The play of internal strife and the split between the direct and collateral branches within the Hua family was acted out convincingly.
Yet anyone with discerning eyes could tell it was merely a self-sacrificing ruse, a convenient way to hedge their bets on both the New Method and the Old Method.
Hua Chunning did not know whether Li Chengxuan's withholding of the news about taking Liu Zhijian as a disciple was a deliberate warning to her.
However, the underlying distrust was self-evident.
No longer caring about the facade that the direct and collateral branches had severed ties, Hua Chunning spoke respectfully, "The Qingyun Sect was originally a Golden Core sect from Yue Territory in the Central Continent."
"The New Method flourishes in the Central Continent, and the number of cultivators far surpasses that of Nanya."
"Especially in Yue Territory, sects stand as thick as trees in a forest, and competition is fierce."
"Thirty years ago, the Qingyun Sect's New Method Golden Core cultivator was ambushed and slain."
"Several Foundation Establishment cultivators who had hopes of reaching the Golden Core realm also died one after another."
"Later, they could not even defend their sect grounds, facing imminent destruction."
"The founder of the Qingyun Sect originated from a major Nascent Soul sect in the Central Continent."
"Although that major sect was unwilling to offer asylum, they pointed the Qingyun Sect in a direction, advising the entire sect to relocate to Nanya Province."
"On the surface, the Qingyun Sect has one Foundation Establishment cultivator, who is their current sect master, named Qiao."
"In the shadows, there is another, named Lin, an elder of the previous generation. It is said his lifespan was already running short, and he had sustained heavy injuries."
After listening, Li Chengxuan nodded slightly and smiled. "You have done well."
To have investigated the Qingyun Sect's background so thoroughly, one need not even ask to know the information had come from the Hua family's collateral branch that had joined the Qingyun Sect.
As for the background of the Qingyun Sect, there was nothing particularly extraordinary about it.
When it came down to it, it was just a fallen sect, not much different from Mount Taixuan.
Hearing this, Hua Chunning felt her heart tense, and she said with even greater deference, "To share the Sect Master's worries, Chunning would not hesitate even at the cost of ten thousand deaths."
"Ten thousand deaths will hardly be necessary."
"Only by staying alive is there hope, and only then can you be of use."
Li Chengxuan had a nonchalant expression as he gave a light chuckle and asked, "What about the New Method..."
"The New Method..."
Organizing her thoughts, Hua Chunning said in a deep voice, "The New Method practiced by the Qingyun Sect is vastly different from the ancient orthodoxy of Nanya Province."
"The beginning of cultivation is Qi Refining, with no concept of opening meridians or Embryonic Breathing."
"Refining the qi of heaven and earth is Qi Refining."
"Devouring the wonders of heaven and earth is Foundation Establishment."
"As for Golden Core and Nascent Soul, I have not yet gathered clear details."
Li Chengxuan pondered upon hearing this.
Nanya Province had been isolated from the outside world for a thousand years, allowing only the transmission of the Old Method while forbidding all information regarding the New Method.
Just hearing the Dao theories of the New Method's cultivation gave Li Chengxuan a general understanding in his mind.
The Old Method took nature as a teacher, seeking the unity of heaven and man.
The New Method was to plunder heaven and earth to nourish oneself.
In terms of efficiency and difficulty, the New Method held absolute advantages, so it was no wonder it had become the mainstream of the cultivation world.
Seeing that Li Chengxuan did not interrupt with questions, Hua Chunning continued, "Compared to the Old Method, the New Method is easier to enter, and the speed of cultivation is exceptionally fast."
"I heard that a Saint of a major sect in the Central Continent once achieved Qi Refining in three days and Foundation Establishment in a hundred days."
Li Chengxuan was secretly shocked upon hearing this.
Although Foundation Establishment in the New Method and the Old Method shared only the same name, hearing of Qi Refining in three days and Foundation Establishment in a hundred days—what Old Method cultivator would not be shocked and envious?
He himself had cultivated for eighteen years before barely taking in qi to enter the Dao.
Liu Zhijian, who bore the disposition of 【Kan Water】, was still struggling in the Embryonic Breathing realm to this day, with no telling when he could even begin gathering qi.
When Hua Chunning had heard this for the first time, she was equally astonished, even harboring thoughts of fleeing Mount Taixuan to join the Qingyun Sect and practice the New Method. Unfortunately, that wish could not be fulfilled. She said softly, "There is only one catch: practicing the New Method requires spiritual roots."
"If one lacks spiritual roots, no matter how extraordinary their bloodline or how astounding their Dao wisdom, they cannot cultivate."
"Spiritual roots..."
Li Chengxuan felt a moment of daze upon hearing this.
Li Chengxuan had heard Daoist Wu mention this word once while drunk.
This was also the only piece of information regarding the New Method that Li Chengxuan knew.
Unfortunately, at that time, the powerful figure protecting Nanya Province was still around, and Daoist Wu was afraid of committing a taboo, so he did not dare say more.
Hua Chunning sighed internally. "It is said that the world's spiritual roots are primarily of the Five Elements, with a small number of mutated spiritual roots like lightning, ice, and wind."
"Spiritual roots are innate. One either has them or does not, and they are difficult to alter through acquired means."
"A single spiritual root is prized, allowing rapid cultivation."
"Having all Five Elements spiritual roots is known as having a mixed spiritual root, making cultivation arduous."
"Yet we people of Nanya Province have no spiritual roots at all!"
Li Chengxuan could not help but laugh upon hearing this and asked, "Then didn't the collateral branch of the Hua family draw water with a bamboo basket—all in vain?!"
Not daring to question her grandfather's planning, Hua Chunning merely said in a low voice, "Within the Qingyun Sect, there are body-tempering methods. Even without spiritual roots, one can cultivate with the help of spirit pills, though unfortunately, one can only reach up to the third layer of Qi Refining."
"However, Elder Lin mentioned that mating with a cultivator who possesses spiritual roots yields a higher probability of producing offspring with spiritual roots."
Li Chengxuan laughed again and looked at Hua Chunning, saying, "It seems your grandfather sending you up the mountain actually saved you."
Hua Chunning fell to her knees and bowed. "Chunning is deeply grateful for the Immortal Master's hospitality and is willing to lay down her life for the Sect Master."
Entering the Dao through body-tempering methods produced, at best, mountain-guarding warriors who could only be ordered about—inherently an inferior path.
More importantly, although Hua Chunning lacked spiritual roots, her aptitude was extraordinary.
If she had joined the Qingyun Sect, she would likely have become a breeding tool by now.
Hua Chunning was, after all, somewhat proud and arrogant; how could she bear such humiliation?
"Get up."
Li Chengxuan chuckled, took a careful look at Hua Chunning, and said nonchalantly, "Since entering Mount Taixuan, you have been sufficiently devoted, and I have seen it all."
"You also know how difficult cultivation under the Old Method is."
"If I promised you the Great Dao of immortality, you wouldn't believe it either."
"However, my Mount Taixuan has a long heritage, and we still possess some foundational strength."
"In one month, I will grant you an opportunity that might complement the disposition upon you."
"As for whether it succeeds, that will depend on your good fortune."
Hua Chunning was initially shocked, which then turned into wild joy. She fell to her knees once more, kowtowing sincerely and weeping, "Thank you for your pity, Sect Master! Chunning will repay you even if reduced to powder, without hesitating at ten thousand deaths!"
Haven have mercy.
From a young age, Hua Chunning had been a holy-maiden-like figure in Spring Return Valley. Growing up listening to her grandfather recount the glory of their ancestors, she naturally harbored the ambition to seek immortal Dao.
Unfortunately, cultivation under the Old Method was difficult, and their ancestral legacy was incomplete.
With no other way forward, she had no choice but to come to Mount Taixuan and serve as a maid.
When the New Method landed in Nanya, Hua Chunning seemed to see a ray of hope once more.
When the doctrine of spiritual roots spread, Hua Chunning's heart turned to cold ash again, completely abandoning all thoughts.
Unexpectedly, when the mountains and rivers seemed to reach an end, a path opened through the dense shade and bright flowers.
The Sect Master had actually granted her another chance!
...
Ancestral Hall.
Li Chengxuan gazed at the blank portrait of the patriarchs, his mind linking with the 【Two-World Bead】.
He still needed to concentrate on his cultivation and increase his Dao attainment.
How could he have so much free time to scheme against Duanmu Ren and attend to the tedious affairs of Lijiawa?
Seeing Hua Chunning today, Li Chengxuan actually came up with a new idea.
Why not send Hua Chunning to Earth to act as his proxy and handle the upcoming complicated matters?
Furthermore, he could take this opportunity to conduct an experiment.
Since Earth had people with dense dispositions like Liu Zhijian and Duanmu Ren...
...perhaps he could also send Hua Chunning to Earth to find a way to thicken her 【Yimu Wood】 disposition, and then return to the cultivation world to enter the Dao and cultivate!
Rate on N.U.
