Chapter 207 - 206: The Nine Essence Genesis Pill (3) [Bonus]

So why had his Dao Resolve remained completely stagnant at the early Stage prior to taking the Nine Essence Genesis Pill? Why hadn’t his unyielding pursuit of her cure naturally elevated his steps?

The realization dawned on him, cold and heavy as a block of glacial ice.

He remembered the words Lord Zhao Shenming had spoken while they were traveling to Sky Jade City. Lord Zhao had spoken of the False Dao Heart.

The Provincial Lord had lamented that many cultivators, perhaps even the vast majority of those in the modern era, cultivated a False Dao Heart. They artificially shaped their wills, suppressed their true desires, and forced their souls to conform to what they believed the Heavenly Dao demanded of them.

There was a famous saying among the orthodox sects of the Central Continent:

"To cultivate is to steal the breath of the world, yet to advance, one must lower their head and conform perfectly to the Heavens."

Cultivation was, in essence, an act of conformity.

The Heavenly Dao was a rigid. If a cultivator shaped their Dao Heart according to the expectations of the Heavens, embracing emotional detachment, orthodox righteousness, and the balance of all things, then the Heavens would reward them. They would acknowledge their "steps" of Dao Resolve and naturally guide them toward greater heights.

But Lin Yuan had never conformed.

During his breakthrough into the Spirit Severing Realm, his Dao Heart had been actively attacked by the Heavens. It was an Obsession Heart Tribulation. His love for Bai Qingyue, his willingness to disregard conformity for her sake, did not align with the will of the Heavens in the slightest.

He had not lowered his head.

He had drawn his sword, looked directly toward the tribulation, and explicitly told the Heavens to leave his path!

Because his Dao Heart was true, yet utterly defiant, it did not conform to the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, the Heavens had completely refused to acknowledge his resolve.

That is why my steadfastness alone cannot naturally increase my Dao Resolve, Lin Yuan concluded, the answer finally laid bare before him. I am fulfilling my Dao Heart, yes. But because the Heavens view that Dao Heart as an arrogant defiance, they have severed its resolve progression.

This meant that from this point onward, relying solely on the natural laws of the Nine Provinces to cultivate his Dao Resolve would be impossible.

The Heavens had blacklisted him.

Yet Lin Yuan did not feel despair.

Instead, he felt a cold, soaring sense of vindication.

If the Heavens refuse to grant me the steps, Lin Yuan thought, then I will simply shatter the stairs and build my own.

He needed external means to advance his Dao Resolve. Just as he had circumvented the Heavens through the Nine Essence Genesis Pill, he would continue to force his way toward the summit.

He did not need the acknowledgment of the Heavens.

He did not need their permission.

He only needed to keep moving forward.

The profound breakthrough gradually settled his spiritual sea into a state of absolute, unshakable tranquility.

With a thought, he closed the system panel. He then walked to the bed, wrapped his arms securely around his wife, and finally allowed himself to truly, deeply rest for the first time in thirty days.

The next morning arrived with a gentle, golden light streaming through the massive glass doors of the balcony, illuminating the shimmering silk and the floorboards.

Lin Yuan as expected, was awake, though he had not moved. He lay on his back, his hands resting behind his head, watching the dust motes dance in the sunbeams.

Beside him, Bai Qingyue finally began to stir.

She let out a soft, incredibly contented sigh, stretching her slender arms above her head. As she shifted, she rolled onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow, and looked down at her husband. Her black hair fell in a curtain over her shoulder, framing a face that was radiant, flushed, and heart-stoppingly beautiful in the morning light.

"You are staring," Bai Qingyue teased.

"I am observing the most beautiful phenomenon in the Nine Provinces," Lin Yuan replied smoothly, his deep purple eyes locking onto hers. "It is a habit I have no intention of breaking."

Bai Qingyue rolled her eyes playfully, though a deep pink flush spread across her cheeks. She leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips before pushing the quilts aside.

She carefully slid out of the grand bed, her bare feet touching the plush rug. She picked up the loose, elegant morning robe of pale blue silk lying beside her, wrapped it securely around her lithe form, and tied the sash neatly at her waist before immediately reaching for her wheelchair.

"Where do you think you are going?" Lin Yuan asked, raising a single eyebrow as he sat up, the embroidered quilts falling away to reveal his newly refined chest.

"I am going to the kitchens of this pavilion," Bai Qingyue announced, turning to face him with a look of absolute, stubborn determination.

Lin Yuan frowned slightly, the protective instincts instantly flaring. "The palace has hundreds of elite chefs, Qingyue. You do not need to exert yourself. If you are hungry, I will have them bring us a feast."

"I am not hungry for palace food, Yuan," she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "And I am not doing this because we lack servants. I am doing this because I want to."

"Qingyue, your body is still fragile—"

"My body is perfectly warm today, thanks to you," she interrupted, her tone brokering absolutely no debate. She pointed a delicate, yet surprisingly authoritative finger at the man who had terrified the Central Continent yesterday. "You may be able to stare down a Peak Soul Transformation expert, Lin Yuan, but you are not going to stop me from cooking you breakfast. Do not even try."

Lin Yuan looked at her. He looked at the fierce, loving determination in her eyes, the stubborn set of her jaw, and the absolute impossibility of winning an argument against the woman who held his Dao Heart in her hands.

"I yield," Lin Yuan said, a genuine, wide smile breaking across his face.

Bai Qingyue offered a triumphant, brilliant smile in return. "Good. Stay in bed. It will be ready shortly."

She turned and wheeled her wheelchair gracefully out of the master suite, her black hair swaying behind her, leaving Lin Yuan sitting alone in the morning light.