129: Golden Scaled Turtle

As his Qi deepened, he discovered that a sophisticated protective Formation was hidden at the bottom of the pool.

As the Formation circulated, that aura became increasingly clear, seemingly merging with the entire pool of water.

What shocked him even more was that rhythmic fluctuations could be faintly felt from the Formation, like the breathing of some living creature.

Could it really be a Golden Scale Turtle sleeping here? Lin Feng pondered to himself.

He dared not venture deeper to investigate, fearing he might disturb this guardian Spirit Beast.

However, judging by the pressure emanating from the Formation, if it truly were a Golden Scale Turtle, its cultivation base would likely far exceed his imagination.

Just then, however, Lin Feng suddenly felt a Divine Sense sweep over his entire body.

Who is it? Lin Feng's heart stirred, and he immediately activated his breath-concealing technique.

No need to be nervous, the other party said with a hint of a smile. This old man is right here at the bottom of the pool beneath you.

Lin Feng cautiously probed with a wisp of Divine Sense: Senior is...

A Golden Scale Turtle, the voice said leisurely. I have guarded this place for a thousand years. You, little one, are quite interesting; you actually possess two Spirit Beasts.

Lin Feng's heart stirred. He did indeed have two Spirit Beasts, a Slug and a Shadow Scale Snake, but he had never known their origins.

What is Senior referring to?

If this old man's perception is correct, the other party mused, they should be a Saint Healing Sky Slug and a Nether Shadow Python Snake. However, their aura is still very weak; they must not have grown to their mature form yet.

It paused: What puzzles this old man is that these two types of Spirit Beasts have always been solitary and would never acknowledge the same person simultaneously. You, little one, are quite special.

As their conversation deepened, the Golden Scale Turtle grew more appreciative of Lin Feng.

It discovered that this young man not only possessed exceptional talent but also a steady Heart-Nature.

What was even more rare was that Lin Feng often had unique insights into the Spirit Summoning Technique, which left the Golden Scale Turtle, who had lived for thousands of years, feeling refreshed.

You, little one, clearly have the strength of a Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, yet you insist on disguising yourself as being in the Qi Refinement Stage, the Golden Scale Turtle teased. You have grand plans, don't you?

Lin Feng's heart jolted, then he said candidly: Senior has a Wisdom Eye. This Junior is indeed here for the xin gold Spirit Pearl.

The pool water rippled gently, and the Golden Scale Turtle's voice carried deep emotion: Practitioners of the Dao should take enlightenment as their foundation. But look at the Qingxia Sect today; everyone chases fame and fortune, treating cultivation as a business transaction.

Sect Master Liu is busy consolidating power all day, the Elders are engaged in open and secret struggles, and even the young Disciples have had their morals corrupted by this atmosphere.

It paused: What pains this old man the most is that girl, Yuer. She is at such an innocent and carefree age, yet she is forced by her father to cultivate bitterly all day long.

The last time I saw her come to the poolside, she was staring blankly at the moon, muttering, If only I could be like an ordinary Disciple, how good that would be. Sigh, even her youthful Heart-Nature has been worn away.

Lin Feng listened quietly, recalling that Liu Yuer was indeed always in a rush on ordinary days, and it was rare to see her smile.

Do you know, the Golden Scale Turtle continued, when the first Ancestral Master founded the Qingxia Sect, the Disciples often discussed the Dao under the moon and sparred with each other.

Back then, there were not so many rules and constraints, and instead, many brilliant and talented figures emerged.

The pool water rippled, as if responding to its sigh: Now, it's just big competitions and small competitions, Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills, at every turn.

A few days ago, there was even a Disciple who, because he lost a match, actually wept bitterly by the pool, saying something about having no face to face Revered Master.

Lin Feng recalled his own observations in the Sect, and it was indeed as the Golden Scale Turtle said.

Even a figure like Elder Zhou often kept Do not disgrace the Sect's reputation on his lips.

So, the Golden Scale Turtle's tone shifted, since you could gain the acknowledgement of the Saint Healing Sky Slug and the Nether Shadow Python Snake, your Heart-Nature must be extraordinary.

Thinking of that Sect Master Liu, having obtained this xin gold Spirit Pearl, he merely shelves it, using it as a symbol of power, completely unaware of how to utilize its mysteries.

This xin gold Spirit Pearl is just gathering dust here; it would be better to give it to someone fated.

Lin Feng bowed solemnly: This Junior will keep Senior's great kindness in my heart.

No need for such formalities, the Golden Scale Turtle said. I only hope that if you achieve something in the future, you will be able to help the Qingxia Sect when it is in danger.

This Junior will certainly not fail your trust.

The Golden Scale Turtle gradually revealed the mysteries of the Formation. The core of the Formation is at the Xun position; when the Yin Qi is strongest at the hour of the Rat, there will be a momentary flaw.

On the night of the full moon, following the Golden Scale Turtle's guidance, Lin Feng found the weak point of the Formation.

When he broke the Formation and took the Spirit Pearl, the Golden Scale Turtle's voice sounded again: Little one, do you have anything else to say before you leave?

Lin Feng pondered for a moment: Would Senior be willing to accompany this Junior?

A low laugh came from the bottom of the pool: Wait until you successfully form your Nascent Soul, then come find this old man; it won't be too late. You are still too weak right now.

Lin Feng said no more, bowed deeply to the bottom of the pool, and then turned into a stream of light, disappearing into the night.

Three days later, when Sect Master Liu discovered the Spirit Pearl had been stolen and came to the Spirit Gathering Pool in a rage to investigate, the Golden Scale Turtle merely turned over lazily at the bottom of the pool and continued to pretend to sleep.

Liu Yuer came to the poolside, only to find that Lin Feng, who was supposed to be recuperating in the pool, was nowhere to be seen.

Just as she was puzzled, Elder Zhou walked over with a heavy expression: Yuner, is Lin Feng's injury any better? This morning, the Sect Master discovered... the xin gold Spirit Pearl at the bottom of the pool has been stolen.

Junior Brother Lin said yesterday that he needed to recuperate for another three days... The Medicinal Pill in Liu Yuer's hand hit the ground with a snap. His injuries haven't healed; where could he have gone?

The news quickly spread among the Core Disciples. Chu Yunshen frowned and said: Could it be that he stole the Spirit Pearl and fled?

Impossible, Liu Yuer immediately retorted. Junior Brother Lin is only in the Qi Refinement Stage; how could he break the Restriction set by the Sect Master? Furthermore, his injuries are so severe...

Shen Qingchen mused: I, on the other hand, think it might be an external enemy who infiltrated. To be able to steal the Spirit Pearl without a sound, they must be at least a Nascent Soul Stage expert. Perhaps Junior Brother Lin... has met with foul play.

This speculation made everyone fall silent. Indeed, compared to a Qi Refinement Stage Disciple stealing the treasure, the theory of a Nascent Soul expert infiltrating was more reasonable.

His injuries haven't healed yet... Liu Yuer's voice trembled as she searched everywhere.

But all clues had been cut off.

It seems a Revered Master really did infiltrate, Elder Zhou sighed. That child... I fear he is in grave danger.

Liu Yuer still would not give up, entering the mountains to search for seven consecutive days. Each time she returned, her eyes were a little dimmer.

Senior Sister, do not be too sad, Chu Yunshen advised. If it really was a Nascent Soul Stage expert who acted, then Junior Brother Lin...

Liu Yuer stared blankly at the back mountain: That day, he even said that when his injuries healed, he would spar with me on the newly realized Spirit Summoning Technique...

Tianxuan Sect, Baoyue Peak, surrounded by clouds and mist.

Lin Feng pushed open the stone door of the Immortal Cave and shook his head; he had been gone for over a year.

He walked into the practice room and took out the xin gold Spirit Pearl he had obtained from the Qingxia Sect from his ink jade bracelet.

The Spirit Pearl glowed with a warm golden light in his palm, creating a subtle resonance with the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art.

Lin Feng sat cross-legged, suspended the Spirit Pearl three inches in front of his Dantian, and formed profound hand seals with both hands.

As the Spirit Pearl was refined, the Qi of metal flowed like a trickling stream, slowly merging into his Dantian along his Meridians.

The originally balanced water, fire, and wood Sword Essence suddenly fluctuated.

The sharp, metal-attribute Qi rampaged through his Meridians, and fine sweat seeped from Lin Feng's forehead; he had to use all his strength to protect his heart Meridians.

Using his Divine Thought as a guide, Lin Feng slowly led the four types of Sword Essence.

The water Sword Essence turned into gentle waves to wrap around the metal spirit, the fire Sword Essence burned away the Impurities, and the wood Sword Essence nourished the damaged Meridians.

After seven days and seven nights, the fourth golden Sword Essence finally took shape in his Dantian, forming a mysterious symbiotic circulation with the other three colors of Sword Essence.

Just as the Sword Essence stabilized, a rustling sound came from the spirit beast pouch.