Having finalized the treatment plan for the Valley of Sound's Master, Ran Qingchen eagerly prepared the herbs. The recipe Chen Guan provided was complex, and many of the ingredients were not available in the Valley of Sound's warehouse.
Fortunately, the Valley of Sound had channels of communication with the outside world, such as the Yunlai Inn, so with a little time, collecting the herbs was not difficult.
Chen Guan and Yun Yun strolled through the valley, relaxing. Although the sounds of stringed instruments could be heard from time to time, the vast Valley of Sound felt quite desolate.
Living in such a place for three to five years would surely calm even the most restless heart.
With a slight sigh, Chen Guan stopped in his tracks, noticing that the attic ahead was where Granny Lu had been. He led Yun Yun back to his residence to continue his discussion of the supreme path of life.
...
The next day.
While the two were still embracing, Chen Guan sensed Ran Qingchen's arrival outside the attic.
Without waking Yun Yun, Chen Guan gathered his things and went out to greet her.
"Good morning, Young Valley Master! Are the herbs ready?"
"Excuse me for disturbing Mr. Chen Guan's rest. I'm having them gathered. I came here today to invite you to the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pond," Ran Qingchen replied.
Chen Guan's eyes lit up at the words.
Even Xuan Kongzi had praised the pond. After seeing it twice, he had discovered some of its wonders, but the true meaning lay in experiencing it firsthand.
With a slight nod, he left a soul message for Yun Yun and followed Ran Qingchen to the pond once again.
Unlike the previous two times, the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pond was unused, and the barrier surrounding it remained unactivated.
In the sunlight, the basketball-court-sized pool shimmered, constantly emitting strange colors, a dazzling and dreamy hue.
A closer look revealed that these unusual colors were all derived from the snake-like colored threads within the pool.
Chen Guan counted them carefully; there were exactly nine colors. The Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pond—what a straightforward name!
"Underneath this pool, connected to a massive nine-colored stone, spiritual fluid regularly overflows. The predecessors of Yin Valley, through continuous research, have concocted a medicinal solution to complement it. Over the years, this phenomenon has finally emerged."
As if noticing Chen Guan's interest, Ran Qingchen began to explain.
Her words were unintentional, but after hearing her account, Chen Guan was filled with a sense of wonder.
Nine-colored stone?
The legendary nine-colored Sky-Swallowing Python?
Almost instinctively, Chen Guan connected the two.
It's no wonder he overthinks it; the name is simply too evocative, missing only the word 'original'...
But when it comes to names, it's not surprising they're simply replaced when they can't recognize them.
Thinking of this, Chen Guan couldn't help but glance beneath the giant 'mushroom, eager to verify it for himself.
If there truly is a connection, then the current development of this place is only superficial. Only the Sky-Swallowing Python can fully exploit it. For them, this is a tremendous blessing.
But Chen Guan was slightly puzzled. He had never heard of Nine-Colored Stone producing Spiritual Fluid, which seemed out of place.
"The Nine-Colored Spiritual Rainbow Pool can help one break through the Mirror and enhance their strength. The effects are most pronounced the first time someone enters it. However, the pool is filled with the essence of precious medicinal herbs. Therefore, the disciples of the valley often enter it during their free time,"
Ran Qingchen said, blushing slightly.
In other words, after experiencing this level of improvement, the Nine-Colored Spiritual Rainbow Pool has become like a bathing pool.
Chen Guan was speechless. No wonder Xuan Kongzi looked so strange when he mentioned it.
This kind of place really isn't for casual entry.
If Chen Guan's undertaking weren't of such great significance to the Sound Valley, Ran Qingchen probably wouldn't have made an exception.
"This... isn't it appropriate for me to enter? Why don't you collect some pool water and I'll go back and do it alone?"
"No, we've tried this method before, but once you leave the pool, the Nine-Colored Stone's Spiritual Fluid loses its effect and quickly dissipates, leaving only ordinary medicinal fluid. Sir, don't worry too much."
Ran Qingchen shook his head.
Since that was the case, Chen Guan didn't say much. No one else cared, so why should he dwell on it?
"Alright, then, I'll apologize."
"Sir, please do as you please. Once you enter, I'll activate the barrier. When it's over, I'll blow it, and Qingchen will come and fetch you."
Ran Qingchen took out a palm-sized jade flute and handed it to him.
Chen Guan took it, put it away, and then flew up to the edge of the pool.
Seeing this, Ran Qingchen quickly formed hand seals with his hands, and the familiar barrier descended from the top, creating a closed space within.
After a brief survey, Chen Guan shed his clothes and stepped into the corner of the pool.
Upon entering the pool, Chen Guan felt as if he were being enveloped by something, countless pure energies rushing through his pores into his body.
This feeling was particularly pronounced when a colorful thread entered his body. At first, it was like taking a gulp of ice water on a hot day, giving him an involuntary shudder and a sense of comfort. But after a moment, it became like taking a tonic, causing his blood to surge.
With his two-star Dou Zong strength, he still achieved such a noticeable effect. It's hard to imagine how much resources Yin Gu had invested in this pool.
It's no exaggeration to say that anyone below Dou Wang strength would experience a significant boost just by guzzling a few gulps of bath water... no, the medicinal essence. It
's truly worthy of being one of the Three Valleys!
At the same time, one can't help but sigh in admiration: for those born into such powerful factions, cultivation truly is easy.
After a few minor adjustments, Chen Guan cast aside distracting thoughts, practicing his techniques with a focused mind. Like a dragon absorbing water, he absorbed and refined the pure energy constantly entering his body, his strength steadily increasing, progressing towards three-star Dou Zong.
Day after day, seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
That day, the energy of heaven and earth suddenly shifted, rapidly surging towards a single location.
This movement was immediately noticed by Ran Qingchen and Yun Yun, who were chatting casually.
Guessing that Chen Guan had made a breakthrough, Yun Yun beamed, seemingly even more delighted than her own breakthrough.
She stood up and was about to go to the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool to check it out, but Ran Qingchen stopped her.
"Don't worry, sister. The stronger your foundation, the greater the benefits you'll gain from entering the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool. With Mr. Chen Guan's talent, I think it won't be a problem for him to break through one more star."
Ran Qingchen explained some of the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool's characteristics. It was for this reason that, although she frequently entered it, she always sealed herself off, aiming for maximum future improvement.
Yun Yun was a little surprised, then looked toward the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool and smiled softly.
"Sister Qingchen, let's go over there. I think he'll be out soon."
She certainly believed in Chen Guan's talent, but she had also sensed some of the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool's characteristics from her previous experiences.
Within the pool,
Chen Guan closed his eyes, consolidating his newly achieved spiritual realm.
This pool was incredibly unique; within it, Chen Guan stabilized his realm in a matter of seconds.
Just as Yun Yun had suspected, after stabilizing his realm, Chen Guan stopped absorbing the pool's energy.
Opening his eyes, Chen Guan sensed the pool's radiant energy, which was noticeably thinner than before, and a hint of frustration crossed his face.
If he continued to cultivate, he was confident that he could at least reach the peak of the Three Star Dou Zong realm. However, if he did so, the Nine Color Energy in the pool would inevitably be depleted, and it would be difficult to recover without three to five months.
Ran Qingchen made an exception and allowed him to enter the pool to cultivate without mentioning this matter, presumably because he was mentally prepared.
However, it was this attitude that made it difficult for Chen Guan to completely drain the Nine Color Energy from the pool.
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Otherwise, his conscience would be etched.
"I could take a look at the bottom of the pool."
He paused his practice at the right moment, a surge of spiritual energy surging from his brows as he probed the pool's depths.
As the depth increased, the space below shrank, until only a hole, the width of a wrist, remained. Every quarter of an hour or so, a drop of colored spiritual fluid would spill out, splitting into two or three strands of nine-colored energy within the pool water.
It was here that Chen Guan's spiritual power was blocked. Layers of seals enveloped the hole, instantly appearing as his spiritual power probed through it, giving him a sense of indestructibility.
Clearly, this was an installation by a powerful force within Yin Gu.
Unable to confirm whether the nine-colored stone Ran Qingchen mentioned was related to the Nine-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python, Chen Guan felt a slight sense of regret, but it was understandable.
Thinking carefully, even if it truly was the nine-colored stone, it seemed impossible for him to do anything else. Stealing it was out of the question, and Yin Gu would surely be unwilling to trade it.
At best, I could bring Queen Medusa here for a bath or something...
Shaking his head slightly,
Chen Guan gave up on his plans for now. As for Medusa, the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python wasn't the end of the road; further evolution was inevitable, and Chen Guan had already made plans.
As for this place, it was all a surprise.
Retracting his mental energy, Chen Guan stood up, retrieved his clothes from his storage ring, and put them on before playing the jade flute given by Ran Qingchen.
A melodious flute sound drifted out, and Ran Qingchen outside immediately cast a seal to remove the barrier.
"Congratulations, sir
, on your advancement," Ran Qingchen said with a smile, sensing Chen Guan's presence, his attitude a bit more friendly than before.
"It's all thanks to the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool."
Contentment was key, and Chen Guan was in a good mood.
After all, he had just broken through to the second star level.
This trip to the Sound Valley had saved him quite a bit of time.
Descending from a height, Chen Guan asked about business.
"Young Valley Master, have you gathered the herbs your mother needs?"
"Due to time constraints, we've only collected ten days' worth. Sir, I'll need to refine them."
Ran Qingchen nodded and took out a storage ring.
Chen Guan took it, seeing it overflowing with herbs, each one exceptional. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Even though Yin Valley is secluded and less influential than forces like Fenyan Valley, its power is still formidable.
"Almost done. Leave the rest to me. I'll begin expelling your mother's cold poison tomorrow."
...
That evening.
Yun Yun, exhausted, retired to bed, while Chen Guan got out of bed, having toiled all night.
Fortunately, refining the medicinal liquid wasn't as difficult as refining an elixir; the quantity was simply larger.
As dawn broke, looking at the overflowing floor of mutton-fat jade bottles, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment.
With a wave of his hand, he collected all the jade bottles and headed for Tianyin Pavilion, where the Valley Master of Yin Valley resided.
As if they knew what he was going to do today, the disciples of the Sound Valley guarding the pavilion looked at him with eager anticipation. Some couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Thank goodness, the Valley Master finally has hope. The master the Young Valley Master has invited this time, though young, is far more reliable than the previous ones."
"Of course! This Master Chen Guan is one of the Three Great Masters of Danta and a disciple of Senior Xuankongzi!"
"Once the Valley Master recovers, Granny Lu's inner knot will surely be untied, and perhaps she'll even break through to the semi-saint realm. With two semi-saints in charge, our Sound Valley will surely prosper even more."
"Let's hope so."
The whispers gave Chen Guan a rough idea of Granny Lu's strength.
However, according to these disciples, the idea that breaking through to the semi-saint realm simply by untying the inner knot was a bit too simplistic.
After waiting outside the Tianyin Pavilion for a few minutes, Ran Qingchen soon arrived, having received the news.
"I'm sorry to have kept Mr. Chen Guan waiting."
"I just arrived too. Young Valley Master, please call me by my name from now on."
"Okay, Mr. Chen Guan,"
Ran Qingchen nodded, her address unchanged.
It didn't make sense, so Chen Guan could only let her do as she pleased.
Following the same procedure as last time, Ran Qingchen opened the hall door, and the two entered side by side.
Having already checked on the condition of the Valley Master of Yin Valley, Chen Guan didn't hesitate this time. After ascending the steps, he sat cross-legged behind the Valley Master.
"Young Valley Master, I'm about to begin."
"Well, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Just watch from the side. I'll prepare the tub for your mother's medicinal bath later."
"Understood."
Having given his instructions, Chen Guan summoned the strange fire.
As if having learned from the previous lesson, the moment the strange fire came into contact with the Heavenly Cold Crystal on the surface of the Valley Master of Yin Valley, streams of Heavenly Cold Qi emanated from the fire, attempting to strengthen the crystal.
Unfortunately, the Tianhan Crystal Core lacked spirituality, relying solely on instinct. Such actions were merely futile resistance. Under the intense heat of the strange fire, it would only gradually melt.
After increasing the temperature of the strange fire, Chen Guan completely melted it in just two hours.
Without hesitation, Chen Guan retracted the strange fire.
He waited for the Tianhan Crystal to regenerate on the surface of the Sound Valley Master before continuing.
Another two hours passed, and he cleaned it out once more.
A third, a fourth...
It was like an old farmer harvesting leeks, one crop after another.
By the seventh time, Chen Guan could clearly feel that the process was becoming easier, and a smile suddenly spread across his face.
This effect was proof that the method was working.
He repeated the process once more, but without retracting the strange fire, he turned to Ran Qingchen and produced a pile of jade bottles.
"Young Master, let's stop here today. Mix these medicinal liquids into the water and you can start the medicinal bath. I will control the strange fire and prevent the cold energy in your mother's body from escaping."
After saying this, he turned sideways and closed his eyes.
Do not look at anything indecent, do not listen to anything indecent.
(End of this chapter)