Born with immortal seed

Chapter 109 Sect Elder

Bai Zichen did not rush to leave the thatched hut. He sat cross-legged, experiencing the various changes after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

He rubbed two fingers together, and a fire-thunder bead spun around on his fingertip before he extinguished it.

"The same spell, when cast by a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator, has at least several times less power... Right now, a handful of Fire Thunder Pearls could probably pierce through a high-grade defensive magic weapon."

Bai Zichen then took out the Bell of All Beings from his storage bag. He had never used this low-grade spiritual artifact since it came into his possession.

The magical artifact simply requires far too much magical power. Even if he had reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, all his magical power would only be enough for one strike.

Then one's magical power will be depleted, leaving one vulnerable to being slaughtered.

Only when one's magical power undergoes a qualitative change can one truly control magical artifacts.

Bai Zichen mobilized the liquid magic power in his dantian, and the ancient bronze bell immediately lit up. The mountains, rivers, and bustling traffic engraved on it seemed to come alive and start flowing.

"This magical artifact is both offensive and defensive, and it is quite famous in the Heavenly Principle Sect. It even has the potential to be upgraded... After all, it is the inheritance of a Nascent Soul sect."

The jade slip obtained from Meng Zhaode details the methods for upgrading and refining the Bell of All Beings.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Zichen decided to go all out and completely refine the Bell of All Beings.

Having already become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would be too shabby to use a magic weapon to fight enemies when going out. One must have a spiritual weapon to make a good impression.

As the refining process progressed, some of the copper rust on the surface of the All Beings Bell peeled off, revealing even more vivid and lively scenes of mountains, rivers, and bustling traffic.

With a long, drawn-out chime, the Bell of All Beings was completely refined.

"It's not a good place to use it, so I can't fully test the power of the Bell of All Beings. Judging from its power alone, it should be quite formidable... But there's one problem: the mana I consume when refining spiritual artifacts is recovering way too slowly."

Bai Zichen quickly discovered that the liquid mana in his dantian had become shallower, but given the speed at which the Changchun Gong could refine spiritual energy, it would take several hours to recover.

After establishing his foundation, the problem with his cultivation technique immediately became apparent.

However, his original plan was to choose a suitable cultivation method after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. The Everlasting Spring Technique was only a Qi Refining stage cultivation method and was merely a transitional technique.

Such a rudimentary technique will be of no use whatsoever during the foundation-building stage.

"Once we get out, choosing a cultivation method should be our top priority... but it has to be one that suits us. Unlike Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment cultivation methods can't be changed at any time."

After putting away the Bell of All Beings, Bai Zichen tried to project his consciousness into his body to feel the changes in the strength of his consciousness after establishing his foundation.

“There’s an array outside this hut that isolates me, so I can’t make an accurate judgment… but judging from the strength of my divine sense, my current range is at least fifty feet!”

A spiritual intensity of fifty feet has reached the standard of an ordinary mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Moreover, with the Divine Forging Technique at his disposal, Bai Zichen's advantage in spiritual sense will be further expanded in the future.

Bai Zichen checked himself over, pushed open the door of the thatched hut, and felt that the outside environment was very different.

Viewing the world from the perspective of a Foundation Establishment cultivator naturally leads to different insights.

"The junior is out. He probably collapsed from the mental barrier after being inside for two months. I should have told you not to be too hasty... Oh, you've successfully established your foundation?"

The old Taoist priest was still leisurely fishing when he suddenly threw down his fishing rod and jumped up as if he had seen a ghost.

Normally, cultivators spend around 100 days in seclusion to establish their foundation. Judging from the fact that Bai Zichen emerged from seclusion in less than 60 days, he must have failed in his foundation-building attempt.

But upon closer inspection, he was radiant and full of energy, showing no signs of the decline in health and cultivation that one would expect after failing to establish a foundation. His body clearly emanated the magical power fluctuations characteristic of a foundation-establishing cultivator.

"I was lucky to succeed... Bai Zichen greets this senior brother."

Bai Zichen estimated that he spent less time on the physical body stage and completed the spiritual consciousness stage in one go, which made his foundation building process much faster than that of ordinary cultivators.

A quick scan with his divine sense revealed that the old Taoist was also in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, thus understanding his identity.

Qiu Song, the elder in charge of the Ancestral Hall.

Despite his noble status, he held little real power within the Qingfeng Sect. His high seniority and long service simply gave him this position to retire comfortably.

Among all the Foundation Establishment elders, only Tan Changkong, the Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall, has more seniority and age than Qiu Song, and he is also someone who could be buried at any time.

In the entire Ancestral Hall, besides him, there was only one manager and a few fire-working Taoist priests.

The hall houses the ancestral tablets of several founders and occasionally holds elders' meetings. Apart from that, it has virtually no presence within the sect.

"Junior Brother Bai, oh, that's wonderful, that's wonderful..."

Qiu Song laughed twice to ease the awkwardness, and then raised his hand to send out a message.

"The sect has added a Foundation Establishment cultivator. According to the rules, it must be reported to the Transmission Hall, the Enforcement Hall, the General Affairs Hall, and the Ancestral Hall... Junior Brother Bai, you'll be very busy in the next few days."

"Qiu Song congratulates Junior Brother Bai on achieving Foundation Establishment. May your path to enlightenment be everlasting."

Qiu Song straightened his clothes and said seriously.

Despite the fish scales and water stains still clinging to his clothes, giving him an unkempt and disheveled appearance, he exuded a simple and dignified air.

Bai Zichen also responded with ancient etiquette.

As soon as he sat down at the Moon-Locking Pool, several of his attendants came forward to offer their congratulations.

They knew that Bai Zichen had gone into seclusion to break through his cultivation realm, and now that he had returned in high spirits, it was obvious that he had successfully established his foundation.

The futures of these people are entirely tied to Bai Zichen, so their congratulations are definitely heartfelt.

In the following period, a large number of letters were sent to Lock Moon Pool.

"I knew Junior Brother Bai was fine. From now on, we're kindred spirits... Once you're done with your work, let's get together properly!"

This is a letter from Peng Chong.

"Well done, within the timeframe I set for you... Come to my place next month and pick out a magical artifact yourself..."

Pei Dongyong also sent a message immediately, and even took the initiative to mention the spiritual weapon reward he had promised that day.

"Of the eight Foundation Establishment Pills that went out this time, Junior Brother Bai was the first to successfully establish his foundation. He is indeed a genius... Come to the Law Enforcement Hall to meet when you have time. Senior Brother Liang is very concerned about you."

A message from Elder Zhang of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Bai Zichen hadn't yet mastered this transmission technique, so he could only accept it and silently memorize it, unable to give a reply immediately.

The next day.

The General Affairs Hall delivered the complete formal attire of a Foundation Establishment Elder, and Elder Gu Xisheng personally attended the event.

“Junior Brother Bai, this is the first time we’ve met... In three days, the Elders’ Council will confer your ordination in the Ancestral Hall, making you a true elder of the sect.”

Gu Xisheng appears to be a kind-looking middle-aged man, and perhaps because he has been handling mundane affairs for many years, he gives people the impression of being very shrewd and worldly.

"Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother Gu."

Bai Zichen glanced at the process and realized that it was no wonder Qiu Song said he was busy; he indeed had a lot to do.

Three days later, Bai Zichen returned to the Ancestral Hall.

Today he was wearing an indigo Taoist robe embroidered with the sun, moon and stars in gold and silver thread, a pure yang scarf on his forehead, a golden lotus crown on his head, and a jade ruyi in his hand.

This is the traditional formal attire of the Qingfeng Sect; elders don't usually wear it.

This custom is one of the reasons why other sects in Liang Kingdom call Qingfeng Sect old-fashioned and decadent, since they still dress like ancient cultivators even after so long.

Regardless of how this tradition originated, every elder must come here before taking office.

Bai Zichen stepped onto the flower-paved steps, flanked by sect elders, more than twenty in total.

"From this day forward, Bai Zichen will be an elder of the Qingfeng Sect... May Junior Brother Bai's path to immortality be everlasting."

The sect leader sprinkled a few drops of spiritual water and handed out an elder's token. The other elders also bowed and greeted him with ancient etiquette.

Bai Zichen accepted the elder's token, hung it on his waist, and returned the greetings to everyone to express his gratitude.

Next, Liang Yu took the stage and gave a lecture on the principles of the Qingfeng Sect. As elders, they were required to uphold the sect's honor and not to betray the legacy of their ancestors.

Then, Ying Zhong, the Hall Master of the Transmission Hall, spoke. His words were more agreeable and concerned the welfare and benefits of the Foundation Establishment Elders.

After the lengthy ceremony, Bai Zichen finally returned to his meditation room, took off his formal attire, and changed into an ordinary Taoist robe.

I feel even more tired after a day than when I broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Becoming a sect elder brings a significant improvement in benefits. Once I've dealt with the trivial matters, I'll need to put a few more important things on the agenda..."

Newly promoted elders will not be appointed to any positions within the sect for the next ten years, as Foundation Establishment cultivators need to consolidate their cultivation, travel, or refine suitable spiritual artifacts.

They are people who only receive a salary but do no work.

If you contribute 1,000 points every year without spending a single point, you can accumulate 10,000 points in ten years.

But in reality, a bottle of Spirit Enhancement Pill costs 600 contribution points, and according to Peng Chong, he can refine a bottle in half a year.

Not to mention the expenses on magical artifacts.

As for this Moon-Locking Pool, since it belongs to the exclusive spiritual land of the true disciples, they can only stay there for a maximum of ten more years before they have to give it up.

Like the other Foundation Establishment elders, they lined up to select a low-grade third-tier spiritual land.

The new elder token was actually a reforged version of his true inheritance token, with half an ounce of second-grade red jade added, along with several new functions, and its authority within the sect's formation was raised by one level.

……

Su Li swung his fingers across a piece of ordinary iron, carving runes with profound force.

As he finished refining the runes, he spat out a mouthful of blood, staining several runes with crimson.

The iron flashed with spiritual light, and the mark of a long spear appeared.

Su Li threw the iron, which transformed into a golden spear in mid-air, blasting a trench several feet long into the ground.

"A first-grade, high-quality Golden Spear Talisman, Senior Brother Su, your skill in creating talismans from the void has deepened again..."

A hint of worry appeared in Chen Wei's eyes.

Su Li had clearly made up her mind to temporarily abandon the talisman path and wholeheartedly strive for Foundation Establishment.

But when the news came a few days ago that Bai Zichen had successfully established his foundation and become the thirty-eighth elder of the sect, Chen Wei clearly saw him pause in surprise.

He's only at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, and has been stuck at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining for almost two years.

Since then, Su Li has picked up the art of talismans again after years of neglect.

"A Foundation Establishment elder at the age of twenty-three, the youngest Foundation Establishment elder in the Qingfeng Sect since Elder Ge..."

Su Li looked dazed and spoke slowly.

“Ancestor Ge has a Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude, a favored child of Heaven, and has no bottlenecks on his cultivation path. This cultivation speed is understandable... Bai Zichen only has a Three Spiritual Root aptitude, how could he be so fast?”

"Didn't Uncle Luo say that Bai Zichen should possess a spiritual body... Otherwise, how could his three spiritual roots have triggered the strange phenomenon on the inheritance stone tablet back then at the Five Mountains Temple?"

Chen Wei didn't want Su Li to lose his fighting spirit, so she had been trying to comfort him these past few days.

"Your spiritual body excels in the Dao of Talismans, while his strength lies in cultivation speed; each has its advantages. Besides, you are both better than mine. My 'Lightning Strike Body' is practically useless except for attracting heavenly lightning."

“You’re right, my strength lies in the Way of the Talisman… I’ve decided to return to the Way of the Talisman. The day I become a second-tier Talisman Master will be the day I officially begin my journey to Foundation Establishment!”

Su Li suddenly looked up, regaining the demeanor befitting a talisman genius.

(End of this chapter)