Chap 3 - Solving the Ten Years Riddle

Meanwhile, Xia Wei, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness, swiftly settled into a cross-legged position and initiated the circulation of Qi within his body.

The Xia family, renowned as the progenitors of the Yinglong bloodline, also known as the True Dragon lineage, possessed a Sacred Physique and the revered blood of Yinglong coursing through their veins.

This extraordinary heritage granted their newborns the unique ability to bypass the Qi Condensation stage and instantly ascend to the Middle-Stage of Core Formation.

Unlike other cultivators, those hailing from the Yinglong bloodline did not require the arduous transformation of their physique into a Golden Body or the creation of a Golden Core.

Instead, they would condense a distinct core, one that radiated a pale-white hue, far surpassing the ordinary Golden Core in quality.

Regrettably, the previous inhabitant of Xia Wei's body had failed to condense even a single core. Despite ten years of relentless effort, he had ultimately given up.

Each time Qi gathered in his Dantian, the very moment he endeavored to mold the raw material, utilizing the Dantian as the Cauldron to refine it, the Qi would abruptly disperse and circulate erratically throughout his meridians.

The previous owner believed that the root of his predicament lay in the unsuitability of the Immortal Qi in the Upper Realm for his body.

Consequently, he had descended into the lower realms, hoping to employ the Qi of the Lower Realm to condense his core.

In the present moment, Qi had already filled Xia Wei's body, saturating his Dantian and ready to coalesce into a resplendent White Core.

Emulating his predecessor, Desmond, now inhabiting Xia Wei's body, followed suit and promptly realized the cause of the issue when a familiar notification obstructed his vision.

[Detected unknown energy attempting to enter the host's body!]

[Terminate? Y/N]

"So, it was you who caused the problem!" Desmond exclaimed inwardly, understanding why his predecessor had been unable to progress due to the lack of access to the system interface.

Without wasting another moment, he decisively chose 'No' as the answer.

[Access Granted!]

Numerous questions swirled within his thoughts, but his current circumstances offered him no respite. With the source of the problem eradicated, Xia Wei sensed his Dantian quivering, and the Qi within his body grew agitated and unstable.

Beads of perspiration streamed down his forehead, drenching the bed beneath him. Nevertheless, rather than succumbing to weakness, the previous sensation of being enveloped by darkness and the encroaching drowsiness gradually receded, replaced by an intense heat that emanated from deep within his abdomen.

The surrounding Qi permeating the room now surged into his body. Xia Wei, still immersed in his meditative state, sat cross-legged, eyes shut.

Within his mind, a pale-white core took shape, slowly coalescing amidst a myriad of delicate blue glimmers.

[Changes detected in the host's body!]

[A substantial influx of Qi has forcefully entered the host's body!]

"I am aware, and I have also calculated the risks," Xia Wei commanded silently, fully aware that he was not a fool nor one to recklessly squander his second chance at life.

However, if one wished to attain greater rewards, they had to be willing to shoulder higher risks.

[Initiating the task….]

[Commencing the refinement of the remaining Qi…]

Assisted by the system, the tumultuous Qi within Xia Wei's body gradually settled, and the once-unsteady flow coursing through his meridians regained its stability. Undisturbed, the process of condensing the pale-white Core produced splendid results.

Half Core... One Core...

Within the Core Formation realm, a cultivator's combat prowess was determined by the number of cores they possessed, beginning from the Middle Stage. Possessing a single Core could double one's power, while two cores would triple it, and so forth.

Those who accumulated six to nine cores would be deemed at the Late-Stage of the Core Formation realm, while those with nine to twelve cores would reach the coveted Peak-Stage.

The Core Formation cultivators of the Middle Stage held the potential to transcend to the Nascent Soul realm by condensing an Origin Infant through the power of a single Core.

However, an individual possessing only one Core not only paled in comparison to a typical Nascent Soul cultivator in terms of strength, but their chances of reaching the Immortal Realm were practically nonexistent.

It was akin to severing their own path to immortality, a devastating blow to the aspirations cherished by every mortal.

Meanwhile, perched upon the rooftop, Xia Ping, Xia Wei's loyal guardian, was overcome with elation. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes as he sensed the Qi emanating from below.

"Young master... you... you've finally advanced!" Unable to contain his excitement, he couldn't help but sport a wide grin.

Simultaneously, Xia Ping diligently erected a formation around his young master's quarters, effectively concealing the clamor and tumult caused by Xia Wei's breakthrough.