Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi did not leave the police station. Their hearts remained heavy with suspense as they waited for news from Tang Hao. In the night, the police station building looked solemn and mysterious, and the lights shining through the windows cast a mixture of anxiety and anticipation across their faces.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment, every second stretching out endlessly. It was not until past nine o'clock that Tang Hao's figure finally appeared at the entrance of the police station. Seeing that he was safe and sound, both Jiang Wan and Bai Xiaoxi breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy stone had finally been lifted from their chests.
They hailed a cab and returned to the familiar snack street.
The street was brightly lit on both sides, and the lively atmosphere seemed to dispel the gloom in their hearts. They found the BMW they had parked there earlier, and Tang Hao skillfully started the engine as melodious car music drifted into the night air.
As the car drove along the road home, Jiang Wan looked at the scenery outside the window, her heart filled with complex emotions.
She turned her head to look at Tang Hao, a trace of guilt flashing in her eyes. "Tang Hao, you really got dragged into this because of us."
Tang Hao smiled and shook his head. "President Jiang, protecting you is my job. There's no such thing as being dragged into it." His tone was relaxed and firm, as if everything was completely under his control.
Bai Xiaoxi chimed in, "That's right, Xiaoxi—you don't need to worry. Master Bodyguard Tang is an expert, so how could anything happen to him?" Her words were full of trust and nonchalance.
Returning to Jiangshui Residential Area, the day's exhaustion left everyone feeling physically and mentally drained. They each went to their respective rooms to get some well-deserved rest.
Inside his room, Tang Hao sat quietly on the bed and began his daily cultivation. Unlike ordinary people, he chose to practice meditation instead of sleeping to restore his energy.
Tang Hao was not only a martial artist, but also a practitioner of cultivation. While focusing on external physical training, he placed even greater emphasis on internal cultivation. He trained his vital energy, essence, and spirit internally, and his muscles, bones, and skin externally, striving for the perfect state of both internal and external mastery.
The Old Man had once told him that body-refinement makes a mortal, while cultivation makes an immortal. A martial artist's lifespan is limited, and only by stepping onto the immortal path could one pursue higher realms. Therefore, Tang Hao had chosen the path of cultivation without a single glance back.
During his cultivation, Tang Hao took out a sky-blue jade pendant shaped like a star, which was why it was called the Star Jade Pendant. This jade pendant was a supreme treasure given to him by The Old Man, and he usually did not wear it in front of people.
According to The Old Man, if high-level cultivators were to discover this jade pendant, they would even risk their lives to snatch it.
Deeply aware of its preciousness, Tang Hao carefully hung the pendant around his neck.
This Star Jade Pendant was unlike ordinary objects. Whenever Tang Hao wore it, he could feel a wondrous spiritual energy slowly flowing into his body, aiding his cultivation.
With the Star Jade Pendant on, Tang Hao began his practice. He closed his eyes and concentrated entirely on feeling the spiritual energy fluctuations brought by the pendant.
In his perception, these streams of spiritual energy seemed like little swimming fish darting through his body, nourishing his physique and mind.
As his cultivation deepened, Tang Hao's aura gradually grew calm and profound. He seemed to merge with the surrounding heaven and earth, feeling the breath and rhythm of nature. In this state, his state of mind became exceptionally tranquil and clear.
However, just as he was fully focused, a mysterious force suddenly pulled at him, dragging his consciousness into an unknown space.
Tang Hao opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar place. The surroundings were completely empty, save for brilliant stars twinkling in the sky and casting a soft glow. He looked around in surprise, his heart filled with doubt and curiosity.
"Where is this? How did I get here?" Tang Hao muttered to himself.
Just then, an aged voice echoed through the space: "Kid, are you the current master of this jade pendant? Your cultivation is far too weak, utterly wasting the legacy of this supreme treasure."
Tang Hao looked around in all directions, but could not see the speaker. Puzzled, he asked, "Who are you? Why can't I see you?"
As the voice faded, an aged white-robed figure appeared before him. The old man introduced himself as Xingchen Patriarch, the original owner of this jade pendant.
He shook his head and sighed helplessly, "Your cultivation and aptitude are both so poor. I truly don't know why that old Daoist chose you as his successor."
Tang Hao's heart tightened. Could it be that The Old Man hadn't told him the truth?
At this moment, Xingchen Patriarch continued, "During the primordial era, the universe was plagued by endless conflicts and chaotic battles between gods and demons. Only my Xingchen clan managed to scrape by, surviving that cataclysmic tribulation. Now, only this Star Jade Pendant remains in the world. Since you have obtained it, you are its true master, and the starlight spiritual energy within this space will be at your disposal."
Hearing this, Tang Hao was extremely excited. Could he really have stumbled upon a massive treasure? However, Xingchen Patriarch's next words poured a bucket of cold water over him: "It's just a pity that with your mortal physique and Mortal Spiritual Root, you are completely incapable of practicing my cultivation techniques, let alone inheriting my Daoist legacy. I really cannot fathom why that old Daoist chose you."
Beneath the starry sky, Tang Hao's body appeared almost transparent, leaving him nowhere to hide under Xingchen Patriarch's piercing gaze.
After a thorough inspection, a glimmer finally flashed in Xingchen Patriarch's eyes. He gave a gentle clap, as if revealing a profound secret: "So that's how it is!"
Tang Hao, the legendary figure of the assassin world, had originally carried the heavy fate of being unable to set foot on the path of cultivation. Flowing through his veins was the utterly worthless Mortal Spiritual Root, the most ordinary aptitude in the cultivation world, which was practically synonymous with having no affinity for the immortal Dao.
Yet fate always seemed fond of playing jokes; The Old Man back at Tang Hao's home had exhausted his lifelong learning to defy the heavens and reshape Tang Hao's physique.
Even after The Old Man's miraculous modifications, however, Tang Hao's physique still could not escape the shackles of the Mortal Spiritual Root.
Pointing at his heart, Xingchen Patriarch showed a hint of pity in his eyes: "Although you possess a Mortal Spiritual Root, your body conceals a one-in-ten-thousand special power—the Exquisite Heart."
Tang Hao nodded, honestly acknowledging his circumstances. He knew full well that although The Old Man had opened the door to cultivation for him, this path was filled with unknowns and hardships.
He could not possess the long-term cultivation methods of other practitioners, nor could he harbor any extravagant hopes for the supreme realm of attaining the Dao and becoming an immortal.
Xingchen Patriarch looked at him with a trace of helplessness. He knew all too well the gulf between a Mortal Spiritual Root and an Immortal Spiritual Root—an impassable chasm.
On the path of cultivation, those with a Mortal Spiritual Root could only linger outside the gates for their entire lives, while only cultivators with an Immortal Spiritual Root could embark on the journey of pursuing the immortal Dao.
Tang Hao fell silent, an indescribable sense of loss welling up in his heart.
He had originally thought he was standing on the shoulders of giants, but he hadn't expected that in front of a true titan of the cultivation world like Xingchen Patriarch, he was still so insignificant and vulnerable.
However, just as Tang Hao sank into despair, Xingchen Patriarch spoke up: "Kid, don't be in a rush. Since I can stand here, I naturally have a way to help you change your destiny. I have some low-tier pills here that might just help you alter your aptitude."
Tang Hao looked at Xingchen Patriarch with some hesitation, his heart full of doubt. Change his aptitude? He had never heard of such a thing, and even The Old Man had never mentioned it.
Sensing his misgivings, Xingchen Patriarch grew somewhat annoyed. "Hmph! You really underestimate me. Back in my prime, even those so-called bigshots of the cultivation world had to show me the utmost respect. Since I said I can help you change your aptitude, then I certainly can. You have no need to doubt it."
Looking into the old man's firm eyes, an inexplicable trust welled up in Tang Hao's heart. He nodded and reached out his hand. "Alright, I believe you. Please give me the pills."
Xingchen Patriarch gave a slight nod, then flicked his sleeve, and a bottle of pills materialized out of thin air in his hand. He handed them to Tang Hao, his voice calm and powerful: "These are Marrow-Cleansing Pills, which possess the effect of cleansing the marrow and transforming the bones, and they will help you alter your current aptitude. Combined with the Body-Tempering Pills bestowed upon you by your old man, this will surely make your path of cultivation much broader."
Hearing this, a flash of determination crossed Tang Hao's eyes as he respectfully accepted the pill bottle. At that exact moment, his consciousness returned from the bizarre space, and he was still tightly gripping that bottle of pills in his hand, as if Xingchen Patriarch's words had imbued it with boundless magic.
He gently popped open the cap, and a refreshing fragrance of medicinal pills wafted directly to his nose. Tang Hao poured out a single pill, sat down cross-legged, and prepared to take this legendary Marrow-Cleansing Pill.