NOVEL WEB Chapter 22: Cultivating the Dao (Part 2)
“Let's hope so.”
"Let's hope so," Wang Heng replied with a flicker in his eyes. Previously, he also believed the same, which is why he didn’t pay much heed to the malice released from the oil lamps.
Yet, with the looming upheaval within the Wang Family, an inexplicable worry emerged from the depths of his heart.
Hearing this, Wang Mian wanted to say something to comfort Wang Heng, but after some thought, he refrained, chalking it up to Wang Heng overthinking.
In his perception, once reduced to oil by a Supreme Immortal King, it was unimaginable that they could ever see the light of day again. They were destined to remain within the lamps, enduring the agony of eternal flames.
"Does the young master know why the Immortal King hangs these lamps in this passage?"
Wang Heng shook his head, indicating his ignorance.
"To constantly remind the young master that the path to immortality is fraught with thorns, requiring caution as if walking on the edge of an abyss."
Wang Heng smirked wryly, understanding this principle, but did they have to make it so frightening? Every time he passed by, he felt like he was being eyed by a venomous snake.
Soon, they reached Wang Heng's secluded cultivation chamber. Wang Mian wasted no words, directly detailing the precautions necessary for cultivating the path. He explained thoroughly, fearing that any mistake on Wang Heng's cultivation journey might occur. Although he could safeguard Wang Heng’s life, it would undoubtedly influence his future cultivation path, something Wang Mian wished to avoid.
“Young master, the soul seed differs from other ancient seeds and must be planted within the Purple Mansion in the head. It is the dwelling place of the primordial spirit, a crucial area in the body. Extreme caution is necessary.”
Wang Heng listened and showed a thoughtful expression.
“Senior, I have a question. Why must the soul power seed be planted in the Purple Mansion of the head?”
Wang Mian glanced at him, not surprised by Wang Heng's question, aware that Wang Heng had lost his memory. Otherwise, he would never ask such a fundamental question.
“Because the closer the soul power seed is rooted to the primordial spirit, the greater the enhancement to the spirit, thus increasing the cultivator's combat power. Hence, the optimal planting site for the soul seed is within the head's Purple Mansion.”
Deep down, Wang Heng did not wholeheartedly agree with this explanation.
He believed that the human body should be a holistic entity. Following the path of the primordial spirit does not mean abandoning the physical body.
To plant the supreme soul seed in the Purple Mansion is akin to concentrating all the fruits of cultivation within it, while neglecting other parts of the body, which is tantamount to taking a skewed path.
Perhaps planting it in the Purple Mansion could cause the primordial spirit's power to surge in the short term, but it is not a sustainable path.
The potential of the human body is spread throughout, each part valuable and fertile ground for cultivating dao seeds. How could one abandon these opportunities?
He pondered for a while and decided that the Supreme Soul Seed should be planted in the Dantian in his abdomen. This is also where most ancient seeds are cultivated, the reservoir of essence within the human body.
Planting the seed there would best align with the Dao Seed's expression in human form, allowing it to root downward and grow upward, flourishing with branches and leaves until finally bearing the Dao fruit, coalescing the Three Flowers atop the head.
Wang Heng immediately conveyed his thoughts to Wang Mian.
Upon hearing this, the True Immortal furrowed his brows slightly. From ancient times to the present, cultivators who chose the soul seed have invariably planted it in the Purple Mansion within the head. Over time, this became common knowledge.
Wang Heng's idea was quite unique. Though it sounded reasonable, Wang Mian worried that such experimentation could lead to errors. The person before him was a child favored by the Immortal King, and any mistake could be intolerable.
Sensing the other's concerns, Wang Heng asserted proactively that this was his own decision, unrelated to anyone else.
And so, regardless of Wang Mian's opinions, he began his bold endeavor. After all, his path was his to command.
Facing the black soul seed suspended before his chest, Wang Heng did not hurriedly swallow it to plant it in his abdomen. Instead, he closed his eyes slightly and activated his primordial spirit, continuously establishing a connection with the soul seed. This was a crucial step before cultivating the Dao, which could greatly increase the chances of success.
As time passed, bridges gradually formed between them, threads woven from the power of his primordial spirit.
Each additional thread brought him and the Supreme Soul Seed closer. It was as if they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, using these delicate threads of primordial spirit to communicate and slowly forge a bond.
Once the planting and merging are complete, they become permanently intertwined, destined to accompany each other for life—from their weakest beginnings to the pinnacle of strength. During this process, as long as Wang Heng survives, the ancient soul seed will remain loyal, unwavering in its companionship.
Thus, a deep level of harmony and trust is essential between them; merely having fine threads formed by the power of the primordial spirit is insufficient.
When the number of these fine threads reaches a certain level, Wang Heng calms his mind, listens attentively to the voice emanating from the soul seed, a voice one could describe as rhythmic pulsations.
This is crucial, a key determinant of whether the cultivation of Dao can proceed smoothly.
If he can maintain the same rhythmic pulsations as the ancient seed, then the fusion during the Dao planting will be much more facile, and the pace will quicken.
Initially, Wang Heng heard nothing, surrounded by silence and stillness.
Yet, he did not become discouraged, nor did he feel impatient or restless; instead, he patiently continued to listen.
One breath, two breaths... ten breaths... half an hour... an hour...
He lost track of time until finally, the silence around Wang Heng was broken by faint sounds, akin to the breath of life or the soft thumping of a heartbeat, the origin being that pitch-black soul seed.
He kept listening until the sound became clear and distinct, then withdrew his focus, having deeply ingrained this unique rhythm into his memory.
Mission accomplished, Wang Heng immediately opened his eyes, and without a second word, picked up the pitch-black soul seed and tossed it into his mouth.
As he swallowed, he began murmuring words, as if reciting some sort of incantation.
In an instant, dozens of ancient glyphs materialized in the void, sketching the pathway of the Great Dao. Under Wang Heng's control, they all sank into his mouth, enveloping the soul seed not yet swallowed, and guided by the ancient glyphs, they slid effortlessly down his esophagus.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the essence storeroom, the so-called lower dantian.
This place is also a critical site within the human body, the wellspring of one's energy.
To the ordinary, it is for procreation; to the cultivator, for rebirth. Shi Hao's secret realm technique begins here, as does the ancient Dao seed method, highlighting the significance of this location.
Upon reaching the dantian, the ancient glyphs dispersed, revealing the pitch-black soul seed as it slowly descended.
Wang Heng took a deep breath, preparing to receive this perfect ancient seed that could help him seize control of his destiny.
"Buzz!"
At the moment of contact between the ancient seed and his flesh, Wang Heng visibly shivered, his entire body stiffening in place.
The rhythm hadn’t opened up yet, but once the Dao cultivation was complete, it would.
At that time, the worldview of the ancient primal realm would begin to unfold.
(End of Chapter)
