Chapter 40: Lost at Sunrise, Gained at Sunset

The Rooting Stage of the Immortal Seed is the first and most important step on the path of cultivation. Elder Chu had spent two full days explaining the various situations that could arise during this process.

An immortal root is divided into one main root and 100 fine, lateral roots. The process is not as simple as just plunging them into the dantian; there is a great deal of knowledge involved. The degree to which each root is compatible with the dantian—whether it’s a perfect match or a poor one—will limit one’s future achievements.

If the dantian is like the earth and the immortal roots are like plants, then just as some plants grow in arid regions and others in moist ones, some facing the sun and others preferring shade, the roots must also be placed in corresponding locations within the dantian according to their different characteristics.

Therefore, during the Rooting Stage, one must diligently channel spiritual energy into the roots, guiding them again and again to a place in the dantian where they believe the compatibility is highest. The higher the compatibility, the greater one’s future potential. But even a Purple Seed disciple with the highest aptitude and comprehension cannot achieve a perfect match for every single root; there will always be some deviation.

As Elder Chu had said, one must do their best to feel it out and choose the best spot. If the first root is not well-placed, one should not be discouraged, but try again with the second.

When Xu Yu had completed her Rooting Stage, she had achieved a perfect match with over 90 of her roots. Murong Chao had only 60, but this was still an excellent result. For a typical disciple with a weak seed, achieving a perfect match with even ten roots was considered remarkable.

From the Rooting Stage onward, the gap between special seeds and weak seeds begins to widen.

But regardless of the seed type, the roots were supposed to emerge from the Immortal Seed one by one. Only after one root was established would the next appear. Who had ever heard of 100 roots appearing all at once?

Even if he guided them with his spiritual energy, he could at most achieve a perfect match for one or two. The other 90-plus would inevitably be a mess. If that happened, his path of cultivation would end here.

No! I have to find a way. After working so hard to get here, I can’t just watch myself fail. I will not resign myself to being a menial disciple for the rest of my life!

He quickly reviewed the methods Elder Chu had taught, but they were all useless for his situation. The experiences shared by Xu Yu and Murong Chao were equally unhelpful. No one in the entire cultivation world had ever encountered or even heard of such a thing.

Isn’t the main root supposed to come first, followed by the lateral roots? And who gets 100 lateral roots all at once?

Qin Haoxuan was facing an unprecedented crisis. His mind was in turmoil as he watched the hundred roots slowly approach his dantian, not knowing how to guide them. If he focused on one, the other 99 would run wild. But if he did nothing, all 100 would implant themselves chaotically. What could he do?

Just as he was at his wit’s end, a bold idea flashed through his mind.

Spiritual Sense could be used in alchemy, formations, and talisman crafting. It could be used to attack enemies and find Spirit Springs. So, could it also be used to find the optimal place for his roots to anchor themselves?

He didn’t have much time. He immediately closed his eyes, meditated, and tried to use his Spiritual Sense to sort out the tangled mass of 100 roots.

Quickly, he managed to divide his Spiritual Sense and attach a strand to each tiny root. Using his Spiritual Sense like spiritual energy, he began to guide them.

A miracle occurred. As he guided them with his Spiritual Sense, the perfect connection points in his dantian for each root were instantly illuminated. All he had to do was guide them there with his spiritual energy.

For Qin Haoxuan, who had been making a desperate, last-ditch effort, this was a lifeline. He calmed his mind and quickly guided the roots one by one to their perfect locations.

With his Spiritual Sense as a guide, all 100 lateral roots were perfectly placed in an incredibly short amount of time. The moment they touched his dantian, they anchored themselves deeply. He felt the connection between his Immortal Seed and his spiritual energy become much closer, as if his every breath was more in tune. His five senses became sharper. This was exactly what Xu Yu and Murong Chao had described.

But something was still wrong. The lateral roots are in place, but where is the main root? Shouldn’t the main root anchor itself first?

As both he and the Undying Witch Fiend in the valley worried, Qin Haoxuan suddenly felt his Immortal Seed tremble again.

A root, much thicker than the 100 lateral ones, extended from the crack and plunged straight into his dantian. The Rooting Stage, with one main root and 100 lateral roots, was complete.

The moment the main root was anchored, the flow of spiritual energy changed. It no longer needed to be poured into the seed but could now be directly exchanged between the dantian and the seedling via the roots, a much more efficient process.

Having completed the stage without any disaster, Qin Haoxuan let out a long sigh of relief. Although his rooting order was strange—100 lateral roots first, then the main root—it had been successful.

The Undying Witch Fiend’s face showed a satisfied smile. The immortal part of the seed was complete. Now, it was time for the demonic part.

If he can root the 500 demonic roots as perfectly as these 100 immortal ones, then I have truly found an unprecedented, world-class treasure!

Just as Qin Haoxuan was about to cease his cultivation to share the good news, his Immortal Seed began to hum and tremble again.

What’s going on? Isn’t it finished?

To his astonishment, several more long, thin lateral roots emerged from the crack at the same time.

Without time to think, he quickly used his Spiritual Sense to explore and his spiritual energy to guide them. But these new roots kept coming, a full 500 of them. It took him half an hour to guide them all to their perfect locations.

In the Immortal-Slaying Poison Valley, the Undying Witch Fiend nearly leaped into the air.

600 immortal roots, all perfectly rooted!

A perfect Immortal-Demon Seed! His own perfect Immortal-Demon Seed! The day it sprouted would be the day he seized the body. After that, with such a perfect foundation and his own vast knowledge… what would that mean in the current cultivation world?

After the 500 fine roots were in place, the Immortal Seed finally fell silent. But now, Qin Haoxuan’s foundation consisted of one main root and 600 lateral roots, six times the normal number. And thanks to his quick thinking, every single one was perfectly rooted.

In the vast history of the cultivation world, no genius had ever been heard of to perfectly root all 100 of their lateral roots, let alone someone who had 600 of them to begin with.

What happened? He was completely stunned. He quickly reviewed Elder Chu’s lectures in his mind, but there was no mention of anyone ever having 600 immortal roots.

“600 roots? 600 perfectly compatible roots?”

Even he himself was amazed. Having read all the basic knowledge, he knew that his situation was unprecedented. Putting aside the perfect compatibility, just the number of roots alone was far superior to that of the Purple Seeds.

“Lost at sunrise, gained at sunset?” he thought to himself. “Did the heavens compensate for my lack of aptitude in this way?” It still felt strange, but he couldn’t put his finger on why.

To be safe, he sat in the thicket for most of the night, making sure there were no more changes before quietly returning to the dormitory, where he possessed the snake to train his Spiritual Sense until dawn.

The next day, everyone who saw him felt that there was a subtle, new quality about him. His spirit was high, his complexion clear, and his already righteous eyes were now incredibly pure. His breathing was calm, steady, and long.

Before, he had given off an impression of rugged strength. Now, it was a blend of martial power and scholarly grace, a perfect balance of yin and yang.

He stood as if rooted to the ground, one with his surroundings, yet paradoxically, he was both easy to overlook and impossible to forget.

Could he have completed the Rooting Stage? The other disciples secretly wondered but didn’t dare to believe it. It wasn’t until Elder Chu saw him and stared in shock for a long moment before finally saying, “You… you’ve actually done it!”

The crowd erupted. All the disciples with weak seeds looked at him with unconcealed jealousy.

A weak seed had completed the Rooting Stage in 20 days? He had matched the record of the current Sect Master, Perfected Man Huanglong! But the Sect Master was a Gray Seed, and Qin Haoxuan was a genuine weak seed. How was that possible?