Innate Immortal Seed

"The Ghost Spirit Sect... We’ll have to have it out with them eventually..."

Bai Zichen’s expression was placid. If the Ghost Spirit Sect had once been just another sect with a Demon Path label to him, then after his clansmen and fellow disciples died at the hands of their cultivators, the hatred between them had become irreconcilable.

The Ghost Spirit Sect’s very existence was even beginning to disrupt the normal rhythm of his cultivation.

If it weren’t for his Mysterious Holy Body, any other cultivator’s progress would have surely been affected.

The most obvious example was Han Qing, who possessed outstanding talent and had inherited Tan Changlong’s legacy.

Yet, because of the sect war, he had been forced to spend a great deal of time on alchemy, which in turn had hindered the progress of his own cultivation.

’The key is the Cien Temple affair. What is Ju Bo Arhat’s stance... and does this have anything to do with Blood God True Man?’

Among the several Demon Path Sects, the strongest experts were, at best, on par with White Bone True Man.

Even with one or two more of them, it wouldn’t be enough to turn the tide of the situation between the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Qingfeng Sect.

In any case, the Qingfeng Sect was currently more than capable of defending itself but lacked the strength to counterattack.

As long as they held their ground at Black Mountain and relied on the Tier Three Array, the Qingfeng Sect had nothing to fear, even if the Joyful Union Sect threw its full weight behind the Ghost Spirit Sect.

What they truly feared was the Blood Demon Sect intervening directly.

To be more precise, they were worried about Blood God True Man.

After easily killing Nine Unions Daoist, who was also at Core Formation Perfection, Blood God True Man’s fearsome reputation reached a new peak.

"Until we receive definitive news, we shouldn’t fall into disarray or make any drastic changes to our current arrangements."

Bai Zichen clearly sided with the Five Halls, which was to be expected given his position as a Supervisor Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.

"If we wait for news to arrive, it will be too late to make changes, just like over a decade ago... Junior Brother Qi, what do you think?"

Gu Xisheng’s face turned grim. He had thought he would at least get a more neutral response.

’In his mind, no matter how exceptionally talented Bai Zichen was, he still couldn’t have achieved Core Formation without the sect’s assistance—things like the Core Formation Spiritual Object, the protective elixirs, and the Exotic Treasure from the Secret Hall, each worth tens of thousands of Sect Contribution points. Without his approval as Sect Leader, Bai Zichen might have been eligible to redeem them, but he never could have done so on an installment plan like Wei Dao had back then.’

"I’m not well-versed in sect administration, nor do I have a grasp of the greater situation in the Cultivation Realm, so I won’t offer any suggestions."

Qi Yue shook his head. Besides that reason, his status was too sensitive; his every word and action could be interpreted as Master Ge Cang’s will.

"You senior brothers can discuss it amongst yourselves. There’s no need to ask my opinion..."

Just then, a flash of Thunder Radiance flew in, ignoring the Ancestor Hall’s forbidden wards and stopping before Qi Yue.

The Thunder Radiance entered the Treasure Bead on Qi Yue’s chest. As thunder-light flickered within it, he shot to his feet.

"Senior Brothers, Master has sent a decree... True Monarch Jiulian will journey to Burial Immortal Valley to meet with Ju Bo Arhat."

Burial Immortal Valley was the very place where the thousand-plus cultivators of Cien Temple had perished. Legend had it that in Ancient Times, a Banished Immortal had fallen there, hence the name.

Qi Yue’s expression was grave, his tone forceful and brooking no refusal, as if he were a completely different person from moments before.

"True Monarch Jiulian has specifically named several Core Formation True Men to accompany him to Burial Immortal Valley, and Master is among them... At the same time, the Holy Lotus Sect will issue a strict order to all sects: before this matter is resolved, all disputes and battles are strictly forbidden. The Holy Lotus Sect will execute any who stir up trouble!"

"Nothing within the sect needs to change. Senior Brothers, guard the gates well. All arrangements will be made after Master returns from Burial Immortal Valley."

"We shall obey Ancestor Ge’s decree."

The elders exchanged glances. Since Master Ge Cang had spoken directly, there was no room for debate. They could only obey.

Gu Xisheng’s expression turned bitter, and he had no choice but to agree.

His original plan for this meeting had been to use the annihilation of Cien Temple and the signs of an alliance between the Ghost Spirit Sect and the Joyful Union Sect as a pretext to get one of his own people into a Vice Hall Master position.

As part of this, he would also have pushed for Wei Chuming to become the head of the Spirit Beast Hall.

Among the Five Halls and Eight Chambers, the Ancestor Hall was purely a retirement post, used to place elders of high seniority and long service.

The Secret Hall was managed by elders who focused solely on their arduous cultivation and disliked dealing with the outside world.

Aside from these two, the Spirit Beast Hall could be considered the most obscure of the Eight Chambers.

As Wei Dao’s first disciple, Wei Chuming’s accomplishments were unremarkable, but thanks to his master’s prestige, he wouldn’t have faced much resistance in taking this position.

He never expected that a single decree from Master Ge Cang would shatter all of his schemes.

No matter how many plans, backroom deals, and political maneuvers he had prepared, they were all now useless.

Of course, Gu Xisheng wasn’t naive enough to think that Wei Dao, his backer, would go protest to Ancestor Ge Cang over such a small matter.

Putting aside the difference in their seniority, even though both were Core Formation True Men, any discerning person could see the gap between them.

One had just broken through and hadn’t even forged his Lifebound Magical Treasure yet.

The other was at Late-Stage Core Formation, had a record of defeating multiple opponents at once, and was widely acknowledged as one of the few True Men in Liang Country most likely to reach the Nascent Soul realm.

Master Ge Cang simply had little interest in the sect’s affairs. But when a major event required a decision, his will would inevitably override everyone else’s in the Qingfeng Sect.

After Qi Yue’s speech—or rather, his relaying of the decree—the main topic of the meeting was concluded. Everyone could only discuss a few insignificant matters.

For instance, whether it was necessary to maintain three long-term patrol teams of disciples on the border.

Which of the vast resources left behind by the exterminated Cultivation Families should be reclaimed by the sect, and which could be released for other Cultivation Families to divide.

This year’s list of True Disciples applying for Foundation Establishment Pills had been submitted, and someone needed to be sent to Zengguang Immortal City to purchase the Thousand-Year-Old Golden Crown Lingzhi.

Deep in the northeast of Black Mountain, there was a suspected Demon Beast disturbance that had formed a beast tide. Several disciples on training excursions had gone missing, so two elders needed to be sent to investigate the cause.

Twenty years ago, any one of these matters could have become a sect mission assigned to Bai Zichen.

Now, however, he was sitting in the Ancestor Hall, able to speak and influence the direction of the discussion.

Come to think of it, he had barely done a couple of sect missions in total.

This was mainly because his cultivation advanced too quickly, and he didn’t need to accumulate Contribution Points by taking on extra sect missions. The number of missions he had participated in could be counted on one hand.

Probably only someone with a special background like Qi Yue could have had a similar experience.

When the meeting ended, Bai Zichen rose and followed Liang Yu out, planning to head to the Law Enforcement Hall to chat with Senior Brother Liang, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. But then, he received a private sound transmission.

"Senior Brother, something’s come up. I’ll come find you later."

A thought struck him, and he stopped in his tracks.

"Alright. I should be in the sect for the near future and won’t be going out."

Liang Yu nodded thoughtfully, not asking any further questions.

"Senior Brother Qi, what’s with all the secrecy?"

Bai Zichen waited at a side entrance of the Ancestor Hall for the time it takes an incense stick to burn before the person he was waiting for arrived.

"Master mentioned your name in his message just now. He wants you to go see him."

Qi Yue summoned a Flying Ship and motioned for Bai Zichen to follow.

Master Ge Cang’s Cave Mansion was located on the highest peak of the Mountain Gate. No one could enter without permission.

As his Direct Disciple, Qi Yue could naturally come and go as he pleased. As the Flying Ship neared the peak, it seemed to pass through a layer of a Thunder Net.

It appeared calm as still water, and they passed through it easily, causing only a flicker of crimson and azure lightning.

But Bai Zichen could clearly feel the terrifying Spiritual Power and destructive aura hidden within the Thunder Net.

If an intruder were to trespass, the Thunder Net would activate, and it was likely that even a Core Formation True Man would be turned to dust.

The two of them walked onto Cloud Platform Peak and saw Master Ge Cang, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the distance.

"The two of you will accompany me to Burial Immortal Valley. True Monarch Jiulian has only given us seven days; there’s no time to waste."

Master Ge Cang spoke directly, before Bai Zichen could even bow in greeting.

A slender Flying Ship in his palm grew to be several dozen feet long and hovered over the Cloud Platform.

Dazedly, Bai Zichen followed Qi Yue onto the Flying Ship. With a jolt, he realized they had already left the sect’s domain.

At a speed far beyond his imagination, it had ascended to an altitude of over ten thousand zhang.

Outside, Gang Winds swept past and the Great Sun Celestial Fire blazed, but the Flying Ship was completely unaffected, flying steadily onward.

’Junior Martial Uncle Ge’s power is truly immense. This altitude of over ten thousand zhang is almost the exclusive domain of Nascent Soul True Monarchs. A careless Core Formation True Man could perish here... However, there’s no air resistance at this height, and no need to detour around peaks. It really is the fastest flight path.’

Through a round viewing portal on the ship’s hull, Bai Zichen could see a limited view of the outside.

It was a world ravaged by Gang Winds and shrouded in Great Sun Celestial Fire Beams. From time to time, a burst of light would flare up—the sign of a Celestial Fire eruption.

"Besides myself, True Monarch Jiulian also named four others: Fang Tiancheng, Blood God True Man, Wan Qi, and Peng Zefeng..."

Master Ge Cang suddenly began to speak. Bai Zichen and Qi Yue immediately perked up their ears and moved closer.

"At this point, who actually destroyed Cien Temple is no longer that important. True Monarch Jiulian will never allow Ju Bo Arhat to interfere in the affairs of the Liang Country Cultivation Realm. Furthermore, a combat between two Nascent Soul True Monarchs would have massive repercussions, and it would also involve the sects backing them. I suspect they will most likely have Core Formation Cultivators fight it out to settle the matter."

The Dharma Aspect Sect, where Ju Bo Arhat hailed from, is the number one Buddhist Sect in the world, with four eminent monks of the Arhat level within its ranks.

Moreover, Buddhist Sect cultivators have a habit of practicing Withered Meditation and entering death-seclusion for their cultivation.

Who could guarantee that in the cave mansions on the back mountain of the Dharma Aspect Sect, there weren’t a few ancient, undying Arhat monks?

In terms of sect strength, the Dharma Aspect Sect was certainly far superior to the Holy Lotus Sect.

But that didn’t mean Ju Bo Arhat could meddle in the affairs of the Liang Country Cultivation Realm as he pleased.

No matter what, Cien Temple was a sect of Liang Country, and it was still within Liang Country’s borders when it was annihilated. According to the unwritten rules of the Cultivation Realm, it was the Holy Lotus Sect’s prerogative to handle the matter.

Otherwise, any Nascent Soul Major Sect could find an excuse to interfere. In the long run, would Liang Country still belong to the Holy Lotus Sect?

And if True Monarch Jiulian were to act directly, regardless of the outcome, the situation would lose all room for negotiation.

That was why Master Ge Cang understood the Holy Lotus Sect’s intentions the moment he saw the list of people True Monarch Jiulian had summoned.

The Cultivation Realm was a place where strength always did the talking. Since a Nascent Soul True Monarch and an Arhat both had their reservations and were reluctant to act personally, then it was up to their subordinates to settle the score through combat and bring this tragic massacre to a close.

Aside from Master Ge Cang, who was at Late-Stage Core Formation, the remaining four were all renowned figures in the Liang Country Cultivation Realm.

There was no need to mention Blood God True Man and Fang Tiancheng. Wan Qi was a Supreme Elder of the Sun Concealing Sword Sect with a Perfect Core Formation Cultivation, and was known as the number one Sword Cultivator in Liang Country.

Peng Zefeng came from a background as a Loose Cultivator. He had traveled various countries and obtained the relic of a senior True Monarch. Decades ago, he joined the Holy Lotus Sect as an Honored Guest Elder and also possessed a Perfect Core Formation Cultivation.