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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 14 (41): [The Fourth Spring]
(14th of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi sat cross-legged, his hands forming the Yin-Yang Tai Chi Seal as he practiced the Jade Void (Yuxu) Breathing Technique.
The Blue-and-White bone Urn bounced before him, saying, "Dharma (Law) is the power of heaven and earth, present in every corner. A speck of dust, a wisp of air, a river, a mountain - it exists everywhere, both large and small."
"But the distribution of Dharma (Law) across heaven and earth isn't uniform."
"In ordinary soil, rock, and dust, Dharma (Law) is sparse and barren. Where precious herbs grow, where Martial-Mystic Cultivators gather, where Heaven-Law Earth Springs exist... Dharma (Law) naturally flourishes, making it more suitable for cultivation."
Zhao Meng, standing nearby, asked,
"Martial-Mystic Cultivators gathering in one place makes it more suitable for cultivation?"
"Exactly!"
The Blue-and-White Bone Urn replied. "Dharma (Law)-Martial Holy Lands can be created artificially. Imagine a place where many Martial-Mystic Cultivators gather, all opening Spring and practicing Breathing Techniques. The Dharma (Law) of heaven and earth would naturally converge there, making the region's Dharma (Law) incredibly dense."
"Sometimes, a top-tier Martial-Mystic expert can draw Law from a thousand-mile radius through their Breathing Technique or the surging of their Nine Springs. Wherever they are, that place becomes a Law-Martial Holy Land."
"When one attains the enlightenment (Dao), all of his companions, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."
"Of course, top-tier Martial Law experts, Martial-Mystic Cultivators, and Heaven-Law Earth Springs often appear together. Who wouldn't want to combine these strengths to create the ultimate cultivation ground?"
"That's why the Prefectural Giant Cities are usually the best places to cultivate in a province. Not only do Martial-Mystic Cultivators gather there, but ancient people, when choosing locations for cities, would certainly select places with Heaven-Law Earth Springs."
"I won't even mention the Spring Surge Realm. In a Prefectural Giant City, it's definitely easier to break through the Spring Realm. By the Five Seas Realm, the advantage becomes even more significant."
"Your greatest advantage is the Breathing Technique you've been practicing since childhood."
"Your Breathing Technique allows you to draw in far more and faster Law from heaven and earth than other Cultivators at the same level, making it naturally easier to break through the Spring Realm."
"Li Weiyi, have you felt a throbbing sensation in the palm of your left hand?"
Li Weiyi shook his head.
Senior Jar said, "Today, I'll teach you a powerful technique: "Spring Wall-Breaking Technique"."
"The Laogong Acupoint in the palm of your left hand is the gate to the Spring. But there's a barrier in place. You must shatter it to open the Spring and channel the spiritual power surging in from heaven and earth."
"Originally, every Cultivator had to grind away bit by bit, like water dripping through stone."
"But that's too slow," Senior Jar continued, "We have excellent conditions. With the Blood Qi of Golden Crow Blood nourishing your body, we can afford to be more aggressive."
"Well... it's just the palm, after all. It's not the Fifth Spring, the central nexus at the back, or the Sixth Spring, the Tantan acupoint in the chest. Nothing will go wrong."
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything. The more Senior Jar spoke, the more Li Weiyi's heart pounded with anxiety.
He had a nagging feeling that he might end up crippling his hand.
"Senior Jar, shouldn't we play it safe?" Zhao Meng asked, concerned.
"It's perfectly safe, trust me. This technique is a secret treasure of our Sect. I wouldn't teach it to just anyone!"
Senior Jar was brimming with confidence as he began his instructions: "First, drink a jar of Golden Crow Blood to bring your Blood Qi to its peak. Then, channel all the spiritual power surging from your already opened Three Springs. At the moment you inhale using the Breathing Technique, direct it all toward your left arm... Just your left arm. The spiritual power will naturally flow to your palm..."
"Adjust your breathing and try again."
"Inhale! Release the spiritual power!"
"Adjust your breathing and try again."
"Boom!"
Li Weiyi charged again and again, his left arm gradually becoming excruciatingly painful. He could no longer form the Yin-Yang Tai Chi Seal, and it hung limp at his side.
Zhao Meng saw that Li Weiyi was in trouble and immediately rushed over, shouting angrily, "This so-called supreme technique has no prowess! Our respect and trust are for the Bronze Ship's Master, not you! If you harm my Junior Brother, I'll throw you into the Blood Sea!"
Senior Jar retorted, "He's only in the Spring Surge Realm. How much prowess can there be?"
"Stop arguing! I think I felt a tremor in my palm!"
After his left arm recovered, Li Weiyi raised his hand.
"Whoosh!"
Following the tremor, a bone-chilling wave of spiritual power surged forth from his palm. At the same time, Silver Veins began to extend from the Spring, spreading throughout his entire body.
Li Weiyi once again formed the Yin-Yang Tai Chi Seal and sat cross-legged.
More and more Veins rooted themselves in his left palm, eventually totaling eleven - the same number as in his right palm.
With this, the total number of Veins throughout his body reached forty-eight.
The Bone Urn, Spirit Tablet, and Stone Coffin - the Three Remnant Souls - were all watching Li Weiyi's progress.
Before long, a faint layer of silver spiritual Qi appeared on his palm, marking the initial stage of spiritual power overflow.
In the body, it manifests as strength; when released, it transforms into Qi.
The Three Remnant Souls, having seen much in their long existence, were not particularly shocked or shaken by this sight.
However, they secretly gained confidence, finally feeling a sliver of hope that they could complete the task entrusted to them by the Bronze Warship Master within ten years.
Ten Years to Forge Immortality!
Before this, they had held no confidence whatsoever.
Senior Jar muttered to himself, "I thought it would take two or three days, with a dozen attempts, before he succeeded."
Li Weiyi stood up, his Blood Qi surging, his spirit so vibrant he could probably stay awake for days. He solemnly faced the Blue-and-White Bone Urn, bowed deeply, and changed his address: "Thank you, Master Guan, for your guidance!"
Li Weiyi knew full well that the Three Remnant Souls wouldn't have willingly become his guides without a reason.
Perhaps it was the Bronze Warship Master's command, or perhaps they had been promised some reward.
Regardless, he had indeed learned something.
The Spring Wall-Breaking technique wasn't particularly profound, but without their guidance, he would never have dared to attempt it on his own.
In the future, this move might prove useful in critical moments.
Even the Remnant Corpse in the Stone Coffin's words had given Li Weiyi much to ponder and reflect upon.
Zhao Meng said, "See? This is the character of our sect. We absolutely revere our teachers and value loyalty. If someone genuinely helps us even a little, we'll repay them tenfold."
Senior Guan (Jar) replied, "This is just the beginning. I've learned much more in my life... Well, I'll definitely share everything I know. By the way, once we return to the Lingxiao Habitat, we must quickly settle in a Prefectural Giant City. Only these cities sell Spring-Breaking Needles, which will speed up your cultivation. The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Springs will be much harder to break through. Let's aim to break through them within six months."
"Oh, do you have any money from this world?"
"Renting a mansion in a Giant City isn't cheap."
Li Weiyi did have some money, obtained from looting corpses, but he didn't know how expensive Master Guan meant by "expensive."
He said, "I heard Blood Sea Otherworld Coffins in this world are quite valuable. Should we salvage a few before we leave?"
The Remnant Corpse in the Stone Coffin said, "That's smuggling coffins. If the Enforcement Guard of the Jiu Li Clan catches you, the consequences will be severe."
Master Guan had already revealed the Remnant Corpse's identity earlier, suggesting a deep connection to the Jiu Li Clan.
Senior Spirit Tablet said, "The Otherworld Coffins are right here, and we're short on money. Why not salvage them? Wei Yi, you can hide the salvaged coffins in your Evil Camel Bell and then sell them discreetly at the Spirit Market in the Netherrealm."
The Remnant Corpse in the Stone Coffin, facing his wife, chose to compromise: "We don't necessarily have to go to the Spirit Market. Every Prefectural Giant City is sure to have an underground trading venue."
"We'll discuss retrieving the coffin when we leave tomorrow," Master Guan said, "Wei Yi, besides the overflow of your spiritual power, have you noticed any other changes since breaking through the Fourth Spring?"
Li Weiyi's Four Springs surged simultaneously, erupting spiritual power from his limbs.
He then began practicing the Twelve Dispersed Hands of the Chan Sect on the Floating Coffin.
After completing the sequence, he felt exhilarated.
"It's as if forty-eight Veins throughout my body have been unblocked!" he exclaimed, "Whether it's a punch or footwork, I feel like I can unleash my full strength at will. My combat power has increased more than with any of the previous Three Springs."
Next, Li Weiyi channeled his spiritual power through his Silver Veins, directing it toward his eyes.
In the mist, his visual range doubled.
He then channeled the power to his ears, and his hearing rapidly expanded.
In the distance, he could hear the gentle rocking of the Floating Coffin in the water, the sound of the wind, even the rustling of the mist... and a light, familiar footstep...
Li Weiyi's eyes snapped open.
With a whoosh, he leaped onto the top of the six-meter-tall giant coffin behind him, gazing in the direction of the footsteps.
The people below, including the Three Residual Soul, grew tense.
Zhao Meng stood up, tiptoed, and peered into the distance behind the giant coffin, whispering, "What's wrong?"
"Someone's coming!" Li Weiyi knew who it was.
Zhao Meng noticed the wariness in Li Weiyi's eyes and realized the visitor was hostile. His muscles tensed instantly.
Moments later, a slender, graceful young woman appeared in Zhao Meng's field of vision, her feet tracing a Blue Mist Light Trace.
He was stunned.
She didn't look like a fearsome villain at all.
She seemed gentle and delicate, with a delicate, charming appearance like a night elf.
"Brother Xie Jin, I finally found you! How could you leave me alone?"
Li Ling hurried forward, her eyes filled with both resentment and a hint of vulnerability.
Li Weiyi took a moment to realize that "Brother Xie Jin" was calling him.
"Thump!"
Jumping down from the giant coffin, Li Weiyi blocked Li Ling from approaching the research team members, fearing her intentions were malicious.
Li Ling looked past him, her face lighting up with genuine warmth as she greeted them.
"You must be Brother Xie Jin's companions! Hello, it's nice to meet you all."
Her eyes curved like crescent moons, her gaze sincere. Her smile revealed pearly white teeth, and her youthful, adorable face made her look utterly innocent.
Zhao Meng strode forward, appearing behind Li Weiyi.
"You call him 'Brother Xie Jin'? Who is this girl?" he asked with a laugh.
Li Ling feigned being startled by his imposing figure, her face paling as she ducked behind Li Weiyi's chest: "Of course it's Brother Xie Jin," she whispered, "Doesn't he go by that name?"
Zhao Meng gave Li Weiyi a strange look.
Li Weiyi quickly moved away, wary of letting Li Ling get too close.
"How did you find me here?" he asked suspiciously.
It was too strange.
Logically, they were separated by a vast distance, and there was no way Li Ling could have pinpointed his location so precisely.
His vigilance was high, and he was certain she hadn't been following him from the start.
He suspected she might have tampered with him somehow.
Seeing Li Weiyi's cold gaze, Li Ling froze, as if in disbelief.
Tears gradually welled in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She looked down at the ground, as if deeply wronged, and whispered, "I'm the one who brought you out of the Death Mist Domain, but you left me alone at the Coffin Dock Ferry. I thought you didn't want me anymore!"
Zhao Meng sensed a story between his Junior Brother and the woman, but his curiosity wasn't purely that of a bystander.
He noticed something amiss and asked, "Miss, I'm your... Brother Xie Jin's Senior Brother. I'm just a bit tall, but I'm not a bad person. You're so young, and this place is so dark and dangerous. Why are you here alone? Aren't you afraid?"
Li Ling glanced at Li Weiyi and whispered, "Brother Xie Jin needs to return to find you, but he can't cross the Death Mist Domain on his own. Only I can help him. But after we left the Domain, he abandoned me!"
Zhao Meng frowned, glancing at Li Weiyi, thinking his Junior Brother was being rather unfair.
But another question lingered: "You've only known each other for a short time. Why would you go to such lengths to help him?"
Li Ling's face radiated the blissful glow of a young woman in love, "Though we've only just met, we've already faced life and death together..."
"You'd better stop talking and stop stirring up trouble," Li Weiyi interrupted, "What do you really want?"
He suspected Li Ling would spin a wildly implausible tale.
Li Ling immediately fell silent, tears the size of beans welling up uncontrollably and plopping onto the ground with a soft patter.
Everyone present felt a pang of sympathy and heartache watching her.
Finally, Zhao Meng spoke up: "Junior Brother, I shouldn't interfere in such matters, and I can't really help, but what harm is there in letting her finish her story?"
Li Ling choked back tears and said, "We encountered enemies in Burial Immortal Town. We faced life and death together. He saved me. I promised to give myself to him, and he said he liked my cold demeanor."
"I took his hand first, and I put my arms around his neck. He didn't resist. He carried me on his back when I was severely injured, so gentle and caring."
"I promised to lead him out of the Death Mist Domain to find his companions... without asking for anything in return."
"I also told him that I would find 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 we left the Death Mist Domain... he... sob..."
"I swear on the Jiu Li Gods that if I'm lying, may I die a horrible death. Senior Brother, I know you only trust your Junior Brother, but I swear every word I've said is true!"
Zhao Meng was completely at a loss.
The Three Remnant Souls had been watching with detached amusement, but when she dared to swear on the Jiu Li Gods, they grew serious.
Lying to the gods could literally kill someone.
From the stone coffin behind them, the Remnant Corpse couldn't help but speak: "Child, never swear lightly on the name of the Jiu Li Gods. It's not a joke. Your oath will be fulfilled."
"I know, of course I know," Li Ling nodded frantically through her tears.
"His name isn't Xie Jin. It's Li Weiyi," Senior Spirit Tablet said, clearly angered.
He believed Li Weiyi's character was flawed, having deceived a Jiu Li Clan girl in her early teens, manipulated her, and then discarded her.
And he had deceived her emotionally.
No wonder he had told them to take a detour.
Li Ling turned to Li Weiyi, her eyes questioning and tinged with resentment.
"Li... Wei... Yi... Is this really your true name? Why... why did you lie to me?"
Li Weiyi's head throbbed.
"Junior Brother, your Senior Brother knows you best. There's absolutely nothing wrong with your character," Zhao Meng said to the others, then lowered his voice to ask, "This name, Xie Jin, doesn't seem like she made it up on the spot."
"Did you really say those things?"
"Did you really do those things?"
"Lying about your name is a minor issue compared to that."
Li Weiyi was deeply impressed.
Li Ling's level of skill far surpassed her age.
If her acting had been even slightly less convincing, or if she hadn't been so young, she never would have fooled these seasoned veterans who had seen through countless people.
If he had been in Li Weiyi's shoes, faced with a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl swearing on her life, tearfully recounting a story of betrayal and abandonment, every word ringing true, he too would have felt both rage and sympathy.
Seeing Li Weiyi's hesitation, his failure to immediately deny or defend himself, Zhao Meng's head began to throb as well.
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END OF CHAPTER
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