Chapter 131: Spirit Spring

Seeing this, Master Qingxu knew that Fairy Jiuxiao intended to use her white jade vase to harvest the essence of the "spirit vein." Without delay, he summoned the white jade vase from his own "storage space" using his spiritual power. With a wave of his hand, his vase also flew toward the white cloud.

In an instant, both white jade vases reached the cloud, diving into the spirit vein one after the other to begin absorbing its essence.

These vases were newly forged magical treasures, specifically designed for harvesting spirit vein energy. Though small in appearance, their capacity was immense. The energy they compressed within using "spatial laws" would, upon release, be enough to fill five rooms.

A spirit vein is formed by the natural convergence and condensation of spiritual energy. Typically, they dwell within narrow fissures in subterranean rock, possessing a concentration far superior to that of "spirit stones." They are not classified by quality, only by size. That one should manifest within a white cloud was truly unprecedented.

Standing beside She Mei'er, Yan Chixia was struck by a sudden realization upon seeing the spirit vein, which led him to think of the "spirit spring." He exclaimed, "Ah, I know where the spirit spring is!"

"Really?" She Mei'er asked immediately. "Where is it? Yan Chixia, tell me!"

"It is beneath that pile of 'seven-colored spirit stones' in the stone house," Yan Chixia replied.

"Is that so?" She Mei'er asked, half-doubting. "How can you be sure?"

"I can feel it!" Yan Chixia said confidently. "She Mei'er, let's go take a look."

"Alright!" She Mei'er agreed readily, and they both dashed toward the stone house.

Hearing this, Fairy Jiuxiao and Master Qingxu felt enlightened. They knew Yan Chixia’s guess must be correct, for they had all fallen into a blind spot: they had scoured every inch of the area with their "divine senses," yet had neglected to probe the interior of the stone house itself.

Returning to the stone house, Yan Chixia used his palms to channel his true energy, shifting the pile of seven-colored spirit stones and the large stone base aside. Instantly, the spirit spring was revealed.

Seeing it, She Mei'er cheered, "Ah! The spirit spring—it really is here!"

The spring was about two feet in diameter, filled with water as blue and calm as a mirror, its depth unfathomable.

Standing side by side, Yan Chixia and She Mei'er felt their hearts race with excitement at the sight of this precious cultivation resource. They knew that for a cultivator, spirit spring water was an indispensable material for tempering the body on the path to immortality—it was irreplaceable. Just as one cannot make porridge without water, regardless of the quality of the grain, a cultivator—especially one aspiring to the realm of a "scattered immortal"—requires this water urgently.

As they stood there, moved, Fairy Jiuxiao and Master Qingxu entered the house. Seeing their success with the spirit vein, they were delighted.

"Master, Elder Qingxu, you have arrived just in time!" She Mei'er exclaimed. "The spirit spring is here; please, use your vases to harvest its water."

Master Qingxu nodded, and Fairy Jiuxiao agreed. They stepped forward and summoned two other empty white jade vases from their storage spaces, lowering them into the spring.

Like the spirit vein, the spirit spring was inexhaustible. Despite the vases’ immense capacity and their ravenous absorption, the water level did not drop in the slightest.

A quarter of an hour later, detecting that their vases were full, the two cultivators pulled them back and stored them away. Fairy Jiuxiao then waved her hand, causing the pile of seven-colored spirit stones and their base to float back to their original position, once again sealing the spring.

Overjoyed, She Mei'er said, "Master, this trip has been fruitful. We have obtained all the resources we sought. Let us leave now, before it is too late!"

"Actually, it is already too late for you," a voice like a booming bell echoed through the air.

Fairy Jiuxiao, Master Qingxu, Yan Chixia, and She Mei'er were all struck with alarm.

"Who goes there? Why do you say that?" Fairy Jiuxiao asked in a solemn tone.

The resonant voice replied, "I am a 'divine projection' left behind by an ancient immortal."

"Ah?" Fairy Jiuxiao bowed respectfully. "Forgive us, exalted one, for our ignorance and intrusion." The others quickly followed suit, bowing in trepidation.

The projection spoke, "Do not be alarmed. Listen to me. First, congratulations on passing the trials and obtaining your share of these resources. Dozens of cultivators have come here before you, but they were all driven by greed, attempting to plunder everything for themselves. Their vile conduct was unbearable, and I saw to it that they met their end.

Only you have shown benevolence and integrity. You did not let greed cloud your judgment, taking only what was rightfully yours. You are true practitioners of the righteous path. Therefore, I shall now use a [teleportation array] to send you out of these ancient ruins."