Chapter 614: The Essence of the Heavenly Spirit Root

"So soon? You could definitely wait until your years of service accumulate before forming your Golden Core."

Chen Mobai was greatly surprised by Qing Nü's words. Although a Heavenly Spiritual Root offered a 50% success rate even without core-forming elixirs, it was precisely for this reason that one should strive for perfection and aim for a single, successful attempt. The Imperial Medical Academy had conducted research showing that the ease of breakthrough for a Heavenly Spiritual Root was due to the presence of a wisp of Innate Qi of the corresponding attribute within the spiritual root itself. As a cultivator practiced the corresponding cultivation method, this Innate Qi would be continuously assimilated. When encountering a bottleneck in cultivation, a small amount of this Innate Qi would be released, helping the cultivator comprehend the Dao Rhythm and overcome the obstacle. If a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator failed a breakthrough, it meant that most of the Innate Qi within their body had already been consumed and integrated. Therefore, when possible, Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivators would not force their way through a bottleneck. Instead, they would take elixirs or rely on time to slowly overcome it, preventing excessive depletion of their Innate Qi. Good steel should be used on the blade's edge. Ideally, Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivators hoped to reserve this Innate Qi solely for breakthroughs into major realms. If Qing Nü were to exhaust all her foundational resources during core formation, she would have no significant advantage over ordinary cultivators when it came time to form her Nascent Soul.

"In the history of the Immortal Sect, eight or nine out of ten Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivators stopped at the perfected Golden Core stage," Qing Nü confessed her true feelings to Chen Mobai. "I think my own comprehension is just average, so it's better not to aim too high." Although resources were scarce in the Immortal Sect, everyone possessed a spiritual root, and a Heavenly Spiritual Root appeared roughly every ten to twenty years. Despite such a large base, not many successfully formed their Nascent Souls. This was because while that wisp of Innate Qi could boost the core-forming success rate by 50%, its effect on the Nascent Soul formation hurdle was merely equivalent to a single Nascent Soul elixir. Consequently, many Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivators adopted a "lie flat" mentality. They chose to use their foundational resources directly on core formation, believing in "early use, early enjoyment."

"You shouldn't talk like that," Chen Mobai argued. "If you wait until your years of service accrue, you can receive elixirs for core formation. This way, your Innate Qi will only be used after the elixirs' power is exhausted, saving a lot. Moreover, those three Nascent Soul elixirs are treasures even I might not be able to obtain through queuing. Since you have a Heavenly Spiritual Root, you absolutely cannot waste it." Chen Mobai began earnestly trying to persuade her, pointing out that even Gongye Zhixu, who had served the people for so many years, had only managed to obtain one Nascent Nourishing Pill. From birth, Qing Nü essentially had a Nascent Nourishing Pill in her grasp.

"This..." Hearing Chen Mobai's explanation, Qing Nü seemed to waver.

"Why are you in such a hurry to form your Golden Core? Do you no longer want to stay in the Sky Patching Group?" Chen Mobai could only think of this reason, as after core formation, Qing Nü would become a senator in the Kaiyuan Hall. Even if she were sidelined, she would be assigned a place to hold a nominal position.

"That's partly why," Qing Nü nodded, then seemed to recall something, her fair cheeks flushing slightly as she lowered her head. An unspoken desire to be closer to him stirred in her heart.

"If that's the reason, I'll try to pull some strings and see if Wenren Xuewei can arrange for you to return to Jumang Dao Academy as a teaching assistant, citing you as an excellent returning graduate." Chen Mobai also felt it was somewhat inappropriate for Qing Nü to be alone in the Sky Patching Group, a place full of ruthless individuals. After considering his connections, he proposed a solution.

"My identity is special," Qing Nü said, shaking her head and declining Chen Mobai's suggestion. "This might bring unnecessary scrutiny to the academy. It's better not."

"I still hope you can be patient," Chen Mobai sighed, revealing his innermost thoughts. "Even if you just exchange for a Water Element Golden Core Elixir, it would be good. After all, among my friends, you might be the only one who can accompany me on this journey. I don't want to look around when I form my Nascent Soul in the future and find myself all alone."

Hearing this, a ripple of emotion crossed Qing Nü's beautiful face. Her already wavering resolve instantly solidified. "All right then," she said. "For our future, I won't use my Innate Water Spiritual Qi." Chen Mobai was overjoyed to hear that Qing Nü had actually taken his advice. "However, I still want to attempt core formation," Qing Nü added. "Even if I fail, it will prepare me for future breakthroughs."

Qing Nü's words slightly surprised Chen Mobai. Without relying on her Heavenly Spiritual Root's foundation and without the Immortal Sect's core-forming elixirs, success was virtually impossible. In such a case, the backlash from a failed core formation would leave a cultivator severely injured for a long time, potentially even damaging their essence. Although the Immortal Sect's medical system could eventually restore one through slow recuperation, a weakness lasting several years or even more than a decade was still a torment for any cultivator.

"Why go to such lengths?" Chen Mobai truly didn't understand. In the peaceful and prosperous era of the Immortal Sect, there was no need to strive so desperately.

"Aren't I just learning from you?" Qing Nü replied with a smile, saying something that left Chen Mobai speechless. Indeed, that was exactly his persona in the Immortal Sect! But he had the entire resources of the Divine Wood Sect backing him; before every breakthrough, his external conditions were always maximized. One could only say that many people only saw the surface of his genius, not the mountain of resources and spiritual artifacts accumulated behind him.

"Just try a little, but don't force it if you can't break through," Chen Mobai advised. Since Qing Nü used him as an example, Chen Mobai could only offer this advice: the quicker one gave up, the lighter the backlash from a failed core formation, and the faster one would recover.

"Yes, I'm from Sky Patching Group Four," Qing Nü said, detailing her arrangements for core formation. "I've already run countless medical simulations for a failed core formation. Based on my authority, I can apply for a top-grade Tier 3 cultivation chamber, and I've also prepared some healing elixirs..." Theoretically, she could have applied to Jumang Dao Academy for a Tier 4 spiritual vein, but graduates only got one such opportunity. So, after deciding not to use her own foundational resources, she changed her core formation location to a cultivation chamber within the Sky Patching Group to avoid wasting the chance.

"I have a friend who's an expert in spirit-gathering formations," Chen Mobai said. "They can temporarily upgrade a top-grade Tier 3 spiritual vein to Tier 4 in a short time. Give me two days to arrange it." As he spoke, Chen Mobai called Yun Yangbing. After graduating, Yun Yangbing had been engraving the Dao Rhythm of mountains and rivers into his mind throughout the Immortal Sect. Hearing Chen Mobai's request, he agreed without hesitation to send the items over as quickly as possible.

"Similar items actually exist within the Sky Patching Group," Qing Nü said, though Chen Mobai's call had been too quick for her to stop him. "Their principle is to first accumulate spiritual energy and then release it in a short burst, creating a temporary upgrade effect. However, core formation lasts a relatively long time, and if not managed properly, it could lead to insufficient spiritual energy later on."

"As for spiritual energy... coincidentally, I recently bought a Void Blind Box and got some very interesting things," Chen Mobai quickly transitioned the topic to his true purpose for meeting Qing Nü today. "One of them is perfectly suited for you." He first took out the peck of pearls that Nujiang had given him. Of course, revealing all eighty-eight pearls would be terrifyingly valuable in the Immortal Sect. After all, each pearl was equivalent to a high-grade spiritual stone, translating to a hundred million merit points! Chen Mobai undoubtedly held nothing back from Qing Nü, but after some internal deliberation, he prudently took out just eight of the pearls.

"This...!" Girls indeed had little resistance to shiny objects. Seeing the round, crystal-clear pearls, Qing Nü couldn't help but reach out and touch them. She then felt the immense, surging spiritual energy contained within the pearls. What truly astonished her, naturally, was that this spiritual energy was water-attributed, making it perfectly suited for her absorption.

"They must be spiritual artifacts from the ocean," Chen Mobai explained. "I also found this elixir in the Void Blind Box and speculate that an elder cultivating a fire-attributed technique might have intended to use the water spiritual energy from these pearls to balance Yin and Yang..." As soon as Chen Mobai produced the Golden Crow Sun-Holding Elixir, before he could finish speaking, Qing Nü instinctively took the elixir and began to examine it.

"It is indeed specifically for fire-attribute cultivators," Qing Nü confirmed. "The fact that it wasn't destroyed despite exceeding safe levels of elixir toxicity suggests it was produced during the Pioneering War, when resources were scarce and oversight was lax..." Seeing Qing Nü begin her assessment, Chen Mobai immediately told her everything he knew about the Golden Crow Sun-Holding Elixir's effects. He claimed that the elder cultivator had specifically left instructions for the elixir when he opened the Void Blind Box.

Qing Nü, who trusted him implicitly, nodded. She took out a hollow needle from her small bag, skillfully extracted some medicinal powder, and placed it on her tongue with her finger. Soon after, Chen Mobai saw her face flush red, and her entire body became drenched in sweat. He was about to intervene, but Qing Nü stopped him, explaining that it was a normal reaction to testing the elixir. Since it was a Tier 3 elixir and fire-attributed, which countered her cultivation method, her reaction was somewhat intense.

"It'll pass soon..." Qing Nü murmured, but couldn't help but grasp Chen Mobai's right hand, his face etched with concern. Today, she wore a tight, low-cut long-sleeved top that revealed her delicate, snow-white collarbones. Below her slender waist was a black half-skirt, and sheer black stockings outlined the long curves of her legs. With sweat pouring down her body, soaking her clothes and making them cling to her, Chen Mobai could clearly discern her true, graceful figure. Qing Nü's body proportions were the most perfect Chen Mobai had ever encountered among beautiful women. Watching beads of sweat trickle down her beautiful face, Chen Mobai felt a pang of heartache. He genuinely hadn't expected that assessing the Golden Crow Sun-Holding Elixir would cause Qing Nü to overheat. For Immortal Sect cultivators who always maintained their most comfortable body temperature, this was no small torment.

"It's done!" About five minutes later, Qing Nü opened her eyes and smiled at Chen Mobai, who let out a sigh of relief beside her.