Time flows on, and a year later...
[Congratulations, host, for successfully checking in at the Azure Dragon Immortal Abode - Weak Water Lake and obtaining the Weak Water Origin Crystal.]
[The Dao essence here has been exhausted. Please find the next place with abundant Dao essence.]
The long-awaited system notification sound, which only Han Xuanji could hear, rang clearly in his mind.
"Finally, I've checked in again!"
Han Xuanji appeared outwardly calm, but inwardly she was secretly delighted.
"After absorbing this Primal Crystal, my comprehension of the Weak Water Principle should be firmly at twelve percent."
Over the past year, the rewards from signing in have mostly been special Spirit Stone formed from the Weak Water Principle. While absorbing them has an effect on improving one's understanding of the Principle, it is far less direct and rapid than the Primal Crystal.
With a slight thought, Han Xuanji quietly absorbed the newly acquired Origin Crystal within his body, and his insights into the Principle flowed through his heart like warm spring water.
The azure aura surrounding him seemed to solidify slightly, becoming more restrained and profound.
This day.
The scenery by the Weak Water Lake seemed not much different from the first day at the Immortal Abode.
The cultivators who come here to seek enlightenment have not changed much in their positions, just like a few stubborn rocks on the shore.
A year is but a fleeting moment for cultivators, but for those who are struggling to comprehend the truth by the Weak Water, it is an exceptionally agonizing time.
Most of them had only grasped a superficial understanding and were still affected by the Weak Water. Compared to their initial high spirits and excitement upon arriving at this treasure land, their eyes now carried a hint of weariness that was hard to conceal.
Han Xuanji remained perched on the smooth, black rock closest to the lake.
A year has passed, and his figure seems to have completely merged with the dark and heavy lake shore. His aura is calm as an abyss, unfathomable, and a layer of faint energy surrounds him, which is the manifestation of the perfect fusion of the Weak Water Principle and his own spiritual power.
After experiencing a sudden enlightenment upon absorbing the precious crystal of the Water Dao Origin for the first time, Han Xuanji became unusually low-key in his subsequent cultivation.
After that, Han Xuanji did not cause any noteworthy fluctuations.
This low-key approach caused a subtle shift in the mindset of those who were initially shocked, envious, and jealous.
"It seems that his earth-shattering enlightenment only accelerated his entry into the Dao; his subsequent progress appears to have hit a bottleneck."
The young cultivator from the Divine Water Sect pondered to himself, looking at Han Xuanji's figure, which had barely moved an inch in the past year. His confidence, which had been shattered, began to grow again.
"The path of cultivation is so long, what can a temporary lead prove?"
Although my progress this year has been slow, I have at least begun to grasp the basics. My spiritual energy has been repeatedly refined and is much more solid and pure than before.
If we persevere, we might just be able to surpass them!
The blue-robed cultivator, however, had a more pragmatic and peaceful mindset, even tinged with a hint of respect. "To be able to sit motionless for a whole year in the area closest to the Weak Water Lake, enduring the greatest erosive pressure..."
This strength, this composure, this willpower are all extraordinary!
What he can do, I might be able to do too!
With this in mind, he cleared his mind of distractions and focused more intently on his understanding.
However, just as everyone had their own thoughts and thought that these peaceful, monotonous days would continue,
"Twelve percent... that's enough."
Han Xuanji silently sensed the progress of the Weak Water Principle and the sense of ease that made him almost immune to the heavy pressure of the Weak Water Lake.
He slowly and calmly opened his eyes.
Han Xuanji's gaze passed over the dark, unfathomable lake water and landed on the Lake Center Pavilion in the center of the lake, which was faintly visible.
There was no earth-shattering fanfare, just a simple act of getting up.
However, this action was like a thunderclap from a clear sky to the other cultivators by the lake.
All the cultivators, who were immersed in their own insights or thoughts, were suddenly jolted awake from their meditation or contemplation, and their eyes were all focused on the figure that had finally left the black stone!
"What... what is he going to do?"
"He's made progress again... wait, his goal... is the center of the lake?"
The blue-robed cultivator suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.
The Divine Water Sect cultivator froze, utterly incredulous. "Could it be... he can already...?"
Under the gazes of everyone, some shocked, some envious, Han Xuanji remained calm and composed.
Then, under the breathless gaze of everyone...
Take a step forward.
"Splash..."
There was no earth-shattering sound, only the very faint sound of water splashing.
His feet landed firmly on the surface of the legendary Weak Water Lake, which was said to be able to dissolve all things and was as heavy as an abyss.
A faint ripple spread across the dark lake water beneath his feet. The terrifying corrosive power that could extinguish the brilliance of Law Treasure and stagnate the spiritual energy of powerful cultivators had no effect on Han Xuanji at this moment.
He really stepped onto the Weak Water Lake!
Moreover, it's like walking on flat ground!
At this moment, the lakeside was deathly silent.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath, their eyes wide open, staring intently at the figure standing on the dark lake surface.
The shock of Han Xuanji's enlightenment a year ago is insignificant compared to the sheer horror of actually stepping into the Weak Water before my eyes.
After all, in the past, there have been peerless geniuses who mastered the Weak Water Principle in just a few years, could take ten steps into the lake in ten years, and advance a hundred steps in twenty years.
The highest record is 231 steps.
Legend has it that it takes only three hundred steps to reach the Lake Center Pavilion in the middle of the lake and claim this fortuitous opportunity.
Unfortunately, no one has done it yet!
Han Xuanji ignored the piercing gazes behind him.
A faint smile curved his lips; he was also somewhat curious about the fortuitous opportunity at the pavilion in the middle of the Lake Center Pavilion.
Why not take advantage of it?
" The Lake Center Pavilion... fortuitous opportunity left behind by the Azure Dragon Imperial Lord."
With a determined gaze, Han Xuanji took a second step, then a third step, and so on, steadily moving forward towards the pavilion in the middle of the Lake Center Pavilion.
Every step felt like stepping on the hearts of everyone present.
"Ten steps..."
"Thirty... wait, what exactly is he going to do?"
Someone exclaimed in surprise.
Han Xuanji's steps were frighteningly steady.
The Weak Water seemed to have no effect on him; normally, the difficulty would increase significantly every ten steps forward.
In a short period of time, Han Xuanji had already covered a hundred steps.
In the blink of an eye, a third of the distance had been covered.