Chapter 2: Forging the Immortal Vein in a Day
I am Daoist Cloudcrane from the Center Continent Country. Daoist, were you passing by this place too?
Center Continent Country?! Fang Chens heart shook.
He had long heard about the Center Continent Country. It was said to be a true grade-1 state, with vast territories and countless experts. However, he had never met anyone from the Center Continent Country, and there were even claims that the Center Continent Country was a myth!
Wait a moment, theres something weird about your soul Hm? Youre astral projecting with a soul and not a Nascent Spirit? Daoist Cloudcrane was startled.
He raised his palm and struck Fang Chen. The latter tried to avoid the attack, but before he knew it, his soul had already returned to its body.
Youre a mortal?! How unusual. How could a mere mortals soul be so rich as to be able to astral project? Daoist Cloudcrane exclaimed.
Fang Chen calmly clasped his fist toward a certain direction and said, Elder, I am merely a martial artist with a crushed ki sea. Im sorry to have disappointed you.
Disappointed me? Hahaha, how could I be disappointed? I never thought Id stumble upon a fine jade like you just as I was about to return from my hundred years journey. It must be fate. Someone with a rich soul like yours is born for immortal cultivation. Daoist Cloudcrane burst into laughter.
He was astral projecting with his Nascent Soul, and he had limited his voice so that only Fang Chen could hear him. The others in the General Manor couldnt notice him.
Immortal cultivation? Elder, are there really immortals in this world? Fang Chen was startled. He couldnt help but remember the fairy amidst the blazing sun he had seen five years ago.
Youre from a grade-9 state; its no wonder you have never seen a cultivator before. I dont know whether there are immortals in this world, but Id say your people would deem someone with my means as an immortal, Daoist Cloudcrane said. I want to take you in as my personal disciple. Are you interested?
Fang Chen fell silent for a few seconds. I cant cultivate. My ki sea has been crippled.
Ki sea? Thats only a thing for you martial artists. Us cultivators dont forge a ki sea. If Im not mistaken, you martial artists have three realmsHuman Profound, Earth Profound, and Heaven Profoundand each realm is further divided into four stages, right?
Theres no such thing for us cultivators. Instead, we have Ki Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul. Your Heaven Profound expert barely rivals our pinnacle Ki Refinement cultivator, Daoist Cloudcrane proudly said.
The moon slowly faded, as the sun rose from the eastern horizon.
Fang Chen had stood unmovingly for a day now.
The servants and maids in the General Manor gossiped about it amongst themselves. It was only when Fang Zhixue arrived that they hurriedly shut their mouths.
Big brother has been standing there from yesterday till now?! Fang Zhixue exclaimed in astonishment.
Ey Your big brother is a proud man. He must be feeling indignant about having to marry into the Xiao Clan. A middle-aged man sighed as he looked at Fang Chens upright posture. He felt apologetic to the latter.
He was the patriarch of the Fang Clan, Fang Canghai. As a third stage Ki Control expert, he should have been able to retain his youth, but his sideburns were already snowy white despite being only forty years of age. His wrinkles were also increasing with each passing day.
Father, cant we turn His Majesty down? Big brother will live a fate worse than death if he goes to Greenpine Country! Fang Zhixue cried.
Greenpine Country has grown stronger over the last five years, whereas our Great Xia has been weakening with each passing day. Wolf Marshall Xiao has already spoken on behalf of his daughter; he demanded Fang Chen marry into the Xiao Clan, or hell lead his troops over to crush our capital. Those words are neither a joke nor a brag. Great Xia is hanging on a thread. We have no choice. Great Xia might at least still stand a chance if we accept their demand Fang Canghai said with reddened eyes.
Is our aunt unable to do anything about it? Fang Zhixue asked.
Your aunt might be the empress, but her hands are tied. She has to prioritize Great Xia here. Theres nothing she can do. Fang Canghai shook his head. Wolf Marshall Xiaos daughter will be arriving in the capital with her people tomorrow. Your big brother will have to deal with her. Go and advise your big brother to get some rest.
Meanwhile, a pristine immortal vein had formed inside Fang Chen. All of the spirit ki flowing inside him found their belonging and surged into the immortal vein.
The twelve stages of Ki Refinement was centered around forging ones immortal vein. With the creation of the first pulse, Fang Chen officially joined the ranks of the immortal cultivators.
Forging the immortal vein in a single day? Your talent is indeed impressive! Remember to register with our Three Thousand Dao Gate once you reach Foundation Establishment! Daoist Cloudcrane said before vanishing into thin air.
Fang Chen woke up from his trance. He bowed in the direction of the disappeared Daoist Cloudcrane with a heart filled with gratitude. Daoist Cloudcrane had not just changed his fate but the fates of countless lives in Great Xia!