On a night when the moon was hidden and the wind was high, frost soaked everything in sight. The bitter cold of winter turned breaths into ice. Inside the thirty-seventh cave, Xia Ming took a deep breath. Glancing at the thick grass curtain hanging at the entrance, he slowly pulled out the clear detection stone from his bosom.

The stone was beautiful, resembling a flawless crystal. Under the candlelight, it displayed a dreamy and mesmerizing glow. After examining it carefully for a while, Xia Ming frowned and muttered softly, "How can it be so small… Can it really be reliable?"

Xia Ming remembered clearly how astonishing the Spirit Root Detection Stone at the gate of the Great River Sect had been. Calling it a detection stone was an understatement; it was more like a giant black square stele towering dozens of feet high. It was hard not to notice it on the vast plaza paved with white marble, and it would determine the status of all disciples.

Even now, that scene was unforgettable for Xia Ming. When a disciple with a spirit root touched the stele, its surface would light up with dazzling rays of light. These lights would interconnect and merge, eventually forming a lush tree. Blue for water spirit roots, red for fire spirit roots…

Xia Ming had once fantasized about lighting up his own cultivation tree. Unfortunately, when he touched the stele, his heart shattered. The dark stele remained unmoved, calm and undisturbed.

Before he could react, a large hand had already moved him aside…

Taking a deep breath, Xia Ming slowly emerged from his memories. He knew that the detection stele used by the sect was specially crafted. For detecting spirit roots… most cultivators used this little trinket in his hand. The Spirit Root Detection Stone was a one-time consumable.

Holding his breath and focusing his mind, he carefully sensed the flowing qi around him. Xia Ming slowly gripped the detection stone, then slowly released it. Staring blankly at the pale blue color gradually rising within the clear stone, he took a long, deep breath, as if trying to expel all the frustrations in his heart.

After a moment, the crystal shattered, and everything returned to nothingness.

Spirit root! Water spirit root! The path of electrolysis spirit roots was indeed viable! He had truly cultivated a spirit root! If he continued on this path, Xia Ming could actually possess multiple different spirit roots, and they would be concurrent spirit roots!

Thinking of this, a smile spread across 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 and slender, with a long face and hair tied atop his head. This person was none other than the steward elder of Jiehun Cliff—Jiang Liang!

Waving the stone skin in his hand, Xia Ming hurriedly got up, rolled up the grass curtain, and bowed humbly. And then, Jiang Liang, carrying a bone-chilling wind, directly entered Xia Ming's small world.

"Disciple Xia Ming pays respects to Elder Jiang."

Gazing deeply at the obedient Xia Ming, Jiang Liang first remained silent. Then, his eyes, sparkling with intelligence, slowly swept across the entire thirty-seventh cave.

"Xia Ming, if you're lacking anything, just let me know."

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Hearing Jiang Liang's words, Xia Ming lowered his eyes and eyebrows, appearing submissive. Xia Ming was no fool. Jiang Liang's visit in the dead of night was to offer consolation? Xia Ming clearly understood Jiang Liang's purpose.

This Elder Jiang wanted to CPU him! It seemed that the morning's events had indeed made an impression on Jiang Liang.

As expected, after a moment of silence, Jiang Liang continued, "Xia Ming, nature creates all things, both good and bad. There are trees as tall as mountains and grass as low as mud. This is all determined by fate, a fate set by heaven. How can human effort go against heaven?"

Fate determined by heaven? Unable to defy heaven? This statement immediately ignited Xia Ming's rebellious spirit. Heaven cannot be defied? Haha, what a coincidence. My genetic mutation, I defy exactly that—Heaven!

Although he thought this way, Xia Ming still put on a look of dejection on the surface. It must be said, having experienced so much in his previous life, Xia Ming's expression was so convincing that even the seasoned Jiang Liang couldn't see through it.

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

Seeing Xia Ming's disappointment, Jiang Liang gently patted his shoulder. Fate is hard to defy, and spirit roots are determined by heaven. Yes… it's indeed cruel to make a young person of seventeen or eighteen accept all this. But only in this way can the young ones recognize reality and not indulge in wild fantasies.

Of course, one shouldn't just discourage them; hope should also be given when necessary. As a steward elder, Jiang Liang naturally understood this principle well.

Looking at Xia Ming, Jiang Liang's expression suddenly became gentle. "Xia Ming, rest assured, once I advance to a Core Formation cultivator, I will definitely seek a good future for you."

"How could I not let you establish a family below the mountain, enjoy all the blessings of the human world, have many children and grandchildren, and command respect in your area?"

"If in the future, you have descendants with spirit roots, I can also take them into the sect."

Hearing Jiang Liang's words, Xia Ming immediately showed a flattered expression. "Disciple Xia Ming thanks Elder Jiang for your favor."

…

Respectfully sending Jiang Liang out of the cave and standing at its entrance, Xia Ming's eyes gradually darkened. Enjoying the blessings of the human world, protecting future generations? Jiang Liang really knows how to draw a big pie.

Unfortunately, Xia Ming had seen too many of these big pies. Advancing to Core Formation… leaving the mountain to start a family… having many children and grandchildren… and even taking them into the sect?

Thinking of these, Xia Ming couldn't help but let out a cold laugh in his heart. The big pie Jiang Liang drew, he really wasn't interested.

Xia Ming was no longer the same Xia Ming. This incredibly magnificent and magical world had already opened its doors to him, so how could he easily give up?

Born as a human, cultivating in the second life. How could Xia Ming be willing to live an ordinary life again?

He could have endured the darkness if he hadn't seen the light. Now, the splendid path of immortality lay before Xia Ming, yet Jiang Liang wanted him to give up.

Xia Ming would never agree!

Standing on the stone steps, with the endless starry sky above and the profound abyss below, at this moment, Xia Ming felt a surge of boundless ambition in his heart.

My life, I only wish for it to be brilliant! I want to climb the highest peaks of this world, to witness its most magnificent sights. To travel through thousands of mountains and rivers, to dye the mundane world red, to be intoxicated by the years! I want to become an immortal!

…

A cold wind blew, and Xia Ming's blood ran cold. It's too cold! Clutching his clothes tightly, Xia Ming hurried back into the thirty-seventh cave. After a while, he finally regained his composure.

Looking at the flickering candlelight, Xia Ming fell into deep thought. Although he now possessed a spirit root, he lacked a cultivation technique.

Cultivating qi… cultivating qi… What is cultivating qi? Right now, Xia Ming was like a young beast trapped on Jiehun Cliff, with neither claws nor support.

Xia Ming knew that in the current situation, he could only continue to do his job well. Only by continuously pleasing Jiang Liang could he strive for greater freedom. He also needed to keep in touch with Li Dahai and not put all his hopes on Jiang Liang alone.

With that thought, Xia Ming blew out the candle beside his bed. Time to sleep. Resting well is the key.

That soul stone… Xia Ming dared not touch it again.