Longevity Pool Water Palace

Longevity Pool lay without a ripple.

A water palace gate built from enormous blocks of bluestone stood silently at the bottom of the pool.

The gate was covered in bold yet intricate formation patterns, emanating waves of spiritual pressure.

With a single glance, He Sheng recognized traces that seemed familiar. He knew this was the work of Li Daoyun, Brother Piao's formation mentor.

"Senior Black Tortoise, He Sheng has returned south from Ten Thousand Stars Mountain and happened to pass through this place. I have come especially to pay you a visit and ask that you grant me an audience."

He Sheng's voice passed through the water, carrying clearly into the palace.

He did not lower his bearing too much, since that would not fit Brother Piao's character. Yet the mere word "Senior" had already made his attitude clear.

However, silence was the only response.

Could it be that I underestimated the grudge between the Star-Backed Black Turtle and Brother Piao?

Around a hundred breaths later, just as He Sheng was beginning to doubt himself, the seemingly impregnable stone gates finally gave a dull rumble and slowly opened to either side.

A damp, heavy aura rushed toward him. Before his eyes stretched a broad waterway, its sides dotted with glowing night pearls that illuminated the interior of the water palace as brightly as day.

At the end of the waterway stood a towering main hall. Its roof soared high, while its beams and pillars had all been carved from whole pieces of Cold Star Stone, a mid-grade first-rank spirit material, giving it an air of stern grandeur and luxury.

In Brother Piao's memories, he had only visited this water palace once, but he still retained some impressions of it.

Following those memories, He Sheng headed straight into the main hall.

In the center of the hall crouched an enormous creature—the Star-Backed Black Turtle.

Its turtle body spanned several zhang, starlike patterns flowing across its shell. At first glance, it resembled a moving hillock, its oppressive presence overwhelming.

The Star-Backed Black Turtle slowly opened its enormous lantern-sized eyes, glanced at He Sheng, and said calmly,

"Fellow Daoist He has come all this way. Could it be that you wish to bring up old matters again?"

The old matter the Old Turtle referred to was naturally Brother Piao's earlier proposal that it return to the He Family. This showed that the Old Turtle still bore a grudge over it.

Fortunately, He Sheng had long been prepared. With a flip of his wrist, he took out an exquisite jade box and said,

"This junior went to Ten Thousand Stars Mountain to attend Senior Brother Wan's Foundation Establishment celebration. During the feast, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged what they had and lacked.

"When I saw a fellow cultivator bring out this second-rank spirit material, Star Swirl Sand, I thought Senior would surely like it. Thus, I traded for it and have specially brought it as an offering."

He Sheng had both voluntarily presented a gift and referred to himself as "this junior." His intention to take the initiative in lowering his head and easing their relationship could not have been more obvious.

The Old Turtle naturally understood. As one of the long-lived species among demon beasts, it had always been quite intelligent.

After advancing to the second rank, the reason it had not cut off contact with the He Family was partly to continue receiving the He Family's offerings, and partly because it hoped to have support beyond Heaven Capital Mountain.

That was also why, despite being at odds with Brother Piao, it had never completely severed ties with the He Family.

After all, Brother Piao was already a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator with extremely high cultivation talent. In the future, he might advance further and become a False Core cultivator, or even a Core Formation cultivator.

"Ah Sheng, you are thoughtful."

Receiving the signal that He Sheng was willing to yield, the Old Turtle went along with the flow. Its change in address counted as acknowledging He Sheng as a junior, and it smoothly put away the Star Swirl Sand.

This item truly was of considerable use to it.

As for the Star Swirl Sand's origins, Brother Piao had indeed traded for it from a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator at the celebration. But it had naturally not been intended as a gift for the Old Turtle. Brother Piao had been preparing to advance to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Once Foundation Establishment cultivators reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, their spiritual power would increase greatly, allowing them to barely wield Nascent Dharma Treasures.

Thus, many well-supplied Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivators began gathering superior spirit materials early, preparing to refine Nascent Dharma Treasures after their advancement.

"Greenie, Whitey, hurry over and offer Ah Sheng spirit fruits and spirit wine."

The Old Turtle was clearly quite pleased with the generous gift of Star Swirl Sand.

As soon as it spoke, a green and a white water snake suddenly swam out from the two narrow waterways behind it.

Though these two water snakes were only as thick as an arm, their scales gleamed with spiritual radiance. They were clearly demon beasts that had gained intelligence.

Each water snake balanced a tray atop its head. One tray held several white spirit fruits that radiated a chilling aura, while the other held an exquisite jade flask.

He Sheng did not stand on ceremony. Since awakening, although the mysterious force of vitality had healed his injuries, his body had remained in a state of exhaustion, constantly crying out for food.

Unfortunately, he had been trapped in danger until now and could only endure it.

Now that the spirit fruits had been served, the faint fragrance of the white fruit reached his nose. He immediately took one and devoured it in large bites, then picked up the spirit wine and drank deeply.

As the spirit fruits and spirit wine entered his stomach in turn, streams of warmth arose within him. The exhaustion in his body immediately lessened greatly, while the spiritual power in his dantian seemed to have been nourished and began to surge with joy.

After drinking another cup of spirit wine, He Sheng felt that the time was about right and said,

"This junior was fortunate enough to listen to the teachings of that False Core Supreme Elder from the Golden Cloud Sect at Senior Brother Wan's Foundation Establishment celebration.

"At the time, I was utterly engrossed, yet I always felt as though I was separated by a sheet of window paper that I could not pierce through.

"However, on my journey south, I seemed to gain some insight.

"Could Senior arrange a secluded place for this junior to enter seclusion and contemplate it for a time?

"If I can achieve a breakthrough because of this, I will certainly never forget Senior's kindness today."

At those words, a trace of surprise flashed through the Star-Backed Black Turtle's huge eyes.

A False Core cultivator's teachings were indeed a rare opportunity, but the Old Turtle did not truly believe that He Sheng could break through because of them.

It had also heard of some matters concerning the He Family over the past few years. It felt that the root of it all was He Sheng's cultivation setbacks. His prolonged inability to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage had created a mental obstacle, making his behavior increasingly eccentric.

However, He Sheng's current request was utterly insignificant, so it naturally did not refuse. It merely said,

"If that is the case, Greenie, lead Ah Sheng to Quiet Meditation Cave. It is secluded and tranquil, most suitable for quiet cultivation and contemplation."

"Many thanks for Senior's generosity!"

After He Sheng gave his thanks, the green water snake named Greenie immediately swam ahead to lead the way. It guided He Sheng through several twisting, narrow waterways until they arrived before a hidden water cave.

"Senior He, this is Quiet Meditation Cave."

This green snake, less than a zhang long, was merely a first-rank demon beast. Its aura was comparable to that of a mid Qi Refinement cultivator, so it naturally treated He Sheng with great respect.

He Sheng looked around, examining the layout of the surrounding waterways while taking out the azure parasol. The strange fish that had previously been stored inside it had already lost all signs of life.

"For our first meeting, let this be my greeting gift."

He Sheng casually took the strange fish from the parasol and handed it to the Green Snake. The little snake's vertical pupils immediately shone, its forked tongue flicking wildly as it drooled with desire.

"Immortal Master, do you truly mean it?"

"Of course."

The Green Snake immediately swallowed the strange fish in a single bite, its face full of satisfaction.

Taking the opportunity, He Sheng asked,

"Senior Black Tortoise has arranged this cave dwelling with true ingenuity. I wonder whether there are any other exits?

"In case of an emergency..."

Having received a benefit and seeing that He Sheng was friendly, the Green Snake naturally could not keep its mouth shut. It casually answered,

"Rest assured, Immortal Master. In our Longevity Pool Water Palace, we do not have much of anything, but the waterways are connected in all directions.

"Inside Quiet Meditation Cave alone, there is a hidden waterway that leads directly to an underground river."

As it spoke, the Green Snake pointed with its tail toward an inconspicuous corner within the water cave. He Sheng swept it with his divine sense and indeed saw a narrow, deep waterway.

Seeing this, He Sheng's heart settled completely, and he thought,

With this waterway, even if that suspected Core Formation cultivator truly comes knocking, as long as the Old Turtle delays them a little, I can quietly slip away through here without gods knowing or ghosts noticing!

Overjoyed, He Sheng took out some spirit stones and rewarded the Green Snake. Its delight grew even greater, and it completely opened the floodgates of conversation, chattering on and on.

"Speaking of Heaven Capital Mountain, things have been rather unsettled these past few years.

"Although the several Great Kings are bound by common cause, it is not as though there are no frictions between them.

"Especially a few years ago, when a major piece of news spread through the mountain. They said treasure light had appeared deep within Black Vine Ridge to the north. Several Great Kings sent people to investigate, and it seemed they discovered something extraordinary.

"The several Great Kings even fought fiercely over it, and half of Black Vine Ridge was beaten into nothing.

..."

He Sheng listened patiently, chiming in from time to time. Only after the Green Snake had exhausted every secret of the mountain it knew, the preferences of the great demons, and the division of their territories did he find an excuse to send it away.

After seeing off the Green Snake, He Sheng immediately entered the water cave. Only after confirming that the waterway leading to the underground river was truly clear and unobstructed did he finally set his mind at ease.

"With this escape route, I can properly regulate my breathing for a while."

He Sheng let out a long breath and sat cross-legged on a smooth bluestone.

Ever since awakening, he had been fleeing nonstop. He had never possessed much spiritual power to begin with, yet he could only grit his teeth and hold on.

His divine sense had also been greatly depleted. Though the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm was mysterious, applying it to divine sense brought some additional expenditure as well.

Now that he was within the Longevity Pool Water Palace, with the Old Turtle holding the front and an escape route at his side, He Sheng naturally prepared to properly regulate his breathing and recover.

He first swallowed several pills for restoring spiritual power. Feeling the medicinal power dissolve within him, he then attempted to imitate Brother Piao and sit in meditation, breathing and refining Qi.

Though he was somewhat unfamiliar with it at first, the Clear Billows Water Origin Art was not an especially profound cultivation technique. With Brother Piao's memories and experience, He Sheng quickly found the knack.

As the cultivation technique circulated, the spiritual Qi produced by the spirit fruits and wine he had consumed began to flow through his meridians. Compressed by the meridians and tempered by the technique, it transformed into droplet-like strands of spiritual power that finally gathered in the spiritual sea of his dantian.

One drop,

Ten drops,

A hundred drops,

It was as though rain were falling over the spiritual sea, droplets descending into it in threads and lines.

"According to the Clear Billows Water Origin Art, when the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage reaches its peak, the spiritual sea contains a total of three thousand six hundred drops of spiritual power.

"Even with pills to restore spiritual power, one complete Greater Celestial Circuit can restore at most seven or eight hundred drops of spiritual power.

..."

Thoughts turned through He Sheng's mind. According to Brother Piao's memories, he calculated that at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, one Greater Celestial Circuit took roughly half a shichen.

Less than half of the spiritual power in his spiritual sea had been restored. He wanted to continue regulating his breathing, but where would he find so much time?

After all, the person pursuing him was not very far behind.

I wonder whether the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm can be applied to the circulation of a cultivation technique?

A flash of inspiration struck He Sheng, and a thought suddenly arose.

It was not strange. He had already separated the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm from the water escape technique and applied it to divine sense perception, with tremendous success.

As soon as He Sheng thought of it, he acted. He immediately cast aside stray thoughts, visualized the "Subtle Ripple Intent Realm," and simultaneously circulated the Clear Billows Water Origin Art, attempting to merge the two.

Buzz...

He Sheng's perception seemed to transform into the finest net between heaven and earth, spreading throughout all of Longevity Pool.

Yet this perception differed from divine sense perception. It could actually "see" specks of five-colored light.

These light specks were minute traces of spiritual Qi. They were ordinarily invisible to the naked eye, scattered through heaven and earth in extremely thin quantities that ordinary cultivators could not possibly notice.

However, the water palace was different. Longevity Pool possessed a second-rank spirit vein, and that was precisely why the Old Turtle had established its water palace here.

The vast majority of the minute spiritual Qi He Sheng now "saw" originated from the spirit vein.

As he circulated his cultivation technique, this minute spiritual Qi seemed to be drawn toward him, surging in from all directions.

Pop!

An invisible ring of ripples seemed to spread around He Sheng.

Within the water vapor of the cave, countless transparent points of light were forcibly stripped away and drawn out, transforming into minute droplets invisible to the naked eye before entering his body directly!

The instant these droplets entered his body, they no longer needed to undergo cumbersome initial refinement. They immediately condensed into clusters within his meridians.

An amount of spiritual Qi that originally required at least the time it took to burn an incense stick to accumulate filled his meridians in merely a few breaths under the Intent Realm's enhancement.

Immediately after,

These clusters of spiritual Qi flowed into his dantian through the meridians like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, then fell into the spiritual sea in an unending downpour.

In a short time,

The spiritual power in his dantian recovered by nearly a thousand drops!

He Sheng had never imagined that after enhancing the Clear Billows Water Origin Art with the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm, even the method of breathing and cultivation would undergo a fundamental transformation.

The original method of cultivating the technique involved first circulating the technique after consuming spiritual food or pills and producing spiritual Qi within the body, drawing those wisps of spiritual Qi into the dantian.

Then, following the route required by the cultivation technique, one circulated the spiritual Qi through the meridians, using the pressure of the meridians and the technique's specific tempering to ultimately refine it into a particular kind of spiritual power.

Yet after enhancing it with the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm, not only could he directly absorb minute spiritual Qi from heaven and earth into his body, it also eliminated the later steps. It was simply a hundred rivers returning to the sea, spiritual power forming amid the gathering of subtle ripples.

"Moreover, after enhancing it with the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm, not only is the recovery speed of spiritual power nearly one-third faster than the orderly process of breathing and regulating my breath, the time spent is nearly halved."

He Sheng was overjoyed. He truly felt that comprehending the Subtle Ripple Intent Realm was like finding a treasure.

But in the next instant, something even more astonishing happened!

Crack...

Invisibly, something extremely solid seemed to shatter.

He Sheng hurriedly sensed it, only to discover that what had shattered was the cultivation bottleneck that had obstructed Brother Piao for three whole years, preventing him from breaking through no matter how hard he tried!