Chapter 2：Seizing of the Cauldron

Deep within the forest, the lions growled and the apes hooted.

A figure was running fast in the depths of the quiet forest. It was a young sixteen- or seventeen-year-old with dark hair and black pupils. He appeared physically weak and was slightly fair-skinned. His looks suggested that he was a noble's son. However, at this moment, the brocade on the young man was in tatters while he looked battered and exhausted.

The young man who was running amok in the forest was holding a palm-sized cauldron tightly in his palm. The unusually quaint cauldron engraved with mysterious patterns seemed to be an ancient artifact even though the patterns were still clearly visible. 

"F*ck! Damn it, it's hard to believe that Third Young Master Ji could have fallen to this point!" exclaimed Ji Mo between gasps as he rested against one of the towering trees.

The corners of his mouth turned into a bitter smile whilst he looked at the tiny cauldron in his palm.

By chance, he had discovered this cauldron that contained a great amount of Nine Suns True Qi. In the cultivation world, cultivators tempered their body by absorbing heaven and earth spiritual energy with the goal to forge an eternal Truth Body that would allow them to call the wind and summon the rain. Besides that, the Nine Suns True Qi was exceptionally unique. Its quality surpassed that of heaven and earth spiritual energy, so every cultivator was desperate to acquire this particular True Qi. 

However, this tiny cauldron containing Nine Suns True Qi had courted Ji Mo's own destruction. The man was in agony. No matter what, he should never have told that woman, Du Jia, about his obtaining the Nine Suns True Qi. Du Jia was not only Ji Mo's childhood sweetheart, but she was also engaged to him, so he had always regarded her as one of them. 

That was why he did not expect Du Jia to send someone to murder him, her own fiancé, all because of that tiny cauldron containing the Nine Suns True Qi. 

'Good for you, Du Jia. I really have misjudged you. You've planned a murderous scheme against me together with Nan Hao simply for the sake of obtaining the Nine Suns True Qi. It seems like both of you have long been engaging in an affair, just that I was kept in the dark!' Ji Mo felt aggrieved at the unfair treatment and his fingers tightened around the cauldron. 

"Ji Mo, there's nowhere else you can go!" Right at this moment, a piercing roar suddenly broke out in the forest and a tall figure emerged from the woods. Accompanied by this loud bellow was a huge force that blasted towards Ji Mo. It was as if the surge of force was fueled by thousands upon thousands of sprinting soldiers and galloping horses.

"Dragon Elephant Tempering Art!" Ji Mo exclaimed while simultaneously rolling onto the ground and hiding at the side.

Boom!

The huge force impacted a towering tree that weighed over 500 kilograms. This ancient tree that would have required several people to fully embrace its trunk was sent scattered into the air in the form of pulverized sawdust. 

A silhouette landed in front of Ji Mo. This young man of eighteen or nineteen years old was born with a handsome face and a valiant bearing. There was also a brilliant twinkle in his eyes.

This person was Nan Hao, a well-known figure and widely-recognized genius of Tianyuan Academy.

Tianyuan Academy was not particularly famous among the cultivation world, but it was the only academy within a radius of 500 kilometers. The existence of these academies was to train talents and deliver new forces to the prestigious sects. In the cultivation world, only those talents from prestigious sects could be called cultivators.

These academies were founded by the prestigious sects in order to select the naturally bright and talented into their respective sects and set foot on the path of immortal cultivation. Anyone who excelled in the academy or whose capability broke through the Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase was qualified to enter the sects to become a cultivator.

Nan Hao was a genius at Tianyuan Academy. At the age of eighteen, he was already an expert at the eighth-tier Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase.

Unblocking acupuncture points was actually a process of body tempering. By using various techniques from the Body Tempering Art, one could transform and improve their average mortal body besides further strengthening various joints in the body including the meridians and muscles.

In order to master the body tempering process, one must first understand the path to unblocking acupuncture points. 

There were numerous acupuncture points hidden in various parts of the human body. Each of these acupuncture points possessed different effects and unblocking these points could toughen one's mortal body to obtain extraordinary strength. During the Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase, it was necessary to unblock all nine points in the human body in order to undergo a complete transformation. 

One could progress past the Qi Plundering Boundary once all nine of those acupuncture points were unblocked. In other words, one could further reinforce their body by plundering the world's heaven and earth spiritual energy, all whilst laying a solid foundation for building the Truth Body in the path of immortal cultivation. One had to progress their cultivation base into the Qi Plundering Boundary to be qualified as a real cultivator. 

The Dragon Elephant Tempering Art that Nan Hao cultivated was a type of advanced Body Tempering Art. Upon his success of undergoing a complete transformation, he possessed power comparable to that of an ancient giant elephant and only a few people from Tianyuan Academy could be his match. 

When comparing both, Nan Hao and Ji Mo were like Heaven and Hell. It was not as though Ji Mo lacked natural endowment. He was only average albeit not being as useless as common trash. It might be even better if he was indeed trash since there had been countless success stories about the rise of trash recently. 

Since he was young, Ji Mo did not feel particularly interested in cultivating. On the other hand, he was enthusiastic about researching archaic texts and amusing anecdotes. He was notorious for being the useless trash of Tianyuan Academy. He did not enroll in Tianyuan Academy because of his excellent achievements. Instead, he got in through the back door thanks to his family's prestige. Ji Mo came from a slightly renowned family. In order for him to be somewhat accomplished, his family had exhausted numerous labor and physical resources for him to train in the sect. 

However, it just so happened that Ji Mo was impartial about cultivation. Ever since his arrival at Tianyuan Academy, he was not proficient in serious matters but was completely engrossed in researching peculiar stuff. Almost no one in Tianyuan Academy was fond of Ji Mo. People avoided him whenever possible and regarded him with contempt. 

After all, in Tianyuan Academy, or perhaps in the entire cultivation world, people showed respect for strength. On the contrary, individuals like Ji Mo who did not practice cultivation assiduously but favored odd books and strange tales could never thrive.

In recent years, perhaps it was not that bad to become trash. Who knew? Trash might enjoy a meteoric rise, fall over the cliff, bathe in the river, peep at a beautiful girl washing up, perhaps even discover a ring, or something of that sort. There was no telling when trash could be blessed with a sudden transformation to become an exceptional master.

At this very moment, Ji Mo was experiencing doubled pressure when facing Nan Hao who was an expert in the eighth-tier Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase. The former was only on the third-tier Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase himself since the useless piece of trash had only unblocked three acupuncture points in his mortal body. 

During the Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase, a person's capability could advance by leaps and bounds with each unblocked point.

Nan Hao had already unblocked eight acupuncture points. By unblocking one more point, he would finally accomplish the complete process of the Acupuncture Point Unblocking Phase and strike the Qi Plundering Boundary. In comparison, the good-for-nothing Ji Mo was like a sack whereas Nan Hao was like a wedding dress. One was highly honorable while the other was used to getting stepped on. 

"You've been running after me for 150 kilometers. Aren't you tired?" Ji Mo questioned while gasping for air as he could not run any further.

"Hmph! Even if you flee to the edge of the Earth, there's no way you can run free from me. Killing you is as simple as destroying a little mouse," mocked Nan Hao. "Hand the Nine Suns True Qi over. That thing doesn't belong to a piece of trash like you!"

"It's my fortune to have encountered the Nine Suns True Qi. For what reason are you trying to deprive me of it?" Ji Mo asked. 

"For what reason? Hehe." Nan Hao licked his lips and smirked malignantly. "You'll soon see it for yourself. Judging by your capability, it's a reckless waste of a great natural source if the Nine Suns True Qi falls into your hands. I'll soon attain a breakthrough into the Qi Plundering Boundary and the Nine Suns True Qi will greatly benefit me. It's what I want and that's a solid reason for me to possess it!"

"What if I refuse?" Ji Mo said through gritted teeth.

"What? You refuse?" A cunning look flashed across Nan Hao's eyes. "I, Nan Hao, never give up on things that I've set my heart on. Hand over the Nine Suns True Qi immediately, or I'll crush your bones into pieces and turn you into complete trash if I ever hear you deny me again!"

Ji Mo's palm which was clasping around that tiny cauldron was trembling slightly. He clearly understood that he was no match for Nan Hao because the disparity in strength between the two was too great. However, Ji Mo was not one willing to be taken advantage of. Without much consideration, he turned around and took to his heels. Even at this critical moment, he decided to go all out.

"Hmph! What a useless piece of trash! Is escaping your only trick? There's no chance of you fleeing away from me!" Nan Hao snorted before launching his body forward like a tiger in the next second. Like a wild beast full of incredible power, he took a huge stride and appeared almost right behind Ji Mo.

Thud!

Nan Hao's clenched fist solidly punched Ji Mo's back. The latter groaned and fresh blood spurted from his mouth. Then, his body failed him and he fell onto the ground.

Facing Nan Hao, Ji Mo did not even stand a chance to flee for his life. 

Bang!

Nan Hao straight away landed his foot on Ji Mo's back and said coldly, "Killing you is easier than crushing an ant. To kill a useless piece of trash like you is a disgrace to my hands!"

With that, he bent over and pried Ji Mo's fingers away from his palm. Right at that second, Nan Hao's eyes twinkled with a bright brilliance as the quaint, tiny cauldron was now within his clenched fist. "That should be the Nine Suns True Qi! Hehe, once I break through the Qi Plundering Boundary and absorb this Nine Suns True Qi, my cultivation base will definitely improve enormously, placing me above everyone else."

"Nan Hao, you arrogant prick, give it back to me!" Ji Mo bellowed through clenched teeth.

"Give it back? Haha, you don't deserve the Nine Suns True Qi. It belongs to me now," Nan Hao declared with a cold smile.

"Nan Hao, I'll forever remember this day that you've deceived and insulted me. One day, I want you to pay me back in the worst way possible!" Ji Mo had completely lost it. He had never been stepped on like this and deprived of what was originally his.

"Revenge? Haha, that's hilarious!" Nan Hao taunted. "My capability will only grow tremendously with the aid of the Nine Suns True Qi. People like you should stay in Tianyuan Academy for the rest of your life. The disparity between both of us is like comparing a catfish and a flood dragon. I'll only get stronger whereas you'll only get weaker. Forget about avenging yourself!"

"You…" Ji Mo was at a loss for words. He had no chance to resist Nan Hao's oppression.

"Just continue living your life like a useless trash. I'll leave Tianyuan Academy in no time to further enhance my cultivation in the Tianshan Sword Sect," Nan Hao continued speaking with a sneer on his face, "Oh, right, I forgot to mention that Du Jia, your fiancée, is now my woman. Hehe! I can even lay my hands on your woman, not to mention other things.

"You'll always be a comical clown before me, so just dismiss that wild dream of yours about defeating me!" said Nan Hao in a cold tone before walking away haughtily. He regarded a lowly existence like Ji Mo as a piece of trash that was good for nothing.

In his opinion, a person of Ji Mo's disposition was not suitable to practice immortal cultivation. He was only suitable to be a mortal, never to embark on the journey of immortality in his entire life. Therefore, he was not a threat to Nan Hao.

Ji Mo struggled to support himself to get up from the ground. He was washed over by a mixed feeling of remorse and anxiety, but it was all to no avail. His capability was inadequate, hence he deserved to be stepped on. In the past, having lived a life without worrying about basic necessities, he had never experienced anything like this before. However, after being defeated by Nan Hao, for the first time in his entire life, Ji Mo yearned for powerful strength.

If his strength had matched Nan Hao's, the latter would not have acted so arrogantly to him earlier that day. 

"The Nine Suns True Qi belongs to me. I wanted to get serious about cultivation and take advantage of this rare True Qi, but now…" Ji Mo massaged his lower back while his face was contorted in agony. That punch from Nan Hao earlier had crushed the internal organs in his body.

Ji Mo coughed suddenly and once again, fresh blood spurted from his mouth. 

Buzz!

Right at that instant, a sharp noise cut through the sky. Something flew in the air and finally landed in front of Ji Mo. It was the quaint, tiny cauldron that Nan Hao had snatched from him earlier.

"T-this!" Ji Mo widened his eyes and immediately clasped his hand around the tiny cauldron.

That must be it — the quaint tiny cauldron containing the Nine Suns True Qi. Had it not been seized by Nan Hao? Why had it returned into his own hands? Could this item have attached itself to him? However, Ji Mo had not done anything unusual to it. At this moment, he was filled with questions.

"How unexpected to have regained what I lost!" Ji Mo's eyes twinkled with brilliance, but the color in his eyes drained quickly once he witnessed the unusual transformation that started taking place. 

That quaint, tiny cauldron that Ji Mo was clasping in his palm was slowly melting away before transforming into a surge of warm current. It slowly flowed into his body through the opening of his pores.

"What's happening?" Utterly shocked, he quickly utilized his inner sight to examine his body as he was worried that the warm current might cause him harm.

His inner sight showed that the warm current had seeped through his skin and infused into his meridians before eventually permeating into his tanzhong. Soon, his tanzhong was flushed open and the warm current flooded in as if it was returning home. Finally, the warm current condensed into its original form of that quaint, tiny cauldron once again, positioned right at the acupuncture point in front of Ji Mo's chest.

"Wh-what's happening?" Ji Mo was unable to make any sense of the matter. He never expected that tiny cauldron to permeate his body. Was it possible that it had, indeed, attached itself to him?

'Regardless, I should leave this place immediately. Otherwise, Nan Hao will definitely hunt me down again once he realizes that the tiny cauldron has returned to me,' thought Ji Mo to himself. He started running towards the dense forest and soon, he disappeared into the quietness.　

...

On the other side of the dense forest, Nan Hao was half-kneeling on the ground, panting rapidly to catch his breath. One of his arms was dripping with fresh blood.

Just a few moments ago, he had been puffing his chest at his own success of seizing the tiny cauldron from Ji Mo. Unexpectedly, the tiny cauldron suddenly transferred a swell of violent energy. The force exploded in his palm and destroyed his whole arm before the tiny cauldron flew away and disappeared before his very own eyes.

"What's happening? Is it possible that this isn't my destiny?" he wondered begrudgingly.

The literal translation of a Chinese idiom that means possessing the ability to exercise remarkable powers or to exert authority.An acupuncture point located at the midpoint between the two nipples.