C2 It Was a Blessing in Disguise

Lau Xiaoxi hadn't anticipated Lau Yiheng's fierce determination; he was shocked when Yiheng leapt off the cliff. Racing to the hillside, Xiaoxi peered over the edge and exclaimed in a panic, "Big brother, what do we do now? It's a sheer drop. That kid's a goner for sure."

Lau Yihao joined him at the cliff's brink, surveying the depths below with a calm demeanor. "I never pegged him for such a hardhead. But don't sweat it. He was nothing but dead weight. If he's gone, so be it. It's no great loss. And who's to say we had anything to do with it? Even if they suspect us, what can they do about it?"

With an indifferent tone, Lau Yihan added, "Exactly. He was overdue for death anyway. Let's move on." He showed no concern for Lau Yiheng's demise, nor did he harbor any guilt.

Upon returning to their clan, the four of them kept silent about the incident, though they kept a watchful eye on Lau Changyun. They were aware that if Yiheng went missing, Changyun would likely be the one to search for him. Their concern grew when Changyun set out with a search party, but they were more worried about avoiding punishment than anything else, so they remained calm and did not act hastily, choosing instead to quietly observe how events unfolded.

At the base of a cliff on the outskirts of the Wilderness Mountain Range, a figure resembling a blood-soaked gourd lay in a pile of withered grass, a faint green glow enveloping his body, a sign that life still clung to him.

A soft grunt broke the silence, and the figure stirred. "Am I dead?" asked a hoarse, weakened voice.

It was Lau Yiheng, the one who had plummeted from the cliff. As he regained consciousness to darkness and searing pain, he mistook the sensations for the aftermath of death.

"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting? If I weren't here, you'd probably be dead. But with me around, dying isn't going to be easy," came a voice, ancient yet robust.

Startled by the sound, Yiheng flinched, wincing at the sharp pain that followed. Despite the agony, he managed to crane his neck, scanning his surroundings.

"You don't need to bother looking; you won't be able to see me," the voice persisted.

"Can't see you? Are you some kind of ghost?" Lau Yiheng ventured.

"Ridiculous, I'm certainly not. If it weren't for me, you'd be the ghost by now."

Lau Yiheng's character was not just resolute and headstrong; he also possessed an exceptionally steady mindset. So, he swiftly regained his composure and inquired, "Then, where might you be, Senior? Could I have the honor of meeting you?"

"Meet me? But we meet every single day, don't we?"

Lau Yiheng furrowed his brow and replied, "I'm completely lost. If you'd rather not reveal yourself, then so be it. There's no need for such games."

"Such a dimwit, aren't I right beneath you?"

"Beneath me?"

"Yes, indeed. I'm the object you wear over your chest. No, more accurately, I reside within it," explained the voice, weathered by time.

At that moment, Lau Yiheng felt a subtle warmth emanating from his chest. An idea struck him, and he ventured, "Could it be that you're inside my pendant?"

"Heh, quick on the uptake and cool-headed, too. Your mindset is commendable. But I'm puzzled—how could someone with such fine qualities end up like this? Not an ounce of strength in you. And tell me, did you fall on your own, or were you knocked down by someone else?"

"I jumped on my own accord, not to end my life—I'm not one to take it lightly. I was coerced into jumping."

"What? Coerced? But why?"

Lau Yiheng let out a sigh before explaining, "Why? Because I was born with a severed meridian and soul, unable to cultivate, which led me to this state." Despite his fortitude, Lau Yiheng couldn't help feeling a bit disheartened and cold inside when he spoke of his plight.

"A severed meridian and soul? That's laughable. You're like a man crying poverty while sitting on a pile of gold."

"Senior, if you're merely mocking me, then I might just..."

"What could you possibly do to me? If you lack even self-confidence, you're doomed to continue this downfall. But if you believe in yourself, I can show you the way to become powerful."

Lau Yiheng's eyes sparkled with hope at these words. "Is that really possible?" He had never lost faith, always holding onto the belief that he could cultivate once more. This resilience, honed over time, had shaped him into the steadfast Lau Yiheng of today.

"Hehe, let me clue you in. You're not afflicted with any 'naturally terminated meridians,' and this 'Broken Soul' nonsense is even more absurd. In fact, you possess the mightiest Hong Meng Heavenly Spiritual Vein."

"The Hong Meng Heavenly Spiritual Vein? What in the world is that? And who exactly are you, Senior?" Lau Yiheng inquired.

"Ha, you can call me Hongkun. I'm the very pendant you're wearing."

Lau Yiheng, puzzled, responded, "Hongkun, the pendant? Are you suggesting that you are..."

"Exactly. I am the Artifact Spirit, and what you're calling a pendant is actually the Hong Meng Heavenly Shuttle."

Lau Yiheng chuckled and remarked, "The Hong Meng Heavenly Shuttle, huh? That's quite the impressive name. But how are you so certain that I possess the Hong Meng Heavenly Spiritual Vein?"

"Listen up, kid. I've been around since before Chaos itself unfolded. Hong Meng... well, never mind, it's beyond what you're ready to grasp right now. The reason I know you have the Hong Meng Heavenly Spiritual Vein is that only someone with the power of Hong Meng could awaken me from my slumber. And naturally, anyone with the power of Hong Meng also has the Hong Meng Heavenly Spiritual Vein."

Lau Yiheng nodded, understanding, "Oh, I get it now. But if I have the Hong Meng Heavenly Spiritual Vein, why can't I cultivate it?"

"It's quite straightforward. The Heavenly Spiritual Vein is immensely powerful but also exceedingly unique. You can either directly absorb Hong Meng's power to enhance your abilities or you must practice a unique mental cultivation method to convert your spiritual energy into Hong Meng's power before you can begin cultivating."

Lau Yiheng expressed his astonishment, "I see! That explains why I've been unable to cultivate all this time. So, do you have a method that will enable me to cultivate?"

Hongkun chuckled and replied, "Naturally. Did you think I was merely spinning tales? I possess a mental cultivation method known as the Heaven Defying Spell. Once you master it, you'll be able to elevate your realm in the usual way."

"Is that so? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"