Innate Immortal Seed

Chapter 336: Chapter 334: Late-Stage Core Formation

The Spiritual Qi roiled, thick as smoke.

A powerful pressure, characteristic of the Late-Stage Core Formation Realm, swept past, pushing the Spiritual Qi outward and clearing the area around the thatched hut.

The Exotic Flowers and Jade Grass planted on the ground were all flattened, a chaotic mess.

His Divine Sense expanded outward, covering the Jade Bridge and clear stream in the courtyard, the misty and vibrant colors, the magnificent golden hall, the corridors and pavilions with their glazed yellow tiles, and finally, most of Celestial Thunder Cliff.

The range of a Late-Stage Core Formation Cultivator’s Divine Sense already exceeded fifty miles.

’I didn’t expect it to only take twenty years. That’s a bit faster than I estimated...’

Bai Zichen slowly rose to his feet, a Fire Flood Dragon swimming back and forth within his eyes.

Ever since he comprehended the Action and Rest Pill Discussion, his time estimates for cultivation had never been off; now, they were accurate down to the month.

A sudden discrepancy of several years couldn’t be simply taken as a blessing; he had to find the reason behind it.

Either some cultivation parameters he hadn’t noticed had changed, or the Action and Rest Pill Discussion was falling behind and couldn’t keep up with his current Realm.

Several hours later, he finally let out a long breath, easing the worry in his heart.

’It’s actually because of the Daoist Classic Cantongqi. I’ve cultivated it to the third volume, and the effect of purifying True Essence has improved somewhat... It seems that even if I’m not aiming to enlighten a spirit, it’s still necessary to cultivate a few more volumes of the Daoist Classic Cantongqi.’

Advancing a minor realm within the Core Formation Realm wasn’t enough to make Bai Zichen ecstatic; it was merely another planned step on his path to the Nascent Soul Realm.

’The seventh level of the Fire Dragon Returning Essence Scripture has improved my Fire Spiritual Root aptitude again. It will only take another one hundred and fifty years to reach the Peak of Late-Stage Core Formation... I’m just over one hundred and thirty years old this year. Even if I cultivate step-by-step without any fortuitous encounters, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm before I’m three hundred would still be considered young.’

Elixirs suitable for advancing one’s cultivation in the Late-Stage Core Formation Realm were a rare sight in the Cultivation Realm, and even rarer in Liang Country—like a phoenix feather.

At least, according to Master Zhu, their Danxia Sect did not have the corresponding Pill Formula.

The Holy Lotus Sect had possessed a few such pills in the past, but they weren’t produced through their own alchemy. Instead, True Monarch Jiulian had obtained them through trade with other Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Master Ge Cang had been close with the Holy Lotus Sect in the past, so it wasn’t difficult for him to learn of these matters, which weren’t top-level secrets.

Therefore, Bai Zichen wasn’t very optimistic about his cultivation time in the Late-Stage Core Formation Realm.

’Time waits for no man. The Blood God True Monarch won’t just let me cultivate peacefully for a hundred years, and there are all sorts of uncertain external factors...’

Looking at the ruined courtyard, Bai Zichen stepped out of his Cave Mansion. The two disciples standing guard nearby were stunned for a moment, then immediately bowed deeply.

”Greetings, Ancestor.”

”Who is on Celestial Thunder Cliff? Have them come see me.”

Following the sense from his contract, Bai Zichen arrived before the Celestial Thunder Wall and saw Genggeng happily dashing through the bamboo forest.

Its short limbs supported its enormous, round body. It hadn’t run far before it tripped over a bamboo joint on the ground and fell flat on its back, all four paws in the air.

Sensing its master’s aura, Genggeng scrambled back onto its feet and shot forward in a series of bounds.

This startled the few Bai Clan Members nearby who were responsible for tending to the bamboo forest. They watched as the Bear Beast—which held a special status on Celestial Thunder Cliff and would face no punishment even if it ruined the Spiritual Bamboo—waddled toward a strange Daoist.

Genggeng pounced on him, its round body shaking back and forth affectionately.

Of the group of Bai Clan Members who had first come to Celestial Thunder Cliff, not a single one had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, but a large number had reached Late-Stage Qi Refining.

These people had settled down, married, and had children here. Many of their offspring with Spiritual Roots became disciples of the Qingfeng Sect directly, never returning to the Ink Bamboo Bai Family.

This was especially true for the lucky few who had cultivated the Thunder Sound Bamboo. After the first two had failed to reach Foundation Establishment using the bestowed Foundation Establishment Pills, the others had hidden the elixirs away.

Having only barely reached Qi Refining Great Perfection in their fifties or sixties, their chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment were not high, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill.

It was better to hide this opportunity away and save the Foundation Establishment Pill for a talented descendant worthy of nurturing in the future.

Now, most of the Cultivators responsible for casting the Wood God Skill were the second-generation members of the Bai Clan who had moved to Celestial Thunder Cliff.

They even performed the spell to imbue the Holy Beast Aura from a distance, across the great hall, and had never actually seen their own Ancestor.

But seeing Genggeng’s attitude, some of the quicker-witted ones had already figured it out and fell to their knees.

”You little rascal. You certainly didn’t eat all that Tier Three Demon Beast flesh for nothing. You’ve gotten quite a bit heavier.”

Bai Zichen could tell with a single glance that Genggeng had already become a Tier Two Mid-Grade Spirit Beast.

To him, unless a beast had an exceptionally special bloodline, or was on the level of the five great Exotic Insects like the Spring and Autumn Cicada, there was little difference between a Tier Two Demon Beast and a Tier Three Demon Beast.

He could kill either with a single sword strike; it was just a matter of how much effort it took.

”Congratulations, Master, on emerging from seclusion with a great increase in strength! May your Dao be everlasting and your path to the Great Dao evergreen!”

A streak of white light shot over, landing to reveal a woman with a heroic air. She took two quick steps forward and bowed in respect.

”So it was you on the mountain. Where are your two senior brothers?”

Bai Zichen picked up Genggeng and walked into the bamboo forest to inspect the raw materials for his Sword Refinement.

”Eldest Senior Brother was recommended as the Deputy Sect Leader in the council of Elders two years ago. He usually handles affairs on the main mountain and comes to Celestial Thunder Cliff every year to pay respects outside your Cave Mansion... Second Senior Brother broke through to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm last year and went out traveling to seek opportunities. He should be in Frost Country by now.”

Huo Feiyan followed closely behind. Twenty years ago, her master had shaken the world with the feat of a Nascent Soul Reversal Cut. In the years since, even Nascent Soul Major Sects from other nations had come to visit, establishing contact points in the Market according to the Qingfeng Sect’s rules.

They acted with an attitude of complete equality, a first in the history of the Northern Domain.

This time, his seclusion lasted a full twenty years, with his Cave Mansion sealed shut. One had to remember that this master had only disappeared for a few years even when he was breaking through to the Core Formation Realm.

She was very much looking forward to seeing what kind of improvement her master’s strength had undergone in these twenty years.

”Tong Huan became the Deputy Sect Leader? Then what about Gu Xisheng?”

Bai Zichen’s brow furrowed. He had heard rumors of this back in Hejian County, but he hadn’t truly paid them any mind.

”Ah, the former Sect Leader Gu passed away several years ago. That’s why the Five Halls Masters recommended a candidate and re-elected the Sect Leader...”

Huo Feiyan glanced up slightly before quickly lowering her head again, speaking in as steady a voice as possible.

”In addition, Hall Master Liang Yu of the Law Enforcement Hall, Hall Master Dai Hui of the Artifact Refining Hall, and Hall Master Yingg Zhong of the Transmission Hall have all passed away from old age, and their positions have been filled.”

”Senior Brother Liang has passed away...”

Bai Zichen’s hand was resting on a Sacred Sound Bamboo stalk. His mind trembled, and he snapped the Spiritual Bamboo in two.

He had long anticipated this. No matter how many Life-Extending Elixirs he had collected, Liang Yu’s age was simply too great for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; he could have passed away at any moment.

”Yes. Eight years ago, Hall Master Liang Yu passed away peacefully in his sleep, without any pain... We three martial siblings held a vigil for Hall Master Liang for one hundred days, and all arrangements were handled with the highest honors.”

Huo Feiyan was, of course, aware of the former Law Enforcement Hall Master’s place in her master’s heart. When he passed, she and her martial brothers had observed the rites of juniors, and Liang Yu’s funeral affairs were handled almost on par with those of a Core Formation True Man.

”Senior Brother Liang had no children, his only wish was for the Sect to prosper... With my current achievements, I should have been able to let Senior Brother Liang pass on gratified and without any lingering concerns.”

A faint melancholy stirred in Bai Zichen’s heart, a feeling that all things were desolate, that the world had changed and the people were no longer the same.

Of the Sect’s upper echelon from when he first entered the Qingfeng Sect, besides Wei Dao who had successfully reached Core Formation, all the others had passed into the next world.

The path of the Great Dao was just that cruel and merciless.

On the path forward, both sides were lined with cultivators who had failed to climb higher, turned to a handful of yellow earth.

Even the closest of friends would fade from memory after a hundred years, becoming nothing more than a symbol.

Thinking back now, Bai Zichen could still clearly recall Senior Brother Liang’s face and voice, but the others had already faded significantly in his mind.

’Only by setting deep roots and achieving longevity and vision can one transcend the mundane and eternally etch oneself into the world...’

The passing of an old friend did not make him pessimistic; instead, it reaffirmed his heart for the Dao time and time again.

From Huo Feiyan, he learned of the Qingfeng Sect’s current high-level cultivator composition—

Besides Tong Huan narrowly winning the vote against Wei Chuming in the council of Elders to become the Deputy Sect Leader, Wei Chuming had taken the position of Transmission Hall Master, and Longx Longx had naturally become the new Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Su Li, too, after breaking through to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm, had shed the ”deputy” title to become the true Hall Master of the Talisman Hall.

A new generation had replaced the old. After twenty years away from the outside world, even the Qingfeng Sect felt a little unfamiliar.

”Also, Ancestor Qi Yue seems to have successfully reached Core Formation in Beiyuan, but he only sent a letter back and has not returned in person...”

”Oh? Qi Yue succeeded in reaching Core Formation too? That’s good news.”

Through his questions and Huo Feiyan’s answers, Bai Zichen got a basic understanding of all the major events that had occurred in the Qingfeng Sect over the years, as well as the important news in the Cultivation Realm.

In Liang Country, the main event was the Blood Demon Sect’s frenzied war of extermination, which had provoked public outrage. More than ten Core Formation Level Sects formed the Demon Extermination Alliance to jointly resist the Blood Demon Sect’s attacks.

The Blood God True Monarch never appeared, and with only the power of the Blood Demon Sect and the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, they were actually held back by the Demon Extermination Alliance.

”I have been in seclusion for a long time and have neglected your instruction... For the next two months, you may come to the courtyard at any time to ask for guidance on your cultivation. The same applies if Tong Huan and Lii Guizhen come.”

Bai Zichen looked at the hundreds of Sacred Sound Bamboo in the forest. With a thought, he selected several of the Spiritual Bamboos that were growing the best and had the deepest accumulation.

”Qinghua Changle, East Pole Wondrous Words...”

He flicked his ten fingers, and specks of emerald light gathered at his fingertips, finally merging into a streak of cyan light that exuded an ancient aura and flowed into the Sacred Sound Bamboo.

The bamboo leaves rustled, and a cyan light appeared over the entire Spiritual Bamboo, making a rustling sound.

This continued for several breaths. The Sacred Sound Bamboo seemed to grow several inches taller, with new buds and tender branches sprouting, but it ultimately returned to silence.

’The accumulation still isn’t enough. Failure is normal...’

Bai Zichen paid it no mind and continued casting the spell. He tapped five Sacred Sound Bamboos in a row, all with the exact same result.

On the very last one, the Spiritual Bamboo emitted a clear, Jade Sound. The bamboo stalk split open, and a new Sacred Sound Bamboo grew out from its place.

Although it was just a small stalk, it was full of vibrant life force, growing to a foot tall in an instant.

”Not bad. It seems this method might actually work!”

Sacred Sound Bamboo was merely a Tier Two Mid-Grade Spirit Plant, so the Sound Bamboo Swords refined from it had attributes that were considered bottom-tier among Tier Two Flying Swords.

Relying on the Taiyi Cyan Spirit Techniques, Bai Zichen had successfully transformed the newborn Sacred Sound Bamboo before him into a Tier Two Top Grade Spirit Plant.

If there could be one, there could be two. Those Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Plants would have a high chance of being upgraded to Tier Three items in his hands.