Chapter 163: The Whole World Is a Breeding Ground

Fang Han looked as though he wanted to speak, yet stopped himself.

'The cultivation path of this world has gone astray.'

In the Great Qian World, regardless of which of the Hundred Schools a cultivator belonged to, they would first draw the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi into their bodies. Only after thoroughly refining it into their own Principle Qi could they wield it as naturally as their own limbs.

'How can anyone directly manipulate Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi without refining it first?'

'Even if it isn't transformed into Principle Qi, it should at least become spiritual power, mana, or some other equivalent.'

'Though the methods differ, the underlying principle is the same. One takes the mysterious energy drifting throughout heaven and earth and stamps it with one's own mark.'

'But the martial artists of this world have completely skipped the most fundamental step of refinement!'

Fang Han's instincts told him that only after undergoing such a transformation could it truly be called cultivation.

What the Grandmaster martial artists of this world were doing felt more like...

Temporarily storing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.

His gaze rested on the trace amounts of spiritual qi leaking out as Wen Ye displayed his "divine ability."

A strange feeling suddenly arose within him.

He felt that he could seize it outright, absorb it into his own body, and refine it into his own Principle Qi.

After all, in Fang Han's eyes, the connection between Wen Ye and that spiritual qi was simply too weak.

It was practically left completely undefended.

In the Great Qian World, however, forcibly absorbing another person's Principle Qi was nothing more than wishful thinking.

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Fang Han asked, "Elder Wen, by cultivating through gathering spiritual qi like this, aren't you afraid someone might simply seize it from you?"

Wen Ye smiled proudly, stroking his beard.

"I have nurtured this spiritual qi day and night for several decades. It has long since become intertwined with my qi and blood. How could anyone possibly snatch it away just because they wished to?"

The more Fang Han listened, the more absurd it all sounded.

He continued asking, "What exactly do you mean by nurturing it? Have you never considered thoroughly imprinting this spiritual qi with your own mark and transforming it into power that truly belongs to yourself?"

"Power that belongs solely to oneself?"

Wen Ye was momentarily stunned before shaking his head with a chuckle.

"Young friend, you're still too young. You take too many things for granted."

"The truth is, throughout history, countless Spirit Gathering martial artists blessed with astonishing talent have entertained such ambitions."

"But..."

"The cruel reality has already proven that this path simply doesn't work! You may think it absurd now, but once you truly step into the Grandmaster Realm and try it yourself, you'll understand why."

By the end, even Wen Ye's face was filled with deep helplessness and regret.

Seeing how utterly convinced the old man was, Fang Han's heart shook violently.

In Great Qian, there had never been such a thing as Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi that could not be absorbed and refined.

Unless...

The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi had already fallen under the control of a cultivator with an even higher realm.

Someone else had branded it with their mark first!

A chill slowly crept into Fang Han's heart.

"Could it be..."

He quickly asked, "May I ask, Elder Wen, where did the spiritual qi within your body originally come from?"

Wen Ye stroked his white beard, reminiscing with obvious satisfaction.

"It was truly a fortunate encounter. When I first broke through to the Grandmaster realm, I accidentally stumbled into an ancient ruin."

"There, I encountered an incomparably ferocious exotic beast. After a desperate battle that left me on the brink of death, I finally managed to kill it and seize this great opportunity."

"It is precisely because I have cultivated by gathering spiritual qi for these past several decades that my body has constantly been nourished and strengthened by it."

"Otherwise, at my age, how could I still possess such vigorous vitality and undiminished blood qi?"

Fang Han listened quietly without saying a word.

He could now see the truth completely.

Grandmaster Wen Ye had never truly transformed the so-called Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into his own power.

He merely served as a warehouse storing it.

Yet even that alone had already made him vastly different from ordinary Grandmasters.

'Then who exactly is the true owner behind all this spiritual qi?'

'And for what purpose are they allowing others to safeguard it on their behalf?'

Fang Han felt as though he had just caught sight of an earth-shattering conspiracy.

Next, he questioned Wen Ye in detail about the so-called nurturing process.

It turned out to be almost identical to ordinary martial cultivation.

Like true qi, the spiritual qi was continuously circulated throughout the body, tempered, and gradually strengthened.

After explaining everything, Wen Ye once again wore a look of pride.

"I have cultivated through gathering spiritual qi for decades. Not only has none of it ever dissipated, but through constant tempering over the years, it has become purer and more condensed."

"Among all the Grandmasters beneath heaven, those capable of reaching my level are exceedingly rare."

Fang Han's thoughts raced.

'This martial world's Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi has already withered away.'

'Once it is used, there is less remaining.'

'If every Grandmaster's so-called gathered spiritual qi truly originates from a single person, then the one behind the scenes is very likely using the immense qi and blood of martial experts throughout the world as fuel to forcibly nurture and strengthen the last remnants of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.'

'The efficiency may be low, but perhaps this is the only method by which spiritual qi can continue growing instead of dwindling.'

'Using every Grandmaster beneath heaven as nourishment...'

'Could that person be... Long Xuanji?'

Fang Han immediately thought of the greatest figure in the history of the martial world.

The Abyssal Assimilation Method had been created by Long Xuanji.

And he was still alive.

The possibility was indeed extremely high.

"Elder Wen, forgive my bluntness, but let me ask one more question."

"When the day comes that you pass away, where will all the spiritual qi you have nurtured ultimately go?"

Wen Ye's expression darkened slightly.

Still, seeing that Fang Han bore no ill intent, he pondered briefly before answering.

"After my death, the spiritual qi would naturally disperse back into heaven and earth."

"Therefore, before I die, I intend to pass it on to the next generation."

"The young man and woman you saw outside earlier are the successors I have personally chosen."

"Unfortunately, although both possess exceptional talent and cultivate with astonishing speed, it will still be extremely difficult for them to force open the gates of the Grandmaster realm before my lifespan comes to an end."

"Without becoming a Grandmaster, they cannot inherit the Abyssal Assimilation Method."

"Whether they can truly receive the tremendous opportunity I leave behind will depend entirely upon their own fortune."

Fang Han narrowed his eyes and observed the gathered life essence surrounding Wen Ye.

"Elder Wen's spirit remains exceptionally vigorous. Living another twenty years should not be a problem."

"That will be enough time for them to reach the Grandmaster realm."

"Then I'll gladly accept your auspicious words!"

Wen Ye merely assumed this was polite flattery from a junior.

Little did he know that Fang Han was using his ability to observe lifespan and determine life and death.

"I only hope I can live long enough to witness you step into the Grandmaster realm."

Suddenly, Wen Ye's expression became solemn.

"If the day comes when I die, and those two disappointing disciples still haven't reached the Grandmaster realm, yet you have already attained it..."

"I hope that, for the sake of today's encounter, should they ever face mortal danger, you might lend them a helping hand."

Wen Ye sighed.

"I entered the Grandmaster Realm at forty-three. Back then, I was filled with boundless spirit."

"I looked down upon all the heroes beneath heaven. I acted however I pleased, laughed and cursed as my heart desired, never caring for worldly rules."

"Over the years, I have made no shortage of enemies."

"As long as I remain alive, as long as I remain a Grandmaster, none of them dare show themselves."

"But the day I die..."

"They will undoubtedly launch their revenge immediately."

"I had already resigned myself to fate, intending to leave everything to the younger generation."

"But today, I happened to meet you."

Looking at Wen Ye's utterly sincere expression, Fang Han thought for a while before finally nodding.

"If they encounter mortal danger, I can save them once."

"But only once."

As he spoke, Fang Han handed over a single Lengshan Grass leaf.