Bai Ling's breathing grew shallow. In the next round, it would be her turn to step forward and comprehend the Inheritance Stele.
"Don't worry. We should be fine."
Bai Zichen said reassuringly. He had been standing at the back, observing all the Cultivators who had failed to receive an inheritance, and he had noticed a pattern.
"Have you noticed? Four people have failed to receive an inheritance, and they're all among the oldest in our group. If I'm not mistaken, the younger you are, the greater your advantage with the Inheritance Stele."
"That's good. I really don't want to see the disappointment in my master's eyes."
Bai Ling firmly patted her chest twice, her face flushed red as she walked toward the Stele. She quickly entered a state of comprehension.
"Quick, look! Something's happening with the Stele!"
About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a flash of lightning suddenly shot across the previously silent Inheritance Stele, accompanied by a low rumble of thunder.
All eyes converged on the spot where the lightning gathered. It was a female disciple from the Qingfeng Sect.
"Chen Wei, how do you feel? What Cultivation Technique did you receive?"
With a flicker, Elder Peng flashed from dozens of feet away to appear at the female disciple's side.
Of all the people so far, she was the only one to trigger an unusual phenomenon during her comprehension. Needless to say, she must have received something of a much higher quality than the others.
"It seems... it isn't a Cultivation Technique."
Chen Wei had plain features. She was fair-skinned and chubby, and usually went unnoticed in the Sect.
She wasn't even supposed to be on the list to comprehend the Inheritance Stele. However, the highest-ranking Inner Sect Disciple on the list had a sudden epiphany in the last two days and went into seclusion to break through to Late-Stage Qi Refining. He voluntarily withdrew, and the spot had fortunately fallen to her.
"A voice in the Stele said I have something called a Thunderfall Body and that I have an inexplicable attraction to Celestial Thunder... No wonder when I was little, lightning always struck near my house during thunderstorms."
"I think it's a method for refining a Magical Treasure, but I have to reach Foundation Establishment before I can start. It's called the Acquired Thunder God Pearl, and it can absorb Celestial Thunder for refinement. When first created, it's merely the prototype of a Magical Treasure, but it's nurtured in the Dantian as a Lifebound Magical Treasure. By the time I reach Core Formation, it will naturally become a powerful Magical Treasure, and it even has other uses for Core Formation Cultivators."
The other Cultivators, who had been eavesdropping, immediately lost half their interest when they heard the words "Lifebound Magical Treasure."
Magical Treasures were something only a Core Formation True Man needed to consider. For people like them, even their wildest dreams only went as far as successfully reaching Foundation Establishment and becoming a Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator revered by thousands. As for Core Formation, having your ancestral tombs smolder with good luck wasn't enough; they'd have to be actively on fire.
Even Chen Wei's own enthusiasm waned as she spoke, feeling that what she had obtained was somewhat impractical.
"Excellent! Absolutely excellent!"
Elder Peng burst into uncharacteristic laughter. 'What are a few more Cultivation Techniques and Divine Powers?' he thought. 'They only add a bit to the Qingfeng Sect's foundation, giving the junior disciples a few more options for their Cultivation.'
'But a Magical Treasure is different. It's useless to everyone here, but the two Core Formation True Men of the Qingfeng Sect can certainly use it!'
In Elder Peng's view, accomplishing one thing that interested the two True Men was worth more than collecting a hundred Cultivation Techniques.
'Besides, the Acquired Thunder God Pearl is said to have a special function for Core Formation Cultivators. That alone sounds incredible.'
The status of a Core Formation True Man in the Qingfeng Sect was like that of a Great Foundation Establishment Cultivator in their respective Clans—perhaps even higher. With a five-hundred-year lifespan, they could establish supreme, unquestionable authority without even consciously trying to build power.
Currently, more than half of the Foundation Establishment Elders in the Qingfeng Sect were from Master Yangg's lineage, disciples and grand-disciples who controlled the most powerful positions within the Sect.
Master Ge Cang, on the other hand, had become a True Man more recently. He was wholeheartedly focused on his Cultivation, had only a single disciple, and rarely involved himself in the Sect's affairs.
'When I report back to the Sect,' Elder Peng schemed, 'and they learn about a refining method for a Magical Treasure related to Celestial Thunder, there's a high probability the two Ancestors will personally attend. Ancestor Ge Cang, in particular, is in his prime. It's not impossible that he could one day glimpse the Nascent Soul Realm. If so, the importance of this Acquired Thunder God Pearl would be raised to an even higher level!'
When a Core Formation True Man attempts to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, the greatest trial they face is the descent of a Celestial Tribulation.
Elder Peng immediately wondered if the Acquired Thunder God Pearl's purpose was related to resisting the Celestial Tribulation.
'If there really is a connection, then I've struck gold,' he thought. 'Master Yangg's lifespan is running out, and he's only in the Early-Stage Core Formation, so he certainly doesn't need to worry about a Celestial Tribulation. But Master Ge Cang reached the Mid-Stage Core Formation before he was even two hundred years old, making him the fastest cultivator in the entire history of the Qingfeng Sect.'
It was widely rumored that Master Ge Cang had the potential to reach the Nascent Soul Realm!
Unfortunately, Master Ge Cang's heart was set on the Great Dao, and he rarely appeared within the Sect, giving no one the opportunity to curry favor with him.
The inherited refining method for this Acquired Thunder God Pearl was the perfect foot in the door.
'I'll need to build a rapport with that chubby girl later,' he mused. 'Or better yet, find a handsome junior from my clan, send a matchmaker to arrange a marriage, have them become Dao Companions, and tie her to the Peng Family for good.'
Elder Peng resumed his composed and profound demeanor, projecting the image of a lofty expert. Inwardly, however, he was already running through the list of his clan's junior disciples, searching for a suitable, handsome candidate with a matching age and Cultivation.
Once you caught the eye of a Core Formation True Man, helping a Cultivator successfully reach Foundation Establishment was not a difficult task.
In Elder Peng's eyes, Chen Wei's destiny had just been turned upside down.
After Chen Wei, no other unusual phenomena appeared from the Inheritance Stele.
"Master, it's a Water Element Cultivation Technique! The Taiyin Su Yun Xuan Shui True Skill! It leads directly to the Core Formation Path!"
Bai Ling pumped her fists in excitement. Even though she deliberately kept her voice down, it was obvious she was overjoyed.
Not only had she not squandered this opportunity, but she had also been lucky enough to obtain a Top-Level Cultivation Technique perfectly suited for her. This was a fantastic stroke of luck.
A Cultivation Technique that allowed one to cultivate all the way to the Core Formation Stage was considered top-tier in the entire Black Mountain region. Even the Qingfeng Sect probably didn't have many such manuals in its collection.
Bai Ling had Water and Earth Dual Spiritual Roots. She had originally practiced her clan's Black Water Techniques, so switching to the Taiyin Su Yun Xuan Shui True Skill was a perfect fit. The Taiyin Su Yun Xuan Shui True Skill was superior to the Black Water Techniques in every aspect, with only one exception: countless Cultivators had practiced the latter, leaving behind a wealth of experience and examples to reference, which greatly reduced its difficulty.
This was similar to the Chang Chun Skill that Bai Zichen practiced. Not only did it lack any supplementary Magic or special abilities, but the path forward with it ended after Foundation Establishment. One couldn't expect to make any further progress relying on the Chang Chun Skill alone and would have to learn a different Cultivation Technique.
But the reason his uncle had chosen this Cultivation Technique for Bai Zichen to begin his training was that it was incredibly safe; its True Essence was so gentle that it was difficult to even suffer a Qigong Deviation.
Soon, only the last five people had yet to step forward for their turn.
Bai Zichen took a deep breath, quelling the anxiety in his heart. He had come this far; he was prepared to accept any outcome.
Over with the Qingfeng Sect contingent, Elder Peng stopped his scheming and returned his attention to the proceedings. At last, it was the turn of the one disciple he was paying the most attention to.
Before Chen Wei's appearance, he had privately felt that on this trip to the Five Mountains Temple, this was the only person who could truly bring him a surprise.
'If the information from the Celestial Secret Pavilion is correct,' he thought, 'the Inheritance Stele doesn't judge simply based on the level of one's Cultivation. Otherwise, Chen Wei would never have caused that phenomenon. Su Li, on the other hand, possesses a Talisman Spirit Body—a natural-born master of the Talisman Dao. That is the kind of talent that will earn a truly high score from the Inheritance Stele!'