Chapter 6

Bian Chunzhou, being a modern individual, had a penchant for acting whimsically when elated—after all, who among them didn’t? The only difference lay in how they chose to indulge their impulses. Seeing Wen Xu’s composed demeanor, Bian Chunzhou realized he wasn’t being blamed and enthusiastically recounted the nerve-wracking excitement of the preliminary trial results announcement.

“You passed the initial test?”

“Yep, yep! I thought it was touch-and-go at first because Li Zishen, who ranked first, managed to harvest a fourth-grade spirit plant—no surprise given his lineage from a renowned spirit plant family! Those following him also reaped significant benefits. Overheard whispers suggest that Young Master Li has a high chance of becoming an Inner Disciple.”

Wen Xu smiled in agreement. “So there are indeed families specializing in spirit plants.”

“That’s right! There are also prominent families for beast taming, pill refining, talisman crafting, and more. It’s just unfortunate; with so many cultivation clans around, why can’t there be room for little ol’ me?” In the past, Bian Chunzhou often lamented the wealth of others; now, in the cultivation world, he continued to envy those born into fortunate circumstances.

Wen Xu empathized deeply with these sentiments. “Some things simply cannot be attained through envy. Brother Bian, it’s best to remain content.”

Recalling Wen Xu’s piercing gaze, Bian Chunzhou hastily changed the subject. “Ah, let’s not dwell on that now. I heard from Elder Zhan that the Broken Clouds Secret Realm connects to the Mortal Realm above it. Occasionally, mortals accidentally stumble into the secret realm, and most choose to stay within the cultivation world—what about you, Wen Xu?”

Personally, he would undoubtedly opt for the cultivation world, but Wen Xu was born and raised in ancient times, with her family and friends still alive there. If she chose to remain here, returning before reaching the Gold Core stage would be virtually impossible.

Achieving the Gold Core stage, however, is far from easy.

Among countless cultivators, transitioning from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment is achievable even by those with the weakest five spiritual roots, provided they put in enough effort. Essentially, Foundation Establishment involves filling one’s sea of qi in the dantian completely.

Once filled, most cultivators naturally progress without further obstacles.

The Gold Core stage, however, is different. It requires fusing the internal sea of qi into a smooth, spherical Gold Core—a task that sounds simple but presents immense practical challenges. Advancing from Foundation Establishment to Gold Core entails expanding, integrating, and comprehending the inner sea of qi. This process lacks clear guidance from sect masters, as each individual’s experience varies significantly. Even if two cultivators share identical spiritual roots and similar experiences, their personal journeys will differ greatly.

The saying “the master guides you to the gate; your cultivation lies within” perfectly encapsulated this truth.

As for subsequent stages like Primordial Infant, Transcendence, Fusion, and Transcendent, Wen Xu knew that the number of cultivators reaching even the Fusion Stage was scarce, let alone the Transcendent Stage—fewer than ten individuals could be counted across the entire cultivation world. Even at the Transcendence Stage, one typically held positions akin to sect leaders or vice-leaders. In more remote areas, a Primordial Infant cultivator would often serve as the ruler of an entire city, representing its pinnacle of power.

Rumor had it that on average, cultivators ascended to the Gold Core stage around their hundredth year. By then, the world would have changed significantly from the one familiar to Wen Xu.

Of course, if Wen Xu were a prodigious cultivation genius, that would be another story altogether.

“I definitely can’t return now,” Wen Xu explained. “I stumbled into the Broken Clouds Secret Realm only because I was being relentlessly pursued, driven to desperation. Going back now would be no different from signing my own death warrant.”

Bian Chunzhou slapped his thigh, exclaiming, “Right! You’re such a good person, who could possibly be vile enough to chase after you?”

“I’m not sure myself, but it seems they targeted me due to my appearance.”

Wow, Bian Chunzhou’s imagination instantly conjured up a hundred melodramatic scenarios. He quickly shook his head, banishing those less-than-wholesome theories. “Then, do you have any lingering attachments in the Mortal Realm?”

After all, cultivation nurtures the mind; deep-rooted obsessions can significantly hinder one’s progress.

“I’m unmarried and have no betrothal ties. My adoptive father passed away from illness three years ago, so now I stand alone.”

Bian Chunzhou’s approach to consolation was quite unique. “Oh, we’re alike then! My dad also passed away a few years back. Now, when I eat well, there’s nothing else to worry about for my whole ‘family.’ So seriously, why can’t we team up for Yonglu Mountain’s exam?”

Wen Xu didn’t immediately agree. In truth, he had a strong competitive spirit. Compared to Yonglu Mountain, he naturally preferred entering the top-ranked Huhe Sect. However, with his spiritual roots yet untested, it wasn’t prudent to discuss such ambitions aloud. Instead, he asked, “May I pose a question to Brother Bian?”

“What kind of question? Just ask. But you can call me by my name directly.”

Before this encounter, Wen Xu was a scholar, and scholars adhered to strict etiquette rules. Directly addressing someone by their given name upon meeting them was considered improper, making it difficult for him to break tradition instantly. “Sir Chunzhou, why did you choose to take Yonglu Mountain’s entrance examination?”

Excellent, he’d been promoted from “Brother Bian” to “Sir Chunzhou.” Next time, perhaps even the honorific could be dropped.

“Oh, well you see, I have this fixation on prestigious institutions, so I didn’t even consider other sects. Among the five major sects, Painful Crossing Temple is for Buddhist cultivation. Just reading scriptures gives me a headache; the mere mention of Buddhist practice makes my head spin. Although they don’t require shaving one’s head, personally, I feel disconnected from Buddhism.”

“Next up is Heaven Breaking Sword Sect, which I found quite appealing, being all about sword cultivation. With enough skill, it allows surpassing your rank to defeat stronger opponents. However…it’s just too far away, really too distant. The teleportation array fare alone from here to Heaven Breaking Sword Sect costs a hundred low-grade spirit stones. My financial situation simply couldn’t support such aspirations.”

Wen Xu was momentarily speechless. What pragmatic reasons.

“And finally, there’s Huhe Sect, the foremost major sect revered by every cultivator. Geographically, it’s also within reach for me. But its greatness can be both a blessing and a curse - due to its renowned reputation, countless talented cultivators apply each year. To play it safe, I decided Yonglu Mountain should be my first choice.”

After all, while having a preference for prestigious schools is understandable, securing admission remains the foundation of any application.

“Of course, there’s another crucial reason why I chose Yonglu Mountain,” Wen Xu added, piquing curiosity.

“What reason?” asked Wen Xu, genuinely intrigued.

“According to whispers from the markets, each of the Five Great Sects admits new disciples every six years. Yonglu Mountain accepts the fewest but offers the best treatment for its Outer Disciples. They receive a monthly stipend of two hundred low-grade spirit stones, along with twenty Qi-Replenishing Pills and twenty blood restoration pills.”

“Outer Disciples?” Wen Xu noted that the jade slip didn’t mention anything about the treatment of sect disciples.

“Yes, every sect is divided into the Outer and Inner Sects. Cultivation resources aren’t abundant enough for everyone, so naturally, the sect allocates better resources to the more talented, perseverant, and virtuous Inner Disciples.”

Wen Xu understood; it seemed the cultivation world’s sects weren’t much different from academies back home. While academies accepted many students, the teachers primarily focused on instructing those who excelled most in their studies.

The world had never been fair, he knew this well.

“If I manage to enroll at Yonglu Mountain and become proficient in cultivation, could I still return to my hometown?” Wen Xu asked, voicing his deepest concern. He was not one to forget a grudge easily.

It might be unfair to say scholars are petty, but in Wen Xu’s case, it rang true. Indeed, he harbored a sense of pettiness due to having very little growing up, making him hold deep resentment whenever someone tried to take what little he possessed.

Of course, this also included those who sought to take his very life.

Bian Chunzhou thought to himself that Wen Xu indeed seemed quite nostalgic. In truth, if possible, he too would like to visit the modern world again. “Yonglu Mountain, or rather, the entire cultivation realm has strict rules stating that cultivators cannot enter the Mortal Realm until they reach the Gold Core stage.”

“Why is there such a rule?”

“I’m not sure. It’s said that crossing the boundary sea separating the two realms is extremely dangerous for Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

“Then, what’s the fastest time it takes to achieve the Gold Core stage?”

“I knew you’d ask this. The youngest age at which anyone has achieved the Gold Core stage in the cultivation world is twenty-five. Currently, the Melodic Brook Swordmaster holds the title as the youngest Nascent Soul Venerable within the Heaven Breaking Sword Sect.”

“And what about the slowest time?”

“According to information from the golden cauldron pavilion, it seems there was an elder from a remote noble family who reached Foundation Establishment with a lifespan of 200 years. He had a sudden breakthrough just before his natural end.”

Wen Xu pondered, finding this news rather disheartening. Forget waiting two hundred years, even if it took a century to attain the Gold Core, his enemy would have long been buried by then. What purpose would returning serve? To exhume and scatter their ashes? Was this some macabre joke?

Is this some macabre joke? Wen Xu hadn’t anticipated such a twist. Despite his usually steady temperament, he couldn’t help feeling anxious now.

“And what about the Melodic Brook Swordmaster’s innate talent?”

At this mention, Bian Chunzhou’s eyes reddened again. “It’s said that among millions, scarcely one might possess those rare variant lightning spiritual roots, not to mention having a natural sword affinity. Surely, when Nuwa crafted him, she must have observed seven days and nights of fasting and purification before even beginning.”

Wen Xu was twenty years old. After pondering, he could only hope that his enemy was younger, with perhaps slightly more lifespan remaining.

Throughout his life, few things had ever unfolded as he wished; most were achieved through sheer persistence. The ancient saying goes, ‘a forced melon is never sweet,’ but Wen Xu believed it was merely sour words from those incapable of seizing opportunities. Regardless of its sweetness, any melon would be plucked and tasted by him.

“Since I didn’t participate in Yonglu Mountain’s preliminary trials, can I still sign up?” As Bian Chunzhou suggested, among the four sects, Yonglu Mountain seemed the most promising choice for Wen Xu too. Huhe Sect, though appealing, lacked connections for him, and being filled with darlings of the heavens made his chances of standing out quite slim.

“Certainly! You’re the man who harvested the Pill Fragrance King Grass!” In truth, Bian Chunzhou had been sent at Elder Zhan’s request to persuade Wen Xu to take part in the mountain examinations. Naturally, he also hoped Wen Xu would join alongside him.

“In that case, I’ll rely on you, Chunzhou, to be my eyes.”

Bian Chunzhou’s spirits immediately lifted, and he clapped his new friend on the shoulder. “Come, come, let’s go fetch your token for the mountain trial, then head to the city market, how about it?”

Elder Zhan had been waiting outside, and upon seeing Wen Xu greet him with a smile, he knew the young man was willing to join Yonglu Mountain. Unfortunately, according to Yonglu Mountain’s rules, after passing the initial test, the mountain trial, and the heart examination—regardless of their aptitude—all remaining disciples were accepted. Only post-heart examination would their spiritual roots be assessed.

As Elder Zhan watched the two lively youths walk side by side, he felt momentarily transported back to his own initiation, when he too had brimmed with youthful vigor and ambition.

In reality, Bian Chunzhou was gesturing wildly, urging Wen Xu to change out of his tattered blood-soaked clothes. Even wearing just an inner robe would be better than entering the city covered in gore.

The virtuous Wen Xiaoxu protested, “Absolutely not! It cannot be!”

“Aiya, don’t be shy; it’s not like you can see anything.”

“Even if I can’t see, it’s still unacceptable!”

Speechless, one could only say that Elder Zhan’s memories seemed to have a nostalgic filter.