Even Ye Qin, a cultivator who hailed from an Immortal Alchemy Sect and had dedicated his life to alchemy, had to acknowledge this fact.

The elixirs primarily catered to cultivators at the Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation stages.

Barring a few rare pills like the Core Formation Catalyst or the Small Spiritual Root Potential Pill, the vast majority of elixirs below the high-tier were listed here.

Even lifespan-extending elixirs, which defied the heavens by adding five or ten years to one's life, were surprisingly available for sale here. Although the quantities were limited, it vividly demonstrated the immense strength of Haidan Pavilion and the prosperity of Xianque City, the undisputed metropolis of the East Sea Archipelago.

Items assisting in achieving the Core Formation stage, while still considered high-grade spiritual objects, were not as scarce as the Core Formation Catalyst, and they were naturally stocked here as well: the Heavenly Fragrance Jade Ling Paste, which increased the chance of success by ten percent; the Illusory Tide Dew, increasing it by thirty percent; and the Qiling Liquid, boosting the odds by fifty percent, and so on.

Although the prices for these spiritual items were outrageously high—unaffordable for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators—they remained within Ye Qin's acceptable range.

Ye Qin sold the several dozen bottles of high-grade elixirs he had refined at various shops along the street. Then, he purchased five doses of the Qiling Liquid, which offered the highest boost to Core Formation success, at Haidan Pavilion, stored them in his spatial pouch, and left immediately. He even had nearly a thousand low-grade spirit stones remaining.

He had initially expected a significant effort would be required to locate items that assisted in achieving Core Formation. Yet, to his surprise, he had obtained them so easily. He felt a moment of disorientation, almost disbelief—he still possessed two Water Element Core Formation Catalysts in hand, coupled with these boosting agents. The only remaining task was to find a secluded spot to attempt his breakthrough. Under these circumstances, advancing to the Core Formation stage and breaking through his current bottleneck in the near term seemed like a manageable endeavor. Ye Qin walked through the bustling, crowded commercial district, his expression serene, contemplating his thoughts internally.

His state of mind had become increasingly placid lately, undisturbed by ripples, feeling utterly free and unrestrained, following his every inclination. Whatever came to mind, he acted upon it.

Even when a group of Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators had mocked him in that small square over a thoughtless action not long ago, he hadn't felt the slightest annoyance. Instead, he treated it like smoke drifting past his eyes, dismissing it with a faint smile.

And now, having purchased the necessary aids for Core Formation so effortlessly, he felt no surge of joy, only a slight sense of surprise, acknowledging how unpredictable worldly affairs could be.

This tranquil state bordered on apathy.

What should he do after achieving Core Formation?

Ye Qin allowed a subtle smile to cross his lips, and as a thought surfaced, his gaze softened gradually.

It had been a long time since he had seen Bing'er.

The path of immortal cultivation was long and arduous, spanning centuries, perhaps longer, more desolate and demanding than crossing the vast sea.

If Bing'er Shijie were not accompanying him, this journey would be unbearably lonely. The invisible resistance he had encountered in the Central Continent Spirit Mist Realm would vanish once he reached the Core Formation stage.

Ye Qin strolled through the noisy streets of Xianque City, gradually sinking into a state of egoless, true emptiness, as if all the surrounding clamor had been sealed away from him.

Xianque City.

In a central district, the grand hall of the "Water Cloud Palace" towered.

Xianque City contained not only pavilions and inns but also the palaces of numerous high-level cultivators. However, the owners of these palaces were extraordinary; only cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage were qualified to possess an independent palace within the city limits.

The owner of the Water Cloud Palace was True Master Liu Yu. As an early Nascent Soul cultivator, her status was significantly higher than the Five Sect Masters of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. However, within the alliance, she was a cultivator of renowned prestige. In her youth, she had been a famous beauty in Xianque City, courted by countless powerful figures. Now, though centuries old, she retained the beautiful appearance of a mature woman, her allure undiminished, and with extensive connections, she enjoyed great popularity in Xianque City.

At this moment, the mistress of the Water Cloud Palace sat at the head seat, seemingly deep in thought.

Seated below her was a slender young man whose cultivation was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Though his appearance lacked the imposing handsomeness of some robust cultivators, he could still be considered somewhat attractive, yet the occasional cold curve of his lips hinted at an underlying malice and ruthlessness.

His gaze was intensely fixed upon the palace entrance, and he shifted restlessly, appearing anxious, as if waiting for something critical.

Four or five female disciples dressed in the Water Cloud Palace uniform approached the main hall, linking arms and displaying an intimate camaraderie. Among them were women resembling senior disciples at the Golden Core stage, as well as lighter, nimble, and spirited younger women at the low Foundation Establishment stage.

However, the most radiant among them was the veiled woman positioned at the center.

"Ruoying Shijie, why does Master wish to see me?"

The veiled woman inquired softly.

Because they all belonged to the same master, they addressed each other as sisters, despite the vast differences in their cultivation levels.

"What else would it be, that irritating Li Shuwen! Sister Bing'er, you already rejected him, yet he shamelessly lingers around our Water Cloud Palace every few days. Doesn't he find it tiresome?"

The eldest sister, Ruoying, displayed undisguised disgust when speaking of the man.

The veiled woman’s expression could not be discerned; she paused briefly in silence.

"Sister Bing'er, you must not be foolish about this matter. Although Li Shuwen’s backer is a Nascent Soul Ancestor from the Demonic Heaven Alliance, Li Shuwen’s spiritual root potential is very low; he has no future. Furthermore, he is notorious for being a libertine whose ill repute is widespread."

"Exactly! A few years ago, I heard he ruined a female disciple from the Heavenly Dao Alliance! It was a tragedy for that poor girl; she had no backing and nowhere to seek justice."

"I heard about that incident too. It startled the Sovereign Master of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, but in the end, that Ancestor from the Demonic Heaven Alliance forcibly suppressed the matter. It is truly hateful."

Once Li Shuwen was mentioned, the sisters began to chatter, almost entirely exchanging hateful assessments.

"Thank you, Senior and Junior Sisters. I understand how to handle this matter," the veiled young woman replied calmly.

"Bing'er, I'm not lecturing you, but you have reached the peak of the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment, and Master has even bestowed upon you a Core Formation Catalyst. Why haven't you taken it? If you break through your bottleneck and become a Core Formation cultivator, I'd like to see if he dares to keep bothering you!" Senior Sister Ruoying urged.

The veiled young woman offered a faint, wry smile. "The chance to form a core happens only once. Although I am at the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment, I do not yet possess absolute certainty. It is not too late to consume the Catalyst once I am fully prepared and have complete confidence."

After a short while, the group of women arrived at the main hall and paid their respects to True Master Liu Yu.

The slender man's gaze immediately heated up, and he abruptly stood up, staring boldly and fiercely at the veiled woman amidst the group. He performed an exaggeratedly suave gesture to greet them: "Junior Sister Bing'er, Senior and Junior Sisters, Li Shuwen greets you!" He was oblivious to the fact that these women had already internally cursed him a thousand times. What infuriated him was that the veiled woman didn't even spare him a glance, acting as if he were invisible.

But it didn't matter; one day he would make her aware of his capabilities. He chuckled coldly to himself, the corners of his mouth curling upward involuntarily, and he stood aside with an air of arrogant composure.

"Master, what commands do you have for your disciple?" After performing her courtesies, the veiled woman’s clear, icy eyes turned toward True Master Liu Yu seated at the head seat.

True Master Liu Yu was long accustomed to the demeanor of this disciple, whom she had taken in just over a decade ago. It was on the recommendation of True Master Wei that Huangfu Bing'er, who also hailed from the Central Continent Spirit Mist Realm, was sent to the Water Cloud Palace.

This disciple not only possessed excellent spiritual root potential but was also extremely diligent. In just ten years, she had accomplished feats that an ordinary cultivator might never achieve in a lifetime. Among the disciples of the Water Cloud Palace, she was nearly the most gifted.

The Master was naturally quite satisfied and held extremely high expectations for her, even considering her for the future succession of the Water Cloud Palace Mistress position.

True Master Liu Yu smiled gently. "Bing'er, Young Master Li has been waiting for you for quite some time. Say hello to him."

To be honest, she held little hope for Li Shuwen.

She had heard of this young man's reputation, and it was not good; his aptitude was also average. She was reluctant to see Bing'er enter into dual cultivation with him.

But there was one thing: this young man was the sole direct descendant of an Ancestor from the Demonic Heaven Alliance, who was excessively indulgent of him, making his backing exceptionally strong. Such a cultivator was certain to reach the Core Formation stage, and he might very well inherit the entirety of that Ancestor's legacy, meaning his future might not be mediocre. Such status, ostensibly, was a match for Bing'er.

If she, as the Mistress of the Water Cloud Palace, forcefully rejected this union, it would mean offending that Ancestor of the Demonic Heaven Alliance, which was deemed unwise; both sides would lose considerable face.

Therefore, she adopted a neutral stance, leaving the decision to Bing'er's attitude.

If Bing'er agreed, she would be pleased to see a good match made.

If Bing'er's refusal made Li Shuwen retreat willingly, it wouldn't be a great loss either. True Master Liu Yu was capable of protecting her disciples.

However, what she hadn't anticipated was that after Huangfu Bing'er rejected him repeatedly, Li Shuwen became even more persistent, visiting the Water Cloud Palace every few days, clearly intent on not giving up. This put her in a difficult position.

"Master, this disciple has not yet formed a core. I wish only to focus entirely on breaking through this bottleneck and have no time to consider such matters," Huangfu Bing'er stated calmly.

"Junior Sister Bing'er, you have been stuck at the Great Perfection of the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment for over a year, yet you refuse to take the Core Formation Catalyst. If you agree to cultivate dual cultivation with me, even if your first attempt at forming a core fails, I will give you my own Core Formation Catalyst, and I will request another set from my Ancestor afterward. Regardless, I will help you achieve Core Formation. Junior Sister Bing'er, please consider it! As long as you agree, this Core Formation Catalyst is yours right now."

Li Shuwen quickly took out a jade box from his spatial pouch and announced loudly.

The moment these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was startled, stunned by his grand gesture.

Even True Master Liu Yu showed a look of surprise, thinking to herself that Li Shuwen was truly willing to invest heavily, even offering up a Core Formation Catalyst.

As her direct disciple, Huangfu Bing'er could directly obtain a Core Formation Catalyst from her and gain one attempt at forming her core. But if that attempt failed, she would have to find a way herself to acquire another Core Formation Catalyst.

For a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Huangfu Bing'er, securing another Core Formation Catalyst through her own efforts elsewhere would undoubtedly be immensely difficult.