There's Something Wrong With My Immortal Path

Chapter 9: Drawing a Pie - Jiang Liang

The moon was dark and the wind was high, with the cold frost seeping in.

In the bitter cold of December, the breath turned into ice.

Inside the thirty-seventh cave, Xia Ming took a deep breath.

Glancing at the thick grass curtain hanging at the entrance of the cave, Xia Ming slowly took out the clear detection stone from his pocket.

The stone was beautiful, like a flawless crystal, shimmering with a dreamy and enchanting light under the candlelight.

After carefully examining it for a while, Xia Ming frowned and muttered softly.

"Why is it so small... Can it be trusted..."

Xia Ming remembered it very clearly.

Back then, the detection stone placed at the entrance of the Great River Sect was extraordinary.

It was more like a towering black stone tablet, reaching tens of zhang in height.

It was hard not to notice it on the huge square paved with white marble.

And it would determine the status and rank of the disciples.

Even now, Xia Ming still couldn't forget that scene from that day.

When the stone tablet came into contact with a disciple who possessed a Spirit Root, it would emit a brilliant light on its surface.

The lights would connect and merge, eventually forming a lush and flourishing tree.

Blue was the Water Spirit Root, red was the Fire Spirit Root...

Xia Ming had also fantasized about lighting up his own cultivation tree.

But unfortunately, when he touched the stone tablet, Xia Ming's heart shattered.

The black stone tablet remained motionless and calm.

Before Xia Ming could react, a big hand directly moved it aside.

...

Taking a deep breath, Xia Ming slowly snapped out of his memories.

He knew that the detection stone of the Dao Sect's testing monument was specially refined.

For detecting Spirit Roots... most cultivators used this little gadget in his hand.

The Spirit Root detection stone was a disposable item.

Holding his breath and focusing his senses on the surrounding fluctuating spiritual energy, Xia Ming slowly clenched and then released the Spirit Root detection stone.

Staring blankly at the gradually rising pale blue color in the clear stone, Xia Ming took a deep breath.

This breath was long, as if he wanted to exhale all the pent-up frustration in his heart.

After a moment, the crystal shattered, and everything turned into nothingness.

Spirit Root!

Water Spirit Root!

Electrolysis Spirit Root! This path really works!

He had truly cultivated a Spirit Root!

If he continued to cultivate like this, Xia Ming could actually possess multiple different Spirit Roots!

And they would be parallel Spirit Roots!

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Xia Ming's face.

But before the smile could fully bloom, it froze and then completely dissipated.

Because... Xia Ming saw the figure outside the grass curtain.

Tall figure, thin and long face, hair tied up.

This person was none other than Jiang Liang, the elder in charge of Soul Capturing Cliff!

Jiang Liang raised a piece of stone skin, and Xia Ming quickly got up, rolled up the grass curtain, and respectfully bowed.

And Jiang Liang, outside the curtain, brought in a bone-chilling cold wind and directly intruded into Xia Ming's little world.

"Disciple Xia Ming, I pay my respects to Elder Jiang."

After deeply looking at the obedient Xia Ming, Jiang Liang remained silent.

Then his eyes, shining with brilliance, scanned the entire thirty-seventh cave bit by bit.

"Xia Ming, if you lack anything, just tell me."

Upon hearing Jiang Liang's words, Xia Ming lowered his eyebrows and eyes, appearing submissive.

Xia Ming was not a fool.

Jiang Liang coming here late at night, was it to offer him consolation?

Xia Ming naturally knew the purpose of Jiang Liang's visit.

This Elder Jiang wanted to suppress him!

It seemed that Jiang Liang took this morning's incident to heart.

As Xia Ming expected, after a moment of silence, Jiang Liang continued to speak:

"Xia Ming, all things in the world are born with different qualities. Some trees grow tall like mountains, while some grasses are as low as mud. This is all fate, and fate is predetermined. How can human effort defy fate?"

Is fate predetermined? Can it not be defied?

With just this sentence, it directly triggered Xia Ming's rebellious mentality.

Heaven cannot be defied?

Heh, what a coincidence.

My genes have mutated, and what I defy is heaven!

Although he thought this way in his heart, Xia Ming still put on a look of melancholy on the surface.

It must be said that after experiencing so much in his past life, even the experienced Jiang Liang couldn't see through Xia Ming's facade.

"Disciple Xia Ming, thank you for Elder Jiang's teachings."

Seeing Xia Ming's disappointment, Jiang Liang patted his shoulder gently.

Heaven's will is difficult to defy, Spirit Root is predetermined.

Yes... to make a young person of seventeen or eighteen accept all this, it is truly cruel.

But it can only be done this way, to make the little donkey see the reality and not have wild thoughts.

Of course, it cannot be all discouragement, some hope must be given as well.

As the elder in charge, Jiang Liang naturally understands this.

Looking at Xia Ming, Jiang Liang's expression suddenly became gentle.

"Xia Ming, rest assured, when I advance to the Core Formation stage, I will definitely seek a good future for you."

"I will make sure you can settle down and enjoy the blessings of the mortal world, with a full house of children and grandchildren, commanding a region."

"If in the future, you have descendants with Spirit Roots, I can also bring them into the sect."

Hearing Jiang Liang's words, Xia Ming immediately showed a surprised expression.

"Disciple Xia Ming thanks Elder Jiang for his kindness."

...

Respectfully seeing Jiang Liang off from the cave, standing in front of the cave, Xia Ming's eyes gradually became dim.

To enjoy the blessings of the mortal world, to bless future generations?

This Jiang Liang is really good at painting a tempting picture.

Unfortunately, Xia Ming has seen too many of these big promises.

Advancing to the Core Formation stage... settling down and starting a family... having a full house of children and grandchildren... and joining the sect?

Thinking about these, Xia Ming couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

This big promise painted by Jiang Liang, he is truly not interested.

Xia Ming is no longer the same Xia Ming as before.

This incredibly magnificent and magical world has already opened its doors to him, how could he easily give up?

Born as a human, cultivate in the second life.

How could Xia Ming be willing to live an ordinary life again?

He could endure the darkness, if he had never seen the light.

Now that the colorful immortal path is right in front of Xia Ming, Jiang Liang wants him to give it up.

How could Xia Ming be willing!

Standing on the stone steps, above is an endless galaxy, below is a deep and mysterious abyss.

At this moment, a great ambition surged in Xia Ming's heart.

In my entire life, I only wish for brilliance!

I want to climb the highest peak in this world, I want to see the most magnificent scenery in this world.

Traveling through thousands of mountains and crossing countless waters, dyeing the mortal world red, intoxicated in the passing years!

I want to become an immortal!

...

As the cold wind blew, Xia Ming's burning passion instantly cooled down.

Cold! It's too cold!

Holding his clothes tightly, Xia Ming quickly returned to cave number thirty-seven.

It took him a while before he regained his senses.

Looking at the flickering candlelight, Xia Ming fell into deep thought again.

Although he now possesses Spirit Root, he doesn't have a cultivation technique.

Qi Refining... Qi Refining... what is Qi Refining?

Right now, Xia Ming is like a young beast trapped in the Soul Capturing Cliff, without claws or support.

Xia Ming knows that in the current situation, he can only continue to do his job well.

Only by constantly pleasing Jiang Liang can he strive for greater freedom.

He also needs to continue contacting Li Dahuo, he can't rely solely on Jiang Liang.

Thinking of this, Xia Ming directly extinguished the candlelight by the bed.

Sleep, sleep.

Resting well is the way to go.

As for that soul stone... Xia Ming dares not touch it again.

(End of this chapter)