Chapter 018: A Higher Life

After clearing his debts and leaving the Da Xu family, Xu Xuan felt an inexplicable lightness and joy in his heart, a sense of exhilaration. Without the burden of those oppressive debts, his family would surely be happy; his parents and sister would no longer need to work themselves to the bone for money.

As he hurried home, he unconsciously employed the "Drifting Step" technique, moving as lightly as a swallow, yet his stride was not exaggerated. In this ethereal and nimble gait, Xu Xuan couldn't help but look to the future:

With the emergence of memories from his previous life, he had broken through two levels in just ten days, reaching the third stage of Body Refinement, easily clearing his family's debts and earning a considerable sum. At this rate, advancing to the fourth stage of Body Refinement was not far off; marrying and starting a family would no longer be a worry.

But would that be the end of his life’s ambitions?

Suddenly, he recalled the day in Pinghua Town when celestial cultivators descended from the sky, awe-inspiring and revered by countless mortals. Those immortals and masters, wielding supernatural powers and standing aloof from the mundane world, lived carefree and majestic lives—how enviable and impressive that was.

"At the very least, I must become an immortal cultivator to truly stand out," Xu Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes shining with resolve. "If I reach that level, who in Yangmu Village or even Pinghua Town would dare to belittle or bully my family?"

At that moment, as his spirit merged with memories from his previous life, a voice echoed endlessly in his mind: "Ten stages of Body Refinement, never give up!"

Ten stages of Body Refinement, never give up!

What powers would manifest if the "Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent" were cultivated to perfection? Was it possible to reach the tenth stage of Body Refinement in this world? What kind of earth-shattering expert was he in his previous life? How vast was the cultivation world?

Thinking of these questions, Xu Xuan felt his blood stir with excitement and anticipation; his life's goals became ever clearer.

…

When he returned home, Xu Xuan immediately shared the good news of clearing their debts with his mother and sister.

“All the debts are cleared—it’s true?” His mother put down her needlework, her voice trembling slightly.

“Brother, you’re amazing!” His sister’s eyes sparkled with joyful tears as she threw herself into his arms. She never doubted her brother’s ability to wipe out the debts.

It was their mother who still felt uneasy; after all, six hundred spirit coins was not a small amount.

But when Xu Xuan poured a small bag of spirit stones, worth several thousand spirit coins, onto the table, his mother burst into tears of joy.

Xu Xuan’s face was adorned with a constant smile; the happiness of his family warmed his heart and filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

“Let’s celebrate together,” his sister Hui Lan suggested.

“Good idea. Let’s call Father back soon and have him quit his job,” Xu Xuan agreed.

Soon, his mother and Hui Lan busied themselves preparing wine and dishes, bringing out the spirit grains and vegetables they usually couldn’t bear to eat.

It was a stroke of luck that, at dusk, their father’s limping, aged figure made his way home.

“Father,” Xu Xuan said in mild astonishment—he had just been about to go fetch him.

“I made time to come back; there’s something I need to discuss with you,” his father said, catching his breath and sitting at the table.

“Father, since you’re back, there’s no need to return to work. Whatever you want to talk about, do so at your leisure,” Xu Xuan said with a smile.

“Bah!” His father’s face flushed with anger. “If I don’t work, who will support this family? Who will repay the debt?”

In the past, Xu Xuan would never have dared speak when his father was angry. But today, he smiled confidently and replied firmly, “This family can be supported by your son, and the debts can be cleared by me.”

“You—just you?” His father was momentarily stunned, but instead of anger, he smiled.

Since childhood, Xu Xuan had not been considered capable in the family; before fainting at the Da Xu family’s mine, he hadn’t earned a single spirit coin.

Ignoring the skepticism, Xu Xuan slowly took out a small white jade bottle from his pocket. “This is ‘Spirit Blood Powder’ I bought for you in town today.”

“What! Spirit Blood Powder?” His father took the bottle and was shocked—clearly he knew its value.

Spirit Blood Powder was a spirit medicine refined by immortal cultivators, capable of revitalizing blood and repairing veins. For ordinary leg injuries, applying this medicine could work wonders.

Xu Xuan remembered clearly that three years ago, his father had nearly lost his life to an accident, leaving one leg crippled. At the time, the apothecary had said that if they could afford the costly Spirit Blood Powder and apply it regularly, there was a chance to heal the crippled leg.

“This bottle is worth at least a thousand spirit coins. How did you get it?” His father gripped the bottle, examining it, his body trembling.

“Father, don’t worry. Let’s finish our meal and I’ll explain everything,” Xu Xuan replied with a gentle smile.

Just then, a tantalizing aroma wafted from the kitchen.

“Father’s home, let’s eat early!” Hui Lan carried in spirit grains and vegetables.

“Spirit grains! Spirit vegetables! How can we afford such things?” His father’s expression changed again, a sharp look in his eyes as he stared at Xu Xuan. “Give me an honest explanation!”

“Father, don’t wrong my brother. The money was…” Hui Lan, her face aglow with excitement, recounted the whole story.

During her explanation, their father’s expression gradually softened as he looked at Xu Xuan in disbelief.

“You’ve really broken through to the third stage of Body Refinement?” His father’s gaze was fixed on him.

“Don’t you believe me?” Xu Xuan smiled.

Without another word, his father raised an arm, holding it aloft. Xu Xuan understood and extended his own hand, grasping his father’s.

Suddenly, his father’s eyes flashed, channeling all his strength into his hand.

The two hands trembled and locked in midair.

No matter how hard his father tried, he could not move Xu Xuan.

“Third stage of Body Refinement… it’s true! Wonderful!” His father was overwhelmed with excitement, his eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance.

The family of three began their meal, the atmosphere warm and joyful.

After eating and drinking, his father spoke in a deep tone, “I came home today because there’s something I need to inform you about.”

“Please go ahead, Father,” Xu Xuan replied curiously.

“In about ten days, the ‘Town Academy’ will come to the village to recruit students. There are only six spots, chosen by merit. Any villager under eighteen can register at the village school,” his father explained, his gaze flickering.

“Town Academy?” Xu Xuan’s eyes lit up.

If he could study at the town academy, he would undoubtedly reach new heights, enjoying superior cultivation resources.

Ever since sensing the spirit veins beneath Pinghua Town, Xu Xuan understood the town’s excellent cultivation environment. He had resolved to move his family there.

“Rest assured, Father. With my strength, I will definitely enter the Town Academy,” Xu Xuan vowed confidently.

“Hmph, don’t get ahead of yourself. The sons and daughters of the Three Great Families have all reached the fourth stage of Body Refinement. They will surely secure spots. The remaining three places will be fought over by nearly three hundred villagers,” his father warned.

Hearing this, Xu Xuan put away his earlier complacency.

The heirs of the Three Great Families were indeed highly accomplished. Raised in wealthy households, fed spirit grains since childhood, aided by spirit liquids and pills, they were far beyond ordinary people.

That evening, his father prepared to go to the Da Yang family’s worksite to quit his job and collect his pay for the past two days.

Xu Xuan stopped him. “Father, forget about those spirit coins. From tomorrow, find a lighter job, even if it’s just tending ordinary crops.”

Standing side by side, his father was about to speak when his expression froze.

“You’ve grown taller…” His father stared at him, bewildered.

He remembered clearly that before Xu Xuan fainted at the mine, his son was shorter than him by half a head.

Now, it seemed as though Xu Xuan had surpassed his father’s height.

Even though Xu Xuan was fifteen or sixteen and in his growth period, he had grown astonishingly fast!

Xu Xuan suddenly realized this as well, immediately connecting it to the “Nine Transformations of Dragon and Serpent.” Every time he consecutively completed each transformation move, his whole body would be suffused with a peculiar tingling current.

He had suspected it would stimulate his constitution, but did not expect such miraculous effects.

(First update. Keep those recommendation votes coming, smash them hard.)