"It's time for a breakthrough." Hei Qin looked at his dying senior. "Before I do, I have to make sure you won't die."
He cut off the sucking force of the compass only for his senior, not for the Ghost General.
Hei Qin sat at the center of the compass, circulating his qi for his next breakthrough. He decided to break through to the next stage before destroying the tracking talisman.
The Qi slowly began to circulate into Hei Qin's body, gradually penetrating his nervous system and finally reaching his dantian, where his soul sea resided. Inside his soul sea, Hei Qin's figure floated above the sea made of Qi, constantly observing its flow. Along with it, a purple mist could also be seen. It was the yin Qi that had been sucked dry from the Ghost General and Gui Ling.
Soul cores are made from pure energy. They are not necessary for becoming a cultivator or for cultivation, but they are very helpful when using techniques. They make the process of Qi circulation much easier and smoother.
Moreover, the type of core one chooses is also important. For example, in Hei Qin's case, he chose a Light or Yang-type core, which makes it easier for him to purify Yin Qi.
If someone wants to form a soul core, there are two methods.
The first method is to find a place where Qi is highly concentrated and use one's own soul to condense that energy into a core. The type of core formed depends on the surrounding Qi. For example, if someone wants an Ice-type core, they must search for a place where Ice Qi is abundant.
The second method is relatively simpler than the first, but at the same time much more difficult.
That method is obtaining another person's soul core. However, the problem is that the owner must help in transplanting their core into another person. More importantly, they must still be alive during the process. Doing so damages their soul, so almost no one willingly gives their soul core to others. Only when someone is near death might they give their core to someone they believe is worthy.
Of course, there are also cases where people are forced or blackmailed into doing it.
As for how Hei Qin obtained his soul core. There was no way he could find a place rich in Light or Yang Qi. So, you can probably guess which method he chose.
Gui Ling looked at Hei Qin. Even though his body had become extremely weak, his eyes still carried an unquenchable resentment toward his junior.
***
After a few hours…
Hei Qin slowly opened his eyes. "It's time for round two. And Senior, it's time for you to die."
His cultivation had reached Stage Four, the Initial Sub-Stage. He didn't rejoice because it was not the time for celebration yet.
"W-why… me?" said Gui Ling, his voice barely audible.
Hei Qin leisurely walked toward his senior, who was crawling on the ground with his ugly pet. He stopped in front of him and looked down at his senior with a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Why you? That's a good question… Let me think… because you are a fool… haha…" Hei Qin laughed. "…Just forget what I said. That was a joke."
His eyes became sharp again.
"You are the most suitable for it. You have double the amount of Yin Qi because of your cute pet. And the first-ranked disciples are out of the question...You know that, right? As for the other second-ranked disciples, their Yin Qi wouldn't be sufficient for my breakthrough and for breaking the talisman inside me. Even with the amount of Qi this stupid ghost provides." Hei Qin pointed at the ghost general.
"Before you die, let me ask you a question…" He paused for a second as memories he had buried deep within himself resurfaced. "…Do you remember the people you killed five years ago? A boy and a girl…"
"W-who…?"
Gui Ling became unconscious before finishing his sentence. Even if he were conscious, he probably wouldn't remember.
"Why am I even asking this?" Hei Qin shook his head. He was surprised to see that emotions like this still remained inside him. Also, It had been so long since he had felt this kind of emotion.
He then activated the sucking force of the compass again, and Gui Ling's eyes practically rolled back.
"Farewell, Senior Brother Gui Ling."
The words echoed through the cave before slowly fading away.
Again, Hei Qin sat at the center of the compass, circulating his Qi. This time it was not for a breakthrough. It was for breaking the talisman inside him. It was very important because even if he escaped, if he still carried that bomb inside him, no one could save him.
The talisman was placed inside his body near his heart. He had to be extremely careful about it. Even a slight mistake would cost him his life.
Pain slowly spread through Hei Qin's entire body. He started to scream. It was extremely painful, even compared to the wounds he carried in the aftermath of the battle.
After a few minutes, cracks slowly began to appear on the talisman.