Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 914 Nine Origin Star Dew

Soon, Zhou Xun and his companion arrived in front of a group of buildings.
Much of the once magnificent building has collapsed, but the main building has been completely rebuilt and restored to its original appearance.
However, its protective array is only at the fourth-tier top-grade level, no longer at the fifth-tier level of yesteryear.

It seems that this grand ceremony of descending to the realm has had a significant impact on the Heavenly Pavilion. I just wonder if my own cave dwelling has also been affected in the same way.

Zhou Xun took out the token, successfully passed through the restrictions, walked through the familiar corridor, and arrived at the front of his rented cave dwelling.

To his surprise, the cave was completely intact, and even the spiritual plants in front of the door were lush and green.

“It seems those bandits didn’t stay here long,” Zhou Xun scanned the cave with his divine sense and found that the restrictions inside the cave were intact, but had been forcibly broken.

Upon entering, the room was indeed somewhat messy, but the valuables were hidden in secret compartments and remained undiscovered.

"Xiao Jin, Xiao Jia," Zhou Xun called softly, and two beams of spiritual light responded.

"You are responsible for putting the cave in order!"

"Yes!"

The two beasts then began to sort through the items one by one.
Although they are no longer able to help Zhou Xun in battle due to their current strength, they can still handle mundane tasks such as cleaning the courtyard and managing the dojo.

As for Zhou Xun, he sat in the pavilion and took out a jade slip to examine it.

This contains the method for refining the 'Nine Origin Star Dew'. Now that the Descent Ceremony has ended and the spiritual herbs have been collected,
The next step is to refine this Nascent Soul spiritual object and then attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

At that time, with the added blessing of the Heavenly Origin Spirit Armor, his strength will likely be comparable to that of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

As for Sun Yuanxuan, she sat in front of Zhou Xun, serving tea with her delicate hands and carefully dressing herself.

In just one hour, the entire cave was completely transformed, not much different from when it was first occupied.

Zhou Xun glanced at it and was extremely satisfied.

"Not bad!"

After a moment's thought, he cut out a square piece of meat, about a foot in size, from his storage ring.

It was based on that fifth-tier demonic crocodile.
This was the first time he had killed a fifth-tier demon beast, and he was extremely curious about its flesh.

"Master, is this the fifth-tier demonic beast?" Xiao Jia asked excitedly, looking at the vibrant piece of meat before him.
For a spirit chef, being able to use fifth-tier beast meat as an ingredient in cooking is an unimaginable pleasure.

"Not bad, go and try cooking it. Maybe this will help you improve your culinary skills!" Zhou Xun said with a smile, then handed the beast meat to Xiao Jia.

Xiao Jia happily led them into the kitchen.
Zhou Xun then turned his attention back to the jade slip.

Within the jade slip, a spiritual light flowed, revealing twelve three-dimensional medicinal pattern diagrams.

"Indeed mysterious." Zhou Xun murmured, gazing at the medicinal patterns.

These twelve main ingredients all require the "Nine Revolutions Spiritual Essence Technique" to refine; their greatest function is...

After taking it, one can simulate the flow of spiritual energy when a Nascent Soul cultivator communicates with heaven and earth, building it up in advance within the body. In this way, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage will naturally be much easier.

"I see." Zhou Xun was completely absorbed in the reading, which also provided him with considerable inspiration for his alchemy skills.

suddenly--

A rich aroma wafted in, startling him awake.
Then Xiao Jia came out carrying a plate of crystal-clear crocodile meat.

The flesh of this piece is pale golden in color, with a faint glow flowing between its veins.

Sun Yuanxuan felt the magical power in her meridians begin to stir just from smelling the wafting fragrance.

“Fifth-tier ingredients are extraordinary. Your cultivation is still shallow, so you should not eat too much.” As Zhou Xun spoke, a flash of lightning appeared at his fingertips, and he cut off a piece the size of a thumb and handed it to Sun Yuanxuan.

The moment the girl took a sip, she felt a surge of powerful spiritual energy, and she quickly sat down to regulate her breathing.

Zhou Xun then picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, savoring it carefully.

The outer layer is crispy and fragrant, while the inside is tender and smooth like solidified cream. The moment you bite into it, rich meat juices mixed with a burst of flavor explode in your mouth.

What's even more valuable is the essence contained in the meat, which is also very beneficial to him.

It's a pity that his cultivation has already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage; otherwise, this one bite could save him at least several months of arduous cultivation.

It's comparable to the most advanced elixirs.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Xun continued his studies.
The next morning, Zhou Xun was resting in the pavilion when suddenly a slight ripple appeared on the barrier outside the cave.

"Could it be the Que brothers? They're here so fast!" Zhou Xun exclaimed, surprised that they had arrived on his very first day back.

So he went to the gate, opened it, and saw a woman with a graceful figure standing in front of it.

This person wore a sky-blue robe with flowing clouds, and a gilded abacus hung at his waist. His fingers were slender and his skin was as smooth as jade.

Her black hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a jade phoenix hairpin, giving her an air of elegance and nobility.

This person was none other than Su Yuanqing, the head of Tianbao Pavilion.

Zhou Xun's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked curiously, "What brings Pavilion Master Su to my place? Please come inside and have a seat!"

Su Yuanqing's lips curled slightly, her voice clear and melodious: "It was presumptuous of me to come here so abruptly, please forgive me, senior!"

"Please come in!"

Then Su Yuanqing walked in, glanced around, and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Senior Zhou's cave dwelling is even more elegant than rumored, as if it has never been looted!"

Zhou Xun said, "It's just a matter of reorganizing!"

They then led her into the pavilion.

After the guests and hosts took their seats, Zhou Xun took out a set of jade teaware. With a light touch of his fingertips, the spiritual water in the pot boiled on its own. Amidst the rising steam, the aroma of the tea condensed into the phantom of a white crane, which spiraled upwards.

A hint of surprise flashed in Su Yuanqing's eyes: "Three-hundred-year-old 'Cloud Crane Spirit Tea,' Senior is too kind."

She took a small sip, feeling the spiritual energy lingering between her lips and teeth, and couldn't help but exclaim, "This tea is so refreshing and invigorating that it can even nourish the soul. No wonder even Nascent Soul cultivators are eager to drink it."

Zhou Xun smiled faintly: "Pavilion Master Su is very knowledgeable. This tea does indeed have the effect of nourishing the mind."

After several rounds of tea, Su Yuanqing put down his teacup and began to speak earnestly:
"Senior Zhou, Beishan City is currently in dire need of reconstruction, and my Tianbao Pavilion desperately needs a strong leader to oversee it." She raised her eyes to look directly at Zhou Xun, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
"If you do not mind, I am willing to invite you to the position of Guest Elder, with a salary of sixty spirit crystals for a hundred years, and you may also study the fragment of the Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture treasured in my pavilion."

Zhou Xun raised an eyebrow slightly.

He had also heard of the "Nine Heavens Thunder Scripture," an ancient thunder cultivation tradition. Although it was only a fragment, its value to thunder magic practitioners was immeasurable. The fact that Tianbao Pavilion was willing to take out this item showed their sincerity.

However, having the "Purple Heaven Thunder Technique" in his possession, he wasn't particularly interested in this.

Furthermore, he had already decided to leave, so he shook his head and politely declined.

"I appreciate your kindness, Pavilion Master Su. However, I will be going to Wandao Lake soon, so I am afraid I cannot grant your request."

Upon hearing this, a hint of regret flashed in Su Yuanqing's eyes, but she was not annoyed. Instead, she chuckled softly.
“Senior Zhou has lofty ambitions, and I naturally dare not force you to stay.” She flipped her slender hand, took out a purple jade token, and pushed it in front of Zhou Xun.

"This is a 'special permit' from my Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. The holder of this permit may freely enter and exit the pavilion's secret vault. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to come and ask!"

Zhou Xun accepted the token; it was warm to the touch, with faint lightning patterns flowing within it, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item. After a moment's hesitation, he solemnly accepted it: "In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Su Yuanqing nodded in satisfaction, then rose to take his leave.

As soon as she finished speaking, she flicked her sleeves and transformed into a streak of azure light, disappearing into the horizon in an instant. Sun Yuanxuan walked out from the side hall, watching the departing light, and said softly, "Young Master, this Pavilion Master Su is indeed extraordinary!"

Zhou Xun nodded.
"This woman has cultivated to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage at the age of five hundred, and there is a considerable probability that she will break through to the Deity Transformation stage in the future!"

With his current eyesight, he could naturally tell Su Yuanqing's true age.

Furthermore, given her status as the head of the Tianbao Pavilion, acquiring Nascent Soul level spiritual treasures will naturally be much easier for her in the future.
In a few hundred years, we may see this Pavilion Master Su become the Heavenly Lord Su.

After seeing Su Yuanqing off, Zhou Xun summoned Sun Yuanxuan and Xiao Jin and Xiao Jia.

"I will now go into seclusion and will be able to emerge in two months at most. If Brother Que Le comes during this time, you should have him stay in the city for now. I will come out of seclusion to meet them in two months!"

"Yes!"

The three nodded in agreement and gave the instructions.
Zhou Xun went straight to the alchemy room deep inside the cave.

This stone chamber was entirely constructed of "Mysterious Yin Cold Jade," and there was a large hole, about ten feet in size, in the ceiling that allowed the starlight to stream down from the sky.

The four walls were engraved with intricate spirit-gathering array patterns, and in the center stood a bronze alchemy furnace over ten feet tall, with nine dragons coiled around its body. This furnace was erected after he killed the fifth-tier demon crocodile that day.
Found in the storage bag of some unlucky Nascent Soul cultivator.
This item is called the 'Nine Dragons Azure Sun Furnace', and it is a top-grade magic treasure-level alchemy furnace.

"rise!"

Zhou Xun waved his sleeve, and three hundred and sixty array flags flew out in succession. The flags were covered with dense lightning patterns, which was the "Nine Palaces Profound Origin Grand Array".
"Buzz——"

As the last main battle flag was inserted into the array's core, the entire array suddenly lit up.

Nine beams of light descended from the void, forming a pentagram barrier around the alchemy furnace. As the starlight swirled, intricate runes could be faintly seen weaving in the void, even capable of isolating the divine sense of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

After doing this,

Still not entirely at ease, Zhou Xun took out three more talismans and pasted them on the inside of the stone gate.

After all, the Nine Origin Star Dew was too important, as it concerned his future path.

After finishing these tasks, he sat cross-legged on the futon in front of the alchemy furnace.

In front of it, there was a foot-long, dark golden incense stick, made from the leaves of fifth-grade "Soul-Soothing Wood," a low-grade fifth-grade calming incense.
In the blink of an eye,
A golden light shone from the tip of the incense stick, and wisps of smoke rose, condensing into a lotus shape in the air.

As the fragrance entered his nose, Zhou Xun felt his mind and soul become clear, and his whole being felt refreshed and more lucid than ever before.

Zhou Xun then closed his eyes and began to recall every detail of the refining process of the 'Nine Origin Star Dew', as well as the problems that might be encountered during the process.

There were no oversights.

After all, he only had one set of these materials. If he failed, it would be difficult to collect them all again.

Three days later, Zhou Xun suddenly opened his eyes, and the lightning patterns in his pupils flashed by. All the details had been deduced without error.

"Now! Open the furnace!"

He made a hand seal, and the lid of the Nine Dragons Azure Sun Furnace slowly rose.

Inside the furnace, blue flames surged, yet the temperature remained strangely at freezing point.

This is the inherent "cold-fire" characteristic of the alchemy furnace, making it ideal for refining precious items that require alternating hot and cold temperatures.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the storage ring flashed with spiritual light, and twelve jade boxes flew out, landing steadily on the ground, lined up in front of Zhou Xun.

When the first box lid was opened, the entire stone chamber was suddenly as bright as day.

The "Heavenly Origin Star Epiphyllum" in the box was crystal clear, with seven petals arranged like the Big Dipper, and tiny starlight constantly bursting from its stamen, radiating a dazzling starlight.

"As expected of a core active ingredient."

Zhou Xun exclaimed in admiration, then gathered a green light at his fingertips and carefully lifted the spirit flower.

The moment the petals touched the blue flames inside the furnace, they emitted a clear, resonant ringing sound, as if resisting the refining process.

He dared not delay and immediately used his magic, with rays of spiritual light seeping into the flower stems like spring rain.

"laugh--"

The starflower gradually softened, and after several hours, it finally turned into a fist-sized ball of silver liquid.

Zhou Xun breathed a long sigh of relief; this step was finally complete. Next, the "Nine-Turn Golden-Patterned Ganoderma" and "Mysterious Jade Nine Tribulations Ginseng," among other spiritual herbs, were successively added to the furnace, some soaring like dragons, others undergoing phoenix rebirth.
Two days later, when the last "Panlong Ancient Vine" turned into golden medicinal liquid, all twelve ingredients were processed!

The twelve clumps of medicinal liquid floated in the furnace like stars, attracting and repelling each other, forming a delicate balance.

"melt!"

Zhou Xun changed his hand seals, and the medicinal liquid inside the furnace began to slowly gather together, as if manipulated by an invisible hand.

The first two "Heavenly Origin Star Ephemeral Flower" and "Nine Heavens Thunder Heart Lotus" liquid clusters collided, bursting out with dazzling electric light, causing the alchemy furnace to hum.

At the critical moment, Zhou Xun activated the Heavenly Origin Spirit Armor and infused it with Nascent Soul stage magic power.

The alchemy furnace was pushed to its limit, and the nine dragon patterns suddenly came to life, opening their mouths to spew out nine beams of azure light to stabilize the furnace.

He seized the opportunity to activate the "Nine Revolutions Spirit Gathering Technique," transforming his divine sense into countless threads to precisely control the fusion rhythm of each clump of medicinal liquid.

After seven days and seven nights, only a pool of azure-colored liquid remained in the furnace. Zhou Xun, however, dared not relax; instead, he became even more solemn.

"Guiding us from the heavens, with the stars as our matchmakers—"

As the incantation was recited, the top of the stone chamber suddenly became transparent. In the deep night sky, the Big Dipper shone exceptionally brightly.

Seven beams of starlight pierced through the roof and landed on the star guide plate. After refraction, they transformed into a hazy waterfall of light that flowed into the alchemy furnace.

"crash"

The medicine in

Under the starlight, it began to boil, and countless tiny vortices appeared on the surface. Starlight condensed at the center of each vortex, making it look from a distance as if the entire starry sky had been brought into a furnace.

This is the most crucial "star gathering" stage of the "Nine Origin Star Dew," which needs to last for forty-nine days.

Zhou Xun stood guard in front of the alchemy furnace, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
His eyes were piercing. During this time, he had to maintain the "Nine Revolutions Spirit Gathering Technique" at all times, otherwise all his efforts would be in vain.

Fortunately, the effects of the calming incense had not yet worn off, allowing him to maintain absolute focus.

As time passed day by day, if Zhou Xun hadn't been able to unleash the power of the Nascent Soul stage, he probably wouldn't have been able to persevere.

Soon, at the forty-ninth hour, a clear and melodious phoenix cry suddenly emanated from the furnace.

Zhou Xun's spirits lifted, and he scanned the area with his divine sense.
The original palm-sized liquid had condensed into a drop the size of a thumb, crystal clear, with starlight flowing inside, as if sealing an entire galaxy.

"It's done!"

He carefully introduced the drop of "Nine Origin Star Dew" into the "specially made jade bottle" that had been prepared beforehand.

The moment the spiritual liquid entered the bottle, starlight spontaneously arose inside, and the spiritual liquid floated within.

Zhou Xun put it away carefully.

"Next, we'll arrive at Wandao Lake, and it'll be time for me to advance to the Nascent Soul stage!"

(End of this chapter)