NOVEL WEB Chapter 306: Finding One’s Dao
In the Vein Awakening realm, cultivators reinforced the very veins that carried blood throughout their bodies. With each advancement, a new vein would be tempered and empowered, allowing the body to withstand greater strength and circulate energy more efficiently.
Feng Fan now stood at the threshold of the second stage—only one more vein needed to be awakened. Advancing in the Spirit Severing realm required him to divide his soul once more. The two breakthroughs had to happen simultaneously.
He closed his eyes and focused, channeling spiritual qi toward the final unawakened vein while also enveloping one half of his already-split soul. With one last push, his soul fractured again, becoming three distinct parts. At the same time, the targeted vein pulsed with power, strengthening and becoming more elastic under the refined flow of blood and qi.
A warm surge of strength coursed through him. He had reached the second stage of both the Spirit Severing and Vein Awakening realms.
A confident smile curled on his lips. "Four months… That's all it took. At this rate, I'll definitely reach the Dao Seeking realm before ten years are up."
Feng Fan took five more Soul Healing Pills and swallowed them in one go.
—
Nine years and six months passed in relative silence. While tensions brewed within the Black Turtle Sect and the Dao Seeking School, Feng Fan remained undisturbed, immersed in cultivation. A year ago, he had already reached the peak of both the Spirit Severing and Vein Awakening realms.
Unfortunately, he had been stuck there ever since.
For the first time since beginning his cultivation journey, Feng Fan found himself unable to break through. No matter how much spiritual qi he absorbed or how diligently he cultivated, the bottleneck remained unmoved.
"Damn it," he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. "I thought finding one's Dao would be easier. It's not like this is my first time sensing the Dao... so what the hell is the problem?"
Since his cultivation technique was called the Heavens Suppression Arts, Feng Fan had naturally pursued the Dao of Suppression. It seemed like the logical path—one that aligned with his technique and promised to amplify his combat prowess. Yet despite countless attempts, he had failed to establish any true connection with that Dao.
He exhaled a long, weary sigh. After a full year of failed attempts and inner reflection, he had yet to uncover the answer. With no progress in sight, Feng Fan finally resolved to seek advice from those more experienced; those who had already stepped into the Dao Seeking realm.
"Brother Tan," Feng Fan said, standing from his meditative pose. "I'm heading out. I'll return when it's time to depart for the Dao Seeking School."
Tan Wei nodded, still seated in cultivation. "Safe travels, Brother Feng."
Feng Fan soared into the air, heading toward his master's residence. Over the years, the White Crow Sect had flourished; the influx of spiritual qi had caused the cultivation of many elders and disciples to surge. Duan Ping, his master, was among them. Just a few months ago, he had successfully broken through to the Return To Void realm.
"Master, it's me, Feng Fan," he said, knocking gently on Duan Ping's door.
To his surprise, it wasn't Duan Ping who answered. A delicate hand opened the door, revealing Su Liqiu, Su Xiaoli's mother and Duan Ping's wife.
"Ah, Feng Fan. Come in," she said with a soft smile. "Make yourself comfortable. Ping went out to repair a few arrays around the sect. He should return soon."
Feng Fan didn't stand on ceremony and stepped inside. "Mother-in-law, I actually came to ask for advice on breaking through to the Dao Seeking realm. I've been stuck for a year now… I just can't seem to connect with the Dao."
Instead of waiting for Duan Ping, Feng Fan decided to consult Su Liqiu directly. She was also a cultivator who had reached the Return To Void realm. She was more than capable enough to guide him.
Although he wasn't officially married to Su Xiaoli yet, Feng Fan already considered her his wife, so he had no qualms about calling Su Liqiu his mother-in-law.
Su Liqiu raised an eyebrow. "It's astonishing how quickly your cultivation has progressed. Hitting a bottleneck at the peak of the Spirit Severing realm is completely normal. Most cultivators don't reach your level until they're over two hundred years old."
Feng Fan nodded earnestly. "Do you have any idea what might be holding me back?"
Instead of answering right away, Su Liqiu turned and moved toward a small tea table, setting down two porcelain cups. She began preparing tea with quiet grace.
Feng Fan watched silently as she worked. The way she moved—calm, measured, and almost musical—was mesmerizing. There was an elegance to her every gesture, as if she was following a rhythm only she could hear.
When the water boiled, she poured it into the cups and gestured for him to sit.
"Come. Sit with me, Feng Fan."
He obeyed, still captivated by her tranquil presence.
"Did you feel anything?" she asked with a gentle smile.
Feng Fan nodded slowly. "Yes…"
But he couldn't find the words to describe what he had felt from Su Liqiu. It was unlike anything he had encountered before.
He considered himself experienced—he had come into contact with many different Daos on his journey. So why couldn't he grasp the essence of what Su Liqiu had just shown him?
Su Liqiu chuckled at his confused expression. "You seem to have a lot on your mind. Why don't you just ask?"
Feng Fan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mother-in-law… this isn't my first time coming into contact with a Dao. I'm a tier 8 Array Master. I constantly work with the Heavenly Laws, altering them to form arrays. That alone should mean I understand some form of Dao, but…"
"But is it your Dao?" Su Liqiu interrupted gently, her tone calm but piercing. "You're treating the Dao like a universal truth anyone can grasp. But each person's Dao is unique. If you keep chasing someone else's path, you'll never uncover your own."