"Let's not even discuss where one would find so many corpses of fallen Golden Core cultivators.

"When a cultivator dies, their Dao returns to heaven. A Golden Core is the condensation of a cultivator's comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth, but it is ultimately built upon a Curio of heaven and earth as its Dao Foundation.

"Once the Dao returns to heaven, the Curio loses its wondrous properties, and the laws condensed within the Golden Core lose their foundation. Not only does the quality of the Golden Core suffer drastically, but over time, it risks dissipating entirely. They cannot be preserved long-term."

It was clearly his area of expertise. Daoist Rottenwood spoke with great authority, and a rare vitality appeared on his face; the tight-drawn wrinkles...