Chapter 116: Reopening the Spiritual Roots

“Foundation Building Pill? Early Foundation Building stage?!” Upon hearing these words, an expression of intense excitement flashed across Liang Qiuyang’s face, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

“Mr. Lin, is this really possible?” Liang Qiuyang could hardly believe it.

He had pursued the Dao for many years, but his cultivation had always lingered at the very threshold of Foundation Building—he had only just brushed against the gates of the Dao, lacking any true mastery. He hadn’t even achieved real cultivation. If he could truly leap straight to the early stage of Foundation Building, he would finally be considered an inner disciple, a genuine cultivator!

“As long as I can refine the Foundation Building Pill, all of this is absolutely possible!” Lin Le replied with certainty.

A look of delight appeared on Liang Qiuyang’s face once more. It seemed that giving the Heaven-Melding Furnace to Lin Le had indeed been a wise decision. If Lin Le could truly guide him into the path of cultivation, then the furnace would have found its true purpose.

“However, all of this will have to wait until I gather the necessary herbs to refine the Foundation Building Pill,” Lin Le added.

“Mr. Lin needs herbs? May I ask what kind? Perhaps I can help,” Liang Qiuyang inquired.

“I’m not particular about the species, but the older, the better,” Lin Le answered.

Only herbs that had endured through the ages would contain abundant spiritual energy, making them worthy for pill refinement.

“I see…”

“Does Mr. Lin already have a destination in mind for gathering these herbs?” Liang Qiuyang asked.

“Next weekend, I plan to visit the capital. A friend of mine claims to know members of the Qi family, one of the four great medicinal merchants. I hope to find something there.”

“The Qi family of medicinal merchants? I’ve heard of them. They’ve been in the herb business for generations and surely possess what you require. Furthermore, I’ve spent many years making my way in the capital and have made a name for myself—I know quite a few wealthy and influential people. Perhaps I can ask around and see if I can be of assistance.”

At this point, Liang Qiuyang was even more eager than Lin Le himself to find useful herbs, yearning for the Foundation Building Pill to be refined as soon as possible so he could become a true cultivator.

“If that’s the case, all the better.”

“In that case, I’ll head to the capital in advance these next few days to make inquiries for you, Mr. Lin.”

“I’m obliged to you, Master Liang. For now, let me help you enter the Dao, so you can begin your cultivation early. When the Foundation Building Pill is ready, you’ll be able to break through to even higher realms!”

“Is it possible right now?” Liang Qiuyang could hardly believe his ears.

“Yes.”

Ordinarily, guiding someone into the Dao was not a simple matter. It required the guide’s magical power for assistance, and the use of Daoist initiatory methods as a lead, in order to awaken the spiritual root hidden deep within a mortal’s consciousness. Only then could one truly step into the Dao.

If the guide’s magical power was insufficient, or if the Daoist method was not profound enough, or if the candidate’s spiritual root was too weak, failure was common. Sometimes, unexpected consequences would arise—a spiritual backlash, or even a complete collapse of the mind.

Thus, entering the Dao and embarking on the path of cultivation was never an easy thing. As the saying goes, “The Dao should not be lightly passed on, nor the methods carelessly revealed.” Not only does this refer to the sanctity of the Dao and its secrecy, but also to the safety of the would-be cultivator.

However, Liang Qiuyang was different. He had once been led into the Dao by his master and had established a foundation, but over the years, having neglected his cultivation, his spiritual root had lain dormant, leaving him no different from an ordinary person.

All Lin Le needed to do now was to help him awaken that spiritual root once more.

“Master Liang, are you ready?” Lin Le asked.

“I am.” With that, Liang Qiuyang knelt before Lin Le.

This was the proper ritual. To be guided into the Dao by another was, in a sense, to acknowledge that person as one’s master. As a disciple, it was proper to show respect—this was basic etiquette within Daoist practice.

After Liang Qiuyang knelt, Lin Le gathered his magical power and gently placed his right hand on the crown of Liang Qiuyang’s head.

Then, he silently began reciting the incantation of the Daoist initiatory method.

Moments later, Lin Le’s magical power had reached its peak, and the incantation was complete.

Suddenly, Lin Le shouted, “Open!”

With that word, a surge of powerful magical energy burst from his palm, pouring into Liang Qiuyang’s crown like a stream of pure enlightenment.

Deep within Liang Qiuyang’s consciousness, the long-dormant spiritual root was instantly revived by this injection of power, bursting into golden radiance as if a withered tree had encountered spring.

Immediately, a peculiar force descended from the crown of his head and coursed through his entire body.

In that instant, Liang Qiuyang felt an indescribable transformation sweep through him.

It was a sensation he knew well—this was the feeling mortals experienced when first entering the Dao!

“It is done.” Having completed the process, Lin Le withdrew his hand and spoke calmly.

Liang Qiuyang gazed at himself, sensing carefully, and his face was overtaken by wild joy.

“I’ve entered the Dao! I’ve truly entered the Dao again!” he cried in excitement.

“Mr. Lin, you have given me a new lease on life. You are as a master to me—please accept my deepest gratitude!” With that, Liang Qiuyang was about to kneel once more.

At that time, Liang Qiuyang had witnessed Lin Le help Gu Huaishan and Guo Zhao break through their martial cultivation and had felt intense envy, hoping for his own chance to be guided. He never imagined his opportunity would arrive so soon.

“Master Liang, you are too kind.” Before Liang Qiuyang could kneel, Lin Le helped him up.

Inside, Liang Qiuyang was overwhelmed with emotion; at last, he understood the exhilaration Gu Huaishan must have felt upon achieving mastery of inner strength.

Afterward, Liang Qiuyang consulted Lin Le on various matters related to Daoist cultivation.

His late master had once imparted to him a cultivation technique—the “Heart of Inquiry Method”—a profound technique reserved for true disciples of the Divine Dao Sect. Unfortunately, his master passed before he could provide further guidance.

Now, Liang Qiuyang recited the “Heart of Inquiry Method” to Lin Le, seeking advice.

Upon hearing it, Lin Le immediately recalled that this method bore similarities to the ancient “Scripture of Seeking the Dao.” However, the “Heart of Inquiry Method” was merely an imitation, and not a particularly skillful one at that. It seemed the ancestors of the Divine Dao Sect had derived it from the ancient scripture, never having received the true transmission, and so it only preserved about sixty percent of the original’s essence.

Relying on the memories of the Supreme Emperor Ling Xiao, Lin Le gave Liang Qiuyang guidance, urging him to abandon the “Heart of Inquiry Method” and instead cultivate the ancient “Scripture of Seeking the Dao.”

Though this scripture would be more challenging for Liang Qiuyang at his current stage, the achievements it promised far surpassed those of his former method.

Though new to cultivation and not deeply versed in such matters, Liang Qiuyang trusted Lin Le’s judgment and resolved to follow his advice and begin cultivating the ancient scripture.

After receiving further instructions from Lin Le, Liang Qiuyang departed from the villa.

Early the next morning, he set out for the capital to search for the herbs Lin Le required.

In the days that followed, both Haizhou and the greater Haidong region enjoyed newfound peace. Since their defeat at the hands of Lin Le, the Four Heavenly Kings of the Hongying Society had not resurfaced in Haidong.

Lin Le’s concerns were, at least for the moment, put to rest.

It is worth mentioning that ever since that night—when Lin Le singlehandedly defeated the Four Heavenly Kings and turned the tide for Haidong—his name had spread throughout the region and even farther afield.

Yet Lin Le paid these rumors no heed.

After assigning a few tasks to Guan Tianxiong and Yao Kun, the second weekend arrived. Lin Le set off for the capital with Jia Shimao and Ji Xiaorui.