Chapter 4 Unlock Spirit Spring, Body Refinement System
Although he had already secured Yun Man, she had not yet formally performed the master-acknowledgment ceremony, so the System had not given any prompts. Thus, Qin Xiao directly brought Yun Man back to Seven Stars Peak.
Upon arriving at Seven Stars Peak and seeing only a dilapidated courtyard standing at the peak, Yun Man began to harbor some doubts about whether her decision was right or wrong.
"I know what you are worried about. Rest assured, once you acknowledge me as your master, not a single condition I promised you will be reduced."
Seeing the trace of disappointment in Yun Man's eyes, Qin Xiao quickly spoke up.
"Many thanks, Master; this disciple understands."
Realizing she had lost her composure, Yun Man quickly collected her expression and promptly replied.
"The entire Seven Stars Peak has only myself. Since you have entered my Seven Stars Peak, you can only acknowledge me as your master. Once the master-acknowledgment ceremony is complete, Master naturally will not treat you unfairly."
Eager to find out what new supplies would be unlocked, Qin Xiao continued with his bluff.
"This disciple means no offense. Although this entire Seven Stars Peak possesses rich Spiritual Qi, there is only this single courtyard. Does Master truly have the ability to grant this disciple such treatment?"
After entering the courtyard and taking in its ordinary and dilapidated appearance, try as she might to trust Qin Xiao, Yun Man simply could not see what within these walls could possibly aid her cultivation.
"Master knows you still harbor doubts. How about this: you formally acknowledge me as master for now. A month from now, if you have not received the conditions I promised, you may freely choose to join another peak, and I will never obstruct you. Surely the welcoming gift I gave you showed enough sincerity?"
To say nothing of Yun Man's disbelief, if he had not activated the System, even he would not have believed it. Qin Xiao had no choice but to keep up the bluff.
Though he called it a bluff, it was also a stalling tactic. With the Infinite Resource System producing one Spirit Stone every second, he would accumulate over two million Spirit Stones in a month, easily fulfilling the conditions he had promised Yun Man. Yet producing it all at once right now was entirely unrealistic.
"With Master's words, this disciple has no more worries."
Seeing Qin Xiao give such an assurance-and considering that the initial gift he bestowed had indeed been remarkably generous-Yun Man figured someone capable of such a gift had no reason to deceive her.
"Since you have no further questions, let us perform the master-acknowledgment ceremony. Once that is done, I will discuss the next matters with you."
Seeing that Yun Man had been taken in, Qin Xiao promptly brought up the ceremony.
Raising no objections, the two entered the main hall in the middle of the courtyard. The interior was completely empty save for a wooden table, with only a portrait of the Seventh Elder hanging on the high wall.
Though he was a nominal master who had not yet taught him anything, Qin Xiao still offered incense to him every day. After all, it was under the Seventh Elder's protection that he had managed to secure a foothold in the Tianyuan Sect.
"Master is above; today this disciple, Yun Man, wishes to enter your sect. Please grant your permission, Master."
Noticing a cup of tea on the wooden table, Yun Man poured a fresh cup, knelt on one knee, and raised it high above her head toward Qin Xiao to perform the ceremony.
"Good, Master permits it. From this day onward, you are the Senior Sister of Seven Stars Peak."
Taking the cup, Qin Xiao drained it in a single gulp and smiled happily.
"Congratulations to the Host for accepting the first disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root or above. Unlocked new supply: Spirit Spring. The Spirit Spring produces one drop of Spirit Liquid per minute. Successfully unlocked new supply: Spirit Stones increased by two per second."
"Due to the successful acceptance of a disciple, the Body Refinement System has been unlocked. Host, please check the details yourself."
Two consecutive System notifications rang in Qin Xiao's mind immediately following the successful discipleship.
"Master, what is wrong with you?"
Seeing Qin Xiao fall into a daze, Yun Man asked in puzzlement.
"It is nothing. Go find a room to settle into for now. Master has other matters to attend to; once I am finished, I will call for you to discuss things in detail."
Leaving behind those words, Qin Xiao hurried back to his own room, eager to examine the changes in the System.
Back in his quarters, Qin Xiao wasted no time opening the System interface.
Aside from the Spirit Stones, a new indicator for the Spirit Spring had appeared on the panel. The Spirit Stone production rate now showed an increase of two Spirit Stones per second, while the Spirit Spring produced one drop of Spirit Liquid per minute.
Qin Xiao had some understanding of Spirit Liquid; it was rumored to be condensed from pure Spiritual Qi, gentle and free of side effects, making it the ultimate treasure for cultivation breakthroughs. Each drop was priced at no less than one thousand Spirit Stones, and even then, it was priced but unavailable-usually only appearing in tiny amounts at auctions.
He was thoroughly satisfied with the newly unlocked supply, but he was even more curious about the Body Refinement System.
As a transmigrator from another world, he had never been able to adapt to the cultivation system of this realm, which was precisely why he remained a mere mortal after three years. Otherwise, even the most mediocre talent should have reached the Qi Condensation stage simply by lying down every day in the dense Spiritual Qi of Seven Stars Peak.
Qin Xiao had tried numerous methods before finally giving up. There was truly nothing more agonizing than living in a world of cultivation and being unable to cultivate.
"The Body Refinement System is tailored specifically for the Host. Because the Host originates from another world and cannot cultivate, this new system has been added. Body Refinement is divided into three stages; currently, only the first stage is unlocked."
"The first stage has ten layers. First layer: Strength Capable of Shattering Stone, Copper Skin and Iron Bones. Second layer: Firm as Bedrock, Unharmed by Mortal Objects. Third layer: breaking mountains with pure force, indestructible diamond body. The fourth layer requires the Host to reach the second layer to unlock."
After reading the description, Qin Xiao was so excited he nearly jumped for joy. Coming to the cultivation world and being unable to cultivate had always been his greatest regret; now, the addition of Body Refinement finally offered a way to overcome it.
"I wonder how this Body Refinement compares to actual cultivation, but judging by the description, it is remarkably formidable."
Qin Xiao was immensely pleased, especially since the Spirit Liquid could also be used for body refinement-it was an absolute perfection.
Meanwhile, Great Elder Yao Tiansheng had returned to Immortal Sword Peak with a grim expression.
"Master, what has happened?"
Seeing the deeply troubled look on her master's face, Immortal Sword Peak's Holy Maiden Liu Xueyue stepped forward to inquire.
"It is nothing, Xueyue. How has your cultivation been progressing lately? Are there any signs of breaking through to the Golden Core stage?"
Noticing it was Liu Xueyue, Yao Tiansheng's expression instantly softened considerably as he asked with concern.
Liu Xueyue was the Holy Maiden of Immortal Sword Peak. While lacking a Heavenly Spirit Root, she possessed a Top Earthly Spirit Root, which fell little short of a Heavenly Spirit Root. As one of Yao Tiansheng's personal disciples, her cultivation had already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Master, this disciple came specifically to bring you this good notice. I have already sensed signs of a breakthrough, which is why I came to seek you out. This disciple intends to enter secluded cultivation for one month, and I am certain I will break through by the end of it."
Liu Xueyue said happily. The senior brothers who had entered the sect before her were still lingering in the Foundation Establishment stage; having joined only three years ago, she was already on the verge of reaching the Golden Core stage, which naturally delighted her.
"Haha, excellent, excellent! Xueyue, you truly have not disappointed me. I will bestow upon you some pills now. Cultivate in peace during your seclusion, and when the Sect Competition arrives a month from now, show everyone that your talent is not inferior in the slightest to a Heavenly Spirit Root."
All of Yao Tiansheng's previous irritation vanished entirely. With a disciple comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root, once he managed to take in Yun Man after the Sect Competition, the other peaks of the Tianyuan Sect would have even less hope of standing out and would be thoroughly suppressed by Immortal Sword Peak.
"Many thanks, Master. This disciple will not fail your expectations."
Accepting the pills, Liu Xueyue departed with a beaming smile.
"Qin Xiao, I will let you leap about for just one more month."
Once Liu Xueyue left, Yao Tiansheng's expression shifted once again, a trace of ruthlessness flashing through his eyes.
The other peaks were much the same; everyone was busy arranging for their talented disciples to cultivate or enter seclusion in preparation for the upcoming Sect Competition a month later.