Burning Flame Continent was one of the twelve continents under heaven. Fire reigned supreme there, and it had produced many great fire cultivators renowned throughout the world.
The Spiritfire Sect was a third-rate sect on Burning Flame Continent. Even its strongest member had only reached Dao Foundation.
"Will I really never advance beyond Qi Refining? Am I truly rotten wood through and through?"
At the edge of a cliff, a boy of twelve or thirteen sat alone, gazing toward the horizon, his eyes full of confusion.
His name was Zhong Yan, and he was the son of the Spiritfire Sect's master. Born with the sect's resources at his disposal, he had started far ahead of ordinary cultivators. Ironically, his Spiritual Apertures had been blocked since birth. Though he could barely cultivate, his progress was painfully slow.
Not long ago, a Purple Mansion cultivator from a superior sect had arrived. After one look at Zhong Yan, he declared that even if the boy devoted his entire life to cultivation, Dao Foundation would remain beyond his reach. Qi Refining was as far as he would go, and that was with resources to support him.
Without enough resources, even reaching Qi Refining would likely be difficult for him in this lifetime.
Those words had instantly crushed the last thread of hope he had held on to.
Just then, a soft murmur reached his ears on the wind.
"No. You aren't without talent, and Qi Refining won't be the end of your path. You've simply taken the wrong road."
Light and shadow shifted, and the Netherworld Capital Divine Lord stepped out from beneath a tree.
Startled to realize someone had approached, Zhong Yan hurried to his feet.
"Who are you?"
Almost instinctively, Zhong Yan assumed a defensive stance. This was the heart of the