Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Simplifying the Immortal Art

A hundred academic credits—neither too many nor too few.

Purely counting theoretical courses and practical cultivation, an ordinary sect student would need to complete over twenty elective courses in their first year to earn just one credit.

To accumulate a hundred credits, it would typically take about a hundred years.

Fortunately, Chen Beiwu had the bonus from ranking third on the Rising Stars List, granting him ten credits at the end of each year.

Even without counting the ten basic credits gifted at the start with his student ID, he could still manage to gather one hundred credits within ten years.

Of course, Chen Beiwu was also very clear on one thing: not every sect student could first enter the Taiyuan Heavenly Realm to comprehend the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape, and then repay the credits afterward.

If every sect student could do that, the rules of the Yuqing Immortal Sect would have long since fallen into chaos!

Thinking of this, Chen Beiwu did not hesitate to thank Senior Brother Jiang.

Though a debt repaid is no burden, and another one wouldn’t be hard to bear—

Without Senior Brother Jiang, a Nascent Soul True Monarch, stepping forward, he would’ve needed at least seven or eight years to accumulate enough credits before he could even have a chance to comprehend the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape.

“‘No need to thank me, Junior Brother.’” Senior Brother Jiang Chuan said softly. “‘The Dao is not to be passed on lightly, and fate must not be forced.’”

“‘The rules of the Immortal Sect are strict. Without Master’s personal approval...’” At this, he looked at Chen Beiwu. “‘Even I would have had a hard time helping you.’”

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu immediately bowed in the direction of the Yuqing Mountains, first to thank his Master, and then turned to thank his Senior Brother.

He stated plainly that it was only because Senior Brother had stepped in that their secluded Master had paid attention to such trivial matters.

True Monarch Jiang Chuan nodded, clearly pleased with Chen Beiwu’s response.

With his level of cultivation, he could naturally tell that Chen Beiwu spoke from the heart and felt his own efforts had not been in vain.

After all, his Master had taken on disciples before, yet True Monarch Jiang Chuan had never helped any to this extent.

The reason was simple—geniuses like Chen Beiwu who knew how to be grateful were rare.

Among the many geniuses of the Immortal Alliance, there was no shortage of arrogant types who believed everything was their due. They were ingrates who bore grudges the moment things didn’t go their way.

Geniuses who forgot their roots—no matter how great their talent—would only become future disasters if cultivated. True Monarch Jiang Chuan wasn’t even interested in giving them a glance, let alone forming ties.

“‘By the way, Junior Brother, how is your comprehension of the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon going? Are there any parts you don’t understand?’” True Monarch Jiang Chuan asked, offering some private instruction.

Though he had failed to cultivate the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon to form a Yuanshi Golden Core, he had at least immersed himself in the art for centuries and successfully formed a second-grade Golden Core.

He felt confident he could offer his junior some guidance and help him avoid detours.

“‘I haven’t entered the gateway yet,’” Chen Beiwu shook his head, regret flashing across his face.

Surprisingly, True Monarch Jiang Chuan didn’t look disappointed at all.

But in the very next second, Chen Beiwu asked a question that cut straight to the core of the art: “‘Without refinement by Yuanshi Ancestral Qi, how can I perform the Nine Revolutions to form the Golden Core, transform the acquired into the innate, and cultivate the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon to its peak to condense the Golden Attribute of Yuanshi?’”

“!!”

True Monarch Jiang Chuan’s eyelid twitched. He silently cried out—This is bad.

It was universally acknowledged among the Immortal Alliance's geniuses that immortal arts were hard to master.

In Jiang Chuan’s eyes, no matter how talented his junior was, it was impossible for him to comprehend anything substantial in just three months.

Yet with that one question, Chen Beiwu had struck the core issue of cultivating the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon, indicating that his understanding was no less than Jiang Chuan’s.

The problem was, if Jiang Chuan had solved this back then, he wouldn’t have failed to master the immortal art and ended up with just a second-grade core.

Faced with his junior’s sincere gaze, Jiang Chuan had no choice but to offer a vague, all-purpose response:

“‘Tempering one’s mana with top-grade Five Elements Earthly Sha Essence to perform the Nine Returns and Seven Reversions can lead to the Nine Revolutions, transforming the acquired into the innate and refining the Golden Attribute of Yuanshi.’”

As for how a cultivator could actually perform “Nine Returns and Seven Reversions,” True Monarch Jiang Chuan didn’t dare elaborate, for fear of exposing his ignorance.

“‘Senior Brother’s words are absolutely right,’” Chen Beiwu nodded in agreement, “‘However, it’s very difficult for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to achieve Nine Returns and Seven Reversions. That’s why I’ve thought of another method.’”

“‘What method?’” Jiang Chuan’s expression remained unchanged, but his interest was piqued.

“‘Take a different path—simplify the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon,’” said Chen Beiwu.

“???”

Jiang Chuan was momentarily stunned by his answer.

If not for the seriousness on his junior’s face, he would’ve thought it was a joke.

Is this a prank?

The Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon was a beast-cultivation pill art created by the founding ancestor of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, the Dao Venerable Yuanshi, inspired by the Supreme Dongzhen Water-and-Wood Radiance Art. Its tier was immortal-grade—how could a Foundation Establishment cultivator talk about simplifying it?

No exaggeration—if the Yuqing Immortal Sect had been able to simplify the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon and lower its cultivation threshold, an Integration Realm Venerable would’ve personally demonstrated the reform long ago.

But immortal arts were hard to alter!

Even an Integration Realm cultivator—an elite of the immortal path—would be doing more harm than good by arbitrarily simplifying the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon.

“‘Oh? Then how does Junior Brother plan to simplify it?’” True Monarch Jiang Chuan asked casually, not holding out much hope.

To be honest, if Chen Beiwu had claimed he’d already entered the gateway to the immortal art, Jiang Chuan would’ve found that more believable than this.

He kept the conversation going only to understand Chen Beiwu’s thoughts, so he could steer him back onto the proper path.

He didn’t want his junior wasting precious cultivation time chasing after this wild idea.

“‘Yuanshi Ancestral Qi begets all; Ninefold Revolving Golden Core returns to the innate.’”

“‘Taiyi—where the Five Qi revolve, Yin and Yang merge—thus the Golden Core is formed and may return to Yuanshi...’”

To be cautious, Chen Beiwu carefully chose his words and shared his insights into the connection between the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors of the Five Directions and the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon.

At first, True Monarch Jiang Chuan didn’t think much of it, but as time passed, his expression grew increasingly serious.

“‘The Five Elements revolve through the Six Voids; the Five Elders take their thrones; the Primordial is born.’”

“‘Using the body’s internal Five Elements as foundation to form the embryo of the Five Elements Mountain, refining Qi into truth, harmonizing with the great external Five Elements—’

‘One can then draw in the acquired Qi of the Five Directions, refine the Five Elemental Radiances, form innate True Qi of the Five Elements, and cultivate the True Seed of Taiyi—breaking through all elemental obstructions to glimpse the Golden Attribute of the Primordial.’”

When Chen Beiwu finished his last insight, he noticed a trace of bewilderment in Jiang Chuan’s eyes, as if he had encountered something beyond comprehension.

Junior Brother’s theory… might actually work!

After a thorough deduction, True Monarch Jiang Chuan took a deep breath to suppress his shock.

With his level of cultivation, he could not find a single flaw in Chen Beiwu’s approach to simplification.

“‘Is there something wrong with it?’”

Sensing Jiang Chuan’s fiery gaze, Chen Beiwu asked frankly.

“‘No.’” Jiang Chuan shook his head, now looking at Chen Beiwu as if he were staring at a monster. “‘Did you come up with this simplification yourself, or did someone guide you?’”

“‘Just my own idle musings. What does Senior Brother think—does it seem feasible?’” Chen Beiwu replied.

Cultivation Method deduction and actual practice were two different matters.

To cultivate the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon using the Taiyi Pill Forging Method of the Five Great Emperors of the Five Directions required crossing many barriers.

Senior Brother Jiang, as a Nascent Soul True Monarch, held a cultivation level far above Chen Beiwu’s. His advice carried significant weight and might save him from taking many detours.

“‘No problem. You can continue simplifying the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon along that line of thought.’”

True Monarch Jiang Chuan gave a small nod and patted Chen Beiwu’s shoulder in encouragement, but offered no actual guidance.

Guidance?

His junior’s understanding of the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon already surpassed his own. Giving arbitrary advice might only hinder the junior’s progress.

Besides, what right did he have to instruct a peerless genius capable of simplifying an immortal-grade pill formation method?

“‘When does Junior Brother plan to enter the Yuqing Mountains and attempt to contract the Five Qi Vine?’” True Monarch Jiang Chuan changed the subject.

If the conversation about the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon went on, he feared he’d soon run out of answers to Chen Beiwu’s questions.

“‘It’s a bit rushed to venture into the depths of the Yuqing Mountains now. I think it’d be more stable to wait until Golden Egg’s cultivation reaches the peak of Foundation Establishment,’” Chen Beiwu replied seriously.

Hearing this, True Monarch Jiang Chuan found himself momentarily speechless.

The Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts and Fortune-Origin Beasts within the Yuqing Mountains were no fools.

Ordinary students of the Yuqing Immortal Sect would indeed face a certain degree of difficulty when entering the mountain, but the beasts knew which cultivators could be toyed with and which required caution.

Clearly, his junior was one of those the Four-Realm Mystic Beasts of the Yuqing Mountains had to treat with great care.

“Then again, being cautious isn’t a bad thing either.” True Monarch Jiang Chuan sipped from his teacup and refrained from revealing more about the internal affairs of the Yuqing Mountains.

After all, the sect had to maintain a surface-level sense of fairness. Otherwise, resentment would inevitably grow among its disciples.

Glancing toward the spout of the teapot, Chen Beiwu stood up and took the initiative to excuse himself after exchanging a few more words.

Only after his junior’s silhouette had vanished did the calm expression on True Monarch Jiang Chuan’s face begin to falter.

“There actually exists such a genius in the world?”

If his junior truly succeeded in simplifying the immortal art and forming a Yuanshi Golden Core, such an achievement would surely earn him great rewards from the Yuqing Immortal Sect, spread his name across the Immortal Alliance, and perhaps even grant him an audience with an Integration Realm Dao Venerable.

“What a pity the Jiang Clan has no suitable daughter to offer.” True Monarch Jiang Chuan muttered softly.

Junior Brother Chen’s future was visibly limitless.

If the Jiang Clan could form a marriage alliance with him, they could secure prestige and prosperity for dozens of generations.

As for the matter of Chen Beiwu simplifying the Yuqing Nine Revolutions Yuanshi Pill Canon, it was a major issue—he would need to inform their master.

…

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Qiyun Residence, Three‑Peak Cave Residence.

Chen Beiwu slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a deep breath.

“Gurgle.”

Golden Egg also flicked his tail, leaping from the azure cold pool and landing beside Chen Beiwu. The Water Soul Jade Scale Armor covering his body gradually faded away.

“Woof.”

Iron Egg stood and growled softly, rubbing his head against Chen Beiwu’s thigh.

“‘Time to prepare for departure.’” Chen Beiwu smiled.

Three days had been enough to review and fill the gaps in his cultivation, using a great deal of Spirit Yuan to prepare various life-saving measures.

Even if Golden Core True Persons from the opposing sect made a move against him in the upcoming two-sect war, Chen Beiwu had confidence in his ability to retreat safely.

As for Nascent Soul True Monarchs?

Chen Beiwu trusted that the sect must have follow-up plans in place—it wouldn’t allow True Monarch-level cultivators from the Heavy Gold Sect to act without restraint.

“Buzz!”

As golden light enveloped his figure, Chen Beiwu and his two beast companions—Golden Egg and Iron Egg—instantly appeared inside the Southern Wastes Cave Residence, where his eyes immediately caught sight of a Transmission Talisman placed outside.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Chen Beiwu recognized it as a gathering notice sent by Senior Sister Yun.

Shenshi hour, Law Enforcement Hall.

As Chen Beiwu stepped into the grand hall, his eyes first landed on a woman wearing an Ice Silkworm Veil, her jet-black hair flowing down her waist like ink—she looked like a celestial maiden from a painting.

Next, his gaze fell upon Senior Sister Yun, her expression serious.

“Wait a moment—something’s off!”

Chen Beiwu narrowed his eyes, sensing that Senior Sister Zhu’s aura was somewhat ethereal, and even the strength of her divine sense surpassed that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. A faint sense of threat lingered.

“Could it be that Senior Sister has already broken through to Golden Core?”

Chen Beiwu’s expression shifted slightly—this was the only possibility he could think of.

No Foundation Establishment cultivator could pose a threat to him anymore. Only a Golden Core True Person could make him feel pressure.

“‘Oh? So I really couldn’t hide it from Junior Brother Chen.’” Zhu Qiong glanced at Yun Yishu, her lips curving slightly. “‘Seems like Junior Sister Yun knows you quite well.’”

“‘Stop changing the subject.’” Yun Yishu raised her right hand calmly. “‘You lost.’”

“‘A loss is a loss—it’s only a single Blood-Treasure Pill.’” With a flip of her hand, Zhu Qiong tossed a jade bottle, which immediately disappeared into Yun Yishu’s sleeve.

Afterward, she turned to Chen Beiwu, her gaze now sizing him up, and gave a slight bow. “‘Greetings, Dao Child.’”

The ways of the world were mysterious indeed.

She had wandered the mortal world for ten years, recruiting many talented cultivators for the sect—perhaps not dozens, but at least several.

Yet even Zhu Qiong herself hadn’t expected to recruit a Dao Child whose talent was seen once in ten millennia.

Chen Beiwu stepped back half a step, sidestepping the courtesy, and raised a hand in polite refusal. “‘Senior Sister, there’s no need for such formality.’”

“‘It’s the rule of the sect.’”

After the bow, Zhu Qiong gently raised her hand. Her veil, light as mist, floated down to reveal a stunningly beautiful face—crescent brows and autumn-water eyes.

“‘If you’re uncomfortable with it, we can call each other however we like—I’ll call you Dao Child, and you can call me Senior Sister.’”

“‘Alright, Qiong’er, enough joking.’”

At that moment, a figure in a dark Daoist robe suddenly appeared. The embroidery of fiery patterns of justice on his hem shimmered with each step.

There was no mistaking it—this was a third-grade top-quality treasure robe, worn only by the Law Enforcement Hall Master of the sect.

“‘Greetings, Master.’” The three of them—Chen Beiwu, Yun Yishu, and Zhu Qiong—bowed in unison toward Zhu Shaoyuan.

“‘Rise.’” A satisfied light shone in Zhu Shaoyuan’s eyes.

His daughter, Zhu Qiong, had traveled the world for ten years and finally become a Golden Core True Person.

His newly accepted disciple possessed heaven-defying talent and had been chosen as the sect’s Dao Child.

With such double joy, how could he not be pleased?

“So the rumors were true—peerless geniuses really do carry fates that defy the heavens, bringing fortune to both clan and sect. No wonder the Patriarch did not hesitate to name Chen Zi’ang as the Dao Child.” Zhu Shaoyuan thought to himself.

By his estimation, even with the use of the Golden Palace Pill, Zhu Qiong had only a 20% chance of successfully forming her core on the first attempt.

Because Zhu Qiong had set her ambitions high, choosing to form a Third-Grade Furnace Core through the Town-Dao Smelting Furnace Artifact-Pill Method, a process far more difficult than that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Fortunately, her luck had held out—and she had succeeded.

Thinking of this, Zhu Shaoyuan looked at Chen Beiwu with even more satisfaction.

If his daughter had shown the slightest interest, he might’ve even considered matching the two.

But for now, more pressing matters demanded attention.

“Buzz!”

Zhu Shaoyuan waved his right hand, unfurling a map that depicted the intricate spirit vein layout within the Biyuan Mountain Range.

On the southwestern edge of the map, a glaring golden mark stood out—it was the Hollow Gold Marrow mine vein secretly occupied by the Heavy Gold Sect.

“‘For this war between our two sects—what outcome do you believe we must achieve to declare complete victory to the Earth Proliferation Territory?’”

Zhu Shaoyuan asked in a deep voice, testing their sense of the bigger picture.