"This Lingyuan Baptism, condensed from the power drawn from the source of the Spiritual River, is surely not so simple."

Leaving the Scripture Repository, Xu Yang felt quite surprised. "The Lingyuan Baptism was suddenly moved up—could it be because of me?"

After all, it was such a coincidence.

He had just arrived at the Martial King lineage, and it was brought forward.

But perhaps he was just overthinking it.

Xu Yang considered asking about it, but after a moment’s thought, suppressed the urge.

Going up to ask directly would make things awkward. If this opportunity really was related to him, surely someone from the Shi Family would soon come to inform him.

Xu Yang shook his head slightly and headed straight toward the small courtyard.

After returning, Xu Yang sorted through his gains while also contemplating the Celestial Brilliance Divine Sky Seal.

At the True Lord level, cultivating the Celestial Brilliance Divine Sky Seal to the utmost perfection provided a great increase in power.

However, not even half a day had passed—

when Stone Jade arrived at the door.

Upon seeing Stone Jade, Xu Yang’s heart skipped a beat.

"Mr. Xu, aside from the Earth Spirit Milk, all the other Spirit Elixirs have already been prepared."

As Stone Jade finished speaking, Gu Jun floated out from behind, a look of excitement on his face.

"As for the Earth Spirit Milk, Father has made arrangements—he’s discreetly approached the Dongyang Profound Sect under another pretense to make inquiries."

"Once we have results, we’ll inform you both."

"Please convey my thanks to Mr. Shi!" Gu Jun cupped his fists solemnly.

"Senior, you’re much too courteous. It is only what the Shi Family should do," Stone Jade hurriedly returned the gesture.

As for Gu Jun, the Shi Family dared not show any neglect!

Born in Daqian, able to refine Tier Eight pills at the True Lord level—with such potential and skill in the Alchemy Dao, once his body is restored, he’d be no less than the Shi Family’s two Tier Eight Alchemists!

With such standing, it was enough for the leader of any major force to treat him with utmost respect.

"Besides, there’s also the Lingyuan Baptism!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang silently thought, "As expected!"

Stone Jade had come; he already suspected it would have something to do with that matter.

Xu Yang smiled and said, "I heard some people talking about the Lingyuan Baptism when I came out of the Scripture Repository, but I’m not really clear on the details. I hope you could enlighten me, Miss Shi."

Stone Jade raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting Xu Yang to mention this so straightforwardly after hearing a bit about it; her impression of Xu Yang immediately improved.

She couldn’t help but smile and say, "The Lingyuan Baptism is extremely precious!"

"It takes place once every three years, and only Martial Artists who have reached Myriad Manifestations Realm Perfection or just entered the True Monarch Initial Realm are qualified to participate!"

"For Myriad Manifestations Realm Martial Artists, undergoing the baptism is tantamount to a complete rebirth; it strengthens the cultivation base and raises the chance of breaking through to the True Lord level by at least thirty percent!"

"For Martial Artists who have just entered the True Lord level, aside from increasing their strength, it also enhances their spiritual marks!"

"Enhancing spiritual marks?"

Xu Yang’s pupils contracted, his eyes full of shock.

It was only now that he realized just how precious the Lingyuan Baptism really was—though he’d anticipated it, he was still greatly surprised!

"Miss Shi, I’m rather curious—how is the Lingyuan actually condensed?" Xu Yang asked, full of curiosity.

Stone Jade smiled faintly, pointing to the towering boulder in the distance. "The Stone Spirit stands tall, able to draw faint power from the source of the Spiritual River. Accumulated over a long period, then diluted with Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, it finally becomes what we call the Lingyuan!"

"All the major powers have such treasures, each with their own characteristics!"

"In the earliest times when the Spiritual River was strong, the baptism held an astonishing intensity—the Lingyuan Baptism then was almost the true power of the Spiritual River source, and only those at the True Lord level or above could withstand it!"

"Now that the Spiritual River has weakened, these treasures can no longer draw freely, and only absorb the faintest overflow from the river."

"In comparison, it’s much weaker now. Yet, even so, in the Spirit Realm the Lingyuan Baptism remains one of the rarest opportunities!"

At this, Stone Jade paused slightly before continuing: "Across the entire Spirit Realm, setting aside the seven top-tier powers, among the second-rank forces, those able to gather enough for a Lingyuan Baptism can be counted on one hand!"

"At black market auctions, just a few drops of Lingyuan can fetch a sky-high price."

Xu Yang shot a shocked look at the Stone Spirit, not expecting it to have such effects.

"Miss Shi, when will the Lingyuan Baptism begin?"

"In three days!"

"At that time, it depends on your performance, Mr. Xu. The advance opening of the Baptism this time is indeed because of you!"

Xu Yang’s lips twitched. So it was really because of him.

"Ahem!"

"Miss Shi, what level must I reach to avoid disappointing everyone?" Xu Yang asked casually.

Stone Jade curled her lips, teasingly, "Over the last century, the Shi Family’s top performer in the Lingyuan Baptism endured nine days of tempering and raised their spiritual mark by one foot two inches!"

"Eh, only one foot two?" Xu Yang blurted out.

Stone Jade nearly rolled her eyes and, half exasperated, said, "Mr. Xu, do you think breaking through spiritual marks is that easy? Condensing a spiritual mark depends on a Martial Artist’s powerful True Will—every advance in the spiritual mark requires a breakthrough in martial intent, resonating with the Spiritual River. One foot two is already incredible."

"Normally, when Shi Hu last participated in the Lingyuan Baptism, he was still at Myriad Phenomena Realm, only withstood five days, and already was best in his tier!"

"This time, as he participates at the True Lord level, I estimate his mark can at most improve eight or nine inches, one foot at the very most!"

Xu Yang, slightly embarrassed, scratched his nose and pondered aloud, "When I broke through the True Lord level, the spiritual mark I condensed was one foot and a half—how about Shi Hu’s now?"

"One foot nine inches!"

Shi Hu had only just broken through to the True Monarch Initial Realm not long ago.

One foot nine inches was already astonishing!

However, Xu Yang’s spiritual mark was rooted in the Heaven Locking Will, its power far surpassing those of the same rank, so raising it wouldn’t be easy.

Seeing Xu Yang lost in thought, Stone Jade smiled, "Mr. Xu, I’ll come find you again in three days."

"Oh, and the clan has also found a secret location to help Mr. Gu upgrade his soul."

At these words, Gu Jun’s eyes immediately lit up.

He promptly declared, "Brat, your master won’t concern himself with you for now."

Xu Yang couldn’t help but smile, "Teacher, go and improve yourself first."

"Miss Shi, let’s go." Gu Jun was full of impatience.

"Very well, after you, Mr. Gu."

Stone Jade nodded slightly to Xu Yang, then left with Gu Jun.

Xu Yang took a deep breath and muttered, "Since I’m new here, I’d better break the Shi Family’s century-old record, at least!"

The Martial King lineage truly was full of sincerity!

They had prepared the Spirit Elixirs for the Heaven and Earth Nurturing Elixir, were looking for Earth Spirit Milk, and even advanced the Lingyuan Baptism—no fault could be found at all.

To cause disappointment would be awkward indeed.

But it wasn’t just about satisfying the Martial King lineage. Breaking the record would be a great leap in his own cultivation!

The longer the endurance, the greater the increase in his spiritual mark, and the stronger he would become.

The spiritual mark, rooted in the Heaven Locking Will, had truly incredible effects!

With that, Xu Yang quickly returned to his chamber, shutting out all distractions and focusing his mind.

Three days later.

Xu Yang followed Stone Jade to the location of the Shi Family’s Lingyuan Baptism.

Being one of the greatest fateful opportunities, the Lingyuan Baptism was set on the far side of the immense Stone Spirit.

Thick, ancient trees stood like pillars to the heavens, and a wide flagstone road wound its way through the forest.

At the end of the road, a broad clearing suddenly opened up.

Here was a vast plaza, surrounded on three sides by woodland.

Opposite the road, before the woods, loomed a soaring cliff.

The cliff was like jade, with tiers of jade platforms jutting out from top to bottom—at a glance, there were at least hundreds.

Xu Yang followed Stone Jade here, and a large number of Shi Family martial artists—youths, both male and female—were already assembled.

Myriad Manifestations Perfection level and True Monarch Initial Realm.

Most were at Myriad Manifestations Perfection. Only a few dozen were at the True Lord level.

Shi Hu and Shi Haoting had arrived here early as well.

The appearance of Xu Yang and Stone Jade immediately drew many gazes.

Stone Jade’s status went without saying. Though only at Myriad Manifestations Perfection, her standing was above even most True Lords.

Beside her was a suddenly-appearing stranger—inevitably, this set many minds wondering, especially with such a person at this important Lingyuan Baptism.

"Damn, isn’t that the guy we saw in the Scripture Repository?"

"He actually came here together with Yu. Is he really going to take part in the Lingyuan Baptism too?"

Shi Xiong’s eyes went wide and round; his whole face filled with disbelief.