Chapter Thirteen: Father Li’s Guidance

In the days that followed, every time Li Yue’er saw Li Ziyuan, her face would flush uncontrollably with a rosy blush.

At twenty-two, Li Ziyuan’s soul could not perceive it, but he pretended not to notice.

On their way to the fields, Li Ziyuan asked his father, “Father, what is the world like beyond the village?”

This was the first time in over ten days that Li Ziyuan had addressed his father as “Father.”

Li’s father teased him, “This is the first time in over ten days you’ve taken the initiative to call me that.”

He then glanced toward the distant mountaintop. “Here is paradise. Beyond the mountain lies hell.”

Turning back to Li Ziyuan, he asked, “So, do you want to go?”

Li Ziyuan replied with firm resolve, “I want to see the outside world.”

Li’s father had long anticipated this day. Young men were always like this—fiery and passionate. Only by weathering storms would they understand the preciousness of peace.

He looked at Li Ziyuan with a complex expression. “I know you have something on your mind. Your mother and I can see it.”

In truth, both parents had known for a long time that their son, Li Yuan, was no longer himself. How could parents not recognize their own child? Subtle details revealed the truth.

Moreover, Li’s father possessed a secret technique called “Spirit Memory Divination.”

As the name suggests, it allowed him to peer into another’s memories. While Li Ziyuan was asleep, his father used this technique to glimpse his memories. He witnessed the depths of despair and pain Li Ziyuan had endured and admired the charisma he displayed before death. He learned that Li Ziyuan retained all of Li Yuan’s memories—in essence, Li Yuan’s soul inhabited Li Ziyuan, or vice versa.

Li’s father understood that Li Ziyuan’s soul was consumed by an unyielding desire for vengeance, almost like a creed.

With this comfort in mind, Li’s father resolutely accepted that whether Li Ziyuan or Li Yuan, they were both his son.

Li Jingchuan and Li Yunfeng’s son.

“I will show you what the vast Canglan Continent is truly like. People like you, ordinary folk, are seen as nothing more than ants to others.”

With that, Li’s father instantly unleashed a pressure that radiated from the tenth ring of the Spirit Awakening Realm.

Li Ziyuan was immediately forced to the ground, golden ripples of spiritual energy spreading over him like water waves. This immense power left him stunned and filled with questions: What kind of miraculous force was this?

Gone was the usual kindness in Li’s father’s expression, replaced by severity. “What’s the matter? Can’t even breathe under the pressure of a mere tenth ring Spirit Awakening Realm? Across the entire Canglan Continent, cultivators at this realm are as numerous as cattle, but to those at higher levels, they are just as insignificant as ants. The mark of a Spirit Awakening cultivator is a faint golden glow that surrounds them, like the first light of dawn.”

Li Ziyuan was struck again. Such strength was still considered trivial by others. What kind of world was the Canglan Continent?

“You can’t even withstand one percent of this pressure, and yet you want to venture outside? You’re courting death.”

With that, Li’s father’s spiritual power surged again, instantly rising to the tenth ring of the Spirit Convergence Realm.

However, the oppressive force he exerted on Li Ziyuan vanished. The pressure of the tenth ring Spirit Convergence Realm was enough to crush an ordinary person instantly—this was the vast gulf between mortals and cultivators.

At this level, Li’s father was surrounded by a transparent golden aura, his eyes shining like stars, hair gently flowing. On his right arm, ten intricate patterns shimmered brilliantly.

“The mark of a Spirit Convergence cultivator is the appearance of delicate patterns on their arms, one for each ring they have achieved,” Li’s father said coldly, looking at Li Ziyuan. “This is the tenth ring of Spirit Convergence Realm. Spirit Awakening cultivators can only look up in awe.”

Then, Li’s father threw a punch. A golden, translucent fist surged forward, crashing into the field and sending soil and stones flying. When the dust settled, a massive crater ten meters wide lay before them—testament to the overwhelming power of a Spirit Convergence expert’s strike.

Li’s father continued, “Do you think Spirit Convergence is the strongest? To a Spirit Transformation Realm cultivator, Spirit Convergence is insignificant.”

He then revealed even greater power. The humble cloth robe he wore became adorned with ten finely detailed patterns, flowing like liquid. At the peak of the Spirit Transformation Realm, Li’s father looked even more imposing.

“The hallmark of a Spirit Transformation cultivator is spiritual energy that flows like liquid. The peak power at this realm is enough to topple a mountain,” he said, aiming at a small mountain nearby.

Raising his right hand high, spiritual energy poured from his palm, coalescing into a golden orb the size of two water buffaloes combined.

“A true cultivator requires no weapon; their spiritual energy itself becomes an unstoppable blade.”

With that, he hurled the golden energy ball toward the mountain.

The orb exploded upon impact, a thunderous blast that would have terrified the villagers of Qingyan Village were it not for a protective barrier Li’s father had established.

With a casual wave, he swept away the dust with a gust of wind, revealing a flattened plain.

Li Ziyuan gazed at the awe-inspiring scene, filled with yearning for such power.

Li’s father withdrew all his spiritual energy and said, “You cannot fathom my strength. Remember, never reveal your true power to your enemies—never even to friends.”

Li Ziyuan’s eyes changed as he looked at his father, replaced by admiration for the strong.

“What realm have you truly reached, Father?”

Li’s father’s stern demeanor softened as he patted Li Ziyuan’s shoulder with a smile. “I can only tell you this much: with a single palm, I could level the entire Qingyan Village. The rest is for you to discover on your own. Beyond the Spirit Transformation Realm, there are seven greater realms, each divided into ten rings—like Spirit Transformation Realm One Ring, Two Rings, and so forth. As for my realm, I won’t tell you. When you can defeat me someday, then you’ll know.”

“Now, cover up the crater in the field quickly. That mountain won’t be coming back, and if Yue’er sees it, you’ll be exposed.”

Li’s father looked at the missing mountain, unaware that he had broken the very formation he had set up—a fact he realized only later.

That afternoon, Li’s father gave Li Ziyuan a profound lesson on the complexity, diversity, and possibilities of this world. It was the most attentive class Li Ziyuan had ever attended in his life.

After a while, Li Yue’er came to deliver their meal. She looked toward the flattened plain, sensing something was missing. She frowned, pointing at the empty spot, and asked, “Ziyuan, Father, where’s the mountain?”

“The stars in the sky fell and struck the mountain. It’s gone now,” Li Ziyuan answered.

His father nodded in agreement.

Li Ziyuan found new hope and understood the nature of the world he inhabited. The only sorrow was that this was not the world he had originally lived in. Yet he was certain that one day he would return, avenge his enemies, and not let Yu Tian die in vain.