Chapter 379: Mid-Golden Core Stage

“The Underworld Moon Sword is quite powerful, more than enough for you to use at the Golden Core Stage. However, once you reach the Nascent Soul Stage, this sword will no longer match your strength,” the Fifth Elder said with a smile. Although the Underworld Moon Sword was a Nascent Soul-level treasure, it didn’t necessarily mean it would still suit Lu Yang when he reached that stage.

Lu Yang nodded, acknowledging this fact. Magical treasures are divided into levels, and if a treasure doesn’t match a cultivator’s stage, it can become a hindrance. This is why many cultivators desire growth-type treasures, though such items are rare and often come at an exorbitant price. Additionally, they require advanced refining techniques, making them difficult to obtain.

“What level is my Qingfeng Sword, then?” Lu Yang suddenly remembered the sword he frequently used, which had been gifted to him by his Eldest Senior Sister to celebrate his success in building his foundation.

“The sword that Nephew Yun gave you? I can’t tell what level it is,” the Fifth Elder said, shaking his head slowly. He had long noticed that Lu Yang’s Qingfeng Sword was not ordinary.

“Is it a growth-type treasure?”

Lu Yang had been using the Qingfeng Sword smoothly since the early Foundation Building Stage and now into the early Golden Core Stage. He hadn’t encountered any mismatch between the sword and his cultivation level, which led him to believe that only a growth-type treasure could meet such criteria.

Moreover, since the sword was a gift from Eldest Senior Sister, there was no way it could be a regular sword.

The Fifth Elder corrected Lu Yang’s misunderstanding. “No, growth-type treasures don’t work like that. For a Foundation Building-level treasure to grow into a Golden Core-level treasure, it needs to be upgraded using various spiritual irons and divine minerals.”

“Think of it like a framework. To improve the treasure’s quality, you need to constantly fill in the framework with materials like spirit iron or divine minerals. Now think about your Qingfeng Sword. Have you ever added anything to it?”

“Also, growth-type treasures undergo major upgrades at each stage. The feel of a treasure at the beginning of the Foundation Building Stage should be different from how it feels by the late stage. Have you ever experienced this with your Qingfeng Sword?”

Lu Yang thought for a moment and realized this hadn’t been the case.

“So, what’s the deal with my Qingfeng Sword then?”

“It’s been sealed by Nephew Yun. The number of seals on it is so numerous that I can’t even count them, which is why I said I couldn’t determine the Qingfeng Sword’s level.”

“Every time your strength increases a bit, part of the seal will unravel, which is why the sword always feels perfectly suited to your level no matter how much you progress.”

“Nephew Yun has been very thoughtful in her care for you. This Qingfeng Sword, along with its seals, is a priceless treasure.”

Lu Yang hadn’t expected that Eldest Senior Sister had put so much thought into the Qingfeng Sword, and he was deeply moved.

“Alright, I need to go help Nephew Peach apply for that patent, so I won’t stay and chat,” the Fifth Elder said, preparing to leave.

Lu Yang quickly said, “Thank you, Elder, for forging the Underworld Moon Sword. Please, go ahead with your work.”

Perhaps Lu Yang’s eventful experiences had given her the illusion that a much longer time had passed?

Choosing to reside in Lu Yang’s mental space had been a great decision after all. Where else could she have encountered so many interesting things?

“And even with all of that, haven’t I still managed to squeeze in cultivation here and there? Have I really delayed my cultivation progress?” Lu Yang argued, quite reasonably. He had a habit of cultivating whenever he had a moment to spare, effortlessly absorbing spiritual energy and progressing without missing a beat.

Sitting on a large boulder covered with sword marks, Lu Yang closed his eyes to meditate, immersing himself in the vast sword intent contained within.

He recalled Eldest Senior Sister telling him that this boulder was where their master had once practiced swordsmanship in his youth. Over time, the stone had absorbed so much sword intent that it became a precious treasure for sword cultivators, enhancing their understanding of the sword.

Sitting on the boulder allowed one to both cultivate and comprehend sword intent at the same time—killing two birds with one stone.

Lu Yang sat cross-legged, hands open toward the sky, mouth agape, his head tilted upward. To a casual observer, it might have looked like he was sleeping.

Spiritual energy surged into his body, expanding his meridians, gradually increasing his cultivation. Each small improvement brought a surge of satisfaction. It was no wonder some cultivators willingly retreated into seclusion for decades, or even centuries, only to emerge feeling as though the world had completely changed.

Of course, Lu Yang wasn’t one for such long periods of seclusion. The Dao Seeking Sect didn’t encourage such practices either. Even Eldest Senior Sister, who was devoted to cultivation, followed their master’s advice and limited her seclusion to three days.

“Seclusion may increase your experience, but it doesn’t make you any smarter, you know,” Everlasting Fairy chimed in, wholeheartedly agreeing with the Dao Seeking Sect’s philosophy. She was becoming increasingly pleased with her decision to become an honorary elder of the sect.

“I, on the other hand, fought my way to the top, defeating countless famous figures! I grew rapidly through battles and the spoils of war.”

“You should learn from me, advancing through combat! Facing the vast world and its myriad beings, you’ll not only improve your skills and cultivation level, but you’ll also become as clever as me!”

Hearing this, Lu Yang wondered if perhaps extending his periods of seclusion wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Sitting cross-legged on the large boulder, Lu Yang slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a breath of clear air. His gaze was sharp, and his aura surged outward before swiftly retracting, fully under his control.

A smile crept across his face.

“Mid-Golden Core Stage.”

(End of the chapter)