Divine Root Bone

Having listened to the entire Cangxuan Continent's territorial layout and sect hierarchy, he now had a clear and genuine understanding of this cultivation world. He knew that he was in the small Qingyun Sect on the southern border, knew that the barriers between the forces of heaven and earth were formidable, and knew that he possessed extraordinary talent and must conceal his abilities and remain low-key for life, never easily revealing the slightest abnormality, lest he attract the covetousness of the Black Fiend Demonic Sect or even external giants, bringing annihilation upon his sect.

After bowing, he lingered no longer, turned, and strode out of the heavily guarded Qingyun Secret Palace, which was never open to the public. The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind him, isolating him from the solemn and vast atmosphere within, and also from the gazes of the sect's high-ranking members. The moment he stepped outside, a mountain breeze caressed his face, carrying the pure spiritual energy unique to the inner sect. It warmed and nourished his body, far more so than the mixed and turbid spiritual energy of the outer sect, soothing and refreshing.

Descending slowly along the winding, secluded bluestone mountain path, ancient trees and spiritual herbs grow lushly on both sides. Clouds and mist linger around the inner sect's mountains year-round. The spiritual veins here are stable and long, making it the most superior cultivation environment in the Qingyun Sect besides the main peak and secret hall. Along the way, one can occasionally see a few inner sect disciples coming and going, each with a steady gait and focused concentration, unlike the restless noise of outer sect disciples. Everywhere exudes the atmosphere of a proper sect's cultivation.

Before long, Zhang Yang arrived at the residence that the sect had specially arranged for him and Lin Wanqing—Qingning Xiaozhu.

Located in the most secluded part of the inner sect's heartland, far from the hustle and bustle of the martial arts arena and the preaching pavilion, this place features two identical, independent courtyards standing side by side, one to the east and one to the west, facing each other. Their spiritual energy flows freely without interfering with each other, making it a blessed cultivation ground that even ordinary core disciples of the inner sect can hardly attain. Looking at the entire Qingyun Sect, there are very few disciples who can own an independent inner sect courtyard, let alone two newcomers who have just entered the sect and have not yet formally begun their cultivation. Such exceptional treatment is extremely rare in the entire hundred-year history of the Qingyun Sect.

Upon entering the courtyard, Zhang Yang's gaze swept across the area and he spotted a figure inside.

Lin Wanqing had already arrived, dressed in an elegant blue robe, her figure serene and gentle. She was carefully tidying up the bedding and cultivation items in her residence within the courtyard. Born with inferior talent and mediocre aptitude, she was destined to waste her years at the bottom of the outer sect, with little chance of entering the inner sect. However, due to her companionship with Zhang Yang, she received an exception from the sect and was able to enter the inner sect, possessing a blessed land with spiritual veins for cultivation. Even with such a great opportunity, she remained peaceful, steadfast, and content, without a trace of arrogance or complacency, simply quietly tidying up her residence and waiting to be settled.

Beside Lin Wanqing stood a female disciple dressed in proper inner sect attire.

This woman was a disciple of the Qingyun Sect's Internal Affairs Hall, responsible for guiding newcomers. She was specifically in charge of explaining the living quarters, rules, and daily resource allocation to newly promoted disciples and core disciples. She was well-versed in all the inner sect's rules, cultivation knowledge, and resource system, and was gentle and efficient in her dealings with others. Upon noticing Zhang Yang's arrival, the female disciple immediately composed herself and stepped forward to bow respectfully.

"This disciple greets Senior Brother Zhang Yang."

Lin Wanqing also looked up at the sound, her clear and bright eyes looking at Zhang Yang, and stood quietly to the side.

[In sects, seniority in cultivation and benefits are not determined by the order of entry. Zhang Yang was exceptionally admitted directly to the inner sect, receiving treatment equivalent to that of a long-established core inner sect disciple. The female disciples in charge of internal affairs are merely ordinary errand-running disciples, their status is lower than his, and they should rightfully address him as Senior Brother Zhang Yang.]

Zhang Yang nodded slightly and said calmly, "No need for formalities, please wait for me, Junior Sister."

The female disciple in charge of internal affairs straightened up and immediately began to explain the overall structure and daily living rules of Qingning Cottage to the two in an orderly manner. She spoke steadily and explained in detail, describing in detail the miniature spirit-gathering array in the courtyard, the independent meditation room, the storage annex, and the open-air breathing platform. She also reminded them of the taboos and rules of inner sect residences, the daily cleaning regulations, and the times when the spiritual veins are at their peak. Three fixed times each day, the spirit-gathering array in the courtyard operates spontaneously, and the concentration of spiritual energy surges. This is the best time for meditation and breathing exercises to accumulate spiritual power, far exceeding the efficiency of outer sect cultivation, which is enough to support the two in their early stages of steady cultivation and solidify their foundation in Qi cultivation.

After explaining all the details of the residence, the female disciple in charge of internal affairs changed the subject and began to explain in detail to the two of them the most fundamental resource for cultivation—the spirit stone system. This is basic common sense that every Qi Refining cultivator must be thoroughly familiar with before embarking on the path of cultivation.

"Now that you have entered the inner sect for cultivation, I will explain to you in detail the grades of spirit stones commonly used throughout the world and their wonderful uses in cultivation. In the entire Cangxuan Four Regions, and even the Central Continent, the regular spirit stones that cultivators rely on for cultivation are divided into three grades, from low to high: low-grade spirit stones, high-grade spirit stones, and top-grade spirit stones."

Although Lin Wanqing was also granted special privileges and became an inner disciple along with him, the female inner disciples knew that all the preferential treatment was due to Zhang Yang's influence. They would only address Lin Wanqing as "Junior Sister," while addressing Zhang Yang as "Senior Brother" was in accordance with the sect's etiquette.

She paused, then patiently explained, "Low-grade spirit stones are the most widely circulated, highest-produced, and most abundant basic spiritual materials in the world. They have moderate impurities and gentle, stable spiritual energy, making them suitable for the daily meditation and cultivation needs of all disciples in the early and middle stages of Qi Refining. As a legitimate sect in the Eastern Region, our Qingyun Sect has a large stockpile of low-grade spirit stones, which are distributed on time and in the correct amount every month. This is enough to support your daily cultivation without any worries about shortages, and it is sufficient to ensure that your basic cultivation progress is not hindered."

"High-grade spirit stones are completely different. Their spiritual energy is condensed and pure, with very few impurities, and their spiritual power purity far exceeds that of low-grade spirit stones. The cultivation foundation contained in one high-grade spirit stone is equivalent to the combined absorption of dozens of low-grade spirit stones, and the cultivation speed will increase significantly. However, high-grade spirit stones are more difficult to mine and have a limited output. Although the sect's reserves are not massive, they are still quite considerable. For the two inner disciples who have been promoted exceptionally, an extra special allocation will be provided every month, which is enough to support the two of you in breaking through minor realms and stabilizing your Qi Sea cultivation."

"As for top-grade spirit stones, they are the most advanced regular spiritual materials that border sects can access. The spiritual energy within them is vast, boundless, and incomparably pure. When condensed to the extreme, even ordinary late-stage Qi Refining cultivators dare not absorb them all at once, as the excessive spiritual energy can easily cause their meridians to swell, leaving hidden injuries during cultivation. Our Qingyun Sect has a very limited reserve of top-grade spirit stones, which are part of the sect's strategic reserves. They are not distributed regularly every month. They can only be applied for and used by disciples when they encounter cultivation bottlenecks or attempt to break through to a higher realm, after approval from the elders. They are extremely precious."

After thoroughly explaining the three grades of regular spirit stones, the female disciple in charge of internal affairs had a slightly serious expression and revealed a rare and extraordinary spirit treasure that transcended the mundane and surpassed all regular spirit stones.

"Besides these three types of general-purpose spirit stones, there is another legendary special spirit object in the world called Time Jade Marrow. This object is extremely mysterious. Looking across the four regions and the entire Cangxuan Continent, it has an extremely small chance of being born only near the seven forbidden areas of the Central Continent. For thousands of years, no one has been able to completely understand the formation law of Time Jade Marrow, and its value is terrifyingly incomparable."

At this point, the female disciple's eyes were filled with awe and envy: "What ordinary cultivators regard as treasures, top-grade spirit stones, are nothing compared to the Time Jade Marrow. The cultivation value of a single piece of Time Jade Marrow is equivalent to hundreds or even thousands of top-grade spirit stones; the two are not even in the same cultivation level. More importantly, Time Jade Marrow is a rare treasure of heaven and earth, with extremely low production and scarcity."

"The seven forbidden areas of Zhongzhou produce very little throughout the year. Even the top ancient sects and first-class forces in Zhongzhou can only harvest a few dozen or a hundred pieces of Time Jade Marrow a year, which is already an unparalleled foundation, enough to protect the sect's fortune. Small sects like our Qingyun Sect and Black Fiend Demon Sect on the southern border will never have the chance to see it in their entire lives, let alone cultivate or use it. It is a great treasure that we low-level cultivators can only look up to."

Zhang Yang listened quietly, deeply moved.

Only now did he truly understand what the difference between heaven and earth and the barriers between social classes meant. Ordinary spirit stones were the cultivation resources of cultivators on the frontier, while the Jade Marrow of Time was the exclusive foundation of the top geniuses and great masters of the Central Plains. The two were worlds apart.

After explaining the resource system, the female disciple in charge of internal affairs pointed out the most crucial ironclad rule of lifespan for low-level cultivators, allowing the two newcomers to the path of cultivation to recognize the cruel nature of fighting for life in cultivation.

"The lifespan of ordinary cultivators at the bottom of the world is governed by an unchanging rule. Cultivators at the Qi Refining Realm have a lifespan of only one hundred years. A hundred years pass in the blink of an eye. If one cannot break through the shackles and advance to the Foundation Establishment stage within a hundred years, one's Qi Sea will dry up and one's spiritual power will be exhausted. In the end, one will not escape the fate of dying of old age and will be trapped in the realm of ordinary cultivators for life. This is the fundamental reason why all Qi Refining disciples in the world cultivate diligently day and night and dare not slack off in the slightest."

"Once you break through the shackles and enter the Foundation Establishment Realm, you can reshape your physical body, solidify your Dao foundation, and cleanse your mortal body. Your lifespan will increase dramatically, reaching a long period of three hundred years. Three hundred years is enough time to immerse yourself in cultivation, refine your Dao foundation, and strive for higher realms. Our sect leader, the seven elders, and the ancestor who is in seclusion in the back mountain all relied on the lifespan of Foundation Establishment to cultivate deeply and guard the mountain gate."

Upon hearing this, a deep sense of bewilderment and awe appeared in the female disciple's eyes.

"As for the Golden Core realm beyond Foundation Establishment, it is already a realm beyond our comprehension. The lifespan, supernatural powers, and foundation of Golden Core cultivators have long exceeded the scope of our understanding. No one can describe it or know it. For me, it is a level of cultivation that is currently completely beyond my comprehension."

His words were simple and straightforward, yet they fully expressed the helplessness and struggle of cultivators at the bottom of society.

The path of spiritual cultivation is a struggle against time and life, fraught with hardship at every step. The slightest slackening will result in a wasted century and the return of dust to dust.

After explaining all the regulations, resources, and common knowledge about lifespan, the female disciple in charge of internal affairs bowed slightly, displaying impeccable manners.

"If you two senior brothers and sisters have any questions about cultivation, resource requests, or needs for residence repairs in the future, you may send a message to the Internal Affairs Hall at any time. I will be there whenever you call. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave so as not to disturb your quiet cultivation and settlement."

After saying that, she turned around and slowly walked out of the courtyard, gently closing the gate to shut out all the noise from the outside world.

The tranquil and elegant Qingning Cottage is completely serene, with the mist drifting gently and the pure spiritual energy seeping into every part of the body, refreshing the soul.

Only Zhang Yang and Lin Wanqing remained in the courtyard.

Lin Wanqing looked up at the young man beside her and sighed softly, "So the path of cultivation is full of rules and differences. Lifespan is limited, resources are vastly different, and the higher you go, the more difficult it becomes."

Zhang Yang looked up at the distant, undulating Qingyun Mountains, his gaze calm and profound, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

He possesses unparalleled talent, seemingly blessed with a privileged start, yet in reality, he remains insignificant and humble. His lifespan is short, resources are scarce, his sect's foundation is weak, and powerful enemies from beyond the realm surround him; every step of his path is fraught with danger.

But he had already made up his mind that since he had acquired such extraordinary talent, he would never waste his life.

From this day forward, he will diligently cultivate in silence, solidifying his foundation in Qi Refining within reasonable limits in the shortest possible time, and breaking through the shackles of his cultivation realm. When he is fully grown and his cultivation has reached its peak, he will not only break free from the constraints of a hundred-year lifespan, but also protect those around him and the Qingyun Sect. One day, he will venture beyond the border regions, tread the Central Plains, and reach the pinnacle of the world!

A gentle breeze caresses the courtyard, its ethereal charm lingering.

Zhang Yang's path of cultivation officially began from this moment on.