Sanxian Island Heals Wounds, Karma Begins to Form

Xuanwei's last vestiges of consciousness were like a candle in the wind. Upon sensing the three familiar streaks of light, he plunged into boundless darkness.

After an unknown period, a gentle, cool sensation, like the dew of early spring, dripped onto his nearly desiccated and shattered origin of Immortal Qi, bringing a faint spark of life and coolness.

He painstakingly, bit by bit, reassembled his scattered consciousness.

The first thing he felt was an extremely concentrated innate spiritual energy, several times more potent than that in his medicine garden behind Golden Ao Island, yet also more gentle, carrying a watery softness and vitality. The air was filled with a faint, refreshing fragrance that calmed the mind and spirit.

He "opened his eyes" to find himself suspended in a pool crafted entirely from warm jade. The pool water wasn't ordinary; it was milky white, emitting a radiant glow, and contained immense spiritual essence and healing power.

"This is... Three Lights Divine Water?!" Xuanwei's heart trembled violently! This was a top-tier healing sacred item in the Primordial World, condensed from the essence of the sun, moon, and stars, capable of reviving the dead and regenerating bone! Although the liquid in the pool wasn't the purest Three Lights Divine Water, but rather a diluted nourishing essence, its effects far surpassed ordinary elixirs!

He was immersed in the pool, and wisps of gentle energy continuously seeped into his damaged origin, repairing the hideous cracks and nourishing his nearly depleted Immortal Qi. Though the process was slow, he was undeniably improving.

"You're awake?" a gentle voice sounded nearby.

Xuanwei followed the sound and "looked," seeing Lady Qiongxiao sitting on a futon by the pool, holding a hand seal and guiding the energy from the pool to aid his healing. Her expression was concerned, her eyes clear and soft.

"Qiong... Senior Sister Qiongxiao..." Xuanwei tried to rise and pay respects, but found himself too weak to even maintain his form.

"Don't move unnecessarily, rest well," Qiongxiao gently stopped him. "Your origin was severely damaged. If Eldest Sister hadn't used the Primal Chaos Golden Dipper to anchor your last trace of spiritual consciousness and brought you back to the Three Immortal Islands in time to immerse you in the 'Immortal Nourishing Pool,' I fear..."

She didn't finish, but Xuanwei understood the consequences. A sense of relief from surviving a disaster and profound gratitude surged within him.

"Thank you, my three Senior Sisters, for saving my life! This kindness and debt, Xuanwei will never forget!" He strove to convey his sincerest gratitude.

"We are fellow disciples, no need for thanks," Qiongxiao smiled faintly. "Besides, you were gravely injured protecting that spiritual root seed. Speaking of which, for that seed to merge with you like this is also your destiny."

At that moment, Yunxiao and Bixiao also entered.

Yunxiao maintained her usual cool demeanor, but the scrutiny in her gaze towards Xuanwei had lessened, replaced by a touch of approval. She said calmly, "The seed within you contains extremely pure and ancient primordial wood essence, along with a trace of Primordial Chaos Mother Qi. It appears to be the legendary 'Remnant Seed of Jianmu.' For it to recognize you, your fortune is immense. Nourish it well, and perhaps it can recreate the vitality of Jianmu in the future."

Remnant Seed of Jianmu! Xuanwei understood; it was as he had suspected.

Bixiao, however, leaned over the pool, curiously examining Xuanwei's still-cracked Immortal Qi body and exclaimed, "Goodness, you're really badly hurt! Was that old turtle's mental attack that powerful? If it weren't for your unique origin and that seed protecting you, you'd have been crushed into dust! But you're lucky to have escaped from that old lair!"

Xuanwei gave a wry smile. "It was merely luck, thanks to the timely rescue by my three Senior Sisters." A thought struck him: old turtle? Could the owner of that lair be a Mysterious Turtle related to Jianmu?

Yunxiao seemed to sense his confusion and explained, "That lair is the place where an ancient remnant, the 'Mysterious Ink Turtle,' breeds. This turtle carries the bloodline of Xuanwu and enjoys collecting primordial wood essence and chaotic items to nourish its offspring. Its cultivation has reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. It usually slumbers near the Eye of the Netherworld. This time, it must have been disturbed by the aura of the secret realm opening and the Dao resonance of the Remnant Seed of Jianmu. Your escape from its clutches is truly remarkable."

Grand Unity Golden Immortal! Xuanwei's scalp tingled. He had actually stolen things from the lair of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal and escaped? He could brag about this for... well, maybe he shouldn't brag. His life was more important.

"Junior disciple was reckless, implicating my three Senior Sisters," he apologized again.

Bixiao waved her hand. "Why say such things! But speaking of which, your escape skills are truly impressive! That spatial fluctuation, even Eldest Sister said it was quite profound!" As she spoke, her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Xuanwei, clearly very curious about his secrets.

Yunxiao shot Bixiao a glare, and the latter stuck out her tongue, asking no more questions.

Yunxiao said to Xuanwei, "Rest here and heal with peace of mind. The Three Immortal Islands are protected by innate formations, the spiritual energy is abundant, and this 'Immortal Nourishing Pool' has the effect of nourishing the origin, which will greatly benefit your recovery. We will make plans once your injuries stabilize."

"Yes, thank you, Senior Sister Yunxiao," Xuanwei replied gratefully. He knew that being allowed to recuperate in a blessed land like the Three Immortal Islands was an immense favor.

In the following days, Xuanwei recuperated peacefully in the Immortal Nourishing Pool of the Three Immortal Islands.

The San Xiao sisters took good care of him. Yunxiao would occasionally visit. Though she spoke little, she would always lend a hand, using a replica of the Primal Chaos Golden Dipper to help him regulate his chaotic origin aura, making it easier for him to absorb the medicinal power of the Immortal Nourishing Pool. Qiongxiao often kept him company, speaking gently, discussing Dao with him, and alleviating the boredom and stress caused by his injuries. She also occasionally sought his advice on spiritual plant cultivation. Bixiao was the most lively, often bringing him spiritual fruits and immortal brews unique to the Three Immortal Islands, claiming it was "nourishing the body with its likeness," even though he was merely a wisp of energy.

Under such superior conditions and the meticulous care of the three Senior Sisters, Xuanwei's injuries healed rapidly. Not only was his shattered origin gradually repaired, but his energy level steadily climbed. Furthermore, due to the continuous feedback of pure vitality from the Remnant Seed of Jianmu, the Immortal Nourishing Pool water, and the benefits of discussing Dao with the San Xiao, his cultivation, as if by fortune in misfortune, was subtly approaching the threshold of a Heavenly Immortal!

Simultaneously, his understanding of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art (incomplete version) deepened, and his control over the Remnant Seed of Jianmu within him became more adept. Although the Chaos Bead's repair progress was slow after absorbing the Dao resonance of the Jianmu origin and the Primordial Chaos Soil, its internal space became more stable, and its time-flow adjustment function seemed to be subtly improving.

One day, he felt his injuries were about seventy to eighty percent healed. His energy level had recovered to 30%. His Immortal Qi body not only returned to its original state but had become more condensed and pure, with cyan, yellow, and chaotic three-colored light flowing within, appearing extraordinary. He was preparing to take his leave from the San Xiao and return to Golden Ao Island.

However, as he stepped out of the Immortal Nourishing Pool and entered a garden on the Three Immortal Islands planted with exotic flowers and plants, he saw Yunxiao standing alone before a spiritual root with slightly wilted, yellowish leaves, her delicate brows furrowed.

"Senior Sister Yunxiao," Xuanwei stepped forward and bowed.

Yunxiao glanced at him and nodded. "It seems your injuries are no longer a major concern."

"Thanks to Senior Sister's blessings, I've mostly recovered," Xuanwei replied, his gaze falling on the spiritual root. It was a "Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus," a primary ingredient for top-tier pills that calmed the mind and spirit, extremely rare. But at this moment, two of its lotus leaves were dim with spiritual energy, their edges yellowed, clearly indicating a problem.

"This lotus is a unique specimen on the island. Recently, for reasons unknown, its vitality has been draining. My two sisters and I have tried various methods, but none have been able to stop it," Yunxiao sighed lightly, a hint of regret in her cool tone.

Xuanwei's heart stirred. He cultivated the Azure Emperor Longevity Art and possessed the Remnant Seed of Jianmu, making him extremely sensitive to the vitality of plants. He cautiously extended a wisp of Immortal Qi imbued with the Dao resonance of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art, touching the Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus.

Instantly, a faint yet pained thought entered his mind. This spiritual lotus wasn't sick; rather, deep within its roots, a trace of extremely subtle yet exceptionally stubborn "Netherworld Taint Qi" had become entangled, constantly eroding its origin! This taint qi was extremely concealed, and if not for his extreme sensitivity to vitality, it would have been impossible to detect!

"Senior Sister, this lotus is not sick, but its roots have been invaded by a wisp of Netherworld Taint Qi," Xuanwei retracted his Immortal Qi and stated with certainty.

"Netherworld Taint Qi?" A trace of surprise flashed in Yunxiao's eyes. "No wonder... This qi is the most filthy and troublesome. Ordinary evil-dispelling methods find it hard to eradicate, and may even harm the spiritual root's origin instead."

Xuanwei pondered for a moment. "Senior Sister, Junior disciple might be able to try. The cultivation technique I practice has some insights into the Way of Vitality. Perhaps I can guide the lotus's own vitality, combined with primordial wood essence, to slowly expel that wisp of taint qi without harming its foundation."

Yunxiao looked at him deeply, her gaze seeming to pierce through the budding Remnant Seed of Jianmu and the flowing Dao resonance of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art at his origin's core.

"Alright," she replied with a single word, but it carried absolute trust.

Xuanwei said no more, held his breath, and concentrated, circulating the Azure Emperor Longevity Art while simultaneously drawing upon a trace of the Remnant Seed of Jianmu's origin power within him. His hands (condensed from Immortal Qi) rested on the roots of the Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus, injecting a pure, gentle, cyan and yellow light imbued with supreme vitality.

The spiritual lotus trembled as if receiving much-needed rain after a drought. Its withered yellow leaves regained a hint of emerald green at a visible speed. Xuanwei carefully guided this vitality, like the most precise scalpel, bit by bit enveloping and scouring that stubborn wisp of Netherworld Taint Qi.

This process was extremely mentally taxing and a considerable burden for him, having just recovered from his injuries. But he gritted his teeth and persevered, fine "beads of sweat" even appearing on his forehead (on a mental level).

Finally, through his relentless efforts, that wisp of black taint qi was forcibly expelled from the spiritual lotus's root system. Under the purification of the cyan and yellow light, it let out a faint hiss and dissipated into nothingness.

The Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus then gave a strong tremor, all its leaves becoming lush and vibrant again, and its lotus seed emitting an even richer fragrance. It was clear that it had benefited from misfortune, its vitality now surpassing its former state!

Xuanwei let out a long sigh, feeling somewhat drained.

"Thank you, Junior Brother," Yunxiao said, looking at the revitalized spiritual lotus. A faint but genuine smile finally appeared on her usually cool face, like the first thaw of ice and snow, breathtakingly beautiful. "Junior Brother, your talent in the way of plants and trees is truly extraordinary, and you possess a benevolent heart. It's rare."

Xuanwei's mind was momentarily captivated by the smile, and he quickly replied humbly, "Senior Sister, you flatter me. It was merely luck."

Just then, Bixiao and Qiongxiao also arrived upon hearing the news. They were both overjoyed to see the Seven Orifices Exquisite Lotus restored to its former glory. Bixiao even patted Xuanwei (Immortal Qi)'s shoulder (body part), grinning, "Well done, Junior Brother Xuanwei! You've really got some skills! If any spiritual plants on our Three Immortal Islands have problems in the future, we'll be coming to you!"

Qiongxiao also covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes full of approval.

As the three Senior Sisters, each with unparalleled beauty and distinct temperaments, surrounded him, an unusual ripple stirred within Xuanwei's heart. This Three Immortal Islands seemed to be... more captivating than he had imagined.

However, just as the atmosphere was harmonious, Yunxiao's expression suddenly shifted. She looked up towards the horizon outside the Three Immortal Islands, her cool gaze instantly sharpening.

"Someone is breaking through the formation? And it's... the aura of Jade Purity Immortal Light?"

Xuanwei's heart clenched violently, a sense of foreboding washing over him.