Innate Immortal Seed

"There are two solutions. Benefactor Jiulian, you can hand over that Demon Cultivator and allow him to return with me to the Dharma Aspect Sect to chant scriptures for a century. With a cyan lamp and an ancient Buddha, he can cleanse himself of all Demonic Qi. He might even achieve sudden enlightenment in the Buddhist Dharma and have a chance to walk the Great Dao once more."

Ju Bo Arhat’s eyes were downcast. As he spoke, his voice seemed to carry a Buddhist rhythm, one that could persuade a person to abandon evil, turn to good, and repent.

"The other solution is for us to compete in our methods of slaying demons and defending the Dao... I have thousands of disciples, but only three are truly accomplished. Add to them two young friends with whom I share a bond that transcends age."

"We will follow the rules of Beiyuan: one person per match. Regardless of the outcome, all karma between us will be resolved."

True Monarch Jiulian sighed softly. ’So, it’s come to this after all.’

’Fortunately, I was prepared and have already summoned the five top Core Formation True Men from Liang Country.’

’Otherwise, if the Holy Lotus Sect had to send our own Elders, the situation would have become ugly, and they would have had to bear the risks of Combat.’

Ju Bo Arhat’s lineage placed the utmost importance on karma and reincarnation.

The cause of Cultivation yields the fruit of enlightenment, allowing one to transcend the world.

If they became entangled in karma of their own making, their Realm could stagnate at best, or their Cultivation could regress at worst.

This was why True Monarch Jiulian had been so tolerant of Ju Bo Arhat’s offensive actions.

Besides being wary of the Dharma Aspect Sect’s power, he also didn’t want a simple matter of face to escalate to the point of severing another’s path to the Great Dao and making a mortal enemy.

’How much affection could an Arhat truly feel for a sect he was acquainted with several centuries ago? Enough to go to war for it?’

’Seeking justice for the people of Cien Temple is secondary. His main goal is to resolve this karmic tie.’

"I have also heard of these Beiyuan arena battles... I wonder, what are the rules for this Combat?"

True Monarch Jiulian knew this battle was unavoidable, and his voice was bleak.

’Even setting aside the matter of face, I absolutely cannot hand over Blood God True Man for certain special reasons.’

But to refuse Ju Bo Arhat outright would be to become an enemy obstructing his Dao, creating a Nascent Soul Level foe for himself and the Holy Lotus Sect.

"Life and death are of no concern. There are no restrictions... The winner may take one Spirit Stone."

Ju Bo Arhat’s gaunt forearm was revealed as he silently placed five Top-Grade Spirit Stones in front of him.

In Beiyuan, such arena battles were usually held to decide the ownership of large Ore Veins or to settle life-and-death grudges between Cultivators.

But here in Burial Immortal Valley, ten of the world’s most elite Core Formation True Men were about to engage in a life-or-death struggle, all so Ju Bo Arhat could avoid being burdened by karma.

"Fine. It shall be as the Master says."

True Monarch Jiulian detected the indifference in the other’s tone. He couldn’t tell if it was because the man was confident of victory, or if he simply didn’t care about the outcome of the battles or the lives of the participants.

He also placed five Top-Grade Spirit Stones in front of him. After a moment of thought, his lips moved as he sent a Sound Transmission to several people.

’A compassionate demeanor, yet a heart without sentiment... In comparison, I carry too many burdens. I can’t be so decisive.’

True Monarch Jiulian thought to himself, then voiced the doubt in his heart.

"Master, don’t you find this matter suspicious? It seems someone is acting from the shadows, provoking a conflict between our two sides... Could it be the work of the No-Life Sect?"

The No-Life Sect was one of the three great Nascent Soul Sects of Beiyuan, a Major Sect of the Demon Path with strength comparable to the Dharma Aspect Sect.

The two sects had fought for ten thousand years, with victories and losses on both sides. Their relationship was like fire and water.

"I have my own calculations."

Ju Bo Arhat’s face was as still as an ancient well, betraying no emotional fluctuation.

Seeing that the Arhat had no intention of continuing the topic, True Monarch Jiulian said no more.

...

This was the first time Bai Zichen had ever seen so many High-Tier Cultivators gathered in one place.

He and Qi Yue were left in the outer circle. Only the Holy Lotus Sect had brought a group of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The other Core Formation True Men all seemed to have come alone, without bringing any junior disciples.

’That must be where the two Nascent Soul Cultivators are... They stand on the highest stage of the entire continent. I wonder when I’ll be able to reach that Realm.’

Bai Zichen gazed at the high platform from afar. There were two blurry figures on it, who he presumed were True Monarch Jiulian and Ju Bo Arhat.

He didn’t know anyone here, and the Holy Lotus Sect disciples didn’t look very approachable, so he found a piece of green stone shaped like a resting ox and sat down.

He visualized the Illusion-Breaking Sword Technique, which he had found within the True Enlightenment Sword Techniques, in his Sea of Consciousness, savoring it from the perspective of a beginner.

The Illusion-Breaking Sword Technique was one of the most superior forms of Swordsmanship in the entire True Enlightenment Sword Technique.

It could predict an opponent’s Sword Path, allowing one to seize the initiative and gain an invincible position.

It didn’t have many Sword Techniques of its own. Unlike the Star Luo Swordsmanship, it was a form of Swordsmanship that emphasized intent over specific moves.

Bai Zichen suspected that mastering it to a deep level was basically equivalent to assimilating the majority of the True Enlightenment Sword Technique.

The primary characteristic of the True Enlightenment Sword Technique was that it granted its practitioner the talent of Sword Heart Clarity, allowing them to deconstruct any Sword Path in the world.

The two were somewhat similar.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, a Swordsman wielded a Five-Foot Cyan Peak, his movements graceful, unrestrained, and natural.

The Swordsmanship had returned to its true essence, consisting of only a few simple, rudimentary, and easy-to-understand forms.

He watched it over and over, using his finger as a sword, completely engrossed. Yet, he felt he still couldn’t bring out the characteristics of the Illusion-Breaking Sword Technique and hadn’t grasped the essence of its introduction.

’To be able to calm his mind and enter Cultivation at any time, even in an environment like this... I am far inferior to Junior Brother Bai.’

Qi Yue was shocked when he saw Bai Zichen concentrating on comprehending the Swordsmanship.

He also wanted to follow his example, enter Meditation, and study the ways of a Divine Thunder Master, but he found he couldn’t do it at all.

His mind was filled with distracting thoughts. One moment, he worried that the two Nascent Soul big shots would start fighting at the slightest disagreement.

The next, he fretted about what would happen if his master went up for Combat and was defeated by a High Cultivator from Beiyuan.

While he was lost in this state of anxiety, a streak of black, dazzling light flew over and landed within Burial Immortal Valley.

Two Core Formation True Men had arrived, one old and one young. They bore some resemblance to each other and were both dressed in Water Ripple Daoist Robes.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists. We are from the Zengguang Du Family... I am Du Yu, and this is my clansman, Du the Twelfth Son. Our ancestor heard of the incident here and specially dispatched us to investigate."

The older of the two, Du Yu, stepped forward and performed a formal Daoist salute, speaking with an air of self-assurance.

"Please help us pass on a message. We would like to see if the two Elders can spare a moment to meet with us."

Burial Immortal Valley was not far from Zengguang Immortal City. It was perfectly normal for the city’s ruling power to send people to investigate a tragic sect annihilation that had occurred within their sphere of influence.

The Du Family dominated the Immortal City, connecting four countries. Their reputation of being "five feet from the sky" referred to more than just their strength.

In terms of wealth, it was likely that even an ordinary Nascent Soul Major Sect was not as prosperous as the Du Family.

This was also why, when the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect needed a Treasure to stabilize their Secret Realm, Fang Tiancheng had immediately thought of Zengguang Immortal City.

If the incident in Burial Immortal Valley were to escalate into a war between two Nascent Soul Major Sects, it would certainly affect the flow of people and business in Zengguang Immortal City.

Just as the Du Family Cultivators were exchanging pleasantries with the Core Formation True Men present and waiting to be received by the two great figures, another glimmer of starlight shone in the far distance.

As it shuttled through the air, fragments of starlight fell, creating a beautiful spectacle.

"What powerful Sword Intent!"

The taciturn Wan Qi, who had been holding his longsword the whole time, suddenly looked up toward the glimmer of starlight.

At almost the same moment, Bai Zichen, who had been continually comprehending the Illusion-Breaking Sword Technique, broke out of his state of Meditation. He felt a sharp Sword Intent, powerful enough to tear the sky asunder, rapidly approaching.

The next moment, countless points of starlight scattered and converged above Burial Immortal Valley, revealing a middle-aged man.

"The Sword Fool, Yann Yuanzai!"

Bai Zichen heard a Holy Lotus Sect disciple exclaim in a hushed, shocked voice.

’He must be a very famous Sword Cultivator,’ he thought. ’Unfortunately, I don’t recognize him.’

"Yann Yuanzai of the Tianhe Sword Sect has come to pay his respects to the two Elders."

The middle-aged man had a heroic expression and a short beard. He had actually requested an audience with the two Nascent Soul Cultivators directly, without being announced.

"So it’s Elder Sword Fool..."

Qi Yue said with sudden understanding. Seeing Bai Zichen’s questioning gaze, he began to explain.

"My master mentioned this Elder Yann, the Sword Fool. The two of them have a good relationship... It’s said that Elder Yann is a once-in-a-century Sword Dao genius in the Tianhe Sword Sect. He reached Core Formation Perfection long ago and can undergo Shattering Core and Transforming into Nascent Soul and trigger the Celestial Tribulation at any time."

The three great Nascent Soul Major Sects of Beiyuan: the Dharma Aspect Sect, the No-Life Sect, and the Tianhe Sword Sect.

Among them, the Tianhe Sword Sect was the closest to Liang Country. Just like the arrivals from the Du Family, Yann Yuanzai’s presence also represented the will of the Sect behind him.

Within the small confines of Burial Immortal Valley, four Nascent Soul Level powers had actually gathered: the Dharma Aspect Sect, the Tianhe Sword Sect, the Holy Lotus Sect, and the Zengguang Du Family.

"So it’s Little Kid Yann..."

True Monarch Jiulian’s eyes opened, and two lotus flowers faded from within them.

He glanced at Ju Bo Arhat, who remained completely still, and then said, "Yann Yuanzai, and the two disciples from the Du Family, come up to the high platform."

His voice was light and airy, yet in the next moment, it echoed in the ears of every Cultivator in the valley.

"So Brother Ge is also here. We’ll catch up later..."

Yann Yuanzai flew directly toward the high platform. Upon seeing Master Ge Cang, he nodded in acknowledgment.

Among the three Nascent Soul Major Sects of Beiyuan, the Tianhe Sword Sect had the fewest disciples and only one Nascent Soul True Monarch, yet it held a somewhat transcendent status.

The Dharma Aspect Sect and the No-Life Sect were locked in a fierce struggle, but both had a tacit understanding not to let the flames of war spread into the Tianhe Sword Sect’s territory.

Firstly, because the Tianhe Sword Sect had extremely high aptitude requirements for its disciples, the sect had no more than three thousand Cultivators. They already struggled to control their current territory and thus had no motivation to expand outward.

Secondly, Sword Cultivators had always possessed exceptional combat prowess, and the Supreme Elder of the Tianhe Sword Sect was a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul expert whose combat strength was unmatched in all of Beiyuan.

"This junior pays his respects to True Monarch Jiulian and Ju Bo Arhat."

Yann Yuanzai cupped his hands in a salute, appearing somewhat casual.

In contrast, the attitude of the two Core Formation True Men from the Du Family was far more reverent.

The Holy Lotus Sect had dealt with its neighbor, the Tianhe Sword Sect, many times. True Monarch Jiulian was well aware that, barring any accidents, Yann Yuanzai would most likely become a fellow peer in the future. Thus, he paid no mind to his slightly presumptuous attitude.

After a brief exchange, both Yann Yuanzai and the Du Family Cultivators conveyed the opinions of the decision-makers behind them.

The Tianhe Sword Sect’s meaning was simple: resolve the matter on the spot. They didn’t want the situation to escalate and affect the Sword Sect’s territory.

True Monarch Du was even more direct: end the incident as soon as possible, and do not let it affect business in the Immortal City.

Of course, the words that actually came from the mouths of the three were much more tactful and polite.

"My two young friends who transcend age have arrived. Let’s quickly conclude the five matches... I must then escort the coffins of the Cien Temple monks back to the Dharma Aspect Sect to be interred in the Pagoda Forest."

Ju Bo Arhat slowly rose to his feet, as if the disturbances of the outside world had not entered his ears at all.

He plucked five Bodhi Beads from the strand before him and tossed them into the air, where they transformed into five glittering golden arenas.

"Master, your Sumeru Skill has already reached the Transformation Realm. I am truly impressed... With arenas like these, not even the True Essence fluctuations of the Core Formation Stage will leak out, which will prevent this place from being turned into a ruin."

True Monarch Jiulian nodded in approval. From the hand he held behind his back, five lotus seeds flew out and vanished.