Eternity Master

Xue Jiang was back on his boat, examining his core that had recently formed. It was blood red, and somewhat translucent, like an old ruby. Xue Jiang scratches his head in confusion. What the hell is this? How did it form? He wonders.

Previously, after figuring out how big he had messed up with the branding of his thirteen principles, Xue Jiang had tried to research the issue. He had learned that the branding of principles, was the foundational step in cultivation and it formed a basic system for cultivation. The thirteen principles was like a bet, that the cultivator staked their whole cultivation on, and there were various ideas as to what sort of principles should be branded. Some had the idea that the thirteen principles should be as general as possible, allowing for a higher ceiling in their cultivation, but it could never be as simple as that.

After all sorts of research from various clans and sects, throughout the long history of cultivation, they had deduced the formation of the core down to basic recipes for which principles should be used in the Qi Gathering stage. The recipes for the formation of the most basic cores were quite well known; it was a mystery how Xue Jiang had never encountered such knowledge previously.

As for the recipes for the most powerful cores; these were among the most closely guarded secrets for big sects and large clans.

Xue Jiang flips through the Core Encyclopedia, hoping to find some information on what sort of core he had formed. Going through the information of various cores, Xue Jiang finally found something.

Dragon Blood core, or the Eternity Core.

Blood red and translucent like a crystal. This is a top-tier core that holds immense power. It is said that if a cultivator forms this core, it wouldn’t be a problem for him or her to live for a thousand years.

The recipe for this core has been a mystery for a thousands of years. Throughout history, it is common knowledge among scholars that this core recipe was the closely guarded secret of the Dragon Blood Cult, a known demon path sect, that rose to prominence three thousand years ago, before being wiped out by various Orthodox sects for offending the heavens...

Xue Jiang’s eyes widen. Holy shit! Is it really the Dragon Blood core? If it is, I’ve hit the jackpot! He exclaims. Though, as he thought about it, how likely would it be that the random principles that he had randomly engraved onto his Soul Source, to be the recipe for the Dragon Blood core? The chances were that it was highly unlikely.

And what was this Dragon Blood Cult? Why were they known as demon path cultivators? Xue Jiang thinks it over. Have I been cultivating according to a demon path without knowing it? He wonders, before letting out a snort. He simply used thirteen principles for how a person should live their lives; how could it be the basics for cultivating the demon path?

Although Xue Jiang wasn’t sure, he had to find out more about the Dragon Blood Cult, and more about what sort of core he had formed. Different cores could only be cultivated in certain ways, and this was the foundation for how sects and clans were built. Xue Jiang had no way to cultivate this core so if he wanted to continue his path of cultivation, it was very important that he find out more about the Dragon Blood Cult.

Xue Jiang happened to know the author of this Core Encyclopedia book, and if Xue Jiang wanted to know more, he would have to go back to the city to find him.

…

…

“Old Jun, I’m heading back to Coiling Snake city. Can you take care of my boat while I’m gone? Old Qiang has always been eyeing it; I'm afraid he’ll snatch it before I come back, hah!” Xue Jiang says.

Wei Jun raises an eyebrow. “It’s almost been a decade since you came to Falling Sun village; why are you going back now?” He asks, curious.

Xue Jiang let’s out a sigh. “Well, I was planning to keep it a secret, but there should be no harm in saying it; my path to cultivation has opened up once more.” He says.

Wei Jun’s eyes open wide. “Holy shit! Old Jiang, that’s great! But you’re already so old, are you sure you want to keep cultivating?” He asks.

Xue Jiang lets out a short laugh. “Back then, I stopped cultivating and ran here because I was afraid that I would be bullied if I couldn’t progress in my cultivation. But after breaking through, I should somewhat be able to defend myself. I know I’m old, and the chance to progress further is quite low, but what can I do? My body won’t sit still if it knows there’s still a chance.” He says, somewhat lamenting his nature.

Wei Jun shakes his head. “Alas, you’re an old dog now; you don’t know any better, hah!” He says. “Forget it. I’ll make sure to take care of your boat, but come back soon; if Old Qiang takes your boat, there won’t be much I can do! Hah!” He says with a laugh.

“Thanks, Old Jun. I’ll try to be back soon!” Xue Jiang says, leaving through the door.

Xue Jiang lets out a sigh. I wonder how my parents are doing… He wonders. Many of his relatives and old friends were back at the city. Wang Tian was also there. Although he’d somewhat become an inner demon for Xue Jiang, they were still quite close back then. Unfortunately, they were doomed to live different lives. While Xue Jiang was left to fumble through his cultivation, Wang Tian had a clan to provide for him and shelter him as he progresses in his cultivation. If Xue Jiang had stayed there, at best, he would have been doomed to be a lackey.

Xue Jiang looks at the road back to the city and sighs once more. His old life was still waiting for him there, and Xue Jiang was wonderint if there was still a way to rise.

Xue Jiang shakes his head; there was only one way to find out…