Immortal Venerable of the Beast Race
Chapter 218 - 138 The Secret of the Heavenly Tribulation_1

Chapter 218: 138 The Secret of the Heavenly Tribulation_1

There were quite a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Spirit Control Sect, but Chen Xiao personally came over mainly because Shen Long had attracted Tricolor Divine Thunder.

"Sect Leader, Master, why did I attract Tricolor Divine Thunder? I have consulted our sect’s historical records of ancestors’ insights into advancing to the Core Formation Stage, and such occurrences are rare!"

Shen Long said, puzzled.

Before attempting Core Formation, he had consulted a great number of records on Foundation Establishment Cultivators advancing to the Core Formation Stage and knew that the strength of Heavenly Tribulation varied among different cultivators. Most Foundation Establishment Cultivators faced ordinary power of thunder and lightning when advancing, a few encountered Dual-Color Divine Thunder, and it was extremely rare for someone to attract Tricolor Divine Thunder while advancing to the Core Formation Stage.

It is noteworthy that Ice Silkworm True Person, a cultivator who the Spirit Control Sect focused on nurturing for Core Formation, only encountered Dual-Color Divine Thunder.

"Heavenly Tribulation varies from person to person. The tribulation you faced when advancing to the Core Formation Stage was more intense, which should be related to your strength. When you attempt to break through major realm barriers in the future, you should prepare more defensive treasures. This time you were lucky. I heard that a Heavenly Spirit Root Cultivator from the Xuanyang Sect also attracted Tricolor Divine Thunder when advancing. You must keep this matter to yourself; I will have someone seal the news."

Chen Xiao said.

"A Heavenly Spirit Root Cultivator attracted Tricolor Divine Thunder when advancing to Core Formation? Is it related to one’s talent?"

Shen Long asked apprehensively.

"No, it’s related to strength. Talent only determines your starting point, not your upper limit. Man is the master of his fate. To my knowledge, the majority of Nascent Soul Cultivators in the Qianyang Realm have Triple Spirit Roots, and there are even Nascent Soul Cultivators with Five Spirit Roots."

Ice Silkworm True Person explained.

"Five Spirit Roots can also form a Nascent Soul?"

Shen Long expressed in surprise.

As far as he knew, Five Spirit Roots were considered the poorest in terms of talent; advancing to Foundation Establishment was difficult, let alone forming a Nascent Soul.

"There’s nothing strange about that. Heaven rewards the diligent, and man is the master of his fate. Inferior talent merely means a lower starting point. There once was a Soul Transformation Cultivator in the Qianyang Realm who had Five Spirit Roots. In fact, after entering the Core Formation Stage, talent isn’t particularly important anymore. The stronger the cultivator’s strength, the more intense the Heavenly Tribulation they will face when breaking through significant realm barriers. It’s hard to say just how strong it will be. Since you attracted Tricolor Divine Thunder when advancing to the Core Formation Stage, if you are fortunate enough to try for the Nascent Soul Stage later, the probability is high that your tribulation will be stronger than that of other Nascent Soul Cultivators."

Chen Xiao said.

"High probability?"

Shen Long was utterly confused.

"As I said, the intensity of the Heavenly Tribulation is related to your strength. Some cultivators are very powerful in the Foundation Establishment Stage and stand out among their peers. However, they may not be outstanding after advancing to the Core Formation Stage. Some cultivators show mediocre performance before entering a major realm and are inconspicuous; but upon entry, their strength soars dramatically, signifying late bloomers. Their Heavenly Tribulation will be just as strong. Golden Crow True Monarch, one of the Five Immortals of Donghua, was like this. Before forming his Nascent Soul, he was not remarkable, but after forming it, his divine skills greatly increased, and his exceptional strength placed him at the forefront of the Five Immortals of Donghua."

Chen Xiao said slowly.

"Golden Crow True Monarch!"

Shen Long showed solemn respect, as he had naturally heard of Golden Crow True Monarch’s feats.

Golden Crow True Monarch was a Loose Cultivator, unimpressive before forming his Nascent Soul. It was said that to stay alive, he had once knelt before an enemy, enduring great humiliation. After forming his Nascent Soul, however, his strength rapidly increased, and he possessed a mighty Dharma Treasure along with profound divine skills, ranking him at the top of the Five Immortals of Donghua.

"I heard that he obtained the legacy of an ancient cultivator in the Burial Immortal Tomb, acquiring high-level techniques and significant treasures, as well as a Spirit Beast Egg. After hatching, it was a Golden-Eyed Golden Crow with the bloodline of the Golden Crow. The fiery breath it spewed could melt metal and stone, extremely formidable."

Ice Silkworm True Person said.

Shen Long nodded and replied, "I see."

"Alright, you should go back and recuperate now! Consolidate your realm."

Ice Silkworm True Person advised.

Shen Long agreed, and transformed into a beam of Escape Light, leaving the place and heading to the Scripture Pavilion.

He used his Kind Attribute points to exchange for the seventh layer of the cultivation method for the Nine Transformations Flood Dragon Art. This technique had twelve layers in total; the Spirit Control Sect had only recorded the method for cultivating the first seven layers. If Shen Long wanted to pursue the subsequent layers, he would have to try his luck in the Northern Sea Cultivation Realm.

Just as he returned to Qinglian Garden, Junior Brother Lin approached him head-on.

"Senior Brother Shen, you... no, disciple pays respects to Uncle Shen."

Feeling Shen Long’s powerful aura, Lin Shan quickly performed the disciple’s salute.

Shen Long had actually advanced to the Core Formation Stage, Lin Shan felt surprised and a bit unexpected.

"Junior Brother Lin need not be so formal."

Shen Long said.

"Disciple dares not, but should Uncle Shen have any instructions, the disciple will follow them diligently."

Lin Shan said respectfully, his expression a bit tense.

In the Cultivation Realm, the hierarchy is strict. Shen Long addressing Lin Shan as a junior brother would only make outsiders think that Shen Long is approachable. If Lin Shan dared to address Shen Long as a senior brother, outsiders would think that Lin Shan lacks manners.

The gap in their cultivation had directly widened the distance between them, regardless of personal will.

"You inform Junior Brother Qian and the others that I have advanced to the Core Formation Stage, and I want to go into seclusion for some time. Don’t let anyone disturb me."

Shen Long instructed.

He had just advanced to the Core Formation Stage and was still not quite used to his new status.

"Yes, Uncle Shen."

Lin Shan agreed and took his leave.

Shen Long entered Qinglian Pavilion and came to a secret chamber.

With his Divine Sense, he could see a chicken egg-sized red sphere; this was his Golden Core.

Having entered the Core Formation Stage, one’s lifespan reaches six hundred years.

Shen Long was not yet a hundred years old, which was considered excellent. In the tens of thousands of years of the Spirit Control Sect’s history, numerous Core Formation Cultivators had emerged, most of whom only advanced to the Core Formation Stage after reaching a hundred years old.

Shen Long’s Divine Sense could extend outward up to a maximum range of 120 miles, with everything within that distance under his surveillance.

This discovery made him extremely delighted. He had consulted the scriptures and knew that most newly advanced Core Formation Cultivators had a Divine Sense that covered close to a hundred miles.

When a Foundation Establishment Cultivator advances to the Core Formation Stage, their lifespan, mana, Divine Sense, and Divine Soul all receive a boost. Before Core Formation, the stronger the Divine Sense, the stronger it will be after Core Formation.

Shen Long had worn the Soul Nourishing Locket for decades, and his Divine Sense had gradually grown stronger. Now that he had entered the Core Formation Stage, his Divine Sense naturally became even more powerful.

The longer he wore the Soul Nourishing Locket, the stronger his Divine Sense naturally became.

Shen Long reflected on his years of experience and was filled with myriad emotions. After many years of cultivation, he had finally advanced to the Core Formation Stage, now counting as one of the upper echelons of the Spirit Control Sect.

He certainly hadn’t forgotten the enemies who killed his parents. He had just formed his core and was not yet a match for them.

A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years, but he didn’t consider himself a gentleman. Having already waited so many years, he felt it posed no problem to wait a little longer.

He took out a red jade slip, immersing his Divine Sense into it.

The jade slip recorded the cultivation method for the seventh layer of the Nine Transformations Flood Dragon Art. The seventh layer required the Essence Blood of a third-order Flood Dragon to refine the Blood Flood Dragon Pill, which would aid in cultivation. Success in the seventh layer meant that a cultivator could withstand the might of a top-grade Magic Artifact, and success in the eighth layer could withstand a Dharma Treasure.

Shen Long did not have the Essence Blood of a third-order Flood Dragon at hand and was unable to refine the Blood Flood Dragon Pill to cultivate, so he had to set it aside for now.

He put away the jade slip and sat down to meditate and regulate his breath.

The news of Shen Long’s advance to the Core Formation Stage spread quickly, and visitors nearly broke down the threshold of Qinglian Garden, but Lin Shan intercepted them all, preventing any visitors from disturbing Shen Long’s cultivation.