Dual Spirit Roots That Counter Each Other

"A Wood Spirit Root and a Gold Spirit Root—a rather rare Dual Spirit Root? And the spiritual affinity is high for both, close to a Medium-grade Spiritual Root. But what a pity."

The Female Cultivator Luo looked surprised and intrigued as she gazed at the light above Chen Dengming's head, only to shake her head with regret in the end.

It seemed her gamble had won, but Chen Dengming's future in cultivation was worrisome.

The other four cultivators also felt a mix of surprise and regret over Chen Dengming's Spiritual Root Potential.

In a land barren of spiritual energy, a Spiritual Root with such affinity as Chen Dengming's was nothing short of a peerless genius—but his luck was too poor...

"Why is a Spiritual Root close to Medium-grade a pity?"

Chen Dengming was stunned by the remark. Forgetting his deference, he immediately asked.

The Old Cultivator pointed at the light above Chen Dengming's head. "The Five Elements of heaven and earth generate and overcome each other, and Spiritual Roots are the same.

Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal.

Among the Five Elements, there is not only generation and overcoming, but also support, drainage, and consumption.

Yours is a Gold Wood Spirit Root. Metal overcomes Wood. Both are strong, so both are depleted, but Metal's loss is small while Wood's is large. Thus, it is overcoming, not draining. If it were draining, your situation would be better.

Water's effect on Metal is draining. Metal generates Water, so Metal itself is damaged, but Water benefits—hence, draining.

In that case, with your spiritual affinity, you could at least maintain a cultivation speed on par with a mid-tier Low-grade Spiritual Root.

But as it stands, your cultivation speed will only be the strongest among the worst-grade Spiritual Roots—slightly worse than even a Low-grade Spiritual Root. However... this situation isn't entirely unsolvable. It's just that you're too old, with little time left... a pity..."

"So that's how it is...?"

Chen Dengming was stunned, looking up at the light above his head.

He saw the cyan and white struggling against each other, gradually canceling out. Despite their strong affinity, white ended up dominating, while cyan was mostly consumed, both growing faint.

The cultivators exchanged glances, shook their heads, and made their decisions internally.

Dual Spirit Roots weren't too rare in the Cultivation World, but they weren't common either. Most of the people tested earlier had single Spirit Roots, good or bad.

And many Dual Spirit Roots that appeared in the Cultivation World were mutually overcoming ones—like Water and Fire, or Gold and Wood.

These Dual Spirit Roots couldn't support each other, couldn't aid cultivation, and even hindered spiritual affinity during training—a case of positive becoming negative.

Thus, only mutually generating Dual Spirit Roots were truly valuable, enhancing cultivation and speeding it up. Those with such Low-grade Dual Spirit Roots could cultivate faster than other Low-grade Spirit Root holders, though still slower than Medium-grade ones.

Unfortunately, Chen Dengming's two Low-grade Spirit Roots were mutually overcoming. Whether this was good or bad luck was hard to say.

After learning the truth, Chen Dengming couldn't help but feel frustrated.

Meanwhile, the Nangong family disciple secretly rejoiced, breathing a huge sigh of relief. He thought to himself how close it had been.

If Chen Dengming had successfully entered the Immortal Path, no matter his future potential, he might not have been able to deal with Chen Dengming for the next forty or fifty years, avenging his Grandfather Nangong Shuo.

He might even have had to watch out for the Chen Family Head making a move against him.

But now.

"Chen Dengming, though you possess a Low-grade Spiritual Root, this mutually overcoming pair shows you have no connection to the Immortal Path."

At this point, the Immortal Master with an immortal aura calmly looked at Chen Dengming. "Of course, we won't take your Gu arts for nothing. The five of us can grant you some pills and techniques suited for your cultivation.

These items may not let you step onto the Immortal Path, but they might let you live another ten-plus years. And if any of your clan members later possess a Spiritual Root, they can use the techniques to enter the Immortal Path, easily ascending at the next Ascension Convention in a hundred years."

This treatment was almost identical to what Wang Shiduo, the fifth in the innate rankings, had received.

But compared to Wang Shiduo, Chen Dengming's reward was slightly better.

Clearly, however, these so-called cultivators were going back on their word, shamelessly denying him once they knew his Spiritual Roots were mutually overcoming and his cultivation speed would be terrible.

They knew that even if they brought him to the sect, he'd be turned away at the Mountain Gate, and they'd face reprimands themselves. Better to reject him on the spot.

But Chen Dengming wasn't willing to stop at the Immortal Path just yet.

He understood that this might be the best outcome—getting pills and Immortal techniques. He could continue cultivating with his Golden Finger, using new, higher-level techniques to extend his life. Perhaps he could live another seventy or eighty years, step onto the Immortal Path, or even wait for the next Ascension Convention.

But these were all optimistic fantasies, not guaranteed.

If he hit a bottleneck due to limited resources and poor talent, unable to break through, he might die before the next Ascension Convention.

And even if he made it, attending the Ascension Convention at 182 years old would be extremely odd, drawing attention from cultivators and causing trouble.

Chen Dengming immediately cupped his fists. "Thank you for the guidance, Immortal Master. Though this junior is dull-witted, I am unwavering in my pursuit of the Immortal Path. I know I cannot enter your Immortal Sect.

But I beg you, Immortal Masters, to take me into your Cultivation World. In return, I will offer my Gu arts freely."

Cultivation required Wealth, Companions, Dharma, and Place. Place referred to a land rich in resources and feng shui.

In the Nanxun Kingdom, Chen Dengming had spent over forty years raising a single Blood Centipede Gu—proof of the lack of a good Place and the kingdom's barren resources.

He knew that staying in the Nanxun Kingdom would likely lead to little achievement.

Going to the Cultivation World might immediately demote him from a Martial World overlord to the bottom rung, full of dangers, but also full of opportunities.

Seeking immortality was like a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate—only by contending on the Immortal Path could one seize that thread of Life Force.

Many times, he preferred to lie low and bide his time.

But when opportunity came, he had to charge forward boldly and fight for it.

Seeing Chen Dengming's stubborn persistence, the five Immortal Masters all furrowed their brows.

Several of them were already growing impatient, feeling that Chen Dengming was pushing his luck.

Though the rare Gu techniques were hard to come by, they weren't strictly necessary. The Old Cultivator had been willing to trade only because he wished to avoid karmic entanglements with the mortal world.

But the other four had different paths and pursuits in cultivation, and held no such scruples. They had only agreed to trade out of respect for the Immortal Master's status and face. If he refused to show face, what of it if they simply seized a mortal's belongings by force?

In the end, it was Female Cultivator Luo who was softer-hearted. After all, Chen Dengming was her pick, and he did possess a Low-grade Spiritual Root—one with high affinity at that. But...

She frowned, studying Chen Dengming for a long moment. His brow was broad, his eyes bright, his bearing restrained—yet the depth and pride lurking between his brows marked him as the sort who kept silent until the moment he struck, bold and reckless beyond measure.

"What a pity. Conflicting spiritual roots, and too old."

Female Cultivator Luo sighed inwardly. Seeing that Daoist He beside her was already snorting and about to speak harshly, she cut in first, addressing Chen Dengming flatly.

"Very well. Since your resolve to seek immortality is so firm, I can take you to the Cultivation World and let you see for yourself until you give up hope.

But you must understand: in this mortal Martial World, you may reign as a king. In the Cultivation World, you are merely a mortal who has yet to set foot on the immortal path. Many there could take your life with ease."

Chen Dengming's eyes lit up, and he breathed a full sigh of relief inside.

He had already sensed the shift in the five cultivators' expressions and was prepared to back down wisely to preserve himself. He had fought for his chance; if it failed, he would have to adapt immediately. Yet now, he had succeeded.

He looked sincerely at Female Cultivator Luo and clasped his fist. "Thank you, Immortal Master, for granting this wish. I am fully prepared for the dangers ahead. I appreciate the warning."

The other four cultivators exchanged surprised glances at Female Cultivator Luo, but in the end, said nothing.

It was no great matter.

Only that, deep down, they disliked mortals daring to haggle with them. But since their companion was willing to grant the favor, they could put on a show of magnanimity and maintain harmony.

At that, the Old Cultivator coughed and said, "Since Daoist Luo is willing to grant your wish, this old Daoist has nothing more to say. I have here a cultivation manual, enough for your training, and a fair trade for your Gu techniques."

The other cultivators likewise produced items of little consequence to them but of great use to Chen Dengming.

"This is a Pure Spirit Pill. It will greatly enhance your perception and affinity for spiritual energy for the span of a single incense stick. This bottle will last you a long time."

"I have two first-rank Dao technique manuals here. You may find them useful once you become a cultivator. If you're willing to trade finished Gu poison, I'll add another."

"This is the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique. If you're willing to sacrifice your lifespan, it can alter your Spiritual Root Potential to a certain degree—the specifics vary by person. Perhaps if your spiritual root rises to mid-grade, your cultivation speed could rival that of an ordinary low-grade root."

Female Cultivator Luo was speechless.

These companions were no easy marks. What junk were they fobbing off on him?

First-rank Dao techniques went without saying.

At most, such techniques were worth a few Low-grade Spirit Stones each. Trading them for rare Gu secret arts was a massive profit. Taking those Gu arts to the Marketplace would fetch at least five or six Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

As for the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique that Daoist He offered—that was even more absurd. In the Cultivation World, it was pure garbage, a harmful technique used by Devil Dao Sects to squeeze disciples and quickly churn out cannon fodder. Those who practiced it rarely had many years left to live.

True, the technique could improve one's spiritual root potential. But Chen Dengming was already over eighty years old, with at most twenty years of natural life left. Practicing this would send him straight to the afterlife.

Female Cultivator Luo had no idea that Chen Dengming could extend his lifespan through cultivation. Hearing that the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique could improve his spiritual root potential, he was secretly delighted, counting it an unexpected gain.

The Nangong Family scion, who had been watching all along, was even more envious, burning with jealousy at Chen Dengming's luck, and growing increasingly irritated.

He had thought Chen Dengming would be weeded out. Now, he was coming to the Cultivation World alongside him.

Though with that bizarre aptitude of his, he might not amount to much in cultivation, it still increased the threat.

But what was done was done, and there was nothing he could change.

"The Cultivation World is vast. I've heard that someone once had conflicting spiritual roots but created a method to fuse them, forcibly merging the opposing roots and ultimately transforming their aptitude—even growing stronger.

And though your cultivation speed will be affected, when you practice Dao techniques aligned with your spiritual roots, your speed will still match your root potential. It won't worsen."

In the end, Female Cultivator Luo offered Chen Dengming a word of encouragement.

Chen Dengming bowed in thanks.

The next moment.

As the five cultivators announced the end of the Ascension Convention with a special sound-amplifying Dao technique, the entire Misty Cliff, formed of clouds and mist, underwent a tremendous transformation.

In an instant, the massive Teleportation Array beneath their feet began to operate.

Hundreds of spirit stones, gleaming like brilliant stars, radiated light and released spiritual energy. Winds howled, heaven and earth churned.

The next instant—

The wind and clouds scattered. Electric currents darted like startled snakes in every direction. The massive Teleportation Array dimmed and vanished in a flash. The five cultivators, along with Chen Dengming and the Nangong Family scion, all disappeared.

Below Misty Cliff, every martial artist stared dumbfounded at the vanishing spectacle overhead.

The thunder and lightning had erupted visible from near and far, a blindingly intense ball of light. Within that light, seven figures vanished—a scene etched into memory for life. All were silent for a long time, shaken to the core.

Nanxun Calendar, 211th year, seventh month.

The immortal traces of Misty Cliff appeared in the Ice Wind Forest, and the Ascension Convention was held.

Of the ten on the Ascension Platform, only Nanxun Saber King Chen Dengming and Nangong Yun, a sixth-generation scion of the Nangong Family, succeeded in ascending.

Nanxun Saber King Chen Dengming once again blazed into fame across the Martial World, but had now become a legend.