Chapter 49: Within the Cycle of Reincarnation

The Qin family’s burial grounds were located in a unique, separate dimension. It was said that opening it even once required not only tremendous effort but also risked disturbing the spirits of the ancestors at rest. Unless someone had died, the tomb was not opened lightly, not even for significant rituals like ancestor worship.

No one could recall exactly when the Qin family's customs for honoring their ancestors had diverged from others. In most families, ancestral rites took place directly at the tombs, with everyone dressed in mourning attire, maintaining solemn silence, and behaving with utmost reverence. The Qin family, however, conducted their ceremonies in the ancestral hall, striving for a lively atmosphere instead. The entire clan donned their most magnificent clothes and wielded their finest weapons, all to display their prosperity and strength to the ancestors.

The reading of the “Record of Merits and Faults” lasted for nearly an hour before concluding. Then, the adult men performed the “Invocation Dance,” intended to invite the spirits of the forebears to join in the festivities. During this dance, all those under sixteen were required to wait outside the hall. Only after the dance was over were the women of the family allowed to enter, bringing in freshly prepared food to lay out. Nine tables were set within the ancestral hall—not for the living, but for the ancestors to partake in. Outside the hall, many more tables were arranged where all the clan members would enjoy their communal meal. Fortunately, the space was vast enough to accommodate everyone.

At every table, the chief seat remained unoccupied; on this day, not even the ancestors could claim the place of honor.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, all women and those under sixteen were permitted to leave. The adult men stayed behind for a series of rituals—performing the “Farewell Dance,” singing hymns, and so forth. Qin Huaying, for now, was not allowed to participate in these and obediently returned home.

When he left, his cheeks were flushed with excitement, his steps light with a child’s exuberance. In that moment, he seemed to have transformed completely into a child, his entire being radiating a newfound harmony.

At dawn the next day, Qin Rongjun personally came to rouse him from bed and led him to the Hall of Techniques behind the academy.

“I heard that while you were with the Jiang family, not even the most basic cultivation methods were taught to you,” Qin Rongjun said. “I have no idea what you managed to teach yourself. It’s best to start from the beginning. The instructor for the first level in the training hall is a particularly patient man—a collateral relative with four spiritual roots. He once made quite a name for himself outside but suffered an injury to his foundation during an expedition in a secret realm, which ended his progress. Only in recent years has he returned to the family academy to instruct you youngsters.”

“Four spiritual roots?” Qin Huaying looked up at Qin Rongjun with curiosity. “Uncle, isn’t it said that people with four spiritual roots have no future? Isn’t that already considered a mixed spiritual root? I remember that the Xunyin Sect won’t even accept those with four roots.”

Qin Rongjun smiled and tousled his hair. “There’s no such thing as a useless spiritual root, only useless people. The Xunyin Sect simply lacks real heritage and is too focused on quick success. Fewer roots do make cultivation faster in the early stages. But what does quick progress matter? How many with a single root have truly achieved the Way?”

“Achieved the Way? What does that mean?” Qin Huaying asked in confusion. “Isn’t it just Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divine Transformation, Tribulation Crossing, Ascension, and then you ascend? How does ‘achieving the Way’ fit in?”

“They didn’t even teach you this in the Jiang family? That’s outrageous!” Qin Rongjun exclaimed, waving his hand in anger. Seeing Qin Huaying’s eager eyes upon him, he blushed and quickly added, “Your uncle is usually quite refined; it’s just that the Jiang family’s behavior is so disgraceful that I lost my temper and cursed. Don’t worry, I’ll speak to your instructor and have him start from the very basics. You won’t be left ignorant of such common knowledge.” He sped up as he spoke, his retreating figure betraying his embarrassment.

The Hall of Techniques was quite different from the academy. The main hall could accommodate up to twenty people, flanked by rows of closed rooms—there were at least ten rooms just along the front hall.

An elderly man with snow-white hair and beard sat at the head, perusing a scroll. Hearing someone enter, he looked up, recognized Qin Rongjun, and quickly set down his book, smiling warmly. “Brother, what brings you here today? Is there something you need?”

Qin Rongjun helped him up with a grin. “Wuzhe, there’s no need for such formality! We’re brothers—just call me Rongjun. I’m sure you’ve heard about Fuxiu already. I’ve brought him here today to begin his studies.”

Turning to Qin Huaying, he said, “Go wait in Room One; your instructor will come to you shortly for a private lesson.” He gestured toward the room nearest the door on the left, making his meaning clear.

Qin Huaying did as he was told, but left the door slightly ajar. Through the crack, he could hear the conversation between the two men quite clearly.

“You have no idea,” Qin Rongjun said. “That child suffered terribly in the Jiang household. He’s grown up and still doesn’t know the most basic things. I heard he lived all his life in a remote little courtyard, with only a servant his own age for company. After learning to read as a child, no one taught him anything further. The great Jiang family is no better than a humble household. I’m not one to speak ill of others, but there’s nothing good to say about them, is there?”

Qin Wuzhe replied, his voice filled with helplessness, “Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right. The Jiang family is truly deplorable. But setting that aside, brother, what is it you want from me?”

“We’ve barely talked and you’re already impatient.” Qin Rongjun sighed. “Well, it’s simple—I just want you to know that when you teach him, start from the absolute basics. Whatever you’d teach a little one beginning their education, teach him that, regardless of his age. Make sure he gets his foundation of common knowledge set, so he won’t embarrass himself in the future. Next year—” His voice dropped, and Qin Huaying couldn’t hear the rest.

He waited quite a while before Qin Wuzhe entered. Seeing him kneeling obediently, the old man seemed satisfied.

“Except for etiquette class, you may relax a bit during your other lessons,” he said. “I don’t have many rules here. Although you’re a bit older, both your mind and body are at the level of a beginner. You’ll need to live here for a month, to adjust your muscles and bones and to learn the fundamentals of this world.”

Qin Huaying’s spirits lifted. Having someone to teach him properly would be far more systematic than stumbling along on his own. Once he understood the world’s rules, he would no longer be the weakling anyone could bully.