Chapter 186 - 170: Refining the Unsettled True Water
Chapter 186: Chapter 170: Refining the Unsettled True Water
Three years slipped by quietly outside the Inner Mountain C-57 Cave Mansion in the Bixia Sect. The cave mansion’s stone door was sealed shut, the Array upon it shimmering with a faint Spirit Light that isolated it from the outside world. Only the pure Water Spirit Qi that occasionally seeped out from deep within indicated that its master was in a profound state of seclusion.
On this day, the long-dormant Array outside the cave mansion suddenly rippled like water. The heavy stone door emitted a low, long grinding sound as it slowly slid inward. A figure stepped out from the dark depths of the cave mansion. It was Lu Zhao, who had been in seclusion for three years.
He wore the Profound Daoist Robe of an Inner Sect Steward. Compared to three years ago, his face hadn’t changed much; he still looked young. However, the calm and reserved air about him had grown deeper, like the still, bottomless water of an ancient well.
The aura around him was flawless and complete. His Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation was as stable as a mountain, and it faintly exuded a fluid vitality that seemed to nourish all things. Clearly, he had already gained a preliminary understanding of the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill he had switched to.
The moment the stone door opened, a figure shot out from the adjacent attendant’s stone chamber like an arrow loosed from its bow. It was Zhao Xiaoshu.
His face was filled with irrepressible excitement and respect. He hurried forward and bowed deeply. "Congratulations, Elder, on successfully completing your seclusion!"
Lu Zhao’s calm gaze fell upon Zhao Xiaoshu. He swept his Divine Sense over him, and a flicker of subtle approval crossed his eyes. "Mm, you haven’t slacked off in your training these past three years. Your Cultivation is already approaching the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer."
Hearing this, the joy on Zhao Xiaoshu’s face intensified. He quickly said, "It is all thanks to your grace, Elder! If I weren’t able to serve you outside this Tier Two Spirit Vein Cave Mansion and absorb some of the pure Spiritual Qi, with my aptitude, I would never have even touched the edge of the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, even with another three years."
His tone was sincere. He knew that for a low-level Cultivator like him, a Tier Two Spirit Vein in the C-area was an opportunity that could defy fate and change his life.
Lu Zhao nodded slightly, neither confirming nor denying it. ’In the Qi Cultivation Stage, Spiritual Root and resources are fundamental,’ he thought. ’Although Zhao Xiaoshu’s Spiritual Root is poor, he knows how to seize resources to advance his Cultivation. It shows he has ambition.’
He then asked, "Did anyone come to visit while I was in seclusion?"
Zhao Xiaoshu’s spirits lifted, and he immediately reported, "Reporting to Elder, shortly after you began your seclusion three years ago, a few groups of people did come to visit. After learning you were in seclusion, they didn’t come again."
"Oh? Who were they?" Lu Zhao’s tone was placid.
"The first visitor was a Fellow Daoist named Wenn Quan," Zhao Xiaoshu recalled. "He claimed to be an old acquaintance of yours, Elder. He came specifically to congratulate you on reaching Foundation Establishment. When he saw you were in seclusion, he left a congratulatory gift and departed." As he spoke, he took out an ordinary-looking Storage Bag and presented it with both hands.
Lu Zhao took it and swept his Divine Sense inside. Within the bag lay several pieces of Tier One High-Grade ore with a warm luster and contained Spiritual Qi, along with three Middle-Grade Spirit Stones that emanated a soft glow. The items weren’t exceptionally valuable, but they were thoughtful and practical things that an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator could use.
"Wenn Quan..." An image of the Outer Sect Steward he’d had some dealings with back at Black Bone Mountain in Northern Wilderness County surfaced in Lu Zhao’s mind. ’This man certainly knows how to act appropriately.’
He pondered for a moment, then flipped his hand to produce another Storage Bag. He took out a few Jade Bottles from the Storage Bag at his waist, placed them inside, and handed it to Zhao Xiaoshu. "This bag contains three hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones and a few bottles of Tier One High-Grade Pills. Take a trip to Wenn Quan’s cave mansion, give this to him, and tell him that I appreciate his sentiment. If he runs into trouble in the future, he can come find me. As long as it is within my power, I will not stand by and watch."
The few bottles of Pills Lu Zhao gave Wenn Quan were quite valuable to a Late-stage Qi Cultivator, and the three hundred Spirit Stones were equivalent to three Middle-Grade Spirit Stones. The value of this return gift was comparable to what Wenn Quan had given. This was Lu Zhao’s acknowledgment of his "tact," and it also subtly indicated that he would accept his allegiance and offer him protection.
Zhao Xiaoshu accepted the Storage Bag with both hands and replied solemnly, "Yes! I understand and will definitely deliver your message, Elder."
"Go on, who else?" Lu Zhao gestured for him to continue.
"The second visitor was a Fellow Daoist named Feng Dao," Zhao Xiaoshu continued. "He seemed quite disappointed to learn you were in seclusion, Elder. He left a Jade Scroll and departed." He then took out a Cyan Jade Scroll and presented it.
Lu Zhao took the Jade Scroll and immersed his Divine Sense in it. The message wasn’t long. It began by congratulating Lu Zhao on his Foundation Establishment, then the tone shifted. With earnest words, it mentioned that he had a son, fifteen years of age, who possessed a Middle-Grade Spirit Root, had a gentle temperament, and was devoted to pursuing the Dao. It pleaded with Lu Zhao to take the boy as a disciple, for old times’ sake. At the end, it also mentioned that a "humble gift" had been prepared and would be presented at the discipleship ceremony.
After reading it, the corner of Lu Zhao’s mouth curved into a barely perceptible arc, but his eyes remained calm and undisturbed. ’Feng Dao... I never realized back then that he had such a desire to curry favor, and with such crude methods. The moment he saw I reached Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t wait to push his son on me.’
’As for his so-called "humble gift," it’s nothing more than bait. Am I, Lu Zhao, someone who lacks a "humble gift" like that? Besides, I have no intention of taking on a disciple and passing on my teachings.’
"This person..." Lu Zhao mulled it over for a moment, then flipped his hand and took out a Tier One Middle-Grade Magical Artifact that resembled a short shuttle and glowed with an inner light. He handed it to Zhao Xiaoshu.
"After you’ve visited Wenn Quan, go to Feng Dao’s cave mansion. Give this to him and say that I have just entered Foundation Establishment and my Dao Foundation is not yet stable. I have no intention of taking a disciple and fear I would lead his son astray. Consider this item a congratulatory gift for your esteemed son embarking on the Immortal Path. I hope he cultivates diligently and fares well on his own."
A Tier One Middle-Grade Magical Artifact as a "congratulatory gift" was enough to shut Feng Dao up and completely sever what little connection they had. Lu Zhao had no interest in taking on a disciple; that was a completely different matter from accepting someone’s allegiance.
Zhao Xiaoshu took the Magical Artifact, feeling the fluctuations of Spiritual Power emanating from it. He felt a chill in his heart and respectfully replied, "I will obey."
"Is there more?" Lu Zhao asked.
"There is one more person and one more item," said Zhao Xiaoshu. "The person was a Cultivator who looked like a servant. He claimed to be delivering a Jade Scroll under the order of Elder Zhou Xianlu from the Artifact Hall." He then took out another Jade Scroll, this one made of warm jade and carved with the pattern of an artifact cauldron.
"As for the item..." A trace of confusion and awe appeared on Zhao Xiaoshu’s face. "It’s a Jade Scroll that suddenly appeared on the stone steps at the entrance of the cave mansion. I discovered it when I opened the door in the morning. There was no warning, and I don’t know who put it there or when.
"The Jade Scroll was engraved with eight words: ’For Lu Zhao’s eyes only, from a Black Market friend.’" He carefully took out the last Jade Scroll, which looked quite simple and even a bit old and black.
"A Black Market friend..." Lu Zhao’s eyes flashed, and he understood instantly. ’Who else could this Black Market friend be but Lady Li Xuerou, the one who deals in information in the Bixia Marketplace’s Black Market?’
’It seems this woman not only has an impressive information network but also significant connections within the Bixia Sect, to be able to deliver something so stealthily to the doorstep of a Bixia Sect Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s cave mansion.’ He calmly took the black Jade Scroll without immediately inspecting it, simply tucking it into his sleeve.
"Did the servant who delivered the Jade Scroll leave any message?" Lu Zhao asked, looking at the Jade Scroll from Zhou Xianlu.
"No, the servant only said that Elder Zhou had instructed him to deliver it. He put down the Jade Scroll and left," Zhao Xiaoshu replied.
Lu Zhao picked up Zhou Xianlu’s Jade Scroll and scanned it with his Divine Sense. The content was simple: a greeting from Zhou Xianlu, congratulating him on successfully reaching Foundation Establishment and stating that he wished to choose a day to visit and chat now that he was out of seclusion.
"Mm," Lu Zhao grunted in acknowledgment. He took out a Blank Jade Scroll, and a Spirit Light flickered at his fingertip as he quickly inscribed a line of text into it: "For Brother Zhou: Junior Brother has completed his seclusion. I have swept my home clean and eagerly await your visit at any time. —Lu Zhao." He handed the Jade Scroll to Zhao Xiaoshu. "After you’ve dealt with the matters concerning Wenn Quan and Feng Dao, deliver this Jade Scroll to the Artifact Hall and give it to Brother Zhou Xianlu."
"Yes, Elder!" Zhao Xiaoshu accepted the Jade Scroll with both hands.
Lu Zhao looked at him, and as if remembering something, took out several Jade Bottles containing Pills from his Storage Bag. "These Pills are for you. Use them sparingly, and they should be enough for your cultivation needs for the next few years."
Zhao Xiaoshu took the Pills, feeling the pure Medicinal Power emanating from the bottles. He was ecstatic and quickly bowed in thanks. "Thank you for your generous gift, Elder! I will do my utmost to not disappoint your guidance!"
Lu Zhao waved his hand. "Go."
Zhao Xiaoshu bowed deeply once more before turning around. With a light spring in his step, he headed down the mountain toward the Marketplace to complete the three tasks Lu Zhao had given him.
Lu Zhao, on the other hand, turned and returned to his Quiet Chamber. He sat down cross-legged and began to organize the results of his three-year seclusion.
In the first year, he had focused his energy on switching to the Qi Cultivation Chapter of the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill. As expected of a top-tier Middle-Grade Cultivation Technique, its profoundness and subtlety were far beyond what the Little Spirit Rain Technique could compare to. Thanks to his decent foundation and a Divine Sense that far surpassed others at his level, the transition was exceptionally smooth, almost effortless.
At the same time, he also completed the first layer of the Thousand Waters Spirit Body in the first year. The Thousand Waters Spirit Body began to show a respectable power boost to his Water Magic.
In the second year, he officially crossed the threshold into the Foundation Establishment Chapter of the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill. As the technique circulated, the Liquid Magical Power in his Dantian Qi Sea surged and flowed, its purity and density reaching a new level.
The second layer of the Thousand Waters Spirit Body was also cultivated in the second year. Not only did it provide a stronger boost to his Water Element Techniques, but his control over his own Water Element Magical Power also became more refined and masterful. Although cultivating this layer took a bit more effort than the first, it was still within his control, and he encountered no major obstacles.
The real test came in the third year. When he began to delve deeper into the Techniques of the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill’s Foundation Establishment Chapter, attempting to condense more Magical Power True Liquid, he felt a distinct stagnation. The Cultivation Technique was profound, with extremely high requirements for Magical Power purity and Divine Sense Manipulation, and his Cultivation progress slowed down.
After cultivating for three months, Lu Zhao decisively stopped. With a thought, a Jade Bottle appeared in his palm. He uncorked it, and an ethereal, mysterious, and formless Spiritual Charm wafted out—it was one of the three bottles of "Unsettled True Water" obtained from the Zheng Family Ancestor. Without hesitation, Lu Zhao tilted his head back and drank the True Water from the bottle.
In an instant, an indescribable surge of Water Spirit Qi exploded within his body! This power was incomparably pure yet ever-changing, sometimes nourishing his meridians like a gentle stream, other times crashing through his acupoints like a monstrous wave. Lu Zhao immediately activated both the True Water Spirit Transformation Skill and the Thousand Waters Spirit Body, fully dedicating himself to guiding and Refining this vast True Water Power.
This Refining process lasted for a full six months!