Planting Spirit Roots, Gu Master's Inheritance

Fang Shu heard this and asked in a deep voice, "Master, why do you say that?"

Seeing that Fang Shu's eyes were blazing with desire while his face remained fairly composed, the smile on the Lone Pavilion Master's face deepened. Rather than answer directly, she said:

"Look around this pavilion. How many can truly be called spiritual talents, talents of the Dao?"

Without waiting for Fang Shu to answer, the old woman muttered to herself:

"Two and a half, that is all.

"Qin Min possesses a spirit root and an extraordinary physique. Coupled with that streak of ruthlessness in her, she counts as one. Yu'er has followed this old woman in learning the Dao since childhood, understands medicinal principles, and has my care besides, so she counts as half.

"And you—within three months, you comprehended this old woman's Insect Method on your own, then within another three months comprehended Scorched-Tail Hall's Lead Method. You combined the two methods and perfectly completed the ordeal of the Venom Pit. Though you possess an ordinary root and ordinary seed, you have some insight and considerable resilience. Naturally, you count as one as well."

Fang Shu fell silent in thought.

Seeing this, the Lone Pavilion Master asked with a smile, "What is it? Was this old woman wrong?"

"Master has eyes of fire," Fang Shu praised with cupped hands.

After a pause, he sensed something amiss and spoke:

"This disciple may have a little cleverness, but compared to Junior Sister Qin Min entering the Dao in two months, I fall short by more than threefold. Why does Master say that I can study the Nine Branches of Immortal Learning, while Junior Sister Qin Min cannot?"

The Lone Pavilion Master sighed softly upon hearing this:

"Do not belittle yourself. Though your cultivation speed cannot compare to Qin Min's, your future achievements may not necessarily fall below hers.

"More importantly, you perfectly completed the Scorpion-Pit Rite. Medicine and poison have merged within your body, granting you the wondrous ability to be immune to ten thousand insects. Every snake, insect, and venomous creature in this pavilion is nourishment to you.

"Your precious blood can also enlighten venomous insects and make them useful. Compared with those who barely survived the Venom Pit, the difference in effect is far greater than threefold. Add to that your passable insight—if you painstakingly devote yourself to Gu refinement and secret scripts during the Refining Essence stage, perhaps you may become a Gu Master while still in Refining Essence."

Fang Shu repeated the words aloud, "A Gu Master?"

"That is right, a Gu Master."

The Lone Pavilion Master said gravely, "All who can truly set foot in the Nine Branches of Immortal Learning have their own titles: pill masters, talisman masters, artifact masters, formation masters, spell masters, curse masters, martial masters, sword masters... the variations are endless, all stemming from the nine branches."

Her gaze shone brightly. "A Gu Master is one born from the Witchcraft Suppression Discipline. They can refine Gu insects, command arts with insects, and refine techniques with Gu. Gu insects can be large or small, ascend or conceal themselves, exist outside or within. Their mysteries of life and death are uncanny; they are ghostly and strange, and also a resounding fine craft for protecting one's Dao."

Hearing such a description, Fang Shu's heart pounded for a moment.

Compared with the talisman masters and pill masters commonly seen in the market, Gu Masters and Gu insects did seem rather obscure, much like an unorthodox side path. But he had already entered the Solitary Gu Hall—why would he care about such things?

What was more, Gu Masters had also arisen from one of the orthodox branches of immortal Dao learning, which meant they likewise held the prospect of immortality!

He could not help asking:

"Then may I ask Master, how does one become a Gu Master?"

The Lone Pavilion Master smiled faintly again.

"Simple. If you can refine a Refining Qi spirit Gu while still in the Refining Essence Human Immortal stage, then you are a Gu Master.

"By then, when you enter an immortal sect, others will have to beg immortal sect disciples to take them as apprentices or servants, offering either their bodies or their lives in exchange as they plead for an opportunity at Refining Qi.

"But you can directly trade your craft or Gu insects with them. So long as not everyone in the immortal sect is blind, your chances of entering an immortal sect will be extraordinarily high.

"And with the aid of Gu insects, when the time comes to plant spirit roots, you can do it yourself without borrowing another's hand. Your chances of breaking through into Refining Qi will far surpass those of ordinary people."

Hearing this explanation, Fang Shu's imaginings grew even more numerous, especially at the words "plant spirit roots."

He asked hopefully, testing the waters, "Master, planting spirit roots means...?"

Before he could finish, the Lone Pavilion Master nodded. "Correct. It is precisely the planting of spirit roots you are thinking of."

The other party spoke with calm assurance:

"Immortal learning has developed to this day. Severed limbs can be restored, organs can be replaced, and even bloodlines can be transplanted.

"Spirit roots are indeed exceedingly mysterious, involving not only the fleshly body but also the soul. Yet there are naturally methods to plant them. Moreover, if one wishes to break through Refining Qi and advance into a Refining Qi Spirit Immortal, the key to breaking through lies in planting spirit roots.

"Those without spirit roots cannot sense heaven and earth, nor can they refine true qi.

"Precisely because of this, those born with spirit roots not only cultivate swiftly, but face virtually no great barrier when breaking through Refining Qi. They need not plant spirit roots, for they already possess them."

As Fang Shu listened, his eyes filled with envy, yet also brightened.

"Do not be happy too soon."

But the Lone Pavilion Master glanced at him and said flatly:

"The spirit roots gained through planting are acquired spirit roots. They are called 'secondary spirit roots,' and are even contemptuously referred to as 'false spirit roots.'

"Such spirit roots rank below even low-grade spirit roots. They merely ensure that people like you can steadily commune with heaven and earth and step into the Refining Qi realm; they cannot improve cultivation efficiency by much."

Fang Shu's gaze stilled. He probed again:

"Master, since spirit roots can be planted, can these acquired spirit roots be further improved and strengthened in the future? I do not ask to reach the upper grade—would reaching the middle-lower grade be possible?"

A strange smile appeared on the Lone Pavilion Master's face, and she nodded.

"Of course it is possible. Not merely the upper, middle, and lower grades—even heaven-and-earth spirit roots are possible.

"But all spirit roots one is born with are innate, brought from the mother's womb. To reverse such creation and turn the acquired into the innate is no less difficult than taking possession of another body without suffering any loss. That is the work of true immortals.

"Only True Immortals can barely accomplish it. Remember: barely."

This answer made Fang Shu's thoughts freeze.

He knew what a True Immortal was.

It referred to a Golden Core Golden Immortal—and one who had formed a Golden Core on their own, rather than a false core, becoming a false Golden Immortal with magical power but no true realm.

Among the immortal family's three calamities and six tribulations, the divide between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core was a true boundary between immortals and mortals.

Though the first three tribulations bore the word "immortal," they were in truth still closer to human, belonging to Human Immortals—people of the mountains.

Only what was gained through the latter three tribulations was true transcendence from mortal dust: one's fate was determined by oneself rather than heaven, and one body could become a mountain. These were True Immortals, worthy of the word "true"!

Even such figures could only barely elevate acquired spirit roots. For Fang Shu, a tiny Human Immortal newly entered into Refining Essence, it was harder than climbing to heaven. There was no need to entertain such thoughts.

Especially since Fang Shu remembered that during the earlier lecture, the Lone Pavilion Master had mentioned that spirit roots were most useful in cultivation through the first three tribulation realms. The latter three tribulations instead centered on insight, accumulation, and opportunity.

In other words, when spirit roots were needed, immortals had no means to improve them; only when they were no longer needed did they barely gain the means to improve them.

Letting out a long breath, Fang Shu cast aside his stray thoughts and cupped his hands.

"This disciple understands."

Seeing his gloomy expression, the Lone Pavilion Master comforted him:

"Among the countless living beings of this world, those without spirit roots are the majority. Being able to plant an acquired spirit root and use it to aid us in stepping into the Refining Qi realm is already no small marvel of modern immortal learning.

"If this had been in ancient times, if we were not born with them, we would die without them. Without spirit roots, one simply was not fit to cultivate immortality. Be content, be content."

Fang Shu's expression was calm as he cupped his hands. "Yes. This disciple respectfully accepts Master's teaching."

Seeing that his expression had recovered somewhat, the Lone Pavilion Master secretly let out a breath of relief.

Then the smile returned to the old woman's face. She suddenly pointed at the thin booklet Fang Shu was carefully holding and said:

"Though acquired spirit roots are merely planted in the fleshly body and are constrained by the barrier between spirit and flesh, giving them limited cultivation efficiency, different spirit roots still have different uses. They can refine different kinds of true qi, affecting both its strength and its wondrous applications.

"More importantly, they can be linked to the Nine Branches of Immortal Learning."

The Lone Pavilion Master said with a smile:

"There may be an upper limit to your spirit root's efficiency, but there is no upper limit to learning. To advance cultivation and raise the chance of breaking through, you can also seek answers in other areas.

"For instance, consuming medicinal pills; for instance, seeking out treasured lands and constructing formations; and for instance—this Gu art."

Fang Shu's gaze shifted at once and fell upon the booklet in his hand, whose pages were thin as cicada wings.

The Lone Pavilion Master said reservedly:

"This book is half a Gu Master inheritance that this old woman pieced together while cultivating within an immortal sect. It contains the refinement methods for three kinds of Gu insects: Sleepy Insect, Tagalong Insect, and Breath-Holding Insect. Each kind can be refined into a three-tribulation Gu insect at most.

"In addition, it contains secret refinement formulas for such unranked Gu insects as Sauce Worm, Vinegar Worm, Tea Worm, Rice Worm, Oil Worm, Salt Worm, and Firewood Worm. Ten kinds of Gu insects in total. It may be said to embody the painstaking efforts of this old woman's entire life."

This thin booklet actually contained methods for refining ten kinds of Gu insects. Three of those formulas could even refine three-tribulation Gu insects!

Holding the book, Fang Shu was suddenly afraid that he might crush it.

Seeing the change in his expression, the Lone Pavilion Master chuckled.

"The other half contains the four-tribulation Gu formulas for Sleepy Insect, Tagalong Insect, and Breath-Holding Insect. I am not giving it to you now because methods for refining Refining Qi Gu insects differ greatly from those for Refining Essence Gu insects. If I gave them to you too early, I fear you would become fixated and fall into the obstacle of knowledge.

"Once you can successfully refine any three-tribulation Gu insect, come find this old woman at any time and take the remaining half."

Seeing the Lone Pavilion Master being so generous, Fang Shu hesitated a little. He instinctively asked:

"Master, you are giving this Gu Master inheritance to me just like this?"

The Lone Pavilion Master said irritably:

"It is already in your hands, so why ask?"

Slap!

Fang Shu immediately performed a grand salute toward her.

"Many thanks to Master for passing down the method. This disciple will remember this grace!"

There was no need for the Lone Pavilion Master to explain further. Fang Shu had long understood just how valuable an inheritance of a craft was.

Let alone an inheritance of this caliber, one that had entered the ranks and could even refine Refining Qi spirit Gu insects.

Even for unranked inheritances, he had seen talisman masters, pill masters, and the like in the market. Relying on a single inherited craft, they not only ate rich food and drank fine wine, but could settle down and acquire property in the market, with wives and concubines in droves... none of it was beyond reach.

And the inheritance given by the Lone Pavilion Master had been obtained from an immortal sect. Just from the names of those Gu insects, it was clear that it possessed an entire system of its own, utterly incomparable to the scattered inheritances on the market.

An inheritance such as this was likely not something Fang Shu could obtain in short order even if he truly entered an immortal sect.

Standing in the secret chamber, the Lone Pavilion Master calmly accepted Fang Shu's grand salute, then instructed him:

"Now that this Gu book has been given to you, it is yours. You may read it as you please until you master it. However, you do not have a storage pouch yet. When leaving the Dao hall, remember to give it to Python Master for safekeeping.

"This old woman will speak with it later. From now on, you can hide the Gu book directly in its belly. When you need it, have it spit it back out for you."

Fang Shu answered loudly:

"Yes, Master! This disciple will certainly study Gu arts diligently and not waste Master's painstaking efforts."

Seeing Fang Shu being so sensible, and displaying such loyalty, the Lone Pavilion Master narrowed her eyes and began to ponder.

After pacing once around the quiet chamber, she sighed and told Fang Shu:

"It is only a dead object. Leaving it there is a waste, and passing it to one person is passing it on; passing it to two people is still passing it on.

"Since you have shown such promise, this is what you deserve. It is merely that your master has now given you everything she can give in one go."

These exceedingly sincere words instead stirred a trace of unease amid Fang Shu's joy.

Though he and the Lone Pavilion Master had become master and disciple, and Fang Shu believed he himself was not lacking, words like these were the sort one gave to a biological grandson—perhaps even only when facing death.

Thus, when Fang Shu looked at the Lone Pavilion Master, concern filled his gaze. He wanted to speak but held back. Of course, deep in his heart, there was also an unseen thread of vigilance.

The Lone Pavilion Master was old enough to become a spirit. At the sight of Fang Shu's worried expression, she understood that he was probably wildly guessing at something.

"You little turtle bastard! What are you thinking!"

The old woman muttered a curse, then explained:

"This old woman will not hide it from you. The reason I am giving you the Gu arts all at once today is not only because you have nurtured Gu blood, but also because I fear I have wronged you.

"Besides the several masters you have seen in this pavilion, there is also Bee Master. Bee Master can refine Queen Bee Emperor Nectar, a precious medicine capable of improving one's innate physique."

At the words "improving one's innate physique," Fang Shu immediately straightened up.

"Alas, alas. Qin Min entered the inner court before you, and her innate physique is even poorer than yours. She has greater need of Queen Bee Emperor Nectar to improve her innate physique and make up for the deficits of her childhood.

"For the next two years, all the Queen Bee Emperor Nectar Bee Master can brew can only be used by her.

"And after brewing for two years, it must rest for another three before it can brew again, lest its vital energy be damaged. Not to mention those five years in total—even two years are likely too long for you to wait."

The Lone Pavilion Master looked at Fang Shu and exhaled.

"So, Shu'er, you came one step too late."

The tiny expectation in Fang Shu's heart had not even had time to rise before it dispersed into nothingness.

A trace of gloom appeared on his face, and he immediately understood the Lone Pavilion Master's intent to compensate him.

Since she could not provide him with Queen Bee Emperor Nectar, she had chosen to compensate him through inheritance instead. That was why she had promised him the entire Gu Master inheritance the moment he entered the sect.

As for the value and rarity of precious medicine versus inheritance, it was difficult to say which was higher and which was lower.

Fang Shu said gravely:

"This disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master. What has been missed has been missed. This disciple will not harbor improper thoughts and spoil the relationship within our sect."

The Lone Pavilion Master had originally intended to offer a few more explanations, perhaps even say a few harsh words to completely extinguish any unrealistic expectations Fang Shu might have held.

Yet Fang Shu had spoken such words himself. She opened her mouth, then stopped, and appreciation appeared in her eyes.

"Good, good. Both you and Qin Min are fine talents.

"This old woman feared that if I failed to hold the balance steady and kept wavering, I would instead cause discord between you two. What you should have, this old woman will give to you both. What you should not have, neither of you may fight over."

The Lone Pavilion Master said with satisfaction, "For you to possess such understanding truly is not bad."

After comforting Fang Shu a few times, she carefully explained further key points about cultivating Gu arts, especially how to balance spells and Gu arts.

"During the Refining Essence stage, studying too many spells will only consume excessive qi and blood. This Gu book is enough for you to study, and you already have the Long-Tongue Sword to use. Do not let other spells dazzle your eyes, wasting your effort and delaying cultivation."

The Lone Pavilion Master earnestly warned, "Remember this: your innate physique is ordinary to begin with. You must not lose the great for the small and delay the accumulation of qi and blood.

"Cultivation is the foundation!"

Fang Shu said gravely, "This disciple understands."

The two then exchanged a few more words before the Lone Pavilion Master finally indicated that Fang Shu could leave.

But just as he was about to go, Fang Shu's gaze shifted.

He suddenly turned back and cupped his hands toward the Lone Pavilion Master.

"Master, this disciple has something to report..."