Chapter 493: Yin Water Generating Yang Art
Chapter 493: Yin Water Generating Yang Art!
Near the midpoint of Water Immortal Peak, silver-white pure water surged from the heights, cascading downward in a magnificent waterfall that resembled an inverted Milky Way.
Despite plummeting nearly three thousand zhang, not a single droplet splashed out of place.
A portion of the flow transformed into a shimmering curtain.
The rest gathered into a deep, tranquil basin.
This gathered water formed a vast lake devoid of a single ripple, perfectly still like a colossal mirror of colored glaze.
Light and shadow interweaved within its depths, seemingly reflecting a myriad of distinct realms, exuding a profound and esoteric aura.
The nine surrounding water veins represented distinct manifestations of water, each bearing a unique elemental nature.
There was living water, frigid water, boiling water, yielding water, heavy water, bone-eroding water, illusory dream water, ethereal clear water, and reverse-flowing water. Floating precisely at their intersection rested a solitary island.
Upon this island stood two grand structures, positioned one behind the other.The central edifice was a palace forged from a blend of ten-thousand-year profound ice and mystical waters. It was crowned with a dome shaped like a tear, its walls rippling with liquid patterns that slithered like living entities, and its grand entrance formed by two colossal curtains of water.
It was named the Canglan Palace.
On the far side, concealed behind the waterfall’s veil, drifted a levitating pavilion that glided lazily through the mist. Ethereal gauze curtains draped its perimeter, occasionally emitting a crisp, melodic tinkling.
It was named the Yinhan Pavilion.
The space between them held no structures, only a stark, circular dais.
Devoid of walls, it was ringed only by twelve towering pillars of water, with a mirror-heart stone firmly embedded at its very center.
The purpose of these liquid pillars remained an enigma; they continuously surged upward and crashed back down in an endless rhythm.
Carved densely around this array were myriad runic patterns of bizarre and twisting shapes, seemingly charting the flow of ten thousand rivers and lakes from the mortal realm beyond.
Jin Fugui asked in astonishment, “Master, why is there no one else in sight?”
Xu Linyuan pointed toward the depths below. “We are currently in the Outer Water. Very few disciples possessing a Water Spirit Root linger here.
“Passing through the barrier below leads to the Inner Water. The immortal elders and core disciples all reside within its depths, allowing them to absorb a far denser concentration of Water Spirit Qi.”
Jiang Chen asked with curiosity, “Then which side will Old Mo use to face his Tribulation thunder?”
Xu Linyuan shrugged. “Undergoing a Tribulation there would disrupt their peaceful cultivation, so we will remain right here.
“Due to the obscuring power of the Phantom (Mask) Formation, the chaotic energies will not bleed into the Inner Water. Those below might remain entirely oblivious to the heavenly wrath above.”
Jiang Chen inwardly realized that this ‘Phantom (Mask) Formation’ was truly profound.
Under normal circumstances, only disciples blessed with an Earth Spirit Root could walk the path of a Formation Master.
Yet from what he beheld, it appeared Water Immortal Peak possessed its own unique, self-contained Phantom (Mask) Formation lineage.
He simply could not fathom the true depths of its effects, esoteric functions, or martial capabilities.
Xu Linyuan looked toward Mo Yu. “Do not be hasty. We shall draw upon the Phantom (Mask) Formation to conjure an illusion of the Turbid Thunder, allowing you to temper your Dao Heart and prepare yourself mentally.”
Mo Yu nodded respectfully. “Understood, Master.”
Jiang Chen was stunned. “It can even manifest such an illusion?”
Xu Linyuan waved a hand. “It cannot conjure a perfect replica, but it will project the most likely scenarios into Xiao Mo’s vision.
“In truth, the reason Chen Tian ultimately chose the Rain Pavilion was because he witnessed his own projected Tribulation here, thereby discerning the optimal location to break through.”
Jiang Chen fell into deep thought. So that is the hidden truth. Azure Wood Peak overflows with boundless life essence; undergoing Tribulation there ensures one’s life force will hardly be extinguished.
Thick Earth Peak possesses heavy earth qi, amplifying one’s defensive arts to an unimaginable degree.
By this reasoning, each of the Seven Great Immortal Peaks bestows a unique, heaven-defying advantage during a Tribulation.
No wonder so many core disciples refused to face their Tribulations in the outside world.
In fact, throughout his entire time in the sect, he had only ever witnessed Chen Tian do so.
It turned out the Immortal Peaks themselves were the supreme sanctuaries for breaking through.
Having comprehended this truth, he finally understood why Senior Sister Yu thirsted so desperately to ascend to an Immortal Peak.
Ascending the mountain equated to securing an absolute failsafe for one’s cultivation breakthroughs.
Not only did it drastically increase the chances of successfully condensing a Golden Core, but it could also snatch a cultivator from the jaws of death at the most critical juncture.
Clearly, this was the fundamental reason cultivators flocked to them like moths to a flame.
Previously, Long Ao had vanished for a time; upon his return, he had already proudly forged an Earth-Grade Golden Core.
Back then, Jiang Chen had been intensely curious about what hidden sanctuary the man had discovered.
Looking at it now, it was glaringly obvious he had faced his Tribulation within the depths of an Immortal Peak.
No wonder the Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers constantly urged me to ascend the mountain!
So there was a profound secret they were forbidden from speaking aloud.
Back then, I assumed they were merely being overly enthusiastic, but now I recognize their earnest intentions.
It explained why so many formal disciples willingly bowed to core disciples far younger than themselves, addressing them as Master.
It explained why the disciples of core disciples would gladly risk expulsion just to stubbornly cling to the Immortal Peaks.
It explained why these figures rarely descended to the mortal sect once they crossed the mountain gates. The sect’s greatest secret was guarded flawlessly.
Jiang Chen grumbled inwardly, You people truly know how to keep your lips sealed tight.
Xu Linyuan spoke with a hint of impatience. “Enough dawdling. You two are free to roam. Xiao Mo and I will remain here to manifest the illusion.”
Jin Fugui beckoned. “Old Jiang, let’s dive down and take a look.”
Jiang Chen agreed wholeheartedly. “My thoughts exactly.”
Since Old Mo would not be facing the thunder immediately and required time within the illusion, they might as well seize the chance to explore the mysteries of the Inner Water.
Without hesitation, the two soared downward. The instant their bodies breached the water’s surface, ethereal ripples blossomed outward.
The world violently inverted once more. When their vision finally stabilized, they discovered the layout of the Inner Water was not vastly different from the Outer Water above.
The singular distinction was a far greater density of elegant pavilions and cultivation chambers.
Massive spheres of water and translucent bubbles floated lazily through the air, painting a surreal, dreamlike tableau.
This appeared to be the ordinary, day-to-day existence within the sanctuary of Water Immortal Peak.
Because Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui had been personally ushered in by Xu Linyuan, the passing cultivators paid them no heed, not a single soul stepping forward to question their presence.
In this realm, Water Spirit Fruit Trees were no longer considered precious treasures; they grew with the commonality of wild weeds.
Their branches flourished across the landscape, yet remarkably few cultivators bothered to harvest the ripe fruits.
Whether it was out of a lack of need or sheer apathy was a mystery.
Jin Fugui eagerly scanned their surroundings and couldn’t help but ask, “Old Jiang, what if I were to manifest a Water Spirit Root and relocate here to Water Immortal Peak?”
Jiang Chen shook his head. “Your foundation is already rooted in Fire and Metal. Even if you forced Water into the mix, their innate natures would violently clash like water meeting scorching flame.
“Furthermore, the greater the number of Spirit Roots you possess, the more terrifying the Turbid Thunder you must endure when condensing your Golden Core.
“If you value your life, I strongly advise against such foolishness.”
Jin Fugui’s ambition instantly cooled, and he sighed with mild regret. “What a pity. I truly favor the tranquil aura here, especially the sensation of breathing beneath the water.”
Jiang Chen chuckled, teasing him. “With your sheer weight, aren’t you afraid of sinking like a stone and drowning?”
Jin Fugui curled his lip in disdain. “Do you take me for a fool? If I possessed a Water Spirit Root, why would I ever fear drowning?”
Banter aside, the two companions began to explore the solid “ground” formed entirely of condensed water.
Everything traded in this sector was intimately bound to the water element-Spirit Weapons, Magical Artifacts, Spirit Talismans, and even uniquely refined Spirit Pills.
Suddenly, Jiang Chen spotted a massive floating water sphere serving as a stall for cultivation techniques, and he swiftly approached it.
Jin Fugui furrowed his brow in confusion. “Aren’t cultivation arts strictly monopolized by the Immortal Sect’s pavilions? How can someone openly peddle them here?”
Jiang Chen let out a soft laugh. “The very anomaly is exactly what piques my curiosity.”
Moments later, the duo breached the surface of the water bubble.
The interior appeared to serve a dual purpose as both a core disciple’s private dwelling and a makeshift merchant stall.
The wares were sparse, consisting entirely of profound water-aligned materials.
Yet what drew Jiang Chen’s unyielding gaze was the cultivation manual brazenly displayed for sale.
Its appearance was incredibly ancient. While most cultivators recorded their arts on jade pendants or jade slips, this was an actual bound manuscript. Its cover bore five bold characters: Yin Water Generating Yang Art.
The more abundant the Yin Water, the fiercer the Fire Seed burns.
Harness Water to master Fire; employ Fire to temper Water.
Establish Yin Water as the Dao furnace, refine Yang Fire as the kindling.
Jiang Chen looked up, asking curiously, “Fellow Daoist, does this manual trace its lineage to the Immortal Sect?”
The stall owner, a cultivator bearing an elegantly refined scholarly air, nodded. “It is indeed an orthodox sect technique. Its creator is none other than the supreme Peak Master of our Water Immortal Peak, the Yin-Yang Venerable, Li Wudao.”
Jiang Chen might have been ignorant of the deeply buried secrets of the Seven Great Immortal Peaks.
But he was well-versed in the legends of their masters, particularly those who wielded heaven-shaking might.
This Yin-Yang Venerable Li Wudao currently stood at the absolute zenith of Soul Formation Perfection.
Rumors whispered that he was but a single half-step away from ascending to the realm of a Void Spirit Venerable.
Once he shattered that final bottleneck, it was widely believed he would ascend to the throne as the new Sect Leader of the Cloud Sea Sect.
Thus, the entire sect held him in profound reverence, merely waiting to see how many years it would take for him to finally cross that divine threshold.
Jin Fugui asked, thoroughly perplexed, “Is it truly permissible to sell a sovereign’s legacy?”
The stall owner offered a faint smile. “The manual is inherently free for any of us to study, particularly those blessed with dual Water and Fire Spirit Roots. Any disciple capable of comprehending its truths is instantly elevated to the Peak Master’s personal disciple.
“However, my tome is different. It is the singular, original manuscript; the rest are merely shallow rubbings.”
Hiss!
Jin Fugui sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.
Jiang Chen pondered for a brief moment before asking, “May I purchase it?”
The stall owner scrutinized him from head to toe, replying with a question of his own, “Do you possess both Water and Fire Spirit Roots?”
Jiang Chen smiled politely. “I possess a Water Spirit Root.”
Desperate to simply offload the manual, the stall owner waved his hand indifferently. “A mere Water Spirit Root is sufficient.”
Jiang Chen pressed further. “How many Spirit Stones are required?”
The stall owner shook his head. “I do not deal in crude Spirit Stones. I trade exclusively for water-aligned heavenly treasures. Rare Spirit Weapons, transcendent Spirit Pills, or similar earthly marvels will suffice.”
Jiang Chen thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “Then what exactly do you require?”
The stall owner retrieved a parchment scroll. “These are the resources I currently lack. Produce but a single item on this list, and this original manuscript is yours.”
Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui leaned in for a curious glance, and the corners of their mouths instantly twitched violently.
Liquid Water Essence.
An Earth-grade Water-attribute cultivation art or destructive technique.
Or a Water-attribute Magical Artifact bearing no less than five spiritual runic patterns.
Jin Fugui scowled, voicing his sheer dissatisfaction. “Aren’t you simply robbing people in broad daylight?”
The stall owner remained utterly unbothered, answering in a leisurely drawl, “This is the original manuscript.”
Jin Fugui immediately tugged at his friend’s sleeve. “Old Jiang, leave it. There are duplicate rubbings scattered everywhere outside.”
Jiang Chen asked with a hint of lingering reluctance, “What true difference lies between the original and a mere rubbing?”
The stall owner paused to consider his words. “This was penned by the Peak Master’s own hand. Thus, the strokes inherently contain the emotional resonance and martial insights he possessed at the moment of creation.”
Jiang Chen decisively set the tome back down. “Farewell.”
Good grief. If that was the only distinction, the original and the copies were no different to me.
There is absolutely no reason to squander a treasure like Liquid Water Essence on such a trade; I would only be bleeding my own wealth for nothing.
It is obvious this charlatan recognized Old Jin and me as fresh faces and saw an opportunity to fleece some gullible sheep.
If it were truly a heaven-defying treasure, it wouldn’t be gathering dust on a merchant’s mat.
Seeing the two men pivot and stride away, the stall owner maintained his serene, unhurried posture. “Only the willing fish swallows the hook!”
Before long, Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui halted before another merchant’s display. Just as expected, they found a jade pendant containing a rubbing of the Yin Water Generating Yang Art. The asking price was pitifully low.
For a mere ten Mid-grade Spirit Stones, one could walk away with the profound legacy forged by the Peak Master himself.
It was heralded as an Earth-grade art commanding both Water and Fire, yet tragically, barely anyone had ever mastered it.
Not only did it strictly require a cultivator to possess both Water and Fire Spirit Roots, but it also demanded an almost monstrous level of Dao comprehension.
Even so, many cultivators found themselves unable to resist its allure. Even if they lacked the talent to cultivate it, acquiring it as a collector’s prize was enough.
The cunning disciples of Water Immortal Peak had keenly recognized this fatal weakness, using the legendary manual as a tantalizing lure to ensnare outsiders and ruthlessly fleece them!