Chapter 174 - Arc 12: Ruyi Xianzhuang | Chapter 174: Ruyi Xianzhuang
Translator: Lynn
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At the Xiaolu Peak, slightly below the summit, inside a cave.
A young man adorned in verdant garments sat upon a rock. His right knee was gently bent, clutching a jade slip. His eyes were partially shut, a placid and serene expression gracing his visage. He exuded an air of leisure and comfort.
It was none other than Xu Ziqing, engrossed in perusing the jade slip with his spiritual senses.
On the day of the Golden Core Daoist Contest’s conclusion, Yun Lie emerged victorious, claiming a plethora of rare treasures. It was a stunning achievement that left those previously unfamiliar with him in awe of his power.
The name “Ruthless Killing Swordsman Yun Lie” sent shockwaves through the inner sect, creating a considerable stir.
At the time of this revelation, Xu Ziqing happened to be in a state of epiphany. He regretted not witnessing his senior brother demonstrate his extraordinary abilities firsthand. However, he heard that amongst the rewards his senior brother obtained, a particular treasure held immense significance. Yet, as his senior brother had not yet undergone the process of conception, he couldn’t utilize it.
Such a generous reward filled Xu Ziqing with great joy.
Regarding the subsequent event presided over by the Nascent Soul Patriarch, every move he made evoked extraordinary natural phenomena. Even the slightest release of his aura had the potential to cause a foundation-builder cultivator to spew blood and perish. As a result, he chose not to publicly display his weapons or ascend into the sky for competition, as it was a level of competition where weaker disciples were not permitted to intervene. Many monks halted their wandering and returned to their respective abodes.
Xu Ziqing was no exception. He had gained valuable insights from the Golden Core Daoist competition, even experiencing a sudden enlightenment.
After emerging from his seclusion, his meridians had expanded, and his agility had improved—insights gained from exploring his senior’s inner world. Subsequently, he visited the Pill Pavilion and the Weapon Pavilion, selecting specific Pill Techniques, Weapon Techniques, as well as various essential practices and miscellaneous knowledge he aspired to master. He diligently commenced his practice.
He felt a sense of urgency now, utilizing every spare moment to engage in rigorous study and practice. Time was of the essence.
On this particular day, Xu Ziqing delved into an alchemy book, a comprehensive guide to the various facets of alchemy.
For instance, all the myriad medicines in the world were categorized into different levels.
Based on their degree of preciousness, they were classified into five grades, from highest to lowest: Tian, Di, Xuan, Huang, and Human. Each grade was further subdivided into three grades: high-grade, middle-grade, and low-grade. The differentiation between extreme, top, middle, and low was meticulously detailed.
Every type of elixir required a specific elixir recipe for refinement.
The recipes predominantly consisted of spiritual grasses, complemented by spiritual materials obtained from animals, rare substances from the heavens and the earth, and more. Heat, pill formulas, and numerous steps were also specified, making the process complex and unforgiving.
Moreover, there were classifications for pill furnaces, types of pill fire, and various other prerequisites. All of these criteria had to be meticulously met before the pill could be successfully concocted. The method of collecting pills also played a vital role, and even the timing of collecting pills was crucial; if not done right, all the effort would be in vain.
In the realm of alchemy, even spiritual grasses were categorized into twelve ranks, from the lowest to the highest. It was akin to the rankings of animals, with different grades within each rank based on their aptitudes: low-grade, middle-grade, and top-grade. The top-grade within these ranks was akin to the grades of pills.
Immersed in this vast sea of miscellaneous knowledge, Xu Ziqing lost himself in the many jade slips. He was captivated, clutching a bottle of Bigu Pill absentmindedly, forgetting to eat or sleep.
In the midst of his engrossment, Xu Ziqing suddenly felt a stirring in his heart. He set aside the jade slips and opened his eyes.
At that moment, a very familiar aura wafted into the cave, tranquil yet icy—a sure sign of his senior brother.
Indeed, a white-clad figure soon walked in and stood before Xu Ziqing.
He attempted to rise, but the weight proved too much, hindering his effort to stand. Subsequently, the figure sat opposite him, prompting Xu Ziqing to smile and abandon his futile attempts.
Gazing gently at the person across from him, Xu Ziqing remarked, “It’s been a while since I last practiced swordsmanship. Is Shixiong here to encourage me?”
Yun Lie sat cross-legged, maintaining a composed expression. “You are not a swordsman, and currently, you’ve hit a bottleneck. Practicing more won’t be of much use.”
Xu Ziqing wore a slight smile as he observed his senior brother’s seriousness. He was well aware of this truth. During his recent endeavors, he has dedicated his focus to intensifying his accumulation and solidifying his foundation. This explained why he hadn’t sought out his seniors for guidance.
If he aimed to make strides in swordsmanship, he needed to venture out for practical experiences or seize an opportune moment. However, Senior Brother had always been composed and had little free time. Since Tete came looking for him, there must be a reason. After a brief contemplation, he ceased joking and stated, “If Shixiong has orders, Ziqing will comply.”
Yun Lie cast a glance at him and said straightforwardly, “Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me. Prepare yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing was taken aback. “Accompanying senior brother?”
Yun Lie nodded and added, “For a joyous occasion.”
It turned out that in three days’ time, Ruyi Xianzhuang’s owner would be celebrating their 10,000th birthday. The sect had sent out invitations, beckoning many immortals and distinguished disciples to join the festivities. They were organizing an “Immortal Fruit Conference” to revel in the occasion.
Following the recent Sect Grand Competition, the Sect Master had instructed the selection of exceptional disciples below the Nascent Soul level to attend the event and present congratulatory gifts on behalf of the sect. Among the numerous disciples, twelve were Golden Core Daoists, and the number of Golden Core Transformation stage and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators couldn’t exceed twelve. Each Golden Core Daoist had their quota. However, this allocation couldn’t be decided arbitrarily and required selection in the Bairen Competition of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Transformation cultivators This ensured that other sects weren’t overlooked, preserving the prestige of the Wuling Immortal sect.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing grasped the situation. “Shixiong, you are one of the twelve Daoists?”
Yun Lie nodded slightly. “I am one of the head disciples. You’ll accompany me.”
Xu Ziqing was thrilled.
Having spent several years at the Wuling Immortal Sect, he had never truly witnessed the splendors of this vast world. Now, with his swordsmanship reaching a bottleneck and this opportunity to glimpse into other sects, it was indeed a golden chance.
Moreover, traveling alongside his senior brother was aligned with his desires. It was heartwarming that even during such a grand event, the senior brother thought of him, making him profoundly grateful.
After his initial excitement, Xu Ziqing quickly regained composure, maintaining a sense of curiosity. He inquired, “I wonder what this ‘Immortal Fruit Conference’ entails?” He presumed that a banquet attended by many esteemed individuals, as per the Sect Master’s arrangements, would undoubtedly be a grand affair.
As expected, Yun Lie elaborated on the event.
The “Immortal Fruit Conference” was indeed an exceptional banquet. However, before delving into its details, it was necessary to introduce Ruyi Xianzhuang.
Ruyi Xianzhuang was initially a sect founded by women, and in this sect, women were highly revered. The inner sect exclusively comprised female disciples, with no male disciples present. The outer sect, as well as various aristocratic families and smaller sects associated with it, did not adhere to this restriction, but their status remained inferior to the female disciples of the inner sect. Within the inner sect, besides female disciples, the only ones who could reside for an extended period were the female disciples’ Taoist companions who entered Xianzhuang or those who dedicated themselves to their female companions.
In terms of scale, this sect ranked third among major sects. In each two to three generations, one or two individuals from this sect would rise to prominence, and every generation boasted two or three mighty Mahayana period masters overseeing the domain, ensuring its stability.
Now, regarding the “Immortal Fruit,” it referred to the fruit of a sacred tree that grew within the forbidden area of Xianzhuang. Consuming this fruit could greatly enhance the possibility of successfully breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage!
It’s essential to note that even if an ordinary Golden Core master reached the peak of the later stage of cultivation, they had only a 20% to 30% chance of successfully advancing. With the assistance of a Nascent Soul Pill, this chance could be raised to 50%. However, this Immortal Fruit heightened the possibility to a remarkable 80%—a probability that, barring unfortunate circumstances, was almost secure! This unparalleled effect truly defied description!
Although it is said that the Immortal Fruit ripens only once in 5,000 years, and each time it bears only 36 fruits, these 36 fruits are equivalent to 36 Nascent Soul Daoists, which is an extremely powerful force no matter which sect it belongs to.
It was rumored that if such an extraordinary fruit was found within Xianzhuang, even if it was a crime to conceive jade, Mahayana stage experts would intervene to suppress it, dissuading anyone from taking the risk. However, since the founding of the village, the Xianzhuang owner had decreed that among the thirty-six fruits, twelve would be retained by Xianzhuang’s disciples, six would be used by the previous village owners to forge alliances with influential figures, and the remaining eighteen would be used by Xianzhuang’s disciples in the “Immortal Fruit Conference” held every five thousand years to establish positive relations with many illustrious figures.
This intricate arrangement, bolstered by the deterrence of powerful individuals, ensured the longevity and continuity of Xianzhuang for generations.
The current Immortal Fruit Conference coincided with the village owner’s birthday, making this birthday banquet an even grander spectacle.
Upon hearing Yun Lie’s explanation, Xu Ziqing was captivated: “Given the remarkable properties of the Immortal Fruit, Shixiong should spare no effort to obtain it. When Shixiong reaches the stage of breaking through to Nascent Soul stage, he can have greater assurance.”
It’s not that he assumes his senior could easily break through to the Nascent Soul stage. Rather, he believed in preparing for contingencies. The journey to immortality is fraught with challenges, and unforeseen events might occur. It’s always wiser to be thoroughly prepared than to scramble in the face of adversity… readiness is key.
Yun Lie nodded in agreement: “Indeed, we will strive to acquire as much as possible.”
Xu Ziqing smiled, saying, “At that time, it will be a fierce competition.”
Certainly, in this world, numerous individuals possess remarkable talents and vast accumulations. However, due to the challenges in advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, many linger at the peak of the late Golden Core stage for an extended period, depleting their life force and dimming their aspirations. A single misstep can have severe consequences.
Now, with the presence of such a naturally miraculous fruit, it’s certain that many will vie for it, leveraging its aid in their pursuit of advancement.
—
The next day, Xu Ziqing packed his belongings and quickly reached the mountaintop to meet Yun Lie.
Behind him, a formidable eagle soared, dominating a significant portion of the sky. It was Chonghua that had grown considerably. Its wingspan had expanded to over ten feet each when fully extended, exuding an impressive and majestic presence.
It turned out that after witnessing many battles from the elevated platform, it made a breakthrough from being an ordinary bird and leaped into becoming a first-order monster. Though its rank was relatively low, its minor supernatural abilities had greatly improved. With the ancient Kun Peng blood flowing within, its speed was now several notches faster than before.
Not to mention other advantages, it was indeed a suitable choice for a mount.
Looking up at Yun Lie, Xu Ziqing grinned, saying, “Brother Yun, Chonghua has matured. Let’s have him take us on this journey.”
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