Chapter Two: Let the Misunderstandings Rage Even More Fiercely!

Liu Wanjin said, “No thief ever admits to being a thief!”

“There’s no point in arguing now. I watched Wang Li grow up. He’s never practiced cultivation, nor has he ever come into contact with any original cultivation methods. Even if his soul were made whole, without guidance or a manual, it would be impossible for him to reach the third level of Qi Refinement in just a few days!”

“The Sect Leader has returned and given you a choice. You should be grateful! Now give me your answer immediately—the Sect Leader is waiting for my report!”

Growing impatient, Liu Wanjin had no desire to speak further with Wang Li.

Just as Wang Li was about to explain again, a long-absent presence spoke within his soul—Old Sheng.

“Accept his terms. Since you can’t clear up the misunderstanding, let it grow even wilder!” Old Sheng’s words startled Wang Li.

“Wouldn’t it be better if the misunderstanding was resolved?” Wang Li replied in his mind, still bewildered.

“Better, my foot!” Old Sheng snapped. “You’re still young and naïve. If every misunderstanding in the world could be cleared up, would there be so much strife?”

“I’ll say it again—the world outside is dangerous. Stay put in the Pure Yang Temple for now. Since Liuguang is willing to make a deal with you, it means he can’t quite figure you out. This is your chance to establish an identity for yourself and avoid future troubles.”

“Didn’t Liuguang ask you to prove your value? Then do it!”

“What identity? What value? I don’t understand!” Wang Li said anxiously. “Old Sheng, please, now’s not the time for riddles!”

“Just do as I say!” Old Sheng insisted. “Swear an oath first, then tell the boy you’ll offer all your cultivation methods to the sect freely.”

“I can swear, but do you think the sect will even care for my cultivation method?”

“You talk too much. Do you know what your completed method is? It’s just a foundational technique; nothing special. What matters is your ability to complete cultivation methods—do you understand?”

“It’s not enough to have that ability alone. I’ve tailor-made a great gift for Pure Yang Temple. Present it to Liuguang and I guarantee they’ll treat you like a treasure!”

“Really?” Wang Li was skeptical.

He could sense Old Sheng’s true state—just a remnant soul. Once Wang Li reached the Nascent Soul stage, he could erase Old Sheng’s consciousness with a single thought.

The only reason Wang Li had agreed not to reveal Old Sheng’s existence was out of gratitude—after all, Old Sheng had saved his life. Wang Li was upright by nature and could never betray his benefactor.

“I am the Sage of Primordial Chaos—would I deceive a crippled child like you?” Old Sheng affirmed.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

Wang Li steeled himself and immediately raised his hand to the sky, swearing, “I, Wang Li, direct descendant of the imperial Wang clan of Great Wei, swear upon my Dao heart that I will never cause harm to Pure Yang Temple. Should I break this oath, may I be struck down by heavenly tribulation, scorched to ashes by the wrath of heaven and earth!”

As the oath was spoken, a faint ray of light descended from above and merged into his body.

In the world of cultivation, Dao oaths are not to be sworn lightly. Heaven and earth take note, recording the cultivator’s vow and placing a curse upon them. If the oath is broken, the curse will trigger instantly, unleashing the full might of the heavens. Death is certain—utter annihilation, leaving not even ash behind.

Seeing Wang Li’s oath completed, Liu Wanjin’s expression remained cold. “At least you know what’s good for you. Now, show your sincerity.”

Wang Li, inwardly uneasy, said, “I can offer my cultivation method to the sect.”

Liu Wanjin shook his head. “That’s still not enough.”

“I have an innate ability—I can complete incomplete cultivation techniques,” Wang Li offered.

As Old Sheng had predicted, Liu Wanjin still shook his head. “Completing techniques is impressive, but the original manuals are hard to preserve. This ability benefits only yourself. You might be able to patch up a few important fragments in the Sutra Pavilion, but that’s not enough to offset the karma caused by this incident.”

“Tell him you know a way to preserve original manuals long-term, and can lower the cultivation level needed to record methods to the Golden Core stage!” Old Sheng instructed. “Don’t ask me if it’s possible—just get out of this accursed place first. There’s not even spiritual energy here; stay too long and you’ll lose your wits.”

When Wang Li heard there was no spiritual energy here, he instinctively checked his surroundings. He immediately understood why this place felt so uncomfortable.

For a cultivator, spiritual energy is as vital as air is to mortals. In a place devoid of spiritual energy, discomfort is inevitable.

Only now did Wang Li realize his predicament was far from simple imprisonment.

Who gets locked away in a place with no spiritual energy?

An enemy!

Because the sect would never give an enemy any chance to resist.

How can an enemy fight back if they can’t even absorb spiritual energy?

By locking him in such a place, Pure Yang Temple was clearly treating him as a formidable adversary, giving him no chance to escape. No wonder Liu Wanjin wouldn’t listen to his explanations!

He never intended to trust an enemy.

Given Pure Yang Temple’s ways, if they truly deemed him an enemy…

Wang Li dared not think further. He immediately said, “I have a method to lower the cultivation requirement for recording techniques, and can also preserve the originals for the long term!”

He knew this was his only chance to leave this place and remain in Pure Yang Temple. He no longer cared whether Old Sheng’s claim was true—even a slim hope was better than being eradicated as an enemy by the sect’s elders.

“Is what you say true?” Liu Wanjin was taken aback, then barked, “Don’t think you can fool me. If you fail to deliver, you’ll face the wrath of more than ten thousand cultivators in Pure Yang Temple!”

Inwardly, he did not believe Wang Li could solve a problem that had stumped countless cultivators in the Profound World. How could someone of unknown origin succeed where all others had failed?

Whether out of his aversion to soul usurpers or cold logic, he was sure Wang Li was merely stalling for time.

With no way out, Wang Li braced himself and said, “If the steward does not believe me, allow me to try. If I fail, I submit to any punishment the sect deems fit!”

“This is a matter of great importance—I must consult the Sect Leader!” With that, Liu Wanjin turned and left, clearly to contact Master Liuguang.

Left alone before the ancient, closing doors, Wang Li’s heart was a turmoil.

He hadn’t read ten thousand volumes, but certainly several hundred, and he knew full well what this meant.

But because he understood the difficulty, he felt even less confident. All he could do was pray that Old Sheng truly had a solution…