There existed a colossal blood pool amidst the vast and boundless icy plains, its contents now frozen solid. Seated upon this frozen expanse was Chu Xuan. He had chosen this location to meditate, utilizing the biting cold winds to temper his spirit.
The tribulation faced by a Golden Core cultivator attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage is the first heavenly ordeal encountered on the path of cultivation, yet it is by no means the last. Each subsequent breakthrough brings with it a tribulation, each more daunting than the last.
Those who transcend these tribulations may revel in centuries of freedom and growth; those who fail are reduced to ash, their paths utterly extinguished. This struggle against fate for the pursuit of immortality is truly rooted here.
Chu Xuan had been sitting motionlessly for a month. Rather than achieving calm, his state of mind had become increasingly turbulent. Memories of pursuits, evading hunters, slaying for treasures, and hiding among the masses—all these recollections, like silt lying at the bottom of a river, normally lay buried deep within the recesses of the soul.
Yet, at critical moments like these, when striving for higher realms, even the slightest disturbance could stir them up, thoroughly upheaving the tranquility of his heart.
Many cultivators have perished during their tribulations, overwhelmed by inner demons halfway through the ordeal. Chu Xuan examined his conscience, confident in his actions guided by clear insight, free from such inner demons. Nonetheless, he meticulously reviewed his past once more.
A year later, Chu Xuan's mindset had become like an ancient well—deep, cold, and utterly still, without a ripple. He knew he was ready.
With a casual flick, he tapped his storage bag. Items such as the Soul Breaking Spike, Gold Crumble Mud, and Core Transforming Paste, all Nascent Soul spiritual objects, aligned neatly before
The process of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage involved breaking the Golden Core to form the Nascent Soul. The moment the Golden Core shatters, the formation of the Nascent Soul is almost guaranteed. And as soon as the Nascent Soul forms, the heavenly tribulation follows immediately, leaving no time for rest.
Chu Xuan swallowed three Soul Breaking Spikes. Guided by his spiritual Qi, the spikes shot towards his spiritual sea.
The Soul Breaking Spike violently struck the Golden Core. Despite the force of impact, the Golden Core, incredibly resilient, showed no sign of damage.
Three years later, the first Soul Breaking Spike was exhausted, and only then did the surface of the Golden Core begin to show a hairline crack.
Chu Xuan immediately employed the second spike, simultaneously releasing blood-refining corpse fire to melt the ice surface. The blood pool quickly boiled.
Following the methods of the "Blood Demon Soul Condensation Technique," the blood swirled around Chu Xuan, eventually rushing into his body. This blood served as a catalyst, speeding the fragmentation of the Golden Core. Should advancement fail, the blood would also help reassemble the Golden Core fragments into a false soul.
Chu Xuan continued to activate the Soul Breaking Spikes. Once they were spent, he used the Gold Crumble Mud and Core Transforming Paste.
Time flew by, and thirty years later, Chu Xuan found himself with only a bottle of Core Transforming Paste left. By then, the surface of his Golden Core was riddled with cracks, ready to shatter from the slightest impact.
From within, a faint blood light began to emerge. With a mere pulse of spiritual Qi, Chu Xuan shattered the Golden Core completely. The fragments fell into the depths of his Qi Sea, transforming back into spiritual Qi.
The soul core in his sea of spiritual sense also burst at this moment.
A vaguely formed, blood-colored figure suddenly appeared—this was the Nascent Soul!
In an instant, Chu Xuan's aura surged tremendously. His consciousness swept out like a vast river, easily sensing everything within a thousand li. If he extended his consciousness without restraint, he could perceive everything within three thousand li, unless another Nascent Soul cultivator was present, which would diminish his sensory range.
Before Chu Xuan could revel in his success, the sky unexpectedly darkened with clouds that appeared out of nowhere. In moments, the bright sky turned pitch black.
Flickers of lightning hinted at the brewing heavenly tribulation. The extraordinary creatures of the ice plains fled in terror, directionless like headless flies.
Chu Xuan looked up at the dark heavens, contemplating the increasingly oppressive tribulation. Normally, a Nascent Soul tribulation comprised three strikes. If one's misdeeds were many, these strikes would be terrifyingly enhanced.
If a Deity Transformation cultivator intervened, the tribulation would escalate to levels even they couldn't withstand. Thus, heavenly tribulation was always a fearsome topic among cultivators.
Now, the first strike of the heavenly tribulation was ready to descend. It seemed poised to strike at any moment. Chu Xuan snorted coldly, and three golden wheels of merit rose behind his head.
In an instant, golden light burst forth, an exotic fragrance filled the air, and the sounds of Zen chanting resonated, marking him as divine, as sacred. The heavenly tribulation that was about to strike froze in place, as if a sneeze, ready to be released, was suddenly stifled by a covered mouth.
"For over three hundred years, I, Chu Xuan, have devoted myself diligently. I've abolished tyranny, fostered peace, punished evil, promoted virtue, aided humanity, and saved people from disasters. With such great merit, why does the heavenly tribulation press so insistently upon me?" Chu Xuan stood proudly, facing the dazzling lightning, and commanded, "Roll back!"
The tribulation retracted instantly. Even the subsequent strikes vanished without a trace. In no time, the dense ink-like clouds dissipated entirely, and the thunder that roared and surged vanished in the blink of an eye.
Suddenly, a golden cloud appeared on the horizon. Tiny raindrops fell from the sky, streaming directly towards Chu Xuan, who stood unresisting, simply enjoying the downpour.
After a brief immersion, he recognized what this was.
Heavenly Dao Dew! It was said to be a divine gift bestowed upon those of great virtue and destiny when they ascended to a higher realm. This essence was a highly concentrated Spiritual Qi, even akin to the legendary immortal qi.
Absorbing the Heavenly Dao Dew, it was expected that one's realm would soar through several minor levels without mishap, aiding the cultivator in smoothly navigating the awkwardness of ascension and reaching the middle phase directly.
Chu Xuan closed his eyes to comprehend this gift. He immediately felt a warm surge throughout his body, as if endless strength flowed through his veins, bones, and muscles. His Spirit Sea expanded wildly, even to the point of aching.
Most crucially was the Nascent Soul! In the early stages, a cultivator's Nascent Soul would be blurry, its features indistinct. But now, Chu Xuan's Nascent Soul rapidly became vividly clear, as tangible as another Chu Xuan himself.
After a long while, the Heavenly Dao Dew dissipated. Chu Xuan reopened his eyes. With a mere thought, his body vanished from the spot and reappeared atop a pine tree a hundred zhang away. A nest of squirrels, secretly watching from the treetop, was startled by his sudden appearance, falling into the snow below and feigning death.
Such was the paramount ability of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Chu Xuan laughed heartily, turned, and departed.