Four Springs

Li Weiyi sat cross-legged, forming the Zi Wu Tai Chi Seal with his hands as he practiced the Jade Void Breathing Technique.

The Blue Flower Urn bounced about before him. "Law is the power of heaven and earth. It exists in every corner. A grain of dust, a wisp of air, a river, a mountain—it is present in great places and small ones alike."

"However, the distribution of law throughout heaven and earth is not even."

"Within ordinary mud, stone, and dust, law is thin and barren. Where precious medicinal herbs grow, where Martial Cultivators gather, where Heaven Law Earth Spring exists... law naturally flourishes there as well, making such places more suitable for cultivation."

Zhao Meng, standing nearby, asked, "Places where Martial Cultivators gather are better for cultivation?"

"That's right!"

The Blue Flower Urn said, "Law-Martial sacred lands can be artificially created. Imagine a place filled with martial cultivators, all of whom have opened spring eyes and are practicing Breathing Techniques. The law between heaven and earth will naturally gather there, making the law in that region incomparably dense."

"Sometimes, when a top-tier Law-Martial Expert practices a Breathing Technique, or when his Nine Springs surge, he can drag all the law within a thousand li into that region. Wherever he exists becomes a Law-Martial sacred land."

"When one man attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

"Of course, top experts, numerous Martial Cultivators, and Heaven Law Earth Spring often appear together. Who wouldn't want the strong piled atop the strong to create the greatest cultivation ground?"

"That is why the great cities of provincial capitals are often the most suitable places for cultivation in an entire province. It is not only because Martial Cultivators gather there, but also because when the ancients chose sites to build cities, they would certainly select places where Heaven Law Earth Spring existed."

"There is no need to mention the Spring Realm. In a provincial capital city, it will certainly be easier to break open spring eyes. Once you reach the Five Seas Realm, the advantage will become even greater."

"What is your two's greatest advantage? It is the Breathing Technique you have cultivated since childhood."

"With your Breathing Technique, at the same realm, you can draw in far more law from heaven and earth, and do so far faster, than other cultivators. Naturally, breaking through spring eyes will be easier. Li Weiyi, do you feel any throbbing in your left palm?"

Li Weiyi shook his head.

Urn Senior said, "Today, this old man will teach you a fierce move: Spring Convergence Breaking Wall."

"The Labor Palace Acupoint in your left palm is the gate to a spring eye. But there is currently a barrier there. You must shatter it to open the spring eye and obtain the law power surging in from heaven and earth."

"Originally, every cultivator had to grind away at it little by little, like dripping water piercing stone."

"But that is too slow."

"Our conditions are good. Golden Crow Blood can nourish the body and replenish it with blood qi, so we can take a more aggressive path. Mm... anyway, it is only the palm. It is not the Fifth Spring's central point in the back, nor the Sixth Spring's Tanzhong Acupoint in the chest. Nothing will happen."

It would have been better if he had not said anything. The more he spoke, the more flustered Li Weiyi became. He kept feeling that if this went wrong, his hand might be ruined.

"Urn Senior, should we perhaps be more cautious?" Zhao Meng was somewhat worried.

"It is very safe. Trust me. This move is the ultimate art of my sect. This old man would not even pass it on to anyone else!"

Urn Senior was extremely confident as he began instructing him. "First, drink a jar of Golden Crow Blood and bring the blood qi inside your body to its peak. Then mobilize all the law power surging from the three springs you have already opened. At the instant you inhale with the Breathing Technique, send it flooding into your left arm... yes, just send it into your left arm. The law power will naturally rush toward your palm..."

"Adjust your breathing, then again."

"Inhale! Let the law power surge!"

"Adjust your breathing, then again."

Boom!

Li Weiyi attacked again and again. Gradually, his entire left arm became so painful it felt ready to split apart. He could no longer form the Zi Wu Tai Chi Seal, and his arm drooped limply.

Zhao Meng saw that something was wrong with Li Weiyi's condition and immediately rushed over. Furious, he said, "There is not the slightest bit of skill in this ultimate art of yours. The one we revere and trust is the master of the Bronze Ship, not you. If you harm my junior brother, I'll throw you into the Sea of Blood."

Urn Senior said, "It is only the Spring Realm. How much technical skill could it possibly require?"

"Stop arguing. I think I can feel the throbbing in my palm!"

After his left arm recovered, Li Weiyi raised his hand.

Whoosh!

Following the throbbing in his palm, a surge of icy, bone-piercing law power burst forth. At the same time, silver Trace Meridians extended from the spring eye toward every part of his body.

Li Weiyi once again formed the Zi Wu Tai Chi Seal and sat cross-legged.

More and more Trace Meridians rooted themselves in his left palm. In the end, eleven were born in total, the same number as in his right palm.

At this point, the number of Trace Meridians throughout his body had reached forty-eight.

The three lingering souls—the urn, the Spirit Tablet, and the Lingering Corpse in Stone Coffin—were all watching Li Weiyi's condition. Before long, a faint layer of silver law qi appeared in his palm, marking his initial attainment of law power spilling beyond the body.

Within the body, it was power; beyond the body, it transformed into qi.

The three lingering souls had seen much and experienced much. Naturally, they were not especially shocked by this sight, but inwardly, they gained confidence. At last, they had a tiny bit of faith that they could complete the task entrusted by the master of the Bronze Ship within ten years.

Forge Immortality in Ten Years!

Before this, they had not possessed the slightest confidence at all.

Urn Senior muttered to himself, "I had thought it would take two or three days, perhaps more than ten attempts, before succeeding."

Li Weiyi rose to his feet. Blood qi surged vigorously through him, and he was so full of energy that he felt he could go days and nights without sleep. He solemnly looked at the Blue Flower Urn, bowed deeply, and changed his form of address. "Many thanks for Master Urn's guidance!"

Li Weiyi naturally knew that the three lingering souls had reasons for willingly serving as his guides. Perhaps it was the will of the master of the Bronze Ship, or perhaps they had been promised some benefit.

But no matter what, he had indeed learned something.

Spring Convergence Breaking Wall was not particularly profound, but without guidance, he would never have dared to do it himself. In the future, he might even be able to use this move again at a critical moment.

The words spoken by the Lingering Corpse in Stone Coffin had likewise given Li Weiyi gains and much to consider.

Zhao Meng said, "Did you see that? This is the character of our sect. We absolutely honor our masters and value the Dao. Whoever sincerely helps us by one part, we will surely repay tenfold."

Urn Senior said, "This is only the beginning. This old man has learned far more in his lifetime. Mm... in any case, I will certainly impart everything I know. Right, once we return to Lingxiao Shengjing, we must quickly settle down in a great provincial capital city. Only great cities sell Spring Breaking Needles, and only then can cultivation proceed faster. The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Springs will be much harder. We should strive to break through them within half a year. Right, do you have money from this world? Courtyards in great cities are not cheap to rent."

Li Weiyi naturally had some money, acquired from searching corpses, but he did not know just how expensive Master Urn meant.

He said, "I heard that Otherworldly Coffins from the Sea of Blood are not cheap. How about retrieving a few when we leave?"

The Lingering Corpse in Stone Coffin said, "That would be smuggling private coffins. If the Jiu Li Tribe's enforcement guards catch you, the consequences will be extremely serious."

Earlier, Master Urn had exposed the identity of the corpse in the stone coffin. This one most likely had deep ties to the Jiu Li Tribe.

Senior Spirit Tablet said, "The Otherworldly Coffins are right before us, and we are short of money. Why not retrieve them? Weiyi, you can hide the Otherworldly Coffins you retrieve inside the Evil Camel Bell, then quietly sell them at the Departed Spirit Market in the Nether Realm."

Before his wife, the Lingering Corpse in Stone Coffin chose to compromise. "We do not necessarily need to go to the Departed Spirit Market. Every great provincial capital city will certainly have a place for underground trading."

"We can discuss coffin retrieval when we leave tomorrow." Master Urn asked, "Weiyi, after breaking through the Fourth Spring, aside from law power being able to spill beyond your body, did you sense any other changes?"

The four springs within Li Weiyi surged together. Law power erupted simultaneously from his limbs, and he immediately practiced the Chan Sect Twelve Loose Hand Techniques atop the Floating Coffin.

After finishing one set, he felt utterly exhilarated.

He said, "It feels as if forty-eight Trace Meridians have opened up my entire body! Whether I throw a punch or use footwork, I feel as though I can unleash ten percent of my strength whenever I wish. My combat power has increased more than it did with any of the previous three springs."

Then Li Weiyi mobilized law power, running it through the Trace Meridians inside his body and sending it into his eyes.

Within the mist, the distance he could see had actually doubled.

He sent it into his ears again, and his hearing swiftly spread outward.

In the distance, he could hear Floating Coffins swaying in the water, the sound of wind, even the sound of mist drifting, and... light, familiar footsteps...

Li Weiyi suddenly opened his eyes. With a whoosh, he leaped onto the top of a gigantic coffin six meters behind him and looked toward where the footsteps had come from.

Everyone below, including the three eerie lingering souls, became tense.

Zhao Meng rose to his feet, stood on tiptoe, and peered toward the distant area behind the giant coffin. In a low voice, he asked, "What is it?"

"Someone is coming!" Li Weiyi knew who it was.

Zhao Meng noticed the vigilance in Li Weiyi's eyes and realized that the visitor meant no good. Instantly, every muscle in his body tightened.

Before long, a slender, graceful young girl stepped upon Blue Mist Light Traces and entered Zhao Meng's field of vision. He was immediately stunned. She did not look like some monstrous villain. She seemed delicate and weak, and her features were exceptionally sweet and exquisite, like an elf beneath the night sky.

"Brother Jin, I finally found you. How could you leave me all alone?"

Li Ling hurried forward, her gaze filled with both resentment and pitiful grievance.

It took Li Weiyi quite a while to realize that "Brother Jin" was calling him.

Thud!

Li Weiyi jumped down from the giant coffin and stopped Li Ling from approaching the expedition members, worried that she had come with ill intent.

Li Ling looked past him and greeted them with delighted warmth. "You must be Brother Jin's companions, right? Hello, it is wonderful to meet you."

Her eyes curved like crescent moons, her gaze sincere. When she smiled, snowy white teeth showed between her lips. Paired with her adorable face at the age of sixteen, she looked exceptionally pure and innocent.

Zhao Meng strode over and appeared behind Li Weiyi. Smiling, he said, "You call him Brother Jin? Who is this girl?"

Pretending to be frightened by his enormous body, Li Ling's face turned pale. She moved to hide against Li Weiyi's chest and whispered, "Of course I mean Brother Xie Jin. Doesn't he go by that name?"

Zhao Meng looked at Li Weiyi with a strange expression.

Li Weiyi quickly dodged aside, not daring to let Li Ling get too close. He was deeply wary. "How did you find this place?"

It was too strange. Logically speaking, they had been separated by an enormous distance. There was no way Li Ling could have found him so precisely.

He was highly vigilant and could be certain that Li Ling had not been following him from the beginning.

She might have done something to him.

Seeing Li Weiyi's cold gaze, Li Ling froze, as though she could not believe it.

Gradually, tears welled up in her eyes, though they did not fall. She looked down at the ground as if she had suffered an immense wrong and whispered, "I was the one who brought you out of the Departed Spirit Mist Domain, but you left me alone at Coffin Dock Crossing. I thought you didn't want me anymore!"

Zhao Meng felt there was a story between his junior brother and this woman, yet he was not merely eager for gossip. He spotted the suspicious points and said, "Miss, I am your... Brother Jin's senior brother. I am only a bit large, not some bad person. You are so young, and this place is so sinister and dangerous. Aren't you afraid to be alone?"

Li Ling glanced at Li Weiyi and whispered, "Brother Jin had to pass through the Departed Spirit Mist Domain to return for you, but he could not do it on his own. Only I could help him. But after leaving the Departed Spirit Mist Domain, he abandoned me by myself!"

Zhao Meng's brow furrowed deeply. He glanced at Li Weiyi, feeling that his junior brother had acted somewhat unfairly.

But there were still suspicious points, so he asked again, "You only met not long ago, correct? Why would you help him so much?"

Li Ling's face overflowed with the blissful air unique to a girl in love. "Although we had only just met, we had already gone through life and death together..."

"You had better stop talking, and stop causing trouble." Li Weiyi added, "What exactly do you want?"

He felt that Li Ling was about to make the story absurdly outrageous.

Li Ling immediately shut her mouth. Tears as large as beans poured out uncontrollably, falling drop by drop and pattering against the ground.

Everyone present felt both her grievance and their hearts ache at the sight.

In the end, Zhao Meng said, "Junior Brother, this sort of matter is not really something your senior brother should interfere with, nor can I interfere much. But there is no harm in letting her finish!"

Li Ling immediately choked out, "We encountered enemies in Immortal Burial Town and faced life and death together. He saved me. I once said I would give myself to him, and he once said he liked my cold and aloof demeanor."

"I took his hand of my own accord and wrapped my arms around his neck. He did not refuse at the time. When I was seriously injured, he carried me onward on his back. He was so gentle."

"I promised to lead him out of the Departed Spirit Mist Domain to find his companions... asking for nothing in return. I said I would give him a beautiful wife. I have a cousin who will turn sixteen in eight days. Eight days... actually, eight days later is my birthday. But after leaving the Departed Spirit Mist Domain... he... sob..."

"I swear upon the God of Jiu Li that if I have spoken even a single lie, may I die a miserable death. Senior Brother, I know you only believe your junior brother, but I truly have not said one false word!"

Zhao Meng had no idea what to do!

The three lingering souls had been watching as though enjoying a show, but seeing that she actually dared swear upon the God of Jiu Li, they immediately became serious.

Deceiving a god with lies truly could get someone killed.

Behind them, the Lingering Corpse in Stone Coffin could not help speaking. "Child, you must never casually swear in the name of the God of Jiu Li. This is no joke. Such oaths will certainly be answered."

"I know. Of course I know." Li Ling nodded desperately through her tears.

"His name is not Xie Jin. His name is Li Weiyi." Senior Spirit Tablet was clearly somewhat angry, feeling that Li Weiyi's character was problematic. A little Jiu Li Tribe girl barely in her teens had been deceived until she spun in circles by him, then thrown away after he was done using her.

What he had deceived was her feelings.

No wonder he had told them to take a detour.

Li Ling looked at Li Weiyi. At the same time, with a questioning yet somewhat resentful gaze, she murmured, "Li... Wei...yi... So this is your real name? Why... why did you lie to me?"

Li Weiyi's head throbbed painfully.

"Junior Brother, your senior brother knows you best. Your character is absolutely not a problem." Zhao Meng said this to everyone, then turned and asked in a low voice, "The name Xie Jin does not sound like something she made up. Did you say those things or do those things? Lying about your name is actually a small matter."

Li Weiyi admired her immensely. Li Ling's skill was far beyond what her age should allow. If her acting had been even slightly worse, or if she had not been so young, she could never have fooled these seasoned veterans who had seen countless people.

If it had been him, encountering a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl who swore upon her own life and tearfully told a story of deception and abandonment, every word of which was true, he would likely have felt both anger and sympathy.

When Zhao Meng saw Li Weiyi standing there sluggishly, neither denying nor defending himself at once, his own head began to throb as well.