Chapter 4: Divine Enlightenment Points—The Path to Elevate Spiritual Roots

Jubao Pavilion stood at the very heart of the marketplace, nestled right beside the General Affairs Hall of the Azurewater Sect. It was a shop the Azurewater Sect had established specifically for itinerant cultivators venturing into the wilds. Within its walls, one could find everything—pills, magical tools, talismans, and more. The aim was simple: let the wandering cultivators earn and spend their spirit stones within the market, not taking a single coin home.

Shen Lian’s destination was precisely this Jubao Pavilion. He left his house, head down and walking briskly, making straight for the center of the market. After passing through the grand archway, he inhaled several deep breaths of spiritual energy.

“Plot ninety-eight at Mao hour, someone discovered a group of Mystic Spirit Turtles. Quite a few people managed to steal some turtle eggs.”

“A Mystic Spirit Turtle, once fully grown, could reach the late stage of Qi Refinement. With some luck, it might even advance to the second tier, Foundation Establishment.”

“If a family could raise one, it might even become the guardian spirit beast of their clan.”

“Bah… By the time this thing grows up, grass will have sprouted over my grandson’s grave a dozen times.”

Just as he entered the main street of shops, Shen Lian overheard passing cultivators deep in discussion. Another lucky soul had found a boon, and everyone else was gnashing their teeth in envy.

A single turtle egg would fetch at least a hundred spirit stones.

Shen Lian was unmoved. In this past half year, every month or so, one or two minor Heaven’s Favored Children would emerge.

He made his way to Jubao Pavilion, first casting a glance inside. Seeing there weren’t many patrons, he stepped in.

“What would fellow Daoist like to purchase?”

Within the Treasure Pavilion, the chief manager was sipping tea behind a screen. Among the bustling attendants, one spotted Shen Lian.

“Fellow Daoist, what brings you here today?” The attendant greeted him with a smile.

“I have a dozen or so Flamefire Talismans to sell,” Shen Lian replied. Though this was his first time at the shop, he had thoroughly researched beforehand and knew they bought talismans here.

“Flamefire Talismans are three low-grade spirit stones apiece. How many do you have?” The attendant’s expression did not change as he led Shen Lian to a small counter.

Shen Lian laid twelve Flamefire Talismans on the counter. The attendant picked up each one to inspect, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled.

“Fellow Daoist’s talisman work is quite solid. Twelve in total, that’s thirty-six low-grade spirit stones.” The attendant grinned; the shop sold these talismans at four stones each, so even if he only earned a single stone per sale, every little bit counted.

“I need one vial of first-grade low-tier spiritual ink, two packs of talisman paper, and a bottle of Miasma-Dispelling Pills.”

By the time he left Jubao Pavilion, Shen Lian’s storage pouch was once again empty of spirit stones.

A bottle of Miasma-Dispelling Pills cost ten spirit stones and contained five pills.

This was another benefit the Azurewater Sect offered to itinerant cultivators. Unfortunately, many who took on tasks lacked the spirit stones to buy them; otherwise, the marketplace wouldn’t be filled with people coughing up black rings.

Without lingering outside, Shen Lian returned to his quarters. He sat cross-legged on his bed, poured out a Miasma-Dispelling Pill, and swallowed it whole.

“Cough, cough…” The taste was foul, and it caught in his throat, making his lungs burn sharply. Shen Lian lay flat on the bed.

The miasma was like maggots gnawing on bone, entwined between his meridians and flesh. To purge it entirely, this bottle of pills was unlikely to suffice. Still, now that he had a way to earn his rent, he no longer needed to inhale miasma, making him luckier than most itinerant cultivators.

Every so often, the Azurewater Sect’s spiritual ships would deliver a new batch of cultivators. Yet, even five years after the marketplace was established, the number of cultivators hovered around three thousand. The majority who perished did so from poisoning.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

“…Cough, cough, cough… Ptooey…”

Lying there, Shen Lian suddenly sat up and spat out a mouthful of foul blood, which, upon hitting the floor, gave off wisps of black smoke.

“Much better.” Shen Lian wiped his mouth and lay back down, eyes narrowed, lost in thought.

Now that he had become a first-grade low-tier Talisman Master, he could at least earn some spirit stones. Next came purging the miasma, improving his strength, and seeking a chance to leave Yunmeng Market.

The Azurewater Sect was one of the three great cultivation sects of the Chu Kingdom. Within its borders stood five immortal cities, three controlled by sects, and two established by independent cultivators, both now guarded by Golden Core or Pseudo-Core cultivators.

“The Azurewater Sect’s Immortal City is guarded by a Golden Core cultivator and protected by arrays—truly a stable place.”

“This is somewhere secure.”

Perhaps it was the newfound means to survive, or the gradual easing of miasma within him, but Shen Lian’s mind at that moment calmed faster than ever before.

[Calm and Even Temper, Comprehension Point +1]

…

[Unperturbed by the World, Divine Comprehension Point +1]

In a drowsy state, a sudden voice in his mind startled Shen Lian.

A Divine Comprehension Point?

For more than half a year, he had been able to gain comprehension points only when he was at peace. Sometimes, turmoil in his environment or mind left him unable to comprehend anything.

“What is a Divine Comprehension Point?” Shen Lian wondered aloud.

“Panel.”

He silently recited the word, and a translucent data panel appeared before his eyes.

[Shen Lian: Qi Refining, Level Three]

[Five Elemental Roots: Metal 17, Wood 29, Water 18, Fire 31, Earth 18]

[Talisman Master: First Grade, Low Tier (0/1000)]

[Comprehension Points: 27]

[Divine Comprehension Points: 1]

Noticing the new entry on his panel, Shen Lian began to speculate. Since becoming a talisman master, these were the most content days he’d known since transmigrating, earning him three or four comprehension points daily. Earlier, as he lay on the bed, sleep nearly claiming him—

“Unperturbed by the World.”

“Comprehension points can be used to improve talisman crafting. Then, could divine comprehension points…”

A bold hypothesis formed in Shen Lian’s mind. With a thought, the panel changed.

[Five Elemental Roots: Metal 17, Wood 29, Water 18, Fire 31, Earth 18]

The fire attribute root shifted from 31 to 32.

Divine comprehension points could be used to enhance spiritual roots!

Buzz—

Before Shen Lian could react, a warm sensation spread through his body.

A cultivator’s spiritual roots were hidden within; only special testing platforms could detect them. The original owner of his body had once tried to join a sect, but his roots were so poor he’d been turned away.

Cultivators’ spiritual roots were divided into upper, middle, and lower grades, and could number from one to five. In this era, fewer roots with higher values meant faster absorption of spiritual energy. A supreme single root, with a value above ninety, was called a Heaven-Spirit Root and could reach the Golden Core stage without serious bottlenecks.

Shen Lian, however, had five roots, all poor in value—truly the lowest of the low, the worst possible five-elemental roots.

Such roots were so undesirable, even for menial work, that sects would reject you for fear of polluting their spiritual energy. If any of his roots had a value above fifty, he might at least be allowed to till fields for a sect.

After a long while, the mysterious feeling inside dissipated. Shen Lian rose from his bed and paced the small room, his emotions beyond words.

He almost felt as though the legendary supreme five-elemental roots were beckoning him.

“Be steady.”

“Be steady.”

“Today I traded talismans for spirit stones and gained a foothold. After half a year of tension, my mind finally eased enough to experience true tranquility.”

“…It seems I truly must move—find a place to cultivate where a powerful cultivator sits in residence. This is the proper path for my cultivation…”