Ye Qin inwardly marveled at the sheer influence the Purple Sword Palace commanded, capable of gathering so many Core Formation realm cultivators from various Immortal Palaces. He wandered through the main hall of the Purple Sword Palace, spotting only a few familiar Core Formation cultivators he had met before—Zhou Yao, Liao Xiaoji, and the plump fellow Jin—but no other recognizable faces. Not wishing to interact with those three, he quietly settled in a remote corner of the hall, releasing his spiritual sense to eavesdrop on the high-pitched discussions of the assembled cultivators, both inside and outside the hall, debating the Immortal Dao.

After several hours, he had indeed heard quite a few novel and interesting matters, which greatly broadened his horizons.

Inside the hall, an elderly Core Formation cultivator presented a strange, third-tier multicolored spirit mushroom. He had spent decades combining more than ten different varieties of first-tier spirit mushrooms—fire, water, earth, and various hybrids—finally concocting this bizarre specimen, which he displayed with a sense of triumph before dozens of Core Formation cultivators, drawing gasps of amazement. There was actually such a miraculous method to induce mutation in spirit herbs. Although these low-tier spirit mushrooms had little practical use, their rarity made them exceptionally unique.

Ye Qin’s heart quickened, and he couldn't help but drift closer, listening with rapt attention.

Ye Qin did not recognize most of the Core Formation cultivators in the hall. However, quite a few there knew his name because of his participation in the Island Seizing Assembly, occasionally murmuring brief discussions about him. Yet, they weren't debating him, but rather praising his exceptionally rare Core Formation Skeleton Demon.

Hearing this, Ye Qin felt a mixture of laughter and frustration. Unexpectedly, his Core Formation Skeleton Demon had gained more renown than he had.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the appointed hour for the gathering's commencement finally arrived.

A cultivator clad in a green robe emerged from the main hall. His calm gaze swept over the Core Formation cultivators gathered outside, signaling for silence. Instantly, the crowd hushed.

"It is my utmost honor to invite all you Daoist Friends to attend the Purple Sword Palace's annual Immortal Cultivation Gathering!"

Ye Qin froze momentarily, instantly recognizing the man. Half a year ago, during the Island Seizing Assembly, it was this Nascent Soul stage cultivator who had served as the mediator. Furthermore, his mediation had been remarkably impartial, showing no favoritism toward any Core Formation cultivator.

He had never imagined that this unassuming, seemingly unremarkable middle-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, who betrayed no hint of his power, was actually the Palace Master of the Purple Sword Palace.

The cultivator in the green robe continued, "All Daoist Friends know that in ancient times, cultivators from various schools of cultivation shared the tradition of cross-school exchange regarding the Immortal Dao. Many ancient cultivation methods and Immortal Classics of the Cultivation World were compiled through the concerted efforts of numerous ancient cultivators.

"However, as the Cultivation World gradually prospered, with the rise of major cultivation sects and venerable families, the territorial divisions among these powers grew severe. Cultivators began exchanging knowledge only within their own sects and families, and this excellent tradition was gradually lost, severely hindering the propagation of the Immortal Dao. My Purple Sword Palace hosts this grand annual exchange gathering precisely because we hope to inherit the ancient custom, allowing all Daoist Friends to share insights, learn from one another's strengths, and collectively strive toward the Immortal Dao. This gathering will last for nine days in total: the first three days will feature lectures by Nascent Soul stage cultivators. The middle three days will be dedicated to mutual exchange among fellow Daoist Friends. And the final three days will be for the mutual exchange of spiritual materials required for cultivation."

Outside the hall, the Core Formation cultivators watched with fervent anticipation.

In the current East Sea Cultivation World, only a very few ancient Immortal Palaces—those possessing lofty status and long histories—still persisted in hosting these large exchange gatherings unrestricted by family, sect, or Immortal Palace affiliations.

Although gatherings like those hosted by the Purple Sword Palace were, in reality, mostly limited to cultivators from Immortal Palaces with deep ties to the Purple Sword Palace, or relatives, friends, and those with traceable origins connected to them, excluding completely unrelated outsiders, "it was still, after all, a large-scale exchange meeting."

Ye Qin couldn't help but feel exhilarated.

The opportunity to hear esteemed Nascent Soul predecessors discuss the Dao of Immortal Cultivation, and to listen to numerous Core Formation cultivators chat freely about their observations of the Immortal Realm and the doubts encountered during their cultivation journey, allowing him to seek guidance from senior cultivators—such an opportunity was exceptionally rare.

"Now, the Purple Sword Palace will begin by explaining how the external Five Elements spiritual energy is converted into vital energy within a cultivator's body. Following that, True Man Fuyun of the White Cloud Palace will speak on Great Teleportation, spatial stabilization, and ultra-long-distance transmission. True Person Yunmeng of the Guangyu Palace will lecture on the art of Heart Cultivation..."

Seven or eight Nascent Soul cultivators lectured in the main hall of the Purple Sword Palace for three consecutive days, detailing the profound mysteries of the Immortal Dao, leaving the assembled Core Formation cultivators outside completely captivated, unaware of the passage of time.

Ye Qin diligently listened for the full three days. Many previously obscure points suddenly became clear to him.

What astonished him most was not the mysteries of the Immortal Dao itself, but the fact that these Nascent Soul cultivators held absolutely nothing back, openly imparting insights into the Immortal Dao that they had spent decades or even centuries researching, sharing them with this group of Core Formation cultivators.

Was this the ancient custom?

Recalling the countless ancient cultivators tens of thousands of years ago, gathering together to discuss the Immortal Dao without reservation, their foresight and broad-mindedness were far beyond what their subsequent generations could match.

If it were not for the vision and magnanimity of those ancient cultivators, how could the later generations of cultivators flourish and grow strong, how could they have wrestled the East Sea islands away from the Demon Race and established a foothold in this East Sea?

The shock in Ye Qin's heart was considerable.

After the three days of opening lectures by the Nascent Soul cultivators concluded, the attendees moved on to exchanging and sparring insights on the Immortal Dao.

"Senior Zhou! I apologize for failing to recognize your esteemed identity during the Island Seizing Assembly; please forgive my oversight, Senior."

Ye Qin was sitting on the ground outside the hall, listening to several Core Formation cultivators holding forth, when he suddenly saw the cultivator in the green robe approaching him. He quickly rose and bowed respectfully. This respect came from a sincere place, not merely because the man was a Nascent Soul cultivator or the Palace Master of the Purple Sword Palace. This Palace Master was modest in appearance, revealing nothing of his power, making it almost impossible to sense his Nascent Soul status, yet he possessed the broad spirit of upholding the ancient ways. Regardless, this alone was enough for Ye Qin to look up to him.

"No matter."

The cultivator in the green robe’s expression was placid, and he smiled faintly. "My great-granddaughter was a bit willful; I was worried she might not have delivered the invitation, and Junior Martial Nephew Ye wouldn't be able to attend. You have been listening here for three days; do you have any questions?"

Ye Qin considered for a moment and then said, "Senior, I do have one unresolved query."

"Speak your mind!"

"I cultivate the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra (Zuo Wang Jing). I have only managed to collect the Preliminaries, Upper, Middle, and Lower Chapters, up to the Core Formation stage. I have searched many Immortal Scripture bookshops and pavilions, but I cannot find the Nascent Soul stage cultivation method. I wonder if Senior knows where I might locate the Nascent Soul chapter of the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra? Although my cultivation has just entered the Core Formation stage, I wish to find the Nascent Soul method, as I might need it in the future."

The cultivator in the green robe did not mock Ye Qin for thinking of the Nascent Soul stage so early; instead, he pondered deeply before responding, "I know a little about this Sitting in Oblivion Sutra. This ancient Immortal Classic is rarely practiced by East Sea cultivators now. To my knowledge, the very first batch of cultivation manuals compiled by a large group of ancient cultivators included the initial stages of the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra. Initially, they compiled the Preliminaries chapter for Martial Artists, and for Immortal Cultivators, the Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Core Formation stages—which constitute the Upper, Middle, and Lower chapters. However, when they reached the point of compiling the Nascent Soul chapter after the Core Formation stage, sharp disagreements arose among the ancient cultivators regarding the necessary path of cultivation.

"The divergence in opinions was too great to continue compiling in unison, so the collaborative compilation halted at the Core Formation chapter. Consequently, neither the Central Plains nor the East Sea Cultivation World possesses a formal Nascent Soul chapter for the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra."

"If there is no Nascent Soul stage method, how does one proceed with refinement afterward?"

Ye Qin was startled.

The cultivator in the green robe chuckled, "That is simple; there are three viable methods.

"One is to directly abandon the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra and switch to another established cultivation method. However, since you have cultivated up to the Core Formation stage, your meridians have adapted over the long years to the circulation process of this specific technique. Switching midway to another method might cause meridian incompatibility, which may not be beneficial. Moreover, the parts of the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra compiled by those ancient cultivators—aside from a slight flaw in the Foundation Establishment chapter—are all superb; few other Immortal Classics might compare. Since you have already overcome the flaw in the Foundation Establishment chapter, there is no need to switch to another technique now.

"The second is to find an ancient Nascent Soul stage cultivator and have them transmit the method to you. However, finding an ancient Nascent Soul cultivator is likely beyond even my capability. It would require immense fortune, perhaps only achievable through finding their relics. The probability of locating the Nascent Soul chapter from such sources is exceedingly low.

"These first two methods are not very feasible. I do not recommend you attempt them."

"Then what is the third?"

Ye Qin’s heart stirred. Since the Purple Sword Palace Master did not recommend the first two, the third method must be the only remaining option.

The cultivator in the green robe said calmly, "The third is to create your own cultivation method. After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, those ancient cultivators all practiced independently; every ancient cultivator's method differed from the others. You are already a Core Formation cultivator; your lifespan is vast, and your experience in cultivation is gradually accumulating. You have ample time to consider creating your own method. Understand that after the Core Formation stage, virtually every great master who achieves Nascent Soul enlightenment has forged their own cultivation technique. Only a self-created method will be the most perfectly suited for one's own cultivation."

"Create my own method!?"

Ye Qin's heart trembled, and he gazed at the cultivator in the green robe in astonishment. He had never considered this possibility before.

The cultivator in the green robe nodded, "Correct. It is good that you are mentally prepared for this. You still require a very long time to cultivate from the first layer of the Core Formation stage to the ninth layer; there is no need to rush this. However, I summoned you today for another matter, to ask if you are willing."

"Please speak!" Ye Qin replied.

"Junior Martial Nephew Ye, having reached the Core Formation stage purely as a rogue cultivator must mean you possess firm willpower and diligent practice. Furthermore, originating from the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, and primarily using the Southern Bright Flame Sword as your main artifact, you share a very strong affinity with my Purple Sword Palace. I think highly of you. Are you willing to join my Purple Sword Palace? You must understand that without the backing of an Immortal Palace in the East Sea, many matters become inconvenient."

The cultivator in the green robe spoke plainly.

"Join the Purple Sword Palace?"

Ye Qin was taken aback by the sudden invitation from the cultivator in the green robe. Even if he practiced diligently, there was no shortage of such dedicated cultivators in the Immortal World; there seemed little reason for the Palace Master to personally invite him.

A faint light flickered in the cultivator in the green robe's eyes as he appraised Ye Qin. He smiled faintly, "Junior Martial Nephew Ye, if I am not mistaken, five types of spiritual energy are intertwined within your spiritual meridians—you must possess the Five Spiritual Roots? Your Five Spiritual Roots were originally considered the least promising in the Cultivation World, leading to the slowest and most arduous cultivation.

"Yet, you chose the Sitting in Oblivion Sutra, and you managed to become a Core Formation cultivator. Having finally attained the Core Formation cultivation, if you do not join my Purple Sword Palace to cultivate our unique Grand Five Elements Sword Formation, it would be a tremendous waste of your Five Spiritual Roots. My Purple Sword Palace has not seen a true Grand Five Elements Sword Formation in several millennia."