DSE Chapter 121: Core Formation (Patreon)

Slifer sat cross-legged on a cultivation pillow in his room, eyes closed in deep concentration. Outside in the courtyard, Morvran stood vigilant, waiting for the start of his master's tribulation.

Alright, time to level up, Slifer thought as his eyes flashed open. Let's hope this goes smoother than last time.

He took a deep breath, centering himself as he prepared for the task ahead. Breaking through to the Core Formation realm was no small feat, even for someone as resourceful as Slifer.

It feels like ages since I broke through to Foundation Establishment, he mused. Like it happened in a whole different book. Now look at me, about to form a core.

Focusing his mind, Slifer began to review the various levels of breakthrough he might face:

First up, Azure Pinnacle Tribulation. Sky-blue clouds, three lightning strikes. Sounds manageable.

Then there's Crimson Wave Tribulation. Five simultaneous lightning bolts, but hey, at least you get a 20-30% boost in qi quality and quantity. Risk vs. reward, I guess.

Golden Crown Tribulation brings nine lightning strikes to the party. But you might gain enlightenment and master some techniques, so that's cool.

And finally, Obsidian Monarch Tribulation. Thirteen lightning strikes and a chance at a bloodline. Because who doesn't want to get zapped over a dozen times for some mystery DNA?

Slifer's brow furrowed as he remembered his previous breakthrough. What had started as a relatively tame event had quickly escalated into an Obsidian Monarch Tribulation.

"Still haven't unlocked that bloodline," he muttered. "What a rip-off! What's the point of nearly getting fried if I can't even use the reward?"

But let's hope history doesn't repeat itself. I don't fancy another Obsidian Monarch Tribulation. And this time, I don't even have my protagonist disciples here to shield me with their plot armor... I mean, luck.

Deciding it was better to be over-prepared than under, Slifer accessed his System interface. The familiar blue screen materialized before his eyes, displaying various options and his current stats.

Name: Slifer

Race: Human

Alignment: Demonic

Spiritual Cultivation: Peak Foundation Establishment

Body Cultivation: Peak Foundation Establishment

Lifespan Remaining: 100 years

Karmic Credits: 51,970

Skills: Firebreath, Insight (Intermediate), Mirror Mastery (Level 2), Nascent Soul Armor (Level 2), Phase Ability (Level 1), Void Being Aura (Level 1)

Items: Reversal Card, Peak Slifer Card, Caelum Card, Hughie Card, Critical Block x3, Reflection Barrier Card x3, Thunderblast Card x2, Critical Heal x3, Time Reversal Card, One Minute Rewind Card x2, Mimicry Card x3, Teleportation Marker x3

Affinities: Light: 25% Fire: 15% Space: 20%, Lightning: 10%

Abilities: Mirror Mastery: Level 2

Techniques: Sunrise Slash: Level 3, Stellar Nova Strike: Level 2, Dimensional Slide: Level 2, Nascent Soul Armour: Level 1, Void Piercer: Level 1, Soul Search: Level 2

Weapon Mastery: Sword: 20%

Perks: Dual Cultivator Perk

Time to go shopping, Slifer thought, opening up the shop.

Slifer began scrolling through the available items, his eyes settling on the Critical Block Cards. Each card could protect against one critical strike during his tribulation.

Let's see... the maximum number of strikes I could face is probably around 30, and that's if I encounter each tribulation one after another. But surely my luck isn't that bad.

After a moment's hesitation, Slifer decided to err on the side of caution. He selected 35 Critical Block Cards, wincing slightly as he confirmed the purchase.

A system message popped up:

Purchase confirmed: 35 Critical Block Cards

31,500 Karmic Credits deducted

Current Karmic Credit balance: 20,470

Slifer sighed as he watched his hard-earned Karmic Credits dwindle. "Better poor than dead," he muttered, trying to reassure himself. "I'll make it back quickly enough from the Disciplinary Hall and Black Heart Sect anyway."

With his safeguards in place, Slifer turned his attention to the main event. He reached into his storage ring and brought out a small, glowing pill - the Core Formation Celestial Lotus Pill.

As he held the pill up to the light, Slifer's thoughts turned to the different types of cores cultivators could form.

Let's see if I remember this correctly, he mused. At the bottom of the barrel, you've got Mixed Cores - a jumble of various elements and impurities. Not ideal, but better than nothing, I guess.

Then there are the mid-grade cores, each defined by a specific color based on the cultivator's primary method. Green, purple, red - cultivation's own rainbow connection.

For the cream of the crop, those with an impeccable foundation and a Heaven-Grade method might form a legendary Golden Core. In all those xianxia novels I read back on Earth, it was always the top disciples of the big sects who managed that feat.

The purer the core's color and the more robust its structure, the greater the qi capacity and quality. It's like the difference between a rusted-out junker and a high-performance sports car.

The Original Slifer formed a Golden Core, so both me and Zack should at minimum be capable of the same. A spark of ambition flared in Slifer's eyes. But why stop there? There are rumors of even more exotic cores - Frozen Cores, Crimson Cores, Cores of Chaos. Now that would be something to brag about.

He looked down at the pill in his hand. Zack already formed a Golden Core. With this pill, I might have a shot at one of those rare variants. The boost might be tiny, but hey, I'll take any edge I can get.

Taking a deep breath, Slifer popped the pill into his mouth and swallowed. The effect was almost immediate, a surge of energy coursing through his body.

Here goes nothing, he thought, closing his eyes and beginning to circulate his qi.

In his mind's eye, Slifer could see the nine Foundation Establishment Pillars within his dantian.

Time for some renovations, Slifer thought with a hint of amusement.

One by one, he began to destroy the pillars. It was a delicate process, requiring precise control to channel the released energy correctly. A small lapse in control could easily lead to qi deviation.

As each pillar crumbled, the qi it contained joined with the energy from the pill, swirling together in a vortex at the center of his dantian. Slifer felt a bead of sweat form on his brow as he concentrated. The amount of power coursing through him was staggering, threatening to overwhelm his senses.

Stay focused, he reminded himself. You've got this.

As the final pillar collapsed, the maelstrom of energy in Slifer's dantian reached a fever pitch. He could feel the qi condensing, growing denser and more potent with each passing moment.

Slowly but surely, a sphere began to take shape within the swirling energies. At first, it was no larger than a marble, but it steadily grew in size and complexity.

Intricate patterns formed on the surface of the nascent core. Slifer could feel his connection to the world around him changing, deepening in ways he couldn't fully articulate. As the core neared completion, Slifer allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. The sphere now hovered at the center of his dantian, radiating power.

Ninety-nine percent there, he thought, examining his handiwork. Not bad, if I do say so myself. Once the tribulation's over, we'll see what color this bad boy turns out to be.

Just as Slifer was about to congratulate himself on a job well done, a low rumble of thunder shook the room. His eyes snapped open, a mixture of excitement and apprehension flashing across his face.

"Showtime," he muttered, rising to his feet.

Slifer took a moment to stretch, working out the kinks from sitting still for so long. He glanced around his room, taking in the familiar surroundings one last time before the impending tribulation.

Better head to the courtyard, he thought. I'd rather not have to redecorate if things get a little... zappy in here.

As he made his way to the door, Slifer couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. Heavenly Tribulations were no joke, after all. But there was excitement too, the thrill of pushing himself to new heights.

The Original went through an Origin Realm tribulation in that courtyard, and it's still standing, Slifer reassured himself. If it can handle that, my little Core Formation breakthrough should be fine to do here.

He paused at the threshold, taking a deep breath to center himself. Outside, he could see Morvran standing at attention, ready to assist if needed.

Alright, world, Slifer thought, a determined glint in his eye. Hit me with your best shot.

With that, he stepped out into the courtyard, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Slifer's foot touched the stone pavement of the courtyard, a gust of wind swept through the area, rustling the leaves of nearby trees. The air felt charged with anticipation, as if the very world was holding its breath.

Morvran turned to face his master, a mixture of respect and concern evident in his expression. "Master," he said, bowing slightly. "The formations are ready. Is there anything else you require?"

Slifer shook his head, offering a reassuring smile to his loyal subordinate. "No, Morvran. You've done well. Just keep watch and make sure no one interrupts. This could get... interesting."

"Of course, Master,” the bald man nodded. “I shall guard you with my life."

Always so dramatic, Slifer thought with a touch of amusement. But I suppose that's par for the course in this world.

As Slifer moved to the center of the courtyard, he took a moment to appreciate the formation patterns etched into the stone. The work was undoubtedly commissioned by the Original Slifer - a masterpiece of protective Arrays designed to withstand even the most powerful tribulations.

Whoever the Original hired to create these formations really knew their stuff, Slifer thought, impressed. Must have cost a fortune, but I guess when you're facing Origin Realm tribulations, no expense is too great.

He traced one of the patterns with his foot. Good thing the he was smart enough to invest in top-tier protection. I'd rather not have to explain to the sect why the house of their most powerful elder suddenly turned into a smoking crater.

Another rumble of thunder echoed overhead, louder this time. Slifer glanced up at the sky to see the clouds gathering.

"Morvran," he called out, not taking his eyes off the sky. "What color are those clouds?"

The bald man squinted, shielding his eyes with one hand. "They appear to be... sky blue, Master."

Slifer nodded, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Azure Pinnacle Tribulation it is, then. Looks like we're starting off easy."

Three lightning strikes, he reminded himself. Child's play compared to last time. Just stay focused and don't get cocky.