Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 517 - 512 Treasure Origin City, Heaven-reaching Refiner Assessment_1
The Second Nascent Soul was the first to leave the Sect, carrying with it items for self-preservation as it departed from the cave.
This time, after exploring and understanding the territories of the Integration Phase Demon Beasts, it had created corresponding maps.
Subsequent expeditions would send out avatars with Treasure-seeking Mice to look for cultivation resources. With a map, they could avoid powerful Seventh-order Demon Beasts from afar and ensure the treasure-hunting routes were without issues.
Not long after the Second Nascent Soul left the Second Spirit Treasure Sect, it left the Sect for the first time.
The outside world boasted vast Spirit Fields, where Spirit Rice and Spiritual Medicine were cultivated.
This place was rich in nature’s spiritual energy. The quality of the cultivated Spirit Rice and Spiritual Medicine was not low, and they grew well under the care of mortals and Spirit Plant Masters.
Outside the Second Spirit Treasure Sect was a huge city where mortals and Cultivators mingled, named Treasure Origin City, protected by formations set up by the Lingbao Sect.
The city’s population, combining mortals and Cultivators, exceeded one million. A staggering 99.9% were mortals, with only a tiny fraction having the chance to become Cultivators.
The mortals of the Source Treasure Cave Heaven were relatives of those who had entered the Cave Heaven to cultivate the land, and after thousands of years of development, it had reached its current scale.
The appearance of those with Spiritual Root Aptitude within the Source Treasure Cave Heaven was not uncommon.
However, not everyone with Spiritual Root Aptitude had the chance to become a Cultivator.
To put it precisely, only those with Superior and Supreme Grade Spiritual Roots could join the Lingbao Sect and were qualified to cultivate. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
The rest of the mortals, even if they had Middle or Lower Grade Spiritual Roots, did not have the opportunity to receive Cultivation Methods...
The Source Treasure Cave Heaven was developed by the Lingbao Sect as a trump card for its resurgence, not with the intention of it growing into a second Cultivation World.
With numerous Cultivators, the demand for cultivation resources would skyrocket, and in the long term, the density of nature’s spiritual energy and treasures within Source Treasure Cave Heaven would be greatly depleted.
This is not something the Lingbao Sect could accept.
Aside from the Second Spirit Treasure Sect and its affiliated Cultivators, ordinary mortals were not eligible for cultivation.
The most they could do in their lifetime was to reproduce and give birth to Cultivators with high-grade Spiritual Root Aptitude.
The Second Nascent Soul sensed that the number of Cultivators in the city was not many, most being Spirit Plant Masters serving the Lingbao Sect.
The city also had a Market for Cultivators, but regrettably, the quality of the treasures inside was too low to be of any interest.
After briefly staying in Yuanbao Megacity, the Second Nascent Soul flew away from the city.
It swiftly passed over the vast fields beyond the huge city and disappeared into the dense Giant Forest.
There were many powerful Magical Beasts within the Source Treasure Cave Heaven, and few Cultivators dared to venture inside for exploration.
The inside and outside of the giant city seemed like two different worlds. Except for a few areas where signs of Cultivators’ combat lingered, the rest of the place gave off the impression of a primeval jungle.
The trees here were tall, with flourishing branches and leaves, ranging from several to dozens of meters high, capable of covering the sky and obscuring the sun.
They were no different from the Giant Forest Secret Realm Jia Ren had visited.
The weeds had tenacious vitality, bolstered by nature’s spiritual energy, taller than a person, capable of obscuring the line of sight.
Occasionally, rustling sounds from the underbrush were heard, and it was impossible to discern what they were.
"Murderous Intent Fluctuations!"
Killing Sha and murderous intent coalesced, forming a visible ripple to the naked eye, and as it passed, hidden poison insects and small animals were neutralized by the murderous intent before they could even approach.
Along the way, no danger was encountered.
When the Second Nascent Soul first undertook the exploration of the Source Treasure Cave Heaven, it mapped out the geography of the area.
「Jia Ren also left the cave, heading straight to the Refining Palace.」
"I didn’t expect you to advance to the Lianxu Stage so quickly; there’s hope for the Great Dao."
Elder Qing and Elder Liu greeted Jia Ren as he emerged from seclusion, approaching him first.
Jia Ren’s promotion to the Lianxu Stage truly gave them quite a shock.
"Your performance has been outstanding, and Sect Master Yun Hu has taken notice. He wants to add you to the Combat Law Sequence for nurturing."
The two discussed this matter with Jia Ren, making him feel a chill in his heart.
I’ve only broken through to the Lianxu Stage, why the rush to drag me into the Combat Law Sequence?
Even if the resources provided by the Combat Law Sequence were increased tenfold, I would not participate!
"Could you not talk behind someone’s back?!"
Sect Master Yun Hu appeared in the Refining Palace as if by Instantaneous Movement, his gaze sweeping over Elder Qing and Elder Liu with a helpless expression.
"What I’m doing is for his future consideration!"
"If the Lingbao Sect were to be destroyed, the challenges faced in continuing the legacy would be tremendous."
"Those Sects and Cultivators partaking in the division of Lingbao Sect’s resources are all obstacles. Without sufficient strength and ability, how can one continue Lingbao Sect’s future?!"
"Artifact Refining is merely to continue the legacy of Lingbao Sect. It cannot save the Sect!"
Sect Master Yun Hu spoke earnestly, "Only if you possess sufficient Cultivation Level and combat strength, can you fend off other Sects."
"After all, the Mysterious Realm ultimately respects power. Without strength, one will be oppressed."
The launch of the Source Treasure Cave Heaven and the fire seed plan indicated that the Sect had prepared for the worst.
Before other Sects could act against the Lingbao Sect, birthing a Mahayana Stage Cultivator would naturally resolve the troubles.
If that failed, and the Sect was destroyed by enemies circling like wolves, few Lingbao Sect Cultivators would survive the purge; the number of survivors would be minimal.
Those who entered the Source Treasure Cave Heaven as fire seeds must shoulder the heavy responsibilities and hopes of the Sect’s legacy.
The predicaments they would face were far greater than before.
Sect Master Yun Hu intended for Jia Ren to join the Combat Law Sequence, optimistic about the future, and did not wish for him to abandon Artifact Refining for cultivation alone, but to succeed in both.
Jia Ren possessed secret techniques that allowed him to advance in cultivation quickly, and he had an extraordinary talent for spiritual techniques.
Why not make use of all aspects and leave nothing behind?
Sect Master Yun Hu sought the opinions of Elder Qing and Elder Liu, only to be immediately rebuffed by them.
The Combat Law Sequence already had more than two hundred people. There was no need to vie for Jia Ren.
Jia Ren’s talent for Artifact Refining was exceptional. He must not be led astray onto a ’wayward path’!
"Would you be willing to join the Combat Law Sequence?"
Even though Sect Master Yun Hu already knew Jia Ren’s disposition, he still asked, unwilling to give up.
"Cough, I would like to participate in the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment!"
Jia Ren didn’t waste time refusing, for convincing a person is no easy task.
As long as he demonstrated his artifact refining talent, Elder Qing and Elder Liu would naturally help him.
Upon hearing his words, all three were taken aback.
"You have only made achievements in refining defensive Spiritual Treasures, and you’re still lacking quite a lot in other types. Don’t you think you’re being too hasty?"
"Heavenly Spirit Materials are precious, and you only have one chance. You have a long future ahead, no need to rush."
The two thought he was being pressured by Yun Hu, and couldn’t help but glower at him fiercely.
From the moment Jia Ren became a Supreme Grade Refiner, he had planned on ascending to a Heaven-reaching Refiner.
After the breakthrough, he could also promote the Demon-Sealing Spirit Tower to a Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure as swiftly as possible.
He wasn’t clear on what the High-level Elders of the Second Spirit Treasure Sect thought—whether they would find trouble with his quick progression in cultivation.
Becoming a Heaven-reaching Refiner would grant him a lifeline.
Even if someone wanted to harm him, for the sake of the sect’s greater good, the Cultivators of the Second Spirit Treasure Sect would never tolerate an attack on him.
His decision to ascend to a Heaven-reaching Refiner was the result of deep contemplation.
Others might not be aware of his Refining Level, but did Jia Ren not know himself?
His refinement skills were far higher than what others imagined. He could produce exclusive supreme-quality Spiritual Treasures of all types.
With such skill, if he couldn’t become a Heaven-reaching Refiner, it’d truly be a life lived in vain!
"I have made up my mind!"
"I’ve recently gained some insights into artifact refining and believe I have the potential to become a Heaven-reaching Refiner."
Upon hearing this, Elder Qing and Elder Liu found it hard to say anything more.
They had seen too many cultivators brimming with confidence before the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment, only to end up failing miserably.
"Ah, the folly of youth, not heeding the warnings of elders leads to immediate losses," sighed Elder Liu, seemingly reminded of his own experiences, becoming emotionally stirred.
"If you are so determined, we will not stop you."
"Have you decided which Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure you want to refine?"
"Besides the Birthless Killing Sword you’ve chosen before, you can pick an additional method of refining a Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure. The refined Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure will belong to the sect," Elder Qing stated, his tone a few degrees colder than before.
His eagerness had cooled towards the headstrong youth who wouldn’t listen to advice.
"The Birthless Killing Sword!"
The way of artifact refining is about practice making perfect. With the first Refinement Experience, the next time he refines his own Birthless Killing Sword, its quality could be further improved.
Refining the Birthless Killing Sword is the best choice for him.
It seems like he could choose an additional Sky-reaching Spirit Treasure to refine, but...
Once he becomes a Heaven-reaching Refiner, all methods of artifact refining will open their doors to him.
This is absolute confidence in his own strength.
Yun Hu had been silent from the beginning, but his eyes held anticipation.
He was moving on to the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment so soon. If successful, the first Heaven-reaching Refiner would be born.
"Since you’ve already learned the method to refine the Birthless Killing Sword, I will retrieve the appropriate Spiritual Materials and start the assessment," said Elder Qing.
They entered the great hall together, and waited in silence.
The news somehow got out and reached even more people.
"Jia Ren is taking the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment?"
"So soon? I don’t know whether to call him self-confident or just too arrogant!"
Cao Shenggui was still refining Spiritual Treasures, not wanting to remain second best; he was determined to be the first to become a Heaven-reaching Refiner.
Although he was still in seclusion, he had means to learn news from the outside world.
When he heard that Jia Ren was taking the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment, his mind couldn’t help but be thrown into disarray.
"What an arrogant fellow!"
"With him out of the way before even battling, it’s one less rival to worry about."
A problem occurred with the Refining Furnace. As if a bomb had been stored inside, it suddenly exploded.
The furnace exploded!
The reactions of the other refiners varied. Those with a Heaven-reaching Refiner as their master knew very well how difficult the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment was.
Could Jia Ren succeed this time?
Or would he fail to advance and never recover?
"Can we observe the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment?"
Many refiners stopped their work and sealed their furnaces specifically to come.
Observing someone else’s Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment could also provide an understanding of the process and avoid detours.
Jia Ren usually didn’t interact with them, and without this chance, they wouldn’t even have the opportunity to observe.
Knowing oneself and one’s rival, and to learn from their strengths, is the key to surpassing the competition.
"Yes," agreed Elder Qing with a nod.
The arrivals were all Refining Seedlings from the Lingbao Sect. Observing the refining process would help them realize the gap between themselves and Jia Ren, and could also enrich their own understanding and insights into refining.
They would never put all their hopes on a single individual.
Jia Ren entered his Refining Workshop. The materials to refine the Birthless Killing Sword had already been fully prepared.
Everything was ready, and the Heaven-reaching Refiner assessment officially commenced!
