Chapter 6: The Ink Bamboo Sword

The wheat stalks swayed, heavy with grain, as a green light flashed across the branches, rustling in the breeze, invigorating the entire patch of vegetation.

Bai Zichen lightly swept his fingers, a verdant glow flowing from his fingertips. After a few breaths, he was already panting, feeling utterly exhausted.

"Wow, Brother Chen, you're really amazing! You've mastered the Yi Wood Green Deity Technique so quickly. If my parents knew, they'd definitely give me another lecture," said the chubby Bai, who, upon learning that Bai Zichen had mastered the Yi Wood Green Deity Technique, had dragged him to the edge of the spirit field early in the morning to broaden his horizons.

Bai Zichen, knowing his own capabilities, had spent a full forty days just to get a foothold in the Yi Wood Green Deity Technique, which was quite slow.

He wasn't like other children who studied intermittently out of interest. He had earnestly invested a great deal of time and energy, which only proved that his talent for this auxiliary spell was limited.

But it was still the first spell he had learned, and seeing the changes in the wheat after casting it, he felt a small sense of accomplishment.

"Has the clan leader sent any new news?"

"No, my dad said that the Qingfeng Sect has dispatched another team of disciples, even the head of the Law Enforcement Hall has personally joined in, making quite a spectacle," the chubby Bai said, carelessly flicking a marble in his hand, sharing the information he had gathered with his good friend. "Brother Chen, with your talent, are you planning to join the Qingfeng Sect in the future?"

"The Qingfeng Sect... I doubt they would accept me. Their requirements for disciples are very high, especially for children from cultivation families like ours."

Although Bai Zichen knew that the Qingfeng Sect was a large and powerful sect, with cultivation techniques and resources far surpassing what the Bai family could offer, he didn't particularly yearn for it.

Perhaps it was because he felt that the sect was not as reassuring as his own family, filled with a sense of the unknown.

"If I can reach the Fourth Layer of the Qi Condensation stage before I turn twenty-five, that would be great. I've already talked it over with my dad. At that time, I'll join his merchant caravan, traveling to different places every month, meeting different people. That kind of life is much more interesting. I can't stand being cooped up in a room, cultivating for ten days or half a month at a time," said the chubby Bai, lying on a pile of firewood, squinting his eyes as he daydreamed about his future.

"Of course, if I could have a fortuitous encounter and become a sword immortal, that would be even better. My childhood dream has always been to ride a flying sword through the azure sky and become a powerful sword immortal!"

"There will be opportunities. The clan has several methods for refining flying swords. When you grow up, the elders can help you refine one," said Bai Zichen, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Flying swords were far more expensive than other magical artifacts of the same level, not only because of their powerful offensive capabilities and ability to serve as flying tools, but also because becoming a sword immortal was a childhood dream for many, making it a matter of sentiment.

"Forget it, I don't have the qualifications to be considered for a clan flying sword. It would be better to save spirit stones to buy medicinal pills," said the usually optimistic chubby Bai, revealing a rare bitter smile. Young cultivators were generally more mature than their peers, and he was no exception. "Brother Chen, you have three spiritual roots. If you have good luck in the future, you might even have a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. If you really make it, don't forget to give me a hand."

The chubby Bai had the worst possible five spiritual roots, which was why he said he wouldn't be considered for a clan flying sword.

His lazy demeanor and lack of enthusiasm for cultivation might also stem from the fact that he knew no matter how hard he tried, achieving success on the path of cultivation would be difficult.

"The Foundation Establishment stage is too far-fetched. Let's focus on reaching the Second Layer of the Qi Condensation stage first," said Bai Zichen, lying down on the pile of firewood, sinking halfway into it, finding it soft and comfortable.

"Speaking of flying swords, do you know how the clan distributes them? Is it based on cultivation level or potential?"

"Hehe, Brother Chen, you've asked the right person. I pestered my mom about this before the New Year," said the chubby Bai, his gloomy mood quickly dissipating as he enthusiastically shared his knowledge. "The clan only has one type of flying sword, the Ink Bamboo Sword, but there are two grades. The difference lies in whether the main material, the Black Bamboo, is of middle or upper quality at the first rank."

"The Ink Bamboo Swords sold outside are of the lower grade, while the better ones are kept within the clan. On average, the clan can produce one Ink Bamboo Sword every five years to reward its cultivators."

"According to the tradition of recent years, those who receive the flying sword must meet the following criteria: under thirty years old, with a good chance of reaching the later stages of the Qi Condensation stage in the short term, and with significant contributions to the family. If you really want an Ink Bamboo Sword, you can start planning in a few years."

A lower-grade Ink Bamboo Sword would cost five hundred spirit stones in the market, and an upper-grade one would be even more expensive. For most clan cultivators, relying on their own savings, it would be out of reach.

"Initial Qi Condensation stage cultivators receive two spirit stones per year, middle Qi Condensation stage cultivators receive five spirit stones per year, and only at the later Qi Condensation stage do they receive twenty spirit stones. Relying solely on clan benefits to save money is too slow. It's best to master a profitable skill to quickly accumulate wealth," said Bai Zichen, determined to strive for the opportunity to obtain an Ink Bamboo Sword if it arose.

On the path of cultivation, striving for the chance of immortality was a process of competition—competing with others, with heaven, and with the great Dao.

"I promise, Fatso, if I become a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, I'll buy you the most central shop in the Qingfeng Sect market, where you can sell whatever you want and do business happily!"

The Qingfeng Sect market was the largest gathering place for cultivators in the Black Mountain County, with each shop being a treasure trove, where countless goods flowed in and out.

Even a regular shop would cost over a thousand spirit stones in annual rent, let alone a permanent lease, which would be an astronomical figure.

Influenced by the chubby Bai's mood, Bai Zichen, in a moment of excitement, revealed his deepest desire: to become a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

Living for two hundred years, becoming a prominent figure in Black Mountain County, and truly having the ability to protect oneself were his greatest dreams.

...

"Break! Break! Break!"

The lean Taoist pointed with three fingers, releasing three beams of golden light, each carrying an overwhelming force that completely penetrated the Chongxu Sword Array, bringing the sword technique, which had been radiating with sword light, to an abrupt halt.

Only then could it be seen that the three golden beams were three palm-length golden shuttles, precisely hitting the array's focal points, causing it to malfunction.

After more than ten days of continuous attacks, the Chongxu Sword Array, which had been consuming the sword qi of the cultivation family, was finally on the verge of collapse. Thinking of the treasures that might be hidden in the third level of the Five Peaks Temple, the lean Taoist's heart burned with excitement. He formed a hand seal with his ten fingers, his entire body surging with magical power, and with a downward slap, the entire mountain shook.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Instantly, more than a dozen sword lights shot out from the cave, and the lean Taoist's large hand intercepted half of them, but five or six sword lights, moving too quickly, slipped past him.

At this critical moment of breaking the cave, the cultivation family's team had been replaced to allow the sect disciples to enter first. The ones facing the sword lights were all Qingfeng Sect disciples.

The first two disciples didn't even have time to react before the sword lights took their lives, causing them to fall to the ground.

Seeing the remaining sword lights about to fly away, and with the few sword lights he had caught still wriggling and jumping, unable to spare any effort, he roared, "Idiots, don't just stand there! Quickly work together to intercept these flying swords, or the old ancestor will have your heads!"

Several purple-robed elders finally reacted, summoning their magical artifacts to engage the sword lights, trying to suppress and capture them.

As the great array dissipated, slowly appearing before everyone's eyes were five small hills, shimmering with a metallic luster, and a towering stone stele, exuding an ancient aura.

(End of Chapter)