Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Late at night, Hongfu Garden.

The moon hung in the sky like a fox’s eye, gazing indifferently at the mortal world.

Inside the room, Zhang Fan sat cross-legged on the bed, silver-white moonlight draped over his body, rising and falling with his breath, every pore opening and closing.

Today was extraordinary for him—not only had he mastered the Fire Dragon Pill Sword and truly become a member of the Spirit Department, but he’d also gained something more.

Though he hadn’t yet unraveled the mysteries behind the Great Spirit Sect King’s divine statue, its shattering seemed somehow fortuitous, especially at the instant when his Primordial Spirit entered the statue and was struck by lightning; his spirit seemed to undergo a subtle transformation.

At this moment, within his Primordial Spirit Inner Scenery, Zhang Fan’s spirit glimmered with a faint light that pierced the surrounding confusion and darkness; before him, a golden Dharma Seal floated, appearing to forge a mysterious link.

Ever since the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal inexplicably fell into Zhang Fan’s hands, he hadn’t slacked in his attempts to fathom its secrets.

Buzz...

As golden currents pulsed between Zhang Fan’s Primordial Spirit and the Gold Seal, flowing and intertwining, he felt an unprecedented sense of comfort, a gentle warmth rising silently through his limbs and bones, strengthening the True Yang within.

Zhang Fan’s breathing grew slower and slower, his eyes half open half shut, a gleam of celestial light slipped through the narrow gap, entering his Spirit Platform.

Countless shadows and voices flitted across his mind.

Night had fallen. In the Zhang Family’s old mansion, a dim lamp still glowed.

The young Zhang Fan was curled beneath the courtyard’s big tree, body huddled and hands pressed to his ears, yet the ”rumbling” from the house reached him still—drumming, thunder-like.

Such violent noise, yet the neighbors acted as if dead—not a soul heard it or stepped out to curse.

Bam—

Just then, the door swung open; a figure flashed out, falling into Zhang Fan’s arms, holding him close.

”Mom...”

The young Zhang Fan stared, dazed; his mother seemed different tonight—black hair disheveled, beautiful eyes glinting, but missing the gentle warmth of usual days.

”Fanfan, don’t be afraid. Your dad’s sickness is acting up again—run!”

As she spoke, his mother picked up young Zhang Fan, gave a gentle swing, and tossed him out of the yard.

Behind him, that eerie rumbling resumed.

The young Zhang Fan didn’t dare linger; with his mother’s words echoing in his mind, he stood and ran.

He sprinted flat out, unable to see a thing; only the night wind howled by his ears, wild and bestial...

He had no idea how long he’d run. Exhausted, he slumped by the empty roadside, beneath streetlights flickering and buzzing in and out.

At that moment, a long shadow approached from afar, blocking the light in front of Zhang Fan. He looked up, taken aback.

”Dad...”

”Your mom’s old illness—she took her medicine, she’ll be fine.”

The calm voice lingered in young Zhang Fan’s ears, and within those innocent eyes there stirred a spark of something new.

Hoo—

Morning. Zhang Fan lay on the bed. Eyes snapped open, he let out a long breath.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his face.

”It’s been so long since I slept so well,” Zhang Fan murmured softly.

Ever since merging with the Evil Gods, his sleep had grown scant; relying on the sleeping pills left by Zhang Lingzong, on lucky nights he might get two or three hours.

At times, he’d glimpse strange visions like those he’d seen last night.

Zhang Fan could no longer tell—were those truly old, sealed memories, or just dreams?

He knew, too, that after merging with the Evil Gods, he’d changed—his cultivation, insight, presence, and means all subtly different.

But to truly recall everything, he’d have to recover the Evil Gods and break free from tribulation.

”Now that I’m a Spirit Department member, it’s time to ascend to High Skill—and that’ll finally give me some leverage.” Zhang Fan murmured again.

Mastering a technique like Fire Dragon Pill Sword was the mark of Spirit Department rank.

His aim was High Skill—only with such cultivation could he truly establish himself, and head to Shangjing City in search of the Evil Gods.

Only when the three gods unite could he truly escape the Great Night, awakening the power of the Divine Demon Holy Embryo.

By then, perhaps he’d be able to extract the Zhenwu Jade Scroll from his body.

This thing had only ever stirred within him in the Shen Family, when facing the Profound Mirror Treasure Talisman; otherwise it was as if it didn’t exist at all.

But Zhang Fan always felt that, so long as the Zhenwu Jade Scroll remained within him, it would one day bring grave misfortune and tribulation.

Beep beep...

Just then, Zhang Fan’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen—Su Shiyu had messaged him.

”Got intel!”

”Good thing I kept a trick in reserve.”

Zhang Fan grinned wide, hurried to get up. With time still before work, he quickly washed up and left the house, crossing two streets to arrive at Tan Residence.

He opened the door. Su Shiyu, wearing loose home clothes, looked like she’d just woken, no makeup, yet her beauty still shone through.

”I just made breakfast—eat with me?”

”You’re early,” came a voice.

Shi Shougong emerged from his room, opened the fridge and, to Zhang Fan’s surprise, took out a box of chilled bugs. He pulled out a worm and popped it straight into his mouth, chewing with delight.

Zhang Fan’s eyelid twitched, and seeing Su Shiyu arrive with sandwiches and milk, his appetite vanished.

”Let’s get to business,” Zhang Fan said.

Yesterday, before heading to the Zhang Family’s old mansion, he’d told Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu to lie in wait outside the old neighborhood, in case of trouble—just as they had at the Observatory of Profound Mystery, stirring up demon winds to attract the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance experts’ attention.