"I wasn't looking at anything."
"If you weren't looking at anything, then what were you staring at me for just now?"
Lynn Chen pressed on relentlessly, glaring at Evan Lin. She was clearly shorter than him, but somehow this girl always managed to act super domineering in front of Evan.
Evan felt a headache coming on and didn't want to get tangled up with her any further.
Luckily, just then Lucy Lu pushed the door open and walked in. Spotting Lynn painting her nails, Lucy frowned: "Lynn, how many times have I told you? You're still a high schooler. Stop putting on makeup all the time. You'll have plenty of time for that once you get into college."
Seeing Lucy walk in, Lynn instantly forgot about pestering Evan and switched to her usual cutesy act, grinning at her mom: "Aww, it's a classmate's birthday today. I'm heading out later."
Lucy rolled her eyes at Lynn's antics—she really couldn't do anything about her daughter. Then she turned to Evan and said gently, "You must be hungry. I'll go make dinner. I'll cook something nice for you today."
"Thank you, Aunt Lucy."
Evan looked at Lucy, feeling genuinely grateful from the bottom of his heart.
During his three hundred years seeking the Dao, Evan had reminisced about Lucy many times. She was one of the best people to him during his first sixteen years—especially considering they weren't even related. For Lucy to look after him so well was truly rare.
Evan had always been someone who repaid kindness. At this moment, his gaze toward Lucy was filled with gratitude.
Lucy was taken aback by Evan's words, then smiled and said, "You silly kid, what are you thanking me for? We're family. Go upstairs and do some homework. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
Lynn just snorted without looking at Evan, focusing on painting her pink nails.
Evan headed upstairs and returned to his room.
His room was at the end of the hallway on the second floor. From the window there, he could see Thousand-Saints Mountain. Although it was a bit far, the mountain was always shrouded in clouds and mist, making it look extra mysterious.
"Legend says Thousand-Saints Mountain is where three thousand living buddhas found nirvana. All sorts of powerful people come to visit or climb it year-round. I never paid much attention before, but someday I should go check it out."
Evan stood at the window, muttering to himself as he gazed at the distant mountain.
The room wasn't big, but at least it had everything he needed. Evan tossed his backpack on the desk and closed his eyes to check his internal state.
"Still no sign of spiritual energy... Earth hasn't seen a true immortal in centuries, probably for this reason. In ancient times, there were legends of immortals, but the further back you go, the fewer records you find. Must be because the world's qi dried up—it's nearly impossible to cultivate now."
"The path of cultivation is divided into four major realms: Qi Refining and Spirit Refinement, Spirit Refinement and Returning to Void, Void Merging with Dao, and Opening the Heavenly Gate. Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment are the two sub-realms of the first stage, each with ten levels. With no qi around, I can't draw energy into my body, but at least I can start by practicing Qi Refining techniques."
Evan muttered to himself, sorting out his thoughts.
Qi refining mainly focuses on controlling your breathing to sense heaven and earth, which is great for improving physical fitness. This stage doesn't require spiritual energy, but if you want to reach Foundation Establishment and go further, you'll need qi to help.
"I know countless Qi Refining techniques, but I need to find one that fits my current situation. Let me think."
In his previous life, Evan had practiced the Glazed Glass Palace's Qi-Refining Art, but that method really wasn't suited for guys.
"Got it—the Grand Dao Qi-Refining Art."
Evan's eyes lit up.
He'd stumbled upon the Grand Dao Qi-Refining Art by accident while exploring an ancient immortal's mansion. The method was brief but incredibly profound. If not for the fact that it required a body totally untouched by other Qi Refining techniques, Evan—who was already ranked among the top hundred on the Immortal Martial Continent back then—would've tried it himself.
"Legend has it the Grand Dao Qi-Refining Art was gifted from the heavens to an archaic immortal venerable, famous for its Daoist profundity. If complete, it would let you comprehend the Grand Dao and ascend to the heavenly gate. Unfortunately, only the Qi Refining chapter survives; everything from Foundation Establishment onward is lost. But for me right now, that's more than enough."
Evan sat cross-legged on his bed, recalling the Grand Dao Qi-Refining Art's technique in his mind.
"The Dao rules the world as supreme, so cultivators must start with Qi Refining. Qi Refining requires the body to connect to the void, guiding energy from the Yongquan points in the feet, through the middle, and gathering at the Baihui on the crown to form a vortex that touches the heavenly gate."
Evan controlled his breathing, guiding his breath through his body according to the Grand Dao Qi-Refining Art's method.
This breath was short and weak. After more than ten minutes, he still hadn't finished the route before the breath faded away.
Evan opened his eyes helplessly. "This body is really too weak right now. I can't even hold one full breath..."
Before he could finish his thought, Evan was surprised to find a warm current rising from his left hand. It merged with the half-faded breath in his meridians, gently pushing it to circulate through his whole body.
Only after the breath had traveled all his meridians did it finally disappear completely.
Evan felt refreshed and full of strength.
"That sleeping dragon."
Noticing this, Evan muttered and checked the hidden dragon mark on his left hand. But the dragon just lay there limply, looking like it hadn't done anything at all.
"This dragon is definitely strange, but it seems to help my cultivation and doesn't do any harm."
"Still, if I want to protect the people I care about in this world, I'll need to get a lot stronger. For now, I can only take it step by step."
Just as Evan was about to start another cycle of Qi Refining, someone knocked on the door.
(This chapter is not finished ^.^ Please click next page to continue reading!)
"Evan, come down for dinner."
It was Lucy's voice outside the door, soft and gentle.
If it were Lynn, she probably wouldn't even bother knocking and would just barge in. No way she'd treat Evan this politely.
"Coming!"
Evan answered and got up from his bed, heading out the door.
In the living room, Lucy had made four dishes and a soup. The whole table smelled amazing.
"Come on, eat a little more today. I made your favorite braised pork."
Looking at the spread on the table, Evan suddenly realized how hungry he was.
Qi refining really burns a lot of energy—after all, guiding a breath through your meridians takes crazy muscle control.
"Thank you, Aunt Lucy."
He took the bowl of rice Lucy handed him.
"No need to thank me—just eat up!"
At the table, Charles Chen was reading the newspaper. He set it down and glanced at Evan. "Evan, how's your studying going lately?"
"It's okay."
"Oh, final exams are coming up. How many spots do you think you'll move up this time?"
There were forty-eight students in Evan's class, and he'd been dead last—forty-eighth—for a whole year. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't climb any higher.
"At least top ten."
Even though Evan was starving, he held back out of politeness and didn't touch his chopsticks yet.
Hearing Evan's answer, Charles Chen curled his lip. "Last time you were still forty-eighth. You think you can make top ten in the finals? If you really pull it off, I'll buy you a computer, how about that?"
Charles said this with a hint of disdain. He'd never liked Evan because of his poor grades and lack of background, but at least Evan seemed honest—not flashy or arrogant.
But hearing Evan's bold claim now, Charles couldn't help but look down on him even more.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Evan nodded seriously.
Lynn rolled her eyes. "Even though No. 2 High isn't as strong as No. 1 High, they still have a few top students every year. You think you can go from dead last to top ten? Stop dreaming."
Lynn didn't bother hiding her disbelief. Her tone was pleasant enough, but she clearly didn't buy it.
"Lynn!"
Lucy frowned. Lynn obediently ate a few bites, then glanced at the clock. "Oh no, I'm going to be late! My friends are waiting—I gotta go!"
"Aren't you going to eat a little more before you leave?"
"No need. Some rich kid's treating us tonight, hehe. I'm going to hit the rich and eat as much as I can."
"Just come home early tonight!"
"Got it!"
Lynn changed her shoes and dashed out the door.
"Don't worry about her. Come on, let's eat."
Lucy shook her head, looking at Evan and Charles.
The three of them started eating. Evan didn't hold back anymore—he grabbed his bowl and chopsticks and dug in.
He quickly finished his first bowl.
"Eat slower, no one's fighting you for food."
"Aunt Lucy, your cooking is amazing."
"If you like it, eat more. Here, let me get you another bowl."
Charles watched Evan wolf down his food, snorted to himself, ate a few bites, then got up. "I'm heading back to the study. Got some work to do."
Without another word, Charles went upstairs without even looking at Evan.
Only Lucy and Evan were left at the table.
"Evan, don't mind your uncle. That's just how he is. Don't take his words to heart."
Lucy worried that Charles's words might have affected Evan. "Grades are important, but your health matters more. I'm sure your mom would agree."
"I know, Aunt Lucy. Can I have another bowl?"
"You silly kid—here, let me get you some more."
After clearing out nearly the whole table, Evan finally felt half full.
Life is tough. Treasure every step.