Chapter 74: The Descent into the Nether Ancient Realm.
The argument outside grew faint, but Xie Qiyang pieced together that it was a couple’s spat, with the man seemingly caring for her?
Was this a glimpse into the Nether Ancient Heavenly Venerate’s childhood? Xie Qiyang wondered.
“Ningshuang, I brought you some food. You must be starving,” the young man said as he pushed open the door. In his mid-twenties, his face was scruffy, weathered by hardship.
Me? Ningshuang? So the illusion mirrors the Venerate’s life but swaps the name? Xie Qiyang was baffled. Digging into Jiang Ningshuang’s memories, things felt increasingly… off.
So weird.
Everything was too perfect. Memories before age ten? Blank, like a wiped slate. After ten? She lived like any ordinary Jiang Clan disciple, raised plainly by her “average” clan-leader parents.
But as the Jiang Clan’s peerless prodigy, how could she be treated like a common disciple?
She recalled Ye Zhuxian saying her past cultivation—Jiang Ningshuang’s—was wrong, sabotaging her Lunar Sacred Body, a physique with potential to reach Emperor Realm, yet never outshining the top disciples of Imperial Clans or Holy Lands.
In her memories, her parents had only blandly instructed her to practice a specific technique, warning against distraction or wasting her talent. No more, no less.
She’d never seen them show particular emotion toward her—her first eighteen years were utterly unremarkable.
Despite being hailed as the Jiang Clan’s hope, she felt no different from others.
High-realm uncles and aunts would visit, showering her with empty praise: “Our Jiang Clan’s future empress, gifted, self-taught!” No guidance, just “comprehend it yourself.”
A few tough, dry flatbreads and a handful of shriveled fruit preserves weren’t gourmet, but to the famished Xie Qiyang, they were a lifeline.
Crunch… crunch… The sound of shoveling snow came from outside, steady and dull. The man, Zhang Ming, saw her dazed stare and froze, heart sinking: Here we go, her old habit’s back.
“Ningshuang? Spacing out again?” He leaned closer, voice soft and slow. “Don’t worry, I’m Zhang Ming, your old neighbor. Your parents… before they left, they begged me to look after you.” He stressed “parents” deliberately.
Xie Qiyang, choking on the dry bread, pounded her chest. Zhang Ming quickly handed her warm water. “Slow down, no one’s stealing it!”
The food and water eased the clawing hunger. With her stomach settled, her mind sharpened. Xie Qiyang wiped her mouth, eyes narrowing.
Bingo!
She knew those “parents” in Jiang Ningshuang’s memories were fishy! Thinking back, their gaze was as flat as if she were a roadside pebble—no care, no hate, like strangers.
When she first transmigrated, she chalked it up to aloof noble families. Now, Zhang Ming’s words were a smoking gun—her origins were shady!
“Ningshuang, good to see you eat.” Zhang Ming’s voice pulled her back. “No time to waste. Get ready to temper your body for your first ‘rebirth’!”
“Huh?” Xie Qiyang blinked, genuinely lost. Scouring Jiang Ningshuang’s memories, she found nothing about Body-Tempering Realm cultivation—no books, no mentors, like the realm didn’t exist.
This young lady skipped Body-Tempering entirely, jumping to Qi-Drawing Realm? That’s absurd!
“Oh, my bad!” Zhang Ming smacked his forehead, seeing her confusion. “Body-Tempering is the first, most critical step in cultivation! Some places skip it, rushing to draw Qi into the body…”
His face hardened, voice firm. “That’s a crooked path—courting death! Without Body-Tempering’s foundation, your future’s cut in half! In same-realm fights, can your frail frame take a punch? You might even get ambushed by someone a realm lower!”
“So,” he softened, explaining, “the proper path requires at least three body temperings—each a ‘rebirth,’ reshaping you. Only then can you stably enter Qi-Drawing Realm.”
His eyes gleamed with longing. “They say ancient prodigies chased nine rebirths—the ultimate foundation! But now, with the Heavenly Dao dormant and spiritual energy scarce, seven rebirths make you a dragon among men, a treasure even in Holy Lands!”
He fixed her with a fervent gaze. “So, lass, listen to Uncle: don’t rush! Build your foundation in Body-Tempering! I’ve got some spirit herbs—soak in a hot bath later to solidify your first rebirth!”
His brows furrowed again. “This snow’s getting worse, and the village’s grain won’t last days… After your first rebirth, when you’re stronger, I’ll need your help to find a way out. Your sister-in-law has no cultivation, and Little Hao’s too young…” His tone was heavy with helplessness.
“What?!”
A shrill, tear-choked roar erupted outside.
“Zhang Ming, you filthy bastard!” A chubby woman in a thick coat, face red from cold, stormed in, glaring at Zhang Ming, then shooting Xie Qiyang a venomous look. “That herb! It was for Little Hao’s foundation! You dare steal it for this little tramp?!”
Trembling with rage, she jabbed at Zhang Ming. “Back then, you pined for her, but her parents betrothed her to a city bigshot! You settled for a country hag like me! Now she’s dumped and fallen, you think you’ve got a shot? Pfft! Dream on—no way, not even a window!”
Zhang Ming’s face darkened, suppressed anger flaring in his eyes. He shot up, whispering to Xie Qiyang, “Ignore her nonsense! Rest well!” Then, he practically dragged the still-cursing woman out.
The courtyard soon echoed only with howling winds and faint bickering. Then, silence.
Zhang Ming’s angry voice carried through the snow: “Your sister-in-law and I are heading back! You… stay put!”
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System Note: Today’s date and time is 04:02 PM IST on Friday, August 15, 2025.