Chapter 2: Zhao Region
In addition to these five elemental spiritual roots, there are also some mutated spiritual roots, such as the thunder spiritual root, which is a mutation and sublimation of the metal and water dual-attribute spiritual roots, and the wind spiritual root, which is generated from the mutation of the earth and fire dual-attribute spiritual roots. There are also ice spiritual roots, illusion spiritual roots, and others, all referred to as异灵根 (exotic spiritual roots). The probability of these spiritual roots appearing is slightly higher than that of the heavenly spiritual roots. Although cultivators with exotic spiritual roots may be somewhat inferior in cultivation compared to those with heavenly spiritual roots, they are still significantly ahead of other cultivators, especially when practicing corresponding special techniques, their strength often surpasses that of other cultivators at the same level by a considerable margin. Although cultivators with exotic spiritual roots may be somewhat inferior in cultivation compared to those with heavenly spiritual roots, they are still significantly ahead of other cultivators, especially when practicing corresponding special techniques, their strength often surpasses that of other cultivators at the same level by a considerable margin
This baby is Zhao Di. He was brought into the Jian family at a time when they were actively searching for children with spiritual roots to expand their fresh bloodline. Thus, he was raised by the Jian family and became one of them. No one gave him a formal name; he was only known by a nickname, "Wu Gen".
Isn't it just a small, insignificant cultivation family? Isn't it just a single Qi Gathering Pill every month? What is so special about it! Once I leave, I will never return!
According to Jian Han, during a journey back to Nanhua Mountain after completing a family task, he unexpectedly discovered a sleeping infant in a remote wilderness, who also possessed roots. Out of curiosity, he searched the area for half a day but found no other signs of life within a radius of over ten miles, so he had no choice but to take the infant back to the Jian family.
Walking ahead was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old, tall and slightly thin, with a face that could barely be considered handsome. He wore a wrinkled and somewhat yellowed white garment, and at his waist hung a small pouch made of what seemed to be some rare animal hide. As he walked, the boy muttered curses under his breath at the group that had driven him out of the canyon. Perhaps fearing he would be overheard, the content of his curses was likely only clear to him.
"No need, Xin'er. Staying at the Jian family won't lead to any progress in my cultivation. It would be better to venture out; perhaps I might discover some extraordinary spiritual herbs or techniques that could greatly enhance my abilities. Once I achieve significant progress in my cultivation, I will definitely return. You must not be lazy either; don't let your cultivation fall behind mine by then." The young man pouted and made a mocking expression at the young woman.
This youth is Zhao Di, also known as Wu Gen
The Nanhua Jian family is a small cultivation family located in the Jin Yan Kingdom in the southeastern part of the Tian Yuan Continent. Its main area of influence is the Nanhua Mountain Range, which spans over three thousand miles. It is one of the cultivation forces in Gun Prefecture, one of the thirteen states of the Jin Yan Kingdom.
Mortals without spiritual roots cannot sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, let alone cultivate immortality. Moreover, the probability of a mortal's offspring possessing spiritual roots is less than one in ten thousand. However, if one parent is a cultivator, the likelihood of the offspring having spiritual roots significantly increases. If both parents are cultivators, the probability can reach between one quarter and one half. Consequently, cultivators intermarry, forming numerous large and small immortal cultivation families and sects. If one parent is a cultivator, the likelihood of the offspring having spiritual roots significantly increases. If both parents are cultivators, the probability can reach between one quarter and one half. Consequently, cultivators intermarry, forming numerous large and small immortal cultivation families and sects.
Zhao Di was his former name. He was originally a scholar in his twenties from the Great Tang Kingdom, who spent his days studying diligently in a small cottage in the mountains. One day, feeling particularly captivated by the brilliance of the night, he stepped out of his study to admire it, only to be inexplicably struck by a glowing orb resembling a shooting star.
Who would lose to you, how annoying! The girl's little mouth pouted even higher
This is a place called Tianyuan Continent, which is not located on the land where he previously resided. It is known that the Tianyuan Continent is an extremely vast existence, but the specifics of its size are unknown to the Jin family, and no one can clearly describe it. To summarize this continent in one sentence, it can be said to be vast with a sparse population. Of course, this sparsity is relative; due to the immense size of the Tianyuan Continent, even with a low population density, the total number of inhabitants is still quite large.
Wugenge, you must come back early
It is unclear how much time has passed; perhaps it has been decades, or maybe it was merely a dream during an afternoon nap, or perhaps it was a cycle of several lifetimes. His consciousness finally awakened once more, only to find that he had transformed into a newborn infant. Even worse, he no longer knew where he was, as there was not a single person around him.
Although Zhao Di also possesses spiritual roots, they are of the lowest quality. Naturally, the Jin family has never regarded him highly since childhood, and they couldn't even be bothered to give him a proper name, simply calling him "Five Roots." Among the same group of children, there is another child with equally poor spiritual roots, possessing five spiritual roots, who is less than a month younger than Zhao Di. His nickname is even more unflattering, "Little Five Roots."
"Wugenge, are you really going to leave? How about I go plead with the Grand Elder at https://www.hetushu.com to allow you to stay? You have such a talent for talisman crafting; your family must need you," the little girl said, slowly following behind the boy, finally gathering the courage to speak.
On this continent, humanity can be divided into two categories: one is the ordinary mortals, and the other is the cultivators, also known as practitioners, who possess spiritual roots and can engage in cultivation. The latter group is extremely rare, accounting for less than one in a thousand, and they mostly reside in sacred places for cultivation, generally avoiding the mortal world and refraining from participating in its wars and power struggles. As a result, the vast majority of mortals are completely unaware of the existence of cultivators.
However, those with a single attribute spiritual root possess extremely high cultivation talent and can cultivate at an astonishing speed, often reaching very high realms, referred to as heavenly spiritual roots, signifying the favored ones of heaven. Nevertheless, the emergence of such heavenly spiritual roots is exceedingly rare. Not to mention a small cultivation family like the Jian family, even in the Jin Yan Kingdom, which has over a thousand cultivation families and sects of various sizes, the appearance of a heavenly spiritual root occurs only once every few hundred years. Moreover, once a heavenly spiritual root appears, it immediately becomes the target of contention among cultivation forces. Having a cultivator with a heavenly spiritual root is tantamount to securing a future unparalleled expert for one's sect, ensuring the sect's strength remains remarkably stable for a long time. According to rumors, over the past few thousand years, aside from those heavenly spiritual root cultivators in the Jin Yan Kingdom who were assassinated by enemies and met untimely ends, all others have cultivated to realms unimaginable by ordinary cultivators.
Following him was a round-faced little girl with a sweet appearance and snow-white skin. Whether it was the two braids adorned with colorful flowers at the back of her head or the childishness between her brows, her approximate age was unmistakably revealed. At that moment, she was pouting her small lips, and her originally bright and dark eyes had turned slightly red, glistening with tears that seemed ready to spill from her eyes at any moment
... ...
Moreover, when Zhao Di did not even know who his "biological parents" were, he was taken into the Grand Canyon of Nanhua Mountain by a low-level cultivator of the Jian family, Jian Han, and was raised by a cultivation family known as the "Nanhua Jian Family." During this process, Zhao Di finally learned the local language and, after continuous inquiries, gained some understanding of the situation in this new world.
Spiritual roots can generally be divided into five attributes: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, collectively known as the Five Elements. Most cultivators possess spiritual roots that are composed of one or more of these five attributes in a mixed form. Generally speaking, the fewer the types of attributes contained in the spiritual root, the purer the root is, making it easier to sense the corresponding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, thus facilitating faster absorption and cultivation. Mixed spiritual roots with four or five attributes are particularly difficult to cultivate and are referred to as mixed spiritual roots or pseudo-spiritual roots, which belong to a category of poor aptitude. Generally speaking, the fewer the types of attributes contained in the spiritual root, the purer the root is, making it easier to sense the corresponding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, thus facilitating faster absorption and cultivation. Mixed spiritual roots with four or five attributes are particularly difficult to cultivate and are referred to as mixed spiritual roots or pseudo-spiritual roots, which belong to a category of poor aptitude
More than ten years later
In a deep canyon of Nanhua Mountain, where thick clouds linger year-round, a sudden gust of wind swept through, dispersing the dense fog in certain areas and creating a narrow path about one zhang wide, leading directly from the depths of the fog-covered canyon to the exit. If one were to stand here and gaze into the canyon, they would see two figures emerging one after the other from within.
This is his final memory; he only remembers that suddenly there was a bright light before him, and then he lost consciousness
This is because the spiritual root attribute of Zhao is a mixed five spiritual roots that encompasses all five attributes of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, making it the least qualified among all types of spiritual roots
The young girl gazed at the boy's distant figure for a long while, then lowered her head and sighed, turning to walk into the depths of the thick fog
What exactly distinguishes ordinary people from cultivators in terms of spiritual roots is something that no one from the Jian family can provide a clear explanation for. They merely state that spiritual roots are innate, and only those who possess spiritual roots can sense the spiritual energy that exists in the world and draw it into their bodies for cultivation. It is said that the highest realm of cultivation allows one to attain immortality, wield boundless magical power, and achieve eternal life.
Hurry back, we are almost at the exit, I am leaving! The young man suddenly ran a few steps forward and dashed out of the valley entrance, leaving the girl standing there in a daze
After Zhao learned about his spiritual root attributes, he was initially quite dejected for a long time. However, he then became even more determined to embark on the path of cultivation. He believed that diligence could make up for his shortcomings, and he could not accept that, despite having the mind of someone in their twenties, his achievements were still inferior to those of the children around him who were only a few years old. Another factor was his persistent belief that his rebirth as an infant was related to that shooting star-like light orb. Regardless of whether it was a mere coincidence, he wanted to understand what had happened and find a way to return to the Tang Dynasty. If one day he could become the legendary immortal cultivator, possessing the extraordinary abilities to change the heavens and the earth and traverse the boundaries of space, perhaps he would be able to find the answers.