A Tier Three Spirit Land was no ordinary place.

Early that morning, Bai Zichen had followed Elder Zhang to four different locations, all of them a great distance from one another.

"These are the only four vacant Tier Three Spirit Lands in the Sect right now. See which one you’d like... If none of them are to your satisfaction, you’ll just have to get in line and wait."

Elder Zhang was extremely patient, tirelessly explaining the pros and cons of each Spirit Land in detail.

"These few spots are reserved for True Disciples, which is why they are always available. For any other Tier Three Spirit Land that frees up, you’d have to wait your turn. There are quite a few Foundation Establishment Elders waiting ahead of you, you know."

Including Bai Zichen, the Qingfeng Sect currently had seven True Disciples, leaving three vacancies.

Of the exclusive Spirit Lands, one was located west of the Five Finger Peak, in a dark cavern at the heart of a cluster of stalactites.

Bai Zichen took a look around inside. It was gloomy, damp, and occasionally blasted by drafts of chilling wind.

The problem was that the stalactite cluster was crucial for gathering Spiritual Qi and couldn’t be altered. Choosing to live here would be like serving a prison sentence.

Two other spots were near the Core Formation Ancestors’ Cave Mansions, enclaves partitioned off from a Tier Three Top-Grade Spiritual Land. They were decent, but nothing special.

The final location was the one before him now: the Moon-Locking Pool. At its bottom lay an Eye of a Spirit Spring.

When the Qingfeng Sect first discovered it, this place was still outside the Sect Grand Array.

Over hundreds of years, as the number of Sect Disciples grew, the Grand Array was expanded outward, eventually enclosing the Moon-Locking Pool.

Elder Zhang used his Identity Token to cast a spell. The white mist that shrouded the Moon-Locking Pool rapidly dispersed, revealing the Spirit Land’s true appearance.

The Moon-Locking Pool wasn’t large, only about half an acre in total. A path of more than ten stone pillars led all the way to its center.

In the center of the pool, a high platform had been built from jade, upon which stood two simple bamboo houses. A paved path also led downward from it.

The further one descended toward the bottom of the pool, the more abundant the Spiritual Qi in the air became.

At the end of the path, the space opened up into a slightly cramped Quiet Chamber, just large enough for a single person to sit and engage in Meditation and Cultivation.

But the vibrant wave of Spiritual Qi that washed over him was enough to make him forget his surroundings. He took a deep breath, and the Magical Power within his body began to thrum with joy.

’A Tier Three Spirit Land... Is the difference really this great, just a single tier apart?’

Bai Zichen reached out, mesmerized, and caressed the jade beside him. It was coated in a thin layer of mist as he savored the vibrant Tier Three Spiritual Qi.

The Inner Sect Disciple’s Cave Mansion he had previously lived in at Five Finger Peak was on Tier Two Top-Grade Spiritual Veins. He had already found the Spiritual Qi there to be dense, greatly increasing his Cultivation speed.

But this place, even though only the area within the Quiet Chamber reached the level of a Tier Three Low-Grade Spirit Land, would increase his Cultivation speed by a considerable degree at the very least.

For an ordinary disciple, it would also be of great help in breaking through bottlenecks and overcoming the lower-level barriers.

In the center of the Quiet Chamber, next to the meditation cushion, was a gurgling spring. It was so clear one could see to the bottom, resembling a large, profound eyeball. The Spiritual Qi in this room emanated endlessly from this very spot.

’An Eye of a Spirit Spring?’

Bai Zichen took two steps closer, examining it with curiosity.

"That’s right, it’s an Eye of a Spirit Spring. Speaking of which, it was Ancestor Yang who discovered this place. The Sect later set up a Spirit Locking Array to contain the Spiritual Qi, which gradually formed the Moon-Locking Pool."

Even though he had been here many times, Elder Zhang was still in awe of this naturally formed Eye of a Spirit Spring.

"Unlike the other three locations, the Eye of a Spirit Spring isn’t a branch derived from a Tier Three Spirit Vein; it exists independently. Given enough time to evolve and transform, it might even have a chance to become a true Tier Three Spirit Vein!"

Bai Zichen was unconvinced. ’A Tier Three Spirit Vein or whatever... it all seems too remote and ethereal.’

’Given the scale of this Eye of a Spirit Spring, even if everything goes smoothly, its evolution into a Tier Three Spirit Vein would take millennia.’

’And a thousand years from now, if I’m still around, why would I care about a mere Tier Three Spirit Vein?’

"I’ll take this place, then. I’ll have to trouble Junior Martial Uncle Zhang to handle the paperwork for me."

Compared to the other three Spirit Lands, the Moon-Locking Pool’s Spiritual Qi was the purest, thanks to the existence of the Eye of a Spirit Spring. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The downside was its simple environment. It was impossible to build any supporting structures in the center, so it could only be used for closed-door seclusion and deep Cultivation.

Besides, aside from his half-baked Spirit Plant Technique, Bai Zichen was clueless about the Hundred Skills of Cultivation and didn’t have much need for space anyway.

Moreover, the Moon-Locking Pool was located at the edge of the Sect Grand Array, remote and deserted, so he was happy to have the peace and quiet.

"Alright. Before I go, I’ll undo the Cloud Mist Restriction. Then I’ll make a trip to the Law Enforcement Hall, the Transmission Hall, and the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to register the Moon-Locking Pool under your name."

With the important matter settled, Elder Zhang decided to see it through to the end.

"According to your records, Nephew Bai is not yet nineteen this year? In that case, you can use this Spirit Land for more than twenty years. If you need any simple modifications, like adding an Array or something, just come find me. This old Daoist has lived for many years; I still have a few connections and can definitely get it done for you."

"Many thanks, Junior Martial Uncle Zhang."

Bai Zichen thought for a moment. Compared to the Inner Sect Disciple’s Cave Mansion, the Moon-Locking Pool was indeed a bit desolate. Having an Array to serve as an early warning system would be a good idea.

However, it was better to arrange such things himself rather than rely on others.

"Rest well for a few days. The True Inheritance Certificate will be delivered to you after your Soul Lamp is made. A few of your senior brothers are very optimistic about you. Don’t let us down."

Elder Zhang offered these earnest words of advice, then drifted away on a white cloud.

Bai Zichen could faintly discern the hidden meaning in Elder Zhang’s words.

The Qingfeng Sect’s Elder Council was divided into several factions. While they would naturally present a united front on major issues of right and wrong, no one would easily concede when it came to the distribution of benefits and the control of power.

After all, no Foundation Establishment Cultivator ever felt they had too many Cultivation Resources.

The two main forces among the Elders were one faction that revered Sect Leader Wei Dao, and another led by the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, Liang Yu.

As a True Disciple, Bai Zichen currently held a transcendent status, enjoying the same treatment and standing as a Foundation Establishment Elder without any of the responsibilities. All he had to do was focus on his Cultivation. Naturally, he had no intention of getting involved in the conflict between the two sides.

As for Elder Zhang’s hidden meaning, he could only pretend to be deaf and dumb.

’This little world will belong to me, and me alone, for a long time to come.’

Bai Zichen returned to the bamboo house in the center of the pool. Here, even the tables, chairs, and bed were woven from bamboo, and from their color, they looked quite old.

A sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart. He finally felt like he had a stable place to settle down, unlike when he moved into the Inner Sect Disciple’s Cave Mansion, knowing full well he wouldn’t be staying for more than a few years.

’Later, I’ll call Su Lie and Peng Jinhua over. They can build huts and live by the pool’s edge. The Spiritual Qi out there is equivalent to a Tier Two Top-Grade Spirit Vein anyway.’

’I’ll also invite a few Cultivators skilled in construction to give the Moon-Locking Pool a bit of a makeover. It doesn’t need to be luxurious, but at the very least, they can clean up the pool and add some unique little scenic spots.’

The Moon-Locking Pool had been untended for years, and a thick layer of withered and rotting lotus stems and leaves had accumulated, leaving the fine Tier Three Spirit Land in a state of decay.

That night, Bai Zichen conducted his first session of Meditation and Cultivation in the Tier Three Spirit Land.

「The next day.」

Bai Zichen opened his eyes, leaped onto the roof of the bamboo house, and let out a soft cry. His body felt much lighter.

The superficial wounds he had sustained on the arena stage during the True Inheritance Trial were already mostly healed, and he felt more refreshed and clear-headed than ever before.