The forest trembled under the weight of battle. Trees swayed violently, their leaves stripped by gusts of chaotic energy as a monstrous roar echoed through the mountain pass. Jin stood in the clearing, blood dripping from a wound on his arm, his breathing steady but laboured.
Across from him, a beast towered—its eyes glowing like molten lava, its black fur shimmering with demonic energy. The creature, a Level 1 Nansen Soul Realm Demon Beast, snarled and opened its mouth wide. A swirling orb of energy gathered at its throat, radiating heat and malevolence.
Jin tightened his grip on his sword, eyes narrowing.
"So this is the power of a Nansen Soul Beast..." he muttered. "Tougher than I expected."
He had come here with his grandfather under the pretence of learning how to hunt. But in truth, this battle was his own trial. He had planned everything: locate a mid-tier beast, push his limits, and use the experience to break through.
The beast unleashed its energy blast with a deafening roar. A wave of destruction surged toward Jin like a tidal wave of fire and force. He leapt forward, channelling spiritual energy into his blade.
"Deflect!"
The impact cracked through the air. Jin's sword met the blast, slicing through part of it, but the force overwhelmed him. The explosion sent him flying back, crashing into a tree with a dull thud. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he struggled to stand.
From the nearby cliffside, hidden among the rocks, his grandfather watched—calm, calculating, yet concerned.
"He's too strong for his age," the old man thought, eyes narrowing. "Already at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment... but his physical strength rivals a cultivator at the ninth level of Golden Core. Ridiculous."
Jin wiped the blood from his lips, eyes still blazing with determination.
"System," he growled mentally, "allocate 5 points to HP and 10 points to Strength."
System Notification:
5 Attribute Points added to HP
10 Attribute Points added to Strength
As the energy surged through him, his wounds began to close, and his muscles tightened with power. The beast roared again, preparing a second blast.
This time, Jin didn't wait.
He dashed forward, sword gleaming. The beast unleashed its attack, but Jin, now faster and stronger, leapt through the air, slashing downward.
"Split!"
With a cry, he brought his blade down. The energy blast collided with the sword, but this time, Jin cut straight through it. The attack split in two, harmlessly striking the ground on either side.
Before the beast could react, Jin drove his sword into its chest. A piercing shriek filled the air as the creature convulsed, then collapsed in a heap of dark smoke and fading light.
System Notification:
Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have slain a Level 1 Nansen Soul Realm Beast.
Calculating experience…
Congratulations! You have levelled up to Level 50.
Cultivation Breakthrough Opportunity Now Stable: Foundation Establishment → Golden Core
Note: The Host's body has now matured enough to withstand the spiritual pressure and energy influx of Golden Core Realm advancement.
Breakthrough Permission Granted.
Would you like to initiate the advancement process??
Jin exhaled, dropping to one knee beside the beast's body. "Yes. Begin the breakthrough."
He activated his Circle Cultivation skill. A glowing array spread from beneath his feet, forming a radiant ten-meter circle. The air thickened with spiritual energy as golden particles spiralled into the formation.
From above, his grandfather observed the shift.
"He's... trying to break through right here?" The old man's eyes widened. "I might be witnessing the youngest Golden Core cultivator in the history of our sect—no, in the entire continent."
Golden light surged upward, spiralling into the sky. The heavens responded. Clouds parted, and a column of light descended upon Jin, encasing him in a cocoon of radiant power. Trees bent toward him, the forest itself reverent of his transformation.
As the light intensified, nearby beasts stirred, sensing the raw, unguarded energy. A dozen low-level spirit beasts emerged from the shadows, drawn toward the commotion, their eyes gleaming with hunger.
Jin, however, remained unaware. His body was suspended in the cultivation circle, glowing veins visible beneath his skin. Spiritual energy crashed into him like waves against rock, each pulse reshaping his foundation, reforging his core.
On the cliff, his grandfather leapt down, landing with a soft thud.
"I suppose I'll have to play guard dog for a while," he muttered, unsheathing a sleek silver blade.
The first beast lunged—a wolf with horns. One slash from the old man sent it flying. Another beast, a winged serpent, hissed and dove. With a flick of his wrist, he impaled it mid-air. One by one, he repelled every creature, forming a protective circle around his grandson.
Minutes passed. Then, suddenly—
BOOM.
A massive pulse of golden light erupted from Jin's body, knocking back the surrounding beasts and sending shockwaves through the ground. The air stilled.
System Notification:
Ding!
Congratulations, Host. You have broken through to the Golden Core Realm (Level 1).
Reward Unlocked: Aura Sense Talent
Talent Description: Allows Host to detect the cultivation level of beings within or below Host's level.
Jin opened his eyes slowly, a golden hue flashing in his pupils. He stood, the ground around him scorched with leftover energy. He exhaled—calm, composed, but immeasurably stronger.
His grandfather stepped forward, a proud smile tugging at his lips.
"You did it," he said. "The Golden Core Realm... I didn't think you'd break through this young."
Jin stood still for a moment, feeling the changes inside his body. His chest rose and fell slowly as the golden glow around him dimmed, revealing eyes filled with clarity.
"So this is Golden Core," he murmured, placing a hand over his heart.
A swirling sensation pulsed beneath his ribs—a core, newly formed, solid and radiant. Unlike the loose and flowing spiritual energy of the Foundation Establishment stage, Golden Core cultivators forged that energy into a dense, crystal-like nucleus at the centre of their being.
"A core has formed inside me," Jin explained, more to himself than anyone else. "It acts like a spiritual engine... compressing, refining, and amplifying energy beyond anything I've ever felt. It's more than just power—it's stability, endurance, and potential."
He raised his hand, channelling spiritual energy. Instead of spilling out chaotically, the power flowed in a tight, controlled stream. His control had sharpened, his aura deepened.
"This core… it will grow stronger with me. As it matures, it will allow me to store vast amounts of energy, survive deadlier battles, and unleash techniques on a scale I couldn't even imagine before."
His grandfather nodded in satisfaction. "It also means your path to the Nascent Soul Realm has begun. The Golden Core is your foundation. Guard it well, because from now on, you're not just stronger. You're a beacon. Others will sense your growth… and some may come to test it."
Jin exhaled through his nose and gave a half-smile. "Let them come. I've only just begun forging my legend."
"So, you've successfully broken through to Golden Core."
"Yes," Jin replied with a nod.
He activated his new talent and tried to assess his grandfather's power, but the system failed to read it.
"Level unknown," the system reported.
Jin blinked. "Guess you're still way out of my league."
The old man chuckled. "And that gap is exactly why you must keep climbing. You are now the youngest Golden Core cultivator in the world, Jin. Your journey has only just begun."
Jin sheathed his sword, a determined look in his eyes.
"Let's return. I still have a long way to go."