Innate Immortal Seed

"By the way, your Bai Clan Leader came up the mountain a few days ago to see the Sect Leader. He proposed paying fifteen thousand Spirit Stones now to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill, but he wants to leave it with the Sect for ten years before collecting it."

Pei Dongyong suddenly brought up the Bai Family just as Bai Zichen was about to leave.

"This is a minor matter, so agreeing to it or not won’t have much impact... Do you have any objections, Junior Brother Bai? I can just propose it at the Elder Council meeting. It should pass without issue."

Years ago, as a reward for handing over the Secret Technique, the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique, Sect Leader Wei Dao granted the Bai Family the right to purchase one Foundation Establishment Pill from the Qingfeng Sect within ten years.

The reason Clan Leader Bai Xianzhong had come to plead for a ten-year extension was naturally because the Bai Clan couldn’t find a suitable candidate to take the Foundation Establishment Pill.

For a Cultivation Family like the Bai Family, a single Foundation Establishment Pill represented the hope for the clan’s continuation, so the choice of who would use it had to be made with extreme care.

If they took it back to the clan, it would easily attract scoundrels, and the Bai Family might not have the ability to protect it.

’Where in all of Black Mountain could be safer than the Qingfeng Sect?’

Besides, the Qingfeng Sect had an excellent reputation in this regard, so Bai Xianzhong wasn’t afraid that the Foundation Establishment Pill would somehow disappear while in storage.

’Unfortunately, his uncle is still stuck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, not even qualified to risk attempting Foundation Establishment.’

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Senior Brother Pei. Please help my Clan Leader fulfill this wish."

Bai Zichen still had some affection for his clan, and he knew he couldn’t stay on Black Mountain forever.

With one more Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the clan, the Bai Family’s legacy would be more secure.

...

The Refinement method for the Colorful Cloud Robe was extremely simple. It took much less time than the All Living Beings Bell, and he soon felt his Heart and Spirit Linked with it.

Injecting it with Magical Power, an ethereal white cloud expanded outwards. Once unfurled, it took the shape of a shawl with a texture like fluffy white cotton candy, large enough for five or six people to stand on.

Bai Zichen sat on it, sinking into its soft surface. He couldn’t feel any turbulence as it flew forward.

He could even meditate and practice his Cultivation on the Flying Magical Artifact without being disturbed.

’What a treasure. I really made the right choice... It’s so much better than a Flying Sword in this respect!’

Sword Flight was nowhere near this comfortable. It required constant, focused attention, let alone trying to do anything else while flying.

’If I’m ever fleeing from a powerful enemy, I can escape while meditating on the Colorful Cloud Robe to recover Magical Power... then switch back to a Flying Sword for a burst of speed, and repeat the cycle.’

Bai Zichen easily thought of several scenarios where the Colorful Cloud Robe would be useful.

After using it just once, he knew he had made the right choice. Of the three Spiritual Artifacts, the Colorful Cloud Robe would surely be the most useful for the longest time.

As for its basic flight speed, it was comparable to the Golden Sparrow Sword.

However, as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator using Liquid Magical Power to fuel it, the effect was on a completely different level compared to when he was in the Qi Refining Stage.

Whether Controlling Flying Swords or Flying Spiritual Artifacts, his speed was at least double what it was before.

’But, Senior Brother Pei, how come you didn’t tell me this Spiritual Artifact needs Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to operate on its own...’

He flew a few laps around the Mountain Protection Array, satisfied with every aspect, but when he opened the recessed box at its core, Bai Zichen froze.

The size and shape of the slot were completely different from that of ordinary Spirit Stones. He inserted two, and before he could react, all the Spiritual Qi within them was drained, leaving them as shattered dust.

The Colorful Cloud Robe remained where it was, unmoving.

A single Mid-Grade Spirit Stone was worth almost all the Spirit Stones in his storage bag. He really couldn’t afford to use them.

Of course, he knew there were many benefits to having a few Mid-Grade Spirit Stones on hand.

Alas, his pockets didn’t allow for it. He could only worry about it later.

「Back at the Moon-Locking Pool, in the Quiet Chamber.」

With a wave of his hand, Bai Zichen brought out several Cultivation Technique Jade Scrolls.

He had made a trip to the Transmission Hall and brought back all the Cultivation Techniques he could use.

They were: the first volume of the *Daoist Classic Cantongqi*, annotated by True Monarch Shangyang, which he had copied for free onto his own Jade Scroll.

The Soaring Dragon Thought Method, for two hundred Sect Contribution points.

The Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture, both the general outline and the first volume, each costing two hundred Sect Contribution points.

Bai Zichen had thought long and hard before choosing the former between the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture and the Thick Earth Five Virtues Skill.

One layer, one realm, leading directly to the Nascent Soul stage—the temptation was simply too great.

Possessing a special Spirit Body, he naturally dreamed of a future as a Core Formation True Man, or even a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Moreover, judging from the description, transforming into a Fire Dragon, or even a Fire Flood Dragon, was no worse than the ability to quickly refine a Lifebound Magical Treasure offered by the Thick Earth Five Virtues Skill.

’Thankfully, the Sect gave me my first year’s salary as a new Elder in advance, otherwise I couldn’t even afford to exchange for the Cultivation Techniques in the Transmission Hall...’

The Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture had a total of nine layers, corresponding perfectly to the stages from Early-Stage Foundation Establishment to Early-Stage Nascent Soul.

His Sect Contribution Points were limited; he wished he could stretch every single point into two.

Fortunately, the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture could be exchanged for one volume at a time. It showed that the Transmission Hall was considerate, taking into account the plight of poor Cultivators like him.

’Senior Brother Pei made the *Daoist Classic Cantongqi* sound so mystical, yet it’s both difficult to practice and has no obvious effect. I’ll put that aside for later... First, I’ll master the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture and re-refine all my Magical Power. I’ve had enough of the Chang Chun Skill’s sluggish, ox-cart-like operating speed.’

For every day he didn’t switch his Cultivation Technique, his Cultivation would not advance an inch.

No, others might not advance an inch, but Bai Zichen probably did make some progress—just a sliver, as thin as a hair.

The general outline Jade Scroll for the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture began by explaining the Cultivation Technique’s origin: an unnamed True Monarch had comprehended it by observing a Fire Dragon Immortal Beast raised by an Immortal Sect.

Cultivating this technique would increase the strength of the Cultivator’s Fire Spiritual Root with each completed layer.

The fundamental nature of the Spiritual Root wouldn’t change, but the upper limit of that single Spiritual Root would be raised.

Take a Three Spiritual Roots Cultivator like Bai Zichen, for example. If he could cultivate the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture to the fourth layer, his cultivation speed with Fire Element Techniques would be comparable to a normal Dual Spiritual Roots cultivator.

But for Wood and Earth Element Techniques, he would still only have the aptitude of someone with Three Spiritual Roots.

’According to the general outline, cultivating it to Perfection can give a Cultivator a cultivation speed close to half that of someone with a Fire Element Celestial Spiritual Root... With such a heaven-defying effect, why didn’t Senior Brother Pei mention it to me? Could there be a catch?’

Bai Zichen spent three days completely digesting the contents of the general outline.

He finally discovered the drawback to enhancing his Fire Spiritual Root, and it was no wonder nobody cared about it.

Before the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture was cultivated to Perfection, the enhanced Fire Spiritual Root aptitude was only effective when cultivating this specific technique.

Only at the very last step would the enhanced Fire Spiritual Root aptitude apply to the cultivation of other Fire Element Techniques or Magic.

Furthermore, besides Bai Zichen, only Cultivators who had at least Dual Spirit Root Talent would dare to choose this Cultivation Technique.

For them, the effect was even more minimal.

After that, he took out the Jade Scroll for the first volume of the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture, which contained detailed records of the incantations and energy circulation paths. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

’So complex. Compared to this, the Chang Chun Skill is like a child’s scribble next to a master’s painting. The gap is immeasurable...’

Bai Zichen’s first attempt to change his energy circulation path ended in failure.

The difficulty of switching from a Wood Element Technique to a Fire Element Technique was even greater than he had anticipated.

’No matter. I’m not planning to travel for the next few years anyway, so I’ll just use the time to switch my Cultivation Technique. At worst, it will just take a bit longer.’

Bai Zichen closed his eyes and focused, pouring all his concentration into comprehending the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture.

Six whole months passed in this state of comprehension.

He completed one full Circulation through his body using a brand-new energy path, refining Spiritual Qi into a single drop of Liquid Magical Power that fell into his Qi Sea.

With a soft PLINK, a great disturbance erupted in his tranquil Qi Sea.

Although there was only a single drop of Liquid Magical Power formed by the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture, its quality was superior.

The shallow pool of Liquid Magical Power left behind by the Chang Chun Skill, though a hundred times greater in volume, was actually unable to completely overpower it.

The drop of red Liquid Magical Power darted back and forth within his Qi Sea like a fire dragon, running circles around the emerald-green Liquid Magical Power.

Just as it was finally surrounded and about to be depleted, another drop of red Liquid Magical Power was refined.

The Liquid Magical Power from the Chang Chun Skill was, after all, wood without roots, water without a source.

Now that he had mastered the basics of the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture and begun refining new Magical Power, after several days, only a pool of red Liquid Magical Power remained in his Qi Sea.

It seemed much more vibrant than before.

’I’ve finally converted my Cultivation Technique...’

Bai Zichen circulated the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture for one full cycle, confirming that not a trace of the Chang Chun Skill’s magical power remained and that his energy circulation path had been completely changed.

Although the total amount of his Magical Power was the same, he could feel that its quality had doubled.

’This means that, even though I’m still at the Foundation Establishment stage, my Magical Power is now twice as strong as it was six months ago... So this is the difference between a basic Cultivation Technique and a Top-Tier Cultivation Technique.’

Bai Zichen sighed with emotion.

No wonder the average strength of Sect Cultivators was so much greater than that of Clan Cultivators and Loose Cultivators during the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Conversely, at the Core Formation True Man stage, there were many powerful Loose Cultivators.

After all, anyone who could make it all the way to Core Formation as a Loose Cultivator must have had significant opportunities and fortuitous encounters, and could not be underestimated.

With the great task of converting his Cultivation Technique complete, Bai Zichen left the Quiet Chamber for the first time in over half a year, enjoying a rare, relaxed pace.

’After a while, I’ll go ask Senior Brother Peng where I can get my hands on a Tier Two Flying Sword... It’s not that the Golden Sparrow Sword is bad, it’s just that my standards have gotten higher.’

Bai Zichen still had several Secret Techniques he could practice slowly; there was no rush.

He now had a lifespan of two hundred years. In terms of age for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he was really just a child.

The Artifact Refining Hall in the Sect had long since confirmed they had no Tier Two Flying Swords in stock, because the few Artifact Refiners, including Peng Chong, simply didn’t have the skill to refine them.

The few Elders who possessed Tier Two Flying Swords had all either purchased them from outside or commissioned an Artifact Refining Master to custom-make them.

He had asked two of them, and both said their swords came from Zengguang Immortal City.

But Zengguang Immortal City was so far away. Distant water couldn’t quench a nearby thirst; he would have to find another way.

"Junior Martial Uncle Bai, these are all the messages that arrived during your seclusion. They’re all here."

Su Lie respectfully walked onto the high platform in the center of the pool.

To avoid being disturbed during his seclusion, Bai Zichen had asked the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to set up a simple Array outside his Quiet Chamber. It could only block sound and messages, offering no defensive capabilities.

"Su Lie, you’ve been with me for many years now. Have you thought about going out and trying your hand at something?"

Bai Zichen set the messages aside and asked about Su Lie first.

"Don’t be in a hurry to answer. Think it over carefully... whether to remain by my side as an escort, or to be sent out as a Steward. Which one better suits your own wishes, and which would allow you to do more for me."

After reaching Foundation Establishment, he was short on Spirit Stones and short on Contribution Points, struggling at every turn.

Seeing Su Lie today, Bai Zichen remembered that as a Mortal, Su Lie had built a large trading company from scratch and possessed considerable business and management acumen.

It had become customary for the escorts of True Disciples to be sent out to serve as Stewards after their masters reached Foundation Establishment and became Elders.

As for whether they could rise further, that would depend on their own abilities and the changing status of the Elder they served.

Bai Zichen felt that he had enough escort disciples by his side.

Sending Su Lie out to be a Steward would expose him to a wider circle and also give him a chance to create opportunities to build up some wealth for him.