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Chapter 387 A Peculiar Talent
"Jin Dan" is a Taoist term. Its origins are very complex, and it has many different interpretations. Different schools and sects have their own understandings and methods, so it is difficult to find a unified answer.
Later online explanations offered a simplistic one: the formation of the core (结丹) is the compression of spiritual energy within the body to its limit, ultimately forming a solid, spherical shape, much like a golden elixir. While this explanation is overly simplistic, it's not entirely without merit.
At least Lu Xuan felt that his Core Formation was somewhat similar to those described in online novels. However, there were also differences. In Lu Xuan's experience, Core Formation was like the formation of a completely new heart within his body, along with a completely new circulatory system.
This heart and its accompanying circulatory system don't circulate blood, but rather spiritual energy. The most significant feature of this new circulatory system is that it has completely broken free from the constraints of meridians. Spiritual energy can now flow freely within the body. This means that spellcasting has also become entirely free-flowing, no longer requiring the passage through specific meridians, making spellcasting faster and more powerful.
Furthermore, spiritual energy itself is not a physical entity. Even if it is dispersed by external forces, it can be restored at any time.
Countless meridians formed by spiritual energy spread throughout his body, eventually returning to his golden core, thus circulating in a continuous cycle. Simultaneously, the golden core itself forms a small cycle, slowly connecting with the external天地元气 (heaven and earth energy). Even if Lu Xuan did nothing, his spiritual energy would slowly increase. If he experienced any depletion or injury, recovery would be twice as efficient.
In short, there are many benefits to achieving Core Formation. The quantity of spiritual energy alone has tripled. Its quality has also improved significantly, making Lu Xuan a completely different person in terms of combat power. Now, if he were to face a centipede demon, he wouldn't need any underhanded methods and would be confident he could slay the demon single-handedly.
Of course, his successful Core Formation was also inseparable from Hongyu's 'contribution'. Just as Hongyu said, her physique was extremely special. It belonged to the kind of physique in the cultivation world that was similar to a cauldron. Women with this kind of physique would do their utmost to keep it a secret, because this kind of physique was most coveted by those evil cultivators.
Hongyu and Lu Xuan's first dual cultivation session had astonishing effects. It greatly harmonized the Yin and Yang balance within Lu Xuan's body, enabling him to successfully form his Golden Core and achieve the Great Dao of the Golden Core.
After Lu Xuan achieved the Golden Core stage, the two female ghosts and two demons became even more diligent.
The first to achieve something was the little fox. This little guy had been diligently cultivating for years, but he had never shown any signs of his abilities. Finally, at a certain point, he unleashed his full potential.
On the day it transformed, it even attracted a heavenly tribulation. Keep in mind, when the Green Snake transformed, there was no such phenomenon. It can only be said that this little thing's talent and potential far exceed imagination.
This time, Lu Xuan naturally wouldn't rashly interfere with the tribulation. Instead, he helped the little fox refine a bunch of defensive magical artifacts and set up a defensive formation, letting it withstand the tribulation on its own.
The little fox has a physical body. Its resistance to lightning tribulation is much stronger than that of ordinary spirits. Coupled with Lu Xuan's various arrangements, surviving the lightning tribulation will be no problem at all.
The little fox was full of confidence. Then it was struck by lightning and ended up covered in dust. Fortunately, it survived the ordeal without serious injury.
When she finished washing up and came out dressed in human clothes, even Hongyu's eyes lit up. There's no way around it; women always have a special fondness for beautiful things. Especially considering the little fox's appearance, the word "beautiful" is completely insufficient to describe it.
Fox spirits are all beautiful; it's an innate part of their species. After transforming, they are almost always handsome men and beautiful women. The little fox looks like a girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, a bit more mature than Xiaoqing.
If he had to describe her current appearance, Lu Xuan could think of a poem.
Her demeanor was refined and virtuous, her skin delicate and her figure well-proportioned.
The spring breeze stirs her disheveled black hair, and the bright moon shines upon the goddess of the Luo River.
At this point, the two little demons beside the white fox gradually transformed into human form. Xiaoqing also gradually shed her scales, completely completing her transformation.
As for supernatural abilities, Xiaoqing's innate cold-attribute supernatural abilities have been developed to a deeper level. Combined with the toxins in her body, she unleashes a cold poison supernatural ability that even Lu Xuan cannot withstand.
Poison-based supernatural abilities are extremely rare. Aside from a few demon races possessing similar innate abilities, most cultivators seldom practice them. This is because poison-attribute supernatural abilities offer little benefit and often even cause harm. Even among evil cultivators, few practice them.
Xiaoqing's supernatural power is different from ordinary poison-attribute supernatural powers. Her poison is inherently spiritual. Combined with icy spiritual power, it has evolved into a unique and powerful talent. Putting aside everything else, in terms of injuring enemies alone, it is absolutely top-notch.
In contrast, the little fox puzzled Lu Xuan. This little fellow was clearly exceptionally talented and had immense potential, yet he hadn't awakened any special talents, and even his charm and illusion spells were mediocre. He possessed great cultivation, but lacked many means of combat.
This gave Lu Xuan a real headache. To make matters worse, the little guy was extremely mischievous and loved to run around everywhere. Lu Xuan was afraid that one day he wouldn't be able to keep an eye on him and he'd be taken in by a passing cultivator. After all, this little guy wasn't very good at fighting.
After much deliberation, Lu Xuan not only crafted a set of magical artifacts for her, but also planned to have her practice his own series of spells. Yes, Lu Xuan intended for the little fox to try practicing human magic.
This test astonished Lu Xuan and David. The little fellow could perfectly utilize various human spells. It's important to understand that while demons take human form after transformation, they primarily rely on their innate supernatural abilities. Although they can learn human spells, they can never surpass their own innate powers.
However, this rule didn't apply to the little fox. She was the type who could learn anything, but lacked any particularly outstanding natural talents. Even Hongyu was extremely interested in this and tried teaching the little fox some of her sword techniques. The little one actually learned them very quickly.
"Xiao Bai has amazing talent, and her ancestors' bloodline is very likely human. Moreover, they are not ordinary humans, but the bloodline of a great power with unparalleled cultivation. Only in this way can we explain that she is a fox spirit, but her talent lies in human magic."
“This is indeed very interesting. When I was in the capital, I took in a fox demon as my disciple. I thought she was already exceptionally talented. I never expected that the real genius was right beside me. The two of us can join forces to train her and see if we can cultivate an unprecedented demon king.”
“Okay.” Hongyu was not afraid of trouble and readily agreed.
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Chapter 388 The Road Ahead
Lu Xuan formally trained two disciples in this world, and both of them were fox demons. It's safe to say that fox demons play a truly significant role in the world of *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*.
After Lu Xuan achieved Core Formation, Xin Shisi Niang and her family moved here as well. This was a decision made by Xin Shisi Niang with Lu Xuan's consent, on behalf of the entire family. That's right, she is now the head of the Xin family. Since she became Lu Xuan's disciple and achieved success in her cultivation, her father voluntarily relinquished the position of family head.
Although the little fox was a bit naive, that only showed her innocence. After following Lu Xuan, Fourteenth Sister matured quickly and soon adapted to her position as head of the family. Afterwards, she made the decision to move her entire family to Lu Xuan's mountain gate. Lu Xuan was happy that it would be more lively there and readily agreed.
Besides the family, two unexpected people also arrived at Lu Xuan's mountain gate. They were Fu Tianchou's two daughters, Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi.
"What happened? You all look unwell."
"...My father has passed away."
Fu Tianchou is dead? Lu Xuan was stunned when he heard the news.
"Yes, my father was exhausted when he was arrested. He was also tortured in the Ministry of Justice prison. Although he was quickly rescued by you, young master, he was left with a chronic illness."
"I remember helping him recuperate before I left," Lu Xuan said, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Although Fu Tianchou was somewhat blindly loyal, he was a good official who wholeheartedly served the people. Therefore, before leaving, Lu Xuan used his spiritual power to help him recuperate, ensuring he would live a long and healthy life until his natural death. The old man looked old, but he should have lived for another fifteen years or more without any problem. How could he be dead after only five or six years?
“Since the new emperor ascended the throne, my father was highly valued. He felt deeply grateful for the emperor's grace and worked day and night on state affairs. In less than three years, he collapsed. He held on for another two years before finally passing away three months ago.” The two girls cried as they spoke.
"..." Lu Xuan didn't know how to comfort him. In this world, he didn't intend to get involved in worldly politics, so after dealing with the Grand Preceptor, he withdrew and returned to his hometown to focus on cultivation. He just didn't expect that so many things would happen in the court during the years he was away.