Born with immortal seed

Chapter 315 Changes in the Disciples of the Sect
The spiritual energy erupted, causing the eye of the spiritual spring to tremble and the spring water to surge and burst forth.

A pale white flying sword, with a hint of bamboo, leaped out of the water and landed steadily in a strong, well-defined hand.

"Eight sets of sword-forging materials, three attempts were successful, yielding three Bamboo Swords... This success rate has truly exceeded my expectations."

Bai Zichen gently shook the sword, and the Sound Bamboo Sword emitted a unique jade-like sound, its quality flawless.

Time flies, and in the past five years, I have forged the sword eight times.

If traditional earth fire refining is used, all eighty portions of spiritual materials can be used.

However, water-based sword forging is different; each time it takes nearly half a year, so one cannot be impatient.

It's unclear whether the water-refining method is suitable for sword forging, or whether he has found his own true path in sword forging, or whether the effects of the top-grade third-tier spiritual spring are simply too good.

With a success rate of 3 out of 8 in sword forging, he is already quite successful and can be considered a qualified second-tier sword forger.

Even if they went out and opened a sword furnace, they could make a living by forging swords and earn spirit stones.

Moreover, during this process, Bai Zichen gradually mastered many water refining techniques.

If he had another chance, he was confident he could forge four flying swords using eight portions of spiritual materials.

"Next, let's refine the Mountain-Treading Stone. This should be the simplest to refine among low-grade magic treasures... It's just about piling up spiritual materials to overwhelm people with its power, without any sophisticated restrictions."

Bai Zichen took out the dragon-headed cane he had obtained from Granny Gui from his storage bag. It looked unremarkable, but it actually weighed over a thousand pounds.

After refining it, adding some third-tier rare stones will provide all the materials needed to refine the Mountain-Treading Stone.

However, refining magical artifacts with water takes much longer than refining spiritual artifacts; it is estimated that it will take about a year to see results.

He could only do this after he activated the alchemical fire to melt the dragon-headed cane first.

Otherwise, just refining the magic weapon might require soaking and rinsing it in the eye of the spiritual spring for several years.

During the long period of water-based weapon refining, Bai Zichen was not far from entering the realm of the Glazed Fire God Body.

There have been many minor conflicts in Hejian County in recent years, but no major incidents. The elders below have not yet had to trouble Old Ancestor Bai.

Qi Yue visited him once during the journey. He had finally reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and was preparing to travel around before returning to attempt to break through to Core Formation.

For Qi Yue, who had never considered alchemy, all he needed to do now was convert his liquid mana into true essence.

As for the Pure Spirit Jade Marrow, True Person Ge Cang had already prepared it for him, and even bestowed upon him a Divine Dividing Stone.

The Divine Separation Stone is a low-grade fourth-order spiritual object that can simultaneously contain the divine senses of hundreds of people while maintaining a state of non-interference.

It is usually used in the creation of puppets and can be used as a hub core.

For cultivators who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, the greatest benefit of the Divine Separation Stone is that it allows them to experience the wonders of having their divine consciousness entrusted to it, preventing them from being at a loss when attempting to break through to the Core Formation stage.

If only a wisp of divine consciousness is placed within it, the Divine Stone will have no other function.

Most puppets possess intelligence by refining the essence of demonic beasts within the Soul-Splitting Stone, enabling them to simply execute their master's commands.

Only the legendary fourth-order puppets involve the differentiation of divine sense, splitting off a wisp of the creator's primordial spirit, making the puppet seem like an external avatar, unlike the dullness of ordinary puppets.

Just for a single attempt at spiritual possession, a Divine Stone capable of serving as the core of a third-tier puppet is lost. Even the wealthiest sects cannot popularize this method; it must belong only to a select few.

Bai Zichen took time out of his busy schedule to meet with Qi Yue and offered him a few words of comfort and encouragement.

With the passing of the older generation of cultivators in the Qingfeng Sect, there is a great need for the younger generation of disciples to step forward and take on the responsibility.

None of the successors chosen by the current Five Palace Masters are at the late Foundation Establishment stage, so they cannot immediately assume the position of Palace Master should an accident occur.

Just like Su Li, he could only take over the Talisman Hall as the acting hall master for the time being.

Qi Yue's plan was to transform his true essence while traveling towards the Northern Yuan.

Upon his return, he immediately went into seclusion to attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage.

After this brief incident, Bai Zichen continued refining his magical treasures in the Jade Pool, oblivious to the changes in the outside world, until his eldest disciple came to request an audience.

"Master, inner disciple Ma Ruoxi has already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Should we bestow upon her a Foundation Establishment spiritual item according to the rules for true disciples, or should we let her participate in the True Disciple Trial to secure a position first?"

Tong Huan's talent for cultivation was average, but his ability to handle daily affairs was outstanding.

With the backing of being Bai Zhenren's top disciple, it was no surprise that he managed Wanxianjian so well.

With over a hundred resource points in Hejian County, disciples were stationed there, and accounts were reconciled and profits shared with the cultivation families, without the slightest error.

"She's only been an inner disciple for a little over six years, and she's already at the peak of Qi Refining?"

Bai Zichen was very curious. Not to mention Qi Refining Perfection, even Foundation Establishment cultivators were nothing in front of him.

But in six years, he cultivated from the fifth level of Qi Refining to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. It seems that the effect of this Water Stone Spirit Body has far exceeded expectations.

"With the Xuan Shui Jade Pendant, Ma Ruoxi has been cultivating at a level almost every year, only pausing slightly when she broke through to the Qi Refining Perfection stage... Therefore, she did not return to her home mountain to participate in the True Disciple Trial, and has cultivated all the way to this point."

Tong Huan witnessed Ma Ruoxi's cultivation progress firsthand and could only marvel that despite having three spiritual roots, her cultivation speed was now comparable to that of a heavenly spiritual root simply because of a compatible spiritual object.

At the same time, a feeling of treasuring talent arose, which is why they took the initiative to ask their master about her matter.

"Why waste time participating in the True Disciple Trial when you've already reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage? Just provide all the benefits you'd expect from a True Disciple."

Among the twelve true disciples, not everyone could reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

The entry requirements for true disciples today are much higher than they were in Bai Zichen's time.

Because all the spots were already taken, after passing the three trials, one must also successfully challenge an existing true disciple in order to become a true disciple.

Of course, one can also choose to pass the trial without taking the challenge, thus retaining the status of a successor to the true master.

Once one of the existing twelve true disciples has successfully established their foundation or has relinquished their status due to exceeding the age limit, they can take their place.

With a basic cultivation level of the ninth level of Qi Refining, and if their combat skills aren't too weak, securing a spot as a true disciple is practically guaranteed.

Ma Ruoxi is already at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, so participating in the True Inheritance Trial would just be a formality and a waste of several months of her time.

However, to make an exception and enjoy the benefits of the true teachings as an inner disciple, only the Core Formation Ancestor can do so by giving the order.

Even the sect leader doesn't have the right to break this sect rule.

"Have you checked with Qu Shui Wu Yan Bodhi? Does the mountain gate have this spiritual object?"

Bai Zichen became interested in the Water Stone Spirit Body. If this cultivation speed could be maintained during the Foundation Establishment stage, this junior disciple might be able to overtake others.

He surpassed many predecessors and reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"I've already sent a message to inquire, and there are currently no Qu Shui Wu Yan Bodhi trees in the sect."

Tong Huan looked regretful. Without a suitable spiritual object, Ma Ruoxi would have become just an ordinary disciple with three spiritual roots.

Let alone standing out among a group of geniuses, this advantage at the Qi Refining stage will soon be erased by others.

"If she succeeds in establishing her foundation, I will issue a task in my name to acquire the Qushui Five-Eyed Bodhi in the General Affairs Hall."

Bai Zichen casually remarked that investing tens of thousands of contribution points to record the entire cultivation process and changes of the Water Stone Spirit Body was quite a worthwhile investment.

If Qingfeng Sect receives disciples with similar spiritual bodies in the future, they will have a reference point, and perhaps these two spiritual objects can still be put to use.

"What level has Tie Changsheng reached?"

The reason why Tie Changsheng was chosen as the top inner disciple was simply because Bai Zichen sensed some unusual ancient aura about him.

Either this person possesses a rare treasure, or their cultivation method is special, giving him this feeling.

Anyway, once they're recruited and under my watchful eye, no matter what secrets they have, they can't be exposed.

"Currently, I'm still at the ninth level of Qi Refining, with no signs of breaking through. It seems I've encountered a serious bottleneck..."

Tong Huan spoke evasively, sounding somewhat guilty.

Because Tie Changsheng was the top candidate personally selected by his master, Tong Huan had secretly observed him many times, but unfortunately, his cultivation speed was extremely slow.

Some of the new disciples are now discussing whether Old Ancestor Bai has made a mistake this time and chosen a mediocre person.

The main difference is that there's Ma Ruoxi standing next to her, making the gap between the two extremely obvious.

Moreover, Tie Changsheng is a full twelve and a half years older than Ma Ruoxi. Let alone competing for a true disciple, he wouldn't even be able to stay as an inner disciple in Benshan.

It seems obvious who is better and who has more potential.

"It's so bad, could I be sensing something wrong...? That doesn't make sense. That ancient aura is vaguely familiar. Even an ordinary magic weapon wouldn't give me this kind of feeling."

Bai Zichen was completely baffled. How could Tie Changsheng, who possessed such hidden methods and secrets, cultivate so slowly? It was completely illogical.

“The rules for disciples at all levels cannot be set up independently by Wanxianjian; they must follow the same rules as the main sect… Tie Changsheng has already exceeded the age limit for inner disciples, so let’s give him a managerial position and let him go out and do some work.”

Bai Zichen lowered his eyelids, staring at the swirling water in front of him, as if there was something extremely interesting hidden within it.

Tong Huan responded and was about to leave when he saw a white light fly from the green pool and land in his hand.

"The jade slip contains a Heavenly Inquiry Sword Technique. It does not excel in the exquisiteness of swordsmanship, but rather in the belief that makes the sword powerful and its power limit is not restricted by cultivation level. Judging from your experience with the Star Luo Sword Technique, its complex and unpredictable sword path is not suitable for you. You should try a different path."

Bai Zichen reached into the eye of the spiritual spring and scooped out an oval stone the size of his palm. It was incredibly heavy, probably weighing over ten thousand pounds.

"The stronger your belief in this Heavenly Inquiry Sword Technique, the greater the power of the flying sword in your hand. When you master it, you might even be able to reach the realm of sword energy and thunderous sound... If your two junior brothers and sisters want to learn it, you will act as their master and teach them the sword technique."

"Thank you, Master, for imparting the Dharma."

Tong Huan accepted the jade slip and turned around to perform another grand salute.

I knew long ago that I wasn't suited for the path of sword cultivation, but childhood dreams aren't so easily erased.

Overwhelmed with excitement, I couldn't help but wonder if my master had taught me a new sword technique, perhaps because he thought my swordsmanship had improved and there was still room for improvement.

(End of this chapter)