The spiritual energy within the Dream Realm was perfectly suited for Li Xue’s five-element spiritual roots, and her cultivation progressed at a remarkable pace. Aided by top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills, Li Xue reached the Great Perfection of the late Foundation Establishment stage five years later. She intended to wait for Li Lin to emerge from his seclusion before attempting her own breakthrough to the Golden Core stage; otherwise, she would not be able to focus her mind.
One day, dark clouds gathered over the Dream Realm. A bolt of heavenly lightning crashed down toward the Lingxu Domain. It was Li Lin undergoing his Golden Core Tribulation. The aura was terrifyingly imposing, and both Li Xue and Yu Ming watched with bated breath. Fortunately, the Golden Core Tribulation consisted of only three bolts, and their power was relatively standard. Soon, the dark clouds dispersed, replaced by a sky filled with iridescent clouds. Brilliant streaks of crimson-gold light enveloped the air above the Lingxu Domain, persisting for a full fifteen minutes.
Li Xue and Yu Ming were overjoyed. Those were the Golden Core Celestial Phenomena—it seemed Li Lin had successfully formed his core!
The gates of the Lingxu Domain swung open, and Li Lin stood there with a beaming smile. Li Xue rushed over, affectionately grabbing his hands and inspecting him to see what changes the Golden Core stage had wrought.
Yu Ming, however, hesitated to step forward. The natural pressure exuded by a Golden Core cultivator was not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily approach. Li Xue was only unaffected because of her close blood relation to Li Lin. It was only after Li Lin restrained his aura that Yu Ming came closer.
“Congratulations on your successful breakthrough, Junior Brother. Oh, I suppose I should call you Martial Uncle now!” Yu Ming said with a smile.
“Senior Brother, stop teasing me. There is no need for such formalities between disciples of the same master,” Li Lin replied.
Li Xue could no longer see through Li Lin’s cultivation level; after all, they were now separated by an entire major realm. she fussed over him, patting his arms and shoulders, feeling that her son had grown even sturdier. She was delighted. “Xiao Lin, well done! You truly are my son—forming a core in just five years. In the cultivation world of the Mangyun Mountains, there probably hasn't been anyone who reached the Golden Core stage before the age of sixty, right?”
“Indeed. I believe there was one who reached it at seventy, a genius from the Tianqing Sect a thousand years ago,” Yu Ming added excitedly.
“Mother, Senior Brother, don’t you think you’re overlooking something?” Li Lin asked, looking somewhat troubled.
“What is it?” Li Xue and Yu Ming asked in unison, confused.
“The Golden Core Celestial Phenomena.” Li Lin looked up at the azure sky and continued, “This place is a world unto itself. Since I formed my core here, there will be no celestial signs when I return to the sect. And quite a few people in the sect know about my seclusion.”
At this, Li Xue and Yu Ming fell into deep thought. This was a very serious problem. If a cultivator reached the Golden Core stage without the accompanying celestial phenomena, even a fool would realize they possessed a secret treasure. Furthermore, for Li Lin to reach the Golden Core stage before sixty was such a heaven-defying speed that anyone could guess how extraordinary his secret treasure must be. If they couldn't resolve this issue, the news of Li Lin’s breakthrough could not be leaked. Otherwise, he would become a target for the entire Mangyun cultivation world, sought after by those wishing to kill him and seize his treasures.
“Mother, Senior Brother, I will continue my seclusion in the Dream Realm for now. I still need to stabilize my realm after just forming the core. There’s no immediate rush,” Li Lin said.
Li Xue and Yu Ming both nodded. Li Xue said worriedly, “A breakthrough like this might be hidden from others, but it won't escape Master’s eyes. Once he sees your cultivation, he will surely know when you broke through.”
“Grandmaster is my high-ancestor by blood; he won't say anything. We could actually ask for his advice. After all, his experience is far greater than ours. Senior Brother, what do you think?” Li Lin asked Yu Ming. Since the three of them now shared the Dream Realm, Yu Ming’s opinion was important.
“Yes, I suspect Grandmaster has known for a long time that we possess a secret treasure; he simply hasn't mentioned it,” Yu Ming said.
“That’s true. I’ll just ask Master what happens if there are no celestial phenomena during a breakthrough. He’ll surely understand,” Li Xue agreed.
Li Lin returned to the Lingxu Domain to continue stabilizing his realm, while Yu Ming stayed in the Dream Realm to tend to the medicinal gardens. Li Xue returned to the Chonghua Palace.
Inside the Yuhua Hall, Daoist Yuhong looked at Li Xue, who had reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, his expression gentle.
“Master, have you ever heard of someone forming a Golden Core without any celestial phenomena?” Li Xue asked.
Daoist Yuhong widened his eyes and snapped, “What nonsense are you thinking? How can one form a core without celestial phenomena?”
“Oh.” Li Xue felt extremely dejected but didn't give up. “Is it possible for the celestial phenomena to be hidden from others?”
Daoist Yuhong studied his young disciple carefully. Given Li Xue’s personality, she wouldn't ask such a thing out of boredom. Unless... could it be that Xiao Lin had formed his core?
Daoist Yuhong could no longer sit still at the thought. He stared intently at Li Xue and asked cautiously, “Has Xiao Lin emerged from seclusion?”
Li Xue was startled, immediately realizing that her master had caught on. She marveled at his sharp intuition and nodded.
“Where is he?” Daoist Yuhong asked excitedly.
“He’s back in seclusion to stabilize his realm. Master, you understand,” Li Xue said, giving him a look that implied he should know exactly what had happened.
