Innate Immortal Seed

Chapter 203: Chapter 201: Those Who Learn From Me Live, Those Who Imitate Me Die

After bestowing the treasures, Master Ge Cang offered words of encouragement to all the Sect Disciples. He even had kind words for the Clan Cultivators.

The central message was simple: Black Mountain County would continue on as before, with no changes.

Buoyed by the might of this great victory, the Clan Cultivators knew that the Qingfeng Sect held an advantage over the Ghost Spirit Sect in terms of top-tier combat strength, so they naturally deferred to its leadership.

Master Ge Cang naturally didn’t concern himself with the remaining trivial matters. He soon dismissed the assembly and went to visit his two comrades from the Five Elements Sect.

’A Spirit Wine like this, with such a complex brewing process that uses countless precious Spirit Fruits... even if I had the recipe, I couldn’t possibly brew it.’

Bai Zichen held the Jade Bottle. As expected of a container from a Core Formation True Man, it was extraordinary. Its texture was translucent, smooth, and refined.

It clearly possessed a marvelous ability to lock in Spiritual Qi and preserve the items within.

In the Cultivation Realm, the demand for all kinds of jade products—Jade Bottles, Jade Boxes, Jade Cups, and so on—was immense. It had even given rise to the profession of the Jade Master.

These masters specialized in analyzing the properties of jade and researching how to enhance the practical effects of jade products while maintaining their aesthetic appeal.

The status of a Jade Master couldn’t compare to the top-ranking professions among the traditional Hundred Skills of Cultivation, but their applications were widespread.

Mastering this skill made it easy to earn an extra few dozen Spirit Stones each year.

Inside the Jade Bottle, twenty-five drops of Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine were clearly distinct. They looked like they had merged into a single mass, but in reality, each drop was separate.

Every drop of the Spirit Wine was an independent entity, and it seemed as if a miniature Qiu Dragon was tumbling within each one, startlingly lifelike.

The skill of a Brewer was such an obscure one that the Qingfeng Sect didn’t even have a complete legacy for it.

For example, when Bai Zichen wanted to have his large stores of Tier One Spirit Rice brewed into Spirit Wine, he had to hire what were essentially amateur Brewers.

They were people who had chanced upon a few brewing recipes and mastered the art through constant trial and error.

But their knowledge wasn’t systematic, and they had no potential for further advancement.

Take the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine for instance. It required ninety-nine types of Spirit Fruits, and the brewing process had to take place in the environment of a Ten Thousand Years Ice Jade Cellar.

Only a Nascent Soul Major Sect with a ten-thousand-year legacy would have such resources. The vast majority of Core Formation Sects lacked the means.

’What a shame there are only twenty-five drops. If I had the whole bottle of Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine... I might even be able to reach the Peak of Late-Stage Foundation Establishment in a short time.’

A thought flashed through Bai Zichen’s mind: did he possess any treasure that could tempt the others to trade their portions of the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine?

He believed that among the four of them, his desire for the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine was the greatest.

But he abandoned the thought in an instant. All four had hopes of reaching Core Formation. Who would be willing to give up a Spirit Wine that could save them twenty years of bitter cultivation?

’It would take more than an ordinary treasure to move them.’

Bai Zichen took a sharp breath, and a drop of the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine fell into his mouth.

First came a scalding, burning sensation, as if he were sitting on the mouth of an erupting volcano, his entire body about to combust.

No, it was more like being at the center of the sun, the light so dazzling and brilliant that he couldn’t open his eyes.

It was a masculine, scorching heat that cleansed all impurities.

This was because the final step in the Spirit Wine’s creation involved heating it with Great Sun True Flame, leaving a trace of its True Intent within the wine.

His limbs, bones, every Acupoint, and every piece of his flesh and blood were trembling and rapidly heating up.

If someone were to scan the Quiet Chamber with their Divine Sense at this moment, they would discover a dazzling ball of fire, emitting boundless light and radiating infinite heat.

Ten breaths later, just as Bai Zichen was about to reach his limit, the heat rapidly dissipated as if it had never been there.

A bone-chilling cold washed over him. Snowflakes drifted down, Ice Crystals coated the ground, and a layer of frost formed on the meditation cushion he was sitting on.

This switch between extreme heat and cold stimulated his Dantian Qi Sea. The Spiritual Liquid trembled violently, as if a storm had been unleashed within his body.

For another ten breaths, his muscles stiffened, his marrow froze, and even his Liquid Magical Power seemed to congeal.

Finally, the visions of ice and fire vanished. A majestic surge of Spiritual Power erupted, nourishing his entire body. Within his Qi Sea, Liquid Magical Power rained down.

For three whole days, he remained immersed in the state of rapid Magical Power growth that followed drinking the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine.

The effects of that single drop of Spirit Wine only ended when a slight feeling of swelling appeared in his meridians.

”Whew... what an incredible Spirit Wine. This must be a Tier Three Spirit Wine, right?”

Bai Zichen stood up and took a couple of steps. The only side effect of the wine was its sheer potency. His head was still a little dizzy, just like a mortal suffering from a hangover.

’No wonder Junior Martial Uncle Ge said not to drink it consecutively. The risk of falling into a coma for several years is real if the interval is too short... Before I drink the next drop, I’ll have to wait for my Ziwei Dazzling Thunder Sword Embryo to release an Arc and purge the wine’s influence from my body.’

Furthermore, by observing the change in the amount of Spiritual Liquid in his Dantian Qi Sea, he realized he had somewhat misjudged the Spirit Wine’s effects.

Junior Martial Uncle Ge had said that one drop of Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine was equivalent to a year of bitter cultivation, but that was based on the efficiency of a normal Cultivator’s Magical Power Refinement.

But his efficiency in refining Elixirs was far beyond that of others, and he had no fear of Erysipelas. He practically consumed Earth Flame Spirit Pills like candy, one after another.

A year of his regular Cultivation was equivalent to two years for anyone else.

Therefore, this drop of Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine had only shortened his Cultivation time by a little over six months.

’Still, that’s not bad. After I finish all twenty-five drops of the Ice-Fire Dragon Blood Wine, I won’t be far from the Peak of Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment...’

Bai Zichen temporarily stopped drinking the Spirit Wine. In his experience, the Ziwei Dazzling Thunder Sword Embryo would release an Arc every two or three days anyway, so he wouldn’t have to wait long.

「Half a day later.」

As Bai Zichen was contemplating the Star Luo Swordsmanship, his expression suddenly changed. He took out his Elder Token, and after a glance, immediately left the White Jade Tower.

A gaunt Daoist stood in the air with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distance. He blended into his surroundings, showing no trace of the powerful aura of a Core Formation True Man.

No one would have imagined that this was a formidable Core Formation Cultivator who could slay a True Man of the same realm as effortlessly as reading the lines on his own palm.

”Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle Ge.”

After paying his respects, Bai Zichen said, ”Junior Martial Uncle, why have you come here personally? If you had any instructions, you could have just sent a messenger.”

”You’ve done very well. Among the juniors in the Sect who haven’t yet reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, only you and Suqing show the promise of reaching Core Formation. Yue’er lacks experience and falls a bit short of you both... Suqing’s aversion to combat is unlikely to change. Even if she reaches Core Formation, she’ll only be able to guard the Sect. In the future, if we must face the Ghost Spirit Sect in a life-or-death battle, you will have to be the one to step up.”

The phenomena in Master Ge Cang’s eyes receded, leaving them deep and profound. He spoke with a tone of gratification.

”Thank you for your high praise, Junior Martial Uncle... Senior Sister Zhou and Brother Qi are also extraordinary individuals. I’m certain that in the future, we will all bring glory to the Qingfeng Sect together.”

Bai Zichen waited quietly for what was to come. Surely Master Ge Cang didn’t come all this way just to praise him.

”A few days ago, I went to visit our two comrades from the Five Elements Sect. Master Qingmu’s injuries are not looking good... Although I had him consume a Primordial Ten Thousand Wood Pill and he has regained consciousness, the Demon Fire in his body is difficult to extinguish. It burns day and night, and I’m afraid it will cost him two 60-Year Cycles of his lifespan.”

Master Ge Cang stated this calmly, as if he had merely given away a common Spirit Pill, though it was a shame it hadn’t been completely effective.

Bai Zichen was shaken, both by the mention of the Primordial Ten Thousand Wood Pill and by the severity of Master Qingmu’s injuries.

The Primordial Ten Thousand Wood Pill was a top-grade Tier Three Spirit Pill. For a Cultivator who possessed a Wood Spiritual Root and practiced a Wood Element Technique, its value was almost comparable to a Tier Four Spirit Pill.

For one 60-Year Cycle, it could drastically increase the user’s perception, utilization, and affinity for Wood Element Spiritual Energy, effectively granting them the equivalent of a Wood Element Celestial Spiritual Root.

At the same time, its secondary effect contained immense life force that could instantly heal injuries, making it equivalent to having a second life.

Master Ge Cang himself possessed a Wood Element Celestial Spiritual Root, so the pill’s primary effect was useless to him. However, whether used as a life-saving Healing Spirit Pill or traded with other Core Formation True Men, it held immense value.

Yet he had quietly given it to Master Qingmu without the slightest hesitation.

Of course, the actions of the two Core Formation True Men from the Five Elements Sect were worthy of any reward the Qingfeng Sect could offer.

What shocked Bai Zichen even more was that even after consuming the Primordial Ten Thousand Wood Pill, the Demon Fire was not completely removed, and Master Qingmu would still lose two 60-Year Cycles of his lifespan.

’If a top-grade Tier Three Spirit Pill is ineffective, does that mean a Tier Four Spirit Pill is required?’

”I heard the two True Men describe Jiang Yuhua’s Cultivation Technique and suspect he cultivates the Black Lotus Destruction Scripture... When cultivated to a profound level, its Black Lotus Platform can suppress and forcibly knock a Nascent Soul True Monarch back down to the Core Formation Realm, with no chance for even their Nascent Soul to escape. It is incredibly powerful. And with the Demon Fire hidden deep within the body, I’m afraid only a Tier Four Demon Exorcism Spiritual Object can completely expel it.”

When Master Ge Cang mentioned Jiang Yuhua, his tone grew solemn, as if he knew the origins of his legacy.

”The Five Elements Sect paid a heavy price to aid us this time. The future paths of cultivation for both True Men have been affected... I feel deeply uneasy about this. After much thought, I’ve decided to offer some compensation by teaching the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique to the Five Elements Sect.”

”First, it can extend one’s lifespan by thirty years without conflicting with Life-Extending Elixirs, which can partially make up for the time the two True Men have lost.”

”Second, if the Five Elements Sect has outstanding disciples in the future, they can use this Secret Technique to slightly increase their chances of reaching Core Formation, making it equivalent to an extra Core Formation Spiritual Object.”

The meaning behind Master Ge Cang’s words implied he was rather pessimistic about the future cultivation paths of Master Qingmu and Master Hei Shui.

He was worried. The Five Elements Sect had struggled to establish four Peak Masters and carve out a place for themselves in the Dian Country, which was surrounded by circling wolves. If one or two of their True Men were to pass away without new Core Formation True Men rising to take their place, they would face a dangerous gap in their leadership.

In that case, the price the Five Elements Sect had paid to aid them would be far too great.

It was out of these considerations that Master Ge Cang decided to gift the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique—a Cultivation Technique that would be classified as a secret legacy even in a Nascent Soul Major Sect—to the Five Elements Sect.

”I heard from Wei Dao that you were the one who contributed this Secret Technique to the Sect... Since I am giving it to others, it is only natural that I inform you.”

”Your considerations are thorough, Junior Martial Uncle. The debt we owe the Five Elements Sect is indeed worthy of the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique... Besides, the Secret Technique has already been handed over, and the Sect has already rewarded the clan this junior is from. The decision to teach it to them rests with you and the Sect.”

Hearing that this was the matter at hand, Bai Zichen nodded in agreement.

”It is good that you think this way.”

Ancestor Ge Cang made a grasping motion with his finger, and a Jade Scroll flew toward Bai Zichen. He said with satisfaction, ”These are my personal experiences and insights regarding Core Formation. For an ordinary Cultivator, reading this would be more harmful than beneficial, leading them astray and wasting their time... With your aptitude, you can use it as a reference, but you must not copy it verbatim.”

”Those who learn from me shall live; those who imitate me shall die... I have only given a copy to Wei Dao before this. I hope you, too, can walk your own path.”