A Young Man's Heart is Truly That of a Young Man

Huang Li glanced at the others in the confinement room and said coldly, "After you get out, take a good look at Taichu's rules, otherwise! Next time it will be you..."

Several old hands flinched, nodding repeatedly. Imbecile Courtyard! They'd never recover from this, becoming drooling fools who'd toil for Taichu until they died.

Emerging from Solitary Confinement Mountain, Qin Haoxuan, seeing daylight again, let out a heavy sigh. He'd absorbed a lot of medicinal power in the Lava Cellar these past few days. Though there was no geothermal heat now, the internal heat wasn't as unbearable as when he first entered.

Returning to Spirit Field Valley, he saw a bustling crowd outside Zhang Kuang's dormitory, a lively scene.

To highlight the superiority of strong seed disciples, the sect had assigned each of the three Purple Seed and two Gray Seed disciples their own private dormitory the day after Qin Haoxuan was confined to the Lava Cellar, freeing them from the communal sleeping arrangements.

At this moment, Zhang Kuang was beaming, facing a barrage of flattery. Despite his smile, his arrogance was plain to see.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Zhang, for rooting in seven days of cultivation! You've broken Taichu Sect's fastest rooting record, a feat unmatched by anyone before or since!"

"The current Sect Master, True Lord Huang Long, took twenty days to successfully root. Your speed not only surpasses True Lord Huang Long's, but you've also left the other two Purple Seeds behind. Truly remarkable!"

After a round of flattery, a senior brother who couldn't get a word in grew impatient. Ignoring the others' enthusiastic praise, he directly presented a basket of gifts he had prepared.

"Junior Brother Zhang, these are purple sweet potatoes I grew myself. They taste much better than the steamed buns you're eating now, and their spiritual energy is much stronger than ordinary grains."

Zhang Kuang accepted the basket without hesitation, said thank you, and immediately triggered a wave of gift-giving.

"A small token, please accept it, Junior Brother Zhang."

"This thirty-year ginseng, when sliced and steeped into tea, has the effect of nourishing and raising qi. It's perfect for Junior Brother Zhang to drink when he's tired from practicing."

"Junior Brother, you haven't been here long, so you probably don't have a satisfactory Alchemy Furnace, right? This furnace is made of bronze with a bit of mithril added. It can lock in medicinal power better than ordinary iron cauldrons."

"Junior Brother Zhang, these are Spirit Gathering Pills I refined. Consuming them can accelerate spiritual power recovery..."

Seeing that others' gifts were becoming increasingly valuable, some with rather ordinary gifts felt embarrassed to present them. To curry favor with Zhang Kuang, the most promising Purple Seed disciple, some even offered their life savings. One person, after holding his hand in his embrace for a long time, finally made up his mind and said, "Senior brother doesn't have much else to offer. This Spirit Talisman isn't particularly rare, but when infused with spiritual power, it's equivalent to the strike of an Immortal Seedling Realm Seventh Leaf expert. With Junior Brother Zhang's heaven-blessed talent, you surely won't need it, but it's the least I can do!"

Others were surprised that precious Spirit Talismans were being given as gifts to please Zhang Kuang!

For them, Menial Disciples with low strength and uncertain futures, a Spirit Talisman could even save their lives in a critical moment.

Facing the flattery and gifts from these senior brothers, Zhang Kuang accepted them all with a smile. In his eyes, these Menial Disciples were getting his favor with cheap items. They weren't losing out; they were making a huge profit! If he hadn't joined the sect only a few days ago, these things wouldn't have caught his dharma eye.

This scene, observed by Qin Haoxuan upon his return from confinement, served as a silent warning to himself. He had to cultivate diligently. Zhang Kuang rooted in seven days, while his own Immortal Seed had only grown a short layer of roots. In the future, he must visit the Immortal-Slaying Poison Valley more often, find more rare treasures, and ideally learn alchemy so as not to waste precious natural resources like a glutton.

Zhang Kuang, who was basking in his glory, caught sight of Qin Haoxuan in his peripheral vision. A flicker of apprehension crossed his eyes. You still didn't die? Good! Very good! If it were before, I might have paid attention to you, but now! I have already rooted! As soon as I sprout and learn some powerful immortal techniques, I will definitely be able to defeat him!

After all, I am a Purple Seed, and Qin Haoxuan is just the weakest Weak Seed!

Although Qin Haoxuan understood restraint and reason, he still possessed a youthful spirit and the temper of a young man. Seeing Zhang Kuang's smug expression, he naturally didn't intend to let the other party have a completely pleasant day. He wouldn't miss an opportunity to annoy him.

"I say, Zhang Kuang..." Qin Haoxuan's words drew the attention of everyone around Zhang Kuang. "When I was coming out, the enforcement team sentenced Yuan Shanxiang. His cultivation was crippled, he was turned into an imbecile, and thrown into the Imbecile Courtyard to labor. You and those around you should pay attention and learn Taichu's rules properly."

What? The faces of those flattering Zhang Kuang turned pale with fear. Yuan Shanxiang was crippled? Even a Purple Seed couldn't save him?

Zhang Kuang's expression turned cold. Someone from the Enforcement Hall had already spoken to him. He had also contributed to Yuan Shanxiang's situation, but he truly couldn't save him. He had planned to appease Yuan's family later, but he didn't expect Qin Haoxuan to show up and spoil the mood at this time.

Everything that happened at Zhang Kuang's location was also seen by Xu Yu, Li Jing, and others not far away. Xu Yu clapped her hands, laughing. Now, everyone who wanted to help Zhang Kuang and get closer to him would have to think twice before acting.

Li Jing appeared calm and composed, but he was secretly anxious. Both were Purple Seed disciples, yet Zhang Kuang rooted in seven days, setting a new record for Taichu Sect. He, however, hadn't rooted yet. He was already falling behind Zhang Kuang here. If this gap continued to widen, how could he contend for the position of Sect Master in the future?

I must root as soon as possible, and then strive to sprout first! The gap isn't too large yet; I need to catch up and surpass him!

Xu Yu looked at Qin Haoxuan, who had emerged from the Lava Cellar after a few days, looking ragged and thinner, with a complex expression. She felt an inexplicable discomfort. Then, looking at Zhang Kuang, who was casting a provocative glance at Qin Haoxuan, she felt a surge of worry.

Zhang Kuang hasn't sprouted yet, so he sent people to bully Qin Haoxuan. Once Zhang Kuang sprouts, it won't be as simple as sending people to bully Qin Haoxuan.

A Purple Seed disciple will surely be a focus of the sect's training. No matter how hard Qin Haoxuan tries, his future achievements won't compare to Zhang Kuang's. And Zhang Kuang, who could root in seven days, has a talent even better than mine and Li Jing's in his current state.

Once Zhang Kuang learns powerful Spirit Techniques, let alone Qin Haoxuan, even my own life won't be easy.

Remembering the night she first arrived at Dayu Mountain and slept soundly under Qin Haoxuan's protection, Xu Yu made a silent vow: no matter what, she wouldn't let Zhang Kuang bully Qin Haoxuan!

Those following behind Li Jing also had their own thoughts, pondering whether they had followed the right person. If Li Jing's future was difficult, it would be hard for them, his subordinates, to achieve anything.

Seeing Qin Haoxuan, Xu Yu approached him, looked him up and down, and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I had food and drink in the confinement mountain, and no one disturbed my cultivation!"

Xu Yu smiled faintly, then turned her gaze back to Zhang Kuang's side, sighing with some worry, "I haven't rooted yet."

"So you haven't rooted. There's plenty of time!" Qin Haoxuan's expression was relaxed. After comforting Xu Yu a few more words, he said, "Don't waste time here. I'm fine, hurry back to cultivate."

Stimulated by Zhang Kuang, Xu Yu nodded. To avoid falling too far behind, she returned to her room to cultivate. Li Jing, on the other side, also approached with a smile.

Looking at Qin Haoxuan, whose breathing was steady, Li Jing couldn't believe the intelligence reports that he was indeed injured. He couldn't believe that Qin Haoxuan, only slightly stronger than an ordinary person, could defeat a group of old hands at the Immortal Seedling Realm Second and Third Leaf, nor could he believe that he could break the legs and arm of an Immortal Seedling Realm Fifth Leaf cultivator and then torment him daily!

Qin Haoxuan, what secrets do you hold? Countless questions flashed through Li Jing's mind, but he maintained a warm and enthusiastic smile. Seeing that Qin Haoxuan's clothes were somewhat tattered, he quickly signaled. A subordinate who understood immediately took off his own outer garment and draped it over Qin Haoxuan. If Qin Haoxuan hadn't already seen through Li Jing, anyone else would have been moved to tears by such a display of respect for subordinates.

"Today is a good day, Junior Brother Qin, emerging from the Lava Cellar. Your senior brother and his brothers have been waiting here for a long time." Li Jing walked up, a warm smile on his face, holding Qin Haoxuan's hand in a show of closeness. "We've all heard about your heroic deeds in the Lava Cellar, and I admire you immensely! My brothers here were even more impressed after hearing about it and have come to welcome Junior Brother Qin and congratulate him on emerging safely from the Lava Cellar!"

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling person. Although Qin Haoxuan didn't have a good impression of Li Jing, he had helped him, so refusing to acknowledge him would seem petty. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he withdrew his hand. Being held by a grown man like that made him uncomfortable!

Besides, Murong Chao, standing behind Li Jing, glared angrily, his expression suggesting he wanted to devour Qin Haoxuan alive, showing no sign of admiration.

"Senior Brother Li is too kind. I was bullied by villains in the Lava Cellar. If not for Senior Brother Li's righteous assistance, it's hard to say whether I'd be missing limbs right now."

Qin Haoxuan smiled faintly, responding to Li Jing neither subserviently nor arrogantly.

Meanwhile, the lively scene around Zhang Kuang began to fade, and attention shifted to Li Jing and Qin Haoxuan. Thinking that both Zhang Kuang and Li Jing had grievances with Qin Haoxuan, a subordinate who wanted to flatter but missed the mark suddenly had an idea and sarcastically said, "Why waste so many words on a Weak Seed trash?"

"Yeah, even among Purple Seeds, there are differences."

Immediately, Zhang Kuang's subordinates, unwilling to be outdone, began to mock and sneer. Zhang Kuang, hearing the taunts directed at Li Jing and Qin Haoxuan, was happier than if they were flattering him, and he burst into laughter.

Despite the mockery, Qin Haoxuan remained calm, but Li Jing's smiling face fell. His subordinates also glared angrily, and a conflict was about to erupt.

ps: Today's update is slightly late for the first chapter. Those who like it, please recommend and bookmark.