What kind of opportunity did this kid stumble upon?

"The primordial chaos arises spontaneously... Is this... the primordial Qi?"

He didn't even have time to ask where Shi Yuan had taken this thing from; he just stared intently at the wisp of spiritual energy, his tone full of disbelief.

"How could this thing... possibly still exist in the Three Realms?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader's expression changed drastically as he looked at the few wisps of dark yellow spiritual energy in Shi Yuan's hand.

Even with his saintly status and the mental fortitude honed through countless eons, his Dao heart couldn't help but tremble slightly at this moment. It wasn't an emotional outburst, but rather a shock stemming from instinct.

Primordial Qi.

This is the most primordial spiritual energy, born from chaos at the beginning of time, the source of all spiritual energy in the world, containing boundless potential. It can be said that the root of all acquired spiritual energy can be traced back to its existence.

What truly shook the Tongtian Sect Leader was not the preciousness of the Primordial Qi, but rather... that such a thing should not exist in the Three Realms in the present day.

After the creation of heaven and earth, the vast majority of primordial energy disintegrates on its own, merging into the universe and transforming into various types of acquired spiritual energy. Only a very small number, under extremely special circumstances, fuse with spiritual materials, ultimately forming what is known as "primordial spiritual materials."

These innate spiritual materials are the most top-tier materials for refining treasures in the Three Realms.

Even so, the truly original Primordial Qi, which had never been infused with any spiritual materials, had long since vanished completely from history. It could even be said that even the sage Tongtian Sect Master had never personally witnessed the true Primordial Qi.

He knew of its existence entirely because, as one of the Three Pure Ones, he inherited some of the memories and legacy left behind by the Great God Pangu.

This is why the cultivation inheritance he passed on to Shi Yuan did not mention the Primordial Qi... because under normal circumstances, such a thing would no longer exist.

"Primordial Qi?"

Shi Yuan was taken aback when he heard the name. Just by hearing it, he knew it was no ordinary thing.

"Teacher, what exactly is this thing used for?"

The Master of Heaven slowly shook his head, his expression gradually returning to calm.

"The primordial Qi has boundless power and countless uses. But the most widely circulated and core aspect in the Three Realms is that the primordial spiritual materials it nurtures are the foundation for refining primordial spiritual treasures."

At this point, his gaze toward Shi Yuan became complicated.

"Without primordial Qi, it is impossible for a true primordial spiritual treasure to be born."

Having said all that, there was no need to conceal any further information. The Tongtian Sect Leader simply revealed everything about the Primordial Qi and Primordial Spiritual Treasures.

After hearing this, Shi Yuan had only one thought in his mind.

He just hit the jackpot...

He was perfectly clear about what innate spiritual treasures meant. The magical treasures used by cultivators in the Three Realms were generally divided into two categories: acquired and innate. There were many kinds of acquired spiritual treasures, ranging from ordinary spiritual tools and magical implements to acquired magical treasures with considerable power.

But no matter how powerful an acquired spiritual treasure is, it will always be one level below an innate spiritual treasure.

Even the most ordinary and lowest-grade innate spiritual treasures are truly priceless treasures in the Three Realms. This is not only because they inherently contain laws, but also because innate spiritual treasures are crucial for powerful beings in the Three Realms to take a key step towards higher realms.

In the Three Realms, almost all Quasi-Saints follow the "Method of Severing the Three Corpses" passed down by the Dao Ancestor. One of the core requirements of this path is that for each corpse severed, a Primordial Spiritual Treasure is needed to entrust the True Spirit.

To completely sever the three corpses, one needs three innate spiritual treasures.

This is precisely why innate spiritual treasures are regarded as vital treasures by countless Great Luo Golden Immortals and Quasi-Saints in the Three Realms. Even the most outstanding innate spiritual treasures are worthy of the attention of Saints.

Unfortunately, the number of such treasures is limited.

The reason is quite simple... The raw materials for refining innate spiritual treasures must be innate spiritual materials infused with primordial energy. And these spiritual materials could only have been created at the beginning of the world, through countless coincidences.

For example, if a piece of Geng metal happens to be fused with a wisp of primordial Qi when the world was created, it will transform into primordial Geng metal, which will be qualified to refine primordial spiritual treasures.

Since the beginning of time, countless years have passed, and all the primordial spiritual materials that could be found have long been plundered by the powerful beings of the Three Realms and refined into magical treasures. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find new primordial spiritual materials in the Three Realms.

But now, Shi Yuan holds the most primordial innate Qi in his hands.

"Did you obtain this primordial energy from that fortuitous opportunity?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking.

"Yes."

Shi Yuan nodded without hesitation.

"Your luck is truly extraordinary."

The Tongtian Sect Leader sighed, then his gaze fell on those few wisps of spiritual energy, and he pondered for a moment.

"I still have a piece of innate gold essence that I obtained many years ago. If I combine it with this wisp of innate qi, I can barely refine a mid-grade innate spiritual treasure for you."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yuan sighed inwardly once again.

This teacher is truly exceptional.

Anyone else, upon seeing the Primordial Qi, would likely have immediately tried to claim it for themselves. But the Tongtian Sect Leader did not hesitate to take out his own Primordial Spiritual Materials, intending to refine a treasure for his disciple.

With such magnanimity, it's no wonder that the Jie Sect was able to attract thousands of immortals to pay homage back then.

but......

"Only mid-grade?"

Shi Yuan raised an eyebrow, immediately feeling a bit unconvinced.

A mid-grade innate spiritual treasure—why does that sound so unappealing?

"You little rascal, aren't you satisfied yet?"

Upon hearing this, the Tongtian Sect Leader couldn't help but laugh in anger.

How rare are innate spiritual treasures? In the Three Realms, even among Great Luo Golden Immortals, possessing a low-grade innate spiritual treasure is already extremely rare. How could Shi Yuan, a mere Celestial Immortal, possibly look down on a mid-grade one?

"On the path of cultivation, one must know when to advance and when to retreat. Your attainment of primordial Qi is an immense opportunity..."

The Master of the Heavens was preparing to put on his airs as a master and give him a good scolding.

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly stopped.

Because at the very moment he spoke, six more strands of innate Qi quietly appeared in Shi Yuan's hand.

The air fell silent instantly.

The master and apprentice stared at each other for a moment, neither of them speaking, and the atmosphere became somewhat strange.

"...How much of this do you have left?"

The Tongtian Sect Leader finally spoke.

"That's all, not available for now."

Shi Yuan scratched his head and gave a slightly shy smile.

He was telling the truth. In the current Shiyuan Realm, only seven primordial energies have been created, and he has extracted them all.

However, he also knew very well that this was just the beginning.

As a disciple of the Jie Sect, the fortune he receives is not a one-time thing. As long as the Jie Sect exists, the fortune will be continuous, and he will invest all of this fortune into the Shiyuan Realm.

As the Shiyuan Realm continues to expand and evolve, the Primordial Qi will inevitably continue to be born sooner or later.

That's why he deliberately added the word "temporarily".

The Tongtian Sect Leader was a man of great stature, and naturally he understood the deeper meaning behind it.

That's why his feelings became increasingly complicated.

"What kind of stroke of luck did this kid stumble upon?"

After a long while, the Tongtian Sect Leader finally calmed down and silently put away the seven strands of innate Qi.

"Alright, alright, go back and cultivate now."

He waved his hand, his tone unusually weary.

"When the spiritual treasure is successfully refined, I will summon you."