57: Chapter 57 Fighting Against the Mysterious Dragon, A Narrow Escape

"Attack instead of defend, a desperate strike! I don't seek to kill the enemy, only to create a moment of chaos and pain, to win that sliver of a chance to rush into the stone gate!"

Facing the dark blue water arrow capable of tearing him apart in an instant, blood surged in Lin Ye's eyes, madness and calmness intertwined.

Instead of continuing to charge forward, he violently twisted his waist to turn; the residual icy Spiritual Qi within his body and that thread of subdued crimson gold fire energy, guided by his shallow realization of "Ice and Fire Mutual Aid," surged madly at an unprecedented speed toward the short spear gripped in his right hand!

On the short spear, the starfall cold iron fragments served as the main body, emitting a faint starlight and extreme cold; the embedded Crimson Fire Copper Essence suddenly lit up, bursting forth with scorching red light!

Ice and fire, two conflicting forces, were forcibly combined and compressed by Lin Ye at the tip of the spear in this life-or-death moment!

The spear body trembled violently, emitting an unbearable hum, and even fine cracks appeared on its surface.

"Kill—!" A beast-like low roar erupted from Lin Ye's throat, and all his strength, will, and even his extreme desire for survival were poured into this one spear strike!

He did not dodge or avoid it; facing the incoming dark blue water arrow, he advanced instead of retreating, throwing the short spear like a javelin fiercely toward the Green Wave Pool Black Flood Dragon's scarlet, cold vertical pupils!

The spear tip tore through the water flow, dragging a strange and gorgeous light tail intertwined with ice blue and crimson red. The resolute killing intent and the violent energy of the ice and fire conflict contained within it caused the surrounding pool water to boil and evaporate!

This strike transcended the limit of Lin Ye's own Qi Refining Stage 5, even touching a trace of the power of a Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivator fighting for their life!

The Green Wave Pool Black Flood Dragon seemed to notice the unusual nature of this strike, a trace of surprise flashing in its vertical pupils, but more of it was the rage of being provoked by an ant. It tilted its head slightly, the direction of the dark blue water arrow unchanged, still shooting toward Lin Ye, while simultaneously raising its huge front claw to slap at the short spear that was shooting toward it.

"Boom!"

The short spear, the water arrow, and the dragon claw collided almost simultaneously!

First was the collision between the short spear and the dragon claw. The red and blue light exploded on the palm of the dragon claw, the energy of the ice and fire conflict bursting instantly. Even though the Black Flood Dragon's scales were tough, they were blown away, leaving it with mangled flesh and blood, sending waves of intense pain from the interlacing burning and freezing sensations!

"Roar—!" The Black Flood Dragon let out a roar of pain and anger, its slapping motion involuntarily stalling.

And that dark blue water arrow, in the moment the Black Flood Dragon was distracted by the slap and slightly weakened by the aftermath of the short spear's explosion, struck Lin Ye's left shoulder—the moment he threw the short spear, he had tried his best to turn his body, avoiding his vital points.

"Puchi!"

The water arrow pierced through his protective spiritual light, tore through skin and flesh, taking away a large chunk of flesh, leaving a wound deep enough to see the bone, and the bone-eroding icy energy surged in madly!

Lin Ye was struck hard, his entire left side instantly going numb, blood spraying from his mouth as his body was slammed backward by the huge impact—happening to be in the direction of the stone gate that had opened a crack!

"Now is the time!" Lin Ye endured the excruciating pain and numbness, and using this impact, he desperately reached forward with his left hand, grabbing the edge of the stone gate, and then using his last bit of strength, his body squeezed through the gap that only allowed one person to pass sideways like a loach!

"Bang!"

He fell heavily to the ground behind the stone gate. From behind him came the Black Flood Dragon's even more violent roar and the booming sound of it slamming against the stone gate, but the stone gate seemed exceptionally sturdy and had residual Restrictions, so the Black Flood Dragon could not break it open for the time being.

For now... it is safe.

Lin Ye collapsed on the cold, damp ground, his vision darkening in waves, blood flowing profusely from the wound on his left shoulder, the bone-eroding icy energy spreading constantly, his whole body feeling like it was falling apart.

He struggled to take out a Medicinal Pill for healing and swallowed it, then operated the "Ice Soul Sword Art" to try to disperse the invading icy energy, but the effect was minimal. The cold poison contained in the Black Flood Dragon's water arrow was of extremely high quality.

He must treat the wound immediately, otherwise the cold poison would penetrate deep into his bone marrow, with unimaginable consequences.

He looked around. Behind the stone gate was a passage sloping downward, deep and dark, not knowing where it led. The air was filled with heavy moisture and a faint moldy smell, but the Spiritual Qi was surprisingly pure, and it carried a... thick water-attribute aura.

There is no danger for now.

Lin Ye tore open the tattered clothing on his left shoulder, only to see that the area around the wound was bruised, the flesh frozen, and the black cold poison spreading around like a spider web. He gritted his teeth, took out the self-made short spear that was already full of cracks (the spear tip was lost), and used the sharp edge to fiercely gouge out the black, frozen skin and flesh around the wound!

"Chi!" Blood mixed with black ice shards gushed out, the excruciating pain making him almost faint. But his eyes were fierce, and he did not stop moving until he had removed most of the obviously infected flesh, revealing the bright red muscle underneath that was still emitting wisps of cold air.

Then, he took out the last bit of Ice Marrow Ganoderma powder (left over from refining the short spear previously), mixed it with the healing powder, and applied it to the wound. The icy medicinal power of the Ice Marrow Ganoderma was of the same origin as the Black Flood Dragon's cold poison, and could actually play a certain role in neutralizing and attracting it.

After doing all this, he was nearly exhausted, leaning his back against the cold stone wall, gasping for breath.

The sound of the Black Flood Dragon's impact outside seemed to gradually fade away, perhaps it had given up, or perhaps it had gone to find other entrances.

Lin Ye forced himself to perk up and began to observe this passage. The two walls of the passage were smooth, appearing to be artificially excavated, and there were some blurred murals remaining on them, depicting scenes of Cultivators controlling water, performing Alchemy, and setting up Formations. The style was simple and ancient, completely different from the scorching style of Yan Yang Hall, appearing more gentle and profound.

"Here... seems to be an Immortal Cave branch for a water-attribute ancient Cultivator?" Lin Ye guessed in his heart. Green Wave Pool connected to underground dark rivers and was full of water vapor, which was really a good place to Cultivate water-attribute Cultivation Techniques.

He rested for about an hour, feeling that his injuries had stabilized slightly and the speed of the cold poison's spread had slowed down, before struggling to stand up and walking toward the depths of the passage.

The passage was not long, and at the end was an ajar stone gate.

Pushing open the stone gate, before his eyes was a small stone chamber. In the center of the stone chamber was a small pool, the water clear to the bottom, emitting pure water-attribute Spiritual Qi. Beside the pool was a stone platform, and on the stone platform was a long-extinguished bronze lamp, a meditation cushion, and... three Jade Slips.

In a corner of the stone chamber, there was also a sitting skeleton, the clothing having long since weathered away, leaving only white bones.

It seemed that this ancient Cultivator had passed away here.

Lin Ye first bowed to the skeleton, then walked toward the stone platform.

He first picked up a Jade Slip and probed it with his spiritual sense.

The Jade Slip did not record a Cultivation Technique, but a "Detailed Record of Green Wave Pool Hydrology and Geography," as well as a detailed explanation of the layout of a First-Grade water-System Formation called the "Gui Water Formation." It mentioned the structure of this "Green Wave Water Mansion" and the method to control some of the Immortal Cave's Restrictions.

The second Jade Slip recorded a water-attribute basic Cultivation Technique called "Green Wave Art," which could be practiced up to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. The Cultivation Technique was upright and peaceful, focusing on nourishment and endurance, and came with several low-grade water-attribute Spells.

The third Jade Slip was an "Alchemy Experience," which recorded the ancient Cultivator's lifelong experience in refining water-attribute Medicinal Pills, as well as several Pill Formulas. Among them, a First-Grade High Grade Pill Formula called "Mystic Yin Pill" caught Lin Ye's attention. This pill was refined with mystic yin true water as one of the main ingredients, could purify water and ice attribute Spiritual Qi, and had a miraculous effect on dispelling cold poison and healing Meridians, which was exactly useful for his current injuries!

A rich harvest!

Although the "Green Wave Art" was not completely compatible with his attributes, the methods of using water-attribute Spiritual Qi in it could be used for reference. The Gui Water Formation and the Alchemy experience were even more practical. The Pill Formula for the Mystic Yin Pill was like charcoal in snowy weather.

He put away the three Jade Slips and checked the stone chamber again. On the skeleton's finger, he found an inconspicuous, dusty stone ring. Probing with his spiritual sense, it was actually a small storage space, though only about a foot in radius, containing a dozen Medium Grade water-attribute Spirit Stones (the Spiritual Qi had mostly dissipated), several empty jade bottles, and a jade pendant half the size of a palm, deep blue all over, and warm to the touch.

[Water-Avoiding Pendant (Damaged)]: After wearing it, one can avoid ordinary water, it has a certain resistance to low-grade water-attribute Spells, and can slightly increase the absorption speed of water-attribute Spiritual Qi. Status: Damaged, effect weakened.

Better than nothing. Lin Ye hung the Water-Avoiding Pendant around his neck, and immediately felt the surrounding dampness decrease a little, and the chill at the wound seemed to have been dispelled a little.

Finally, he looked at the pool of clear water. Scooping it up with his hand, the water quality was sweet and cold, containing pure water Spiritual Qi, and drinking it for a long time would be beneficial to the body. But what he needed more at the moment was healing and recovery.

He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, holding a Medium Grade water Spirit Stone (although the attributes did not completely match, the Spiritual Qi was pure), and began to operate the "Ice Soul Sword Art," guiding the Spiritual Qi to expel the cold poison from his body and repair his injuries.

The water Spiritual Qi here was rich, and it was quiet and undisturbed, which was the perfect place for healing.

Time passed in silence.

Three days later, Lin Ye opened his eyes, a glimmer of light flashing in his pupils. The wound on his left shoulder had healed and scabbed over, the Black Flood Dragon's cold poison had been dispelled seven or eight out of ten, and his Cultivation had recovered to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining Stage 5. More importantly, with the reference of the pure water Spiritual Qi here and some methods of the "Green Wave Art," he had a deeper understanding of the "soft," "moist," and "nourishing" aspects of the "Ice Soul Sword Art," and his Spiritual Qi operation was more harmonious.

The injuries were basically no hindrance, it was time to leave.

He stood up, bowed again to the ancient Cultivator's remains, and then, according to the method recorded in the first Jade Slip, came to the wall on one side of the stone chamber and knocked on several wall bricks in a specific order.

"Click."

The wall slid open silently, revealing a dry, upward-sloping passage behind it. This seemed to be a secret exit of the Immortal Cave, leading directly to a hidden cliff by the Green Wave Pool.

Lin Ye walked into the passage, and the wall behind him closed automatically.

The passage twisted upward, and after walking for about a quarter of an hour, light and fresh air appeared ahead.

He walked out of the cave entrance and found himself in the middle of a steep cliff behind the side of the Green Wave Pool, the cave entrance covered by dense vines, which was extremely hidden.

The pool water was calm, as if the previous slaughter had never happened. Some debris and a faint smell of blood floated on the water surface, showing the tragedy of that encounter. The people from Wanbao Tower were long gone, and it was unknown whether they had been wiped out or some had escaped.

Lin Ye did not stay long, identified the direction, and returned toward Tianyong City.

A few days later, he returned to the Yuelai Inn in Tianyong City.

Just as he entered the room and hadn't sat down yet, the door was knocked.

Opening the door, a young deacon dressed in Wanbao Tower attire stood outside, his face not looking very good.

"Fellow Daoist Lin Han?" The deacon looked at Lin Ye, especially lingering on the wound on his left shoulder, "For the Green Wave Pool mission, only you returned alone?"

Lin Ye's heart sank, but his face remained calm: "I was lucky to escape. I don't know about Team Leader Zhao and the other Fellow Daoists..."

"Team Leader Zhao escaped back with serious injuries and brought back the news. Eight people including Wang Kui and Li Qing are confirmed dead, and three are missing, including you." The deacon's tone was flat, with no discernible joy or anger, "According to the contract, the exploration failed, and the losses were heavy. Since you did not complete the agreed mission, the deposit must be returned, and there is no extra remuneration."

Lin Ye had already expected this, took out the twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones deposit he had received from Team Leader Zhao, and handed it to the deacon.

The deacon put away the Spirit Stones and added: "In addition, Team Leader Zhao has words for me to bring to you. He said that the intelligence for this mission was wrong, and a Second-Grade Yao Beast appeared, so the responsibility lies with Wanbao Tower. Your response in battle... was passable. If there is fate in the future, perhaps we can cooperate again." Having said that, he turned and left.

Lin Ye closed the door, lost in thought. These words from Team Leader Zhao seemed to have an intention of recruitment, but also carried a trace of scrutiny. However, the behemoth that was Wanbao Tower was not something he could climb up to for the time being.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it. This trip to the Green Wave Pool, although dangerous, having lost the short spear and getting injured himself, had yielded three ancient Cultivator Jade Slips, the Water-Avoiding Pendant, some Spirit Stones, and more importantly, the Pill Formula for the "Mystic Yin Pill," as well as insights into the use of ice and fire power in actual combat.

Next, his goal was to gather the Materials for refining the "Mystic Yin Pill" as soon as possible, attempt Alchemy, completely solve the hidden danger of the cold poison in his body, and purify his Spiritual Qi to prepare for the preliminary selection of the Ascension Assembly three months later.

The main ingredient of the Mystic Yin Pill was "mystic yin true water," and he still had a trace stored in his "bone ring," which was barely enough. Although other auxiliary medicinal ingredients were not common, they should be available for purchase in Tianyong City, but it would require quite a few Spirit Stones.

He needed to earn more Spirit Stones.

In the following days, Lin Ye took on tasks more frequently and also began to pay attention to information about Alchemy Materials and Pill Furnaces in the market.

On this day, outside the branch of "Hundred Herbs Hall" in the market, he saw a striking notice:

"Hundred Herbs Hall is recruiting several Alchemy apprentices. Requirements: Age under twenty, Cultivation at Qi Refining Stage 4 or above, have a certain understanding of herbs and pharmacology, and those with an Alchemy foundation are preferred. Treatment: Provide basic Pill Formulas and Materials for practice; those with excellent performance can become official Alchemists, with generous monthly stipends."

Alchemy apprentice?

Lin Ye's heart stirred. He had the ancient Cultivator's Alchemy experience and the Mystic Yin Pill Formula, but lacked practical Alchemy experience and a stable source of Materials. If he could become an Alchemy apprentice at Hundred Herbs Hall, not only could he systematically learn Alchemy, but he could also use its resources to practice, perhaps mastering the refining of the Mystic Yin Pill faster.

More importantly, Hundred Herbs Hall had a deep background, and becoming its apprentice could count as having a temporary identity cover, making it more convenient to operate in Tianyong City.

Perhaps, he could give it a try?