56: Entering the secret realm, is this a bathhouse?

The Spiritual Origin Secret Realm was the core foundation of the Tianqiong War God Academy.

This was an independent small sub-space, said to be modified from the fragments of an ancient powerhouse's Immortal Cave.

There was no sky here; overhead lay a field of Chaos nebulae.

Surrounding it were circles of stone walls, carved with incomprehensible ancient runes.

At the very center of the Secret Realm was a massive pool about a hundred meters in diameter—the Spiritual Spring Pool.

The pool water was milky white, emitting a dense, misty heat.

That wasn't ordinary water vapor, but an atomization phenomenon caused by an excessively high concentration of Spiritual Qi.

As soon as they stepped inside, everyone felt a massive pressure.

The Spiritual Qi here was too violent, like a herd of runaway horses, crazily burrowing into people's pores.

This sensation of "passive empowerment" was not pleasant; instead, it was accompanied by a tearing pain in the Meridians.

"Hiss—it hurts!"

Li Qingfeng, who had just entered, turned pale. He quickly sat cross-legged and circulated his power to resist the violent Spiritual Pressure. "Everyone, be careful! The Spiritual Qi here is too harsh; it can't be absorbed directly. It must be refined bit by bit!"

The other top ten freshmen didn't dare to be negligent either. They all found corners to sit down, their faces contorted and teeth clenched as if they were undergoing some form of torture.

Even the Mage, who was an Ability User, was dripping with sweat, his Mental Energy highly strained.

This was the rule of the Spiritual Origin Secret Realm: if you wanted power, you had to endure pain.

It was a tempering of one's will.

However...

In this solemn, tense Holy Land of cultivation filled with groans of pain...

A sudden, inappropriate splashing sound rang out.

It was the sound of a heavy object falling into the water.

Everyone struggled to open an eye and look toward the center of the pool.

They saw that Gu Fan had somehow changed into a pair of colorful Beach Shorts. Bare-chested, he dove headfirst into the Spiritual Spring Pool.

"Phew—"

Gu Fan poked his head out of the water, wiped the droplets from his face, and let out an extremely blissful sigh. "Comfortable! This water temperature is perfect! It's probably around 42 degrees? A genuine volcanic hot spring!"

The surroundings instantly fell silent.

Li Qingfeng almost suffered Qi Deviation.

This is freaking violent spiritual liquid!

Every drop stings like a needle!

And you're saying it's comfortable?

Are you made of sheet metal?

In fact, they didn't know that the Great Dao Returns to One Art inside Gu Fan's body was operating passively.

Any foreign energy that touched his body would be instantly crushed, purified, and assimilated by that domineering Cultivation Technique.

What were violent factors—poison to others—were like vigorous massage therapists to Gu Fan.

But that wasn't all.

Gu Fan pulled a massive Inflatable Floating Bed from his Storage Pouch, threw it onto the water, and lay down comfortably on it.

Next, he pulled out: a Little Yellow Duck (the kind that squeaks).

A floating tray filled with sliced watermelon, grapes, and a pot of Chilled Sour Plum Soup.

A pure cotton towel draped over his forehead.

"Lin Xue, what are you standing there for? Get in the water."

Gu Fan waved at the dazed Lin Xue on the shore. "Don't say I don't look after my employees. This pool not only enhances beauty but can also treat your cold womb. Come on down and help me scrub my back."

Lin Xue, wearing her tight-fitting Agent Combat Suit, stood on the shore. Looking at Gu Fan's wealthy landlord-like expression, her fists tightened and loosened several times.

"Gu Fan... this is a cultivation Holy Land, not your private bathhouse!"

Lin Xue whispered through gritted teeth.

"Your perspective is too narrow."

Gu Fan took a bite of watermelon. "What is cultivation for? For longevity. What is longevity for? To enjoy life. I'm just skipping straight to the end and enjoying life. Isn't this the most Advanced cultivation?"

This twisted logic actually left Lin Xue momentarily speechless.

She took a deep breath. To avoid exposing her identity and to continue her infiltration, she would endure!

Lin Xue took off her jacket, revealing a tight black tank top underneath that outlined her slender figure.

She cautiously dipped her foot into the pool.

"Hiss!"

That needle-like stinging pain made her gasp.

This wasn't bathing at all; it was like soaking in chili water!

But seeing Gu Fan's blissful expression, she felt indignant.

Why is this Trash perfectly fine?

He must have some treasure on him!

"Xiao Fan, don't just sit there like an idiot either."

Gu Fan threw a banana to Xiao Fan, who was sitting cross-legged on the shore and dripping with sweat. "Come down and soak. You have to balance work and rest at times like this. If you stay tense all the time, watch out for your Meridians snapping."

Xiao Fan opened his eyes and looked at Gu Fan's relaxed appearance, feeling bitter in his heart.

Boss, I want to take a bath too, but I don't have your cheat!

If I dared to play like you, my small frame would probably just explode.

"Boss... I'll just stay on the shore."

Xiao Fan smiled wryly. "I feel like if I go in, I might get cooked."

"How boring."

Gu Fan shook his head, then his eyes lit up as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot the main business."

From his System space, he pulled out that bag of "Potent Foot Bath Powder" he had bought from the mall and hadn't been able to bring himself to use.

This was a System-produced item, guaranteed to be high quality.

The instructions read: [Karma Boiling Powder: Just one bag can make any stagnant water boil instantly, greatly enhancing the water's activity and permeability. Although the process might be a bit stimulating, the effect is top-notch.]

"Since everyone is cultivating, I'll give everyone a hand."

Gu Fan had a selfless expression on his face. "This is my treasured 'Ten-Ingredient Tonic Powder.' It promotes blood circulation, clears Meridians, and aids in Breakthroughs. Don't thank me, I'm just a Lei Feng."

With that, ignoring the horrified looks of the people on the shore, he tore open the packaging and poured the entire bag of red powder into the Spiritual Spring Pool.