Inside the Ancestor Hall.
Three men sat at the head of the hall. The one in the center was a middle-aged man in loose, flowing robes. A single glance revealed he was a man long accustomed to a high station, possessing an air of authority without needing to be angry.
To his right sat a white-haired elder—a truly old man. A heavy medicinal scent wafted from him, and not even his Foundation Establishment Cultivation could halt his body's decay. An aura of death clung to him.
On the left was Elder Peng Chong, the one who had presided over the matter of the Inheritance Stele at the Five Mountains Temple.
However, he was clearly the lowest-ranking of the three. He sat somewhat stiffly in his chair, his back ramrod straight, none of the arrogance he had displayed that day visible.
When Bai Xianzhong led Bai Zichen and Bai Ling into the Ancestor Hall, his heart jolted at the sight of the three men. He hurriedly bowed in the manner of a junior.
"Bai Xianzhong of the Bai Family, along with two juniors, pays his respects to Sect Leader Wei, Hall Master Tan, and Elder Peng!"
He had already anticipated that since the Qingfeng Sect was intervening, it wouldn't be an ordinary Elder handling the matter.
It involved pricing the inherited items, determining rewards, and balancing the power dynamics among the Cultivation Families. Only the true upper echelon of the Sect could make such decisions.
Still, he hadn't expected Sect Leader Wei Dao of the Qingfeng Sect and Hall Master Tan Changkong of the Alchemy Hall to be present in person.
Compared to these two, Elder Peng was practically negligible.
He was likely assigned to participate only because he had been on-site and had a clearer understanding of what had happened at the Five Mountains Temple.
Aside from the Core Formation Ancestors, whose status was transcendent, this Sect Leader Wei was the most powerful figure in the Qingfeng Sect. He had served as Sect Leader for over forty years, firmly suppressing the major factions within the Sect. He had also opened up new sources of revenue and improved the disciples' benefits, earning him an excellent reputation.
Even the two Core Formation Ancestors had praised his outstanding performance as Sect Leader.
As for Hall Master Tan, he was the most senior and eldest of all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Qingfeng Sect, being over two hundred years old.
If not for his Cultivation Technique's life-extending effects, combined with his status as a Tier Two Top-Grade Alchemist allowing him to consume several Life-Extending Spirit Pills, he would have reached the end of his lifespan long ago.
But time was merciless. Despite all his methods, he couldn't stop himself from drawing one day closer to death with each that passed.
Although he had a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, he was still an impassable gulf away from Core Formation. By his own estimation, he would need at least another hundred years to have any confidence in taking that step.
"The Ink Bamboo Bai Family... I heard from Elder Peng that your family has produced a true prodigy, one who caused a phenomenon with the Stele while comprehending an inheritance. The Bai Family is truly blessed with good fortune!"
Sect Leader Wei sized up the three of them, his tone slow and measured, betraying no hint of pleasure or displeasure.
"It is thanks to the Qingfeng Sect for suppressing Black Mountain, and to the Ancestors for blazing a trail, that we Cultivation Families are able to live and prosper here for generations."
Although Bai Xianzhong was flattering them, strictly speaking, he wasn't wrong.
If the Qingfeng Sect's Ancestors hadn't established a foothold in Black Mountain and slain several Tier Three Demon Beasts in succession, where would all the Cultivation Families and countless Loose Cultivators find the space to survive?
Black Mountain County was already scarce in Spirit Veins. If they didn't snatch resources from the mouths of Demon Beasts, their only choices would be to leave Black Mountain County or for Cultivators to fight and kill each other over the pitifully few resources available.
"My two juniors each obtained an inheritance. I have brought them here to present to the Upper Sect. I ask Sect Leader Wei to inspect them and see if they are worthy of the Upper Sect's notice."
Bai Xianzhong presented two Jade Scrolls he had prepared in advance, with both inheritance techniques already recorded within.
"The Taiyin Su Yun Xuan Shui True Skill... Leads directly to Core Formation, not bad. It comes with a Triple Magic during the Qi Refining Stage, and one can comprehend a Lifebound Technique, the Taiyin Substitute Method, upon reaching Foundation Establishment... Even after Core Formation, one can cultivate to the Late-Stage Core Formation with it."
Sect Leader Wei took one of the Jade Scrolls. With a sweep of his Divine Sense, the entire Cultivation Technique was imprinted upon his mind.
With his level of Cultivation and his far-sighted perspective, he could discern the strengths and weaknesses of the technique without ever having to actually practice it.
"What a fine Water Element Cultivation Technique. The Qingfeng Sect truly has no Water Element Cultivation Technique that can compare. A pity that its requirements for a Cultivator's aptitude are a bit too high... This is the inheritance the young lady obtained, correct? With her Dual Spiritual Roots, her future is promising when paired with this technique."
"Brother Tan, your experience is vast. Please take a look."
Hall Master Tan slowly extended an arm. It was like a withered branch, devoid of any flesh or blood.
With a flick of his hand, the Jade Scroll flew into his grasp.
"It is worthy of the Transmission Hall. As for the rest, the Sect Leader can decide."
After that short sentence, Hall Master Tan once again fell silent, like an old monk in deep Meditation.
"Since Brother Tan agrees, let's value it at two thousand Contribution Points. We've brought a large batch of precious resources this time. Bai Clan Leader, you may take a look later and exchange for what you need."
Sect Leader Wei explained briefly.
Of course, a Cultivation Technique presented to the Qingfeng Sect couldn't be haggled over like a transaction in the outside world. This was the path the Qingfeng Sect had provided, so its value was whatever they said it was.
"Sect Leader Wei acts with fairness. We naturally have no objections."
Until he saw the exchange list, Bai Xianzhong had no idea of the so-called value of Contribution Points, nor whether this number was high or low.
Wei Dao drew the other Jade Scroll into his hand. He chuckled before even looking at it. "Of the two disciples from our Sect who triggered a phenomenon, one obtained the inheritance of a Tier Four Talisman Master, and the other received the refining method for a special Magical Treasure. I am quite curious about the inheritance your Bai Family's prodigy has acquired!"
With the Qingfeng Sect's status, they naturally had no fear of publicizing the inheritances their disciples obtained, unlike the Cultivation Families who had to hide them away for fear of attracting covetous eyes.
"The Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique... a rather grand name... Extends one's lifespan by thirty years, interesting... Burn one's lifespan in exchange for a boost toward Core Formation, with an effect comparable to a Core Formation Spiritual Object!"
Sect Leader Wei, who had always been so calm that he wouldn't flinch even if a mountain collapsed before him, was so shocked he almost shot to his feet. He mumbled to himself and scanned the contents of the Jade Scroll with his Divine Sense once more.
"Brother Tan, you must take a good look at this Cultivation Technique."
Wei Dao's expression turned somewhat grave, and the look he gave Bai Zichen was difficult to read.
He had tried to imagine the phenomenon-inducing inheritance in the most generous terms possible, but it had still given him a massive surprise.
The Acquired Thunder God Pearl was beneficial to the Core Formation Ancestors, and the Tier Four Talisman Master inheritance would massively elevate the skill level of the entire Sect's Talisman Masters, but this Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique could be used on oneself immediately.
Wei Dao was also at Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. If everything went smoothly, he would have to start attempting his breakthrough to Core Formation in thirty or forty years.
His original plan was to beg the Core Formation Ancestors to go to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and purchase a drop of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow. The appearance of the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique gave him yet another option.
'No, I must prepare the Core Formation Spiritual Object all the same! Never mind twenty thousand Spirit Stones—even if it's forty thousand, or sixty thousand... I must buy it! Then I can stack both effects, and if I'm lucky enough to obtain other Core Formation Spiritual Objects, perhaps I, too, will see the day I reach Core Formation and become an Ancestor!'
While Wei Dao was lost in thought, fantasizing about his preparations for Core Formation after successfully cultivating the Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique, Hall Master Tan shot to his feet, his expression even more agitated.
"A Divine Skill! A true Divine Skill!"
A flush of color rose to Hall Master Tan's dry, wood-like face as he clutched the Jade Scroll, practically dancing with excitement.
"Sect Leader, my junior brother, let this old Daoist be the first to cultivate this technique. I will pave the way for the other brothers and see if its effects are truly so miraculous!"
Wei Dao pondered for a long time before nodding.
Tan Changkong only had a year or two of life left. To him, this Desolate God Stealing Sun Technique was the last straw a drowning man grasps for; he would never let it go, no matter what.
Although he felt that even with this miraculous technique, Tan Changkong would only manage to hang on for another thirty years—not nearly enough time to take that final step forward.
But there was no need to crush his senior brother's hopes.
'Having some hope is better than none at all.'
"But of course. Heaven never seals off all paths. For Brother Tan to obtain this technique just as his time is running out... perhaps it is a sign from the heavens that your path is not yet at an end!"