A Mortal's Start in the Spirit Beast Mountain

Chapter 135 Jin Qing's Invitation

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The twelve Xuan Yuan Pearls formed a small, invisible force field in the dantian. Whenever magical power flowed through this area, it would be quietly cleansed, compressed, and condensed by the force field.

The originally somewhat "loose" magical power, after this tempering, became more refined and solid, and its flow became more profound and weighty.

Of course, such tempering comes at a price.

The process of condensing magical power also means that the total growth rate will be much slower than before, requiring more time or resources to accumulate.

"It's okay to go slower! If we keep rushing and end up with an unstable foundation, the Nascent Soul stage will be even more difficult," he muttered to himself.

This is also why he decided to refine the Profound Origin Pearl. This pearl can not only be used for combat, but also to solidify the foundation of a cultivator.

Now that the magic weapon has been crafted, it's time to test its power. Although the Azure Nether Scripture describes its power as immense, even stronger than the Profound Nether Sword, I'll never feel confident without trying it out.

But he couldn't just find a Core Formation cultivator to fight; if he wanted to test it, his own spirit beast would have to come.

Just as Luo Ming stepped out of the secret chamber, preparing to further train the Azure Dragon, he discovered that the restrictions outside the cave were malfunctioning.

With a wave of his hand, he captured the communication talisman that was trapped within the restriction.

"A gathering of Core Formation cultivators? This Jin Qing certainly has a wide circle of friends; I might as well go and check it out."

After reading the contents of the transmission talisman, Luo Ming immediately became interested.

It turned out that Jin Qing had invited several close friends to a gathering at his cave dwelling and invited him to attend. The message talisman had been sent a few days ago, and judging by the time, the gathering was today.

A gathering of Core Formation cultivators usually consists of a few people chatting together, exchanging cultivation experiences, and finally exchanging cultivation resources they no longer need. It can be considered a small exchange meeting.

After a moment's thought, Luo Ming made a decision.

Since we're going to the nearby Golden Green Cave, there's no need to bring the spirit beasts along. Let them guard the cave instead.

After instructing the spirit beasts to cultivate in peace, Luo Ming changed into a neat black robe, concealing the residual fire energy from his long-term weapon forging, before leisurely leaving the cave. Since it was not far from the other party's cave, Luo Ming arrived in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Although Jin Qing's cave was similar to Luo Ming's on the outside, it was several times more luxurious inside. When Luo Ming arrived, the restrictions outside the cave had already been lifted, and he could vaguely hear voices coming from inside.

As he approached, Jin Qing's figure appeared at the entrance of the cave, greeting him with a beaming smile: "Fellow Daoist Wang, you've finally arrived! I thought you were so focused on the Great Dao that you'd forgotten about your friend!"

Luo Ming cupped his hands and smiled, "Brother Jin, you flatter me. I was in seclusion for a few days refining a magic weapon and only came out today. I rushed over as soon as I saw the communication talisman. Fortunately, I made it in time and didn't miss your grand gathering."

"Could it be that your natal magic weapon is complete? Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Wang! Please come in!" Upon hearing this, Jin Qing's eyes flashed with surprise. He stepped aside to lead Luo Ming inside, completely unconcerned that Luo Ming's "lateness" was due to his seclusion in refining the magic weapon.

When it comes to cultivators advancing to the Core Formation stage, the most important thing is to refine their natal magic weapon as a means of protection.

A cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation without the protection of a magic weapon is at their weakest. Even some Foundation Establishment cultivators, if they are bold enough, might dare to plot against them.

The main hall of the cave was quite spacious and elegantly furnished. Four people were already seated, and when they saw Jin Qing leading Luo Ming in, they all turned their attention to him.

Luo Ming glanced at them and saw that the three of them had a calm aura and were all at the early stage of Core Formation. There were two men and one woman, and they all looked to be relatively young, each with their own unique demeanor.

The other person was an old man dressed in a crimson robe with slightly graying hair. He was also in the early stage of Core Formation, but his aura seemed somewhat weak, indicating that he had only recently formed his core. When he saw Luo Ming, he showed a hint of curiosity.

Jin Qing led Luo Ming to sit down opposite the red-robed elder and said with a smile to everyone, "Everyone, this is the Fellow Daoist Wang Chan whom I mentioned earlier. He recently advanced to the Core Formation stage. After returning from hunting demonic beasts in the outer sea a few years ago, he has been in seclusion refining magic treasures, so none of you have seen him in the past few years."

Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, but the red-robed elder couldn't help but speak, his voice slightly hoarse: "This old man, Lu Yan, greets Fellow Daoist Wang. In just a few short years, you have not only refined your natal magic weapon, but a complete set! I am truly envious!"

Upon hearing this, the others also showed slight surprise. Upon careful sensing, they indeed detected a faint, moist, and profound aura surrounding Luo Ming. Although it was extremely faint, it was definitely present. However, they could not see the complete set of magic treasures that Lu Yan had mentioned.

However, considering the other party's superb ability to observe qi, she didn't suspect anything, but the way she looked at Luo Ming changed from before.

Because the mana in the dantian is limited, most cultivators will only choose to nurture one natal magic treasure. If there are too many magic treasures, the nurturing speed will be very slow. However, those cultivation methods that have a complete set of magic treasures must have a way to multiply the cultivator's mana.

Jin Qing was also taken aback. He had been so focused on welcoming them that he hadn't paid much attention. But now, reminded by Lu Yan, he sensed it and couldn't help but look at Luo Ming.

"You can tell that?"

Luo Ming's heart stirred slightly. He had heard of some aura-observation techniques that could see the aura of a cultivator and thus determine how many powerful magic treasures the other party possessed. He marveled at Lu Yan's keen perception.

He nodded frankly and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Lu has a keen eye. I did indeed recently manage to refine my natal magic weapon by chance. However, since it has just been taken into my body for nurturing, its energy is not yet fully integrated. I apologize for the poor quality of this."

"A stroke of luck?" Lu Yan's surprise deepened, even tinged with envy. "Fellow Daoist Wang is too modest. According to Fellow Daoist Jin, you've only been at the Core Formation stage for a few years, right? Yet you've already gathered all the materials and successfully crafted your natal magic weapon? And... a complete set?"

His question echoed the thoughts of everyone present except Jin Qing. It's important to understand that after reaching the Core Formation stage, finding suitable main and auxiliary materials for magical artifacts often requires a significant investment of time, effort, and even a stroke of luck.

It's common for many people to still be working on their core for decades after they've already formed it. It's extremely rare for someone like Luo Ming to complete the process in less than ten years among independent cultivators.

Luo Ming's expression remained unchanged, and he explained in a calm tone, "Fellow Daoist Lu, you flatter me. The magic weapon I am refining is of the water attribute, and I happened to obtain a considerable amount of the main material, 'Sinking Sea Mystic Crystal,' during a deep-sea adventure."

In this chaotic star sea, water-attribute materials are relatively easy to obtain, which is an advantage of the location. However, if one were to cultivate a fire-attribute technique like you, finding suitable top-tier fire-attribute spiritual materials would be far more difficult.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan's expression softened slightly, and the shock in his eyes turned into admiration and a hint of envy. He sighed, "Water-attribute magic treasures certainly have their advantages in this chaotic star sea. Fellow Daoist Luo is blessed with great fortune and possesses superb skills. It is truly enviable that you have refined a magic treasure in just a few years."

"I recently managed to form my core, and I still haven't found enough of the main ingredient for the 'Crimson Sun Fire Jade,' let alone refine it..." He sighed with regret.