At Last, Upon the Immortal Path

"Dad, this technique... do you want it?"

Seedling's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

The question left Jiang Fu'an momentarily speechless.

What rank was this technique? Was it fast or slow to cultivate? He had no idea at all.

But naturally, he could not study this technique together with his daughter.

After a brief moment of thought, he held out his hand.

"Leave it with me for now. I'll read through it carefully first, then decide whether to cultivate it."

Seedling shot her father a quick glance. Her expression was somewhat strange, but she still handed over the red booklet.

The atmosphere seemed to turn subtly awkward.

Jiang Fu'an gave a dry cough, put away the booklet, and turned to the important matter at hand.

"All right, let's discuss how to divide these things.

"I don't want the spirit stones. In a place like Peace Town, there's nowhere to spend them anyway. They're all yours."

Seedling immediately recovered from the earlier awkwardness and hurriedly shook her head.

"Dad, that won't do! You found the ring. How could I take everything?"

Jiang Fu'an's tone allowed no argument.

"We'll do as I say. No need to argue. All the spirit stones are yours.

"As for the pills, the Spirit-Gathering Pill used to break through bottlenecks, as well as these unidentifiable pills, will all go to you. We'll split the rest evenly.

"As for these magical artifacts, you can't use them yet, but you'll definitely be the first to reach the late stage of Qi Refinement in the future. Keep them all for now.

"As for talismans, since you're in the sect, you probably won't have many chances to use them in daily life. Just pick out some for protecting your life."

Seedling opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but seeing the determination on her father's face, she knew there was no use arguing further and could only agree.

However, she held the ring out before Jiang Fu'an.

"Then Dad, you should still wear this storage ring. It's easy to hide.

"Otherwise, with so many things, it won't be easy for you to pack them up and take them away."

Jiang Fu'an looked at the ring, somewhat hesitant.

"But I don't have even a shred of spiritual power right now. I can't open this storage ring.

"As for when I'll be able to cultivate some, that's still nowhere in sight."

Seedling reassured him lightly.

"Don't worry, Dad. With so many Qi-Nourishing Pills to help you, it'll be very quick to get started and cultivate spiritual power.

"How about... you try it now? Since I'm here, I can explain some of the tricks to you.

"And this inn is close to the mountain gate of the Melodious Sound Sect. The spiritual energy here is much denser than at our home."

Jiang Fu'an's heart stirred.

That made sense, and he had long yearned for cultivation.

With almost no hesitation, he took out the booklet of Eternal Spring Technique that his daughter had given him earlier.

"Then, Seedling, explain to me first how this technique is cultivated."

But Seedling frowned slightly.

"Dad, this technique isn't of a high rank. How about we go out now and buy a better one?"

She had only given her father this cheap item before because her purse had been empty.

Now that they had money, she naturally did not want her father to make do with it.

To her surprise, Jiang Fu'an was firm.

"I'll cultivate this one. There's no need to buy another."

This Eternal Spring Technique could prolong one's life, making it perfectly suited for him.

His lifespan was now a full one hundred and ten years. At thirty years old, it might not be apparent yet.

But ten or twenty years from now, when his peers gradually showed signs of age while his appearance remained unchanged—

Without this technique to conceal it, it would be difficult to explain.

As for buying a better technique that could also extend one's lifespan?

The price would surely be steep.

If father and daughter revealed their wealth while making the purchase and drew the attention of someone with ill intent, the consequences would be endless.

At that thought, his expression grew solemn. Looking at his daughter, he warned her in a low voice.

"Seedling, remember this. When using the resources in this storage ring in the future, you must be cautious and keep them hidden. Try not to let anyone notice.

"You must understand: if someone possesses wealth that does not match their current strength, once it is exposed, it becomes the seed of disaster."

After hearing this, Seedling also became serious and nodded earnestly.

"Dad, I understand. Don't worry, I'll be careful.

"And Sister Jiang takes very good care of me in the sect. With her there, others won't dare bully me easily."

"Sister Jiang?"

Jiang Fu'an looked puzzled.

He had never heard his daughter mention this person before.

Seedling gave an "Ah" and hurriedly explained.

"Look at me, I nearly forgot to tell you.

"Sister Jiang is the immortal master who took me to test my spiritual roots at the Wang Family banquet that day.

"It turns out she's related to our family too. We're considered cousins.

"She said I looked especially like her when she was young, so she recognized me at a glance."

"So that's how it is."

Jiang Fu'an nodded.

He had thought at the time that the female cultivator might have some connection to his family. Now it had been confirmed.

However, seeing how much trust his daughter placed in this "Sister Jiang," he could not help but remind her.

"Seedling, our family and theirs haven't had dealings for many years.

"By blood, we've probably already passed beyond three generations. You'd best not trust others too easily."

Seedling blinked, feeling that her father was being overly cautious.

Sister Jiang had treated her with such warmth and kindness. How could she possibly have so many ulterior motives?

Still, she did not argue, only obediently replied.

"I understand, Dad. I'll keep it in mind."

With the matter settled, Seedling opened the Eternal Spring Technique booklet and pointed at the opening words with her fingertip.

"Dad, first memorize the chant for the first layer.

"Later, I'll teach you how to sense spiritual energy and guide its circulation. There are some tricks and experiences involved, and I'll explain them to you slowly."

Jiang Fu'an took the booklet and studied it carefully by the flickering candlelight on the table.

The chant was obscure and awkward, rather like memorizing classical Chinese from his previous life.

Fortunately, it was not long, fewer than a hundred words in all.

He gathered all stray thoughts and silently committed it to memory, word by word.

The next morning.

Thin dawn light seeped through the window paper into the guest room.

Father and daughter sat cross-legged side by side on meditation cushions, their eyes lightly closed and their breathing even.

Suddenly, Jiang Fu'an's eyelids trembled a few times before slowly opening.

That night, following Seedling's guidance and free of distractions, he had circulated the qi route of the first layer of Eternal Spring Technique through seven full great cycles.

At that moment, his mind felt exhausted, as though it had been drained dry.

Not only that, but every crevice between his bones ached with weakness. The areas through which several major meridians passed were especially swollen and painful.

Seedling sensed the movement beside her, opened her eyes as well, and turned to look at him with concern in her gaze.

"Dad, how do you feel?"

Jiang Fu'an truthfully described each of his discomforts.

After hearing him, Seedling instead pursed her lips in a smile, showing a trace of relief.

"Dad, these are all normal. Cultivating for too long drains both the mind and strength. Anyone would feel mentally exhausted.

"I've heard that only after forming a core, when the divine soul becomes powerful, can one avoid it completely.

"As for the aches throughout your body, it's because your meridians are guiding spiritual energy for the first time and haven't adapted yet. Once you become more practiced at circulating it, it'll naturally be fine."

After explaining, she asked expectantly.

"Now try the inner sight method I taught you and see whether you can sense any spiritual energy remaining in your body."

At her words, Jiang Fu'an closed his eyes again and slowly sank his consciousness into his body.

At first, there was only darkness. But as his mind settled, at a certain moment, he suddenly "saw"—

Within his dantian, threads of faintly cool breath were slowly flowing.

His heart suddenly skipped a beat, followed by a rush of understanding.

This was spiritual power.