The orchid appeared even more enchanting than before, swaying joyfully within the jade pool as if welcoming Qin Sang's return.
In just two short months, the spring water in the pool had nearly filled to the brim.
The most dramatic change lay in that piece of tree root. Countless rootlets had sprouted from it, clasping the spirit spring and piercing deep into the jade pool, melding seamlessly into the jade until the root seemed to have come alive.
Looking closer, one could see that these were not genuine tree roots, but strange tendrils born from the union of the jade pool and the wood. The two appeared to be merging.
What brought Qin Sang the greatest joy, however, was the spirit spring itself. Where before there had been only the faint, illusory phantom of an eye of the spring, an embryonic form was now plainly visible!
Recalling the records about spirit springs he had researched earlier, Qin Sang realized that at this rate, once the jade pool and tree root truly fused into a spirit spring object, the spring would fully take shape in less than a year. He might even make it in time for the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace to activate their ancient teleportation array, allowing him to teleport directly to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.
Shaohua Mountain and the Ancient Immortal Battlefield were located at opposite ends of the Lesser Cold Domain—one in the far south, the other in the extreme north. Between them lay not only the bustling mortal realm, but also the vast, desolate northern ice plains. They were separated by far more than a hundred thousand li; even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator flew without pause, the journey would take a tremendous amount of time.
Yet by taking an ancient teleportation array, one could arrive in an instant.
In the present cultivation world, however, ancient teleportation arrays had become exceedingly rare. Whatever the case might be elsewhere, within the Lesser Cold Domain, those known publicly could be counted on one hand. Only the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace possessed one that could reach the fringes of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. Even Shaohua Mountain lacked such an array. If one wished to avoid flying the entire distance oneself, borrowing passage through the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace was the only option.
This was because the construction methods for ancient teleportation arrays—like many ancient traditions—had long since been lost to history. Furthermore, many of the rare spirit materials required to construct them were entirely extinct in the cultivation world.
Even the Yuanshen Sect, which possessed the greatest mastery over the dao of formations, could not replicate an ancient teleportation array. Their greatest achievement to date had merely been repairing one that had suffered minimal damage.
When traveling via teleportation array, a cultivator had to withstand immense spatial pressure during the transit. Over short distances it was manageable, but if the distance was too vast and the cultivator's cultivation insufficient, the spatial pressure would crush them to powder in an instant. This was precisely what made ancient teleportation arrays so extraordinary: they could shield a cultivator from that overwhelming spatial pressure, ensuring safe transit.
No one had ever been able to solve this dilemma. The major sects of the Lesser Cold Domain had tested it before, but whenever an array was calibrated for excessive distances, the expendable cultivators sent inside invariably met certain death.
The teleportation arrays that could be constructed in the modern cultivation world could only transmit someone over a distance of roughly a hundred li at most. Yet their construction costs were exorbitant, and operating them required spending spirit stones.
A mere hundred li meant virtually nothing to a cultivator, hardly worth wasting spirit stones on. Aside from specialized purposes, the various sects generally refused to squander resources building large numbers of teleportation arrays.
Because so few ancient teleportation arrays remained in existence, and repairing them once damaged was impossible, cultivation sects were exceptionally cautious when using them. The array at the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace was activated only once every ten years, and it was strictly one-way—a departure with no return.
Rogue cultivators and those from smaller sects had to pay a substantial sum in spirit stones to ride the ancient teleportation array. However, Shaohua Mountain and the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace jointly garrisoned Xuanlu Pass and shared mutual responsibilities of defense and assistance, so disciples of Shaohua Mountain were permitted to use it free of charge.
Qin Sang had previously inquired with Martial Uncle Wen via voice transmission talisman and learned that less than a year remained until the next activation. If the spirit spring formed quickly enough, he would be able to make it in time.
Of course, whether he made it in time or not, Qin Sang was fully determined to go to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.
Seeing that his method had indeed worked, Qin Sang was overjoyed, but he also had to replan his itinerary. With less than a year remaining, the most urgent priority was finding an exceptionally well-concealed spirit vein. Only by transplanting the spring there once it took shape could he venture into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield with peace of mind.
The fringes of the Yuncang Great Marsh teemed with cultivators, so it would be best to settle the spirit spring deep in the interior of the marsh.
With that in mind, Qin Sang set aside any thought of entering secluded cultivation. He sealed his cave dwelling once more and flew toward Shaohua Mountain on his flying sword.
For the time being, he did not plan to bring the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid or the spirit spring into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.
For one, he was unfamiliar with the battlefield, a place rife with chaos where finding a secure sanctuary was extraordinarily difficult.
Second, his cultivation had not yet reached the point where cultivating in a cave dwelling with a spirit spring was an absolute necessity. The Ancient Immortal Battlefield possessed abundant spiritual power, and his sect would arrange suitable grounds for cultivation. That was one of the perks of belonging to an established sect.
***
After meeting Sect Master Yu at Sect Master Peak, Qin Sang reported his intention to go to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield and ride the ancient teleportation array. He then accepted a batch of sect assignments deep in the Yuncang Great Marsh and departed without delay, heading straight for the marsh's interior.
Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, half a year passed.
During this period, Qin Sang was exceptionally busy traversing the marsh. He forged acquaintances with fellow cultivators, handled minor tasks for the sect, hunted demon beasts alongside comrades, and even explored an ancient cultivator's abode. Unfortunately, that ancient residence had not been well hidden and had long since been looted clean.
The rewards had been entirely disproportionate to the energy expended.
Nevertheless, Qin Sang had successfully located an exceptionally secluded spirit vein, making the journey well worth the effort.
The spirit vein was not particularly small, yet it was remarkably concealed, hidden deep within the boundless waters with no valuable spirit herbs or materials produced in the vicinity. As long as it was sealed with the Xuanming Tortoise Shell Formation, it would remain perfectly safe.
Half a year later, a travel-worn Qin Sang returned to the sect to collect his compensation. He then headed to the Wenyue Cultivation Market and handed all the spirit materials he had acquired during this time over to Shopkeeper Wu.
Qin Sang had only come across a single Demon Spirit stage demon beast, and because he had hunted it alongside many other cultivators, his share of the carcass was modest. It was insufficient to craft an Essence-Devouring Awl, so he selected a few small magic tools with specialized uses and asked Shopkeeper Wu to help forge them.
Returning to his cave dwelling with mingled anticipation and nervous suspense, Qin Sang's eyes instantly lit up.
The spirit spring object in the jade pool had undergone a complete transformation. The tree root and a piece of jade had fused tightly together into a peculiar shape, with a dainty hollow at the point of their union where the spring eye had nestled itself.
A murmuring trickle of water flowed from the eye before dissolving into extraordinarily dense spiritual power that left one thoroughly invigorated. The Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid within the jade pool appeared more vibrant than ever.
By the looks of it, the spirit spring would fully take shape in less than a month!
A month later, Qin Sang awoke from meditation, his fatigue completely swept away. Greeted by the fully formed spirit spring, his eyes shone bright and a faint smile appeared on his face. He retrieved a jade box, carefully uprooted the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid first, and then excavated the spirit spring object.
The tree root and jade had fused into a single body, both turning translucent and sparkling clean, while the swirling vortex of the spirit spring ceaselessly billowed with rich spiritual energy.
It was a wondrous treasure born of Heaven and Earth, exquisite and mesmerizing.
After storing both treasures away and taking back the formation flags of the Xuanming Tortoise Shell Formation, Qin Sang took a sentimental look around the cave dwelling where he had stayed for years. Having birthed a spirit spring, this spirit vein seemed to have fulfilled its purpose; now that the spring had been removed, it would gradually dry up and wither away.
Chapter 193