312: Chapter 312 Golden Core Gathering

Heavenly Sword Sect.

Inside the Cave-Heaven Blessed Land.

Qin Changsheng sat cross-legged on a prayer mat by the spiritual spring, holding a moist, jade-like Jade Slip that shimmered with a faint golden light.

This Jade Slip was the one Shen Guhong had bestowed upon Wang Cheng.

Originally, Qin Changsheng had planned to try his luck at the Qingyun Tower of the Azure Cloud Sect.

To see if there was a chance to obtain a Five Elements Cultivation Technique for the Golden Core Stage.

He hadn't expected that Shen Guhong would directly bestow a Cultivation Technique upon him.

With a thought, Qin Changsheng surged his Divine Sense into the Jade Slip.

A stream of pure information instantly flooded his mind, clear and detailed, without the slightest hint of obscurity.

Within the Jade Slip was the Earth-Grade Five Elements Cultivation Technique, the "Five Elements Returning Origin Art." The content was thorough and complete, containing not only the full cultivation mantras and Meridian circulation routes but also extremely detailed introductions to the technique, covering every cultivation detail from the Early Stage of Golden Core to the Peak of Golden Core.

To his surprise, the Jade Slip also specifically highlighted many issues to be mindful of during cultivation: one must focus and remain calm, and must not rush for success, otherwise, it could easily lead to disordered mana and damaged Meridians;

The daily cultivation duration should not be too long; one needs to progress step by step, balancing work and rest;

During cultivation, utilizing Five Elements spiritual materials as aids can significantly improve efficiency while avoiding technique backlash; when advancing, one must stabilize the mind and resist the intrusion of Heart Demons to successfully Breakthrough the Bottleneck.

These precautions were meticulously detailed, clearly being the experiential insights summarized by predecessors who had practiced this technique. For Qin Changsheng, it was undoubtedly like providing charcoal in the snow.

The Five Elements Art he had previously practiced was a basic Foundation Establishment Stage technique, which had long since been unable to meet the cultivation needs of the Golden Core Stage. Now, with this Earth-Grade "Five Elements Returning Origin Art," it could perfectly compensate for his shortcomings in techniques, helping him better condense his mana, stabilize his Golden Core cultivation, and even push toward higher Realms.

After digesting all the information in the Jade Slip, a flash of anticipation crossed Qin Changsheng's eyes. Without further delay, he immediately followed the cultivation mantras of the "Five Elements Returning Origin Art," focusing his mind, and circulating the mana within his body along the Meridian routes recorded in the technique.

The Spiritual Qi around him surged instantly, pouring into his body like a tide, flowing through his Meridians and passing through major Acupoints before finally converging into his Dantian, nourishing that entirely crimson Golden Core.

During this cultivation session, Qin Changsheng did not deliberately pursue Speed. Instead, he strictly followed the precautions in the Jade Slip, progressing step by step and focusing on controlling the rhythm of his mana circulation.

He could clearly feel that the circulation method of the "Five Elements Returning Origin Art" was far more exquisite than the Five Elements Art. The mana flowed faster and more smoothly, and the efficiency of absorbing Spiritual Qi was also greatly enhanced. The surrounding Spiritual Qi seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, continuously merging into his body and transforming into pure mana.

After only half an hour of simple cultivation, Qin Changsheng slowly withdrew his power and opened his eyes, a clear look of surprise flashing through them.

He subconsciously summoned his attribute panel and scanned the technique column. As expected, a new technique had appeared on the panel—[Five Elements Returning Origin Art (Earth-Grade), Beginner].

Besides that, he also clearly felt that his cultivation Speed had received a massive boost.

Previously, cultivating for half an hour would only absorb a small amount of Spiritual Qi, with negligible mana growth. But today, practicing the "Five Elements Returning Origin Art" for just half an hour, the mana in his body felt significantly fuller, and its density had improved quite a bit. Compared to when he practiced the Five Elements Art, his Speed had increased by at least twofold.

This way, the Speed at which Qin Changsheng would reach the Second Layer of Golden Core would be much faster.

According to his previous cultivation progress, it would have taken him at least another five years to enter the Second Layer of Golden Core.

Now, it would only take two and a half years to reach the Second Layer of Golden Core.

...

Azure Cloud Sect, Qingyun Tower.

Qin Changsheng controlled Hu Nan to come here.

The reason Qin Changsheng had Hu Nan come here was to attend the Golden Core Assembly hosted by the master of Qingyun Tower, Shen Shuying.

To hear about the major events that had recently occurred in the Southern Region.

And to see if there were any special treasures at the trade assembly.

Qin Changsheng did not have Hu Nan enter the Azure Cloud Sect directly.

Instead, he summoned the Heavenly Dao Entry Intelligence.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng began searching for various treasures.

In the next instant, a golden light appeared on the attribute panel.

[heavenly dao fragment: A special treasure capable of upgrading a Golden Trait into a Heavenly Dao Trait!]

[Possessor: Wang Jinhua, Cultivation: Second Layer of Golden Core]

[Location: Azure Cloud Sect, Qingyun Tower]

[Acquisition: Obtained within a certain Secret Realm!]

Looking at the prompt on the attribute panel, a hint of joy flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes.

He hadn't expected to find a clue about a heavenly dao fragment within the Azure Cloud Sect.

Qin Changsheng took a deep breath and then searched for other treasures.

However, after searching for a long time, there were no clues.

Qin Changsheng put away the Heavenly Dao Entry Intelligence and then controlled Hu Nan to walk inside.

Just as Hu Nan reached the entrance, a waiter dressed in green short-clothes with a capable expression hurried over. With a respectful smile and a humble tone, he asked, "Honored guest, how may I serve you?"

Hu Nan raised his hand and took out a specially made invitation letter from his Storage Pouch.

This invitation letter had been given to him by Shen Shuying last year.

The waiter took just one look at the invitation letter and instantly became even more respectful.

"Senior, the Golden Core Gathering is today!"

"Please wait here a moment!" After saying that, the waiter hurried to the counter and whispered a few words to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper glanced at Hu Nan outside and nodded slightly before taking out a set of black robes and a dark mask from under the counter.

The waiter took the mask and robes and returned to Qin Changsheng, saying, "Senior, the gathering has rules. You must wear black clothes and a mask to enter, and your true identity must not be revealed. We hope for your understanding, Senior."

Qin Changsheng understood. Such a requirement was clearly to make the gathering more secretive and to prevent various factions from having conflicts due to identity issues.

He didn't ask further, took the black clothes and mask, and quickly changed into the robes and put on the mask in front of the waiter.

"Senior, for future gatherings, you can come directly wearing this set of clothes," the waiter said, then led Hu Nan inside.

Before long, the waiter led Qin Changsheng to a secluded small courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, with several stalks of Spiritual Bamboo planted inside. The Spiritual Qi was dense. In the center stood a two-story pavilion, brightly lit, with the faint sound of low-voiced conversation coming from within.

"Senior, inside is the place for the gathering. Please enter on your own."

The waiter bowed respectfully and then turned to leave.

Qin Changsheng took a deep breath, slowly walked up the pavilion steps, and gently pushed open the wooden door.

The wooden door gave a soft "creak," and the conversation inside the pavilion paused for a moment before returning to normal.

Qin Changsheng looked up and saw over a dozen tables and chairs arranged inside the pavilion. Currently, more than ten people were seated, all wearing the same style of black clothes and dark masks. Their true faces were hidden, and one could only judge from the aura around them that they were all Golden Core Cultivators, with cultivations ranging from the Early Stage of Golden Core to the Middle Stage of Golden Core.

He quietly found a seat in a corner and discreetly scanned the crowd. While appearing calm on the surface, he secretly released all of his Divine Sense to carefully probe everyone's aura.