Chapter 143: "Pink Entry?"

Chapter 143: "Pink Entry?"

"You're so arrogant!"

Chen Qiu's words choked the Golden Core Cultivator who was about to drink soup behind him, causing him to tremble with anger.

Fighting, they couldn't win.

Insulting was also not an option.

The opponent was in a good mood, using a group control spell like 'Sky-Filling Snowfall', but if his mood took a turn for the worse, and tens of thousands of Lightning Summoning Arts were unleashed, that would be a different story.

Even with a control spell like 'Sky-Filling Snowfall', which focused more on control than damage, it was hard to endure for an extended period. If they stayed too long, not only would their Spirit Qi be completely frozen, but their lives would also be at risk.

So—

These Golden Core Cultivators, who had been domineering and arrogant wherever they went, glared at each other, gritting their teeth and cursing inwardly. Without a word, they turned into streams of light and fled.

They were all several hundred years old, senior cultivators.

To be challenged so aggressively by a junior whose bone age was not even thirty years old was undoubtedly humiliating, but there was nothing they could do. In the cultivation world, strength was king.

It wasn't about who had lived the longest.

They could only sigh deeply in their hearts.

Their era had truly passed, or perhaps it had never belonged to them in the first place.

"Chen Qiu has already reached the Fifth Level of the Golden Core stage."

In the Capital City, within the Heavenward Sect, the sect leader listened to the battle reports from the Endless Snow Mountain with a dazed expression. He couldn't understand why someone could cultivate so quickly.

Back then, the Heavenward Sect was considered to have abundant Spirit Qi. When he first entered the Golden Core stage, he was quite proud, using a large number of Medium-grade Spirit Stones to set up a Spirit Gathering Formation to enhance his cultivation. He even spent a fortune to purchase Golden Core Cultivation Pills, but even then, it took him a year and a half of bitter cultivation to reach the Second Level of the Golden Core stage.

But how could Chen Qiu cultivate so quickly?

Every time he heard news of Chen Qiu, the latter's cultivation would have skyrocketed, growing at an unreasonable rate. It was as if Chen Qiu only needed to eat and sleep, and his cultivation would naturally increase.

He had spent over forty Medium-grade Spirit Stones.

After reaching the Second Level of the Golden Core stage, his pride gradually faded. Spending so many Medium-grade Spirit Stones had not significantly increased his cultivation speed, and it had even depleted his resources. Although he still had some Medium-grade Spirit Stones left, he was reluctant to use them to set up Spirit Gathering Formations to enhance his cultivation.

And so, he lived day by day, making do with what he had.

Many people didn't understand why Golden Core Cultivators would settle for mediocrity. When you realize that you will never achieve Nascent Soul in this lifetime, and you witness countless stronger Talented Geniuses, yet your cultivation speed remains slow despite spending a fortune on Medium-grade Spirit Stones, you too will settle for mediocrity.

Life is just like that.

It took him a year and a half to advance from the First Level to the Second Level of the Golden Core stage, but from the Second Level to the current Fourth Level, it took him over fifty years. Part of the reason was that he was reluctant to use Medium-grade Spirit Stones again.

But the more important reason was that advancing through the Ninth Level of the Golden Core stage became increasingly slow.

If he remembered correctly, Chen Qiu should be the first person in nearly a hundred years to reach the Fifth Level of the Golden Core stage before the age of thirty.

Perhaps, this was the significance of a Supreme Talented Genius, always making other Talented Geniuses and even senior cultivators feel ashamed. He was fortunate that his relationship with Chen Qiu was still good. The last time they met, Chen Qiu had smiled and exchanged a few words with him.

Very few people had this honor.

As far as he knew, not many people who had spoken to Chen Qiu were still alive, let alone had a friendly conversation with him.

In the future, if the Heavenward Sect encountered a disaster, he might have to swallow his pride and seek help from Chen Qiu. Chen Qiu would likely not turn a blind eye, as what might be a sect-destroying calamity for the Heavenward Sect could be a trivial matter for Chen Qiu.

"Sigh."

At this thought, the sect leader of the Heavenward Sect couldn't help but sigh again, his expression complex. He scanned the area with his Spirit Sense and looked towards the back mountain, where Zhao Yishi was hiding in the forest using camouflage techniques, his mouth filled with spring water as if it were a natural hot spring, allowing the sect's female disciples to swim freely in his mouth.

He felt that life was unpredictable.

The first time he had heard Chen Qiu's name was a long time ago in Fufeng City. He had learned of Chen Qiu from Zhao Yishi, and he had been frustrated by Zhao Yishi's cowardice in battle.

The first time he saw Chen Qiu's Shadow Stone was during the Demon Clan's invasion of Fufeng City. On that day, Chen Qiu was still at the First Level of the Foundation Establishment stage, riding a flying sword and using Lightning Summoning Art to slaughter Demon Clan cultivators like grass.

The first time he met Chen Qiu in person was in Fat City, Fat State. By then, Chen Qiu had already begun to make a name for himself. He had obtained the thousand-year-old Artisan legacy that no one had been able to claim, and when they met, Chen Qiu was at the Eighth Level of the Foundation Establishment stage.

In front of him, Chen Qiu humbly referred to himself as a junior, and it was the first time he had heard Chen Qiu call himself a junior. It would likely be the last time as well. The next time they met, it might be Chen Qiu calling him junior.

At that time, Chen Qiu was at the Eighth Level of the Foundation Establishment stage, but he showed no fear or arrogance in the face of a Fourth Level Golden Core Cultivator. It was as if he believed he could retaliate even if the other party attacked him.

When they met again, Chen Qiu's reputation had already soared. He had achieved the Twelfth Stage Golden Core, the Supreme Golden Core, and his cultivation had broken through to the First Level of the Golden Core stage, officially becoming a renowned Talented Genius of the Great Xia Kingdom!

This was at the Talented Genius Secret Realm, where Chen Qiu no longer referred to himself as a junior. He simply addressed the sect leader as 'Heavenward Sect Leader', and he did not call Chen Qiu 'brother' as he had said he would.

Instead, he somewhat awkwardly addressed him as 'Fellow Daoist Chen'.

He could laugh and call a Foundation Establishment Cultivator 'brother', knowing that the other party would only flatter and obey him. But this time, he had placed Chen Qiu on the same level as himself, so he couldn't maintain his casual demeanor.

On that day—

Chen Qiu utterly crushed the ten strongest Talented Geniuses of the Great Xia Kingdom in front of all the major sects, shattering their pride under a barrage of thunder. Even the Celestial Mandate Scroll appeared, declaring Chen Qiu as the 'Supreme Talented Genius'!

He was the first in the Great Xia Kingdom to be recognized by the Heavenly Dao as a Supreme Talented Genius.

In the past, many Celestial Talents proclaimed themselves or were called Supreme Talented Geniuses, but none had ever received the Heavenly Dao's recognition like Chen Qiu. After that day, the Great Xia Kingdom saw fewer Celestial Talents appearing in public, and no one dared to call themselves a Supreme Talented Genius again.

After watching the competition...

He realized that by the third time they met, he might have to address Chen Qiu as his junior.

Chen Qiu's growth rate had already surpassed his understanding, but even so, hearing the constant stream of news about Chen Qiu's cultivation, which seemed to advance and break through with each passing day, still left him in awe.

The Sea Tribe, the Year Beast, the Snow Clan...

It seemed that no matter what happened, as long as Chen Qiu was involved, he was always the protagonist, and everyone else could only be spectators.

Speaking of which, it felt like a long time had passed.

But in reality, from the first time he heard Chen Qiu's name to the present, when Chen Qiu's cultivation had officially surpassed his, less than two months had gone by.

"..."

The Heavenward Sect Leader's expression was complex as he gazed at Zhao Yishi, who was disguised as a hot spring not far away in the forest below. Chen Qiu was the best imaginary disciple in his mind, but even if Chen Qiu were truly his disciple, he wouldn't be able to teach him anything. Even if Chen Qiu called him Master, he would feel unworthy.

"Sigh."

He heaved another sigh, placing one hand behind his back as he stood atop a peak in the Heavenward Sect's back mountain, gazing into the distant sky, his expression dazed as he muttered, "So, there really is such a terrifying Celestial Talent in this world."

Endless Snow Mountain.

Chen Qiu stood on a protruding rock halfway up the mountain, examining his harvest.

A large variety of medicinal herbs were all packed into jade boxes and stored in a specially cleared small warehouse, which he named the "Herb Warehouse." Fortunately, he had received many blessings from the Heavenly Dao.

He lacked everything except jade boxes.

As for the Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea, he had harvested over three hundred plants. This was an excellent spirit tea, and if sold, each plant would be worth nearly ten medium-grade spirit stones.

Of course, it was unlikely that any Golden Core Cultivator in the Great Xia Kingdom would be willing to spend ten medium-grade spirit stones on such a luxury item, making it a rare commodity.

He had also dug up over three hundred pieces of Ten Thousand Year Frost, an ideal spring water for brewing tea.

"What a pity."

Chen Qiu turned his head to look at the endless Snow Mountain, covered in snow for tens of thousands of miles. He had only excavated a tiny portion of the Endless Snow Mountain, yet even beneath this small area, there were so many treasures hidden.

One could imagine that beneath the vast expanse of thick snow in the Endless Snow Mountain, countless treasures lay hidden.

He wanted to try blasting open the snow layer to continue digging.

But just as he was about to throw out the thunderball, he suddenly felt a force from the heavens and earth locking onto him. It was clear that the Endless Snow Mountain did not tolerate destruction, and he had no choice but to leave for the time being.

However, leaving temporarily did not mean he would never return.

After breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future, he would come back and take everything here.

"Let's go, return!"

Chen Qiu did not return to Fat State but instead traveled through the night to the westernmost region of the Great Xia Kingdom, Pingzhou. He didn't bother searching for a better teapot-type divine treasure and instead went to a divine treasure shop in Xiangyang City, the largest city in Pingzhou.

He spent several hundred spirit stones to purchase a Medium Grade Foundation Establishment Divine Treasure, the most expensive teapot-type divine treasure in the shop.

Divine treasures came in all sorts of strange shapes, almost every design imaginable.

However, there were hardly any teapot-shaped treasures. No matter how many designs there were, they generally served only three functions: attack, defense, and support.

This teapot's design seemed unrelated to any of these functions, and basically, no one bought it. Occasionally, some evil cultivators who liked to be different would use a teapot instead of a Soul-Capturing Banner, filling it with malevolent spirits.

This teapot's divine treasure had only one function: it had two teapot vessels, and by moving the handle, one could control which vessel's tea was poured out.

It was often used for poisoning.

Chen Qiu didn't mind this; after all, it was a divine treasure, even if it was only a Medium Grade Foundation Establishment one. It was still a divine treasure that no one had used before.

Inside the Little World.

Chen Qiu sat on the back mountain, using his sword to split off a piece of Ten Thousand Year Frost and put it into the teapot. As spirit energy flowed into the teapot, the Ten Thousand Year Frost quickly melted and began to boil.

Then, he added a Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea plant.

He closed the lid.

After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, the fragrance began to waft out.

"This scent..."

Fat Dragon's eyes flashed with surprise, and he closed his eyes to savor the aroma, "It's strange. It's hot tea, but the fragrance entering my body gives me a refreshing feeling, as if standing in an icy world on a scorching summer day."

The Scholar also murmured in a daze, "I seem to see a figure in white, holding a sword, standing alone at the highest peak of the Endless Snow Mountain, dominating eternity."

Chen Qiu shook his head and smiled, then poured tea for everyone, including himself.

He had drunk spirit tea before.

But this might be the most expensive spirit tea he had ever tasted. One Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea plant could only brew one pot, and as the fragrance wafted out, the plant completely melted into the spring water.

One pot could fill over ten cups, and this cup of tea might be worth a medium-grade spirit stone.

"Have a taste."

Chen Qiu took the lead, sipping from his teacup. The moment the scorching tea entered his throat, its fragrance spread, and even though he had a Golden Core cultivation base, his physical body was stronger than an ordinary person's, so he wasn't afraid of the heat.

But within the scalding heat, there was a chill.

Even if an ordinary person drank it, their throat would not be harmed. Instead, they would feel the unique sensation of alternating heat and cold flowing into their stomach.

Bitter, with a lingering aftertaste.

Taking a sip, the fragrance filled his nose, perhaps because he knew how expensive this cup of Spirit Tea was, he felt that the aroma of this tea was a rare treat in the world.

"Good tea."

After a few breaths, Chen Qiu slowly opened his eyes and looked at the empty cup in his hand, sighing, "I used to think tea was just for quenching thirst, but after drinking this cup of Spirit Tea today, I realized the difference between teas is like heaven and earth!"

The main reason was that—

After melting the Ten Thousand Year Frost, drinking it would slightly enhance his control and strength over ice-based spells.

Whereas drinking the Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea would increase one's cultivation.

Of course.

He only drank half a cup and didn't feel any change in his cultivation, but he felt quite comfortable with a warm sensation in his stomach.

On the other hand, Fat Dragon's eyes flashed with a hint of awe, and his voice trembled as he said, "Brother Qiu, this half cup of tea increased my cultivation progress by one percent!"

"Oh?"

Surprise flashed in Chen Qiu's eyes. He hadn't expected this half cup of Spirit Tea to be so effective, far surpassing the Foundation Establishment Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pill. Fat Dragon was at the Fourth Stage Foundation Establishment Realm, and this half cup of tea had increased his cultivation progress by one percent.

This effect was not weak at all!

You should know that the Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea, to be blunt, had the greatest effect of being delicious. It was meant to be drunk as a beverage, and cultivation improvement was just an additional effect. But even this additional effect was already so powerful.

The scholar beside him savored the aftertaste in his mouth, and upon hearing Fat Dragon's exclamation, he turned inward to inspect his Dantian, also surprised, "Brother Qiu, my cultivation progress increased by one thousandth."

The scholar was at the Seventh Stage Foundation Establishment Realm.

Half a cup of tea increased his cultivation by one thousandth, which was equivalent to one-tenth of Fat Dragon's effect. Even so, it was already quite impressive.

After all, this was just tea.

Moreover, there was no need to circulate a cultivation technique to absorb the medicinal properties.

"Drink a few more cups and see."

Chen Qiu wasn't stingy and refilled Fat Dragon's cup. If drinking tea could increase cultivation progress, then the Ten Thousand Year Cold Sky Grass he had gathered would be enough to forcefully push the scholar and the others to the Golden Core Stage.

After drinking six cups in a row, Fat Dragon savored the taste, licking his lips, "Good tea, this might be the best tea in Daxia. I doubt even the Emperor of Daxia has tasted such fine tea."

"And the effect is powerful too."

"Five cups of tea increased my cultivation progress by five percent, but this sixth cup didn't have any effect."

"Me too," the scholar, who had also drunk six cups, nodded in agreement.

Chen Qiu nodded thoughtfully, "There must be a limit, like a certain period of time or within a day, where only the first five cups of Spirit Tea have the effect of increasing cultivation."

"Since it's useful for you..."

"These five Ten Thousand Year Cold Sky Grasses, along with the remaining large piece of Ten Thousand Year Frost, I'll give them to you, Fat Dragon."

"Scholar, you shouldn't drink it regularly."

"You only gain one thousandth of a percent in cultivation progress from one cup, it's too wasteful. Once Fat Dragon's cultivation improves, you shouldn't drink it either."

He still looked at the teapot with a hint of reluctance, leaving only one cup for himself, which he drank slowly, savoring the aftertaste.

"Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea," one plant could only brew one pot, and each pot had only about a dozen cups.

He had gathered over three hundred plants in total.

He planned to keep them for future enjoyment.

Using it to increase cultivation progress would be too wasteful, after all, this tea couldn't increase cultivation progress by much. Instead, the Ten Thousand Year Frost could brew over a dozen pots of tea.

The Ten Thousand Year Frost was sufficient.

It was the tea that was lacking.

"Listen to Brother Qiu."

The scholar looked at Fat Dragon with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

"Hehe."

Fat Dragon chuckled as he took the Spirit Artifact from Chen Qiu, "Thank you, Brother Qiu. And Scholar, don't look at me like that, Brother Qiu is right. Your cultivation is too high, and drinking one cup only increases your progress by a tiny bit. It's better to sleep and let the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment increase your cultivation instead. Don't covet my tea."

After doing all this, Chen Qiu didn't pay attention to Fat Dragon and the others but headed straight to the back mountain peak of the Mock Heaven Sect.

In the Endless Snow Mountain, after the snow had melted.

Many caves were revealed, and he had searched them all, but they were all empty, with not even any remains, clearly abandoned for a long time.

The biggest gain was the Ten Thousand Year Frost, Ten Thousand Year Cold Tea, and various medicinal herbs that, when combined, were worth many Spirit Stones.

Leaning on the Heavenly Clue Umbrella and standing on the peak, Chen Qiu fiddled with the Heavenly Dao Ring on his index finger. He had already changed into the Heavenly Dao Light Wind Boots and was wearing a black robe, his expression calm as he looked at the "Eight-Petaled Demon Lotus" and "Eight-Petaled Vengeful Lotus" floating above the small world.

Under the effect of the "Omniscience" entry, he learned the effects of these two strange flowers for the first time.

-

"Treasure Name": Eight-Petaled Demon Lotus.

"Source": A heavenly spirit object, born in a place filled with demonic energy.

"Usage":

1. Essential material for forging a Twelfth Stage Nascent Soul.

2. Material for forging Divine Treasures suitable for Demon Cultivators.

3. ...

6. After consumption by Demon Cultivators, if they do not explode and die, their cultivation will greatly increase.

"Treasure Name": Eight-Petaled Vengeful Lotus.

"Source": A heavenly spirit object, born in a place filled with vengeful energy.

"Usage":

1. Essential material for forging a Twelfth Stage Nascent Soul.

2. Material for forging Divine Treasures suitable for Evil Cultivators.

3. ...

6. After consumption by Evil Cultivators, if they do not explode and die, their cultivation will greatly increase.

Strangely, he had just casually given them names, but they turned out to be the actual names of these two spirit objects.

The effects of these Heaven-grade Treasures were basically the same.

They just corresponded to different cultivation paths.

However, one aspect was completely consistent: both were essential materials for forging a Twelfth Stage Nascent Soul.

"Twelfth Stage Nascent Soul"

Chen Qiu muttered in a daze. To be honest, he wasn't thinking that far ahead. He was only at the Sixth Stage Golden Core Realm, and he hadn't considered Nascent Soul yet. He would think about it when he reached the Golden Core Peak Grand Completion stage.

So, the Eight-Petaled Fire Lotus that once aided his cultivation to the Twelfth Stage Golden Core, its effect just happens to be the essential material for forging a Twelfth Stage Golden Core?

What incredible luck!

At that time, he never even considered the Twelfth Stage Golden Core and felt that the Tenth Stage Golden Core was already satisfying enough.

He couldn't understand why in the Great Xia Kingdom, a place where Nascent Souls couldn't be born, such a Heaven-grade treasure for forging a Twelfth Stage Nascent Soul would appear. Moreover, he clearly remembered that the Eight-Petaled Demon Lotus came from the body of the Sky Walker from the Flower Offering Sect.

"Huff!"

After a long silence, Chen Qiu didn't return to the inn but sat cross-legged on the mountain peak and continued his cultivation.

At this moment, there was still more than an hour until dawn.

The 10 Golden Core Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pills that he had received at midnight were still quietly lying in his Heavenly Dao Ring.

With his eyes closed and his heart technique circulating, he quickly entered a state of cultivation.

Three hours later.

Chen Qiu exhaled deeply and examined his cultivation progress within his body.

-

"Cultivation Level": Sixth Stage Golden Core Realm (80.1%).

-

When he was at the Fifth Level Core, one Golden Core Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pill could increase his cultivation progress by 2%, but after reaching the Sixth Stage Golden Core Realm, it could only increase it by 1%.

A night of bitter cultivation.

He had only increased his cultivation progress by 10.1%.

Since there wasn't much to do in the next few days.

Chen Qiu didn't want to run around anymore and prepared to break through to the Seventh Stage Foundation Establishment Realm in one go.

Two days later.

Chen Qiu sat cross-legged on the mountain peak and slowly opened his eyes. He had been sitting here for two days without going anywhere, continuously cultivating for two days and two nights, and after consuming another 20 Golden Core Heavenly Dao Cultivation Pills.

He finally broke through to the Seventh Stage Foundation Establishment Realm.

His cultivation level reached—

-

"Cultivation Level": Seventh Stage Foundation Establishment Realm (0.2%).

-

Feeling the vast Spirit Qi in his Dantian, he nodded in satisfaction. With the current abundance of Spirit Qi, the Lightning Summoning Art released with all his strength would be much stronger than when he used it against the Sea Tribe's invasion.

He had reached the Seventh Stage Foundation Establishment Realm.

This cultivation level was already sufficient to give him a sense of security. Even when he arrived at the Xuantian Continent, he believed that even if there were people stronger than him, he wouldn't be hunted down too badly.

Even if there was a fierce battle, at worst, he could directly gamble away his 9.8 billion Virtue Points.

The "Virtuous Attack Token" activated by gambling away 9.8 billion Virtue Points, he couldn't even imagine how powerful it would be! Even a Nascent Soul Apex cultivator would probably die from that one strike.

Then he looked towards the familiar panel that appeared above his Dantian, shrouded in clouds.

-

"Cultivation Level Surge, officially entering the Seventh Stage Foundation Establishment Realm."

"Please choose one of the three random entries below within ten breaths."

1:

"Entry Name": Virtue Sage.

"Entry Grade": Pink.

"Entry Effect": You gain one Virtue Point for every demon beast you kill.

2:

"Entry Name": Virtue Bodyguard.

"Entry Grade": Green.

"Entry Effect": The higher your Virtue Points, the less damage you take from tribulations.

3:

"Entry Name": Virtue Sanctuary.

"Entry Grade": Yellow.

"Entry Effect": The more Sin Points you have, the faster your movement speed becomes.

-

"A pink entry?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Qiu's eyes. He had randomly encountered a pink entry again, and it had been a long time since he last saw one.

Pink entries are an extremely special type of entry.

All pink entries, without exception, are entries with unlimited growth potential.

Among the three pink entries he had encountered so far, including the scholar's pink entry, that made four, and these four pink entries basically allowed him to enhance a certain attribute by killing a demon beast.

For example, the pink entry "Virtue Sage" allows him to gain one Virtue Point for each demon beast killed.

In other words, Fat Dragon's "Hundred Shots, Hundred Hits" can only restrict its own kind, but if it could also work on demon beasts, once exposed in the Xuantian Continent, Fat Dragon would become a hot commodity.

If any sect had a disciple with a pink entry, they would probably kidnap Fat Dragon.

Not for any other reason.

But to let Fat Dragon and some fast-breeding demon beasts continuously bear offspring.

Breed here, kill there.

Kill there, breed here.

A perfect demon beast manufacturing machine.

Although this entry is good, he didn't plan to choose it. After all, killing one demon beast only increases Virtue Points by one, and he currently has 9.8 billion Virtue Points.

He would need to kill 9.8 billion demon beasts to accumulate that many Virtue Points.

Where would he find 9.8 billion demon beasts for you to kill?

The second entry, "Virtue Bodyguard," was quite appealing to him. He had a rough idea about tribulations; when one cultivates to a higher realm, every breakthrough, whether major or minor, might bring about a tribulation.

Only by enduring the tribulation can one truly achieve a smooth breakthrough.

With this entry selected, his 9.8 billion Virtue Points would allow him to bathe in even the most powerful tribulations.

As long as he doesn't gamble away those 9.8 billion Virtue Points.

The third entry had nothing to do with him. The more Sin Points one has, the faster their movement speed becomes. He had never heard of Sin Points, and the Great Xia's Heavenly Dao leaderboard didn't have a Sin Points ranking either.

He didn't know how to increase Sin Points.

He wasn't an evil or demonic cultivator, nor would he do anything too sinful, so he probably couldn't increase Sin Points.

If the entry effect was changed.

Changed to, the more Virtue Points, the faster the movement speed.

He would choose this entry without hesitation, as it would be the most suitable entry for him. He felt that since there were Virtue Points, there should also be entries that were the complete opposite.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end