Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 502 - 497 Discussing Merits and Rewards, Spirit Treasures Fire-Seeds_1
The war between Lingbao Sect and Xuantiandao Sect had not ended; next, Lingbao Sect launched a full counterattack. They reclaimed the territories they had lost, seized Xuantiandao Sect’s lands, and reversed the power hierarchy between the two. The once insurmountable Xuantiandao Sect retreated step by step. Within just one year, their territories had changed hands, leaving them with only their last bastion.
As Lingbao Sect’s entire army assembled, they left some cultivators behind to guard the Sect. Xuantiandao Sect was left with only the hardest nut to crack. Despite the Taotie Behemoth and Azure Dragon Beast’s onslaught against Xuantiandao Sect, they failed to breach the Formation after three years of continuous attack.
How could Xuantiandao Sect, with its profound heritage, be easily wiped out? Moreover, Xuantiandao Sect still had Mahayana Stage Cultivators who, with the power of the Formation and the Sect’s heritage, could fend off three other Mahayana Stage Cultivators from breaching the perimeter.
Lingbao Sect was unable to break the Formation after a prolonged assault. Sensing the covetous gazes of nearby enemies, they realized that continuing the fight would lead to nothing but their own depletion, allowing their foes opportunities to exploit. Thus, they were forced to halt the attack. The most important reason was... Grand Ancestor Tai Yuan had ascended to the Immortal Realm, and their offensive power was no longer sufficient. If any weakness were to show, other Sects would surely bare their fangs.
The combined forces of the Taotie Behemoth and Azure Dragon Beast were not enough to devour Xuantiandao Sect unless a genuine Mahayana Stage Cultivator emerged, someone who could wield a Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasure to break Xuantiandao Sect’s defenses. Unable to annihilate Xuantiandao Sect, Lingbao Sect could only seize their resources to exhaust their effective strength.
Ancestor Qingyuan of Xuantiandao Sect had met a tragic death. However, Ancestor Qingxuan still had over a thousand years of lifespan left. As long as Xuantiandao Sect’s development was curtailed, a sect without successors like Xuantiandao Sect would only meet a violent end. As the victors of the war, Lingbao Sect seized a great deal of resources belonging to Xuantiandao Sect, and Xuantiandao Sect’s territories fell under the control of Lingbao Sect.
Jia Ren, a Spirit-level Refiner, did not join the Sect in actively waging war and did not participate in the campaign against Xuantiandao Sect. Though Lingbao Sect’s Sect Protection Array was short one Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasure, its defensive capabilities were still astonishing, sufficient to deter Mahayana Stage Cultivators and to protect the Sect. His assigned task was to patrol the Formation to ensure that it remained intact. Jia Ren’s stationing at the Sect was not only for the protection of a Spirit-level Refiner but also because he was deemed sufficiently reliable. The highest echelons of Lingbao Sect knew who had discovered the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm.
The discovery of the True Dragon Skeleton had far-reaching implications. The True Dragon Skeleton was severely damaged, making refining Mysterious Heavenly Spiritual Treasures difficult. Moreover, Ma Tianbao had not yet matured, and there was no telling when he might come into play.
Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures? he mused. While their power was astonishing, they lacked the might to stabilize the heavens and the earth. Facing Xuantiandao Sect, a single Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure could not turn the tide of the battle. Only by secretly utilizing the True Dragon Skeleton, spending a century, did they barely succeed in refining a new Treasure Formation, which became part of Lingbao Sect’s heritage.
Lingbao Sect’s Mahayana-level treasure formations had previously only included the Taotie Behemoth Formation. It was only after the emergence of the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation—a decisive power—that Grand Ancestor Tai Yuan came up with the plan to use a "feigned ascension" as a trap, enticing Xuantiandao Sect into the scheme. Without the True Dragon Skeleton from the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm, it would have been impossible to refine the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation and break through the Divine Profound Dharma Form. Lacking the strength to decisively settle the matter, Lingbao Sect found it difficult to eliminate a Mahayana Stage Cultivator possessing a Divine Profound Dharma Form.
At that point, it wouldn’t be a case of Xuantiandao Sect failing at the brink of success and losing a Mahayana Stage Cultivator. Instead, Lingbao Sect would be unable to deal with two Mahayana Stage Cultivators. With Grand Ancestor Tai Yuan ascended, the Sect would then face the peril of extinction.
"Little uncle, after this battle, no one will dare to strike at Lingbao Sect; nobody knows what other trump cards Lingbao Sect might hold."
As Lingbao Sect’s rising star, Ma Tianbao had not participated in the war. No one in Lingbao Sect wanted him to take the risk. It wasn’t just Xuantiandao Sect that wanted to kill the once-in-a-generation genius of Lingbao Sect. Should Ma Tianbao fall, there would naturally be those willing to lose face and bully the young.
"The Sect Master has returned, and I’ve heard them mention that they want to include you in the Fire Seed Plan," Ma Tianbao said while secretly setting up a sound-insulating restriction around them, preventing intelligence leaks.
The Fire Seed Plan? Ma Tianbao’s words were puzzling; Jia Ren had never heard of it before. Without a doubt, this was a top secret of Lingbao Sect.
"This is a plan for the Sect to preserve talented individuals with potential," Ma Tianbao explained. "Most of them will fake their deaths to escape and hide in Secret Realms. Should the Sect be destroyed, the Fire Seeds would reappear at an opportune moment, utilizing a portion of the hidden Sect heritage to rebuild it. If the Sect falls into decline, the hidden Fire Seeds will be activated to take positions in the Sect’s upper echelons. This is one of the hidden cards many Sects retain to ensure their longevity."
Lingbao Sect’s enduring prosperity wasn’t solely due to its strength; it also had many contingencies for crises. More accurately, the top Sects in the Mysterious Realm all had similar tactics. They held the hope that the flame of inheritance will never be extinguished and that the Sects will one day see a resurgence.
Jia Ren listened quietly, his expression gradually becoming strange.
Fake death to escape? Which Secret Realm would they enter? Were they expected to cultivate in a Secret Realm indefinitely without leaving? The fact that Lingbao Sect was willing to include me in the Fire Seed Plan signified something. It meant that to the Sect’s upper echelons, I was considered reliable and trustworthy; they would not arrange such an action otherwise. Of course, Ma Tianbao’s behind-the-scenes efforts were not to be dismissed. Faking death isn’t a problem; finding a safe and reliable place to cultivate is also an appealing prospect.
Beyond that, Jia Ren thought of another matter. I was deemed reliable by the Sect and allowed to participate in the Fire Seed Plan. Could it be that I will next undergo the assessment for Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures and learn their inheritance? I’ve always been wary of my identity, not wanting to disclose my Refining Level and attract attention, hence I concealed my true treasure refining ability. This time, by participating in the Fire Seed Plan and learning how to refine Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures, I could also stage my death to escape, distancing myself from danger. Changing my name and identity is something I’m more than adept at. Would participating in the Fire Seed Plan restrict my actions? Would I be bound to a certain Secret Realm, unable to leave?
Jia Ren had a multitude of thoughts racing through his mind. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "This is good news. Thank you for the reminder."
Ma Tianbao might be of a lower realm than himself, but his status in Lingbao Sect was extraordinary. His several timely reminders had allowed Jia Ren to be well-prepared.
The two chatted casually for a while, and Jia Ren went to Ancestor Ji Kong’s Cave to pay respects to his master.
Ancestor Ji Kong was a newly promoted Body Integration Realm cultivator of Heterodox Peak in Lingbao Sect. As the wielder of two or three Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures, he was also one of the main forces on the battlefield. Ancestor Ji Kong had made great contributions to the battle, and upon seeing Jia Ren return, his face lit up with a brilliant smile.
"The Sect has been preoccupied with the war, but we will discuss merits and bestow rewards afterward," Ancestor Ji Kong said. "Your performance in the Tianling Secret Realm was notable. The core of the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation came from the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm, and you deserve some credit for it as well. When the Sect discusses merits and bestows rewards, I, as your master, will give my portion to you."
Since the Azure Dragon Giant Beast Treasure Formation had been exposed, there was no need to hide it anymore. Ancestor Ji Kong then shared the information with Jia Ren.
"It’s from the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm?" This was the first time Jia Ren heard of this, and an appropriately puzzled expression appeared on his face. He thought about the large amount of Dragon-Transforming Sha the Sect needed; he had harbored suspicions before, but today, he finally understood the truth.
"A skeleton of a True Dragon that died many years ago was discovered in the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm," Ancestor Ji Kong explained. "The Dragon-Transforming Sha is to counter the True Dragon Evil that emerged from the True Dragon Skeleton. The True Dragon Evil was not resolved. The moment the True Dragon phenomenon manifested, it left the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm, and its whereabouts are unknown."
Now that the prohibition was lifted, Ancestor Ji Kong did not hold back any information. He laid out the intricacies of the matter in detail.
Jia Ren listened quietly, his expression changing. Was the True Dragon Evil that left the Jiao Dragon Secret Realm in search of a newly born True Dragon? I must be cautious and careful in this matter! Jin Sheng has never left the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl, and since the True Dragon has not been exposed, there’s no need to worry about trouble knocking on my door.
With this thought, Jia Ren felt a sense of relief. The next moment, his Identity Token vibrated; the Lingbao Sect Contribution, delayed for three years, had finally arrived.
"Jia Ren is recognized for his meritorious service in exposing the spies in the Tianling Secret Realm, thereby eliminating a threat to a hundred cultivators. He is rewarded with twenty million Lingbao Sect Contribution."
Twenty million Lingbao Sect Contribution was quite decent. He had only earned ten million Lingbao Sect Contribution by refining a large amount of Dragon-Transforming Sha.
"The Sect has bestowed many treasures and a large amount of Lingbao Sect Contribution. If you wish to exchange for any treasures, feel free to ask me," Ancestor Ji Kong said, his attitude kind. Facing his most esteemed disciple, he was certainly cheerful and amiable.
"Is the Gold Flood Dragon also an option?" Jia Ren inadvertently revealed his ulterior motive, still desiring to obtain a second True Dragon. True Dragons were rare creatures. Given Jin Sheng’s successful reversion to a True Dragon, the second Gold Flood Dragon Ancestor Ji Kong possessed was also highly likely to succeed. With such an opportunity before him, he absolutely couldn’t afford to miss it.
Ancestor Ji Kong’s expression darkened, as if reminded of Jia Ren’s notorious history of failing to raise Gold Flood Dragons. He did not wish to see another Flood Dragon with such extraordinary potential—one capable of reaching the seventh-order and comparable to the Body Integration Realm—die under Jia Ren’s care again. Thus, he resolutely refused, saying, "I can raise it for you. Once it reaches adulthood, I will then hand it over to you."
Jia Ren couldn’t help but purse his lips. If you raise it from start to finish, I’ll never be able to truly bond with it.
"Master, please keep an eye out for offspring of seventh or eighth-order Magical Beasts, such as the Aquamarine Gold-Eyed Beast, Gold Peng Bird, or Azure Luan Bird..."
The Aquamarine Gold-Eyed Beast has Qilin lineage. The offspring of a seventh-order Magical Beast would have a high bloodline concentration, so it might revert to a Water Qilin. The Gold Peng Bird carries the heritage of the Golden-Winged Peng Bird and could also revert to a Divine Beast. The same was true for the Azure Luan Bird, which is suspected to have Azure Luan lineage. All of them were potential members of his future Divine Beast Legion.
With each Magical Beast Jia Ren mentioned, Ancestor Ji Kong’s expression grew darker. "Do you think these are common vegetables you can find anywhere, wanting offspring of seventh or eighth-order Magical Beasts? Why don’t you just ascend to immortality! If I actually find them for you, won’t you just let them die under your care again?!" Ancestor Ji Kong was filled with grievances, casting a displeased look.
Congratulations, Master, you’re quick on the uptake. You even know that if I get my hands on Magical Beast offspring, I’ll still use the excuse of them dying accidentally...
"Master, prepare a dozen sets of Heavenly Spirit Materials for me. I plan to refine Sky-reaching Spirit Treasures in the future." Jia Ren intended to become a Heaven-reaching Refiner. He was asking Ancestor Ji Kong to prepare the materials in advance so that once he advanced, he could proceed without delay.
"Get lost!"
The Formation activated, and Jia Ren was forcefully expelled from Ancestor Ji Kong’s Cave. No sooner had he been expelled than a pulling force drew him back. "I forgot to tell you," Ancestor Ji Kong said, "you’ve been selected to be a Fire Seed. Whether you wish to become a Fire Seed will depend on your own decision."
