009: Counteracting Twin Spiritual Root_1

"Wood Spiritual Root and Gold Spiritual Root, these are actually the rather rare Twin Spiritual Root? And both have a high Spirit Qi Affinity, close to a mid-level Spiritual Root, but what a pity..."

The female cultivator with the surname Luo looked surprised and astonished as she watched the aura above Chen Dengming's head, eventually shaking her head with regret.

It seemed that even though she won the gamble, Chen Dengming's future path to cultivation was of great concern.

The other four cultivators were taken aback as well, feeling regret and disappointment over Chen Dengming's Spiritual Root Aptitude.

In lands with scarce Spiritual Qi, the emergence of Spiritual Roots like Chen Dengming's, which possessed high Spirit Qi Affinity, was nothing short of a prodigy. However, his luck was just too bad….

"Why is it a pity for a Spiritual Root that's close to mid-level?"

At this point, Chen Dengming was somewhat confused, disregarding his respectfulness and quickly asking.

The elderly cultivator gestured to the glow above Chen Dengming's head. "The five elements of Nature nurture and counteract each other, and the same is true for the Spiritual Roots.

Gold subdues Wood; Wood subdues Earth; Earth subdues Water; Water subdues Fire; Fire subdues Gold.

Not only are there checks and balances within the five elements, but there are also aiding, draining, and consumption elements among them.

You have a Gold and Wood Spiritual Root; Gold subdues Wood. Since both are strong, both will diminish. However, Gold diminishes less than Wood, hence it is subduing instead of draining. If it was draining, your situation would be considered better.

For example, the effect of Water on Gold is draining. Gold produces Water; thus, Gold is damaged, but Water benefits, hence it results in energy draining.

Under these circumstances, given your Spirit Qi Affinity, at least while you practice, you could maintain an average cultivation speed for a low-level Spiritual Root.

But now, your cultivation speed can only be considered the best among the worst of the Spiritual Roots, slightly inferior to even a low-level Spiritual Root...however…this situation could also be remedied. It's just a pity that you are already too old and you don't have much time left...what a pity..."

"Is it really like that...?"

Chen Dengming was dumbfounded as he looked up at the radiance above his head.

He saw the green and white light gradually canceling each other out like they were battling, showing a clear affinity but ultimately turning into a majority of white light, with the green light gradually fading away, both becoming notably weaker.

The several cultivators exchanged glances, all shook their heads, having made up their minds.

A Twin Spiritual Root was not too rare in the World of True Cultivation, but it was also not a common occurrence. For example, the Spiritual Roots that had just been tested on several people were Single Spiritual Roots, regardless of good or bad.

The Twin Spiritual Roots that often appear in the world of cultivation are counteracting Spiritual Roots, such as Water-Fire Spiritual Root, Gold-Wood Spiritual Root, etc.

These Twin Spiritual Roots, beyond being impossible to aid each other, also obstruct the affinity to Spirit Qi during cultivation, leading to a phenomenon of gaining negative benefits.

Therefore, only the Mutually-beneficial Twin Spiritual Roots have immense value. They can enhance cultivation and accelerate the speed of cultivation. Practitioners with a low-level Spiritual Root of this kind may not be able to compete with those with mid-level Spiritual Roots, but they will surpass other low-level Spiritual Root practitioners by a lot.

It's just a pity that although Chen Dengming possesses two low-level Twin Spiritual Roots, they unexpectedly counteract each other. This is a situation where it is not clear whether his luck is good or bad.

When Chen Dengming found out the reasons at this time, he couldn't help but feel dejected.

However, the members of the Nangong Family were secretly delighted, heaved a sigh of relief, and felt extremely lucky.

If Chen Dengming could also step onto the path of immortal cultivation, regardless of his future potential, at least within the next forty to fifty years, perhaps he would have no way to deal with Chen Dengming and avenge his grandfather, Nangong Shuo.

He may even have to be careful of this Chen Family Head's sinister tactics towards him.

But now...

"Chen Dengming, although you possess a low-level Spiritual Root, these counteracting Spiritual Roots indicate you are incompatible with the path of immortality..."

At this moment, the venerable old cultivator with the air of an immortal calmly faced Chen Dengming. "Of course, we won't take your Gu Dao skills for nothing. The five of us can bestow upon you some Elixir Pills and Cultivation Techniques suitable for your cultivation.

These items may not necessarily allow you to tread the path to immortality, but perhaps they can extend your lifespan by a decade or so. If in the future someone in your family possesses a Spiritual Root, they may be able to step onto the path of immortality through cultivation. By the time of the next Hundred Years Ascension Conference, you could easily ascend to become an Immortal."

This handling of events was almost identical to what happened to the previously innate Fifth Wang Shiduo.

However, compared to Wang Shiduo, Chen Dengming's treatment was a bit better.

But clearly, this group of so-called cultivators had gone back on their words, showing no shame or remorse, denying that Chen Dengming's counteracting Spiritual Roots would result in a very slow cultivation speed.

Because they knew that even if they took him back to their sect, he would be stopped at the entrance of the mountain gate, and they could even face reproach—so they might as well deny him outright.

But Chen Dengming was not willing to give up his path to becoming an Immortal so easily.

He understood that this might be the best outcome—receiving Elixir pills and Immortal Dao Cultivation Techniques. He could continue his cultivation using his Golden Finger, lengthen his life span with new high-level Cultivation Techniques, and possibly live for an extra seventy to eighty years and step onto the path to becoming an Immortal, or even wait for the next Ascension Conference to start.

But all these thoughts, they were all wishful thinking, and it was not certain whether they could become reality.

Maybe due to his limitations in cultivation resources and personal aptitude, his Cultivation Technique would reach a bottleneck and be unable to break through—he might not even be able to wait for the start of the next Ascension Conference and die.

Even if he could wait, if he were to participate in the Ascension Conference at the age of a hundred and eighty-two, it would undoubtedly be very bizarre and bound to attract the attention of cultivators, causing trouble.

Chen Dengming then clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your guidance, myself, although of poor aptitude, nevertheless firmly aspires to the Dao of Immortality, unyieldingly resolute. At present, I am aware that I cannot enter the Immortal's Gateways where you all reside.

However, I sincerely ask you all honorable Immortal Masters to take me into your Cultivation World. In return, my Gu Cultivation Skills will be freely given,"

Cultivation training requires the Financial Couple Lawland, and the "land" refers to resource-rich Feng Shui treasure lands.

In Nanxun Kingdom, Chen Dengming had spent over forty years cultivating a single Blood Centipede Gu, which goes to show the scarcity of prominent Feng Shui treasure lands and how infertile and lacking the resources are in Nanxun Kingdom.

He understood that if he continued to stay in Nanxun Kingdom, he might not accomplish much.

However, going to the Cultivation World, though he might instantly turn from a big-shot to a small fry with many dangers ahead, but there would also be many more opportunities.

The path to immortality is like a fish leaping over the dragon gate. Only through the contention of the Dao of Immortality can he grasp a glimmer of life.

Most of the time, he likes to keep a low profile and avoid the limelight.

But in front of opportunities, he must stride forward courageously and seize them boldly.

Upon seeing Chen Dengming's obstinacy, the five Immortal Masters couldn't help but slightly furrow their brows.

Some of them were growing impatient, feeling that Chen Dengming was overstepping his bounds.

Gu Cultivation Skill, although rare and precious, is still not indispensable. Senior Cultivators were willing to trade simply because they didn't wish to meddle in the earthly karma.

Nevertheless, the other four had different paths and pursuits in the Dao of Immortality, so they had no such reservations. If given the situation they might have made a trade, but if no face was given, how would it be if they simply took what they wanted from a mortal?

In the end, the female cultivator with the surname Luo was somewhat softer-hearted. After all, Chen Dengming was the person she had chosen. He indeed possessed a low-grade spiritual root with a high affinity for Spirit Qi, it's just that…

She looked at Chen Dengming for a while, noticing his broad forehead, bright eyes, and his restrained demeanor. However, the deep and proud look between his brows, meant he was the kind of person who caused great surprise when he acts.

"What a pity, conflicting Spiritual Roots, and he's too old..."

The female cultivator sighed in her heart. Seeing her Dao friend already coldly snorting in preparation to scold, she spoke first with a mild tone to Chen Dengming.

"Fine, since your desire to become an immortal is so resolute, I can take you to the Cultivation World and let you see its reality.

But you must understand, in this mortal world you can still be a king, but when you go to the Cultivation World, you're just a mortal who hasn't even stepped on the path of Immortality. Many people could easily end your life..."

Chen Dengming's eyes glimmered and he felt his heart relax.

Initially, noticing the expressions of the five Cultivators, he had already planned to concede and save himself. As talks had failed, he had to adapt quickly. But now, it appears his arguments had worked.

He earnestly looked at the female cultivator Luo and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Immortal Master. I am prepared for the future dangers, thank you for the reminder."

The other four cultivators saw this and gave the female cultivator Luo a surprised look but in the end, did not say anything.

This was not a big deal, after all.

They in their subconscious, disdained mortals bargaining with them, but since now their companion was willing to oblige him, they often pretended to be magnanimous for the sake of their reputation and to maintain harmonious relations.

Then, the senior cultivator coughed and said, "Since Luo is willing to help you, I have nothing more to add. I have here a cultivation technique that is more than enough for your cultivation, in exchange for your Gu Cultivation Skill."

The other cultivators, seeing this, also took out some things that were unimportant but could be of great use to Chen Dengming for an exchange.

"This is a Clear Spirit Pill, in a short period of time it will drastically enhance your perception of, and affinity for, Spirit Qi. This bottle will last you a long time."

"I have here two first-grade Daoism Scripture. When you become a cultivator, you might be able to use it. If you are willing to trade the Gu poison, I will add another one..."

"This is the 'Life-Shortening Cultivation Enhancement Skill.' If you are willing to shorten your lifespan, it can somewhat change your Spiritual Root endowment, varying from person to person. Maybe once your Spiritual Roots improve to a mid-grade level, your cultivation speed will be comparable to an average low-grade practitioner..."

The cultivator Luo was at a loss for words.

These companions were really sly, handing out useless things just to pacify him.

Not to mention the first-grade Daoism techniques.

Each of those techniques was worth only a few low-grade spirit stones. Trading for a rare Gu Cultivation Skill, they would have made a huge profit. If the Gu Cultivation Skill was traded in the market, it could easily fetch five to six mid-grade spirit stones at the least.

That so-called 'Life-Shortening Cultivation Enhancement Skill' was even more outrageous. This thing was considered trash in the Cultivation World. It's a harmful cultivation technique used by Demon Sects to exploit their disciples, to rapidly cultivate cannon fodder. After using, one only has a few good years left.

Yes, this cultivation technique could improve someone's spiritual root endowment, but Chen Dengming was over eighty years old. With a maximum of twenty years of life left, practicing this technique might mean his death on the spot.

Cultivator Luo was not aware that Chen Dengming could extend his lifespan by practicing Dao techniques. Hearing that the 'Life-Shortening Cultivation Enhancement Skill' could actually enhance his spiritual root endowment, she was already secretly joyous, feeling that it was an unexpected gain.

The disciples of the Nangong family watching from the side were envious, jealously thinking Chen Dengming was lucky, simultaneously they also felt extremely upset.

He had thought that Chen Dengming would be eliminated, but now it was certain that he would be joining them in the Cultivation World.

Despite Chen Dengming's strange qualifications, it's uncertain whether he could achieve anything in the Cultivation World. But, he still had increased as a threat.

However, at this point, there was nothing he could change.

"The Cultivation World is vast. It is said that someone had conflicting spiritual roots, but still invented the Spirit Fusion Skill, forcibly merged the conflicting spiritual roots, and eventually changed his own qualities, even becoming stronger.

Although your cultivation speed will be affected, when you cultivate the Dao technique corresponding to your spiritual root, your cultivation speed should still match your spiritual root endowment and will not deteriorate..."

In the end, Cultivator Luo still encouraged Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming offered thanks.

The next moment,

With the five Cultivators using a special acoustic Dao Technique to announce the conclusion of the Immortal Ascending Convention, the whole Misty Cliff made of clouds and mist underwent significant change.

Instantly, beneath everyone's feet, a giant Shifting Array started to operate.

Hundreds of Spirit Stones, shining like brilliant stars, released the light, emitting spirit energy. The wind was roaring, and the world was shaken.

The next instant -

The clouds disappeared, electricity crackled around like frightened snakes. The giant Shifting Array dimmed and vanished. The five cultivators, including Chen Dengming and the descendants of the Nangong family, all disappeared one after another.

Below Misty Cliff, everyone in the martial arts world stood dumbfounded as they looked up at the dispersing spectacle above them.

Seeing the thunderous flashes and the emergence of a brightly gleaming orb of light, inside which the seven figures disappeared forever. This unforgettable view left everyone in silence, their minds shaken by the shock.

In the year 211 of Nanxun, in July,

The Immortal Traces appeared on Misty Cliff in Ice Wind Forest, and the Immortal Ascending Convention was held.

Among the ten who ascended the Immortal Ascending Platform, only the 'Nanxun Blade King' Chen Dengming and the sixth generation disciple from the Nangong family, Nangong Yun, succeeded in ascending.

'Nanxun Blade King' Chen Dengming, once again caused a sensation in the martial arts world, but from then on he became a legend of the martial arts world...