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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 54 (81): [The Legend of the Ten Springs]
(54th of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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When Li Weiyi's spiritual power left his body and transformed into spiritual Qi, the yellow light on his sword's surface surged.
The Four-Winged Spider King, already possessing a degree of intelligence,
displayed human-like shock in its eyes. Its abdomen flushed red as if consumed by flames, and it spat out a beam of crimson light.
"Boom!"
The crimson light shattered under the force of Li Weiyi's powerful sword strike.
As the sword tip descended, the Four-Winged Spider King raised a silver-white spider leg, resembling a metal spear, to defend itself.
The leg was severed.
The Four-Winged Spider King was sent flying backward, emitting a guttural cry of pain. It then retreated into the spider swarm, flapping its wings.
Li Weiyi wanted to pursue, but as his mind cleared, the pain from his injuries flooded his body. The Six Desires Talisman on his chest began to flicker, and his consciousness grew hazy.
The thought of Shi Liuyu, imprisoned in the wolf den for two months, jolted him awake.
He frantically searched his belongings for a medicinal pill.
He retrieved one and swallowed it immediately.
Looking ahead, he saw only a dense swarm of Flying Winged White Spiders.
The Four-Winged Spider King had already vanished.
The eight- or nine-hundred-year-old Purple Cistanche lay several miles behind him.
Trying to fight his way back through the spider swarm to retrieve it in his current condition was simply impossible.
"Forget it. I'll come back another day. Let's go!"
Li Weiyi waved his hand and, riding a giant camel that was half-real, half-illusory, pursued the flatboat that had drifted a mile away.
The seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors fought and retreated, consistently holding off the Flying Winged White Spider swarm that pursued them. Countless spider corpses littered the underground river.
Returning to the flatboat, Li Weiyi stowed the giant camel into the Evil Camel Bell. Finally collapsing from exhaustion, his legs buckled, and he nearly fell onto the boat.
Only then did he realize that the Four-Winged Spider King had torn a finger-long gash in his thigh.
Fortunately, the Corpse Garment Soft Armor he wore on his upper body had protected his vital areas.
"That Four-Winged Spider King's combat strength was definitely comparable to a Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator. Surviving that brutal battle was pure luck. It's truly as difficult as climbing to the heavens for a Spring Surge Realm cultivator to leap across an entire realm and defeat an opponent of a higher realm."
Li Weiyi sat down, supporting himself, and immediately channeled his spiritual Qi along his Silver Veins to heal his injuries.
The seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors had fought with the ferocity of seven Phoenixes, covering his retreat while he healed.
In the end, they had slaughtered so many spiders that the swarm dared not pursue them further.
Upon their return, they were utterly arrogant, tearing open the Ghost Banner that shrouded Yaoyin and pouncing on the Scarlet Cistanche, devouring it with an air of "If I don't eat it, who has the right to eat it?"
...
One day later.
Yin Ershi Si sat cross-legged on the stone platform at the Spider Cave's entrance, practicing the Breathing Technique. Beside her lay a Bloodlight Gem, its light illuminating the stone walls surrounding the Blood River like a spiritual lamp.
A small boat was tied to a stalactite pillar below.
Hearing an unusual splashing sound, she abruptly opened her eyes: "How could it be so fast?"
Yin Ershi Si had never undergone the Seven Springs Trial and wasn't familiar with the exact conditions within the Spider Cave.
However, she knew that anyone who managed to pass the trial typically took at least three days.
"Splash!"
A small boat, six or seven meters long, drifted slowly out with the current.
Li Weiyi sat alone at the boat's bow, his back straight, eyes closed in meditation to heal his wounds.
The silver Veins in his Fengfu Spring Acupoint had begun to emerge one by one, stabilizing his cultivation realm.
The number of Veins in his body had increased to ninety-six.
While still short of the Hundred Silver Veins, the gap was steadily closing.
"Boom!"
The two boats collided, causing the hulls to shudder.
Li Weiyi exhaled a long stream of turbid air and looked at the slender, tall figure standing on the stone platform.
"Three days passed so quickly. I thought only two days had gone by."
"Not even two days have passed yet. How did you manage to do this?"
Yin Ershi Si drifted down onto the boat. After taking a look onto the chaotic scene on Li Weiyi and Yaoyin's flatboat, she was slightly taken aback: "Did you encounter a spider swarm attack?"
She knew the Seven Springs Trial tested mental fortitude and pressure resistance.
Surviving the three days without disturbing the spider swarm was the key to emerging alive.
Once the swarm was alerted, everyone would perish within.
The flatboat was piled high with the corpses of Flying Winged White Spiders and masses of spider silk.
Of course, the Ghost Banner, Evil Camel Bell, Cistanche, and Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor had long since been collected by him.
"It was indeed a fierce battle, exceptionally perilous," Li Weiyi said, still shaken.
Yin Ershi Si reexamined Li Weiyi. No wonder Yin Wu had specifically mentioned him. This man was clearly extraordinary, concealing a great secret.
After securing the two flatboats together, they began their return journey.
Li Weiyi asked, "Can we exchange these spider corpses and silk for precious medicine?"
"Yes."
Standing at the stern of the boat, Yin Ershi Si glanced at Yaoyin, who remained frozen like a block of ice, and asked curiously, "Why didn't you seize this opportunity to eliminate your greatest competitor? Those who are softhearted or swayed by beauty never survive to the end."
Li Weiyi no longer considered any of the current batch his rivals. He ignored the question and instead lowered his voice, "Want to make a deal?"
Yin Ershi Si paused.
Li Weiyi continued, "There's a precious medicine nearly a thousand years old inside the Spider Cave. If we work together, we're sure to get it."
The Flying Winged White Spiders were too numerous for Li Weiyi to handle alone.
Moreover, he wasn't certain there was only one Spider King inside. What if there were other dangers? Other Spider Kings?
Teaming up with a Five Seas Realm cultivator was the safest bet.
Yin Ershi Si was slightly tempted, but quickly hardened her expression, "The precious medicines in the trial grounds are rewards for the trial participants. Hidden Ones aren't allowed to harvest them. Besides, what right does a Seven Springs Martial-Mystic Cultivator like you have to collaborate with a Five Seas Realm cultivator?"
"I'm an Insect Tamer. Otherwise, how do you think I survived the spider swarm?"
Li Weiyi tried to persuade her further.
"Hidden Ones can't harvest the precious medicines, but there's no rule against them entering the trial grounds, is there? You just provide the protection; I'll do the harvesting!"
She had no idea how this man had survived the swarm of spiders, but she knew the Flying Winged White Spiders were incredibly numerous. If she were trapped in a Spider Cave, even with her cultivation, she would likely perish inside.
Furthermore, she, a dignified Five Seas Realm Hidden One, collaborating with a mere Seven Springs Martial-Mystic Cultivator?
It was an utter joke.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Seeing her unmoved, Li Weiyi had no choice but to abandon his persuasion. He decided to wait until he reached the Nine Springs Realm or the Five Seas Realm before attempting to harvest the Cistanche.
The boat returned to the river valley at the entrance of the Jiu Li Insect Valley.
After disembarking, Li Weiyi took the spider corpses and silk to the Jiu Li Hidden Sect's Mountain Gate to exchange them for precious medicine, leaving Yaoyin with Yin Ershi Si.
As he left, Li Weiyi couldn't help but try one last time: "That's a Cistanche, easily weighing over a hundred pounds. Its large quantity makes it easy to divide, and its value is at least equivalent to ten other precious medicines of the same year. It can replenish yang energy and boost blood production. Since you just broke through to the Five Seas Realm a little over a month ago, it's perfect for nourishing your Blood Qi and tempering your physical body."
"Of course, you absolutely must not try to harvest it yourself. It's extremely dangerous. There's a Four-Winged Spider King guarding it."
Li Weiyi saw that Yin Ershi Si was genuinely moved, and immediately began to worry about being eliminated. He said, "I'll definitely go back. If that Cistanche is picked, it'll undoubtedly be you. I'll report you to the Lord Yin... Think about it carefully."
Yin Ershi Si stared at Li Weiyi's retreating back, her forehead furrowed with gloom.
'This is outrageous!' she thought, 'A trial taker who might not even live to see next month dares to threaten a Hidden One!'
.....
The Hidden Sect's Mountain Gate lay deeper than the Psychic (Telekinetic) Stone Wall and the Medicinal Cuisine Hall, guarded by an elderly man in black robes. Like the Old Man of Medicinal Cuisine, he was a Hidden One from the previous Sixty-Year Cycle.
Upon seeing him, Li Weiyi respectfully addressed him: "Elder."
"Thud!"
He set down the boat he had been carrying on his shoulder.
The gatekeeper's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the boat laden with spider corpses and webs, but he remained silent and exchanged three precious medicines for it.
They were three Silver Forsythia plants, each two hundred years old, capable of refining Silver Veins.
Li Weiyi frowned slightly and asked, "Are there any precious medicines that can help temper the Golden Vein Meridian?"
The gatekeeper's composure far surpassed that of Yin Ershi Si, the young girl.
He chuckled, "You certainly have ambitious goals. The Golden Vein Meridian is known as the Dragon Meridian within a Martial-Mystic Cultivator's body. Even tempering just one would greatly benefit your future cultivation in the Five Seas Realm and the Dao Seed Realm."
"The Hidden Sect does possess a Golden Vein Tempering Method, but it places extreme demands on physical strength, making it unattainable for Spring Surge Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators."
Li Weiyi asked, "What level of physical strength is required?"
The gatekeeper pointed to an iron pillar standing not far outside the Mountain Gate.
"That is the Supreme Secret Heavy Weapon, the Five Seas Pillar. It weighs five thousand five hundred catties. Only Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators can lift it using their physical strength alone. If you can lift it in the Spring Surge Realm, you'll qualify to temper your Golden Vein Meridian."
Even Yao ZhengSheng, a natural prodigy with immense strength, could only wield a thousand-catty iron rod as a weapon with the aid of spiritual power.
Relying solely on physical strength, even he would find it difficult to lift such a heavy rod.
This already represented the pinnacle of physical strength attainable in the Spring Surge Realm!
Li Weiyi walked toward the black Five Seas Pillar.
It was only as thick as a forearm, with about seven feet of its length exposed above ground.
"Over the years, only Yin Jiu in the Nine Springs Realm has managed to budge it. Even Yin Ershi San, a naturally strong giant, came up short. See how it's almost rusted through? Did you... just move it?"
The gatekeeper was rambling on when his voice suddenly spiked with excitement. He had clearly seen the Five Seas Pillar shift a fraction.
He hurried over: "You didn't use any spiritual power, did you?"
Li Weiyi shook his head, gazing at the rust on his palm, "I can't lift it with my current physical strength. I'll need to eat more Medicinal Cuisine and refine my body for another month or two."
He turned away, a touch dejected.
The gatekeeper stood frozen for a moment, then reached out to grasp the Five Seas Pillar and test its weight.
Five thousand five hundred jin. No problem at all.
"Wait a minute..."
The gatekeeper stared after Li Weiyi's retreating figure, his brow furrowing into deep wrinkles.
He muttered to himself, "If he moved it, why is he so disappointed?"
...
Back in the Blood Forest Cliff Cave, Li Weiyi took out the scarlet Cistanche and ate half a pound. The lingering sense of loss quickly dissipated, replaced by renewed fighting spirit.
"My advantage is shrinking! Yin Jiu could shake the Five Seas Pillar in the Nine Springs Realm, while I need to open the Eighth Spring to do the same."
"Fortunately, the Cistanche can enhance my Blood Qi and temper my physical body. But will five-hundred-year-old Cistanche be enough to replenish it quickly enough?"
Li Weiyi was acutely aware that his cultivation time was too short and that he had started tempering his physical body too late.
After a moment of contemplation, he entered the Buddha's Relic to consult Master Guan about tempering his Golden Vein Meridian.
"You're aiming to break through to the Tenth Spring Divine Gate?" Master Guan suddenly asked.
Li Weiyi was stunned: "There's a Tenth Spring?"
Master Guan replied, "The Tenth Spring is legendary. I've never heard of anyone actually breaking through to it. But many geniuses who temper their Golden Vein Meridian harbor that fantasy. In the end, they waste their precious time, miss the optimal age for opening the Five Seas, and gain nothing but regret."
Master Guan immediately explained in detail, "The younger you are, the easier it is to open the Five Seas. Once you pass thirty, your physical condition gradually declines. Only by reaching the Dao Seed Realm can you stabilize this decline. Cultivating to the Immortal Realm is the only way to reverse the aging process."
"In other words, the most gifted Martial-Mystic Cultivators - those at the Inheritor level - must open the Five Seas and strive for the Dao Seed Realm before thirty. This is crucial for maintaining rapid progress and pursuing even greater heights."
"Wei Yi, though you started later than everyone else, your progress has been remarkably swift. You might consider attempting this, but don't become obsessed and trap yourself in it."
Li Weiyi understood Master Guan's concern and smiled: "Since the Tenth Spring is so elusive, I won't dwell on it for now. But I've heard that the Golden Vein Meridian is known as a Martial-Mystic Cultivator's Dragon Meridian. Tempering it brings immense benefits."
Master Guan laughed heartily, "Of course! Back in my day, one of the reasons I became a top-ten Martial Law powerhouse in the Lingxiao Realm was because I tempered eighteen Golden Vein Meridians within my body. These laid an unbreakable foundation, allowing me to survive several near-fatal meridian ruptures."
In the era of the three Masters, the Lingxiao Realm boasted three hundred states, far surpassing its current strength.
To rank among the top ten Martial Law Cultivators back then held far greater significance than the current champions of the Ancient Myriad Sects.
"If you wish to temper Golden Vein Meridians, I can teach you the Bifang Tempering Method, an ancient technique of the Ancient Immortal Giant Beast Bifang - a secret art of our clan," Master Guan said.
Master Coffin's voice echoed, "The Bifang Tempering Method requires a vast amount of Ancient Immortal Giant Beast blood. I suggest you instead study the Azure King Tempering Method of the Jiu Li Clan, which uses the natural light of heaven and earth to temper the Veins. Fortunately, you can borrow the Buddha's Relic to absorb a massive amount of natural light, which would greatly accelerate the tempering process of the Golden Vein Meridians."
"This... isn't bad. It won't cost much either."
Li Weiyi agreed with Master Coffin's method but immediately added, "But the light underground is dim. The glow from those luminous plants might not be enough. I need to become a Hidden One as soon as possible, return to the surface, and find a secluded place with ample light to cultivate."
Spirit Tablet Master said, "Wei Yi, if you can quickly cultivate the Fang Cun Flame in your Third Eye (Yintang) Spiritual Realm into a Fang Cun Bright Blaze, the Shaoyang Star might be the ideal place to temper your Golden Vein Meridian."
The Fang Cun Bright Blaze is the third realm for Spiritual Mind Masters. Li Ling had reached this level, with combat power comparable to a Seven Springs Martial-Mystic Cultivator.
Li Weiyi asked urgently, "Master, what do you mean?"
"I'm not sure, I can't say for certain. But after your Psychic (Telekinesis) Power cultivation advanced from the Fang Cun Flame to the Fang Cun Blaze, your Blood Mud Space doubled in size. If you break through again, there will undoubtedly be further changes here," Spirit Tablet Master replied.
Master Coffin said, "No need to rush. We can pursue both paths simultaneously. For now, focus on recovering from your injuries."
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END OF CHAPTER
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