Signature Weapon Greatly Improved, Time to Draw

In midair, Gu Bai's coughing came in unbroken bursts, as if he were trying to expel every drop of blood and qi from his body. As the coughs grew more violent, the Cloud Carpet beneath the old man trembled and frayed, on the verge of collapse.

Fortunately, before the Cloud Carpet completely fell apart, Gu Bai mustered his remaining strength to slowly lower it to the ground, averting a disastrous crash.

After landing, Gu Bai sat in meditation for a long while before the coughing subsided. Feeling Wu Ming's gentle pats on his back, he couldn't bring himself to utter a single word of complaint or blame.

He could only laugh at himself: "Haha, I'm truly old and useless. We won't make it back to Yan Mountain today, so let's just spend the night here."

Wu Ming nodded. "Alright, I'll go pick some oranges and set up camp. Master, just wait here and don't move... I've watched Yao Ye Lu Ying, so I know the ins and outs of wilderness survival."

"...What camping?" Gu Bai was first startled, then chuckled. "Heh, even a crippled old man like me wouldn't make a child like you run around while we camp out in the wild. You're the star of today, so just sit down and rest."

As he spoke, Gu Bai reached for the front of his Daoist robe and tugged. The patched gray robe suddenly spread open, and on the ground, it refined a ten-meter-square Dharma Array out of thin air, shielding them from wind and rain, isolating sound inside and out, and even generating warmth from the earth... It was like an invisible Mobile Palace.

After that, Gu Bai sat cross-legged in the center of the Dharma Array and regulated his breathing for a while, his body warming slightly. Seeing that nightfall was still some time away and that Wu Ming, having just woken up, looked full of energy, he decided to teach.

"Wu Ming, come sit properly."

Once Wu Ming had imitated his posture and sat cross-legged, Gu Bai reached into his worn inner robe and pulled out a small red stick half a finger long. He held it between his index and middle fingers, brought it to his lips, and gently inhaled. The red stick turned into a cloud of crimson smoke that he drew into his mouth, greatly easing the old man's complexion.

A moment later, two faint red streams of smoke shot out from his nostrils, swirled in the air, and were sucked back into his mouth, then expelled again as pink smoke.

This repeated three times, until the smoke was nearly colorless. Only then did Gu Bai let out a sage-like sigh of long-awaited relief, then waved his Daoist sleeve to drive all the smoke out of the Dharma Array, ensuring none of it affected the boy before him.

Afterward, Gu Bai smiled but added a slightly guilty instruction: "Heh, don't tell your Senior Sister about this. She's always been against me taking Five Minerals Powder... but it's my only vice."

Once Wu Ming nodded in agreement, Gu Bai patted his head and said, "Now that you've joined the Gujian Sect, officially registered in Dinghuang Prefecture, and received the Human Dao Seal, you can formally begin your Immortal Path. However, cultivating immortality won't be easy for you. Do you know why?"

Wu Ming replied, "Spirit Root aptitude?"

Gu Bai nodded with a sigh. "Exactly, it's a lack of Spirit Root aptitude. The Three Trials of Spirit Signs your Senior Sister used is actually a very simple and intuitive Spirit Root test. If you have the aptitude, you can see it."

As he spoke, Gu Bai turned his palm over and produced ten paper slips out of thin air.

This time, Wu Ming focused intently and vaguely, faintly, seemed to notice that one of the paper slips held a faint glimmer, different from the rest.

Back in front of Dinghuang Prefecture, thanks to a Purple Star from his newbie ten-pull, he had slightly improved his Wood Spirit Root aptitude, granting him a bit of Spirit Vision.

But it was truly just a little. In his eyes now, the difference between a spirit sign and a paper slip was roughly like DLSS quality mode versus native resolution... His aptitude was barely better than nothing. Clearly, a single Purple Star wasn't enough to overturn his fate.

Gu Bai was somewhat surprised by this result. "So you can see a bit. That barely qualifies as Ninth Grade aptitude."

Wu Ming blinked and waited for more.

Gu Bai explained, "The Sanqing Immortal Sect divides the world's Spirit Roots into Nine Grades. The Upper Three Grades are one in ten thousand, born with a Dao Seed, with boundless potential. The Lower Three Grades are between mortal and immortal; cultivators usually stop at the peak of Foundation Establishment, finding it extremely difficult to form a Golden Core and become a True Person. As for Ninth Grade, it's hard even to reach Foundation Establishment, often wasting a lifetime in the Qi Refining Stage."

Wu Ming blinked again and waited for more.

"But times have changed, and you were born in a good era. Spirit Root aptitude is no longer fixed. There are two common methods now to improve one's Spirit Root aptitude, smoothing many bumps on the Immortal Path."

"The first is the Human Emperor Scroll. The Heavenly Book deduced by Celestial Master Sanqing, though theoretical, truly has heaven-stealing power. Each level of the Human Dao Seal brings one closer to the origin of the Immortal Path established by the Three Pure Ones. Accumulating enough Human Dao Seals allows one to cultivate the Three Pure Ones Orthodox Method, and even the wondrous techniques of the Immortal Mansion, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort. Thus, accumulating Human Dao Seals can, to some extent, compensate for innate deficiencies."

Wu Ming immediately understood: In simple terms, if the hardware is lacking, optimize to make up for it.

At the same time, he intuitively sensed that this approach had hidden dangers. The Human Dao Seal and the secrets of the Immortal Mansion were clearly resources monopolized by the Sanqing Immortal Sect. Walking this path meant being destined to work as a heavenly laborer for the Three Pure Ones.

And considering the Sanqing Immortal Sect's bloodline discrimination against the Desolate People, working for them would likely turn him into an otherworldly Dalit... So, although he was obviously highly talented in cultivating the Human Emperor Scroll, he shouldn't rely too heavily on this path.

Gu Bai continued, "The second is the secrets of the Immortal Mansion. Since Grandmaster Taiqing pioneered the Immortal Mansion and inherited the sage's legacy, over two thousand years, Immortal Mansions have appeared across the Nine Provinces. Countless people have changed their fate through them, and among them, there are precedents for filling in Spirit Root aptitude."

Wu Ming listened intently and nodded lightly.

Gu Bai added, "However, Immortal Mansions don't open their doors for anyone to take treasures. Each Immortal Mansion can be seen as a trial left by ancient immortals for later generations, and each trial has many rules. Among them, cultivation realm is often the most basic rule. For example, in your hometown of Feng Prefecture, there's a [Moli] Immortal Mansion, said to contain a primordial supreme treasure, but it only allows Qi Refining stage cultivators to enter..."

Wu Ming grew curious and asked, "No way around it?"

"Heh, that question has been pondered and attempted by countless people over the past two thousand years. But the rules of the Immortal Mansions are iron laws left by the immortals. Even with all the wisdom of today's people and the combined power of the Three Pure Ones, they're hard to shake. So..."

Wu Ming naturally finished the thought, "So every major sect will go all out to raise their own small accounts to seize treasures inside the mansions."

Gu Bai nodded. "Good guess. And the Dharma Sword you won in Dinghuang Prefecture is a top-tier divine weapon forged specifically for exploring Immortal Mansions at the Qi Refining stage."

As he spoke, the old man raised his left hand and grasped the air. A half-length silver-bright sword appeared in his palm—the Ranxiang Workshop Dharma Sword that Wu Ming had won fair and square!

Then, the old man swung the sword to the side, instantly carving out a sharp golden Sword Qi that sliced a half-man-high boulder nearby clean in half.

After that, he held the Dharma Sword before his chest, silently chanting a spell and circulating his True Essence. The blade gradually displayed the five elemental colors of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The next moment, flowing wind, clear water, thunder, flames, flying petals... a hundred phenomena bloomed around the old man, dazzling and colorful.

"This sword is called Taiyi. It's forged from Mystic Gold from the Immortal Mansion, engraved with superior Sword Patterns. Not only can it cut through metal and jade, but it also carries a sharp Sword Qi that can easily injure someone dozens of meters away without needing to fly the sword. Additionally, the hilt is inlaid with Five Elements Spirit Jade, making the sword attuned to the five elements. Even spells that conflict with the wielder's elemental affinity can be used with ease temporarily."

"Finally, the swordmaker used Sun Fire Essence and Ten Thousand Year Mystic Ice Marrow as materials, alternately refining the Immortal Mansion's Dao scriptures into the sword body using yin-yang secret methods, granting it the ability to 'connect with things through spirit.' Wielding this Dharma Sword allows one to naturally sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making meditation, breathing, nurturing the spirit, and cultivating the Dao all smooth and natural, greatly benefiting daily cultivation."

"Although the various techniques and powers of this sword are limited to the Qi Refining stage, its actual effectiveness surpasses many Foundation Establishment flying swords, and its crafting cost rivals Golden Core Dharma treasures... The reason Ranxiang Workshop went to such lengths, spending dozens or hundreds of times the cost to condense a hundred divine abilities into a single Qi Refining Dharma Sword, was to ensure it would be unmatched within the Qi Refining stage... This craftsmanship is worth far more than the mere cost. So this Dharma Sword has no market price in Qiongzhou. Winning such a treasure is truly a unique Immortal Fate."

After speaking, Gu Bai handed the Dharma Sword back to Wu Ming.

Wu Ming took the sword eagerly, finding it light as a feather in his hand... The next moment, a cool sensation flowed rapidly through his body from his palms, as if soaking every meridian and acupoint.

The scenery before his eyes also seemed to have path-traced lighting turned on, everything looking different from before. Gu Bai still held the paper slips in his right hand, and the glow of the spirit sign among them had grown a bit brighter.

Clearly, this Dharma Sword not only enhanced the five senses but also slightly improved one's Spirit Root aptitude! For those born with a Dao Seed, this boost might be negligible, but for Wu Ming, it was a small qualitative change!

"Indeed, you need a Signature Weapon..." Wu Ming couldn't help but marvel. "With a Signature Weapon, conquering the Immortal Mansion is just around the corner!"

Gu Bai, however, gave a bitter smile and flicked Wu Ming's forehead.

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of! You're naturally confident and optimistic, daring to look down on the assembled noble elites in front of Dinghuang Prefecture even with your bare hands. With such a sword, you'll become even more arrogant... So listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

Wu Ming nodded seriously, ready to listen.

"Exploring an Immortal Mansion is a perilous path. The road to immortality is merciless; ever since the first Immortal Mansion emerged two thousand years ago, countless cultivators have perished within them. Even Grandmaster Taiqing, who founded the Three Pure Ones era, met his end in an Immortal Mansion. As for those at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Realms, the situation is even more brutal. Besides the immortal trials within the mansions, one must also contend with competition from fellow cultivators."

"And cultivators at these two realms are the most numerous, yet their strength gaps are the widest: a destitute rogue cultivator and a Dao Seed from a prestigious clan in Qingzhou—at the starting stage, the disparity in resources and foundation is as vast as clouds and mud. Winning this Taiyi Dharma Sword means you've already surpassed nine out of ten of your peers in the world. But when faced with those Immortal Fates capable of overturning destiny, and against competitors of noble birth, this dharma sword of yours is not an advantage—it may instead become a fatal weakness!"

He paused, then Gu Bai gazed seriously at Wu Ming and admonished, "Wu Ming, to be honest, I didn't want to speak to you about Spirit Root aptitude so early. Telling you this now is both encouragement and support, as well as a warning and caution. You bear a superior Immortal Fate; even without relying on an Immortal Mansion, your lack in aptitude will surely not hinder you. But the path of immortality is treacherous—never let your guard down... Don't squander your good Immortal Fate!"

Wu Ming looked at the old man's dim, murky eyes and read from them a sincerity as heavy as a mountain, his heart tightening with awe.

"Master, have you suffered losses from the dangers of the immortal path?" Wu Ming asked in a low voice. "Who is the enemy? I'll remember it and avenge you later!"

Gu Bai was silent for a long time, then fished out a Little Red Stick to gnaw on, before letting out a helpless sigh: "No matter what I say, can you always find a way to confidently show off?"

Thanks to 'It's Not July' and 'Zhong Er Zhong' for the tips!

One chapter a day is a bit shameful; I'll speed up starting in July. This book's update pace will definitely be faster than my previous ones, so rest assured.