Chapter 35: An Audience with the Golden Core Immortal

Seven days passed in an inseparable embrace with Luo Yuzhu. Even their way of addressing each other had changed—Yuzhu… Chengyu… Their affection was so evident that Wei Xiao’er could hardly bear to watch.

The newly awarded mid-grade treasure chest remained unopened for now. There hadn’t been a suitable moment alone, and he also thought it wise to wait until after meeting the True Master Miaodan. After all, the chest would grant him whatever he needed most at present. If it happened to grant him a Five Elements spiritual item, that would be a waste indeed. Thus, apart from practicing swordsmanship and physical training, he did nothing else these days.

The day to meet the True Master Miaodan soon arrived. Luo Yuzhu herself helped him bathe and dress, carefully offering advice. “When you meet the True Master, be cautious with your words and actions. Among the five neighboring kingdoms, a Golden Core True Master ranks at the very top; they are exceedingly dignified. Mind your manners, and maintain your respect.”

“Yuzhu, I understand.”

“Good. I won’t say more—good luck on your way.” She kissed his cheek lightly, then instructed one of her Crimson Guards to escort him.

The Crimson Guard was quite the character. Noticing the closeness between their superior and Chengyu, he teased Chengyu all the way, uttering words so bold that even Chengyu blushed. He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, does your superior know how shameless you are?

True Master Miaodan’s sanctum was on the top floor of the Tower of Celestial Surveillance. The journey up was an eye-opener for Chengyu, who previously lacked the qualification to tread these floors. The guards from the first to the sixth rank all shared access to the library below the tenth floor. Above the tenth floor, there was only a single library, filled with the most advanced techniques and secrets in all of Dayue. There were many high-grade arts, and it was said even divine abilities could be found—truly extraordinary.

Moreover, above the tenth floor, the tower housed a special market for internal transactions among the order’s cultivators. Most high-quality spiritual materials circulated only within this inner circle and rarely made it outside, which was one reason independent cultivators struggled so much.

The Crimson Guard led him into a spacious alchemy chamber, then departed, leaving Chengyu to await his summons alone. He had not waited long before he caught the scent of alchemical fragrance—a rich, ethereal aroma that made him feel faint just by breathing it in.

After a time, he regained his senses, feeling his mind clear and his thoughts luminous, as if a sudden enlightenment had dawned. Truly wonderful!

Before he could savor the effect, a figure appeared suddenly within the chamber, hovering an inch above the ground. The man regarded him kindly. He was an old man with white hair and a childlike face, sporting a long white beard that hung to his chest—one could hardly resist the urge to tug it.

Chengyu quickly bowed low. “I am Cao Chengyu. Greetings, True Master Miaodan.”

“No need for formality.” The old man waved his right hand, allowing Cao Chengyu to straighten. His eyes gleamed with a strange brilliance, clearly employing some unknown secret art to scrutinize him.

“Your foundation in Qi refinement is not bad, your body is acceptable, but your spiritual sense is lacking a bit.”

“…”

“But tell me, are you the one who has grown close to Yuzhu?”

“Senior, you give me too much credit. I merely share mutual affection with Sister Luo, but I dare not express my feelings openly before reaching the Purple Mansion stage.”

“Hmm, at least you show some sense.” Stroking his beard, the old man studied Chengyu thoughtfully. “Your talent is decent. You are new to my lineage and have yet to earn merit. I cannot show you undue favor. I can give you a single spiritual herb to aid in breaking through to the Dao Body, but if you wish to forge a special Dao Body, you must accomplish something in return for the other materials.”

“I understand,” Chengyu replied. He had already anticipated this outcome. After all, he had joined midway; even with Luo Yuzhu’s connection, it was impossible to simply ask and receive a superior Five Elements item for free. To get one for nothing was already generous.

The True Master nodded with satisfaction. The boy knew how to behave, so he decided to be a bit more generous. “Tell me, what spiritual material do you desire? If I have it, I will grant it to you. As long as you remain true to Yuzhu’s feelings, I ask nothing more of you.”

Cao Chengyu considered. Ordinary Five Elements items were common, but high-grade ones were rare. Of the five kingdoms surrounding Dayue, metallic element items were the rarest—superior quality was nearly extinct. He spoke up: “Any one of the following would suffice: Silk Gold Spirit Ore, Geng Metal Essence Stone, or Crimson Gold Jade.”

According to the records of the Five Viscera Wheel Body, the lungs nourished the Immortal of Luminous Gold, and required the breath of the metal element. These three materials were the most suitable for forging his Dao foundation.

The True Master was not angered by his request, only marveling at Chengyu’s cleverness. “You really know how to choose! As it happens, I have a piece of Silk Gold Spirit Ore. It’s enough to forge your Dao Body. Take it and be on your way. Later, go to my attendant and receive a Miaodan Disciple’s Token.”

“With this token, you may access all levels of the Tower of Celestial Surveillance except the topmost floor. It is a privilege I grant to talents like you.”

“I understand, Master.”

In other words, joining Miaodan’s lineage made him one of the old man’s disciples. Whether he would be taught directly remained to be seen, but the benefits in hand were real. Chengyu accepted this favor—he would find a chance to repay it in the future.

This was also one of the reasons he did not pledge himself directly to the Tower Lord. If he revealed all his abilities and, within less than a year from beginning cultivation, advanced to the late stage of Spirit Refinement, he would receive the highest possible treatment. Superior Five Elements items? They could be his with a mere gesture.

But risks came with such favors. If the Tower Lord proved unworthy or coveted Chengyu’s fortune, it would be all too easy to eliminate him. In Dayue’s system, where immortals and mortals coexisted, there was always an undercurrent of strangeness, no matter how harmonious things appeared.

His past life’s novels had left a deep impression—there was a chasm between immortals and mortals, dragons did not dwell with snakes, and immortals did not mingle with mortals. Yet here, such distinctions did not seem to apply, which felt peculiarly unsettling.

With the Silk Gold Spirit Ore in hand, he now possessed two superior Five Elements materials. There was no need to rush the remaining three; he would take his time. Even after reaching the peak of Spirit Refinement, forging the Dao Body must proceed step by step. Each material had to be refined into the body, nourishing the five viscera—a process called the Hundred Days Foundation. The so-called “hundred days” was only a figure of speech; the entire process could easily take a year or two.

After taking his leave, Chengyu received a token inscribed with “Disciple of Miaodan,” imbued with a special formation that allowed him to pass unimpeded through the tower’s internal arrays—though some restricted areas remained off-limits. It was, in essence, a channel to acquire advanced resources.

When he returned to Chunhua Studio, he briefly explained the situation to Luo Yuzhu before heading back to his dormitory. The Blazing Heart Devouring Grass required occasional attention, and besides, it was time to open the mid-grade treasure chest. Who knew what he might get—at this stage, apart from Five Elements materials, there was little he truly needed.

Back in his room, he hung up the “Cultivating” sign. With high expectations, Cao Chengyu chose to open the chest…