Chapter 452: Children

How can one prove their sanity when confined to a mental hospital?

Should I try to act normal in front of the doctors? But what if an event from "that world" suddenly intrudes during the evaluation phase?

Alternatively, should I conjure objects directly in front of others to prove the existence of another world? If I did that, I might never regain my freedom.

For Li Huowang, this was an unsolvable dilemma. Given that he perceived both worlds as real, anyone observing him would undoubtedly conclude he was severely ill.

After much deliberation, Li Huowang realized that, in his current circumstances in this world, nothing he said or did would make a difference.

Since he couldn't find a solution here, he had to address the problem at its root in the other world.

To escape this constant state of confinement, his only option was to fully master his cultivation technique, then use it to regain his freedom. This was the simplest and most effective approach, far superior to engaging in a battle of wits with the hospital doctors.

Consequently, Li Huowang became increasingly immersed in practicing his cultivation technique, often forgetting to eat or sleep.

This cultivation technique was crucial not only for saving Zhuge Yuan but also for securing his own freedom in the real world, effectively killing two birds with one stone.

Given previous events, Li Huowang naturally avoided practicing such a dangerous technique within Niuxin Village. Instead, he found an ideal spot: a deep rock cave nestled in the towering Niuxin Mountain behind the village.

After all, Li Huowang wouldn't mind if the rocks and trees there became twisted or inverted in any way.

In this dark, remote, and secluded environment, Li Huowang didn't solely focus on cultivation; he also engaged in activities he preferred to keep hidden from his fellow disciples.

"Splat!" The sound of tearing flesh ripped through the air, followed by Li Huowang's pained screams echoing throughout the cave. Li Sui, using three tentacles, carefully held a bowl full of mercury and slowly poured it over him.

"Heaven and Earth, profound origin; myriad qi, fundamental root. Cultivating through countless eons, proving my divine powers. Within and beyond the three realms, only the Dao is supreme. My body glows with golden light, enveloping me..."

As Li Huowang recited the incantation, he watched the straw-filled human skin before him gradually shrink, emitting white smoke, until it became a small, palm-sized skin doll.

This was the second attempt, and it was noticeably more successful than the first.

Ignoring Zhuge Yuan's wide-eyed astonishment, Li Huowang clutched his own human skin, feeling a significant sense of reassurance. With this item, he knew he could survive even decapitation.

Furthermore, and more importantly, this spiritual artifact was replicable. Given enough time, he could continuously acquire these Heart-Essence artifacts, meaning he wouldn't have to live in constant fear, even when facing formidable adversaries in the future.

Li Huowang used a small dagger to cut a bloody slit in his abdomen, then used two fingers to push the skin doll inside.

Once Li Huowang had healed his injuries using the Fiery Robe True Scripture, Li Sui, who was nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Dad, what was that? Can you teach me? I want to learn too."

Li Huowang looked at him and shook his head. "You can't use this," he said. "You're not a Heart-Essence. Your skin is useless for this purpose."

As he spoke, Li Huowang donned the red Taoist robe from the ground, gathered his weapons, and headed towards the cave entrance.

"But Dad, I want to help you," Li Sui insisted, unwilling to give up, but Li Huowang was not receptive.

He didn't believe a Black Grand Taisui could be of any help. "From now on, stay put in the village and don't wander off, understand? There are bad people outside. If they catch you, they'll refine you into elixirs and eat you."

"You're lying," Li Sui countered. "I've been outside, and it's more fun than the village. Everyone in the village is scared of me, even the steamed buns. I still find cultivating with you more enjoyable. Dad, can't I go back into your belly anymore?"

"No, you cannot."

"Why?"

"If you stay inside me any longer, this body would become yours."

However, seeing the longing in Li Sui's two eyes, Li Huowang pondered for a moment before finally pulling a book from his robe.

"If you're bored, you can practice this to amuse yourself. Ask me about any words you don't understand." The book Li Huowang produced was the "Complete Collection of Talismans" that Blind Chen had given him long ago.

The sight of a viscous mass of black tentacles earnestly chanting incantations while drawing talismans was, admittedly, quite bizarre.

However, if Li Sui actually mastered it, he might indeed become a useful assistant.

"You must remember, these talismans have many limitations..."

Filled with robust energy, Li Huowang patiently instructed Li Sui as they descended the rugged mountain path toward Niuxin Village, where wisps of cooking smoke rose into the air.

"Dad, why are they scared of me? If I threw off my clothes and they saw my real form, would they stop being afraid?"

"No, absolutely not."

"Why not? What if I'm kind to them, giving them silver and food?"

"Where did you get these ideas? Never show your true form to them. You are not like them; you are not human."

As Li Sui rattled off various questions, Li Huowang instantly regretted his earlier decision.

Raising him was proving to be no less troublesome than raising a notoriously difficult child. He certainly hadn't had so many questions before.

"I don't have the time for this; I need to find someone to teach him. Li Sui still has absolutely no grasp of many basic concepts."

As they walked, they reached the edge of the rice paddies, where Li Huowang's adopted sons and daughters were diligently working, alongside some of his fellow disciples.

"Senior Brother Li! You've come down the mountain?" A half-grown child named Yang Xiaohai, his feet caked in mud, excitedly walked over, leading an ox.

"Aren't you in charge of preparing everyone's meals? Why are you working in the fields too? Who's making you work so hard?"

"No one told me to; I came on my own! Senior Brother Li, look, from here to there, two entire *mu* of land—it's all mine! My very own!"

"Senior Sister Bai said all the grain grown on this land belongs to me! Two whole *mu*! Imagine how much grain that will yield! Once harvested, I'll never go hungry again!"

As he spoke with excitement, Yang Xiaohai suddenly felt something odd on his calf. He reached down, pulled off a bloodsucking leech as thick as half an arm, and casually tossed it aside without a second thought.

The leech, detecting the scent of blood from Li Huowang, instinctively began to crawl towards his feet.

Li Huowang immediately frowned. While he wasn't afraid of other creatures or insects, he simply couldn't tolerate these.

The mere thought of hundreds of bloodsucking leeches, their slimy, cold bodies coiling all over him, biting through his skin with sharp mouthparts, and burrowing more than half their bodies into his flesh, made him shudder...

Seeing Li Huowang stand motionless and silent, Yang Xiaohai asked, puzzled, "Senior Brother Li, what's wrong? Haven't you seen these leeches before? You must not spend much time in the fields, then, right?"