After more than seven months had elapsed, Max found the extraction of vital qi from blood, combined with intent integration and compression, to be more taxing than he initially anticipated. For seven consecutive months, he diligently condensed his core. Presently, he found himself at the final step, meticulously condensing the last wisp of vital qi.
Upon successfully completing the last bit of core condensation, a more potent aura emanated from Max. This energy radiated beyond the confines of Max's residence, catching the attention of all the members of the Six-Eared Monkey tribe.
Sensing the aura, Elder Willie discerned that Max must have successfully broken through to form his core. Without delay, he made his way to the location where Max was cultivating.
Inside his abode, Max examined the core within his abdomen. Resembling the side of an egg, it possessed a perfect round shape and exceptional sturdiness. However, Max couldn't help but feel perplexed by the core's color. According to Elder Willie, cores condensed by humans were golden, while those from monsters were violet. Contrary to these norms, Max's core was a dark blood-red hue with an ethereal aura, imparting a sense of uniqueness unparalleled in the world. What troubled Max the most was the unsettling feeling he experienced when successfully condensing the core – a palpitation and an ominous sense of approaching danger.
Lost in his thoughts, Max was interrupted by a voice in front of him, "Congratulations, little friend. You have finally condensed your core. Your future will be bright."
Turning to the source of the voice, Max discovered Elder Willie entering with his customary smile. "It's thanks to the elders' guidance," Max replied modestly.
"No, little friend, it's your hard work. I merely provided some common guidance," Elder Willie responded humbly.
A smile graced Max's face at Elder Willie's words, but his expression soon turned solemn, prompting him to ask a pressing question.
"Elder, I must inquire about something," Max spoke with a tinge of worry.
"Upon successfully condensing my core, my heart palpitated, and I sensed impending danger, but I'm at a loss as to why. Can you shed some light on this?"
Max's question left Elder Willie momentarily stunned. A contemplative expression crossed the elder's face, and sensing Max's anticipation, he took a moment before responding.
"I need to verify this with someone," Elder Willie remarked, and with those words, he vanished from sight.
The sudden disappearance of Elder Willie surprised Max. Typically, the elder would approach him with a measured pace, but this time was different. Max anxiously awaited Elder Willie's return.
After a brief absence, Elder Willie reappeared just as abruptly as he had disappeared. Max observed this unusual display, his curiosity piqued.
"Little friend, I believe the sensation you're experiencing is linked to the tribulation you're about to face, and if my intuition serves me right, it's scheduled to arrive in three days," Elder Willie conveyed with evident concern.
Max was taken aback; the concept of tribulation was entirely foreign to him. Judging from Elder Willie's expression, Max sensed it heralded something ominous.
"You cannot undergo your tribulation here, as it would jeopardize the entire tribe. Come, let me take you to a place where I can explain the details," Elder Willie insisted.
With those words, Elder Willie guided Max, and the two swiftly set off in a specific direction, leaving the tribe behind.
Guiding Max through their journey, Elder Willie took the opportunity to provide essential explanations, recognizing Max's status as a newcomer to the cultivation world with limited knowledge.
"You might not be well-versed in tribulations," Elder Willie began,
"but it's crucial for you to understand. Tribulation is essentially a heavenly punishment, a consequence for cultivators who defy natural laws. When they reach a certain level of cultivation, a trial is imposed upon them with the intent to annihilate. Those who fail to endure this tribulation will perish, reduced to ashes. Those who survive, however, can continue their cultivation. Among the various types of tribulations, the most common and perilous is the thunder tribulation, and it seems that this is what you are about to face," Elder Willie explained.
Stolen story; please report.
Max, hearing about tribulation for the first time, felt a surge of fear. The cultivation path appeared more daunting than he had initially thought.
Observing Max's apprehensive expression, Elder Willie smiled reassuringly and added, "Cultivation is not merely about gaining power; it's also about extending one's life. As you may know, everyone cultivates with the hope of prolonging their existence."
Max nodded emphatically, understanding the common aspiration among cultivators to achieve longevity.
"However," continued Elder Willie, "there comes a point where, upon crossing it, the heavens will send down a tribulation to test and potentially eliminate the cultivator, after all if all the cultivators lives extensive life then the world will be overcrowded. For humans, this critical point is the golden core realm, while for us monsters, it's at the level 6 monster realm."
Max was left stunned by this revelation. Elder Willie had just implied that tribulations were typically reserved for those who had attained the golden core realm or level 6 monster realm. However, Max found himself at an equivalent level of only a level 3 monster or a sea-forming realm expert. The discrepancy raised a perplexing question in his mind—why would he need to undergo such a formidable tribulation?
Observing Max's skepticism, Elder Willie addressed his concerns. "You must be wondering why you would face a tribulation when you're only at an equivalent level of a level 3 monster or a sea forming stage expert. I inquired with other elders, but none seem to have an answer."
Max was surprised by the revelation but chose not to comment, realizing that if Elder Willie couldn't find an answer, there might be no one else to consult.
After a day's journey, the pair reached the base of a mountain. Elder Willie pointed to it and said, "You should undergo the tribulation on top of this mountain to prevent damage to the surrounding forest."
Following Elder Willie's guidance, Max ascended the mountain. Surprisingly, the mountain's summit was flat. Elder Willie explained, "This is where monsters at level 6 or above undergo tribulation. You should face yours here as well."
Max expressed his gratitude, to which Elder Willie responded with a smile.
However, Elder Willie's demeanor turned serious as he continued, "Little friend, what I'm about to share is crucial. Listen attentively." Max nodded, indicating his full attention.
"This tribulation is both a disaster and an opportunity for you. Survival demands your utmost effort, but there's also a chance for growth. Monsters possess unique bloodlines that determine their inheritances, making them special and distinct. Our blood, when purified with vital qi, awakens these bloodlines, enhancing their strength. The purity of the bloodline corresponds to the inheritance's power."
Max was surprised by this revelation, unaware of the intricacies of bloodlines. Before he could respond, Elder Willie elaborated further.
"Another aspect of bloodlines is their attributes. Each bloodline falls into a specific attribute, ranging from elemental affinities to unique abilities. These unique bloodlines, known as special bloodlines, make every monster distinct. Humans, on the other hand, lack bloodline abilities; instead, they possess constitutions—special physiques with elemental affinities or unique abilities. Those born with special bloodlines or constitutions are called natural talents or inheritors, and these gifts are bestowed upon them by heaven."
Max found himself utterly astonished, discovering the existence of these previously unknown elements in the cultivation world. However, Elder Willie didn't afford him much time to absorb this revelation and continued with his exposition.
"But there's another category known as acquirers or self-made talent, further divided into chancers, snatchers, and awakeners. Chancers, the most common acquirers, obtain unique bloodlines from special monsters or gain constitutions through particular martial skills or inheritances. Snatchers, employing forbidden or malevolent methods, seize someone else's special bloodline or constitution, merging it with their own. It's crucial for snatchers to be fully compatible with the constitution or bloodline they're taking, as failure to do so may result in their demise. Then there are awakeners who independently awaken a special bloodline or constitution through hard work and comprehension. For instance, a hundred years ago in the human sect called the Sun Sword Sect, there was a genius who awakened a constitution known as the Sword Heart Physique. This granted him the ability to have a heightened affinity with swords, as well as the power to summon and control them within a certain radius. Another example is yourself; you've awakened a human bloodline, enabling you to continue cultivating even in a mortal state," explained Elder Willie.
Max was left both surprised and stunned by this wealth of information. The revelation that individuals could acquire bloodlines or constitutions was news to him, and the fact that he was an awakener himself added another layer of astonishment. It seemed he had been ignorant of his own capabilities, feeling like a frog at the bottom of a well.
After allowing Max some time to reflect on this newfound knowledge, Elder Willie continued,
"It's important to know that snatchers are mostly the weakest among these talents. Then there are chancers, more powerful than snatchers but generally weaker compared to the other two categories—natural talents and awakeners. Even though natural talents have a bloodline or constitution from birth, what they lack compared to awakeners is dominance. Awakeners not only possess compatibility and comprehensibility but also exert dominance over their constitution. This means that if there are two people with the same constitution, one born with it and the other having awakened it, the awakened one will be more powerful due to their complete dominance over the bloodline or constitution." Elder Willie concluded, leaving Max increasingly surprised by the intricacies of bloodlines and constitutions.