Yunmeng Immortal Clan

Song Daoxuan's identity as an alchemist was common knowledge throughout the entire cultivation family, and he really had nothing to hide from Song Xiuyuan and the others.

"Oh, I didn't expect that the young master is actually an alchemist. Alchemy is one of the top three professions among the hundred arts of cultivation. There are many low-level alchemists in the cultivation world, but high-level alchemists are extremely rare. May I ask what level the young master's alchemy skills have reached?" Song Xiuyuan stroked his long beard and stared at the man in the blue Taoist robe in front of him.

"I'm probably at the top level of the second tier. Currently, I can only refine some second-tier pills. As for third-tier pills, I have no way to do that!" Song Daoxuan didn't hide anything and told the old man in front of him all about his alchemy skills.

"A top-tier second-level alchemist, young master, you truly have extraordinary fortune! What you may not know is that even in the spiritually rich Central Region, alchemists are a respected profession. A top-tier second-level alchemist's status in the entire cultivation world surpasses that of a Core Formation cultivator!"

"Within the Central Region, the reason why some cultivation sects are able to prosper is entirely due to the fact that they have a stable number of alchemists. With alchemists, especially those at the top level of the second rank or above, even if their cultivation level is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, their treatment in the entire cultivation sect has already subtly surpassed that of some Core Formation cultivators." Song Xiuyuan looked at Song Daoxuan with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

The talent to condense a golden core within the age of one hundred is already astonishing enough.

This person not only managed to condense a golden core before the age of one hundred, but was also a sword cultivator who had mastered the obscure and difficult-to-cultivate Azure Lotus Sword Technique of his family to such an extent.

Song Xiuyuan originally thought that this was all Song Daoxuan had to offer, but he never expected that Song Daoxuan in front of him was actually a top-tier second-order alchemist.

In Song Xiuyuan's view, since Song Daoxuan is already a top-tier second-level alchemist, it's only a matter of time before he becomes a third-level alchemist, provided the time is right.

With Song Daoxuan's alchemy skills, Song Xiuyuan believed that no matter where Song Daoxuan was in the entire Xuanhuang cultivation world, he would be able to find a good way out.

"Young Master, I have something to say, though I'm not sure if I should. The cultivation conditions and resources here are far too limited. With your talent, why not consider going to the Central Region to seek a chance at immortality? Perhaps then you could even catch a glimpse of the Nascent Soul realm after Core Formation!"

"I will consider this matter!" Song Daoxuan said calmly, neither denying nor affirming Song Xiuyuan's words.

Song Daoxuan indeed felt that the cultivation conditions in the Southern Ming Region were extremely poor.

Even though there are third-tier spiritual veins on the Azure Lotus Islands, using them as a base is only enough to meet Song Daoxuan's basic cultivation needs.

However, Song Daoxuan still has some miscellaneous matters to deal with throughout the entire Yunmeng Immortal Continent. He needs to consider leaving the cultivation family to develop elsewhere and move to the Central Region to reside permanently. Even if Song Daoxuan really has this plan, he hopes to do so after these minor matters are settled.

A day later, they arrived at the Nine Heavens Gate. What came into Jiang Xun's view was a series of mountain peaks, sharp as swords, breaking through the clouds, surrounded by dreamlike white mist, like a fairyland on earth.

The Nine Heavens Sect belongs to the continental dynasty and is the oldest and most ancient cultivation sect in the continental dynasty.

Along the mountain peaks, numerous bamboo and wooden houses were built along the cliff caves, serving as the dwellings of cultivators. Amidst the surrounding mountains, several majestic palaces stood, important places where sect elders imparted cultivation methods.

Qu Mengli put away the flying sword magic weapon and then led Jiang Xun to a white-robed old man in his eighties with white hair.

The old man was sitting on a huge rock, drinking wine with great relish.

"Elder Heng, this is a new disciple, please make arrangements for me..."

Old Master Heng blushed deeply and waved his hand dismissively: "That's impolite! Who do you think you are, to decide what to do?"

Elder Heng glanced at the woman in white, and suddenly his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground: "So it's Elder Qu, please forgive my rudeness just now..."

Qu Mengli frowned slightly, gave a soft hum, and then said gently, "Get up!"

Elder Heng cupped his hands respectfully and said, "I didn't know Elder Qu had graced us with his presence. What are your instructions?"

The old man glanced at the graceful figure in a white dress. She spoke softly, though she didn't open her mouth, "This disciple can be promoted to a menial disciple. Please take good care of her..."

The sound was melodious, like a gentle spring breeze, soothing the heart.

Immediately afterward, the woman spoke with Elder Heng about many other matters. Upon finishing, Elder Heng knelt and bowed respectfully, saying, "Respectfully seeing Elder Qu off on her return home..."

The white-clad figure nodded slightly, while Ye Qingti gave Jiang Xun a communication disc, allowing them to contact each other even from thousands of miles away.

After speaking, a sword flew like a rainbow, carrying Qu Mengli and Ye Qingti behind her, disappearing into the verdant mountains deep in the clouds. These were the nine peaks of the inner sect, standing majestically in the center of a spiritual vein. The main branch-shaped terrain extending outwards was the residence of many outer sect disciples, while the scattered small hills on the outermost edge were the residences of the miscellaneous disciples.

There are many miscellaneous disciples, about 50,000. Every year, 100 new disciples are selected to enter the outer sect through martial arts competitions. However, if special circumstances occur, such as war causing a large number of cultivators to die, this limit will be greatly relaxed.

Now, if Jiang Xun wants to cultivate immortality, he must participate in the struggle and step into the outer sect in order to move from the preparatory stage to the formal stage. He must not expose his demonic cultivation, so he must start from the Qi induction of immortality and cultivate step by step to accumulate.

Although his aptitude for cultivating immortality is poor.

However, his aptitude for cultivating demonic arts is extraordinary.

As a disciple of the Demonic Sect, he was subjected to the Demonic Sect's ultimate technique, the Great Rebirth Nirvana Technique, at the moment of his death, transforming him into a physique capable of cultivating both immortality and demonic powers.

As time passed, all the precious collections in his storage bag turned to ashes with the wind and sand.

However, Jiang Xun is, after all, a demon with the cultivation level of Golden Core. He has some things stored in his mind from ten thousand years ago. If he were to throw these things out, the whole world might fight over them. But Jiang Xun will only turn these things into his current trump cards. In this way, Jiang Xun, a demon cultivator, can be ahead of other cultivators of his generation. In addition, he can use the small gourd to possess others, slowly lay out his plans, and eventually accumulate power to ascend to the upper realm. It is not impossible for him to do so.

Ascending to the upper realm grants immortality, and this has remained the ultimate pursuit of cultivators to this day.

However, before ascending to immortality, if a cultivator wants to prolong their life, they must improve their cultivation level. As their level improves, their magical power will also increase, and their status in the cultivation world will also rise.

After Qu Mengli left, only Jiang Xun and Elder Heng remained.

Elder Heng didn't give Jiang Xun a friendly look. He first shrugged, then frowned and said, "Heh! Kid, don't think that just because Qu Mengli told me to, I'll give you special treatment. Qu Mengli is kind; everyone in the Nine Heavens Sect knows that. He's brought back hundreds, if not a thousand, of the mortals, but which one of them has stood out from the menial disciples? So, kid, cultivating immortality isn't that easy! So, once you step into the menial disciples' quarters, you'd better lie low, don't cause trouble, and obediently follow orders!"

Jiang Xun smiled nonchalantly and laughed heartily, "Of course!"

"This is a Bronze Disciple Token, which is possessed by menial disciples. By injecting divine sense into it, one can unlock the basic cultivation technique, Nine Heavens Qi Guiding Technique."

Upon entering the outer sect, one will receive a silver disciple token, which will naturally grant access to the cultivation technique available after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage: the Nine Heavens Spirit Sword Technique.

If one can enter the inner sect, one will obtain the Golden Disciple Token and the complete Nine Heavens Dao Sword Technique…

"But with your talent, if you can even learn the basic Nine Heavens Qi Induction Technique, that would be quite remarkable. As a new disciple, your spiritual sense is weak and your memory is very limited. It's extremely rare for a servant disciple to comprehend the Nine Heavens Qi Induction Technique in ten years. However, I doubt you'll ever reach the Foundation Establishment stage. I also doubt you'll ever learn the Nine Heavens Spirit Sword Technique. Right now, you must water the spirit fields and plants properly, and feed the spirit beast mounts of the formal disciples. Otherwise, don't expect me to expel you from the Nine Heavens Sect. The Nine Heavens Sect never supports idlers or good-for-nothings. Keep this token safe. It allows you to enter the servant disciple's living area. Don't wander around. Otherwise, if you violate any restrictions or killing formations and die, the Nine Heavens Sect won't give you any compensation..." After saying this, Elder Heng tossed the token over.

Jiang Xun accepted the bronze token. To avoid his status as a menial disciple being too special and causing any trouble, he put it into a brocade pouch and tied it to the side of the small black gourd at his waist.

It is not advisable for Jiang Xun to reveal his demonic cultivation at this time. In this era of immortal rule, where demonic cultivation has disappeared, once exposed, it would be a dead end.

Just as Elder Heng was about to turn and leave, he suddenly slapped his forehead.

"I forgot to remind you, if you can't reach the Qi Refining Realm after ten years of cultivation and fail the aptitude test, you'll be expelled from the Enforcement Hall by the elders and your memories will be erased..."

Heng Lao's figure suddenly disappeared.

The strength of righteous cultivation is determined by the control of spiritual energy and divine consciousness.

While the cultivation of spiritual consciousness in the demonic path is inferior to that of the righteous path in immortal cultivation, the demonic path currently surpasses the righteous path in the tempering of the physical body.

But overall...

The stages of cultivation are divided into Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Golden Elixir, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Return to Emptiness, Body Integration, Mahayana, and Tribulation Crossing.

Although his demonic cultivation is decent, his immortal cultivation has only just begun. If he does not cultivate diligently, he will be expelled from the sect. Jiang Xun's bone age is currently around ten years old. If he cannot successfully establish his foundation by the age of twenty in ten years, he will miss the best age for immortal cultivation.

There is a saying that there is a foundation in cultivation. If one cannot establish a foundation by the age of twenty, one will not be able to do so perfectly. Even if one manages to establish a foundation later, one's achievements will be very limited.

Jiang Xun's aptitude is mediocre; even cultivating immortality and establishing a foundation would be difficult for him, but cultivating demonic arts would be a dead end.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xun gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He wanted to cultivate immortality, not demonic cultivation. From now on, he would be the righteous cultivator Jiang Xun, not the demonic cultivator Jiang Xun, just a child of about ten years old.

He decided to rely on Qu Mengli and temporarily spend his days cultivating at the Nine Heavens Sect. He remained alone, without a Daoist partner or disciple, embarking on a lonely path of cultivation.

After a moment, Jiang Xun channeled his divine sense into the bronze token and located the location of the menial disciples. They were scattered in a branch-like pattern on the outermost edge of the Nine Heavens Sect. Their main duties were to do hard, dirty, and tiring work, and very few of them could actually be promoted to outer sect disciples.

After nearly half a day, Jiang Xun finally found his lodging after bumping and traversing between several cliffs. He tidied up the room, took out the bronze token, and a wisp of divine sense entered, and a scroll with a pale white halo appeared in his mind.

"Nine Heavens Qi Guiding Technique"

It is merely a lower-level cultivation technique in the Qi Refining Realm, which can assist novice cultivators with low cultivation levels in drawing Qi into their bodies and absorbing a very limited amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth. It requires accumulation to transform into true essence, which is also known as internal force in the mortal world.

Jiang Xun sat upright on a futon, suppressing some of his fierce and irritable aura. He slowly narrowed his slightly bloodshot eyes, spread his hands, and faced the sky with his palms facing outwards. This technique allowed Jiang Xun to slowly feel the flow of spiritual energy, which gathered from the heavens and earth into his dantian, and then was digested by his dantian, turning into some insignificant energy.

He sat there for three days. After three days, Jiang Xun seemed to have touched something. He rubbed his fingers together, and a faint milky white aura lingered around his fingertips. After three days of hard work, he finally managed to step into the first level of Qi Refining...

If it were a cultivator with slightly stronger spiritual root aptitude, this process could probably be completed in less than half a day. However, for Jiang Xun, it would take much more mental effort and time. Therefore, Jiang Xun's spiritual root aptitude is the lowest grade.

However, that's not all. Jiang Xun's cultivation also encountered a so-called bottleneck period, and his cultivation level was temporarily stuck at the first level of Qi Refining.

"This is the bottleneck! I didn't expect to encounter this so-called bottleneck at just the first level of Qi Refining. Unlike cultivating the demonic path, where absorbing blood energy allows for rapid advancement in cultivation..."

It's rare for cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm to have a bottleneck period, but this doesn't exclude the lowest aptitude cultivators. They have many impurities in their bodies, absorb spiritual energy very slowly, and find it difficult to convert it into true essence. So even if such cultivators dedicate their entire lives to cultivation, they will hardly achieve anything. If we exclude Jiang Xun's demonic cultivation, then he is a good-for-nothing.

"Jiang Xun! These past few days you have neglected the irrigation of the spirit fields and the feeding of the mounts and spirit beasts of the formal disciples. Several people have already reported this, so we have decided to erase your memory, abolish your spiritual root aptitude, and expel you from the Nine Heavens Sect..."