Chapter 3: Seeking the Path to Refine the Spirit

Qin Liang had never seen a Dao Root before, but from Jiang Xuehan’s usual confessions, he knew that having just one Dao Root was the norm. On the continent, the countless living beings’ Dao Roots were classified by grade rather than quantity.

At this moment, Qin Liang’s body contained a complex array of Dao Roots, their grade unknown, but clearly extraordinary.

“No matter what, I have a Dao Root now,” he thought, adjusting his mindset and calmly continuing to sense the changes within his body.

Numerous Dao Roots kept growing—ten zhang, a hundred zhang—and eventually stretched to an astonishing length of ten thousand zhang, deeply rooted within Qin Liang’s flesh and soul, as if connecting him directly with the great Dao of heaven and earth.

Just then, a deafening roar echoed in Qin Liang’s ears.

“Qin Zhan, how dare you steal the Tianhuang Cauldron? Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, my Kunpeng Clan will never let you live. Never, never, never…”

In the past, such a voice would have shaken Qin Liang so fiercely he might have vomited blood.

But now, after implanting tens of thousands of Dao Roots, his endurance had greatly increased. The speaker’s consciousness, transmitted by sound, had been refined for over ten years, and the remaining residual power could no longer harm him.

He finally understood that this transmitting sound was the very thing that used to make him vomit blood whenever he spoke.

Soon, the sound transmission was completely dissolved into nothingness by the Tianhuang Cauldron.

With the voice gone, spiritual energy surged out like a flood from the cauldron, flowing along the Dao Roots into Qin Liang’s extraordinary meridians.

Within this torrent of energy, Qin Liang saw countless dense characters.

At the same time, another voice transmitted: “Congratulations, my son Qin Liang. From this day forward, you may begin to cultivate. It’s a pity your father and I could not witness your grace, so we left you a supreme celestial-level cultivation method.”

“This technique has never been completed by anyone; your father and I risked our lives to obtain it for you. It should suit you well, now that you have just implanted your Dao Roots.”

As his mother’s voice faded, vivid images arose in Qin Liang’s mind.

In the vision, a middle-aged couple fled desperately through the void, pursued relentlessly by dozens of powerful enemies. Their attacks, released with a mere snap of their fingers, shattered the void and reversed the starry river.

“My dear child, focus on your cultivation. We shall meet again someday. Do not forget us.”

The image vanished, the transmission ended, and Qin Liang remained dazed for a long while.

He realized that for his sake, his parents had dared to cross great powers, repeatedly risking their lives. They lured away formidable enemies and had not returned for over a decade, all to secure a pure land where he could cultivate in peace.

“Father, mother, your child will not disappoint you,” Qin Liang said resolutely.

He concentrated on the characters emerging from the Tianhuang Cauldron. They were the supreme celestial-level cultivation method his parents had left behind, called the “Tianhuang Profound Dao Art.”

What he saw now was only the first layer; as he grew stronger and gained deeper control over the cauldron, perhaps he would unlock more.

As far as Qin Liang knew, the highest cultivation methods and martial skills on the Tianwu Continent reached only the advanced celestial level, hidden in some ancient clans and sects, rarely glimpsed by the world.

Supreme celestial-level techniques were earth-shattering; if they were revealed, they would surely ignite bloody turmoil.

“Tianhuang Profound Dao Art, first layer…”

Qin Liang began to operate the technique, refining the spiritual energy flowing from the Tianhuang Cauldron, performing his first spiritual refinement.

Spiritual refinement was the foundational stage of cultivation, solidifying one’s base.

The more times one refined their spirit, the stronger their foundation would be, increasing the hope of reaching higher realms.

The spiritual energy from the cauldron was excessively abundant. In the time it took for a single incense stick to burn, Qin Liang smoothly completed his first refinement and immediately began the second using the remaining energy.

In theory, this spiritual energy was left by his parents and should suffice for many refinements by an ordinary person.

But Qin Liang’s Dao Roots were far more numerous than his parents had anticipated.

The spiritual energy he consumed each time far exceeded that of others, so when the energy inside was depleted, he had only completed the second refinement.

“Not bad,” he said, clenching his fist as a bright gleam shone in his eyes.

He realized his strength was considerable, already equivalent to someone who had refined three times. If he wielded martial skills, he might well face a three-time refiner in battle.

“I’ll go to the training ground to test the grade of my Dao Roots.”

Composing himself, Qin Liang dressed and prepared to go out for the Dao Root assessment.

But just as he opened the door to leave, Li Hongcai entered the courtyard.

Qin Liang sighed; Jiang Xuehan had warned him not to let Li Hongcai see him, but the man came straight to his door, leaving Qin Liang no choice.

“Qin Liang, you finally came out. Let’s talk,” Li Hongcai blocked his way with a hopeful face, then quickly slapped his forehead. “Oh right, you can’t hear me.”

“That makes it easier. You should break off the engagement with my uncle and say you don’t want to marry Xuehan.”

Li Hongcai’s smile was very gentle. If one couldn’t hear him, one might think he was offering something kind.

“If you don’t respond, I’ll take that as agreement…”

Before he finished, Jiang Xuehan stormed in angrily.

“Li Hongcai, if you have something to say, go tell father. You’re supposed to be my cousin, but I never thought you’d bully a deaf man.”

She flashed in front of Qin Liang, standing between him and Li Hongcai.

“Yeah, you know he’s deaf, yet you still want to marry him?”

Li Hongcai’s face darkened, a faint slyness flickering in his eyes.

“If you marry him, can he give you happiness? Break off the engagement now, or I won’t hesitate to make him disappear forever.”

“How dare you!” Jiang Xuehan’s tone turned icy as she prepared to strike.

Qin Liang pulled her behind him and looked at Li Hongcai calmly.

“I can give her happiness, but that’s none of your concern.”

“Hmm?” Both Jiang Xuehan and Li Hongcai were surprised.

Jiang Xuehan was stunned because Qin Liang’s words no longer caused him harm.

“You can speak? After lying to us all these years? Xuehan, do you really want to marry a liar?” Li Hongcai sneered.

“I’m only deaf, not mute,” Qin Liang replied calmly.

“You…”

Li Hongcai was momentarily at a loss for a retort and quickly changed the subject.

“Even if you weren’t deaf, you have no Dao Roots. You’re a useless cripple who can’t cultivate. A toad can’t dream of eating swan meat.”

This time Qin Liang said nothing, just glanced at him and walked toward the courtyard gate.

“What are you doing?” Li Hongcai asked, puzzled.

“To test my Dao Root,” Qin Liang answered.

Jiang Xuehan’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly grabbed Qin Liang’s hand and pleaded, “Don’t test it. Li Hongcai is just trying to provoke you. Don’t listen to him. Let’s go back now, don’t test it.”

Over the years, Qin Liang had occasionally tested himself, but never had any results.

If he failed again now, it would only confirm his useless reputation in front of Li Hongcai.

“Hahaha…”

Li Hongcai laughed loudly.

“If you insist on humiliating yourself, then I’ll make a bet with you. If you can detect a Dao Root, I’ll stop interfering with your and Xuehan’s engagement.”

Jiang Xuehan clung to Qin Liang’s arm, looking utterly desperate.

Qin Liang held her hand and smiled.

“Don’t worry. I promised to protect you, and I will not break my word.”

“If you fail, break off the engagement with my aunt and uncle,” Li Hongcai sneered.

The young couple stepped out hand in hand.

Li Hongcai was left standing alone, feeling not only ignored but also overwhelmed by their affection. Anger surged within him.

“Qin Liang, just you wait,” he said furiously, quickening his pace to witness Qin Liang’s impending disgrace with his own eyes.