Innate Immortal Seed

Zhang Cong came from a wealthy mortal family. He was intelligent from a young age and was discovered to have a Spiritual Root at the age of eight. He was recommended to the Qingfeng Sect as an Immortal Seedling.

After more than forty years of Qi Refining, he successfully reached Foundation Establishment.

He had once dreamed of reaching Core Formation, but unfortunately, after cultivating for over thirty years to the Peak of Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, he remained stuck at a bottleneck.

He took several Barrier-Breaking Pills but failed to break through. Gradually, he developed a resistance to the elixir, and its effects became negligible.

If he wanted to rely on the power of Spirit Pills to break through his bottleneck again, he would have to use a higher-tier elixir.

He saved up Spirit Stones for many years and won a Water and Fire Yin Yang Pill at an auction in Zengguang Immortal City, but he still failed in the end.

After that, he simply gave up on the idea and dutifully carried out his responsibilities as an Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Zhang Cong returned to his mortal clan a few times, selecting relatives with Spiritual Roots to bring back and train.

Unfortunately, none of them were promising. The one with the highest Cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

The Zhang Family lived on a mountain peak not far from the Sect’s Mountain Gate. It couldn’t even be called a complete Spirit Vein, possessing only two small plots of Tier One Top-Grade Spiritual Land.

However, for the Zhang Family, which had only seven or eight Cultivators in total, it was more than enough.

If not for Zhang Cong’s influence, they wouldn’t have been able to hold onto this territory.

In the Spirit Hall, the Zhang clansmen were all dressed in mourning clothes. The few with Cultivation were responsible for receiving guests and guarding the coffin.

The more numerous mortal clansmen were handling menial tasks.

Bai Zichen took the incense sticks and bowed once before Senior Brother Zhang Cong’s memorial tablet.

Liao Changqing followed behind him. After offering his incense, he had no patience to say much to the fawning Zhang clansmen trying to curry favor.

His expression hardened, and the pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator emanated from him, instantly silencing the surroundings.

"Senior Brother Bai, have you decided which position you plan to take?"

Liao Changqing still had a group of former disciples and followers under him, and without his support, their lives were very difficult.

He planned to seek a position directly, without waiting for the ten-year transition period.

He wasn’t a newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivator who needed to switch Cultivation Techniques to adapt to his new Cultivation level, purchase Spiritual Artifacts, and so on.

Unlike Liu An, Liao Changqing didn’t have a specialized skill that would allow him to take a post in the Artifact Refining Hall. He could only wait for the upper echelons to decide his assignment.

"I’m not in a hurry. I’ll think about it for a few years... Senior Brother Liang is here. Let’s go and greet him."

Liang Yu, along with several other Elders from the Law Enforcement Hall, strode over. The panicked Zhang Family Cultivators rushed out and knelt on the ground.

As the saying goes, the tea cools once the person leaves. Aside from a few fellow sect members who were close to him in life, not many Sect Elders came to pay their respects.

"Rise. Today, I’ve come to see Junior Brother Zhang on his final journey."

Liang Yu wanted to look after Zhang Cong’s descendants, but after looking them over, he didn’t find a single one who was up to par.

He was afraid that in a few years, these people wouldn’t even be able to protect the inheritance Zhang Cong left behind.

Liang Yu saw Bai Zichen and nodded at him. "You’re here too."

Liao Changqing excitedly bowed and offered his greetings. Being noticed by Liang Yu made his trip worthwhile.

When the auspicious time arrived, Liang Yu, as the master of ceremonies, stood before the coffin with a mournful expression.

"All that lives must die; an early end is not hastened by fate."

"After a thousand autumns, who will know of glory or disgrace!"

With each line of the eulogy he recited, Liang Yu waved his hand, sending a streak of red light into the coffin.

As four profound and majestic red lights suppressed the four corners, the coffin seemed to grow much heavier.

A few beads of sweat dotted Liang Yu’s forehead. The four Forbidden Seals he had expended great effort to place were enough to stop an ordinary Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

He did this because he knew the Zhang Family was weak and incapable of protecting their ancestor’s tomb, and he worried that Junior Brother Zhang Cong’s body would be desecrated.

Such incidents were rare in Black Mountain County, so this was just a precaution. In Hejian County, no Cultivation Family would dare to bury their elders in such a manner.

Among Demon Path Techniques, there were several Corpse Refining Secret Techniques that could transform the physical bodies of dead Cultivators into zombies.

The bodies of Body Refining Cultivators were even better, as they could be transformed into higher-level, more powerful zombies.

This kind of Corpse Refining Secret Technique was remarkably effective and required no materials other than a Cultivator’s body.

It was very popular among Demon Path Cultivators.

Whenever a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from some family passed away, Cultivators from the Ghost Spirit Sect would immediately come knocking, leading to intense struggles over the corpse.

Many Cultivation Families chose to cremate the remains of their ancestors directly.

Or they would simply take matters into their own hands, preemptively refining their Ancestor into a zombie to protect the clan.

"Hall Master Liang, in my family, only Cheng’er is still worth cultivating. The Ancestor also invested a lot of effort in him in the past..."

The Zhang Family’s Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivator pulled a boy in his early teens to kneel before Liang Yu and kowtowed forcefully.

"I beg Hall Master Liang, for the sake of our Ancestor, to accept Cheng’er as your disciple."

Liang Yu reached out, grasped the boy’s wrist, and passed a trace of Magical Power into him.

’Four Spiritual Roots, Qi Refining Second Layer.’

"I stopped taking disciples long ago, and I wouldn’t have time to teach him even if he joined my tutelage... I’ll write a note. Take it to the Sect, and I’ll arrange for him to become an Outer Sect Disciple."

Liang Yu called Bai Zichen over, leaving the two behind them still kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly.

"I didn’t expect that among Senior Brother Zhang’s clansmen, there isn’t a single one capable of supporting the family."

Bai Zichen shook his head as he watched. ’If there had been a promising seedling, Liang Yu might have gone with the flow and accepted him.’

"Even a Core Formation Ancestor can’t guarantee their descendants will be outstanding... Let’s not talk about this. In the future, just look after them a little for Junior Brother Zhang’s sake."

Liang Yu followed the mountain path to a secluded spot.

"Everyone walks a different path in cultivation, so there’s not much more I can teach you. I hope you can learn a lesson from Junior Brother Zhang’s fate and never let your guard down."

"The strange Cultivation Techniques of cultivators out there are endless... Either you don’t fight, or if you do, you must be thorough. Don’t leave your opponent a chance to breathe and play their trump card."

"I don’t want to be in the Sect and hear news that your Soul Lamp has been extinguished."

"I will be as cautious as if walking on thin ice, but I will act with bold diligence... I will remember your advice, Senior Brother Liang, and will not become arrogant or careless."

Bai Zichen had a very clear understanding of himself. With the mysterious Spirit Body, there was no need for him to take risky actions.

Those Realm-Breaking Elixirs, which were extremely tempting to ordinary Cultivators, were worthless to him.

"By the way, there’s been some progress on the matter of the Tier Three Spirit Lands at Feiyue Lake. The interested parties are you new elders, plus a few others who don’t have a permanent Tier Three Spirit Land. With your merits, it’ll be easy for you to secure a spot. There’s just one thing: the Spirit Lands are divided into two Tier Three Mid-Grade and four Tier Three Low-Grade plots... Whether you can claim a Tier Three Mid-Grade Spirit Land will require further discussion."

Liang Yu was quite pleased to see that this junior brother didn’t possess the unbending pride rumored of Sword Cultivators and knew how to be flexible.

"Senior Brother, please advise me. How can I secure a Tier Three Mid-Grade Spirit Land? Has the Sect established a procedure?"

Bai Zichen’s eyes lit up. If a Tier Three Mid-Grade Spirit Land was available, he would naturally strive for the better option.

’Any increase in efficiency during Cultivation is a good thing.’

"It’s just a matter of us voting. Junior Brother Wei brought in Gu Xisheng and made him the Deputy Sect Leader for these few years, giving him a vote as well... Junior Brother Ying and I will definitely vote for you, but it would be safest to win over one more Hall Master."

Seven people will vote, each choosing two candidates. The ones with the most votes win. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"I understand."

Bai Zichen nodded slightly. ’Aside from Senior Brother Liang Yu’s help, I’ll have to think of something myself.’

...

「Artifact Refining Hall.」

Bai Zichen transferred 5,800 Sect Contribution points in one go. Looking at the few remaining points on his Elder Token, he felt a bit reluctant to part with them.

The rewards from the final battle at Feiyue Lake and this year’s stipend had allowed him to successfully pay off his debts.

"Junior Brother Bai is truly a man of his word! I hadn’t even come to press you for it, yet you’ve come to repay the Sect Contribution points on your own."

Peng Chong rubbed his bald head and laughed heartily.

Even knowing the other party wouldn’t default on the debt, every creditor is happy when they get paid back.

"Senior Brother Peng, your generous help in gathering the contribution points for the Foundation Establishment Pill is a kindness I have always remembered... Now that you’re about to refine a Spiritual Artifact, you must have significant expenses. How could I dare to delay any longer?"

Back then, Peng Chong had unhesitatingly lent him several thousand contribution points. Though it was partly because he saw potential in Bai Zichen and was making an early investment, it had ultimately been a huge help.

"Haha, with your contribution points, Junior Brother Bai, I have enough to exchange for the last two materials. I can start refining the Spiritual Artifact next month... I’m determined to succeed in one go this time!"

"Then I’ll congratulate you in advance, Senior Brother Peng, and wish you a great breakthrough in your Artifact Refining Skill!"

Bai Zichen took a sip of the Spirit Tea beside him and slowly asked, "Is Senior Brother Dai in the hall? I have something I need to see him about."

"The Hall Master just came out of the Artifact Refining Chamber. I’ll go inform him right away."

Peng Chong didn’t hesitate and immediately stood up.

’In the eyes of the Sect’s upper echelon, this young Junior Brother Bai is already far more important than an old-timer Elder like me.’

Peng Chong was a Tier Two Refiner, which made him stand out among the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Elders.

An incense stick’s time later, Bai Zichen met with Dai Hui, the Hall Master of the Artifact Refining Hall.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Dai."

"No need for formalities. Find a seat yourself."

Dai Hui was holding a scroll of Ancient Texts. He tossed it onto the table and laughed heartily. "Junior Brother Bai, you’re a rare guest! What brings you to my Artifact Refining Hall today?"

"I have come to ask a favor of you, Senior Brother Dai."

Bai Zichen took out the White Iron Elite and a host of supplementary materials, saying with some embarrassment, "I’ve gathered the materials for the other Tier Two Flying Sword from the Sword Refining Secret Method you gave me last time. I was hoping to ask for Senior Brother Dai’s help in refining it."

"Oh? I didn’t expect you to have such good fortune, Junior Brother Bai. You’ve obtained White Iron Elite so quickly... Even my Artifact Refining Hall doesn’t have this kind of ore."

Dai Hui took the White Iron Elite and tossed it in his hand.

"The weight is sufficient, even a bit more than needed... But I don’t have time right now. Junior Brother, you can either wait five years for me, or find someone else to refine it."

"This is no excuse. I’ve had a sudden flash of inspiration and am preparing to enter seclusion immediately. I cannot be delayed."

Among the five Hall Masters, Dai Hui was the youngest and still held hope of reaching Core Formation.

Bai Zichen knew very well that this kind of sudden inspiration came and went quickly.

Refining the Celestial Xin Sword would take several months at the very least.

If he were to refine the sword before entering seclusion, that wisp of inspiration would have long since slipped away.

"In that case, I will wait for you to come out of seclusion, Senior Brother Dai. I can afford to wait five years... I wish you a successful seclusion and a great advancement in your Cultivation."

After some thought, Bai Zichen still felt that Dai Hui’s sword-refining skills were the most trustworthy.

If he chose someone else and they ruined the Sword Refining Materials, he would have nowhere to find another piece of White Iron Elite.

"Good! Rest assured, Junior Brother Bai. If all goes well, I might come out of seclusion in two or three years!"

Dai Hui let out a loud laugh and put away the Sword Refining Materials.

"I’ll take this extra White Iron Elite as my payment for refining the sword."

Bai Zichen quickly thanked him and at the same time, brought up the matter of the Tier Three Mid-Grade Spirit Land at Feiyue Lake.

Without a second thought, Dai Hui readily agreed, saying he would send his opinion via letter to Sect Leader Wei Dao before entering seclusion.