Chapter 62 : The First Ripple

Chapter 62: The First Ripple

Natural scriptures are difficult to cultivate!

The Qi Refining section Water Nourishes Wood of All Laws Converge, Heaven Book of the Divine Tree comprised twelve layers.

With the successful condensation of two Spirit Seeds, Qi Refining cultivators with sufficient aptitude could easily cultivate All Laws Converge, Heaven Book of the Divine Tree up to the ninth layer of the Qi Refining section and become peak-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

However, to cultivate up to the tenth layer of the Qi Refining section and attain a Supreme-Grade Dao Foundation, a cultivator’s aptitude alone was not enough.

The cultivator needed to possess ample cultivation resources, such as Moonlight Dewdrops, Green Vine Branches, or Spirit Stones.

Moonlight Dewdrops were a rare Second-Tier superior spiritual item, a special product formed under prolonged illumination of Moonlight upon a water-attribute leyline, capable of enhancing the purity of a water-attribute True Root.

As for Green Vine Branches, they were living remnants of the Second-Tier spiritual herb Ancient Heart Vine after being struck by lightning, carrying a trace of unyielding vitality, and could be used to refine Longevity Pills—an extremely rare Second-Tier longevity item.

By nourishing the Clear Spring Spirit Seed with Moonlight Dewdrops and transforming it into Clear Spring Water, a cultivator could reach the Tenth Level of Qi Refining and obtain a water-attribute Supreme-Grade Dao Foundation upon advancing to Foundation Establishment.

By nurturing the Green Wood Spirit Seed with Green Vine Branches and causing it to rupture, thereby germinating the Green Wood Sprout, a cultivator could break through the Tenth Level of Qi Refining and obtain a wood-attribute Supreme-Grade Dao Foundation upon advancing to Foundation Establishment.

Once a cultivator walked one of these two paths, they could no longer take the other.

Thus, one must choose between Clear Spring Water and Green Wood Sprout as their main cultivation path, thereby halting at the Tenth Level of Qi Refining, unable to progress further.

Simply put, if a Qi Refining cultivator wished to cultivate the Qi Refining section of the Heaven Book up to the eleventh layer, external aids beyond natural treasures like Moonlight Dewdrops were required—specifically, a Companion Beast with outstanding aptitude to jointly nurture the Spirit Seeds.

At that point, one side would focus on Wood, birthing the Green Wood Sprout; the other on Water, transforming into Clear Spring Water.

With both attributes complementing each other and nourishing one side, the cultivator could give rise to the Clearwood Dao Foundation, ascend to the Eleventh Level of Qi Refining, and attain a Superior-Grade Dao Foundation upon reaching Foundation Establishment.

However, this method was extremely difficult and required perfect synchronization and harmony between the cultivator and the Companion Beast; otherwise, it would only result in a single-attribute Supreme-Grade Dao Foundation.

“With Gold Egg’s aptitude, he should be able to help me break through to the Eleventh Level of Qi Refining,” thought Chen Beiwu.

After obtaining assistance from a Companion Beast, his spiritual root aptitude was now Gold 15, Wood 76, Water 82, Fire 18, Earth 17—barely surpassing the minimum threshold, enabling him to main-cultivate Water, using the Green Wood Spirit Seed to nourish the Clear Spring Spirit Seed and induce its transformation.

Meanwhile, Gold Egg would need to make a small concession—main-cultivating Wood, utilizing the principle of Water nourishing Wood to allow the Clear Spring Spirit Seed to nourish the Green Wood Spirit Seed and generate the Green Wood Sprout.

Once both complemented each other, Chen Beiwu could rely on the Green Wood Sprout nurtured by Gold Egg and fuse it with his own Clear Spring Water to successfully refine the Clearwood Anomaly and break through the limit of Qi Refining.

“Pity. If I had the Heavenly Wood Root, I could main-cultivate Wood and let Gold Egg focus on Water,” Chen Beiwu sighed.

Although All Laws Converge, Heaven Book of the Divine Tree cultivated both Water and Wood, there was still a primary and a secondary.

Gold Egg’s Attribute Meridian aptitude was Gold 89, Wood 82, Water 93, Fire 18, Earth 79.

Logically, Chen Beiwu should be the one to main-cultivate Wood techniques while Gold Egg focused on Water techniques—that would be the ideal.

But it couldn't be helped—Chen Beiwu’s wood-attribute spiritual root lacked purity, and he could only let Gold Egg main-cultivate Wood to make up for his own deficiency.

Fortunately, the All Laws Converge, Heaven Book of the Divine Tree had boundless applications. Even while main-cultivating Wood, Gold Egg was also cultivating Water, and none of the Attribute Meridian aptitude would be wasted.

Otherwise, Chen Beiwu wouldn’t have chosen this cultivation method.

Once he broke through to the Eleventh Level of Qi Refining and refined the Clearwood Anomaly, upon reaching Foundation Establishment, he could then cultivate the Foundation Establishment section Water and Wood in Harmony, weaken Wood techniques and focus on Water techniques, thereby enabling him and Gold Egg to attain a powerful Hundred Rivers Physique.

“Unfortunately, Flawless Qi Refining depends on insight. It’s hard to achieve through sheer accumulation of resources,” Chen Beiwu withdrew his divine sense from studying the Heaven Book.

Though Bixiao Immortal Sect had many prodigies, those Qi Refining cultivators who had successfully forged a Water-Wood Physique were extremely few.

Instead of fantasizing about achieving a Water-Wood Physique and Flawless Qi Refining, it was better for him to focus on earning Spirit Stones and quickly breaking through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.

“Buzz!”

At that moment, a slight tremor came from the cave entrance.

Chen Beiwu frowned slightly and walked over to the entrance.

The only cultivator he knew in Biyuan Market was Wanwan, but it was still a day away from the delivery date. Could something have gone wrong?

“My apologies, Senior.”

The moment she saw Chen Beiwu, Wanwan dropped to one knee and respectfully presented Spirit Stones with both hands.

Looking at the stack of Spirit Stones, not a single one missing, in Wanwan’s palm, Chen Beiwu said calmly, “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Senior, Wanwan is foolish and unable to purchase two thousand jin of Phoenix Yellow Dendrobium within three days. So as not to delay Senior’s time, Wanwan came to apologize and hopes Senior won’t be offended,” Wanwan lowered her eyes and said softly.

Chen Beiwu looked at her deeply. “And what about the cultivation method?”

“What cultivation method?” Wanwan revealed a look of confusion.

“Very well. Remember what you said. You may leave.” Chen Beiwu took the Spirit Stones but did not produce the contract, simply waving her off.

No violence was permitted inside Biyuan Market. Any grievances had to be settled outside.

Since a mere Third Level Qi Refining cultivator dared to go back on her word in person, she clearly had someone backing her. Making a move now would only cause trouble.

Once he left the market, he could handle it however he pleased.

Seeing this, Wanwan let out a sigh of relief and turned to leave in small steps.

...

Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion.

A cultivator with a figure thin as bamboo and gray hair held a brush in his right hand, drawing lines across a ledger.

Behind him, both the sharp-faced rogue cultivator and the one selling Phoenix Yellow Dendrobium wore respectful expressions, not daring to breathe loudly.

Though this shopkeeper of Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion appeared frail and easy to bully, he was one of the most difficult figures in Biyuan Market.

In terms of strength, Shopkeeper Feng Buxiu of Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion was one of the few publicly known peak-stage Qi Refining cultivators in the market—only a Foundation Establishment Pill away from breaking his bottleneck and advancing to Foundation Establishment.

In terms of backing, Feng Buxiu was supported by the Foundation Establishment-level Shen Clan, with the means to spend heavily to hire Foundation Establishment experts to take action.

Though the two rogue cultivator brothers were both Eighth Level Qi Refining cultivators and could jointly fight a Ninth Level cultivator, they still maintained a cautious respect before Feng Buxiu—else they would be discarded at any time.

After all, the dirty work they had done over the years had placed them firmly on the market’s wanted list, their notoriety among rogue cultivators well established.

Their continued freedom in the market was only thanks to Feng Buxiu shielding them from above.

“Shopkeeper Feng,” Wanwan pushed open the door and bowed respectfully.

Feng Buxiu didn’t even raise his head. His wrist moved ceaselessly. “How did he react?”

“His response was very calm, as if he had already expected me to back out,” Wanwan said with her head lowered.

“Interesting.” Feng Buxiu stopped writing and sneered. “Go report it to the Market Patrol Office. Say someone stole your cultivation method.”

Upon hearing this, Wanwan looked up in surprise.

“What, is there a problem?” Feng Buxiu’s tone remained flat.

“I wouldn’t dare. It’s just... I signed a contract before, with black-and-white proof...” Wanwan’s voice gradually faded.

Only to see Feng Buxiu casually fling a document into her face, his tone cold. “Contracts are made by people. This is the one where you sold the method. It’s also evidence. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Wanwan picked up the document and turned to leave Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion.