Fulfilling a Ten-Year Promise

Time flies.

Seven years have passed.

This year, at the beginning of summer.

At the Falling Dusk Mountain, a large group of people had gathered in front of the stone table next to the enormous Azure Banyan Tree.

Yan Siyi, Ling Xiaoshun, Yang Qiuyun, Yan Cang, and even Ling Chengping and Ling Xiaoyan were all here.

Two people were sitting around the stone table that everyone was surrounding.

One of them was Ling Pengyun, and the other was a seven or eight-year-old boy who looked somewhat similar to Ling Pengyun and Yan Siyi.

This little boy is Ling Xia, the only son of Ling Pengyun and Yan Siyi.

The reason everyone is gathered here today is because Little Ling Xia is now eight years old, and it's time to test her Spirit Root.

The Ling Clan currently does not possess any Secret Method that can detect Spirit Root in advance.

"Xia Er, are you ready?" Ling Pengyun asked, looking at Ling Xia sitting at the stone table with a hint of nervousness.

"Father, I've been ready for a long time." Little Ling Xia replied, her expression a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

His parents and relatives were all cultivators. From a young age, he was taken by his parents and relatives to fly around and experienced the power of cultivators.

Even when he was old enough to understand, he longed to have Spirit Root like his parents, to become a cultivator who could fly and travel freely in this vast world.

Seeing this, Ling Pengyun took a deep breath, seemingly even more anxious than Little Ling Xia Little Ling Xia about whether she could possess Spirit Root.

He patted the Storage Bag at his waist, took out a Spirit Root Testing Stone, infused it with spiritual power, and placed it in Little Ling Xia's hand.

"Xia Er, hold this Spirit Root Testing Stone tightly."

Upon hearing this, Little Ling Xia immediately did as she was told and grasped the Spirit Root Testing Stone.

The next moment, the Spirit Root Testing Stone burst forth with a dazzling spiritual light.

"It has Spirit Root!"

"Hahaha!!"

"My son has Spirit Root."

Ling Pengyun laughed loudly when he saw that the Spirit Root Testing Stone had been triggered.

Yan Siyi, who was watching from the sidelines, had a hint of tears welling up in her eyes.

For the past eight years since Ling Xia was born, as Little Ling Xia's mother, she has been worried about whether Little Ling Xia possesses Spirit Root.

If Ling Xia had not possessed Spirit Root, she would have been just an ordinary person in this life, turning into dust after a hundred years.

At that time, she will also send off her black-haired father to his white-haired father.

The rest of the relatives also showed joy on their faces.

Little Ling Xia, who knew a lot about the Cultivation World, was also delighted after seeing the Spirit Root Testing Stone emit spiritual light.

The group was happy for a while before they calmed down.

Ling Pengyun then summoned the enormous Wind Shadow Peng from the mountain and led everyone back to the Ling Clan Mountain, where they borrowed the Second Rank Low Grade Spirit Measurement Array in the ancestral hall.

The Spirit Root Testing Stone is of a low grade and can only determine whether someone possesses Spirit Root, but not the attributes of that Spirit Root.

Inside the Spirit Measurement Array.

As the array was activated, countless Spirit Root Testing Array surged into Ling Xia's body.

After a while, three of the five jade pillars at the core of the Spirit Measurement Array lit up with red, blue, and cyan spiritual light, respectively.

Furthermore, the red and blue spiritual lights among these three colors are both nine inches tall, while the cyan light is only one inch tall.

"The Three Spirit Roots fire, water and wood."

"However, both fire and Spirit Root have reached nine inches... This is troublesome."

Upon seeing this scene, Ling Pengyun frowned deeply, and the joy in his heart vanished instantly.

Yan Siyi and her relatives, who were watching from the sidelines, all had the same expression.

Fire and water are inherently incompatible. If Ling Xia has an absolute advantage in either fire or water Spirit Root, she can use that advantage to suppress the other Spirit Root, and there is no question of incompatibility.

But now, Ling Xia's fire and water Spirit Root are the same.

Regardless of Cultivation Method he cultivates fire or Spirit Root in the future, the other Spirit Root will reject him, hindering his Dao Path and even causing his body to explode.

Of course, if there were Cultivation Method that allowed one to cultivate both water and fire, or to switch to cultivating Ling Xia's remaining wood Spirit Root, this problem could be solved.

However, the Dual Spirit Root fire and water are inherently incompatible, unlike the fire and wood Spirit Root where the fire attribute has a suppressive effect. This makes the Cultivation Method of cultivating both water and fire extremely exquisite, but the Ling Clan family, a Foundation Establishment Family, simply does not have them.

It has not been circulated outside the public.

Ling Xia's remaining wood- Spirit Root Cultivation Method was too poor; if he were to cultivate wood-attribute Cultivation Method, he would probably never have any hope of Foundation Establishment in his lifetime.

Even with enough spiritual aids, whether one can break through to the Qi Training Late Stage is another matter entirely.

Under such circumstances, Ling Xia's Dao Path to enlightenment became a dead end.

"Grandfather, did your former sect, the Hundred Spirits Sect, have any Cultivation Method that allow you to cultivate both water and fire?" Ling Pengyun frowned and asked Yan Cang, who used to be a high-ranking member of the Hundred Spirits Sect.

"Our sect takes the arts as its path, and we mostly gather the inheritance of the arts. The cultivation Cultivation Method of water and fire is rare in the world. Although our sect has several such Cultivation Method, the highest grade one can only be cultivated to the Qi Refining Consummation Realm."

"A hundred years ago, I had a friend whose situation was the same as Xia's. Due to the limitations of his Cultivation Method, although he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he was stuck at the first level of Foundation Establishment for his entire life and could not improve because he had no subsequent Cultivation Method."

"Perhaps, a sect like Profound Yang Sect, which mainly uses Fire Element Cultivation Method, might have such a high-level Cultivation Method that combines water and fire. However, we are not from the Profound Yang Sect's territory, and it is said that the sect and Profound Yang Sect are at odds. It is probably completely hopeless to find such a high-level Cultivation Method from this sect."

"Why!"

Yan Cang lowered his voice and sighed helplessly.

This sigh seemed to have exhausted most of his energy; his once straight back became hunched, and his aura gradually weakened.

In a short while, he transformed into an old man, and his cultivation began to dissipate.

Already in a bad mood Ling Xia Spirit Root problem, Ling Pengyun felt even more depressed upon seeing Yan Cang's physical condition.

Yan Cang's lifespan had already run out five years ago, but the joy of Ling Xia's Yan Cang allowed him to live for another five years.

In the days to come, if Yan Cang does not have any spiritual objects to help him increase his lifespan, he will only be able to rely on his Foundation Establishment cultivation to survive in this world.

Once his cultivation level has completely declined, it will be the time of his death.

"Given Grandfather's cultivation level, he probably only has five years of lifespan left at most," Ling Pengyun sighed softly.

Yan Siyi, who was standing nearby, also noticed Yan Cang's change. She quickly stepped forward, tightly grasped Yan Cang's arm, and her eyes turned red, as if tears would flow from them at any moment.

Ling Xiaoshun, who played chess with Yan Cang every day and had developed a deep friendship with him, also looked at Yan Cang with a worried expression.

"Si Yi, I'm fine, don't be like this." After comforting Yan Siyi, the aging Yan Cang looked at Ling Pengyun and said.

"Peng Yun, come back to the Hundred Spirits Sect's base with me. With my help, it shouldn't be a problem to ask the sect for that Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method."

"As for Xia's Cultivation Method after Foundation Establishment, you and Si Yi will need to take good care of them."

Ling Pengyun nodded silently.

Then, he glanced at Little Ling Xia, who had walked out of the Spirit Root Testing Array and was looking dejected after learning about her situation, raised an eyebrow, and comforted her.

"Xia Er, I will definitely find you a high-level Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method. You must not do this. No matter what situation we cultivators encounter, we must have a heart that yearns for the Dao in order to go further and further."

"Today's predicament may be resolved tomorrow."

Upon hearing her all-powerful father, Ling Pengyun, make a promise, Ling Xia's dejected expression vanished, and she looked at Ling Pengyun expectantly.

"Father, really?"

"Natural is true." Ling Pengyun stepped forward, patted Little Ling Xia's head, and assured her.

Upon hearing this, Little Ling Xia's face immediately lit up with joy, as if she had rediscovered her passion for the Dao.

Yan Siyi and the others standing nearby all thought that Ling Pengyun was lying to Little Ling Xia, but in order not to discourage Little Ling Xia's desire for enlightenment, they did not say anything.

Only Ling Pengyun himself knew that if the journey to the Boundless Sea Region a year later could be accomplished, he might be able to find a high-level Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method.

After all, the Azure Sea Azure Sky Sect was originally a Nascent Soul Great Sect with a history of tens of thousands of years, and it had countless treasures.

It would be truly strange if such a large sect did not have Cultivation Method that combined water and fire.

"Let me take you all Falling Dusk Mountain first."

After saying this, Ling Pengyun took the hand of the smiling Ling Xia and walked out of the ancestral hall first, climbing onto the back of the Wind Shadow Peng outside.

The others followed suit and climbed onto Wind Shadow Peng's back.

Half a month later, Ling Pengyun and Yan Cang went to the Hundred Spirits Sect together.

Through the efforts of some of Yan Cang's former high-ranking friends in the Hundred Spirits Sect, the Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method, which could have been cultivated to the Qi Training Completion, was also delivered to Ling Pengyun.

This Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method is called "The Two Forms True Profound Art".

Although this Cultivation Method is only a fragment, it is indeed very ingenious.

Using this Cultivation Method, one can cultivate a Cultivation Method "True Profound Spiritual Power".

This True Profound Spiritual Power is extremely useful when fighting enemies, as it can enhance the power of any attack by 30%.

"The Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method is indeed exquisite, but it's a pity that this Cultivation Method is only a fragment, and its origin is unknown even to the Hundred Spirits Sect."

Ling Pengyun sighed helplessly.

A year passed quickly.

On the day of Start of Summer the beginning of summer).

Inside a quiet room in Pengyi Cave Residence, on Falling Dusk Mountain.

Ling Pengyun was continuously throwing first-order water-type ores into the Flame Fire Refining Furnace in front of him, which was being burned by Foundation Establishment Spiritual Flame.

After a while, a huge burst of Water Spiritual Energy suddenly erupted from inside the Refining Furnace.

A blue gem directly lifted the furnace lid, shot into the sky, and shimmered with a dazzling blue light.

"Finally, we managed to melt down the pearl to a weight of 100,000 jin just in time for the Ten-Year Agreement we made with Ancestral Grandfather Yun Hong."

"In this way, when I am in battle, I can activate the Azure Sea Heavy Yuan Spirit Pattern of this pearl with my Foundation Establishment Completion cultivation, which will also give this pearl a force of 200,000 jin."

"At that time, even a defensive light barrier erected by a typical Second Rank High Grade defensive Law Artifact would probably be shattered by the full force of my pearl."

Ling Pengyun gazed at the floating blue orb, a look of joy spreading across his face, and muttered to himself.

He waved his hand and stored the precious pearl in his Dantian. Then, his gaze fell on a seven-zhang-long (approximately 33 meters) long Black Armored Turtle in a huge pool in the corner of the quiet room.

"This tortoise has now reached the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer. With its help, along with my Sand Soil Bronze Bell that I have reforged and upgraded to Higher Vehicle grade, and my Second Rank High Grade Frost Ice Shield, our defense is also guaranteed."

"It's time to keep our appointment."

A year ago, Ling Pengyun had already raised his cultivation to the Consummation Realm the Foundation Establishment stage.

Ling Pengyun's eyes narrowed, and he secretly made up his mind.

He walked to the pool, and with a wave of his hand, he put the still-sleeping Black Armored Turtle into his Beast Taming Pouch.

He then left the cave abode and sought out Yan Siyi, who was instructing Little Ling Xia on how to use the "Fireball Technique," as well as the three elders Ling Xiaoshun, Yang Qiuyun, Yan Cang.

Ling Xiaoshun, Yang Qiuyun, and Yan Cang's usual source of amusement was teaching Little Ling Xia how to cultivate.

"Madam, I will be going on a long trip. It may take five years or even ten years for me to return. I will leave the household affairs to you."

"Father, Grandfather, Grandfather, please take good care of yourselves while I'm gone."

After saying this, Ling Pengyun looked at Yan Cang, whose cultivation level had fallen back to the Qi Training Late Stage.

I'm afraid that by the time he returns, Yan Cang will have already died from exhaustion.

"Grandfather, please forgive your unfilial son, but this matter concerns my Dao Path, and I cannot turn back."

Upon hearing this, everyone roughly understood that Ling Pengyun, whose cultivation had reached the Consummation Realm Foundation Establishment, had suddenly left because he intended to go to the outside world to seek fortuitous opportunity to break through to the Golden Core realm.

The Golden Core realm is the realm that all cultivators aspire to. No Foundation Establishment Cultivator would not want to step into this realm of longevity, add another three hundred years to their lifespan, and live a carefree life in the world.

Yan Cang, being a fellow cultivator, naturally understood.

Especially now that his lifespan is about to end, he can better understand Ling Pengyun's decision to leave home in search of a higher realm.

If he had better talent for cultivation, he might have a chance to break through to the Golden Core realm.

It's just a pity...

"Peng Yun, what you did was exactly what you should have done; there's no need to call it unfilial."

"The Golden Core Opportunity is extremely rare in this world, and it is bound to be fraught with danger. When you go, you must prioritize your life and not forget that our whole family is waiting for you."

Yan Cang patted Ling Pengyun on the shoulder and said in a deep voice.

Although Ling Pengyun's parents, Ling Xiaoshun and Yang Qiuyun, were reluctant to let Ling Pengyun go, they fully supported his decision.

"Peng Yun, your mother and I support your Dao Path the Dao."

"That's right," Yang Qiuyun replied.

"Husband, aren't you going to take me with you?" Yan Siyi's eyes were filled with tears, and she gripped her Daoist robe tightly with both hands, as if she was trying her best to hold back her tears.

"Madam, this journey... is too dangerous. Please stay home and take good care of yourself. When I return, I will make sure you are not left alone for long." Ling Pengyun stepped forward and, disregarding the people around them, pulled Yan Siyi into his arms.

Upon hearing this, Yan Siyi shed two tears on Ling Pengyun's shoulder.

Perhaps, there will be no return...

As Ling Pengyun's Daoist partner, she could not stop Ling Pengyun's heart from pursuing the Dao.

She had no choice but to suppress her worries about Ling Pengyun's trip.

"Okay, my husband, I'll wait for you," Yan Siyi said, her voice choked with emotion.

Nine-year-old Ling Chengxia, who was adept at reading people, could roughly guess that her father Ling Pengyun's trip was fraught with danger.

A pang of sadness gripped his heart. He patted the Storage Bag at his waist, took out half a pound of Fruit Flower Honey that he had painstakingly saved over the years, and handed it to Ling Pengyun.

"Dad, you can have it all."

Ling Pengyun released Yan Siyi, took the bottle of Fruit Flower Honey, patted Xiao Ling Chengxia's head, and forced a smile.

"When your father returns, he will definitely find you a high-level Dual Water-Fire Cultivation Method."

"Don't be lazy while your father is gone."

Although Ling Chengxia longed for a high-level Cultivation Method that combined water and fire, she couldn't bring herself to smile at the moment.

After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "I understand, Father."

"Alright!"

"I'm leaving now, everyone... take care!"

Ling Pengyun bowed to the crowd, said a few words, then summoned Wind Shadow Peng and rode it away from Falling Dusk Mountain.

Yan Siyi, who was still in the mountains, seemed to have grown up at this moment. Although there was a tearful reluctance in her eyes, her clear eyes had become more determined.

The others also looked extremely somber, watching Ling Pengyun's departing figure.

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