“Just now, I almost got scared by the Pavilion Master,” Dongbo Xueying said with a self-mocking smile.
He had long expected a scolding and was firm in his beliefs, yet when faced with the anger of one of the most supreme Half-Gods, he still felt inner fear. It was like an ant standing before a colossal dragon; when the dragon roared in fury, even the ant couldn’t help but tremble and wish to bow its head. However, Dongbo Xueying’s willpower was strong—he stubbornly refused to yield.
In truth, Sikong Yang’s words had prompted Dongbo Xueying to reflect—perhaps he had been wrong.
But—
Even if he were to change his mind, it would never be simply because of a few words from Sikong Yang! It must come after careful, thorough contemplation, and a decision made by himself. To bow merely under Sikong Yang’s pressure? That was simply not Dongbo Xueying’s nature.
“Learning from history is wise, indeed. I should study the records of our Xia Clan’s ancestors more thoroughly,” Dongbo Xueying mused. The history of the Xia Clan was long; the records of each transcendent were extensive. Previously, he had only read the records of those ancestors who had become gods, and the most famous Half-Gods. He had barely touched the records of the other 99% of the Half-Gods, let alone the Saint-level or Flying Heaven-level Transcendents.
“I will read every single record of every Half-God in history!” Dongbo Xueying resolved.
…
Within the Flame Archive, the Xia Historical Hall,
A young man in black robes entered this ancient and solemn pavilion. The interior was extremely quiet, with towering bookshelves—each over a hundred meters high—lined with countless golden-leafed tomes. These golden books contained the complete records of every transcendent in the Xia Clan’s history!
“An ocean of scrolls,” Dongbo Xueying sighed.
In three thousand years, the Xia Clan had produced about twenty Half-Gods.
How long was the Xia Clan’s history? The records were voluminous. Even for a transcendent who could read at great speed, it would still take the time of a tea-burning session to finish one Half-God’s record. If one were to read nonstop without rest or cultivation, it would still take several years to finish all the Half-God records. And for a transcendent, cultivation was of utmost importance. If one could spare just one or two hours daily to read, that would already be exceptional—meaning it would take decades to finish all the records.
It was simply too time-consuming.
Most transcendents would never bother to read all the Half-God records.
The number of Saint-level and Flying Heaven-level Transcendents was even greater, making the total number of records immense. Dongbo Xueying had only dared to commit to reading the Half-God records.
“Fire Knight Shangguan Meijun?” Dongbo Xueying murmured, picking up a thick golden tome and beginning to read.
…
From that day onward, Dongbo Xueying spent half his time in the Xia Historical Hall reading records. He practiced his spear techniques only within his own estate, and never again entered the Chiyun Mountain World! If Pavilion Master Sikong Yang accused him of wasting the Xia Clan’s resources, then he would stop using them! Dongbo Xueying was, at his core, extremely proud.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” Dongbo Xueying exclaimed, holding a flat wine flask, sipping wine while sitting cross-legged on the floor, flipping through a record and shouting in excitement at the thrilling parts. “To live one’s life, one must be this unrestrained and free!”
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Suddenly, clear footsteps echoed within the hall, causing Dongbo Xueying to turn in surprise. The Xia Historical Hall was rarely visited by transcendents, and even when they did come, few made such obvious sounds while walking.
Dongbo Xueying followed the sound.
An old bald man, thin and barefoot in slippers that exposed his toes, was slowly approaching.
“Deputy Pavilion Master Chao Qing!” Dongbo Xueying immediately rose respectfully. He owed his position as a candidate elder to Chao Qing’s strong recommendation.
“Sit, sit, be at ease, young man. Don’t be so stiff,” Chao Qing said, plopping down cross-legged beside him. He sniffed the air, then glanced at Dongbo Xueying’s wine flask. “Got any more wine?”
“Of course,” Dongbo Xueying replied promptly, producing another flask and handing it to Chao Qing.
Chao Qing took it and tilted his head back, gulping down two large mouthfuls. His eyes lit up. “This is good wine, strong and bold. You sure know how to enjoy yourself, boy. I heard you haven’t returned to Chiyun Mountain, and I thought Sikong Yang had crushed your spirit. But look at you—swaying your head while reading records, you seem to be in pretty good spirits!”
“A good mood or a bad one, either way it’s just one day. Might as well have a good mood every day,” Dongbo Xueying chuckled.
“Open-minded,” Chao Qing nodded. “Do you know why I’m here today?”
Dongbo Xueying hesitated, slightly embarrassed. “I suppose it’s because I abandoned my path of Water and Fire Essence?”
“Wrong!” Chao Qing shook his head.
Dongbo Xueying was momentarily stunned.
Not because of that?
He had already braced himself for a scolding from Elder Chao.
“It’s because you stopped going to Chiyun Mountain!” Chao Qing snapped. “Are you really that foolish? Even though you’re ranked ninth now, the spirit fruits and elixirs there are rare treasures—why wouldn’t you take them? Do you know how hard I worked to get you named a candidate elder? If you don’t eat them, all my effort was wasted! My old face is worth at least those spirit fruits and elixirs!”
“Uh…” Dongbo Xueying was momentarily at a loss for words.
Pavilion Master Sikong Yang accused him of wasting resources, while Chao Qing was upset because he *didn’t* eat them.
“Deputy Pavilion Master,” Dongbo Xueying hesitated before speaking. “You’re not angry?”
“Why should I be?” Chao Qing grinned with his withered lips. “Three hundred years ago, I might have been furious. But now, as death draws near, I feel… why should cultivation be so exhausting? Why not cultivate joyfully? If I could do it all over again, I might have lived more freely.”
Dongbo Xueying sensed the carefree spirit within Elder Chao.
“What’s on your mind?” Chao Qing asked curiously. “You’re not afraid that your path might lead to a dead end?”
Many transcendents had ruined themselves by haphazard cultivation—learning a bit here, a bit there, until their insights became incompatible, leaving them trapped in a dead end.
“I am afraid.”
Dongbo Xueying smiled. “But I’ve thought it through. First, I believe my pursuit of the ultimate spearplay is the right path! I truly love the spear. Second, my progress has been rapid through the fusion of Water, Fire, and Wind Essences. I believe I can reach the Third Tier of the Myriad Things Realm within thirty years! Even if it turns out to be a dead end, I’d only be wasting a hundred or two hundred years. If I hit a wall and bleed my head off, I still have plenty of time to start over.”
“Exactly! Having that mindset is great. At worst, it’s just a hundred or two hundred years wasted!” Chao Qing laughed heartily.
Water and Fire Essences were already nearing the Third Tier of the Myriad Things Realm.
Once that Tier was reached, simply cultivating Water and Fire Essences to nourish one’s transcendent battle energy would be enough to confidently ascend to Saint-level. Dongbo Xueying had already reached the Second Tier of the Myriad Things Realm in Fire Essence during the Transcendent Life-and-Death Battle—a terrifying talent, making Saint-level cultivation as easy as drinking water.
Of course—
To the entire Xia Clan, Saint-level was nothing special. Half-Gods were the true rulers.
“I used to worry about you, but now I see there’s no need,” Chao Qing said, finishing his wine and rising to his feet. “I can feel your confidence! Confidence is vital on the path of transcendence. Only with confidence can one cut through obstacles and thorns. Without self-belief, how far can one truly go?”
“I hope your Water, Fire, and Wind Essences can forge a new kind of Essence,” Chao Qing sighed. “Preferably before this old man closes his eyes forever.”
Dongbo Xueying was momentarily stunned.
Yes, Chao Qing was nearing the end of his life.
“Dongbo Xueying will do my utmost,” he replied earnestly.
“Good, good, good. Youth is always full of hope,” Chao Qing laughed, turning to leave. “Remember—go to Chiyun Mountain, eat and drink everything. If you don’t, you’re just wasting it!”
“Yes,” Dongbo Xueying respectfully replied.
Chao Qing’s figure had already vanished around the distant corner.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage