Over the next few days, Li Xuan continued to do miscellaneous tasks to accumulate the last five contribution points, while also taking advantage of the night to scout out the small sludge pond multiple times.
It was confirmed that the place was indeed remote and no one went there at night. Moreover, the spiritual energy content in the pool was stable, and although there were many impurities, it did not seem to be very toxic.
Li Xuan suppressed the urge to immediately fetch water and patiently waited for his opportunity.
Finally, after assisting with a house repair mission, he accumulated thirty contribution points!
Li Xuan rushed to the exchange counter in the miscellaneous services hall and carefully handed over his identity token: "Senior brother, I would like to exchange for 'Detailed Explanation of Water Flow Technique'."
The disciple in charge checked the points, took a thin, somewhat old-looking booklet from the bookshelf behind him, and tossed it to Li Xuan.
"You can only look at it here for one hour; you can't take it away or copy it."
Li Xuan was taken aback, inwardly cursing the sect for being stingy, but dared not say anything. He quickly took the booklet and began to read it eagerly.
"Detailed Explanation of Water Flow Techniques" is not the technique itself (the technique needs to be learned at the Dharma Transmission Hall), but rather an explanation of the cultivation experience, techniques, and principles of "Water Flow Techniques" by a senior practitioner. It includes a lot of basic knowledge about the properties of "water" and how to more subtly control and guide water vapor.
An hour passed quickly, and Li Xuan had forcibly memorized almost everything. Although much of the content related to the circulation of spiritual energy was useless to him, the concepts of understanding and controlling water brought him sudden enlightenment!
It turns out that controlling water is not just about forcibly driving it with spiritual power; it can also be done by understanding the "potential" and "nature" of water, allowing for more sophisticated guidance!
Back in his hut, Li Xuan repeatedly recalled and pondered the contents of the "Detailed Explanation," and combined it with the "Water Gathering Technique" hand gestures and incantations he had practiced countless times, and came up with a new idea.
He has no spiritual power and cannot truly cast spells, but he has a strengthened physical body and blood, as well as a stronger affinity for water (a hidden benefit from drinking various types of water over a long period?).
Li Xuan prepared to try the "Water Gathering Technique" again. This time, he would not simply mechanically make hand seals and chant incantations, but would try to feel the thin water vapor in the surrounding air, guide it with his mind, and mobilize the faint power of his blood and qi in combination with hand seals and incantations.
Gradually, he felt the air around his fingertips become a little more humid. *Poof*—a small ball of water, much clearer than before and about the size of a fist, condensed above his fingertips, swayed a few times, and then splashed out, soaking him completely.
Although it still failed, this time the water sphere was larger, clearer, and lasted longer!
"It works! The concepts in 'Detailed Explanation' are really useful!" Li Xuan exclaimed excitedly, despite being soaked to the bone.
Although it still cannot be used for actual combat or irrigation, this proves that he is on the right track! Even without spiritual power, he may be able to influence or even control water through his powerful mental will and physical affinity for it! This opens the door to a new world for him to acquire and utilize various kinds of "water" in the future.
Having grasped some of the concepts in "Detailed Explanation of Water Flow Techniques", Li Xuan's perception and desire to control "water" became even stronger.
Although he still cannot conjure water out of thin air, he has become more acutely aware of subtle changes in existing water flow.
"It's time to deal with the cesspool of corruption at the Spirit Plant Hall!"
It was another dark and windy night.
Li Xuan easily made his way to the grove behind the Lingzhi Hall.
The stagnant pool lay there quietly, its surface glowing a dark green under the moonlight, emitting a faint smell of decaying grass.
Li Xuan carefully observed his surroundings and only approached cautiously after confirming it was safe. The pool was not deep, and he could see the silt and decaying plant remains at the bottom.
He took out the leather bag, preparing to scoop water as before. But just then, a thought struck him, and he remembered the descriptions of "perceiving water flow" and "guiding water vapor" in "Detailed Explanation of Water Flow Techniques".
Li Xuan squatted down, but instead of immediately scooping up water, he gently pressed one hand to his chest, mobilizing the unusually active qi and blood power that had become due to long-term water consumption. He then slowly extended his other hand towards the surface of the pool, but did not touch it, merely hovering it above.
He closed his eyes, concentrated all his energy, and tried to "feel" the pool of water. Gradually, in his perception, the stagnant water seemed to "come alive."
Li Xuan could "see" the chaotic yet rich spiritual energy of plants and trees contained within, and could also "sense" the turbidity and inertia brought about by the decaying substances.
He could even vaguely sense that the spiritual energy seemed to be more concentrated at the bottom of the pool, and that the sediment and decaying matter might contain a more refined essence.
Li Xuan tried to use his mind, combined with the faint power of his blood and qi, to carefully "draw" the relatively "clear" part of the water below the surface.
A miracle occurred! Under Li Xuan's focused guidance, the surface of the pool rippled slightly, and a small stream of water, as if attracted by an invisible force, slowly detached from the main pool, winding upwards like a thin water snake, and precisely poured into the opening of the leather bag he was holding in his other hand!
The entire process was silent, without even a splash! It wasn't until the bag was nearly half full that Li Xuan felt a slight mental fatigue. The stream of water that had been drawn away scattered with a splash and fell back into the pool.
Li Xuan opened his eyes and looked at the slightly murky but much clearer water in the leather bag than when he scooped it directly. He was filled with immense joy! Success!
Although he lacked spiritual power, he actually managed to retrieve water remotely using his strong mental strength, affinity for water, and the techniques from the "Detailed Explanation"! Although the range was extremely small and the efficiency was very low, it was undoubtedly a qualitative leap!
This means that he can now collect water more discreetly and precisely, and may even attempt to extract the part of the water with a higher concentration of spiritual energy!
Li Xuanqiang suppressed his excitement and tried again. After several attempts, his mental fatigue intensified, but he successfully collected a full leather bag of relatively "high-quality" sewage.
Back at the thatched hut, Li Xuan couldn't wait to take a small bite. A rich, herbal fragrance of spiritual energy instantly melted in his mouth, accompanied by a faint, slightly astringent taste, but completely lacking the burning, toxic sensation of the wastewater from the alchemy hall!
A warm current surged in my abdomen, and my body greedily absorbed this spiritual energy. Impurities were slowly expelled, and the effect was even better than the diluted wastewater from the alchemy hall, and much gentler!
"That's great!" Li Xuan couldn't help but exclaim softly.
The wastewater in this Spirit Plant Hall was practically a tailor-made resource for his cultivation! It was rich in spiritual energy, had minimal toxicity, and carried a relatively low risk of acquisition! More importantly, he had found the correct way to utilize the knowledge from "Detailed Explanation of Water Flow Techniques"!
From that day on, Li Xuan's cultivation entered a new stage. Every few days, he would go to the sewage pool of the Spirit Plant Hall late at night and use his newly comprehended "mind-guided water" technique to obtain relatively pure sewage.