With such stringent requirements, it was uncertain how many cultivators would be willing to join the Returning Origin Sect. If Li Su were to join, his treatment would undoubtedly be exceptional. Even the Sect Master of the Returning Origin Sect would be willing to take him as a disciple, and Li Su’s aspiration to become an elder in a first-rank Immortal sect was well within reach.
The power of a Sect Master in a first-rank Immortal sect would indeed be formidable. Even geniuses with first-grade spiritual roots would likely be eager to join. However, Li Su had his reasons for not wanting to do so. He wasn’t a true Immortal Spiritual Root holder, as the true holder was his master. His current spiritual root was still a fifth-grade one. The Returning Origin Sect, as a first-rank Immortal sect, likely had comprehensive tools for assessing spiritual roots, and they could detect both unique and Immortal Spiritual Roots.
Revealing himself in such a test would only complicate matters and raise suspicions unnecessarily. Furthermore, Li Su’s growth didn’t rely on self-cultivation, and his unique advancement pattern made it useless to him, even if the head of a sacred place personally invited him.
Li Su preferred to lead a peaceful life, marry, have children, and nurture exceptional offspring while leveling up relaxedly. He hadn’t even taken in all the outstanding female cultivators in the Northern Region yet.
“Fellow Taoist Li, to be honest, recommending talents like you to join the Returning Origin Sect is also beneficial for me. Over the years, I’ve occasionally encountered some outstanding super-genius individuals with exceptional spiritual roots that I couldn’t nurture myself. I’ve sent them to the Returning Origin Sect, and in return, I’ve received benefits from the sect as well.”
Bihai sighed, “It’s an unavoidable situation. It may take thousands of years for the Northern Region to regain its former glory.”
“Fellow Taoist Li, it’s perfectly fine if you’re unwilling to go. This is just an invitation. Additionally, if the Returning Origin Sect learns some information about you, they might send someone to invite you as well,” Bihai explained, laying out the situation. After he finished, he looked at Li Su, waiting for his response.
Li Su pondered momentarily and said, “Elder Bihai, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I currently have no plans to leave the Northern Region.”
This response did indeed disappoint Bihai somewhat. “It’s alright, it’s alright,” he said, quickly moving past the matter without harboring any resentment.
Li Su continued to seek advice from Bihai and gained a better understanding of the situation around the Northern Region, particularly the surrounding areas.
“Fellow Taoist Li, there’s one more matter concerning my daughter…” Bihai began. At this point, Bihai hesitated for a moment before bringing up another matter.
“Honestly, my daughter, Bi Luo, has deep feelings for you, Fellow Taoist Li. She is wholeheartedly determined to marry you. As for the formalities…”
Bihai paused again, as this was his greatest concern.
During this time, he had gained a thorough understanding of Li Su. Undoubtedly, learning about Li Su’s rapid progression despite having many concubines broadened Bihai’s perspective. He now had a clearer grasp of Li Su’s exceptional talent. However, there was a dilemma. His daughter, Bi Luo, was deeply committed to marrying Li Su and had even confronted her father about it.
The main issue was that Bi Luo didn’t seem to care about the formalities of being a wife or a concubine. Bihai was in the Nascent Soul stage, adding complexity to the situation. Being in the Nascent Soul stage, even within the Central Plains or a prestigious sect like the Returning Origin Sect, commanded respect and admiration. Having a daughter who was a Nascent Soul expert willing to become someone else’s concubine was something Bihai couldn’t instinctively accept, even if the other person was also in the Nascent Soul stage.
However, he felt that if he were to mediate and negotiate with Li Su to secure a formal wife or concubine status for his daughter, it might not be well-received. It was a delicate matter, and Li Su might not agree. Li Su wasn’t an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator who had achieved his stage through sheer age and time. He was a young Nascent Soul cultivator, just over 200 years old.
Comparatively, when Bihai broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, he was already over 2,000 years old, nearing 3,000 years old. Bihai’s spiritual roots weren’t particularly outstanding. They were not of the fourth rank but of the fifth rank. Such spiritual roots had made it difficult for him to achieve the Foundation Establishment stage even in his time at the Peak of Hopeful Immortality sect.
Bihai had indeed been forcibly propelled to the Nascent Soul stage. He felt he couldn’t progress any further, having exhausted all his strength and luck to reach Nascent Soul. Initially from a subsidiary sect of the Returning Origin Sect, he had managed to enter the sect through his efforts but still didn’t receive much recognition.
It was during a journey to the Northern Region in search of opportunities that he unexpectedly obtained an ancient Immortal sect’s inheritance, which enabled him to achieve the Nascent Soul stage. Indeed, such situations were not uncommon in the cultivation world. Even those with exceptional spiritual roots might not be able to progress successfully. These were especially true for individuals who advanced too quickly, became overly arrogant, and neglected their character development, which could result in unstable foundations and the invasion of inner demons.
Inner demons were indeed a formidable challenge and could not be avoided solely based on having outstanding spiritual roots. Back when he was the sect leader, Bihai himself came close to falling victim to inner demons. He had lived for many years and witnessed numerous talents whose promising futures were cut short due to inner demons. Some faced minor setbacks, while others lost their lives.
Bihai’s achievement of the Nascent Soul stage with his fifth-rank spiritual roots didn’t diminish the importance of spiritual roots. At his age, having lived for several thousand years, his spiritual roots were limiting his further progress. Compared to Bihai, Li Su was indeed extraordinary.