Cultivating To Immortality

Chapter 774: Undercurrent

The Dragon Pool Mountain gathering was unprecedented in its scale, with even a Holy Monk from Huadu Temple setting up an altar to preach and propagate Buddhist Dharma.

The various places for exchange and discussion were also valuable opportunities.

Song Yan naturally did not want to miss them.

With only two days left until the selection, he had ventured out from White Egret Cliff these past few days, exploring various parts of the valley.

Near White Egret Cliff, there was a Cloud Terrace Bookstore. Song Yan sat cross-legged, surrounded by dozens of Cultivators ranging from Late Stage Qi Refining to Early Stage Foundation Establishment.

Most of them were also relatively young.

At the very front of the bookstore, a Cultivator from Shooting Sun Sect was giving a lecture. His hair was completely white, and he was in the Late Stage Foundation Establishment Realm.

One could tell at a glance that he was an old Senior specially invited.

The old man’s Cultivation was solid and profound, and he cultivated a Wood-element Cultivation Technique.

What he spoke of did not involve many earth-shattering secret techniques; rather, it focused on the subtle points of Spiritual Power circulation, methods for concentrating the mind in mental Cultivation, and experiential advice for breaking through minor bottlenecks.

His lecture was indeed profound yet easy to understand, truly like a spring breeze turning into rain, nourishing all things silently.

Song Yan listened intently, gaining many insights that corroborated some of the difficult parts of the Grand Void Transformation Tome he was currently comprehending.

Many obscure points became clear as day after this explanation.

For many Disciples of large Sects, such opportunities were actually available within their Sects.

However, for Loose Cultivators, it was completely different.

It was precisely for this reason that countless Loose Cultivators and Cultivators from small Sects would try their hardest to get into the Dragon Pool Mountain gathering.

This was a much higher platform than what they usually had access to.

After the Dao discussion ended, Song Yan planned to visit the Dao field for the art of mental Cultivation.

Speaking of which, the mystery of that golden-paged chess manual still had no clue.

Although Xiao Ju was only at Qi Refining, after listening to the lecture by the Foundation Establishment Senior just now, she felt she had gained a lot.

She respectfully apologized to Master Song Yan, and after receiving his nod, returned to her Immortal Cave to continue her Cultivation.

The Dao field for the art of mental Cultivation was set up near a waterside pavilion.

The atmosphere here was elegant, with multiple Dao fields for zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, tea, and other arts.

Song Yan casually found a quiet chess board and sat down.

Most of the people who came here to play chess did not know each other.

At such a grand event, meeting by chance and finding a worthy opponent in chess was also a great pleasure.

Before long, someone sat down opposite him: "Fellow Daoist, how about a game of chess?"

The newcomer’s voice was gentle, with a hint of familiarity, but this feeling of familiarity was quite distant.

Song Yan looked up, slightly surprised.

The young Cultivator sitting opposite him wore a light green Daoist robe and had a steady demeanor.

After a moment’s thought, he remembered.

The person was Ke Huai, whom he had met once at the Lingyuan Ze Night Market exchange gathering several years ago.

If he remembered correctly, this person should be a Disciple of a small Sect, the Ziyang Sect.

It was not far from Cave Abyss Sect.

What surprised Song Yan was that the aura faintly emanating from this person was clearly the Spiritual Pressure fluctuation of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Fellow Daoist Tong... or rather, Daoist Song, long time no see."

Song Yan was slightly startled, then smiled with understanding: "Fellow Daoist Ke."

Back at the Lingyuan Ze Night Market, Song Yan had worn a white wolf mask and called himself Tong Chuping.

Song Yan now had some reputation among the younger generation of the Chu Kingdom Cultivation World.

Ke Huai was a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, and with a little attention, he could easily discern Song Yan’s identity.

Ke Huai was not a fool either.

"I didn’t expect to meet you here, and even less did I expect that Fellow Daoist has also established his Dao Foundation."

If anyone else heard these words, they might inwardly grumble a few times.

For someone to establish Foundation Establishment in their twenties, then praise someone in their thirties, always carried a hint of Yin and Yang sarcasm.

But Song Yan’s surprise did not seem feigned.

At the Night Market that year, this person was only at Qi Refining Stage 6. He did not expect such rapid progress in just a few years.

Ke Huai’s face showed a gentle smile, and there was also a hint of emotion in his eyes: "Since our farewell at Lingyuan Marsh that day, the world has changed, as if it were yesterday."

"My meager Dao cultivation is merely due to the good fortune of being favored by my Sect Elders, who bestowed Medicinal Pills upon me, and through diligent Cultivation and hard work, I have made slight progress."

The two played chess while reminiscing.

They went back and forth, their minds at peace.

For Song Yan and Ke Huai, this chess game was a way to Cultivate their minds, reminisce, and reflect deeply.

However, for Snake Babe, who was sprawled beside them watching the game, it was incredibly boring.

At first, she squatted there, curiously watching, but before long, she became restless, her eyes darting around, searching for something new.

She looked here and there.

She even occasionally "advised" other people’s chess games, receiving several inexplicable cold glares.

Just then, a pair of slender jade hands gently patted Xiao He’s shoulder.

"Hey, little one."

A clear, yet somewhat familiar voice, sounded behind her.

"Huh?" Xiao He turned her head sharply, recognizing the person.

"Sister Bai!"

Bai Qi, dressed in white, had appeared behind her at some unknown time, her figure ethereal, holding two scrolls in her arms.

She did not resemble a snake demon at all, but rather a young Fairy from some Sect.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this that she was able to blend into Dragon Pool Mountain.

Xiao He looked at Bai Qi’s figure, her surprised expression faltered, then she looked down at her own short little hands and feet... When will I be as beautiful as Sister Bai!

Bai Qi was still as aloof and ethereal, looking at Xiao He with a hint of helpless yet understanding smile.

She led Xiao He to an unoccupied spot by the waterside pavilion.

Song Yan slightly turned his head, looking at the back of the white-clad woman, lost in thought.

But very quickly, his thoughts returned to the chessboard... "Why is Sister Bai here? Won’t she be caught...?"

"I knew you would come here, so I came specifically to find you. Do you believe me?"

"No." Xiao He shook her head.

Bai Qi smiled: "Yao Race Cultivators often hide among Loose Cultivators and also have their own networks."

"This time, I originally came to invite a Senior Yao Race Cultivator to join Shangtong Mountain, but unfortunately, I arrived late, and he has already left."

"Oh."

Xiao He didn’t quite understand, but she wasn’t interested, so she didn’t ask further.

"What about you?"

"You’re here with that human named Song Yan again, aren’t you?"

"Yeah."

Xiao He chuckled, revealing two small fangs: "It’s so lively here."

"You child... The path of Cultivation is long. Following him in this small world of Chu Kingdom will ultimately hinder your talent and spiritual nature."

Bai Qi shook her head slightly.

She took a few steps closer, extending her hand again, her fingertips imbued with a faint Demonic Qi that made Xiao He feel refreshed and at ease.

"Xiao He, the mountains and seas are not illusory. Come with me to Shangtong Mountain, gather with your peers, and head to the Central Region to find the true paradise for our Yao Race."

"The world there is far beyond what can be compared here. Your extraordinary Aptitude, perhaps due to a great Demon Bloodline, will lead to limitless prospects in time."

"How have you thought about it these past few years?"

Her voice carried a peculiar allure.

Xiao He’s dark eyes blinked, and her face showed longing, but then she firmly shook her head.

"Hmm... still no."

"Is it still because of that human?"

Bai Qi frowned slightly.

This young man named Song Yan indeed had some Aptitude, having established his Dao Foundation in just a few years.

But she had seen countless such so-called "Genius," and they were not uncommon.

The Yao Race power on Shangtong Mountain was not that strong, and she truly did not want to see a good child like Xiao He waste her Demonic Path.

Xiao He nodded.

"No matter how big the outside world is, if Yan Yan isn’t there..."

"Uh..." Snake Babe’s small head thought for a moment, and an expression of fear and resistance appeared on her face.

"Then it would be too lonely."

Her small face was full of seriousness, without the slightest wavering.

Bai Qi looked down at the stubborn and pure little snake demon in front of her, without getting angry.

Instead, a hint of pity, and a trace of barely perceptible envy, appeared in her eyes.

She asked, "Then don’t you want to look for your parents?"

"Let’s not, they don’t want me anyway."

Speaking of this, Xiao He showed no trace of regret or sadness.

Parents?

She had never even seen them; to her, they were strangers.

Only those who raised her, who genuinely treated her well, could be called family.

Just like Grandpa.

She didn’t know why Grandpa gave her the surname Xu; wouldn’t it have been better to have Grandpa’s surname, just like Yan Yan?

Bai Qi sighed softly.

She reached out and gently stroked Xiao He’s head, and a gentle Demonic Qi merged into Xiao He’s body, nourishing her.

"Alright."

She withdrew her hand: "But you must promise Sister, don’t neglect your Cultivation."

"Okay." Xiao He nodded obediently.

Bai Qi pinched Snake Babe’s little cheek: "If you ever change your mind, there will always be a place for you on Shangtong Mountain. Just come find Sister then."

"Oh."

After Bai Qi finished speaking, she slowly left the place.

Xiao He stood there, touching her little head, not knowing why, but feeling her head was cool and very comfortable.

"Am I going to get smarter?"

She quickly cast aside these complex thoughts and skipped away in the direction of the mental Cultivation Dao field.

Just then, Song Yan and Ke Huai finished their game.

"Daoist Song’s chess skills are exquisite, Ke is impressed."

"Just a lucky win."

For the two of them, victory or defeat was not that important at all.

"The selection phase is in a few days. If we meet, I hope Daoist Song will show mercy."

Ke Huai was also one of the Cultivators officially participating this time, occupying a seat for a small Sect.

It was getting late. The two parted ways, and Song Yan took Xiao He back to his Immortal Cave.

Speaking of which, ever since he set foot on Dragon Pool Mountain, aside from seeing Xu Ziqing on the day they arrived, he had not met any of the other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters from the Sect who were in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Besides this batch of new generation Disciples, there were also five leading Foundation Establishment Disciples.

Among them, he had heard of some of their names.

But he had never met them.

Just as Song Yan was once again immersed in the Cultivation of the Grand Void Transformation Tome, finally, on the eve before the selection was about to begin, he received a Jade Slip for communication.

In the Immortal Cave, Song Yan reached out and retrieved the sound-transmitting Talisman suspended in the air, probing it with his Divine Sense.

"Disciple Song Yan of Cave Abyss Sect, come quickly to Tingyu Cottage on White Egret Cliff for a discussion. The selection is imminent, and there are important matters to discuss."

"Cave Abyss Sect Outer Affairs Elder, Zhang Guangyuan."

Elder Zhang?

He had some impression of this Elder. He was in charge of external affairs within the Sect, held a high position, and his Cultivation was not low.

He immediately got up, left the Immortal Cave, and rushed to where the Elder was.

Li Yi and he arrived almost simultaneously.

This place was higher and more secluded, far from the bustling Diequan Square.

Stepping into the Immortal Cave, he saw that all the Cultivator Disciples officially participating in this gathering were already assembled.

Among the five leading Foundation Establishment Realm Disciples, besides Xu Ziqing and Qin Ying, the other three were unfamiliar, and Song Yan did not recognize them.

They were two Senior Brothers and one Senior Sister.

Xiang Zhaoling had already returned from the Southern Border. She sat on a stone chair, her two slender legs swinging restlessly, playing with a strange small insect that was entirely green.

Only, Song Yan felt deeply puzzled.

Xiang Zhaoling was a single fire Spiritual Root, a Genius hailed as a "Heavenly Spiritual Root."

Why had she still not established Foundation Establishment until now... Seeing Li Yi and Song Yan arrive together, everyone greeted them.

Zhang Guangyuan’s gaze slowly swept over Song Yan and Li Yi, who were the last to arrive, lingering on Song Yan for a moment.

Then he spoke faintly: "Since everyone is here, I will get straight to the point."

"The reason for calling you all here is that the rules for the selection phase have been announced, and I am now informing you."

"I will keep it short."

"A total of one hundred and sixty Cultivators are participating in this selection, including forty-two Foundation Establishment Disciples from the previous generation."

"The two generations of Disciples will be selected separately. Twenty will be chosen from the previous generation, and thirty-six from the younger generation, to participate in the final Grand Competition."

The younger generation of Disciples were still at Qi Refining when the quotas were set previously.

Now, many have advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Logically, having Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Cultivators participate in the same selection might seem unfair.

However, in reality, no one would find anything wrong with this.

Everyone was considered to be of the same generation of Cultivators. If others had established their Immortal Foundation and one had not, they were already at a disadvantage.

In a real battle in the Cultivation World, would you be allowed to be picky about your opponent’s Realm?

Separating the previous generation of Disciples for selection was already quite considerate.

"The selection venue is deep within the Dragon Pool Mountain range, and the Seal Formation should already be in place."

"Before the selection begins tomorrow, everyone can choose a Talisman box for themselves."

"There are three possibilities: Yin Talisman, Yang Talisman, and blank Talismans."

"Taking the new generation of Disciples as an example, there are thirty-six Yin and Yang Talismans each, and the rest are all blank Talismans."

"After entering the selection area, only those who collect both a Yin Talisman and a Yang Talisman within one day will advance."

It looked complicated, but it was actually very simple. In essence, it meant ensuring one had both a Yin and a Yang Talisman on them when the time ended.

If one drew a Yang Talisman, they would have to find a way to obtain a Yin Talisman from someone else.

And vice versa.

Those who drew a blank Talisman would need to acquire both.

"Other than that, just try to avoid killing. There are no other rules."

Elder Zhang Guangyuan’s introduction was concise, but those gathered here were not mediocre.

Many detailed questions were simply pondered in their minds.

Everyone had their own thoughts, while Elder Zhang went through the motions, reminding the participating Disciples.

"The Nine Pulses Grand Competition is not a leisurely exchange of pointers, nor is it an internal Sect trial. The outside world, with the myriad Cultivators of Chu Kingdom watching, and internally, concerning the Sect’s reputation and Foundation, you must do your utmost."

"Especially you few."

He looked at Xu Ziqing and the other five: "The core of the previous generation, you are even more the focus of attention."

"Yes, Elder."

The meeting concluded, no more words were needed.

Everyone tacitly stood up, bowed, and took their leave.

Song Yan deliberately walked slowly, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Senior Brother Lin."

"Oh, I wouldn’t dare. Now I should call you Senior Brother Song."

Lin Qing walked last, saw Song Yan, and came forward with a smile.

The two, understanding each other, left the Immortal Cave together.

"I really didn’t expect you to establish Foundation Establishment so quickly."

Lin Qing congratulated him, but felt a bit emotional in his heart.

Song Yan was someone he had noticed early on, and anyone would be astonished by him.

Three Spiritual Root Aptitude, unremarkable.

No background, no resources, and even had his Cultivation drop due to being involved in the Jiran Valley dispute previously.

Yet, at some unknown point, he began to catch up rapidly.

Now, he had actually established Foundation Establishment before him.

He had actually already collected the precious Medicinal Pills and could attempt a Breakthrough.

But having lived a second life, he always wanted perfection, so he kept delaying.

He might as well wait until after Dragon Pool Mountain.

After all, there was still nearly a year or so until the Demonic Path invasion...