Innate Immortal Seed

"Junior Brother Bai, we’re not going back to the rented Cave Mansion. We’ll take a Ray Beast directly to the nearest Immortal City gate..."

Jin Lu spoke extremely quickly, his earlier panic now under control.

"Inside the Immortal City, no one would dare make a move. The Zengguang Du Family has held power for a thousand years. Within a hundred miles, any acts of murder, robbery, revenge, or Combat will be seen as a provocation against the Du Family, tarnishing the Immortal City’s reputation."

"The Ghost Spirit Sect Cultivators might not dare to attack us. At least, they won’t be so decisive. They’ll definitely hesitate for a while."

"We’ll leave immediately. As long as we’re fast enough to reach the Righteous Dao Alliance’s territory, the Ghost Spirit Sect Cultivators will never dare to pursue us."

Jin Lu handed two Jade Boxes to Bai Zichen, pressing them into his hands. "Junior Brother Bai, I know your Flying Sword is faster than mine... Let’s split up. If the Ghost Spirit Sect has truly lost its mind, they’re more likely to chase me."

On the surface, Jin Lu was the main envoy for this trip and had a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation. If anything valuable was won at the auction, it would surely be in his storage bag.

Bai Zichen didn’t refuse and accepted the two Golden Crown Reishi.

’Hearing this, it does seem safer to leave immediately. Besides, this place is only four or five thousand miles from the Righteous Dao Alliance’s territory.’

He could use Sword Control at full speed and arrive in no time.

’Worst case, I have the Tier Three Taiyin Star Escape Talisman to save my life.’

The two of them exited the Immortal City gate and chose their separate routes. Jin Lu unfurled his Profound Black Banner and departed first.

Bai Zichen glanced at the sun overhead, slapped his storage bag, and his Sound Bamboo Sword transformed into a brilliant streak of Sword Light, shooting straight up.

’At a time like this, speed is the top priority. I can’t afford to fly leisurely on the Colorful Cloud Robe anymore.’

According to Jin Lu, the probability of the Ghost Spirit Sect risking the great offense of angering the Du Family to pursue him was minuscule.

But as Bai Zichen flew on his sword, he still kept the Taiyin Star Escape Talisman clutched in his hand.

A Tier Three Escape Technique Talisman was precious, but it was still just an external item. If that Granny Ghost really did bully the weak and shamelessly chase after him, he would tear the Talisman open without a moment’s hesitation.

’Even though the few Core Formation True Men from the Ghost Spirit Sect were thoroughly beaten by Ancestor Ge Cang, their Realm is still leagues above ours. Dealing with Foundation Establishment juniors is child’s play for them... That Granny Ghost is best at summoning her filthy Hei Shui, which is incredibly poisonous. Most Protective Spirit Lights can’t last more than a few moments against it.’

Bai Zichen paid close attention to the Ghost Spirit Sect, his Sect’s great enemy, and was crystal clear on the abilities of their several Core Formation True Men.

’Against those of the same Realm, the filthy Hei Shui might not be very effective, but for bullying Cultivators a Great Realm lower, it’s devastatingly efficient.’

Granny Ghost could be considered the weakest of the Ghost Spirit Sect’s five Core Formation True Men, but her Magical Treasures and Divine Techniques excelled at group combat—or more accurately, at dealing with opponents weaker than herself.

Her most glorious achievement was instantly killing five Foundation Establishment Elders from the Poison Dragon Sect during an internal war among Demon Path Sects over resources several decades ago.

Defense Spiritual Artifacts, the Poison Dragon Body Refining Secret Technique, the Heavenly Demon Dissolving Skill... in the face of her filthy river of Hei Shui, they were all as fragile as paper.

’No matter how weak, a Core Formation Cultivator is still a Core Formation True Man... an existence that can command a region and ensure a legacy.’

Granny Ghost merely had to show her face, and Bai Zichen and Jin Lu were forced to flee for their lives, not daring to stay in Zengguang Immortal City for even one more day.

This was the intimidating power of a Core Formation True Man.

The Qingfeng Sect had too few Core Formation True Men, lacking top-tier experts who could hold down a region.

Ancestor Yangg was guarding Feiyue Lake but didn’t have much lifespan left. Ancestor Ge Cang guarded the Mountain Gate, but in a few years, he would have to travel far to search for the Lotus Secret Realm. They were stretched too thin.

The Sect didn’t need five Core Formation True Men like the Ghost Spirit Sect. Just one more would give them much more flexibility.

For trips to the Immortal City like this one, if a Core Formation True Man were leading the group, they wouldn’t have to be on edge, worried about accidents.

A fierce desire for a higher Realm welled up in Bai Zichen’s heart—for himself, and for his Sect.

...

"Huh?"

A tall, black-faced cultivator with rough skin looked up at the sky, a surprised and doubtful expression on his face.

"Senior Brother Meng, what is it?"

The shorter Cultivator beside him was leaner, his face weathered, and his upturned eyes held a menacing Evil Qi.

The two Cultivators’ clothing and auras set them apart from the crowd. At the slightest dispute, a fierce glint would appear in their eyes, and their hands would move to the storage bags at their waists.

"I think I heard the sound of a Sound Bamboo..."

Meng Shigui had followed a Sect Elder here, visiting the inland territories for the first time, and was having his eyes opened in Zengguang Immortal City.

He was exactly one hundred and thirty years old this year, at the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm. After this tour of the inland, he would return to the Outer Sea and begin attempting Core Formation.

"How is that possible? Before the Fish Dragon Sect was destroyed, they burned every Spiritual Bamboo on their island to ash with Nine Yang True Flame. Not even a single seed was left behind."

The lean junior brother suspected Senior Brother Meng had misheard, but the other man’s Cultivation was far higher than his own, so he didn’t dare to refute him directly.

"For hundreds of years, the Elders have searched all over the Outer Sea and even deep inland, but they’ve never seen a trace of Sacred Sound Bamboo or Thunder Sound Bamboo... I’m afraid both types of Spiritual Bamboo are completely extinct. It’s a pity. The Fish Dragon Sect passed down so many Sword Refining Secret Methods, but without the materials, they’re all useless."

"No, that Jade Sound was identical to the sound a Sound Bamboo Sword makes when used at full power, according to the records..."

Meng Shigui took out a Flying Sword shaped like a leaf, which felt as light as nothing in his hand. It transformed into a clear streak of light and flew off in the direction the Jade Sound had faded.

"Junior Brother Sheng, when you’re done here, go back and report to the Elder. Tell him I’ve found a suspected trace of a Sound Bamboo Sword and have gone to investigate."

’Hmph, what a pipe dream. Still thinking you’ll find Thunder Sound Bamboo to forge a Thunder Bamboo Sword... You’ve been muttering about it this whole trip. Even the Elder’s Spiritual Sense isn’t as sharp as yours, apparently.’

Junior Brother Sheng waited until the clear light was far in the distance, then spat disdainfully. He resentfully began directing the Qi Refining Cultivators at the Immortal City gate to move a large shipment of goods onto the massive Flying Ship before them.

’It’s all the fault of that Fish Dragon Sect disciple who escaped over five hundred years ago and took that drop of Holy Beast Essence Blood. Otherwise, if the Holy Beast Essence Blood were still enshrined in our Sect, we would only need to be nourished by it for our Wood God Skill to undergo a qualitative transformation and gain miraculous properties.’

’It wouldn’t be like it is today, just a common Spirit Plant Technique!’

Meng Shigui’s mention of the Sound Bamboo Sword had stirred the deepest obsession in the hearts of every generation of Youlong Sect Cultivators, and Junior Brother Sheng let out a long sigh.

’Then again, that’s not right either. If the Holy Beast Essence Blood hadn’t been stolen, the Dragon Monarch would have taken it long ago. It would have never been our turn... After all, a major reason the Dragon Monarch gathered all those Great Demons and allied with multiple powers to attack the Fish Dragon Sect was for that drop of Holy Beast Essence Blood.’

Five hundred years ago, the Fish Dragon Sect, which had dominated a region of the Outer Sea, was annihilated with lightning-fast ruthlessness on a stormy night by the Dragon Monarch from the deep sea, who had gathered many Great Demons.

From then on, the Fish Dragon Sect became history in the Outer Sea.

The several powers that had followed in their wake founded their own Sects after the war, carving up the territory, legacies, and treasures left behind by the Fish Dragon Sect.

Among them, the Youlong Sect had gained the most, seizing the Fish Dragon Sect’s original Tier Four Spiritual Vein Island.

...

After flying for several hundred miles, Bai Zichen’s heart suddenly lurched. He had the feeling of being watched.

The Sword Light beneath him flared, a clap of thunder boomed, and the aura of wind and lightning converged, increasing his speed by several tenths.

But the feeling didn’t disappear. It remained a short distance behind him, neither getting closer nor falling further away.

’Faster than my normal flight speed, and about the same as my speed with Sword Qi Thunder Sound... It’s not a Core Formation Cultivator. It must be a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator or a Cultivator with a special Flying Spiritual Artifact to be able to keep up so closely.’

Bai Zichen breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t a Core Formation True Man, he was confident he could hold his own for a while.

’The worst that could happen is I’d have to activate the Taiyin Star Escape Talisman and run.’

He simply disengaged his Sword Qi Thunder Sound state and gradually slowed down, wanting to conserve Magical Power so he wouldn’t be at a disadvantage before the fight even began.

Soon, a bright streak of Sword Light cut across the sky, revealing a black-faced cultivator.

Bai Zichen looked doubtful. He had never seen this person before, nor did he look like a Cultivator from the Ghost Spirit Sect. He had no idea why this man was chasing him so relentlessly.

"Haha, it really is a Sound Bamboo Sword! My Spiritual Sense was correct!"

Meng Shigui observed the style of the Flying Sword beneath Bai Zichen, overjoyed. His Divine Sense locked onto the young man before him.

"To think a remnant of the Fish Dragon Sect would be found in the inland territories! So this is what it means to travel and seek opportunities... My chance for Core Formation lies here!"

’This young Cultivator has a Sound Bamboo Sword, which means he must have Sacred Sound Bamboo.’

The prerequisite for the birth of Sacred Sound Bamboo was to shine a sublimated Wood God Skill on an ordinary Spiritual Bamboo every day, with only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of success.

Meng Shigui didn’t care about a mere Tier Two Flying Sword. What he cared about was the Thunder Sound Bamboo that could be refined into a Tier Three Thunder Bamboo Sword, which evolved from Sacred Sound Bamboo.

Back then, every Core Formation Cultivator in the Fish Dragon Sect wielded a Tier Three Thunder Bamboo Sword, striking fear across the Outer Sea.

Meng Shigui imagined capturing this Fish Dragon Sect remnant, forcing the location of the Holy Beast Essence Blood out of him, and presenting it as tribute to the Dragon Monarch. In return, he would surely get a promise to help him achieve Core Formation.

’It would be even better if I could get a stalk of Thunder Sound Bamboo. That would take care of my Lifebound Flying Sword after I reach Core Formation.’

As one of the top three Foundation Establishment Cultivators in his sect with the highest hopes of reaching Core Formation, Meng Shigui could already be considered part of the Youlong Sect’s upper echelon. He knew far more about the Sect’s secrets and the inside story of the Fish Dragon Sect’s dismemberment than an ordinary disciple.

’How does this person recognize the Sound Bamboo Sword?’

Bai Zichen was first startled that the Black-Faced Cultivator recognized his Flying Sword, but when he heard the words "Fish Dragon Sect remnant," his heart pounded violently.

He never would have expected that his pursuer wasn’t a Cultivator from the Ghost Spirit Sect, but an enemy of the Fish Dragon Sect, drawn by his Sound Bamboo Sword.

His Flying Swords had all come from a Sword Refining Secret Technique that the Bai Family Ancestor had brought with him when he left the Fish Dragon Sect. He had even discussed it with the Clan Leader, Bai Xianzhong. It was strange that a mere Inner Sect Disciple like their Ancestor could have possessed so many treasures.

’But from this man’s tone, it sounds like the Fish Dragon Sect has already been destroyed?’

’And it left behind many enemies who are hunting down so-called Fish Dragon Sect remnants?’

"Fellow Daoist, I don’t know what you’re talking about. What Fish Dragon Sect? What Sound Bamboo Sword? I’ve never heard of them... I bought this Flying Sword at a Market. Could it have belonged to one of your enemies?"

Bai Zichen blurted out a lie, hoping to fish for more information.

"What nonsense!"

Meng Shigui’s leaf-like Flying Sword flickered and vanished into the air, sending out ripples as a streak of Sword Light attacked from the shadows.

"Even if you really did buy it, once I capture you, I can follow the clues to find its true owner!"