Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 793 - 776: Heal the Mind First, Golden Roc’s Opportunity for Enlightenment

Zhou Guangcheng's primordial spirit was severely damaged, forcing him to close himself off in hibernation to suppress the injuries.

In such a situation, waiting for him to wake up naturally might take countless years.

Of course, Zhouyang would not allow this to happen.

On Lan Daoist's suggestion, he used the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Nourishing Wood as a lead, blending several spiritual objects capable of nurturing the divine soul to create a spirit incense. This was burned to nourish Zhou Guangcheng's primordial spirit and help him awaken more quickly.

This approach undoubtedly wasted the precious spiritual object, the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Nourishing Wood.

After all, Zhou Guangcheng's primordial spirit was hibernating and unable to actively absorb and refine the medicinal power of the spirit incense, leaving it only passively nourished.

But for Zhouyang, as long as his son could wake up faster, everything was worth it.

Three months passed like this, and under Zhouyang's costly care, Zhou Guangcheng finally awoke.

"Cheng'Er, it's great that you've woken up. Don't dwell too much on this incident. Focus on recovering, and once you're healed, we'll return to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. You can continue your closed-door meditation for Nascent Soul Formation then."

In the cave dwelling, Zhouyang's face lit up with joy upon seeing his son awaken. His voice was unusually gentle, as though speaking too loudly might startle his son.

Upon hearing Zhouyang's words, Zhou Guangcheng's face flushed with excitement, saying, "I understand Father's intention, but I want to know who it was that harmed me so cruelly. The enmity of obstructed path is irreconcilable. Even though I am powerless against this person now, I must know who my enemy is!"

To repay kindness and avenge grievances is the principle Zhouyang follows in the realm of cultivation.

As his son, Zhou Guangcheng inherited this trait.

"Alright then, since you truly wish to know, I'll tell you so you have a goal to strive towards!"

Looking at his agitated son, Zhouyang sighed lightly and then explained what had happened while Zhou Guangcheng was unconscious.

As expected, upon hearing that the enemy who nearly caused his demise was a Tier Seven True Spirit, Zhou Guangcheng's expression fluctuated between green and white, continually changing.

A Tier Seven True Spirit enemy, even someone like Zhouyang with late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, would not dare say for certain that he could achieve vengeance in this lifetime.

And Zhou Guangcheng had not even achieved Nascent Soul Formation yet.

If he claimed to seek revenge against a Tier Seven True Spirit at this time, it would be overreaching, ignorant of his own limitations.

"What's wrong? After knowing the enemy's cultivation is too high and power too great, have you lost confidence in revenge? Your earlier tone didn't imply that!"

Seeing his son's changing expression without saying a word, Zhouyang, worried this might dampen his spirit and ambition, teased him slightly.

As they say, "know a son better through the father." Though Zhouyang did not often spend time with Zhou Guangcheng, he knew his son's temperament very well.

He understood that Zhou Guangcheng, born with the "second generation immortal" status and possessing the Profound Sun Spirit Body, had been proud and ambitious since childhood, unwilling to fall behind others in anything.

The more one is proud and strong, the more they care about face; even cultivators are not immune to this worldly notion.

After all, cultivators are still human, with emotions and desires, not emotionless, desireless puppets.

Upon hearing his most respected and admired father speak like this, even though Zhou Guangcheng knew it was a provocation, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Father, do not underestimate me. I've never been afraid of anything in this life!"

Having said this much, Zhou Guangcheng came to terms and continued, "I realize my cultivation is shallow, and to speak of seeking revenge on a Tier Seven True Spirit now would not be praiseworthy bravery, but overestimating myself, unaware of heaven's extent!"

"But as I've said before, the enmity of obstructed path is irreconcilable. Even if a Tier Seven True Spirit blocks my path, I shall not lack the courage to confront it!"

He spoke these words resolutely and decisively, without any pretense.

After hearing his words, Zhouyang couldn't help but nod slightly, looking at him appreciatively, saying, "Well said. The hardest thing is to know oneself. You recognize your own capabilities and do not make arrogant claims for the sake of face. Your state of mind is already commendable."

At this point, Zhouyang paused briefly before continuing, "However, I appreciate your latter statement more. Anyone who hinders my path is an enemy. If an immortal obstructs me, I shall slay them; if a demon blocks me, I shall cut them down!"

As he spoke these words, a cold killing intent suddenly emanated from Zhouyang.

Feeling the fierce killing intent from his father, Zhou Guangcheng shivered involuntarily, his gaze towards him filled with shock.

Though Zhouyang had always played the role of a stern father, he had never openly shown such ruthlessness before him.

Having cultivated for centuries and ventured out alone multiple times, personally killing many among the immortal and demon paths, Zhou Guangcheng was no fragile flower.

Yet the killing intent he felt from Zhouyang surpassed even that of the most brutal demonic cultivators he had encountered.

He couldn't imagine how many battles his father had experienced, how many enemies he had slain to accumulate such intense killing intent.

"What, surprised? Perhaps you never imagined your father to be someone with numerous kills!"

With a calm gaze, Zhouyang looked at his son, his tone slightly firm as he said, "If you had experienced even half of what I have, you'd know this incident isn't much to worry about. I've faced so many dangerous situations in my life, countless beyond two hands, endured injustices you cannot fathom!"

"As a father, I don't want you, my son, to endure the hardships and sufferings I've endured, so I never spoke of these to you or let you feel them!"

"But you must understand, everything you've enjoyed in your cultivation journey wasn't something you should have had. Someone has already paid the price for you!"

"This experience might not be entirely bad for you. At least, having gone through this near-death ordeal, you'll understand the beauty of life, comprehend the difficulty of cultivation, and realize how hard it has been to attain everything you've enjoyed!"

Zhou Guangcheng paused in his breathing, his expression rigid as he fell into prolonged silence.

He thoughtfully considered Zhouyang's words, comparing them to the situations of the loose cultivators and small sect and clan cultivators he had seen during his travels, and comparing them to the circumstances of those ordinary disciples within the sect, it was easy to see that Zhouyang was not exaggerating.

When other cultivators were in the Qi Cultivation Stage, striving hard to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, he easily established his foundation without needing one.

While other Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators racked their brains to obtain "Purple Heart Jade Marrow" to aid in opening their Purple Mansion, he was casually bestowed "Purple Heart Jade Marrow" and numerous spiritual objects for opening the Purple Mansion by his elders.

While other Purple Mansion Stage cultivators exhausted all their savings to seek and purchase supporting spiritual objects for Core Formation, he achieved Core Formation in one go without any assistance from spiritual objects.

From a young age, all the magical artifacts, elixirs, spirit talismans, and other treasures he needed were prepared by his elders, even when he ventured out for experience, he was secretly protected by them, never needing to worry about obtaining these things.

He enjoyed all this without ever paying any price for it, which was undoubtedly abnormal.

Just as Zhouyang had said, everything he enjoyed was not without cost; it was simply that someone had paid the price for him.

When he encountered difficulties that even those who paid the price for him could not resolve, the cost naturally would fall upon him to bear.

"Originally, these matters would become clear to you once you successfully formed your Nascent Soul, as by then, you would truly need to take on responsibility and contribute to protecting the sect and the clan."

"Now that this matter has occurred, leaving you, who has never faced setbacks, somewhat lacking in confidence, it is time for me to clearly tell you everything, so you understand the hardships and difficulties of cultivation!"

Zhouyang looked at his silent son, his tone extremely calm.

As he had said, given Zhou Guangcheng's natural talent, coupled with the various spiritual objects prepared for him by Master Cyan Yang and himself, even a hurdle like Nascent Soul Formation was highly likely to be overcome.

Thus, there was no need for him to endure hardship and suffering before the Nascent Soul Stage, or to compete for things with ordinary cultivators that were of little use to him.

When he reached the Nascent Soul Stage, within the lifespan of three thousand years, he would naturally have ample time to understand all of this, to understand the hardships and difficulties of cultivation.

It is like how a rich man cultivates his child's ability to earn money, not by giving him a few dollars to turn into hundreds or thousands, but by directly providing millions or billions as startup capital.

If he can earn more money by then, that would be better; if not, he can understand the difficulty of making a lot of money and cherish what he currently has even more!

Now the situation had changed. As Zhou Guangcheng was about to form his Nascent Soul, he unexpectedly experienced a life-or-death crisis, narrowly escaping from the Ghost Gate, and due to the strength of the enemy, he felt lacking in confidence, which dealt a blow to his Dao Heart.

Under such circumstances, Zhouyang could only let him step out from a safe house, to personally endure the elements, to understand the true hardship and difficulty of cultivation, which would help him rebuild his confidence. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"What father said is indeed thought-provoking and makes your child feel ashamed."

Zhou Guangcheng murmured with eyes full of shame, then sighed heavily, "So, the peaceful years your child has had were actually because you and Master sheltered me from the storms outside, bearing the pressure that should have been on me!"

"There is no such thing as peaceful years, but it is just that someone bears the weight for you!"

Zhouyang sighed, then patted his son's shoulder and said, "But a father shielding the wind and rain, bearing the burden, is the responsibility of being a father. You will do the same when you have offspring in the future."

"Of course, if you are promising, it would be best for you to grow up quickly, to be able to shelter the wind and rain yourself, bear the pressure you should bear. That would make it much easier for me, and I would be truly proud of you!"

At this point, Zhouyang paused, his tone suddenly turning cold, "This time you almost perished; it was my oversight. But rest assured, countless have offended me over the millennia, and most have now become souls under my sword, and this time will be no exception!"

Bold words that Zhou Guangcheng dared not utter, Zhouyang dared to!

And when Zhouyang spoke these words, his demeanor, tone, and ambience naturally influenced those around him, exuding a sense of confidence and determination.

After hearing this, Zhou Guangcheng felt nothing amiss, instead looking at Zhouyang with gratitude and admiration.

He resolutely said, "Your child will definitely not disappoint father again!"

After helping Zhou Guangcheng to affirm his Dao Heart and regain confidence, Zhouyang next assisted him in recovering his damaged Primordial Spirit and cultivation.

Fortunately, Zhou Guangcheng had only been in seclusion for three years when he was injured, still in the "Pregnant Infant" phase, and the Golden Core had not yet dissipated.

Though his Primordial Spirit was damaged, his magical power lost control and reversed, injuring his meridians, and also causing damage to the Golden Core, it would not affect his future formation of the Nascent Soul.

After Zhouyang used various precious spiritual objects without regard for cost, the injuries he suffered were completely healed within five years.

Even though the injuries were healed, and with the assurance of Thunder Feather True Spirit, Zhouyang still dared not let Zhou Guangcheng undergo Nascent Soul Formation in Donglai Immortal Island.

After Zhou Guangcheng's injuries healed, he went to see Thunder Feather True Spirit to say goodbye.

"Fellow Daoist Lei Yu, I have important matters to attend to in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, so I won't stay here longer to accompany you. When I have completed my tasks, I will naturally come to take you out."

"However, before leaving, I have a small favor to ask of Fellow Daoist Lei Yu. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lei Yu would be willing to help?"

On the immortal island, Zhouyang found the silver roc, now much larger than a few years ago, and directly explained that he would be leaving.

Even though he had a good relationship with Thunder Feather True Spirit, the control of the Island Protection Immortal Array on Donglai Immortal Island could not be transferred.

So, Thunder Feather True Spirit, planning to seclude here for a century to stabilize its True Spirit Dharma Body, could only wait for his next visit to leave the island.

The silver roc indeed did not mention the control of the Island Protection Immortal Array, instead, it looked at him and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, go ahead and attend to your matters, even if I stay here a few more years, it's nothing. But I wonder, what is the small matter you speak of?"

"This Golden-winged Thunder Eagle has been with me for over a thousand years, but unfortunately, it has never had the chance to become a Demon King. Fortunately, after I gave it ten drops of True Blood gifted by you last time, it has a slim chance of advancing. This time, I hope it can stay by your side for a hundred years, hoping that once you stabilize your true form, you can grant it more True Blood to help it undergo its transformation!"

Zhouyang waved casually, releasing the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle residing in the Exquisite Jade Bracelet.