Jianyu's spiritual foundation, resembling an oceanic realm, was in disarray as the golden tribulation flames refined his embryonic core.
These flames worked to expel impurities from his qi through his orifices. However, his foundation was far from complete, and it was deteriorating rapidly under the pressure of the tribulation. Without swift intervention, Jianyu would be left crippled.
In this situation, Jianyu weighed his limited options. He had a few valuable treasures at his disposal, and the most suitable one to assist in creating his core was the five-colored world essence jade.
But he knew that using it would likely stimulate his flame spiritual root, potentially causing even more issues.
Just as desperation began to set in, four spiritual treasures materialized before Jianyu. Each of them symbolized one of the elements he had been practicing:- a black crystalline six-petaled lotus, a dragon scale with a bloodline trace of the yellow dragon, a claw from a beast of the white tiger family, and a thousand-year-old amber from an immortal realm emerald serpent.
They all radiated their respective elemental qi, which flowed toward Jianyu and was absorbed by his crumbling foundation, preventing it from collapsing completely.
Jianyu knew that he had to continue this process until his core could sustain itself. However, guiding the four elemental qi required an immense mental effort, and the voices in his head grew louder and more menacing.
Yet, he ignored the cacophony, focusing on the task at hand. His grandfather securing the perimeter, the golden flames enveloping him, the warm liquid flowing from his ears, and the relentless curses of the dead echoing in his mind, he ignored it all.
Hours passed as the four elemental Qi filled his dantian, refined by the tribulation flames, into what was his spiritual core, the source of a cultivator's true qi.
Jianyu's core had nearly reached completion, and the golden flames surrounding him were diminishing. He gazed at his 'inner-world core' that resembled a planet with vast oceanic expanses and scattered green islands.
It seemed like the tribulation was finally coming to an end, and Jianyu was about to relax.
But just as he thought he could finally rest, a spark of golden flames reignited at his core, signifying a new peril. His Fire spiritual root, which had been sealed, was suddenly unsealed, bringing chaos to the fragile balance of his newly formed core.
...
As the chaos unfolded within his inner-world, volcanoes erupted, land expanded, and dark clouds of chaos Qi obscured the skies of Jianyu's core. The inner world was undergoing a dramatic transformation, and the pristine landscapes had turned into a tumultuous realm.
Desperate to counter the overwhelming fire Qi released by his unsealed spiritual root, Jianyu attempted to absorb the four elemental Qi of the treasures he had prepared. However, these treasures lost their power and shattered as they crumbled away, leaving him in a dire situation.
Blood flowed from his orifices, and parts of his body began to rot due to the destructive influence of the death Qi stemming from the dao fragments within his spiritual roots.
As the death Qi stirred the dormant Life Dao fragments, a grotesquely beautiful sight unfolded.
Irregular, arm-like appendages sprouted from Jianyu's back, creating a nightmarish visage that resembled a blood-soaked Asura.
Throughout his body, numerous mutations emerged and vanished, their fleeting existence contributing to the surreal and chaotic transformation taking place within him.
With his very soul at risk of being obliterated by this situation, Jianyu made a critical decision.
He regained his mental clarity as the tormenting voices diminished, reduced to mere buzzing sounds.
Calm and determined, he retrieved the five-colored world essence jade and enveloped it with his spirit sense, intending to do more than just absorb its Qi. Instead, he decided to assimilate with it, making it a part of his spiritual core.
Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood.
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The repetitive cycle of elemental transformations continued within Jianyu's inner-world core, gradually diminishing its imperfections and settling the chaotic eruptions.
Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood.
As the cycle iterated, volcanoes calmed, charred land expanded, and the inner world became more stable.
Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood.
As the grotesque and irregular limbs melted away, more continued to sprout from Jianyu's body, creating a seemingly never-ending cycle. However, these new growths also met the same fate, disintegrating into a black sludge filled with impurities.
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The death Qi-infused flesh gradually dissolved, leaving behind only slightly charred skin. Jianyu's body remained locked in a relentless struggle as his body and spiritual core underwent numerous chaotic transformations.
Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood.
The alterations in the inner world and Jianyu's body continued, linking them in ways that defied the norm.
Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood. Fire produces Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Woo....
The transformative process carried on for several days, working to harmonize the elements and eliminate the remaining irregularities within his newly formed spiritual core. However, what was affected the most by these transformations were his soul and 'Consciousness'.
...
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"Yu'er! Are you alright?!"
Xin Dongyang rushed toward his grandson as soon as the tribulation flames faded away. Seeing how his grandson's once jeweled eyes had dulled, and smiling face was now grim and covered in blood. Xin Dongyang's expression contorted with pain,
"What about your-!" Xin Dongyang began to ask, but Jianyu cut him off, saying, "I'm fine. Something like this won't harm me," while maintaining his usual smile.
"..." Xin Dongyang, who had known Jianyu for the longest, saw through the facade of that smile. He knew it was nothing but a hollow imitation to alleviate any worries.
"I'll be going to recuperate for now."
With the same insincere smile, Jianyu turned away and left, heading towards one of the spare quarters for disciples.
Xin Dongyang watched his grandson's retreating figure, burdened by the weight of unspoken words. He had long wondered if that 'vision' would one day become a reality.
Recent events had made him lose faith in that possibility, but as he looked at Jianyu's back, memories of that vision resurfaced, lingering in his thoughts.