Zhao Dabao had been busy these days, both spreading the news and arranging a banquet for his clansmen.
He was so busy he hardly touched the ground.
Only at night did he find time to enter his father's secret chamber, ready to take the Enlightenment Pill and embark on the path of cultivation.
At such a crucial moment, it was natural for Zhao Dabao's father to be by his side for protection.
Even Zhao Qian, who usually hid in the corner, bowed his head and stood to one side.
"Dad, Grandpa Qian, you're making me a bit nervous here,"
said Zhao Dabao with a wry smile, his chubby face wrinkling.
He had intended to take the Enlightenment Pill early and then, at dawn the next day, go to Little Platform Mountain to invite Taoist Jin Xu to pick something from his family's treasure trove and join them for the banquet.
But his father insisted on waiting for Uncle Qian to return so the two of them could protect him during the process.
Because of the delay, the hour had advanced to the period of Yin.
Zhao Dabao's father slapped him heavily on the shoulder and said irritably, "You little brat, you should be grateful that two Nascent Soul Stage experts like me and Uncle Qian are here to protect you. Hurry up and swallow that Enlightenment Pill. Let's see if you'll inherit my Fire Spirit Root or your mother's Mutated Ice Spirit Root."
Zhao Dabao felt like his father had just cursed, but he didn't dare to talk back.
He was afraid of getting slapped again.
Even with his mortal body and his father holding back, it still hurt.
Fatty Zhao was silent, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, and took out a jade bottle.
He poured out a pill that radiated five-colored brilliance.
Closing his eyes, he tossed it into his mouth.
After a while, he opened his eyes again.
He felt nothing?
Was that all?
Had it started?
Seeing his son open his eyes, Zhao Dabao's father asked eagerly, "How do you feel? Is there any discomfort?"
Zhao Dabao shook his chubby face, looking quite puzzled as well.
Watching the father and son,
Uncle Qian spoke up to remind them.
"Master, Young Master, the Enlightenment Pill merely forces the opening of the Spirit Root; it doesn't confer any cultivation."
Zhao Dabao's father slapped his forehead, realizing his worry had clouded his judgement, and quickly brought out the prepared Spirit Testing Stone and handed it to Zhao Dabao.
"Dabao, you try it now."
Fatty Zhao hadn't been nervous before, but now he felt somewhat apprehensive.
He stretched out his chubby hand to grasp the Spirit Testing Stone, staring fixedly at the palm of his hand.
A frosty blue color emerged on the stone.
"Hey, it's your mother's Mutated Ice Spirit Root!" exclaimed Zhao Dabao's father excitedly.
Zhao Dabao looked up at his father; hmm, another curse word.
No sooner had he spoken than a fiery red color slowly appeared on the Spirit Testing Stone as well.
"This, this, this is my Fire Spirit Root?"
Ultimately, both frosty blue and fiery red colors appeared on the Spirit Testing Stone.
The Master of the Zhao family looked shocked, and a grim expression came over Uncle Qian's face too.
Seeing such expressions on their faces, Zhao Dabao felt puzzled.
"Dad, Grandpa Qian, I've read some classics before. Although Dual Spirit Roots can't compare to Single Spirit Roots, they're not that bad, right?"
Though Zhao Dabao couldn't cultivate before, he still constantly collected various books on Spirit Roots.
He knew that the best Spirit Root was the Heavenly Spirit Root. After that were various Mutated Spirit Roots, like his mother's Ice Spirit Root, which was a mutation of the Water Spirit Root.
Single and Dual Spirit Roots were also considered rare.
Less impressive were the Triple, Quadruple, and the so-called Fake Spiritual Roots that had all Five Elements.
"Young Master, you are not fully informed," said Uncle Qian, who stood beside him.
"Ordinary Dual Spirit Roots are a sign of good talent. If Young Master had Water and Fire Dual Spirit Roots, there would not be much of a problem. The issue is that you have Ice and Fire Dual Spirit Roots."
"Right, the problem is with your mother's Ice Spirit Root," added Zhao Dabao's father.
Then,
he explained the legend of the Ice and Fire Dual Spirit Roots to Zhao Dabao.
Across the history of cultivation in the Nine Provinces Realm spanning tens of thousands of years, there had only been five unfortunate souls with Ice and Fire Dual Spirit Roots.
Zhao Dabao was the sixth.
Out of those five, four exploded into pieces upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm.
One of them flew as high as a nine-story building.
They were also mockingly referred to as "Ice and Fire Nine Heavens."
The only one who managed to overcome the Foundation Establishment threshold and even rise to the Tribulation Crossing Realm was a great-grandson of the former master of Kunlun Immortal Palace.
Later, someone asked for advice on how to avoid the explosive fate of those with Ice and Fire Dual Spirit Roots.
The Great Sect was quite generous and publicly disclosed the methods for cultivating Ice and Fire Dual Spirit Roots.
Before Foundation Establishment, one must consume one drop of Sun Essence and one drop of Taiyin Essence.
Then, a Mahayana expert must assist in refining them.
This allows the Ice and Fire Dual Spirit Roots to become purer and achieve a balance between yin and yang, which is essential for a successful Foundation Establishment.
And before Refining Void, with every major realm advanced, the amount of Sun Essence and Taiyin Essence needed doubles. Who knows how much the master of Kunlun Immortal Palace sacrificed for his great-grandson back then.
"..."
No wonder the Kunlun Immortal Palace announced it publicly, which ordinary family could afford such cultivation conditions.
Just let it be destroyed then.
After all the trouble to form a Spirit Root, you're telling me cultivating to Foundation Establishment will lead to an explosion?
Watching his son sitting there questioning life, Zhao Dabao's father called Uncle Qian out of the secret room, and the two seemed to discuss something.
Zhao Dabao sat on the meditation cushion for quite a while.
Finally, he lifted his head, his chubby face regaining its usual expression, but his eyes, narrowed to slits, held a hint of ruthlessness.
Damn it!
Back when I, Fatty Zhao, lacked a Spirit Root, I still found an Enlightenment Pill that had been lost to the ages. Now that I have a Spirit Root and can cultivate, why frown and fret?
It's just the assistance of a Mahayana expert.
It's just Sun Essence and Taiyin Essence.
Worst case, I remain in the Qi Cultivation Stage forever!
It's still better than not being able to cultivate at all.
Zhao Dabao consoled himself and prepared to stay in the Qi Cultivation Stage for life.
Standing up, he walked out of the secret room and saw his father and Uncle Qian discussing something in the study.
Cheerfully, he greeted them and left for Little Platform Mountain to invite Taoist Jin Xu over.
On the ample armchair in the house, the master of the Zhao family hadn't reacted yet, but Uncle Qian's wrinkled old face was the first to show a smile.
He exclaimed, "The young master's temperament is naturally suitable for cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dabao's father also laughed, "Ha ha ha ha ha, like father, like son."
At these words, Uncle Qian gave a soft cough.
"Master, back in the day, you nearly had your Dao heart broken by three Nascent Soul Stage great demons."
"... Uncle Qian, I still prefer you when you talk less."
"Yes, Master."
...
...
Early morning.
Little Platform Mountain, Xuanxu Temple.
The sun shines brilliantly, birds chirp, and flowers bloom profusely.
The young Taoist Jin Xu sat inside the main hall, humming a tune to himself.
"This fan painting of the Crystal Palace, there's a monk whose name is Tang Seng~"
He had sold four prayer incense sticks this morning and earned two taels of silver. He wasn't sure why, but his small temple hidden in the wilderness suddenly had visitors.
"Taoist Jin Xu, Old Zhao is here to invite you for a meal."
The voice arrived before the person did.
On hearing the call, Jin Xu looked towards the entrance of the main hall in confusion.
Zhao Dabao, dressed in a golden satin robe, walked in beaming.
"Taoist, I'll take twenty prayer incense sticks."
The confusion on Jin Xu's face turned into a smile.
Old Zhao truly was a gentleman from a wealthy household, always thoughtful and considerate.
"Little White, fetch twenty prayer incense sticks for Mr. Zhao."
"Alright, temple master."
At the sound of Jin Xu's voice, Little White ran out from the backyard bustling with energy.
The young Taoist noticed that the Husky spent all day sleeping by the well; worried she had excess energy and was bored, he decided to have her join him on duty in the main hall.
She wouldn't be paid, of course.
"You've worked hard, Miss Little White."
Zhao Dabao took the incense sticks, handed over the silver, and then said, "Taoist Jin Xu, do you have time today to take a look at the Zhao family's treasure vault? And perhaps join us for a banquet."
The Zhao family's treasure vault!
Jin Xu's eyes brightened. He had been eager to see if he could learn the art of the flying shield or pick out a Flying Artifact or something similar.
Little White's eyes also sparkled at the side.
A banquet! The kind where you can eat as much as you want without anyone asking you for money.
"I'm available."
"I want to go!"
Jin Xu and the Husky said in unison.