Pure Bathing Spirit Flow

"Master Chu Bai is here!"

The junior servant acting as the door guard at the Zhang Residence had sharp eyes. Spotting Chu Bai from afar, he trotted over with a smile, his attitude even more enthusiastic than last time. After all, Chu Bai was now the master's inner-door disciple, and his status was no longer what it used to be.

Chu Bai casually tossed the servant a few copper coins and walked into the estate amidst a chorus of profuse thanks.

Inside the quiet chamber, Daoist Zhang was perusing an ancient text. Seeing Chu Bai walk in carrying a gift, he put down the scroll, glanced at the tea box, and a smile touched the corner of his mouth.

"You child, didn't you just pay your formal respects yesterday? Why are you spending money again?"

"Yesterday was rushed, and this disciple prepared no modest gift, which left me uneasy in my heart." Chu Bai respectfully presented the tea pastries. "I heard that Master enjoys tea. This is just a little token of my disciple's sincerity, and I hope Master will kindly accept it."

"You have a heart."

Daoist Zhang nodded and signaled the young attendant to take the items away. Naturally, what he valued was not this bit of tea leaves, but Chu Bai's mindset of still knowing to respect his teacher and the Dao even in straitened circumstances.

When Chu Bai was seated, Daoist Zhang asked warmly, "You've come so early today. Could it be you've encountered some difficult doubts in your cultivation?"

"Master's insight is brilliant."

Chu Bai's expression turned solemn, and he recounted everything from his discoveries while cultivating in the crop ridges that morning to sensing the water spiritual qi by the Three-Bath River banks shortly afterward.

"Your disciple has only a superficial understanding of spiritual qi attributes and harbors doubts in my heart: since I have already drawn the Pure-Origin Spiritual Qi into my body, can I also concurrently cultivate this water-attribute spiritual qi? If they accidentally conflict, will it injure my foundation?"

After listening to Chu Bai's narration, a trace of surprise flashed in Daoist Zhang's eyes.

"You were actually able to precisely capture the fluctuations of water spiritual qi in that kind of chaotic environment?"

He took a deep look at Chu Bai, his mental evaluation of his youngest disciple's talent rising by another notch. The banks of the Three-Bath River were filled with lingering mist and mixed spiritual qi; ordinary Qi Refining Early-Stage cultivators might not even be able to tell them apart clearly, let alone Chu Bai, who hadn't yet officially entered Qi Refining.

"As for your worry..." Daoist Zhang smiled slightly and gave an affirmative reply. "You are naturally worrying excessively. This is not only feasible, but it is immensely beneficial."

"The greatest characteristic of Pure-Origin Spiritual Qi is that it is upright and peaceful, just like a sheet of white paper. It is attribute-less in itself, and thus it does not repel any attributes."

Daoist Zhang extended his hand, a wisp of faint white light condensing on his fingertips, and then a hint of blue slowly emerged within that white light.

"You absorbing water spiritual qi on the foundation of Pure-Origin Spiritual Qi is just like painting on white paper. As long as you aren't greedy and biting off more than you can chew, letting the water spiritual qi completely overwhelm the dominant position of the Pure-Origin Spiritual Qi, there will be no conflict."

"Furthermore," Daoist Zhang changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of guidance. "The lands of Qingzhou are crisscrossed with waterways, and our Anping County is built right along the river. Cultivating water methods here can be described as uniquely advantageous."

"Firstly, water qi is abundant, making cultivation resources easy to find; secondly, whether you wish to strive for an official post in the Qingzhou Water Bureau in the future, or plot a chore driving fish and regulating water locally, this water method is the capital for establishing oneself and making a living."

"Your Senior Brother walked this path back then, and now he is thriving in the Water Office."

Chu Bai listened, nodding repeatedly, and the misgivings in his heart completely dissipated.

"This disciple understands! Then I will go and try to absorb that water spiritual qi tomorrow."

"Wait a moment."

Just as Chu Bai prepared to stand up and take his leave, Daoist Zhang suddenly restrained his smile, his expression turning stern.

"Opportunities are often accompanied by risks. Since you are going to leave the city to cultivate in the wild, there is one point you must know."

"And that is—killing intent."

"Killing intent?" Chu Bai's heart tightened.

"Indeed," Daoist Zhang said in a deep voice. "Do you know why cultivators mostly prefer to reside within the city? It is precisely because the Great Zhou Celestial Court has set up a 'Law Net' grand array in every county town. This Law Net can not only suppress demons and monsters, but it can even filter the impurities between heaven and earth."

"The spiritual qi inside the city has been combed through by the Law Net; it is clean and gentle. Whereas the wild..."

Daoist Zhang pointed to the sky outside the window. "Although the spiritual qi there is denser and more active, it is also mixed with wandering killing intent between heaven and earth."

"Especially that Three-Bath River; deep pools conceal nature spirits, and the killing intent there is even heavier by a few notches than elsewhere."

"If you carelessly inhale killing intent, the best-case scenario is stinging meridians and irritable emotions, while the worst is deviation of Qi and the mind, or even mutating into half-man, half-monster freaks!"

Chu Bai broke out in a cold sweat listening to this. Previously, he only felt that it was a treasure land, never expecting it to harbor such hidden dangers.

"Master, what should be done then?"

"No matter." Daoist Zhang pulled a thin booklet from the bookshelf and handed it to Chu Bai. "This is a simple 'Qi-Filtering Method'. When cultivating in the wild, remember not to be greedy for speed. After inhaling every breath of spiritual qi, you must first use this method to filter it once through your meridians, weeding out those turbid killing intents, before you may draw it into the Dantian."

"Although this will be a bit slower, on the path of cultivation, steadiness comes first. By no means ruin your foundation for the sake of that sliver of speed."

Chu Bai received the booklet with both hands and bowed solemnly. "This disciple will strictly remember Master's teachings! I would rather be three points slower, and never covet a quick merit."

"Go."

Stepping out of the Zhang Residence, the midday sunlight was somewhat dazzling, baking the bluestone slab road until it was scalding.

Chu Bai stood at the street corner, pondering slightly.

"Since I've already asked for leave from the Academy, and Master's side has also been briefed, today's afternoon Inner-Door Instruction has a justified reason for absence."

"Rather than going back to waste time, I might as well strike while the iron is hot and go take a look at that riverbank right now!"

At this thought, Chu Bai's heart burned with heat.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chu Bai exited the city gate, locked onto his direction, and broke into a full sprint.

If it were the past, running ten li would probably cost him half his life. But now, after over a month of "meat nourishment" and "beating training," his physique was no longer what it used to be.

The muscles of his legs tensed and exerted force, wind rising beneath his feet, and he ran continuously for nearly half an hour until that surging Three-Bath River appeared in his field of vision once more, whereupon he slowly came to a halt.

"Whew... I actually don't feel tired at all, and instead feel my whole body's Qi and blood uninhibited and delightfully smooth."

Chu Bai wiped a trace of sweat, feeling his still-steady heartbeat, quite satisfied with his current physical fitness.

Arriving at the riverbank, the midday Three-Bath River was yet another scene entirely.

With the blazing sun high in the sky, the wide water surface rippled, reflecting dazzling golden light.

The hazy layer of thin mist from early morning had long since dispersed, along with the active water spiritual qi, which seemed to have grown much more lazy.

Chu Bai concentrated and sensed.

Within that steaming heat, that cluster of special water spiritual qi had not vanished; it was merely hidden deeper, no longer dancing as merrily as it had in the morning.

"Sure enough, the environment has an immense impact on spiritual qi."

"Had it not been for the morning coinciding with fog, coupled with the sharp perception brought by the new fate destiny, I'm afraid I truly wouldn't have discovered this treasure land."

Chu Bai rejoiced inwardly. Although the activity of the spiritual qi was slightly lower now, it had the advantage of broad daylight and an expansive view, making it all the more secure for him practicing in the wild for the very first time.

He looked around all directions and found a secluded shallows obscured by dense reeds. The terrain here was slightly elevated, allowing him to touch the water surface while making it difficult for passing fishing boats to spot him.

Certain that there was nobody around, Chu Bai sat cross-legged.

"Let's try drawing that wispy strand into the body first."

Chu Bai took a deep breath, not directly operating the Lesser Qi-Gathering Art, but instead visualizing the "Qi-Filtering Method" imparted by his master within his mind.

His mind stirred, and an invisible sieve seemed to slowly open at the entrance of his meridians.

Having made protective measures, he then cautiously probed out his Divine Sense to guide that strand of pale blue aura wandering on the water surface.

It's coming!

Along with his respiration and breathing, a trace of extremely faint coolness burrowed into his body through his pores.

Diametrically opposed to the heavy and steady feeling of Pure-Origin Spiritual Qi, this water spiritual qi was just like a slippery little fish, swimming merrily the moment it entered the body, exceptionally nimble.

Yet when passing through that "Qi-Filtering" sieve, Chu Bai distinctly felt a wisp of grayish-black impurities being forcibly intercepted, transforming into a trace of feverish turbid qi that was expelled out of the body.

"So this is killing intent..."

Chu Bai's heart grew slightly solemn. Without Master's guidance, if this killing intent entered the body and accumulated over time, it was feared real trouble would indeed erupt.

After stripping away the impurities, that wisp of pure water spiritual qi finally flowed smoothly along the meridians and slowly converged into the Dantian Qi Sea.

Hum—

The previously calm cluster of Pure-Origin Spiritual Qi within the Dantian trembled slightly, promptly welcoming this outsider in.

The two did not conflict; instead, it was like a drop of blue ink falling into clear water, rapidly merging and diffusing. The originally colorless vortex now faintly glowed with a wisp of pale secluded blue.

An unprecedented sensation of moisture filled his whole body, as if a dried-up riverbed had been traversed by a clear spring, and even his meridians seemed to have become somewhat more resilient.

"This is kind of great..."

Chu Bai couldn't help emitting a low moan.

This gentle, nimble touch that could also cleanse the body and mind caused a flash of inspiration to cross his mind, suddenly recalling a passage taught in the Academy's Qingzhou Gazetteer miscellaneous talks class.

"Qingzhou's water systems are numerous, and the types of spiritual qi are complex. There is the 'Cold Nether Qi' produced in deep pools, which is icy and bone-chilling; there is also the 'Boiling Fire Essence' produced in hot springs, which is scorchingly hot..."

"As for this kind of spiritual qi produced by the banks of great rivers, erratic in whereabouts, gentle in temperament, and possessing purifying properties..."

"It is the 'Pure Bathing Spirit Flow'!"

Chu Bai abruptly opened his eyes, his gaze brimming with pleasant surprise.

Although this Pure Bathing Spirit Flow could not be counted as some kind of rare treasure of heaven and earth, to cultivators, it had miraculous efficacy in warming and nourishing meridians and elevating the purity of spiritual qi!

Even someone who did not cultivate water methods could make their foundation even more solid and reduce the risk of Qi deviation if they could absorb this qi long-term.

"I never imagined I'd pick up a windfall!"

An ownerless and relatively stable spiritual flow like this might not amount to much in those major sects, but in a small place like Anping County, it was definitely a scarce resource.

Chu Bai suppressed his excited emotions, closed his eyes once more, and began to greedily inhale and exhale.

This time, he was even more adept.

As wisps of the Pure Bathing Spirit Flow were filtered, purified, and absorbed, the spiritual qi reserves within his Dantian were growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Not knowing how much time had passed, until he felt his meridians vaguely swelling somewhat, did Chu Bai slowly conclude his cultivation.

"After this round of cultivation, although I only absorbed a fraction, its quality definitely surpasses what is gained on ordinary days!"

Chu Bai stood up, looking at the calm and expansive river surface before him, rejoicing inwardly.

With this treasure land, coupled with the blessing of the new fate destiny, his certainty in breaking through to Qi Refining had grown by another fraction.

"These recent days, I must seize the time; this spiritual qi is not static and unchanging."

Chu Bai took a deep breath, preparing to turn and leave.

Suddenly, his gaze paused on the water surface not far away.

The water ripples that had been calm there seemed to... sway unnaturally, stirring up an extremely minute circle of ripples.

As if something had been disturbed underwater.

Chu Bai looked closely, yet found nothing at all; only the river water continued to surge eastward.

"Was it an illusion? Or a passing big fish?"

A sliver of vigilance rose in Chu Bai's heart. The Three-Bath River was a baleful place after all, and he still couldn't be careless.

"Coming here to cultivate in the future, I must be all the more cautious."

Making up his mind, Chu Bai lingered no longer, rapidly crossing the reed marsh and vanishing at the edge of the fields.