Chapter 309: Chapter 211: No Need for Successors, Immortal Masters of the Top Three Registries

"Hand it over!"

Ninghai Zen grasped with five fingers, tightly clutching the ancient sword planted in a desolate mound, easily pulling it out.

He examined it briefly, took a few glances: it was a little over two feet long, with a central ridge and sharp double edges, a concave wide hilt.

The whole thing was gilded and shining, emitting a piercing cold gleam like white frost.

"Lao Qiu, your tomb-raiding skills have really improved over the years!

The Celestial River Sword Sect has been extinct for almost five thousand years, and you actually managed to unearth an Inner Scenic Land!

No wonder you’re a figurehead in this field!"

Ninghai Zen flicked a finger lightly against the sword, which emitted a clear, resonating sound like the prolonged chant of an Old Dragon.

The dazzling gilded hue rippled instantly, casting an eye-dazzling brilliance.

If driven by the Divine Soul, it would definitely be ostentatious and blinding, not to be looked at directly.

Evidently, the original Sword Master was also a flamboyant, showy character.

"Its state is indeed not bad. Although buried for millennia, it has been nourished by spiritual energy, never deteriorating.

It hasn’t rusted or decayed, at most its spirituality has diminished. After nurturing it for a few days, it can be as good as new.

This suits my disciple just fine."

This ancient sword is a Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

Breaking through the Fourth Realm of Dao Arts, the Divine Soul transforms in myriad ways, thoughts split and multiply.

Attached to objects, be it a sword, a needle, or a banner, they are nurtured daily.

Like polishing and oiling, refining and worshiping, gradually becoming in tune with one’s mind, life intertwined, only then can an "Artifact Spirit" be nurtured.

Once its spirituality is formed, it is like a human. It can absorb and emit spiritual energy, self-evolving into Magic Prohibition.

In the face of strong enemies, it requires no manipulation, greatly saving effort.

Any cultivator stepping into the Fourth Realm aims to refine and acquire a Spiritual Artifact to better protect themselves, break through the life and death barrier, and attain the high rank of Ghost Immortal.

"A Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifact is enough for me to withstand a nine-year great tribulation once."

Qiu Changtian looked on eagerly; the biggest gain from this trip was estimated to be this ancient sword.

"You’re longing for my disciple’s items now? Lao Qiu, are you looking to taste a fist the size of a vinegar jar again?"

Ninghai Zen’s tone was unfriendly. He put away the ancient sword and started rubbing his fists together.

"I was just speaking casually. Why take it seriously?"

Qiu Changtian hurriedly argued, shifting his gaze with regret.

"You tricked Lao Dao out of his treasured weapon; he’s always remembered this debt. Be careful walking at night the next time you’re in Black River County."

Ninghai Zen warned while hefting the pickaxe crafted by Qiu Changtian, continuing to search the Inner Scenic Land for handy Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Soldiers.

Reportedly, before the fall of Dao, there were many schools of cultivation.

Among them, talisman cultivators were the wealthiest, often relying on overwhelming firepower;

Pill cultivators loved to call upon friends, inviting fellow cultivators at every turn;

Sword cultivators were the most straightforward, relying on their fierce killing power, fearless, earning the nickname "Sword Madmen."

As for other body cultivators, artifact cultivators, magic cultivators... each had their own strengths.

Therefore, in the tomb-raiding business of Inner Scenic Lands, talisman and pill cultivation sects ranked highest, followed by sword and artifact cultivation.

As for body and magic cultivation?

A bunch of paupers!

Using up all external resources and provisions, like a mouse entering an empty rice jar.

"I recall the ’Primordial Mirage Thousand Illusion Sword’ and ’Nanli Nine Talisman Sword’ of the Celestial River Sword Sect, both renowned, reaching directly to the Divine Power Secret Realm, able to shatter all arts with a single sword, the pinnacle of inheritance.

Unfortunately, this Inner Scenic Land seems to be the grave of a sect disciple or Elder, where swords are buried after death, with no cultivation techniques left behind."

Ninghai Zen lamented a few words. After a fruitless search, he tossed the unknown ancient sword to Qiu Changtian.

The latter caught it and stuffed it into his clanging Qiankun Cloth Bag, shouldering it while muttering softly:

"Did you really think the Yin Yang Qi Divinity Transformation Array of the Celestial River Sword Sect was just for show? Even a Ghost Immortal would have to peel off layers to pass through.

Tomb raiding Inner Scenic Lands is like grave robbing; the more imperial and aristocratic the tomb, the more meticulously laid out with traps to fend off thieves.

Scripture Pavilion, Treasure Vault, Ancestor Hall... all should be avoided; if encountered, turn and run, don’t even touch them."

Ninghai Zen glanced sidelong:

"You finally learned a lesson. We almost had a big mishap at the Divine Weapon Valley Mountain Gate at King’s Sealing Ridge."

Qiu Changtian coughed twice, looking embarrassed in his guilt:

"How was I to know that Divine Weapon Valley was so fierce? That ghostly place was truly wicked; seven or eight Divine Power Giants perished there, the resentment was sky-high, gathering without dispersing, directly nurturing an ominous old ghost."

Ninghai Zen snorted coldly:

"To think that I once had dreams of roaming Jianghu in a blue robe with a sword. With my talent, I might have earned the title of ’Sword Deity.’

But in the end, following you to King’s Sealing Ridge, the old ghost of Divine Weapon Valley clung to me, insisting I become his adopted son to inherit his legacy.

The most infuriating part was, after just refusing once or twice to show restraint, the old ghost took offense and swore that I would have no fate with divine weapons for the rest of my life."

Qiu Changtian smiled sheepishly, somewhat guilty:

"Lao Ning, there are only so many divine weapons in the world; would they reach you?

That old ghost’s mind was muddled like one shrouded in lard; it’s like cursing Lao Dao’s fate with women, absurd."

Ninghai Zen clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the Inner Scenic Land where countless broken and ruined swords were buried like tombstones:

"Lao Qiu, I’ll remember this for a lifetime! For all I know, I might have been destined for that Immortal Soldier in the Fallen Immortal Mansion, but you ruined it!

Seeing that we’re friends, should there be an opportunity, steal the Holy Wisdom Pearl from your Observatory Tower for me to play with for a while, and then we’ll be even."

To Ninghai Zen’s nonsense, Qiu Changtian couldn’t be bothered to respond, offering only a "scram" in reply.

For three thousand years since the fall of Dao, countless unparalleled geniuses, peerless talents, even those crowned as emperors and revered as True Dragons, who hasn’t had ambitions for the Fallen Immortal Mansion?

"Be more down-to-earth, think about how to knock on the Divine Power Secret Realm. If you ask me, why not temper your disposition, what harm is there in apprenticing to an Upper Sect? Not yet forty, a ’Young Grandmaster’ in Circulation of Qi.

Among the seven great Upper Sects, positions for a Daoist are ripe for your picking."

Qiu Changtian nagged incessantly like an old mother hen, making Ninghai Zen very impatient:

"Why are you just like my master? Of the countless paths in the world, every one was trodden by predecessors and sages. If everyone only walks the main road, how would there have been a golden age with sects like clouds and thriving lines of legacy thousands of years ago?

I chose not to be branded by Tongwen Hall; why recognize the ancestors of another house? Such a cultivation method, it’s too dull, Lao Qiu."

The figure in green sighed gently, the desolated inner land like a wind-swept grave, a chilling breeze blowing through. The voice, strong and resolute, seemed cast from iron, striking heavily into the earth:

"Master feels the path of Tongwen Hall is blocked, unable to ascend to the heavens, then he shall not be the Sect Leader.

The peak of the physical body, the sublimation of divine powers, the path above the Fourth Practice requires no successors, Ninghai Zen of my own shall pave the way!"

Qiu Changtian flipped his eyelids, the name Tongwen Hall was made up by your master himself.

Tracing back three or four generations, even the mountain gate is unclear.

How can one knock open the door to divine powers?

"Alright, Lao Ning, let’s collaborate to dig up some wealth, you might chance upon some peerless divine skills and soar to the skies."

...

...

"The Tai Sui Chen Earth is indeed extraordinary."

Bai Qi squatted at the side, watching Qi Yan and Lv Nan, along with Zhou Sheng the trickster from Wild Grass Mountain, laboring for half the night, finally reaching the most crucial step.

As the "Treasure Basin" was successfully built, guiding the earth’s energy, and shifting the soil characteristics.

The immense mountain root, as heavy as a peak, suddenly shook, as if a gap had opened, and rich, unparalleled treasure light burst forth!

Boom!

A multicolored light over ten zhang high erupted, breaking through the wave-like soil, sweeping across several li of wild forests, almost dazzling the eyes of the onlookers.

"Luckily, my Master Bai Qi has strong backing in Black River County, with a solid foundation.

Otherwise, creating such a spectacle wouldn’t ensure keeping the treasures, leading to the fate of a commoner suffering for his possession."

Bai Qi reflected once more, having a big tree for shade is indeed right.

His master, in ten years’ time, had already cleared the "beat the small, the old comes" stages, striking fear into the Thirteen Guilds of Yihai Prefecture.

Like the jade business Guan Family, or the rice shop Tao Family, though they each eyed the Tai Sui Chen Earth, none dared show a shred of coveting thought.

"Such abundance! We’re going to be rich!"

Lv Nan’s round face was filled with delight, as if a money-grubber sitting in a mountain of gold and ocean of silver, his grin couldn’t be contained.

"Tai Sui Chen Earth is the essence concentrated by the earth’s energy, supplemented by the divine marrow nurtured by the mountain root, it can even nurture Nine Heavens and Earth..."

Usually composed, Qi Yan couldn’t restrain the excitement within, his tone carried a few degrees of eagerness.

Although this was Brother Bai’s fortune, with their mutual friendship, buying a few taels for half price shouldn’t be an issue!

By then, to be infused into the Peach Wood Sword, combining earth and wood, its power will ascend to greater heights!

"Master often said, at home rely on siblings, outside rely on friends, indeed there’s truth in it!"

Qi Yan watched the Tai Sui Chen Earth in the basin grow bit by bit, a heart full of satisfaction.

The more abundant Brother Bai’s harvest, the bigger the discount he and his junior brother Lv Nan might receive.

One must know, treasures like Tai Sui Chen Earth are often priceless, rarely in public circulation.

Just like the Daoist officials from Prefecture City and County City participating in elegant gatherings and dharma assemblies.

Their currency isn’t Yuanbao Gold or Snowflake Silver.

But Spiritual Sand, Talismanic Coins, even the legendary Spirit Stone!

Mere mortals who have not entered the path cannot imagine!

"About the size of a stone mill, weighing dozens of catties in total."

Qi Yan and Lv Nan each held one side of the "Treasure Basin", according to the split ground, absorbing and gathering the stream-like Tai Sui Chen Earth, like brooks converging into lumps of solid yellow clay.

"If only it were heavenly materials and earthly treasures of the metal, fire, and water elements, it would be even better."

Bai Qi felt a slight regret, he always remembered Qiu Changtian’s words that destiny could be augmented through external objects.

The Tai Sui Chen Earth was precious, but it wasn’t among them.

"He is a disciple of Ninghai Zen! He punched and killed the Demon King! He is of Ninghai Zen..."

Tao Yun, a hundred steps away, bowed his head, mumbling incessantly.

Fearing his own greed would lead to foolish acts involving his family!

"Tai Sui Chen Earth, capable of nurturing Spirit Rice, Treasure Plant, producing significant medicine... now in Bai Qilang’s hands.

Give him three to five years, it’s enough to accumulate and become the solid foundation of the Fourteenth Guild of Yihai Prefecture."

Guan Xingmiao sighed deeply, helpless at such youth, such talent, and having a fearsome master.

Who can challenge him?

Even the top talents in the County City struggle to rival.

"Fortunately, he is a Martial Cultivator, not a Daoist Cultivator."

Guan Xingmiao breathed a slight sigh of relief, regardless of how far the martial path goes, it cannot surpass the noble power of the Eight Pillars of the Realm.

Not so for Daoist officials of Dragon Court, with high enough aptitude and strong qualities.

There’s hope of entering the Divine Capital, ascending the Jinluan Hall!

If granted the talisman nine times, a leap to become an "Immortal Master"!

On par with imperial relatives, kings, marquises, and ministers.

Civil servants lower their sedan upon seeing, military officers dismount upon greeting.

Even the holy presence could go unbowed.

Such honors cannot be called anything but grand.

Being listed in the top three registers, considered the greatest desire by the countless common people of the Red County Divine Land, is not without reason.

Under Dragon Court’s rule, over four hundred years of clear distinction between classes have made numerous commoners yearn to ascend in one step.

"Let’s set off! Return to Black River County!"

Bai Qi carried a full basin of heavy Tai Sui Chen Earth, in high spirits.

Began to imagine luring Sister Jiao, who loves to grow flowers and plants, imparting the rich experience in nurturing Treasure Plant Medicine.

Anyway, he already possesses the Innate Fishing Saint Body and Innate Blacksmithing Saint Body.

Adding an "Innate Earth Cultivation Saint Body" is no harm!

Skills never burden oneself!

"Lead the folks of Black River County to work hard and get prosperous, growing stronger, is just around the corner."