Born with immortal seed

Chapter 563 The Savior of Suffering, True Lord Bai

Every flower, every falling, has its own method.

Over the years, strange phenomena have frequently appeared on the Immortal Ascension Platform where Bai Laozu has been in seclusion for cultivation, displaying a variety of colorful appearances.

At times, it is as fierce as fire; entering it is like being close to the sun, where you feel as if you could be evaporated at any moment.

At times, it is bitterly cold, and even the cold wind is frozen, blowing extremely slowly.

There was also torrential rain, which caused the Qishan waterway to swell, and several lakes to overflow, flooding many fields.

In an instant, the rain turned to frost, and everything was covered with a thin layer of frost.

Faced with such extraordinary phenomena that could affect hundreds of miles away, the several instances of realm descents interspersed in between, each quite different, did not attract any attention.

"Master's sword intent is becoming more and more refined. It's almost impossible to see the gaps between the changes of the seasons. It's as if the celestial phenomena should be connected in this way."

Ma Ruoxi built a hut not far from the Jiexiantai (Immortal Receiving Platform) so that she could be closer to her master and ask him for guidance at any time.

Even if her master went into seclusion, experiencing the strange phenomena caused by the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword Technique would be of great help to her.

The more you try to understand this sword technique, the more profound and complex it becomes.

It is a sword technique that can be studied and refined for a lifetime. With her talent in swordsmanship, it would be very difficult for her to master even one of the solar terms in her lifetime.

"Senior Brother Lu, do you have something to ask Master?"

Ma Ruoxi faced the tree-lined path, and sure enough, a middle-aged cultivator climbed the steps a few moments later.

“Zhong Li from the Ice Soul Palace has come to visit, saying that he has a fifth-order water-type spiritual item that our sect needs, but he will only reveal the terms of the transaction after seeing the ancestor.”

Lu Song looked somewhat haggard. In recent years, he had taken on the general affairs of the twelve prefectures of Zhongzhou, as well as the handover of the territory ceded by the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, keeping him extremely busy.

He also wanted to be like Ma Ruoxi and Li Guizhen, able to go into seclusion whenever he wanted, and to relinquish all his duties if he wanted to be a hands-off manager.

However, different identities lead to different prospects on the path of life.

He was considered a legendary figure by the lower-level disciples for reaching the Foundation Establishment stage at an advanced age and just barely making it to the Core Formation stage. However, what he could not avoid was that his cultivation level almost stagnated after entering the Core Formation stage.

The Seven Luminaries Spirit Body he received in the ancient sword immortal's secret realm seems to have completely lost its function after he formed his core, and can no longer provide abundant blood and essence to accelerate his cultivation speed.

At this age, still only in the early stages of Core Formation, even if one is unwilling to accept it, one must consider what will happen after death.

Of the nineteen counties now newly incorporated into the sect, most affairs are decided by Lu Song's word, and his power is at its peak.

Whether it's accumulating wealth for future generations or seeking various longevity elixirs, this position allows for the accumulation of resources effectively.

Several years ago, the White Ancestor issued an imperial edict, requiring the sect to do everything in its power to acquire a fifth-order water-type spiritual item that was extremely pure and yin.

Since the Qingfeng Sect's secret hall had no suitable spiritual items, they posted this purchase request to all disciples and the cultivation world, which unexpectedly attracted the attention of the Ice Soul Palace.

"Is he the cultivator with the Ice Spirit Root and Ice Phoenix Spirit Body? I heard he was hailed as the disciple of Ice Soul Palace with the best chance of succeeding True Monarch Suihan, but I haven't heard much about his deeds in the last hundred years."

Upon hearing that it concerned her master's needs, Ma Ruoxi immediately took it seriously.

"When we sought to purchase water-based spiritual items, we didn't use Master's name. How could Ice Soul Palace know that these were for Master's use?"

"It's probably because the Ice Soul Palace has very high demands and feels that no one else has the right to make decisions, so they went directly to the Ancestor."

Lu Song thought of Zhong Li, whose hair and eyebrows were all silver. This man was like an iceberg, with no change in expression.

"After Zhongli formed his core, his cultivation speed was incredibly fast at first, and he rushed all the way to the late stage of core formation... But after a hundred years, he is still in the late stage of core formation. It seems that he has not yet figured out his path and has not been able to solidify his understanding of alchemy."

"Has anyone found out which water-type spiritual item Ice Soul Palace possesses?"

Ma Ruoxi knew that her master had been cultivating diligently all these years and had not left the Receiving Platform. If she hadn't had clear information, she wouldn't have dared to disturb her master.

"It was not mentioned, only that it would definitely meet the requirements and be presented to the ancestor at that time... The Ice Soul Palace moved from the Central Region, and its founder was a Nascent Soul True Monarch. It is not impossible that he left behind a fifth-order spiritual item."

Even Zhongli, who was considered a potential Nascent Soul cultivator, was trapped for a hundred years before reaching the peak of Core Formation, which made Lu Song much more balanced.

The great path is arduous; it requires severing all emotions and desires.

On this path, there is no room for sentimentality, and there is no room for fairness.

You may diligently cultivate yourself for hundreds of years, but it may not be as rewarding as the casual gains made by someone who only works sporadically.

Just like Zhongli, who had already reached the late stage of Core Formation at the age of over two hundred, everyone would say that he had a good chance of becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator.

For a full century, no breakthrough was made, which immediately reduced the chances of achieving the Nascent Soul stage to rock bottom.

“Then I will go and report to Master and see what he thinks… I don’t think Ice Soul Palace would be so unwise as to fool us on such a matter and anger Master.”

Ma Ruoxi glanced at the Receiving Platform. The strange phenomenon of all things flourishing and plants growing had ended some time ago. Going up to ask for an audience at this time should not offend her master.

……

'I wonder if that True Monarch Bai will see me. Our ancestor can only hold out for another three months at most… If no one helps, the ice crystal coffin will likely be completely defiled, and our sect will lose its own fourth-tier spiritual land and the initiative.'

His eyebrows were as white as snow, and his features were sharp and distinct, as if carved by a knife and axe. Zhong Li was expressionless in the guest room, but he was extremely anxious.

When Suihan Zhenjun unexpectedly survived the Heavenly Tribulation and became the first Nascent Soul cultivator from outside the Holy Lotus Sect under the rule of the Liang Kingdom's Holy Lotus Sect, it was astonishing to everyone.

Contrary to what outsiders might have imagined, the Ice Soul Palace did not expand aggressively or seize territory.

After all this time, they still only occupy the vast ice plains and at most bring the surrounding area under their control as vassal states.

It's not that I don't like it, but that I'm not capable enough.

The moment Suihan Zhenjun achieved Nascent Soul cultivation, the hidden dangers of the Crimson Immortal Grass he had consumed in his childhood erupted, directly reducing his lifespan by a hundred years.

Not only did he fail to enjoy the benefits of several extraordinary phenomena of the Nascent Soul stage, but his lifespan was also depleted, resulting in a weak Nascent Soul stage and an unstable foundation.

Not long ago, True Monarch Suihan finally made up for the deficit and became a Nascent Soul cultivator with normal combat power, completing the creation of the realm.

Realizing he was no match for the other Nascent Soul cultivators in Liang Kingdom, True Lord Suihan repeatedly warned his disciples not to expand their influence too far beyond the vast ice plains.

I thought that good days were coming after True Lord Suihan opened up the realm, but unexpectedly, the most important fourth-order spiritual land in the Ice Soul Palace has run into trouble.

Twenty years ago, an endless chilling aura surged from the fourth-tier spiritual land of Ice Soul Palace, and the concentration of spiritual energy suddenly increased to the upper tier of the fourth tier.

Before they could even enjoy their happiness for a few days, black spots began to appear in the ice crystal coffin at the core of the spiritual land, and sharp roars could be heard from time to time.

The entire spiritual land was filled with gloomy and dark energy, causing an elder from the Ice Soul Palace who was using the ice crystal coffin to break through to the late stage of Core Formation to be directly turned into a corpse.

His face was ashen, his skin stiff, and white hairs pierced through his robes, instantly transforming him into a mindless zombie.

Fortunately, Lord Suihan was nearby and subdued him on the spot.

Otherwise, communication would be impossible, and the destructive zombies, whether they were destroying the ice crystal coffin or storming into the mountain gate and wreaking havoc, would be a pain that the Ice Soul Palace could not bear.

After dealing with the corpse-turned disciple, Lord Suihan had no time to investigate the reasons behind it. He saw the ice crystal coffin trembling wildly, as if a terrifying monster was about to crawl out of it.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the ice field, a cold wave erupted, and the eerie, dark energy seemed to come from the underworld, carrying the wails of countless souls and a chilling cold that pierced the heart.

Even with all his might, the Cold Lord could only suppress the ice crystal coffin, unable to force back the eerie, dark energy.

One side has limited human resources, while the other side has the entire vast ice plain as its backing.

The estimated three-month period is already quite optimistic. If the cold wave and the ghostly energy intensify again, this period will be significantly shortened.

Left with no other choice, Lord Suihan finally decided to seek help from outside.

Throughout the entire Northern Region, True Monarch Bai of the Azure Maple Sect is the most suitable candidate.

With sufficient strength, proximity, and virtuous character, Lord Suihan made a decisive decision, even at the cost of using the most precious spiritual artifact left by his ancestor.

No matter how good external possessions are, they still need to be put to use.

If the fourth-tier spiritual land is destroyed, and he and the ice crystal coffin are buried under the vast ice plains, what use would it be to hide that spiritual object?

"Why is there still no news? Judging from the announcement, the Qingfeng Sect must value that fifth-order water-type spiritual item very much... They only ask to see it once, there's no reason for them to refuse."

Zhongli was uneasy. The Ice Soul Palace had a secret technique that could take a shortcut in the solidification of alchemy theory.

However, the long-term consequences were so severe that he was unable to make up his mind.

As he grew older, he finally decided to comprehend the Heart of Ice and Snow, allowing the true meaning left by the patriarch to assimilate into himself.

While one can achieve great progress in true meaning in a short period of time, one should not expect any progress on the path of the Great Dao after the Nascent Soul stage. At the same time, one's temperament will become ruthless and cold as an iceberg, losing one's own personality.

With this incident, even this last resort is gone.

As the cultivator in the Ice Soul Palace who was closest to the Nascent Soul stage, he was the most worried, as the already arduous path of the Great Dao was now fraught with further twists and turns.

“Fellow Daoist Zhong, the Ancestor is free now, please come with me to pay him a visit.”

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lu!"

Just when Zhongli was about to lose confidence, Lu Song appeared and spoke words that were like heavenly music, and for the first time, a different emotion appeared on his face.

After carefully adjusting his Taoist robes outside the Receiving Platform, Zhongli held his breath and gently climbed the steps to enter.

He was about to meet the most gifted and brilliant cultivator in the history of Liang Kingdom and even the Northern Region. His record was unparalleled, not only among his contemporaries but also among those who would follow a hundred generations later.

The Ice Soul Palace's self-contained existence, confined to the vast ice plains, does not mean it is completely unaware of outside information.

Upon returning from the Central Region, Bai Zichen of the Qingfeng Sect immediately killed Qu Yang of the Holy Lotus Sect with his sword and took over Qishan, which the Tianli Sect had failed to conquer for a century.

The Heavenly Principle Sect dared not utter a word, surrendering the twelve prefectures of Zhongzhou and seeking other spiritual veins.

To outsiders, this was the order in which the Qingfeng Sect seized control of Zhongzhou, forcing the Tianli Sect to obediently submit.

Even the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, another major Nascent Soul sect in Liang Kingdom, voluntarily ceded most of its territory, which shocked the Ice Soul Palace.

Even without the incident involving the ice crystal coffin, True Lord Suihan would have sent someone to Qishan to sound out the Qingfeng Sect's intentions.

With this aura of wanting to monopolize the Liang Kingdom, which sect wouldn't be alarmed?

The thought that this True Lord Bai was not even as old as himself, and that the difference between the two was no longer on the same level, made Zhongli lower his head even further.

When the gap is so huge, it's impossible to feel any jealousy or hatred; all you feel is a deep sense of powerlessness when you think about it.

They lamented the injustice of fate, wondering how there could be such a vast difference in talent among fellow human cultivators.

It is estimated that in Bai Zhenjun's eyes, they were no different from unintelligent wild beasts, dull and beyond redemption.

"You're the one who said you wanted to discuss the fifth-tier spiritual item with me in person?"

A distant, ethereal voice came from afar, its tone devoid of emotion, and asked calmly.

"Reporting to True Lord Bai, Ancestor Suihan asked me to convey a message to you... If True Lord Bai does one thing for our sect, we will offer you a fifth-tier water-type spiritual object."

Zhongli couldn't recall how he entered the main hall, or whether he had done anything impolite while bowing and paying homage.

He glanced at the cultivator at the head of the table briefly; the aura of the cultivator was unfathomable, as deep as an abyss and filled with sharp, piercing light. He dared not look any longer.

He honestly repeated what Suihan Zhenjun had said.

"Why doesn't Sui Han come to talk to me in person instead of having you, a junior, deliver the message? Just because a spirit animal is water-based doesn't mean it's suitable."

Bai Zichen's heart stirred. For the Ice Soul Palace to be willing to offer a fifth-tier spiritual item, what they were asking for must be extraordinary.

Given the gravity of the matter, the fact that True Lord Suihan did not show up suggests either that he was too busy or that the matter was too sensitive for him to appear.

"Our ancestor has unavoidable difficulties preventing us from leaving, and we ask for your understanding, True Lord Bai... Our sect's spiritual treasure is called the Great Cold Divine Water, which is considered top-grade among fifth-order water-type spiritual treasures. Just refining a single drop can grant one the cultivation speed of a water-elemental spiritual root, lasting for at least ten years. This is still the most wasteful use of such a treasure; it has many other incredible applications elsewhere."

Zhongli dared not keep the secret in front of the Nascent Soul True Lord, especially since he was the only savior of the Ice Soul Palace.

"Our sect's founder only passed down one bushel, which contained about fifty drops... After so many years, only the last fifteen drops remain. If you, True Lord, can relieve our sect's suffering, we will offer up all the remaining Taihan Divine Water."

"The Great Cold Divine Water? I may not be an expert, but I do know a fair bit about fifth-order spiritual items... Why have I never heard of this name before?"

Bai Zichen was puzzled. Could it be that the Ice Soul Palace really did have a remarkable spiritual object hidden away?

He wasn't worried that the Ice Soul Palace would deceive him about the grade and authenticity of the spiritual items; he would see it all at a glance and they wouldn't be able to fool him.

As for the matter that Ice Soul Palace requested, it is probably related to True Lord Suihan. We will make a decision after we see the specific details.

However, there aren't many things in the Northern Region that can still cause trouble for True Monarch Bai right now.

In comparison, a fifth-tier water-type spirit creature is definitely more important.

If it really works, he will be confident in mastering the Great Five Elements Annihilation Divine Light, adding another divine weapon when facing the Nascent Soul Old Dragon in the future.

"I wonder if the True Lord has ever heard of the Way of the Plain Maiden?"

"The Pure Maiden Path, founded in ancient times, composed entirely of female cultivators, flourished in the Middle Ages, and then disappeared like a shooting star?"

Bai Zichen had a vague guess and spoke up.

"That's right. Our sect's founding ancestor, Fairy Ice Soul, was a True Lord from the Su Nu Dao... According to records, the Su Nu Dao had provoked a terrible enemy at that time and decided to expand its branches to avoid the destruction of the entire sect. Fairy Ice Soul came to the Northern Region at that time and founded the Ice Soul Palace lineage."

"The Great Cold Divine Water is unique to the Su Nu Dao. It is said to have been bestowed by the immortals of the upper realm. It is hard to find in the mortal world and is not sold to outsiders. Therefore, there are very few records about it in the cultivation world."

(End of this chapter)