Chapter 116: Master’s Concern
Mingyan and Yue Qingying returned to the entrance of the cold pool cave. Yue Qingying stopped there, the extreme cold making her uncomfortable. She didn’t enter with him.
Mingyan stepped into the cave and soon saw Yue Wu Xia sitting by the pool, her beautiful face slightly flushed, her hair still damp, as if she had just bathed.
“Master.” He bowed, lowering his head. Her flushed face was too alluring. Although her Daoist robe was neat, her face alone was the greatest temptation.
“Hmm…” Yue Wu Xia seemed slightly languid. She hadn’t used her spiritual energy to dry her hair. “How is your weapon?”
“It’s forged.” He said, his head still lowered, then added, “It’s stronger than I imagined.”
“Good. Remember, you’ve only shaped it. To make it a truly complete weapon, you still need to forge its intent, inscribe Dao patterns, and so on. Treat it with care. Such rare materials cannot be wasted.” Her voice was as calm and emotionless as ever, certainly not gentle, but Mingyan found it comforting.
“This disciple understands,” he nodded. “Then shall I continue my cultivation?”
“Go on.” Yue Wu Xia stood up, the dampness in her hair vanishing, the flush on her face fading. She seemed about to leave.
Mingyan remembered something. “Master, I have a question.”
“Hmm? Speak.” She had been about to leave but stopped.
“Where does this cold pool lead? And why is there a light source below?”
Yue Wu Xia looked at him. “If you’re curious, you can explore it yourself. Of course, don’t force it. The deeper you go, the colder the water. You can’t withstand that temperature yet.”
“This disciple understands,” he replied, lowering his head.
Yue Wu Xia said no more and left the cave.
Mingyan didn’t hesitate. He took off his clothes and jumped into the water, resuming his cultivation.
He absorbed the Yin energy in the water while entering his Qi Sea, observing the Netherworld Dragon Tendon Bow floating there, simple and unadorned.
He summoned it and pondered what Dao patterns to inscribe.
Dao patterns would affect the weapon’s quality, making it more powerful…
But what patterns were best?
He thought of the “*” and “#” symbols.
The “*” was definitely related to the Human King Physique, no doubt about it. But was the “#” also related?
He decided to inscribe both on the bow stave.
He acted on his thought, using his spiritual energy to inscribe the “*” and “#” on either end of the bow. A miraculous thing happened. The bow glowed faintly, and intricate patterns spread from the two symbols, quickly covering the entire stave.
The patterns formed various images: mountains and rivers, dragons and phoenixes, all incredibly lifelike despite their simple lines.
He was surprised. The patterns made the bow look mystical, no longer plain. It shimmered in his Qi Sea, and when he held it, he could feel an immense power, far greater than when it was first forged.
Why did inscribing “*” and “#” cause such a change? It was magical.
It was as if the two symbols had created a world of their own…
He released the bow, letting it continue to nurture in his Qi Sea. He held the “*” and “#” in his hand, wondering what they represented.
They were simple symbols, yet they contained profound laws of the Great Dao…
He couldn’t figure it out. He left his Qi Sea and resumed his cultivation.
Three months passed in a flash.
And it had been four months since Great Empress Qingzi took the Supreme Dao Hall. She had finally given an answer.
“There is no need to worry.”
Although only four words, they were enough to reassure most people.
Since the Empress said there was no need to worry, they could put their fears to rest.
During these three months, Mingyan’s Yin Tomb cultivation had progressed significantly. He had reached the threshold of the Yang Tomb Realm. But for some reason, no matter how much Yin energy he absorbed, he couldn’t break through. He stopped cultivating, wondering what he was missing…
Perhaps it wasn’t Yin energy he needed, but something else.
Unfortunately, he still couldn’t reach the bottom of the cold pool. It was too cold for him to approach.
He left the cold pool and went to the island, reporting his situation to Yue Wu Xia.
“Unable to break through…” She pondered for a moment, then said, “I can’t help you with this. The Yin Tomb and Yang Tomb of a Human King Physique are unique. You’ll have to find a way yourself.”
Mingyan nodded. “By the way, Master, where is Senior Sister?”
“Qingying is in seclusion, preparing to break through to the Divine Gate Realm. Since diligent cultivation isn’t working for you, why don’t you go out and travel for a while? Perhaps you’ll find some opportunities. You can decide where to go yourself.”
Mingyan thought for a moment, then said, “I’d like to return to the place where I grew up. It’s near where we first met, Master.”
Yue Wu Xia beckoned him closer.
He approached, and she placed a jade-like finger on his forehead. He felt a cool stream of spiritual energy flow through him. “I’ve placed a restriction on you. If you encounter any danger, I’ll be able to sense it.”
“Hmm…” He felt his master was worried about him. A warmth spread through his chest. “Then, Master, I’ll be going?”
“Go and return quickly.” She nodded and said no more.
Mingyan bid her farewell and, without disturbing Yue Qingying, who was in a crucial stage of her cultivation, left the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land.
