The five withdrew their divine powers, and the water dried up in an instant.
The bottom of the pit returned to its grayish white, leaving only a thin film of moisture, which soon dispersed in the mountain wind as well.
Their attempt to recreate the Fetus-Dropping Spring had failed.
The first attempt failed, the second failed, and the third still failed.
Zhu Bajie crouched beside the spring and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Look, we all clearly understand the principle behind this word 'transformation.'
"So why does it vanish without a trace once it enters the water, like a clay ox sinking into the sea?"
Little White Dragon's Numinous Immortal aura circulated as he shook his head. "Principle is principle, and water is water.
"We can command the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and draw the true meaning of transformation into the water, but we're always a breath short."
"We can imitate the water's form, but not the spring's soul."
Sha Wujin fell silent for a moment, then said, "Form without substance, principle without roots."
Tang Sanzang stood beside the pit, his gaze heavy. "True Immortal Ruyi was right. This spring was rooted in Jieyang Mountain's local earth veins and tied to the Fortune of this region. The roots of those earth veins have been severed. With our Outer Dao powers alone, we can create water, but not the Fetus-Dropping Spring."
For a time, all five fell silent.
For the first time, they felt that this trial was different from those before it.
In the contest of principles at Jindou Cave, they could still break through with Immortal Reversal. But this Fetus-Dropping Spring was a creation rooted in earth veins, Fortune, and countless years. Trying to recreate one out of nothing was no different from a tree without