Born with immortal seed

Chapter 139 Sword Forging Request
Zhang Cong was born into a wealthy family. He was intelligent from a young age and was found to have spiritual roots at the age of eight. He was recommended to the Qingfeng Sect as a potential immortal.

After more than forty years of Qi cultivation, he successfully established his foundation.

He had also dreamed of achieving the Core Formation stage, but unfortunately, after cultivating for more than 30 years and reaching the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, he was stuck in a bottleneck.

After taking several Breakthrough Pills without success, he gradually developed resistance to the pills, and their effects became negligible.

If one wants to break through the bottleneck again by relying on the power of elixirs, one can only switch to higher-grade elixirs.

After accumulating spirit stones for many years, he managed to acquire a Water-Fire Yin-Yang Pill in Zengguang Immortal City, but ultimately failed.

At this point, he simply gave up on his idea and honestly performed his duties as an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Zhang Cong returned to his mortal family several times, selecting relatives with spiritual roots to raise and mentor.

Unfortunately, none of them lived up to expectations; the highest cultivation level they achieved was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining.

The Zhang family lived on a mountain not far from the mountain gate, which could not be called a complete spiritual vein, only two small first-grade high-quality spiritual lands.

However, it was enough for the Zhang family, which only had seven or eight cultivators in total.

If it weren't for Zhang Cong's influence, we wouldn't have been able to secure this spot.

In the mourning hall, the Zhang family members were all dressed in mourning clothes, and several people with cultivation were responsible for receiving guests and guarding the coffin.

Most of the ordinary people in the tribe did manual labor.

Bai Zichen took the incense and bowed to the memorial tablet of his senior brother Zhang Cong.

Liao Changqing followed behind him, and after offering incense, he couldn't bring himself to say much more to the Zhang family members who were trying to curry favor with him.

His expression hardened, and the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator emanated from his body, instantly silencing the surroundings.

"Senior Brother Bai, what position do you intend to take on?"

Liao Changqing still has a bunch of former disciples and followers, and they are struggling to make ends meet with no one to take care of them.

I plan to directly seek a position, without waiting for the ten-year transition period.

He wasn't a newly established cultivator who needed to change his cultivation method to adapt to his level, or purchase spiritual artifacts, etc.

Unlike Liu An, who had a special skill that allowed him to work in the Weapon Forging Hall, Liao Changqing's future assignment depended on the arrangements made by his superiors.

"I'm not in a hurry, I'll think about it for a few years... Senior Brother Liang is here, let's go up and greet him."

Liang Yu, along with several elders from the Law Enforcement Hall, strode over, causing the Zhang family cultivators to hurriedly come out and kneel on the ground.

As the saying goes, "When a person dies, the tea cools." Apart from a few fellow disciples with whom he had a good relationship, not many sect elders came to mourn him.

"Get up. Today I've come to see Junior Brother Zhang off on his final journey."

Liang Yu wanted to take care of Zhang Cong's descendants, but after looking around, he couldn't find anyone he liked.

I'm afraid that in a few years, these people won't even be able to keep the inheritance left by Zhang Cong.

When Liang Yu saw Bai Zichen, he nodded to him and said, "You've come too."

Liao Changqing excitedly bowed and greeted them. Being noticed by Liang Yu meant his trip hadn't been in vain.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Liang Yu, as the chief officiant, stood before the coffin with a sorrowful expression.

"All who are born must die; dying early is not necessarily a sign of an untimely death."

"A thousand years from now, who will know of honor or disgrace!"

With each eulogy Liang Yu recited, he waved his hand and sent a beam of red light into the coffin.

With four majestic and profound red lights suppressing the four corners, the coffin looked much heavier.

A few drops of sweat clung to Liang Yu's forehead. The four restrictions he had painstakingly set up were enough to deter ordinary early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He did this because he considered that the Zhang family was weak and unable to protect the tombs of their ancestors, and he was worried that his junior brother Zhang Cong's body would be dishonored.

Such things rarely happen in Heishan County. This was just a precaution. In Hejian County, no cultivation family would dare to bury their elders in this way.

Among demonic cultivation techniques, there are several secret methods for refining corpses, which transform the bodies of deceased cultivators into zombies.

Those who cultivate their bodies are even better off, as the zombies they transform into are of a higher level and stronger.

This secret method of refining corpses is remarkably effective, requiring no materials other than the cultivator's physical body.

It is very popular among demonic cultivators.

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator passes away, Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators will immediately come knocking, and a fierce battle will ensue to seize the body.

Many families that cultivate immortality cremate the remains of their ancestors directly.

Or they could simply take matters into their own hands and turn their ancestor into a zombie to protect the family.

“Palace Master Liang, my family only has Cheng’er who is worth cultivating. In the past, the Ancestor has devoted a lot of effort to him…”

The Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator from the Zhang family pulled a teenager to kneel before Liang Yu and kowtowed forcefully.

"I beg Palace Master Liang to consider the ancestor's feelings and accept me as a disciple."

Liang Yu reached out and grasped the boy's wrist, transferring a wisp of magical power to him.

Four spiritual roots, Qi Refining Level 2.

“I stopped accepting disciples a long time ago. Even if he becomes my disciple, I don’t have time to teach him… I’ll write a note for you to take to the sect, and I’ll arrange for him to become an outer disciple.”

Liang Yu called Bai Zichen over, leaving the two behind him kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly.

"I never imagined that among Senior Brother Zhang's clansmen, there isn't even a single one who can uphold the family's reputation."

Bai Zichen shook his head. If there was a promising talent, Liang Yu might just take him on.

"Even a Core Formation Ancestor can't guarantee how outstanding his descendants will be... Let's not talk about that. In the future, we can just take care of Junior Brother Zhang a little out of consideration for him."

Liang Yu followed the mountain path to a secluded place.

“Everyone’s path in spiritual practice is different, and I have nothing more to give you. I hope you can learn from Junior Brother Zhang’s experience and never be careless.”

“The strange cultivation techniques of cultivators outside are endless… Either don’t fight, or if you do fight, go all out and don’t leave the other party any breath so they can use their trump cards.”

"I am in the sect and I do not wish to hear the news that your soul lamp has been extinguished."

"Maintain a cautious and prudent mind, and act with courage and diligence... I will keep Brother Liang's advice in mind and will not be arrogant or careless."

Bai Zichen had a clear understanding of himself; with a mysterious spirit present, there was absolutely no need for him to take any risky actions.

Those breakthrough pills that are extremely tempting to ordinary cultivators are of no value to him.

"By the way, the matter of the ownership of the third-tier spiritual land of Jade Moon Lake has been resolved. Those who intend to go are you newly promoted elders and a few others who do not have a fixed third-tier spiritual land. With your achievements, it will be easy for you to secure a spot. There is only one point: the spiritual land is divided into two middle-grade third-tier and four low-grade third-tier... Whether we can secure a middle-grade third-tier spiritual land still needs to be discussed further."

Liang Yu was quite pleased to see that this junior brother did not have the unyielding arrogance of the rumored sword cultivators, but knew how to be flexible and adaptable.

"Please enlighten me, senior brother, on how to acquire a mid-grade third-tier spiritual land. Does the sect have any plans for this?"

Bai Zichen's eyes lit up. If he could get a mid-grade third-level spiritual land, he would definitely try to get something better.

During cultivation, even the slightest increase in efficiency is beneficial.

“It’s just a vote among us. Junior Brother Wei brought Gu Xisheng in, letting him act as the acting head of the sect for the past few years, so he also has a vote… Junior Brother Ying and I will definitely vote for you, but it would be best to bring in another hall master to be on the safe side.”

Seven people voted, each person selecting two candidates, and the candidate with the most votes won.

"I understand."

Bai Zichen nodded slightly. Besides Senior Brother Liang Yu's help, he also needed to think of a way.

……

The Refining Hall.

Bai Zichen transferred 5,800 sect contribution points in one go, and looked at the few remaining contribution points on his elder token with a slight reluctance.

The profits from the final battle at Jade Moon Lake, along with this year's salary, allowed him to successfully pay off his debts.

"Junior Brother Bai is indeed trustworthy. Before I even went to urge him, he took the initiative to return the sect contribution."

Peng Chong touched his bald head and laughed heartily.

Even knowing the other party won't default on the debt, every creditor is happy when they receive the payment.

"Senior Brother Peng generously lent me his help, helping me gather the contribution points to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills. I will always remember this kindness... Now that you are refining a spiritual weapon, it is the time when you need to spend a lot of money. How can I delay any longer?"

Back then, Peng Chong was able to lend out several thousand yuan without hesitation, partly because he was optimistic about Bai Zichen and invested in him in advance.

But in the end, it did him a great favor.

"Haha, with Junior Brother Bai's contribution, I can exchange for the last two materials, and I can start refining the spiritual weapon next month... This time, I must succeed in one fell swoop!"

"Then I'd like to wish Senior Brother Peng great progress in his weapon-refining skills in advance!"

Bai Zichen took a sip of the spiritual tea beside him and slowly asked, "Is Senior Brother Dai in the hall? I have something I want to discuss with him."

"The Palace Master just came out of the weapon-refining room, I'll go and inform him immediately."

Peng Chong did not hesitate and immediately stood up.

This young junior brother Bai is now much more important to the sect's higher-ups than he, a veteran elder.

Peng Chong is a second-tier weapon refiner, making him one of the more outstanding elders among those in the early Foundation Establishment stage.

After an incense stick had burned, Bai Zichen met Dai Hui, the master of the Weapon Refining Hall.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Dai."

"No need for formalities, please find a seat."

Dai Hui, holding an ancient book in his hand, threw it on the table and laughed heartily: "Junior Brother Bai is a rare guest. What made you decide to come to my Weapon Refining Hall today?"

"I have a favor to ask of you, Senior Brother."

Bai Zichen took out the white iron essence and a bunch of auxiliary materials, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I have gathered all the materials for the refining of the other second-tier flying sword in the last sword refining secret method. I would like to ask Senior Brother Dai for help."

"Oh, I didn't expect Junior Brother Bai to have such good fortune, obtaining elite white iron so quickly... Even my weapon refining hall doesn't have this kind of ore."

Dai Hui took the White Iron Elite and tossed it in his hand.

“The amount is sufficient, even a little excessive... but I don’t have time right now. Junior brother, you can either wait for me for five years, or find another junior brother to refine it.”

"This is not an excuse. I had a sudden inspiration and was preparing to go into seclusion immediately. I can't delay any longer."

Among the five hall masters, Dai Hui is the youngest and still retains the hope of forming a core.

Bai Zichen knew very well that such sudden inspirations came quickly and went quickly.

Forging the Tianxin Sword will take at least a few months.

If Dai Hui had forged the sword first and then gone into seclusion, that spark of inspiration would have long since vanished.

"Then I will wait for Senior Brother Dai to emerge from seclusion. Five years is a long time... I wish Senior Brother Dai a successful seclusion and great progress in cultivation."

Bai Zichen thought about it and still felt that Dai Hui's sword-forging skills were trustworthy.

If it were someone else who destroyed the sword-forging materials, they wouldn't be able to find another piece of elite white iron.

"Alright, Junior Brother Bai, don't worry. If everything goes smoothly, I might be able to emerge from seclusion in two or three years!"

Dai Hui laughed loudly and put away the sword-forging materials.

"Consider these extra white iron elites as my reward for this sword forging."

Bai Zichen quickly expressed his gratitude and mentioned the matter of the third-grade mid-level spiritual land, Feiyue Lake.

Without a second thought, Dai Hui readily agreed, stating that he would convey his opinions to the sect leader before going into seclusion.

(End of this chapter)