Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Superiority of the Primordial Pill

The feeling for the earth! Only after hearing this did Zhou Gang truly set his mind at ease.

Although his own strength had not yet reached that level, Zhou Gang was well aware that within the later stages of the Qi Condensation Realm, there were easily distinguishable tiers of strength. One tier consisted of those who continued to cultivate pure elemental energy, while the other comprised those who could extract a portion of an element from the world’s energy that matched their own physical attributes.

Human-level cultivation methods were primarily tailored for practitioners in the Qi Condensation and Vein Flow Realms. These two stages together were divided into eighteen levels, generally categorized into lower, middle, and upper grades, each corresponding to six levels. Of course, this also varied from person to person.

Those with extraordinary talent could even begin cultivating mid-grade human-level methods in the middle of the Qi Condensation Realm, while those less gifted might not dare to touch the elemental arts of the middle grade until entering the Vein Flow Realm.

Though Brother Sun had long departed from the Divine Sun Sect and had not received its resources for quite some time, ever since the establishment of the Clear Wind Bandits, intercepting the sect’s supplies and preying on its disciples, he had not fallen much behind. Moreover, allowing disciples to face danger was always part of the sect’s trials, so long as one was careful not to provoke the descendants of the four great families—then, generally, there was little to fear.

Now that his elder brother had begun to draw earth-elemental energy into his body, his strength was truly incomparable to before. Even when encountering outstanding disciples at the late stage of Qi Condensation, he could put up a fight.

What was there to be afraid of?

Zhou Gang nodded, no longer troubled.

“By the way, Big Brother, the direction they’re heading—it seems they’re going to the Rocky Ravine! Should we follow a bit closer?” The young man named Fifth suddenly spoke.

“No need to worry; just keep a steady distance. They’ll definitely return. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch them in a trap at Rocky Ravine!” Sun Huankun appeared unconcerned. Although he had only brought two leaders at the early Qi Condensation stage and a dozen or so henchmen at the Body Tempering level, the other side had only three people. He himself was a master of the seventh turn of Qi Condensation—what was there to worry about?

“Senior Brother, isn’t it time for me to exchange for a Yuan Technique?” As the three walked together, Zhao Lin’er, in the center, turned her lovely face to the left, her words laced with unconcealed excitement as she beamed at Luo Tian.

For cultivators, aside from rare treasures and powerful artifacts, nothing brought greater joy than a breakthrough.

“You can begin preparing, but there’s no need to rush.” Luo Tian nodded slightly. “After all, Yuan Techniques require both quality and quantity of elemental energy. Generally, the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm is more suitable.”

Though he had not yet cultivated a Yuan Technique himself, Luo Tian’s understanding of the Qi Condensation Realm had become quite deep; it was no problem to give Zhao Lin’er some guidance.

“Yes, Senior Brother Luo!” Zhao Lin’er replied obediently.

Yuan Techniques.

Qian Bo’s heart itched. He had already reached the latter stage of the third turn of Qi Condensation, and the day of his breakthrough was not far. However, cultivation was the most unpredictable thing in the world—a flash of insight could see one break through instantly, but if the time was not right, no amount of anxiety would help.

He wanted to ask Luo Tian for some guidance but found it hard to bring up. Even if he had to bow to a rival in love, he couldn’t simply surrender outright. He needed a way that would let him achieve his goal while maintaining his composure before Lin’er, so as not to appear servile or inconsistent.

Qian Bo was at a loss.

Truthfully, he had originally planned to exchange for a Yuan Technique, but had been so preoccupied with this external assignment that he’d forgotten to visit the Scripture Pavilion when trading for resources at the Pill Treasure Hall.

Luo Tian shook his head slightly. Never mind, once this task was done, he could return in time for the Eastern District Grand Competition.

The Eastern District Grand Competition was generally for outer disciples who had reached the late Qi Condensation stage, though occasionally some outstanding mid-stage disciples participated. This external assignment had been arranged with that in mind, so most participants were outer disciples at the early to middle stages of Qi Condensation.

“If only I could compete! I’ve heard the top three in the Eastern District Grand Competition receive amazing rewards! And if you take first place in all of Purple Sun Mountain, you not only get rich prizes but also personal guidance from an elder!” Zhao Lin’er, growing excited, began to indulge in some fanciful hopes.

“Elder? What level are the elders?” Luo Tian truly had no idea. Information like that wouldn’t be found in books; he could only learn through conversation and experience. Luo Tian, who cared little for anything outside his own world, was, in this respect, woefully ignorant.

“Senior Brother Luo!” Qian Bo stammered, but then took a deep breath. Since Luo Tian didn’t know, it was just as well to inform him now; it would make it easier to ask for guidance later. “In our Divine Sun Sect, outer disciples are in the Qi Condensation Realm, inner disciples are at the Vein Flow Realm, and above that are the elders at the Core Formation Realm!”

Core Formation Realm!

Luo Tian vaguely recalled hearing that term during the outer disciple tests from Wang Youde.

“It’s said that the patriarchs of the four great families are all Core Formation experts, though each family may have more than one; some elders have reached that level but seldom emerge from seclusion. The sect leader is always chosen from among the four great families, and is, of course, a Core Formation master.”

Seeing that both Luo Tian and Zhao Lin’er were listening attentively, Qian Bo grew even more animated. “It’s said that Core Formation experts condense their energy into a core, and when they strike, the heavens and earth are shaken—they can split mountains and cleave seas with ease. Incredibly powerful!”

Luo Tian didn’t doubt it; at his current level, with just the sixth turn of Qi Condensation, he could shatter rocks with a punch. Those a whole realm above, in Core Formation, might very well be capable of splitting mountains and seas.

“Furthermore, there are distinctions even among Core Formations!” Qian Bo gestured energetically, basking in Lin’er’s undivided attention. If he didn’t show off now, when would he? “The lowest is the Human Spirit Core, above that is the Elemental Spirit Core, and the highest is the True Spirit Core! But no matter which, all are immensely powerful.”

“So, Senior Brother Qian, what’s the difference between those three?” Zhao Lin’er asked, engrossed, and noticing the excitement in Luo Tian’s eyes, decided to help him out by asking.

“Ah, well—” Qian Bo began to sweat. How could he know such details? As a mere Qi Condensation cultivator, it was impossible to be familiar with the nuances of Core Formation strength.

“Lin’er, we’re almost there. Let’s focus on the task at hand,” Luo Tian interjected, recalling the description from the map and realizing they were approaching their destination—Rocky Ravine.