Chapter 796

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Time flies like a white colt through a crevice; in a blink, five years have passed.

Xu Zhangqing is now nearing seventy years of age — in the cultivation world this is but the snap of a finger — yet the changes in those around him are clearly visible.

Eldest Disciple Sun Shangxiang is nearly forty and has already reached the Golden Core Middle Stage; her temperament has grown increasingly steady, and she has long been able to shoulder responsibilities alone, managing the bulk of Qingmu Peak's affairs.

Second Disciple Lin Feng has been without a trace since he went out to travel five years ago; though he is alive, no one knows when he might return.

Third Disciple Qingyao still looks lovely and delicate; her cultivation remains at the Foundation Establishment Stage, but fortunately her disposition is tranquil, so she is neither anxious nor impatient.

What pleases Xu Zhangqing most, however, is his children's growth.

Eldest Daughter Xu Linglong is over thirty, and Youngest Son Xu Ping'an has just turned twenty; the siblings' cultivation speed far surpasses their peers, and now they are only a step away from breaking through to Golden Core.

Xu Linglong possesses a pure Ice Spirit Root and was accepted as a Direct Disciple by Water Control Pavilion Lord Mo Qiu Shui.

Xu Ping'an has Four Spirit Roots — Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth — lacking only a Metal Spirit Root; even so, his talent, aptitude, and comprehension remain top-tier, truly a genius among geniuses.

Precisely because of this stunning aptitude, he caught the eye of Yin-Yang Venerable Li Wudao, who took him as his sole Direct Disciple.

On this day, Xu Zhangqing was sitting by the stove brewing tea in his residence on Qingmu Peak.

Before long, two Yin-Yang Fish transformed into intertwining black-and-white streams of light and descended steadily outside.

Two people alighted from them; the leader had a handsome face and deep eyes.

This person was none other than Shuixian Peak Master, Yin-Yang Venerable Li Wudao.

Following behind him was his own youngest son.

The current Xu Ping'an stands tall and straight, his height one meter eighty-five.

Clad in a blue Daoist robe, his hem swaying with each breath, he naturally exudes an ethereal, dust-free bearing.

His ink-black brows are sharp like swords, slanting into his temples, the ends tilting slightly upward.

His nose bridge is high and straight, the root well-defined and three-dimensional, the tip rounded.

His eyes are clear and bright, revealing a steadiness that belies his age.

Li Wudao smiled: "Peak Master Xu, it has been a long time."

Seeing the two arrive, Xu Zhangqing rose immediately: "The Venerable graces us with your presence; forgive me for not welcoming you from afar. Ping'an, why have you returned?"

Ping'an, why have you returned?

Xu Ping'an stepped forward and bowed: "Father."

After Li Wudao took his seat, his gaze swept over Xu Ping'an, and he cut straight to the point: "Peak Master Xu, this visit concerns Ping'an's breakthrough to Golden Core. Do you know why this child has been unwilling to break through for so long?"

Do you know why this child has been unwilling to break through for so long?

Xu Zhangqing poured a cup of tea and pushed it before Li Wudao, saying calmly: "Mm, I know a thing or two. Ping'an has Four Spirit Roots but lacks Metal; if he forces a breakthrough, at best he will condense an Earth-grade Golden Core. If he completes the Metal Spirit Root, achieving the Five Elements in full, he can aim for a Heaven-grade Golden Core. The two seem only one grade apart, but in reality they are worlds apart."

Ping'an has Four Spirit Roots but lacks Metal; if he forces a breakthrough, at best he will condense an Earth-grade Golden Core.

If he completes the Metal Spirit Root, achieving the Five Elements in full, he can aim for a Heaven-grade Golden Core.

The two seem only one grade apart, but in reality they are worlds apart.

"Peak Master Xu is indeed perceptive."

Li Wudao nodded, his tone turning solemn: "The difference between a Heaven-grade Golden Core and an Earth-grade Golden Core is by no means as simple as a mere difference in grade. An Earth-grade Golden Core can also support a cultivator to go far, yet it cannot give birth to a Profound Seal, and the number of divine abilities is at most three. A Heaven-grade Golden Core is different: one condensed with the Five Elements complete not only can produce an exclusive Profound Seal, but the number of divine abilities reaches up to five. It can even leverage the laws of heaven and earth — something an Earth-grade Golden Core wouldn't even dare dream of."

An Earth-grade Golden Core can also support a cultivator to go far, yet it cannot give birth to a Profound Seal, and the number of divine abilities is at most three.

A Heaven-grade Golden Core is different: one condensed with the Five Elements complete not only can produce an exclusive Profound Seal, but the number of divine abilities reaches up to five.

It can even leverage the laws of heaven and earth — something an Earth-grade Golden Core wouldn't even dare dream of.

Xu Zhangqing's expression remained unchanged on the surface, but inwardly he mused: "As expected, at the Venerable's level, there are basically no secrets."

Li Wudao paused, then continued: "I brought Ping'an here to discuss with you. Whether to choose the safe Earth-grade Golden Core or gamble on a Heaven-grade Golden Core. Ping'an's talent deserves an attempt at Heaven-grade, but the danger of the Heaven-grade Golden Core's tribulation is known to both of us; the slightest carelessness means death and the dissipation of the Dao."

Whether to choose the safe Earth-grade Golden Core or gamble on a Heaven-grade Golden Core.

Ping'an's talent deserves an attempt at Heaven-grade, but the danger of the Heaven-grade Golden Core's tribulation is known to both of us; the slightest carelessness means death and the dissipation of the Dao.

"The Venerable's words are extremely correct."

Xu Zhangqing lifted his teacup, fingertips rubbing the rim: "Although I am a Water-Generated Wood Spiritual Root, I have studied the immortal sect's secret classics and have some understanding of the Heaven-grade Golden Core of the Five Elements complete."

Li Wudao nodded: "It seems I need not explain further."

Xu Zhangqing set down the teacup and said heavily: "The secret classics record that when one with the Five Elements complete breaks through, the thunder tribulation's power is several times that of an ordinary cultivator; every bolt carries a destructive aura, and the slightest carelessness will turn one to flying ash. Ping'an, even if you successfully pass the tribulation, the subsequent cultivation path will not be smooth. Those figures on the rankings, especially Heaven-grade Golden Core cultivators with the Five Elements complete, even at Perfection they dare not break through. They can only drag out a feeble existence, living one day at a time, terrified that the tribulation will fail and they will die and lose the Dao."

Ping'an, even if you successfully pass the tribulation, the subsequent cultivation path will not be smooth.

Those figures on the rankings, especially Heaven-grade Golden Core cultivators with the Five Elements complete, even at Perfection they dare not break through.

They can only drag out a feeble existence, living one day at a time, terrified that the tribulation will fail and they will die and lose the Dao.

At these words, Xu Ping'an's complexion changed slightly, and he unconsciously lowered his head.

It could be seen that his heart was extremely conflicted and hesitant.

Xu Zhangqing looked at his son, his gaze gentle: "Ping'an, Father isn't trying to stop you, only to make you clearly understand the peril within. Choosing an Earth-grade Golden Core, though you lose the Profound Seal and divine abilities, allows stable cultivation; the road ahead may not be dazzling, but it is safe. Choosing a Heaven-grade Golden Core means treading a nine-deaths-one-life path; what does your heart say?"

Choosing an Earth-grade Golden Core, though you lose the Profound Seal and divine abilities, allows stable cultivation; the road ahead may not be dazzling, but it is safe.

Choosing a Heaven-grade Golden Core means treading a nine-deaths-one-life path; what does your heart say?

Xu Ping'an took a deep breath, the hesitation in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a resolute light: "Father, I want to give it a try."

Xu Zhangqing pressed: "Have you truly thought it through?"

"I have."

Xu Ping'an said seriously: "A person lives but one lifetime; if one only pursues safety, how is that different from a salted fish?"

"I feel one must have some pursuit, some obsession!"

"Though a Heaven-grade Golden Core is risky, if successful, one can possess a vaster world."

"Such an opportunity, your son does not want to miss."

Xu Zhangqing looked at the light in his son's eyes, felt some emotion in his heart, and couldn't help but say: "Having all Five Elements is not necessarily a good thing.

Those Heaven-grade Golden Core cultivators who dare not break through — which one is not stunningly talented?

Yet in the end, they all became prisoners of time!"

"The world knows that having all Five Elements seems to have many advantages and few shortcomings, so why do most cultivators still choose a Single Spirit Root, Dual Spirit Roots, at most Three Spirit Roots?

Only because the more Spirit Roots one has, the greater the risk during breakthrough!"

"I know."

Xu Ping'an's gaze grew even more determined: "But I hope my life can be brilliant once, even if only for an instant, it surpasses a mediocre lifetime.

Even if I ultimately fail the tribulation, I will have no regrets."

Words having reached this point, Xu Zhangqing knew further persuasion was useless; he nodded, a trace of admiration showing in his eyes: "Good!

Worthy of being my Xu Zhangqing's son!

Since you have made up your mind, as your father I will fully support you.

However, completing the Metal Spirit Root is no easy matter; it requires Spiritual Treasures, this matter……"

Li Wudao breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and hearing this smiled: "Peak Master Xu is indeed open-minded; Ping'an having a father like you is his fortune.

As for the Spiritual Treasures to complete the Metal Spirit Root, my Shuixian Peak is willing to contribute a share!"

After the discussion was finished, Li Wudao brought Xu Ping'an back to Shuixian Peak to prepare.

……

……

On the other side, Xu Linglong also began preparing to break through to Golden Core.

Although it is an Ice Spirit Root, there is no need to pursue all Five Elements.

But for safety's sake, Mo Qiu Shui still brought her to Shuixian Peak.

Simulate once before breaking through, know one's own shortcomings, only then can one make thorough preparations.

As a mother, Ruo Qunshuang is currently managing Lingqu Sect outside; although she learned the news of her daughter's breakthrough, she was entangled in sect affairs and unable to return in time.

Therefore, as the father, Xu Zhangqing could only put down the matters at hand and rush straight to Shuixian Peak!