“Not to mention where we could even find so many fallen Golden Core cultivators’ corpses.”
“After a cultivator dies, their Dao/Law returns to the heavens. While the Golden Core is a condensation of a cultivator’s understanding of the laws of heaven and earth, it still relies on the treasures of heaven and earth as its foundation.”
“Once the Dao returns to the heavens, the treasures lose their essence, and the methods condensed within the Golden Core lose their foundation. Not only does the quality of the Golden Core deteriorate significantly, but over time, it risks disintegrating and cannot be preserved for long.”
It seemed that this topic fell squarely within his area of expertise, as Daoist Xiumu spoke with great confidence.
A rare light appeared on his weathered face, and the tight wrinkles around his features unconsciously relaxed.
“But all of these problems and troubles can be easily solved as long as the cultivator consents.”
“If a cultivator extracts their Golden Core while still alive, it does not trigger the mechanisms of heaven’s malice. With the treasures of heaven and earth at the core, the Golden Core can be preserved indefinitely.”
“Though the cultivator would lose their cultivation and become no different from a mortal, it’s just the Golden Core stage—rebuilding their cultivation isn’t too difficult!”
“If resources are sufficient, it would take no more than ten years to form a new Golden Core.”
The Daoist Xiumu spoke these eerie words with an unsettling calmness.
“Stable, long-term, and harmless. Can that brat Zhang Debiao, who stumbled upon luck, even compare to this?”
“He can’t!”
“So, my friend, if you have a need, you must prioritize working with us!”
Daoist Xiumu looked at Li Fan, his eyes gleaming with fervor.
Li Fan, however, was clearly unconvinced by such a simple pitch and shook his head repeatedly. “Don’t try to deceive me, my friend. What cultivator would willingly allow their Golden Core to be extracted every decade or so? Just thinking about it is terrifying…”
“Misunderstanding, misunderstanding!” The Daoist Xiumu quickly interrupted Li Fan.
“We now have techniques to extract Golden Cores painlessly and harmlessly. Not only do cultivators not feel any pain, but they even experience a unique pleasure. In fact, I know of someone who, in pursuit of the thrill of having their Golden Core extracted, immediately resumed cultivation each time after losing their core.”
“That person has now become our most efficient cultivator, producing a dual-method Golden Core every three to four years!”
Daoist Xiumu spoke with such enthusiasm that he seemed completely oblivious to the absurdity of his words.
Even someone as detached as Li Fan couldn’t help but feel a chill watching the Daoist Xiumu.
“So, all of your concerns are entirely unnecessary.”
“We have been examined and certified by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. Think about it—we have to supply the alliance with a certain number of materials every year. If there were any quality issues, wouldn’t the alliance be the first to hold us accountable? Rest assured, my friend!”
Li Fan narrowed his eyes. “The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance knows about what you do? Why haven’t I heard of it before?”
The Daoist Xiumu mumbled in a low voice, “Our ideas are simply too advanced. The alliance believes that if made public, it would surely lead to misunderstanding among the masses.”
“That’s why it remains undisclosed.”
“After all, ordinary people can’t comprehend it. But someone like you, my friend, surely can understand, right?”
Daoist Xiumu looked at Li Fan with eager anticipation.
“Understanding is one thing, but it’s still hard to fully accept right away,” Li Fan said ambiguously.
Daoist Xiumu seemed delighted to have found a kindred spirit, clapping his hands in praise. “I knew it! I didn’t misjudge you—you’re a person of great wisdom!”
He suddenly stood up, pacing excitedly as he muttered, “The sorrow of harming one’s kind is but natural law. It’s normal for you, my friend, to take time to adjust your perspective!”
“But I believe that once you see it with your own eyes, you’ll quickly come around!”
“What do you think? Would you like to visit and see for yourself?”
Li Fan was about to refuse outright but was suddenly overcome by an inexplicable impulse.
Looking at the frail and aged cultivator before him and imagining the countless Golden Cores that might be waiting for him there, Li Fan, who needed intact Golden Cores to unlock anchor points, inexplicably changed his mind.
“Fine! There’s no harm in taking a look.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Li Fan felt a jolt of shock.
He suddenly realized that this gray-robed cultivator before him was far more dangerous than he had initially imagined!
Wanting only to purchase some Golden Cores, Li Fan hadn’t anticipated stumbling into such a troubling situation.
His luck was truly awful.
Cursing inwardly, Li Fan reconsidered but ultimately convinced himself to proceed.
“Daoist Xiumu, how do I refer to your place, and how do I get there?” Li Fan asked with feigned interest.
Daoist Xiumu slapped his forehead in mock annoyance. “Oh, I almost forgot to introduce it.”
“Our place is called… Withering Human Life.“
Li Fan felt an eerie chill as the Daoist’s tone and expression became momentarily sinister before returning to his usual enthusiasm.
“As for how to get there…”
“Just hold onto me!”
Li Fan obediently grabbed the Daoist Xiumu’s sleeve.
“Hold on tight!”
The Daoist shouted and began chanting: “The heavens hold the Withering Tree, life ebbs and flows under its shadow…”
Thick gray mist rolled in, enveloping them in an instant. Twisted shadows and eerie sounds blurred their surroundings.
Despite the ominous setting, Li Fan felt no sense of danger. Instead, he was overwhelmed by a strange sense of belonging, as though he was meant to be there.
When the gray fog cleared, their destination revealed itself.
“Here we are, my friend!” Daoist Xiumu announced cheerfully.
Li Fan looked up to see an enormous tree, withered and spotted, stretching toward the heavens. Its branches were covered with countless cultivators hanging like fruits.