Eternity Starts From His Seed

Bubai froze like a statue. Law Enforcement Hall? What are they doing here? How come his senses didn’t detect anything?!

Moments later, he reacted, slowly sliding back into the room, his mind screaming, “Can’t see me! Can’t see me…”

Quietly shutting the door once again, Bubai finally let out a sigh of relief. “Really didn’t see me?”

A subtle frown appeared on his face as he looked back toward the flat ground concealing the secret passage. Then, his gaze returned to the door.

“Shu Po Po shouldn’t harm me like this, right?”

The door soon crept open once more, and from ground level, a head cautiously peeked out. Observing the two silent figures standing motionlessly, Bubai gingerly poked one on her leg.

Still no reaction.

“Could it be a statue?” But, that softness definitely felt like flesh…

Bubai slid back into the room.

Moments later, Bubai jumped out in front of the two guards, “Boo!”

There was still not reaction, not even a flinch.

Bubai lifted his hand, waving it in front of one of the veiled beauty’s face, “Really can’t see me?”

Though the two didn’t even blink in response to his actions, those eyes behind their masks were a bit too real…

Adding onto that unsettling reality: When he swept his spiritual sense over them, it still only rendered an empty space, even when he could clearly see them with his eyes...

So, Bubai shook away the thought of proceeding even further with some of the nefarious tests he had in mind. After all, the Law Enforcement Hall must be respected.

Finally turning away from the motionless “statues”, Bubai surveyed the corridor.

On one side was a wall embellished with intricate murals, while the other boasted doors resembling the one he had emerged from. The room he had exited was positioned at the corridor's center, and this was the only room being guarded.

Bubai’s eyes found the antique double door at the corridor’s end, guessing that was probably the way out.

After giving the “statues” one more glance, he headed down the corridor, allowing his senses to sweep over the murals and record the depicted images, clearly memorizing every nook and cranny of the carving with just a single glance.

Though he didn’t comprehend the narrative woven in the murals, it was never wrong to know more… at least in the lower echelons of cultivation.

As for those unspeakable and unknowable, that was far in the future, and the murals here probably had nothing to do with them… right?

Opening the door at the end of the corridor, Bubai peeked out and saw the familiar white jade and sandstone structures of the sect. Interestingly, this area was mainly characterized by grand pavilion-like structures encircled by tall walls.

“Central District?” While the surroundings itself felt somewhat unfamiliar, it was definitely the way out.

Leaking a sigh, Bubai slipped through the door.

After the double door creaked shut, the corridor once again succumbed to silence, leaving the two statues on guard duty.

A while later, one of the “statues” suddenly turned toward the other, “An idiot?”

The other was still cloaked in stillness, but her mature voice emanated from behind the veil, “Some quirky ones get sent over from time to time. Just pretend you didn’t see anything.”

“Oh.” The guard nodded before turning back, standing at attention once again.

Central District. Afternoon.

The Central District – This was the residential hub for most of the aristocratic families affiliated with the Sun Furnace Sect.

Each of these clans had, at the very least, a Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing their affairs, while many commanded entire groups. Some even had the backing of a Golden core elder or the support of the sect itself.

These were the true influential groups within the sect, wielding control over a lot of the valuable resources, managing foreign trades, acting as the hidden backer of outer district gangs or inner sect stores…

With extensive connections, they were also well-equipped to establish contact with the pivotal decision-making body in the palace.

Bubai, who had already stowed away his mask, strolled along the paved road nestled between the expansive walled compounds. Each of these compounds spanned a considerable area, and their interconnected walls created a labyrinth-like effect in this district encircling the central palace.

While making his way across the wide roads, Bubai tested his strange new spiritual sense, recording the scene around him, peering over the walls and even into the courtyards within!

Beyond the some of these walls were vacant gardens and courtyards, but many hosted patrolling guards - the low-level cultivators loyal to a clan.

Occasionally, he caught glimpses of noble ladies lecturing younger men on the culture of sect life. Almost in all cases, female servants assisted in these sessions, and at times, there was even a hands-on approach…

"...Our sect thrives on discipline, tolerance of diverse cultures, and adherence to our core principles. You must cultivate not only your physical prowess but also your character. A true noble embodies strength of both the body and the mind."

“I won't forget. I promise to devote myself to the clan's teachings.”

“Good. Remember, forthrightness and unity within the sect are paramount. Your actions reflect not just on you, but on the entire lineage. You are old enough now, so hesitate no longer. Let your Fourth Mother teach you about unity.”

“Y-yes, Third Mother..."

The activities behind these walls were truly on another level, demonstrating the virtues and nobility of the upper class...

Shockingly, all of this was picked up by his uncanny spiritual sense, extending up to 60 meters around himself when he entered his “buffed state II”!

According to his knowledge, a 10-meter radius was already a respectable range for a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator. This was also the range of his normal spiritual sense capabilities.

So, his buffed coverage completely surpassed the norms!

Of course, 60 meters was astounding, but it wasn’t the maximum. Albeit rare, even among geniuses, there were still rumors and legends of those with even more extensive ranges.

However, the true marvel of his spiritual sense wasn’t just the increased range. It was its ability to unabashedly scan through compounds, something no other Foundation Establishment cultivators can achieve!

Many of these residences were safeguarded by formations and detection mechanisms, enough to thwart the spiritual senses of most Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even his regular spiritual sense collided with these invisible barriers like waves hitting a wall, but in his buffed state, his enhanced senses still managed to slip in!

In fact, Bubai had harbored doubts about this capability when he noticed its wonderful ability to scan the content of books without physically opening them.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator’s spiritual sense resembled a spherical domain of water under the cultivator's control, a radar detecting even the slightest disturbances entering the water body.

Unfortunately, it still had its constraints – it was able to permeate the surrounding space, flowing over and around objects, but it was still incapable of directly passing through anything in the material world.

Thus, despite gaining enhanced and exceptional memories, Foundation Establishment cultivators still were unable to read a book without physically turning its pages.

This limitation was one of the reasons behind the popularity of jade slips for information storage because a jade slip can eliminate the hassle of traditional reading.

However… his golden finger once again shattered these limitations.

In stark contrast to the normal spiritual sense, his buffed spiritual sense could actually pass through material objects!

He could read every page of a book without physical contact. He could peer through solid walls into enclosed rooms, even into the drawers and chests. He could even see through the clothes of all the men and women he scans!

Not only that, he could do this all without being noticed!

When the typical Foundation Establishment cultivator directed their spiritual sense towards another cultivator, unless the user possessed a special concealment technique, any perceptive cultivator would detect it, even if it is vague.

Unsurprisingly, engaging in the act of scanning others with spiritual sense was considered a rude gesture and carried a heightened risk of sparking conflicts. No cultivator want others to pry into their own secrets!

The same applied to the clans, hence the defensive measures.

While the other defensive measures in the clans remained uncertain, the guards, mostly late-stage Qi-refiners, were undoubtedly adept at detecting intrusions, typically perceptive enough to sense spiritual sense prying into their clans.

While meandering through the Central District, Bubai did occasionally pass by imposing antique double doors - entrances guarded by at least two vigilant sentinels.

Indeed, the guards’ watchful gazes trailed him as he strolled by, yet they didn’t react further, wholly unaware that he had secretly probed the entirety of their bodies, even gauging their cultivation!

After multiple tests, Bubai speculated these late-stage Qi-refiners really had not been privy to his actions. Otherwise, they would undoubtedly be chasing him down, demanding an explanation.

Emboldened by this fact, he grew more daring and engaged in more thorough tests, wantonly sweeping his spiritual sense through the compounds.

Soon, he confirmed his conjecture: His spiritual sense was special during his new buffed state.

With a few exceptions, like special locations shielded by formations, materials that could interfere with spiritual power, and the saturated bodies of cultivators inherently resistant to external spiritual forces, his spiritual sense could penetrate almost everything else with ease.

Bubai could only recall one similar situation in his knowledge: the divine sense of Golden Core cultivators!

Now, it seemed that his golden finger had bestowed upon him this extraordinary sense prematurely. This could be considered one of his new trump cards!

Of course, divine sense was not omnipotent.

For instance, his divine sense failed to detect the presence of the two law enforcers earlier.

Foundation Establishment cultivators had spiritual power permeating their bodies, a natural resistance toward other spiritual senses, yet it can’t make them “disappear” from a scan.

So, those two guards were definitely out out of the norm.

Unless they were genuinely statues crafted from white jade, the only other explanation would be the employment of some concealment technique or tool, a common practice among high-level cultivators.

Beyond this example, Bubai also had to take note of some common sense.

The range of a genuine Golden Core’s divine sense definitely outclassed his own “pseudo” divine sense.

Not only that, their divine sense could naturally counter and suppress his own.

Powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators with strong spiritual power or those well-versed in specialized detection methods could also perceive the divine sense’s sweep.

Fortunately, most of these powerful cultivators were gone.

Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator was left in the clan, they would most likely be among the weaker individuals, unable to sense the intrusion. Even if they detected his divine sense, they won’t dare to come find him.

That was why Bubai capitalized on the chance to blatantly spy on the secrets of these aristocratic clans.

However, once the powerful of these factions returned, this audacious exploration would no longer be possible. At that time, he might have to consider twice if he wants to come take a walk here.

While there was no explicit taboo against wandering the Central District, most normal disciples would seldom frequent here.

Heeding Xiao Panzi's cautionary advice from his welcoming tour, Bubai knew it was best to come here less, lest he offended the haughty progeny of influential clans or inadvertently crossed paths with upper-level Foundation Establishment cultivators and Core Disciples.

Against these individuals backed by a clan or the sect, being embroiled in conflicts would undoubtedly place him at a disadvantage. Even his status as an inner disciple might not protect him.

Of course, the streets were now noticeably emptier than usual, left with sporadic servants darting about on errands.

The majority of these clans had been dispatched to the secret realm, prompting those remaining to exercise caution and restrain themselves, mostly staying in their compounds, lest they invited trouble when the strong in their clans were drafted away for battle.

It was acceptable to incur the ire of others when one had backing, but the fate of those venturing into the secret realm still remained unknown. If they can’t return...

Most cultivators were similarly realistic and would certainly do their due diligence, considering the consequences and benefits before making a move. It’s rare to encounter morons jumping out to provoke trouble.

Unfortunately, there were always exceptions - those whose minds became clouded by the influence of heavenly dao and goes to provoke the protagonist…

While many clans exercised restraint, a handful of teenage groups still came out to roam.

Waving fans in hand and dressed in luxurious clothes marked with their family crest, they laughed over their audacious, obnoxious exploits in the sect, discussed the budding beauties within certain clans, or whispered about the hidden figures of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Bubai bumped into a few of these groups, but when they saw his inner disciple token, they only shot him an odd glance before tactfully steering clear.

Alas, it seems he wasn’t the protagonist.

...

Upon reentering the East District, Bubai finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yes, he was now in the Foundation Establishment realm. He could be considered a true inner disciple... but he still didn’t want to linger too long and risk offending others when unnecessary.

That will only invite trouble and require putting his strength to the test.

He would rather hide his strength, bidding his time and waiting for the opportune moment to unveil it.

Even then, he probably would only reveal a fraction of his capabilities.

Revealing his full strength only crossed his mind under one circumstance: When he was prepared to don the mantle of the grim reaper.

These frivolous dandies of the clans were certainly not worth trading his life for.

Squandering time on conflicts with them would only be a waste of time - time he could invest in more essential matters, such as mastering his new abilities as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, learning new formations, accumulating wealth and contribution points, and most important of all…

Understanding the new mysterious capabilities of his golden finger!

“So much to do, so little time...”

After all, according to Granny Shu, there were probably only one of two weeks remaining before the storm starts returning.