Core Formation

Core Formation immediately follows the Qi Condensation realm and is the 4th realm in essence cultivation. The realm is split into early, middle, and late stages.

Dantian Compressions
To enter the Core Formation realm after condensing the liquid dantian to its peak in the Qi Condensation realm, cultivators must use their Qi to compress their dantians into a solid core. The more compressions that take place, the more solid the core will be, and the firmer its foundation will be, allowing cultivators with more compressions to unleash more powerful Qi with a higher quality than those with less compressions can.

Establishing a firm and potent dantian core is an incredibly important step in essence cultivation, and the compression count is based on one factor: the talent of the cultivator. Specificaly, the amount of Qi a cultivator has, as well as its quality and power for compressing the dantian, are what determines the compression count. While having an incredible pill like the Core Foundation Pill helps slightly, it is ultimately up to cultivators themselves to utilize the pill to its full effect. As such, entering the Core Formation realm is considered the first real test of essence cultivation talent. Only those cultivators who compress their dantians enough times will be able to stand at the peak of the cultivation world. John Fenix demonstrated that Body Qi from body cultivation can also be used to compress one's dantian.

It is typically regarded that average cultivators can achieve one to two compressions before they reach their limit, either running out of Qi or not having powerful enough Qi to continue the compressions. Above average cultivators can reach three to four compressions, while incredibly gifted cultivators can reach five to six compressions. Absolute geniuses that stand at the peak of the cultivation world can reach seven or eight compressions, while heavenly prodigies can reach nine or ten compressions. Ten compressoins is generally believed to be the limit in the current era. However, there are legends of amazing cultivators in the distant past achieving even more compressions, and each one became a hegemon of the cultivation world.