CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 404 STEPFATHER! HONORARY DISCIPLE! _1

Jia Ren looked at Ma Zhongyuan expressionlessly. You’ve been mulling this over for so long just to say that? He was no longer surprised by Ma Zhongyuan’s shamelessness.

"Infant Carps are rare, and even Refining Void Ancestors desire them. Do you think they’re as common as cabbages?"

"If you have the ability, get me two Infant Carps!"

Ma Zhongyuan’s old face flushed red as he hurriedly said, "This thing is too useful... Brother has taken great advantage of you."

"I still have over a dozen Spiritual Treasures bestowed by the Ancestors. You can choose any you like."

It is difficult to change a cultivator’s Spiritual Root Aptitude after birth, and any item that can enhance Spiritual Root Aptitude is a precious treasure sought after by countless cultivators. After years of slaughtering Magical Beasts to near extinction, it was feared that Spirit Beasts capable of enhancing Spiritual Root Aptitude might already be extinct.

"There’s no need for Spiritual Treasures." Jia Ren shook his head, decisively declining. It wasn’t that he had too many Spiritual Treasures and was deliberately snubbing them. These were treasures the Senior Ancestor of the Lingbao Sect used to strengthen ties with Ma Tianbao. Rashly accepting them would surely invite resentment, wouldn’t it? Even if the probability of such a thing happening was only one in ten thousand, he was unwilling to take the risk.

"Brother Jia, come with me to see my godson." After speaking, Ma Zhongyuan pulled Jia Ren along toward the Northern District of the Lingbao Sect.

Huh, wasn’t it on West Mountain? Jia Ren clearly remembered that the Inner Sect Disciples and True Disciples of the Lingbao Sect were located on West Mountain, not in the Northern District.

"You’ll understand when we get there."

Shortly after entering the Northern District, the two seemed to step into another world. This was a continuous mountain range with extremely rich nature’s spiritual energy, and many areas emitted the light of restrictions. From time to time, powerful auras could be sensed moving about.

Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators? Void Refining Stage cultivators? They all had their own Caves.

The treatment afforded to Inner Sect Disciples, Outer Sect Disciples, and True Disciples was not on the same level. The gap between the Northern District and the West District was huge. Though all were Lingbao Sect cultivators, the circles they moved in were vastly separated.

Ma Zhongyuan, riding on his son’s coattails, not only advanced from Protector to Inner Sect Disciple ahead of schedule but also gained a Cave typically reserved only for Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators.

Following Ma Zhongyuan, they occasionally saw beautiful female cultivators casting amorous glances his way.

"Brother Ma, how are you considering my proposal?" A female cultivator, appearing to be around twenty-four or twenty-five and dressed in a palace gown, approached. She had clearly been waiting here for some time. The female cultivator appeared young but was actually skilled in youth-preserving techniques. Her true age was certainly not as simple as her appearance suggested.

"Ahem, let’s talk about it later." Ma Zhongyuan coughed dryly, unwilling to say more.

The female cultivator shot Jia Ren a glare and left with a displeased expression.

Jia Ren seemed to realize something as he looked toward Ma Zhongyuan.

Ma Zhongyuan sensed Jia Ren had seen through his secret and quickly sent a voice transmission, "Ahem, I won’t hide it from you. Ever since Tianbao was born, I don’t know who started it, but some women want to... use me... to produce a genius with top-tier aptitude."

Nascent Soul Stage female cultivators taking the initiative to offer themselves? Using your power to bear top-aptitude progeny? Was this an extra perk of having birthed a Heavenly Treasure Body? Recalling Ma Zhongyuan’s request for Infant Carp soup, Jia Ren understood.

The two continued on their way, eventually stopping before a Cave heavily warded by Formations. The Cave’s Formation was highly complex; with Jia Ren’s current understanding of Formations, he was unable to penetrate its secrets. Without a doubt, the Formation must have been laid out by a master’s hand.

As Jia Ren approached, he faintly sensed several powerful gazes sweep over him. They seemed to confirm he posed no threat before withdrawing their attention. This demonstrated the great importance the Lingbao Sect placed on the Heavenly Treasure Body. If anyone were to harm the Heavenly Treasure Body, they likely wouldn’t leave this place alive.

"Open!" Ma Zhongyuan took out a Token and injected a spell. The Token burst into flecks of golden light and then merged into the Cave entrance. The restriction revealed an opening, and Ma Zhongyuan strode ahead.

"Junior Brother Jia, come in!"

The Cave was immense and quite spacious. The nature’s spiritual energy within was rich. Inside, there was a special nursery and playroom, as well as a Cultivation Room, a Spirit Arts Room, and a guest reception room—all fully furnished.

Li Ruhua was looking after their child, born only a few days ago, her face radiant with a happy smile.

"Greetings, Junior Brother Jia." Li Ruhua nodded in acknowledgment; this was the first time she had spoken to Jia Ren.

"From now on, Brother Jia will be Tianbao’s godfather," Ma Zhongyuan announced.

Godfather? Li Ruhua glanced at Ma Zhongyuan, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Tianbao’s aptitude is astonishing, and his future is limitless. Several Void Refinement Cultivators approached me, wanting to become Tianbao’s godfather," Ma Zhongyuan explained. "One is an Ancestor with deep ties to the Li family, whom I couldn’t easily refuse."

Although the existence of the Heavenly Treasure Body was kept secret from most Sect Disciples, word always gets out. Compared to an ordinary Lingbao Sect cultivator, having a Void Refinement Ancestor as a godfather seemed far more appropriate. Li Ruhua might concede on other matters, but not when it concerned her child’s future.

"In this world, no one is more suitable to be Tianbao’s godfather than Brother Jia," Ma Zhongyuan declared. "Without him, Ma Tianbao wouldn’t exist." Understanding he had to convince Li Ruhua, Ma Zhongyuan revealed the truth. "A year ago, I shamelessly drank Brother Jia’s Infant Carp soup, which allowed Ma Tianbao to be born safely. Brother Jia has done us a great service."

Infant Carp soup? Li Ruhua stared at Jia Ren with a surprised expression. The Infant Carp was an extremely rare Magical Beast, nearly extinct. Encountering one was already a stroke of astonishing luck. She hadn’t expected Jia Ren to offer such a precious item to Ma Zhongyuan, who was merely a Protector at the time. This had also ensured Ma Tianbao’s safe birth and a promising future. For such a great favor, Li Ruhua didn’t know how to repay it. Simply making him godfather seemed too trivial a repayment.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Jia. I apologize," Li Ruhua first bowed to Jia Ren, her face full of shame. She had received such immense kindness, yet she had only been thinking of immediate benefits.

"The Infant Carp was an unexpected find from years ago, and it’s already been consumed by Brother Ma," Jia Ren said. "Please, both of you, help me keep this a secret. I don’t want to attract trouble for myself."

Ma Tianbao possessed exceptional aptitude. If word got out that Jia Ren was the source of this, his Cave entrance would be besieged by visitors. This time, it wouldn’t be Inner Sect Disciples of the Lingbao Sect visiting, but at least Divinity Transformation Stage and Void Refining Stage old powerhouses—individuals Jia Ren couldn’t afford to entertain. Becoming famous might lead to a string of romantic encounters like Ma Zhongyuan’s, but Jia Ren had no interest in such troublesome romantic entanglements.

"We will certainly help you keep it secret," the two of them nodded in assurance, not wanting to cause Jia Ren any trouble.

"Go and see your godson." Ma Zhongyuan picked up the child and handed him to Jia Ren.

Jia Ren reached out and held the baby. Ma Tianbao, his dark eyes wide, gurgled with laughter, as if he understood his parents’ words.

"He is your godfather from now on," Li Ruhua said lovingly as she watched Ma Tianbao.

Ma Tianbao reached out a tiny hand and poked Jia Ren’s cheek. He felt an innate closeness to Jia Ren.

Jia Ren stayed in the Cave for the better part of the day and was treated to a feast of many delicacies. Afterward, they even offered him half of the spiritual endowment they had received as a token of gratitude.

"These are gifts bestowed upon you by the Ancestors; I cannot accept them." Jia Ren, not wanting to invite trouble, firmly refused. "We are all fellow sect members. There will be plenty of opportunities to support each other in the future."

After bidding farewell to Ma Zhongyuan and his wife, Jia Ren started to head off. Before he had taken more than a few steps, a figure in a black robe blocked his path.

Eh, Ancestor Ji Kong? Jia Ren hadn’t expected to encounter the man himself. Has Zhuo Chengdao already informed Ancestor Ji Kong? Is the Ancestor here to personally accept me as his disciple?

Ancestor Ji Kong looked at Jia Ren, his eyes deep. He was one of the Void Refining cultivators secretly guarding Ma Tianbao. This place was extremely important, and every entrant was subject to close scrutiny.

"What business brings you here?" Ancestor Ji Kong spoke, his expression unreadable, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

"I was invited by Brother Ma to become Ma Tianbao’s godfather." This matter was no secret; it wouldn’t take long for the Lingbao Sect to become aware of it.

Ma Tianbao’s godfather? Ancestor Ji Kong opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words. You little rascal, dare to compete with me for a godson?! He couldn’t very well make things difficult for a junior. Ancestor Ji Kong said nothing, his silence golden.

Jia Ren didn’t know what Ancestor Ji Kong was thinking, only feeling the Ancestor scrutinizing him.

"You are cultivating the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique?" Ancestor Ji Kong finally spoke. "Without a Heavenly Treasure Body, practicing this technique is sheer folly. Still, that’s fine. You can guide Ma Tianbao in the future. Chengdao has already mentioned it to me. You wish to take me as your master?"

Zhuo Chengdao is indeed reliable; he has already reported the matter.

"Indeed. I humbly ask the Ancestor to accept me as his disciple," Jia Ren quickly clasped his hands and said earnestly.

"Hmph! What you truly desire is the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art, isn’t it?" Ancestor Ji Kong snorted. "The Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique has hit a snag, so you’re looking for another way?"

Ancestor Ji Kong wasn’t surprised. After all, had he not encountered problems with the Heavenly Treasure Primordial Spirit Technique back then, and had he not been so unwilling to give up on cultivation methods that utilized Spiritual Treasures, he wouldn’t have spent a thousand years of effort creating the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art himself. Having spent a thousand years on it, he missed his optimal cultivation period, making it doubtful he could ever reach the Body Integration Realm.

"The Ancestor’s insight is profound. Please grant my request," Jia Ren didn’t hide his desire and spoke honestly.

"From this day forward, you are my nominal disciple. Whether you obtain the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art will depend on your future performance." A Bronze Order Token was tossed over.

A nominal disciple wasn’t considered a True Disciple, and there would be no formal master-disciple ceremony. The Spirit Devouring Treasure Art certainly wouldn’t be given to him now. Was this the carrot dangled in front of the donkey? Nonetheless, there was now hope of acquiring the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art.

"The Heavenly Treasure Body is a sect secret. You must not casually disclose it to outsiders." After saying this, Ancestor Ji Kong vanished into thin air.

Jia Ren put away the Bronze Order Token, which bore the character "Ji," bowed respectfully towards the spot where Ancestor Ji Kong had vanished, and then departed.

He deeply desired the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art, mostly for future considerations. The Heavenly Treasure Spirit Cultivation Technique was exceedingly potent, providing an astonishing amount of Spiritual Energy and allowing his cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds daily. Nevertheless, the path of cultivation always progressed from easy to difficult. The further one progressed, the longer it would take. Each minor realm at the Divinity Transformation Stage could take hundreds of years. So, what about the Void Refining Stage? And the Body Integration Realm? Even with the aid of the Heavenly Treasure Spirit Cultivation Technique, the cultivation time required would be staggering. Only by combining the Heavenly Treasure Spirit Cultivation Technique with the Spirit Devouring Treasure Art could he maximize his cultivation speed and efficiency.

A person who doesn’t plan for the future will find trouble at their doorstep. Finding a solution in advance would save him a lot of trouble later.

As he made his way back to Xiao Mang Mountain, he saw Zhuo Chengdao pacing anxiously in front of his Cave from a distance.

Seeing Jia Ren approach, Zhuo Chengdao sighed, a helpless look on his face. "I just asked Master. He... he said he has no plans to take on any disciples..."

Jia Ren: What?!