Born with immortal seed

Chapter 311 Water Stone Spirit Body
Bai Zichen leisurely finished his lunch, took the silk handkerchief handed to him by Huo Feiyan to wipe his hands, and then looked at Li Guizhen and Long Long.

"Have you finished recruiting disciples? Are there any noteworthy talents?"

When a sect recruits new disciples, it doesn't expect to receive any outstanding ones. Those who sign up when the sect opens its gates will basically become the backbone of the Qingfeng Sect.

The most outstanding disciples are usually selected into the sect through other means, so there are very few cases of talented people being overlooked.

"The thirty most outstanding people have been listed. Please select inner disciples from among them, Master."

Li Guizhen carefully handed over the list, wondering how his performance would be perceived by his master.

“Ma Ruoxi, fourteen years old, Water and Stone Spirit Body... A dual-elemental spirit body of water and earth. As long as she finds a compatible spiritual object, her cultivation speed can be comparable to that of a cultivator with a Heavenly Spirit Root.”

One person on the list piqued Bai Zichen's interest.

It was yet another type of spirit I had never heard of before, but this spirit needed the support of a powerful force to be able to exert its influence.

Although Ma Ruoxi's family had several elders who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, none of her direct relatives were capable.

The clan spent over a thousand spirit stones to buy her a second-tier aquatic jade stone, which only made her cultivation speed slightly faster than someone with three spiritual roots, so they became somewhat unwilling to continue investing in it.

After all, the Water Stone Spirit Body only says that its cultivation speed is comparable to that of a Heavenly Spirit Root, but it doesn't say that it can cultivate smoothly all the way to the Core Formation stage like a Heavenly Spirit Root.

If tens of thousands of spirit stones were invested, and Ma Ruoxi ultimately failed to even reach the Foundation Establishment stage, it would be an unbearable pain for the Ma family.

Just then, news spread that Qingfeng Sect was accepting disciples, so Ma Ruoxi was sent to give it a try.

Such a spirit is better suited for cultivation within a sect.

If the Qingfeng Sect's secret hall happens to have a suitable twin spirit object for her, this woman could directly enter the true lineage with this spirit body without any problem.

“Master, I consulted the senior brother in the Transmission Hall, and he said that the Ghost Spirit Sect’s records mention this kind of spirit body… During the Qi Refining stage, you need a second-grade top-quality Xuan Shui Jade Pendant, and during the Foundation Establishment stage, you need a third-grade top-quality Qu Shui Five-Eyed Bodhi. With these two spiritual objects, your cultivation speed will be comparable to that of a Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator.”

Li Guizhen spoke at just the right moment, narrating the story in a gentle and detailed manner.

"However, breaking through realms is not as simple as for cultivators without Heavenly Spiritual Roots; one still has to rely on their own efforts to break through... Overall, the cultivation speed is comparable to that of cultivators with Different Spiritual Roots."

"As for whether the Water Stone Spirit Body is still effective at the Core Formation stage, and what kind of spiritual objects are needed, there is no record above... After that Ghost Spirit Sect cultivator reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage, he failed to break through to the Core Formation stage and then passed away."

"Do you have either of these two spiritual items stored in the Wanxianjian storeroom?"

"There are two pieces of Xuan Shui Jade Jade, but no Qu Shui Five-Eyed Bodhi. I need to send a message to inquire whether this mountain has such a spiritual object."

"Then let's appoint Ma Ruoxi as an inner disciple. At the same time, the sect will temporarily lend her the Xuan Shui Jade Pendant to help her cultivate... However, she must cooperate with the Transmission Hall to record all the changes during her cultivation process, leaving behind a detailed document about the Water Stone Spirit Body for future generations."

Bai Zichen nodded in satisfaction. It was just a disciple with a spiritual body; it wasn't anything special.

Only a top-tier spirit, such as a Golden Body of Merit, could earn his special attention.

However, this disciple of mine seemed to be quite reliable in handling matters, and he didn't seem to be completely clueless when asked questions.

They also knew to collect information in advance, apply what they learned to other situations, and do everything ahead of time.

Apart from Ma Ruoxi, there are no other candidates with spiritual bodies; the best candidate is one with dual spiritual roots.

Among them were several people who were skilled in all kinds of immortal cultivation arts, including a first-level high-grade Gu Master and a first-level peak Clothing Master.

Bai Zichen merely glanced at it, remaining noncommittal and offering no comment.

The gaze slid down the path, and every now and then a name was announced, and the person was promoted to an inner disciple.

"Alright, let's use this list for this year's inner disciples. We'll post it to the whole county and send a copy to the main sect later."

Bai Zichen tossed the file back to Li Guizhen and added a sentence.

"The top disciple this time is Tie Changsheng... Once he reaches the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, no matter what age he is, we will bring him here to collect a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Yes, disciple will immediately follow Master's instructions and summon these people into the gate."

Li Guizhen was slightly taken aback, but suppressed his curiosity and, not daring to ask any more questions, bowed and withdrew.

“Longlong paid homage to the White Ancestor at the Law Enforcement Hall.”

Longlong bowed in worship, her emerald green jade hairpin and gilded earrings making her slender neck appear even whiter.

"How has Senior Brother Liang been lately?"

Bai Zichen waved his hand, feeling a little strange that his former fellow disciples were now addressing him as "Ancestor."

"The Palace Master's spirits are quite good. He has also taken the Demon Crow's Blood-Weeping Pill to heal his internal injuries. Palace Master Han has examined him and believes he can extend his lifespan by at least twenty years..."

Long Long thought to himself that the rumors were indeed true. Old Ancestor Bai valued old friendships the most. Even though he was already one of the most prominent figures in the entire Liang Kingdom's cultivation world, he still treated Liang Yu the same as always.

"However, Palace Master Luo of the Talisman Palace passed away peacefully last month, and Junior Brother Su has now taken over as acting Palace Master."

"Luo Qiuzhen has passed away... The Demon Crow's Blood-Weeping Pill failed to work, or was it sent too late?"

It was another name that had become somewhat distant and unfamiliar: the Palace Master of the Talisman Hall, the only third-tier talisman master in the Azure Maple Sect.

Bai Zichen was not surprised that Su Li succeeded as the head of the Talisman Hall.

Su Li has always been regarded as Luo Qiuzhen's successor. She possesses a talismanic spirit body and is one of the strongest in the sect in terms of her mastery of talismans.

If it weren't for the limitation of only being at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, no one would object to him becoming the Palace Master of the Talisman Hall directly.

"Palace Master Luo has reached the limit of his lifespan, and medicine is ineffective."

The Demon Crow's Blood-Weeping Pill was discovered some time ago by an outer disciple who accidentally triggered a mechanism while cleaning the alchemy room.

After Han Qing examined it, he determined that although the pill did not have a direct effect on prolonging life, it did have the effect of increasing lifespan from another perspective.

The Demon Crow's Blood-Weeping Pill can heal the deepest hidden injuries, allowing most cultivators to live to their theoretical lifespan limit.

Although it was only useful for cultivators below the Core Formation stage, Han Qing treasured it as if he had found a precious gem, because a pill formula was also found along with the pill.

With his level of alchemy expertise, he could recreate the Demon Crow's Blood-Weeping Pill by simply going back and refining it a few times.

Several of the older Foundation Establishment elders in the sect took the Demon Crow's Blood-Weeping Pill immediately.

"If any high-grade longevity pills appear, just bid on them; I will pay for the required spirit stones."

Bai Zichen sighed. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are things that even cultivators cannot escape.

Before one's spiritual realm is broken, and one's lifespan ends, one becomes no different from an ordinary person.

The idea of ​​reincarnation and rebirth is a myth; even ancient powerful beings had to rely on the underworld coffin to carry out their plans, and it's unknown whether they succeeded.

The afterlife is uncertain; I only seek to ascend the Great Way in this life and attain longevity.

After exchanging a few more words, Bai Zichen waved away the hesitant Long Long, then leaped into the moonlight and vanished without a trace.

……

When the final results were posted, the rogue cultivators outside Wanxianjian were in an uproar.

The Qingfeng Sect awarded the honor of its top disciple to a rogue cultivator, rather than one of the disciples from the renowned cultivation families that everyone had previously recognized.

Regardless of age or cultivation level, several people surpassed the rogue cultivator named Tie Changsheng in terms of cultivation potential.

This person's cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining looks good, but he is already over thirty years old. No matter how you look at it, his future prospects are not as bright as Ma Ruoxi's and the eldest son of the Mi family.

But to say there was any behind-the-scenes manipulation is impossible.

Tie Changsheng was a genuine native of Hejian County, and many independent cultivators knew him. If he were to seek connections, it should be through the descendants of two prominent cultivation families.

All I can say is that their ancestors were blessed with good fortune, they had a stroke of luck, and were struck by a blessing that fell from the sky.

In an instant, a large number of independent cultivators stepped forward to offer their congratulations, forming several thick circles.

Becoming an inner disciple of the Qingfeng Sect already signifies a bright future.

Moreover, with the reward of a Foundation Establishment Pill, it can be said that Tie Changsheng is already at the forefront of this group of disciples, and will be far ahead of others when he tries to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future.

"Big brother, you've become an inner disciple! And you even got a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

The sworn sister jumped up excitedly, her voice high-pitched and sharp.

"All three of us siblings have joined the Azure Maple Sect. My second brother and I are outer disciples!"

"Good, good, good!"

Tie Changsheng was somewhat dazed and numb; becoming an inner disciple was already the best outcome in his mind.

I never thought that the Foundation Establishment Pill would be related to me, but I never expected that this incredible opportunity would actually come my way.

'Could it be that I was destined to be a disciple of the Azure Maple Sect...'

While Tie Changsheng was still blankly returning the greeting, a sword light descended from the sky. The pressure from the Foundation Establishment cultivator caused many rogue cultivators to take a step back.

"So you are Tie Changsheng? Come with me to pay homage to the ancestral master's statue. You inner disciples have another procedure to follow."

Li Guizhen found the lucky person, but after looking him up and down, he couldn't see anything special about him.

I don't know how he gained the master's favor and was chosen as the top inner disciple.

However, it would be good if he had real skills; otherwise, the other nine inner disciples in his cohort would all see him as a thorn in their side, and his future days would not be easy.

To his master, a mere Foundation Establishment Pill was nothing special.

It's quite possible that it was just a casual gesture, without any deeper meaning.

But regardless, having a Foundation Establishment Pill waiting for him right after entering the sect already puts him ahead of all the other disciples.

Cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots do not need Foundation Establishment Pills, while those with second-rate Extraordinary Spiritual Root aptitude, such as Li Guizhen, receive no special treatment regarding Foundation Establishment Pills and must wait in line just like everyone else.

He was so confident that he broke through to the next realm without even needing the Foundation Establishment Pill.

The ten inner disciples were given tokens, Daoist robes, and the privilege of choosing their own spiritual land in the Myriad Immortals Valley.

Meanwhile, in a hall modeled after the ancestral hall of Benshan, they worshipped the founders of the sect and the founders of the school.

Tie Changsheng followed the others in worshiping, only revealing a barely perceptible change in expression when he looked up at the statue high above.

"From now on, you must strive to cultivate yourselves, abide by the rules, and not overstep the bounds. Do not fail the expectations of the sect and Elder Bai."

After a long speech by the elder of the Transmission Hall, he also explained the benefits that inner disciples should enjoy.

Next up was Long Long. This group of inner disciples were all from Hejian and had not gone through the trials of promotion.

They have no understanding of the rules of Qingfeng Sect and definitely need intensive training to prevent them from making mistakes in the future.

(End of this chapter)