Chapter 306 : The Evergreen Lineage

Chapter 306: The Evergreen Lineage

“Na.”

The Five Qi Vine moved closer to Chen Beiwu. The five-colored little flower atop its head bloomed, revealing the tiny sprite within its stamen.

Seeing this, Chen Beiwu smiled and allowed the Five Qi Vine to lean in close against him.

“How about you take charge of this medicinal field from now on?” he proposed.

“Na.”

The Five Qi Vine nodded without hesitation, indicating that it was an expert at growing herbs.

Leaving the medicinal field and returning to the small green bamboo courtyard, Chen Beiwu pushed open the bamboo chamber of the alchemy room.

The alchemy room was furnished in extreme simplicity—there was only a desk, a pill furnace, a pill pool, and three meditation cushions.

“How does it feel? Does anything need to be modified?” Chen Beiwu looked toward Iron Egg.

He did not understand alchemy, so he sought the opinion of a professional.

Iron Egg did not answer directly. Instead, it walked to the pill furnace and sniffed it, then extended a claw to cautiously stir the furnace’s pill flame.

“Woof.” Iron Egg nodded in satisfaction.

Both the pill furnace and pill pool in the alchemy room were Third-Tier Magical Artifacts, far superior to the spiritual artifact pill furnace in the Formation Hall of the Southern Wastes Sect.

If it were to settle here for a period of time and focus solely on refining pills, it might be able to fully step into the domain of a Third-Tier Treasure Alchemist.

“As long as you’re satisfied.”

Chen Beiwu gave a slight nod and met the gaze of Golden Egg.

Golden Egg’s eyes subconsciously shifted away.

It excelled at fighting and dueling.

But in alchemy, farming, talisman crafting, and artifact refining—it was incompetent in every one of the hundred arts of cultivation, unable to present a single skill worth mentioning.

“As for you, Golden Egg, your task is somewhat heavy. You need to cooperate with me in switching cultivation to the Yuanshi Dongzhen Qinghua Commanding Myriad Tribulations and Myriad Spirits Immortal Law and the Primordial Evergreen Spirit-Commanding Immortal Scripture.”

As soon as Chen Beiwu finished speaking, Golden Egg’s eyes immediately lit up.

It was no longer the Golden-Scaled Beast from the past whose comprehension had yet to awaken, unable even to understand the All Laws Converge, Heaven Book of the Divine Tree. Now it was time to let Chen Beiwu witness the Heavenly-Gang Profound Ability of the Three-Aspect Mystic Flood Dragon!

It was merely two Immortal Arts. By referencing Mirror Flower, Water Moon and using the Three-Aspect Furnace to devour and refine them, it would surely comprehend and enter the path smoothly.

Three quarters of an hour later, Golden Egg spat out two Immortal Art Jade Slips, wearing an expression of doubting life.

“Why can’t I refine them?”

Golden Egg looked up at Chen Beiwu.

“A jade slip capable of carrying the true meaning of an Immortal Art’s scripture is no ordinary jade slip.”

Chen Beiwu smiled faintly, not surprised in the least.

Although a Fourth-Tier Heavenly-Gang Profound Technique was powerful, it was not omnipotent. Moreover, Golden Egg’s current cultivation was only at the Third-Realm Beast General stage. It could rely only on its bloodline to display a fraction of the Three-Aspect Furnace’s might.

“Buzz.” A sudden ripple came from the cave dwelling’s grand formation.

Chen Beiwu raised his brows slightly. This kind of fluctuation meant that a cultivator had formally come to visit and pressed the “doorbell.”

“Boom!”

The restriction disengaged, the waterfall split apart, and the passage to the cave dwelling opened.

Chen Beiwu stepped out. The first thing he saw was Senior Brother Jiang Chuan standing outside the Water-Evolution Residence with a calm expression. Beside him stood three unfamiliar cultivators.

All three possessed extraordinary fate, surrounded by auspicious fortune.

The one at the front carried himself with bearing no less than True Monarch Jiang Chuan. Nearly half of the auspicious fortune around him had transformed into Purple Qi—clearly he was no ordinary True Monarch.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang.” Chen Beiwu gave a slight bow.

“Junior Brother Chen, come quickly and meet your senior brothers and sister.” Senior Brother Jiang beckoned and stepped forward to introduce them.

“This is our Eldest Senior Brother of the Evergreen Cave, the Evergreen Lineage of Dongming—Yue Chenfeng.”

Senior Brother Jiang gestured toward the young man standing in the middle.

The young man wore a blue-gray Daoist robe. His features were not particularly handsome, yet he gave off an exceptionally reliable impression.

“Eldest Senior Brother has deeply inherited our master’s true teachings. His attainments in the Dao of Formations surpass all peers,” Senior Brother Jiang said with admiration.

“Junior Brother Jiang flatters me.” Yue Chenfeng smiled gently at Chen Beiwu. “I merely have some skill in the Dao of Formations. If Junior Brother Chen is interested in formations, we can discuss and exchange insights.”

As he spoke, he flipped his palm, and a leaf-shaped formation flag the size of a palm slowly appeared.

“This is the Evergreen Formation Nexus. It can gather the spiritual mechanisms of heaven and earth from Qingming Peak for cultivation. I hope Junior Brother Chen will like it.”

“Many thanks, Eldest Senior Brother.”

Chen Beiwu bowed and accepted the formation flag.

Though he had never heard of the Evergreen Formation Nexus, the Eldest Senior Brother was a Nascent Soul True Monarch. A formation flag magical artifact gifted by him was certainly extraordinary—far beyond ordinary Spirit-Gathering Formation Disks.

At this moment, Senior Brother Jiang extended his right hand toward the beautiful female cultivator standing to the left of the Eldest Senior Brother.

She wore a flowing aqua-green immortal dress, with a lotus-patterned sheer gauze draped over it, outlining her graceful and well-proportioned figure.

“This is Second Senior Sister, Su Muyi.” Senior Brother Jiang spoke with praise. “Senior Sister Su has fully grasped the essence of our master’s Dongming Evergreen Water-Refining Alchemy Dao. She excels at refining herbal essence with water-and-wood mystic flame to produce pills. She is a renowned Fourth-Tier High-Grade Mystic Alchemist of the Yuqing Immortal Sect.”

Upon hearing this, before Chen Beiwu could even bow and address her as Second Senior Sister, Su Muyi gave a light smile and said gently, “Little Junior Brother need not stand on ceremony.”

As she finished speaking, her slender hand lifted slightly, presenting a warm white jade pill bottle.

“This is the Heart-Bathing Pill I refined using the morning dew’s verdant radiance from the Qingming Grotto-Heaven.

This pill can stabilize the Golden Core’s Golden Attribute, purify mana, enhance divine sense, and temporarily increase comprehension. It has remarkable effects for Golden Core cultivators breaking through realms. Consider it your Senior Sister’s gift of greeting.

If you require the refining of Treasure Pills or Mystic Pills in the future, you may come to Danxia Residence to find me. Senior Sister can give you a ten percent discount.”

“Senior Sister Su is truly biased.” Senior Brother Jiang teased. “Back then I begged for a long time before Senior Sister was willing to give me a single Heart-Bathing Pill. I didn’t expect Junior Brother to receive an entire bottle at once.”

“Must I speak the truth?” Su Muyi glanced at Jiang Chuan. “Your comprehension is average. Giving you the Heart-Bathing Pill would be like a cow chewing peonies—you wouldn’t even be able to pass the Golden Core Consummation stage.”

“Many thanks, Second Senior Sister.”

Chen Beiwu accepted the warm pill bottle and bowed.

A pill capable of stabilizing the Golden Attribute, purifying mana, and enhancing divine sense and comprehension was exceedingly rare—either a Third-Tier High-Grade Treasure Pill or a Fourth-Tier Mystic Pill.

For example, the Soul-Stabilizing Nature Pill he had taken when breaking through to Golden Core was a special Treasure Pill kept strictly confidential within the Mirror Moon Sect.

If Chen Beiwu had not possessed Dao Child privileges, he would not even have been able to see the information regarding the Soul-Stabilizing Nature Pill, much less exchange for it.

Bathing in rain? Bathing the heart?

If Chen Beiwu had guessed correctly, the Heart-Bathing Pill was likely a pill formula created by Senior Sister Su herself. Otherwise, he would not have been completely unfamiliar with the name.

“This is Third Senior Brother, Mo Chen.” Senior Brother Jiang extended his right hand toward the youth standing on the far right. The young man wore a long silver robe and had a youthful face.

“Senior Brother Mo cultivates the Eastern Ultimate Longevity Five-Directions Wood Virtue Calamity-Transforming Thunder Axis Jade Chapter. In the Dao of Talismans, he can be called an unparalleled prodigy. He is a renowned Fourth-Tier High-Grade Mystic Talisman Master of the Yuqing Immortal Sect.”

“Greetings, Third Senior Brother.” Chen Beiwu offered a greeting.

Mo Chen nodded without speaking much. With a flick of his fingertip, a streak of azure light floated before Chen Beiwu, revealing a talisman neither metal nor wood, warm to the touch, faintly flashing with lightning.

“With thunder as its bones, the Yuan-Execution True Talisman. This talisman specializes in damaging the Purple Mansion Nascent Soul and obliterating the Primordial Spirit. An ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator without a special soul-protecting heaven-reaching Mystic Treasure will die upon contact—body and soul extinguished. Junior Brother, use it cautiously.” Mo Chen spoke concisely.

“Junior Brother Mo is truly generous!” Yue Chenfeng and the others revealed looks of surprise.

The Yuan-Execution True Talisman was no ordinary Fourth-Tier Mystic Talisman. Its power was astonishing, approaching the Heavenly-Gang Profound Ability of a Fourth-Realm Beast King.

Even as a Fourth-Tier High-Grade Mystic Talisman Master, Mo Chen needed to expend considerable time and effort to draw a single one.

To give away such a talisman so simply as a meeting gift to the little junior brother—calling it an astounding gesture would not be an exaggeration.

“This… this is far too precious.” Chen Beiwu showed hesitation and attempted to decline.

“It is merely a talisman.” Mo Chen said lightly.

“Many thanks, Senior Brother Mo.”

Chen Beiwu did not continue refusing and accepted the Yuan-Execution True Talisman with both hands.

A talisman capable of erasing even an early-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch was, in the Southern Wastes, an absolute weapon of mass destruction. With it, he would carry greater confidence when traveling there.

As for the Karmic Bond incurred by accepting it, Chen Beiwu did not mind.

There was no such thing as kindness without reason. The recognition he received from his senior brothers and sisters today was not due to his strength.

It was because of the once-in-ten-thousand-years Yuanshi Golden Core he had forged and his master’s favor—this, Chen Beiwu understood clearly.

Otherwise, he would not previously have been unable even to meet many of these senior brothers and sisters.

But so what?

Exchanging favors among fellow disciples was normal.

If his senior brothers and sisters presented generous gifts, he would accept what should be accepted and express gratitude where gratitude was due.

As for whether to deepen those relationships, that would depend on compatibility of temperament.

If their dispositions matched, gaining another True Monarch confidant would not be bad. But if their temperaments clashed and they could not get along, Chen Beiwu could simply maintain outward sect relations and repay the favor later.

“Senior brothers and sister, your generosity weighs heavily. This junior brother humbly accepts. Please step into my humble abode and allow Beiwu to offer a cup of tea as a small token of thanks.”

Chen Beiwu lowered his posture, revealing a trace of appropriate embarrassment, as if only now realizing that conversing outside the cave dwelling had been impolite.

Upon hearing this, Yue Chenfeng and the others secretly nodded in approval.

The Immortal Alliance had many prodigies of eccentric temperament. For the little junior brother to have forged the Yuanshi Golden Core at such a young age and still maintain such humility—it was no wonder their master valued him.

“We are fellow disciples; there is no need for formality.”

Senior Brother Jiang patted Chen Beiwu’s shoulder. The group entered the Water-Evolution Residence while chatting and laughing.

After drinking tea and chatting for a while, the taciturn Eldest Senior Brother Yue Chenfeng left early due to other matters.

Second Senior Sister Su Muyi and Third Senior Brother Mo Chen chatted quite happily.

“Junior Brother, do you have a Dao Companion?” Su Muyi took a sip of hot tea and suddenly asked.

Jiang Chuan and Mo Chen exchanged a look, revealing unsurprised expressions.

Chen Junior Brother was already the prized treasure within the Yuqing Immortal Sect. Which True Venerable clan would not wish to take a bite?

Moreover, Senior Sister Su’s personality was rather straightforward—and somewhat fond of gossip.

To put it bluntly, she was a bit old-fashioned and spoke with the air of an elder.

Chen Beiwu was slightly startled but answered honestly, “I do not have a Dao Companion, though I do have one or two close confidantes.”

“A confidante is not a Dao Companion.” Su Muyi grew even more interested. “Tell me, what kind of girl do you like? Senior Sister knows many fairy maidens from various Immortal Sects—each one a top-tier beauty.”

Chen Beiwu: “…”

Sensing the awkwardness, Jiang Chuan quickly changed the topic to prevent further embarrassment. “The Thirteen Immortal Sects Exchange Conference is about to begin. Does Junior Brother intend to participate?”

Chen Beiwu nodded. “The Sect Master has already placed me on the conference list. As for whether I can become this session’s Leading Representative, that will depend on a match with Shen Lingxing.”

“Shen Lingxing is no simple figure. Do you have confidence in victory?” Jiang Chuan’s brows furrowed slightly.

Throughout the generations, those who became the chief of the Yuqing Immortal Sect were all peerless prodigies among tens of thousands. Shen Lingxing, however, was one of the rare exceptions.

He was born to a branch of the Shen Clan under True Venerable Nanyuan. Because he was the son of a maidservant and his Spiritual Root Purity was average, he was not valued by his family in childhood. His first Companion Beast was the Second-Tier Spirit Beast Earth-Burrowing Sturdy Silkworm—ignored within the Spirit Beast Pavilion.

The Earth-Burrowing Sturdy Silkworm was as thick as a child’s arm, no more than three feet long, worm-like in shape, timid in temperament, poor at combat, and nearly devoid of dueling ability. Calling it a disgrace among Spirit Beasts would not be excessive. No cultivator with an earth-attribute root was willing to contract it.

Yet Shen Lingxing relied on that very Earth-Burrowing Sturdy Silkworm to gradually rise to prominence in Nanyuan Prefecture, later entering the Yuqing Immortal Sect through the Immortal Alliance Entrance Exam, ranking tenth on that year’s Rising Stars List.

Now, as Shen Lingxing rose, the Earth-Burrowing Sturdy Silkworm’s bloodline had transformed into the Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast Earth-Overturning Earth Dragon.

Yes—the Earth-Overturning Earth Dragon was also an earthworm. An earthworm even better at wriggling than the Earth-Burrowing Sturdy Silkworm. But it granted Shen Lingxing formidable survival ability and Escape Arts, and enabled him to successfully contract a second Companion Beast—the Five Qi Vine.

What astonished True Monarch Jiang Chuan even more was that ten years ago, Shen Lingxing, at Golden Core Consummation, challenged a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Dongxuan Immortal Sect. After ten exchanges without defeat, he retreated safely, shaking the Immortal Alliance with his fame.

“Sparring with Senior Shen, Junior Brother’s confidence in victory is not high—perhaps seventy or eighty percent.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Beiwu chose to be cautious, lowering his claimed chances by one or two tenths before his senior brothers and sister.

“H-how much?”

At these words, Jiang Chuan, Su Muyi, and Mo Chen were all startled.

Seeing their reactions, Chen Beiwu smiled calmly and did not explain.

It was not arrogance. After forming the Yuanshi Golden Core, his intuition told him that within the Golden Core realm, he would find few rivals.

Shen Lingxing’s ability to fight a Nascent Soul True Monarch without defeat relied on astonishing survival techniques—not on possessing combat strength close to that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

“Is the Yuanshi Golden Core truly so formidable?”

The three fell into contemplation.

It was not that they doubted their little junior brother, but the age and cultivation gap between the two was immense—like prodigies from different eras.

“Buzz.”

At that moment, the cave dwelling’s grand formation rippled again—someone outside was formally requesting entry.

All eyes turned to Chen Beiwu.

“Please remain seated. I shall return shortly.”

With a movement of divine sense, Chen Beiwu rose and removed the formation restriction, preparing to greet the guest and avoid disturbing his senior brothers and sister’s pleasant conversation.

Yet at the instant he stood, Su Muyi, Mo Chen, and Jiang Chuan simultaneously extended their divine senses outward, instantly identifying the visitor.

“Interesting. Today we may witness the legendary Yuanshi Golden Core.”

Jiang Chuan and Mo Chen exchanged glances and stood as well.

Su Muyi raised her brows slightly. “Little Junior Brother, wait. We shall go with you.”

…

Outside the Water-Evolution Residence cave dwelling.

Shen Lingxing stood still, wearing the chief Daoist robe of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, quietly waiting.

When the cave gates opened and the group emerged, he performed a disciple’s salute with a slight bow—neither servile nor arrogant.

“Greetings, True Monarchs. I apologize for the sudden disturbance.”

After completing the formalities, Shen Lingxing looked toward Chen Beiwu and smiled faintly. “You must be Junior Brother Chen Beiwu, who forged the Yuanshi Golden Core? I have long admired your name.”

“My visit today concerns the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference.”

Shen Lingxing spoke directly. “Junior Brother Chen forged the Yuanshi Golden Core and possesses peerless talent. However, the position of Leading Representative at this Exchange Conference is crucial, as one must face the chief prodigies of the various sects.

To ensure absolute certainty, Shen has come today to request a few exchanges with Junior Brother Chen, so that the Leading Representative may be determined.”

“I hope Junior Brother Chen—will not hesitate to offer guidance!”

As his words fell, an overwhelmingly powerful Golden Core aura instantly locked onto Chen Beiwu, fully displaying the strength of the Immortal Sect’s chief.