Innate Immortal Seed

Chapter 4: Five Peaks True Person

Deep within the ancestral hall, tablets honoring the Bai clan's forefathers, those who made outstanding contributions since settling in the Heishan Mountains were enshrined. Twenty-four thick longevity candles stood tall on both sides, each as wide as an arm. Their dim flickering light cast shadows over the tablets, making them gleam faintly in the gloom.

Seated at the center below the altar was Bai Xianzhong, the current patriarch of the Bai family. A Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stage, he had led the clan for twenty years, his prestige ever-rising, a pillar supporting the Bai clan single-handedly.

To either side of him sat four men and one woman, all late-stage Qi Refining cultivators who served as the clan’s five elders, each managing a major part of the family’s affairs.

Beneath them, rows of cultivators were arranged by rank and role. The packed crowd stretched into darkness, virtually all the Bai clan’s cultivators currently in the ancestral territory had arrived. The atmosphere was heavy and solemn; not a sound was heard.

Bai Zichen and Bai Ying stood at the very back. Being children and short in stature, even on tiptoes they could only see rows of adults’ shoulders ahead.

“Uncle looks like he’s in the second row. Seems he’s got a decent standing in the clan. He’s only one step away from the late stage, once he breaks through, he’ll become one of the family’s main pillars.”

At their age, if not for the rare occasion of a full-clan assembly where all cultivators regardless of age or level could attend, they would never have set foot in this grand hall. Still, they were only bystanders. No matter how important the meeting, a pair of ten-year-old children had no say, and no one paid them any attention.

The chubby Bai Ying craned his neck with excitement, lowering his voice. “Brother Chen, did you hear what the Patriarch said? Even the Azure Maple Sect confirmed it, the cave belongs to the Five Peaks True Person! If our Bai clan can recover even one or two treasures, we’ll strike it rich. Maybe in a few years, we’ll even become one of the five great cultivation families!”

Five Peaks True Person, Chen Taige had been called Mi Prefecture’s number one loose cultivator three hundred years ago. As a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, he was once expected to attempt the Nascent Soul Realm, and had considerable renown across Liang Country.

In his twilight years, he returned to his hometown in Heishan County, putting even the Azure Maple Sect under pressure. Though the sect’s Supreme Elder was also a Core Formation cultivator, he still paled in comparison to Chen Taige.

His signature magic treasure was a massive set of five mountain-shaped artifacts, earning him the title “Five Peaks True Person.” Countless cultivators had perished beneath those mountains.

Yet it seemed he left behind no true successor. After his passing, the few disciples who followed him quickly scattered like birds. His treasures, including the Five Peaks Divine Mountains, vanished without a trace.

At the time, there were rumors that True Person Five Peaks had a secret treasure trove hidden away. For nearly a hundred years after his death, treasure seekers combed the mountains in vain. Eventually, the fervor faded.

Bai Zichen silently recalled the historical records of Heishan County regarding True Person Five Peaks, his heart filled with longing.

“But the key lies in how the Azure Maple Sect will respond,” said Elder Bai Shoushun, voice loud and full despite his white hair and beard. Not only was he at the great perfection of Qi Refining, but his seniority within the clan was among the highest. “Hong Gu, your son Jiang Liang is from Azure Maple Sect. His master is an elder in the Talisman Hall. Has he heard any word on how their top figures intend to handle this?”

In Heishan County, Azure Maple Sect reigned supreme, hoarding the best resources. Though they were always in quiet competition with local cultivation families, generations of intermarriage and disciples had blurred the lines.

In the Bai clan alone, more than ten disciples over generations had joined the sect. Elder Hong Gu’s Dao companion was once a Azure Maple inner sect disciple. Though he wasn’t skilled in combat, his skill in talisman crafting was famed throughout the region. He was now a first-rank superior-grade talisman master.

“Liang sent word yesterday,” said the only female elder, a graceful but slightly weathered middle-aged woman. “The elders of Azure Maple Sect plan to ally with a few local families to cordon off the cave and drive out the loose cultivators before slowly excavating it…”

“A chance to collaborate is good. We’ve contributed generously to Azure Maple Sect over the years and always responded to their calls. They shouldn’t overlook us this time.”

“Hard to say. Those five families are powerful. If they band together, even Azure Maple will tread carefully.”

Though called a “full clan assembly,” it was essentially a discussion among the five elders. Occasionally, Patriarch Bai Xianzhong would speak, and everyone would fall silent until he finished.

No other clan members, regardless of status, dared interrupt unless called upon.

Bai Zichen leaned against a pillar at the back, listening intently. One could never learn such intricate clan politics and inter-family dynamics from books, these were essential lessons for surviving in the cultivation world.

“…Then it’s settled,” Patriarch Bai Xianzhong concluded. “Tomorrow, Elder Hong and Bai Lu will lead a team with me to the cave of True Person Five Peaks. The clan’s affairs will be entrusted to Elder Shoushun. As for the patrol squads, stay vigilant. Increase your numbers and the frequency of patrols. Use lethal force if necessary. With loose cultivators gathering, we cannot allow any foolhardy ones to provoke the Bai clan.”

With those words, the Bai clan’s next steps were decided.

One Foundation Establishment cultivator, two elders, and a squad of elite clan cultivators would be dispatched, leaving the Bai clan’s defenses thin. Bai Zichen suddenly realized that the clan wasn’t as secure as he’d believed. His original plan of slow, steady development might need revision. He was still far too weak.

A newly advanced Qi Refining disciple who hadn’t even mastered a spell, with no means of self-defense, he could be killed by a few ordinary armed men.

…

“Chen’er, here are five Vajra Talismans, five Fireball Talismans, and five Swift-Walking Talismans. I taught you how to use them all last night, you must remember carefully.”

Bai Jiu’an gently rubbed Bai Zichen’s head, his voice earnest and heavy. “While I’m away, don’t wander around. Stay with Bai Ying’s family on Azure Maple Cliff. Don’t return to Fufeng Ridge for now.”

“Okay, Uncle. I understand.” Bai Zichen nodded obediently.

After the clan assembly ended, Bai Jiu’an was immediately notified, he had been selected as one of the twelve to accompany the Patriarch to True Person Five Peaks’ cave.

One could not refuse the clan’s summons. And with great danger came great opportunity.

As a cultivator with four-spirit roots and less than ten years before his qi and blood declined at age fifty, this might be his last chance to attempt Foundation Establishment. If he didn’t fight now, when would he?

Still, he couldn’t help but worry about his young nephew who had just embarked on the path of cultivation. The Bai clan’s territory was protected by a grand formation centered on Hanxiu Peak, but the outer edges only had basic warning and concealment functions. True defensive arrays were limited to the main peak.

After weighing it all, he decided to entrust Bai Zichen to Bai Ying’s parents, both mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators who could protect him and stall for time until the patrol squads arrived.

And to further bolster Bai Zichen’s safety, he stuffed him with a pouch full of talismans.

People say the cultivation world is cold and ruthless, that friends, clanmates, even Dao companions and masters may betray one another for profit. But from this uncle, Bai Zichen truly felt genuine care.

After final instructions and a few words with Bai Ying’s parents, Bai Jiu’an left in haste. Watching his departing figure, Bai Zichen’s heart grew heavy.

He worried for his uncle’s uncertain future, fretted over his own weak cultivation, and felt lost amid the storm brewing around the Bai clan.

For someone like him, born into a cultivation family, once that protection was lost, his future would be no different from the lowest loose cultivators, drifting through the rain with no place to call home.

(Chapter End)