CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: DAO SEED

"We truly have Mr. Ye to thank for today."

Returning triumphantly and having garnered tremendous popular support, Song Tingye’s face brimmed with smiles as he warmly grabbed Qi Xiu’s arm and invited him to take the seat of honor.

"County Magistrate, you are too kind. It’s only right to be faithful to what’s entrusted to me."

"It’s just that something held me back tonight, and I couldn’t make it in time; I hope you will forgive me."

"Eh, it’s nothing, nothing. If Mr. Ye hadn’t been here tonight, I would have suffered heavy losses," Song Tingye said, waving his hand with a look of immense relief.

Had Ye Wen not arrived in time tonight, he would have had to abandon the Hibernating Dragon Cultivation Skill and take action himself. As a result, the time to enter the Initiate Realm would have been delayed by a full year. A step behind, and you’re behind at every turn. The loss would have been massive.

"It’s best that it didn’t interfere with the County Magistrate’s affairs, especially considering all the medicinal herbs you’ve been finding for me lately. If I hadn’t been of any help, I really would have been unbearably ashamed," Qi Xiu said politely.

"Just some medicinal herbs, what’s that? If Mr. Ye needs anything else, just say the word, and I will see to it."

Having witnessed Qi Xiu’s terrifying combat power that night, Song Tingye felt that the herbs he had given were well worth it. After all, it was all put on Jiufang’s tab.

"If that’s the case, then I’m relieved," Mr. Ye said.

Hearing this, Qi Xiu’s eyes lit up, and his smile grew even brighter.

"Ha... Haha. Bring out the wine! Tonight, I shall drink with Mr. Ye until we’re both thoroughly drunk!"

Seeing the familiar smile on Qi Xiu’s face, Song Tingye felt a pang in his heart and managed a forced laugh.

Oh no, I’ve misspoken again.

When he left the Song Residence, it was already early the next morning.

Striding along the road, steam billowed from Qi Xiu’s body in all directions. The dense smell of alcohol caused birds perched on nearby tree branches to roll their eyes and drop down with a THUD.

Using his Inner Qi to expel the alcohol, Qi Xiu’s spirits lifted. With a step, he activated his Formless Shadow Movement and, in an instant, disappeared from the street.

After dozens of quick sidesteps, and circling around most of the county town, he returned to his own residence.

Once he was sure no one was trailing him, Qi Xiu rubbed his cheeks and tore off the Hundred Faces Mask.

He poured hot water into a basin. Looking at his reflection with a full head of purple hair, Qi Xiu smiled helplessly.

It seems that for the near future, my main identity can’t appear publicly.

Washing his face and changing into clean clothes, Qi Xiu lay on his bed and slowly closed his eyes.

Within the Purple Mansion of his Dantian, the nebula-like Qi Spring had vanished. In its place was a seed-shaped dot, faintly radiating purple light.

Dao Seed!

On a hundred-meter precipice, after guzzling ten bowls of Ten Suns Qiankun Great Tonic Soup, Qi Xiu had finally managed to advance his Purple Golden Skill to the Third Realm. Leveraging the innate advantage of his Original True Intent, he directly fused it with his Qi Spring, forming his very first Original Dao Seed—the Purple Extreme Dao Seed.

The Divine Marvel it contained was named the Purple Golden Gourd. Its power was to summon that Purple Golden Gourd and wield purple flames. The purple flames, being extremely Yang and resilient, also carried an intense fiery poison. Once afflicted, it clung like flesh-boring maggots and was extremely difficult to extinguish. Its power was so great that Qi Xiu could face four opponents at once, forcing the corpse drivers to flee in disarray, not even daring to think of retaliating or defending.

It’s a pity that only the creator of a True Intent can condense this Original Dao Seed. Even if I were to personally teach it, successors would only be able to condense an ordinary Dao Seed. The Divine Marvel contained wouldn’t be this Purple Golden Gourd, but a regular purple gourd. This world’s concept of intellectual property is really strong.

Gazing at the Purple Extreme Dao Seed inside his Purple Mansion, Qi Xiu had mixed feelings. He was delighted to be back in the True Intent Realm. With an Original Dao Seed and Original True Intent, ordinary martial artists and practitioners weren’t even qualified to fight him; the only exceptions were the chosen scions of major sects or powerful noble families.

His worries, however, began the moment he returned to the True Intent Realm. The path beneath his feet had already reached its end.

He glanced at the proficiency panel.

[Purple Golden Skill (Third Realm): Perfect Realm]

Without the crucial methods for the Ancient Gathering of Celestial Strength, his Original Dao Seed, no matter how strong, could not progress any further. And as long as he didn’t enter the Initiate Realm, he would forever remain a mortal, completely powerless against Cultivators of Dao. It was a fundamental difference in the very essence of their power, almost irreparable.

But where can I find this Secret Technique for the Ancient Gathering of Celestial Strength?

He rested his hands behind his head, quietly staring at the ceiling. The major sects and powerful noble families kept the crucial insights and secret methods for the Ancient Gathering of Celestial Strength strictly confidential, never to be revealed. This was clearly evident from Yuan Baiyi and Song Tingye. It was an absolute monopoly, a top secret. Those not of that class could not, and were not allowed to, have access to it.

The path of a martial artist isn’t working out; should I try the way of a practitioner instead?

Looking at the Purple Golden Skill at the Perfect Realm on the panel, Qi Xiu then looked at the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture, which had yet to break through to the First Realm.

It’s worth a try. But before that, I have to figure out a way to get my hair back to normal.

Grasping his silky, eye-catching purple hair, Qi Xiu felt quite helpless. After his Purple Golden Skill advanced into the True Intent Realm, his hair had mysteriously turned purple. And it seemed that due to the Purple Extreme Dao Seed, even the Divine Marvel of the Hundred Faces Mask couldn’t alter or reverse it. This meant that no matter what appearance he took, he would always have his distinctive purple hair.

Wait! If I remember correctly, the Mana cultivated from the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture is dark green...

His eyes narrowed as Qi Xiu unconsciously envisioned himself with a head of seaweed-green hair.

All green wouldn’t be too bad. But if it was half purple, half green...

Since the night of the corpse drivers’ siege, half a month had passed with no unusual rumors.

Qi Xiu had inquired indirectly from Song Tingye. It seemed the Blood Covenant sub-branch, responsible for the prior disturbance, had offended a mysterious cultivator. Consequently, its members were slaughtered at its doorstep for three whole days. Their Sect Members were few in number; those who survived could only hide behind the sub-branch’s Formation, daring not to emerge. Moreover, the mysterious cultivator had declared that he would not rest until this Blood Covenant sub-branch was razed to the ground. Upon hearing the news, the Blood Covenant’s main branch had already dispatched experts to provide support. But for the time being, the two parties had yet to confront each other.

With no one causing trouble, his role as a Protector was comfortably idle. Each day, he had little to do. Aside from practicing calligraphy, painting, experimenting with medicinal formulas, and requesting herbs from Song Tingye, he mostly recited the sutras and mantras of the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture.

After such a lengthy period, he was close to advancing into the First Realm. His verbal dexterity, however, had already been honed to perfection. He was extremely articulate, comparable to a certain television host from his previous life!

The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze caressed his face.

Inside the small courtyard of the Qi Family, while adjusting version 4.0 of the Fish Fragrance Muscle-Relaxing Powder, Qi Xiu continued his routine chanting of the text of the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture.

CREAK—

Suddenly, he halted his grinding of the herbs. He looked up. A dark green Spiritual Light flashed in his eyes—sinister and strange, cold and mysterious.

The Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture.

He had entered the First Realm!

...