Daoist Yuhong stood up in excitement, pacing back and forth while rubbing his hands together. He muttered incessantly, "I knew it! I knew that boy would amount to something. He truly is a worthy descendant of my Li family line!"
Li Xue curled her lip. At this moment, her master had completely lost the dignified air of a Nascent Soul Daoist Lord; he was so ecstatic he didn't know which way was up.
After a long while, Daoist Yuhong finally sat back down. He cleared his throat, once again assuming an air of calm and ethereal detachment. Li Xue’s lips twitched; she finally understood where her son Li Lin’s "cool" persona came from—it turned out to be a Li family tradition.
"Girl, speak. What exactly happened?" Daoist Yuhong asked as he sipped his spiritual tea.
"He has formed his core, but no one saw the celestial phenomena. Is there a way to make that happen for real?" Li Xue asked directly.
Daoist Yuhong took a sip of tea, a half-smile playing on his lips. "You mean you want me to find a solution?"
"Oh, Master, we simply lack experience! How could we possibly compare to your vast knowledge and profound wisdom?" Li Xue quickly began to flatter him.
Daoist Yuhong smiled and shook his head, sighing, "Alas, you juniors... you act without considering the consequences and always expect this old man to clean up after you. I truly am helpless!"
Li Xue felt a surge of joy. From her master’s tone, he clearly had a solution. She couldn't see a trace of "helplessness" on his face, so she pressed on, "Master, is there really a way?"
Daoist Yuhong glanced at Li Xue. Seeing that she was truly anxious, he stopped teasing her. "You only need to set up a Tribulation-Transcending Array." He shook his head again. "Sigh, using the Sumeru Five Elements Tribulation-Transcending Array for a Golden Core tribulation... it really is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."
However, for the safety of his descendant, anything was worthwhile.
The Sumeru Five Elements Tribulation-Transcending Array was a formation used by cultivators at the Deity Transformation stage or higher when facing their heavenly tribulations. Under the protection of this array, the one undergoing the tribulation would be like a grain of sand hidden among the dust; the power of the heavenly tribulation would naturally be diminished. The Golden Core tribulation was the smallest of a cultivator's advancement trials, consisting of only three bolts of lightning. If one underwent it within the Sumeru Five Elements Array, who could possibly see clearly that the lightning was striking a mere grain of sand?
Li Xue was incredibly excited. If this worked, then Li Lin, herself, and Yu Ming could all form their cores within the Dream Realm without worry. But then a thought occurred to her: if this was an array used by Deity Transformation cultivators, who could set it up? What were the materials? She looked at Daoist Yuhong with doubt.
"Heh heh!" Daoist Yuhong looked at Li Xue with approval. "You thought of it? Good, you are a quick study."
"Oh, Master, stop keeping me in suspense! I know you are powerful and capable; you must be able to set up the Sumeru Five Elements Array!" Li Xue teased.
"I don't have that kind of ability. Even our ancestor, Divine Lord Yuanxi, didn't have that power," Daoist Yuhong said with some emotion. "The resources in the Mount Mangyun cultivation world are scarce, and the special materials needed to refine the array flags don't exist here. However, we can set up a Little Sumeru Five Elements Array. Though its power is only a hundredth of the original, it is more than enough to handle a Golden Core tribulation!"
"Ah! An imitation works too?!" Li Xue truly admired the human capacity for creating replicas.
"What do you mean, imitation? The Little Sumeru Five Elements Array is refined from extremely rare materials!" Daoist Yuhong was quite dissatisfied with Li Xue's choice of words.
Li Xue quickly complimented him, "Yes, yes, it's the real deal. Everything you own is a masterpiece!"
Daoist Yuhong glared at her again before saying, "I don't have it myself, but the sect does."
Li Xue’s eyes lit up. "That’s wonderful! Master, is it easy to borrow?"
Daoist Yuhong said nonchalantly, "Ran-er made so many sacrifices for the sect. How could they possibly refuse to lend a minor array?"
Li Xue’s heart gave a little tug. Li Ran again. She and her son had truly benefited immensely from Li Ran’s contributions. It was just like how the families of martyrs in her previous life received special care. However, she accepted it with a clear conscience—who told that guy to be so irresponsible and abandon his wife and son?
Li Xue had always preferred to keep a low profile, so she said to Yuhong, "Master, isn't it too monstrous for Li Lin to form his core before the age of sixty? Should we have him stay in seclusion for another decade or so?"
Daoist Yuhong pondered for a moment. "Let him emerge once his realm is stable. Let nature take its course; there is no need to be so overly cautious."
Li Xue nodded. She just wanted to be discreet; it was enough to enjoy the benefits in secret without everyone knowing. Since Daoist Yuhong had spoken, she wouldn't hide it anymore. She wasn't someone who feared trouble, either.
Having resolved a major concern, Li Xue happily returned to the Dream Realm and immediately shared the good news with Yu Ming and Li Lin.
