Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 896 The Immortal Realm's Giant City: Purchasing Spiritual Herbs!
Zhou Xun's eyes flashed like lightning as he formed hand seals and chanted incantations. The 365 array flags swirled and danced in the air before transforming into streaks of light that disappeared into his sleeves.

"Nine Palaces Profound Origin Formation, activate!"

With a soft shout, Zhou Xun's body shimmered with a mysterious light, and nine illusory array flags appeared and disappeared behind him. He nodded in satisfaction and turned to look at Sun Yuanxuan standing to the side.

"Yuan Xuan".

"Young Master,"

Sun Yuanxuan hurriedly stepped forward, her eyes filled with awe. She was stunned by Zhou Xun's method of dismantling the great formation.

"Would you like to leave with me?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Yuanxuan was taken aback at first, but then nodded without hesitation and replied, "Yuanxuan is willing!"

She had no attachment to the Sun family to begin with, and now that she had witnessed Zhou Xun's extraordinary abilities, she was even more determined to follow him.

Moreover, the restriction that Zhou Xun planted in her body last night still remains.
Seeing that she agreed so readily, Zhou Xun smiled slightly and said, "Okay."

After saying that, he waved his sleeve and led Sun Yuanxuan to the front of Qingzhu Pavilion. The elegant bamboo building was bathed in a faint blue light in the morning light, and the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled.

"receive!"

With a soft shout, Zhou Xun formed a hand seal, and in an instant, the world changed color, and wind and clouds gathered. A dazzling golden light burst forth from his palms, enveloping the entire cave.

The ground began to shake violently, and the bamboo house, the spiritual spring, the herb garden—all the buildings—slowly rose off the ground! Sun Yuanxuan stared wide-eyed at this scene in disbelief.

"This is this"

Zhou Xun's expression remained unchanged, but his hand seals shifted. The cave dwelling floating in mid-air began to shrink rapidly, eventually becoming the size of a palm, which he then stored in a brocade pouch.

"Let's go."

Sun Yuanxuan was still in shock when she heard Zhou Xun calling her. She took a deep breath and quickly followed.

Zhou Xun reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and the two of them soared into the air. Sun Yuanxuan felt the wind whistling past her ears and the scenery rushing past her feet, and she couldn't help but grab Zhou Xun's sleeve tightly.

"Senior, where are we going?"

"Beishan City".

Two months later,

A majestic city stretches across the sky, like a giant dragon, dominating the entire field of vision.
As far as the eye could see, a vast immortal city stretched between heaven and earth, its walls towering several meters high and entirely constructed of "star iron."

Dark gold Dao patterns flowed across its surface, radiating a suffocating pressure.

The entire city stretches for hundreds of miles, resembling a sleeping, ancient beast that inspires awe even from afar.

On the city wall, nine bronze giant statues stand every hundred feet, each about a hundred feet tall, holding divine weapons and with eyes like torches. They are the legendary 'city-guarding puppets', each possessing the combat power of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator!

Above the city gate, a huge jade plaque floats in mid-air, inscribed with the two characters "Beishan" (North Mountain). The calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, subtly containing the true essence of the Great Dao. Those with insufficient cultivation will be shaken to their core after just a few glances!
It contains a trace of the true meaning of the Great Dao, and those with low cultivation will feel dizzy after looking at it for a few seconds.

"Let's go into the city!"

Zhou Xun slowed down and landed with Sun Yuanxuan in a square ten miles outside the city gate.

"Senior, why not just fly directly into the city?" Sun Yuanxuan asked, puzzled.

Zhou Xun smiled slightly: "North Mountain City has an anti-flying formation, which prohibits cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage from flying into the city. Although I am not afraid, it is better to keep a low profile since I am new here."

Sun Yuanxuan suddenly realized, and at the same time was secretly shocked—judging from Zhou Xun's tone, it seemed that he didn't even care about Nascent Soul cultivators.

The two walked to the city gate and saw that the tall city wall was covered with mysterious runes, and the city gate was guarded by cultivators dressed in uniform.

"Entry fee: one hundred spirit stones per person," the guard said expressionlessly.

"The rest is yours!"

Zhou Xun casually tossed out a high-grade spirit stone.
"Thank you, senior!"

Amidst the guards' profuse thanks, Zhou Xun and his companion entered the city.
The inside is equally amazing.

The city is filled with buildings standing side by side, with magnificent palaces and pavilions reaching into the clouds, and countless flying pavilions and painted red buildings appearing and disappearing in the clouds and mist.

The streets are as wide as a plaza, and the ground is not paved with ordinary stone, but with "spirit-gathering jade" that can absorb spiritual energy on its own, making the spiritual energy in the entire city far more concentrated than that in the outside world.

In the center of the city, a colossal tower, thousands of feet tall, pierced the clouds. Its entire body was made of crimson gold, and a dazzling pearl floated atop it, its light enveloping the entire city.

That is the core of Beishan City, the "Suppressing Immortal Tower". Legend has it that this tower was left by a true immortal. Once activated, it can unleash a strike at the Refinement Void Realm!
Sun Yuanxuan was so shocked that she couldn't speak. She came from the Sun family and had seen the world, but she still felt as insignificant as an ant in front of such a magnificent immortal city.

"Let's go," Zhou Xun said calmly. "Let's find a place to stay first."

Zhou Xun led Sun Yuanxuan through the bustling streets and finally arrived in front of a magnificent pavilion.

The entire pavilion is made of ancient cold jade, with purple-gold bells hanging from the eaves, which emit a clear and melodious sound in the breeze.

The three large characters "Tianque Pavilion" on the lintel are written in a vigorous and flowing style, subtly conveying the Daoist charm of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Are you two seniors looking to rent a cave dwelling?" A Foundation Establishment stage servant quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly: "I need a fourth-grade superior cave dwelling."

The servant's eyes lit up: "Senior, you've come at the right time! Our pavilion still has a fourth-grade superior 'Mysterious Spirit Cave Heaven,' with a spiritual energy concentration comparable to a fifth-grade spiritual vein. The daily rent is three thousand spirit stones!"

"This is it." Zhou Xun quickly checked it out and tossed out a storage bag. "Rent it for five years!"

The servant took the storage bag, scanned it with his divine sense, and immediately beamed with joy: "Senior, please follow me!"

After passing through numerous restrictions, the three arrived at a secluded hill.

Artificial hills and flowing water, spiritual plants everywhere, and in the center stands a crystal-clear jade pavilion. The servant took out a token and respectfully said:
"This is the cave's restriction token, allowing free entry and exit. Inside the cave are a spirit-gathering array, an alchemy room, a weapon-refining room, and a spirit herb garden. If needed, you can summon maids to serve you at any time."

Zhou Xun accepted the token, casually tipped the servant a few mid-grade spirit stones, and the servant withdrew after expressing his gratitude.

Upon entering the cave, the dense, almost liquefied spiritual energy rushed towards her. Sun Yuanxuan couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling as if every pore on her body was opening up.

"Such abundant spiritual energy! It's several times stronger than the main peak of the Sun family!"

Zhou Xun looked around and nodded in satisfaction. He took out the Green Bamboo Pavilion and tossed it casually. The elegant buildings landed steadily beside the spiritual spring, blending perfectly with the surrounding environment.

"Yuan Xuan, you should continue your cultivation here and advance to the Core Formation stage as soon as possible! I need to go into seclusion for a few days, so please do not disturb me unless it is urgent."

Sun Yuanxuan accepted the jade bottle with both hands and said respectfully, "Young Master, rest assured, Yuanxuan will definitely cultivate diligently."

Zhou Xun then took out several array flags and set up protective barriers around the cave.

These restrictions overlap with the original formations of the Heavenly Pavilion, making it difficult even for Nascent Soul cultivators to sneak in silently.

Then Zhou Xun released Xiao Jin and Xiao Jia.

Then he arrived at the cultivation room, waved his hand, and took out the 'Nine Palaces Profound Origin Array'!
This was the first time he had obtained a fifth-order magic array, so he naturally wanted to study it carefully, otherwise he wouldn't be familiar with setting it up when he needed to use it in the future.

With a wave of his sleeve, three hundred and sixty-five array flags floated in mid-air, each radiating a mysterious spiritual light, with faint Daoist runes flowing within them.

"As expected of a fifth-order array, the material of the array flags alone is extraordinary." Zhou Xun lightly touched an array flag with his fingertip, feeling the vast spiritual power contained within it, and couldn't help but admire it.

He closed his eyes slightly, and his divine sense surged out like a tide, enveloping each array flag and carefully examining its structure.

three days later

Zhou Xun suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp light: "So that's how it is!"

This Nine Palaces Profound Origin Array is based on the "Nine Palaces" and uses "Profound Origin" as the guiding force.
The 365 array flags correspond to the number of stars in the heavens. Once successfully arranged, they can draw upon the power of heaven and earth to form a nearly independent miniature world!
"This formation combines offense and defense, possessing both the ability to trap enemies and the power to kill, and can even aid in cultivation, gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth." Zhou Xun couldn't help but be shocked.
Fortunately, he followed them that day and intervened in time; otherwise, if they had trapped him inside the formation, it would have been very difficult to resolve the situation.

He then made hand seals and chanted ancient incantations.

"With the Nine Palaces as the foundation and the Mysterious Origin as the guide, all the stars in the heavens, heed my command—rise!"

boom!
All 365 array flags trembled simultaneously, transforming into streaks of light that danced and swirled along mysterious trajectories.

The spiritual energy in the entire cultivation room instantly surged, and countless talismans appeared out of thin air, intertwining to form a huge array!

Zhou Xun was at the heart of the formation, sensing every change in its operation.

"Change!"

With a thought, the formation suddenly changed, and the originally gentle spiritual energy instantly transformed into a fierce killing intent. Countless sword energies condensed in the void, revealing their sharpness!
"Change again!"

The sword energy dissipated, replaced by a thick light barrier that protected Zhou Xun like an impregnable fortress.

"Good!" Zhou Xun nodded in satisfaction. "This formation is ever-changing, combining offense and defense. If activated at full power, it can hold off even a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator for a moment!"

Then the formation was put away.

Upon entering the courtyard, a quick scan with his divine sense revealed Sun Yuanxuan sitting upright in the quiet room.

His body was surging with spiritual energy, indicating that he had already consumed the Crystal Condensation Pill.
Zhou Xun had examined the spiritual energy foundation within her body; it was quite solid, and condensing a high-grade true core wouldn't be a problem.

If you're incredibly lucky, you might even be able to condense a half-step Golden Core.

Upon arriving in the Immortal Realm, the laws of heaven and earth are complete, and spiritual resources are abundant everywhere, allowing cultivators with earth-elemental spiritual roots to condense an immortal golden core.
Compared to the human world, it is more than ten times less difficult.

Zhou Xun then withdrew his gaze and walked out of the cave.
He planned to visit the shops in the city. Given the abundance of resources in the Immortal Realm, he might be able to buy the 'Heavenly Origin Star Ephemeral Flower' he needed directly with spirit stones.

Zhou Xun stepped out of the cave and walked on the wide streets of Beishan City.

Cultivators thronged the area, with Golden Core cultivators everywhere, and even Nascent Soul cultivators could be encountered after walking for a short while.

His destination was the most prestigious "Tianbao Pavilion" in the city.
It is said that a Nascent Soul cultivator is behind this pavilion, which specializes in selling high-level spiritual medicines, magic treasures, and even Nascent Soul spiritual items.

After turning a few corners, a magnificent seven-story building came into view.

The entire pavilion is made of "Xuanyang Jade", and bronze bells hang from the eaves. When they ring softly in the wind, they have a calming and soothing effect.

The three large characters "Tianbao Pavilion" on the lintel are written in a vigorous and elegant style, faintly revealing the Daoist charm of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Senior, are you here to purchase a treasure?"

As soon as they stepped inside, a steward at the early stage of the Golden Core realm quickly approached and bowed respectfully.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly: "Do you have any Nascent Soul Transformation Elixirs?"

The steward was taken aback. Such a treasure, and such a high-level customer, were not something he could handle.

So he cupped his hands and said:
"This treasure is far too precious. I should inform the Pavilion Master so that he can personally entertain you. Please follow me to the elegant room and take a seat!"

"It's alright, please lead the way!"

Zhou Xun followed the steward through three pavilions and arrived at a quiet and elegant room at the back.

The interior furnishings were extremely luxurious, with the floor covered with the fur of a fourth-tier demon beast called "Mystic Sable," and the walls adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, each piece imbued with a unique Daoist charm.

The steward respectfully said, "Please wait a moment, senior. The Pavilion Master will be here shortly. This is our Pavilion's special 'Nine Heavens Cloud Dew Tea,' made from tea trees that are ten thousand years old. It has the effect of calming the mind and focusing the spirit."

Zhou Xun picked up the teacup and took a sip. He felt a cool sensation rush to his dantian, and even his consciousness became clearer.

"Not bad!"

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea,
The beaded curtain at the back of the elegant room swayed gently, and a fragrant breeze wafted in.

"I've kept you waiting, fellow Daoist."

A beautiful woman in palace attire entered gracefully, her hair piled high, her skin as smooth as jade, and a touch of vermilion between her brows adding to her charm.

Her aura was powerful, clearly indicating that she was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage!
"I am Su Yuanqing, the Pavilion Master of Tianbao Pavilion. I greet you, fellow Daoist." The beautiful woman bowed gracefully, her voice as melodious as a clear spring striking a rock.

Zhou Xun nodded slightly: "Zhou Xun greets Pavilion Master Su!"

Su Yuanqing sat down opposite her, and with a gentle wave of her jade hand, three jade boxes appeared out of thin air, hovering above the table.

"I heard that you need a Nascent Soul Transformation Elixir. These three are the most prized possessions of our establishment."

With a light tap of her fingertip, the first jade box opened, revealing a lingzhi mushroom with a pure purple-gold color:

"A 5,000-year-old 'Purple Spirit Golden Mushroom' can help cultivators open their Purple Mansion. Price: three spirit crystals!"

Spirit crystals are the currency above spirit stones; one spirit crystal is worth a hundred top-grade spirit stones!
In other words, this Nascent Soul Transformation Herb is priced at a whopping three hundred top-grade spirit stones. Even Zhou Xun, with his considerable wealth, couldn't help but gasp in astonishment!
That's really expensive!
The second jade box contained an ice crystal lotus flower:
"The Northern Darkness Lotus grows beneath ten thousand feet of ice and can stabilize the primordial spirit. It is priced at four spirit crystals."

The third jade box contained a blood-red fruit: "Crimson Fruit King, consuming it can increase the chance of becoming a half-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Price: Six spirit crystals!"

Zhou Xun's gaze swept over the three spiritual herbs. Although they were all rare treasures, unfortunately, none of them were the "Tianyuan Star Ephemeral Flower" he needed.

Zhou Xun sighed and shook his head.

He then inquired about other spiritual herbs, such as the 'Hundred Illusions Mystic Spirit Flower,' which could assist his Spiritual Rhinoceros Azure Light Eyes in advancing to the fourth level.

"Are there any other spiritual herbs? Such as the 'Hundred Illusions Mystic Flower'?"

"Although this item is not of high grade, only a fourth-grade top-quality item, it is extremely rare, and our pavilion certainly does not have any!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun sighed and was about to take his leave.

"but--"

"I do have information about this item. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Zhou would be interested?"

(End of this chapter)