Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The Guan Mountain Bamboo Sea boasts thousands of acres of bamboo gardens, and although the concentration of spiritual energy is only at the Upper Grade Second Tier level, the Wood Spiritual Qi is unusually pure, and there are suspected remnants of ancient medicinal fields beneath the earth vein. The soil is fertile, with abundant Wood Essence, and the output of Spiritual Bamboo and Spirit Wood accounts for sixty percent of the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, maintaining a long-held control over the pricing of such similar spiritual materials.

Meanwhile, while the Qin Family's Purple Bamboo from Cangyun State has a lower output than Guan Mountain Bamboo Sea, its quality is superior.

Therefore, upon learning of the Qin Family's intention to head north, the Fu Family was most resistant.

"Many thanks, Brother Kong!" Qin Henian expressed his gratitude with an unchanged expression, showing little emotion.

After politely declining True Man Kong's offer to stay, Qin Henian once again led three people to an inn in the Immortal City.

Though it was already late at night, the lobby of the inn was still brightly lit with guests as numerous as clouds.

With the Celestial River Grand Assembly approaching, inns in the city were already fully occupied, leaving no chance of finding vacant rooms.

Nevertheless, everyone was a Foundation Establishment cultivator; several months without sleep or rest would pose no problem, as long as there was no magical combat or consumption of Spiritual Power, the Divine Souls of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators wouldn't deplete much.

"Ancestor, should we rent a stall to display the Spiritual Bamboo we brought? It's best to act sooner rather than later; otherwise, good spots might be hard to find." After sitting in a private room on the second floor, Qin Chuan set up a restriction to isolate the room and then made the suggestion.

This time he brought numerous samples, originally intending to use them for negotiations with Si Shui Commerce Association.

Since there had been no contact, he considered avoiding the association entirely, opting instead to slowly establish retail arrangements.

Qin Henian glanced at him and smiled slightly: "Not bad, staying composed in face of adversity, adapting to circumstances, and reacting without resentment or hostility."

However, eventually, he shook his head: "But you still lack consideration, easily unsettled and should learn more from your Uncle Song Yuan."

"Please guide me, Ancestor." Qin Chuan respectfully listened.

Qin Henian took a sip of Spirit Wine: "This is just one person's opinion; it can't be entirely trusted."

Furthermore, even if the Fu Family indeed has such intentions, negotiation is still possible. Even with the same Spiritual Bamboo resources, it's not only a matter of opposition but also cooperation.

"Our family's Spiritual Bamboo is of high quality, while the Fu Family has a large quantity. Separately, both have shortcomings; together, they are flawless."

Qin Chuan was slightly surprised: "Cooperate with the Fu Family?"

"Why not?" Qin Henian retorted.

"The Fu Family has open support from the Fiery Sun Sect and always occupies sixty percent of the market; not only do we lack backing from an Upper Sect, but we also need to consider its attitude. The Fu Family might not be willing to entertain us." Qin Chuan voiced his concern.

"We have to try," Qin Henian was admittedly unsure as well.

"How should we negotiate with the Fu Family?" Qin Chuan probed.

Qin Henian rubbed his brow, lacking the earlier wisdom: "Your Uncle Song Yuan left two suggestions, saying that if True Man Kong's introduction didn't succeed, just go seek the Fu Family to negotiate, and to follow circumstances during the talk."

"If it weren't for the need to restructure the industries around Odd Stone Forest Dao Field, we would have brought him along."

"..." Qin Chuan was speechless.

"Zheng! What arrogance!" Suddenly, a sword hummed downstairs, followed by a shout of anger.

Li Ji'an scanned with his Divine Sense, seeing a sharp-eyed young man below with a gilded broad sword behind him, drawn and hovering.

Opposite was a man in Fiery Sun Sect attire, wearing a smirk.

Based on both parties' words, Li Ji'an determined that the disciples from the Fiery Sun Sect, relying on their numbers and proximity to the sect, provoked the disciple from Sword Sect of Dao Source State.

"Enough talk; dare you ascend the Life and Death Platform?" The Sword Sect disciple, not adept with words, flushed as he spoke.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" The Fiery Sun Sect disciple replied defiantly.

In the hall, many onlookers, fearing peace, urged the conflict.

Soon, both sides left the inn.

Outside the inn was the Central Plaza of Celestial River Immortal City, where a ten-zhang squared towering platform served as the Life and Death Platform.

Celestial River Immortal City doesn't forbid fights, nor does the Celestial Cyan Domain, except for Cangyun State, where combat is encouraged.

All because the path of Dharma Cultivation involves conflict and slaughter, not only refining magical powers but also enhancing enlightenment, particularly at bottlenecks, where a life and death duel might break through barriers that decades of seclusion couldn't.

After both ascended the platform, the Sword Sect disciple threw ten Spirit Stones at the Array Stone Pillar of the Life and Death Platform, and a Supporting Array rose around the stone platform.

"Sword Cultivators truly excel at offense!" Qin Henian and the others stood by the window, watching outside.

The Fiery Sun Sect disciple's cultivation was at Qi Cultivation 9th Layer, practicing Fire Element Technique, his strikes formidable.

While the Sword Sect disciple's magical power aura was only at Qi Cultivation 7th Layer, the magical cultivation of Sword Cultivators is merely the source for nurturing Lifebound Flying Swords, not used in magical combat.

As long as one can bind their Lifebound Flying Sword to their Dantian to nurture, they are an entry-level Sword Cultivator.

Once the Flying Sword integrates with one's being, forming a sword body, they step into the First Realm.

A strand of Sword Intent means a Second Realm Sword Cultivator.

Each subsequent three strands of Sword Intent signify a realm.

It's said that a Third Realm Sword Cultivator with four Sword Intents can break through the Body-Protecting Dharma Shield of a Foundation Establishment Early Period Dharma Cultivator.

Nine strands of Sword Intent perfection lead to the birth of a Sword Heart, and when the Sword Heart is illuminated, one enters the Fifth Realm, capable of battling True Pill.

The Sixth Realm Sword Cultivator, with the Sword Soul, compares to Dharma Cultivator's Nascent Soul.

Beyond this, it's said there's an invincible Sword Domain of the Seventh Realm Sword Venerable, where the Sword Domain's emergence forces peers to bow!

Yet, in the six-thousand-year history of Great Marsh Cultivation Realm, no Sword Venerable has ever manifested a Sword Domain.

Nevertheless, Sword Sect firmly believes this, even claiming their Sword Cultivation perfection spans fourteen realms.

A Fourteenth Realm Sword Cultivator, unifying human, sword, and spirit, reigns supreme above heaven and earth.

"Zheng!" In the blink of an eye, a sword beam struck the Fiery Sun Sect disciple, whose Body-Protecting Dharma Shield shattered after one breath.