The path of lightning was also one of the great paths within the grand dao of heaven and earth, known as one of the foremost paths of speed, on par with the great paths of flowing light and swift wind. Although the path of lightning was not outstanding in terms of offense, Zhang Fan did not mind.
Currently, whether in offense, domain, or burst power, Zhang Fan was exceptionally strong. Speed had always been his weakness. Once he encountered a strong opponent who was adept at speed, if his domain could not trap them, the initiative would completely fall into the opponent's hands.
Although Zhang Fan had not primarily cultivated the path of lightning in his previous life, he had some understanding of it. After all, once a cultivator mastered a perfect dao, they needed to explore various aspects to forge a path most suitable for themselves.
This time, Zhang Fan felt completely relaxed and at ease. Carving nine golden core dao patterns of the lightning path was no difficulty for him.
In less than a month, nine golden core dao patterns, each emitting various lightning intents, were carved onto the primordial core formed from the Zi Wu Yuan Guo.
Some golden core dao patterns were filled with destructive intent, some exuded traces of spatial intent, while others were mixed with a wisp of flame, seemingly giving birth to lightning-fire...
After carving the nine golden core dao patterns, Zhang Fan did not stop. He took out a pile of auxiliary spirit pills and swallowed them one by one, preparing to break through to the Golden Core realm.
...
Unknown to Zhang Fan, as he condensed his second primordial core, in the Milky Way galaxy, on an outer space planet called Da Yan Star, the cultivators who had fled to the Wu Shan Star Domain encountered a life-threatening crisis again.
"Stop!"
Hei Yan Wang, who stood over a zhang tall with a majestic physique, clad in a black feathered robe resembling iron armor, stood in the void. Endless dark red flames spread outwards from Hei Yan Wang.
The more than thirty starships that had been fleeing to the Wu Shan Star Domain immediately slowed down drastically. Only a very small number managed to break through the domain's obstruction and escape.
More than twenty starships were trapped within the domain, surrounded by endless dark red flames, unable to move.
Although starships were extremely fast, their pilots were too weak. In Hei Yan Wang's hands, they were like children, with no power to resist. Only a few starships at the edge of the domain managed to escape.
"Haha!"
The escaping cultivators looked back at the towering flames behind them with lingering fear. Then, they exchanged glances and let out hearty laughs.
"Hurry back to the Wu Shan Star Domain and deliver the news to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion immediately. With such crucial intelligence, we might be able to obtain over a million spirit crystals."
The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion was a major power in the Wu Shan Star Domain, primarily dealing in the collection and sale of intelligence. The Heavenly Rankings of the Wu Shan Star Domain were compiled by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and widely recognized.
The escaping cultivators excitedly rushed towards the Wu Shan Star Domain, striving to sell the intelligence to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion as soon as possible. Meanwhile, those trapped within the domain were filled with despair, not knowing what fate awaited them.
...
Zhang Fan had lingered in the Condensing Core realm for too long, accumulating sufficient foundation. Although he had not broken through the limit of a first-grade top-quality Golden Core, it had allowed him to condense a second primordial core, which Zhang Fan felt was sufficient.
As the auxiliary spirit pills entered his body, majestic spiritual power spread throughout him. Zhang Fan quickly mobilized his primordial core, continuously absorbing and transforming the spiritual power from the spirit pills.
Simultaneously, he circulated the cultivation method of the 'Ten Absolute Celestial God Record' and began the transformation of his primordial core into a golden core.
Zhang Fan had gone through this process before, so it was quite familiar to him. However, this time there was a slight difference: he had to circulate two primordial cores simultaneously, allowing both to break through at the same time.
As the primordial cores continuously absorbed spiritual power, golden light gradually appeared on their surfaces. Zhang Fan knew that when this golden light completely covered the primordial cores, he would have completely entered the Golden Core realm.
What would have normally taken half a year to break through was extended by a full double due to the two primordial cores. It took Zhang Fan a full year to completely transform both primordial cores into golden cores.
*Hoo!*
Zhang Fan stood up and stretched his body. He clenched his fist lightly and could feel an explosive power being generated in his palm.
Two first-grade top-quality golden cores rotated above his dantian. One golden core emanated sharp sword intent, while the other was filled with destructive power. Zhang Fan found it difficult to estimate the extent of his strength, relying solely on his magical power.
After condensing two first-grade top-quality golden cores, Zhang Fan glanced at everyone still in closed-door cultivation in the garden. He then stepped out of the Golden Light Immortal Mansion and saw Xue Jing sitting alone by the island, fishing, looking quite leisurely.
"You've broken through to the Nascent Soul stage?"
With a single step, Zhang Fan arrived beside Xue Jing. Looking at his completely transformed aura, he couldn't help but laugh.
Xue Jing's skin was like white jade, and his handsome features carried a trace of sharp ferocity. However, after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, that sharp ferocity was completely restrained, making him appear like a scholar full of refined grace.
Hearing the voice, Xue Jing only then noticed someone beside him and was inwardly startled. Looking up and seeing Zhang Fan, he quickly stood up and respectfully said, "Thank you, master, for your fulfillment. It is only because of you that I could form a golden nascent soul."
Nascent Soul stage cultivators, like Golden Core realm cultivators, had three grades and nine ranks. When a third-grade Golden Core realm cultivator entered the Nascent Soul stage, the nascent soul they formed would be black, like Lin Yun's.
When a second-grade Golden Core realm cultivator entered the Nascent Soul stage, the nascent soul they formed would be silver. And when a first-grade Golden Core realm cultivator entered the Nascent Soul stage, the nascent soul they formed would be golden, considered the strongest nascent soul.
"This is something you earned yourself. No need to thank me."
Zhang Fan waved his hand and then said, "Come, let me see how strong you are now."
"This, it doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"
Xue Jing's expression was somewhat strange. Although he admitted that his master was indeed an unparalleled prodigy, whose combat power before condensing a golden core was comparable to ordinary cultivators who had survived the second Nascent Soul tribulation, Xue Jing was different. He had formed a nascent soul with a first-grade golden core, and his strength was comparable to an ordinary three-tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator. How could Zhang Fan be his opponent?
Seeing Xue Jing's expression, Zhang Fan knew what he was thinking and couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. "If you can harm me even slightly, I will bestow you a Heaven-grade Blood Spirit Pill."
"Heaven-grade Blood Spirit Pill?"
Hearing this, Xue Jing's blood-red eyes instantly brightened.
"Let's go. This place is not suitable for fighting. Let's go up into the sky."
Seeing Xue Jing's slightly excited expression, Zhang Fan suppressed his smile and then shot up into the sky, flying thousands of meters high.
"What incredible speed!"
Xue Jing watched Zhang Fan's lightning-like speed and couldn't help but exclaim. He had now entered the Nascent Soul stage, but his speed was far inferior to Zhang Fan's.
"It seems master has also condensed a golden core."
Xue Jing guessed in his heart. He thought that given his master's talent and the help of the Zi Wu Yuan Guo, he should have condensed a first-grade top-quality golden core.
However, he could never have imagined that Zhang Fan had not only condensed a golden core but had also condensed two first-grade top-quality golden cores.
Two first-grade top-quality golden cores were not simply one plus one equals two.
...