Chapter 12
Baek-Cheong spent the next few days floundering in the sweet quagmire known as the Nameless Forum.
Her highly Provocative Post about consuming a Top-grade Medicinal Pill to achieve Spiritual Root Growth had struck a nerve with countless Dao Friends.
The relentless barrage of mocking and critical replies supplied Baek-Cheong with an endless stream of dopamine.
She squandered most of her days lying on her bed, forum-surfing, and pushing her Training to the back burner.
“Young Lady, the Clan Head is calling for you in the Inner Hall.”
Only after hearing the maidservant’s voice did Baek-Cheong reluctantly withdraw her Divine Sense from the Nameless Forum.
It was a rare day for her to gather intimately with her parents for a meal in the Inner Hall of the Family Head’s Hall.
Baek-Cheong adjusted her Attire and headed to the Inner Hall with light steps.
Her father and mother were already seated in the Inner Hall.
Instead of Delicacies, the dining table was set with neat and simple spiritual meals.
It was a perfect atmosphere for the Family to chat and share stories comfortably.
“Cheong-A, come here. Is Refining your realm going smoothly?”
Her mother smiled affectionately and pulled Baek-Cheong by the hand.
Baek-Cheong responded with a bright smile and sat in her designated Seat.
“Yes, mother. I’m taking it easy and slowly Refining my energy.”
“Good, that’s a wise thought. The Five Elements Mutual Generation is such a dangerous path, so you must always be careful.”
As the meal began, the topic naturally shifted to Baek-Cheong’s older brothers.
“A letter arrived last night from our Eldest Son in the Flying Cloud Sect.”
Her father spoke after taking a sip of warm spiritual tea.
The Flying Cloud Sect was one of the massive great sects in the Cultivation World, backed by a Soul Transformation Old Ancestor.
The Eldest Son of the Baek Clan had been recognized for his dual-element spiritual root aptitude and had entered the Flying Cloud Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple.
“It seems our Eldest Son has distinguished himself even among the Inner Sect Disciples and caught the eye of an elder. The elder expressed a desire to take him in as a True Disciple.”
“Oh my, isn’t that wonderful news? If he becomes a True Disciple, he’ll be able to receive the Sect’s Secret Art.”
Despite her mother’s joy, her father’s expression wasn’t very bright.
Her father set down his chopsticks and let out a heavy sigh.
“The problem is that the elder’s realm is merely at the Early Golden Core Stage. In a Great Sect like the Flying Cloud Sect, the position of a True Disciple under a Golden Core elder is practically a hollow title.”
Her grandfather, the Supreme Clan Head Baek Mu-Ae, was a solid bedrock at the Mid Golden Core Stage, even in the Yeonha Baek Clan alone.
Even her father, the Clan Head Baek Mu-Jin himself, had reached the Late Foundation Establishment Stage at an early age and was in a promising state where his Core Formation was half-guaranteed.
There was absolutely no reason to bow and scrape under an Early Golden Core Stage elder.
“I see. But the Flying Cloud Sect is a Great Sect backed by a Soul Transformation Old Ancestor. It’s a real headache since flatly rejecting the elder’s offer and hastily distancing ourselves put us in an awkward position.”
Her mother also recognized the gravity of the situation and wore an expression full of worry.
In the Cultivation World, offending a Great Sect was a grave matter that could threaten the very survival of a Clan.
“Do not worry too much. There is a special friendship built over many years between our Baek Clan’s Old Ancestor and the Flying Cloud Sect’s Old Ancestor. Furthermore, with the recent rampant movements of the demonic Great Sects, it is a time when the Flying Cloud Sect must preserve its strength. They won’t carelessly touch our Yeonha Baek Clan over a light refusal. I have already sent word to our Eldest Son to politely decline.”
At her father’s firm decision, her mother nodded in relief.
The topic of conversation naturally moved on to the other siblings.
The Second Son and Third Son showed exceptional Talent in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation - specifically Formation and talismans - rather than in Training.
Currently, they have left the Clan to wander and hone their skills, serving renowned masters as their masters in their respective fields.
“The second and third boys have also been regularly sending their regards along with quite useful news. They must be suffering a lot out there, so it’s truly commendable.”
As the updates on her brothers concluded, her parents' gazes simultaneously turned toward Baek-Cheong.
“As for our daughter…”
Baek Mu-Jin stroked his chin and began to speak.
Since Baek-Cheong’s Spiritual Root Examination was over, deciding her future Residence and Training direction was an important task for the Clan.
However, Baek-Cheong’s situation was far more complex and difficult than her brothers'.
She was a prodigy among prodigies who had awakened the Five Elements Mutual Generation on her own and shattered the wall to 2nd-Stage Qi Condensation in a single breath.
Based purely on Talent, she was undoubtedly a genius whom any Great Sect in the Cultivation World, including the Flying Cloud Sect, would welcome with open arms.
But externally, Baek-Cheong had received the Five Elements Spirit Root Judgment, the absolute worst Trash Talent.
Thanks to her strictly gagging the Clan Members, her miraculous achievements remained completely unknown to the outside world.
To enter a Great Sect under these circumstances, Baek-Cheong would have to personally prove the miracle of the Five Elements Mutual Generation.
However, the pride of the Yeonha Baek Clan, a Golden Core Clan, would not allow it.
Knocking on the doors of a Great Sect with the tag of a Five Elements Spirit Root, pathetically proving her Talent and begging for admission, would severely damage the Baek Clan’s face.
There was also a high risk of becoming a laughingstock for other clans.
Baek Mu-Jin made complex calculations in his head before looking at Baek-Cheong with a gentle gaze.
“Cheong-A, what do you want to do? Do you perhaps have the desire to go out into the wider world and receive the teachings of a Great Sect? If you wish it, this father will set aside his face and secure a good position for you.”
At the sudden question, Baek-Cheong jumped internally.
Entering a Great Sect swarming with strict rules and preachy elder-like venerable masters would spell the end of her forum-surfing life.
It was obvious she would be forced into Training all day long, unable to secure even a moment to log into the Nameless Forum.
Baek-Cheong quickly teared up and faked her most pitiful, innocent voice.
“I don’t want to. I don’t want to go to a scary place like a Great Sect. I just want to stay here and be with father and mother for a long, long time.”
At their young daughter’s pure and affectionate confession, her parents' hearts melted like spring snow.
Her mother’s eyes reddened as she pulled Baek-Cheong into a tight embrace.
“Yes, let’s do that. Our Cheong-Yi shouldn’t go anywhere; stay by this mother’s side for the rest of your life. The Baek Clan’s power alone is enough to raise you into an excellent cultivator.”
Baek Mu-Jin also smiled warmly and gave a firm nod.
His complicated worries vanished at his daughter’s single display of affection like melting snow.
Suddenly recalling an important fact he had forgotten, he lightly clapped his hands.
“Ah, right, I was so busy I couldn’t give you a heads-up beforehand. Soon, the Old Ancestor plans to hold a small banquet exclusively for the Clan Members.”
Having forgotten, he lightly clapped his hands.
At Baek Mu-Jin’s words, Baek-Cheong’s ears perked up.
“A banquet?”
“Yes. Normally, the Old Ancestor is in Secluded Cultivation and rarely hosts gatherings. But this time, he arranged a banquet, saying there was an important matter.”
“A banquet?”
“Yes. Normally, the Old Ancestor is in Secluded Cultivation and rarely hosts gatherings. But this time, he arranged a banquet, saying there was an important matter.”
Outwardly, Baek-Cheong played the part of an innocent child, clapping her hands in delight.
“Wow! How exciting! A banquet hosted by grandfather!”
But Baek-Cheong’s inner thoughts were spinning fiercely in a completely different direction.
This was a gathering where all the elders holding power in the Yeonha Baek Clan would assemble.
Her grandfather, the Golden Core stage Old Ancestor, along with the elders, would all be in one place.
“This is an opportunity!”
Baek-Cheong’s eyes flashed with ambition.
If she could put on a spectacular display of Talent at the banquet and completely captivate the elders, it would be a golden opportunity to sweep up the top-grade spirit medicines and Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures needed for her Spiritual Root Growth.
As soon as the meal ended, Baek-Cheong ran back to her Abode as if fleeing.
She locked the door, sat at her table, and fiercely formulated a plan.
“There are only ten days left until the banquet.”
Because of the late notice, time was tight.
To capture the hearts of the grandfathers, an ordinary display of Talent wouldn’t even come close.
She needed a means to visually and intensely imprint her genius Talent on them.
That meant, without a doubt, the completion of the Five Elements Shield.
Currently, the levels Baek-Cheong can handle are Earth and Water.
It was merely at the level of mixing two energies to form a small, palm-sized defense.
To make the elders' jaws drop, she needed Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal.
She needed to fuse all five energies to deploy a perfect Five Elements Shield.
Furthermore, she had to reach the stage of minor completion where she could wrap the Five Elements Shield around her entire body for it to be considered a perfect display.
“Starting today, the Nameless Forum is banned.”
Baek-Cheong firmly hardened her resolve.
She didn’t even spare a glance at the Nameless Forum that always lingered in her mind.
She sat in the Lotus Position on her bed and meticulously reviewed the Principles of the Five Elements once more.
“Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water.”
The task of drawing the Cycle of Five Elements Mutual Generation outside her Dantian began.
She drew up five colored energies simultaneously above her palm.
Clusters of blue, green, red, brown, and golden light formed in the air, trembling precariously.
“Mix!”
Baek-Cheong squeezed out her spiritual energy, attempting to forcefully balance the Five Elements Qi.
However, the Five Elements Qi began to sway unstably before vanishing with a fizzle.
“As expected… it’s not easy.”
But Baek-Cheong’s gaze did not waver.
She analyzed the cause of her failure and immediately moved on to the next attempt.
The problem was that the Fire Element was too strong and had burned away the Wood Element.
Finely adjusting the ratio of the energies, she once again manifested the five clusters of light.
.
.
.
And so, her grueling Training continued day and night.
Then, a bizarre phenomenon occurred, starting on the night of the second day.
“Huh?”
The Five Elements Qi that Baek-Cheong drew up began to fuse naturally above her palm, like interlocking gears.
The Cycle of Five Elements Mutual Generation, which was already perfectly established inside her Dantian, exerted a powerful influence on the energies emitted outside.
The Flow of Mutual Generation remembered by her body forcibly corrected the Deployment of the Technique/Spell.
The Five-Colored energies blended smoothly, taking the form of a round shield emitting a brilliant light.
She was able to complete a perfect Five Elements Shield that combined all the strengths of the five attributes.
“This actually works?”
Baek-Cheong wore a bewildered expression as she looked at the Five Elements Shield wrapped around her hand.
She had succeeded in a matter of days with a Compound Spell that even the most renowned geniuses of the Cultivation World had to dedicate a considerable amount of time to barely form.
It was a manifestation of overwhelming Talent, so absurd that she couldn’t even fathom how it was possible.
“Am I really a genius?”
Baek-Cheong let out a Hollow Laugh as she looked down at her palm.
In truth, the experience she had accumulated from constantly browsing the Nameless Forum played a huge role in this miraculous achievement.
The miscellaneous knowledge - such as the Training know-how and Qi Control of countless Cultivators pouring out from the Chat Board and Information Board - had been neatly stockpiled in her subconscious.
Even if she had unknowingly dismissed them as nonsense posts and scrolled past, the vast amount of data accumulated in her subconscious acted as perfect feedback during her actual Training.
However, unaware that this was the product of her forum-surfing, Baek-Cheong simply felt proud and marveled at her own accomplishment.
“That’s me for you.”
Now that she had finally established the basic form, she moved on to the stage of minor completion, increasing its size and wrapping it around her entire body.
To wrap the Five Elements Shield around her entire body, her current Spiritual Energy Emission was woefully insufficient.
Pushing the circulation speed of her Dantian to its limit, Baek-Cheong continued her grueling Training day and night to expand the size of the Five Elements Shield.