txolops Chapter 165 Spirit Pool Cleansing, Evergreen Grandmaster
Chapter 165 Spirit Pool Cleansing, Evergreen Grandmaster
Behind Baiyu Square, the area is surrounded by mountains.
All the prodigies from various sects who had just stepped into the shallow water area stopped what they were doing, as if they had been petrified, and stared wide-eyed at the center.
There, Li Qingge, dressed in an elegant, flowing white robe that trailed on the jade floor, her long black hair flowing like a waterfall, looked at Gu Yan with expectant eyes.
Invite a man to bathe together in the core area of the cleansing pool.
If these words had come from another female cultivator, they might have sounded somewhat ingratiating.
However, the fact that this was said by the senior disciple of the Cangxuan Sect who cultivated the Supreme Forgetfulness Record suggests that she had ulterior motives.
Gu Yan looked at the fairy-like woman with fair skin and jade-like bones in front of him, her face showing a mixture of weakness and astonishment, and sneered inwardly.
What utter nonsense about harmonizing volatile spiritual energy and stabilizing one's foundation—it's all so refreshingly unconventional.
The core area of this Spirit Cleansing Pool is only about five zhang in size, and the purity of the spiritual liquid gathered by the array is more than a hundred times that of the outer area.
According to the rules of previous years, only the winner of the competition can occupy the most central position.
Li Qingge ranked third, and according to the order, she could only stay on the edge of the core area.
Her initiative to show goodwill was simply because she had taken advantage of Gu Yan's current serious injuries and believed that Gu Yan could not withstand the massive spiritual energy impact of the core area on his own.
Under the guise of helping protect the Dharma, they naturally sat down in the core of the array where the spiritual liquid was most concentrated.
If it were any of those lust-driven male cultivators, they would probably have lost their composure and nodded repeatedly in response to such an invitation from a stunningly beautiful fairy.
But Gu Yan was no ordinary person; he knew all too well the logic behind the actions of these so-called prodigies in the cultivation world.
There is no such thing as unearned kindness; there is only unchanging self-interest.
However, Gu Yan hesitated for a moment and did not intend to refuse.
The divine and demonic golden core and the fragments of the void within his body are like a giant beast eagerly awaiting its meal. Once it is allowed to absorb them freely in this cleansing pool, it will inevitably trigger earth-shattering phenomena.
This is not the Meteor Abyss; it has a certain degree of celestial shielding. Once the Nascent Soul stage monsters become curious and start investigating why a Foundation Establishment cultivator is so powerful...
Even if Gu Yan invokes his Nascent Soul Master to silence the gossip, he will inevitably reveal his weakness.
He was just worried about not finding a suitable cover to conceal the noise of him absorbing the spiritual liquid.
Li Qingge then offered herself up.
There was a prodigy who cultivated ice-based techniques and frequently caused extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth, standing at the forefront.
She's the only one who can take the blame!
Thinking of this, Gu Yan took a deep breath, coughed weakly twice, then bowed to Li Qingge with a look of gratitude in his eyes.
"Fairy Li is truly virtuous. With my meridians severed, I am indeed unable to withstand the impact of this core spiritual liquid on my own. Since you are willing to lend a helping hand, I will humbly accept your assistance. I will forever remember this kindness."
Upon hearing Gu Yan agree, the male cultivators around him were heartbroken, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy as they looked at him.
But when she thought of Gu Yan's heroic act of risking his life to save everyone in the desolate wasteland, she could only swallow her jealousy back down.
Li Qingge nodded, her cool face showing no extra emotional fluctuations.
"Please, Senior Brother Gu."
The two walked one after the other, stepping through the ankle-deep milky-white water towards the giant stone lotus flower at the very center of the Cleansing Pool.
The water temperature in the core area was extremely strange. The left side was bone-chillingly cold, while the right side was scalding hot. The two completely different forces intertwined and collided in the water, forming visible vortexes of spiritual energy.
Gu Yan walked to the center of the stone lotus sculpture and sat down cross-legged.
The milky white pool water just covered his chest, and wisps of pure spiritual energy began to seep uncontrollably into his body through his pores.
Li Qingge sat down three feet away from Gu Yan, her eyes slightly closed, her hands forming a complex lotus mudra in front of her chest.
The power of the Supreme Forgetfulness Record was activated.
In an instant, a terrifyingly cold aura erupted centered on Li Qingge.
The white mist that was flowing above the Cleansing Pool was instantly frozen into countless tiny ice crystals.
One after another, icy blue lotus phantoms bloomed around her, forcibly suppressing the violent hot and cold spiritual currents in the core area, forming a relatively gentle spiritual energy barrier that enveloped Gu Yan.
After doing all this, Li Qingge stopped talking and became completely immersed in her cultivation.
For her, the concentration of spiritual energy in this core area far exceeded her expectations, and even a moment's delay would be a huge loss.
Gu Yan looked at Li Qingge, who was meditating with her eyes closed, and smiled. He closed his eyes and had a thought.
The proficiency panel, which only he could see, appeared in his mind.
The panel is recording his current proficiency level in the technique.
【Everlasting Glory Skill: Master (4502/5000)】
[Characteristics: Generates all things. Can refine the bloodlines of high-level beings, repair one's own foundation, and reshape one's spiritual roots.]
【Everlasting Glory Skill: Master (4502/5000)】
[Characteristics: Generates all things. Can refine the bloodlines of high-level beings, repair one's own foundation, and reshape one's spiritual roots.]
This is a support-type skill, and it's also Gu Yan's trump card for repairing hidden injuries.
Prior to this, due to the scarcity of spiritual energy in the outside world, coupled with Gu Yan's continuous practice of paper-making techniques and the Flowing Cloud Sword Art, his progress in the Everlasting Green and Withered Technique had been stuck at the master level for a long time without any breakthrough.
Now, this Spirit Cleansing Pool, formed by countless top-grade spiritual liquids, is the opportunity for him to break through to the Grandmaster level in this cultivation technique.
Gu Yan cleared his mind of distractions and silently activated the Everlasting Life Technique.
As soon as it was activated, the proficiency panel in my mind started jumping wildly.
[Evergreen Skill Proficiency +10]
[Evergreen Skill Proficiency +15]
[Evergreen Skill Proficiency +20]
The milky white spiritual liquid flowed into Gu Yan's body through the acupoints all over his body.
The master-level ability to generate all things immediately began to exert its power, removing impurities from these spiritual liquids and transforming them into the purest life essence.
Gu Yan was not only absorbing, but also using the spatial laws he had just merged to precisely fold the space around his body.
From the outside, the place where he stood was calm and still, without even a ripple, like a sickly person who was seriously injured and could only passively receive nourishment from weak spiritual energy.
In reality, the bottom of the entire core area has been carved out by Gu Yan's spatial laws, creating a huge funnel.
Spiritual liquid from all directions was rushing into Gu Yan's dantian at an alarming rate.
Half an hour passed.
Outside the Cleansing Pool, Tuoba Ye, shirtless, was immersed in the water that only reached his waist.
The deep, bone-revealing wounds on his body were slowly healing under the nourishment of the spiritual liquid.
Suddenly, Tuoba Ye frowned, opened his eyes, and stretched out his thick arm to stir the water.
Something's not right.
When you first enter the water, the spiritual energy in it is so concentrated that it almost solidifies.
But now, the color of the spiritual liquid has obviously faded, and the flow of spiritual energy that entered the body has become intermittent, as if someone had set up a tollbooth, making the spiritual energy stop and start.
Tuoba Ye looked up and around and found that the other disciples of Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain were also looking bewildered, obviously encountering the same situation.
His gaze slowly moved forward, finally landing on the core area of the Spirit Cleansing Pool.
There, icicles stood frozen, and snowflakes danced in the air.
A blue tornado, ten zhang tall, formed in the direction where Li Qingge was located.
The entire spiritual energy and mist in the cleansing pool were forcibly pulled away by that tornado.
Centered on the core area, the surrounding milky-white spiritual liquid is becoming transparent at a visible speed.
At the edge of the icy tornado, Gu Yan sat there alone, his face pale and his eyes closed. The fluctuations of his spiritual energy were barely perceptible, like a fallen leaf that could be torn apart by the storm at any moment.
When Tuoba Ye saw this, he cursed inwardly.
This woman must be crazy.
Is the "Supreme Forgetfulness Record" really that domineering?
Is she cleansing her bones and tendons, or is she just drinking water?
At this rate of absorption, not a single drop of the century-old sediment in the Cleansing Pool will remain.
What angered Tuoba Ye even more was that Li Qingge, under the pretense of protecting Gu Yan, ran to the center of the formation, only to absorb all the spiritual energy herself, leaving the seriously injured Brother Gu standing aside.
Look at Brother Gu's pale face, he probably didn't even get a sip of soup. That woman is shameless.
Not only Tuoba Ye, but Zhou Tianqi, who was in another location, also stopped cultivating.
He looked at the terrifying celestial phenomenon in the core area, his ink-colored Taoist robe spread out on the water, his brows furrowed tightly.
Zhou Tianqi's cultivation technique was also at a top level, so he could naturally sense that the spiritual energy in the pool was being lost in an unreasonable way.
He glanced at the increasingly intense ice crystals surrounding Li Qingge and felt a chill run down his spine.
The senior sister of Cangxuan Sect truly lives up to her reputation; her methods of plundering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth are simply unheard of.
It's just a pity for Fellow Daoist Gu. He damaged his foundation while saving everyone, and now even the spiritual liquid compensation he deserves has been stolen.
Although the hundred disciples on the periphery were suffering in silence and secretly complained, not one of them dared to speak out against them.
Firstly, Li Qingge's strength is undeniable, and no one wants to risk offending her at this time.
Secondly, since they are using the guise of protecting Gu Changsheng, if you speak up, it will make you seem inconsiderate.
Thirdly, and most importantly.
This is, after all, the Cangxuan Sect, Li Qingge's home turf. Complaining to her sect's elders? The outcome is pretty much self-evident.
So the disciples on the periphery could only grit their teeth and swallow their anger, desperately circulating their cultivation techniques in an attempt to snatch back even a tiny bit of spiritual energy from between the teeth of that icy tornado.
The latest chapter is packed with exciting plot twists! Come check it out!
He closed his eyes, sensing the number on the proficiency panel that was about to reach the top.
【Everlasting Glory Skill: Master (4952/5000)】
【Everlasting Glory Skill: Master (4976/5000)】
【Everlasting Glory Skill: Master (5000/5000)】
hum.
A resounding boom echoed in Gu Yan's mind.
The translucent proficiency panel suddenly burst forth with a dazzling cyan light.
The words on the panel twisted and recombine in the light, transforming into a completely new line.
【Everlasting Glory Skill: Grandmaster (1/50000000)】
Breakthrough.
Moving from the master level to the grandmaster level is a qualitative leap.
The Grandmaster-level Evergreen Technique is no longer a simple absorption and repair process, but rather touches the threshold of the laws of life.
The generative nature of all things was brought to its fullest potential at this moment.
Within Gu Yan's dantian, the half-pure white, half-black Divine Demon Golden Core suddenly developed fine cyan lines on its surface.
These patterns, like plant roots, penetrated deep into the core of the elixir, stitching together divinity and demonic nature more perfectly.
The tearing sensation that had been caused by fusing with the fragments of the Great Void was slowly soothed in that instant.
The bones crackled and popped, and the color of the bone marrow gradually changed to a pure, flawless jade color.
The blood vessels of the internal organs are thicker and stronger, full of vigorous vitality.
Upon reaching the Grandmaster level, the speed at which this technique absorbs spiritual energy increases more than tenfold.
Beneath the folded space where Gu Yan was, the invisible funnel instantly expanded, and the fear of exploding disappeared.
If the previous situation was a reverse flow, then now it is the most direct form of plunder.
"Gurgle."
The surface of the Cleansing Pool began to churn violently.
The golden lotuses that were originally floating on the water withered and disappeared one after another after losing their spiritual support.
The milky white pool water was fading at an alarming rate.
Li Qingge, sitting opposite Gu Yan, frowned slightly, her heart filled with doubt.
She activated the Supreme Forgetfulness Record, intending to use the rich spiritual energy in the core area to suppress the meridians that were agitated by the forced sword strike.
However, as time went on, she discovered that although the surrounding spiritual energy surged in like a tsunami, less than one-tenth of it actually entered her body.
The remaining nine-tenths all mysteriously disappeared the moment they got close to her.
Li Qingge opened her eyes and stared blankly at her hands.
Could it be that I experienced a life-or-death battle in the desolate wasteland, and my state of mind broke through, so the Supreme Forgetfulness Record automatically entered some profound realm that I don't know about, using all that spiritual energy to temper the formless sword intent?
That was the only explanation she could offer.
Li Qingge raised her head and her gaze fell on Gu Yan beside her.
Gu Yan remained in a weak sitting posture, her face even paler than before, and her breathing became intermittent.
Seeing this, Li Qingge felt a rare pang of guilt in her otherwise cold heart.
She originally intended to help Gu Yan protect the Dharma and also take advantage of the benefits of the array's core.
But now it seems that the loss of control over his cultivation technique has also drained the spiritual liquid that belonged to Gu Yan.
Senior Brother Gu's righteousness and awe-inspiring spirit truly make him a role model for us all.
They gave me the best and finest spiritual treasures, and then let me into this core area.
But I caused him to lose even the opportunity to refine his foundation.
Li Qingge bit her cherry lips, took out a pill that emitted an astonishingly cold aura from her storage ring, and held it in her palm.
This is a four-stage Ice Heart Pill bestowed upon her by her master. It can not only reshape the meridians, but is also a supreme healing elixir.
She decided that once the cleansing process was over, she would give the pill to Gu Yan as compensation.
Time ticked away as the elixir fell.
The giant sundial above the cliff face points to noon.
A clear, crisp chime resounded through the mountains.
The opening period for the Spirit Cleansing Pool has ended.
The white mist from the array covering the water surface began to gradually dissipate.
When all the disciples opened their eyes and stood up from the water.
A collective gasp of astonishment filled the air around the Cleansing Pool.
The lake of spiritual liquid that was originally milky white and so thick that it seemed impossible to separate had become crystal clear, just like an ordinary mountain spring pool.
The Cleansing Pool, accumulated over a century, has actually dried up!
Hundreds of gazes swept across the water and landed on the white-clad woman in the core area.
Li Qingge slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping around her. The disciples who looked directly at her all lowered their heads.
The aura emanating from her was several times more terrifying than before she entered the Cleansing Pool.
The white robes moved without wind, seemingly freezing the surrounding air into tiny ice crystals.
This is clearly a sign that one's cultivation technique has greatly improved and one's cultivation level is about to break through.
Tuoba Ye looked at the clear, watery surface of the outer pool, then at the imposing Li Qingge, and his lips twitched violently.
This woman is a monster.
The Cangxuan Sect was already powerful, and now that Li Qingge has received such good fortune, it's likely that no one in the Eastern Continent will be able to suppress her at the same level.
Just when everyone both respected and secretly resented Li Qingge.
Gu Yan also leaned on the stone lotus sculpture beside him and stood up unsteadily.
He coughed lightly twice, his face pale, and he looked even weaker than before he went into the water.
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Qingge, his laughter sounding forced.
"Thank you for protecting me, Fairy Li, for making this pool water so refreshing. The heat in Changsheng's body has indeed dissipated considerably."
Upon hearing Gu Yan's words, the disciples on the periphery looked at him as if he were an unparalleled philanthropist.
Even after having all the spiritual liquid drained from them and taking a four-hour cold bath, they were still able to smile and say thank you.
Senior Brother Gu's heart is as broad as the boundless starry sky.
Seeing Gu Yan's weak appearance, Li Qingge felt even more guilty.
She didn't explain anything because, in her view, she had indeed gotten a huge advantage.
She walked up to Gu Yan, opened her fair palm, and handed him the fourth-grade Ice Heart Pill.
"Senior Brother Gu, Qingge's cultivation technique went out of control, stealing your opportunity. Consider this pill Qingge is offering as an apology. Please do not refuse."
Li Qingge's voice had lost some of its aloofness and gained more of a sincere apology.
Gu Yan looked at the priceless fourth-grade pill, pretending to refuse it, but almost burst out laughing.
He drained the spiritual liquid from someone's pool, raised his cultivation technique to the Grandmaster level, and not only was he not suspected by anyone, but he also received pills from the victim as compensation.
Where else in the world can you find a business deal where the customer gets something for nothing and then thanks you?
"You flatter me, Fairy Li. Since your cultivation has greatly improved, it is a blessing for the Eastern Continent. This elixir is far too precious, and I am unworthy to accept it."
While exchanging polite words, Gu Yan reluctantly put the fourth-rank Ice Heart Pill into his sleeve under Li Qingge's firm gaze.
This scene, witnessed by the outer disciples, further confirmed the illusion that Li Qingge was domineeringly absorbing spiritual energy while Gu Changsheng was compromising.
A gentle breeze blew across the empty Cleansing Pool.
Gu Yan turned around and, under the admiring and pitying gazes of the group of geniuses, walked unsteadily toward the shore.
However, just as Gu Yan stepped onto the white jade steps, preparing to leave this forbidden area with everyone else...
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream, comparable to that of a pig being slaughtered, came from the cleansing pool behind them.
The sharp, piercing cry shattered the tranquility of this blessed land.
Everyone turned around in astonishment.
The Cangxuan Sect steward in charge of guarding the Cleansing Spirit Pool was kneeling on the edge of the pool, clutching his hair tightly with both hands, his eyes bulging out, his face full of disbelief.
This steward was simply following protocol, waiting for the appointed time to shut down the formation and tally the consumption of the spiritual liquid.
Based on the experience of previous competitions, even if these hundred prodigies drink to their hearts' content, they will only consume up to 30% of the spiritual liquid. They will be able to recover completely after a few decades of nurturing.
But now, he looked down at the spirit-measuring jade stone on the central part of the array, which displayed the concentration of spiritual energy.
The jade, which should have been a dazzling deep green, was pitch black, with no trace of its former brilliance.
No more.
Not a single drop of the elixir remained.
He stared blankly at the pool of crystal-clear spring water, so clear that not even a fish could survive there, and went completely mad.
The deacon trembled violently, pointing a trembling finger at the pool, his voice filled with sobs and despair.
"A century's worth of accumulation. The sect's foundation. All gone. Even the warm jade at the array's core has cracked. How am I supposed to explain this to the sect leader and the Grand Elder?!"
The mournful howls echoed through the mountains for a long time, the sound waves causing the pine needles on the trees to fall in a rustling sound.
Hearing the steward's wailing, Li Qingge turned her head away, her eyes darting around, her fingers twirling a strand of hair into a circle, her ears turning red.
She thought that she had really made too much noise during her breakthrough and ruined the sect's foundation, and she secretly plotted how to apologize to her master.
Gu Yan, who was walking at the front of the crowd, touched his nose and silently quickened his pace.
I'm currently reading Chapter 165, "The Spirit Pool Cleanses the Marrow, Grandmaster Changqing," and I'm completely absorbed in it.