ALL NOVEL Chapter 21: Cultivating the Dao (Part 1)
Streams of mist, delicate as gauze, wafted from the black Soul Seed, flowing along Wang Heng's palm, reaching into his head where they merged with his seated primordial spirit.
In an instant, the wounds his primordial spirit had suffered to approach the Supreme Soul Seed began to heal, mending at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The various scars faded, leaving him pristine and radiant once more, like a lustrous crystal glowing brilliantly.
His entire primordial spirit seemed immersed in a pool of celestial elixir, with endless immortal energy pouring in through his pores, prompting a transformation and evolution of his spirit.
Wang Heng experienced a mild shock inside; despite not yet having planted his path or fused with this Supreme Soul Seed, it had already exhibited such power. One could hardly imagine the marvels and defiance it would achieve once truly integrated.
“This is my Ancient Seed of Cultivation,” he murmured, gripping tighter and closing his eyes slightly, savoring the myriad miraculous uses of the Supreme Soul Seed, unable to resist his growing fondness for it.
The synergy between him and the Seed was utterly flawless. By merging with it, he was certain that his unique innate talent for primordial spirit would reach its zenith.
It was only after a long while that Wang Heng paused.
Wang Heng opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by an endless ocean of Dao Seeds stretching out in every direction.
Having successfully obtained the Supreme Soul Seed, his quest for Dao Seeds was complete; it was time to leave.
He silently recited the incantations Wang Mian had taught him, prompting an immediate response from the sky.
A massive rift suddenly appeared, embedded in the vast canopy above, and from it shot a beam of light that landed precisely on Wang Heng's head.
Instantly, he was enveloped by a dense aura of spatial Dao energy.
The next moment, his vision blurred, and he found himself standing within the ancient array's center, having exited the realm of the Dao Seed Sea.
Wang Mian had been waiting outside the formation for quite some time; his expression lit up with joy and a hint of excitement upon seeing Wang Heng emerge from the Dao Seed Sea's expanse.
The Supreme Soul Seed was something he had only heard of but never seen with his own eyes.
There had been Wang family members who had entered the Dao Seed Sea to choose Dao Seeds and experienced the astounding ripples emanating from the soul seed in its deepest parts, but none had managed to approach it.
This is why the perfect ancient seed remained shrouded in mystery, beyond anyone's comprehension.
Now that Wang Heng has returned from seeking the seed, it was naturally impossible for him to come back empty-handed. The legendary ancient seed might see the light of day once more.
“Young Master, how did it go? Did you obtain the Supreme Soul Seed?” Wang Mian inquired eagerly.
Though it is the person who selects the seed, it is also true that the seed selects the person. To achieve a perfect evolution without blemishes, it is best to establish a close connection with the ancient seed to facilitate the next step of merging with the Dao.
When ancient seeds choose, they are direct, autonomously judging whether they are compatible with the life form. If they are, establishing a connection becomes simple. If not, the seed repels the being, and even if one forcibly suppresses it into a fusion, the results are unlikely to be favorable.
Thus, Wang Mian was eager to know the outcome of Wang Heng's seed selection. According to what he knew, so far, no being had managed to approach the Supreme Soul Seed successfully, unable to pass the trials set by the soul seed.
Wang Heng simply smiled slightly and opened his palm, revealing a deep black seed lying there. It was densely covered with Dao patterns, ancient yet profound, naturally integrated. Just standing near it caused an unusual sensation in Wang Mian's primordial spirit.
This shocked Wang Mian quite a lot; one must understand that he was a genuine immortal, his primordial spirit honed through countless trials, firmly established in the realm of immortality, strong enough to roam the vast heavens by spirit alone.
However, the strange sensation lasted only for a moment before vanishing, after all, it was just a seed and could not significantly affect a true immortal.
“Is this the Supreme Soul Seed?”
His tone was somewhat excited, for Wang Heng's success meant his own success. As long as Wang Heng proceeded smoothly, when the Celestial King returned from the borderlands, he would surely bestow rewards upon him.
The True Immortal's divine sense extended, wandering over the seed as black as ink. Very soon, Wang Mian confirmed it was indeed the Supreme Soul Seed.
Only the outer shell of the most supreme and perfect ancient seed could shield itself from the discerning divine sense of a True Immortal, keeping its internal mysteries undiscovered.
“Good, good, good! With such an aid, young master shall glide with ease, surely rising to become a leading figure of the younger generation in the ancient realm. Ascending to the throne of Immortal King in this era is within reach,” Wang Mian praised ceaselessly. The more he sensed the soul seed, the more he appreciated its wonders. No wonder the Celestial King reserved it exclusively for his own child and not the collateral branches.
Hearing these praises, Wang Heng was pleased at heart. Ever since arriving in this world, aside from his Immortal King father's imminent calamity and the impending decline of the Celestial King family, all his conditions were top-notch, with a starting point indescribably high.
With such superior conditions, it was hard not to grow strong, avoiding countless detours.
One must understand, this was the era of Ancient Immortals, where lineage mattered greatly. If he had descended into an ordinary being's body without background or aptitude, treading the path of cultivation and achieving extraordinary feats would be nearly impossible, unless he was endowed with the destiny of a Child of Fortune.
“Senior, since I have already acquired the Supreme Soul Seed, there is no time to lose in the matter of cultivating the Dao. I ask you to protect and guide me,” Wang Heng spoke.
As the starting point of the Ancient Immortal System, cultivating the Dao was not as serene as one might imagine.
To plant an ancient seed brimming with vast potential, capable of bridging the heavenly path within one's own body, and to merge with it seamlessly, poses inevitable risks.
This is especially true for supreme soul seeds, primordial cosmic blueprint seeds, and firma seeds—the perfect ancient seeds. Any blunder, any slight misstep, could lead to irreparable catastrophe.
At such times, a guardian of considerable strength is essential, standing by the cultivator's side to intervene at the first sign of burgeoning danger, preventing any calamity before it unfolds.
As Wang Heng embarks on cultivating the Dao, having an Immortal King like Wang Mian by his side ensures that even in moments of unforeseen events, his safety would be guaranteed.
“Rest assured, young master, Wang Mian will ensure your well-being,” promises Wang Mian.
This was an opportunity Wang Mian would not refuse—raising favor with the Celestial King of the Wang family and his progeny, achieving a significant merit, and observing up close the planting process of a supreme ancient seed as well as witnessing the rise of a peerless prodigy. Why reject it?
Without delay, both returned to the secluded cultivation chamber exclusive to Wang Heng. Led by him, Wang Mian safely passed through the barrier.
In the deep passage, dim lamps burned through the ages, and this was when Wang Heng casually asked Wang Mian, trailing behind him a question.
“Elder, once turned into lamp oil, can these beings ever rise again, making a fresh start?”
Wang Mian glanced at the silently burning ancient lamp and replied, "Given their cultivation in life, even if only a trace of obsession remains, there's a chance for a resurgence. However, since these oil lamps were personally crafted by the Immortal King, such a minor obsession stands no chance of escaping."
(End of Chapter)
