The Transmigrator’s Cultivation

Arc 21: Breaking Through The Nascent Soul Stage | Chapter 385

<Start of Arc 21: Breaking Through Nascent Soul Stage>

The fifth-tier spiritual bird flew swiftly.

On this journey to the Frozen Snow Plains, Xu Ziqing not only sought out the Nanrong Extreme Water but also reunited with an old friend, putting one of his concerns to rest. Before leaving, Le Zheng Hezhi and Zhuang Wei presented him with a storage ring, claiming it was a congratulatory gift for their marriage. Xu Ziqing thought for a moment and realized that Le Zheng Hezhi was using this as a way to repay him for the Rou Baigu matter, so he accepted it without hesitation.

After leaving, Xu Ziqing probed with his divine sense and saw many jade bottles and boxes inside, each containing various seeds or seedlings of diverse varieties. There was also a book explaining the origins of these seeds and their uses when fully grown. A quick glance revealed that Le Zheng Hezhi had almost gathered seeds from every plant in the ice plains; their meticulous effort was impressive. Additionally, there were several chilling and extraordinary items, presumably treasures of the ice attribute.

Xu Ziqing figured that these peculiar ice attribute treasures were likely the original congratulatory gifts prepared by Zhuang Wei, while the seeds were what Zhuang Wei intended to exchange for the Rou Baigu.

Thus, after more than half a month, Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie hurried back to the Zhoutian Immortal Sect.

With only a few days left until the three-month deadline, the two of them returned to the Wanbao Hall and the Wande Hall once again.

Since they had obtained quite a bit of Nanrong Extreme Water, Xu Ziqing took out a bottle to exchange for some precious seeds at Wanbao Hall. Afterward, he went to the Wande Hall but found no news about other divine waters. Although a bit disappointed, he managed to gather more complete information about the Nanrong Extreme Water, ensuring that it would be more convenient for any disciples in need of this type of divine water in the future. After finishing these tasks, Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie stepped outside.

Now that they had four types of divine water, they needed one more to gather the Zhenyi Divine Water. At that point, they could use it to restore the vitality of the Sumeru Mustard Seed and open up a small universe. Naturally, the bottleneck would be overcome, and their accumulation would be even more solid. By then, they should be able to glimpse the opportunity to reach the Nascent Soul stage. However, they still had no idea how to obtain the final type.

Just as he was thinking this, Yun Lie said, “Let’s go there.”

Xu Ziqing looked up and saw numerous streets in the deep valley outside Wanbao Hall. In the direction his shixiong pointed, there were many marketplaces, shops, and stalls… Suddenly, he realized.

Earlier, he had indeed been mistaken. The Wanbao Hall and the Wande Hall were supported by the sect and had abundant resources, but it was also possible to find what he sought among the streets outside. With countless resources in the world and so many figures, mountain domains, and powers within the Zhoutian Immortal Sect, after acquiring resources, how could they all be turned over to the sect? If something was not needed, it could be treated as a rare commodity to exchange with others outside.

Now that there seemed to be no avenues within the sect, Xu Ziqing could explore this alternative path.

If fortune favored them…

Thinking this, Xu Ziqing smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll follow your lead, shixiong.”

Both were decisive in their actions, so they began searching the marketplaces and shops.

In such trading places, there were often support from elders, or affiliations from external sects and families, and many inner sect major mountain domains collaborated. The resources here were naturally rarer, with a wider variety.

If they couldn’t find it here, they would go elsewhere.

In this valley, there were no fewer than a thousand marketplaces, and the shops were countless. To find what they needed among them was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Yet there was no other way; they could only try their best.

Xu Ziqing devised a plan: in each marketplace, he would hire a guide to ask about every place inside, merely mentioning if there was any “Five Elements Divine Water.” He promised generous payment in spirit stones, confident that the guides would put in their best effort. After some time, the guides returned with the names of the shops that had the Five Elements Divine Water, and then the two of them would go and inquire further.

This approach saved a lot of time, but unfortunately, after asking everywhere, they still found nothing.

Xu Ziqing didn’t let the guides leave right away; he asked them to inquire about the shops outside one by one, while he and Yun Lie searched the stalls.

However, after more than half a day of searching, the outcome was still disappointing.

Xu Ziqing sighed, feeling a bit weary.

The path of cultivation truly could not be smooth sailing.

At that moment, someone called softly, “Shixiong… Shixiong!”

Xu Ziqing looked up to see a young man in a simple blue shirt standing before him, looking somewhat anxious.

He recognized this person as one of the guides he had hired earlier, who had stayed behind in a marketplace. However, why did this one remain while the others had left?

Shaking off his lingering frustration, Xu Ziqing smiled gently, “What is it, Shidi?”

The young man in blue relaxed a bit, but he was still wary of Yun Lie behind Xu Ziqing and didn’t dare step closer. He spoke, “Are you looking for a type of divine water, Shixiong?”

Xu Ziqing nodded, “Do you have news?”

The young man quickly shook his head, “Not exactly, but…” He paused, then said, “You don’t need to search so tirelessly. You could issue a task in this outer valley, offering a reward, and if someone finds it, they can come to you. It would save a lot of trouble.”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback for a moment, then felt a surge of gratitude. “Thank you for letting me know, Shidi.” He only knew that tasks could be taken in the Wande Hall but didn’t realize these marketplaces had private tasks that could be issued. Without this person’s reminder, he would have truly been at a loss.

The young man in blue smiled and pointed to a place, saying, “If you want to issue a task, just go to the Baigu Hall.”

Xu Ziqing thanked him again and gave him several spirit stones and elixirs as a token of appreciation.

The young man’s expression brightened, and he took his leave. He had specifically stayed back to remind these two because they had been generous and behaved well, thinking they might reward him with something valuable. Additionally, Xu Ziqing had treated him courteously, and he couldn’t bear to see him so dejected, which made him willing to help further. In the end, both sides benefited.

Xu Ziqing looked at Yun Lie, “Shixiong, what do you think?”

Yun Lie nodded slightly, “We can go.”

Xu Ziqing smiled, “Then please help me think about what to offer as a reward.”

As the two talked, they soon arrived in front of the Baigu Hall.

The Baigu Hall didn’t seem very large at first, but once they stepped inside, it opened up unexpectedly.

A youthful-looking Golden Core cultivator sat at the back of the hall, serving as the manager. In front of him were several other cultivators in similar long shirts, naturally his subordinates.

After entering, Xu Ziqing’s gaze fell on a tall wall nearby.

That wall was filled with countless tiny characters, recording many tasks. For cultivators, a simple sweep of their divine sense would allow them to memorize all of them.

This was the task wall; every task issued, along with its rewards, was recorded here.

After a brief moment of thought, Xu Ziqing stepped forward to the manager and asked, “Excuse me, how can one issue a task here?”

The manager looked up and, seeing Xu Ziqing’s robust aura and the intimidating presence of the person beside him, didn’t dare to be neglectful. He promptly replied, “Sir, you only need to tell me what item you require, the time limit, and what reward you’re offering.”

Xu Ziqing nodded and said, “The item I need is the Metal Anode Water, a type of ancient Zhenyi Divine Water among the Five Elements Divine Water.”

Upon hearing this, the manager quickly noted down the information.

Xu Ziqing continued, “There is no specific time limit; it remains unchanged until the task is canceled.”

The manager noted that as well.

Xu Ziqing pondered for a moment. “As for the reward…”

Yun Lie spoke up, “A complete Sword Intent talisman, ice-element extreme cold items, top-grade spirit stones, second-tier spirit veins, fire-element Divine Water, Nanrong Extreme Water, and ancient spiritual herbs.”

Xu Ziqing smiled slightly at this and added several of his own possessions before stating, “Those who obtain the Metal Divine Water may choose one of the rewards listed. If there are any other items they wish to exchange but find the above offerings unsatisfactory, we can negotiate.”

The manager was momentarily stunned and quickly wrote everything down again. As he wrote, he secretly pondered: This wealth is truly rare… Moreover, the man in white is clearly a sword cultivator; could that complete Sword Intent talisman be one he has comprehended himself? If that’s the case, this person’s sword path talent must be astonishing…

Soon, the task was issued, and Xu Ziqing handed over one hundred middle-grade spirit stones to the manager as the service fee.

After that, he didn’t linger and left with Yun Lie to head toward the Wuling Mountain region.

From then on, they would cultivate while waiting for news.

The inner sect of the Zhoutian Immortal Sect was vast, and it took them quite some time to arrive even while riding a fifth-tier flying beast.

Just as they caught sight of the distant mountain region, Xu Ziqing was momentarily taken aback.

Outside the mountain region, he saw strange-shaped treasures floating in mid-air, with several cultivators standing on them, exuding a fierce aura, as if they were not here for good intentions.

Looking from a distance, Xu Ziqing noticed that those treasures were level with the Sky Pillars, with the cultivators standing back to back, all gazing toward the Sky Pillars. He instantly realized that yet again, he didn’t know which mountain region’s people were engaging in a battle with the Wuling Mountain region!

After a moment’s thought, Xu Ziqing controlled the flying beast beneath him and directed it to soar up, arriving at the same height as the Sky Pillars.

Sure enough, with his keen eyesight, he spotted each Sky Pillar having one of his senior brothers in combat with an opponent!

The cultivators on those strange-shaped treasures also sensed someone approaching. Many turned around to see a Nascent Soul and a Golden Core riding a flying beast, their expressions filled with disdain. They had fought against the Wuling Mountain region multiple times, so they naturally knew the identities of these two.

One of them sneered, “I heard you two juniors went off to do some task. How is it that you’re still alive out here?” His words were laced with malice and obvious mockery.

Yun Lie remained expressionless, pretending not to hear.

Xu Ziqing glanced at him, then similarly acted as if he hadn’t seen him and turned away.

Neither paid him any mind.

Seeing this, the man felt embarrassed and was about to explode with anger.

A person beside him grabbed him, saying, “During the Battle of the Sky, don’t cause trouble!”

The man, feeling indignant, retorted, “Just two young brats, and they dare to be so arrogant! If I don’t teach them a lesson, I won’t be able to quell my anger!”

The first person frowned slightly, feeling some aversion to his attitude. He had seen how Yun Lie fought before; although this person was a Nascent Soul cultivator, he was the strongest sword cultivator, with his Sword Intent likely nearing perfection, making him extremely difficult to deal with. In previous battles, he had successfully defended the Sky Pillars multiple times. From his perspective, he might even be on par with his late-stage Nascent Soul peers. Such reckless behavior was truly unwise.

After some thought, to prevent this peer from causing further trouble, he said, “If you want to teach them a lesson, just choose the Sky Pillar they are defending next time.”

Upon hearing this, the original speaker said resentfully, “I was just thinking the same thing!”

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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