Monument of Yellow Springs

Monument of Yellow Springs...

Choosing an ancient path at random, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng ventured onward. To their astonishment, their journey was remarkably uneventful, devoid of any challenges or threats.

As they traveled further along the path, they noticed that the various routes eventually converged into a wide main road. Up ahead, several cultivators were already gathered, their gazes fixed on something in the distance.

"Ouyang Kuangsheng, it seems your presence has made our journey smoother," Qin Wentian remarked as he and Mo Qingcheng joined the group at the convergence of pathways. Beyond them lay the bodies of several unfortunate cultivators, staining the ground with crimson.

BOOM. Suddenly, Qin Wentian felt his blood pulsating vigorously, a sensation that sent alarm coursing through him. Tilting his head upward, he saw a floating stone monument about ten meters above the ground, inscribed with the words 'Yellow Springs.'

"This is peculiar," Mo Qingcheng murmured, her own blood seeming to surge in response, causing her heart to race.

This time, their trial was set within the ancient pathway of the Yellow Springs, a reference to a Buddhist saying about confronting the underworld. Rumor had it that when faced with the Yellow Springs' path during the Celestial Lake Palace's test, one must either turn back and seek alternate routes or boldly proceed. Many cultivators wore uneasy expressions, knowing that all the paths inevitably led here, making it a crucial decision.

"If we dare to proceed through the Yellow Springs' pathway, we might find a shortcut," an unknown cultivator hesitantly commented. With cautious steps, he chose to enter the path, but he did so with extreme vigilance.

BOOM. His entire body felt the surge of blood, an intense sensation that caused his veins to stand out, pulsating wildly.

Taking another step, his face contorted in agony as his blood vessels seemed ready to burst, protruding unnaturally from his skin.

Summoning his Astral Souls, their radiant light enveloped him as a protective shield. He gritted his teeth and inched forward.

BOOM. The pulsating blood intensified, his heart pounding at an alarming rate. His face turned pallid, and the booming in his chest grew louder.

"Retreat," a panicked thought flashed through his mind. He scrambled backward at breakneck speed, but the pulsing blood became even more frenzied, culminating in a spine-chilling scream. Onlookers watched in horror as his blood vessels ruptured, showering them in a gruesome rain of blood. His heart was the final to explode, leaving behind only a gruesome, bloody pulp.

"Let's turn back," Jiang Ting, standing next to Ouyang Kuangsheng, suggested.

"Facing the Yellow Springs is a rare opportunity. If we can overcome it, we'll surely reach the celestial lake. I want to give it a shot," Ouyang Kuangsheng boldly declared, stepping forward with unwavering determination. Jiang Ting's expression changed, and she tried to persuade him, "Kuangsheng, don't act on impulse."

"Jiang Ting, if you all want to turn back, go ahead without me," Ouyang Kuangsheng chuckled, resolute in his decision as he continued forward. Just like before, the intensity of his blood pulsations increased, and his heart rate surged.

It felt as though a raging hurricane swept over the ancient pathway. Ouyang Kuangsheng's blood boiled, yet he strode forward with unyielding courage, radiating an aura of bravery.

So what if he faced the Yellow Springs? He had made up his mind to enter, and there was no turning back. Even if it meant his death, he would go through with it.

The members of the Ouyang and Jiang Clans watched nervously as they fixed their eyes on this incredibly talented and impulsive youth. Ouyang Kuangsheng's weakness lay in his impulsiveness and unwavering determination once he set his mind on something. He would not be swayed by what others said or did. Even if this pathway led to hell, he would march forward.

Confronting the Yellow Springs, the path of repentance lay behind him, but he stubbornly refused to turn back.

"If I meet my end here, find someone better," Ouyang Kuangsheng said as he walked beneath the Yellow Springs Monument. His resolute expression remained unchanged, and his long hair fluttered in the wind, as if he had no other care in the world.

Jiang Ting's heart pounded as she watched him. Ouyang Kuangsheng halted and summoned his Astral Souls. Observing his movements, Jiang Ting's heart leaped into her throat. A few moments later, Ouyang Kuangsheng continued to advance slowly, each step seeming like an incredible challenge.

Gradually, Ouyang Kuangsheng distanced himself from the Yellow Springs Monument. With visible effort, he turned to face Jiang Ting and the others, offering a smile. "Go."

Jiang Ting and the others could only nod heavily in agreement.

"What should we do?" Mo Qingcheng looked toward Qin Wentian.

"I wish to give it a try as well," Qin Wentian replied, surprising Mo Qingcheng. However, she quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Then I shall accompany you."

"No, wait for me here. If I'm unable to persist, I will return," Qin Wentian gently pinched Mo Qingcheng's nose as he smiled. He didn't want Mo Qingcheng to worry too much.

"Okay..." Mo Qingcheng nodded. Qin Wentian turned around and headed toward the Yellow Spring Monument. His heart raced as his blood surged through his veins. He wanted to attempt this because he felt a unique pressure emanating from the Yellow Springs pathway, resonating with the power of his own bloodline. It was a sensation that made him crave more.

As the intensity of his blood flow increased, his heartbeat quickened. Unbeknownst to him, Mo Qingcheng took a few steps forward.

Qin Wentian could sense that he couldn't control the power of his Bloodline Limit for much longer. The energy surged within him, turning his hair inky black, which fluttered in the wind. The rushing sound of his blood became louder, and he could feel the countless streams of energy within it.

Finally, he reached the point beneath the Yellow Springs Monument. He halted, closed his eyes, and turned his perception inward into his body. It was as if a blood-red seal inside him was jumping with excitement. From the aura emitted by the blood seal, he could sense the tremendous energy it contained.

"Is this the physical manifestation of the Bloodline Limit?" Qin Wentian's heart trembled. He had actually managed to understand the reason for the resonance of his bloodline. He had a faint feeling that from now on, he could freely control this source of energy and integrate it into his attacks.

Was this a breakthrough? A advancement in the leveling up of his bloodline?

Raising his head, Qin Wentian's vision turned blood-red, and a tyrannical pressure surged forth, so massive it seemed it could reach the heavens. He possessed a Monarch-level bloodline, so how could this mere monument intimidate him?

Countless blood-colored imprints rose into the air, flying toward the Yellow Springs Monument. In an instant, the monument glowed with a resplendent crimson light, shaking as it moved toward Qin Wentian, as if the two forces were engaged in a confrontation.

Mo Qingcheng turned pale as she watched, her heart squeezed with nervousness. She bit down on her lip until fresh blood flowed, taking yet another step forward against the tremendous pressure.

At that moment, Qin Wentian remained unaware of Mo Qingcheng's actions. The imprints originating from his blood seal smashed toward the stone monument, and the monument's speed gradually slowed as the once resplendent crimson light turned dull.

Mo Qingcheng felt the sense of pressure growing weaker and weaker. Upon raising her head, she saw the monument fall from the air and land in front of Qin Wentian, no longer emanating any pressure.

"What? My bloodline can actually control this monument?" Wonder appeared on Qin Wentian's face. He felt as though he had somehow formed a connection, binding himself with the Yellow Springs Monument. Very quickly, Qin Wentian deposited the monument into his interspatial ring.

Mo Qingcheng's alluring eyes flickered. "This..."

Ouyang Kuangsheng, who had turned to witness the confrontation, remained rooted to the spot, utterly stunned. Qin Wentian had actually subdued the Yellow Springs Monument?

After calming the power of his Bloodline Limit, Qin Wentian returned to Mo Qingcheng's side. He noticed the traces of blood and bite marks on her lips and felt incredibly touched, realizing that she had stepped onto the Yellow Springs pathway out of concern for him.

"Silly girl," Qin Wentian said as he cupped Mo Qingcheng's face with his hands. Mo Qingcheng beamed with a sweet smile and replied, "Let's continue on our way."

"Okay," Qin Wentian agreed. However, just as they were about to move forward, the sound of footsteps echoed, and a few silhouettes emerged from one of the various pathways. The newcomers were amazed upon seeing Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng.

"You're alright?" Qian Mengyu asked in astonishment. She had initially thought that given the situation earlier, Qin Wentian would have been in grave danger.

"My luck is pretty good," Qin Wentian smiled. "We're on our way. Do you want to go together?"

Glancing at the three others behind her, Qin Wentian silently sighed. It appeared that they had suffered many casualties, leaving only four of them.

"Fine," Qian Mengyu agreed, and they continued ahead. After a few moments on the pathway, apprehension and vigilance filled their eyes when they saw Ouyang Kuangsheng standing amidst a sea of corpses.

Upon noticing them, Ouyang Kuangsheng could only smile bitterly. Those who exited the Yellow Springs pathway would certainly be able to enter the celestial lake. However, the test they had just gone through was 'spoiled' by a strange occurrence that caused the entire Yellow Springs pathway to vanish. This meant that for later cultivators, there would be no test to obstruct their way. No one else would know that this test had ever existed.

Ouyang Kuangsheng, no longer bothering with the others, sprinted ahead, hoping to be among the first to step into the celestial lake.

Qin Wentian and his companions also quickened their pace, closely following Ouyang Kuangsheng. Eventually, they exited the ancient pathway.

Members of the Greencloud Pavilion intentionally pulled Qian Mengyu away from Qin Wentian and Ouyang Kuangsheng, creating a gap between them. Qian Mengyu briefly stiffened but quickly grasped their intentions. They were concerned that Ouyang Kuangsheng might launch a sneak attack.

After Ouyang Kuangsheng and Qin Wentian emerged from the ancient path, they were greeted by a pair of ancient trees, each standing on either side of the road. Dazzling starlight flowed from the branches of the trees, radiating from their fruits.

"Haha, it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel, indeed," Ouyang Kuangsheng exclaimed as he dashed towards one of the trees. He leapt up and began plucking the fruits eagerly.

Qin Wentian exchanged glances with Mo Qingcheng as they sprinted towards the other tree to collect its fruits. They moved with remarkable speed, and by the time Qian Mengyu and her group arrived, about half of the fruits had already been harvested.

"Stellar Fruits," the Greencloud Pavilion members exclaimed, thunderstruck. They hurriedly rushed towards the ancient trees.

"What are these Stellar Fruits used for?" Qin Wentian asked Qian Mengyu.

"These Stellar Fruits are only effective in this spatial dimension. Consuming them will replenish one's Astral Energy and can be considered extremely valuable treasures within the Refinement Grounds," Ouyang Kuangsheng explained, having already collected all the fruits from the tree he approached.

Qin Wentian's eyes lit up as he glanced at the Greencloud Pavilion members. "There are plenty of fruits here. Let's divide them equally based on the number of people."

"Why should we split them equally?" A female cultivator standing next to Qian Mengyu questioned, a sharp glint in her eyes.

Qin Wentian's gaze turned icy as he stared at the woman. "What do you mean?"

"We allowed you to accompany us, which is already a favor on our part. Naturally, it's up to us to decide how the fruits should be distributed. But don't worry; you'll still get your share," the female cultivator stated coldly, her tone oozing with contempt. In her eyes, Qin Wentian was indulging in delusions, thinking he could split the fruits equally.

From her perspective, allowing Qin Wentian to follow them earlier was already a generous gesture from the Greencloud Pavilion. If not for their intervention when the Beast King Hall and the Skydemon Sect attacked, Qin Wentian would have perished long ago.

"So, you mean to say that the fruits won't be divided equally?" Qin Wentian's voice dropped several degrees. He had been the first to acquire the Stellar Fruits and had proposed the idea of equal sharing. Yet, it seemed the Greencloud Pavilion members didn't appreciate this suggestion, and instead, they accused him of greed.

Ouyang Kuangsheng was equally astonished, but soon a glint of interest crossed his face. They took care of Qin Wentian? Forming an alliance had initially been a mutually beneficial arrangement, where they faced dangers together. But from the tone of the Greencloud Pavilion members, it seemed as if allowing Qin Wentian to join them was an act of charity.

"Brother Qin, if you're going to divide the fruits, you should be doing it with us," declared another group of silhouettes that had just arrived at the exit of the ancient path. These newcomers were none other than Mu Baifei and his companions. The one who spoke was Yi Xiang, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at Qin Wentian. Clearly, the importance of the Stellar Fruits within the Refinement Grounds couldn't be overstated.

Qin Wentian glanced at Yi Xiang, Mu Baifei, and the others who had been part of his previous alliance. It was evident that not a single one of them had a kind heart.