Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 1394 Nascent Soul Formation!

Chapter 1394 Nascent Soul Formation!

For Qin Hao, serving as a guest elder of the Miaoyin Sect was a trivial matter, not even worth his time. His late-stage Core Formation cultivation alone was enough to intimidate the Core Formation cultivators within the Miaoyin Sect who were stirring up trouble, including those two "restless" fellows.

Back in his cave dwelling on the thirty-first floor of the sacred mountain in Tianxing City, Qin Hao went straight into the quiet room, sat cross-legged on the stone bed, and took out the "Energy Enhancement Pill" that Han Li had given him earlier.

Qin Hao originally planned to use the few bottles of Enhancing Yuan Pills that Han Li sent to push his cultivation to the late-stage Perfection of Core Formation, the pseudo-infant state.

But just five years later, the sealed cave was reopened.

It wasn't due to any external invasion or Han Li's visit, but rather because the spiritual energy within the cave had rioted.

Qin Hao was all too familiar with this unusual fluctuation of spiritual energy; it was a celestial phenomenon caused when a cultivator forms their core.

In the outer hall of the cave, Yanli was unsettled by the sudden surge of spiritual energy. Her pretty face was filled with worry, and her gaze was fixed on the door of the stone chamber where Yuan Yao usually cultivated.

Just then, Qin Hao appeared silently beside her.

"Senior, my junior sister..." Yanli's voice trembled slightly.

Qin Hao remained calm, his gaze fixed intently on the tightly closed stone door. He gently shook his head and said, "Don't worry, she's fine. This strange phenomenon is her condensing her golden core."

"Condensing...Condensing a Golden Core?!" Yanli was stunned at first, then a wave of overwhelming joy washed over her worries, followed by unbelievable shock: "So...Junior Sister...is about to become a Core Formation cultivator?!"

Core Formation cultivator! That was a realm she could only look up to in the past, a realm that existed only in the clouds. Yet her junior sister Yuan Yao, with whom she spent every day, was about to reach that realm in just a few decades.

Compared to Yanli's complex and delighted reaction, the reaction from the cultivators outside the cave, especially those in neighboring caves, was more intense and pure.

The center of the unusual gathering of spiritual energy was so clear; it was precisely in the direction of Qin Hao's cave dwelling, whose reputation was gradually rising.

Among them, the Nascent Soul cultivator surnamed Zhao, who had been shocked by Qin Hao's rapid rise to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm in just fifty years, was now staring dumbfounded at the nascent spiritual energy vortex that was forming above Qin Hao's cave, his face a mixture of astonishment, confusion, and a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.

The cultivator surnamed Zhao muttered to himself in a daze, "Impossible! I saw him form his core with my own eyes. Could it be that he dispersed his cultivation and started over? No, dispersing cultivation and starting over wouldn't cause such a strange phenomenon in the heavens and earth."

"If it wasn't him... then who could it be?" A thought that made his heart race uncontrollably popped into his head: "It... it couldn't be... his two concubines, could it?"

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he vehemently suppressed it: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! He's just a mere Core Formation cultivator. Even if he had some fortuitous encounters, how could he possibly enable his concubine to also reach Core Formation?!"

As a Core Formation cultivator, he knew better than anyone the sheer amount of resources required to cultivate a Core Formation cultivator. Such a drain was often difficult even for small sects with weak foundations to easily bear, let alone a rogue cultivator.

However, reality ruthlessly shattered his doubts. As time passed, the strange spiritual phenomena above Qin Hao's cave not only did not dissipate, but became even clearer and more magnificent.

The initial vortex of spiritual energy rapidly expanded and solidified, frantically devouring the pure spiritual energy within a hundred miles, forming a massive funnel-shaped vortex with its center pointing directly at Yuan Yao's stone chamber. A faint golden light flowed within the vortex's center, emanating a chilling energy fluctuation. This was precisely the hallmark of a successful Core Formation, the Golden Core stabilizing and absorbing the vital energy of heaven and earth!

"It's actually... going to succeed?!" The cultivator surnamed Zhao felt the infusion of powerful spiritual energy, his expression changing constantly, until finally all that remained was a bitter taste in his mouth and an indescribable sense of defeat.

Just as he expected, about fifteen minutes later, as the huge vortex of spiritual energy slowly contracted and finally transformed into a dazzling golden light that disappeared into the cave, and all the strange phenomena returned to calm, the door to Yuan Yao's cultivation stone chamber opened silently.

A graceful figure stepped out. Yuan Yao at this moment was completely different from before her seclusion. Her eyes shone brightly with a sharp light, as if they contained the power of the stars.

Her already delicate skin was now even more smooth and radiant, with a baby-like white glow, so soft and supple it seemed like it could be broken with a touch.

With every gesture, an innate, alluring, and bewitching charm naturally emanated from her. This was not deliberate, but rather a natural allure resulting from the sublimation of her physique and the refinement of her cultivation techniques after achieving the Core Formation stage, making her even more mysterious and unpredictable. A powerful and stable spiritual energy fluctuation, characteristic of Core Formation cultivators, surrounded her.

Qin Hao's gaze fell on Yuan Yao, admiring her even more peerless beauty after her transformation. His heart couldn't help but stir, and he secretly praised, "'Heavenly Yin Body' truly lives up to its name! It's amazing that she was able to condense her golden core in such a short time."

He knew better than anyone how astonishing Yuan Yao's cultivation speed was. He knew how much effort he himself had expended to achieve Core Formation.

As for Yuan Yao? It was as if the insurmountable barrier that caused countless cultivators to waste their lives or even perish, from the Foundation Establishment stage to the Core Formation stage, did not exist for her. The whole process was as natural and smooth as if she had just broken through a small realm. It was simply "silky smooth"!

With such talent, it's no wonder that even a Mahayana cultivator like "Qing Yuanzi" from the Spirit Realm, who stands at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, would look at him differently and try to win him over.

"Junior sister! You...you are now a true Core Formation cultivator! Then...should I start calling you senior?" Yanli stepped forward, her joy overflowing, but her tone also carried a hint of subtle bitterness and awkwardness.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao immediately took Yan Li's arm affectionately, a genuine smile blooming on her beautiful face. She playfully scolded, "Senior Sister! What are you saying? We've been sisters for so many years, our friendship is deep, why be so formal? No matter my cultivation level, you will always be my good senior sister."

"That's true!" Yanli was touched by Yuan Yao's intimacy and sincerity. The little bit of estrangement in her heart instantly disappeared, and she regained her usual cheerfulness. She laughed and said, "After calling you Junior Sister for so many years, it's really uncomfortable to suddenly ask me to call you Senior!"

After saying that, he couldn't help but laugh.

The two sisters laughed and joked lightly, and the invisible barrier that might have been caused by the breakthrough in their cultivation level quietly disappeared.

Seeing Yuan Yao successfully form her core, and the two women so overjoyed, Qin Hao's original intention to immediately continue his secluded cultivation faded somewhat. He was unusually intrigued and decided to take them to the bustling Tianxing City to celebrate, both to celebrate Yuan Yao's core formation and to allow them to relax a bit.

As soon as the three stepped out of the cave, they saw the Core Formation cultivator surnamed Zhao standing not far away, looking at them with a complicated expression. He had obviously been drawn by the commotion earlier. Yuan Yao remained calm and, as always, bowed slightly to this former "senior," offering a gentle greeting.

However, the reaction of the cultivator surnamed Zhao was far beyond Yuan Yao's expectations. He seemed to suddenly awaken, his body trembling slightly, his face instantly filled with astonishment and disbelief. He remained stunned for several seconds before hurriedly waving his hands, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible fear and embarrassment, repeatedly saying, "I dare not accept such a title! I dare not accept such a title! Fellow Daoist Yuan has now condensed his Golden Core, and is now a Core Formation cultivator like us. I, Zhao, absolutely cannot accept this title of 'senior'! From now on, we can simply be equals!"

Yuan Yao was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized, yes, she was now a Core Formation cultivator, her status and position completely different from when she was in the Foundation Establishment stage. In this cultivation world, strength ultimately reigns supreme. A slight ripple stirred in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face, simply nodding in acknowledgment and saying nothing more.

Watching Qin Hao and his two companions leisurely depart, the bitterness on the Zhao surname cultivator's lips almost overflowed. His low mutterings were filled with a sense of absurdity and profound helplessness: "It really is her! A mere concubine... she actually formed her core! Just who is this Fellow Daoist Zhang?"

Qin Hao spent the entire day touring Tianxing City with Yuan Yao and Yan Li. The rare treasures of the inner city's markets, the exquisite delicacies of the outer city's restaurants, and the bustling prosperity of the various scenic spots captivated the two women, especially Yuan Yao, who had just experienced a major breakthrough in her life; the world before her felt completely transformed. As night fell, and the two women had enjoyed themselves to the fullest, the three returned to their cave dwelling on the thirty-first floor of the Holy Mountain.

After the joy, came the reality of cultivation. Yuan Yao had just condensed her golden core, and her realm was not yet fully stable. She needed to immediately continue her secluded cultivation to nurture the golden core until it was perfect and flawless.

Qin Hao, however, is still some distance from his goal—the False Infant Realm—and must race against time to improve his cultivation.

As for Yanli, although she was also incredibly happy for Yuan Yao, she was deeply shocked. She had only recently broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and thought the gap between her and Yuan Yao was still within an acceptable range. She never expected that her junior sister would leap to the top and enter the Core Formation stage!

This enormous gap made her feel an unprecedented sense of urgency. It wasn't jealousy, but more of a worry—a worry that if she didn't do everything in her power to improve herself, she would be forever separated from Yuan Yao in the long years to come.

Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator runs out of lifespan, they only live for two or three hundred years, while a Core Formation cultivator has a long lifespan of five or six hundred years! This longing for longevity and companionship transformed into a burning fire of cultivation in her heart.

Cultivation knows no time; the passing of winter leaves one unaware of the years.

In the quiet room, time quietly slipped away, as if in the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed like sand slipping through one's fingers.

On the stone bed, Qin Hao slowly opened his tightly closed eyes. In an instant, a tangible light flashed and disappeared in the quiet room.

He exhaled a long, lingering breath, which was as condensed as an arrow and struck the thick stone wall, producing a slight hum.

"Finally... I've reached the False Infant Realm." A deep and powerful voice echoed in the stone chamber, carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion and solemnity.

The so-called "false infant realm" is the ultimate state of the late-stage Great Perfection of the Golden Core realm. After countless temperings and infusions of magical power, the Golden Core has reached the theoretical limit of its own aptitude, the magical power has been liquefied to the extreme, and the divine sense has been tempered to the peak of the current realm.

It seems that it is only separated from the true Nascent Soul realm by a thin layer of paper, as if it could be broken through with a gentle poke.

However, Qin Hao knew all too well that what seemed like a mere step was in fact an insurmountable chasm that stood between countless brilliant and talented cultivators! To cross this step and shatter the core to become an infant was far more difficult and dangerous than all previous breakthroughs combined. It was incredibly difficult, and the slightest mistake could result in the destruction of the core and death, turning a hundred years of arduous cultivation into nothing!

"AI, perform the calculation immediately! Given my current physical strength, Golden Core refinement level, total mana, spiritual consciousness level, and available auxiliary resources, what are the chances of successfully breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm? Analyze in detail!"

[AI: Command received, commencing comprehensive simulation...]

[Model under construction...simulating the impact process...]

[Deduction Result: After 100,000 simulations and comprehensive evaluation, the success rate of the host in breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm under the current condition is: 68.37%]

"68%?" Qin Hao was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This success rate was far higher than he had previously estimated! After all, in his memory, Han Li's preparations when he attempted to break through to the Nascent Soul stage were nothing short of extravagant. In contrast, he only had a single Nascent Soul Condensation Pill with relatively ordinary effects, its main function being to provide assistance when liquid mana condensed into the nascent Nascent Soul form.

But upon further reflection, Qin Hao understood the key point. Han Li's seemingly "luxurious" preparations were primarily aimed at the two most dangerous hurdles in the Nascent Soul formation process: first, the extreme pain of shattering the core, enough to break a cultivator's will; and second, the invasion of inner demons that stir up the deepest obsessions, fears, and desires within a cultivator. The former could be alleviated by the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng Pill, while the latter relied on treasures such as the Spirit-Stabilizing Pill to protect the mind.

Qin Hao's advantage lies precisely in:

First, his spiritual realm: He has reached the peak of the fourth level of the Great Evolution Technique. The strength of his spiritual sense and the precision of his self-control far surpass those of others of the same level. In the precise process of shattering the core and condensing the nascent soul, which relies heavily on the control of spiritual sense, he can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Secondly, and most importantly—resistance to inner demons! Han Li spent decades cultivating his mind in the mortal world, experiencing all walks of life to strengthen his resolve. But Qin Hao's experience involved traversing countless worlds, encountering numerous vastly different civilizations, identities, and life-or-death trials. The mental impact, willpower tempering, and depth and breadth of his reflections on his own existence that he endured far surpassed Han Li's decades of mortal experience. His mind had long been tempered like ancient ice, clear and solid, making it impossible for ordinary inner demons to shake it in the slightest!

"A 68% success rate..." Qin Hao silently pondered the number, his eyes gradually sharpening, a flame of ambition burning deep within his pupils: "Worth the gamble!"

Once this thought arises, it's like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating a thousand waves, becoming clearer and clearer, and harder and harder to suppress!

The Void Heaven Palace is about to open, and the late-stage Core Formation cultivation level is not enough in front of those Nascent Soul old monsters. Moreover, in addition to the Void Heaven Cauldron, there is also the Barbarian Beard's "Heaven-Supporting Demon Art" that he is determined to obtain!

Even with his late-stage Core Formation cultivation, no matter how many techniques he possessed or how powerful his talismans were, he was ultimately no match for these Nascent Soul level monsters. Especially that barbarian bearded man, a mid-Nascent Soul demonic giant with an incomparably powerful physical body; his Heaven-Supporting Demonic Art's defensive capabilities were unparalleled in the Chaotic Star Sea! To snatch a cultivation technique from such a figure within the Void Heaven Palace was nothing short of a pipe dream without a Nascent Soul level cultivation as a foundation!

Time waits not for us!

"AI, perform another analysis! Without seeking new rare and precious materials, what methods can minimize the extreme pain caused by the pill-shattering process? I need the most feasible and fastest solution!" Qin Hao's voice was resolute.

[AI: In deduction... Scanning the host's ability database... Combining database analysis...]

[Diagnosis complete. Feasible solutions are as follows:]

[Option 1: Find and refine a special elixir. Requires main ingredients such as 'Jade Marrow Ganoderma,' 'Ten Thousand Year Cold Marrow,' and 'Soul-Soothing Wood Heart,' among others. These rare and precious materials are extremely difficult to find, and the time required is unpredictable. It is estimated to reduce pain by 30%-50% and increase the overall success rate by approximately 5%-8%.]

[Option Two: Mental Consciousness Isolation and Management. During the Core Shattering process, the host actively relinquishes control of their body to the AI ​​for absolutely rational, precise, and procedural management. The host's mental consciousness will enter a semi-dormant, observer state. This method ensures that the host's will will not collapse due to intense pain, preventing failure and allowing for the perfect execution of the Core Shattering and subsequent Nascent Soul Formation steps. The host's mental consciousness will still experience pain, but it will not affect the process. This option can be activated immediately, requires no resources, and is estimated to increase the overall success rate by approximately 10%-15%.]

"The second option!" Qin Hao made his choice almost without hesitation. The rare and precious materials mentioned in Option One were all extremely rare and difficult to obtain; the possibility of gathering them all in a short time was extremely slim. Even if one or two were found by chance, their effects would inevitably be far inferior to the Nine-Bend Spirit Ginseng Pill used by Han Li.

The second option, while still requiring immense mental anguish, is currently the only feasible method that can immediately increase the success rate! The absolute rationality and precise control of the AI ​​are the best weapon against the excruciating pain of shattered cores that can destroy one's will.

"A base success rate of 68%, plus the 10%-15% boost from the AI-powered system... the overall success rate is close to, or even potentially exceeds, 80%!" Qin Hao quickly calculated in his mind, a surge of confidence rising within him: "It's worth the gamble! Even if things don't go as planned and the attempt fails... with my physical foundation and elixir reserves, I have enough time to restore my cultivation to the peak of the late Core Formation stage before the Void Heaven Palace opens! This risk is worth taking!"

With this thought in mind, the last trace of hesitation in Qin Hao's eyes vanished completely. He no longer hesitated and immediately took action.

First, within the meditation room, he set up layers upon layers of defensive and isolation formations, far exceeding previous levels. The Reversed Five Elements Formation was activated at full power, forming a stable spatial barrier. A dozen or so mid-to-high-level "Diamond Barrier Talismans" and "Mystic Light Protecting Yuan Talismans" were activated, transforming into solid light films that adhered to the walls of the meditation room. Instantly, the entire meditation room was made impregnable, as solid as a rock.

Then, he left a short communication talisman for Yuan Yao and Yan Li: "You are in seclusion to break through the bottleneck. Do not disturb us. The cave's grand formation is fully activated. You can cultivate in peace. Everything is as usual."

After completing all this, Qin Hao sat cross-legged on the stone bed again, palms facing upwards, and began the final adjustment of his breathing before attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. He wanted to adjust both his body and mind to their most perfect peak state.

For a full day and night, Qin Hao remained motionless, like an old monk in deep meditation. His breathing became long and deep, each inhale seeming to swallow the rich spiritual energy around him, and each exhale completely expelling the last trace of impurities from his body. His heartbeat became slow and powerful, like the steady pulse deep within the earth. His mind was clear and serene, devoid of sorrow or joy, fear or confusion, leaving only the pure pursuit of that supreme realm.

Finally, when his physical and mental state reached an unprecedented point of perfect balance, Qin Hao's mind slowly sank into his dantian.

The dantian, a vast expanse of qi as boundless as the starry sky, contains a perfectly round golden elixir, the size of an egg, suspended in its center.

It didn't rotate slowly; instead, it rotated at high speed but with unparalleled stability under a mysterious and unpredictable law. Each rotation caused the liquid mana in the entire Qi Sea to surge and swell, emitting a terrifying aura as vast as the sea. On the surface of the golden core, countless fine runes containing profound principles of the Great Dao appeared and disappeared, their light flowing.

"Start!" Qin Hao's consciousness issued the final command to the AI.

[AI: Command confirmed. Activating 'Infant Formation Program'. Taking control of the body. Host's consciousness enters 'Observer' mode. Warning: Imminent high-energy life leap, pain index expected to reach MAX threshold, consciousness will experience severe impact, please maintain core will anchor! Countdown: 3…2…1…Management activated!]

In an instant, Qin Hao felt as if his "main consciousness" was gently but firmly peeled away, hovering above his sea of ​​consciousness, like a calm outsider clearly "watching" everything happening inside his body below. Control of his body, however, was completely handed over to the cold, precise, and absolutely rational program of the AI.

"boom--!"

Almost at the same instant the hosting was activated, an indescribable, extreme pain originating from the very source of life erupted from within Qin Hao's Golden Core, like millions of red-hot steel needles simultaneously piercing through his consciousness!

Even as an "observer," the pain still swept through his mental world like a raging tsunami! It was the pain of his Golden Core being forcibly torn apart, shattered, and disintegrated! It was the heaven-defying pain of his Dao foundation collapsing and his life form being forcibly twisted!

"Ugh—!" The suspended consciousness let out a silent roar, trembling violently. If his will hadn't been as firm as a rock, this alone would have been enough to completely shatter and dissipate his consciousness.

Within his dantian, under the precise control of the AI, the perfectly round golden core, which contained the essence of Qin Hao's more than a hundred years of arduous cultivation, suddenly developed countless spiderweb-like cracks on its surface! Blinding golden light burst forth from the cracks, illuminating the entire dantian with brilliance! The golden core's rotation speed suddenly increased a hundredfold, a thousandfold! It was spinning, twisting, and deforming wildly!

"Crack...crack..."

A chilling cracking sound rang out clearly deep within Qin Hao's consciousness. It wasn't the sound of physics, but the agonizing cry of the very essence of life collapsing! The golden core, the size of an egg, finally reached its limit under the clash of high-speed rotation and the violent energy within, and shattered with a deafening roar!

There was no earth-shattering explosion, but it was far more terrifying. The instant the golden core shattered, it transformed into billions of incredibly fine golden droplets and dazzling fragments of light, each containing terrifying energy, erupting like a nebula bursting forth at the dawn of the universe, violently surging and spreading throughout the entire dantian! Each golden droplet contained the pure essence of Qin Hao's painstaking cultivation, yet at this moment, it was like billions of miniature suns out of control, releasing unparalleled, violent energy and destructive power capable of tearing everything apart!

The dantian was subjected to an unprecedented impact! The originally orderly flowing liquid mana was instantly turned upside down, like a calm lake thrown with countless boulders, now churning up towering waves! The violent energy turbulence surged and raged, tearing at every inch of the dantian!

If Qin Hao's physical foundation hadn't been so solid, his dantian and qi sea hadn't been tempered countless times and were already exceptionally resilient, and if his AI hadn't guided this destructive torrent in the most rational way, the impact of the shattered dantian alone would have been enough to completely destroy his dantian!

[AI: Activate 'Energy Guidance Matrix'. Construct 'Liquid Mana Vortex Core'. Guide the orderly disintegration of the Core Fragments...]

The AI's commands were executed silently and efficiently. Under Qin Hao's "observation," the AI ​​manipulated his terrifying divine sense power, which had reached the peak of the fourth level of the Great Evolution Technique, like billions of invisible, most agile and resilient threads, precisely capturing and guiding the billions of violent golden fragments of dantian. A vast and precise divine sense matrix formed in his dantian, forcibly restraining the destructive energy turbulence and guiding it towards a pre-set core point.

At the same time, the Spirit Gathering Array outside the Quiet Room, which Qin Hao had already introduced and which had gathered a massive amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, was activated by the AI ​​at maximum power! It devoured the dense spiritual energy from heaven and earth that was so thick it was almost impenetrable, emanating from the thirty-first floor and higher-level caves of the Sacred Mountain of Tianxing City.

This immense and unparalleled torrent of spiritual energy was precisely compressed and purified by the AI, transforming into an extremely condensed milky-white beam of light, which poured into Qin Hao's Baihui acupoint on the top of his head and directly reached his dantian!

The infusion of this new power was like ice water being poured into a boiling oil pan. On the one hand, it provided the massive amount of "raw materials" and "adhesive" necessary for the condensation of the nascent Nascent Soul; on the other hand, it also created more intense conflicts and friction with the raging fragments of dantian and the churning liquid mana!

Pain, like an endless, raging storm, crashed against Qin Hao's suspended consciousness wave after wave! It felt as if every cell in his body was being crushed, reassembled, and crushed again... in an endless cycle!

[AI: Guiding the external spiritual energy torrent. Constructing a 'spiritual energy furnace'. Initiating 'elixir liquefaction and fusion'...]

Under the precise control of the AI, the billions of violent golden fragments of dantian energy, constrained by the massive divine sense matrix and squeezed by terrifying spiritual pressure, began to be forcibly "melted"!

They were no longer solid fragments, but had transformed back into scalding, viscous liquid energy! This liquid energy, along with Qin Hao's original vast liquid mana and the ever-flowing spiritual energy of heaven and earth, began an unprecedented and violent collision, fusion, and tempering at the "vortex core" in the center of his dantian!

This is an extremely slow and incredibly dangerous process. The liquid essence of the elixir, the pure magical power, and the boundless spiritual energy of heaven and earth are all different in terms of attributes and energy levels.

Forcing a fusion is like mixing incompatible liquids in a boiling oil pan; the slightest mistake can lead to an energy imbalance and a devastating explosion!

The AI ​​took this process to its extreme. It was like a combination of the most skilled alchemist and the master craftsman, using Qin Hao's powerful divine sense as a tool and his dantian as a furnace, precisely controlling the flow, temperature, pressure, and fusion ratio of every energy.

The strands of divine consciousness danced wildly, constantly eliminating the violent "impurities" and conflicting energies generated during the fusion process, guiding them out of the body or forcibly annihilating them.

Time flowed by amidst extreme pain and meticulous control. How long it lasted seemed like an instant, yet also like millennia.

At the "vortex core" in the center of the dantian, the chaotic, violent, viscous liquid energy, a mixture of gold, crimson, and earthy yellow, finally began to undergo a qualitative change after countless tempering, purification, and compression!

The energy's color gradually faded, transforming into a pure, restrained, and seemingly life-giving pale gold. Its form also changed; it was no longer a simple liquid, but became heavy and spiritual, like mercury, and began to slowly contract and condense towards a core point!

A faint but incredibly pure "vitality" and "spirituality" containing a life force surpassing even the Core Formation stage began to quietly emerge from that core point! Like the first ripple of life emerging from the chaos at the beginning of time!

[AI: Detected the birth of 'life essence'. Meets the characteristics of 'nascent nascent soul' formation. Initiating 'shaping program'. Injecting the host's original divine soul imprint...]

At the same time that earth-shattering changes were taking place within this dantian, outside the cave, and even in the entire thirty-first level of the Holy Mountain and its surrounding area, the weather had already changed dramatically!

A celestial phenomenon has descended upon us in a mighty wave!

First, a massive, suffocating vortex of spiritual energy appeared above the entire cave, covering an area dozens of times larger than when Yuan Yao formed her core!

This vortex spun wildly, ruthlessly tearing apart and devouring the pure spiritual energy that had dissipated from the thirty-first floor and even higher levels of the Holy Mountain, as well as the primordial energy of heaven and earth from an even wider area! The center of the vortex pointed directly at the quiet room where Qin Hao was, as if there were a portal to another dimension there!

The vortex spun faster and faster, its range expanded, and its color gradually changed from pale white to a dazzling yet dangerous hue, including crimson, deep purple, indigo, and golden yellow!

It is no longer just a gathering of spiritual energy, but more like a terrifying eye of a storm that devours energy!

Immediately afterwards, the once clear sky suddenly darkened! Thick, lead-like dark clouds appeared out of nowhere from all directions, gathering at an incredible speed, pressing down layer upon layer on the sky above the thirty-first level of the sacred mountain!

Instead of thunder and lightning, there was a deep rumble, like the roar of an ancient beast, from within the dark clouds! Thick, dragon-like streaks of light, composed entirely of pure spiritual energy, meandered down from the depths of the clouds as if drawn by an invisible giant hand, continuously pouring into the massive vortex of spiritual energy!

"Boom--!"

The dull thud was not thunder, but a spatial tremor caused by the intense compression of spiritual energy and the violent friction of energy!

The entire thirty-first level of the sacred mountain, and even the higher levels of the cave dwellings, trembled slightly under this terrifying pressure from heaven and earth! The defensive array light screen set up outside the cave dwellings activated to its limit on its own, emitting a hum that could not bear the burden!

Outside the cave, all the cultivators, regardless of their cultivation level, were horrified!

"What...what is this?! A surge of spiritual energy? No...no! This pressure..." A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator had just emerged from his cave when he was instantly forced to the ground, unable to even lift his head, his eyes filled with horror.

"Core Formation? Impossible! Core Formation phenomena are never this terrifying! This...this pressure..." Another cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation barely managed to stand firm, looking up at the sky-reaching band of spiritual energy and the mountain-like spiritual clouds, his voice filled with undisguised fear.

"Nascent Soul! Someone is attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage! A celestial phenomenon of condensing a Nascent Soul!" Finally, a seasoned Core Formation cultivator with extensive knowledge exclaimed in shock, his voice sharp and distorted with extreme astonishment! The entire area fell into a deathly silence for a moment, followed by an even greater uproar!

"Nascent Soul?! My god! Which senior is attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage here?"

"The thirty-first floor of the Holy Mountain... I remember that's where... that late-stage Core Formation cultivator surnamed Zhang lives?!"

"It's him! It's actually him! How many years has it been?! He's already about to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?!"

The Nascent Soul cultivator surnamed Zhao was standing at the entrance of his cave, his face ashen, his body trembling slightly uncontrollably.

He looked up at the terrifying phenomenon that covered half the sky and seemed to be swallowing up the entire holy mountain. He felt the vast and heavy spiritual pressure, like the might of heaven, and felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!

"Nascent Soul... He... He's actually attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?!" The cultivator surnamed Zhao's lips trembled, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and his heart was filled with utter shock.

"This...how is this possible?! He's only been at the Core Formation stage for a few years! This cultivation speed...it's simply...simply monstrous! A prodigy!"

Thinking back to the slight hint of dissatisfaction and covetousness he might have shown earlier, he felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his clothes. Before a Nascent Soul cultivator, his Core Formation cultivation was utterly insignificant, like an ant!

Inside the cave, Yuan Yao and Yan Li, already alarmed by the earth-shattering phenomenon and terrifying pressure, had left their respective quiet rooms.

The two women clung tightly to each other, their pretty faces filled with shock and worry. Yuan Yao sensed the powerful aura emanating from the depths of the quiet room, an aura that, though isolated by layers of formations, still made her golden core tremble. Her beautiful eyes shone with excitement and admiration: "Senior... he... he's really trying to break through to that realm!"

Yanli held Yuan Yao's hand tightly, her palms sweaty, too nervous to speak.

Meanwhile, within Qin Hao's dantian, the most crucial moment had arrived!

Under the guidance of the AI, the pale golden liquid energy that combined Qin Hao's life's essence of dantian, vast magical power, massive spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and a trace of his original divine soul imprint has condensed and condensed to an extreme!

It was no longer a mass of liquid, but had formed a blurry, roughly three-inch-long, cross-legged "human" outline! Although the outline was indistinct, the life force and energy fluctuations it emitted had undergone a qualitative leap! It began to instinctively inhale and exhale the pure energy within its dantian, and with each inhale and exhale, the blurry outline became clearer!

"Om-!"

Just as the outline of the "human" shape began to take shape, outside the quiet room, the enormous vortex of spiritual energy covering the sky seemed to receive an ultimate summons and suddenly contracted inward! All the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the essence of the five elements, and the radiance of the sun, moon, and stars that had been devoured were compressed to the extreme in that instant, transforming into a seven-colored torrent with a diameter of about ten feet, condensed like a liquid pillar of light!

This torrent ignored all the defensive formations set up outside Qin Hao's cave. Like the Milky Way pouring down from the heavens, it crashed into the meditation room with perfect precision, directly pouring into the top of Qin Hao's head!

[AI: Detected 'Primordial Infusion of Heaven and Earth'! Energy intensity MAX! Initiating the final stage of 'Nascent Soul Shaping'! Absorb with full force! Refine! Solidify!]

[Warning! Energy overload! Physical body nearing its limit! Divine consciousness nearing its limit! Host, please maintain your core will!]

"boom--!"

An indescribable amount of energy, carrying the most primordial and purest creative power in the world, instantly rushed into Qin Hao's body!

This power was so vast and immense that even his body, which had been tempered and refined through countless trials, groaned under its strain, and fine beads of blood instantly appeared on his skin!

Meridians, flesh, bones, and even every cell are frantically absorbing this power, while at the same time being forcibly transformed and sublimated by this power!

The core of this power rushed straight to the dantian and into the three-inch-tall pale golden "human-shaped" outline!

"Freeze!!!"

At this moment, Qin Hao's suspended consciousness let out a cry from the deepest part of his soul! He transformed all his understanding of "self" and life into an indomitable and courageous torrent of will, and poured it fiercely into the nascent nascent soul!

Within the dantian, a radiant light shone forth!

The three-inch-tall pale golden humanoid silhouette instantly materialized after absorbing this ultimate power of creation from heaven and earth!

His features became clearly visible, revealing him to be a miniature version of Qin Hao, with a hint of his original coldness and determination between his brows! His skin had a warm, jade-like color, with a faint, radiant glow.

The small body sat cross-legged, hands naturally forming a mudra at the dantian. A vast, pure, and vibrant aura, seemingly transcending the laws of this world, emanated from this small body!

Nascent Soul, accomplished!

Just as this tiny nascent soul was fully formed, and opened its eyes—eyes that seemed to hold the very essence of the birth and death of stars—

"Roar!!!"

Outside the cave, deep within the thick spiritual clouds that covered the entire thirty-one levels of the sacred mountain, a soul-shaking shout resounded!

A colossal pillar of light, its color indescribable and seemingly gathering all the light in the world, exceeding a hundred feet in diameter, descended from the center of the spiritual cloud with a thunderous roar, accompanied by this shout! Its target was none other than Qin Hao's cave dwelling!

The pillar of light lasted for a full ten breaths before slowly dissipating. The countless spiritual clouds and vortexes of spiritual energy also gradually disappeared, and the sky returned to its clear state.

However, the entire thirty-first floor of the sacred mountain, and even higher levels, fell into a deathly silence.

All the cultivators, regardless of their cultivation level, were gazing up at the sky, their faces frozen in extreme shock and awe.

The aura that was unique to Nascent Soul cultivators, vast as the sea, remained in the air like a brand, silently announcing the birth of a new Nascent Soul cultivator!

The Core Formation cultivator surnamed Zhao collapsed to the ground with a thud, his face ashen, only able to murmur unconsciously, "Nascent Soul...he really...made it..."