Chapter 16: The Choice

The letter also stated that the path of immortality was one of defying heaven. Relying solely on what the sect had left him would make progress extremely difficult. Therefore, he was permitted, as an outer disciple, to join other sects for cultivation.

Thinking carefully, if a mortal obtained this technique and practiced it briefly, joining one of those smaller sects with some resources would be more than sufficient.

Seeing this line, Song Yan judged that this sect master had likely gone with no intention of returning.

His words no longer showed any concern for respecting one’s master. He only hoped that this lone seedling of the Sword Sect could cling to life in the cultivation world—that would count as success.

“This is rather too humble.”

Actually, for an ant like Song Yan in the cultivation world, being an outer disciple of the Dongyuan Sect or an outer disciple of the Sword Sect—it was all the same.

Surviving and seeking the Dao of longevity—that was what truly mattered.

But the sights he had witnessed at the Dongyuan Sect were, after all, his first glimpse upon stepping into the cultivation world. Those bitter-sounding words in the Sword Sect’s letter did indeed put his mind at ease somewhat.

But none of this was the most important thing. What truly gave Song Yan a headache was the cultivation technique left for him.

The Spirit Transformation Chapter.

This technique appeared to be a fragment from some immortal scripture collection, or perhaps excerpts compiled from various cultivation methods.

It consisted of three parts: the General Outline, the Sword Planting Art, and the “Sword Art Essentials.”

The General Outline stated that the core of the Sword Sect’s techniques lay in the Sword Planting Art.

Upon closer examination, the content of the Sword Planting Art was divided into two main parts.

First, the cultivator must advance to the fourth level of Qi Refining Stage, possessing a certain amount of spiritual energy. Then, using spiritual energy to sever all “spiritual roots,” discarding all cultivation, and opening the Town-Dao Sword Manor to plant the seed of the Sword Dao.

In other words, the cultivator’s body could not contain any spiritual roots.

Second, refine a Vitality Flying Sword as a bridge to communicate with the Sword Repository, and to compensate for the shattered spiritual roots’ life force.

“Discard one’s cultivation and start over…”

Song Yan sighed deeply.

This first condition alone had already left his mind unsettled, leaving him no interest in studying how to refine the Vitality Flying Sword.

Perhaps for those cultivators with exceptional talent or family backing, when faced with a precious technique, they would not hesitate to discard their cultivation and start over.

Qi Refining Stage, fifth level.

To be honest, it was not such a lofty realm.

But for a bottom-tier cultivator like Song Yan, only he himself knew how arduous the journey had been.

If not for the divine sense advantage of having lived two lives, if not for meeting a benefactor like Granny Qin…

He would likely have been like Senior Brother Zhao Fengcheng, with no hope of Foundation Establishment, expelled from the sect.

Now, placed before him was such a dangerous choice, and he was truly at a loss.

“But no matter what, at least before this external mission is completed and I return to the sect, I absolutely cannot take this risk.”

A few days after returning from the Stone Bridge, Song Yan received notice that he had been selected as an outer disciple to participate in a joint sect mission several months later.

The person who notified him was an outer sect steward named Chen Chen whom he had never met, but a few days later, Senior Brother Lin Qing came to explain the mission details in person.

“Silent Valley…”

Song Yan had heard of this place before. Silent Valley was located at the border of the State of Chu, near the territory of the State of Qi.

Though called a valley, it was actually a valley surrounded by vast terraced fields for growing spirit grain and herb gardens for medicinal plants.

This place had been jointly discovered by the Xuanyuan Sect, the Lingfu Sect, and the Dongyuan Sect. The three sects shared it, with each contributing personnel for daily chores and spirit grain cultivation.

The spiritual qi was abundant, the location remote, and it was undisturbed on ordinary days. If not for this recent spiritual energy fluctuation, it would truly have been a place for pure cultivation.

When he used to visit the Outer Disciple Affairs Hall to collect missions, he often saw outer disciples participating in a type of mission called “Spirit Grain Acceleration.”

However, it generally required disciples proficient in water-element magical artifacts. Song Yan had never imagined he would go to that place.

This mission seemed to be different.

“An external mission—even with inner disciples leading the team, there are always risks no matter what…”

Song Yan temporarily set aside the Sword Planting Art.

“Once the mission is completed and I return to the sect, I’ll make my decision then…”

However, although he could not currently cultivate the Sword Planting Art, there was one method within it that he could attempt early.

Rather than calling it a method, it was more like a technique.

Condensing Sword Dao True Essence.

Originally, Sword Sect disciples planted a Sword Dao seed within the Town-Dao Sword Manor. As spiritual energy was cultivated, sword qi would gradually emerge within the Town-Dao Sword Manor.

From this, one could absorb sword qi and condense Sword Dao True Essence.

At the end of the Spirit Transformation Chapter’s section on Sword Essence, it mentioned that if one did not yet possess sword qi, one could still follow the technique and use spiritual energy to directly condense Sword Essence. However, the consumption was considerable, and the power would be diminished.

Song Yan tried it briefly. The progress was not slow, but the spiritual energy consumption was truly severe. To condense one such strand of Sword Essence would likely take nearly half a month.

Additionally, the Sword Art Essentials recorded numerous “basic sword techniques,” which was a timely rain for a sword Dao novice like Song Yan. Most of the sect’s techniques required sect contribution points to exchange, and contribution points could often be directly exchanged for spirit stones. Song Yan had always been reluctant to spend them…

He had originally intended to exchange for an offensive technique before this mission. Since he had now obtained the Sword Art Essentials, he saved another batch of contribution points.

“Let me go keep the appointment first…”

Song Yan stood up.

Tonight, as soon as darkness fell, would be the “night market” Granny Qin had spoken of.

…

Nighttime, Spirit Source Marsh market district center.

A male and a female cultivator arrived at the night market entrance.

The young male cultivator kept adjusting the white wolf mask on his face, seemingly unaccustomed to it.

“What are you doing?”

“Granny Qin, there’s fur on this mask, it’s a bit itchy…”

“Deal with it! How old are you, fussing over such trivial matters…”

Granny Qin did not wear a mask. She merely used a spell Song Yan had never seen before to slightly alter her appearance.

Perhaps it was a female cultivator’s obsession with beauty. Even after changing her appearance, she still possessed a face as beautiful as a fairy.

…

At the night market entrance stood a Dongyuan Sect disciple with an ordinary appearance, serving as guard.

“I am the Spirit Source Marsh Market Steward, Chen Qi.”

“Might I ask how you two should be addressed?”

Song Yan wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt this person’s voice sounded strangely familiar.

Perhaps it was some sect disciple he saw regularly, currently also disguised.

“I am Qin Yue.”

A fake name, then.

“Tong Chuping.”

Song Yan casually gave a dead man’s name as well.

“Senior Brother Tong, Senior Sister Qin, the entrance fee is three spirit stones per person…”

Song Yan paused and turned to look at Granny Qin.

Qin Xijun furrowed her brow and secretly transmitted her voice: “Why are you looking at me? Pay up.”

I’m paying?

Song Yan reluctantly took out three spirit stones from his Cosmos Bag, heart aching.

“Uh… Senior Brother, that’s three per person…”

“What?!”

Just walking in costs three spirit stones per person, without doing anything! Who knows if these Blood Pills, Yin Puppets, and Rebirth Spikes are even worth this price!

Song Yan wanted to turn and leave on the spot, but at that moment, Granny Qin’s slender jade arms suddenly wrapped around his neck.

“Senior Brother, I want to go in…”

Qin Xijun rested her head on Song Yan’s shoulder, leaned close to his ear, and breathed sweetly: “Take me in to have fun…”

Song Yan was speechless.

No—Granny Qin, who are you putting on this act for…

The ordinary-looking disciple merely watched their “flirting” with a smile, saying nothing.

Sigh, just pay.

Six spirit stones parted with, and Song Yan’s heart was bleeding.

With this, Song Yan could barely afford the cost of refining Qi Nourishing Pills.

“Senior Brother, please wait…”

“Hmm?”

“One more missing.”

Song Yan froze, then felt a chill run down his spine.

Chen Qi smiled amiably.

“Spirit pet. Counts as one.”