Xuanwei's final shred of consciousness, like a dying candle in the wind, plunged completely into boundless darkness the moment he sensed those three familiar streaks of fleeing light.
He did not know how long had passed before a thread of gentle, cool aura, like rain and dew in early spring, fell upon his nearly dried-up and shattered immortal qi origin, bringing a faint trace of life and coolness.
With great difficulty, bit by bit, he gathered his scattered consciousness once more.
The first thing he sensed was an extremely dense concentration of innate spiritual qi, several times richer than the medicine garden on the back mountain of Golden Ao Island, yet gentler as well, carrying the moist vitality of the water element. A faint, refreshing fragrance filled the air, calming the mind with every breath.
When he "opened his eyes," he found himself floating in a pool crafted entirely from warm jade. The water was no ordinary water. It was milky white, glimmering with precious radiance and containing immense spirituality and healing power.
"Is this... Three Lights Divine Water?!" Xuanwei was shaken to the core! This was one of the Primordial World's finest healing treasures, condensed from the essence of sunlight, moonlight, and starlight. It could revive the dead and regrow flesh upon bone! Though the water in this pool was not the purest Three Lights Divine Water, seeming more like a diluted spiritual liquid used for nourishment, its effects still far surpassed those of ordinary pills!
He was soaking in the pool as threads of warm energy continuously seeped into his ruined origin, mending those vicious cracks and nourishing his nearly depleted immortal qi. The process was slow, but he truly was recovering.
"You're awake?" a gentle voice sounded beside him.
Xuanwei "looked" toward the voice and saw Lady Qiongxiao seated on a cushion beside the pool. With a hand seal between her fingers, she guided the energy in the pool water and assisted his healing. Her expression was concerned, her eyes clear and gentle.
"Senior Sister... Qiongxiao..." Xuanwei wanted to rise and salute her, only to discover that he was too weak to even gather himself into a proper form.
"Don't move. Rest properly," Qiongxiao softly stopped him. "Your origin was gravely damaged. If Eldest Sister had not used the Primal Chaos Golden Dipper to stabilize your last shred of spiritual consciousness, then brought you back to Three Immortal Island in time and immersed you in this Immortal Nourishing Pool, I fear..."
She did not continue, but Xuanwei understood the outcome. A wave of relief at having survived the ordeal, along with deep gratitude, surged through him.
"Thank you, Senior Sisters, for saving my life! I will never forget this kindness!" He did his utmost to convey his most heartfelt thanks.
"We are fellow disciples. Why speak of thanks?" Qiongxiao smiled faintly. "Besides, you suffered such severe injuries to protect that Spiritual Root Seed. The fact that the seed could merge with you so completely was also your karma."
At this moment, Yunxiao and Bixiao entered as well.
Yunxiao still wore her usual cold expression, but the way she looked at Xuanwei held less scrutiny and a touch more approval. "The seed within you contains an exceptionally pure and ancient Yimu origin, along with a thread of Primordial Chaos Mother Qi. It seems to be the legendary Remnant Seed of Jianmu. For it to acknowledge you, your fortune is not shallow. Nurture it well. In the future, you may perhaps restore Jianmu's vitality."
Remnant Seed of Jianmu! Xuanwei understood at once. It was indeed as he had suspected.
Bixiao leaned over the edge of the pool, curiously examining Xuanwei's immortal qi body, which was still covered in cracks. She clicked her tongue. "Goodness, you were hurt badly! That old turtle's mental assault was that powerful? If it weren't for your unusual foundation and that seed protecting you, you'd probably have been crushed straight into dust! Still, you really are lucky, kid. You actually escaped from that old nest!"
Xuanwei gave a bitter smile. "It was only luck. I have the three Senior Sisters to thank for rescuing me in time." Yet his heart stirred. An old turtle? Could the owner of that nest have been a mysterious turtle connected to Jianmu?
Yunxiao seemed to see his confusion and explained, "That nest was the breeding ground of a Primordial Remnant Species, the Mysterious Female Ink Turtle. This turtle carried the bloodline of the Black Tortoise and enjoyed gathering Yimu essence and chaotic substances to nourish its offspring. Its cultivation had already reached the realm of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. It normally slumbered near the Eye of the Netherworld. This time, the opening of the secret realm and the Dao Rhyme of the Remnant Seed of Jianmu must have disturbed it. It was no easy feat for you to escape alive from its grasp."
A Grand Unity Golden Immortal! Xuanwei's scalp went numb. He had actually stolen things from the lair of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal and escaped? That was enough to brag about for... forget it. Better not brag. Staying alive was more important.
"I was reckless and caused trouble for the three Senior Sisters." He apologized again.
Bixiao waved a hand. "What are you saying that for? Still, your skill at escaping really is impressive! Even Eldest Sister said those spatial fluctuations were quite mysterious!" Her eyes gleamed as she spoke, clearly intensely curious about Xuanwei's secrets.
Yunxiao shot Bixiao a glare. Bixiao stuck out her tongue and asked no more questions.
Yunxiao said to Xuanwei, "Rest here and heal in peace. Three Immortal Island is protected by an Innate Array Formation, and its spiritual qi is abundant. Moreover, the Immortal Nourishing Pool can nourish one's origin, which will greatly benefit your recovery. Once your injuries have stabilized, you may make your plans."
"Yes. Thank you, Senior Sister Yunxiao." Xuanwei answered gratefully. He knew that being allowed to heal in a blessed land like Three Immortal Island was an immense favor.
Over the following days, Xuanwei peacefully recuperated in the Immortal Nourishing Pool on Three Immortal Island.
The three San Xiao sisters took excellent care of him. Yunxiao occasionally came to see him. Though she spoke little, each time she would use an imitation Primal Chaos Golden Dipper to smooth out his disordered origin aura, making it easier for him to absorb the pool's medicinal effects. Qiongxiao often stayed with him, speaking gently as they discussed the Dao and conversed, easing the frustration and pressure caused by his injuries. Occasionally, she would also ask him about cultivating Spiritual Plants. Bixiao was the liveliest of them all, frequently bringing him spiritual fruits and immortal brews unique to Three Immortal Island to taste, calling it "using form to nourish form," though he was only a wisp of qi.
Under such favorable conditions and the attentive care of his three Senior Sisters, Xuanwei's injuries healed rapidly. Not only was his shattered origin gradually repaired and his energy level steadily restored, but the Remnant Seed of Jianmu continuously returned pure vitality to him. Combined with the benefits of the Immortal Nourishing Pool and his Dao discussions with the San Xiao sisters, his cultivation unexpectedly improved through misfortune, and he faintly touched upon the threshold of the Heavenly Immortal realm!
At the same time, his understanding of the incomplete Azure Emperor Longevity Art gradually deepened, and his control over the Remnant Seed of Jianmu within him became increasingly effortless. After absorbing the Dao Rhyme of Jianmu's origin and Chaos Soil, the Chaos Bead's restoration progress remained slow, but its internal space grew more stable. Its ability to adjust the flow of time also seemed to have faintly improved.
One day, he felt that his injuries were mostly healed and that his energy level had recovered to 30%. Not only had his immortal qi body completely recovered, it had become even more condensed and pure. Azure, yellow, and chaotic light circulated within it, making it appear extraordinarily mystical. He was preparing to bid farewell to the San Xiao sisters and return to Golden Ao Island.
However, when he left the Immortal Nourishing Pool and arrived at a garden on Three Immortal Island planted with exotic flowers and herbs, he saw Yunxiao standing alone before a Spiritual Root with slightly wilted, yellowing leaves, her delicate brows faintly furrowed.
"Senior Sister Yunxiao." Xuanwei stepped forward and saluted her.
Yunxiao glanced at him and nodded. "It seems your injuries are no longer a concern."
"Thanks to Senior Sister's blessings, I am mostly recovered." Xuanwei replied, his gaze falling upon the Spiritual Root. It was a Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus, an extremely rare main ingredient for top-grade pills that calmed the mind and focused the spirit. Yet two of its lotus leaves had dimmed spiritual qi and yellowed edges, clearly indicating a problem.
"This lotus is a rare variant from the island. For some unknown reason, its vitality has been draining away recently. My two younger sisters and I have tried many methods, but none could stop it." Yunxiao let out a soft sigh, her cool tone carrying a trace of regret.
Xuanwei's heart stirred. He cultivated the Azure Emperor Longevity Art and bore the Remnant Seed of Jianmu, making him especially sensitive to the vitality of plants. Carefully, he extended a thread of immortal qi containing the Dao Rhyme of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art and touched the Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus.
At once, a faint and pained consciousness entered his mind. The spiritual lotus was not ill. Rather, deep within its roots was a thread of incomparably subtle yet exceptionally stubborn Netherworld Taint Qi, constantly eroding its origin! The taint qi was extremely well concealed. If not for Xuanwei's extraordinary sensitivity to vitality, it would have been impossible to detect!
"Senior Sister, this lotus is not diseased. A thread of Netherworld Taint Qi has invaded its roots." Xuanwei withdrew his immortal qi and spoke with certainty.
"Netherworld Taint Qi?" A trace of surprise flashed through Yunxiao's eyes. "No wonder... This qi is filthy and difficult to handle. Ordinary evil-dispelling methods cannot eradicate it and may instead damage the Spiritual Root's origin."
Xuanwei pondered for a moment. "Senior Sister, I may be able to try. The cultivation method I practice has given me some insight into the path of vitality. Perhaps I can guide the lotus's own life force and combine it with Yimu essence to slowly force out that thread of taint qi without harming its foundation."
Yunxiao looked deeply at him, as though her gaze could pierce through to the Remnant Seed of Jianmu sprouting within his origin and the Dao Rhyme of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art flowing through him.
"Do it." She gave only two words, yet they carried absolute trust.
Xuanwei said no more. He calmed his mind and circulated the Azure Emperor Longevity Art while drawing upon a thread of the Remnant Seed of Jianmu's origin power within him. His hands, condensed from immortal qi, pressed against the roots of the Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus as pure, gentle azure-yellow radiance containing boundless vitality slowly flowed in.
The spiritual lotus seemed like parched land receiving sweet rain. It trembled faintly, and its withered yellow leaves visibly regained a trace of emerald color. Xuanwei carefully guided that life force, using it like the most precise surgical blade to gradually envelop and scour away the stubborn thread of Netherworld Taint Qi.
The process was immensely taxing on his mind, and it was no small burden for someone who had only just recovered from serious injuries. Still, he gritted his teeth and persevered. Fine "beads of sweat" even seeped from his forehead on the level of consciousness.
Finally, through his unrelenting efforts, that thread of black taint qi was forcibly expelled from the spiritual lotus's roots. Under the purification of the azure-yellow radiance, it let out a faint hiss and vanished into nothingness.
The Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus suddenly shook. Every leaf became lush and green once more, while the lotus pod released an even richer fragrance. It had clearly turned misfortune into fortune, its vitality greater than ever before!
Xuanwei let out a long breath, feeling somewhat drained.
"Thank you, Junior Brother." Yunxiao looked at the revitalized spiritual lotus, and at last a faint yet genuine smile appeared on her cool face. Like ice and snow beginning to melt, it was breathtakingly beautiful. "Junior Brother, your talent in the path of plants is indeed extraordinary. Coupled with your compassionate heart, it is truly rare."
That smile left Xuanwei momentarily dazed. He hurriedly replied modestly, "Senior Sister overpraises me. I was merely fortunate."
Just then, Bixiao and Qiongxiao arrived after hearing the news. Seeing the Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus restored to normal, both were delighted. Bixiao even patted Xuanwei's shoulder, made of immortal qi, and said with a grin, "Not bad, Junior Brother Xuanwei! You really do have some skill! If the Spiritual Plants on Three Immortal Island have any problems in the future, we'll all come to you!"
Qiongxiao covered her mouth and laughed softly, her eyes filled with praise.
As he looked at the three breathtaking Senior Sisters surrounding him, each with her own distinct bearing, a strange ripple rose in Xuanwei's heart. Three Immortal Island seemed even more... difficult to leave than he had imagined.
However, just as the atmosphere was harmonious, Yunxiao's expression suddenly shifted. She raised her eyes toward the horizon beyond Three Immortal Island, and her cool gaze abruptly sharpened.
"Someone is breaking into the array? And it is... the aura of Jade Purity Immortal Light?"
Xuanwei's heart suddenly tightened as an ominous premonition arose within him.
Before you continue