An Ordinary Family, an Ordinary Little Cultivator

Three days later, in the Royal Court's grand tent.

Wu Wang had changed into a black robe and leather boots. His simply tied long hair was fitted with the skull of a young beast, and he sat upright on the throne at the highest point of the King's Tent...

On the chair beside it.

He was only the Young Master now. He could not sit on the throne.

Below the six jade-paved steps stood over a dozen influential elders of the tribe.

Having finished their greetings, they watched Wu Wang with eyes full of affection, wondering why the Young Master had summoned them.

"Everyone," Wu Wang said slowly, "my cultivation of the Star Invocation Technique has recently reached a critical juncture. I also received Mother's guidance earlier, so I expect you have all heard the rumors within the tribe.

"From now until Father returns to the Royal Court, I will choose a place to cultivate in peace.

"I will have to trouble you all to discuss and handle the Royal Court's many trivial affairs."

An elderly grandmother in a patterned robe, her face full of wrinkles, became so excited that tears streamed down her face.

"Young Master, you've broken through again? You are only twelve or thirteen—could it be that you are about to break through to Moon Sacrifice?"

"Still far from it, still far from it. Just a casual little breakthrough, nothing worth publicizing."

Wu Wang deliberately made his smile seem a little more honest and guileless.

There was no helping it. The elders liked that.

"Young Master!"

A burly old man called out with a frown. "You cannot always cultivate such mysterious things. Our Bear Hug Tribe stands firm through strong bodies, yet you are far too skinny.

"Why not eat a few more pounds of meat every day? Isn't that wonderful?"

"Well..."

Wu Wang could only maintain an awkward yet polite smile as he lightly brushed the subject aside.

"Father has worked quite hard inspecting the various regions. Please make certain that his supplies are sufficient.

"That is all for today. I merely wished to inform everyone.

"My secluded cultivation site is not far behind the mountain. You may send people over at any time."

With that, Wu Wang got up and slipped away.

The old man wanted to call Wu Wang back to say a few more words, but several elderly grandmothers carrying wooden staffs and dressed in priestly robes glared him down.

As Wu Wang left through the rear entrance of the King's Tent, he could still hear the warm and friendly discussion among the elders.

"What is wrong with cultivating the Star Invocation Technique? Are we eating your family's food?"

"Without the Star Invocation Technique, could you defeat a great Fierce Beast thousands of years old?"

"All you know is training strength, training strength. Why don't you just fly into the sky while you're at it?"

"The clan status of female priests."

There was actually nothing major going on in the Royal Court, only matters like distributing funds and supplies.

If there truly was anything urgent, they would mostly go directly to Wu Wang's grandmother—the previous Great Priest of the Bear Hug Tribe.

After leaving the King's Tent, Wu Wang did not return to his residence. With his hands behind his back, he strolled up the slope for a while, then soon boarded a carriage and left the Royal Court.

Immortal Cultivation emphasized "Absorb Purity," drawing in the pure qi between Heaven and Earth.

Lin Suqing could not clearly explain what pure qi actually was. She could only muddle through with the saying, "When Heaven and Earth were first cleaved apart, what rose became pure, and what sank became turbid."

But one thing was certain: wherever there were many people, there was less pure qi. It was best to cultivate away from densely populated areas.

Wu Wang silently docked a portion of her wages.

Immortal cultivation methods in the Human Domain were mainly divided into two great schools: Body Cultivation and Spirit Cultivation. They were also divided into two great camps, Immortal Cultivation and Demonic Cultivation. Demonic Cultivation was "Absorb Turbidity," drawing in the turbid qi between Heaven and Earth.

Before the carriage could even accelerate, it began slowing down. The four Frost Wolves pulling it swished their tails in disappointment.

Wu Wang looked ahead and saw an open river valley. Streams wound around it, pebbles lay piled everywhere, and two simple wooden huts had already been hastily completed.

The wooden huts were so crude because of Lin Suqing's suggestion.

Immortal Cultivation valued environmental bonuses. The simpler the surroundings, the closer one could be to nature. The downside was that mosquitoes and insects could bite more easily.

Tents stood scattered in the distance, while several patrols of Giant Wolf Riders could be seen nearby. Though this place appeared to have no terrain worth defending, the ample guards around it were enough to ensure its safety.

"Ah..."

Wu Wang stretched lazily and let out a soft breath.

From today onward, he would cultivate immortal arts and comprehend the Dao.

From today onward, he would be a simple, happy little cultivator and strive to live for thousands, tens of thousands of years.

From today onward, he would master one little trick for Ascending to Immortality each day, striving to become a male immortal lying above the clouds as soon as possible...

"Young Master~~"

A familiar shout suddenly came from afar.

Lin Suqing sat atop a giant wolf and raced over with a squad of Giant Wolf Riders, shouting excitedly from the distance.

"I found something good at the market!"

Oh?

Wu Wang's eyes lit up. Yesterday, he had sent Lin Suqing to the nearest Northern Wilderness Market to see whether there were any powerful cultivation methods suitable for use after Foundation Establishment. Had she really found a profound art?

A moment later.

Lin Suqing and Wu Wang were alone in a little wooden hut, the wooden door tightly shut.

Her cheeks were flushed as she took two paper books wrapped in sheepskin from her robes. She pushed them before Wu Wang as though claiming credit, her face plainly asking for praise...

Wu Wang calmed his mind and fiddled with the wrapping before him.

Lin Suqing said:

"Young Master, this is a superior method of the Demonic Path!

"Although the Demonic Path and our immortal sects sound as though they run in opposite directions, in truth, their cultivation philosophies merely clash. Everyone is more or less the same.

"Open it and have a look."

That little expression begging for praise.

"Is that so?"

Wu Wang answered with a smile. He casually opened the wrapping before him and focused his gaze upon it, only for his smile to stiffen somewhat.

Uh...

"Great Law of Yin-Yang Harmony: The Joyful Union Sect's Unpassed Secret"

The markets of the Northern Wilderness truly had some remarkable things.

Seeing that Wu Wang's expression was off, Lin Suqing instinctively retreated half a step and looked anxiously at the youth before her.

"How much did this cultivation method cost?"

Wu Wang's voice was quite calm.

"Two Hundred-Year Beast Cores," Lin Suqing hurriedly replied. "This method ranks within the top three hundred Demonic Path cultivation methods. If the Yin-Yang Joyful Union Sect had not provoked public outrage and been flattened, such a method would never have spread outside!

"Is... is it fake?

"I did not examine it closely when I bought it, but the general outline at the beginning seemed quite profound. The man selling the book also swore to Heaven that it was genuine, only he had copied many versions, so he sold them cheaply."

Wu Wang opened the book before him and read a few pages. Then he suddenly turned around and stared at Lin Suqing.

"A question for you."

"Please ask, Young Master."

"What exactly do a man and woman do on their wedding night?"

Lin Suqing counted on her fingers, listing them one by one. "They bow in the wedding hall, get married, lift the bridal veil, drink wine from crossed cups, make merry in the bridal chamber, sleep on the same pillow, and then, after waking up, serve tea to their master and elders.

"That cannot be wrong. I often deduce these steps."

Wu Wang: ...

Just how badly did she want to get married?

"It is not your fault," Wu Wang said, tossing the book in his hand over to her. "Go back to your room now and read this cultivation method carefully. Focus on the illustrations in the middle that provide technical guidance.

"Think it over carefully yourself. Do not make this kind of joke again in the future.

"You are already several decades old, yet you understand less than your junior sister!"

"Well..." Lin Suqing took the cultivation method with some confusion. Looking rather dazed, she obediently returned to the wooden hut next door.

What does he mean, I understand less than Junior Sister?

Somewhat dizzy, Lin Suqing opened the cultivation method before her and slowly flipped to the illustrated pages. Looking at those simple drawings of people after they had shed their clothes, she first tilted her head blankly. Then a blush climbed from her neck to her cheeks, swiftly seized the high ground of her forehead, and finally, with a bang, exploded into wisps of white smoke from atop her head.

Ah, this!

Cultivation could be done like this too?

Their limbs tangled together as they circulated their qi? Ah! As expected, it was a crooked and evil path!

Lin Suqing hurriedly raised both hands to cover her eyes, then secretly peeked through the gaps between her fingers a few more times. She thought of how she had just stood before a twelve-year-old boy...

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

Listening to the sounds of someone ramming her head against the wall next door, Wu Wang shrugged and began reading the other cultivation method Lin Suqing had bought.

This one was at least somewhat useful.

Soon, on the wooden plank bed covered in furs, Wu Wang revealed a smile similar to the one his mother Cang Xue wore, and continued circulating the Spiritual Energy he had drawn into his body.

The necklace hidden beneath his clothes flickered with faint light, and that glow vaguely enveloped his body.

Not long after, Wu Wang slowly exhaled. He rose again, stretched both arms level, and a point of starlight blossomed from his forehead.

The sunlight in the room immediately dimmed somewhat. A hazy sea of stars appeared behind Wu Wang, and countless rays of starlight descended from it, gathering over every part of his body before drilling into him.

Very soon, Wu Wang stopped absorbing Star Power. Instead, he sat back down on the wooden planks, closed his eyes, concentrated his mind, and continued circulating the Lesser Celestial Circuit.

He repeated this again and again, seemingly exploring something.

Only when night fell and guards delivered steaming hot food did Wu Wang emerge from his wooden hut. His eyes were full of puzzlement, and he remained somewhat distracted even while eating.

Seeing this, Lin Suqing, who had already reached Grain Abstinence, naturally did not dare disturb Wu Wang. She tore off small bites of roasted meat, savoring this rare and precious ingredient.

"Hey," Wu Wang suddenly raised his head and asked, "which of the Five Elements does Star Power belong to?"

"Star Power is the essence of Heaven and Earth. It cannot be said to belong to any one type of Five Elements power."

Lin Suqing thought carefully before adding:

"I once heard a saying that the stars in the sky also belong to the Five Elements. But it should generally correspond to the Five Elements directions of east, south, west, north, and center. South belongs to fire, east to wood, north to water, west to metal, and center to earth.

"Perhaps Star Power follows the same pattern."

Wu Wang nodded slowly, holding his bowl as he continued pondering beside the fire.

Lin Suqing lifted a hand and tucked a lock of beautiful hair beside her ear. "I am not called 'hey.' No matter what, I have a Daoist Name..."

"Hm?"

Wu Wang looked up at her.

Lin Suqing instantly pressed her palms together beside her cheek and revealed her sweetest smile. "Little Hey awaits the Young Master's orders at any time."

"Mm."

Wu Wang acknowledged her, then lowered his head and continued thinking.

He had not expected himself to hold such intense interest in cultivation. Once he burrowed into it, he found it difficult to pull himself back out.

Circulating the Lesser Celestial Circuit was merely the first step after Spirit Absorption, and still a very small step. It allowed Spiritual Energy to remain in the body, transforming a mortal body into a Dao body.

The four realms of Foundation Establishment were: Spirit Absorption, Qi Gathering, Return to Origin, and Core Condensation.

After completing the Lesser Celestial Circuit, one entered the early stage of Spirit Absorption. Next came expanding the meridians, accommodating more Spiritual Energy, and refining one's innate vital essence into the first breath of origin qi.

This breath of origin qi was the key to future cultivation. Replenishing origin with spirit was the core principle of the Return to Origin Realm.

The four realms of Foundation Establishment represented a mature cultivation system, "experience gained through discussion," summarized and compiled over many years by the Human Domain's senior predecessors.

But that did not mean Wu Wang had to follow that line of thought.

What was more, he already had experience cultivating the Star Invocation Technique. Comparing and verifying the two against each other seemed likely to let him approach the essence of both cultivation paths more easily.

What Wu Wang could now confirm was that the Star Invocation Technique was a bestowal from above.

It appeared easy to begin with, requiring only constant prayer to gain power, but in truth, that power felt more like something "borrowed."

The cultivation laws of the Human Domain were different.

In Wu Wang's view, the ideas of those human sages who had pioneered immortal cultivation methods were exceptionally saucy.

They developed one's own potential, merged with nature to comprehend the Great Dao, and used the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth to forge extraordinary living beings.

Just thinking about it was invigorating!

The key was that the Human Domain's sages had truly carved this path through.

Whenever he thought of this, Wu Wang felt deeply moved. It was as though he himself had fallen into a muddy swamp and become immersed in the world of cultivation.

He had merely pushed open a crack in a great door, yet beyond it lay endless treasures.

It was just that...

It was a bit hard on the family tutor.

Recently, Lin Suqing had frequently experienced abnormal physiological symptoms unbefitting a female cultivator, such as irritability, spoiled behavior, and hair loss. As the days passed, the young woman's "illness" gradually worsened.