Opening the Third Spring

After Zhao Zizhuo left, Li Weiyi sat alone under an ox horn bone lamp, studying the Evil Camel Bell.

The bell was ancient, with extremely rough patches of copper rust, faintly revealing corroded scriptures.

It was too bizarre, capable of affecting the mind, inciting sin, and amplifying evil thoughts.

It seemed...

It could also collect evil thoughts.

At the time, Li Weiyi desperately wanted to throw it into the Blood Sea, to sink it forever. It was only because it could hold physical objects and contained an immeasurable internal space that he kept it.

When Li Weiyi planned to return to the Bronze Ship, he intended to buy a batch of food to take back.

With just him and Gao Huan, how much could they carry?

If it were truly a treasure that could contain the heavens and earth, it would be much more convenient!

"This should also be a magic tool. According to Old Zhao's words, it can be activated with mana. The degree of activation depends on one's realm, as well as the strength and amount of mana."

Li Weiyi, worried about accidents, plugged his ears.

He then mobilized the mana from the two spring eyes in his soles and slowly injected it into the bell.

After a short while.

"Huala--"

The surface of the bell shimmered, trembled slightly, and actually grew several times larger.

Li Weiyi hesitated for a moment. After putting on his silver thread gloves, he reached into the bell. His entire arm went in; it was vast inside, and he couldn't feel the walls or edges.

He also didn't touch those semi-real, semi-illusory camels.

He had no idea what the situation was like inside, only managing to feel a few cans of Golden Crow Blood, which were clearly what Yu Tuo Nan had put on the Bronze Ship.

He mobilized his mana to activate it again, but the Evil Camel Bell did not grow any larger.

With his current cultivation, this was the limit. Besides, even if the Evil Camel Bell became large enough, he wouldn't dare to easily step inside.

As for "shaking the Evil Camel Bell," Li Weiyi dared not try it for the time being, fearing it might lead to uncontrollable danger.

"Old Zhao said that once you open the fourth spring, your mana will begin to overflow, and you can control it at will. When your mana reaches a certain level, you can even retrieve objects from afar."

For Li Weiyi, who had practiced martial arts since childhood, such a realm was incredibly alluring and deeply desired.

"Only by opening the fourth spring can one possess a certain status, to be considered 'half an Above All Others.' To complete the other half, one must transcend beyond the Spring Realm." At that time, Zhao Zizhuo had sighed with such sentiment.

He put away the Evil Camel Bell.

Li Weiyi lay on the bed, hands behind his head, unable to fall asleep.

At times, he thought of Cai Yutong, who had been taken by the White Bone Demon; at times, he thought of his Senior Brother on the Bronze Ship; and at times, he thought of the bits and pieces of learning martial arts with his master on the mountain.

"Martial Path, Martial Path, only martial remains, the path is lost."

These were his master's words!

But now, a magnificent martial path had unfolded before his eyes. Whether it was mana overflowing, retrieving objects from afar, or spitting clouds and passing through cliffs like Shi Jiuzhai, it was all too aspirational.

The future martial path would undoubtedly be spectacular, with countless divine abilities awaiting him to climb and pursue.

As for being 'Above All Others'...

Who would be willing to remain at the bottom forever, never seeing the light, with only feet stepping on their heads to look up at?

Li Weiyi rolled over and got out of bed, picked up a can of Golden Crow Blood, and took a big gulp. He then sat on the floor, practicing the Jade Void Breathing Technique, mobilizing the cold and hot mana to refine it.

After a night of cultivation.

The next morning, Li Weiyi, dressed in a dark blue robe with beast patterns and a purple belt, sat by the railing on the second-floor platform of Yaohua Pavilion, gazing at the diverse crowds on the street and the various fierce beasts accompanying them.

Those with high cultivation walked upon giant pythons tens of meters long, and everyone avoided them.

Wild oxen weighing thousands of pounds pulled carts, guided by ragged peasants.

The martial arts practitioners from prominent families drove four-armed ape-like beasts, the size of houses, to carry some kind of ore. These beasts were immensely strong but were only enslaved.

Li Weiyi knew very well that he and Gao Huan could live in Yaohua Pavilion, enjoy delicacies, and experience the treatment of 'Above All Others' only because they had greatly helped the Cangli Tribe. They could be temporarily respected, and someone would pay for their enjoyment.

But even the greatest kindness had an end.

Possessing strength oneself was the true way to be 'Above All Others,' without the worry of being suddenly expelled one morning. Then, with nowhere to go, becoming displaced, like the beggars on the street.

Survival, and establishing a firm foothold, was the immediate priority.

How to live well, how to live spectacularly, could only depend on practicing martial arts.

In his ears was the hustle and bustle, the flow of traffic, the shouts of vendors, and the myriad of human lives.

For a few moments, Li Weiyi felt that everything that had happened on the Bronze Ship, and even his nineteen years of life on Earth, were like a dream.

The current world seemed to be the reality.

He spread his right palm. The palm was burning hot, as if a miniature volcano was erupting.

Eleven Silver Meridian Lines extended from the spring eye in his palm, forming eleven new Qi Moving Routes.

If the spring eye in his palm were activated simultaneously with a hand technique like the "Overturning Sky Palm Seal," its power would undoubtedly be far greater than before.

This third spring eye was opened by him this morning.

The total number of silver meridian lines within his body reached thirty-seven.

Li Weiyi was very confused. Yesterday, Zhao Zhizhuo had kept saying that opening a spring eye was incredibly difficult, and even those with top-tier talent would need ten years of arduous cultivation to open the four springs in their limbs.

Beyond four springs, it would be even harder.

But Li Weiyi felt that Zhao Zhizhuo had likely suffered too many setbacks and hardships in his life, which was why he always liked to exaggerate difficulties and had lost the confidence to face life's challenges.

When he encountered a rare individual who could open one spring, he assumed they had opened three and felt they were invincible.

Opening spring eyes certainly had its difficulties, but it was by no means the heavenly challenge he described. Otherwise, how could he have opened one spring in just a few days?

For Zhao Zhizhuo, it was probably a bit harder than for Li Weiyi, as everyone's cultivation speed and talent were different; one couldn't judge others by their own standards.

But how big could the gap between people be?

Those aiming for Capital University didn't have an extra head compared to those aiming for vocational schools.

Gao Huan arrived at Li Weiyi's room and leaned in conspiratorially, "Master Li, do you think the Jiu Li Tribe in this world is the same tribe as the Jiu Li Tribe in Earth's myths and legends?"

"How would I know?" Li Weiyi chuckled.

Gao Huan said, "I think the possibility is very high! Legend has it that after the Battle of Zhuolu, the remnants of the Jiu Li fled into the North Sea and went to the Underworld. Didn't we also set out from the Arctic Ocean to come here? On the way, we also found the Crimson County Ancient Path stone pillar, which indicates that ancient Huaxia people walked this path."

"If we can enter the core high ranks of the Jiu Li Tribe and investigate their ancestral lineage, we might find the answer."

Li Weiyi knew Gao Huan was always a bit eccentric and his thoughts jumped around, so he wasn't surprised. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Gao Huan said, "They are common folk, and we are also common folk, which suggests we likely share a common ancestor. Although I don't know if we can return to Earth, I've found a sense of belonging and peace here. You don't want to return to the ship and continue drifting on that dangerous and unknown Blood Sea, do you?"

"You want to stay?" Li Weiyi asked.

Gao Huan said, "According to your words, we are now indebted to the Cangli Tribe. As long as we behave ourselves, staying and surviving within their tribe shouldn't be difficult. The only thing we need to consider is how to bring the First Mate and the others over."

Li Weiyi was naturally also contemplating this matter.

Zhao Zhizhuo arrived again in a horse-drawn carriage and stopped outside the main gate of Yaohua Pavilion.

After picking up Li Weiyi and Gao Huan, he drove the carriage and said, "The Young Tribe Leader understands Young Benefactor's concerns, but after all, we owe such a great debt of gratitude, and he must thank you in person. Don't worry, not too many people will know about this."

The attack on the Cangli Tribe was bound to cause a stir.

If everyone knew that two people had saved Zhao Zhizhuo and brought him to Yaoguan City for help, causing the enemy's plan to fail, then the Earth Wolf King Army and Shi Jiuzhai would definitely find out.

As long as they investigated, they would surely be able to identify the two people who caused trouble.

Regardless of whether the situation developed in this direction, Li Weiyi had to consider it first. That was why he had refused to meet the Young Tribe Leader of the Cangli Tribe with Zhao Zhizhuo last night, as there were too many eyes and ears.

His current strength was far from reaching a level where he could openly make a splash.

At least until he became someone transcending the Spring Realm, an "Above All Others," in this cruel world where people could be killed at will, he wouldn't have much backing and capital.

"Old Zhao, please stop calling me Young Benefactor. If you don't mind, you can call me Little Brother or Brother Xie!" Li Weiyi said.

"Alright."

Zhao Zhizhuo was naturally happy to be on more familiar terms.

Led by Zhao Zhizhuo, Li Weiyi and Gao Huan met the Young Tribe Leader in the Jujube Plum Manor, where the Cangli Tribe members were temporarily staying.

"Young Tribe Leader, Miss Ling, it was this Brother Xie who killed those two Buddha's Crossing Bandits, rare expert individuals, yesterday, saved me, and then brought me to Yaoguan City for help."

Zhao Zhizhuo added, "Brother Xie's name is Xie Jin! This Brother Gao, his name is Gao Huan, and he has a congenital language barrier... only speaks in local dialects..."

Li Weiyi secretly observed Cangli, feeling a sense of awe.

These were the true elites of this world. Just by their clothing, accessories, and demeanor, they exuded an air of ineffable nobility.

Any woman who saw her would likely fall in love at first sight.

He was about the same age as Li Weiyi, exceptionally handsome, and like Gao Huan and Cai Yutong, he seemed to have undergone a transformation, his skin spiritually transformed and flawless.

Even more impressive was the aura that emanated from him due to his profound cultivation, which fundamentally set him apart from everyone else present.

Li Weiyi never felt inferior or overly modest, but everyone had a scale in their hearts to measure themselves and others.

Cangli tried his best to appear approachable, expressing his gratitude to Li Weiyi and Gao Huan. He was gentle, polite, and friendly, but maintained a distance.

His position was too high, and it was already a great feat to achieve this much.

He said, "Zhao Zhizhuo has told me about your matters. The world has been in chaos for ten years, with Departed Spirit Fiends and Fierce Insect Curse Monsters from the outside, and Bandit and War Chaos from within. The lives of the common people in various prefectures have become harder with each passing year. Now, it seems Lizhou is also about to fall into chaos!"

These words didn't seem directed at Li Weiyi but rather like his own lament.

Cangli was clearly not interested in where Li Weiyi and Gao Huan came from. He asked, "You're following the path of martial arts, right? How many spring eyes have you opened?"

"Three." Li Weiyi replied.

"That's not bad."

At his age, having only opened three spring eyes, in the eyes of the supremely talented Cangli, it could only be rated as "barely acceptable."

But the old tribe leader had always warned him that to be a tribe leader, he must first control his mouth and not speak impulsively. To treat the worthy with respect and recruit talent, one must speak pleasantly and not offend people with their words first.

Li Ling stood behind Cang Li, her bare feet showing. She looked about fifteen or sixteen, wearing nine silver bracelets on her hands and a colorful robe. Her long hair was braided into many long, small braids, and blue mist-like traces of light emanated from her.

Gao Huan, standing beside Li Weiyi, couldn't take his eyes off Li Ling since he saw her.

Although Cai Yutong was also beautiful as a celestial being after her transformation, Gao Huan had always kept his distance from such aloof and temperamental female doctors.

But this young girl before him was different. She was like an elf in the mist, with delicate, sweet, yet mysterious and serene features. Every aspect of her appealed to him.

As for Liu Ying...

He didn't dare to recall anything about her. He always felt that she was an insurmountable hurdle he would never get past in his life.

Cang Li had long noticed Gao Huan, and his interest in him far surpassed his interest in Li Weiyi.

This was a Pure Immortal Body!