The power of a Lifeline Treasure will gradually stabilize after it has absorbed sufficient spiritual energy.
As for the subsequent increase in power after the Lifeline Treasure is stored within the dantian for nurturing—that belongs to a later stage.
For now.
What He Song was facing was the final step in refining the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
At this stage, He Song didn't need to do anything.
He simply allowed the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl to absorb external spiritual energy to replenish itself.
When the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl stopped absorbing surrounding spiritual energy, its refinement would be complete.
Afterward, He Song only needed to successfully refine the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl to gain full control over this Lifeline Treasure.
As time passed.
He Song stood beside the Earthfire Array.
His gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl before him as it absorbed ambient spiritual energy.
Finally, when the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl ceased absorbing spiritual energy and became completely still.
He Song let out a hearty laugh and firmly grasped the small orb in his hand—its surface tinged with faint traces of blood, yet its interior a golden translucence.
Thus, the refinement of the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl was fully completed.
After holding the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl, He Song's gaze swept over it.
The Earth Vein Spirit Pearl exhibited a radiant golden translucence. He Song could even see through it to glimpse the scene behind it.
Amidst the overall golden clarity, subtle streaks of red were faintly visible.
This lent the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl an air of mystery.
Upon closer inspection, He Song noticed intricate and profound patterns densely packed within the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
These patterns were almost entirely transparent, but with the keen eyesight of a Core Formation cultivator, He Song could discern them clearly.
And when these intricate patterns came into view.
He Song couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity toward the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl before him.
Previously.
During the refinement of the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl, He Song had continuously cast secret techniques, infusing both the internal structure of the pearl and the auxiliary materials with incantations.
At that time, he had vaguely sensed that these incantations would inevitably form numerous patterns inside the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
But he hadn't expected.
That upon successfully refining the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl, such mysterious patterns would emerge within it.
Even He Song found these patterns profoundly intricate.
Keep in mind, He Song was already an Artificer capable of successfully crafting high-grade spiritual artifacts.
He had seen countless intricate patterns during artifact forging.
Yet, the profound patterns revealed on the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl stirred a sense of curiosity even in him.
This demonstrated just how extraordinary the patterns within the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl truly were.
After carefully examining the myriad intricate patterns inside the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
He Song pondered briefly and eventually arrived at a conclusion.
The emergence of these patterns, along with the essence blood refined into the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl, seemed to be the fundamental reason why it could become a cultivator's Lifeline Treasure.
Perhaps it was precisely because of these patterns that the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl could grow stronger over time, nurtured by the cultivator.
With this understanding in mind, He Song no longer felt the need to delve deeper into the matter.
He had already memorized the method for refining the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
Revisiting it for further study later wouldn't be an issue.
For now.
The most important task.
Was to successfully refine the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl and make it his true Lifeline Treasure—a righteous path forward.
With this thought, He Song acted without hesitation. In the blink of an eye, he left the Earthfire Array and entered the meditation chamber within his cave residence.
Inside the cave residence.
Within the silent chamber.
He Song sat cross-legged, the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl floating serenely before him.
At a certain moment, when He Song felt his mind was completely calm and his condition adjusted to its peak.
He Song exhaled softly and took the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl into his hands.
As spiritual energy flowed through his body, streams of energy surged from his Core and gradually seeped into the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
The Earth Vein Spirit Pearl, having been personally forged by He Song.
Contained his essence blood within.
It shared a mental connection with him.
Thus, the process of refining it was far easier than refining ordinary artifacts or spiritual tools.
It didn't take long for He Song.
In just a few short months, he successfully refined the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl and stored it within his dantian for nurturing.
The Earth Vein Spirit Pearl, nestled within He Song's dantian, was constantly nourished by his spiritual energy day and night.
Its power would continue to grow stronger over time.
Thus.
After several months, when He Song had fully refined the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
He finally emerged from seclusion.
However, since He Song had spent only a few short months refining and then assimilating the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl.
Adding to that the years he spent earlier forging the Eight-Treasure Wall-Breaking Pill, consuming it, and successfully advancing his cultivation to the late Core Formation stage.
In the eyes of outsiders, He Song had been in seclusion for just over five years.
Given his current cultivation at the Core Formation realm.
Five years.
Wasn't much at all.
After all, a Core Formation cultivator had a lifespan of five hundred years; five years was merely one percent of that.
Such a span of time wasn't even worth mentioning for Core Formation cultivators—it wasn't uncommon for Foundation Establishment cultivators to spend more time in seclusion.
However, what outsiders didn't know.
Was that He Song's strength.
Had undergone a complete and earth-shattering transformation during these past few years.
Over five years ago.
He Song's cultivation was only at the mid-Core Formation stage. He had neither a Lifeline Treasure nor the ability to resist a peak Core Formation cultivator.
But five years later, today.
He Song's cultivation had reached the late Core Formation stage, and he now possessed the Earth Vein Spirit Pearl as his Lifeline Treasure.
Present-day He Song, even if facing a peak Core Formation cultivator, would not be in mortal danger.
Even if that peak Core Formation cultivator was powerful and wielded a Lifeline Treasure.
He Song was unafraid.
After all, given the mere one-stage difference between their strengths.
Even if the opponent was formidable, they could at most defeat He Song.
As for killing him.
That would be wishful thinking.
It could be said.
After more than five years of seclusion, He Song now truly possessed the strength to face peak Core Formation cultivators without pressure.
With his current abilities, he could already be considered a powerhouse among Core Formation cultivators.
And after drastically increasing his strength in just five short years.
When He Song emerged from seclusion after those five years.
The figure of True Lord Luo Jing soon appeared at He Song's residence.
At this time, He Song had only been out of seclusion for an hour.
But regarding this, He Song didn't pay much attention.
His residence was protected by formations.
Whenever He Song entered seclusion, he always activated the formation, concealing everything within.
However, after emerging this time, he had also deactivated the formation.
Thus, it was normal for True Lord Luo Jing to arrive at He Song's residence within an hour of his emergence.
Within He Song's residence.
In the small pavilion where He Song and True Lord Luo Jing often met.
The two faced each other, seated cross-legged, as wisps of tea fragrance wafted from the teapot before them.
After more than five years.
True Lord Luo Jing's appearance hadn't changed a bit from before.
He Song, being a fellow Core Formation cultivator, naturally remained unchanged as well.
However, during these five years, significant events had occurred in the outside world.
During He Song's seclusion, unlike previous times when he occasionally emerged to gather information, he spent all his time in his secluded cave, completely unaware of external affairs.
Thus, when True Lord Luo Jing visited, He Song casually inquired about major events that had transpired in the past five years.
Hearing He Song's question, True Lord Luo Jing didn't hesitate to share.
She recounted everything that had happened in the outside world during He Song's seclusion.
According to True Lord Luo Jing.
During the five years He Song had been in seclusion.
The war between the Northern demonic sects and righteous sects like the Wind and Snow Palace had yet to begin.
Both sides remained wary of each other, avoiding direct confrontation.
Whether demonic or righteous sects, they were all still preparing various resources for the impending war.
He Song understood this situation.
But he paid it little mind.
He had previously witnessed the prelude to the war between the righteous alliance led by the Thick Earth Sect and the Northern demonic alliance.
During that period, both the righteous and demonic alliances had thoroughly prepared.
Later, as it was now, both sides became aware of each other's movements and grew cautious.
Ultimately, it was the Thick Earth Sect that lost patience and launched a surprise attack, igniting the battle.
Nowadays, the war between the Wind and Snow Palace and the Northern demonic sects.
Would be far larger than that righteous-demonic conflict.
The participants were all nearby prestigious late Nascent Soul sects.
Under such circumstances.
The preparations before the war would naturally not be brief.
The duration of the standoff between the two sides would also not be short.
Thus, He Song had some estimation regarding the start of this righteous-demonic war.
A war involving so many late Nascent Soul sects.
Even if it were to officially break out ten or even several decades later, it would still be reasonable.
Therefore, upon hearing True Lord Luo Jing's words, He Song wasn't particularly surprised.
On the contrary, he felt her account validated his own conjecture.
Besides this matter.
True Lord Luo Jing also shared another piece of news with He Song.
A true disciple of the One Yang Sect had recently broken through to the peak Core Formation stage just two months prior.
To promote this disciple, the One Yang Sect had invited various peers and planned to host a Core Formation exchange gathering at their mountain gate.
The ostensible purpose of this gathering was to celebrate the true disciple's breakthrough to the peak Core Formation stage.
However, secretly, it was also a way for the One Yang Sect to showcase its strength.
The One Yang Sect, Purple Cloud Sect, even the Golden Snake Sect, and the Shadow Blade Sect—and now including the Wind and Snow Palace.
Though these sects appeared harmonious on the surface, with disciples mingling amicably when they met.
Where there are people, there is intrigue.
Even though these sects were all late Nascent Soul sects with relatively balanced power.
Only the Golden Snake Sect, with two Nascent Soul cultivators, was notably stronger than the others and stood out among the group.
Aside from the Golden Snake Sect, the other sects each had only one Elder Nascent Soul cultivator.
Given their comparable strengths, there was naturally some rivalry among them.
Take, for instance, the fact that the One Yang Sect had finally produced a powerful true disciple.
And this disciple's cultivation had reached the peak Core Formation stage.
Naturally, the One Yang Sect would want to display its strength to make other sects recognize its prosperity.
Of course.
This grand event had another reason.
That was to demonstrate the strength of the surrounding righteous sects.
With the righteous-demonic war imminent, the One Yang Sect wanted to use this occasion to make the Northern demonic sects wary.
Though this action wouldn't alter the decisive factors of the upcoming war.
Still, if something happens, it can have its effects.
According to True Lord Luo Jing, for this grand event, the One Yang Sect not only invited various righteous cultivators.
Even the demonic sect cultivators from the North were included in the invitations.
The intention behind convening this event was quite obvious.
However, it was uncertain whether the Northern demonic sect cultivators would actually attend the One Yang Sect's gathering.
Moreover, True Lord Luo Jing was familiar with He Song and had interacted with Meng Guan and Wei Fan in the past.
Therefore, she knew that the true disciple of the One Yang Sect was none other than He Song's friend, Meng Guan.
This was why she immediately informed He Song about this matter after his emergence from seclusion.
The One Yang Sect was hosting a grand event due to Meng Guan's breakthrough in strength.
As his friend, He Song would likely need to attend the ceremony.
After all, He Song was currently within the One Yang Sect's sphere of influence.
Furthermore, he had personally visited the One Yang Sect's mountain gate in the past to meet Meng Guan and Wei Fan.
Considering this, it was almost certain that once He Song received the news, he would attend.
And precisely because True Lord Luo Jing harbored such thoughts.
When she mentioned this matter to He Song.
A flicker of admiration crossed her face.
She was well-acquainted with He Song's journey with Meng Guan and Wei Fan, starting from the Qi Refinement stage, supporting each other through the Foundation Establishment stage, and now reaching the Core Formation stage.
She was deeply familiar with their achievements.
If He Song's friend had achieved such success, she naturally felt joyous too.
End of Chapter