Big Data Cultivation
Chapter 1337 Superior Grade Pill Concoction

Chapter 1337: Chapter 1337 Superior Grade Pill Concoction

The Crimson Pheonix Sect, being a major faction, has a series of cultivation protocols. For instance, during the breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, not only will they organize the necessary protectors, but they will also try to inform everyone and organize high-rank and spiritually attuned intermediate-level disciples to observe.

Of course, some trying to break through to Golden Core may abruptly start the process after a decade long of closed-door cultivation, catching others off guard. However, some preparation is always better than none.

Such an opportunity to observe was wasted by Xiao Meng, which made the authority slightly regretful.

Master Xiaomeng chuckled indifferently, "He has already failed once. I don’t want him to fail publicly a second time."

The authoritative Master shook his head with a grim face, "Junior sister, you also went through the Out-of-Dust stage. Surely you know that witnessing a Golden Core failure can also temper one’s Dao Heart?"

Indeed, it is precisely because of similar reasons that it is prohibited for those below the Intermediate Level to observe the Golden Core process.

The Dao Heart of high-rank cultivators is stable. Witnessing a Golden Core failure allows them to better understand the difficulty of the cultivation path, making them more alert and cautious. However, those at the intermediate level may have their Dao Heart shaken - realizing that the cultivation path is too dangerous.

But Master Xiaomeng didn’t think she was wrong. She replied calmly, "I’m not asking about Qu Rongxun’s opportunity, but I’m very concerned that other masters might seize his chance. This wouldn’t be fair to him."

"How could there be such a thing in the Crimson Pheonix Sect..." The authority’s words were swallowed back halfway. Just earlier, the Grand Elder had said this in her presence.

Another master, seeing the situation, quickly took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. She had been at odds with the Grand Elder for a long time, "Before the authority arrived, the Grand Elder had already expressed disdain for Qu Rongxun’s attempt to break through to Golden Core."

As they were speaking, the second Tribulation Thunder fell. This time the Tribulation Thunder was as thick as a water jar, lasting twice as long as the first, as a blinding white sail seemed to appear between heaven and earth, twisting madly amidst the thunder.

A few high-rank disciples finally arrived, watching in great shock, "This... this is only the second Tribulation Thunder? Is it really so difficult to form a Golden Core?"

The authority and Master Xiaomeng did not speak. Another master had to answer the disciples’ questions, "This is the second Tribulation Thunder of a second attempt to form a Golden Core. It is normal for it to be challenging."

"So it’s a second attempt," many disciples expressed their understanding, yet they still had questions, "May I ask, which senior is currently undergoing the tribulation?"

This time, even those two masters did not answer—who would dare speak about Qu Jianlei in front of Xiaomeng? Let whoever wants to take the risk step forward.

Thus, the young authority had to step forward, "The one undergoing the tribulation is Qu Rongxun."

"Oh, it’s Qu J..." Someone began to speak but was immediately silenced by another person covering their mouth, "He’ll soon be Master Qu, mind your manners!"

This person wanted to argue that it depended on whether he could withstand the third Tribulation Thunder but suddenly recalled the rumored relationship between Qu Rongxun and a certain master in the sect, realizing they were currently on that master’s territory.

So they decisively nodded, "Indeed, if Qu Rongxun successfully forms a Golden Core, our Crimson Pheonix Sect will gain another Patron."

The third Tribulation Thunder arrived slightly late. The Tribulation Cloud was not only dark but formed into black waves, rolling over and over in the sky, truly "the darkest ever".

Moreover, with fierce winds, there were vaguely golden threads flickering in the dark clouds, presenting a scene of "apocalyptic chaos".

In this situation, even the boldest out-of-dust disciples were stunned, their expressions drastically changed, and a master couldn’t help but murmur, "This third Tribulation Thunder... is dangerous indeed."

Another master gave her a glance, thinking, "Couldn’t you have said that later? What if Xiaomeng takes it as a prophecy, wouldn’t that stir trouble?" "Authority, what are you looking at?"

The authority and Master Xiaomeng were watching the sky. Upon hearing the question, they sighed lightly, "It is said that a second successful Golden Core attempt of Superior Grade will have golden threads appearing in the Tribulation Cloud... apparently, the rumors hold true."

"What, a second Golden Core attempt of Superior Grade?" Everyone was astonished. It must be known that among the four masters present, only the authority achieved a high-grade Golden Core, and Master Xiaomeng had only reached a sixth-grade Golden Core, considered "superior in the middle grades".

One master even unceremoniously congratulated Master Xiaomeng with a bow, "Congratulations, Sister Xiaomeng."

Xiaomeng gazed at the sky without speaking, sighing after a long time, "I rather hope he achieves merely a middle-grade core..."

It wasn’t out of jealousy but out of sincere concern for Qu Jianlei, "Superior grade is certainly good, but it is much harder to achieve."

The third Tribulation Thunder finally struck down, the lightning column not too thick, like a water bucket in size, similar to the first Tribulation Thunder, but within the white lightning column, there were faint traces of golden threads, carrying a strong aura of destruction.

"Disciples, feel it intently!" The authority couldn’t help but shout upon seeing it; at this moment, she couldn’t bother with Xiaomeng’s feelings, "This is the intent of destruction, something most of you might encounter... and also see how Qu Rongxun withstands it."

Master Xiaomeng was purely stunned there, "Destruction, is it?"

Stunned for more than a minute, the Tribulation Thunder continued unendingly, showing no signs of stopping. She couldn’t help but turn her head to ask the authority loudly—the thunder was so loud that speaking quietly was impossible, "Can that fruit you’re talking about increase vitality?"

The Sect Master was initially immersed in the perception of the Dao of Destruction, and being abruptly interrupted by her, felt somewhat uncomfortable. However, it wasn’t the first time for such an enlightenment, so a little more or less didn’t really matter. She adjusted her mood, pondered for a while, and then responded thoughtfully.

"This, I don’t remember very clearly. I just recall the fruit being very sour... Hmm, there probably was, but you shouldn’t worry too much. Qu Rongxun, at this age, having such an opportunity indicates that his luck is still quite strong."

In fact, her latter words were mainly to comfort others. After saying them, she was suddenly surprised to realize something, "This tribulation thunder hasn’t ended yet? How long has it been!"

The third tribulation thunder lasted a full five minutes, and it carried the Dao of Destruction.

Just as the tribulation thunder ended, the tribulation cloud had not yet dispersed. In a flash, Master Xiaomeng appeared above the cave dwelling—strictly speaking, it wasn’t actually a cave, as there was sky above.

Chi Luan flashed, wanting to follow, but was immediately stopped by the Sect Master, "Don’t go."

The young Sect Master was a bit anxious, "Sect Master, the master might need my help."

"What she needs most now is calmness," the Sect Master shook her head, her face somewhat solemn, "Whether Qu Rongxun succeeds or fails... you should let her handle it. If you want to help her, that’s for later."

She assumed Qu Jianlei had failed, but at the same time, she also trusted that—being a Golden Core, Xiaomeng’s emotions wouldn’t be greatly affected.

Cultivators have witnessed life and death countless times, and there’s nothing particularly sorrowful about dying at the hands of the Heavenly Dao—since embarking on the cultivation path, every cultivator faces this choice multiple times: progress or retreat, progress or death.

Master Xiaomeng stayed in the cave for a full half an hour, yet there was still no reaction coming out.

"Is she so sad?" The Sect Master’s brows furrowed slightly; such a situation was indeed too rare for a cultivator.

However, after thinking it over, from acquaintance till now, it had been over three hundred years, more like a Dao companion than a Dao partner, and such a companion finally severing the Dao and perishing, some inability to control emotions was unavoidable.

"It seems I still overlooked her feelings," she reproached herself, looking at Chi Luan, "First, ask the other sister disciples to leave."

At this moment, there was a movement in the energy in front of the cave, and surprisingly, the restriction on the cave dwelling was restored.

Then, in a flash, Master Xiaomeng appeared in front of everyone.

Although she was expressionless, the corners of her eyes and brows were filled with joy, "Hmm, luck wasn’t bad, it seems he got through it."

"Then why are you pretending!" The Sect Master glared at her fiercely, "Put a smile on your face!"

"What’s there to be happy about," Master Xiaomeng replied nonchalantly, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up, "Being this age and just forming a pill, what’s there to be proud of."

"Look, isn’t she silly with joy?" The Sect Master teasingly chided her, "Congratulations, from today onwards, Qu Jianlei is joyfully promoted to a Patron in the Crimson Phoenix... Our sect has gained another Master, aren’t you happy?"

"Well, haha," Master Xiaomeng finally couldn’t hold it in, covering her mouth and laughing, her big eyes turning into crescent shapes, "I almost forgot, this guy is obsessed with titles."

"Sect Master, let’s leave first," another Master couldn’t bear it anymore, "Patron Qu has advanced to the Golden Core, Xiaomeng is so happy she’s dazed. Such a foolish look is unbearable to watch."

Master Xiaomeng didn’t care what she was saying—since she was already breaking into a smile, she chose to laugh heartily.

Chi Luan also composed herself, stepped forward, and saluted deeply, "Congratulations, Master, may Master Qu’s health be well."

She then turned and looked at the disciples who had come out of seclusion, "Fellow senior and junior sisters, if you’ve completed your Dao comprehension, disperse for now."

The Masters easily completed their Dao comprehension. After all, it was merely the Dao intent present during pill formation, that offered limited benefit to them, but it was a different matter for disciples at the dust-eliminating stage. A disciple in the eighth layer lingered in enlightenment for a good while, eventually entering a trance.

When she awakened, it was two days later. Upon rising, she found herself surrounded by an early-stage dust-eliminating defensive formation.

This was a very ordinary defensive formation, its primary purpose wasn’t to prevent attacks, but rather to prevent her from being interrupted during her enlightenment.

At the same time, there was a layer of faint divine sense overhead, enveloping the surroundings. Although this divine sense was subtle, it was extremely stable, obviously from someone with exceptionally formidable divine sense.

She bowed remotely towards the cave dwelling and softly expressed, "Many thanks to Master Qu for granting me the Dao insight, and to Master Xiaomeng for the protection."

A hoarse voice wafted ethereally, "Aren’t you going to promptly return and verify your insights? Master Qu hasn’t granted you anything; that was an opportunity of your own... Hurry back."

The disciple saluted deeply once again, turned, and swiftly departed...