Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World

Chapter 391 - 386 Bewildering Spirit Bead! Spiritual Root Upgrade?_1

Which Spiritual Treasure to choose?

Attack and defense-type Spiritual Treasures?

With the Xuan Gui Shield, Purple Thunder Exorcising Sword, Heavenly Palace Ming Lamp, and many other treasures in hand, and having obtained the method to refine Spiritual Treasures, it would not be difficult to elevate them to Spiritual Treasure Level in the future. A Spiritual Treasure with a similar function that couldn’t be traded out would simply be a waste.

A Spiritual Treasure to protect the divine soul!

Jia Ren wanted to craft a similar Spiritual Treasure; unfortunately, such materials were hard to find, so he had to set the idea aside for now. If he could find a Spiritual Treasure that could either be used briefly or added to the Demon-Sealing Tower system, it would be a good choice.

His gaze scanned over the Spiritual Treasures, disregarding those like swords, spears, and axes. He focused on treasures like towers, mirrors, and beads.

When his divine consciousness touched the tower, information immediately transmitted to him: Hundred-Refined Mechanism Tower. It was a huge tower containing puppets, divided into nine levels. It housed a total of one hundred and eight Nascent Soul-level puppets and nine Divinity Transformation-level puppets. Damaged puppets could be sent into the tower for self-repair, making it a core asset for tactics involving overwhelming numbers.

The Lingbao Sect possessed the Tongtian Tower. Its power was average, and it was often "bullied" by the True Disciples. The Silver Moon Yaksha Jia Ren possessed wasn’t bad. Before long, its combat strength would far surpass that of the Hundred-Refined Mechanism Tower.

The mirror was named the Paralysis Mirror. It was a treasure mirror that could forcibly immobilize a target by shining on it. It could even freeze a disembodied divine soul and was extremely practical. This was one of the Spiritual Treasures that had previously remained silent and motionless.

The final purple bead was named the Bewildering Spirit Bead. It affected the target’s divine soul and perception, disrupting their scouting capabilities, making it highly practical. This treasure could also be combined with Mirror Flower Divine Moon to increase its power.

Jia Ren’s gaze swept over both the Paralysis Mirror and the Bewildering Spirit Bead, finding both treasures quite to his liking.

"Choose the Bewildering Spirit Bead!"

He was very interested in the Paralysis Mirror; having another immobility technique would be good, but not as useful as cultivating his own divine skills. The combination of a Spiritual Treasure and divine skills would also make the power of Mirror Flower Divine Moon stronger. The Bewildering Spirit Bead could serve as a treasure to protect his divine soul, which suited his needs perfectly. This bead could conceal Mirror Flower Divine Moon, whose capabilities far exceeded those of Mirror Flower Water Moon. This was a crucial point. Therefore, he had absolutely no intention of giving up this treasure.

Jia Ren extended his right hand and grasped the Bewildering Spirit Bead. The power converted by the Communication Treasure Art surged into it, and the bead emitted a faint glow. A mysterious purple force emerged, enveloping Jia Ren and surrounding him with its strange power. If someone were to scan the area with their divine consciousness, they would perceive this spot as empty.

The Spiritual Treasure selection was complete. The other Spiritual Treasures retreated and vanished from sight.

The darkness receded, and light returned.

The interior of the vault was empty; not a single treasure could be seen. This made Jia Ren marvel. Despite having been in the Lingbao Vault, he had no idea how many treasures it actually contained. Truly worthy of the Lingbao Sect; their methods of concealing treasures were indeed peculiar. Even if someone tried to break into the Lingbao Vault to steal treasures, they wouldn’t find the correct way in and would only leave this treasure mountain empty-handed.

"Your fortune is not small! The Bewildering Spirit Bead has not been acquired by anyone for quite some time."

The Internal Affairs Director led Jia Ren out of the vault and headed towards the West District. Registration and testing his spiritual root aptitude were mandatory procedures.

Before the test with the Spirit Testing Jade Bead, Jia Ren placed his palm on the silver-white bead. It then lit up with a faint glow five feet high.

"Middle-grade Spiritual Root." The Internal Affairs Manager and the attending steward could not hide their disappointment.

The Lingbao Sect’s requirements for spiritual roots were increasing. Even those with Superior Grade Spiritual Roots were not qualified to enter the Lingbao Sect. If one’s aptitude was insufficient, they could only compensate with Spiritual Treasures.

Hey, wasn’t I a Lower Grade Spiritual Root? Jia Ren knew his own spiritual root well. Its aptitude was too low, making it impossible for his predecessor to join any sect. Without subsequent testing, Logically speaking, his spiritual root should still be Lower Grade. Spiritual roots are generally fixed after birth and are difficult to change. If not for this test, Jia Ren would have remained unaware that his spiritual root had reached Middle Grade.

What’s going on here?! Jia Ren recollected the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures he had consumed. Was it the Profound Vein Spirit Pill refined from the Mysterious Meridian Spiritual Herb? That only affects meridians; it shouldn’t enhance spiritual roots. What else could change one’s aptitude?

Jia Ren couldn’t help but think of the Infant Carp captured from the Tianlan Sea. After the Ancestral Fish Sage Pill induced its atavistic evolution into a Holy Infant Carp, he had confirmed it was non-poisonous. He had then consumed its flesh multiple times, merely considering it a treasure for Body Refinement. Could it be that while enhancing his Body Refinement, it also improved his spiritual root aptitude?

Infant Carp could be used to refine the Infant Breath Pill, which raises the spiritual root of soon-to-be-born offspring. The Holy Infant Carp was the product of the Infant Carp’s atavistic evolution and was the most probable treasure to have elevated his spiritual root’s grade.

The improvement in his spiritual root aptitude made Jia Ren value the flesh of the Holy Infant Carp even more. He resolved to thoroughly research it when he had time. He planned to research the Infant Breath Pill and other elixirs that could enhance spiritual root aptitude.

A Middle-grade Spiritual Root was a significant improvement for Jia Ren, but in the Lingbao Sect, it was considered subpar. Any randomly chosen handyman would likely have a spiritual root aptitude no worse than his.

The high-ranking cultivators of the Lingbao Sect who had been secretly observing Jia Ren quickly lost interest.

"You can choose an imitation Spiritual Treasure, and the sect can refine it for you," the steward said matter-of-factly. Donating a Spiritual Treasure to receive another was an extra benefit. Besides this, every Inner Sect Disciple was entitled to an imitation Spiritual Treasure.

"I want an imitation of a control-type Spiritual Treasure, an imitation Paralysis Mirror."

Jia Ren was somewhat regretful for not obtaining the Paralysis Mirror; receiving an imitation would be a good consolation.

"There’s no stock of the imitation Paralysis Mirror. I will urge the Refining Palace to forge it as soon as possible. Junior Brother, you will have to wait patiently."

After going through a series of procedures, such as testing his Spiritual Power, registration, and obtaining an imitation Spiritual Treasure, there should have been a visit to the Heart Inquiry Hall. Perhaps it was because he had already been tested as a Protector that this step was skipped.

Jia Ren figured this was due to Wang Fugui. He had come through Wang Fugui’s donation, which meant Wang Fugui was essentially vouching for him. Wang Fugui, who had almost become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Lingbao Sect, had joined the Heavenly Palace Sect. The Heavenly Palace Sect was a Righteous Path Sect that had good relations with the Lingbao Sect. With Wang Fugui as a guarantor, although it didn’t grant him a complete free pass, it did save considerable trouble.

Once this matter was concluded, the steward led Jia Ren to West Mountain, which was the same mountain where Li Ruhua’s stone cottage was situated. Jia Ren hadn’t expected he would ever come here.

The Lingbao Sect disciples were equally curious upon seeing the steward bring Jia Ren. He led Jia Ren to Stone Cottage No. 372 and infused a spell into Jia Ren’s token.

"Jiang Wu, this is the new Junior Brother. Explain the sect rules to him, as well as the subsequent teachings..."

The steward called over a tall Lingbao Sect disciple, casually passed Jia Ren off to him, and then gracefully departed.

Only after the steward left did everyone begin to look at Jia Ren strangely. The Lingbao Sect’s disciple recruitment period had already passed. Logically, no new disciples should be joining at this time.

Is he the descendant of some high-ranking figure in the sect? Or did he get in by donating a treasure? Either way, he wasn’t someone ordinary Lingbao Sect disciples could afford to provoke.

"I feel like this guy looks familiar!" a few female cultivators whispered as they gathered around. They soon recalled Ma Zhongyuan mentioning a male cultivator with exceptional talent and a... "remarkable waist."

Isn’t he a handyman? How did he suddenly become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Lingbao Sect? This change in status is too drastic!

Li Ruhua curiously approached, took a couple of glances, and then froze on the spot. She recognized this person as Jia Ren, one of Ma Zhongyuan’s few friends in the Lingbao Sect. Although they had never spoken, they were considered acquaintances.

She rushed back to her own cave. Undoubtedly, she was rushing off to inform her sweetheart... her Protector.

"Senior Brother, let’s talk inside." Jia Ren was not accustomed to being scrutinized; he preferred to remain hidden, disliking being the center of attention. He pulled Jiang Wu into the stone cottage, sealing off the prying eyes and whispers from outside.

"The Lingbao Sect has many strict rules. The first and foremost is that disciples must not harm one another."

"Within the Lingbao Sect, disciples are forbidden to fight amongst themselves. If there is truly an irreconcilable feud, it can be reported to the Law Enforcement Office, and a life-and-death contract can be signed. However, it is only valid if both parties agree."

"You must not bully the weak, nor..."

Jiang Wu rattled on, as if he had memorized the Lingbao Sect’s rules thoroughly, knowing them like the back of his hand.

"Oh, right, I haven’t asked your name, Junior Brother, where you’re from, or how you joined the Lingbao Sect?" He unleashed a barrage of questions, like beans rattling from a bamboo tube, making them hard to fend off.

"I am Jia Ren. I was originally an unknown Loose Cultivator. A senior vouched for me, enabling me to enter the Lingbao Sect."

"That’s not right. Even if a sect elder vouches for you, you’d normally start in the Outer Gate. Don’t tell me you entered by donating a treasure?" Jiang Wu asked, hitting the nail on the head.

It was impossible to hide this, so he might as well admit it.

For the next full hour, Jiang Wu showed no intention of leaving, constantly probing with questions and fully displaying his talent as a chatterbox.

"Senior Brother, it’s getting late. We can chat another day."

"No rush. I haven’t helped Junior Brother gain a deep understanding of our sect yet."

Jia Ren felt an urge to grab a brick and knock him unconscious. He had no choice but to use Mirror Flower Water Moon to create an illusion of himself to deal with Jiang Wu. Meanwhile, his true body found a peaceful spot to cultivate.

Two hours later, Jiang Wu still showed no signs of leaving. You can keep talking even if the illusion doesn’t respond?

"The senior brothers and sisters outside are already getting impatient."

The extremely enthusiastic Jiang Wu was momentarily stunned, then hastily cupped his fists in farewell and departed.

Jia Ren did not hesitate to close the stone door, using his Identity Token to activate the stone cottage’s defensive Formation.

Finally, he’s gone! In an instant, the surrounding noise vanished, and a feeling of tranquility settled over his world.

How wonderful!

Just then, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew in. Without a doubt, the owner of the talisman was Ma Zhongyuan.

The Formation opened a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through, then swiftly closed.

Ma Zhongyuan entered the stone dwelling. He looked at Jia Ren with a strange expression, his displeasure growing.

"Brother Jia, you really kept me in the dark!"

"You entered by donating a treasure? Which Refinement Void elder is your father?"

"To help you become a Protector, I ran myself ragged, persuading countless beautiful female cultivators! Do you think you’ve done right by me?"

Ma Zhongyuan felt as if he had been deceived by his own brother.

It’s already common knowledge? Senior Brother Jiang’s tongue certainly wags fast!

"I didn’t intentionally hide it from you, Senior Brother. I only just found out myself."

"Otherwise, why would I have found no way to become a Protector and even considered the path of a handyman?"

Ma Zhongyuan ’reluctantly’ believed Jia Ren’s words. Rubbing his hands together somewhat sheepishly, he said, "Brother, we shouldn’t let benefits flow to outsiders."

"Don’t you have any sisters you could introduce to me? If we became in-laws, our bond as brothers would be even closer."