The peculiar contradiction surrounding Xia Ming made He Niansheng furrow brows deeply.

His extraordinary curiosity could be explained, after all. In a vast forest, there are all kinds of birds; it's inevitable to find a few with an unusually large sense of daring.

Even when entering an unfamiliar environment, they could quickly adjust. Such people are called 'naturals.'

Curiosity could explain it, but how about that unsettlingly unreasonable calm?

Maturity beyond his years? But even that doesn't quite fit.

He Niansheng considered himself to have an extraordinary temperament, far beyond the ordinary, yet even he, upon discovering his Ice Spirit Root, had jumped three feet high in excitement. It would be false to say he wasn't thrilled; Ice Spirit Roots are a rarity among rarities. Not one in ten thousand cultivators would have such a Spirit Root, and that's no exaggeration.

In He Niansheng's view, the psychological impact on Xia Ming that day was surely no less than his own years ago. Joy, anger, sorrow, fear—all can touch the human heart, for who among us is devoid of feeling?

To discover a unique Spirit Root is to experience joy, a joy that lifts the heart. And to find no Spirit Root at all is to feel sorrow, a sorrow that grips the gut.

Yet, this youngster Xia Ming returned to his usual demeanor in just a few breaths. How could a young man achieve such a feat? Could it be that inside him dwells an old demon, weathered by the years?

Thinking this, He Niansheng smirked and shook his head dismissively. Soul transmigration, at the very least, is the realm of Nascent Soul stage cultivators. And those who reach the Nascent Soul stage are all cunning old demons. But Xia Ming looked every part the novice in the world of cultivation. He couldn't even understand the Spirit Root detection stone; how could he be a Nascent Soul old monster?

Eliminating various possibilities... a peculiar thought slowly emerged in He Niansheng's mind.

Could it be...

This kid knew he had a Spirit Root, but the Spirit Root detection stele couldn't reveal it.

A Hidden Spirit Root? Is this the mysterious nature of a Hidden Spirit Root?

With a sweep of his black robe, He Niansheng took the Shadow Stone and left. Watching this scene, Hai Dafu's mouth hung open, not daring to utter another word.

In an instant, He Niansheng stepped out, heading straight for Xiehun Cliff. As the wind blew his robe and the mountain wind picked up...

...

This day was quite fruitful for Jiang Liang.

On this trip down the mountain, he had acquired several precious spirit herbs. Once processed by an elder of Qingdan Peak, his path towards the Golden Core stage would undoubtedly progress further.

Thinking of Qingdan Peak, a hint of bitterness flashed in Jiang Liang's eyes. That place was even darker than his Xiehun Cliff, preying on the living rather than squeezing money out of the dead.

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It's a matter of life and death, highlighting a principle: Catching a toad and squeezing out urine.

Putting aside the matters of Qingdan Peak, a slight smile returned to Jiang Liang's face. The tasks at Xiehun Cliff were indeed lucrative. Not even a quarter had passed, and he was already reaping rewards.

Of course, Jiang Liang's harvest was inseparable from the hard work of the menial disciples, especially Xia Ming. Just Xia Ming alone was worth all the otherial disciples combined.

Xia Ming, along with Li Dahai, was enough to keep Xiehun Cliff running smoothly. Li Dahai might be a bit lazy, but Xia Ming seemed tireless.

Jiang Liang even wondered if the kid had some special fondness for labor. But even if Xia Ming did, Jiang Liang couldn't be bothered to inquire, as long as Xia Ming worked hard.

Sooner or later, he'd reach the Nascent Soul stage!

The sweetness of your hard work, after turning flowers into honey, is very sweet to me!

Thinking of Xia Ming, Jiang Liang, sitting in his quiet room, felt an inexplicable restlessness, as if something was about to happen to Xia Ming. If Xia Ming had issues, who would work for him, relying on the unreliable Li Dahai?

Unable to calm down, Jiang Liang stood up and went straight to the Thirty-Seven Caves.

In the Thirty-Seven Caves, Xia Ming was still working tirelessly. Seeing his desperate demeanor, Jiang Liang felt a pang of emotion.

Not wanting to disturb Xia Ming, Jiang Liang glanced at the thick frost in the cave and left on his own.

Sigh... He had to get Xia Ming some more cold-resistant items. After all, he wasn't a cultivator and couldn't endure the cold.

Otherwise, he should switch his cave. With his skills, he could have moved up a level long ago.

Thinking this, Jiang Liang walked to Li Dahai's Seventeenth Cave. The grass curtain was half-rolled up, no one inside. A patrol officer said the guy had gone out to buy alcohol.

This Li Dahai!

Absolutely excessive!

Doesn't he know to volunteer for overtime?

Twenty lashes seem too lenient for him.

Tomorrow, I'll send him to the Thirty-Seven Caves and let Xia Ming come to this Seventeenth Cave!

With his mind made up, Jiang Liang sneered and left.

Following the winding steps upward, Jiang Liang stepped out of Xiehun Cliff. The night deepened, and a crescent moon hung high.

The silvery moonlight, like flowing water, permeated and dyed everything.

In that frosty scene, Jiang Liang immediately saw the high-browed Li Dahai.

You dare to come back, Li Dahai!

And to look at me with such eyes!

Utterly presumptuous!

Just as Jiang Liang's anger rose and he was about to lash out, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Something was off!

In this moonlight, there seemed to be a cold that even cultivators couldn't resist.

The cold of spiritual energy...

Just then, a bitter sound of a door being pushed echoed in Jiang Liang's ears.

Following the sound, Jiang Liang saw the black-robed He Niansheng slowly walking out of his quiet room.

His long hair like snow, draped over his shoulders, his brows sharp, his gaze piercing.

As their eyes met, Jiang Liang froze on the spot.

For a moment, he was transported back to years ago.

Long, long ago, Jiang Liang had seen He Niansheng.

Back then, He Niansheng was the Peak Master of Qingdan Peak, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

To say the least, if he stomped his foot, the entire Great River Sect would shake. The tradition of Qingdan Peak valuing spirit stones over personal connections flourished under his rule.

And Jiang Liang...

Back then, Jiang Liang was just an inconspicuous Qi Refining cultivator.

He had hoped to rely on his ancestral grace to request a Foundation Establishment Pill from Qingdan Peak.

But... the elders of Qingdan Peak outright rejected him.

To this day, Jiang Liang still remembers the words of the Dan Room Elder.

You are you, your father is your father, your grandfather is your grandfather.

Our Qingdan Peak only recognizes spirit stones, not personal connections.

It's not just you; even if the Sect Master came, he'd have to follow the rules.

If you're not satisfied, you can file a complaint, complain to our Peak Master.

Qingdan! He Niansheng!

...

Later, Jiang Liang still obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill, but not from Qingdan Peak, from someone else.

Since then, Jiang Liang held a grudge against Qingdan Peak.

His disdain for Qingdan Peak's Peak Master, He Niansheng, was even greater.

Afterward, Jiang Liang succeeded in his Foundation Establishment and was promoted to an external elder.

And He Niansheng ascended to a Supreme Elder, dedicating himself to cultivation and entering closed-door training.

Deep down, Jiang Liang hoped...

He Niansheng would go mad with cultivation and die. That would be for the best.