Somewhere near the main official road, in a stretch of desolate land, the caravan carrying Teng Qingshan and his companions had stopped to rest. With no wilderness inns in sight, they had no choice but to drink water and chew on hard biscuits and steamed buns.

"Hah!" "Whoosh!" A young boy gripped a wooden stick, relentlessly swinging it forward.

Teng Qingshan, Old Zhang, and a few others sat nearby, leaning against the carts while eating their buns, chuckling as they watched the child practice.

"Little He is truly dedicated," Old Zhang sighed in admiration.

Teng Qingshan called out with a smile, "Little He, stop practicing for now. Rest a bit. Come, have some steamed bun; I have some preserved vegetables too."

"Master told me I must complete one thousand swings. If I don't practice now, I won't have time to sleep tonight," the boy sniffled, his nose bright red from the cold, completely ignoring Teng Qingshan and the others. Beside him, his mother watched without saying a word. After a long while, when he could no longer lift the stick, he finally stopped.

"Come, He'er, sit down." His mother immediately moved to help rub his arms.

Just then, the wild man, who had changed into tight-fitting martial clothes nearby, walked over.

"Master," the boy instantly stood up straight.

"Mhm. Eat this chicken leg; it's freshly roasted and still hot," the wild man offered the boy a large drumstick.

"Thank you, Master," the boy exclaimed with delight, taking the leg and biting into it deeply twice.

"Mom, you eat." After consuming a small portion, the boy handed the rest to his mother.

Teng Qingshan watched the scene with a smile. This wild man, the woman, and the child had joined their caravan ten days ago. Over those ten days, Teng Qingshan and the others had learned their relationship: the boy was named 'Tan He,' and the woman they all addressed as 'Madam Tan.'

As for the wild man, his name was 'Ma Jinxiao.'

The child, Tan He, and his mother were fleeing for their lives. Fortunately, they encountered the expert 'Ma Jinxiao,' who saved them.

"Brother Ma, come have a few sips of wine, warm up your body," Old Zhang called out.

Ma Jinxiao also walked over with a smile, took the wineskin tossed by Old Zhang, and drank a couple of mouthfuls. "Mmm, this wine is good. Very comfortable."

"Brother Ma, I still don't understand... A few days ago, Little He wanted to formally become your disciple, but you adamantly refused. Yesterday, the child knelt all night in this deep winter snow—I saw it, and my heart ached. Only after all that did you agree. Don't take this the wrong way, but you are testing this child too harshly," Old Zhang lamented mournfully.

The bearded young man beside him, 'Heizi,' interjected, "Old Zhang, you don't understand! When a master accepts a disciple, they naturally must test them thoroughly!"

Ma Jinxiao shook his head. "No, actually, I didn't intend to take any disciples."

"Oh?" Teng Qingshan also looked at Ma Jinxiao.

"But I have come to terms with it. And I truly like this boy, He." Ma Jinxiao glanced at the boy who was with his mother. "He is also filial to his mother... In truth, a child of seven or eight, whose family has been destroyed, who still stands before his mother against bandits and robbers. After I saved him, his persistence in seeking discipleship... that sheer willpower alone is enough to make him my disciple."

Ma Jinxiao looked at Tan He with an expression that seemed distant, as if thinking of something else entirely.

"He is a man with a story," Teng Qingshan concluded after ten days of interaction, having gained some insight into Ma Jinxiao.

At the very least, in Teng Qingshan’s view, Ma Jinxiao’s strength was definitely enough to rank within the top ten of the 'Earth Ranking'!

Teng Qingshan understood...

Everyone ranked in the top ten of the 'Earth Ranking' possessed extraordinary willpower and talent. The reason they could not step into the Innate realm was that they completely lacked understanding in the path of 'Nurturing the Spirit.' Constantly practicing swordsmanship or Dao techniques offered little benefit to the 'Spirit'; rather, it consumed the body's 'Spirit.'

For the 'Spirit' to become powerful enough to cross the threshold of Innate was exceedingly difficult.

...

Within Qingzhou, they traveled, sometimes heading north, sometimes northwest, for several more days.

The sky was a brilliant azure, clean as a porcelain plate, seamless and whole.

Along the long official road, a caravan advanced steadily.

The Scarlet Fire Horses trotted along with ease.

Teng Qingshan sat on his horse with a slight smile, appearing very relaxed. Yet, no one knew... that this state of Teng Qingshan's was actually cultivation while riding. Because he was so immersed in that state of perfect unity, joy naturally surfaced on his face as a slight grin.

"Uncle Qin! Uncle Qin!" A childish voice suddenly called from nearby.

Teng Qingshan turned his head; it was Tan He, sitting on the cart.

"Little He, what is it?" Teng Qingshan asked with a smile.

"Uncle, why haven't you spoken at all on this journey? We’ll soon reach Huye County City, everyone is very happy," Tan He said.

"Traveling is tiring. Your Uncle Qin speaks less to rest," Teng Qingshan smiled, gazing north. In the far distance, he could vaguely make out the city wall connecting the northern and southern fortifications—a wall so wide it spanned tens of miles, its end hidden from view.

It looked like a terrifying monster coiled there.

"Oh," Tan He nodded in sudden understanding.

"Brother Qin," the bearded young man, 'Heizi,' called from beside him. "We are approaching Huye County City. This is the final stop for our caravan this time. Once we reach the city, we will all go our separate ways! Brother Qin... we have been traveling together for nearly a month now. It will likely be hard to meet again."

"Yes, Qin Wei must return to his hometown in Yanzhou. We stay in Qingzhou... Qin Wei, today at noon, we brothers must have a good drink!" Old Zhang called out.

"Deal, today we won't return sober!" In the past month, Teng Qingshan had forged a deep camaraderie with these merchants.

And it was true; they might never meet again.

Originally, Teng Qingshan's group had five merchants, but two had branched off in other cities within Qingzhou. Old Zhang and Heizi both resided in Huye County City, making this their final destination. The entire caravan was now short by at least nearly half its members.

Not long after, Teng Qingshan and his group arrived at the South Gate of Huye County City.

Teng Qingshan had noticed from afar that the walls of Huye County City were lined with a large number of guards, stretching as far as the eye could see. Even at the city gate, over a hundred guards were gathered, scrutinizing everyone attempting entry.

"Why the strict inspection?" Teng Qingshan wondered inwardly. "It couldn't be they are looking for me, could it?" Even in Yangzhou Prefecture, the territory of Qinghu Island, Teng Qingshan hadn't encountered such intense checks at the city gate. After all, Innate experts could easily fly over the city walls to escape. Thus, checking at the gates was essentially useless.

"Why so many guards at the gate?" Heizi muttered.

"The other cities we passed didn't have this. Something must have happened," Old Zhang frowned.

Teng Qingshan and his group lined up, moving slowly toward the city interior.

"Ah, Elder He."

"Brother Yan, these are just independent merchants doing business together. We’ve been traveling from Yangzhou, a round trip of two or three months. We are exhausted. Perhaps deep inspection isn't necessary, right?" the caravan organizer said very casually. The military officer guard waved his hand to his subordinates, "Brothers, hurry up."

Immediately, the speed of entry increased.

When it came to Teng Qingshan’s group, the guards merely glanced at them before allowing them all through.

"Everyone, our He Clan Trading Firm has traveled several thousand miles to and from Yangzhou this time. Everyone has returned safely, which is cause for celebration! Haha... I believe many people will be celebrating tonight. Let's disperse here," the organizer shouted loudly.

A burst of hearty laughter followed, and many people said their goodbyes one by one.

"Brother Ma," Old Zhang called enthusiastically. "You have the mother and son with you; you must also be looking for a place to rest. Don't rush; I know this County City very well. No need to search right now. Come, let’s go eat lunch first. After the meal, I’ll arrange excellent lodging for you."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Old Zhang," Ma Jinxiao also smiled.

Old Zhang looked at Teng Qingshan. "Qin Wei, you’re heading to your hometown in Yanzhou, right? You aren't leaving today, are you? Come eat lunch with us... rest well for a day, and we can discuss other matters tomorrow."

"Agreed," Teng Qingshan also laughed heartily.

Thus, led by Old Zhang and Heizi, the few of them headed to a tavern with a pleasant atmosphere. Old Zhang treated them and immediately secured a private room on the second floor.

Including the child 'Tan He,' six people sat around the table.

Old Zhang confidently ordered several dishes, praising them as famous local specialties of Huye County: "Mmm, that’s settled... Having wine cup by cup is too slow; bring a whole jar directly! We few must drink heartily today."

"Yes, Master Zhang, wait just a moment; the food will be right out," the waiter clearly knew Old Zhang well.

Soon, the food and wine arrived.

Everyone ate comfortably and drank happily! Returning safely after traveling thousands of miles warranted happiness. Heizi even excitedly spoke of his wife and son. Old Zhang also proudly discussed his own children.

Teng Qingshan looked out the adjacent window at the bustling traffic on the street.

"It's already the twelfth lunar month; in a few days, it will be the New Year sacrifice. I wonder how Father and Mother are doing now!" Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Teng Qingshan felt a pang of longing for his parents, shaking his head slightly. "If I am by their side now, I will only bring them disaster, not benefit! I must cultivate quietly. At my current pace, I can certainly reach the Innate Golden Core within ten years."

Teng Qingshan was deeply confident.

Having grasped the secret of nurturing and strengthening the Spirit, combined with cultivating on horseback during the day and practicing the Three Forms at night, Teng Qingshan’s 'Spirit' was increasing at an astonishing rate without interruption.

In just half a month after the breakthrough, Teng Qingshan could clearly feel his 'Spirit' had grown significantly stronger.

"Within two years, I can reach the Innate Solid Core. Within ten years, the Innate Golden Core! With my physical strength combined with inner energy, I can be unrivaled below the Void Realm," Teng Qingshan was certain. If others knew this, they would likely be stunned. Zhuge Yuanhong only reached Innate at the age of thirty.

Yet, Teng Qingshan claimed he would reach the Innate Golden Core before he turned thirty!

"Qin Wei, what are you spacing out about? Come, let's have a drink, brother," Old Zhang said, clapping a hand on Teng Qingshan's shoulder.

As his words faded—

"BOOM~~" A powerful explosion echoed from the far distance.

Teng Qingshan could even clearly feel the entire tavern tremble slightly.

"That explosion is very far away, probably tens of miles out! Yet, the impact reaching here is this powerful..." Teng Qingshan stood up in shock.

"What happened?"

Everyone else at the table rushed to the window and looked outside.