Clan Immortal Cultivation: I Can See Hints

Qingxuan Mountain is located in Qingzhou, deviating from the Qingyun Mountain ranges and situated within Zhao Kingdom.

It towers into the clouds, its peak beyond the sight of the naked eye, and is also the largest mountain in Qingzhou.

At the foot of Qingxuan Mountain, vegetation is lush and the forest dense, while the summit is perpetually covered with ice and snow, cold as the depths of winter. Just Qingxuan Mountain alone lets one experience all four seasons.

Lin Shiming followed behind Lin Xianzhi, looking at the giant peak in front of him, feeling an instant of reverence, as if looking upon a divine mountain.

Whereas he felt like a mere grain of sand in the ocean, an ephemeral mayfly in the grand scheme of things.

"At the foot of Qingxuan Sect, there is the Ascending Immortal Ladder with 108 steps. Only by climbing it can you reach the location of the Sect!" Lin Xianzhi spoke while walking ahead.

As he spoke, he took the lead and walked forward, only to see a ladder reaching to the heavens laid out in front of both of them.

On the ladder, there were many cultivators slowly making their way up, walking up the mountain just like mortals, which Lin Shiming found quite novel.

"This Ascending Immortal Ladder is one of the foundations of the Qingxuan Sect. All Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivators must not fly up but are required to climb step by step. The profundity of the steps, you will understand as soon as you try!" Lin Xianzhi explained by his side, then waved his hand, indicating for Lin Shiming to go up and try.

Lin Shiming did not hesitate, nodding his head before moving forward.

However, as soon as he stepped on the first stair, he felt a sudden increase in gravity, causing his Spiritual Power to falter and then begin to dissipate.

"What is this!" Lin Shiming exclaimed in shock, quickly stepping back.

Gravity was a minor concern, but if the well-cultivated Spiritual Energy dissipated, that would mean several years of cultivation wasted.

Yet, what was miraculous was that as soon as Lin Shiming stepped back, the Spiritual Energy was restored, and the previous sensation of gravity and pressure vanished without a trace. If it weren't for the fact that his Spiritual Power seemed to have condensed slightly, he would definitely have thought it was all an illusion.

"Does this ladder have the effect of condensing cultivation techniques?" Lin Shiming said, somewhat surprised.

"Indeed, the Ascending Immortal Ladder does have the effect of condensing cultivation techniques, but non-disciples of our Sect have only one chance to experience it. The second time they climb the ladder, they will only feel the pressure of gravity without any advancement in their techniques.

This is also a reward the Qingxuan Sect, a Golden Core Sect, provides to all the families and Loose Cultivators who come to pay their respects!" Lin Xianzhi introduced at the side, clearly having come here countless times before.

Having heard this, Lin Shiming also understood the rationale behind it—it was a carrot and a stick to make one more fearful and respectful of the Sect.

"Continue to climb, and you can use the Qing Mu Art to perform the Minor Circulation cultivation, controlling your Spiritual Energy to prevent it from dissipating too quickly. I will protect you while you do so!" Lin Xianzhi suggested once more.

Lin Shiming was not shy; he took a deep breath and stepped onto the Ascending Immortal Ladder once again, this time prepared and no longer panicking.

With a focused mind and calm breath, the Qing Mu Art began to circulate within his body. The running of the Minor Circulation was not as smooth as usual.

After all, the vast gravity was a significant resistance to him, and it was only after trying for ten breaths that Lin Shiming managed to complete the smooth circulation of the Minor Circulation.

Spiritual Energy was dissipating on one side and reconvening on the other.

Lin Shiming continued to ascend the ladder.

A stairway that could usually be climbed in a few minutes, at this moment took Lin Shiming an entire hour just to climb seventy-two steps.

By that time, his face was covered in sweat.

Beyond that, most of his Spiritual Energy had dissipated, with more incessantly continuing to fade.

And when Lin Shiming reached the hundred and tenth step, he felt his entire body weaken, his Spiritual Energy dissipating to an extreme point, with only the Spiritual Energy from the initial operation of the Qing Mu Art's Minor Circulation remaining.

With the final step taken, all his Spiritual Energy was restored, and the gravity was released.

I only felt as if my whole body were as light as a soaring swan, with my spiritual energy condensed as solid as iron.

Lin Shiming was also astonished to discover that the amount of spiritual energy within his body had increased a bit; just this minor step in cultivation was equivalent to half a month of arduous practice.

In an instant, the vastness of the Qingxuan Sect expanded a few more degrees in Lin Shiming's heart.

The Golden Core Sect truly was incredible, capable of turning decay into a miracle.

Aside from his admiration, Lin Shiming also turned back to look at the other cultivators, among whom were some family elders leading their young descendants up the mountain to practice, deepening his feelings once more.

This visit to the Qingxuan Sect alone, with just this gain, had already left him extremely satisfied.

Indeed, a single elder in the family is equivalent to a treasured resource; how could a common loose cultivator encounter such an opportunity.

"Not bad, in just two hours, you've ascended the Ascending Immortal Ladder. Your level of spiritual energy condensation and perseverance are no less than that of an exceptionally good Sect disciple!" Lin Xianzhi was clearly extremely satisfied, unable to resist praising him by his side.

"Uncle, you flatter me too much; just a single stretch of stairs has left me utterly disheveled. Truly, the word 'good' doesn't apply to me!" Lin Shiming replied with a wry smile. After ascending the ladder, Lin Shiming had actually come to understand his own shortcomings: his physique was weak and his spiritual power was not condensed enough.

Considering that the Qing Mu Art is known for its condensation of spiritual energy, this was indeed unacceptable.

"Young man, there's no need to be overly modest. Three years ago, Yu Qing brought Shijie here and it was much the same!" Lin Xianzhi's following words made Lin Shiming quite stunned—it turned out his elder brother had also been here, and what was most surprising was that his speed was even slower than his, a Third Spirit Root.

In a flash, an image of his big brother huffing and puffing as he climbed the ladder appeared in Lin Shiming's mind.

"Let's go, we're now headed to the Sect's outer reception area to meet with your master!"

After walking another hundred metres or so along the stone-paved pathway, they finally reached the reception area of the Qingxuan Sect.

The Qingxuan Sect's reception area was a great hall, from the signboard at the entrance to the thresholds of the pavilions, all imposing and grand, with dragon carvings and ornate decorations, extremely sumptuous.

Several disciples wearing Qingxuan Sect's Taoist robes were receiving various loose cultivators and families one after another.

Most loose cultivators were looking to pass the Qingxuan Sect's tests to see if they could instantly rise to become Sect disciples, whereas the family scions were largely like the Lin Family at this moment, with considerable connections inside the Sect.

After Lin Xianzhi and the others announced their arrival, a Sect disciple threw out a Transmission Talisman to communicate and make arrangements.

Soon, a dedicated cultivator came to lead Lin Shiming and the others towards the inner gates of the mountain.

Their destination was a cluster of purple pavilions; the Zi Xuan Hermit's abode was located there.

Upon reaching the entrance, there was a similarly young disciple in a Taoist robe who appeared to have been waiting for some time.

"Junior brother, the master is inside!"

"Thank you very much, senior brother!" Lin Xianzhi bowed his hands in thanks, then took out a small jug of second-rank superior grade Spiritual Wine from his Storage Bag and handed it to the latter.

"Junior brother, what is this?"

"Senior brother has shown considerable attention to junior brother in the past, and as I haven't paid my respects for thirty years, I specially brought a small jug of wine as an apologetic gift. I hope senior brother won't find it lacking." The other party finally accepted it, his nose twitching uncontrollably, his smile growing even wider on his face.

Lin Xianzhi then continued to lead Lin Shiming into the hall.

Upon entering, Lin Shiming quickly saw an old man in a purple robe, with an air of grace and white hair flowing like silver.

"Disciple with his offspring pays respects to master!" Lin Xianzhi gave a formal bow, and Lin Shiming also immediately said:

"Shiming pays respects to Zi Xuan Hermit!"