Chapter 64: A Sprout that Shocks the Hall

After consuming the Seven Star Mushroom, a familiar searing heat spread through Qin Haoxuan’s body. This time, however, the residual medicinal power was far less potent than that of the One-Leaf Golden Lotus. At his current rate of energy consumption, it would likely be depleted in short order. It seemed his trips to the Immortal-Slaying Poison Valley would have to become more frequent, which meant he could not afford to slack off in his Spiritual Sense training. Without a steady supply of spirit herbs, his cultivation speed would be little better than that of any other disciple with an Uncolored Seed.

Under the cover of the deep, dark night, Qin Haoxuan slipped away from the Spirit Field Valley. He found a remote mountainside, a place so secluded it was practically forgotten. He was eager to test the power of the Formless Sword. As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

Although his current Sprouting Stage cultivation could not unleash even a ten-thousandth of the sword’s true power, he couldn’t resist the chance to satisfy his curiosity. The flying sword was, after all, the most idealized and perfect treasure in the heart of every cultivator.

Following the bonding ritual described in the manual, he took a long needle and drew a drop of blood from his heart, letting it fall onto the blade of the Formless Sword. The weapon, nearly indistinguishable from the air itself, flashed with a crimson light. In that instant, Qin Haoxuan felt a strange, inexplicable connection form between them. It was like being tied by an invisible thread, a link so profound he felt he could sense the sword’s exact location even if it were a thousand miles away.

He silently recited the spiritual incantation, and spiritual energy began to flow through his body. Following that invisible thread, he tried to channel his power into the sword. He tried again and again, but the weapon in his palm remained unresponsive. Was he reciting the art incorrectly? Was his spiritual energy too weak? Or was it not entering the sword at all? He pondered the possibilities, trying relentlessly, only to fail time and time again.

After countless failures, just as he was starting to lose hope, he felt the Formless Sword in his hand twitch ever so slightly. His spirits, once flagging, were instantly revived. He redoubled his efforts, pouring more spiritual energy into the blade and focusing his mind, trying to sense it. The telepathic connection between them grew stronger.

Finally, after one more attempt, he succeeded. He felt a sudden jolt in his heart, and the Formless Sword shot from his palm like a bolt of lightning. It was truly formless and traceless; if not for their mental link, he would have lost it completely. The sword shot out three dozen feet, piercing a clean, tiny hole through a stone slab half a foot thick. It made no sound as it cut through the air.

Picking up the sword, Qin Haoxuan was stunned by its power. This was the might he could wield as a freshly sprouted novice. If he were stronger, with more spiritual energy, taking an enemy’s head from a thousand miles away would be no empty boast.

Even with his usually calm disposition, he could no longer suppress the wild joy in his heart. A smile of pure excitement and satisfaction spread across his face. It worked! It’s a real flying sword! And it’s invisible! As long as I practice the control art, I’ll have a secret, life-saving trump card for critical moments!

Why am I so tired? The thought was followed by a jolt of horror. He realized that activating the sword had instantly consumed thirty percent of the spiritual energy in his Dantian. His Immortal Sprout had nearly withered from the sudden drain. If he had the normal energy absorption rate of an Uncolored Seed disciple, his sprout would have died long before he could replenish it. Thankfully, he cultivated the Dao Heart Seed Demon Art and had the energy from the Seven Star Mushroom to back him up.

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, he quickly sat cross-legged and began to meditate, desperately replenishing his spiritual energy before his Immortal Sprout could perish. After a long while, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his energy levels returning to normal.

It was clear the Formless Sword was of too high a grade for his weak cultivation. Coupled with the incomplete control art, using it casually would be a massive drain, potentially causing serious problems.

“I wonder if the Sect Master’s flying sword is as good as mine,” he mused, realizing it was a question he couldn’t possibly answer. He shifted his thoughts. A treasure like this must be hidden well! I cannot use it unless my life is on the line. If I attract the greed of others, I have no way to defend myself at my current level.

By the time he had recovered his spiritual energy, the sky was beginning to brighten. He got up and headed back to the Spirit Field Valley.

For the new disciples, this was a momentous day—the end of their initial three-month training period.

In the classroom, Elder Chu scanned the assembled disciples. Seeing that everyone was present, he began to speak. “Today marks exactly three months since you entered the sect. According to our rules, those who have successfully rooted will become outer disciples. Those who have sprouted will become inner disciples of the four main halls. And those who have even grown leaves will be chosen by the Hall Masters, or perhaps even an elder, to become Legacy Disciples! The next three months will be a test of what you have learned—the Trial of the Immortal Path. The sect will provide another three months of rations for those who have not yet rooted. If you still cannot root during this trial, you will be expelled and sent back to where you came from.”

The elder’s words sent an uproar through the hall.

When they were chosen by the Taichu Sect, they had all been the objects of envy and admiration in their hometowns. To be cast out would bring immense shame not only upon themselves but upon their families as well. More importantly, to protect its secrets, the Taichu Sect would surely wipe a portion of their memories. It was rumored that those who underwent this process were often left in a state of idiocy.

Elder Chu cleared his throat, quelling the commotion. “This three-month trial is also a great opportunity. If you can root during this period, you may still have a chance to become an outer disciple. If you can sprout or grow leaves during the trial, you will enjoy the same treatment as those who have already done so!”

Though they had heard about the rewards from the menial disciples in the valley, hearing it from the elder himself carried a different weight.

Envious eyes turned to Zhang Kuang, Zhang Yang, Li Jing, and Xu Yu. The four of them had already grown leaves and would surely be fought over by the Hall Masters. Zhang Yang, in fact, had already become a disciple of the Ancient Cloud Hall three months prior.

Of the five special seed disciples, only Murong Chao had yet to grow a leaf. After glancing at the other four, Elder Chu’s gaze fell on him. “Murong Chao,” the elder said encouragingly, “with your aptitude, you should be able to grow a leaf soon if you seize the opportunity of the trial. Then you too can become a Legacy Disciple, just like the Purple Seeds!”

The elder’s encouragement left Murong Chao feeling both grateful and embarrassed. Many of the Uncolored Seed disciples looked at him with schadenfreude. He was the only one of the five strong seeds who had fallen behind. Having lost at the starting line, his future prospects seemed dim.

A few of Li Jing’s followers began to whisper. “Murong Chao looks like a backstabber. Even the heavens won’t help him. Serves him right for not growing a leaf!”

“Exactly! Our boss is the son of an emperor and an Unsurpassed Purple Seed. How could a treacherous Gray Seed like Murong Chao possibly compare?”

Though their voices were low, the senses of sprouted disciples were sharp. Murong Chao heard every word. His face darkened, and if Xu Yu hadn’t held him back, he would have flipped his desk and started a fight.

Elder Chu cleared his throat again, silencing the classroom. His eyes swept over the disciples once more, finally landing on Qin Haoxuan. The elder didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The boy was still meditating. Rotten wood cannot be carved, he sighed, lamenting such a waste of a firm Dao Heart. He decided to intervene. “Qin Haoxuan. Qin Haoxuan…”

The elder’s voice pulled Qin Haoxuan from his cultivation. He opened his eyes and looked up, confused. It was the first time in three months that the elder had ever woken him.

“You have a good Dao Heart,” Elder Chu said gently. “During the next three months of the trial, if you work hard and study Xu Yu’s notes, you have a good chance of sprouting!”

Surprised by the sudden concern, Qin Haoxuan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Just then, an arrogant voice cut in. “Three months? I look forward to that. Let’s see if Qin Haoxuan can sprout in three months.”

It was Zhang Kuang. Who else but a proud son of heaven with a Purple Seed would dare to disrupt the class?

With Zhang Kuang breaking the ice, others felt emboldened. His followers quickly chimed in. “Senior Brother Zhang Kuang, you’re putting him on the spot. Junior Brother Qin is an Uncolored Seed. He’d be lucky to sprout in half a year.”

“That’s right! You’re just roasting him over a fire. Which of the Uncolored Seed menial disciples in the valley didn’t take two or three years to sprout? Even if Junior Brother Qin is outstanding, sprouting in a single year would mean his ancestors’ graves were smoking with good fortune!”

A chorus of mockery erupted as those who disliked Qin Haoxuan joined in. The classroom quickly devolved into chaos. Elder Chu coughed loudly, his sharp gaze silencing the crowd.

Just as the elder was about to continue, Qin Haoxuan, the target of the ridicule, suddenly spoke.

“I have already sprouted.”

His voice was calm, but his words landed like a clap of thunder from a clear sky.

Doubtful eyes stared at him. The same four words were written on every face: How is that possible?

Since his arrival, Qin Haoxuan had given them too many shocks. He had shattered his seed on the first day, his rooting speed was only a step behind the strong seeds, and he had fought and defeated disciples six or seven leaves above him. To an ordinary person, these were all miracles. So, when he made his announcement, most of them already believed him, they just weren’t willing to admit it.

“That’s a bold claim. Is sprouting so easy?”

“Junior Brother Qin, you can’t joke about something like this…”

“An Uncolored Seed? Sprouting in three months?”

The classroom exploded once again. Even Elder Chu looked at him with an expression that was half-doubt, half-hope.

“And why is it impossible for me to sprout?” Qin Haoxuan said slowly, his voice even, enunciating every word. A powerful aura, characteristic of the Sprouting Stage, radiated from his body. Even those who refused to believe it had to accept the truth: Qin Haoxuan had truly sprouted. His simple demonstration was like a brutal slap across the faces of his tormentors, leaving them dizzy and speechless.

On the dais, Elder Chu was momentarily stunned. He muttered to himself, “Truly… a prodigy!”

As the reality of Qin Haoxuan’s achievement sank in, the disciples were filled with mixed emotions. The only one genuinely happy for him was Xu Yu. Sitting beside him, she beamed. “Congratulations, Brother Haoxuan! You’ve set a new sect record for the fastest sprouting of an Uncolored Seed. Who says Uncolored Seeds are inferior? I think you’ll be stronger than many strong seeds in the future!”

Qin Haoxuan returned her praise with a sincere smile.

Behind them, Murong Chao was in shock. Qin Haoxuan had sprouted in just three months, a speed that matched his own as a Gray Seed. If he didn’t hurry up and grow a leaf, he might be surpassed, and his hopes of becoming dual cultivation partners with Xu Yu would become even more distant. In his mind, he had always seen Qin Haoxuan as a weakling who needed his and Xu Yu’s protection.

Zhang Kuang’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had already grown a leaf, but the fact that this Uncolored Seed had also sprouted contradicted everything he had ever been told. Does he have some kind of special secret?

Li Jing observed Qin Haoxuan thoughtfully, unsure how to approach this Uncolored Seed junior brother. He had value as a potential ally, but… the boy’s personality was too rigid. To put it nicely, he had integrity and backbone. To put it bluntly, he had the stubborn pride of a scholar, yet without the spinelessness that often came with it.

(End of Chapter)