Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 894 The Grand Ceremony of Descending to the Realm, Nine-Aperture Spirit Bamboo Shoots!
Zhou Xun took a sip of the spiritual marrow and felt a cool sensation penetrate his dantian, and his magical power subtly increased.

He put down the jade cup and got straight to the point:

"Fellow Daoist Sun, are there any restrictions on the use of the teleportation array in Beishan City?"

Sun Xuanji stroked his beard and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you wish to borrow the teleportation array? The teleportation array in Beishan City is directly controlled by the City Lord's Mansion. If you wish to use it, you will need to pay ten high-grade spirit stones."

"Ten high-grade spirit stones, which is 100,000 spirit stones. The Immortal Realm is vast, and the teleportation array spans countless billions of miles. This price isn't too expensive!" Zhou Xun found it acceptable.

"However, in five years it will be the 'Descending to the Realm Ceremony' of my Hundred Thousand Mountains. In order to avoid attracting too many cultivators from the outside world, this teleportation array was sealed more than 30 years ago!"

“If Fellow Daoist Zhou doesn’t mind, you can stay at my Sun family’s place for now. Once the Immortal City is unsealed, you can be teleported away!” Sun Xuanji said calmly.

"The Grand Ceremony of Descending to the Realm, what is that?" Zhou Xun asked curiously.

"This is one of the wonders of my Hundred Thousand Mountains. Every thousand years, countless rare medicinal herbs, spirit beasts, and other spiritual treasures appear in my Hundred Thousand Mountains!"

"The period lasted for a year,"

"Some speculate that a small world descended and briefly merged with our Hundred Thousand Mountains, which is why this strange phenomenon occurred!"

"This is also one of the greatest opportunities in my Hundred Thousand Mountains. Even spirit objects that have reached the Nascent Soul stage often appear!"

"The current Ancestor of Beishan was once just an ordinary hunter who accidentally obtained a rare and precious plant. After consuming it, he grew a spiritual root and condensed a spiritual body."

"And then he became the Void Refinement expert he is today!" Sun Xuanji said leisurely.

"What?! Such an opportunity!" Zhou Xun exclaimed in astonishment.
However, he quickly came to terms with it, after all, this was the immortal realm, and what was rare in the mortal realm might be commonplace here!
"I wonder if I, Zhou, can..." Zhou Xun said.

He originally planned to go to the Immortal Realm to acquire divine transformation artifacts and complete the final step in refining the 'Nine Origin Star Dew'.
Now it seems like I could try my luck in those mountains.

"Fellow Daoist, you jest. The Ten Thousand Mountains are vast, and opportunities abound throughout them. Who can stop them? Everything depends on one's own luck!"

"It's not uncommon for a Nascent Soul cultivator to enter the mountains and ultimately gain less than a Qi Refining cultivator!" Sun Xuanji said slowly.
"I see!" Zhou Xun nodded, wondering if his good fortune in the human realm could continue here.

"I must thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist!" Zhou Xun sincerely expressed his gratitude.

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. Countless people know about this. Even if I didn't say anything, you would find out when you go to other places!" Sun Xuanji waved his hand.

Then, Zhou Xun and this patriarch of the Sun family discussed the Dao for a long time. Although they were both at the late Nascent Soul stage,

In terms of knowledge and experience, Zhou Xun was far inferior.

In the evening, Zhou Xun took his leave, and Sun Xuanji instructed his grandson, Sun Yuan'an, to take him to his residence.

On the east side of the main peak of Qingling Mountain, in front of a quiet valley shrouded in clouds and mist.

“Senior, this is ‘Qingzhu Pavilion’, one of the best cave dwellings in my Sun family.”

Sun Yuan'an bowed and led the way. This direct descendant of the Sun family, who was in the mid-stage of Core Formation, was extremely respectful at this moment.

He wore a dark green robe with a jade token hanging at his waist, and while speaking, he would occasionally glance at the white-robed youth beside him.

He had already learned from his grandfather that this person's cultivation was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage and that he was no more than four hundred years old.
He knew perfectly well what this meant; he was expected to break through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future, which meant he was a truly important figure.

Zhou Xun stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the valley, his divine sense sweeping over the scenery before him.

Within the valley, a sea of ​​green bamboo swayed in the wind like rippling blue waves. Deep within the bamboo forest, an elegant bamboo house could be vaguely seen, with bronze wind chimes hanging from its eaves, their tinkling sounds carried on the breeze.

"The spiritual energy here is quite good."

The Green Bamboo Pavilion is built on a fourth-order middle-level spiritual vein. Although the concentration of spiritual energy is not as high as that of the main peak, it is not much different.

Sun Yuan'an was delighted to hear this and was about to speak when he suddenly saw the bamboo house door open slightly and a slender figure stagger out.

She was a woman in her early twenties, wearing a plain white silk dress with a light blue silk sash tied around her waist.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows as dark as ink, stunningly beautiful, and she possessed the cultivation level of the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage!
"Brother Yuan'an."

The woman's voice trembled, her slender fingers gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Her gaze swept over Zhou Xun briefly before quickly falling back down, her whole body trembling slightly like a reed in the wind.

Sun Yuan'an sighed softly: "Yuanxuan, this is Senior Zhou Xun. My grandfather specially arranged for him to stay at Qingzhu Pavilion."

These words seemed to drain all the strength from the woman. She swayed, nearly losing her balance, but managed a forced bow: "Junior Sun Yuanxuan greets... greets senior."

Zhou Xun's gaze shifted slightly. This woman's cultivation was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but her spiritual energy was pure, indicating that she had a solid foundation.

What's even more remarkable is her natural, unadorned beauty—almond-shaped eyes like water, a delicate nose, and a graceful demeanor even without makeup.

"What is this?" Zhou Xun asked Sun Yuan'an.

“Reporting to Senior, Yuanxuan is the daughter of my father's cousin. After her mother, Elder Sun Qingyun, passed away thirty years ago, according to clan rules, her descendants were allowed to reside in Qingzhu Pavilion,” Sun Yuanan explained, lowering his voice as he spoke.
Before she could finish speaking, Sun Yuanxuan suddenly knelt down: "Please have mercy, senior! Yuanxuan is willing to be a slave or maid, I only ask to stay in Qingzhu Pavilion!" Her forehead touched the ground, her plain white silk dress spread out on the bluestone slab, like a withered white plum blossom.

Zhou Xun frowned slightly. He disliked this kind of forced occupation of other people's residences and was about to speak when he heard Sun Yuan'an transmit his voice:

"Senior, you may not know this, but Yuanxuan's mother rendered great service to the family, yet she perished because of it. Our ancestor promised to ensure wealth and prosperity for her descendants. However, recently several elders of the clan..."

Zhou Xun understood the unspoken meaning in the words. He had witnessed much of the infighting within cultivation families back in the mortal realm.

"Get up," Zhou Xun said calmly. "I am indeed short of servants while I am here. If you are willing, you can be my maid!"

Sun Yuanxuan suddenly looked up, staring at Zhou Xun in disbelief.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on her face, making her tear-streaked face even more charming.

"Thank you so much, senior. I will do my best!" She kowtowed deeply, her black hair falling over her shoulders, revealing a small cinnabar mole on the back of her snow-white neck.

Sun Yuan'an breathed a sigh of relief and quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Senior, this is the jade token used to control the Qingzhu Pavilion's formation." Sun Yuan'an took out a vibrant green jade talisman shaped like a bamboo joint and respectfully presented it. "The clan has prepared a feast."

"No need," Zhou Xun said, accepting the jade token. "I prefer quiet."

"Yes, yes, this junior will take his leave now." Sun Yuan'an tactfully cupped his hands, and gave Sun Yuanxuan a wink as he left.

After Sun Yuan'an left, only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind remained in the valley. Zhou Xun looked at the woman who was still kneeling on the ground: "Get up and show me this Green Bamboo Pavilion."

"Yes." Sun Yuanxuan hurriedly stood up. Because she had been kneeling for too long, her knees buckled and she almost fell. Zhou Xun gently flicked his sleeve, and a gentle spiritual force supported her.

Stepping into the bamboo house, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafts towards you.

The hall was simply furnished, yet exuded elegance in every detail.

A few fresh wildflowers were placed in a celadon vase by the window, and the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone were neatly arranged on the table. An unfinished traditional Chinese painting of flowers and birds hung on the wall.

"This was painted in my spare time," Sun Yuanxuan explained softly when she saw Zhou Xun's gaze lingering on her, her ear tips turning slightly red.

Zhou Xun nodded, his divine sense sweeping over the entire bamboo building.

The second floor is the woman's boudoir, simply furnished. The most eye-catching items are an ancient zither and a cabinet full of books. In the back garden, there is a spiritual spring, with spiritual energy emanating from its source, clearly connected to the earth's veins.

"Where do you live?" Zhou Xun suddenly asked. Sun Yuanxuan stiffened and whispered, "This junior...this junior can move to the side room."

Zhou Xun shook his head: "No need. I usually cultivate in the quiet room, so you don't need to move."

As he spoke, he walked towards the back garden and stopped beside a thousand-year-old bamboo. The bamboo was entirely emerald green, with faint golden veins flowing at the nodes; it was a rare "golden-thread bamboo."

"Senior has a good eye." Sun Yuanxuan followed and said softly, "This is a spiritual seed that my mother brought back from the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. It only grew to three feet in thirty years."

A blue light flashed in Zhou Xun's eyes, and he instantly understood.

Being able to venture deep into the Hundred Thousand Mountains to collect spiritual seeds shows that Sun Qingyun is indeed quite capable.

How did your mother die?

The question came suddenly, and Sun Yuanxuan's eyes immediately reddened. She bit her lip and remained silent for a moment before whispering, "Thirty years ago, my mother was searching for an ancient cultivation cave for the family when she encountered a spatial rift."

Zhou Xun nodded slightly.

He didn't ask any more questions, turned around and walked into the depths of the bamboo forest: "I want to build a quiet room here, go and fetch some spiritual tea."

Sun Yuanxuan felt as if she had been granted a pardon and hurriedly left. After she had gone far away, a beam of green light flew out from Zhou Xun's sleeve, landing on his shoulder and transforming into a palm-sized dark golden beast.

"Master, something's strange about this place." Xiao Qing's nostrils twitched slightly. "There's something under the bamboo forest."

Zhou Xun chuckled: "You noticed it too?"

"It's just a Nascent Soul cultivator, not yet mature. This is probably why this woman is unwilling to leave!"

Just then, Sun Yuanxuan returned with a tea tray. Seeing Zhou Xun standing beside the spirit bamboo, her hand trembled, and the teacups clinked together, making a crisp sound.

"S-senpai."

Zhou Xun turned around and saw that she looked a little nervous, so he couldn't help but smile and ask, "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing." Sun Yuanxuan forced herself to remain calm and offered a teacup. "This is 'Green Mist Tea' brewed with dew from Golden Thread Bamboo. Please have a taste, Senior."

The tea had a refreshing aroma, carrying a subtle bamboo scent. Zhou Xun took a small sip and suddenly asked, "Do you know why this bamboo can produce spiritual dew?"

Sun Yuanxuan's hand trembled, spilling tea onto her sleeve: "This junior...this junior didn't know."

Zhou Xun didn't press further, but gave her a meaningful look: "I'm going into seclusion tonight, so don't disturb me unless it's important."

"Yes!"

Sun Yuanxuan bowed and left, her heart pounding. She had just had a feeling...
This senior Zhou seems to have discovered her secret.
Even if it meant losing her life, she would not give up that treasure. It was something her mother had given her life for. If it weren't for that spiritual plant, her mother wouldn't have perished in the spatial rift.

In the evening, Zhou Xun rested in the newly built bamboo house when suddenly...

A noise came from the doorway, and Sun Yuanxuan, dressed in a simple gauze dress with her hair half-tied up, gracefully approached, holding a jade pot in her hands.

Moonlight filtered through the gauze skirt, outlining her graceful curves; her slender waist was so delicate it could be encircled with one hand, and a subtle fragrance wafted with each step.

"Senior, Yuanxuan has come to pay her respects." Her voice trembled slightly as she gracefully bowed outside the door.

"come in."

The bamboo door opened by itself without any wind. Sun Yuanxuan entered with her head bowed, placed the jade pot on the table, and poured a cup of amber-colored spirit wine with her delicate hands.

"Senior." Her voice trembled slightly, her hands clasped in front of her, her fingertips turning slightly white from nervousness.

Zhou Xun looked up and saw that her eyes were shimmering with tears, and she was gently biting her lower lip, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

"What is it?" Zhou Xun put down the jade slip in his hand.

Sun Yuanxuan took a deep breath and suddenly knelt down: "This junior dares to ask the senior to accept me as a concubine!"

Upon hearing this, the bamboo room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Xun raised an eyebrow and his gaze swept over her.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, outlining the woman's slender figure in a way that was both visible and hidden, with glimpses of her snow-white skin peeking out from beneath her gauze dress.

"Do you know what you're saying?" Zhou Xun's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

Sun Yuanxuan pressed her forehead to the ground, but her voice was unusually firm: "This junior knows. Senior's cultivation is profound. If I can gain your protection, Yuanxuan is willing to offer everything."

"Including that 'Nine-Aperture Spirit Bamboo Shoot'?" Zhou Xun asked with a playful tone.

Sun Yuanxuan trembled, abruptly looking up, her eyes filled with horror: "Senior...you..."

"You think you can hide this from me?" Zhou Xun chuckled. "At the root of that Golden Thread Spirit Bamboo, there is a Nine-Aperture Spirit Bamboo Shoot that is about to mature. This thing can help cultivators break through the Nascent Soul bottleneck and is priceless."

Sun Yuanxuan's face turned deathly pale, and tears welled up in her eyes: "Senior, please understand, this item was obtained by my mother at the cost of her life."

"So you want to trade yourself for protection?" Zhou Xun stood up and walked to her. "Stand up and talk."

Sun Yuanxuan did not rise, but instead kowtowed heavily: "I beg you, senior, to grant my request! Several elders in the clan have already noticed something amiss. Without the protection of a powerful figure, this item will surely be taken from my mother. She is after this."

By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhou was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and lifted her chin. In the moonlight, the woman's tearful face was exceptionally moving.

"Have you thought it through?" Zhou Xun asked calmly.

Sun Yuanxuan closed her eyes, her face slightly flushed: "This junior is willing."

Inside the bamboo house, the candlelight flickered, casting two intertwined shadows on the green bamboo wall.
The next day, as dawn broke, a thin mist filled the Green Bamboo Pavilion.

Zhou Xun glanced at the beauty in his arms; Sun Yuanxuan's hair was disheveled, and her face was flushed.
He didn't take last night's events to heart. To him, all Sun Yuanxuan wanted was protection, and he just happened to need someone of his own.

"senior……"

At this moment, Sun Yuanxuan woke up and blushed as she recalled the madness of the previous night.

"From now on, you may address me as Young Master!"

"Yes, son!"

"Are you aware of the grand ceremony of the descent of the Ten Thousand Mountains?" Zhou Xun asked.
"I do know about this matter. My mother obtained some information from the ruins she explored,"

As he spoke, he took out a jade slip and handed it to Zhou Xun.
Zhou Xun glanced at it, then nodded slightly.

"Excellent, this item will be of great use to me!"

After a moment's thought, he waved his hand and handed over a jade bottle.

"You are currently at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. This is a high-quality Crystal Condensation Pill, which should be enough to help you form your Core!"

(End of this chapter)