Worthy of the Names Genius and Ancestor

Li Yuande profoundly and proficiently refined all the spiritual power within his body, transforming it into True Essence.

Using strands of True Essence as thread, he began to form an Origin Core, as though weaving and embroidering.

"This is the Core-Weaving Method! I have heard the elders of my family speak of it!"

"This method forms the core extremely slowly, and the process of suppressing True Essence is pure torment, but its advantage lies in a high chance of success."

The crowd watched as the Origin Core within Li Yuande's Qi Mansion gradually took shape. When it was about seventy percent complete, the Origin Core suddenly began to tremble violently.

"Not good, the True Essence is going berserk!"

"Do not worry. Senior Li Yuande surely has a way to handle it."

Sure enough, just as this person said, at the very moment the Origin Core was about to collapse, Li Yuande pulled out a single strand of True Essence to act as the thread's end. With a gentle tug, the Origin Core instantly dissolved, reverting into strands of True Essence.

This easily resolved the crisis of the berserk True Essence.

It was often said that laymen watch the spectacle, while experts watch the technique.

To the young cultivators, Li Yuande's method simply appeared extremely clever. But to the Condensed Origin cultivators present, it was an astonishing display of heavenly brilliance.

They exchanged glances, each seeing the profound shock in the other's eyes.

"Utterly confident."

The Western Consort offered this brief evaluation, and it was the most fitting.

Even before attempting to condense the Origin Core, Li Yuande had already thoroughly memorized every detail of the final formation.

Fortunately, Lone Moon Mountain did not obtain this Dao Stone. Otherwise, what kind of monstrous prodigy might they have polished?

The Western Consort thought to herself.

After the method of Embroidering the Core, Li Yuande successively demonstrated the Core-Fusing Method, the Core-Converging Method, and the Core-Filling Method.

For an ordinary cultivator, mastering just one of these paths would mean Condensed Origin was within sight. Yet Li Yuande casually demonstrated them one by one, as though reciting his family's treasured heirlooms.

The absolute talent and aptitude he displayed throughout this process left many of the Condensed Origin cultivators feeling deeply ashamed, inwardly bowing to his superiority.

After these four methods, Li Yuande once again gathered the True Essence throughout his body and began to prepare.

The four Condensed Origin cultivators guarding the cardinal directions also grew curious as to what core-forming method he would demonstrate next.

Xuan Zhou stood at the edge of the auspicious cloud, looking down at Li Yuande with deep appreciation for his talent.

Alas... if the Moon-Grasping Sect had not interfered, such a talent joining the Wangchao would have had a boundless future!

Just as he was immersed in these thoughts, his attention was abruptly yanked back by a point of light flaring below.

Taking a closer look, his expression drastically changed.

What is this Li Yuande trying to do?!

"Li Yuande! What are you doing?!"

"Stop at once! This is a Malignant Method, do not proceed any further!"

The cultivators guarding the four directions shouted urgently. They had never imagined that Li Yuande was preparing to demonstrate the most primitive, and the most dangerous, method of core formation.

The Core-Condensing Art!

This technique had been passed down from ancient cultivators. Its demands upon the caster's talent and comprehension were incredibly harsh, far beyond what any ordinary person could grasp.

Its underlying principle was to use the most crude and straightforward method to forcibly compress True Essence together.

The advantage of the Core-Condensing Art was that, while forming the core, it incorporated the violent, berserk nature of the True Essence. Once the Condensed Origin realm was achieved, this would massively amplify the power of one's True Essence, making it easy to slaughter enemies above one's own cultivation level.

However, because the inherited texts for this method were incomplete, the actual process of forming the core held an unimaginably high level of peril.

With the previous methods-Embroidering the Core, the Core-Fusing Method, the Core-Converging Method, and the Core-Filling Method-as long as one mastered them, there was at least a thirty percent chance of success.

Yet this Core-Condensing Art had a success rate of less than one in a hundred, which was precisely why it was known as a Malignant Method!

Furthermore, if the Core-Condensing Art failed, it would directly detonate the Origin Core, leaving absolutely no room for salvation!

The sheer destructive power of such a failure was equivalent to a sacrificial strike from a late-stage Condensed Origin cultivator.

In the past, the ancestor of a certain cultivation clan had attempted this method and failed, reducing his entire family to scattered ashes alongside him.

And now, Li Yuande actually intended to unleash this supremely dangerous art right here on the observation platform!

"Fellow Daoists, why are you so anxious? I am merely a dying Qi Gathering minor cultivator."

Even as he activated the Core-Condensing Art, Li Yuande could still divide his attention enough to speak.

The eyes of the four men flickered with alarm and uncertainty, unsure if they should forcefully intervene to stop him.

But the threat of a sacrificial strike from a late-stage Condensed Origin cultivator loomed over them!

Whichever of them dared to invite such disaster risked perishing entirely, their Dao dissipating into nothingness.

"Between life and death, there is indeed great terror. It is only natural for you to fear."

Li Yuande suddenly spoke again, "But I, Li Yuande, have never known fear!"

The instant his voice fell, the Core-Condensing Art in his hands spun faster and faster. Horrified, the four men retreated dozens of Zhang, frantically forming hand seals to jointly activate the observation platform's defensive Formation.

"What... what is happening!"

"It is the Core-Condensing Art!"

"Ah! To think he is using that Malignant Method to form the core!"

The young cultivators in the venue grew restless and uneasy, but at this moment, Zi He relaxed his clenched fists. Beneath his mask, a look of uninhibited thrill appeared.

Li Qingwan also wiped away her tears. Her gaze firmed as she looked toward Li Yuande, who was enveloped in spiritual light.

"Ancestor, let my brother and I bear witness to your final moments!"

The observation platform was protected by a Formation capable of blocking even Spirit Communion arts, so there was no need to worry for the safety of these young cultivators.

But the four men standing in the center were already drenched in cold sweat.

Their assignment was to watch over Li Yuande and prevent him from acting recklessly.

Right now, he was acting with utter recklessness, yet the four of them were entirely unwilling to risk their own lives.

For a Qi Gathering cultivator who had not yet formed an Origin Core to terrify four late-stage Condensed Origin cultivators into backing away-such an event was rare enough to count on one hand throughout the entire history of the Zhuhu Wangchao.

Furthermore, within the strict rules of a Dharma Demonstration, Li Yuande had done nothing wrong. Even though it was a Malignant Method, some cultivators in the past had successfully used it to condense an Origin Core.

Xuan Zhou attempted to step down from the auspicious cloud, but the Western Consort called him to a halt.

"A rare sight. It does no harm to watch a little longer."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Below the auspicious cloud, Li Yuande suppressed the chaotic True Essence with horrifying willpower. As the Core-Condensing Art continuously took effect, the Origin Core began to take rough shape amidst the flashing spiritual light.

Right at this moment, he felt a gaze descend upon him from the high heavens.

"Do not worry. I keep my word and will honor my promise."

Li Yuande murmured softly.

He had promised the Wangchao to demonstrate the method, but absolutely refused to fully form the core. To do so would interfere with the agreement between Zhuhu and the Moon-Grasping Sect.

While Li Yuande unleashed the Core-Condensing Art, the Condensed Origin cultivators in all four directions suffered under extreme mental strain.

This agonizing tension lasted for a full quarter of an hour before finally coming to an end.

Because, after that quarter of an hour, Li Yuande personally crushed the Origin Core that was mere Cun away from completion.

Bang!

Violent waves of True Essence surged outward. The four men deployed their absolute trump cards just to preserve their own lives amidst the blast.

The young cultivators on the observation platform were left incomparably shaken by this unprecedented spectacle.

Yang Lingrui stared, mesmerized by the blinding spiritual light before him. A single tear unconsciously traced down his cheek.

To conclude the final journey of his life in such an intensely magnificent and tragic manner-Li Yuande was truly worthy of the titles of Li family genius and Ancestor!

When the residual waves of the explosion finally scattered, the four men hurried forward. The lotus platform had been blown to fragments, and Li Yuande's mortal body was completely reduced to ash. Yet, standing in the very center, was a ghostly blue figure.

"What audacity! You dare to turn into a ghost!"

"Die!"

Two of them were the first to react, instantly hurling deadly arts toward Li Yuande.

Li Yuande, now in the state of a Ghost Soul, had utilized the Dao of ghost-transformation to achieve the Condensed Origin realm. This was how he exploited the fatal loophole in their agreement.

Li Yuande was already dead. What remained here now was nothing more than a nameless, wandering spirit.

"So this is the Condensed Origin realm?"

Li Yuande felt the surging True Essence within him. Raising a hand, he swept out two rays of blue light, effortlessly shattering their offensive arts.

He had accumulated his foundation for decades, and he had achieved Condensed Origin through the fierce Core-Condensing Art. Now, having broken through in a single morning, he directly ascended to the fourth level, the mid-stage of Condensed Origin. His true combat prowess far exceeded even that.

Whoosh.

Li Yuande's form flickered. When he reappeared, he was already standing directly in front of one of the Condensed Origin cultivators.

"You are far beneath me."

Bang!

He delivered a single palm strike, sending the man plummeting from the sky while coughing up blood.

The next instant, the remaining three surged forward in a coordinated assault.

"The same goes for all of you."

Boom!

Li Yuande detonated the berserk True Essence hidden within him. With absolute brutality, he shredded their combined arts and sent all three men flying backward.

Thud-

Having received the Western Consort's nod of approval, Xuan Zhou descended. With one palm, he pinned down Li Yuande's Ghost Soul body.

"Yuande, executing the Ghost-Transformation Method within the imperial palace... is that not pushing things too far?" Xuan Zhou asked in a heavy tone.

Li Yuande offered a faint smile. "Who is Yuande?"

Hua-

Crack, crack, crack...

Following those words, the young cultivators on the observation platform watched as the True Essence enveloping the two men violently collided, erupting into a rapid, ear-piercing cacophony of explosions.

The mere shockwaves from their clash caused the entire observation platform to tremble without end.

Some of the younger cultivators felt their legs go soft in sheer terror at the sight.

Finally, after several rounds of evenly matched spiritual combat between the two, a jade hairpin flew down from the auspicious cloud, gently embedding itself into Li Yuande's chest.

The very next moment, that ghostly blue form shattered inch by inch, crumbling apart like a fractured sheet of ice.

Li Yuande turned to look at the observation platform. He soundlessly moved his lips a few times before thoroughly dissipating from the mortal world.

The Western Consort summoned back her jade hairpin. Pinching it between her fingertips, she took a look, and her elegant brow arched slightly.

Seeing this, Xuan Zhou quickly inquired, "Your Highness, is something amiss?"

The Western Consort scrutinized the jade hairpin for a brief moment, then stated coldly, "This man's 'Intent' has escaped."

"Escaped?"

A jolt ran through Xuan Zhou's heart. This "Intent" held a century's worth of Li Yuande's deepest Dao insights.

Given the terrifying aptitude he had displayed today, whoever managed to claim this "Intent" and digest its truths would find breaking through to Condensed Origin to be merely a matter of time.

"Just before his death, he looked toward the observation platform. It must be that remaining girl from the Li family! I will fetch her at once."

"There is no need. The man is dead, and his Intent is now a rootless thing. It will seek its own master. It may not necessarily be her. And if one of the princes has obtained it, will you force him to hand it over as well?"

"Er... I would certainly not dare."

The Western Consort stopped Xuan Zhou's pursuit, then rose and stepped to the edge of the auspicious cloud. "It is just a Fated Chance, there is no need to force the issue. Besides, was today's Dharma Demonstration not brilliant enough?"

Xuan Zhou's expression was somewhat conflicted, but he could only nod in concession. "It was indeed brilliant. The finest this humble servant has witnessed in his entire life."

He spoke from the heart. Decades ago, someone else had entered the imperial palace to demonstrate the method of Qi-Fall Condensed Origin. But the brilliance and effectiveness of that demonstration fell far short of today's. Many observers back then had been left completely bewildered.

But with Li Yuande's demonstration, let alone these junior Qi Gathering disciples below, even cultivators who had already achieved Condensed Origin could reap profound benefits from witnessing it.

"Then that settles it."

A faint smile touched the Western Consort's face. "Did we not organize this Dharma Demonstration precisely to achieve this outcome? The deed is done; we ought to be pleased."

Ever since returning from the western expedition, she had been confined to the deep palace, feeling stagnant and restless.

Watching Li Yuande's Dharma Demonstration today seemed to have dispelled much of her vexation.

"Let us return to the palace."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The departure of the pink auspicious cloud officially heralded the end of this grand viewing.

Many young cultivators remained standing in place, still thoroughly spellbound. Others felt a lingering hunger, a strange sense of melancholy filling their chests.

Hidden within the crowd, Yang Lingrui raised a hand to touch his chest.

An ancient voice then echoed from the absolute depths of his heart-soul.

"Fellow Daoist, please keep this safe."

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