Li Weiyi sat cross-legged, his hand forming the Ziwu Taiji Seal as he practiced the Jade Void Breathing Technique. In front of him, the Qinghua Bone Ash Urn hopped about and said, “The Dao, the natural law, is the power of heaven and earth. It exists in every corner—a speck of dust, a wisp of air, a river, a mountain.
Whether it is a vast space or a small one, it is there.”
“But the distribution of Dao in the world is not even,” it continued.
“In ordinary earth and stone, the Dao is sparse and meager. In places where treasure medicines flourish, where martial cultivators gather, where the heavenly Dao and earthly springs exist… the Dao naturally grows more abundant and is more suitable for cultivation.”
Beside him, Zhao Meng asked, “So places where martial cultivators gather are more suitable for training?”
“Exactly!”
The Qinghua Bone Ash Urn replied, “The sacred land of Dao and martial power is something that can be created artificially. Imagine a place filled with martial practitioners, all bursting forth with spring eyes, all practicing breathing techniques. Naturally, the Dao of heaven and earth will converge there, making the Dao in that area incredibly dense.”
“Sometimes, a top Dao and martial expert may, through his practice of the breathing technique or his surging Nine Springs, draw the Dao from a thousand miles around into that region. Wherever he exists becomes a sacred ground of Dao and martial might.”
“When one person attains the Dao, even ordinary chickens and dogs can ascend to the heavens.”
“Of course, top experts, mass gatherings of martial cultivators, and the heavenly Dao and earthly springs will often appear together. Who wouldn’t want to combine their strengths and create the strongest training ground possible?”
“That is why many large state cities are located in the best areas for cultivation. Not only do they gather Dao and martial practitioners, but when the ancients selected sites to build cities, they undoubtedly chose places where the heavenly Dao and earthly springs were present.”
“And let’s not mention the Spring Surge Realm—in a state city it is much easier to burst open new spring eyes. Once one reaches the Five Seas Realm, the advantage becomes even greater.”
“The biggest advantage you two have is the breathing technique you learned since childhood.”
“Because of your breathing technique, at the same cultivation level you naturally draw much more Dao from heaven and earth, and breaking through the spring eye becomes much easier. Li Weiyi, do you feel the throbbing in the center of your left palm?”
Li Weiyi shook his head. The venerable before him said, “Today I will teach you a fierce technique—Hequ Pobi, or 'Merging Springs to Break the Barrier.'”
“The labor palace acupoint in the center of your left palm is the gateway of the spring eye. But right now there is a barrier, and you must break through it so you can tap into the Dao that surges in from heaven and earth.”
“Normally, every cultivator breaks through gradually, just as water drops can eventually wear away stone.”
“But that is too slow.”
“We are blessed with the nourishing blood qi of Golden Crow blood, so we can be more aggressive. Hm… besides, your palm isn’t one of the fifth spring’s back-central points, or the sixth spring’s chest center; nothing disastrous will happen.”
The more he spoke, the more anxious Li Weiyi became. He was increasingly worried that his hand might be ruined.
“Venerable Urn, shouldn’t we be more cautious?”
Zhao Meng asked with concern.
“Very cautious—trust me. This technique is the exclusive art of our sect. I wouldn’t teach it to others!”
With complete confidence, the venerable continued his instructions: “First, drink a can of Golden Crow blood so that your internal blood qi reaches its peak. Then, mobilize all the Dao from the three springs that are already open. In the moment you inhale with your breathing technique, direct that Dao toward your left arm…
Yes, just toward your left arm, and naturally the Dao will rush towards your palm…”
“Adjust your breathing, and then again.”
“Inhale! Let the Dao surge out!”
“Adjust your breathing, and then again.” …
“Boom!”
With each successive surge, Li Weiyi’s left arm began to ache terribly. Soon, he could no longer form the Ziwu Taiji Seal, and his hand dropped limply. Seeing that Li Weiyi was in trouble, Zhao Meng rushed over, angry, “This so-called exclusive art of ours has no real technical content.
What we revere and trust is the master of the Bronze Ship, not you. If you hurt my junior brother, I’ll throw you into the Blood Sea!” The venerable Urn replied, “It is only the Spring Surge Realm—how much technical content can there be?”
“Quiet! I think I can feel the pulsation in my palm!”
Once Li Weiyi’s left arm recovered, he held his palm up.
“Swish!”
After the throbbing in his palm, a surge of bone-chilling Dao poured forth. At the same time, one by one, silver thread-like Dao traces extended from the spring eye all over his body. Li Weiyi once again formed the Ziwu Taiji Seal and sat down cross-legged.
The traces that had taken root in his left palm multiplied until there were eleven in total, matching the number in his right palm. At this point, the total number of traces all over his body reached forty-eight. The three remnants of spirit—the Bone Ash Urn, the Spirit Tablet, and the Stone Coffin—watched Li Weiyi’s progress.
Before long, a faint layer of silver-colored Dao qi appeared on his palms, indicating that his Dao power was starting to overflow. When the body is one with force, and the spirit separates into energy… The three remnants, being well-versed and experienced, were not particularly shocked by what they saw, but they suddenly felt a surge of confidence.
At last, there was a bit of hope that they might complete the task assigned by the master of the Bronze Ship within ten years. Ten years to forge immortality! Before this, they had not a shred of hope.
The venerable murmured, “I originally thought it would take two or three days, maybe a dozen attempts at most, before success.” Li Weiyi then stood up, his blood qi surging and his spirit so full that it seemed he could go days and nights without sleep.
He looked seriously at the Qinghua Bone Ash Urn and bowed deeply, changing his address: “Many thanks, Master Urn, for your guidance!” Li Weiyi knew well that the three remnants would willingly become his guides for a reason. Perhaps it was the will of the master of the Bronze Ship, or perhaps he had promised them some favor.
But no matter what, he had indeed learned something. Merging Springs to Break the Barrier was not an especially profound technique, but without guidance he would have never dared try it on his own. In the future, in critical moments, he might be able to use it again.
Even the words from the corpse in the Stone Coffin had provided Li Weiyi with insights and matters to ponder. Zhao Meng said, “See that? This is the way of our sect—always respecting and honoring our teacher.
If anyone sincerely helps us even a little, we will repay them tenfold.” The venerable Urn replied, “That is just the beginning. I have learned much in my lifetime.
Hm… anyway, after returning to the Lingxiao Sheng Realm, we must quickly settle in a state city. Only in a city can we buy the Breaking Spring Needle, which will accelerate our cultivation. The fifth, sixth, and seventh springs are much more difficult to break, so aim to push through them within six months.
By the way, do you have money in this world? The rent for a mansion in a state city is not cheap.” Li Weiyi certainly had some money—money acquired from rummaging through bodies—but he did not know just how exorbitant the rent would be, as Master Urn had described.
He said, “I heard that the coffins from the Blood Sea异界 (Otherworld) aren’t cheap. When we leave, why not scoop up a few?” A corpse from the Stone Coffin said, “What you are suggesting is smuggling private coffins.
If the enforcers of the Nine Li Tribe catch us, the consequences will be very severe.” Earlier, Master Urn had already exposed the identity of the corpse from the Stone Coffin. This one was evidently deeply connected with the Nine Li Tribe.
The Spirit Tablet remnant said, “The Otherworld coffins are right in front of us, and since we’re short on money, why not? Li Weiyi, you can hide the coffins you retrieve in an Evil Camel Bell, and later quietly sell them in the Departing Spirit market within the Ghost Realm.”
The corpse in the Stone Coffin, in front of his wife, chose to yield, “It isn’t necessary to go to the Departing Spirit market. Every state city surely has underground trading places.”
“Let’s talk about the coffin retrieval after we leave tomorrow,” Master Urn said.
“Li Weiyi, apart from the overflowing Dao power you feel when breaking through the fourth spring, did you notice any other changes?”
Within Li Weiyi’s body, the four springs surged together, and his Dao power burst out from all his limbs simultaneously. Soon, he practiced the Chan Sect’s Twelve Unbound Strikes on the Floating Coffin. After a round, he felt completely exhilarated.
He said, “It feels like all forty-eight traces in my body have been fully activated! Whether it is in my punches or my footwork, I can unleash my full strength at will. My combat power has increased far more than with any of the previous three springs.”
Then Li Weiyi directed his Dao power to run along the traces in his body, surging toward his eyes. Within the mist, his visible range doubled. He then sent Dao power to his ears, and his hearing quickly extended.
From afar, he could hear the rocking of the Floating Coffin in the water, the sound of the wind, even the sound of the drifting mist, and… faint, familiar footsteps… Li Weiyi suddenly flung open his eyes, and with a whoosh he leapt onto the top of the giant coffin, which stood six meters tall behind him.
He looked in the direction from which the footsteps came. Everyone below, including the three remnants, grew tense and alert. Zhao Meng rose to his feet, tiptoed, and looked toward the distant back of the giant coffin.
In a low voice he asked, “What is it?”
“Someone is coming!”
Li Weiyi recognized who it was. Catching the alert look in Li Weiyi’s eyes, Zhao Meng realized that the newcomer was not friendly, and his entire body tensed. Before long, the slender, graceful figure of a young girl stepped into Zhao Meng’s view, her feet treading on Blue Mist Light Traces.
He froze for a moment. She did not seem dangerous at all—rather delicate and weak, with an exquisitely pretty appearance like an elf beneath the night sky.
“Jin Ge, I finally found you. How could you leave me all alone?”
Li Ling hurried forward. Her eyes, a mix of melancholy and grievance, glared at him. It took Li Weiyi a moment to realize that “Jin Ge” was calling him.
“Thump!”
Jumping down from the giant coffin, Li Weiyi intercepted Li Ling as she approached the team of field investigators, worried she might be dangerous. Li Ling looked behind him and greeted happily, “You are Jin Ge’s companions, right? Hello, I’m very glad to meet you.”
Her eyes curved like crescent moons, filled with sincerity, and her smile revealed pearly white teeth. Coupled with her youthful beauty at barely eighteen, she looked utterly pure. Zhao Meng strode forward, appearing behind Li Weiyi, and laughed, “You call him Jin Ge?
Who is this little girl?” Li Ling acted as if she were frightened by his large stature, her face blanching as she hid close to Li Weiyi’s chest, whispering, “Of course he is Xie Jin, isn’t that his name?” Zhao Meng shot Li Weiyi a strange look.
Quickly, Li Weiyi moved away, unwilling to let Li Ling come too close, remaining wary.
“How did you find your way here?”
This was truly odd. By all rights, they were far apart—it was impossible for Li Ling to pinpoint his location with such precision. Being extremely cautious, Li Weiyi was convinced that Li Ling hadn’t followed him from the start.
Someone must have tampered with him. Seeing the coldness in Li Weiyi’s eyes, Li Ling froze as if in disbelief.
Gradually, tears welled in her eyes though she did not cry, and looking down as if deeply wronged, she whispered, “I was the one who took you out of the Departing Spirit Fog Domain, but you left me stranded alone at the Coffin Dock. I thought you didn’t want me anymore!”
Zhao Meng sensed that there was more to the story between his junior brother and this girl, though he wasn’t merely enjoying the drama. Picking up on the hints, he said, “Young miss, I am… Jin Ge’s senior brother.
I may be taller and bulkier, but I’m not a bad person. You are so young, and this place is so eerie and dangerous—why are you all alone? Aren’t you afraid?”
Li Ling glanced at Li Weiyi and in a soft voice said, “Jin Ge has to come back and find you. But to do so, he must pass through the Departing Spirit Fog Domain, and he cannot do it alone—only I can help him. But once he is out of the Departing Spirit Fog, he abandoned me!”
Zhao Meng’s brows furrowed as he looked at Li Weiyi. He felt his junior brother’s actions were somewhat unfaithful. However, sensing more inconsistencies, he asked further, “You two have only just met, right?
Why do you go out of your way to help him so?” Li Ling’s face shone with the bliss only a lovestruck girl could have.
“Even though we only just met, we’ve already been through life and death together…”
“You’d best not say too much—or cause more trouble,” Li Weiyi interjected.
“What exactly do you want?”
He felt that Li Ling might spin an exaggerated tale. Immediately, Li Ling fell silent. Huge tears, as large as beans, streamed uncontrollably, thudding onto the ground.
Everyone present felt both aggrieved and sympathetic. Finally, Zhao Meng said, “Junior brother, such matters are hard for a senior to control anyway, so let her speak. It doesn’t matter.”
Li Ling choked as she said, “When we were at Burial Immortal Town, we were ambushed by enemies. We faced life and death together… He saved me.
I had once vowed to give myself to him, and he said he liked my calm and cool demeanor.”
“I even took the initiative to hold his hand, to wrap my arms around his neck, and he did not refuse. When I was gravely injured, he carried me on his back—so gentle he was…”
“I promised to lead him out of the Departing Spirit Fog Domain and reunite him with his companions… asking nothing in return. I even said I would get him a wife of exquisite beauty. I have a cousin who will be sixteen in eight days—eight days, you know, eight days after my birthday. But once out of the Departing Spirit Fog… he… sob… sob…”
“I swear by the god of the Nine Li, if even one word I say is false, may I not have a good end. Senior brother, I know you only trust your junior brother, but I truly did not utter a single lie!”
Zhao Meng was at a complete loss about what to do! Originally, the three remnants had been watching the scene as if it were a performance, but when she dared to invoke the god of the Nine Li with an oath, they suddenly became very cautious. Lying against the gods truly could bring death.
At the back, the corpse in the Stone Coffin couldn’t help but say, “Child, don’t rashly use the name of the Nine Li god in an oath. This is not a joke—the promise will be kept.”
“I know, I truly know,” Li Ling nodded desperately through her tears.
“He isn’t called Xie Jin—he is Li Weiyi.”
The Voice of the Spirit Tablet remnant was clearly a bit angry, feeling that Li Weiyi’s character was questionable—a young girl of the Nine Li, barely a teenager, made a fool of her, used her feelings, and then discarded her. It was a deception of the heart. No wonder she had been shouting for them to change course.
Li Ling looked at Li Weiyi, her gaze a mix of questioning and sorrow as she murmured, “Li…
Wei… Yi…
Is that really your true name? Why… why did you lie to me?” Li Weiyi’s head throbbed in pain.
“Junior brother, senior brother knows you very well. Your character is absolutely sound,” Zhao Meng said to everyone, then lowered his voice and asked, “That name, Xie Jin—it doesn’t seem like something you made up arbitrarily. Did you ever say those words or do those things? Changing your name is a small matter.”
Li Weiyi was full of admiration for Li Ling—her cultivation level was far beyond what one would expect from someone her age. If her acting were just a little off, if she were not so young, none of the veteran cultivators present would be fooled.
Had he been in her shoes, encountering a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl who, with her life on the line, tearfully recounted a story of deception and abandonment that was entirely true, he might too have felt both anger and compassion.
Seeing that Li Weiyi was slow to react, without immediately denying or arguing, Zhao Meng’s head began to ache as well.
(The chapter ends.)