205. Ancient Spirit Pool Realm Part 5; The Black Tortoise and Golden Lizard_Immortal Taoist

Meng Lin sat in the cave, the glowing water of the pond casting an ethereal light over her, she breathed in and out, releasing breaths as heavy and hot as a forge.

The energy around her pulsed, resonating with her every breath. The glowing water of the Ancient Spirit Pond seemed to ripple in response, amplifying the dense spiritual energy that filled the cave.

Meng Lin’s eyes were half-closed, her focus submerging deeper into her cultivation. Each exhale sent waves of heat across the cave, causing the air to glimmer for a moment.

Meng Lin could feel her fire spiritual root jolting as it began to interact with the Elemental Qi of Fire that she began to absorb.

The cave thrummed with a vibrant energy, its every corner alive with the echoes of Meng Lin’s breathing. The water in the Ancient Spirit Pond glowed brighter, casting shimmering patterns on the rough stone walls, as if the cave itself was coming alive.

As Meng Lin meditated, the temperature within the cave began to rise, the air thickening with the heat radiating from her body. The Elemental Qi of Fire swirled around her and a powerful force appeared over her body.

With each inhale, she absorbed the fiery Qi, feeling it surge through her spiritual veins like molten lava, searing the pathways with raw, unfiltered Fire Qi.

Her closed eyes narrowed in concentration as sweat began to appear on her forehead; the blazing energy radiating within the cave caused the temperature to start affecting the cave.

Time began to lose its meaning as Meng Lin became too concentrated. The cave was filled only with the steady thrum of energy and the sporadic crackle of flames on both the wall and the ground as the fire Qi intertwined with her being.

***

Thump!!!

Finally, Meng Lin reached the peak of her absorption, and a burst of flame erupted around her, casting a fierce, red light that filled the cave before calming down with frightening control.

Meng Lin’s eyes snapped open, a slight glow in her gaze as she felt the surge of power within her. The Ancient Spirit Pond’s light returned to its calm glow as if nothing had happened.

Meng Lin released a long breath, a slight surprise appearing in her eyes as a flaming hot stream shot out of her mouth; her lips felt a bit plump and tingling with residual heat.

She took a moment to regain her bearings, feeling the immense power she had harnessed coursing through her spiritual veins.

Her reflection wavered on the water's surface as she stood up, a slight flush on her cheeks and the radiant glow in her eyes reflecting the intensity of her recent experience.

The cave, although burnt, felt different now, vibrant and alive, almost as if it had become an extension of her own will; she felt the heat and liked it.

She brushed a few damp strands of hair away from her forehead, the heat still lingering around her like a warm embrace.

"Three days," she murmured to herself, amazed at how lost she had become in her cultivation. She looked around, noting the small scorch marks on the stone where the flames had touched.

Her eyes glowed with slight purple as she slowly walked forward, feeling the air dense with the lingering Elemental Qi of Fire.

She looked down at the Ancient Spirit Pond, its crystal clear glow subsiding as she felt the last bit of energy within. Looking at her face, Meng Lin saw deep emotionless eyes staring back at her with a smooth, porcelain complexion, seemingly untouched by hardships.

Meng Lin didn't pay much attention to her face as the reflection wavered on the water's surface while she called out to the system.

"System"

[Meng Lin]

[Soul Wondering Stage (Early)]

[Experience points: 62>96%]

System coin: 1080

Immortal Jade: 3

Taoist Gacha wheel: unavailable

Spiritual Roots: [Water > Fire > Gold > Wood > Earth]

Variant Elemental Qi: [Mud] [Erosion] [Water] [Darkness]

[Gold Comprehension 13.8%] >[Fire Comprehension 100%]

[Heavenly Dao]

[Death]

Comprehension 0.02%

Main Cultivation Method: [Elemental Qi Convergence Method]

Side Cultivation Methods: [Basic Qi Gathering] [Formless Cultivation Method] [Brute Vortex Cultivation Method] [Black Tortoise Essence Art, 5th Layer] [Imperial Water Art]

Techniques: [Celestial Moonlit Sword Art] [Hundred Unity Techniques] [Wrath of Thunder] [Physique Cleansing Sutra] [Vital Essence Exchange]

Secret Techniques: [Stellar Soul Shield]

Skills: [Immortal Flesh]

Ancient Spirit Seals: Black Tortoises, Gong Fu - Golden Lizard.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

[Market] [Blacksmith] [Alchemy] [Daily Mission]

Meng Lin's heart swelled with a potent mix of satisfaction and anticipation as she observed her progress. Her comprehension of the Fire element had reached its peak, and her cultivation base was not far behind.

She thought back to when she was absorbing the Gold Elemental Qi and knew the major differences right away, without anyone to share the Elemental Qi with, she had been able to get the full benefits of the ancient spirit pool, increasing both her elemental qi and her cultivation base.

Clunk!

Meng Lin's gaze shifted from the system interface to the entrance of the cave, finally noticing the beast still outside the cave.

She began to think, it was weird that a beast that she knew nothing of was this persistent; she wondered why it was so attractive to her.

Taking a deep breath, Meng Lin knew she had to act fast. This was no ordinary cave—she could still sense the Elemental Qi of Fire that filled the pond, as if endless.

She knew that she had to make the most of her time and her thoughts went back to her Ancient Spirit beasts.

there was no better time to attempt it. If she could successfully combine her spirit seals, she might stand a chance against the beast.

Meng Lin steadied her breathing, her eyes narrowing with resolve. She extended her hands and closed her eyes, feeling the faint throbbing of the spirit beast marks on her forearm. The marks, one the Black Tortoise and the other of Gong Fu - the Golden Lizard, pulsed with energy.

“Come forth,” Meng Lin commanded softly, her voice a whisper in the still air of the cave. She focused intently, sending signals to the marks on her forearm.

After a few seconds of nothing, she opened her eyes with surprise and asked, “Why won’t you respond?" a bit of doubt began creeping into her tone. “I need your strength now more than ever!” The cave echoed her words, amplifying her words.

Suddenly, a mocking whisper echoed in her mind, a sinister chuckle. "Naive.., too weak, you think you can command me so easily?" The voice was that of the Black Tortoise, deep and ancient.

"Hahaha, yes, truly foolish," sneered another voice, a clear, childlike voice filled with a sharp hissing noise.

Meng Lin's jaw tightened. 'I had thought we had formed a bond, it seems it was all just in my head'

The Black Tortoise's rumbling voice interrupted her thoughts. "Formed a bond? With a mortal like you? How laughable."

The Golden Lizard's voice joined in, dripping with disdain. "You are nothing but a vessel, a temporary shell. Your body will be one of ours to command."

Meng Lin felt a chill run down her spine as she thought back to what happens when taken over, she asked. "What do you mean, 'ours to command'?"

"Exactly as it sounds," the Black Tortoise replied. "One of us will take over your body, foolish girl. You are too weak to control us."

"Your pathetic attempt is amusing," the Golden Lizard added, its voice filled with cruel glee. "But ultimately futile. It will be I who will be the master of this form."

" You, ha. Don't get ahead of yourself, kid," The Black Tortoise said, its voice annoyed.

"What did you call me?" hissed the Golden Lizard, its voice rising in pitch with indignation.

"You heard me," the Black Tortoise rumbled, its deep voice dripping with irritation. "A child like you has no place commanding a vessel as special as this one."

Meng Lin's head pounded with their arguing voices, her frustration mounting. "Enough!" she said, her voice echoing through the cave. "I'll use force then"

Her declaration was met with derisive laughter, their voices combined into one. "" You? Force us?" "How funny!""

Ignoring their taunts, Meng Lin reached into her inventory and pulled out a stone slate inscribed with an intricate beast mark.

Holding it up, she channeled a strand of qi, directing the slate toward the marks on her arm.

The air suddenly thickened with an oppressive energy. The slate in her hand started to glow, an ethereal light emanating from it. With a burst of light, Meng Lin felt a tug within her, as if something was being ripped away from her very soul.

"Ahhh!" Meng Lin cried out, her knees buckling under the strain. The marks on her skin writhed, resisting with all their might.

"You will not control us!" The Black Tortoise roared his voice a rumble in her head.

But Meng Lin was ruthless, even to herself. She poured every ounce of qi within the seal, her vision blurring as her energy waned.

The Black Tortoise mark was instantly pulled into the seal, while the golden lizard mark glowed and burst with even more power.

“You think you can defy us?” the Golden Lizard hissed, its voice now frantic. “I will consume your very essence!”

“Then try!” Meng Lin said under her breath, circulating her Elemental Convergence Method, pouring her mixed Elemental Qi into the ancient spirit seal union.

Rumble!!!

The cave trembled as the energies clashed, the air thick with tension. In a final act of desperation, she focused all her strength and shouted, “Just give up"

The slate erupted in a blinding light, and Meng Lin felt all her Elemental Qi wane further. “No! This cannot be!” the Golden Lizard screeched as its mark began to glow fiercely, struggling against the pull of the seal.

The cave shook violently, and the marks on her forearm writhed as if in agonizing pain. “You insolent child!” the Tortoise roared from the slate, its voice mingling with the Lizard’s shrieks. “You will regret this!”

Meng Lin decided to keep quiet and focus sorely on pouring even more Elemental Qi, and with a final surge of energy, Meng Lin felt the last mark being forcibly drawn into the seal.

Boom!!!

Suddenly, there was an explosion of energy, and Meng Lin was thrown back against the cave wall. The slate shattered into countless pieces, and a wave of power washed over her as the two spirits merged.

“Ahhh!” she gasped, clutching her head as fragments of knowledge coursed through her head. “What is this?" she whispered to herself as the surrendering darkness overtook her.

---

When Meng Lin awoke, the cave was eerily silent, save for the faint echo of dripping water. She blinked, disoriented, her body aching from the intense ordeal. Slowly, she pushed herself up, feeling an unfamiliar yet potent energy coursing through her right arm.

She noticed her drained energy had returned, and the surrounding Qi converged towards her as the Immortal Lotus Robe shimmered in the dim cave, it had been absorbing the Qi in the surroundings and replenishing Meng Lin's.

The shattered pieces of the beast slate lay scattered around her, dimmed out completely. Meng Lin's gaze shifted to her arms, where the spirit marks had once been. Now, a single, intricate mark pulsed with a dark, crimson beast that looked like a dragon with stumps for legs—a fusion of both the Black Tortoise and the Golden Lizard.

Her mind buzzed with faint confusing memories, but she felt an undeniable shift in her being. The oppressive presence of the two spirits had been replaced by a singular, more cohesive force. It was as if the two polar energies had melded into a new entity, one that she could control.

Pushing herself to her feet, Meng Lin steadied herself against the hot, damp wall of the cave. Her right arm felt different, heavier yet more powerful. She concentrated, feeling the flow of qi through her veins.

"System," she called out again, and the familiar interface appeared before her.