Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The First Test

After discussing the concepts of cultivation and basic theories, the talk gradually deepened, starting with the matters needing attention during the Qi Cultivation Stage, how to rapidly enhance cultivation, how to quickly break through bottlenecks, the taboos of taking elixirs, and how to expel elixir poison from the body;

Then it transitioned to discussing some common knowledge, precautions, and key issues during the Foundation Establishment Stage, how to avoid detours, solidify the foundation, and increase the probability of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm.

Many cultivators listened and suddenly realized the truth.

Even Lu Xuanji felt deeply moved as he listened.

Hearing this, they could avoid some pitfalls and traps.

Then, the talk moved on to the Purple Mansion, but it became vague this time, only mentioning it generally.

When it came to the Golden Core Stage, it was even more concise.

It only mentioned the nine layers of the Golden Core, the nine transformations of the Golden Core, and so forth, such as the Armor of the Zodiac.

In the end, the Golden Dawn Ancestor said, “Purple Mansion cultivators, may ask one question?”

A Purple Mansion cultivator spoke up, “Dare I ask, Ancestor, how does one achieve the Golden Core?”

“The Foundation Establishment has three disasters, the Purple Mansion has nine difficulties, and the Golden Core has twelve tribulations. If a cultivator reaches the peak of the Purple Mansion, they must undergo twelve tribulations to achieve the Golden Core. The so-called twelve tribulations can be understood as the twelve conditions to advance to the Golden Core,” the Golden Dawn Ancestor spoke, his tone full of authority.

“First, True Essence must be transformed into Magical Power; second, accumulate Ten Armor Years of Magical Power; third, the quality of the Magical Power must reach the Golden Core First Transformation; fourth, at least three minor divine techniques must reach perfection, or three great divine techniques should reach a small completion, with one being offensive, one healing, and one defensive; fifth, the divine soul must be strong enough to lift a hundred pounds; sixth, the physical body must reach the Vajra Indestructible, comparable to a second-grade Spiritual Artifact; seventh, mastery of magical power must be skillful, reaching the micro stage; eighth, one must pass through the Thunder Tribulation; ninth, pass through the Celestial Demon Tribulation; tenth, pass through the Human Tribulation; eleventh, it’s best to have a fourth-grade Spirit Treasure to protect the path; twelfth, require great fortune.”

Other cultivators also asked questions, and the Golden Ancestor answered them one by one.

At this point, a Purple Mansion cultivator asked, “Ancestor, is it really impossible to cultivate without a Spirit Root?”

“Without a Spirit Root, it is indeed impossible to cultivate immortality.”

The Golden Dawn Ancestor said, “However, there is a way for mortals to develop a Spirit Root postnatally. It is said that a Nascent Soul True Monarch can, at some cost, allow a mortal to develop a Spirit Root; there’s also a legend of a fifth-grade Creation Fruit, and consuming it can produce a Spirit Root.”

Another Purple Mansion cultivator asked, and the Golden Dawn Ancestor answered,

Quickly, eight Purple Mansion cultivators finished their inquiries.

“I have set up three tests on Purple Sun Mountain, testing aptitude, comprehension, and fortune respectively. If aptitude is lacking, comprehension can make up for it; if both aptitude and comprehension are lacking, fortune can make up for it. But if all three are lacking, it’s better not to pursue immortality, and instead go home to retire early.”

The Golden Dawn Ancestor said indifferently, with a tone of coldness.

With a wave of his arm, thousands of people in the square disappeared.

The next moment, they were already at the foot of the mountain.

So powerful!

Lu Xuanji marveled in his heart.

Thousands of cultivators, with just a wave, were sent down from Purple Sun Mountain, this was a demonstration of power.

Preaching is a benevolent act.

But the gesture just now, was a demonstration of power.

Combining benevolence and power is the way for the long term.

Just then, a woman in white appeared, inviting the crowd toward the first test.

“Fellow Daoist Long Xuan, is there anything special about these three tests?”

At this moment, a Purple Mansion cultivator asked.

“There’s nothing special, success is best, failure is no problem. It’s just considered a game of my family’s young lady.” The woman in white said, her tone gentle, like that of a noble lady from the Mortal World.

But seeing her, everyone showed not a hint of disdain, rather extreme reverence.

Long Xuan is not only the maid of the Golden Ancestor but also the sister of the Golden Ancestor, with deep feelings between them. Moreover, she is a Purple Mansion cultivator herself, powerful in her own right.

Walking, they reached a slope, atop which were one hundred and eight steps.

“This is the first test.”

Swish, swish, swish!

The cultivators began to climb, the first ten steps were quickly climbed.

But soon some cultivators couldn’t sustain themselves and tumbled down the steps.

Yet, some cultivators persisted and continued to climb.

Lu Xuanji also climbed the steps, at the moment of stepping on them, feeling a force of repulsion, a squeezing force, trying to push him off the steps. Indeed, a cultivator in front couldn’t sustain it and was pushed off the steps, yet when he was pushed off, there seemed to be some force supporting him, flying high, without crashing into the people below.

Swish, swish.

Second, third.

Lu Xuanji continued climbing, and the repulsive force kept increasing.

He had to mobilize True Essence continuously to keep climbing; at about fifty steps, the pressure increased, and the speed of True Essence circulation quickened.

Thunk, thunk.

At this moment, Lu Xuanji saw that three Purple Mansion cultivators had already reached the top.

At the same time, he saw more than a dozen cultivators being squeezed off.

Continuing forward, as the pressure increased, it seemed that True Essence was being tempered, its purity rising.

These steps had the effect of tempering True Essence.

Lu Xuanji was slightly delighted and continued to climb.

Finally, after completing one hundred and eight steps, he reached the top.

Simultaneously reaching the top were thirty-five cultivators, twenty-four at the Qi Cultivation Stage, eight at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and three at the Purple Mansion Stage.

This test mainly examined the purity of True Qi or True Essence.

Those whose cultivation was boosted by pills mostly had insufficient True Qi or True Essence, unable to withstand the pressure and were squeezed off. On the other hand, the Purple Mansion cultivators had all experienced True Essence purification, with high True Essence purity, and could pass the first test.

PS: A note on the differences between Loose Cultivators, Cultivation Clans, and sects. Loose cultivators are like sole proprietors, cultivation clans like small businesses, and sects like large enterprises.

Specifically, a cultivation clan is a family business where the managers, presidents, vice managers, etc., are relatives; a sect is like a joint-stock enterprise primarily composed of various family forces.

Many cultivation clans reach a certain stage and fall into a talent shortage, facing a talent gap. At this point, they face the decision to absorb foreign capital (accept cultivators with different surnames), but numerous foreign cultivators will dilute the family’s essence, gradually converting towards a joint-stock structure.

Of course, they can refuse to accept foreign cultivators to maintain the purity of a family business, but the enterprise’s efficiency will decline, leading to bankruptcy.

In essence, a family business is feasible, mainly for enterprises below ten billion; but those above ten billion are bound to become joint-stock companies.

If still not understood, one can look online at the family businesses heading towards decline.