Starting Cultivation During a Trip

"Capital offenses can be forgiven, but living punishments are unavoidable," Zhang Fan said calmly.

The moment those words fell, Wei Qingshuang’s heart thumped. She felt an invisible force pass through her Primordial Spirit. Her spirit suddenly felt lighter, as if something had been taken away.

In the next instant, Zhang Fan opened his five fingers and released Wei Qingshuang’s Primordial Spirit.

"You... you’ve cut my Dao practice!?"

Wei Qingshuang’s Primordial Spirit returned to her body acupoints. Her face was as pale as a sheet with bulging eyes, staring at Zhang Fan in disbelief.

Her Primordial Spirit wasn’t harmed in the slightest, but her realm had fallen from the High-level Realm.

The ability to sever someone’s realm without affecting the Primordial Spirit was a technique she’d never even heard of.

"Auntie, if you can return to the High-level Realm again in this life, I’ll pay you the respect of a true hero," Zhang Fan said calmly.

That technique just now was from the "Three Corpses Illuminating Fate."

This Inner Core Technique is a nemesis to Primordial Spirits, seeking out and severing the roots of the Three Corpses.

Even with Wei Qingshuang’s high talent, it was impossible to restore the severed realm. Her life was destined to remain so.

For a cultivator, never being able to advance again in life was akin to a heavenly shackle, leading to endless despair.

"Young man, I admit you are quite extraordinary, but do you really not know what fear is?" Wei Qingshuang spat, trembling with rage. Yet, at this moment, she no longer had the arrogance she did before, looking at Zhang Fan with dread and fear.

"Auntie, I’m aware of the Xu Family’s power, but don’t forget, this is Yujing. There’s a saying you should know," Zhang Fan said calmly.

"What saying?"

"Even a mighty dragon finds it hard to suppress a local snake!"

Upon hearing these words, Wei Qingshuang gritted her teeth as if she had been slapped in the face. Ever since marrying into the Xu Family, she had always been respected wherever she went. She had never suffered such oppression and humiliation.

Least of all, from a young person.

"Also, why do I need your acknowledgment? Just because I called you ’Auntie,’ don’t forget who you are."

Saying this, Zhang Fan turned and left, his bearing as lofty as a mountain appearing in the mortal world.

Wei Qingshuang watched his departing figure, her nails almost digging into her flesh. She had always treated others like this, never experiencing such a humbling feeling herself.

"Mom, are you okay?"

Xu Zhixia hurried forward to support Wei Qingshuang.

"We’ll talk after we go back," Wei Qingshuang said through clenched teeth, feeling her legs go weak.

A moment later, the mother and daughter returned to the hotel room.

A stick of incense was burning, wafting gently like smoke, its faint fragrance calming the mind and soul.

The Xu Family’s secret "Six Spirits Soul-Focusing Incense" is an ancestral technique, refined over generations. When lit during cultivation, it purifies the mind and suppresses the consciousness, preventing deviations.

Such incense cannot be found on the market. Only major sects and families with good relations with the Xu Family can order some each year, in limited quantities and at high prices.

If this incense were to be sold on the black market, it would fetch at least thirty to fifty thousand.

"Mom, are you feeling better?" Xu Zhixia asked with concern.

Wei Qingshuang’s complexion was easing and gradually regaining color.

"I’m not seriously hurt, but the fallen realm will be hard to recover," she replied.

In the High-level Realm, once fallen, returning requires tenfold or even hundredfold effort.

"I really underestimated Zhang Fan. That move just now was extraordinary, claiming his place among the younger generation," Wei Qingshuang said seriously, looking at Xu Zhixia.

"You’ve been with him for so long, don’t you know anything about him?"

"I don’t know," Xu Zhixia shook her head.

In college, she didn’t see anything unusual about Zhang Fan. He seemed just like an ordinary person without an awakened Primordial Spirit.

Even his family background was ordinary. She had met Zhang Fan’s father several times, and he was an average man, clearly someone who had labored long on construction sites.

But when they reunited in Yujing City, Zhang Fan completely upended Xu Zhixia’s understanding. At that time, he was just one step away from entering the High-level Realm, even mastering the Fire Dragon Pill Sword technique.

"I haven’t seen him again since," Xu Zhixia said, briefly hesitating, keeping the events in Jingjiang City to herself.

To this day, the Xu Family believed that the deaths of Xu Banshan and Xu Changnian were the work of the Wuwei Sect.

"This young man is extraordinary," Wei Qingshuang said with a deep tone. "He has a mysterious background and powerful Daoist skills. Moreover, he’s ruthless and deeply scheming."

"Mom..." Xu Zhixia began to explain, but Wei Qingshuang raised her hand to interrupt.

"I clearly felt his intent to kill," she said.

"With a sharp weapon in hand, the killing intent reveals itself. An ordinary person with power won’t easily tolerate insults, let alone this kind of person?" Wei Qingshuang spoke in a solemn tone.

"Even if driven by impulse, unlikely to result in life-and-death struggle, this young man’s murderous nature is significant, yet he can restrain and release it at will."

"Do you think he spared my life just for your sake?"

At these words, Wei Qingshuang shook her head, "A person of such resolute intent isn’t swayed by anyone."

"Then why did he...," Xu Zhixia hesitated.

"I’m a member of the Xu Family. In broad daylight, killing me would indeed bring trouble," Wei Qingshuang said gravely.

"This kind of person may seem unrestrained, but in reality, he is deeply scheming."

"Publicly, he won’t touch me, but in the shadows, who can say?"

One must admit, Wei Qingshuang, with her distinguished background, saw through Zhang Fan’s intentions clearly.

"Mom, do you mean he’ll seek vengeance in secret?" Xu Zhixia asked, her face trembling slightly.

"I don’t know," Wei Qingshuang shook her head, a hint of lingering fear in her eyes. "This young man, I cannot see through him."

Then, turning to Xu Zhixia, her beautiful face softened. She took Xu Zhixia’s hand and said slowly.

"From now on, I won’t interfere in your affairs."

"Mom, do you mean..." Xu Zhixia’s heart fluttered.

"You know our Xu Family is vast and prosperous, with many disciples, thus competition is fierce."

"Originally, having you infiltrate the Wuwei Sect was to earn you credit and secure your future."

"But unfortunately, the waters of the Wuwei Sect are too deep for you to gain recognition. It’s better to withdraw."

"Similarly, separating you from Zhang Fan back then was in hopes you’d find a good partner and support. If he were ordinary, he’d be nothing but a burden."

As a mother, Wei Qingshuang had deeply considered Xu Zhixia’s well-being.

"But now, it’s different. He’s no ordinary person."

"Mom, are you saying you approve of me being with him?" Xu Zhixia couldn’t help but ask.

"A person like him is dangerous, beyond your control," Wei Qingshuang shook her head, "Moreover, you don’t even know his background."

"Honestly, I still don’t want you involved with such a person."

"However, I know your thoughts... perhaps I’m truly getting old. Many matters are best left to your own decisions," Wei Qingshuang sighed.

"I can’t go back to how it was," Xu Zhixia shook her head, a dim light flashed in her eyes, recalling her encounter with Li Miaoyin in Jingjiang City.

She knew that around Zhang Fan now, there was someone else.

"Mom, I don’t want to talk about romance now, I just want to be by your side," Xu Zhixia hugged Wei Qingshuang.

"Silly child, you’ll eventually have to start your own family," Wei Qingshuang said softly, patting Xu Zhixia’s back.

"If you no longer like him, there are other options..."

"These days, many disciples of the Pure Yang Families are in Yujing City; maybe there’s fate for you among them."

"Pure Yang Families!?" Xu Zhixia straightened up in surprise.

"Actually, this is your opportunity as well," Wei Qingshuang shifted her tone, then said, "Connect more with these Pure Yang Families’ disciples, maybe you’ll accomplish something grand, gaining capital in the clan."

"What kind of grand thing?" Xu Zhixia couldn’t help asking.

"Do you know why recently all the Pure Yang Families are active, many disciples gathering in Yujing City?" Wei Qingshuang asked, shifting her tone.

"Why?"

"Very reliable intelligence has arrived..."

"The ’Rat’ of the Thirteen Zodiacs will soon appear here, aiming to connect with someone immensely important."

Wei Qingshuang’s voice was low as she revealed a hidden secret.

"These people are here to hunt the rat!!!"