Chapter 1337
Bai Yuxian Advances to High-Rank Flame Heart Jade
Time flies, and years pass by.
Sixty years have passed in the blink of an eye.
"Northern Frontier", Wutong Mountain.
At the highest point of Wutong Mountain stands a towering tree hundreds of feet tall.
The fiery red leaves surrounding the giant tree blend it into its surroundings, making it look like a bright crown on the mountaintop.
Deep within the giant tree, on a branch, sat two figures, one old and one young.
"Ancestor, this is Immortal Mist Spirit Tea. Would you like to try it and see how it tastes?"
"The spiritual tea contains very little spiritual energy, which is of little help to the cultivation of us demon cultivators. It is rare to see someone like you who appreciates tea so attentively."
Tell me, when did you start liking things from these human cultivators?
Could this tea also be a gift from Song Qingming?
Upon hearing "Crimson Demon Saint" suddenly mention that name, Fire Phoenix paused slightly in her movements and then gently shook her head.
“Ancestor, you misunderstand. I haven’t been to the Floating Cloud Mountains in recent years. This tea was brought by Long Feng from Tianfeng City.”
"Ah."
After nodding in agreement, "Red Desolate Demon Saint" slowly put down the teacup in his hand.
"Fire Phoenix, I received a message from them a few days ago. I want to ask you one last time if you'd like to come with me to Dragon Abyss Sea."
If you receive assistance from the True Dragon Clan, your chances of advancing to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm should increase significantly.
The reason I asked you is because I'm afraid those guys in the northern frontier might not behave themselves after I leave. You should understand what I mean.
"I know what you mean, but as you know, I've always preferred fair trade and don't want to ask others for help."
We currently have nothing that can entice the True Dragon Clan, and even if they were willing to help, the conditions they would propose would certainly be quite demanding.
Ancestor, don't worry, I have my own ideas.
Even without the True Dragon Clan, my Nine Nether Frost Flame cultivation still has a chance to advance further in the future, so there's no need to rush this matter now.
"It is said that your descendants will have their own blessings."
Since you've already thought it through, then this old woman won't worry about it anymore.
Upon hearing that Huo Feng had decisively declined the offer, "Chi Li Demon Saint" remained silent for a moment before nodding with a smile.
Then she tapped the stone table lightly with her cane, and a purple jade bottle suddenly appeared out of thin air on the table.
Upon seeing this object appear, Fire Phoenix's expression showed surprise.
"Ancestor, what's wrong?"
"Since you refuse to go to the True Dragon Clan, I must leave you something before I leave."
I know you and Song Qingming have a good relationship. If you ever run into any trouble in the future, you can ask him for help.
With this item, I think he won't refuse you.
"You want me to ask him, a human cultivator, for help?"
Hearing the doubts expressed by Huo Feng, "Chi Li Demon Saint" nodded seriously.
"Whether they are human cultivators or demon cultivators!"
In the cultivation world, everyone's goal in cultivating is simply to accumulate resources and ascend to the upper realm. So what difference does it really make?
Our various ethnic groups in the northern frontier can unite as one when facing human cultivators.
However, their struggle for cultivation resources has never ceased.
If that weren't the case, why would I need to worry about this?
"Fire Phoenix, once you embark on the path of cultivation, the struggle for the Dao will always exist, no matter where you are. You can't avoid it just by trying."
From now on, the fate of the Celestial Phoenix Clan is in your hands; you need to broaden your horizons.
Having said that, "Red Desolate Demon Saint" turned and left, leaving only Fire Phoenix sitting there in deep thought.
".
"Floating Cloud Mountain Range", Xiaoyao Sect.
Suddenly, clouds and mist rolled up above Baiyu Peak on the west side of Guyang Mountain, changing the color of the sky and earth, and birds and beasts all around were startled and retreated.
Immediately afterwards, two streaks of light flew rapidly from a distance and stopped in mid-air above the mountain peak.
The newcomer was a man clad in golden armor, with a robust build and a golden beard.
Another young man, with a handsome face, stood on white light, his eyes fixed on the strange phenomenon in the sky and earth ahead.
"Junior Brother Su, the person in seclusion here should be the sect leader!"
I didn't expect her to have reached this point so quickly.
"Brother Feng, you may not know this, but our master's cultivation had already reached the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage a hundred years ago, and he successfully comprehended the primordial energy of heaven and earth."
"The occurrence of extraordinary celestial phenomena is actually quite normal among us human cultivators!"
"Back then, it only took Uncle Song less than a hundred years to advance to the half-step Nascent Soul stage. Senior Sister Bai will definitely succeed in this seclusion."
After a soft voice fell, two more figures appeared beside the two.
"Senior Sister Xu, Junior Sister Lü!"
Besides Xu Ziyan, who arrived a little later, there was another figure in purple robes beside her, whose aura had also reached the Nascent Soul stage.
The woman in purple was named Lü Mengling, and she was a newly promoted Nascent Soul Elder of the "Xiaoyao Sect" twenty years ago.
Not long ago, Lü Mengling and Xu Ziyan were having a leisurely chat over tea when they suddenly saw a strange phenomenon appear on "White Jade Peak," so the two of them rushed over together.
"Junior Brother Su, the sect leader has already triggered a celestial phenomenon. We must not let anyone disturb her seclusion. Go quickly and issue the order to activate the sect's grand formation."
Junior Sister Lü, please go and inform the other elders of the sect to come and protect us!
"Feng and I are fine here."
".
As soon as Su Mo and the other person left, "Wind Ape" and Xu Ziyan immediately released their divine senses to warn the surrounding area.
Before long, the entire "Guyang Mountain" was also covered by the mountain-protecting formation.
Half a month later, the strange phenomena above Baiyu Peak slowly dissipated.
A figure in white emerged from the cave; it was Bai Yuxian, the sect leader of the "Xiaoyao Sect," who had been in seclusion for many years.
At this moment, her aura had changed from before her seclusion, and she had successfully stepped into the half-step Nascent Soul realm.
Many elders of the "Free and Unfettered Sect" had been waiting there for some time.
Upon seeing this, they immediately stepped forward and bowed in unison.
Congratulations, Sect Leader!
"No need for formalities, thank you all for your hard work over the years!"
A hundred years ago, when Bai Yuxian and Song Qingming were trapped in the "Ziyang Heavenly Palace".
He had already successfully comprehended the primordial energy of heaven and earth, and had even attempted to break through to the Qi Tempering Realm once using the dual cultivation technique.
However, due to insufficient preparation, she failed to advance to the next realm and was left empty-handed.
During the last Nascent Soul Ceremony, Song Qingming obtained a piece of "Purple Heaven Jade" and gave it to Bai Yuxian.
After returning to "Guyang Mountain" and making careful preparations, she quickly decided to go into seclusion and try to break through to a higher realm again.
This time, Bai Yuxian, whose foundation was already very solid, finally lived up to expectations.
He successfully completed the Qi tempering process and stepped into the half-step Divine Transformation realm.
Looking at the many familiar figures in front of her, Bai Yuxian scanned the area and quickly stopped at Song Qingyu, who was not far away.
"It's been decades since we last met. I never expected that you, Qingyu, would also successfully advance to the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage."
"Hehe! I only managed to advance my cultivation level a few years ago thanks to Seventh Brother. Compared to Senior Sister Bai, I'm getting further and further behind."
Sixty years have passed, and thanks to the fourth-grade high-quality spiritual pills bestowed upon her by Song Qingming, Song Qingyu's cultivation has successfully advanced to the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm.
He was able to cultivate to the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage before he was even a thousand years old.
Song Qingyu's cultivation speed is second only to Song Qingming and Bai Yuxian in the entire "Xiaoyao Sect", and he is expected to break through to the Nascent Soul realm in the future.
Besides Song Qingyu, Su Mo, "Wind Ape," and others have also made progress in their cultivation over the years.
However, compared to Bai Yuxian, who has stepped into the half-step Nascent Soul realm, their improvements seem insignificant.
When a cultivator completes the "Qi Tempering" process, not only does their cultivation level increase, but their lifespan also increases by three hundred years.
In addition, Bai Yuxian had previously focused on wood-attribute cultivation techniques, which gave her a lifespan that was 10% longer than other cultivators of the same level.
To the people before them, she, the sect leader of the "Free and Unfettered Sect," still had a thousand years to reach the Nascent Soul realm, making her path far brighter than that of the other Nascent Soul elders in the sect.
After greeting everyone in front of her, Bai Yuxian took the initiative to invite them to the main hall of the cave, where they enjoyed tea and chatted for a while.
As dusk approached, in order not to disturb Bai Yuxian's seclusion to stabilize her cultivation, the group finally got up to say goodbye.
After everyone else had left, Song Qingyu, who was walking at the back, suddenly turned around and came back.
"Qingyu, is there anything else?"
"Senior Sister Bai, Seventh Brother has been away for years and I don't know where he went. I haven't been able to contact him at all."
Otherwise, if he knew you had emerged from seclusion, he would definitely have come to congratulate you, Senior Sister.
When I came here this time, Sister-in-law Siyuan specifically asked me to explain this matter to you, so please don't misunderstand.
"Oh! It's kind of you, Junior Sister Huang. I understand."
Bai Yuxian's breakthrough in cultivation, advancing to the half-step Nascent Soul realm, is a joyous occasion for the entire "Free and Unfettered Sect".
Song Qingming, the sect's patriarch, was also Bai Yuxian's Daoist partner.
It's rather unusual that no one came to "Guyang Mountain" to offer their congratulations at this time, and people might even worry that something might have gone wrong in their relationship.
Song Qingyu was afraid that Bai Yuxian might misunderstand, so she stayed behind to explain to her.
But facing the worried Song Qingyu, Bai Yuxian remained calm, seemingly unconcerned about the matter.
"Qingyu, go back with peace of mind. Remember to give my regards to my two junior sisters."
I'll visit you at Qingyun Mountain another day when I have time.
"Okay! Senior Sister Bai, I'll head back now!"
".
After personally seeing Song Qingyu off, Bai Yuxian returned to her cave dwelling and went directly through the main hall to a pool at the back.
But a familiar figure was already sitting there; it was Song Qingming, whom the two had been discussing earlier and who had disappeared long ago.
"Your absence from Qingyun Mountain isn't just known to Qingyu alone. Could Junior Sister Huang and Junior Sister Li have already guessed that you came here?"
"This girl really can't control her mouth."
"I should have just said I was going to Donghuang Kingdom, so she wouldn't have to guess!"
While Bai Yuxian was in seclusion trying to break through to the half-step Nascent Soul realm, Song Qingming had already secretly arrived at "Guyang Mountain".
Not only did he remind her of many key points about breaking through cultivation levels, but he also personally stayed here to protect her.
However, Song Qingming did not tell anyone else about this, but only sent a telepathic message to Song Qingyu to inform her that he was going away for a while.
However, Song Qingyu has never been one to overthink things, and clearly did not hide this matter from Huang Siyuan and the other person.
Smiling and shaking his head, Song Qingming continued:
“Your cultivation has now reached the half-step Nascent Soul realm. If you continue to cultivate in Guyang Mountain, the spiritual energy will be insufficient. Would you like to move to Qingyun Mountain with me?”
"We agreed I wouldn't go to Qingyun Mountain, so why bring it up again?"
With the number of disciples in the sect increasing, regardless of whether my cultivation progress is smooth or not, the matter of improving the spiritual veins of Guyang Mountain has become urgent.
A few years ago, I had Junior Sister Xu and the others help me collect the Earth Vein Beads, and everything was almost ready.
Upon hearing Song Qingming's suggestion that she move to "Qingyun Mountain", Bai Yuxian unsurprisingly refused outright and instead planned to upgrade the spiritual veins of Guyang Mountain.
Compared to Huang Siyuan and Li Xuanyi, Bai Yuxian was more indifferent to relationships, focusing more on her cultivation.
Since they became Daoist partners, she and Song Qingming have spent most of their time apart, living in "Guyang Mountain" year-round.
Seeing this, Song Qingming didn't say much, but nodded slightly and asked again:
"Senior Chen has already sent me a message that this year's Donghuang Sword Tournament will be held at Qingyun Mountain."
Since this is the first time our sect has hosted the Eastern Phoenix Sword Tournament, we can't make it too shabby. We need to make sure everything that's necessary is done properly.
We also need to collect more top-grade level four spiritual items and magic treasures, so that the auction will be more lively.
Who do you think would be the most suitable person to handle this matter?
“Husband, the Eastern Phoenix Sword Gathering is a big event, much bigger than the Azure Cloud Mountain Gathering. There will be thousands of Nascent Soul cultivators coming.”
Leaving it to Ziyan and Yuanhao is definitely not going to work. Qingyu and I will handle it ourselves!
The "Eastern Phoenix Sword Gathering" is the largest trade fair in the Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent, and it is held only once every two hundred years.
Previously, the "Eastern Phoenix Sword Tournament" was hosted in rotation by the three sects: "Tianyu Sect", "Xianyuan Sect", and "Dangmo Palace".
Now that Song Qingming has advanced to the Nascent Soul realm, the "Free and Unfettered Sect" has also become a Nascent Soul power and is qualified to host the conference.
Upon hearing Chen Qingxuan recommend the "Xiaoyao Sect" to host the Donghuang Sword Tournament, Bai Yuxian showed no surprise.
Fearing that the other elders in the sect might not be able to handle this matter properly.
Upon hearing Song Qingming's question, Bai Yuxian took the initiative to take on the task and personally organize the conference.
"Okay! Thank you for your hard work."
Do your best to handle it. If you need my help at all, just let me know.
"If it weren't for your painstaking guidance, my seclusion wouldn't have gone so smoothly. If anyone has had a hard time, it's my husband."
The reason why Bai Yuxian was able to successfully break through her cultivation level during this seclusion was not only because of her solid foundation in cultivation, but also because of the assistance of the "Purple Cloud Jade".
Similarly, Bai Yuxian also benefited from the personal guidance of Song Qingming, a Nascent Soul cultivator, who helped her avoid many obstacles during her breakthrough.
Now that she has successfully tempered her body with vital energy, Bai Yuxian is naturally very grateful for Song Qingming's initiative in helping her.
"Between you and me, we should help each other; there's no need for such formalities."
"Alright, you go into seclusion to stabilize your cultivation. I'll return in a few days."
Hearing Song Qingming's words full of concern, Bai Yuxian nodded slightly. She was about to turn around, but then stopped as if she had thought of something.
"what happened?"
"My husband, do you still remember the secret technique of the Purple Sun Heavenly Palace, which can help stabilize one's cultivation?"
If you're not in a hurry to go back, why don't you stay and help me practice this technique a little longer?
In this way, I can emerge from seclusion sooner to deal with the sword tournament.
"I almost forgot about that!"
".
Since discussing the secrets of dual cultivation at the "Purple Sun Heavenly Palace" years ago, Song Qingming and Bai Yuxian have not put any more effort into it.
Only when Bai Yuxian reminded him earnestly did Song Qingming realize what was happening.
This technique can not only accelerate the cultivation of both parties, but also help the dual cultivation partners heal their injuries and stabilize their cultivation, making it perfect for Bai Yuxian, who has just broken through to a higher realm.
Since the other party had taken the initiative to ask, Song Qingming naturally couldn't refuse and stepped forward to grab Bai Yuxian.
"Thank you for your hard work, my husband!"
".
Two months later, a concealed beam of light flew out of "White Jade Peak" and quickly headed north.
At the summit of Qingyun Mountain is Huixian Pavilion.
Li Xuanyi, Huang Siyuan, Song Qingyu, and Liu Yuling sat around a table.
"I won! Eight hundred spirit stones!"
"Ugh, I lost again. I'm having such bad luck today."
"Hehe! It's rare for Yuling to be so sensible as to come up the mountain to keep us company. As her aunt, shouldn't you give her some spirit stones?"
The four of them played with the jade tokens in their hands. Song Qingyu's luck was still as bad as ever, so he could only helplessly take out several hundred spirit stones from his body and put them on the table.
"Thank you so much, Aunt Qingyu!"
"Mother, it's getting late. My husband is still waiting for me at the shop, so I'll head back now."
"Ah, you're leaving so soon."
"Yu Ling, next time you tell Xin Yuan to bring Long'er and Chan'er along. I haven't seen them in ages."
"Yes! Mother, don't worry, I'll tell my husband as soon as I get back."
".
With some reluctant words of advice from Li Xuanyi, Liu Yuling, holding the many spirit stones she had just "won," smiled and bid farewell to the elders before her.
After Liu Yuling's figure disappeared, a trace of worry suddenly appeared on Li Xuanyi's face.
"Everyone says that you can't control your son when he gets older, and now I really understand that."
Xinyuan, that child, insisted on moving down the mountain instead of staying on the mountainside. Now it's so difficult for me, her mother, to even see her.
“Xin Yuan has already started a family and established his career, so naturally he will have his own ideas. It’s not a bad thing that he wants to live alone.”
I think Xinyuan is much more mature now. Over the years, he has not only taken good care of his family, but also made good progress in his cultivation.
It's truly remarkable that he's managed to get to where he is today without relying on us; even his husband praises him for being so sensible.
"That's really considerate. The young master of Qingyun Mountain went to the market to fawn over them. Even I, their mother, had to go to such lengths to give them some spirit stones as a reward."
He himself was bad enough, but he also caused Yu Ling and several children to suffer.
"If my husband hadn't insisted on stopping me, I would have brought them all back long ago."
Decades ago, after Song Xinyuan and Liu Yuling got married, they declared that they wanted to live independently and moved to the market town at the foot of the mountain despite Li Xuanyi's objections.
Over the years, Song Xinyuan and his wife have completely integrated into the community of cultivators at the foot of the mountain and have opened several shops in the market.
Having voluntarily relinquished his status as the young master of Qingyun Mountain, his life was far less glamorous than before.
Fortunately, when they got married, Song Qingming and other elders left them a lot of assets, and Li Xuanyi would occasionally find ways to "subsidize" them.
Song Xinyuan and Liu Yuling did not fall behind in their cultivation; their cultivation speed was no less than that of the other Golden Core elders in the sect.
Seeing that Li Xuanyi looked somewhat displeased, Song Qingyu smiled and said, "Children grow up and eventually have to walk their own paths."
If my sister-in-law doesn't think Xinyuan is good enough for her right now, she might as well try to have another child she likes.
"Hmph! I've thought about it, but unfortunately your brother is nowhere to be seen now, so there's nothing I can do even if I wanted to try."
"Qingyu, tell me honestly, is your husband really on Guyang Mountain?"
"Well, sister-in-law, didn't I tell you? Why don't you believe me if I haven't seen Seventh Brother?"
Senior Sister Bai has already emerged from seclusion. If Seventh Brother were truly at Guyang Mountain, he would have returned long ago.
"That's hard to say!"
As soon as Li Xuanyi finished speaking, a somewhat unexpected figure suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs.
Upon seeing the newcomers, the expressions on their faces changed slightly.
"Huh! It's you?"
".
Pushing open the long-unopened secluded stone chamber, Song Qingming looked at the dusty floor and gently released a breeze to clean it up.
As soon as he turned around, he saw a figure suddenly appear in the doorway.
"Brother Song, you've just returned, are you going into seclusion again?"
"As Brother Qu knows, my cultivation has now reached the Nascent Soul stage. Simply closing myself off to cultivate is no longer enough to make any progress. If I want to improve my cultivation, I need to find a way to search for high-level spiritual items."
Brother Qu, do you know where I can find it? If so, please enlighten me.
Song Qingming spent more than ten years in seclusion before.
He had already refined all the pills and pearls sent by Ling Zhentian and "Wuyouzi", as well as the "Dragon Jade Spirit Water" that he had exchanged with Ao Xing back then.
This item is also a rare high-grade spiritual water, which helped Song Qingming increase his internal magical power significantly, even surpassing the effects of the other spiritual items.
After refining numerous spiritual objects, Song Qingming's internal magical power only increased by less than 50%, and he was still far from breaking through to a higher realm.
In the decades that followed, in addition to protecting Bai Yuxian, he also tried to refine spirit stones and other spiritual objects while meditating and cultivating.
However, the results were not satisfactory, and the cultivation speed remained very slow.
If he continues his arduous cultivation normally, it will probably take at least four or five hundred years for Song Qingming to cultivate his magical power to the peak of the first level of the Nascent Soul stage.
Although he has just advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, his lifespan is still quite long.
However, at this cultivation speed, it would still be extremely difficult for him to advance to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and he didn't know when that would be.
To accelerate his cultivation, Song Qingming had to find a way to search for spiritual items that would be useful to him.
However, high-level spiritual objects of this caliber are extremely rare.
For a moment, Song Qingming had no clue what to do, so he could only ask his friend Qu Bai for help.
After all, the other party was a cultivator from the upper realm, and had spent countless years in the "Huayang Realm," so his knowledge and experience were naturally much greater than his own.
Faced with Song Qingming's humble request for guidance, "Qu Bai" smiled slightly.
"Brother Song, spiritual items that are useful to Nascent Soul cultivators are rare in this world, but not impossible to find."
I had heard of several kinds of spiritual beings back then, and even if you hadn't come looking for me, I was already planning to tell you about them.
After all, entering a spatial node is extremely dangerous, so it's necessary to help you improve your cultivation level as soon as possible.
Ideally, one should be able to advance to the third level of the Nascent Soul stage or higher, as this would greatly increase the chances of success.
"At the third level of the Nascent Soul stage, I should be confident in finding a suitable spiritual object. Senior, please enlighten me!"
Upon hearing the news that "Qu Bai" truly possessed other spiritual beings, Song Qingming, his face showing some excitement, quickly nodded in agreement.
"Brother Song, do you still remember the place where you devoured the Flame Heart Jade back then?"
"Brother Qu is right, Luoxia Abyss!"
“That’s right! I spent a lot of time in that place back then, and besides that Flame Heart Jade, I also sensed an even more powerful aura.”
If I'm not mistaken, there should be a higher-grade Flame Heart Jade hidden there, which could also be of some help to Nascent Soul cultivators.
However, at that time, neither you nor I possessed sufficient cultivation and strength, so even if we obtained this item, we would not be able to refine it.
"I didn't tell you about this."
"If a high-level Flame Heart Jade can be useful to a Nascent Soul cultivator, then I have no choice but to go on this trip."
When Song Qingming first met Qu Bai, it was under Qu Bai's guidance that he found a piece of "Flame Heart Jade" and accidentally swallowed it.
At that time, his cultivation was still at the Golden Core stage. After consuming this item, he was almost burst by the enormous spiritual power inside. He was forced to form his Nascent Soul before he could consume the excess spiritual power of the "Flame Heart Jade".
Even now, Song Qingming still feels lingering fear when he thinks about this incident.
The "Flame Heart Jade" that Song Qingming devoured back then was already of the middle grade of the fourth level.
If what "Qu Bai" said is true, there are even higher grades, then they are at least fourth-grade superior or fifth-grade realm.
For Song Qingming, consuming this item would definitely boost his cultivation level significantly, allowing him to reach the peak of the first level of the Nascent Soul stage much faster. It was an opportunity he absolutely couldn't miss.
"Brother Song, don't be too happy yet. We haven't been to that place for so long, it's hard to say whether the things are still there."
Also, refining this high-level Flame Heart Jade carries certain risks, you should still remember that back then.
Before going, it would be best to find a bottle of high-grade cold liquid to neutralize Yan Xinyu's domineering fiery spiritual energy.
"High-grade cold liquid, okay, I understand!"
Upon hearing Qu Bai's reminder, Song Qingming nodded slightly and immediately turned to walk out of the cave.
Just as he opened the cave door, several figures appeared at the entrance.
"Husband, it really is you back! I thought Xiao Jin had mistaken you for someone else!"
"Seventh Brother, where have you been all these years? Why can't we get in touch with you?"
".
"Hmm! We'll talk about that later."
Looking at the three puzzled people standing at the door, Song Qingming smiled slightly, but did not answer their questions immediately. Instead, he looked at Song Qingyu to the side.
"Qingyu, didn't you say last time that the Hundred Flowers Palace obtained a bottle of high-grade cold liquid from Lei Yuanhai? Go and ask for me if this item is still in Fellow Daoist Yu's hands."
I have some use for this. If you still have it, go and bring it back for me. Whether it's spirit stones or exchanging it for other spiritual items, it's all acceptable!
"High-grade Frost Liquid!"
"Husband, you've only just returned, and you're already in such a hurry to find this item. Are you about to leave again?"
".
(PS: Sorry, I had a small glass of spirit wine with dinner yesterday, and I ended up blacking out and falling asleep when I got back.)
I promise I'll never drink it again! (End of Chapter)