Chapter 133: The Temptation of the Sword Spirit Root!

Cao Xuan also looked at the Sword Immortal Qingyin, though at this moment, neither seemed inclined to discuss serious matters. Yet, the truth was that they were indeed talking about something important. Qingyin continued, “Our Ziyang Sacred Land has stood firm in Central Continent not merely because of our strength but also due to various profound foundations.”

“And among these, the most crucial foundation is the Sword Refining Pool!”

Cao Xuan’s face filled with confusion. Sword Refining Pool? It sounded like a place to temper flying swords. What did that have to do with someone at his Foundation Establishment stage?

Sensing Cao Xuan’s puzzlement, Immortal Qingyin did not rush. She shifted her posture and explained further.

“The outward function of the Sword Refining Pool is much like what you imagine—it tempers swords. But!”

Cao Xuan knew the key point was coming. Immortal Qingyin did not withhold the secret:

“What if the refinement is applied not only to swords but to the unity of sword and self?”

Cao Xuan’s eyes brightened. “Senior, are you saying this Sword Refining Pool also benefits cultivators?”

Immortal Qingyin shook her head. “Not just any cultivator, but those who have comprehended the Sword Intent.”

“It can refine one’s spiritual roots!”

After she spoke, Immortal Qingyin fixed her gaze on Cao Xuan, seeing the stir of excitement she hoped to find in his eyes.

She raised one finger. “Moreover, the spiritual roots refined there can rival the Heavenly Spiritual Roots!”

Cao Xuan finally understood why Immortal Qingyin had placed a restrictive seal on him earlier.

He had pondered many things before—inheritance of sword cultivation, secret sword techniques—but honestly, none had sparked much interest.

Now, hearing this from Immortal Qingyin, since it related to spiritual roots, he could not help but take it seriously.

In Cao Xuan’s plan, while progressing at a steady pace in cultivation, he also sought opportunities to enhance his spiritual root quality.

It was not that he could not cultivate now, but improving his spiritual roots first would save much time and resources, which was secondary.

For Cao Xuan, taking one pill or a hundred was the same in effect.

But taking too many pills came with its own discomfort.

“Senior, does this enhancement of spiritual roots have any side effects? For example, will it prevent further enhancement later on?”

Immortal Qingyin crossed her arms, resting her chin on her hand. She had never expected Cao Xuan to ask such a question. Having achieved Heavenly Spiritual Roots, what more could one want? Perhaps he sought the legendary Flawless Spiritual Roots?

Nonetheless, she answered, “There are no adverse effects, but you only have one chance to refine your roots at the Sword Refining Pool. Once you become Heavenly Spiritual Root, you cannot use the pool again.”

“That is why I hoped you could break through to the Golden Core stage during this Qingyunxia Cave trial—it would have been ideal!”

To Immortal Qingyin, spiritual roots were a vital qualification in cultivation, but one’s own strength was equally important.

For Cao Xuan, whether at Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage, using the Sword Refining Pool made little difference—at most, a difference of one or two refinements.

If Cao Xuan’s talent was sufficient, he could refine his sword spiritual root to five refinements at the Golden Core stage, and even after breaking through to Nascent Soul, it would likely remain at five, perhaps only improving to six.

But with Cao Xuan’s current exceptional spiritual root quality, progressing from Golden Core to Nascent Soul could take centuries—two or three hundred years was possible.

The Golden Core stage granted a lifespan of five hundred years, Nascent Soul five thousand. Don’t assume that breaking through at the last moment resolves everything.

Before breakthrough, Cao Xuan’s life expectancy was still five hundred years.

If a mortal’s 20 years old is youth, 40 middle age, and 60 old age, then for a Golden Core cultivator, four or five hundred years is old age.

Breaking through to Nascent Soul at an “old age” meant diminished potential.

This is why the great sacred lands set standards like thirty years at Golden Core, a hundred years at Nascent Soul, and a thousand years at the Transformation stage.

They sought to recruit “young” geniuses with boundless potential, not elders whose potential had been exhausted.

Therefore, whether Cao Xuan broke through to Golden Core or not, if he joined her Ziyang Sword Sect, Immortal Qingyin would urge him to use the Sword Refining Pool promptly to enhance his spiritual root quality.

The aim was to ensure that the sword intent he had comprehended would not be wasted but instead transformed swiftly into sword spiritual roots comparable to Heavenly Spiritual Roots.

Within a hundred years, he could then, like Immortal Xiangqiu, rapidly break through to the Transformation stage.

As for future achievements, the Refinement stage would be the foundation, with the rest dependent on Cao Xuan’s cultivation talent.

If Heavenly Spiritual Roots affected a cultivator from Qi Refining to Refinement stage, then the subsequent Fusion, Great Success, and Tribulation stages tested the differences in talent.

Although Cao Xuan’s talent was tested at seventh rank, Immortal Qingyin was skeptical.

She herself had fifth rank talent and had not even comprehended the Sword Intent during the Foundation Establishment stage, so Cao Xuan’s talent had to be better than hers.

Upon hearing that once refined to Heavenly Spiritual Roots, the Sword Refining Pool could no longer be used, Cao Xuan was unconcerned—so long as it did not affect future spiritual root enhancement, it was acceptable.

He believed his current limitation was merely his cultivation realm; in the future, through gifts or favors, he might obtain more means to improve his aptitude.

After all, the lottery wheel contained many supreme treasures such as the Supreme Bone, Enlightenment Tea Tree, and Scorching Sun Spirit Pills—rare items for enhancing aptitude.

Of course, for now, Cao Xuan merely observed; his priority was to improve his cultivation.

Truth be told, Cao Xuan was swayed by Immortal Qingyin’s words.

If it were just about status, resources, or the platform of a sacred land, he felt any sect would do.

That was why he had initially chosen the Xuanhua Dao Sect, appreciating the inner sect status.

But now, Immortal Qingyin offered a concrete opportunity to improve his spiritual roots.

To him, the power of Heavenly Spiritual Roots was immense. The present Sword Immortal Qingyin, clad in nothing but her aura, was at the early Refinement stage.

His young grandmaster, Immortal Xiangqiu, was at the peak of the Transformation stage; the previously generous and magnanimous Liu Ruyan was at mid-Refinement stage.

The elders of the other great sacred lands, though unseen by the system, were undoubtedly talented individuals with Heavenly Spiritual Roots, cultivators at Refinement stage.

Seeing the conflict on Cao Xuan’s face, Immortal Qingyin smiled and was no longer anxious.

She knew no one could resist the temptation of enhancing their spiritual roots.

“Don’t hesitate. Whether other sacred lands have secret realms to enhance aptitude, I don’t know.”

“But I do know this—if they do, you wouldn’t stand a chance!”

“As for your worry about having promised the Xuanhua Dao Sect and now regretting joining our Ziyang Sword Sect—there’s no need to fear offending them!”

Immortal Qingyin smiled, pointing at Cao Xuan. “Do you really think you can compare to your young grandmaster?”

“Immortal Xiangqiu possesses talents even I envy and envy.”

“Since Qingxuzi has accepted Immortal Xiangqiu, naturally, he must yield in some matters.”

“You, however, have only comprehended the Sword Intent and remain at the Foundation Establishment stage, with merely excellent spiritual roots—not even Earth Spiritual Roots. Even if you change your mind, they won’t think much of it.”

Immortal Qingyin’s gaze softened, and she murmured, “After all, our Xuanhua Dao Sect is famous for snatching anyone who comprehends the Sword Intent. That reputation is no joke!”