Chapter 10: Opening the Sea of Suffering, Adding Fuel to the Fire

The first step in cultivation is to sense one’s own Life Wheel and guide the absorbed vital energy into the Sea of Suffering, expanding it. For ordinary people, sensing the Sea of Suffering is a difficult task, but Li Yao was different. He was born with his Sea of Suffering already open; with just a slight perception, he located its position.

With the profound technique of the Shaking Light Scripture, a surging stream of vital energy poured into the Sea of Suffering, and a glimmer burst forth in Li Yao’s abdomen, as if the heavens and earth were being created anew.

“Whoosh!”

There was no golden light radiating, no thunder flashing wildly, only the faint sound of ocean waves.

Although Li Yao was gifted, he was still a mortal body, so such extraordinary phenomena did not occur during his cultivation. Yet at this moment, Zhang Chong was stunned, his eyes widening slightly. Though he had passed down the Shaking Light Scripture to Li Yao, he hadn’t expected this. His plan had been to first explain the scripture’s meaning to Li Yao, and only after he understood, would he begin cultivation.

But who could have imagined that the moment Li Yao received the scripture, he would instantly open his Sea of Suffering? Was he eating or drinking at such speed?

Suddenly, a figure appeared—Old Xun. This place was close to the bamboo hut, and with his powerful cultivation level, he instantly sensed the ripple of cultivation energy.

“What’s going on?” he asked in surprise, transmitting his voice to Zhang Chong.

Zhang Chong was equally baffled but still recounted the entire situation to Old Xun.

“So you’re saying Li Yao began cultivating immediately after receiving the scripture and instantly opened his Sea of Suffering?” Old Xun’s eyes bore a look of disbelief. Though he didn’t say it aloud, his expression clearly conveyed the sentiment: “Do I look like a fool to you?”

Zhang Chong smiled bitterly. It did seem too incredible, but it was the unvarnished truth.

Seeing Zhang Chong’s earnest expression, Old Xun realized the other was telling the truth.

“Hmph!”

Even Old Xun, who had lived for two thousand years, found this almost dreamlike. To open one’s Sea of Suffering immediately after receiving the scripture—he had never seen such a person in all his years.

Even the current Sacred Son, a prodigy, had taken three days to open his Sea of Suffering, the fastest ever recorded in the Shaking Light Holy Land.

Old Xun’s emotions were complex. He wondered if his eyesight was truly failing. When he had first assessed Li Yao’s aptitude, he was impressed but still felt there was a gap compared to the Shaking Light Sacred Son.

The innate talent to autonomously regulate and circulate vital energy had narrowed the distance somewhat. Even so, Old Xun had never believed Li Yao would surpass the Sacred Son in future achievements. But what was unfolding before him now was worlds apart from his expectations.

…

“Rumble!”

Li Yao’s mind was completely immersed in the process of opening his Sea of Suffering, oblivious to Old Xun’s self-doubt outside.

An unceasing stream of vital energy merged into the Sea of Suffering from above. The black waters surged turbulently, waves crashing as if linked to the very sky.

As the vital energy was absorbed into the Sea of Suffering, it slowly expanded. Divine power surged mightily, breaking through all obstacles like a tempest.

Several hours passed. The sound of waves grew from faint to roaring torrents, then after another half hour, the tsunami gradually subsided. Li Yao’s Sea of Suffering settled into calm.

Not long after, Li Yao awoke, his eyes shining with divine light. The moment he stood, he seemed more agile, imbued with a celestial aura.

The surging divine power swept through his body. As he stepped into his Sea of Suffering, his physique grew stronger. Though only the Sea had been opened, this marked a qualitative transformation—he had truly embarked on the path of cultivation.

Soon, Li Yao noticed changes within his body. As his physique strengthened, the Heavenly Scripture absorbed vital energy faster, already approaching the realm of the Life Spring.

His guess was correct: the speed at which the Heavenly Scripture autonomously absorbed vital energy depended on him. With his former physique, if the vital energy rushed in wildly, the only outcome would be bodily rupture, unable to withstand the chaotic energy.

Moreover, Li Yao discovered that with the scripture, he could now control the destination of the vital energy.

Previously, when vital energy entered his body, only a small portion improved his body; most was absorbed by the Heavenly Scripture.

Without the scripture to restrain the energy, the Scripture absorbed it by default. Now, unless he deliberately directed energy to the Scripture, it would not absorb it.

The Heavenly Scripture was Li Yao’s foundation; its importance was self-evident. Yet now he had to make a choice—not to blindly chase the future while neglecting the present.

The future was a blueprint, a dream to envision. But what mattered most was the present. He must rapidly develop himself now to avoid premature demise. The stronger he became now, the more the Dawn Sun Divine Island would invest in him.

With a source, he could also accelerate the accumulation of energy in the Heavenly Scripture.

“I apologize for disturbing Old Xun and Zhang Tai Shang,” Li Yao said quickly upon standing and seeing Old Xun beside him.

“No disturbance at all,” Old Xun waved his hand, his gaze full of anticipation.

If Li Yao had been the same as before, Old Xun would have seen him merely as a talented youth capable of supporting Dawn Sun Divine Island. But now Li Yao had taken a further step—this generation’s Sacred Lord might very well arise from Dawn Sun Divine Island.

As someone who once contended with Li Daoqing for the position of Sacred Lord, Old Xun was never one to remain complacent. Though old and disheartened, seeing hope in Li Yao rekindled his fighting spirit.

“I hereby decree that from now on, Li Yao’s resources shall match those of the Sacred Son. Any excess will be supplemented by Dawn Sun Divine Island,” Old Xun said firmly, his voice like iron. At this moment, the youthful temper of the once-proud elder flashed forth anew.

Zhang Chong was shaken inside. He looked at this familiar yet strange old man. In the past, Old Xun was arrogant and disdainful, even toward the Sacred Lord. At that time, Dawn Sun Divine Island ranked just below the Sacred Lord and Supreme Sacred factions among the twelve sects, stronger than the other nine.

But as Old Xun aged, the Dawn Sun faction began to decline. Though not defeated, it no longer dared claim superiority over the other nine.

Zhang Chong looked at Li Yao in surprise. Did this young man’s appearance inspire Old Xun to make one last great effort?

“Rest assured, Old Xun. I will personally look after Li Yao.”

Li Yao felt joy within. Having resources comparable to the Sacred Son meant he was backed by the strongest force in the Eastern Wilderness. The status of the Sacred Son was extraordinary, and the cultivation resources abundant. Now his resources matched theirs, ensuring no shortage in the early stages.

“Thank you, Old Xun and Zhang Tai Shang, for your guidance. I vow once again to train diligently and live up to your expectations.”

In the early days, cultivation scriptures and resources were paramount for Li Yao. He had thought that upon arriving at the Shaking Light Holy Land, he would have to scramble desperately for resources, but unexpectedly, everything had been resolved at once.

The Shaking Light Holy Land—it truly was the right place to come.