"Master, you flatter me. I have only gained some understanding by chance."
Chen Shuangbai said modestly, her face full of smiles.
Yi Chongyue was gentle by nature, and he genuinely cared for his only disciple.
"A fluke? Sixteen sword shadows—can the word 'luck' alone explain that?"
Yi Chongyue waved his hand, pulled Chen Shuangbai to sit down, and asked her about many things at the front, especially what Chen Shuangbai had experienced, clearly wanting to know more.
Chen Shuangbai then recounted the battle of Azure Light Mountain, his leading his team to break through the Heart-Eroding Stronghold, and the two attacks he encountered on the way back, picking out the most important parts.
Yi Chongyue started smiling, but his expression gradually became serious.
"They've really gotten bold!"
After listening, Yi Chongyue sneered and said, "It's because my temperament is too mild that these people mistake me for a cat, and everyone wants to come up and stroke my whiskers!"
"However, on this trip, Shuangbai, you not only shone brightly, but also comprehended the Sword Light Differentiation. Most importantly, you broke through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. After a short period of seclusion for four or five years, you can reach the Qi Refining Perfection, and then you can attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment..."
"If you succeed, reaching the Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty... you'll likely be the first person in hundreds of years to do so!"
This is an absolutely remarkable thing!
Yi Chongyue gazed intently at his only disciple, and couldn't help but think back, saying, "If back then, you were both at the Foundation Establishment Foundation Establishment... that would have been quite a story!"
Chen Shuangbai understood her master's meaning and smiled, saying, "This disciple naturally wishes to as well, but the higher one's cultivation level, the more difficult it is to improve. I'm afraid it will require a lot of hard work."
"Hard work is hard work, of course, but as long as there's a way forward, it's normal to put in some hard work and waste some time."
"Your talent cannot be wasted, and the sect will not stand idly by..."
The sects naturally wouldn't ignore it.
The Jade Spring Sect occupies three prefectures and is supported by the royal family of the Jing Kingdom. It also faces few competitors in the elixir market of the surrounding cultivation kingdoms, ensuring ample resources for Foundation Establishment.
They'd probably be hoping for a dozen or so more Foundation Establishment!
only...
Chen Shuangbai was actually quite curious and asked, "Master, there are three geniuses in my class with top-tier aptitude. As soon as they entered the sect, they were taken in by the Foundation Establishment and carefully trained. Now... how much progress have they made?"
Those who have their Spirit Root determined usually have one primary and one secondary Spirit Root; those with very minor proportions of other attributes are not counted.
A small number of people possess three, four, or even five Spirit Root simultaneously, but that's perfectly fine.
When various powerful families recruit disciples, they first look at the disciple's aptitude, and then at the attribute of their Spirit Root.
This talent is often predetermined.
Each family has its own method of assessment, whether it's testing Spirit Stone or using spirit-questioning techniques. In short, it all comes down to the quality of the student's aptitude. Unless the Spirit Root attributes are too mixed, they will usually accept the student.
Chen Shuangbai's Spirit Root aptitude is Grade B, which is above average, neither exceptionally good nor bad.
His current cultivation speed is largely due to the Dao Fruit within his sea of consciousness.
Those geniuses with top-tier aptitude are the true chosen ones.
Upon hearing Chen Shuangbai inquire about the top-tier geniuses of the same year, Yi Chongyue's serious expression eased considerably. "Alright, I might as well tell you."
"Of these three, one possesses a special fire-elemental spirit body and has already been taken in by the Fire Vein Branch Manor Martial Uncle Su of the Fire Vein Abode. He should be cultivating there now and will likely inherit the academy in the future, specializing in weapon crafting."
"The remaining two, one became a disciple of True Person Bo, and the other became a disciple of my senior brother, who is also your senior uncle Shi Yubai. You can go and meet them when you have the chance."
"All three are exceptional cultivation geniuses, currently at the Late Qi Refining Stage, on par with you."
As Yi Chongyue spoke, his eyes shone brightly as he looked at his disciple, clearly showing his pride.
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai felt even more strongly that the [ Great Yin Dao Fruit ] in his sea of consciousness was truly mysterious and profound.
They actually managed to close that innate gap.
Seeing that he remained silent for the time being, Yi Chongyue mistakenly assumed that he was contemplating the distance between himself and the three top-tier geniuses, and thus comforted him, saying, "Perhaps you and a few others will reach the Foundation Establishment, and at that time, you will also be one of us."
"Then I'll take your kind words, Master."
Chen Shuangbai didn't pay much attention to others; what she cared about most was her own cultivation.
"Master, I have a second-tier spiritual material. I hope you can take a look and help me exchange it for a spiritual material that will allow me to Foundation Establishment!"
"Oh!"
Upon hearing that it concerned his disciple's Foundation Establishment, Yi Chongyue put down his tea, his expression becoming more serious, and said, "Let's take a look."
He took out the [ Profound Yin Crystal Marrow ].
This item originated from the earth's veins. As soon as it was taken out, the temperature in the stone chamber seemed to drop a few degrees, and a pure and chilling aura of yin energy spread out. Inside the crystal, the silk-like light slowly rotated, as if it were alive, radiating a deep and restrained brilliance.
Yi Chongyue's relaxed expression instantly turned serious. He reached out and summoned the Profound Yin Crystal Marrow, which floated lightly to his side. He examined it carefully for a few moments.
" Profound Yin Crystal Marrow... very good quality, it's comparable to the lower-grade second tier."
Chen Shuangbai recalled that Zhao Shiyong had said the same thing, so it seemed he hadn't lied to her after all.
The second level corresponds to the spiritual materials suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Yi Chongyue wanted to ask Chen Shuangbai where he got the item, but before he could speak, his eyes lit up and he realized what was going on. He asked, "Did you get it from Phoenix Howling Ford?"
Chen Shuangbai briefly recounted her relationship with Zhao Shiyong and then asked a question that she was particularly concerned about.
"Master, Zhao Shiyong said his Foundation Establishment master can predict the future... Is that true?"
Yi Chongyue slowly said, "The Xuanxiao Sect of Zhao State... is a major sect of Nascent Soul cultivators, skilled in fire and lightning magic. It seems that there is a successor of the Heavenly Secrets Technique within the sect, but I have never had any contact with him and do not know the details."
"My family has no enmity with the Profound Firmament Sect. They've been locked in a stalemate with the Black River Water Manor for centuries and can't spare any attention for my Jing Kingdom's territory, so please don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai felt somewhat relieved.
Yi Chongyue examined the [ Profound Yin Crystal Marrow ] carefully again and said, "The quality is quite good. I can ask my senior brothers and sisters if we can exchange it for suitable spiritual materials for you. Combined with the spiritual materials from the mountain's treasure vault, we can then assemble a Higher Vehicle ritual instrument for you."
"Thank you very much, Master, for your trouble."
Chen Shuangbai bowed down again.
Yi Chongyue replied, "There's no need for so much formality between us, master and disciple."
"I only hope that you can establish your immortal foundation and achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, so that you will have more time to study Dao of Alchemy and pass on the mantle of my lineage."
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