218: Chapter 218 Fire in Water, Entering the Ancient Pool

"Is this the Chili Ancient Pool?"

Qin Tian's Divine Thought swept across the vast, boundless surface of the water; he couldn't even sense its edge.

The ancient well was rippleless, a scene of total silence.

"Who are you?!"

"Don't you know that the Mi Tian Mansion has already issued a ban? No one is allowed near the Chili Ancient Pool during this period!"

A voice echoed out.

The aura of a Creation Heavenly Monarch enveloped Qin Tian, Yun Xi, and Ling Su simultaneously.

Qin Tian lifted his gaze.

In mid-air, a young man in black looked down at them with an unfriendly expression.

"Retreat now, and the Mi Tian Mansion can act as if nothing happened!"

Qin Tian smiled slightly. "This Fellow Daoist misunderstood. We are from the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty of the North Miao Immortal Domain. We are just passing through and have no intention of trespassing."

Ling Su's eyes widened, her heart filled with surprise.

「Sister Yun Xi, was this guy always like this, lying without even blinking?」

Sister...?

Yun Xi was momentarily dazed.

「When traveling abroad, your identity is whatever you give yourself.」

「The factions in the Ancient Realm of Longevity are complex. If we cause trouble later, we can push the blame onto the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty. After all, they were the ones who invited us...」

Ling Su shook her head. 「Sister Yun Xi, I wasn't asking about the reason for lying.」

「I'm asking how Qin Tian can spout such nonsense without his aura fluctuating in the slightest?」

「Even I can't detect any tells...」

Hearing this, Yun Xi gave a gentle smile.

「I don't know either.」

「Actually, Tian'er wasn't like this when he was little; he was easy to read... But after he fused with the dao seed, everything became incredible... Perhaps it is the power of the dao seed...」

Ling Su realized: 「I see...」

She quietly observed Qin Tian, lost in thought.

In mid-air, the black-clad figure froze for a moment before his attitude shifted a full hundred and eighty degrees, and he immediately descended.

"So you are Fellow Daoists from the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty. My apologies for the rudeness."

"I am Mi Sheng, a deacon of the Mi Tian Mansion. I am ordered to stand guard here to prevent living beings from accidentally entering the Chili Ancient Pool."

Qin Tian cupped his hands. "I am Li Feiyu. As a newcomer, I thought the scenery here was beautiful and wanted to admire it. I didn't realize this was a Forbidden Ground."

"I'm just a bit curious, what exactly happened here?"

"Of course, if it's inconvenient, we will leave immediately."

Mi Sheng smiled and said, "It's not inconvenient. This isn't actually a secret. The Chili Ancient Pool is a Longevity Forbidden Ground; Longevity Beings cannot enter, but for Cultivators below the level of Longevity, it is an excellent place for tempering oneself."

"Therefore, young Cultivators often come here."

"Among them, some perish, and some return with a full harvest. The ratio is about fifty-fifty."

"However, these recent years have been very strange."

"Not a single Cultivator who entered the pool has returned alive..."

"Furthermore, every few months, the phenomenon of the Snow Maiden Dancing in the Sky appears in the center of the Chili Ancient Pool!"

"The Mi Tian Mansion once sent an Emperor to investigate, but they didn't return either..."

"So, the Prefecture Revered Master ordered us to guard various locations to prevent Cultivators from entering."

Qin Tian's breath hitched slightly.

Not a single one alive...

This sentence caused his heart to sink to the bottom of a valley.

His mother, Junior Sister, Ancient Ancestor, friends... they could all be inside...

"Fellow Daoist Li, what's wrong? Why does your expression look a bit pale?" Mi Sheng's eyes flickered.

Qin Tian let out a sigh.

"To be honest, I actually lied to Brother Mi just now."

"I have a close friend surnamed Han. He is steady by nature, but a few years ago, seeking a Breakthrough, he entered this Chili Ancient Pool."

"Now, after years without news, I came to investigate."

"I just didn't expect... sigh..."

Ling Su: ...

Yun Xi: ...

Mi Sheng sighed softly. "Actually, I already saw that Brother Li didn't come purely for the scenery."

"Since Brother Li is so honest with me, I will help you check to see if your friend is among those who entered."

Qin Tian's eyes lit up. "Could it be that there are records of everyone who enters and leaves?"

Mi Sheng nodded. "Profound Shadow Arrays are set up all around the Chili Ancient Pool. The figures of Cultivators entering are recorded."

"Then I shall trouble Brother Mi." Qin Tian cupped his hands. "Once I return to the Great Yan Dynasty, I will certainly prepare a generous gift to thank you properly!"

"Actually... there's no need for thanks..." Mi Sheng hesitated.

"Is something the matter, Brother Mi?"

Mi Sheng nodded.

"To be honest, I have a younger sister. A hundred years ago, she became Dao Companions with a Loose Cultivator from the Great Yan Immortal Dynasty..."

"In a hundred years, she hasn't returned once, and I can't reach her via voice transmission. I would like to ask Brother Li to bring a letter to my sister, asking her to come home and visit. I wonder if it's possible...?"

Qin Tian smiled. "So Brother Mi's sister eloped?"

Mi Sheng nodded awkwardly.

"No problem."

"Wonderful! Hahaha! Brother Li and I truly hit it off like old friends!"

"Come, I will take you to see the records now."

...

Before the Light-Shadow Platform.

One figure after another flashed by.

Qin Tian and Yun Xi carefully observed every single figure.

Finally!

The incredibly familiar figure with flowing white hair appeared in their eyes.

Snow Princess...

Her white clothes were stained with blood, and she looked to be in a very bad state.

Qin Tian's face darkened.

Mi Sheng spoke slowly: "Brother Li, have you seen your close friend?"

"I have. Thank you, Brother Mi."

"As for your letter, if I encounter your sister in the future, I will naturally deliver it."

"As for now, I must ask Brother Mi to take a short nap..."

"Eh?" Mi Sheng was stunned.

The next moment.

A wave of dizziness surged. Mi Sheng's vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.

Ling Su opened her mouth: "What did you do to him?"

"Dream Spirit Grass. It's enough to make a Heavenly Monarch sleep for a day and a night."

"Revered Master, I'm going in."

Yun Xi nodded. "I'll go with you."

Qin Tian shook his head. "We don't know what's in the Chili Ancient Pool. It's safer for you both to stay on the shore."

"Don't worry, I'm just going to scout the situation. I'll be back in three days."

"I hope nothing has happened to the Ancient Ancestor..."

Yun Xi's eyes held a hint of worry.

Ling Su pursed her lips slightly. "Let me calculate for you."

Saying that, she took out three coins and tossed them casually.

"Qian, Qian, Kun!"

"Great Auspice!"

"This means that you and your Ancient Ancestor will definitely be fine!"

Qin Tian smiled. "I'm going."

As his voice fell, Qin Tian's figure vanished.

Yun Xi looked at Ling Su and spoke slowly:

"Is it true?"

Ling Su was curious. "Sister Yun Xi, what are you saying?"

"The Great Auspice just now."

Ling Su shook her head. "He is shrouded in mystery; I actually couldn't calculate it."

"However, I believe that no matter what danger he encounters, he will certainly be able to turn misfortune into a blessing..."

Yun Xi said softly, "Why are you so confident in him? You've clearly known him for less than a day."

"Because he is worth believing in..."

Ling Su looked back, revealing a perfect smile.

Yun Xi was momentarily dazed.

Her eyes are so beautiful...

...

By the edge of the Chili Ancient Pool.

Qin Tian's Divine Thought swept through, and then he leaped down.

The next moment.

A terrifying flare of fire surged from the bottom of the pool, swallowing him completely...

...

...