Chapter 316: Chapter 314: Changes Among the Disciples
Spiritual Qi erupted. The Eye of the Spirit Spring trembled as the water within surged violently upward.
A Flying Sword, as pale white as jade yet with the faint underlying look of bamboo, leaped from the water and landed steadily in a large, powerful, well-defined hand.
"Eight sets of Sword Refining Materials, three successful attempts, and three Sound Bamboo Swords to show for it... This success rate is a little beyond my expectations."
Bai Zichen shook it gently, and the Sound Bamboo Sword emitted its characteristic Jade Sound. Its quality was flawless.
The years flew by. In nearly five years, he had attempted Sword Refinement eight times.
Had he used the traditional Earth Fire Refining technique, he could have easily used up eighty sets of Spiritual Materials.
But Water Sword Refining was different; each attempt took nearly half a year and could not be rushed.
He didn’t know if it was because the Water Refining Technique was particularly suited for Sword Refinement, if he had found his true calling in the art of refining, or if the Tier Three Top-Grade Spiritual Spring was simply that effective.
A success rate of three out of eight in Sword Refinement was already very high, enough to be considered a qualified Tier Two Sword Refiner.
He could even open his own Sword Furnace, make a living through Sword Refinement, and earn Spirit Stones.
Moreover, in the process, Bai Zichen gradually mastered many of the finer points of Water Refining.
If he were to do it again, he was confident he could refine four Flying Swords from eight sets of Spiritual Materials.
’Next to refine is the Mountain Stepping Stone. It’s probably the simplest among Low-Grade Magical Treasures to create... a simple matter of piling on Spiritual Materials and overwhelming with sheer mass, with no refined restrictions to speak of.’
Bai Zichen took the Dragon Head Walking Stick he had obtained from Granny Ghost out of his storage bag. The unassuming staff actually weighed over a thousand pounds.
After its Refinement, adding some Tier Three Exotic Stones would be enough to complete the materials needed for the Mountain Stepping Stone.
However, using the Water Refining technique for a Magical Treasure took even longer than for a Spiritual Artifact. He estimated it would be a year before he saw any results.
And that was only if he first used his Pill Fire to melt the Dragon Head Walking Stick.
Otherwise, just re-refining the Magical Treasure might require it to be soaked and rinsed in the Eye of the Spirit Spring for several years.
During the long hours spent on the Water Refining Technique, Bai Zichen also drew close to achieving initial mastery of the Glazed Fire Divine Body.
Hejian County had seen its share of minor conflicts over the past few years, but no major incidents. The situation had not yet escalated to the point where the Elders needed to trouble Ancestor Bai.
During this time, Qi Yue came to visit once. He had finally reached Foundation Establishment Perfection and planned to travel for a bit before returning to attempt his breakthrough to the Core Formation Stage.
For Qi Yue, who had never even considered the Pill Discussion, the only thing left to do was convert all his Liquid Magical Power into True Essence.
As for the Clear Spirit Jade Marrow, Master Ge Cang had prepared it for him long ago and had even bestowed upon him a Divine Separation Stone.
The Divine Separation Stone was a Tier Four Low-Grade Spiritual Object capable of simultaneously accommodating the Divine Senses of several hundred people without any of them interfering with each other.
It was typically used in the creation of Puppets, where it could serve as a central core.
For a Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the greatest use of a Divine Separation Stone was to experience the profound sensation of entrusting one’s Divine Sense to an object, preventing them from being caught completely off guard when attempting their Core Formation breakthrough.
However, once a wisp of Divine Sense was entrusted to it, the Divine Separation Stone could serve no other purpose.
The Spiritual Wisdom of most Puppets was created by refining a Demon Beast Essence within a Divine Separation Stone, enabling them to carry out their master’s simple commands.
Only legendary Tier Four Puppets involved the division of Divine Thought, splitting off a trace of the Refiner’s Primordial Spirit. This made the Puppet akin to an Outer Body Incarnation, lacking the typical rigidity of an ordinary Puppet.
To sacrifice a Divine Separation Stone, which could serve as the core for a Tier Three Puppet, just for a single trial run of entrusting one’s Divine Sense was a great expense. Even the wealthiest of Sects couldn’t afford to popularize this method, meaning it was reserved for a select few.
Bai Zichen made time to meet with Qi Yue, offering him a few words of comfort and encouragement.
With the older generation of Qingfeng Sect Cultivators passing away one by one, there was a pressing need for the younger disciples to step up and shoulder the burden.
Currently, among the successors chosen by the Five Halls Masters, none were at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. If an accident were to happen, none would be able to immediately assume the position of Hall Master.
Just like Su Li, they could only take charge of a place like the Talisman Hall in the capacity of an acting Hall Master.
Qi Yue’s plan was to convert his True Essence while traveling toward Beiyuan.
Upon his return, he would immediately enter seclusion and attempt his breakthrough to the Core Formation Stage.
After this brief interlude, Bai Zichen continued refining the Magical Treasure in the Jade Pool, oblivious to the outside world, until his eldest disciple came seeking an audience.
"Master, Inner Sect Disciple Ma Ruoxi has reached Qi Refining Great Perfection. Should we grant her a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object as per the rules for a True Disciple, or should we have her participate in the True Inheritance Trial to secure a position first?"
Tong Huan’s talent for Cultivation was average, but his skill in handling administrative matters was outstanding.
With his status as Master Bai’s eldest disciple acting as a Protective Talisman, it was one thing for him to manage Ten Thousand Immortals Creek in perfect order.
But he also managed the hundred-plus resource points in Hejian County, assigning disciples to their posts and reconciling accounts for profit-sharing with the Cultivation Families, all without a single error.
"She only became an Inner Sect Disciple a little over six years ago, and she’s already at Qi Refining Perfection?"
Bai Zichen’s curiosity was greatly piqued. It wasn’t that Qi Refining Perfection was impressive to him—even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was nothing in his eyes.
But to go from the Qi Refining Fifth Layer to Qi Refining Great Perfection in just six years... the effects of the Water Stone Spiritual Body were clearly far greater than anticipated.
"With the Profound Water Jade Pendant, Ma Ruoxi advanced almost one layer per year, pausing only briefly when she broke through to Qi Refining Perfection. That’s why she never returned to the main mountain to participate in the True Inheritance Trial and simply cultivated nonstop until now."
Tong Huan had witnessed Ma Ruoxi’s progress firsthand and could only marvel at it. ’To think that someone with a mere Three Spiritual Roots Talent could have a cultivation speed rivaling a Celestial Spiritual Root, all because of a single compatible Spiritual Object.’
It was this desire to not let such talent go to waste that prompted him to take the initiative and consult his master on the matter.
"She has already reached Qi Refining Great Perfection, what’s the point of participating in the True Inheritance Trial? It would be a waste of time. Just grant her all the benefits and treatment of a True Disciple."
Not even all of the twelve current True Disciples had managed to reach Qi Refining Great Perfection.
The requirements for becoming a True Disciple were much higher now than they were in Bai Zichen’s time.
Because all the spots were already filled, after passing the three stages of the trial, a candidate still had to successfully challenge an existing True Disciple to take their place.
Of course, one could also choose to pass the trial without making a challenge, thereby retaining the status of a True Inheritance candidate-in-waiting.
Then, when one of the twelve current True Disciples achieved Foundation Establishment or lost their status for exceeding the age limit, the candidate could take their place.
Basically, as long as a cultivator had reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and their combat skills weren’t too weak, securing a True Inheritance spot was more or less guaranteed.
Since Ma Ruoxi was already at Qi Refining Great Perfection, having her participate in the True Inheritance Trial would be a mere formality, wasting several months of her time.
But to make an exception and allow an Inner Sect Disciple to enjoy the benefits of a True Disciple, only a Core Formation Ancestor had the authority to say so.
Not even the Sect Leader had the authority to break this rule of the Sect.
"Have you checked on the Curved Water Five-Eyed Bodhi? Does the Sect have this Spiritual Object in its possession?"
Bai Zichen’s interest in the Water Stone Spiritual Body was piqued. ’If she can maintain this speed during the Foundation Establishment Stage,’ he thought, ’this junior disciple will very likely leapfrog her peers.’
She would surpass many of her seniors and reach the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment realm.
"I have already sent an inquiry. The Sect does not currently possess a Curved Water Five-Eyed Bodhi."
Tong Huan’s expression was tinged with regret. Without a compatible Spiritual Object, Ma Ruoxi would be just another ordinary disciple with Three Spiritual Roots.
Forget about standing out among the geniuses; the advantage she had gained during the Qi Refining Stage would be nullified by others before long.
"If she succeeds in her Foundation Establishment, post a mission in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall in my name to acquire a Curved Water Five-Eyed Bodhi."
Bai Zichen said casually. ’Investing tens of thousands of Contribution Points to fully document the cultivation process and changes of a Water Stone Spiritual Body is quite a bargain.’
’If the Qingfeng Sect ever recruits another disciple with a similar Spirit Body, we’ll have a case study to reference. And perhaps these two Spiritual Objects can be of use again.’
"And what about that Tie Changsheng? What is his realm?"
Back then, Bai Zichen had personally appointed Tie Changsheng as the top new Inner Sect Disciple simply because he had sensed an unusual, ancient aura about him.
’Either the man possesses an Exotic Treasure, or his Cultivation Technique is special,’ he had thought.
’In any case, by recruiting him into the Sect, I can keep him under my nose. No matter what secrets he’s hiding, he won’t be able to cause any major trouble.’
"He is still at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, with no signs of a breakthrough. It seems he has hit a serious bottleneck..."
Tong Huan answered evasively, a hint of guilt in his voice.
Because his master had personally chosen Tie Changsheng as the top disciple, Tong Huan had secretly observed him many times, only to find that the man’s cultivation speed was excruciatingly slow.
Now, there was gossip among the new disciples, wondering if Ancestor Bai had made a mistake this time and picked a dud.
Especially with Ma Ruoxi serving as a point of contrast, the gap between the two was glaringly obvious.
Furthermore, Tie Changsheng was a full zodiac cycle and a half older than Ma Ruoxi. Forget competing for a True Disciple position; on the main mountain, he would have already been disqualified from even being an Inner Sect Disciple.
It seemed obvious which of the two was superior and which had greater potential.
’This bad? Could my senses have been wrong? No, that’s impossible. That trace of ancient aura even felt vaguely familiar. An ordinary Magical Treasure wouldn’t have been enough to give me such a feeling.’
Bai Zichen couldn’t figure it out. How could Tie Changsheng, who was hiding such abilities and no small number of secrets, be cultivating so slowly? It defied all logic.
"The rules for disciples of every rank can’t be different for Ten Thousand Immortals Creek; they must be the same as the main sect’s. That Tie Changsheng has already passed the age limit for Inner Sect Disciples, so give him a Steward position and send him out to work."
Bai Zichen’s eyelids drooped as he stared at the whirlpool before him, as if it held something of great interest.
Tong Huan acknowledged the order. Just as he was about to withdraw, a streak of white light flew from the Jade Pool and landed in his hand.
"This Jade Scroll records a technique called the Heavenly Inquiry Sword Technique. Its strength doesn’t lie in exquisite swordplay. It is a form of swordsmanship that uses conviction as the blade, its upper limit of power unbound by one’s Cultivation. Judging by your progress with the Star Luo Swordsmanship, complex and unpredictable sword paths do not suit you. It’s better to try a different way."
Bai Zichen reached into the Eye of the Spirit Spring and scooped out a palm-sized oval stone. It was incredibly heavy, likely weighing tens of thousands of pounds.
"With this Heavenly Inquiry Sword Technique, the stronger your conviction, the greater the power of your Flying Sword. Once you’ve mastered it, you might even be able to touch the realm of Sword Qi Thunder Sound. If your two junior martial brother and sister wish to learn it, you may teach this Swordsmanship to them on my behalf."
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this technique upon me."
Tong Huan caught the Jade Scroll, turned, and performed another deep bow.
’I’ve long known that the path of a Sword Cultivator doesn’t suit me,’ he thought, ’but a childhood dream isn’t so easily erased.’
An indescribable excitement filled his heart. He couldn’t help but wonder, ’Master has given me a new swordsmanship... Does that mean he thinks my swordsmanship has improved? That I’m not a lost cause after all?’