158: Famous in Kaifeng

Zhou Yan looked at his reflection through the Water Mirror condensed before him, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

In the mirror, his ink-black hair hung down to his waist, his golden eyes sparkled, his skin was like frozen jade, and immortal light enveloped his body. His originally merely handsome appearance now carried an additional ethereal quality.

“What is this?!”

Zhou Yan was on the verge of collapsing.

When he was on Blue Star, his appearance was still normal—at most, he could be called handsome, but definitely not effeminate.

But after Transmigrating into the body of his counterpart in this world, his overall appearance gradually started developing in the direction of a pretty boy.

Zhou Yan originally thought this was just due to martial arts training and his young age, believing he would naturally become more robust as he grew older.

Later, when he learned that Core Formation would finalize one's appearance, he even hesitated whether to postpone it.

However, the temptation of a cultivation Breakthrough was too great, coupled with external pressure, so he ultimately had to accept the reality that he would be slightly delicate-looking.

Who knew that after Core Formation, the effect would be comparable to activating a level ten beauty filter.

And no one ever mentioned that Core Formation had such a drastic effect on appearance?

Zhou Yan opened his attribute panel, wanting to console himself with the numbers, but quickly discovered the root of the problem.

[Zhou Yan]

[Realm: Core Formation Early Stage, Third Layer (lv.33)]

[Vitality: 300k/300k]

[Magic Power: 150k/150k]

[Special Physique: Lingxu Woyuan Body]

Zhou Yan had long been familiar with the essentials of Core Formation Stage Cultivation: mainly collecting Five Elements Spiritual Materials, strengthening the five viscera, tempering the dao body, and ultimately allowing a Nascent Soul to be nurtured within the body.

For a Single Spiritual Root Cultivator, the Spiritual Root itself, which transforms into a Golden Core after Core Formation, can serve as a Spiritual Material to strengthen the five viscera.

Therefore, Core Formation for a Single Spiritual Root is often easier than for Multiple Spiritual Roots, and the Foundation is more stable.

But because Zhou Yan exploited a loophole, three Golden Cores were actually formed inside his body.

The two Golden Cores of Metal and Wood were of higher quality and naturally strengthened their corresponding organs.

The Water-Lightning Core had dual attributes, so its strengthening effect was lower.

However, since Lightning belongs to Wood, this Water-Lightning Core formed a strong connection with the Wood Core.

Water nourishes Wood, greatly nourishing the Wood Core, which directly strengthened Zhou Yan's liver to the point of overflow, and then fed back into the Water element.

The kidneys, which were originally weaker than the lungs, were thus raised to the same rank as the lungs.

This subsequently triggered Metal nourishing Water, causing the lungs and kidneys to mutually enhance each other, completing a new round of strengthening.

This is precisely why Zhou Yan immediately reached the Core Formation Early Stage, Third Layer upon his Breakthrough.

As long as his lungs and kidneys advance further, he can directly step into the Core Formation Middle Stage.

However, this also led to a severe imbalance of the Earth and Fire elements within his body.

Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for a person to possess three Golden Cores.

But it is precisely because these three Cores coexist that this state of extreme imbalance appeared, making him look smooth, delicate, and even slightly effeminate.

In the final analysis, it was due to the lack of Fire and Earth elements to serve as regulators within his body.

However, perhaps due to this unknown change, he also gained an extra Physique.

But what exactly is the “Lingxu Woyuan Body”?

Before Zhou Yan could think further, a voice came from outside the barrier.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother, on achieving Core Formation. Might you be able to come out for a chat now?”

The voice was clear and resonant, full of Aura yet composed.

Is that Li Wenbo? He's back?

Zhou Yan glanced at the small courtyard, which had been mostly repaired.

It should... be fine now, right?

It would certainly be embarrassing to visit someone only to demolish their courtyard.

He quickly used Water Techniques and Wind Techniques to cleanse himself, changed into a white robe interwoven with gold and blue patterns, and then prepared to remove the Shielding Formation.

But when he reached the courtyard gate, Zhou Yan suddenly realized the problem with his current appearance.

“Oh crap, no way!”

“If I go out looking like this, won't I suffer social death?”

Just as he was hesitating, Shi Suiyan and the others outside the gate began urging him, saying they wanted to celebrate his Core Formation.

Now he dared even less to go out like this.

Zhou Yan anxiously paced in circles.

“What should I do? What can I possibly do?”

After pacing a few times, his upgraded brain had a flash of inspiration.

“I've got it!”

“The new brain really is useful!”

Outside the courtyard, Shi Suiyan and her party were chattering away.

“I think we should hold a Grand Core Formation Ceremony for Senior Brother, so his name spreads throughout Great Yu!”

“Knowing Boss's personality, even though the commotion was huge, he probably doesn't want the whole Kaifeng to know about it, right?”

“When are we eating?”

“The gap is getting wider and wider... I wonder if there will be another chance to compete again.”

Looking at this group of energetic Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, and the little Spirit Pet beside them, Li Wenbo couldn't help but show a relaxed smile.

This reminded him of his years in the Sect, a time of comfort and ease.

He had just finished attending the Grand Court Assembly and was originally in a bad mood, but upon entering his home and learning that his Senior and Junior Brothers had come to visit, his spirits immediately lifted.

Just as he was about to meet everyone, he learned that Zhou Yan was in seclusion.

From the messages relayed, he already knew that Zhou Yan had completed Foundation Establishment, and his cultivation had advanced again not long ago.

This Genius Junior Brother of his had only been down the mountain for a few months, yet he Cultivated from a mere Mortal to Foundation Establishment—his progress was astonishing.

He originally thought Zhou Yan was just consolidating his cultivation or making a minor Breakthrough this time.

After all, Core Formation relies not only on talent but also on a solid Foundation. With only a few months of Cultivation, his Foundation would likely not meet the standard.

Who knew that while everyone was chatting, Tribulation Clouds suddenly covered the entire Li Estate.

The immense momentum shocked him greatly.

Thinking back to when he underwent Core Formation, was he thirty or thirty-one? And Zhou Yan is probably not even twenty!

This isn't just a gap of a dozen years.

He had Cultivated since childhood with the support of his Family, while Zhou Yan had only started a few months ago.

This meant that Zhou Yan's talent was far, far superior to his, to an extent that he could barely comprehend with his own knowledge.

He originally thought the Sect's Century Nascent Soul Mission was quite tricky. Even he only achieved Nascent Soul when he was over a hundred, nearly two hundred years old.

But at Zhou Yan's speed, he would probably form a Nascent Soul in less than a dozen years.

Realizing this gap, Li Wenbo felt no jealousy or disappointment; instead, he was even more invigorated.

Befriending an unparalleled Prodigy meant immeasurable future returns.

Therefore, as soon as the Heavenly Tribulation ended, he rushed ahead to wait outside the courtyard, planning to present this Junior Brother with a great Opportunity.

Thinking of this, he helplessly glanced at the courtyard gate again.

Although he was the first to arrive, everyone else had gathered and started chatting, yet the Junior Brother still hadn't opened the door.

Could it be that he Underwent Tribulation too fiercely and is lying flat inside?

That shouldn't be the case; after Undergoing Tribulation, the Physical Body is reshaped and sublimated, and even the most severe injuries should have recovered.

Just as he was pondering, the courtyard gate opened with a creak.

Zhou Yan stepped out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

At this moment, his eyebrows were like sharp swords, his eyes like cold stars, his nose bridge high, and his lip line distinct. His expression was composed yet inherently majestic, possessing both the dominance of a Dragon and the handsomeness of a Phoenix.

His white robes with gold patterns further highlighted his elegant temperament, making him appear like the manifestation of the sun.

[Concept art, for reference only]

“My apologies for keeping everyone waiting. I just had a Breakthrough and needed a moment to regulate my breathing.”

Seeing Zhou Yan in this state, Li Wenbo almost blurted out “Greetings to The Emperor.”

Zhou Yan's current appearance was difficult to describe simply.

Overall, he was more handsome than what was seen in previous images, likely due to a change in his dao body after the reshaping of his Physical Body.

It was understandable that a Prodigy would have a unique form after Core Formation, but his current temperament... was truly indescribable.

To put it crudely, he looked too “badass.”

It was as if he was born to be an Emperor, and no one else was worthy.

Li Wenbo recovered from his daze, overjoyed in his heart.

If Zhou Yan could maintain this kind of demeanor, then perhaps... “Junior Brother, do you want a Nascent Soul or not?”

“Can you just ask for that?”

As soon as Zhou Yan appeared, he heard his good-for-nothing Senior Brother blurt out such a nonsensical question, leaving him momentarily bewildered.

Fortunately, judging by everyone's reactions, his current appearance, after donning the “Dragon-Phoenix Bearing” title, did not arouse suspicion.