Chapter 1: The Sister's Substitute Marriage "I would rather die than marry Jiang Fan!" Xu Yining held the three-foot Green Sword against her neck, tears of grievance streaming down her cheeks. The hall was in an uproar with many clan members. "Yining, don't be impulsive! It's my fault. I shouldn't have forced you." Xu Zhengyan was scared to the point of his heart in his throat, struggling to calm her down, "Ten years ago, Jiang Fan's father saved Old Master Xu's life. Out of gratitude, the old master promised that you two would marry at the age of eighteen.""If you break off the engagement, people will say we're ungrateful.""Now that you've finally been noticed by the Green Cloud Sect and are set to become a True Disciple, if they learn of this and some elder is displeased, your disciple qualification might be revoked!" Xu Yining's expression changed, and she stomped her foot, saying, "I don't care!""I won't marry Jiang Fan, and I can't lose my reputation. Father, think of something for me!" Xu Zhengyan had a splitting headache, his eyes inadvertently glancing at Jiang Fan in the corner. Handsome appearance, tall and slender, with peaceful and insightful eyes, exuding a graceful and indifferent aura; he was a handsome young man. Sadly, he was a mute. Moreover, a mute who had been tested multiple times but had no Spirit Root. His daughter, on the other hand, was a Sixth Grade Spirit Root genius, favored by the elders of the Green Cloud Sect, who planned to accept her as a True Disciple with a boundless future. One was in the heavens, the other on the earth, completely worlds apart. "Husband, if there's no other way, let Youran marry in place of Yining." His wife, Wang Yingfeng, who was by his side, sighed helplessly. The Xu clan members' eyes all shot towards Xu Youran at the back of the crowd. A graceful young girl in green attire with a tranquil temperament. Her beauty was such that people couldn't take their eyes off her. As an elder sister, she was much more attractive than her younger sister, Xu Yining! But unfortunately, she was born of a concubine and held a far lesser status in the Xu family compared to Xu Yining. Wang Yingfeng suggesting Xu Youran marry in place of her daughter, to a mute, was unbearable to many in the Xu family. Such a beautiful woman like Xu Youran would have her life ruined by marrying a mute like Jiang Fan. "Father, I just want to serve you by your side. Please don't marry me off." Upon hearing this, Xu Youran's face instantly went pale. Biting her red lips, she pleaded helplessly. But Xu Zhengyan ignored her look, stepping forward to grip her shoulders earnestly, "Youran, our Xu family has been in decline for a hundred years. It took us a lot to produce a genius like your sister. The future of the Xu family rests on her!""Consider this as a plea from your father. Marry Jiang Fan in place of your sister!" Seeing her still hesitating, Xu Zhengyan gritted his teeth and bent down on his knees, "Do you want your father to kneel and beg you?" Xu Youran was startled and quickly helped him up in panic, "Father, don't do this.""I'll marry, I'll marry, isn't that enough?" The moment she agreed, her eyes were filled with grievance. Only then did Xu Zhengyan stand up straight; the heavy stone in his chest, suspended for years, was finally set down. He revealed a relieved smile and looked at Jiang Fan, "Fan, what do you think?" Jiang Fan sat calmly in the corner, leisurely sipping his tea. Upon hearing this, he raised his eyes. He glanced at Xu Youran, who was bowing her head in silence with tears in her eyes, and sighed silently in his heart, "So pitiful, being calculated against by her own family." The Xu family never intended to marry their prodigy daughter, Xu Yining, to Jiang Fan. They had planned all along to use Xu Youran as a sacrifice. From Xu Yining's deadly threat to Wang Yingfeng proposing a replacement, to Xu Zhengyan's emotional appeal, it was all pre-arranged. Xu Youran, pure and kind, easily fell for it and agreed to the replacement. Such a poor girl, how could Jiang Fan bear to harm her? He picked up the paper and pen he always carried and wrote a note. "Uncle, don't trouble Youran. Xu Mansion has taken care of me for ten years, which repays the lifesaving debt from my father. Let's annul the engagement today." Even without considering Xu Youran, Jiang Fan had intended to annul the engagement. Since they saved Old Master Xu ten years ago, they had been residing at the Xu Mansion. After his father's death three years ago, as time passed, the Xu family gradually distanced themselves from him. Jiang Fan understood that the Xu family's patience had worn thin. If not for concerns that breaking the engagement would harm their reputation, they would have kicked Jiang Fan out of the Xu Mansion long ago. Now, it was time for him to leave. After reading his note, Xu Zhengyan felt a surge of excitement. Jiang Fan staying at the Xu Mansion constantly reminded Xu Zhengyan of the immense debt owed to the Jiang family. Day after day, year after year, it was like a thorn in Xu Zhengyan's throat, impossible to remove. Now that he wanted to leave, it was the best news possible! Unexpectedly, Wang Yingfeng spoke sincerely, "Fan, how could this be?""The engagement was made by the old master. How dare we go against his wishes? If he returns from his travels and finds out we didn't fulfill the agreement, neither your uncle nor I could bear the consequences.""If you truly appreciate the care of Xu Mansion for the past ten years, marry Youran, and we all become a family." Some shrewd clan members saw through Wang Yingfeng's real intentions. She wanted to marry Xu Youran to the mute Jiang Fan, destroying her lifetime happiness, thus eliminating any threat to her daughter Xu Yining. With Xu Youran's outstanding temperament and unrivaled beauty, she was famous far and wide as a great beauty. Many young men from powerful families were coveting her. If she married into a powerful family or became the wife or concubine of a strong figure, she would undoubtedly become a rival to Xu Yining. By marrying her to Jiang Fan, a useless mute with no Spirit Root, they would completely eliminate the hidden threat. "Truly vicious." Jiang Fan saw everything clearly and looked at Xu Youran silently crying, sighed silently, and thought, "Even if I help her today, after I leave, she won't escape Wang Yingfeng's clutches.""At that time, her fate might be worse than marrying a mute." Over the years, Xu Youran had been the only one who treated him kindly. The year his father passed away, he had fallen severely ill from grief, bedridden for seven days and nights. The Xu family turned a blind eye, but Xu Youran stayed by his bedside without sleep for seven days, nursing him back to health. He couldn't bear to leave this pure and kind girl to fend for herself in the Xu family's pit of misery. After much contemplation, he helplessly took up the pen and wrote a single word to Wang Yingfeng. "Alright!" Wang Yingfeng broke into a smile, warmly saying, "Youran, quickly take Jiang Fan to have his clothes measured. You two will marry in a month." She was eager for them to marry to avoid any unforeseen issues. Xu Youran wiped her tears, her eyes red and swollen, and came to Jiang Fan, "Come with me. I have something to tell you." In the boudoir. Though called a boudoir, it was only slightly better than a maid's room, very simple. Xu Youran opened the drawer of her dressing table, taking out a small pouch hidden in a corner. Inside were various sizes of broken silver. "Little mute, you shouldn't have agreed." Xu Youran sighed, "They don't really want you to marry me. They just don't want to be labeled as ungrateful.""Once my sister joins the Green Cloud Sect, they will mistreat you and find ways to make you leave." Oh? Jiang Fan smiled slightly; she wasn't so naive after all. Xu Youran stuffed the money pouch into Jiang Fan's hand, softly saying, "Take this money and leave the Xu Mansion, leave Lonely Boat City.""I don't want you to live a life like mine." Jiang Fan wrote a note, "What about you?" Xu Youran's lips curled into a bitter smile, "This is my home. No matter how badly they treat me, I can't leave." Suddenly, they heard the maids chattering and laughing as they went to fetch satin from the storeroom. She said nervously, "You must go quickly, don't hesitate." But, at the thought of this parting that might be forever, That they may never see this companion she grew up with again, A surge of inexplicable sadness arose in her heart, and she said hoarsely, "Out there, don't trust strangers easily, don't eat their food, don't drink their water.""Also, don't talk to people randomly. If they find out you're mute, they will bully you.""Do you understand, little mute?" As she spoke, her voice started to choke with sobs. Tears began to well up in her eyes. Jiang Fan stepped forward, gently patting her head, and softly said, "You should call me husband from now on." Huh?! Xu Youran abruptly raised her head, her eyes wide in shock as if she had seen a ghost, stammering, "You, you spoke?""You're not a mute!" Chapter 2: The Mysterious Seed Jiang Fan sneered, "Did I ever say that I was mute?" Xu Youran's mind was in chaos as she stammered, "You, you're pretending to be mute? Why?" Jiang Fan clasped his hands behind his back and silently gazed out the window. Moments passed. The clear sky echoed with two thunderous booms, startling everyone in the Xu Mansion, causing them to rush outside and look around. Xu Youran also flinched at the sudden thunder, whispering, "Why is there thunder out of nowhere, just like three years ago?" Jiang Fan remained expressionless. This was why he pretended to be mute. He had a mysterious seed inside him, and every time he spoke, a trace of the seed's aura would escape, summoning the wrath of the Heavenly Thunder. His father had warned him since childhood not to speak. For eighteen years, he followed his father's advice meticulously, except when his father passed away. That night, lightning and thunder raged, and it didn't stop till morning. Seeing the sorrow in his eyes, Xu Youran softly said, "Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore.""Pack your things and leave quickly. If Aunt Wang finds out that you've been pretending to be mute all along, she'll be even more suspicious." Jiang Fan turned around, gently took her delicate hand, and said: "I won't leave. I'll stay and marry you, to protect you from now on." Xu Youran's face blushed instantly. The words "protect you" echoed in her ears, making her heart race inexplicably. She hurriedly withdrew her hand, lightly scolding, "Stop bragging, your spirit root isn't even as good as mine!" Jiang Fan smiled but said nothing. His father had revealed the truth about the seed on his deathbed. It was a Divine Object with immense potential, needing eighteen years to sprout. Upon sprouting, the host would undergo a transformative change. Today was the last day of those eighteen years. Jiang Fan would be reborn with the first light of dawn tomorrow! Then, there would be no more mute Jiang Fan, no more worthless Jiang Fan! He looked at Xu Youran confidently and said, "Trust me." Seeing the calm and resolute look in Jiang Fan's eyes, a warm current surged in Xu Youran's heart. Since her mother's death, this was the first time someone had said they would protect her. After a long pause, she pushed the money pouch back into Jiang Fan's hands. Jiang Fan frowned slightly, she still didn't believe in him. It wasn't surprising. He was still a mute, an ordinary person without a spirit root. But when the seed sprouted tomorrow... Xu Youran looked at him, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red, and softly said, "Keep this as a betrothal gift for marrying me." Boom— It wasn't the sky thundering. It was inside Jiang Fan's heart. He never thought there would be a day when a girl would offer her lifetime's savings as a dowry to marry him. Unexplainable emotions entwined around Jiang Fan's heart. It made him feel an intense urge to hold Xu Youran tightly and protect her well. "What are you standing there for?" Xu Youran reached out her small hand, gently tidying his clothes, and said tenderly, "Uncle Jiang lived in poverty all his life and didn't leave you any wealth. I hope this savings can help you." Even though she herself lived a hard life, she was still thinking of Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan couldn't hold back anymore and pulled her into his arms, embracing her lithe waist. He spoke softly again, "Perhaps our way of coming together was unexpected, but the ending will be right." The best marriages happened when you met the right person. And perhaps, Jiang Fan had found the right one. Xu Youran's face turned crimson, like a persimmon in late autumn, her mind blank, her body stiff, unable to move as Jiang Fan held her. After a long while, she snapped out of it, panicking as she broke away, saying, "I... I'm going to measure the clothes..." Watching her retreating figure, Jiang Fan placed the money pouch back on the table, smiling, "How could marrying my wife be so miserly?""Youran, I will marry you in a grand way." Rumble— Two more bolts of Heavenly Thunder exploded in succession. Jiang Fan glared at the sky angrily, muttering, "Go ahead and roar, after tonight, you'll have no more chances!" In the backyard. In Wang Yingfeng's bedroom. "Aunt, how could you marry cousin Youran to that worthless Jiang Fan?" Lu Zheng, who had also lived in the Xu Mansion for ten years, knelt before Wang Yingfeng, his face full of anxiety, "Please, take back your decision and marry cousin to me!" Lu Zheng, Wang Yingfeng's nephew, was smart and talented, a third-grade spirit root genius. So Wang Yingfeng had brought him to the Xu Mansion to nurture him from a young age. And he had lived up to her expectations, reaching the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation at the age of twenty, bringing much pride to Wang Yingfeng in front of her family. However, what made Wang Yingfeng headache was that Lu Zheng liked Xu Youran very much and always considered her his woman. To prevent him from causing trouble, she had sent him away today to collect a debt in another town. But somehow, he had still gotten wind of the news and rushed back in haste. "Zheng, Youran marrying Jiang Fan concerns the future of the Xu Family. Your aunt can compromise on other matters, but on this, you cannot be reckless." To thoroughly suppress Xu Youran, Wang Yingfeng was determined to tie her fate to the worthless Jiang Fan, ruining her life. However, seeing Lu Zheng's anguished expression, she softened, speaking meaningfully: "Your aunt only forbade you from interfering with their marriage, not from acting after it's done.""If by some accident Jiang Fan dies, you can still marry Youran." If Xu Youran became a widow, those great families and powerful men would similarly not accept her. Who would marry a widow? Who wouldn't find it shameful? "I understand, thank you, Aunt!" Lu Zheng suddenly realized, his face brightening with joy. He handed over a packet of snacks, "Aunt, this is a specialty from Biliu City, snow cream, your favorite. I brought it back especially for you." Wang Yingfeng gently rebuked, "You, always focusing on pleasing others instead of cultivating properly." Though she said this, her smile betrayed her delight. "Pleasing Aunt is my duty. I'll go help Jiang Fan set up the wedding arrangements so they can marry soon," Lu Zheng said with a grin. "Go on. Don't forget to rise early tomorrow. Your Aunt will accompany you to the Detection Tower for your spirit root reevaluation," Wang Yingfeng replied with a smile. "Yes!" Lu Zheng bowed and left with a smile on his face. But the moment he stepped out of Wang Yingfeng's room, the smile on his face gradually vanished, replaced by a sinister look. "Marrying something Jiang Fan has used? That old woman must be joking!""I, Lu Zheng, want only the best!""Once my spirit root is reevaluated tomorrow and found to be higher, I'll snatch Xu Youran back in front of everyone in the Xu Family!" Early the next morning. In a simple room in the west courtyard of the Xu Mansion. Jiang Fan paced back and forth in the room, occasionally looking out the window, his eyes bloodshot. "Why isn't the sun rising?" Jiang Fan felt anxious. He had waited eighteen years for this day. He thought he was calm, emotions unaltered by external influences, ready to face the seed sprouting. But now that the day had arrived, he had spent the entire night sleepless, filled with unease. "Father didn't lie to me, did he?""Is this seed really magical?""Will it truly transform me?" Countless thoughts churned through his mind, making Jiang Fan take deep breaths nervously. Suddenly. A beam of dazzling light pierced through the clouds and into the room. Almost simultaneously, Jiang Fan vaguely heard a cracking sound. As if some hard shell had broken open. The seed had sprouted! The moment of rebirth after eighteen years had arrived! Chapter 3: Nirvana Rebirth He quickly sat cross-legged and focused his breathing, calming his mind. The sound of cracking grew increasingly intense in his ears. At first, it was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, then like the pelting of raindrops, and soon, it resembled the beating of war drums. Finally, a thunderous roar—like a mountain shattering, earth cracking—erupted near his ear, causing Jiang Fan's vision to go black. In the darkness, he saw a tender sprout breaking through the soil. Its emergence seemed to have disturbed a supreme existence, unleashing waves of heaven-destroying lightning, intent on forcing it back into the earth. The sprout slowly unfurled and effortlessly absorbed the incoming lightning. It began to grow at a visible pace. One inch, two inches, three inches... One yard, two yards, three yards... Ten yards, a hundred yards, a thousand yards... Jiang Fan watched in awe as a single seed—nourished by the lightning from the heavens and earth—grew into a towering giant tree whose peak was unreachable! The lightning, realizing its inability to halt the tree's growth, gradually ceased. Just as Jiang Fan thought all had come to an end, a wrathful roar filled with divine majesty erupted: "You dare steal the Divine Tree of my Void Ancient Clan! No matter who you are, no matter where you may be, we will find you! We will find you!!!"The roar pierced his ears, leaving Jiang Fan with a splitting headache, as though his soul might shatter under the pressure of unmatchable divine power. In that moment of crisis, the Void Ancient Tree scattered countless specks of green light, merging with Jiang Fan's body. The searing pain began fading away, and under the green light's influence, a Spirit Root took form within his dantian. Surviving by the skin of his teeth, Jiang Fan was left pale and drained.Who was that? he wondered. A roar that crossed unknown distances through time almost destroyed me?And why did he claim this tree belonged to the Void Ancient Clan?Wasn't this the tree my father gave me? After a long while, he finally calmed the waves in his heart and instinctively looked down at his abdomen, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "A Spirit Root! I... I have a Spirit Root now!" He exclaimed jubilantly. He had waited eighteen years for this transformation, and finally, it had arrived! Next, his eyes filled with grief as he knelt heavily onto the ground: "Father, did you see this?""Your son has awakened a Spirit Root... I can protect myself now.""You can rest in peace!" He bowed fervently, tears welling in his eyes. His father's final moments were spent in unease, fearing Jiang Fan's immaturity and lack of protection in the future. But now, he had a Spirit Root. The child his father shielded all his life had finally grown up! After a long time, Jiang Fan collected himself and carefully examined the Spirit Root, only to freeze in astonishment. "Transparent?" His Spirit Root was transparent, completely devoid of color! "Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, black, white—none of them are transparent!" Xu Yining's Spirit Root was a bright blue, signifying a sixth-grade Spirit Root. The highest grade was rumored to be white, representing ninth-grade. Yet no one had ever heard of a transparent Spirit Root! "I guess I'll have to go to the Detection Hall to confirm it," Jiang Fan murmured to himself. On the continent, there existed an ancient power called the Heavenly Mechanism Hall, whose influence was immense. The Green Cloud Sect was merely one of the nine sects under its command. The Hall had established a Detection Tower in every city. It offered free testing of Spirit Roots to all. If one's Spirit Root proved exceptional, they could apply to the local Detection Tower Master for admission into the sect for that region. For example, Xu Yining had discovered her sixth-grade Spirit Root at the Detection Tower, which had drawn the attention of a Green Cloud Sect elder, who broke protocol by designating her as a True Disciple. It was said that if one's aptitude were truly extraordinary, it might catch the attention of the Heavenly Mechanism Hall itself, leading to recruitment into the Hall. However, this was only a rumor—no one in the history of Lonely Boat City's Detection Tower had ever been directly recruited by the Heavenly Mechanism Hall. To enter the Hall, one must first spend three years training in one of the nine sects, during which only the most outstanding prodigies would have the chance to be selected by the Hall. What grade could his transparent Spirit Root possibly be? he wondered. Then. Jiang Fan suddenly noticed that the Void Divine Tree—now lush with branches and leaves—was laden with massive, transparent fruits. Suspended on the lowest-hanging fruit was something shockingly sealed inside: a cultivation technique. "High-level Profound Grade Mental Method, *Dragon Seeking Scripture*." When he saw the scripture's name, Jiang Fan was shocked. The Xu Family, as an established force in Lonely Boat City, only possessed a mid-level Yellow Grade swordsmanship technique as its ancestral treasure. It ranked among the city's top ten cultivation techniques. The Xu Family had faced crises multiple times because others coveted this technique. A single high-level Profound Grade scripture could incite chaos across the land! His breath tightened as he sprinted toward the tree, trying to leap for the fruit. But a formless pressure forced him back to the ground. At the same time, a stream of information flowed into his mind. "The lowest-tier fruit can only be picked by someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage." Soon after, the dark, mystical world in front of him gradually faded, and he found himself back in his shabby room. He paused, the experience feeling like a surreal dream. Yet the Spirit Root in his abdomen confirmed its reality. "*Dragon Seeking Scripture*, Foundation Establishment Stage," Jiang Fan murmured excitedly, licking his lips, wishing desperately that he could break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm immediately. He didn't want to waste another second and promptly left the Xu Mansion, half-walking and half-running as he gasped for breath, finally arriving at the Detection Tower. It was still morning, and the Detection Tower hadn't opened yet. Outside the tower, teenagers were already gathered, waiting for the testing to begin. "Zheng'er, today's re-test—don't be nervous. The Tower Master said last time your result was lower than expected because of your nerves," Wang Yingfeng reassured Lu Zheng as they stood outside the tower together. "You should have tested as a Top third-grade Spirit Root, but nerves led to a mid third-grade result!""That one grade made it impossible for me to secure more resources for you from the Xu Family." Lu Zheng nodded firmly. The Xu Family's resources were already limited, with most allocated to Xu Yining. The remainder was distributed based on talent. Many Xu Family members possessed third-grade Spirit Roots. If he ranked one grade lower than others, the resources he received would be significantly inferior. This time, he had to ensure his true level was tested. "If you test as a Top third-grade Spirit Root, Aunt will do everything she can to convince the family to make an exception and let you train in Xu's Sword Technique." For her nephew, Wang Yingfeng was willing to go all out, even offering to share the Xu Family's core secrets with this outsider. What? Stunned, Lu Zheng's excitement soared! Xu's Sword Technique was a mid-level Yellow Grade attack skill—among Lonely Boat City's top combat techniques—that only core Xu Family members could access. After ten years of enduring humiliation in the Xu Family, he was finally on the verge of touching its core secrets! Elated, his gaze shifted to a familiar figure in the corner. Surprised, he asked: "Jiang Fan? What are you doing here?" Jiang Fan casually scribbled a note: "Same as you." Until his strength grew, he decided to maintain the façade of a mute, avoiding suspicion from the Xu Mansion members. "Same as me? Haha." Lu Zheng shook his head, a sneer glinting in his eyes. He was here for a higher Spirit Root re-test. Jiang Fan had already been tested multiple times; what point was there in re-testing? Patting Jiang Fan's shoulder, Lu Zheng jabbed mockingly: "A Spirit Root is something innate. You either have one or you don't.""What's wrong with living as a mortal for your entire life? Why chase something that isn't yours?"Jiang Fan clenched his fists tightly.Why was I destined to spend my life as a mere mortal, while others like you are revered Martial Artists? Then, the door opened. The Detection Tower Master—a lethargic old man—ambled out, having spent decades on the same monotonous job, his face expressionless as he said: "Same rules as always. Those with exceptional aptitude will receive rewards in the form of cultivation techniq The crowd barely reacted. Rewards were essentially unattainable for the average person. The only person to win such a reward in recent decades was Xu Yining, whose sixth-grade Spirit Root earned her a low-level Yellow Grade mental method. With this method, Xu Yining had reached the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation within six months. A sixth-grade Spirit Root had barely qualified for the lowest-tier technique; the others wouldn't stand a chance. Jiang Fan's eyes, however, lit up: "There are techniques to be earned?" Chapter 4 Deadly Misunderstanding He wanted to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm; he had to have a mental method. The mental method was a cultivation technique specifically for improving one's realm. Compared to swordsmanship or fist skills and other attack skills, the mental method was more central and more precious. Every power treated their mental method like a treasure, not allowing outsiders to touch it. The Detection Tower was the only place where an ordinary person could receive a mental method as a reward, but it was extremely difficult to obtain. Jiang Fan wasn't confident about getting the reward. After all, he had no idea what grade a transparent spirit root was. The crowd entered the Detection Tower. There were many separate rooms inside the tower; the Tower Master arranged for Jiang Fan and Lu Zheng from the Xu Family to enter adjacent rooms. Lu Zheng exuded confidence all over, glanced sideways at Jiang Fan, and said with a sly smile, "Don't be scared by the true grade of my spirit root later!" He was confident that this time he could detect a third-grade top-level spirit root. Thus, his status in the Xu Family would increase again. By then, it would be easier to snatch Xu Youran away. Jiang Fan shrugged and wrote on a piece of paper, "Let's wait and see." He had a spirit root too. Though it was transparent. With the Tower Master's command, everyone entered the detection chambers simultaneously. It was Jiang Fan's fourth visit. After closing the stone door, he couldn't help but feel nervous as he looked at the crystal ruler floating in the center of the chamber. It had nine colored markings, representing grades one to nine. When a martial artist placed their hand on it, the spirit root would trigger the corresponding color on the crystal ruler, indicating the grade of the spirit root. The detection was very accurate, never making errors. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Fan approached the crystal ruler and placed his hand on it. Buzz! The crystal ruler immediately trembled slightly! A ripple slowly rose from the base, reaching the red marking, then shot to the orange marking without stopping. Jiang Fan's heart relaxed a bit. He had always worried that his transparent spirit root might be some sort of waste spirit root with no grade. Soon, the ripple reached the yellow marking, and then surged to the green marking with a rapid force. Jiang Fan's heart raced. The green represented a fourth-grade spirit root, already exceeding Lu Zheng's grade, a rare top spirit root in Lonely Boat City. But the ripple showed no sign of stopping. It went past the blue marking and reached the azure marking! Jiang Fan clenched his fist, his heart pounding fiercely. A sixth-grade spirit root, reaching Xu Yining's level! Yet the ripple didn't stop! Purple, seventh-grade! Black, eighth-grade! Jiang Fan's heart was in his throat, and he couldn't help but feel dry-mouthed. Eighth-grade! He had actually achieved eighth-grade, breaking the highest record in Lonely Boat City! Buzz—— The ripple still had immense momentum and surged to the highest marking, white! Ninth-grade! It was ninth-grade! Jiang Fan's pupils contracted, his eyes filled with uncontrollable joy. He actually had an unprecedented ninth-grade spirit root! This was a legendary level! However. The ripple still didn't stop and continued to rise. The end of the crystal ruler was a large blank area with no markings. But the ripple continued rising and finally shot out of the ruler, flying out of the chamber. This left Jiang Fan dumbfounded. What kind of spirit root was his? He had detected it but seemed like he hadn't… Almost at the moment the ripple shot out of the crystal ruler. In the adjacent chamber, Lu Zheng watched the ripple in the crystal ruler rising slower and slower, like a snail climbing a wall, and when it finally settled at the critical point between mid and upper third-grade, his face turned ugly. "Rise! Come on, rise! Damn it!" Lu Zheng pounded the crystal ruler angrily, shouting in frustration. He thought he was a sure thing to reach third-grade top-level, but ended up just a hair's breadth away. This difference meant he had no access to the Xu Family's resources, nor Wang Yingfeng's promised "Xu's Sword Technique"! At that moment. The ripple in Jiang Fan's crystal ruler shot out of his chamber and passed by Lu Zheng's chamber. The powerful surge pulled the ripple in Lu Zheng's crystal ruler, causing it to climb again. It surged past the green, azure, blue, purple, and black markings. Finally, it climbed slowly and settled at the white marking. The white marking began to glow, and the light grew increasingly intense. The Tower Master was lying in a bamboo chair, holding a pen in one hand and lazily flipping through the registry with the other. At this time, the stone door of Chamber 3 lit up first, releasing a faint red glow. He found Chamber 3 in his registry and said indifferently, "Chamber 3, Miss Zhu of the Zhu Family, Zhu Tingting, first-grade lower spirit root." Soon, other chambers began to light up one after another. "Chamber 7, Yu Wangdong, heir of the Liu Family Commerce, first-grade upper spirit root." "Chamber 1, Young Castle Master of Cheng Family Castle, Zheng Xiangqiu, first-grade lower spirit root." ... After recording the results of several chambers, the Tower Master shook his head repeatedly. "Alas! Lonely Boat City is getting worse year by year!" "If not for Xu Yining with her recent sixth-grade spirit root, the Detection Tower here would be dismantled." Suddenly, a white light shot out from the seam of the stone door in Lu Zheng's chamber. The Tower Master rubbed his eyes, looking puzzled, "White? On the crystal ruler, white represents…" Crash! He sprang to his feet, the force of his movement sending the bamboo chair flying several dozen feet. His old face was filled with immense shock as he stared at the increasingly dazzling white light coming from Lu Zheng's chamber, exclaiming four words with astonishment! "Ninth-grade... appearing!!!" As his words fell, the white light suddenly intensified, like a blazing sun emitting a blinding radiance, turning the entire Detection Tower pure white. The tower couldn't contain the overwhelming white light, which shot into the sky, piercing through the cloud layers! Xu Family. Xu Yining had just finished meditating, surrounded by spiritual energy, her eyes sharp and bright. Beside her, Xu Zhengyan looked proud, "Yining, you've broken through the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation! At such a young age, this is unprecedented in our Lonely Boat City!" Xu Yining's brows held a trace of pride, "After all, with a sixth-grade spirit root, it's no surprise to cultivate so fast." "Once I join the Green Cloud Sect and obtain a mid or even high Yellow Level mental method, I'll cultivate even faster..." Suddenly. She glimpsed a beam of white light from the corner of her eye and was stunned, "Father, what is that?" Xu Zhengyan, also shocked by the spectacular sight, observed for a while and then said, "It's from the Detection Tower." "Could it be a world-class spirit root has appeared?" "I heard your grandfather say that many years ago, in neighboring Biyun City, a prodigy with an eighth-grade spirit root appeared. During the detection, a black light beam shot into the sky, just like what we see now!" Black light represented an eighth-grade. Then, the white beam must be ninth-grade? Xu Yining could hardly believe it as she watched the beam, unconsciously biting her lip. As proud as she was, she couldn't accept that someone in Lonely Boat City had a spirit root superior to hers. And far superior at that! Watching the gradually fading light, she gritted her teeth, threw down her sword, and rushed toward the Detection Tower, saying, "I must see who it is!" Xu Zhengyan worried about her impulsiveness, but he was also extremely curious about the identity of this extraordinary prodigy. So, he quickened his pace to follow her. The entire Lonely Boat City went into chaos because of the appearance of the white light beam. Countless martial artists crazily flocked to the Detection Tower, eager to witness this once-in-several-hundred-years sight. Among them were even a few old clan leaders, long thought dead, who could no longer stay hidden and broke through their seclusion to witness the face of this world-altering talented one! The outside world was in turmoil. Inside the Detection Tower, it was in an uproar. The detecting martial artists rushed out of their chambers, crowding around Lu Zheng's stone door, filled with unparalleled shock. The Tower Master appeared manic, muttering nonstop. "A legend! I've witnessed a legend!" "In my lifetime, I've actually seen the legendary ninth-grade spirit root!" "It's the same as our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion's Pavilion Master's spirit root." A young man with clenched fists said jealously, "Tower Master, is ninth-grade really the strongest?" The Tower Master glared at him and snorted, "Nonsense! Ninth-grade is of course the strongest..." Seemingly recalling something, he paused, uncertain and said, "There's indeed a type of spirit root that surpasses the ninth-grade in this world." Chapter 5: The Fake Dragon Emperor "It is called the Root of Infinity." "Legend has it that it is shadowless and invisible, transparent in color." "This kind of spirit root is ten times, even a hundred times, stronger than the ninth-grade." "But such a spirit root only exists in myths, it simply doesn't exist in reality." "What, do you think you have the Root of Infinity?" The Tower Master mocked, "Ninth-grade is the existence you can look up to in this life, cherish the opportunity to face the genius of ninth-grade!" "Once he grows up, you won't even have the chance to receive a glance from him for the rest of your life!" Hearing this, the young man was full of bitterness. Just one talent assessment determined their future status as superior or inferior. One was a true dragon in the sky, the other an ant on the ground. Such a comparison, so cruel that it was despairing. Jiang Fan, in the adjacent room, naturally noticed this commotion. "No way? Lu Zheng has a ninth-grade spirit root?" Jiang Fan's face showed surprise. If he had such talent, why did ten years of consuming the Xu Family's resources still leave him inferior to Xu Yining's sixth-grade? As he pondered, he suddenly realized his crystal ruler reacted once again. A dim ball of light flew out of the ruler, landing in front of him. When the light dispersed, it turned out to be two cultivation techniques! "Oh? Are these rewards for me?" Jiang Fan's heart felt joy. He quickly picked them up and looked closely. One was a Yellow Level high mental method called the Pure Wind Scripture. The other was a Yellow Level high attack skill called the Seven-star Sword Jue. The highest-level technique in Lonely Boat City was only Yellow Level medium. He unexpectedly received two Yellow Level high techniques at once! Most importantly, one of them was the mental method he urgently needed! "What level am I at to receive such high rewards?" Jiang Fan couldn't help but be surprised. Xu Yining, with her sixth-grade spirit root, was only rewarded a Yellow Level lower mental method. But regardless of the reason, with these two techniques and this transparent spirit root, he would make rapid progress in the shortest time! He safely tucked the techniques and opened the stone door. The huge sound of the opening door attracted the attention of countless onlookers. "So it's Jiang Fan! He scared me. I thought it was Lu Zheng coming out!" "Didn't Jiang Fan's assessment show no spirit root again this time?" "Alas, just a wall apart, one is a peerless ninth-grade, the other has no spirit root. The difference is mountainous!" "The Xu Family is a miraculous place. Ten years of sheltering raised both a waste and a peerless dragon, ha-ha." Jiang Fan frowned. He wanted to argue with them, but after thinking it through, why bother? Quietly training in the two Yellow Level high techniques and silently increasing his strength was the right path. He was now alone. If people knew his details, it would instead bring big trouble. Thus, he responded with a calm smile. "Jiang Fan, you are here too? What's the situation inside?" Xu Yining and Xu Zhengyan came over, noticing Jiang Fan also undergoing the assessment. Xu Yining bit her red lips, speaking rapidly. Jiang Fan calmly wrote on a note: "Lu Zheng's assessment showed a ninth-grade spirit root." What? Xu Yining's face turned ghastly pale, staggering a few steps, unable to believe this reality: "Impossible, this is impossible!" Could it really be a ninth-grade genius born? Moreover, he was fostered in their own family? Her strong pride couldn't bear the blow, and she burst into tears. Jiang Fan silently sighed. He always felt there was some issue with Lu Zheng's spirit root assessment, so he casually comforted her, writing: "Keep calm and continue cultivating, await the future." Xu Yining glanced at it, feeling it was Jiang Fan's sarcasm towards her, and said angrily: "Seeing me cry makes you feel happy, right?" "You think me rejecting your marriage proposal has its retribution, right?" "No matter what, I'm a sixth-grade prodigy, a hundred times, a thousand times better than you, a waste of a mute!" Jiang Fan was speechless. She was angry, but why take it out on him? Truly, like "not grateful," a dog biting Lü Dongbin without knowing a good person's heart! At this moment, the Tower Master, who also noticed Xu Zhengyan's arrival, quickly ran over with an incredibly kind smile. "Brother Xu, congratulations, congratulations!" Xu Zhengyan was flattered. The Detection Tower Master usually never gave face to anyone, only slightly smiled at the City Lord. So suddenly being so kind, calling him 'Brother Xu,' made him feel light as if walking on air. Next, the strongest person in Lonely Boat City, the City Lord Ye Jifeng, also came with cupped fists: "Family Head Xu, congratulations, Xu Mansion produced a true dragon!" Seeing Ye Jifeng's barely smiling face, Xu Zhengyan felt even more like he was dreaming. Once upon a time, he visited Ye Jifeng with heavy gifts, only to be shut out, receiving no audience. Now, he proactively came to express goodwill with envy and jealousy. Several secluded old monsters, whom Xu Zhengyan had to address with utmost respect, also kindly approached, speaking about the connections between their ancestors and the Xu family. It seemed as if overnight, the Xu family transformed from an obscure declining family to the hottest first family in Lonely Boat City. Xu Zhengyan was in a daze for a long time before gradually calming down. He understood it was all thanks to Lu Zheng! Wang Yingfeng proudly walked over: "Husband, do you remember what you said when I insisted on bringing Zheng into the Xu family for cultivation?" Upon hearing this, Xu Zhengyan's face was full of guilt. He had strongly opposed it, after all, the Xu family's resources were limited, giving them to an outsider would mean less for their own people. Under Wang Yingfeng's desperate plea, he reluctantly agreed. He never expected Lu Zheng to be so promising! "I was blind at the time, all thanks to you, my fortunate wife, that our Xu family could attach itself to Zheng, this future peerless talent!" Xu Zhengyan embraced Wang Yingfeng, feeling extremely grateful. Wang Yingfeng's face was full of glory: "Indeed? Back then, that eighth-grade prodigy from Biyun City directly entered the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and later became its Vice Pavilion Master." "Our Zheng is a ninth-grade prodigy, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion will soon recruit him!" "Your Xu family will soar to new heights with my Zheng's help!" Xu Zhengyan was swayed in his thoughts. Lu Zheng's ninth-grade spirit root changed not just his fate, but the entire Xu family! Not long after, amidst everyone's anticipation, Lu Zheng finally opened the stone door, walking out confidently. He came before Xu Zhengyan, knelt on one knee, and said: "Thank you, uncle, for your years of nurturing." "I have not let you down, my assessment showed a ninth-grade spirit root!" For a moment, everyone envied Xu Zhengyan. No one knew how much luck was required to get such a heavenly prodigy! Xu Zhengyan didn't dare to act superior, quickly helping him up: "This won't do, Zheng, you're a ninth-grade prodigy, how can I, your uncle, deserve this kneel? Stand up quickly." Lu Zheng felt unprecedentedly elated. In the past, he always spoke and acted cautiously in front of Xu Zhengyan, slightly off would trigger a reprimand. Now, Xu Zhengyan revered him as a god. And the Tower Master, the City Lord of Lonely Boat City, and some old monsters from various families all looked at him eagerly, hoping to establish a good relationship. This made him, who had long been at the bottom, feel invincible, as if he was overlooking the world from the nine-layered heaven. However, from the corner of his eye, he saw Jiang Fan's silhouette. Everyone bowed to his ninth-grade spirit root's brilliance. Only Jiang Fan, with his hands in his sleeves, showed neither reverence nor fear. This annoyed him greatly. A waste mute, why didn't he bow to him? "Jiang Fan, are you unconvinced?" In front of all the strongmen, all the bigwigs, and all the martial artists in Lonely Boat City, he threw his question firmly. Chapter 6 Deadly Stand-off Jiang Fan turned his head to look, his expression blank as he casually wrote: "Do you deserve it?" In his entire life, he only respected his father, who single-handedly raised him. Everyone else was unworthy. "How laughable, a worthless person without a Spirit Root, what qualification do you have to act high and mighty in front of me?" Lu Zheng said contemptuously. He then turned to Xu Zhengyan, bowed, and said: "Uncle Xu, I have a request." Xu Zhengyan hurriedly said: "Dear nephew, you may speak, there is no need for such formalities." Lu Zheng glanced at Jiang Fan, a smirk at the corner of his mouth: "I have grown up alongside Youran, and I cannot bear to see her marry a worthless person." "I implore Uncle Xu to give Youran's hand in marriage to me." "I am the one who can bring her happiness and a future!" This... Xu Zhengyan was in a difficult position; he had already promised Youran to Jiang Fan, could he go back on his word and have Youran remarry? Wouldn't that make him a man of no integrity? "Uncle, if I declare my desire to marry, I believe many families present would gladly form an alliance with me, right?" With his hands behind his back, Lu Zheng said with a hint of threat: "At that time, I would be someone else's son-in-law." Xu Zhengyan's face changed dramatically. Lu Zheng was the Xu family's Sky-reaching Tree! If he were to lose him, Xu Zhengyan would be the eternal sinner of the Xu family! Compared to breaking his word and losing his integrity, being an eternal sinner was something he could not bear. As he was about to make a decision, Jiang Fan lifted his pen and aggressively wrote a few words: "Uncle Xu, whether one can bring Youran happiness depends on strength, not words." "I am willing to compete with Lu Zheng!" Xu Zhengyan felt a sudden relief. If Jiang Fan lost and withdrew voluntarily, he wouldn't have to bear the name of a man with no integrity. And Lu Zheng could marry Xu Youran as he wished. A perfect solution! As for the possibility of Jiang Fan winning... One had no Spirit Root, the other had a Nine-grade Spiritual Root. He couldn't see how Jiang Fan could win. He quickly looked at Lu Zheng and said with a smile: "Zheng, what do you think?" Lu Zheng laughed heartily: "A worthless person wants to challenge a Nine-grade Spiritual Root? Ha ha ha!" "Fine, since we both grew up at the Xu Mansion, I'll give you a chance to compete against a Nine-grade Spiritual Root." "Even if you lose, you can brag about it for a lifetime!" Xu Zhengyan completely relaxed and said: "I'll give you three days, whoever breaks through one level will have the qualification to marry Xu Youran!" "What do you think?" One level in three days? Jiang Fan thought that in three days, it was possible that he might break through more than one level. With his mysterious Spirit Root, coupled with the high-grade Yellow Level mental method, it was not difficult at all. He immediately lifted his pen and wrote: "Agreed!" Lu Zheng smiled confidently: "One level, Uncle, you underestimate my Nine-grade Spiritual Root! Just wait and see in three days!" At this moment, an old man dressed in luxurious robes stepped forward from among the dignitaries and said with clasped hands: "Young Master Lu, I am Qin Changsheng." On hearing this, everyone was moved. Qin Changsheng, the head of the first alchemy family in Lonely Boat City. With the ancestral formula for Qi Cultivation Liquid, they monopolized the supply to all surrounding cities. And Qi Cultivation Liquid was the only medicine that could enhance cultivation in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Thus, Lonely Boat City had a saying: it's better to offend the City Lord tenfold than to offend the Qin family slightly. His appearance immediately drew everyone's attention. Lu Zheng also recognized him and asked in confusion: "Qin Family Head, what is the matter?" Qin Changsheng smiled and presented a brocade box. Inside were ten small jade bottles, each emanating spirit light, filled with the famous Qi Cultivation Liquid! "The Qin family congratulates Young Master Lu on detecting a Nine-grade Spiritual Root. We have nothing else to offer, so please accept these ten newly refined bottles of Qi Cultivation Liquid." "We hope Young Master Lu will win the beauty's hand in three days!" Ten bottles? Many people looked greedily at the Qi Cultivation Liquid; a single bottle was priceless, not affordable for ordinary families. The Qin family giving away ten bottles at once was indeed a generous gesture. With ten bottles of Qi Cultivation Liquid, even a pig could undergo qualitative changes, not to mention Lu Zheng with his Nine-grade Spiritual Root? They couldn't help but look sympathetically at Jiang Fan. This young man was destined to lose his bride. Jiang Fan's eyes narrowed slightly; the Qin family was clearly supporting Lu Zheng? Noticing Jiang Fan's gaze, Qin Changsheng did not withdraw. Instead, he said indifferently: "Additionally, from today, all Qin family shops are prohibited from selling Qi Cultivation Liquid to Jiang Fan." It wasn't just support; it was blatant suppression! Jiang Fan's eyes turned cold, and he lifted his pen and wrote: "I hope you won't regret it." Qin Changsheng sneered: "Regret? Regret abandoning a worthless person and embracing Young Master Lu's favor?" The crowd burst into laughter. Jiang Fan gave Qin Changsheng a meaningful look and silently walked away. The crowd also dispersed, following the end of the farce. On the way back, an elder following Qin Changsheng looked hesitant: "Family Head, why did you press so hard and suppress a junior?" As an alchemy family, the Qin family earned enormous profits each year, attracting envy from many. Therefore, the Qin family had always adhered to a low-profile principle, offending no one. Qin Changsheng, understanding this well, had always maintained harmony and avoided conflict. Now he was so oppressive towards Jiang Fan, puzzling the elder. Qin Changsheng's expression was emotionless: "Do you remember the mysterious Soul Master who emerged ten years ago?" The elder nodded: "Of course, I remember. The Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid he refined nearly destroyed our Qin family's hundred-year enterprise." "If he hadn't stopped at refining ten bottles, exchanging them for money and some materials, his Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid might have completely taken over our market for Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid." The Qin family's Qi Cultivation Liquid was low grade, less than half as effective as mid-grade. If that person had mass-produced and sold mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid, who would still buy low-grade ones? His emergence back then almost led to the direct decline of the Qin family. Qin Changsheng said meaningfully: "Then do you remember when Lu Zheng came to our Lonely Boat City?" The elder thought carefully and exclaimed in shock: "Ten years ago! Family Head, you mean..." "Exactly!" Qin Changsheng's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Ten years ago was when Lu Zheng arrived, and that mysterious Soul Master also appeared then. This is no coincidence!" "I think he is very likely the protector of Lu Zheng, the one with a Nine-grade Spiritual Root!" "So now do you understand why I got involved in the competition between Lu Zheng and Jiang Fan?" The elder suddenly understood and praised: "Family Head wants to gain Lu Zheng's favor and thereby receive recognition from the Soul Master behind him?" "If he can become our backer, our domain will far exceed the few surrounding cities!" Qin Changsheng slowly nodded. He raised his fingers to the sky, gripping tightly, and said with great spirit: "All my life, I have been cautious, never making wrong choices." "This time, I believe I won't be wrong either!" "As for that so-called Jiang Fan, he can only blame himself for not seeing the bigger picture and blocking the Qin family's path to greatness!" "He's just a small character; offending him won't cause any big waves!" Chapter 7 Father's Relics Xu Mansion. After Jiang Fan returned, he immediately shut the door and clenched his fists tightly. "Lu Zheng, I don't believe that I am inferior to you!" He opened the "Pure Wind Scripture" and carefully read it. Perhaps it was because his body had been baptized by the Void Ancient Tree, but this rather esoteric Yellow Level high-grade mental method suddenly became much easier for him to understand. A two-hour period later, his eyes shone with wisdom as he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate. "Letting the qi flow through the dantian, focusing the mind and forgetting the self, neither wind nor self..." He silently recited the mantra, and the transparent spirit root within his body, like vast root tendrils rooted in nothingness, slowly absorbed the spiritual energy from the air. The stronger the spirit root, the faster the absorption speed. The more advanced the mental method, the faster the absorption speed as well. The combination of both produced a synergistic effect. Soon, strands of invisible spiritual energy gathered from all directions, blending into his dantian and transforming into threads of pure spiritual power. He cultivated tirelessly, losing himself in it. So much so that when dawn broke and a ray of glaring sunlight hit his eyes, he was woken up. He slowly opened his eyes. With a glimmer of anticipation, he jumped off the bed, circulated his dantian, and threw out his fists. Poof— The faint sound of compressed air bursting entered his ears. "Second Layer of Qi Cultivation! In one night, I reached the Second Layer of Qi Cultivation!" Jiang Fan was overjoyed. "It took Xu Yining three whole days to break through to the First Layer of Qi Cultivation, didn't it?" Though he rejoiced for a long time, he did not become arrogant or complacent. "But just reaching the Second Layer of Qi Cultivation is not enough. To protect myself and Xu Youran, I need to become even stronger." Jiang Fan muttered to himself. He tried to continue cultivating but found that the speed at which he absorbed spiritual energy had slowed significantly. "In the Qi Cultivation Realm, the further you go, the slower the cultivation becomes. You need Qi Cultivation Liquid to assist." "But Qi Cultivation Liquid is very expensive, and Qin Changsheng won't sell it to me!" He frowned slightly. Suddenly, a spark flashed in his mind, and he muttered, "Before my father passed, he asked me to bury the box he had carried with him for ten years in front of his grave." "He cautioned me not to dig it up until the seed had sprouted." "Is there any cultivation resource left for me inside?" Since his father could leave him such a miraculous seed, there must be extraordinary items inside the mysterious box as well. He got up and opened the door. Yet he heard Xu Youran's pleading voice from the neighboring courtyard. "Aunt Wang, these are the resources the clan allocated to me this month, please don't take them away." Wang Yingfeng, with two personal maids, had driven Xu Youran into a corner against the wall. The maids held her hands down, while Wang Yingfeng retrieved a bottle of Qi Cultivation Liquid from her bosom, her face icy as she said, "Don't think I don't know, you want to give this to that useless Jiang Fan!" "You want him to win? Haha, dream on!" Bang— Wang Yingfeng ruthlessly smashed the Qi Cultivation Liquid onto the ground, spilling the precious liquid all over, mixing with the soil. Xu Youran anxiously broke free from the two maids, threw herself to the ground, and tried to scoop up the mud soaked with the spiritual liquid, hoping to salvage some of it. But the liquid had already mixed with the soil, becoming impossible to separate and thus useless. "Aunt Wang!" Normally calm, her eyes filled with tears in anger: "Fan is already pitiful enough, why do you bully him like this?" "You make it so difficult for him even for a single bottle of Qi Cultivation Liquid!" Wang Yingfeng nonchalantly clapped her hands and said, "Who bullied him?" "The Qi Cultivation Liquid belongs to our Xu Family, if he has the guts, let him get it himself, relying on a woman to give it to him secretly, not only do we in the Xu Mansion look down on him, even the beggars on the street would spit on him." "Let's go!" She swayed her hips, satisfied, and left. Jiang Fan doesn't even have a bottle of Qi Cultivation Liquid and wants to beat her nephew, keep dreaming. Xu Youran crouched helplessly on the ground, hugging her knees and sobbing in self-blame. At this moment. A hand rested on her back, gently patting her. Startled, she turned her head to see Jiang Fan, and her self-blame deepened. She collapsed into his arms, crying out, "I'm sorry, Fan, I'm so useless!" "I should have been more careful, then Aunt Wang wouldn't have discovered it." Jiang Fan gently patted her thin back, his heart full of tenderness: "Silly girl, I should be thanking you, how could I blame you?" Xu Youran's eyes were red, filled with endless self-blame: "But that was the only Qi Cultivation Liquid I could give you." How am I worthy of having such a fiancée? Jiang Fan became even more gentle: "Wang Yingfeng said one thing that I do agree with." "A man who only wins by relying on a woman's help, not only do outsiders look down on him, but I would look down on myself too!" "Don't worry, I'll figure out a way to get the Qi Cultivation Liquid myself." "Go back and rest, wait for my news." Xu Youran was silent for a long time, then suddenly nodded: "Okay, do your best, no matter the result, I won't blame you." With that, she left the backyard and the Xu Mansion. She headed toward Cloud Mist Mountain on the outskirts where Spirit Grass grew abundantly. Unable to bear Jiang Fan's isolation and helplessness, she still wanted to help him as best as she could. Although Spirit Grass was far less effective than Qi Cultivation Liquid, it was better than nothing. Meanwhile. Jiang Fan also left the Xu Mansion and came to the cemetery outside the town. "Dad, your unfilial son has come to see you." He knelt in front of the grave, burning many paper offerings and candles, his mind recalling the years spent with his father. His father was silent and taciturn, liked to drink. When drunk, he would curse the heavens in rage, as if venting some injustice. When sober, he would gaze at the moon, tears streaming down his face. Regardless of whether he was drunk or sober, his gaze toward Jiang Fan was always gentle. "Dad, I'm going to get married, but not to Xu Yining, to the one you liked more—Xu Youran. You once said she was actually more suitable to be my wife, gentle and understanding." Jiang Fan laughed, but tears flowed as he spoke: "If you were still alive, you would certainly be grinning from ear to ear, wouldn't you?" "When we're married, I will surely bring her to meet you." Wiping his tears, Jiang Fan said with a bit of guilt: "But I've run into some trouble and need to open the box you left behind." "Disturbing your peace, I beg your forgiveness." After kowtowing several times, Jiang Fan picked up a hoe and began digging the earth in front of the gravestone. He dug three feet deep before finally uncovering a black wooden box. "Hmm, it hasn't rotted." Jiang Fan lifted it, a look of surprise on his face. Since he could remember, this wooden box had always been this way. Neither damaged nor showing any signs of age. Even after being buried underground for three years, there were no traces of insects or vermin gnawing at it, nor was it corroded by the damp soil. It seemed the box itself was anything but ordinary. With his heart slightly pounding, he turned the latch of the box, and with a click. This box that his father had guarded for fifteen years, never leaving his side, never once opened. Finally, after Jiang Fan's seed sprouted, saw the light of day again. Creaaak! As the box opened, some items that caused Jiang Fan's pupils to contract sharply came into view. Chapter 8 Soul Master Those were two jade bottles, quietly lying inside were green spiritual liquids. "Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid! It's mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid!" Jiang Fan was overjoyed beyond words. He knew it, his father would definitely leave him some cultivation resources. These two bottles of mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid solved his urgent need! He hurriedly picked up the Qi Cultivation Liquid, only to find a letter and a bamboo slip underneath. Seeing the letter, his heart skipped a beat as he trembled while opening it. The handwriting inside was indeed his father's. "Fan, when you see this letter, your father would have been dead for three years, right?" "Has your seed sprouted? Have you married Xu Yining? Are you healthy and safe? How do you look now?" "Father really wants to know, but alas, I can no longer see." "Father hopes you comply with my instructions in opening the wooden box, as the items inside are useful only when the seed has sprouted." "The two bottles of mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid are left for you to break through your current realm." "But the most important thing is the bamboo slip underneath. Father had mediocre talent and could only grasp a smattering after a lifetime of study, barely becoming a two-star soul master." "I hope my son can surpass me and become a great soul master, thus having the means to protect yourself." "Finally, this wooden box was left to you by your mother. She said that when you become a five-star soul master, you can open the hidden layer of the box." "Failing to open the hidden layer is father's last regret." "If you ever get to open it someday, remember to burn a paper and tell me what's inside." "Keep going, my son." "Your life will have many twists and turns, never give up no matter what, okay?" Droplet after droplet of tears fell onto the letter. Jiang Fan felt as if his father was bidding him a final farewell right in front of him. "Father…" he clenched his fists, tears streaming down, "I will strive to live, definitely! Definitely!!" After a long time, he wiped away his tears. Reverently putting the letter away, his heart surged with emotion. "So, father was once a two-star soul master." Soul masters were the most prestigious profession in this world, without exception. They possessed extraordinary soul power, capable of performing various wondrous soul techniques and refining pills used by martial artists. Unlike the medicines of ordinary people. The pills needed for cultivation were all made from various aged heavenly materials and earthly treasures. These heavenly materials and earthly treasures grew in deep mountains and old forests over the years, absorbing both spiritual energy and, inevitably, impurities. To remove these impurities, one could only rely on powerful soul power to strip them away. Therefore, a soul master was both a mysterious and unpredictable expert and an irreplaceable alchemist. Lonely Boat City's Qin Family became the top medicine-refining family because every generation of family heads inherited the Qin Family's heirloom, a treasure capable of temporarily enhancing one's soul power. The enhanced level was roughly of soul master apprentice caliber. Even so, this made the Qin Family one of the foremost houses in Lonely Boat City, with a stomp of their feet causing the entire city to tremble. The might of a soul master was evident. Jiang Fan, dry-mouthed, unrolled the bamboo slip. If he could learn even a smattering and become a two-star soul master like his father, wouldn't he be able to control the wind and rain? On the bamboo slip were strange, twisted characters. At a glance, they couldn't even be considered characters. Moreover, looking at them made him dizzy. "'Taiyin Soul Technique, Upper Chapter,' authored by: Eight-star Great Carefree Venerate." "Only those with powerful souls can decipher these characters. Others who read it lightly suffer severe headaches; severely, their souls are destroyed. Practice with caution." Jiang Fan then understood that the characters should not be viewed with his eyes but recognized with his soul. The fact that he could decipher them indicated that his soul was stronger than the average person's, qualifying him to become a soul master! This delighted Jiang Fan immensely; he hurriedly continued reading until headaches forced him to stop. He quickly sat cross-legged in front of the grave, quietly digesting what he had read. Just like when he practiced the "Pure Wind Scripture," he comprehended these contents very quickly. In just half a day, he opened his eyes, gleaming with expectation. "Father, I seem to have learned some ways to use my soul." Looking at the two bottles of mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid in front of him, he drank one and tucked the other in his chest. As the potent Qi Cultivation Liquid entered his body, it emitted abundant spiritual energy. Jiang Fan quickly cultivated, greedily absorbing this spiritual energy. Soon after, his body shook. He joyfully opened his eyes, "I've broken through to the third layer of Qi Cultivation! Mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid has such an effect; I wonder what the effects of top-grade and highest-grade would be like!" He filled the hole in front of the grave, bowed to his father's tombstone, and then got up to head back to the city. He did not return to the Xu Family but instead went to a desolate Treasure Pavilion. The Treasure Pavilion was the Chen Family's shop, the second medicine-refining family in Lonely Boat City. The Chen Family didn't have the Qin Family's luck of owning a soul power-enhancing treasure, so they could only refine rough pills, and their business was far from as good as the Qin Family's. Jiang Fan, upon arrival, changed into a broad black robe and wore a mask, then walked into the shop. Minding the shop was the Treasure Pavilion's shopkeeper, lazily lying on a chair, saying, "What would the customer like to buy?" Jiang Fan shook his head, holding a small stone in his mouth to muffle his voice. "Not buying." Oh? The shopkeeper, with an eight-character mustache, looked at Jiang Fan in surprise, "Then, do you have heavenly materials and earthly treasures to sell?" Some lucky martial artists would sell valuable herbs they discovered to reputable shops, which wasn't unusual. "Not selling either." The shopkeeper frowned, "This is a place for business. If you're not buying or selling, why are you here?" Jiang Fan took out the mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid he had tucked away and placed it on the counter. "For exchange." The shopkeeper frowned, his gaze sweeping over, landing on the mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid. He was slightly taken aback at first, his eyes showing unfamiliarity, then he suddenly jumped from the reclining chair and quickly walked over, exclaiming, "This, could this be mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid?" "It's been ten years, and I'm seeing mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid again!" His tone was somewhat excited, looking at Jiang Fan with reverence, calling out loudly, "Quick! Don't just stand there; bring tea for this gentleman!" "The best tea!" Jiang Fan was slightly surprised, ten years? Could it be the Qi Cultivation Liquid refined by his father? He said expressionlessly, "No need for tea, I want to exchange for these materials, how much can your shop provide?" He picked up a pen on the counter and wrote down the materials. "Materials for Qi Cultivation Liquid?" The shopkeeper grew even more excited, his tone filled with awe, his posture unconsciously bending, "Could it be that… sir, you are a soul master?" Throughout Lonely Boat City, apart from Qin Changsheng, no one else would need materials for Qi Cultivation Liquid. Unless he was a soul master, preparing to refine Qi Cultivation Liquid. Jiang Fan's tone turned icy, "Do you want to know?" The shopkeeper was startled, immediately smacking his lips, "Forgive my nosiness, sir. Please pardon me." If this man indeed was a soul master, ten lives would not be enough to atone for offending him. "Less nonsense, how much can you offer?" Jiang Fan said. The shopkeeper quickly replied, "According to the market price, one bottle of mid-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid is ten thousand taels of silver. The materials for Qi Cultivation Liquid cost one thousand taels of silver per set. You can exchange for ten sets of materials." His gaze shifted, the shopkeeper rubbed his hands, "But sir, if you have more Qi Cultivation Liquid to sell us, I can decide to give you eleven sets of materials." Jiang Fan paused, ten thousand taels of silver? Low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid was only five thousand taels per bottle. The price of mid-grade had doubled! But considering its effects were twice as potent as low-grade, it made sense. After a moment's thought, Jiang Fan nodded, "Okay." The shopkeeper was overjoyed, hurriedly fetching eleven sets of materials and presenting them to Jiang Fan, rubbing his hands, "To be honest, sir, tomorrow is the exhibition of medicine-refining families in Lonely Boat City. If you have extra Qi Cultivation Liquid, could you sell it to us at the event to enhance our Chen Family's prestige?" Seeing his almost pleading expression, Jiang Fan slightly nodded, "I'll try." Then he left the Treasure Pavilion. After ensuring no one was following, he found an alley to remove his disguise and calmly walked back to the street. Just a few steps later, he heard a sneer. "Oh? Who is this?" Lu Zheng, smiling broadly, rode a horse with Qin Changsheng beside him. They reined in their horses and stopped as they saw Jiang Fan. Glancing at the nearby Treasure Pavilion, Lu Zheng sneered: "Family Head of the Qin Family, some people are daydreaming, thinking they can buy low-grade Qi Cultivation Liquid?"

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I stand in the rain, a sack of moldy rice over my shoulder, the Xu family’s trash at my feet.

They call me Jiang Fan the Mute. The Rootless Waste. Eighteen years I’ve played dumb, eyes down, lips sealed. One word—just one—and the divine seed inside me stirs. Heaven hears. Lightning falls.

I can’t speak. But I remember.

Last night, Xu Youran pressed a jade slip into my hand. Fifty thousand spirit coins. Her dowry.

“Leave,” she whispered. “Before the inheritance ceremony. They’ll kill you if they find out what you are.”

She doesn’t know what I am. Doesn’t know the emptiness in my dantian isn’t broken cultivation—it’s a void swallowing stars. The seed isn’t mine. It chose me. And it’s waking up.

I nod once. No thanks. No farewell. Just silence.

At dawn, I walk to the ancestral cliff, where the Xu heirs ignite their spiritual roots beneath the Sky Mirror Array. A test. A spectacle. A slaughter for those who fail.

I’m last on the list.

Jiang Fan the Mute. Worthless. Unworthy.

The clan elders sneer as I step onto the stone platform.

“Waste shouldn’t be on sacred ground,” sneers Elder Xu Zhen.

I look up. The sky is clear. Blue. Calm.

Then—my chest pulses.

A hum. Deep. Ancient.

The Sky Mirror cracks.

Wind howls. Clouds spiral. Above Lonely Boat City, the heavens split open, revealing a black iris in the storm—a celestial eye.

The divine seed speaks.

Not in words.

In thunder.

Lightning strikes the platform. Not at me.

Around me. Seven forks. Seven directions. Like kneeling gods.

Silence follows. Rain stops midair.

Xu Youran gasps. “What… what is he?”

The seed doesn’t answer.

I do.

My lips part for the first time in eighteen years.

One word.

“Enough.”

The ground shatters. The cliff collapses. The Xu ancestors’ statues explode into dust.

Above me, the void widens.

And the world finally hears the truth:

Emptiness isn’t weakness.

It’s hunger.

And it’s awake.