Chapter Twenty: The Mystery of the Spiritual Root

During this time, Ji Mo had tried countless times to call upon the Peony Fairy, but the fairy showed not the slightest response. Ji Mo was both exasperated and helpless. When she had joined the sect, it was still early summer, but now in the mortal realm, winter had already arrived. However, Thunder Peak was shrouded in mist and cloud all year round, making every season like spring, so there was little difference between winter and summer.

On this day, Ji Mo wore a pale green dress, her hair styled into two adorable maid’s buns atop her head. Her delicate and lovely face was clouded with worry as she sat in a daze on a rock at the edge of a cliff.

“Are you troubled because you can’t draw spiritual energy into your body?” After months of silence, the voice of the Peony Fairy suddenly echoed in Ji Mo’s mind.

Overjoyed, Ji Mo was about to speak when the Peony Fairy’s voice cut her off: “Don’t speak aloud. Just think; I can sense your thoughts.”

“Very well, Fairy Elder. You once said I was quite gifted. Judging by how my master and the others treat me, I believe I truly am talented. But why is it that, after more than five months in the sect, I still haven’t managed to draw spiritual energy into my body? As far as I know, Thunder Peak recruited a dozen or so new disciples this year. Even the least talented among them completed the process within a month, while the gifted ones—four of them already—have advanced to the first stage of Qi Refining.” Ji Mo’s tone betrayed her anxiety.

“Heh, little girl, didn’t you used to have no interest in cultivating immortality? Why so impatient now?” The Peony Fairy mocked her unhurriedly.

“Fairy Elder, please, enough riddles. It’s true I wasn’t interested before, but now that I’ve set foot on this path—and with my master pouring so much effort into me—I can’t bear to let him down. It doesn’t matter if I become a laughingstock, but how could I drag my master’s name through the mud as well?” Ji Mo replied indignantly.

“Heh, at least you have a conscience. With a conscience, maybe you’ll find some motivation. The reason you can’t draw spiritual energy into your body is because your spiritual roots are sealed,” the Peony Fairy finally revealed, chuckling.

“What? My spiritual roots are sealed? But during the test, it clearly showed I have dual thunder and fire attributes!” Ji Mo was stunned, unable to understand.

“The spiritual roots that were detected aren’t your true roots. But don’t worry—your sealed roots will be unlocked in about a month. You’re still young; starting a few months late won’t hold you back,” the Peony Fairy assured her.

“Really?” Ji Mo was hesitant. After more than five months of repeated failure, she couldn’t help but suspect she was naturally untalented. She feared the fairy would give her hope, only to see it dashed again.

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you? If you were truly talentless, I wouldn’t have chosen to dwell in your body. In fact, you’re not just a dual thunder-fire root, but a rare balanced mutated five-element root. Such talent is uncommon not only in your mid-level cultivation plane but even in the heavens.”

“What puzzles me most is that the person who sealed your roots seemed unaware of your unique constitution. Otherwise, with my current soul strength, I couldn’t break your seal. Tsk, tsk… Your origins are truly intriguing,” the Peony Fairy marveled.

“What do you mean? If they didn’t know I had five-element roots, how could they seal me?” Ji Mo was confused.

“It’s not that they didn’t know you had five elements, but they didn’t realize you possess the mutated five-element root. They probably thought you had an ordinary five-element root and didn’t want you to pursue the immortal path, so they sealed your spiritual roots. But since you’re actually a rare, fully balanced mutated root, their method couldn’t suppress you for long. With my help, the seal will be undone within a month,” the Peony Fairy explained.

“Is a five-element mutated root really that remarkable?” Ji Mo asked blankly. Despite her failures, she’d learned a lot about the cultivation world and knew that having more roots wasn’t always better.

“Of course it is. Cultivators believe single-attribute roots are superior because it’s rare for those with multiple roots to have each one of high quality. Otherwise, cultivating all five elements together would be far more powerful than a single attribute. Just look at you—if you hadn’t tested as a dual thunder-fire mutant, your master wouldn’t have treasured you so much after five months of no progress,” the Peony Fairy replied with a hint of annoyance.

Ji Mo considered this and found it reasonable. The Peony Fairy, in her sea of consciousness, rolled her eyes and continued, “People like you are called Five-Element Spiritual Bodies. Wherever one appears, in any cultivation plane, countless top sects will fight to recruit them.”

“Is that true?” Ji Mo had never felt different from anyone else and suspected the Peony Fairy was exaggerating.

“Of course it’s true. What use would I have in lying to you? But being a five-element body isn’t all benefit—cultivating all five elements naturally slows your progress. No matter how gifted you are, your speed won’t match that of a single-attribute mutant,” the Peony Fairy said, changing her tone.

“By single-attribute mutant, you mean those with just one mutated spiritual root?” Ji Mo pressed.

“Yes. Single-attribute mutants aren’t as rare as five-element ones, but even in your cultivation plane, they’re hard to find,” said the Peony Fairy.

“Well, I won’t overthink it. As long as I’m not so hopeless that I can’t even draw spiritual energy into my body, that’s enough. As for cultivation speed, so be it if I’m a bit slower. After all, immortals live long lives—what’s the rush?” Once Ji Mo was certain she’d soon succeed, her anxious heart finally calmed.

As long as she wouldn’t bring shame to her master and herself before the whole sect, she was content. She cared little for the pace of her progress—her lazy nature immediately resurfaced.

The Peony Fairy in her sea of consciousness couldn’t help but sigh to the heavens. She wondered whether her choice to reside in Ji Mo’s body was a blessing or a curse. Ji Mo’s talent was undeniable, but her lack of drive was worrying. The path of immortality was fraught with hardship—could someone so unmotivated ever walk the supreme road? The Peony Fairy was deeply doubtful and concerned.

“Fairy, since I’m a Five-Element Spiritual Body, does that mean I must cultivate five different attribute techniques at once?” Ji Mo asked again, interrupting the fairy’s doubts.

“Of course. But don’t worry about the techniques. Once you’ve succeeded in drawing spiritual energy into your body, I’ll help you complete the other four,” the Peony Fairy replied, shaking off her wistful thoughts.

“I only need three more. Thunder Peak has thunder and fire techniques. Once I succeed, I’ll have my master teach me the True Flame Codex as well,” Ji Mo said.

“Hmph, the Profound Thunder Art is acceptable, but the True Flame Codex is unnecessary,” the Peony Fairy sniffed disdainfully.

“You look down on the True Flame Codex but approve of the Profound Thunder Art? My master said the Profound Thunder Art’s origins are mysterious and it might only be an incomplete text. Now you too think it’s extraordinary—could it really have a remarkable origin?” Ji Mo was surprised.

“Of course. The Profound Thunder Art is from the heavens…” the Peony Fairy blurted out instinctively.

“The Profound Thunder Art comes from the heavens?” Ji Mo’s jaw dropped. Fortunately, at this moment, she was alone on the peak—otherwise, her expression would have made others think she’d gone mad from failed cultivation.

“Ahem, don’t ask about this for now. Just remember, the Profound Thunder Art is an exceptionally rare thunder technique,” the Peony Fairy said, realizing her slip and quickly covering it up.

“Wait, Fairy, let’s make a deal. Since you know the Profound Thunder Art’s origin, could you help complete the ninth layer of the technique…” Ji Mo rolled her eyes skyward, about to tease her, but recalling her master’s expression when discussing the Profound Thunder Art, she quickly changed to a wheedling tone.

“Hmph, you’ve got quite the nerve. Even if I could help you complete the ninth layer, what excuse would you use to give it to your master?” The Peony Fairy saw right through Ji Mo’s intentions and snorted heavily.