Feng Zikang’s entire consciousness was submerged within the twelve cities across five floors of his Dantian; he was utterly unaware of anything happening in the outside world. Delete the extraneous characters here.

During this time, he focused solely on tempering his Golden Core with True Fire, watching it slowly expand, becoming increasingly solidified and crystalline. Simultaneously, he ceaselessly refined his physical body, bringing his Demonic Body closer to perfection.

The result of cultivating both the Martial Path and the Demonic Path was a more precise understanding of both the Golden Core and the Demonic Body.

As he saw it now, the forging of the Demonic Body was essentially refining the entire physical form into a substance analogous to that of the Golden Core. This rendered the body indestructible, yet capable of destroying anything—a truly formidable physical state, which was certainly an advantage in Demonic cultivation.

After all, even if other cultivation sects emphasized body refinement, none could dedicate an entire major realm solely to the complete forging of the physical form, as the Demonic Path did.

Even the Pseudo-Immortal Body attained after reaching the Nascent Soul stage paled in comparison to the perfected Demonic Body.

However, a cultivator in the Demonic Body stage might not necessarily hold a significant advantage against a cultivator in the Golden Core stage. Those at the Golden Core stage possessed self-sufficiency, with an endless supply of internal energy; armed with a few potent divine abilities, they could repel demons and protect themselves. Yet, completely obliterating a demonic being would prove immensely difficult.

Currently, Feng Zikang benefited from both the vital energy supplied by his Golden Core and the sheer might of his Demonic Body. In relative terms, he was already a formidable figure among those in the Condensing Core stage.

But his ambitions did not stop there. His true adversaries were the Transcendent Old Monsters who had surpassed the Nascent Soul realm; separated by two entire stages, no matter his current advantages, he could not bridge that gap.

Only by seizing the opportunity presented by the world's turmoil, aided by the help of the Profound Realm, could he rapidly advance his cultivation to a level where he could even contend with them.

Yet, how easy was it to shatter the Core and birth the Nascent Soul? Look at the Military Sect of Dragon-Tiger Mountain: countless masters in the Golden Core stage, yet in recent years, only his master, Ye Tiansheng, had managed to break through to Nascent Soul.

As for pushing the Demonic Body to its extreme, achieving communion with heaven and earth to birth a Demon God—that was an even more improbable feat.

Furthermore, Feng Zikang had no certainty regarding the outcome should a Nascent Soul and a Demon God manifest simultaneously. At this juncture, he could only press forward with sheer tenacity, without a second thought. While he had been in secluded cultivation for several years, the outside world had been anything but quiet.

It went without saying that Luzhou was engulfed in ceaseless warfare. As for the members of the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist Three Teachings who had passed down the Investiture of the Gods list, seeing that Feng Zikang had not taken the bait and rarely appeared in Luzhou, they were deeply unsettled.

Holding the Investiture of the Gods list meant possessing a sliver of hope in mastering the tribulations of this era, yet he remained sealed away. Their meticulously laid plans had gone awry, naturally causing great confusion.

Nevertheless, even when they performed private divinations, they found no clues. They could only proceed according to the established agenda, engaging in ceaseless mêlées with the Nine Schools and other factions, further plunging this domain into chaos and turmoil.

Within the Profound Realm, however, a greater tranquility prevailed.

Thanks to the effects of the Demon Summoning Banner and the Native Soil, the Profound Realm was flourishing. Now that heaven and earth were separated, the sun and moon shone anew, vegetation sprouted, and beasts roamed. The Profound Realm was gradually awakening with vitality.

"Brother Turtle, why are you here again?"

Fairy Tianfu, presiding over the central palace, had just tired herself out playing with the birds, fish, insects, and flowers when she suddenly saw the Turtle Attendant enter. He paused before the door of Feng Zikang's secret cultivation chamber, a flicker of surprise crossing her mind as she spoke.

"What else? Of course, to see if our Master Feng has emerged from seclusion!"

The Turtle Attendant had been running ragged lately. Though this was his self-imposed duty, watching the principal enjoy leisurely seclusion made him exceedingly dissatisfied. Moreover, someone was showing up at the Little Bamboo Grove every day looking for Feng Zikang, which kept him worried sick about the Profound Realm’s secrets being discovered.

Fairy Tianfu chuckled, "He shows no sign of coming out. Brother Turtle, it seems you must continue to labor tirelessly."

The Turtle Attendant sighed deeply, "The matters of the Profound Realm are one thing, but that Luo Lianxin..."

Suddenly, the sound of the secret chamber door creaking open interrupted him. Feng Zikang stood calmly in the doorway and smiled, "What is the matter with Luo Lianxin?"

"Brother Zikang!" Fairy Tianfu exclaimed with delight. The Turtle Attendant also clasped his hands to his forehead and laughed, "Oh my, Boss, you've finally come out! You’ve nearly broken me!"

In the past few days, Feng Zikang had purified his Golden Core, making it purer, yet he still couldn't find the opportunity for the Core to shatter and birth the Soul. As for his Demonic Body sensing the Demon God, that remained distant. A sudden restlessness seized him, as if something significant had occurred in the world, prompting him to end his seclusion and observe the changes.

He heard the Turtle Attendant grumbling and smiled faintly, "Brother Turtle, don't complain. How long was I in seclusion this time?"

"It has been one year and seven months," Fairy Tianfu answered quickly. Although accustomed to Brother Zikang’s solitude, she missed him after being apart for over a year.

Feng Zikang nodded. His Dao heart was settled; he cared little for a mere year and a half. He turned to the Turtle Attendant and asked, "What? Did Luo Lianxin come looking for me while I was cultivating?"

"Oh, your junior sister has nearly turned the Little Bamboo Grove upside down! If you hadn't emerged, I truly feared she would discover this place."

The Turtle Attendant was genuinely concerned. After all, the entrance to the Profound Realm was located within the thatched cottage in the grove. Though hidden, repeated visits by a persistent person might eventually reveal anomalies. Luo Lianxin was meticulous; she had been visiting the cottage frequently lately, waiting. It was entirely possible she might stumble upon the existence of the Profound Realm one day. The Turtle Attendant knew the special nature of the realm. Though he understood the bond between Luo Lianxin and Feng Zikang was extraordinary, if it were exposed before the Profound Realm was fully self-sustaining, it would be perilous. If a master tried to seize it, ensuring its security now was not a certainty.

"Strange," Feng Zikang murmured. "Why would Luo Lianxin seek me out?"

Feng Zikang's heart gave a slight jump. Since he established his current realm, he and Luo Lianxin hadn't met for a long time. He hadn't the chance to ask her what she was doing during her seclusion. He himself had been cultivating for over a year now, completely cut off from external affairs, and had no knowledge—

"Your junior sister is also a genius in cultivation. Last year, she passed the Condensing Core trial. Now, like you, she is a master in the Condensing Core stage," the Turtle Attendant stated.

Speaking of this, the Turtle Attendant was deeply envious. Spiritual energy was scarce in the current world, nowhere near comparable to the Primordial Era. However, the true prodigies born today could still advance their cultivation rapidly. Feng Zikang’s many fortunate encounters were one thing, but Luo Lianxin, without relying on the Profound Realm and purely on her own merit, reaching the Golden Core stage before turning twenty was truly a rare, peerless genius. Compared to her, the Turtle Attendant, cultivating for millennia under the best possible conditions, was still only at the Condensing Core level, which was frankly shameful.

"Ah?"

Feng Zikang was slightly surprised, but he was already aware of Luo Lianxin's terrifying potential. When he was merely an Qi Introduction disciple, he recognized her exceptional talent. Had she not deliberately suppressed her cultivation speed during the Qi Introduction stage and chosen only the most difficult advancement trials, she likely would have reached the Condensing Core stage even sooner.

"I thought she came to me for help with the Condensing Core trial. I didn't realize she had already advanced to Condensing Core. I wonder if she chose a Heaven-grade trial this time?"

Feng Zikang’s first thought upon hearing Luo Lianxin sought him was whether she needed help with her advancement trial. But then he reconsidered; he had already reached the Golden Core stage. Even if Luo Lianxin’s information was delayed, it shouldn't be to that extent. Thus, that couldn't be right.

He was surprised that Luo Lianxin had advanced on her own. He wondered what level of difficulty her trial had been.

"It was indeed a Heaven-grade trial!"

The Turtle Attendant’s face showed admiration. Though he hadn't gone through the Great Samsara Disk trial himself, he could deduce the difficulty of the Heaven-grade task. He had heard from Feng Zikang how difficult the Foundation Establishment trial was, so the Condensing Core trial must be even harder. He never expected Luo Lianxin, who needed Feng Zikang's help last time, to complete it entirely on her own and so effortlessly, succeeding in just two short months to advance to the Golden Core stage.

"Deep accumulation leads to sudden emission. Luo Lianxin’s cultivation will only accelerate from here on," Feng Zikang mused.

Feng Zikang nodded. No matter what, Luo Lianxin's foundation in the Dao was far more robust than his own. In his relentless pursuit of rapid advancement, he had burned through much of his latent potential, whereas Luo Lianxin had been nurtured from childhood. At least for the next few tiers, shaking off the gap she created would not be easy.

However, since she had passed the Heaven-grade Condensing Core trial and succeeded in condensing her Core, logically she should be in seclusion stabilizing her cultivation or out accumulating merit. Why seek him out now?

"I don't know," the Turtle Attendant spread his hands, indicating complete ignorance. He wasn't Feng Zikang's representative and couldn't openly reveal his form to converse with Luo Lianxin inside the cottage while Feng Zikang was secluded. He could only secretly observe from the entrance to the Profound Realm, thus remaining unaware of Luo Lianxin’s true intentions.

"Perhaps it's just that Junior Sister Luo misses Brother Zikang and came to visit," Fairy Tianfu interjected.

"Nonsense!" Feng Zikang laughed heartily upon hearing the Fairy's comment.

The truth couldn't be so simple. While Luo Lianxin treated him well, there was no sign of any special affection. At most, she felt gratitude for Feng Zikang’s rash intervention when they faced the Ghost God General. In the path of cultivation, such life-saving acts were merely karmic threads; the heart should remain as placid as an ancient well. Luo Lianxin, being a cultivation genius, would surely not fall prey to romantic folly. If she visited frequently, there must be something truly important on her mind.

"Well! Speak of the devil, your Junior Sister Luo is here. You had better hurry out to greet her," the Turtle Attendant suddenly clapped his hands and roared with laughter. He had received a report from a patrol within the Profound Realm confirming Luo Lianxin’s arrival and immediately notified Feng Zikang to meet her.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly, "In that case, I shall go and see!"

He straightened his robes and floated out, exiting the Profound Realm before Luo Lianxin even approached the cottage. He was seated upon the wooden bed when she arrived.

Luo Lianxin, arriving from the outside, suddenly paused, seemingly surprised by his abrupt appearance, but then her speed quickly normalized. She landed before the thatched cottage in the Little Bamboo Grove.

"Senior Brother Feng, I never expected your cultivation to have reached this level. It truly makes your junior sister feel ashamed. I confess I didn't realize where you emerged from!"

Feng Zikang laughed heartily, "Junior Sister is too modest. Passing the Heaven-grade Condensing Core trial is truly astonishing; I haven't even offered my congratulations yet. Please, come inside, Junior Sister. Let me prepare tea."

Luo Lianxin walked in with grace, bowing to Feng Zikang. Feng Zikang dared not slight her and returned the courtesy diligently. Looking closely, he saw that Luo Lianxin's brilliance was deeply contained; not only had she successfully condensed her Core, but the crystallization of her Golden Core seemed almost as profound as his own.

Feng Zikang was inwardly startled. He had achieved his current cultivation through countless fortuitous encounters and the unique properties of the Profound Realm. For Luo Lianxin, possessing none of those advantages, to be barely less potent than him was astonishing.

"Junior Sister’s cultivation has reached such a height; I am truly impressed."

Luo Lianxin smiled sweetly, "Senior Brother’s cultivation is a step above mine. If you say that, aren't you merely praising yourself?"

Feng Zikang laughed heartily. The two chatted pleasantly.

"Junior Sister, then I shall dispense with the pleasantries. What brings you to seek me out this time?" Feng Zikang decided to ask directly, unwilling to waste further time.

Luo Lianxin offered a faint smile. "Since Senior Brother asks, how could your junior sister conceal anything? However, this matter is rather long and requires Senior Brother to listen patiently as I explain."

"Oh?"

Feng Zikang sat up straighter, pouring steaming hot tea into the cups before them. He took a slow sip of the hot tea, smiling as he prepared to listen to Luo Lianxin's account.

"Does Senior Brother know that cultivation is divided into seven stages: Qi Introduction, Foundation Establishment, Condensing Core, Nascent Soul, Transcendent, Tribulation Crossing, and Mahayana?"

This was basic cultivation knowledge. Feng Zikang nodded slightly, confused by the preamble.

Luo Lianxin spoke lightly, "In the current Central Plains cultivation world, the number of Qi Introduction disciples is countless, perhaps ten times the number of Foundation Establishment disciples. The backbone of Foundation Establishment and Condensing Core also holds many, with a roughly equivalent proportion. However, the masters of the Nascent Soul stage—a tier above the Transcendent masters—are not ten times more numerous. Does Senior Brother find this strange?"

Cultivation naturally followed a pyramid structure. Ten thousand Qi Introduction disciples yielded one thousand Foundation Establishment, one hundred Condensing Core, and perhaps ten or so Transcendent masters. Logically, there should be over a hundred Nascent Soul masters in this layer, which would be normal. But in reality, setting aside other regions, in the Central Plains cultivation world alone, there were about a dozen Transcendent old monsters and perhaps a thousand Condensing Core masters, yet the number of Nascent Soul masters fell far short, barely matching the count of the Transcendent old monsters. What was the reason for this disparity?

Take the Military Sect of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, for instance. Despite its deep reserves, before General Lu died and Ye Tiansheng advanced, they surprisingly lacked a single Nascent Soul master. That was truly odd.

"That is indeed strange..."

Feng Zikang hadn't considered this angle before. Nascent Soul and Transcendent masters were equally distant concepts to him. But now that he himself was in the late Condensing Core stage, capable of breaking through to Nascent Soul at any moment, it did seem vaguely amiss. Given such a small pool of Nascent Soul cultivators, producing so many Transcendent masters was clearly unrealistic. At least ninety percent of cultivators must have become stuck at their current realm, unable to progress. A one-in-ten success rate was considered excellent, especially as the bottleneck became more severe at higher realms.

"Since there are so many Transcendent masters, that implies..." Feng Zikang's expression shifted slightly, "there must have been that many Nascent Soul masters before!"

Luo Lianxin nodded approvingly, "Senior Brother is indeed insightful; you guessed the previous situation with one attempt. That's right. Three hundred years ago, the Nascent Soul masters in the Central Plains cultivation world were far more numerous, not as sparse as they are now."

"Then those Nascent Soul masters..."

Nascent Soul masters had long lifespans. In three hundred years, without major incidents, they shouldn't have dwindled to only a dozen or so remnants. But if there was an incident...

"Has Senior Brother ever heard of the Seven Treasures Pagoda Mountain?" Luo Lianxin raised her head, her gaze fixed on Feng Zikang's face.

"Seven Treasures Pagoda Mountain?"

Feng Zikang’s heart lurched. This mountain was intrinsically linked to him, not just from three hundred years ago, but as the very place of his rebirth. Hearing Luo Lianxin mention it now, he couldn't help but be moved.

"Three hundred years ago, the Seven Treasures Pagoda Mountain was the foremost temple of Buddhism, until, tragically, one night..."

Feng Zikang had heard this story from Master Wu Le and naturally knew it was Gongzi Yi Wu who, in a single night, annihilated this leading Buddhist power—an act of such might that it struck terror into all hearts.

"Could it be...?" Could it be that Gongzi Yi Wu exerted his divine power and slaughtered the existing Nascent Soul masters almost entirely? He had heard tales of masters later besieging Gongzi Yi Wu; could that be connected?

"Gongzi Yi Wu killed so many Nascent Soul masters?" This fact was too staggering, and Feng Zikang could not readily believe it.

Luo Lianxin looked slightly surprised, a faint smile touching her lips. "Senior Brother also knows of Gongzi Yi Wu? But how could he have killed so many Nascent Soul masters? Although Gongzi Yi Wu was astonishingly talented and his techniques godlike, he couldn't have reached such a level. Even if he had broken through to the Transcendent stage, it would have been impossible. Furthermore, as far as I know, he was only at the Nascent Soul cultivation level when he died."

"Oh." Feng Zikang nodded. Such speculation seemed too far-fetched upon closer examination.

"Then... what does this have to do with those missing Nascent Soul masters?"

"It is connected. It is deeply connected..." Luo Lianxin’s expression grew peculiar, a mixture of a smile and deep contemplation.

"The crucial point is: where did Gongzi Yi Wu come from?"

Where did Gongzi Yi Wu originate? Feng Zikang pondered for a long time but found no answer. Gongzi Yi Wu seemed to have dropped from the sky, arriving instantly as a master capable of creating the Starburst Great Annihilation Sword Art, defeating all masters beneath heaven, and destroying the foremost Buddhist power, the Seven Treasures Pagoda Mountain. But his lineage, the source of his earliest cultivation, remained an enigma.

"Could it be that..." Feng Zikang raised his head in shock, "the disappearance of these Nascent Soul masters is somehow related to Gongzi Yi Wu's sect?"

Luo Lianxin smiled and shook her head. "Senior Brother, it’s not related to his sect—it is related to where he came from!"

Her expression turned solemn, as if recalling that place with a mixture of fear and reverence. Even merely speaking of it caused her demeanor to become more earnest.

Where Gongzi Yi Wu truly originated—Luo Lianxin recalled her Master’s earnest instructions. Looking at Feng Zikang’s perplexed face, she sighed deeply in her heart. How could she not be filled with questions herself?

"Where he came from?" Feng Zikang was momentarily bewildered. "Where exactly did Gongzi Yi Wu come from?"