Born with immortal seed

Chapter 798 Ghostly Path and Divine Beings
Bai Zhaoqing was born with the potential to be a chosen one, achieving enlightenment, foundation building, and core formation early on.

The Sword Lord of Time has no direct descendants, and the status and treatment of the Bai family of Fufeng are no different from those of his descendants.

Wherever he goes in the cultivation world, he is received as a descendant of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Being struck by a sudden disaster when one is full of ambition, and having one's future inexplicably cut off, is a major blow to anyone.

It is common for people to become despondent and give up on themselves.

The reason why Old Master Bai was willing to go to great lengths for his nephew was because he saw the shining qualities in him.

He was praised for his indomitable will, maintaining an optimistic attitude even when faced with a collapsing mountain, and never complaining or feeling sorry for himself.

After relearning the Ghost Path techniques, with the unwavering support of Old Ancestor Bai, he quickly mastered the Ksitigarbha Soul-Crossing Technique.

However, successfully transforming one's fundamental cultivation method does not mean that one can become a ghost cultivator.

Once the theory of alchemy is solidified, there will be no regrets.

It's difficult to make changes on similar main roads, let alone on a completely different one.

Fortunately, the White Ancestor devised a completely new path, using the Netherworld Tribulation to transform true essence.

At the same time, taking advantage of the strange phenomenon of the Ten Courts opening their gates and ten thousand ghosts descending, they implemented the plan they had long envisioned.

As more and more ghostly figures were converted, Bai Zhaoqing showed obvious signs of fatigue. The golden dragon was torn into pieces, and the halo shrank to a thin layer that clung tightly to his body.

With a forceful throw of the two Netherworld Crystals, two streams of extremely profound and pure Netherworld energy surged into his body.

In an instant, his entire aura changed, becoming dark, eerie, and as deep as a prison.

His skin turned pale and ashen, his vital energy receded, and he seemed to have lost all sense of temperature.

Without the blood and flesh of living people as a guide, the ghostly figures spun around like headless flies, gradually dispersing.

"It's done!"

Li Guizhen clenched his fist in excitement. If a Core Formation cultivator like Bai Zhaoqing could undergo tribulation and transformation, there was no reason why a Nascent Soul True Monarch couldn't.

Even without external conditions, we can simply go to the Ten Realms of Fengdu and borrow the deepest part of the Ghost City's layout to complete the transformation.

"Something's not right. Look at Zhao Qing, he doesn't seem to have successfully transcended the tribulation. He only has the appearance of a fourth-level cultivator, but he can't support this level at all!"

Ma Ruoxi stared intently for a few moments, then screamed in surprise.

Successful transformation into a nascent soul is always accompanied by extraordinary phenomena related to the primordial soul.

It is both a gift from heaven and earth and a symbol of the potential of this Nascent Soul cultivator.

Ghost cultivation is a different path, but after advancement, strange phenomena will also appear, so it shouldn't be so quiet.

This is a fundamental principle of the universe, and it will not change because of the path one takes.

Moreover, judging from Bai Zhaoqing's appearance, he showed no joy at having successfully overcome his tribulation; he was emaciated and looked as if he might collapse at any moment.

"It's because he failed to comprehend the true meaning of the Ghost Path, and his true essence has been transformed into Nether Qi. In other words, Zhao Qing currently has the realm but no power!"

After being enlightened, Li Guizhen saw through the clues and his mood sank to the bottom.

Although Bai Zhaoqing's situation cannot be generalized to theirs, with their master's assistance at all costs, everyone felt that there was considerable hope.

The result is a blow to the head, which will definitely dampen the enthusiasm.

The key issue is the lack of true meaning, which cannot be resolved by external forces.

Li Guizhen had already studied the scroll of "The Method of Observing Ksitigarbha's Soul Crossing" many times in private, and he knew every detail by heart. At first glance, it did not seem difficult to cultivate.

Now it seems that comprehending the true meaning of the Ghost Path is the most difficult part.

Without transforming one's cultivation methods, one's understanding is merely a reflection in the water, unable to truly grasp the essence of the Ghost Path.

Such a complete transformation, to grasp the true meaning in such a short time—what a genius that must be!

Whether one reaches the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage, the time allotted to capitalize on the momentum of the Ten Palaces opening simultaneously is certainly limited.

"After Zhaoqing's death, the proposal to renovate the spiritual land is unlikely to be approved by the elders... I plan to revise the proposal and set the location of the Ghost Realm outside of Rotten Axe Mountain, either in the Black Sea or the Northern Region."

Ma Ruoxi lowered her head, her voice dry, but she showed no sign of wavering.

It seems that Bai Zhaoqing's failure was just an insignificant episode.

Transforming the Ghost Realm in Rotten Axe Mountain was already met with immense resistance.

After all, in such an ordinary proposal that has nothing to do with the survival of the sect, the vote of the Supreme Elder is no more prestigious than that of an Elder.

They can only rely on personal charisma and self-interest to create a situation where they can command widespread support.

Of the nine Supreme Elders in the Council of Elders, only Ge Cang and Song Ding are too busy with their Nascent Soul stage to participate; the remaining seven each have their own stance.

No one in the sect has absolute prestige and can subdue everyone.

Unlike in the past, when there were only two Nascent Soul True Monarchs, the Core Formation Elders dared not cast a dissenting vote.

"Junior sister, it's not time yet, let's wait and see..."

Before Li Guizhen could finish speaking, another change occurred in the sky. A scroll flew out from the distant Qingxia Cave and opened with a whoosh.

"Master is going to intervene? This is still during the Nascent Soul Transformation Tribulation. Wouldn't outsiders interfering make the tribulation even more ferocious?"

"Silence!"

Ma Ruoxi suddenly took a few steps forward, her eyes fixed on the painting, muttering to herself.

"So that's how it is! So that's how it is! Master had been hiding this trick all along!"

The scroll was unfurled, densely covered with images of immortals and gods. As it unfurled in the wind, a deity in the middle section lit up.

The deity stepped out of the painting, and with a flick of his body, he was over a hundred feet tall.

He has leopard eyes and a lion's nose, a thick beard, wears a square crown, and holds a scepter in his right hand.

"Now, the White-Clad Azure God has achieved enlightenment, ruling over the netherworld, turning evil towards good, and controlling the lifespan of ghosts in the underworld."

A majestic and lofty voice seemed to come from the heavens above, as if it held the mandate of heaven.

The deity with leopard eyes and a lion's nose turned around and bowed to the painting, then transformed into a beam of light and entered Bai Zhaoqing's body.

An inexplicable change silently occurred to his body, and the dark energy naturally gathered.

Many ghostly figures rushed in all at once, adding to the provisions.

His entire demeanor changed completely, becoming very similar to the deity in the painting, with alternating light and shadow, and echoing each other.

On and around Mount Aheng, bone flowers grow on the ground, and a long boat with white banners spans the sky.

These conditions only last for a few breaths before dissipating and disappearing.

Only Bai Zhaoqing, who successfully transcended the tribulation, became a genuine fourth-order ghost cultivator.

"It's a diagram of the positions and responsibilities of ghosts and gods!"

Ma Ruoxi shouted it out, so excited that even someone like her changed color and lost her composure.

"This scroll has actually reached this level in Master's hands. It no longer cultivates on its own and interacts with the immortals and gods in the picture... but can be freely assigned, and the power of immortals and gods can be bestowed upon a cultivator!"

This picture was originally in the hands of Tian Yangsheng, and it even caused him to fall into a coma and sleep for a long time.

It was only through Old Ancestor Bai that the connection with Marshal Xuantan, who was communicating with the Ghost Gods and Gods on the map, was severed.

They appeared at this very moment to help Bai Zhaoqing overcome the tribulation in the underworld.

"Congratulations, Zhaoqing. From now on, the world is vast and full of endless possibilities."

A quarter of an hour later, Li Guizhen cupped his hands in congratulations, experiencing firsthand the difference of ghost cultivators.

"It is only thanks to the grace of our ancestor that this unworthy descendant has this opportunity."

Bai Zhaoqing bowed towards Qingxia Cave, his aura reaching an unprecedented peak.

In the Ghost Realm, he was not much different from a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

"My junior brother made contact with the Ghost and God Position Chart, was granted power, and thus mastered the true meaning of the Ghost Path?"

Ma Ruoxi stepped forward and asked anxiously.

"That's right, the ancestor chose a ghost or deity from the underworld for me. By accepting His power, I witnessed the Ksitigarbha Soul-Crossing Technique instantly sublimate and attain true enlightenment."

Bai Zhaoqing did not hide anything and told the truth.

"Junior Brother Bai, do you know how many ghosts and gods in the underworld are listed on the Ghost and God Ranking Chart? Can they interact with each other repeatedly?"

Ma Ruoxi's eyes lit up, and she followed closely behind.

“Repetition is not an option. Once I have made contact with this ghost, the entry of any third party will disrupt the fragile balance… As for how many gods are suitable for ghost cultivators, only the Ancestor knows.”

Bai Zhaoqing's Taoist robe was tattered in the underworld tribulation. He casually grabbed at the air, and two wisps of underworld energy transformed into gray robes that he put on.

"Zhaoqing, you have just successfully overcome your tribulation. Take good care of yourself and adapt to your new level. We won't disturb you any longer."

After welcoming its master, Mount Aheng became even less suitable for living beings, and a thin layer of frost accumulated on Li Guizhen's short beard.

On the way back, the two looked at each other and understood each other's feelings.

"The key is Master's attitude... Judging from this, as long as he is willing to assign a ghost or deity to communicate with and receive magical power, he can comprehend the true meaning from the corresponding underworld deity. That means the success rate of switching cultivation will rise to one hundred percent."

Li Guizhen quickened his pace and swung his fist forcefully.

"To reiterate, we need to understand how many spots are actually available for us on the Destiny Chart... Only by understanding this can we move forward."

Ma Ruoxi, on the contrary, did not show any excitement and replied indifferently.

"I will invite Jade Rabbit to my cave for a chat in the next few days, and I will communicate with my senior brother if there is any news."

Since Elder Bai has the means to convert 100% of traditional cultivators into ghost cultivators, once the news of Bai Zhaoqing's success is released today, the proposal to build the Ghost Realm will definitely be approved.

At most, there are some questions about the quantity and location.

Rather than trying to win over allies, the most important thing right now is to find out exactly how many deities related to the ghost realm are on the Ghost and God Rank Chart.

The number of elders determines the direction of the vote in the council.

If there are only two people, they'll fight tooth and nail for the last spot.

Who wouldn't want an extra way out when their life comes to an end? Even if they stay in the same place, it's equivalent to living another life.

Ma Ruoxi only regretted not studying the Ghost and God Position Chart properly when she had it back then, otherwise she wouldn't be so anxious now.

"Go to Qingxia Cave and invite the Jade Rabbit Fairy. Tell her that I have recently obtained several kinds of radish spirit seeds that have been passed down from the North Sea, and ask her for advice on how to plant them."

As Ma Ruoxi put on her veil and turned slightly, a maidservant approached her.

"Here."

The maid following behind him was as cold as ice. Upon hearing the instructions, she slowed her pace and changed direction.

……

Having completed its mission, the Ghost God's Position Map drifted back to Qingxia Cave, circled around, and then disappeared into the void.

"Senior brother, haven't you made up your mind yet?"

Sitting on the stone stool, Bai Zichen grabbed the Ghost God's Divination Map, on which several deities had already appeared.

However, compared to the ghosts and gods depicted on the entire scroll, they are still an extremely small part.

"This old Taoist priest would like to wait a little longer..."

The thin Taoist priest stood in the shadows, wearing a faded white Taoist robe and a simple wooden hairpin without any restrictions. His hands trembled slightly like chicken claws, and he was so thin that no trace of cultivation could be seen.

By all accounts, he was just an unknown Taoist priest from a rural temple, only skilled in magic tricks to swindle money from ordinary, ignorant people.

His entire life's cultivation progressed to the initial stage of Qi Refining.

How could such a person appear in the cave of the Sword Lord of Time, and why would he be called his senior brother?

The Taoist's identity was obvious; he was none other than Ge Cang, the number one master of thunder magic after the Great True Monarch of the Nine Months, who was once renowned in the cultivation world.

"Senior brother, you have spent hundreds of years proving that this path is blocked, why won't you turn back!"

Bai Zichen raised his voice and shouted loudly.

"You taught me that on the path of seeking the truth, one must not fall into delusion and deceive oneself... You are already over twelve hundred years old, you can't delay any longer!"

“Song Ding wrote to me that he explored the North Sea and saw an endless underworld at the legendary end of the North Sea, filled with endless death. He did not go deep, but he vaguely saw several dark figures that made him feel threatened floating in it.”

"According to the records passed down by the local demon race, that place may be the so-called end of the world, the Netherworld of Reincarnation. Those shadowy figures are most likely the Nascent Soul level beings who disappeared from Xuanzhou and the Northern Region tens of thousands of years ago, causing a gap in the fifth-order power between the two places."

"The Reincarnation Netherworld is definitely a fifth-order ghost realm, which is perfect as your training ground. You can break through to the fifth-order Yin God realm there... Five thousand years of lifespan is enough for you to break through the shackles of the ghost path and research an upward path."

Bai Zichen pleaded earnestly, wishing he could drag Ge Cang to do this.

They all exaggerated, glossing over the predicament that had trapped the ghost cultivator for over 100,000 years, as if it could be solved easily.

He had made thorough preparations for the fifth-tier ghost realm, which corresponds to ghosts and gods.

If it were anyone else, Bai Zichen wouldn't have had the time to offer repeated advice.

But Ge Cang was different. For a long time, he was the pillar of the Qingfeng Sect, the one who shielded the disciples from the wind and rain.

Without Ge Cang, Bai Zichen would not have been able to grow up so smoothly.

The resources I had for early cultivation and the opportunities to go out and gain experience were all thanks to Ge Cang.

Not only did he personally do great favors, but he also greatly benefited the Qingfeng Sect and Ge Cang.

Now that their positions have been reversed, how could he not do his part for his senior brother?

The traditional path to becoming a deity is not easily interfered with by outsiders. Apart from providing the Year Ring Flower so that Lan Tianming could refine another batch of Yaochi Jade Dew Pills, Bai Zichen could do nothing more.

However, the ghost realm is different. After thoroughly understanding the "Method of Contemplating Ksitigarbha for Crossing Souls," it immediately came to mind the diagram of the positions and karmic actions of ghosts and gods.

For the past few centuries, he has devoted all his spare time outside of cultivation to this.

Ge Cang has already reached the Nascent Soul stage, so if he were to become a ghost cultivator, he would naturally aim to directly advance to the fifth-tier Yin God level, achieving the best of both worlds.

At least give Senior Brother Ge something to look forward to; otherwise, being confined to the fourth rank would be even more unacceptable to someone as proud as him.

If I have this opportunity, I definitely want to take it one step at a time.

Therefore, Bai Zichen took out the Ghost God Position Map that had been sealed.

You should know that ever since they realized something was wrong with this scroll, fearing that the stronger the connection with the gods would become as they worked on it, they simply isolated it with the chains of time.

This time, we were extremely cautious in taking it out; we didn't dare touch any spirits or deities of medium or higher rank.

Among so many immortals and gods, the right target was finally chosen, allowing the fourth-level ghost cultivator to achieve it instantly.

The power transmitted through the interaction between immortals and gods can allow a mortal with no foundation to grow to the Core Formation stage or even the Nascent Soul stage in a very short time.

Those who already possess cultivation are simply changing their path, making it even easier.

(End of this chapter)