Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

’It’s time to get out and about.’

At that moment, Zhang Chi rose to his feet. With a wave of his hand, he collected the Eye of the Spirit Spring, the Grand Array, and other items.

Then, he transformed into a streak of Escape Light and left Qin Mountain.

The Qin Mountain Cave Mansion, however, remained sealed by its own array, showing no change on the outside.

This time, Zhang Chi was heading out to sell some of the Talismans and Magical Treasures he had refined over the years, replenish his Cultivation Materials, and simultaneously gather Nascent Soul Materials.

If he managed to gather all the necessary Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects this time, he could return and enter seclusion straight through until his attempt to break into the Nascent Soul realm.

Of course, it would be even better if he could also happen to acquire some Star Divine Iron, a Spiritual Object to make the Heaven-Reaching Tree Species sprout, and a Tier Four Array.

A day later, Zhang Chi arrived at Haoyue Immortal City and hosted a special banquet at Haoyue Tower for Cen Huayun and the other Golden Core cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist, are you seeking an opportunity for Nascent Soul Formation? That’s... a bit difficult."

Upon learning what Zhang Chi wanted to ask about, Cen Huayun and the others couldn’t help but feel quite envious, yet they still shook their heads slightly.

Most of the Golden Core cultivators present didn’t have particularly high cultivation levels. They had no hope of reaching the Nascent Soul realm in their lifetime and thus were in no position to even think about it.

They shook their heads because even in the Endless Desert Sea, obtaining Nascent Soul Materials was exceptionally difficult.

"How so? I am not familiar with the situation in the Golden Wind Oasis, so I hope my fellow Daoists might be able to offer some guidance," Zhang Chi said with a smile.

He had inquired about Nascent Soul Formation over the years, but the information he’d gathered was never specific or complete, which was why he was asking these Golden Core cultivators.

Although their cultivation levels were not high, they were native cultivators of the Golden Wind Oasis. Cen Huayun, in particular, was not only advanced in age but also hailed from the Golden Wind Sect; he was bound to know more than Zhang Chi.

"’Guidance’ is too strong a word, but this old man and the others can certainly tell you what we know," Cen Huayun said quickly.

"Indeed. Fellow Daoist Zhang, you’ve helped us refine Elixirs many times over the years and sold them to us on multiple occasions. The prices were fair, and the quality was always excellent. Now you’re only asking for information that’s hardly a secret; of course, we’ll tell you everything we know."

"Exactly. If we didn’t help Fellow Daoist Zhang, how could we live with ourselves after accepting this fine banquet?"

The rest of the cultivators chimed in with agreement.

Then, they immediately began to explain in detail.

’So that’s how it is!’

Zhang Chi listened for some time, asking questions now and then, and he soon had a great deal of the information he needed.

Nascent Soul Materials did exist in the Golden Wind Oasis, but they were all controlled by the Golden Wind Sect—or, more accurately, by its two Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Other cultivators could only hope to acquire such materials through sheer luck during activities like explorations or trade fairs.

However, the explorations where one could obtain Nascent Soul Materials were typically very dangerous.

As for acquiring them through trade, that was entirely a matter of luck. One might go decades without encountering a single item. Even if something did appear, the competition was fierce, and there was no guarantee of successfully obtaining it.

Thus, the only reliable way to obtain Nascent Soul Materials was to join the Golden Wind Sect. However, an outsider who joined partway through their cultivation journey would never be trusted. Even after signing an unequal Spirit Contract, obtaining a Nascent Soul Material was still incredibly difficult.

The Golden Wind Sect’s Nascent Soul Materials were prioritized for the Sect’s own cultivators with a Four Patterns Golden Core.

And according to Cen Huayun, even those with a Four Patterns Golden Core didn’t have a sufficient supply of Nascent Soul Materials.

Furthermore, the Golden Wind Sect was actually unwilling to see cultivators from outside the sect have a chance at Nascent Soul Formation, as that would inevitably threaten its dominant position in the Golden Wind Oasis.

Therefore, if Zhang Chi wanted to seek his opportunity for Nascent Soul Formation, he had only one path: to search for it outside the Golden Wind Oasis.

For example, he could explore ancient ruins or travel to a larger oasis and try to trade for what he needed.

Cen Huayun and the others strongly recommended the latter.

"Thank you, everyone."

After that, Zhang Chi expressed his gratitude and didn’t bring up the matter again, instead making small talk with the other cultivators as they ate and drank.

The cultivators didn’t think anything of it.

They couldn’t discern Zhang Chi’s true cultivation level, but it was perfectly normal for Golden Core Late Stage cultivators to ask about Nascent Soul Formation ahead of time.

After everyone had their fill, they dispersed. Zhang Chi, however, did not leave. Instead, he immediately sent a message to contact Lang Shiyuan and Shen Jianping.

Both men had changed considerably since he last saw them.

Lang Shiyuan, for one, was visibly older.

Shen Jianping looked the same as before, but his cultivation had progressed significantly; he was now at the level of Peak Golden Core Cultivation.

After all, he had already been just one step away from the Golden Core Peak back then.

"Fellow Daoist, you’re gathering Nascent Soul Materials? Don’t tell me you’ve broken through as well?"

Shen Jianping was quite surprised to learn of Zhang Chi’s intentions.

"That’s right. Like you, I was already close to the Golden Core Peak. Not long ago, after many years of cultivation, I finally reached my limit. I decided to try for a breakthrough and, unexpectedly, I succeeded," Zhang Chi said with a slight nod.

’There’s no need to hide this breakthrough. It’s not like he knows the exact state of my cultivation from before, anyway.’

"You’re truly fortunate, Fellow Daoist!"

Shen Jianping couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy.

When he had made his own breakthrough, he had to go to great expense to prepare a special Spiritual Object to aid the process before he finally succeeded.

The process had been so troublesome for him precisely because he only possessed a Three Patterns Golden Core, and his Divine Thought and Physique were both inferior to Zhang Chi’s.

"It was just a stroke of luck," Zhang Chi said modestly.

"Since you’ve reached the Golden Core Peak, Fellow Daoist, it’s only natural that you’d start preparing Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects. In fact, I’m doing the same. But I’m sure you’ve already heard about the situation here in the Golden Wind Oasis."

"That’s why I’m planning to head to Beichen Oasis to seek my fortune. It’s the nearest large oasis, and there are more Nascent Soul True Monarchs there, so there should also be a relatively greater supply of Nascent Soul Materials."

"Fellow Daoist Lang and I were actually about to ask if you wanted to come with us. I never thought you’d come and find us first. What a happy coincidence," Shen Jianping continued.

"Beichen Oasis? A fine destination. But is Fellow Daoist Lang going as well?" Zhang Chi asked with curiosity.

"That’s right. Though this old man may be getting on in years, I still want to stake it all on one last attempt. Besides, I don’t really have any other choice," Lang Shiyuan said, nodding.

Clearly, his lifespan was running short. If he didn’t want to die, his only choice was to try to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.

"True enough."

Zhang Chi nodded in understanding, and his thoughts couldn’t help but drift to Jian Jinfeng.

’Unfortunately, she’s in the Great Abyss. Even if she wanted to risk everything, she has no path forward.’

’And that was the difference between being in the Endless Desert Sea and the Great Abyss.’

"So, what do you think, Fellow Daoist Zhang? Will you join us? Your combat power was already greater than ours to begin with, and now that you’ve broken through, you must be even more formidable. With you on our team, our chances of success will surely be much higher," Lang Shiyuan said hopefully.

"Indeed. If you’re not willing, Fellow Daoist, your only other path is to join the Golden Wind Sect as an Honored Guest Elder, sign a Spirit Contract, and pledge five hundred years of service to them," said Shen Jianping.

"Indeed. Five hundred years is far too long. If I couldn’t reach the Nascent Soul realm, I’d likely die before fulfilling that contract."

Zhang Chi couldn’t help but give a faint smile.

"Exactly. And even after you sign the Spirit Contract, you still have to wait in line and earn enough Contribution Points just to exchange for a few meager Spiritual Objects," Shen Jianping added, nodding.

"Since you’re not joining the Golden Wind Sect, then come with us. This old man traveled to Beichen Oasis in my youth. I have some friends there, so I can act as a guide for you two," Lang Shiyuan continued.