Following the guarding disciple into the Fiery Cloud Onsen, Shu Han observed that the broad mahogany corridor on both sides was segmented into individual spring pools by lush bamboo and man-made hills. These weren't mere decorative dividers, but genuine formation barriers.
The guarding disciple, with an apologetic smile, said to Shu Han, "Senior Brother, I failed to recognize Mount Tai. Since you possess Senior Brother Song's token, you must be close to him. Please don't tell him about my attempt to solicit a tip from you earlier."
Shu Han, slightly amused, inquired, "Senior Brother Song is known for his stern and upright nature. Is there really a need to fear him so much?"
The guarding disciple responded, "Ah, precisely because Senior Brother Song is so unbendingly righteous, everyone in the sect fears him. In our sect, it's quite normal to use connections and backdoor methods. Even the adjudicating elders turn a blind eye. Take me, for instance. I secured this cushy job at the Fiery Cloud Onsen by bribing an elder..."
Suddenly realizing he'd said too much, the disciple hurriedly covered his mouth, pleadingly saying to Shu Han, "Senior Brother, please don't tell Senior Brother Song about this. If he learns of it, I'm doomed..."
Understanding dawned on Shu Han. When everyone else in a group is deceitful and takes shortcuts, the one who adheres strictly to the rules becomes the outlier.
Ironically, in the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, this outlier is the sect leader's son, wielding genuine power. With his reputation, it's likely that all the cultivators in the sect would feel a tad guilty before him.
Shu Han teased, "It seems Senior Brother Song is the true adjudicating elder."
"Absolutely!" The guarding disciple exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "Given the way things are going, Senior Brother Song will undoubtedly become the next sect leader. When that happens, tough days await us."
As they passed the Primordial level and approached the Mystierous-level section, Shu Han increasingly felt the robust essence of the Earth Dragon Fire's energy.
Suddenly, a drenched man, panting heavily, bolted from a Mystierous-level pool. On closer inspection, Shu Han exclaimed internally, 'Isn't that Xiao Zian?!'
Soaked through and steaming, Xiao Zian bent over, hands on his knees, gasping, "I can't... can't go on... My vitality's been sapped too much... I can't continue..."
From the pool emerged a formidable woman, astonishingly at an advanced stage of cultivation. Seeing Xiao Zian's state, she fumed, grabbed him by the ear, and scolded, "This is your limit? I bet you've been goofing off outside all year, weakening your body this much! You useless thing, come back in! I'm not done yet!"
She then glared at Shu Han and the guarding disciple, shouting, "What are you staring at?! He's my Dao companion!"
With that, as if dragging a lifeless dog, the woman hauled Xiao Zian into the bamboo and artificial hills. As he was dragged, his hands scraped the ground, and he shouted despairingly, "No!"
Shu Han and the guarding disciple exchanged glances, with Shu Han sighing, "Alas, most female cultivators of our Fiery Cloud Instant Sect have explosive temperaments. They're nowhere near as gentle and amiable as female cultivators from other sects."
In his mind, Shu Han cursed Xiao Zian, "Damn him for bringing a Core Formation cultivator after me back then. He got what he deserved!"
Upon reaching the end of the corridor, Shu Han was led to the last six spring pools.
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Stepping into this area, he could instantly feel the overwhelming presence of the Earth Dragon Fire's energy.
The guarding disciple warned, "Senior Brother, I see it's your first time here. The heavenly-tier spring pool is extremely rich in Earth Dragon Fire essence. When cultivating within, don't be impatient. If you can't withstand it, don't force yourself. Otherwise, the inner fire might assail your heart, making you susceptible to demonic possession."
Nodding in understanding, Shu Han proceeded to immerse himself in one of the springs.
With the token that activated the formation in hand, he moved through the automatically parting bamboo and artificial hills to reach a spring surrounded by lush bamboo. The spring's water was a deep shade of orange, with bubbles continually rising to the surface. It resembled a pot of boiling molten iron, releasing a faint medicinal fragrance.
Upon dipping his hand into the spring, Shu Han immediately felt a burning sensation, followed by the potent essence of the Earth Dragon Fire.
This essence, transmitted through his palm, made his circulation accelerate sharply. What would typically take three days to circulate once now only took a day! Such miraculous effects from merely dipping a hand!
Swiftly undressing, Shu Han braced himself against the scorching heat and submerged his entire body in the spring.
Inhaling sharply, Shu Han felt unparalleled relaxation in his meridians and consciousness. The seemingly unbreakable barrier of the advanced stage had even started to show signs of loosening!
It's working!
However, before even half an hour had passed, Shu Han felt a burning sensation within his heart, making it hard for him to concentrate.
The Earth Dragon Fire, after being processed by the spring, still contained some volatile elements of the heavenly fire, making it challenging for cultivators to immerse themselves for extended periods.
"No wonder that person didn't give me a time limit. He probably thought I wouldn't be able to stay in the spring for long."
Shu Han placed the Profound Ice around his neck and took a sip of Yin Spring water.
Immediately, the cold energy not only dispelled the inner fire brought about by the Fiery Cloud Onsen but also alleviated the burning sensation around his body.
Under the calming influence of the cold energy, the Fiery Cloud Onsen became as gentle as an ordinary hot spring, allowing him to cultivate within for extended periods.
The process of refining through both ice and fire, and the harmonization of yin and yang, instantly took Shu Han to a profound state of meditation. The barrier of the advanced stage further loosened. He popped an Earth Essence Pill into his mouth.
Before starting the breakthrough refining process, he released the Jade Rabbit. The rabbit blinked its eyes, observing its surroundings, and upon sensing the rich power of heavenly fire in the spring, couldn't help but extend its front paw into the water.
The rabbit yelped from the instant burn but, gazing at the pool brimming with spiritual power, it hesitated to retract its paw.
Shu Han chuckled and took out another piece of Ice, placing it on the rabbit. Grabbing its twitching rabbit leg, he pulled it into the spring.
Suddenly, the Jade Rabbit felt the spring's temperature drop. Its ears joyously flicked back and forth, and it merrily splashed and played in the spring, gulping down mouthfuls of the spring water.
"Cabbie, you're drinking my bathwater."
Upon hearing this, the rabbit stiffened, hurriedly clambered ashore, and began to retch.
Shu Han thought, "Damn rabbit..."
Following this, Shu Han entered a deep meditation, beginning the process of refining the Earth Essence Pill within him.
The pill's profound medicinal strength, along with the Fiery Cloud Onsen, the Profound Ice, and Yin Spring water, roamed within Shu Han's meridians. The force grew as it circulated through the channels, gathering momentum like a long dragon, stirring the sea of spiritual power. It soared upwards, attempting to shatter the formidable barrier of the advanced stage.
The first attempt was repelled!
Undeterred, Shu Han once again gathered the medicinal strength for another assault.
Two times, three times, four times...
The advanced stage barrier wobbled precariously under Shu Han's continuous onslaught. However, the effects of the Earth Essence Pill exhausted themselves before the barrier could be shattered. Feeling the formidable barrier, Shu Han sighed in his heart, "Have I reached my limits? Is my innate talent truly this inadequate?"
One Earth Essence Pill was not enough. He needed the recipe to create more, gather the ingredients, and refine an entire batch! By now, Cabbie had dozed off on his shoulder, looking flushed from the soak, drooling in its slumber.
Shu Han stretched gently in the spring, careful not to disturb its deep sleep.
While his cultivation level hadn't broken through, both his spiritual power and physical state had significantly benefited. To his surprise, Shu Han found that the core of his Black Abyssal Fire had grown considerably.
Soaking in the Fiery Cloud Onsen had proven much faster than directly absorbing from the Earth Dragon Fire Vein!