Volume One, Chapter Four: Refining the Celestial Dao Technique
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Inside Xu Que’s room, he sat cross-legged upon a cold jade bed, a faintly shimmering purple-gold gourd swirling around him. His consciousness dwelled within the gourd’s realm. Xu Que treaded the edges of darkness, perusing the ancient cultivation techniques left behind by predecessors—each an unparalleled method of refinement. Yet, all had failed.
“Why should I rely on others’ wisdom? Wouldn’t it be better to create a method of my own?”
Undeniably, the invincible divine body bestowed upon Xu Que boundless confidence. However, these ancient gods, immortals, grand shamans, and sages had all been unable to refine this artifact over time, revealing the formidable power of the Celestial Refining Gourd.
Though tempted, Xu Que dared not rush to success. For now, he chose the simplest path, slowly refining it bit by bit using his own essence blood and spiritual energy, observing the reactions.
As for the cultivation method? Xu Que had once considered modifying the Xu family’s “Fire Commanding Scripture,” elevating it to an earth-rank technique. Now, with the invincible divine body, his comprehension had grown immensely.
“The great methods of sages and immortals are powerful and direct, yet all have failed.”
“I will take the opposite approach: gentle, slow refinement.”
“Come to think of it, had I finished refining it earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to protect Sister Ye Shen. Heh heh.”
Xu Que chuckled mischievously; he had declared he wanted everything.
With a thought, he raised a finger and inscribed his own refinement method within the endless black-and-white space—the Celestial Refinement Dao.
“The universe, vast yet governed by numbers; ten phases though myriad things abound. The study of numerical imagery reveals cosmic transformations, comprehends all worldly changes; the great ultimate of yin and yang is the way of heaven and earth, the principle and order of all things, father and mother of change, origin of birth and death...”
As Xu Que’s understanding deepened and his refining progressed, the Celestial Refining Gourd emitted waves of strange energy. Threads of energy smaller than quarks began to erode Xu Que’s body. Yet, striking his invincible divine body, they could not penetrate, repelled instead.
Another three days passed in this refining process before Xu Que awoke again. He sensed some progress but knew not to rush.
“Huh? Why is my room so empty?”
He looked at the heap of waste residues expelled from the gourd and felt his realm had advanced once more—Martial Sect Fourth Stage! This was a significant improvement.
It turned out that refining the gourd was itself a form of cultivation.
Lacking other materials to absorb, the gourd devoured the cold jade bed beneath him, valued at three hundred thousand spirit stones. Then, it consumed the treasure sword hanging on the wall, worth ten thousand spirit stones. After that, it ate the sandalwood bed frame, the millennia-old redwood desk and chairs, and precious primal energy stones.
Now, the room was truly stripped bare.
“Martial Sect Fourth Stage... previously, every breakthrough at this level took me half a year and a vast amount of resources.”
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“Is it my Celestial Refinement Dao that’s powerful, or the energy emitted from the Celestial Refining Gourd?”
Xu Que was uncertain.
But soon it would be time to return to the Zhu family to reclaim what was rightfully his.
Taking back his cultivation resources and throwing them into the Celestial Refining Gourd to refine would reveal the answer.
At this moment, in the Xu family main hall, everyone sighed with relief upon seeing Xu Que’s arrival.
He had said he would return after five days, and now it was already the sixth.
The clan elders had been worried he was still entangled in old feelings, unable to sever ties, unsure how to persuade him otherwise.
Zhu Yanran was not worth such infatuation.
Xu Que said, “Elders, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I was so engrossed in training that I lost track of time.”
The clan head shook his head, “It’s alright. You can run from a monk, but not the temple. As long as you have determination, that’s what matters.”
His aunt smiled, “You didn’t show up yesterday; people outside were mocking you.”
“Oh? What were they laughing at?”
“They said you chickened out, that without your cultivation you have become obedient. They said you’re afraid of the Duanmu family and won’t go, and many other unpleasant things. But it’s better not to listen.”
“Just noise from fools. My matters need no one else’s advice.”
“Let’s set out!”
...
In Shengjing, the Zhu family.
Though a minor household, the Zhu family was considered modest compared to the Xu family, which boasted multiple Martial Kings and stood among first-rate noble families.
Today was already the sixth day.
“Hahaha!” Within the Zhu family, these people laughed heartily.
“They said they would come to retrieve the betrothal gifts after five days. Now the five days have passed, but there’s not a single sign of him.”
“That Xu Que is truly good at pretending.”
“Now he’s become the laughingstock of Shengjing. A man without courage, hahaha.”
In the grand hall, Zhu Yanran calmly brewed tea.
Her father and brothers laughed loudly, mocking Xu Que’s incompetence.
Though Zhu Yanran was pleased inside, she kept her composure before Young Master Duanmu.
After the laughter, Zhu Qingyun stood and clasped his fists, “This is all thanks to Young Master Duanmu’s arrival.”
At the guest seat, a proud young noble in white robes sat with a haughty expression.
He knew about Xu Que’s plan to retrieve the betrothal gifts.
He had expected to face Xu Que in conflict again, as they had clashed many times in the Sacred Land before.
In every encounter, Xu Que had defeated him.
So, he deliberately arrived on the sixth day, calming the Zhu family at just the right moment.
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Unexpectedly, Xu Que had chickened out yesterday.
Duanmu Xiong swept away old grievances and fears, joy filling his heart: “He’s lost his cultivation and is afraid—more afraid of my Duanmu family!”
Zhu Qingyun clapped excitedly and asked, “I heard Young Master Duanmu wishes to marry my daughter?”
Duanmu Seventh Master replied, “Of course. I fell in love with Yanran at first sight. She’s the only one I will marry. Once she enters the Sacred Land to cultivate, I will take care of her. Uncle, please rest assured to entrust Yanran to me.”
Hearing this, Zhu Qingyun was somewhat reassured, believing that such a promise from a noble family would hold true.
Moreover, the way Duanmu looked at Zhu Yanran was indeed passionate.
Zhu Yanran’s heart fluttered; she lifted her teacup, slightly bowed, and said, “Young Master Duanmu, please have some tea.”
“Such a grand... pure, fragrant tea, haha.” Duanmu Xiong looked at Zhu Yanran as she bent slightly before him, revealing a glimpse of her collar within her robes, and momentarily lost his composure.
As they set down their cups, their hands “accidentally” brushed.
Zhu Yanran feigned shyness and quickly returned to her seat.
Yet, in Duanmu Xiong’s mind, he thought: Damn, she’s truly flirtatious.
Because he couldn’t defeat Xu Que before, he planned to ruin Xu Que’s chances by helping Zhu Yanran enter the Sacred Land.
He thought it was just a game; after all, Zhu Yanran’s primal yin had long been lost.
How could an impure body deserve to enter the gates of the Duanmu family?
Now that he had heard of the Xu family’s situation,
he could openly ruin Xu Que’s reputation, mock him, trample him, and avenge his past defeats.
Duanmu Xiong said, “Yanran, as my woman, that Xu Que dared to speak arrogantly, humiliate you, and even injure you—this grievance cannot go unanswered.”
Zhu Yanran’s eyes sparkled. Duanmu Xiong’s vow to avenge her proved he cared.
Her heart stirred with youthful passion.
Yet deep inside, she seethed with hatred: “Xu Que, you think you’re great? Dare to insult me as the top courtesan of Tianxiang Tower? You rely on your clan elders to feel important? Against the Duanmu family, you’re nothing. Hahaha, soon it will be me who tramples you underfoot.”
Previously forced to kneel in the Xu family, Zhu Jingwu was now filled with righteous indignation: “Yes, let’s go to the Xu family together and crush their pride, so they understand Young Master Duanmu’s power.”
Zhu Qingyun also declared with heroic spirit, “The Xu family harmed my son and insulted my daughter, they deserve punishment. Now that Young Master Duanmu supports us, I will flatten the Xu family!”
Boom!
Suddenly, the Zhu family gate was broken down.
A gatekeeper servant was flung inside along with the doors, tumbling into the main hall.
Zhu Yanran cried out sharply, “What’s going on? Who dares to invade my Zhu family?”
Then, Xu Que strode in confidently.
Without ceremony, he demanded, “Is my stuff ready? Bring it out.”
Everyone present was stunned. Xu Que had chickened out before, hadn’t he? Why was he back now?