Longevity: Start Farming with Entries-Chapter 296 - 278: Golden Core Ceremony

Wangyue Island, inside the cave mansion.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat moved skillfully, its small hands diligently massaging Qin Ming’s legs, and said with a cheeky smile, "Master... um... now that you’ve broken through to the Golden Core Stage, would you consider giving that Golden Core to..."

Qin Ming naturally understood what it wanted, merely coveting those two human Golden Cores.

It was just one step away from breaking through to the Tier Three Mid-Stage Demon King’s level, a further leap in its strength.

As Qin Ming’s chief war partner, Qin Ming was certainly willing to spend resources to cultivate it.

However, now was not the time.

"Mm, I know you’re anxious, but don’t be too hasty."

"Wait until the Golden Core Ceremony is over, and I’ll help you break through." Qin Ming said to it calmly.

The Heaven-Devouring Rat grinned widely, "Hehehe! Alright, I’m not anxious at all, just asking casually."

A few days later.

A blue Escape Light appeared from afar, emitting terrifying spiritual pressure, arriving near Wangyue Island.

It was Wei Wuya from the Thunder Origin Sect.

Suddenly.

The air distorted, and the Heaven-Devouring Rat’s figure appeared, shouting to Wei Wuya:

"Wei Wuya, did you come too early?"

"The Golden Core Ceremony isn’t for another month."

Wei Wuya saw the Heaven-Devouring Rat speaking, feeling quite astonished.

Back in the day, during the beast tide siege, he and three other Golden Core Ancestors battled fiercely for three hundred rounds in Vast Sea Immortal City against this formidable creature, unable to come to a decisive outcome.

Yet now, this infamous Tier Three Demon King had become Qin Ming’s Spirit Pet...

This was something he found hard to accept...

"My visit this time is to discuss some matters alone with Fellow Daoist Qin." Wei Wuya explained.

Qin Ming also noticed Wei Wuya’s arrival, and so transmitted, ’Invite him in.’

Upon receiving Qin Ming’s instruction, the Heaven-Devouring Rat led Wei Wuya inside the Spirit Island.

"Fellow Daoist Wei has traveled a long way. What’s the matter?" Qin Ming asked, inviting Wei Wuya to sit.

Wei Wuya took a sip of tea, then straightforwardly said, "Fellow Daoist Qin is well aware that the current situation of Wei Country’s cultivation realm is dire."

"Does Brother Wei mean... the invasion by Jin Country?" Qin Ming asked indifferently.

Wei Wuya nodded, "Indeed, primarily because the Lingyun Sect, having acquired two Golden Cores, is not content with their current state and is ambitious about expanding outward."

"My visit this time is to discuss with Fellow Daoist Qin how to address this matter, since only the two of us with Golden Cores can take charge in Wei Country."

Wei Wuya understood that Qin Ming’s strength was certainly not comparable to ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivators.

Having a demonic king at the peak of Tier Three Early Stage wasn’t all that impressive; the opponent’s mana aura was concealed deeply.

Even he couldn’t discern its depth.

The golden thunder tribulation witnessed that day was simply unheard of.

Therefore, if Qin Ming were willing to act, there might be a turnaround in Wei Country’s crisis.

Qin Ming wasn’t surprised by Wei Wuya’s words, pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "What’s that Lingyun Sect’s leader’s name again?"

"Duanmu Saint."

"Oh, right, Duanmu Saint. Leave him to me; I have some past grievances with him," Qin Ming said nonchalantly.

His tone was so relaxed, as if discussing something trivial.

Wei Wuya was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Qin Ming to agree so readily.

His curiosity about Qin Ming’s strength increased.

Thus, he asked, "Wei ventures to inquire, Fellow Daoist Qin, have you refined a High-Grade Golden Core?"

Qin Ming smiled slightly and nodded, "Indeed."

Of course, he wouldn’t reveal everything outright, but kept some details to himself.

When cultivators reach the Golden Core Stage, every small realm breakthrough becomes extraordinarily challenging.

The differences in strength between Golden Core cultivators become apparent.

Take, for example, the previous events: Wei Wuya used the Thunder Armor Technique momentarily to enter the Mid-stage Golden Core, almost overpowering Yuwen Hong and Old Ghost Yuu, leaving them nearly defenseless.

A one-sided crush.

And the quality of the core directly affects a Golden Core cultivator’s subsequent realm breakthroughs.

Relatively speaking, if it’s a High-Grade Golden Core, breaking through to the mid-late stages is easier.

On the other hand, Low-Grade Golden Cores find breaking through to the Mid-stage Golden Core extremely difficult, with slim chances.

Without good opportunities and supply of cultivation resources, one might be stuck in the Early-stage Golden Core for life.

Most Golden Core cultivators are like this.

Not to mention Loose Cultivators; even Master Vast Sea, with an Immortal City as his backing, remains stuck in the Early-stage Golden Core.

However, it’s estimated that Nalan Xi hasn’t yet consumed the Dust-annihilating Pill Qin Ming traded to her, or else she should have broken through to the Mid-stage Golden Core.

"I must thank Fellow Daoist Qin, for if not for the Dust-annihilating Pill you traded to me, it would have been my Thunder Origin Sect facing elimination in that life-and-death battle." Wei Wuya expressed his gratitude to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming waved his hand, "Brother Wei, no need for formalities. We knew each other, each taking what we needed."

"Moreover, you exchanged three portions of spiritual materials for refining the Dust-annihilating Pill with me."

"It’s not a loss for me."

The two continued exchanging words for a while.

After obtaining Qin Ming’s answer, Wei Wuya felt assured and left after a while.

Qin Ming watched Wei Wuya depart, in contemplation.

In the past, he wouldn’t have been involved in these matters.

But now, things were different.

The Lingyun Sect had come here, intruding on the territory of the deity of the year.

Then you can’t blame yourself.

...

A month later, the day of the Golden Core Ceremony arrived.

The entire Spirit Nest Islands suddenly became lively.

Representatives of various forces and invited individuals came to Wangyue Island to congratulate and witness the event.

This once almost forgotten frontier spirit island may henceforth become a landmark of the Spirit Nest Islands.

Today’s Wangyue Lake was exceptionally bustling. Qin Ming removed the Mist Illusion Realm from around the spirit island.

Streams of Escape Light, flying spiritual artifacts, spirit-steed carriages, and spiritual light treasure vehicles shone brilliantly, as cultivators came one after another to offer their congratulations.

All were cultivators at or above the Foundation Establishment Stage, representing the leading sects and families of top-tier forces from the four countries.

Mainly, the forces from Wei Country.

The venue for the Golden Core Ceremony was set on a vast open space beneath the spirit island, meticulously arranged by the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

The main peak hosted guests of higher status, such as Golden Core cultivators.

Qin Ming sat on the throne, overlooking the packed square below.

Wu Jiang, leading his clan members, arranged the reception matters orderly, leaving Qin Ming free from worry.

The white jade-paved square indicated the higher the guest’s status, the closer they sat to the front.

After Guu Qingzhao’s representative delivered an opening speech, the celebration officially began.

Qin Ming also delivered a few words, which elicited a warm reaction from the crowd.

It made the cultivators watching from the outskirts of the spirit island scratch their heads in regret for not being invited.

Subsequently, congratulatory gifts were announced one after another:

"The 72 Island Loose Alliance congratulates Master Wangyue on achieving Golden Core Great Success with a Tier Three White Whale Pearl, presented by Alliance Leader Lim Yuanqing!"

"Hundred Flowers Sect, Tier Three Red Sky Stone, presented by Hundred Flowers Fairy."

"Divine Herbal Sect, half a bottle of Tier Three Moon Shadow Jade Dew, presented by Sect Leader Chu Wuwang."

...

At this moment.

A white Escape Light approached from afar, landed on the square, and revealed a figure who then presented a gift.

The crowd instantly felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure, "A Golden Core Master has arrived!"

"It’s Master Nalan Xi from Vast Sea Immortal City."

...

"Vast Sea Immortal City presents ten High-Grade Spirit Stones, one Tier Three Purple Mysterious Wood, and five Tier Three Fire Soul Grass Spirit Seeds, presented by Master Vast Sea."

After presenting the congratulatory gifts, Master Vast Sea nodded and smiled at Qin Ming, then sat in the first row.

"Wow!"

"Master Vast Sea is truly generous! To offer so many extremely precious gifts at once."

"Not to mention the High-Grade Spirit Stones, that Purple Mysterious Wood is said to have been brought back by treasure-hunting cultivators from a treacherous rift; Vast Sea Immortal City only has this one."

Then, a blue Escape Light descended.

"Thunder Origin Sect presents ten High-Grade Spirit Stones, two Tier Three Pill Formulas, and one piece of Tier Three Thunderfire Crystal Gold. Offered by Supreme Elder Wei Wuya."

The crowd marveled at the arrival of another Golden Core Ancestor, making them silently exclaim in admiration.

"I heard Master Wangyue was already closely associated with Elder Wei and Master Vast Sea during the Foundation Establishment Stage. It seems true now!"

Wei Wuya also nodded slightly towards Qin Ming, then sat next to Master Vast Sea.

The presence of two Golden Core Ancestors immediately enlivened the atmosphere.

At that moment.

Two streaks of azure Escape Light came from the southeast of Wangyue Lake, exuding power beyond Early-stage Golden Core, parting the clouds on both sides, and landed on the White Jade Square.

When the Escape Light dispersed, two figures were revealed.

A middle-aged man in a green robe, cultured and refined, and an elderly man in a gray robe with silver hair appeared before the assembled crowd.

Seeing the arrival of these two, Qin Ming stood up from his seat of honor.

Not only him, but even Wei Wuya and Master Vast Sea also stood up.

The green-robed cultured middle-aged man, his face radiant, spoke in a loud voice: "Liang Country’s Xuanxi Valley’s Qingxuan and Yuheng congratulate Fellow Daoist Qin on achieving Golden Core Great Success. May the Immortal Dao endure forever!"

As the words fell.

A stir spread across the venue, silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"No way?"

"The Late-stage Golden Core Elder Qingxuan himself has come, along with Elder Yuheng!"

"Master Wangyue is truly recognized!"

"To have troubled these two elders to come and congratulate."

Qin Ming quickly greeted them, bowed to the two elders from Xuanxi Valley, and led them to their seats.

"So it’s Fellow Daoist Qingxuan and Fellow Daoist Yuheng, your presence from afar honors us profoundly and fills me with gratitude."

Qin Ming sensed slightly that Elder Yuheng seemed fine, but Elder Qingxuan... his cultivation depth was nearly unfathomable.

Truly worthy of a Late-stage Golden Core Great Cultivator.

Qin Ming pondered that both elders, wasn’t it said that Elder Qingxuan got injured in a battle with the Cyan-faced Poison Flood Dragon?

And that Elder Yuheng nearly perished at the hands of the Golden Toad while escaping Tai Lake Ruins?

Yet, from the looks of it, both elders seemed to be in good spirits.

Not quite matching the rumors of severe injury.

...