Exploring Immortality Cultivation

Qi Cultivation was all about refining a strand of Spiritual Energy into oneself, claiming it completely as one's own. Foundation Establishment was about solidifying mana within the physical body, completely transforming the mortal physique. Both of these changes only concerned the "self." During a Breakthrough, Spiritual Energy fluctuated, but no extraordinary phenomena manifested.

However, Golden Core Formation was different. Spiritual Essence hugged the core for sustenance, uniting inner and outer self, body and mind as one. According to the Ancient Method, this was the Unity of Heaven and Man. The Modern Cultivator saw this as the point where the mana circulation system shifted from a closed system to an open one. Upon the formation of the Golden Core, the winds and clouds stirred, and spirits wept. These phenomena occurred when the inner and outer systems of the Cultivator began to intersect and the circulation of Spiritual Energy was suddenly disrupted.

Wang Qi gazed at the soaring column of light in the distance, filled with emotion. The white light divided into two jets, entwining like two giant dragons, shooting straight upwards. It was a classic double helix structure, as if it were a Life Chain that had evolved over billions of years.

Grand, majestic.

Beneath the Heavenly Vault, that distant double helix pillar of light seemed so fragile, like a strand that could break at any moment. Yet this structure was one of the most stable and grandest on a microscopic scale. It had persisted for a billion years and would continue indefinitely. This classic structure connected all intelligent life from the Primordial Sea God Civilization to the Human Clan. It was one of the symbols of the planetary Biological Sphere.

"Golden Core, huh..." Wang Qi estimated the distance, "That must be tens of miles, right? To think it's still visible from here. What's even more outrageous is that I can actually feel a slight disturbance in the surrounding Spiritual Energy..."

Chen Feng also fixed his gaze on that slender thread, "That's coming from the direction of Jiyin Valley."

"Jiyin Valley?" Wang Qi exclaimed in shock, "Could it be Senior Sister Ai?"

"It's very likely her, considering that someone who could reveal such phenomena during their Golden Core Formation would be her. Timing-wise, it's about right too; she's been on the path for ten years." Chen Feng said, emotionless as he looked at the towering column of light.

Chen Youjia asked, "Shall we go have a look?"

Wang Qi chimed in, "Exactly, you two haven't seen each other for so many years..."

"Let's go," Chen Feng continued to gaze into the distance, "I went to the Divine Capital originally to prove myself. Things aren't done yet; it wouldn't be right for me to see her."

Wang Qi was astonished, "Take a look at that box in your hand, brother! The Dao Seed Award, huh! You don't consider that as 'completed'? Not as 'proving oneself'?"

What level do you have to reach? A Grand Auspicious Ceremony? Achieve the Carefree Level? Are you really not afraid of being cuckolded in the end?

Chen Feng shook his head, "I did that topic because I wanted to do it. But, I haven't finished yet, and I haven't proven my ambitions and pursuit to her."

Chen Feng turned around, "Let's go."

Wang Qi was stunned, "Really... just gonna strut your stuff and go? Not going to stay and interact with your fellow disciples?"

I also want to meet old friends, like Senior Sister Ai or some certain dim-witted cat and that dim-witted cat's companion.

"You've only finished half your plan; there's a big mess waiting for you in the Divine Capital." Chen Feng walked away from Tianling Ridge, leading Wang Qi and Chen Youjia.

Before they left, he turned his head one last time, imprinting the image of that Life Chain in his memory.

Not far from Tianling Ridge was an airport. The trio quickly bought tickets and rushed back to the Divine Capital overnight.

On the boat, Wang Qi and Chen Feng began to attempt refining their prizes.

The prize issued by the Heavenly Selection God Monarch was contained in a jade box. This jade box, adorned with blood-colored veins, emitted a strong vitality in and of itself, clearly also a rare treasure. Engraved on the surface of the box was a line of small characters: "I humbly offer this seed to you, to honor the virtue of sowing."

Clearly, the value of the jade box itself was far inferior to that of its contents; Wang Qi certainly wouldn't make the mistake of cherishing the box over the gem.

However, when he opened the box, he was slightly bemused, "This shape... it's really a bit too... ridicule-worthy."

The box had a lining of black velvet, and on it lay a bean.

A pea.

Wang Qi picked up the pea, asking Chen Feng, "How should this be handled? If one doesn't know the secrets of Tianling Ridge, can it only be eaten?"

Chen Youjia's throat suddenly made a "gulping" sound, as if he was swallowing saliva.

Wang Qi and Chen Feng stared at her speechlessly. Chen Youjia snapped, "I'm not curious about what this bean, which contains a hint of a predecessor's insight, tastes like…"

Wang Qi pulled out a packet of snacks and put it to Chen Youjia's mouth, "There, wait until I determine whether this is of great use before deciding whether you can eat it..."

Chen Youjia slapped Wang Qi's hand away, "Don't take the chance to pat my head."

Chen Feng's expression was priceless, "Eat it directly... You really come up with some ideas."

"You mean to sprout it? Pea sprouts are indeed rare to hear about... How about pea shoots?"

Chen Youjia raised her hand, "They taste better when stir-fried."

"You guys can't be serious..." Chen Feng covered his face in speechlessness, "Eating this thing doesn't do much good!"

High-order cultivators, when making a breakthrough, evoke heavenly and earthly phenomena that form a unique cycle within a nearby object. Since Modern Cultivators rely on thought for their breakthroughs, those objects often bear a trace of the Great Cultivators' contemplations on the Dao. These objects are referred to as "Enlightenment Objects" or "Dao-Bearing Objects."

This pea was indeed the Enlightenment Object of Mendel, the ancestor of Jiyin Valley.

The pear tree from the Ai Family on Split Peak Island belongs to this category as well. Such Enlightenment Objects that are plants produce seeds that also contain a hint of the predecessor's insight. However, since this "containing" is an acquired trait, it is not written into the genetic code of the Enlightenment Object, thus the seeds weaken with each generation and cannot be propagated on a large scale.

Fortunately, it was precisely because of the trait of each generation being weaker that Ai Changyuan was able to strengthen his understanding by eating apples. If it were the original one that hit the Yuanli Master on the head, anyone who ate it would possess an understanding nearly at the Carefree Level, but their comprehension of the Great Dao would be exactly the same as that of the Yuanli Master, with no possibility of breaking through his framework and advancing further.

However, the pea awarded by the Dao Seed Award is extraordinary. It is not only a seed from more than thirty peas in Jiyin Valley, but it was also nurtured by the Heavenly Selection Fossil Group, the Enlightenment Object of the Heavenly Selection Divine Monarch. This is equivalent to containing a hint of understanding from two Carefree Practitioners. If consumed directly, it would be harmful rather than beneficial.

But, like what Ai Qinglan did, cultivating it into a pea vine and keeping it close at hand would be no less than possessing a Universal Magical Artifact. Owning the dual Dao principles of "Survival of the Fittest" and "Genetic Combination," it possesses infinite possibilities, able to grow with its owner and adapt to all situations.

Wang Qi had no clue how to refine this Alien Treasure, but Chen Feng was unexpectedly familiar with it. Considering the time, years ago when Ai Qinglan received the previous Dao Seed Award, they happened to be together.

Following Chen Feng's guidance, Wang Qi condensed his mana into threads, reached into the pea, connected with its Qi Intent, and left his own seal within it.

It was not an easy process. Just by probing, Wang Qi could feel the formidable life force contained within this pea.

Even at the cellular level, this pea had no difference from ordinary peas — from what Wang Qi recalled tasting the two peas gifted to him by Ai Qinglan, even their taste and texture were nearly the same!

However, at a more microscopic level, this pea was clearly different. It could even change its form at will according to the owner's Heart Intent, altering its properties! Moreover, the life force within it was not something ordinary life beings possess, almost tangible — this could even be considered a variant of Life Flame!

And this variant of Life Flame is not like the Life Flame or Holy Light, which imitate natural phenomena. It condensed into lines, which then wove into a complex and precise circular structure. Despite being beyond his cultivation level to fully explore this circular structure, Wang Qi was certain that it must be another formidable Great Divine Power!

Upon arrival, the three of them were rushing for the seed Life Banquet. On the way back, they were not as time-pressed. They bought tickets on a slow boat, which lazily took seven days to return to the Lower Capital.

The short seven days were not enough to master this powerful item for Wang Qi. However, he did not come back empty-handed. In those seven days, simply by communicating with the pea, he already had a new understanding of genetics. Moreover, during that time, the pea had sprouted and grown air roots. These mutated root systems could cling to Wang Qi's skin and absorb mana, functioning like a natural Magic Artifact.

"Changing the shape also requires exploration. Which kind of plant should I try first? A grape vine? A watermelon vine? — Pfft, I must have been influenced by my junior sister recently. Why am I even thinking about fruit vines!"

After returning to his room, Wang Qi continued to set up the calculator to prepare for a new round of empirical evidence. He reset Jarvis's various terminals, and after inserting the Heart Demon Great Curse Memory into the specialized calculator, Jarvis immediately issued a warning, "Teacher, there is a major issue with the Dao Heart Pure Yang Spell Network."

"The Dao Heart Pure Yang Spell Network? What trouble has that kid Du Gui gotten into now? Has the Heart Demon Curse breached my protection and contaminated Du Gui, creating a Cult?" Wang Qi's first reaction was that there was a problem on Du Gui's end. He had set up a defense using the Spirit Light of the Heart Demon Algorithm when Du Gui came in contact with the Holy Light God to ensure that he wouldn't be corrupted. But then he realized, "Wait a minute, Du Gui worships the Holy Light God; even if infected, it should be the Thousand Illusion Divine Spell! The Dao Heart Pure Yang Spell? Jarvis, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

"I do not make such basic mistakes, teacher," Jarvis replied mechanically, "Also, pardon my forthrightness, Immortal Alliance, but you lack concern for your experimental life beings."

"Now is not the time to talk about that!" Wang Qi panicked, "Jarvis! Help me connect to the Heart Demon Curse Network! I want to see what went wrong!"

Could it be that the Dao Heart Pure Yang Spell granted mana to those Cultists, allowing them to escape their confines? Or did something happen to Du Bin, leading him to break our agreement?

The first thing Wang Qi pulled up was the map of Divine Capital. He wanted to see the outbreak area of the Heart Demon Great Curse.

The result...

"Damn it..." Wang Qi stared at the pink Divine Capital map, dumbfounded, "This darn city, it's doomed soon..."

(To be continued. If you like this story, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)