The Fourth Spring

Li Weiyi sat cross-legged, his hands formed in the Meridian Taiji Seal as he practiced the Yuxu Breathing Method. The blue-and-white urn hopped back and forth in front of him, saying, "Dharma is the power of heaven and earth, existing in every corner. A speck of dust, a wisp of air, a river, a mountain—it is in vast places, and it is in tiny places. "However, dharma is not evenly distributed across heaven and earth. "In ordinary mud and stones, dharma is thin and barren. But where precious herbs grow, where dharma-martial cultivators gather, where heavenly dharma and earthly springs exist... dharma naturally flourishes, making them far better suited for cultivation." Beside them, Zhao Meng asked, "Places where dharma-martial cultivators gather are more suitable for cultivation?" "That's right!" The blue-and-white urn said, "A dharma-martial holy land can be created artificially. Imagine this: in a place teeming with martial cultivators who have all opened spring orifices and are practicing breathing methods, the dharma of heaven and earth will naturally converge there, making the dharma in that region exceptionally dense. "Sometimes, when a top dharma-martial expert practices a breathing method or when his nine springs surge, he can pull the dharma from a thousand li around into that single region. Wherever he is, that place becomes a dharma-martial holy land. "When one achieves the Dao, even his fowls and dogs ascend to heaven. "Of course, top experts, masses of dharma-martial cultivators, and heavenly dharma and earthly springs often appear together. Who wouldn't want to stack strength upon strength to forge the ultimate cultivation grounds? "That's why the great provincial cities are usually the best places in an entire province for cultivation. Not only because dharma-martial cultivators gather there, but also because when the ancients chose sites to build cities, they inevitably picked places where heavenly dharma and earthly springs lay. "Not to mention the Yongquan Realm—it's certainly easier to blast open spring orifices in a great provincial city. Once you reach the Wuhai Realm, the advantage becomes even greater. "What is your greatest advantage, you two? It's the breathing method you've practiced since childhood. "At the same realm, your breathing method pulls in far more worldly dharma and does so much faster than other cultivators, making it naturally easier to break open your spring orifices. Li Weiyi, do you feel any throbbing in your left palm yet?" Li Weiyi shook his head. Senior Jar said, "Today, this old man will teach you a fierce move: Merged Springs Barrier-Breach. "The Laogong acupoint on your left palm is the gate of the spring orifice. But right now, a barrier blocks it. You must shatter it to open the spring orifice and draw in the dharmic power surging from heaven and earth. "Normally, every cultivator grinds away bit by bit, like water dripping through stone. "But that's too slow. "We have great conditions—we have the vitality of Golden Crow blood to nourish and fortify your body, so we can afford to be more aggressive. Mmh... besides, it's just your palm. It's not the fifth spring at the Zhongshu point on your back or the sixth spring at the Shanzhong point on your chest. Nothing will go wrong." Had he not said that, it would have been fine, but the more he spoke, the more Li Weiyi panicked, feeling that his hand might end up ruined. "Senior Jar, shouldn't we play it safe?" Zhao Meng asked with some concern. "It is very safe, trust me. This move is a secret art of my sect—I wouldn't teach it to just anyone!" Senior Jar was brimming with confidence and began instructing: "First, drink a jar of Golden Crow blood to bring your vitality to its peak. Then mobilize all the dharmic power surging from your three opened springs. The moment you inhale with your breathing method, channel it into your left arm... Yes, just into the left arm, and the dharmic power will naturally surge toward your palm... "Adjust your breath, again. "Inhale! Dharmic power, surge! "Adjust your breath, again." ... Boom! As Li Weiyi drove the power through again and again, his entire left arm began to ache with splitting pain until he could no longer hold the Meridian Taiji Seal, and his arm dropped limply. Seeing that something was wrong with Li Weiyi, Zhao Meng immediately rushed over and roared angrily, "Your secret art doesn't have an ounce of real technique! The one we revere and trust is the master of the Bronze Ship, not you. If you hurt my junior brother, I'll toss you into the Blood Sea!" Senior Jar said, "It's merely the Yongquan Realm. How much technical skill could it possibly require?" "Stop arguing, I think I feel the throbbing in my palm!" Once his left arm recovered slightly, Li Weiyi raised his palm. Whoosh! Following the throb in his palm, a bone-chilling rush of dharmic power surged forth. At the same time, silver trace veins extended from the spring orifice throughout his body. Li Weiyi formed the Meridian Taiji Seal once more and sat cross-legged. More and more trace veins took root in his left palm, ultimately producing eleven in total, matching the number in his right palm. With that, the total number of trace veins throughout his body reached forty-eight. The three remnant souls—the urn, the spirit tablet, and the stone coffin—watched Li Weiyi closely. Before long, a faint layer of silver dharmic qi emerged over Li Weiyi's palm, marking his initial achievement of dharmic power emission. Within the body it was power; outside the body it became qi. The three remnant souls were well-traveled and knowledgeable. Seeing this sight, they were naturally not overly shocked, but they gained quiet confidence, finally feeling a glimmer of hope that they could complete the task assigned by the master of the Bronze Ship within ten years. Forge longevity in ten years! Before this, they had not possessed even half a shred of confidence. Senior Jar muttered to himself, "I thought it would take two or three days and a dozen attempts to succeed." Li Weiyi stood up. His vitality was surging, and his spirit was so full of vigor that he felt as if he could go without sleep for days and nights. He looked solemnly at the blue-and-white urn, bowed respectfully, and changed his form of address: "Thank you for the guidance, Master Jar!" Li Weiyi naturally knew that there had to be a reason the three remnant souls were willing to serve as his guides. Perhaps it was the decree of the master of the Bronze Ship, or perhaps they had been promised some benefit. Regardless, he had indeed learned something. Merged Springs Barrier-Breach was not profoundly complex, yet without guidance, he would never have dared to attempt it on his own. In the future, this technique might prove useful again at critical moments. The words from the mutilated corpse in the stone coffin had likewise given Li Weiyi something to gain and reflect upon. Zhao Meng said, "See that? That is the conduct of our sect: absolute respect for teachers and the Dao. If anyone sincerely helps us by an inch, we will repay them ten times over." Senior Jar said, "This is just the beginning! What this old man learned in his lifetime is vast... Mmh, at any rate, I will surely teach you everything without holding back. By the way, once we return to the Lingxiao Realm of the Living, we must settle in a great provincial city as soon as possible. Only great cities sell spring-piercing needles, which will speed up your cultivation. The fifth, sixth, and seventh springs are much harder—aim to break through them within half a year. Speaking of which, do you have any money of this world? Courtyard rentals in the great cities don't come cheap." Li Weiyi naturally had some money, scavenged from corpses, but he had no idea how expensive "not cheap" meant to Master Jar. He said, "I heard that the otherworld coffins from the Blood Sea fetch a good price in this world. Why don't we fish out a few when we leave?" The mutilated corpse in the stone coffin spoke: "That is smuggling contraband coffins. If caught by the law enforcement guards of the Jiuli Clan, the consequences will be severe." Earlier, Master Jar had revealed the identity of the mutilated corpse in the stone coffin; this figure most likely had deep ties to the Jiuli Clan. Senior Tablet said, "The otherworld coffins are right before our eyes, and we lack money, so why shouldn't we salvage some? Weiyi, you can hide the salvaged coffins in the evil camel bell and secretly sell them at the departed spirit market in the You Realm later." Before his wife, the mutilated corpse in the stone coffin compromised: "We don't necessarily have to go to the departed spirit market. Every great provincial city has underground trading spots." "We'll talk about salvaging coffins when we leave tomorrow," Master Jar said. "Weiyi, now that you've broken open the fourth spring, besides being able to emit dharmic power, have you noticed any other changes?" The four springs surged together within Li Weiyi's body, dharmic power erupting from all four limbs simultaneously. He then practiced the Chan Sect's Twelve Loose Hands across the floating coffin. After completing a full routine, he felt utterly invigorated. He said, "It feels as though my whole body has been opened by forty-eight trace veins! Whether throwing a punch or taking a step, I can unleash full power at will. My combat prowess has grown far more than with any of the previous three springs." Next, Li Weiyi mobilized his dharmic power, circulating it through his trace veins toward his eyes. The distance he could see clearly through the mist had doubled. He then channeled it toward his ears, and his hearing rapidly expanded outward. In the distance, the swaying of floating coffins on the water, the sound of the wind, even the drifting of the mist, and... light, familiar footsteps... Li Weiyi snapped his eyes open. With a whoosh, he leaped onto the top of a six-meter-tall giant coffin behind him and looked in the direction of the footsteps. Everyone below, including the three eerie remnant souls, tensed up. Zhao Meng stood up and tiptoed, gazing into the distance behind the giant coffin, asking in a low voice, "What's wrong?" "Someone's coming!" Li Weiyi knew who it was. Detecting the wariness in Li Weiyi's eyes, Zhao Meng realized the newcomer boded no good, and his muscles instantly tightened. Before long, the slender, graceful figure of a young girl, treading on light traces in the blue mist, appeared in Zhao Meng's view. He paused in surprise. She didn't look like some villainous fiend at all; she seemed gentle, delicate, and exceedingly dainty, like an elf in the night. "Brother Jin, I finally found you! How could you leave me all alone?" Li Ling stepped forward swiftly, her gaze full of resentment yet also pitifully aggrieved. It took Li Weiyi a long moment to realize that "Brother Jin" was directed at him. Thud! Leaping down from the giant coffin, Li Weiyi blocked Li Ling from approaching the expedition members, wary of ill intentions. Li Ling looked past him and greeted the others with warm delight: "You must be Brother Jin's companions! Hello, it's so wonderful to meet you." Her eyes curved like crescents, her gaze sincere, revealing pearly white teeth in a smile that, paired with her sixteen-year-old lovely visage, appeared utterly pure and innocent. Zhao Meng strode over, stopping behind Li Weiyi, and chuckled, "You call him Brother Jin? Who is this girl?" Li Ling feigned fright at his massive frame, turning pale and shrinking toward Li Weiyi's chest, whispering, "Brother Xie Jin, of course. Isn't that his name?" Zhao Meng shot Li Weiyi a strange look. Li Weiyi quickly dodged away, not daring to let Li Ling get too close, deeply guarded: "How did you find this place?" It was bizarre. By all rights, they were separated by an immense distance; there was no way Li Ling could pinpoint his location so accurately. He was extremely vigilant and certain she hadn't trailed him from the start. Something must have been placed on him. Seeing Li Weiyi's cold gaze, Li Ling froze, seemingly in disbelief. Gradually, tears welled in her eyes, though she held them back. Looking down at the ground as if bearing immense grievance, she murmured, "I was the one who brought you out of the Mist Domain of Departed Spirits, but you left me all alone at the Coffin Dock ferry port. I thought you abandoned me!" Zhao Meng grew intrigued and asked, "Girl, don't be afraid. Never mind that I look like a giant; I'm your... Brother Jin's senior brother. I'm very upright and kind." "Senior Brother? You're his senior brother?" Li Ling instantly shed her fear and stepped past Li Weiyi toward him. "That's wonderful! You martial brothers are finally reunited!" Zhao Meng sensed a story between his junior brother and this girl, but he wasn't merely here for gossip. Spotting suspicious points, he asked, "A place this eerie and perilous—aren't you scared at your age? How are you all alone?" Li Ling glanced at Li Weiyi and whispered, "Brother Jin had to cross the Mist Domain of Departed Spirits to return and find you, but he couldn't do it alone. Only I could help him. But once we got out of the Mist Domain, he left me all alone!" Zhao Meng frowned deeply and glanced at Li Weiyi, feeling his junior brother had been somewhat unkind. Yet suspicions lingered, so he asked again, "You two must have only just met. Why did you help him like that?" Li Ling's face beamed with the blissful glow typical of a smitten girl. "Although we only just met, we have already braved life and death together..." "You'd better stop talking, and stop stirring up trouble," Li Weiyi cut in, adding, "What on earth do you want?" He felt Li Ling would spin an utterly ridiculous tale. Li Ling clamped her mouth shut immediately. Bean-sized tears spilled uncontrollably, pattering against the ground. Everyone present felt aggrieved on her behalf and pained for her. In the end, Zhao Meng spoke up: "Junior Brother, this kind of thing isn't really my place to meddle with, nor can I, but letting her finish speaking won't hurt, will it?" Li Ling choked up at once: "We encountered enemies in Immortal Burial Town and braved life and death together. He saved me, and I once said I would offer myself to him in marriage. He also told me he liked my aloof demeanor. "I took the initiative to hold his hand and wrap my arms around his neck, and he didn't refuse back then. When I was gravely injured, he carried me on his back, so gently... "I promised to lead him out of the Mist Domain of Departed Spirits so he could find his companions... without asking for anything in return. I said I would help him marry an exceptionally beautiful wife, that I had a cousin who was just eight days away from turning sixteen—eight days, but eight days later is actually my birthday. Yet after we came out of the Mist Domain of Departed Spirits... he... sob sob..." "I swear by the God of Jiuli, if a single word of mine is a lie, may I die a wretched death, my guts ruptured and rotted, with no escape from doom! Senior Brother, I know you only trust your junior brother, but I truly haven't uttered a single lie!" Zhao Meng was at a total loss for what to do! From behind, the mutilated corpse in the stone coffin couldn't help speaking up, his tone somewhat cold: "Child, never swear casually in the name of the God of Jiuli. That is no laughing matter—it will surely be fulfilled." "I know, of course I know," Li Ling nodded vigorously through her tears. "He isn't named Xie Jin; his name is Li Weiyi," Senior Tablet said, clearly annoyed, convinced that Li Weiyi had character flaws—stringing along a teenage Jiuli girl, only to discard her once he was done using her. And he had toyed with her feelings, no less. No wonder he had told them to take a detour. Li Ling looked at Li Weiyi, murmuring with a questioning and sorrowful look, "Li... Wei... yi... Is that your real name? Why... why did you lie to me?" Zhao Meng felt deeply stifled in his chest, taking deep breaths repeatedly. Li Weiyi said, "Senior Brother, do you believe me or her?" "I know you best; of course I believe there's nothing wrong with your character," Zhao Meng said, before turning around and adding, "But the name Xie Jin doesn't look like something she made up. Did you say those things or do those things, or didn't you? Lying about a name is a minor matter in comparison." Li Weiyi truly felt that Li Ling was too good an actress. If her acting had been even slightly worse, or if she weren't so young, she could never have fooled these seasoned veterans who had seen countless people. Even Li Weiyi himself was beginning to feel like a scoundrel. Seeing Li Weiyi hesitate without instantly denying or refuting it, Zhao Meng let out a long "Ai... ya," and walked off to the side by himself.