Chapter 650: The Road of Withered Trees Meeting Spring

"My master also has this skill; ordinary people can cultivate it, needing only to endure hardship, and from what he says, it seems the more hardship you endure, the faster the cultivation?"

Wang Ping'an's eyes suddenly brightened, and as he wondered whether he should take advantage while his good junior disciple was learning the skill from his master and he was secretly learning from the side, a flash of insight flickered in his mind, and he muttered angrily:

"I'm out of my mind too; I already have so many cultivation methods, yet I'm learning this skill that relies on hardship to boost cultivation. In my previous life I endured every kind of suffering; now I'm eating more in this life—what's the point of me staying alive?"

"Don't worry, this technique— even if you don't want to learn it, I'll force you to learn it!"

Xuanqing Daozhang smiled warmly at Le Zhuang, as if a wolf grandmother had seen Little Red Riding Hood, and said playfully: "Since you, kid, have made up your mind to learn this technique, that's a good thing; I don't need to force you!"

Le Zhuang looked at Xuanqing Daozhang's demeanor, feeling an inexplicable unease rise in his heart, and couldn't help asking: "Uncle, why is that?"

"You know my situation, Uncle; you know that when I was young, I cultivated at Kumu Guan. Now that my master has passed, the entire Kumu Guan is left with just me. I'm old and don't know how much longer I have to live, so I must think of Kumu Guan and find an heir!"

At that point, Xuanqing Daozhang halted, stared seriously at Le Zhuang, observing that Le Zhuang's whole body was covered in wounds, all from vicious dogs; his entire body had no intact spot, making him a natural seed for the Kumu Guan cultivation method. The heat in his face and eyes was impossible to hide, and he said:

"I've roamed the jianghu for so many years and never found a suitable heir for Kumu Guan. So, kid, are you willing to learn Kumu Guan's skills and inherit its Dao tradition?"

Kumu Guan.

It wasn't founded by his master; his master, the Kumu Daoist, also inherited the previous generation's lineage. It's said that Kumu Guan has a history of over a thousand years; whether that's true or false, he doesn't know, but he does know that Kumu Guan has at least several hundred years of transmission.

In all these years, it's impossible they never experienced turbulent times. The fact that Kumu Guan has survived so long isn't just because they keep out of trouble.

During chaotic eras, even those who hid at home as obedient civilians couldn't avoid sudden calamities. Kumu Guan's longevity is not only due to staying out of trouble, but also because it possesses a special ability.

However.

The cultivation method of Kumu Guan speaks of "Withered Trees Meeting Spring"—seeking opportunity within life and death, and it requires refining oneself through suffering; few can walk this path.

He previously had two apprentices, but after years of observation, although those two could be called people of hardship and could endure suffering, they still weren't enough to walk the "Withered Tree Meeting Spring" cultivation method.

Wang Ping'an…

He still couldn't discern any particular character, but even if Wang Ping'an could endure hardship and was willing, he wouldn't let Wang Ping'an take the "Withered Tree Meeting Spring" path.

It's not that this path has limited achievement; on the contrary, according to records, the Kumu Guan path can lead to terrifyingly great attainment—becoming an immortal.

But each attempt is a near‑death ordeal!

Wang Ping'an has an Innate Dao Body, even for ordinary cultivation methods.

Immortality is possible, so there's no need to take the nine‑deaths‑one‑life path to become an immortal.

As for Le Zhuang… although he lacks the talent for cultivation, the Kumu Guan method doesn't require such talent at all. Moreover, he has connections in the Underworld; even if he fails, at worst he'll enjoy a good life in the Underworld.

Given his grandmother's status, reaching the Underworld makes him a first‑class second generation—no, more accurately, a third generation.

However.

Before Le Zhuang embarks on this path, he still has to arrange Le Zhuang's marriage and offspring, so that the Le family's bloodline continues in the mortal world. Otherwise, if Le Zhuang fails on the "Withered Tree Meeting Spring" path and leaves no bloodline among the living, when he reaches the Underworld his grandparents will know… He's not afraid of that old Le Wenmao fellow; he's afraid of his family's Wenjun's nagging.

"I agree!"

Le Zhuang nodded. He had no particular thoughts about inheriting Kumu Guan, but recalling his grandfather's parting instructions, he opened his mouth as if to say something.

Xuanqing Daozhang looked at Le Zhuang, who seemed about to speak but stopped, and said: "What? Do you have any other questions?"

"Uncle, now that I'm a Taoist, can I still marry and have children…"

Le Zhuang hadn't finished his sentence when Xuanqing Daozhang mockingly cut him off: "What am I, thinking it's about wanting women? Apart from those who walk the ruthless Tao of the Supreme, ordinary Taoists don't mind marrying and having children."

Not to mention that Kumu Guan doesn't forbid marriage and offspring; even if it did, as the current head of Kumu Guan, I can lift that rule.

After all, your grandfather's dying wish was that you properly help the old Le family continue its lineage!

"Uncle…"

Le Zhuang let out a scoffing laugh, wanting to say something, but before he could speak, Xuanqing Daozhang interrupted: "Enough, kid, stop the nonsense. I'll first take Ping'an back to Kumu Guan. You take good care of things here; if anything happens, remember to come find me at Kumu Guan at once!"

How could he not know? That kid Le Zhuang was probably about to say he didn't want to continue the lineage, lest he bring disaster upon the girl he had his eye on.

This novel you…

As for why he has this thought, perhaps it's because over the years he's been bullied by that dog‑like Zhu Xing, fearing that anyone getting involved with him would provoke the Zhu family's retaliation.

Perhaps.

He just asked whether a Taoist could marry and have children, apparently hoping that Kumu Guan's Taoists wouldn't be allowed to.

Unfortunately.

The kid doesn't realize that, given his grandmother's ties in the Underworld, marrying would not harm anyone; it would actually help them. After all, everyone eventually dies—whether early or late is just a matter of time. For ordinary families, reincarnation is already difficult; even becoming a human or a beast in the next life is a challenge.

With his grandmother's influence, arranging for his wife and her family to be reborn into a wealthy household in the next life is no trouble at all.

Le Zhuang opened his mouth, still wanting to say something, but seeing Xuanqing Daozhang not linger and turn his back, the words at his lips were swallowed back. He surveyed himself, let out a slight sigh, and self‑mockingly said:

"With my situation, marrying and having children? That would only bring disaster to the girl…"

"Bang!"

Before he could finish speaking, his arm was struck, a scorching pain searing through him. Looking down, he saw the attacker was none other than Wang Ping'an, his nominal 'senior brother'.

Le Zhuang was stunned and said, "Little brother, why did you hit me? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

(End of chapter)