Born with immortal seed

Chapter 361 The Purpose of Taking on Disciples
"After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, simply following the path left by predecessors will ultimately lead to limited achievements; one must adapt it to one's own circumstances."

For Bai Zichen, pondering the path after reaching the Nascent Soul stage is by no means unrealistic.

Ordinary Core Formation cultivators' actions and behaviors all revolve around the Nascent Soul stage.

It's not that I don't want to have long-term plans, but reality doesn't allow me to do so.

Even the Nascent Soul stage is still unattainable, like the moon in the water or a flower in a mirror, let alone anything further.

Even if you tell them that continuing to refine this technique for another 60 years can make their path to Nascent Soul smoother, most people will still put it aside.

Only cultivators of Bai Zichen's level, who don't need to worry about the Nascent Soul stage, have plenty of time to make arrangements.

Preparations for the path ahead after reaching the Nascent Soul stage can begin now.

"The Fire Dragon Returning to Origin Scripture only has nine levels. Once you reach the early Nascent Soul stage, you need to change your cultivation method, otherwise your subsequent cultivation will be no different from being cut off... Senior Brother Ge is currently cultivating the Thunder Technique first, and will consider the issue of cultivation methods when he reaches the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage. I have the Dragon Transformation Scripture as a backup, but it is only a backup."

The Fire Dragon Returning to Origin Scripture can only be cultivated up to the early Nascent Soul stage. It's not that you can't cultivate beyond that stage without a cultivation method, but the efficiency will be unimaginably low.

With a cultivation technique, the efficiency of refining spiritual energy from heaven and earth is 100; without a cultivation technique, it is at most 5.

At the same time, problems such as disordered true energy, qi deviation, and the slim chance of breaking through to a higher realm will occur.

Forging one's own path does not mean creating a new technique from scratch; it simply means making minor adjustments and improvements to the existing path.

The Dragon Transformation Scripture of the Fish-Dragon Sect can be cultivated all the way to the Nascent Soul stage, but the best candidate for cultivating this technique is a cultivator with a water elemental root.

Other spiritual root aptitudes can also practice, but the effect will definitely not be as good as that of a water spiritual root cultivator.

Once Bai Zichen has mastered the Fire Dragon Returning to Origin Scripture, his fire spirit root will be upgraded to the level of an inferior heavenly spirit root, which will inevitably cause conflicts when he practices this technique.

Unless absolutely necessary, he would definitely not choose to switch to cultivating the Dragon Transformation Scripture.

Within the Qingfeng Sect's heritage, having a cultivation technique that directly targets the Nascent Soul stage is already quite remarkable; in the past, no one ever considered cultivation techniques to be a weakness.

It wasn't until he and Ge Cang grew at an astonishing rate, almost reaching the limit of their cultivation techniques, that everyone realized the upper limit of the sect's cultivation techniques was somewhat unworthy of the current Qingfeng Sect.

"I can work on my cultivation techniques gradually. If all else fails, I can go to the Central Region and think of a solution. But I really need to work harder on my swordsmanship... Despite being known as the most talented swordsman since the late ancient times, I haven't even touched the point of 'one sword can break ten thousand techniques' after all these years."

The Heavenly River Sword Sect's lavish praise of Bai Zichen, coupled with his subsequent battle achievements, led more and more cultivators to accept this assessment.

Normally, only a Nascent Soul True Monarch can master the skill of refining a sword into silk, and the ability to break through all laws with a single sword strike is a realm that can only be attained after immersing oneself in the way of the sword for a long time.

However, for genius sword cultivators, comprehending the third realm of swordsmanship during the Core Formation stage is a basic requirement, a standard requirement for core disciples of the major sword sects.

The powerful beings who achieved the Nascent Soul stage were able to comprehend the principle of "one sword can break all laws" even at the Core Formation stage.

Bai Zichen must live up to the title of a Nascent Soul cultivator and the number one swordsman with exceptional talent; breaking through all laws with a single sword strike is the bare minimum requirement for him.

This is why Tang Fei Zhenjun was greatly surprised when he saw that Bai Zichen was only at the initial stage of refining swords into silk. In Tang Fei's mind, it was only natural that Bai Zichen mastered the skill of breaking through all laws with a single sword.

Judging from the incredible record of the Sword Slayer Nine Lotus True Monarch, it's not impossible that he could even glimpse the realm of sword light differentiation.

The blame lies with Bai Zichen for single-handedly attracting the Moon Jade Sword to his side, causing the Tai Xuan White-Headed Sword and the Star Jade Sword to resound with joy—a performance so astonishing that even the Nascent Soul Sword cultivators of the Tai Bai Sword Sect described in the classics, at the same cultivation level, did not exhibit such a display.

Even after a hundred years of refining and communicating with the Star Jade Sword, Yan Yuanzai, who was at the Core Formation stage, could not make it truly recognize him as its master. He still needed the sword spirit's consent to borrow the sword's original power.

Even without contact with Bai Zichen, who was in the Foundation Establishment stage, the mere aura he emitted was enough to make Xingyao Sword overjoyed, almost causing it to fly away from Yan Yuanzai's hands and seek another worthy master.

This is because the aura of the Ziwei Xuanlei Sword has faded considerably. If this sword were to be unleashed today, along with the Supreme Qingwei Sword Box, even if the Xingyao Sword had been successfully refined by Yan Yuanzai and they were connected in spirit, he might still be unable to control it.

Fortunately, with the example of Xiang Ji before him, Tang Fei Zhenjun clearly understood that the swordsmanship level he displayed could not represent the whole picture.

Moreover, Bai Zichen, with his late-stage Core Formation cultivation, could freely control a fourth-tier flying sword without any sign of insufficient true essence, something even sword cultivators who had practiced the Heavenly River Technique couldn't do.

Therefore, although Tang Fei Zhenjun had doubts, he did not ask any further questions.

Bai Zichen was perfectly clear-headed, knowing that his true level of swordsmanship had fallen behind that of the core disciples of the Central Region Sword Sect.

Going forward, it will be necessary to spend more time on kendo.

The Wuzhen Sword Manual is an inexhaustible treasure trove of sword classics. Even if you have fully digested it, there is still room for further study of any sword technique you choose.

Not to mention the Heaven-Opening Sword Intent and Celestial Phenomenon Sword Intent contained within the sea of ​​consciousness; immersing oneself in them to comprehend them would take a year and a half.

With a formidable enemy at our side, practicing swordsmanship was indeed an excessive luxury.

Five days had passed since he had only demonstrated the Nine Illusions Sword Technique a few times when Ma Ruoxi came to Thunderclap Cliff to request an audience.

“Uncle-Master, I have investigated thoroughly. Twelve years ago, the two tea trees in Red Leaf Valley both advanced in rank. The Fang family concealed this information in order to earn more spirit stones. They also used their acquaintances from other counties to secretly sell second-tier top-grade Silver Needle Spirit Tea. The Fang family head has already admitted to all of this.”

Ma Ruoxi spilled all the information she had gathered, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube.

With a late-stage Foundation Establishment elder from the upper sect personally visiting Red Leaf Valley, the Fang family had no more courage to hide anything and immediately confessed everything.

"In your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"

Two silver needle tea trees mean nothing to Bai Zichen now; what he cares about is the difference in thinking between the disciples of Heishan and Hejian counties.

As the number of disciples from Hejian County increases within the sect, it is highly likely to cause conflicts in the future, so it is necessary to nip this in the bud.

This matter was entrusted to Ma Ruoxi to test her competence.

As the most outstanding disciple from Hejian County, she will undoubtedly gather a large number of Hejian County disciples under her command, regardless of her personal wishes.

This is human nature, and there's no way to avoid it.

As long as the sect is in a period of upward development and continues to expand outwards, minor problems will not erupt.

Once the Qingfeng Sect enters a stable period, the spiritual veins are fully developed, and resource allocation is stable, the hidden dangers will gradually emerge.

Of course, with Ge Cang and Bai Zichen, two great figures, around, all dissent can be suppressed and no trouble can be stirred up.

However, Bai Zichen will eventually have to travel, and he can't stay in Black Mountain and guard the sect for the rest of his life.

The same applies to Ge Cang Zhenjun. At his age, he is still considered to be in his prime among Nascent Soul cultivators, and he will not be held back by the Liang Kingdom.

Ge Cang, who can attract the four Nascent Soul phenomena, has a bright future. The Northern Region is too small and cannot provide cultivation conditions for a cultivator with the potential to become a Deity Transformation cultivator.

Once the two of them are no longer in the sect, if any disciple from Hejian County reaches the Core Formation stage, it is indeed possible that a situation of equal power will emerge.

At that time, the leader was very important.

At least for now, Ma Ruoxi is the most promising disciple from Hejian County to achieve the Core Formation stage, and she is worth his time and effort to carefully examine.

"Fifty percent of the annual output of Silver Needle Spirit Tea belongs to the sect. The Fang family's actions are tantamount to undermining the sect's resources... According to the regulations of the Enforcement Hall, the Fang family should be fined ten times the profit from selling the spirit tea in spirit stones, and they should also be disqualified from participating in any sect activities for thirty years."

Ma Ruoxi raised her head and said in a clear voice.

"The Fang family of Hongye has not had a Foundation Establishment cultivator for many years. The family has declined, and even emptying the family's treasury cannot pay such a large amount of spirit stones. We can settle the debt with goods. All the production of the two Silver Needle Spirit Tea plants for the next hundred years will belong to the sect, and the Fang family will not be held responsible for the spirit stones."

"In addition, considering that the Fang family does not have enough strength to take care of the second-grade top-quality spiritual plants, the Spiritual Plant Hall will send four disciples to take care of the Silver Needle Tea Trees."

After listening to Ma Ruoxi's idea, Bai Zichen smiled, neither agreeing nor refuting, but instead asked, "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

“Master, please accept my bow.”

Ma Ruoxi was taken aback at first, thinking she had misheard. But when she saw Bai Zichen's serious expression, she hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed.

After joining the Qingfeng Sect, she relied on Bai Zichen's guidance for the special companion spirits she needed to cultivate. Therefore, she always stayed close to Huo Feiyan and the others.

He had always had the idea of ​​becoming Bai Zichen's disciple, but in recent years Bai Zichen had either been in seclusion cultivating or busy forging swords, so ordinary disciples rarely had the opportunity to come into contact with him.

Unexpectedly, because of such a small matter, he caught Bai Zichen's attention and was directly accepted as a disciple.

"There are already three ahead of you, and you are fourth... I don't have high expectations for my disciples. Just remember to stay true to your original aspirations in cultivation and live up to the expectations of the sect."

Bai Zichen took out a bamboo sword, a top-grade spiritual weapon he had casually crafted, and bestowed it upon Ma Ruoxi as a routine gift for his disciple.

The decision to accept a fourth disciple was based on a comprehensive consideration.

Judging from her cultivation aptitude, Ma Ruoxi, who possesses the Water Stone Spirit Body, is no slower than Li Guizhen in cultivation speed after obtaining the Qu Shui Five-Eyed Bodhi.

It remains to be seen who will form the Golden Core first. It is perfectly normal for them to waste decades at the Foundation Establishment stage. Being one step ahead does not mean that they will form the Golden Core first.

Among so many disciples in the sect, her chances of reaching the Core Formation stage are probably in the top five.

In handling this incident, Ma Ruoxi did not follow the custom of Hejian County to severely punish the Fang family of Hongye, which was to the point of confiscating their property and exterminating their entire family.

They didn't let it go easily either; they confiscated ten times the profit and sent Lingzhi Hall disciples to take over, effectively stripping the Fang family of their jurisdiction over the Silver Needle Tea Tree for the next hundred years.

Given the current state of the Fang family, it's hard to say whether this cultivation family will still exist a hundred years from now.

The impartial and moderate approach perfectly matched Bai Zichen's requirements for the future leader of Hejian County.

Whether this was her true intention or she guessed Bai Zichen's thoughts and did it deliberately, it doesn't matter.

Ma Ruoxi becoming Bai Laozu's personal disciple is also a signal to all disciples from Hejian, indicating that the sect treats disciples from both counties equally and has no intention of discriminating against them.

(End of this chapter)