthrough.

“Haha! Has This Senior’s change really been that significant?” Han Lie laughed heartily, his spirits high.

“Yes!” Zhuo Hongyi nodded, finding herself liking his new look more and more. “Are you heading to Law Enforcement Peak?”

Han Lie nodded and explained his intent to take on some missions.

“Is this your first time?” Zhuo Hongyi asked immediately. “How about I guide you?”

“That would be excellent.”

Since he was unfamiliar with the procedures, having her as a guide would save him a great deal of trouble. Zhuo Hongyi dismissed her Junior Brothers and sisters to attend to their own duties while she personally led Han Lie into the Sect Mission Hall.

The hall was bustling, packed with Inner Disciples and even Personal Disciples from various halls screening the boards. It was a lively, chaotic scene.

“Little old man, what level of mission are you looking for?” Zhuo Hongyi asked affectionately.

Sect missions were graded by cultivation realms; higher-level tasks were deadlier but paid far better. To the naked eye, Han Lie’s aura only seemed to be at the mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, but Zhuo Hongyi knew better. Given how he had de-aged decades overnight, his true strength had to be far beyond that.

“Golden Core level,” Han Lie said casually.

“Golden Core?!”

Zhuo Hongyi froze, her heart hammering against her ribs. She had suspected he might be stronger than he looked, but she never imagined he had already reached the Golden Core Stage. That meant he was nearly catching up to her! She gasped inwardly—what kind of terrifying cultivation speed was this?