Chapter 66: The Essence is Refined, the Life Mark is Complete!

Although Cao Xuan had only recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, after two lifetimes of simulation, the system had granted him cultivation at the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage—solid and unwavering. In fact, he rather felt like a master who had returned to his prime.

The heavenly talismans formed by the “Heavenly Talisman Codex” continually aided Cao Xuan in refining spiritual energy, transforming it into true essence. The reason Sect Master Yu Qingsong, upon witnessing Cao Xuan’s breakthrough, believed he would inevitably reach the Core Formation stage was precisely because he sensed the purity of Cao Xuan’s true essence and the solidity of his Dao foundation. If such a foundation could not nurture a single golden core, who else could possibly break through to that realm?

Yu Wan, in her early years, had formed a Dao partnership with a senior brother, yet they had never practiced dual cultivation. To be precise, she was unfamiliar with such matters, and that senior brother had no such intentions either. In truth, the senior brother was enamored with Li Zhiyun, but, due to Yu Wan’s earnest pursuit and for the sake of harmony within the sect, he reluctantly accepted Yu Wan. Afterwards, the cultivation world was far from peaceful, and Yun Province was not tranquil either.

Demonic forces such as Bone Demon Ridge, White Demon Forest, and the City of Evil Cultivators continued their desperate resistance. Though Yun Province had the Qingyun Sect overseeing it and Elder Yu Qingsong, a Core Formation patriarch, holding sway, there were few major disturbances. Overall, peace prevailed, unlike the southern border, where a region called Demon Province was truly a place of unspeakable horrors. Soul banners, corpse whips, purple river chariots—magical artifacts forged from human bodies—were openly and brazenly crafted.

But this did not mean Yun Province was safe. Yu Wan’s Dao companion perished during a mission. She felt some sorrow—as he was her first love in youth—but she knew that her senior brother held no affection for her, so thereafter she focused solely on pursuing the path of Core Formation. As she gradually became a peak master and senior within the sect, her interactions with Li Zhiyun mostly devolved into petty squabbles, inconsequential to the greater affairs of the sect. If ever an important matter concerning the Qingyun Sect arose, whether joining forces with Li Zhiyun or saving her at a crucial moment, Yu Wan would not hesitate.

Now, witnessing the scene within Li Yao’s residence, if Cao Xuan knew, he would understand why Senior Sister Li Yao was so naive about worldly matters. With such a master—who herself had not figured things out—how could she possibly teach her disciple?

At this moment, Li Yao was at a critical juncture, and so was Cao Xuan. He sensed that, guided by Li Yao, he too was on the verge of breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage. To be precise, he was already at the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, perhaps even closer to the late stage than Li Yao herself. Now, two cycles—one large, one small—were operating simultaneously, and Cao Xuan was swept along, breaking through as well.

He had only broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage that morning, and by afternoon, he was advancing to the late stage. Truly, no one could match Cao Xuan’s pace of progress. Yu Wan, sensing her two disciples at a pivotal moment, grew solemn, waving her hand to set wards around them, ensuring no one would disturb their cultivation.

Fortunately, the Qingyun Sect was indeed the hegemon of the province. The so-called Qingyun Mountain Range had expanded again and again, now spanning a million miles—its domain. With the five major peaks, including Talisman Peak, spiritual veins were abundant, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.

Cao Xuan accelerated, and Li Yao gradually regained her senses.

“Junior… junior brother… don’t… don’t shake like that, you’re making my heart race!” Li Yao’s two thunderous peaks swayed up and down, but thankfully the internal circulation of the “Rune Cloud Formula” remained unaffected. In fact, not only was she unhindered, she was propelled to even greater speed by her junior brother’s charge.

Li Yao only protested out of habit; but as Cao Xuan was at this crucial point in cultivation, he could not possibly slow down, nor did she truly wish him to. This soaring sensation—frankly, it was her first time experiencing anything like it.

It must be said, the physique of a cultivator far surpasses that of a mortal. The usual adage of suffering before sweetness, pain before pleasure, simply did not apply to her. Li Yao now felt as if she were drifting amidst clouds and mist—nothing but delight, and perhaps a touch of satisfaction at achieving perfection in her cultivation technique.

As her technique continued to circulate, with dual cultivation and two cycles driving her, she briefly attained a state akin to Cao Xuan’s—where every movement was cultivation. Normally, cultivation required silent meditation, mind withdrawn, focused entirely on the technique. But now, Li Yao could speak aloud, letting Cao Xuan sway her waist, exclaiming excitedly, “Junior brother, my ‘Rune Cloud Formula’ is perfected!”

“I can already feel that the scattered runes in my dantian, along with those I have studied throughout my cultivation, have fused into one, forming my natal talisman!”

“Junior brother, you’re amazing! The cultivation method you devised has doubled my speed—if not more!”

Seeing Cao Xuan gasping for breath, Li Yao said with concern, “Junior brother, why don’t you rest and let senior sister take over…”

“Don’t move!” Cao Xuan, panting, stopped her. “Don’t disrupt the rhythm of cultivation!”

He was not joking. Their dual cultivation depended entirely on Cao Xuan’s “Heavenly Talisman Codex” to guide them. Whether the cycles within their bodies or the great cycle between them, it was all under his direction.

Hearing his serious tone, Li Yao obediently stopped, letting him take the lead. Her eyes narrowed, tongue slightly out, savoring the tingling sensation of the perfected “Rune Cloud Formula” flowing through her body.

“Junior brother, I still have a question!”

Though Li Yao’s body rocked up and down like a ride, it did not prevent her from asking, “Why do I feel that my natal talisman in my dantian is still missing something—not quite complete?”

Cao Xuan growled, “Wait, senior sister, I’ll add the finishing touch for you!”

…

Some time later, Cao Xuan collapsed onto Li Yao’s bed, while Li Yao sat cross-legged above him. She intended to circulate her energy and rise, but was reluctant to part with the fullness inside her. Just as Cao Xuan said, “Senior sister, don’t move, this is perfect!”

She inwardly rejoiced, pretending to obey and remain still.

Li Yao then asked, “Junior brother, just now your true essence surged into my body—how did it perfectly help me consolidate my natal talisman?”

Cao Xuan lay there, unwilling to move, even contemplating the mysteries of the universe. He understood exactly what had happened. Normally, if Li Yao had gained enlightenment, the perfected “Rune Cloud Formula” would naturally have fused her scattered runes into a single natal talisman.

But because they had combined, under the guidance of the “Heavenly Talisman Codex,” the cycles they created together had expanded Li Yao’s natal talisman—making it larger! Thus, she felt it was not quite perfected. As for what she thought was true essence entering her, it was not far off. Setting aside its essence as Cao Xuan’s kidney water, it did carry a trace of the “Heavenly Talisman Codex’s” essence, which could indeed be called true essence.

That bit of essence acted as the finishing touch, causing Li Yao’s natal talisman to fully take shape!

Cao Xuan considered how to explain, “Senior sister, actually…”

He had not finished speaking when a graceful, mature woman suddenly appeared in the residence.

The two were startled, “Master!”

Yu Wan’s face darkened, “So you still remember your master!”

She looked at Li Yao, her tone stern, “Get up now! How have I taught you?”

Li Yao jumped in fright and hurriedly stood up.

“Pop~”