Chương 96: The Strange Phenomenon of Core Formation Reappears! Two Core Formations on One Peak!

Two Core Formations on One Peak!

The next morning, it was just before dawn.

A thin layer of milky white morning mist shrouded the summit of Lingmu Peak, while the luminous pearl outside the quiet chamber in the cave emitted a soft and constant light, illuminating the hall.

Zhou Ding summoned Xin Ruyin and Xiao Mei to the main hall of the cave.

The two women sensed something in his calm expression, but also felt a different kind of solemnity and focus between his brows.

Xin Ruyin moved gracefully and slowly sat down opposite Zhou Ding, her posture serene and composed.

Xiao Mei also restrained her usual liveliness, quietly sat down next to Xin Ruyin, and looked at Zhou Ding with a questioning gaze.

"I will go into seclusion."

Zhou Ding glanced at the two of them, got straight to the point, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice without any hesitation.

"This seclusion is different from the past. The duration is uncertain, ranging from a year to several years. During this period, you must not disturb me unless it is a matter of life and death."

Upon hearing this, Xin Ruyin's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and ripples seemed to spread in the depths of her eyes.

She was incredibly intelligent. Considering Zhou Ding's recent preparations and the fact that his cultivation had reached the perfect stage of the False Core Realm, she understood immediately.

Her cherry lips parted slightly, her voice still gentle, yet carrying a barely perceptible tension: "Zhou Lang... is it to break through to the Core Formation realm?"

Looking into her clear eyes, Zhou Ding nodded frankly, without hiding anything: "Yes, everything is ready, and the time is ripe. It's time to take this step."

Xin Ruyin was silent for a moment, then responded gently but firmly, "Okay."

There were no excessive questions, no unnecessary worries, only complete trust and support.

Zhou Ding's gaze lingered on her exquisitely beautiful face for a moment, softening slightly as he said gently, "Your cultivation has now reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from the Pseudo-Core Formation realm. During my seclusion, you must not let your cultivation fall behind; all the necessary pills and resources have been prepared for you. The Heavenly Origin Array Manual is infinitely profound; you may continue to study it in depth.

If there are any matters outside that require your intervention, feel free to let Zhou Jin handle them; he is now the Deputy Island Master, and it is perfectly legitimate for him."

Xin Ruyin met Zhou Ding's gaze and nodded earnestly, as if she wanted to engrave every word of his advice in her heart: "Don't worry, I will take care of everything in the cave and will never let you be distracted."

Zhou Ding nodded and turned his gaze to Xiao Mei.

The thin, naive, and somewhat playful little girl from back then has now grown into a graceful and slender young woman. The childishness in her eyes has faded, replaced by a delicate and lively charm.

Her mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level appeared quite stable, and her aura was solid.

She worked very hard in cultivating the "Qingyuan Sword Technique" and studying the "Heavenly Talisman Scripture," and her talisman-making skills improved day by day.

"Don't worry, son-in-law!" Before Zhou Ding could speak, Xiao Mei puffed out her chest, her face radiating confidence and vitality, her clear voice echoing in the hall.

"By the time you emerge from seclusion, I'll have already broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage! I'll then draw a stack of mid-level talismans as a congratulatory gift for you, my son-in-law!"

Her words eased the heavy atmosphere in the air, and Zhou Ding couldn't help but smile. He nodded and said, "Alright, I'll be waiting for your gift. Cultivation shouldn't be rushed, and talisman making also requires a balance of work and rest. If there's anything you don't understand, ask your young lady for guidance, or record it in the jade slip. I'll answer your questions when I come out of seclusion."

"Yes, yes! I know, son-in-law!" Xiaomei nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling.

After giving his instructions, Zhou Ding's gaze finally fell on Xin Ruyin.

"You can go into seclusion without worry."

She spoke softly again, her voice so gentle it could melt ice: "I'm here for you."

Zhou Ding said no more, suddenly stood up, turned around, and walked steadily toward the stone door of the quiet room on the east side of the hall, which had been prepared in advance and whose restrictions were fully opened.

Sensing his approach, the heavy stone door slid open silently, revealing a quiet room with soft light and a spiritual atmosphere.

Zhou Ding stepped in, his figure disappearing into the hazy halo of light.

"boom……"

The stone door slowly closed behind him, sealing it tightly and completely blocking out any light, sound, or prying eyes from the outside world.

The intricate array patterns engraved on the door lit up one after another, and layer upon layer of light curtains overlapped behind the door, transforming the meditation room into an absolutely independent, safe, and tranquil space for spiritual practice.

The room was quiet, spacious, and simple.

Apart from a warm jade cushion and an incense burner, there was nothing else.

A faint, calming fragrance filled the air.

Zhou Ding sat cross-legged on the futon, facing the sky, and slowly closed his eyes.

He didn't immediately start trying to break through the bottleneck, but instead first calmed his mind completely.

Like the calm sea before a storm, all distracting thoughts and worries slowly settle down.

About an incense stick later, his mind had reached a state of perfect tranquility.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, a jade bottle about an inch tall appeared in his palm.

Upon uncorking the bottle, a refreshing and invigorating fragrance wafted out, instantly uplifting the spirit.

The bottle contained only a pill the size of a longan, its surface a mixture of pale gold and milky white, with cloud patterns faintly visible. It was the Ningxin Pill, an auxiliary pill for forming the core, which he had carefully refined based on the records in the Tianyuan Danjing, using several thousand-year-old spiritual herbs as the main ingredients.

This pill has similar effects to the "Dust-Subduing Pill," which is widely circulated in the Chaotic Star Sea and is also used to assist in the formation of the Golden Core. In some aspects, it is even better than the "Dust-Subduing Pill" in terms of harmonizing the mind and suppressing inner demons.

Without hesitation, he put the pill into his mouth.

The pill melts upon entering the mouth, transforming into a warm yet powerful torrent of medicinal energy that rapidly spreads throughout the body, eventually converging into the dantian and the sea of consciousness.

A refreshing sensation emanated from the ancestral aperture between his eyebrows, as if a handful of clear spring water was washing away his spirit, making his mind clearer and more transparent, free from distracting thoughts.

At the same time, the solidified crimson-gold pseudo-core in the dantian seemed to be nourished and summoned by something, and the speed of its light flow quietly accelerated, exuding an aura of yearning for transformation.

The vast and pure power of the Azure Origin Sword Technique began to flow slowly and steadily through the meridians, which had already been expanded and strengthened to the extreme, following a specific circulatory route.

Each cycle feels like a process of polishing, accumulating, and brewing.

The retreat has officially begun.

……

Time flies, seasons change, and outside the cave, no one knows the seasons.

At the summit of Lingmu Peak, the four seasons turn silently.

The clouds and mist on the summit gathered and dispersed, but the stone gate of the cave remained tightly closed for two years, never opening even a fraction.

Inside the cave, time seemed to flow even more slowly.

Xin Ruyin cultivated herself day after day, studied array manuals, tended the herb garden in her cave, and organized the many books and materials left by Zhou Ding.

With ample elixirs and a tranquil environment, her cultivation steadily improved, and she had quietly crossed the threshold of the late Foundation Establishment stage, steadily progressing towards the Pseudo-Core Formation stage.

A deeper understanding of formations Xiaomei also never slacked off.

He meditates and practices the "Qingyuan Sword Technique" at a fixed time every day, and devotes most of his remaining energy to the research and practice of the "Tianfu Scripture".

In the talisman-making room next to the meditation room, the piles of discarded talisman paper are growing larger and larger, and the variety of basic and advanced talismans she has successfully drawn is becoming more and more abundant. She has even begun to try to sketch some simple basic runes for intermediate talismans.

Her cultivation level was also steadily increasing. Although she was still some distance from the late stage of Foundation Establishment, her foundation was extremely solid.

Everyone had their own things to do, and everything inside the cave was in good order.

……

On this day, the sky was clear and blue, without a single cloud.

The warm sunlight shone on Lingmu Peak, making the branches and leaves of the trees, washed by a night's rain, appear lush and verdant, with dewdrops refracting a rainbow of colors.

Xin Ruyin was in the spirit herb garden that had been opened up behind the cave, holding a jade hoe, carefully loosening the soil around a jade fungus that had been transplanted not long ago and was about three hundred years old.

This jade mushroom was transplanted from the Yue Kingdom by Zhou Ding. It can calm the mind and replenish qi, and is very beneficial to nourishing the soul of cultivators. She took extra care of it.

The purple lightning eagle lay lazily on a piece of spirit jade that was warmed by the sun at the edge of the herb field, its glassy purple eyes squinting, its fluffy tail occasionally swishing contentedly, and tiny purple electric sparks flickering around its body like breath.

suddenly-- The purple lightning eagle, which was enjoying the sunshine, suddenly raised its head, and the feathers on its neck instantly bristled!

Its usually languid purple eyes suddenly sharpened, staring intently at the stone door of the quiet chamber deep within the cave, a door that had been tightly shut for two years. A short, wary growl escaped its throat: "Goo-woo!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it rang out like an alarm bell in the quiet herb garden!

Xin Ruyin's hand holding the jade hoe trembled slightly, and the spiritual spring water brought up by the hoe tip splashed onto the soil next to the jade fungus with a "plop".

She suddenly looked up, first glancing at the unusually tense Purple Lightning Eagle, and then, as if sensing something, her gaze also turned towards the quiet room, her heart involuntarily racing.

The very next moment she looked up—

"BOOM—!!!"

A dull, loud sound, not originating from the material world, but directly and violently resounding through the souls of all living beings on Spiritwood Peak and even in a wider area, descended without warning!

The sound seemed to come from the deepest part of the Netherworld, vibrating with the pulse of the earth; it also seemed to crash down from the top of the sky, carrying the judgment of the heavens!

Amidst the deafening roar, there were also faint sounds of wind and thunder, and the clear, resonant ringing of swords, which were truly awe-inspiring!

The medicinal herbs in the herb garden swayed violently without any wind.

The entire cave, no, the entire Spiritwood Peak, seemed to tremble slightly for a moment upon hearing that loud noise!

Before the echoes of the loud bang had even faded, the world outside had already undergone a dramatic change!

The once clear, cloudless blue sky was suddenly filled with wind and clouds!

The pitch-black clouds, appearing out of nowhere, resembled the floodwaters of the Styx River bursting its banks, or the foul breath spewed by an ancient beast awakening, gathering, churning, and piling up at an astonishing speed!

In the blink of an eye, it had covered the sky for dozens of miles above the Spiritwood Peak, and was still spreading and expanding in all directions at an astonishing speed!

Dark clouds loom over the city, threatening to crush it!

Thick, low-hanging clouds seemed almost within reach. Within the clouds, instead of ordinary silver snakes, there were thick, dragon-like streaks of blue-gold interwoven with terrifying, sharp lightning bolts dancing wildly and tearing through the darkness!

The deafening thunder, seemingly about to shatter the sky, resounded continuously, its rolling roar echoing and colliding among the peaks of the Qingyun Mountains, creating an extremely terrifying spectacle!

At the same time, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of more than a hundred miles centered on Lingmu Peak completely surged!

It was as if an invisible god had stretched out a giant hand, forcibly seizing and tearing away all the spiritual energy in this world!

The spiritual energy from the mountains, the earth's veins, and even the spiritual energy gathered by the array of Kui Xing City in the distance, all transformed into visible streams of milky white and cyan energy, emitting a mournful howl, and surged wildly towards the top of Lingmu Peak from all directions!

The speed and scale of the gathering of spiritual energy far surpassed that when Zhou Jin formed his core!

The whistling spiritual energy rubbed and collided in the air, even producing a sharp sound like metal clashing!

In just a few breaths, a massive, milky-white vortex of spiritual energy, with a diameter of more than ten miles, slowly rotating and radiating a suffocating pressure, took shape beneath the thick tribulation clouds atop Spiritwood Peak!

The bottomless vortex at the center of the vortex, like a greedy giant mouth, is facing the cave below, frantically devouring and pouring in the massive amount of heaven and earth essence that has gathered here!

The vortex slowly rotated, causing the tribulation clouds above to form a more extensive and terrifying cloud vortex. Azure-gold lightning surged and struck wildly between the cloud vortex and the spiritual energy vortex, making the Spiritwood Peak appear to be bright and dim, like a doomsday thunder prison!

"This is……"

Xin Ruyin tilted her slender neck back, her face showing excitement.

This is a celestial phenomenon indicating the formation of the Golden Core!

Moreover, it was such an extraordinary celestial phenomenon of Core Formation!

Zhou Lang... succeeded!

"Miss! Miss, look! What... what happened to the sky?!"

Xiao Mei rushed out of the talisman-making room, still clutching a talisman brush in her hand, her face full of horror. But when her gaze followed Xin Ruyin's line of sight to the sky and she saw the familiar yet even more terrifying vortex and tribulation clouds, her horror instantly turned into unparalleled ecstasy, and her voice changed.

"Core Formation! It's a Core Formation phenomenon! Young Master! Young Master is about to form his Core!!!"

She was so excited that her face turned red, and she jumped up and down on the spot, almost throwing the talisman pen in her hand.

The entire Qingyun Mountain Range, with its thirty-six spiritually vibrant sub-peaks and hundreds of cultivators' caves, seemed to be gripped tightly by the same invisible giant hand at this moment, suddenly falling silent before erupting into a deafening clamor!

Countless cultivators who were in seclusion, refining pills, crafting artifacts, or discussing the Dao, regardless of their cultivation level, were all alarmed by the soul-stirring roar and the dramatic changes in the outside world!

Like startled birds, figures shot out from their respective caves, houses, and pavilions, looking in horror toward the direction of Spiritwood Peak.

"Another person has achieved Core Formation! A celestial phenomenon! It's a Core Formation celestial phenomenon!"

"That's Spiritwood Peak! The Daoist temple of Vice Island Master Zhou Jin!"

"Didn't Master Zhou Jin just reach the Core Formation stage two years ago? How... how come he's back again?!"

"My goodness! Just how many masters live on Spiritwood Peak?!"

"This strange phenomenon... this vortex of spiritual energy... this tribulation cloud and lightning... is several times larger than what Master Zhou experienced two years ago! It's simply unheard of!"

"Who is it? Could it be Zhou Ding, the rumored cousin of Master Zhou, who is at the Pseudo-Core Formation stage?"

"Who else could it be but him! Two Core Formation cultivators have emerged from this single peak in just two short years? This... what kind of luck and foundation does this possess?!"

Horrified, envious to the point of jealousy, insanely jealous, incredulous, fanatical worship...

A complex array of emotions intertwined and shifted across the faces of countless gazing cultivators.

Lingmu Peak, a place that rose to fame just two years ago because of Zhou Jin's Core Formation, has once again captured the attention of the entire cultivation world of Kuixing Island in this unprecedented way, becoming the undisputed focus!

Tianzhu Peak, where the Hidden Dragon dwells.

The Wood Dragon Immortal, who was meditating in his quiet room to comprehend a wood-based divine power, suddenly opened his eyes the instant the loud noise reached his soul!

His eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if two bright lamps had suddenly been lit!

Without even standing up, he appeared at the highest point of Tianzhu Peak as if by teleportation, his black Daoist robe fluttering in the turbulent flow of spiritual energy.

He immediately looked towards the direction of Lingmu Peak. When the terrifying spiritual energy vortex with a diameter of more than ten miles and the thick tribulation clouds with raging blue-gold lightning came into view, the expression of this mid-stage Core Formation island master of Kuixing Island, who had seen many storms, changed drastically!

"This is……"

He almost roared, unleashing his powerful divine sense with no reservation, extending it with all his might. Like an invisible tentacle, it instantly traversed dozens of miles, reaching the outer perimeter of Spiritwood Peak.

Despite the array blocking his way and preventing him from going deeper, he clearly sensed the immense life force emanating from the cave at the summit, which was rising at a terrifying speed and was about to break through some invisible shackle!

Lingmu Peak!

Core Formation!

And this aura...

Its foundation is terrifyingly strong, far superior to Zhou Jin's ferocious and violent bloodthirsty path!

It's Zhou Jin's cousin, Zhou Ding!

He actually attempted to break through to the Core Formation stage!

Moreover, judging from the extraordinary phenomena that have been triggered, the depth of its accumulation and the terrifying nature of its foundation seem to be far greater than that of Zhou Jin back then!

It's Zhou Jin's cousin, Zhou Ding!

He actually attempted to break through to the Core Formation stage!

Moreover, judging from the extraordinary phenomena that have been triggered, the depth of its accumulation and the terrifying nature of its foundation seem to be far greater than that of Zhou Jin back then!

"This... how is this possible?!"

Even with Master Mulong's composure and calmness, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise at this moment, his expression changing constantly. In addition to shock, he felt an indescribable complex emotion, as if a bottle of mixed feelings had been spilled.

Just two short years!

On the same mountain peak!

Two consecutive celestial phenomena of Core Formation!

When did the insurmountable barrier of Core Formation, which has trapped countless geniuses, become so "easy"?

A slight gust of wind rustled behind him, and the figures of Master Yuan Jun and Master Kan Qin appeared almost simultaneously.

The two were clearly alarmed and rushed over.

When they saw the terrifying sight above Lingmu Peak, the two Core Formation cultivators stood frozen in place, their faces filled with extreme shock and bewilderment, unable to speak for a long time.

Master Yuan Jun opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, as if he wanted to say something, but found that any words seemed pale and powerless in the face of the power of heaven and earth at this moment.

Even the usually calm and composed eyes of Master Kanqin were now filled with turbulent waves as he stared blankly at the top of Spiritwood Peak, as if trying to see through the vortex and witness the miracle unfolding within the cave.

After a long while, Master Mulong exhaled a long, long breath, as if he wanted to pour out all the shock and sighs in his heart.

He said in a deep voice, his voice slightly hoarse without him even realizing it: "Let's go to Spiritwood Peak."

Three dazzling beams of light, each a different color, shot into the sky from the summit of Tianzhu Peak, like a rainbow piercing the heavens. They ripped through the sky, which had been turned upside down by the strange phenomenon at Lingmu Peak, and in an instant, they descended into the air outside Lingmu Peak.

At this moment, the area outside Lingmu Peak was already packed with people.

More cultivators rushed to the scene than three years ago, forming a dense, dark mass that hovered in the air or stood on nearby hilltops—probably no fewer than a thousand people!

Everyone was kept out by the hazy halo of light rising from the upgraded "Inverted Five Elements Array," and could only gaze at the spiritual energy vortex and thunderous hell on the peak that devoured heaven and earth. Discussions, exclamations, and gasps filled the air, and everyone's face was filled with fervor and awe.

As soon as the three True Immortals Mulong arrived, an invisible pressure from the Core Formation stage naturally emanated, causing the crowd in front to part like a tide, making way for them.

The three stood in mid-air, at the very front.

Master Mulong ignored the commotion behind him. He gazed at the shimmering, impenetrable protective array before him, channeled his magical power, and spoke in a calm yet penetrating voice, clearly penetrating the array:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin, I am Mu Long, and I have come with fellow Daoists Yuan Jun and Kan Qin to pay you a visit. Please show yourself."

The sound rippled across the array's light screen.

A moment later, the light screen that enveloped the mountain peak rippled slightly, like water rippling. A tall figure shrouded in a black robe, exuding a chilling aura, appeared out of thin air and stood inside the light screen, facing the three island lords outside the formation.

It was Zhou Jin.

Master Mulong looked at Zhou Jin without any intention of pleasantries or formalities. His gaze was sharp as lightning, staring directly into Zhou Jin's bloodshot eyes. He asked in a deep voice, though he tried his best to remain calm, a hint of tension could still be heard: "Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin, who exactly orchestrated this earth-shattering Core Formation phenomenon atop Spiritwood Peak? Could it be...?"

Zhou Jin's scarlet eyes calmly swept over the three island lords outside the formation, each with a different expression, and then over the densely packed, eagerly waiting onlookers behind them.

He didn't keep us in suspense; with his distinctively hoarse and calm voice, he gave the answer directly:

"It is indeed my cousin, Zhou Ding. After three years of seclusion, I have been fortunate enough to touch the threshold of the Core Formation Realm today."

Upon hearing this, despite having already guessed it, the expressions of Master Mulong, Master Yuanjun, and Master Kanqin all changed drastically at the same time!

The confirmation of the speculation was just as shocking as the initial sight!

Master Yuan Jun's lips twitched, as if he wanted to force a smile and say congratulations, but he found that his throat was tight and he could not make a sound. In the end, it turned into an extremely complicated sigh.

Master Kanqin took a deep breath, his cold eyes fixed on Zhou Jin, then looked at the spiritual energy vortex at the peak that seemed to be slowly stabilizing but was still terrifying. The last trace of doubt in his eyes turned into complete admiration.

Master Mulong was stunned for a long while before he seemed to wake up from a long dream.

He exhaled another long breath, this time his voice filled with undisguised, even bittersweet, emotion and admiration: "Fellow Daoists Zhou... truly... geniuses of unparalleled talent, with unfathomable depths. Two outstanding individuals from the same family, both achieving Core Formation on the same peak... If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I would have found it unbelievable. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin, and congratulations to Fellow Daoist Zhou Ding on his imminent Core Formation!"

Master Yuan Jun and Master Kan Qin exchanged a glance, straightened their clothes, and solemnly bowed to Zhou Jin in the light screen, saying in unison, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin! Congratulations on the emergence of another Core Formation True Person from Lingmu Peak! This is a grand event unprecedented in a hundred years for Kui Xing Island!"

Zhou Jin stood within the formation and nodded slightly to the three of them in return.

He said in a deep voice, which came through the formation: "Thank you, fellow Daoists. My younger brother is at a critical moment in the formation of his core and cannot be disturbed in the slightest. I need to protect him and cannot stay any longer. Once he has successfully emerged from seclusion and his cultivation has stabilized, I will definitely bring him to visit the three island lords in person to express my gratitude for your concern."

Master Mulong nodded hastily, his tone extremely earnest: "That's only right! The formation of the Golden Core is a matter of great importance, concerning one's path to enlightenment, and cannot tolerate the slightest mistake. Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin, please do as you see fit; protecting the Dharma is of utmost importance. We will remain here, awaiting the good news of Fellow Daoist Zhou Ding's successful completion of his Golden Core and his arrival in seclusion!"

Zhou Jin said no more, bowed slightly to the three of them again, and his black-robed figure flickered, disappearing behind the rippling array light screen as if merging into water, and returning to the great array.

Master Mulong, Yuan Jun, and Kan Qin lingered outside Lingmu Peak for a long time, until they saw that the terrifying vortex of spiritual energy in the sky began to stabilize and its size stopped expanding. The heart-palpitating cyan-gold lightning also gradually weakened. Clearly, the process of forming the core had entered the final stage of stable absorption and condensation. Only then did the three of them feel a little relieved.

After observing silently for a while, Mu Longzhen slowly turned around and said to Yuan Jun and the other person, "Let's go back. With Fellow Daoist Zhou Jin protecting us here, and with such a profound array guarding us, we should be safe. Now, we just need to wait for the outcome."

Three streaks of light shone again, disappearing into the horizon as swiftly as they had arrived.

Inside the cave dwelling on Lingmu Peak.

In the courtyard, Xin Ruyin still stood quietly, gazing up at the sky.

She sensed the return of the three island lords from the outside world through the formation, but paid no attention to it.

Her entire being seemed to be focused on the ever-changing sky above her head, and on what lay behind that tightly closed stone door.

The lingering waves of spiritual energy rippled through her skirt and long hair, causing them to sway gently, like a lotus flower in the wind.

"Miss, look! The young master is about to form his core! The young master is really going to become a Core Formation True Person!" Xiao Mei had run to her side at some point, still unable to contain her excitement. Her face was flushed, and she was jumping and hopping around Xin Ruyin's arm, her voice trembling with excitement.

The purple eagle seemed to sense a change that made it feel at ease and happy. It grumbled in dissatisfaction, broke free from Xiao Mei's overly tight embrace, and lightly leaped onto Xin Ruyin's other shoulder.

It nuzzled Xin Ruyin's cheek affectionately with its fluffy head, and its soft, bushy tail gently brushed against her neck, as if silently sharing her joy and comforting her excited heart.

Xin Ruyin raised her hand, her fingertips gently brushing against the smooth, cool feathers of the Purple Lightning Eagle. Her gaze remained fixed on the direction of the quiet room as she softly replied, her voice as light as a dream, yet incredibly clear: "Yes... Zhou Lang, you have formed your core."