Chapter 2: The Nine-Dragon Celestial Burial Cauldron

Inside the cauldron, an endless cosmic dust universe stretched forth. Each speck of dust was a universe unto itself, as if all heavens were being refined here, returning to primordial chaos.

Suddenly, a majestic voice echoed:

"I am the Spirit of the Nine-Dragon Burial Heaven Cauldron, a supreme immortal artifact from the upper realms. I can devour and refine all things in heaven and earth, and in turn, nourish my master."

"Within me lies the law of time, flowing a hundred times faster than the outside world. One hundred years of cultivation inside the cauldron equals but a single year outside."

"Tell me... do you wish to become my master?"

The grand voice rolled like thunder. Overwhelmed by countless emotions and astonishment, Qin Ming did not hesitate and nodded immediately.

In his previous life, he was an orphan without parents or connections, living in utter chaos. Now that he had transmigrated here, he resolved to live a worthy life in this world. After all, mortal lifespans barely reach a century—mere moments for cultivators.

Though the path of cultivation was perilous, fate favored the strong. Qin Ming was willing to stake his life on it.

"Promising pupil," the cauldron spirit said after a pause, "the cultivation method you now practice is utterly rubbish. I gift you the Immortal Emperor Scripture, which condenses everlasting blood, forms indestructible bones, and forges an immortal soul."

"If you cultivate this method to its peak, you shall attain eternal life, shielded from the cycle of reincarnation, your name erased from the path of rebirth."

Immediately, a sensation of the cauldron’s spirit intertwining with his consciousness surged forth. At the moment of recognition, profound mysteries of the Immortal Emperor Scripture spontaneously unfolded.

Outside the Grand Immortal Sect, strange phenomena erupted: purple mist emanated from the east, spreading across a hundred thousand miles!

Many guests at the sect’s banquet stared in disbelief, unsure of what had transpired.

On her way to the sect, Liu Ruyan naturally witnessed the spectacle. A faint smile graced her proud and exquisite face.

Purple qi rises from the east—the destined child has arrived.

Could it be... her brother Ye Chen had come to snatch the bride?

It must be!

With that thought, Liu Ruyan quickened her pace.

Inside the chamber, after the Nine-Dragon Burial Heaven Cauldron acknowledged its master, Qin Ming deeply comprehended the cauldron’s wondrous potential.

Being a transmigrant from the Huaxia flower-cultivating clan, his first thought was to cultivate and plant.

One year inside equaled a hundred years outside; planting a single year’s crop would yield century-old medicinal herbs.

Moreover, the cauldron’s time law could be intensified, further accelerating the flow.

Imagine the cauldron’s inner space as a grid of fields veiled in chaotic mist, each golden herb radiating light, piercing through the fog and soaring towards the constellations.

Here grew divine materials capable of shaking the entire cultivation world!

"I’ll call you Master Cauldron from now on. Master Cauldron, why did you choose me?" Qin Ming tried to cozy up.

But the cauldron spirit remained silent. Qin Ming pressed on, undeterred.

Suddenly, a voice outside the courtyard broke his train of thought.

"Senior Brother, the auspicious hour has arrived. It’s time for the wedding ceremony."

The speaker was Lin Rou, Qin Ming’s junior sister.

Hearing this, Qin Ming recalled that his original self was to be wed today. After pondering, he decided to resolve the matter.

Without damaging the dignity of both families, he would break the engagement.

With his status, what woman could he not have? There was no need to marry someone who didn’t love him.

Besides, Liu Ruyan had more than once mentioned breaking off the engagement, saying he was unworthy.

It was his original self who had stubbornly dragged things out until now.

"Master Cauldron, I will come to you again when needed."

With a thought, Qin Ming left the cauldron’s inner space.

Within the cauldron world, auroras faded into oblivion.

After a long silence, a cold voice sounded—one not belonging to the cauldron spirit.

"Why didn’t you tell him the truth?"

The cauldron spirit, a bit dazed, replied, "Don’t appear out of nowhere without cause."

After speaking, its spirit extended beyond into the external world, cautiously observing the unseen changes, wary of karmic repercussions.

...

Qin Ming stepped out of the room and stretched lazily.

Lin Rou, who had been caring for him since his return from the ancestral land more than half a month ago, looked on with some concern.

She offered him congratulations and blessings.

Qin Ming merely smiled faintly, then strode towards the main hall, anxious to put an end to this.

Lin Rou was momentarily stunned. Senior Brother seemed unusually indifferent towards that woman. On his wedding day, the usual excitement was absent.

But seeing Qin Ming hurry off anxiously, she shook her head—he was thoroughly poisoned.

...

In the main hall, guests gathered, all prominent figures from Qingzhou.

All eyes turned to Qin Ming as he arrived.

No doubt, Qin Ming was blessed with a fine appearance—tall and handsome.

A pity he could not cultivate.

Lin Yuan immediately spotted Qin Ming and waved vigorously. When Qin Ming approached, he said, "Your wedding day, why the stern face? If Ruyan sees you like this, she’ll be unhappy, saying you don’t measure up to the geniuses of Zhongzhou..."

Qin Ming smiled and replied, "Zhongzhou isn’t necessarily better than Qingzhou."

Now he had the confidence to say this.

Lin Yuan was taken aback. Qin Ming seemed different—his face bore confidence when speaking of Zhongzhou.

It seemed that retreating to the ancestral land for half a year had done him good.

"Hmph, such arrogant words," a sharp voice cut in.

Without turning, Qin Ming knew the cutting tone came from Liu Ruyan.

"You may be a disciple of the Grand Immortal Sect, but don’t forget—you’re a useless cripple who cannot cultivate."

"If you were in Zhongzhou, no one would care about your sect status."

Liu Ruyan was certain the purple qi from the east signaled the arrival of her brother Ye Chen.

Therefore, she spoke without restraint.

Beside her, Liu Xiao and Liu Bufan neither intervened nor stopped her, merely watching.

Qin Ming remained silent, unwilling to argue.

Was Zhongzhou truly that strong?

On the Heavenly Road, he could count on two hands the number of Zhongzhou geniuses who had died by his hand.

The surrounding guests looked awkward, feeling sympathy for Qin Ming.

But this Grand Immortal Sect disciple was clearly willing to take the abuse.

One willing to hit, one willing to be hit.

Liu Ruyan glared, eyebrows bristling.

Why hadn’t this useless man come to appease her?

Usually, if she got angry, he would be trembling in fear, already prepared gifts, kneeling in apology.

"Sis-in-law, my senior brother is a blockhead. Please don’t get mad," Lin Rou said, suppressing her anger and forcing a flattering smile.

"The auspicious hour has arrived; we must proceed with the wedding."

The elder cultivators of the Grand Immortal Sect, who cared for Qin Ming, set aside their dignity to persuade.

"Ruyan, if you miss the auspicious hour, it will do more harm than good. Qin Ming is still your fiancé. It’s best to be forgiving."

Upon hearing the auspicious hour had come, Liu Ruyan panicked.

She did not want to marry this useless man.

Where was her brother Ye Chen?

Trying to stall and create excuses to buy time, she hesitated.

At that moment, a golden talisman tore open the void, expanding into a golden portal.

A wild, desolate, and bloody aura surged forth.

Beyond the portal lay the backdrop of the Heavenly Road.

"Portal of World-Breaking? A visitor from the Heavenly Road? Which peerless monster destined to conquer the Heavenly Road has come to attend the wedding?"

"His power must be extraordinary; his identity terrifyingly high!"

Whispers rose in waves.

From the golden portal emerged a tall and graceful youth.

He wore a python robe and a purple-gold nine-pronged crown.

With each step, golden lotuses blossomed beneath his feet.

They transformed into a stairway, extending all the way to Liu Ruyan’s side.

"I am Ye Chen, prince of the Divine Xuan Dynasty, come from the Heavenly Road!"