Chapter 386: Taiyi Green Wood Trace

"An undying body?" "The Taiyi Greenwood Mark?" Zhou Yuan mulled over the information in his mind, unable to suppress his surprise. "What an audacious claim," he murmured.

Despite his words, a look of pleasant surprise appeared in his eyes. He realized that the marks carved on the green plant were, in fact, a Source Art. This particular Source Art was incredibly wondrous. Though its rank was unknown, the fact that Ancestor Cang Xuan had meticulously carved it onto this plant indicated it was clearly unlike the several Mid-grade Heavenly Source Arts Zhou Yuan had previously encountered.

"I want to see just how extraordinary something treated with such reverence by Ancestor Cang Xuan truly is."

Sacred patterns swirled in Zhou Yuan's eyes. As the Source Marks reflected into his pupils, vast and abstruse information began to surface in his mind. After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Yuan finally understood the true nature of the "Taiyi Greenwood Mark."

This was a Source Art personally created by Ancestor Cang Xuan. It was incredibly profound, capable of absorbing the Wood Qi of the heavens and earth to form a specific mark within the human body, known as the Taiyi Greenwood Mark. This Wood Qi, as it was called, was found in numerous ancient and mystical trees. The older the tree, the greater its concentration of Wood Qi.

Once the Taiyi Greenwood Mark was imprinted upon the physical body, it wouldn't directly enhance strength or physical prowess. Instead, it would imbue the body with terrifying vitality. It was said that regenerating severed limbs was just the beginning. If cultivated to grand completion, as long as one wasn't instantly turned to dust, the physical body could gradually repair itself from even the most horrific injuries, even if only a head remained. In a certain sense, this could indeed be considered an undying body.

"It's that terrifying?" Zhou Yuan's eyes instantly glowed with fervent excitement, and his breathing became heavier. He had never before encountered such a potent Source Art. To think it could bestow such terrifying vitality upon someone! This was nothing short of a divine art for survival!

No wonder Ancestor Cang Xuan had so solemnly carved the "Taiyi Greenwood Mark" onto this plant. Once mastered, this art would undoubtedly transform its practitioner into an incredibly formidable and difficult opponent in the world. Just imagine the headache of being relentlessly pursued by an opponent who simply refused to die, no matter what attacks you launched.

"What level of Source Art is this?" Zhou Yuan licked his lips. While the Taiyi Greenwood Mark didn't seem to offer much in terms of direct combat strength, its utility might even rival that of a High-grade Heavenly Source Art.

"However... cultivating this 'Taiyi Greenwood Mark' to grand completion won't be easy at all." After an initial surge of excitement, Zhou Yuan gradually regained his composure. To cultivate the "Taiyi Greenwood Mark," the most crucial element was undoubtedly the Wood Qi. The older and rarer an ancient tree, the stronger the Wood Qi it possessed. However, such trees were inherently rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Zhou Yuan couldn't fathom how much Wood Qi he would need to absorb to reach grand completion.

He gazed at the green plant before him, scratching his head with a wry smile. Nevertheless, acquiring the "Taiyi Greenwood Mark" was clearly his destiny, and he wouldn't abandon it simply because it was difficult to cultivate. Taking a deep breath, he promptly placed the green plant into his Qiankun Pouch. Clearly, he had resolved to exhaust every possible method to successfully cultivate the "Taiyi Greenwood Mark."

After putting away the "Taiyi Greenwood Mark," Zhou Yuan took another look at the old house. He then cupped his fist and bowed to the empty space, a gesture of gratitude to Ancestor Cang Xuan for leaving behind this art, which had benefited a fated individual like himself. With these actions complete, he no longer hesitated, turning to push the door open and step outside.

The scene before him shifted once more, and his vision immediately brightened. Zhou Yuan looked up and realized he was standing at the entrance of the Ancient Scripture Pavilion. The large door of the Ancient Scripture Pavilion behind him had closed once more.

Zhou Yuan paused, then shifted his gaze, noticing two figures on the steps outside the entrance. The hunched figure seated with a broom was, of course, Elder Xuan. What truly shocked Zhou Yuan, however, was the handsome, youthful figure standing beside Elder Xuan: none other than Peak Master Ling Jun of Sword-Comes Peak. An influential figure within the Cangxuan Sect, appearing here...

As Zhou Yuan spotted Peak Master Ling Jun, the latter tilted his head slightly, his gaze, deep as a hidden pool, briefly sweeping over him. That single glance sent a tingling sensation through Zhou Yuan's entire body. Peak Master Ling Jun's gaze seemed to contain an incredibly terrifying sword intent; a mere flicker of killing intent from him would likely have been enough to instantly pierce Zhou Yuan.

Fortunately, the sword intent in Peak Master Ling Jun's eyes quickly receded. He turned and walked up to Zhou Yuan, a faint smile on his face. "Zhou Yuan, your talent is exceptional," he said. "Would you be interested in joining our Sword-Comes Peak?"

He extended the invitation directly, with no hint of subtlety. Zhou Yuan felt a touch of awkwardness upon hearing this. Peak Master Ling Jun was remarkably direct.

"Previously, Letian and the others were defeated by you; that was a testament to their own incompetence. I have already punished them all. Given your talent, remaining in Saint Genesis Peak would be quite a waste."

"If you join my Sword-Comes Peak, I guarantee you will become one of the Ten Great Saint Disciples within three years. What do you say?" Peak Master Ling Jun offered.

Zhou Yuan let out a wry chuckle, shaking his head. "Peak Master Ling Jun, I deeply appreciate your kind offer," he replied.

Peak Master Ling Jun's expression remained placid; Zhou Yuan's refusal seemed to cause him no surprise. He merely cast a profound gaze upon Zhou Yuan and asked, "I am rather curious as to why you are so adamant about remaining in the increasingly declining Saint Genesis Peak."

Zhou Yuan's expression remained calm. "I stated this during the sect selection ceremony," he said. "In the Saint Vestige Grounds, I was fortunate enough to receive Ancestor Cang Xuan's legacy. My primary reason for joining the Cangxuan Sect, aside from honoring the Ancestor's past glory, is to help Saint Genesis Peak rise again, as a way of repaying the opportunity he bestowed upon me."

Peak Master Ling Jun fell silent for a moment. On the steps, the elderly Elder Xuan also lifted his aged face, casting a faint glance at Zhou Yuan. "To think even a junior knows the meaning of gratitude," he remarked softly. He then turned to Peak Master Ling Jun, his voice hoarse. "Saint Genesis Peak is rather quiet, unlike the bustling Sword-Comes Peak. You should return early."

Hearing Elder Xuan's words of dismissal, Peak Master Ling Jun's gaze withdrew from Zhou Yuan. He then looked at Elder Xuan, and his form gradually blurred, finally dissipating into thin air.

As Peak Master Ling Jun departed, Zhou Yuan finally let out a deep sigh of relief. Facing the former had exerted immense pressure on him; it was hardly comfortable to be in the presence of someone who seemed capable of determining his life and death with a mere glance. He had genuinely feared that Peak Master Ling Jun, angered by the events of the Purple Sash selection, might simply glare him to death.

Elder Xuan shakily rose to his feet, leaning on his broom. His cloudy eyes fixed on Zhou Yuan. After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "You... entered Master's secluded cultivation grounds?" He paused, then continued, "The contents within... they are beyond the purview of ordinary disciples..."