"I remember the last time I saw you, you were only at Third-Layer Qi Refinement."
"How long has it been since then? You've already reached Sixth-Layer Qi Refinement."
"And your foundation is so solid; it doesn't look at all like you forcibly broke through using pills."
"Could it be that you've awakened some kind of special physique?"
Li Danyan sized up Ye Hao before him with curiosity.
It was as if he had discovered an unpolished gem.
The last time he saw Ye Hao, the youth had come to buy the Spirit Rain Technique.
Little did he expect to notice back then that the youth had cultivated to Third-Layer Qi Refinement less than a year after joining the sect.
Even then, his cultivation speed was already comparable to that of an inner disciple.
Now, after so little time, he had broken through three minor realms again.
"I'm finished."
"I just hope he's a good person."
Ye Hao remained silent, having never expected the Turtle Breath Technique he cultivated to fail.
In the blink of an eye, however, he suddenly realized something.
After all, his Turtle Breath Technique could conceal his aura up to Foundation Establishment Great Perfection at most.
In other words, the Li Danyan standing before him was a Golden Core cultivator who surpassed Foundation Establishment.
It was no wonder he could see right through his true cultivation.
Yet what kind of sect didn't revere a Golden Core expert as an ancestor?
Instead, he was stationed here guarding the gate of the Scripture Pavilion.
"Rest assured, I have no interest in your secrets."
"As long as you remain in the Baiyun Sect and are a disciple of my Baiyun Sect, that is enough."
"That said, you're at Sixth-Layer Qi Refinement now yet still just a handyman disciple. If you'd like, how about I help switch your status to an inner disciple?"
"I could even help find a master for you."
Seeing the tension on Ye Hao's face, Li Danyan patted his shoulder gently.
Regrettably, when he checked his bones just now, he had already examined Ye Hao's spirit root.
It was merely a low-grade spirit root.
And a three-element low-grade spirit root at that.
For someone with such spirit root quality to reach Sixth-Layer Qi Refinement so quickly, he likely possessed some kind of special physique.
However, the spirit root quality was too low, limiting his future achievements to Foundation Establishment at best.
Otherwise, he would have shamelessly taken the youth as his own disciple.
Still, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was already considered high-end combat power for the entire Baiyun Sect.
And with a special physique, once Ye Hao advanced to Foundation Establishment, his combat power would undoubtedly far surpass others of the same tier.
"Elder, jumping from handyman to inner disciple in just one year would be far too fast."
"It will definitely draw unwanted attention, so I would like to remain a handyman disciple for another two years."
"However, Elder, if you permit it, could I change to a different cultivation technique?"
"My current Verdant Wood Art can no longer keep up with my cultivation speed."
Ye Hao said, cupping his hands in respect.
The Baiyun Sect was merely one of the three major Golden Core factions in the Great Li Dynasty.
The other two Golden Core forces were the Great Li Imperial Family and the Red Blade Sect.
The Baiyun Sect and the Red Blade Sect engaged in overt and covert struggles.
Meanwhile, the Great Li Imperial Family watched from the sidelines, remaining neutral and taking no sides.
Feuds between the two sects were non-stop.
The most tragic incident occurred decades ago during a grand competition between the two sects.
The top ten disciples of both the Baiyun Sect and the Red Blade Sect—twenty personal disciples in total.
Fifteen died at once, and three were crippled.
From then on, the two sects became sworn enemies, fighting to the death.
The Baiyun Sect often sent people to assassinate the geniuses of the Red Blade Sect.
The Red Blade Sect did the exact same thing.
The moment they discovered a promising genius, they would immediately dispatch people to intercept and kill them.
If Ye Hao really promoted from handyman disciple to inner disciple in just a single year, he would definitely catch the eye of those from the Red Blade Sect.
When that happened, it would lead to relentless, deadly pursuit.
He didn't want to remain trapped inside the sect forever.
Therefore, staying among the handyman disciples for a few more years was the best choice.
"You're afraid of the Red Blade Sect."
As a Golden Core grand cultivator with a lifespan of a thousand years, how could Li Danyan not understand what Ye Hao was thinking?
He asked with a frown.
Ye Hao's cautious nature lowered his impression of the youth slightly.
Ye Hao nodded, confessing candidly, "I am indeed afraid of the Red Blade Sect."
"Very well. Since you want to stay among the handyman disciples, I will grant your wish."
"I can also agree to your request."
"However, I have two cultivation techniques here."
"One is the Verdant Wood Spirit Nurturing Art, an advanced version of the Verdant Wood Art you currently practice, which is sufficient to take you to Qi Refinement Great Perfection."
"The other is the Five Elements Origin Method. I see that you possess water, fire, and wood three-element low-grade spirit roots. Cultivating this Five Elements Origin Method requires completing the remaining five-element spirit roots. Its difficulty is extremely high, far beyond what the Verdant Wood Spirit Nurturing Art can compare to."
"However, if you can successfully cultivate it and reach Qi Refinement Great Perfection within three years, I can gift you a tremendous fortune."
After saying this, Li Danyan looked at Ye Hao before him with a faint smile, awaiting his answer.
"Elder, since you brought up the Five Elements Origin Method, you naturally want me to practice it."
"Then I shall choose this one."
Ye Hao looked at him.
Mainly, he wanted to see what this tremendous fortune was.
"You chose this one just as I thought you would."
Li Danyan seemed to have guessed Ye Hao's choice long ago and immediately nodded with a smile.
"Elder Li, how can I supplement the remaining two spirit roots?"
Ye Hao looked at Li Danyan and asked.
"Certain curious items can grant a person spirit roots."
"For instance, there is a Metal Tempering Grass in the sect. Consuming it gives a certain chance of helping a person sprout a gold spirit root."
Li Danyan explained.
Hearing this, Ye Hao instantly grew interested and hurriedly pressed further, "Then how can I obtain the Metal Tempering Grass?"
"Unless you become a disciple under a Golden Core elder, you won't even have the qualification to see it. Besides, it isn't suitable for you anyway."
Li Danyan shook his head.
"Why?"
Ye Hao pressed again.
"The Five Elements Origin Method requires all spirit roots to be of identical quality. Only then can the five elements rotate seamlessly and endlessly."
"If any single spirit root among the five elements is of excessively high quality, it will disrupt the balance, leading to total failure."
"The Metal Tempering Grass is a Fourth-Tier treasure. At minimum, it can sprout a mid-grade gold spirit root, and it even has a chance of sprouting a high-grade gold spirit root."
"Your current three elements are all low-grade spirit roots."
"That is why I said it isn't suitable for you."
Li Danyan spoke truthfully.
"So that's how it is."
Ye Hao felt a bit disappointed.
"Actually, this is a good thing as well."
Seeing Ye Hao's disappointed look, Li Danyan couldn't help but smile.
He patted his shoulder gently.
Puzzled, Ye Hao raised his head. "A good thing?"
"Indeed. Your three spirit roots are all low-grade spirit roots."
"Which means the grades of the treasures you need to shape your spirit roots won't be too high."
"At least they are items you can actually get your hands on, without having to dream of unattainable luxuries."
"How can that not be considered a good thing?"
Li Danyan said with a smile, looking at Ye Hao.
"Elder, you do make a point."
After listening to his explanation, Ye Hao's face was filled with bitterness.
Only those born without spirit roots would ever need natural treasures that merely activate low-grade spirit roots.
Such as himself.
This way, he actually got the better end of the deal.
Rate on N.U.
