Chapter 1294: Wang Mingren's Will

It wasn't that other Nascent Soul cultivators were selfless; rather, Wang Mingren's path had gone astray. While other cultivators diligently practiced, assessed the situation, and proceeded cautiously in their pursuit of longevity, Wang Mingren harmed others for his own benefit. He was willing to sacrifice the paths of others for his own cultivation. Although he might not have consciously thought this way, his actions clearly demonstrated it; his path had truly deviated.

Throughout his life, Wang Mingren could be described as having a smooth journey. Whenever he faced difficulties, he relied on the strength of others to overcome them, never changing his mind even if it meant impacting the cultivation paths of his own kin.

The black thunderclouds violently churning above the crimson peak suddenly dispersed, and the five-colored light particles in the void also vanished, as if they had never appeared.

Xu Zihua's heart clenched. He immediately soared towards Wang Mingren's residence, with Ximen Feng following closely behind.

Soon, they saw Wang Mingren, his hair white and his face wrinkled. His aura was feeble, and he seemed utterly listless.

Xu Zihua sighed softly, then quickly took out a golden wooden box. Opening it, he revealed a pill emitting a unique fragrance – the Three-Origin Heart Protection Pill.

"Your master begged Elder Li for this Three-Origin Heart Protection Pill," Xu Zihua said. "Take it quickly to heal your injuries; you can still live for several more years."

Wang Mingren waved his hand, shaking his head. "Master," he said, "the Three-Origin Heart Protection Pill is too precious; there's no need to waste it on me. I owe you too much, and also my relatives and Xiang'er. I've owed too many people in this life, and I can never repay it. If there's a next life, I will repay your nurturing grace, Master, and my relatives' upbringing, even if it means serving as an ox or a horse."

His voice was weak and incredibly feeble.

"Husband, stop talking," Ximen Feng pleaded. "Take the Three-Origin Heart Protection Pill first. I'll go back and ask Changsheng and the others for help; we'll definitely find a miraculous elixir to save you."

Ximen Feng choked back tears, grabbing the Three-Origin Heart Protection Pill and trying to force it into Wang Mingren's mouth.

Wang Mingren gave a bitter smile. "In this life," he said, "I owe my relatives and my master the most. I ask myself, how much did I help them? And how much did they help me? My inner demon was right: I focused too much on benefits and drawbacks, neglecting the feelings of those who loved me. Wife, I'm fading. Please look after Master, discipline Changjie well, and apologize to Xiang'er for me. As for the family, after I die, please send my ashes back to the clan, along with the spirit items for Nascent Soul formation. Remember, don't take any merit points. I wish to be selfless just once."

"Mingren, stop talking," Xu Zihua choked out. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have come to this. I'll go beg Elder Li to extend your life."

Xu Zihua choked back sobs, his face streaming with tears.

Wang Mingren had been raised by him; he was both a master and a father.

Wang Mingren had been remarkably similar to a young Xu Zihua, yet their fates in old age were starkly different.

Wang Mingren quickly grabbed Xu Zihua's sleeve and cried out, "Master, no. I owe you too much; I don't want to trouble you anymore. Besides, I don't have much time left."

"Nonsense!" Xu Zihua roared. "I am your master, you listen to me!"

Xu Zihua roared, his eyes bloodshot.

"Master, I beg you, please fulfill this wish of mine!" Wang Mingren pleaded. "My whole life, I've always asked from others, but I haven't given much in return. I hope to make some amends before I die. Lingering on for a few more years is useless. The Grand Dao is ruthless, and I don't blame anyone for the path I chose."

Wang Mingren shook his head at Ximen Feng, seemingly conveying something.

Ximen Feng knelt down, choking out, "Master, this is my husband's only wish. Please fulfill it!"

Xu Zihua took a deep breath, wiped away his tears, and nodded, implicitly agreeing.

In reality, elixirs capable of extending life after a failed Nascent Soul formation were exceedingly rare and precious. Xu Zihua had knelt outside a Nascent Soul cultivator's cave dwelling for ten years just to obtain this Three-Origin Heart Protection Pill. Had it not been for Wang Mingren, Xu Zihua would never have done such a thing.

Even with a life-extending pill, Wang Mingren would only gain a few more years of life.

"Wife, I'm entrusting my last wishes to you," Wang Mingren said. "Please take care of Changjie. And Master, I owe you too much; if there's a next life, I will definitely repay you."

Ximen Feng's tears flowed uncontrollably, soaking her clothes as she choked out, "Stop talking, husband. These are all things I should do. We are husband and wife; there's nothing to owe."

Wang Mingren's hands tightly grasped Ximen Feng's arms. He said in a deep voice, "Wife, please apologize on my behalf to Changsheng, Ruyan, Qingshan, Qingling, and Qiuming. If you have the chance, you must find out who attacked our family's three strongholds. I owe the family too much. I'm counting on you."

"I will," Ximen Feng replied. "Stop talking, husband. Rest well."

Wang Mingren's gaze blurred, and past events flashed through his mind like a fleeting panorama.

In a secluded courtyard, Wang Changsheng was teaching Wang Mingren artifact refining.

"Uncle Mingren," Wang Changsheng said, "our clan was established through artifact refining. You should study it diligently."

"I will study hard," Wang Mingren replied. "I'll become the family's most skilled artifact refiner in the future."

"From today, you are my disciple, Xu Zihua's," a voice echoed. "I bestow this magical artifact upon you! From now on, practice diligently and never slack off."

"Yes, Master," Wang Mingren replied.

"Husband, my temper is a bit bad," another voice, Ximen Feng's, said. "Please be more tolerant."

"Wife, we are husband and wife," he heard his own voice say. "I will be more tolerant of you."

A faint sound of footsteps broke his reverie, and Chen Xiang'er walked in.

She looked at Wang Mingren, his hair white and his face deeply wrinkled, her feelings immensely complicated.

Wang Mingren became visibly agitated upon seeing Chen Xiang'er. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Xiang'er, I'm sorry, I was wrong."

His eyes were filled with deep remorse, his gaze fixed on Chen Xiang'er.

He felt a wave of drowsiness overcome him, his eyelids growing heavy. He clenched his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, seemingly waiting for something.

"Senior Sister Chen," Ximen Feng pleaded, "my husband knows he was wrong. For the sake of your past relationship, please forgive him! Don't let him leave this world with regret."

Chen Xiang'er took a deep breath and said calmly, "Honestly, I wanted to tear you limb from limb. But now, I've changed my mind. I forgive you."

"Thank you," Wang Mingren whispered.

Wang Mingren's voice was barely a whisper. He relaxed his hands and closed his eyes.

Ximen Feng burst into loud sobs, a few tears spilled from the corners of Chen Xiang'er's eyes, and Xu Zihua sighed repeatedly.

Seven days later, Ximen Feng and Chen Xiang'er set up a memorial hall to mourn Wang Mingren.

Wang Mingren had owed his relatives, his Dao companion, and his benefactor-master too much. However, he had a wide circle of friends and had never treated them poorly. Over a thousand disciples from the Taiyi Immortal Sect came to pay their respects, ranging from Qi Refinement cultivators to Nascent Soul cultivators.