Chapter Seven: The Illusory Golden Core

Wisps of spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged toward Lei Yan. Guided by a flash of intuitive insight, Lei Yan desperately inhaled this external energy into his body, focusing his consciousness on his entire being. This was fundamentally different from the traditional method of focusing solely on the Dantian.

In the traditional method, the Dantian acts as a vessel, and the spiritual energy is stored only within a single acupuncture point. After circulating through the meridians, the energy transforms into true essence and returns to the Dantian. However, using the entire body as a Dantian is different. By using the whole body as a vessel, the inhaled spiritual energy integrates into the bones, meridians, acupuncture points, and even the hair. Comparing the two, the advantages of the whole-body method are clear: Lei Yan can mobilize his true essence at will, whether from his Dantian, his bones, or any other part of his body.

Of course, the drawbacks of this method manifest as cultivation deepens. First, using a single acupuncture point as a vessel keeps the stored energy relatively scarce, yet exceptionally pure; through continuous compression and an understanding of the "Dao," one can form a Golden Core. Conversely, using the whole body as a vessel results in a massive but impure influx of energy. This mottled spiritual energy makes forming a core seem near, yet forever out of reach. Naturally, constant compression and squeezing can purify the true essence.

Second, traditional cultivation methods have a limit; once the body absorbs a certain amount of energy, it ceases to absorb more. This is considered following the Heavenly Dao—one transforms what one can, and stops when one cannot. In layman’s terms, this is the "kingly way" of conforming to the heavens. Lei Yan’s method is not so. Although it has a limit, the human body cannot perceive it; everything follows the practitioner’s will. One absorbs when one wants and stops when one desires. This method, which completely defies the heavens, can be called "tyrannical" or even "demonic." A moment of carelessness could lead to the body exploding from the pressure.

Usually, Lei Yan would stop once his true essence was full, and thus he remained safe. But at this moment, driven by an extreme desire for strength and the sensation that he could absorb energy indefinitely, his mind held only one thought: "Absorb... keep absorbing!"

Gradually, the spiritual energy permeated his skin, meridians, muscles, and bones. Once inhaled, the energy never dispersed; it was fully integrated into this closed environment. For a time, this spiritual energy formed a complete cycle, appearing like a self-running universe. Any energy absorbed from the outside was shattered and thoroughly assimilated into Lei Yan’s true essence the moment it entered this closed system.

As his true essence grew more robust, the attraction of this cycle intensified. Within a radius of ten feet around Lei Yan, an invisible gravitational field seemed to form. Under its influence, grass bowed and sand and stones took flight.

"What is happening?" The powerful gravity caused the twenty-plus people sitting nearby to open their eyes. When they realized the force was emanating from Lei Yan, they looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what to do.

"Second Brother, do you think Lei Ba is testing our strength, or is he cultivating?" Lu Kai asked, puzzled.

"It must be cultivation." Leng Lao-er noticed that Lei Yan’s presence had changed completely. His aura was now fierce to the extreme, like a wild beast lurking in the shadows, sending a chill down their spines.

"It seems the Young Master has reached a realm beyond our reach," Han Li thought to himself, a flash of determination in his eyes. He turned to Han Yi and said, "Do not speak. Continue cultivating."

Han Yi nodded without a word. Reminded by Han Li, Leng Lao-er and the others returned to their cultivation.

The gravitational force persisted, and more true essence accumulated within Lei Yan. His body began to swell. The true essence, already in a liquid state, had to be compressed and squeezed. Without a fixed location for this pressure, forming a core was impossible, and he couldn't even alleviate the external pressure.

"This won't do. If this kid continues like this, he will explode and die sooner or later." Qing He was filled with worry—though he only cared about the body, not whether Lei Yan lived or died.

"You brat! Quickly channel your true essence into your Dantian and compress it!" A thunderous roar echoed in Lei Yan’s mind.

The voice was so loud it felt like a lightning strike. Lei Yan frowned, slowly moving his true essence toward his Dantian. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration hit him: rather than forcing all the liquid essence into his Dantian, why not compress it into his five internal organs? That way, he would have the equivalent of five Dantian vessels.

Having changed his plan, Lei Yan directed his true essence toward his heart, compressing and squeezing it with all his might. Gradually, a sphere-like red ball appeared within his heart. This ball was entirely composed of liquid. Lei Yan knew this was a stage of entering the Golden Core period. He did not know what this level was called, but if he had to define it, he would call it a "phantom Golden Core"—only one step away from becoming a real, solid core.

Lei Yan did not stop. He continued to absorb the spiritual energy from the outside, pushing his true essence to the limit as he compressed it into his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, forming five liquid spheres. Lei Yan named them the Heart Core, Liver Core, Spleen Core, Lung Core, and Kidney Core, corresponding to the red fire-element essence, green wood-element, yellow earth-element, white metal-element, and black water-element, respectively.

As the five-colored liquid spheres flashed with light, the previously dim blue glow in his mind seemed to react, suddenly brightening. Blue ripples began to undulate through his mind.

"It’s restored, and it seems even more powerful," Lei Yan thought with delight. He had not expected his decision to enhance his psychic perception, which made him realize that the Five Cores were closely linked to his abilities. When the Five Cores were full, his powers were at their peak.

Lei Yan frowned, opened his eyes, and looked at the sky. A powerful pressure descended from above. "It seems it won't be long before I face the Golden Core Tribulation."

"Lei Ba, you're finally awake," Lu Kai said, looking annoyed. Lei Yan had sat in meditation for three days. The others could not do the same and had gone about their business, leaving Lu Kai to stand guard.

"What do you mean? Have I been sitting for a long time?" Lei Yan asked, ignoring Lu Kai's tone.

"You've been sitting there for three whole days..." Lu Kai sighed.

"Three days? I felt as if it were only a moment. No wonder they say there is no time in cultivation..." Thinking of the delay, Lei Yan’s expression shifted slightly. "Call them all back. I have orders."

Seeing the seriousness on Lei Yan’s face, Lu Kai nodded.

A moment later, the twenty-plus bandits gathered on the mountaintop.

Looking at the bandits before him, Lei Yan spoke slowly. "Second Brother, I want you to take some men into Bafang Town and establish an organization. Recruit talented people from all over. Remember, I don't want warriors; I want those with talent. Recruit as many as you can."

Leng Lao-er pondered for a moment. "Lei Ba, recruiting isn't a problem; we have our ways. But what kind of people do you want? Your description is too vague. What constitutes 'talent'? Do you want acrobats too? And there’s the issue of silver for the recruitment..."

"People with special skills—anyone who fits that description is welcome. Of course, those skilled in management, intelligence gathering, and the like—if you think they have talent, take them in. As for how to arrange them, wait until I return. As for the silver..." Lei Yan turned to look at Dong Jiu, who sat with his eyes closed. "Little Jiu, have you completed the initial fusion?"

Dong Jiu did not speak or even open his eyes; he simply nodded.

Lei Yan smiled and waved his right hand, retrieving the information Han Li and Han Yi had gathered from his magical storage item. "I am giving you an opportunity now. However, I have one condition: leave no one alive." With that, Lei Yan tossed the documents to Dong Jiu.

Dong Jiu’s heart trembled. He opened his eyes and caught the documents, flipping through them as a dark, inscrutable look flashed in his eyes.

"After you finish this, if you are still alive, head to Bafang Town to meet up with Leng Lao-er and the others," Lei Yan said, patting Dong Jiu on the shoulder. "Go."

Dong Jiu said nothing more and headed down the mountain.

"As for the silver, I think this should be enough to get you started for now." Lei Yan took a stack of banknotes an inch thick from his storage item and handed them over. "Perhaps you can use them to open a shop."

"A shop? Lei Ba, don't tease us. If we knew how to run a shop, we wouldn't have become bandits," Lu Kai grinned.

"That is indeed a method," Leng Lao-er said with a smile.

"Lao-er, don't tell me you know how to run a shop. It's hilarious," Lu Kai said, looking at Leng Lao-er as if he were an idiot.

"Lu Kai, sometimes we don't need to step forward ourselves. Lei Ba said we should recruit people with special skills. We can let them manage the shops," Leng Lao-er said coldly.

"Exactly. My meaning is simple, Second Brother. Build a network to collect intelligence from across the world. This will be decisive for my future plans," Lei Yan said, looking at Leng Lao-er with satisfaction.

"Collect intelligence from the whole world?" The ambition was staggering. Even the great aristocratic families could not achieve such a thing. A flicker of longing appeared in Leng Lao-er’s heart.

"Damn it, let's do it!" Lu Kai shouted, rubbing his hands together.

Han Li and Han Yi felt their blood boil. Collecting world intelligence—wasn't that a fantasy?

"Han Li, Han Yi, you two are my personal guards. I need to handle some important matters, so stay with them for now. If there is anything to do, follow their orders," Lei Yan commanded.

"Young Master!" Han Li and Han Yi protested, unwilling.

"That is an order," Lei Yan said, his face darkening.

"Yes," the two replied helplessly.

"Very well. If there is nothing else, prepare to set off," Lei Yan commanded, turning to leave.

"Oh, Lei Ba, there is one more thing, quite important. Look at yourself—you should wash up. You're incredibly filthy," Lu Kai chuckled.

Lei Yan hadn't paid attention to himself since finishing his cultivation. Hearing Lu Kai, he looked down at his body, covered in a layer of black grime. He laughed bitterly. "No wonder I felt so sticky. Hahaha..."