481: Chapter 481 Farewell to Cultivation, Every Moment is Precious

Heaven-Reaching Tower, Seventh Floor.

Spiritual Spring Illusion Realm, time flow rate one to two hundred fifty-six.

Above the dome, the reflected galaxy slowly revolved; countless light spots fell onto the pool surface like stars, only to be crushed by the ripples, turning into thousands of shimmering fragments of gold.

At the bottom of the pool, the Millennium Warm Jade Bed emitted a gentle, warm glow, shining through the clear spring water and casting a hazy, milky-white halo.

Seven-colored phantom mist floated on the water's surface; pink, crimson, gold, and azure intertwined into a flowing veil, shrouding the entire space in a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere.

Chi Wanhe was the first to step into the Spiritual Spring.

The thin pink gauze skirt became transparent upon touching the water, revealing the peaks and ridges beneath the soaked fabric, faintly visible.

She turned around and waved at the people on the shore, her smile bold: "Why are you all just standing there? Time is precious; every inch of time is worth an inch of gold."

Qin Zhaoxue and the others chuckled as they shed their robes and dresses, slowly stepping into the water, which rose to their waists.

"Revered Master, come quickly!" Chi Wanhe slapped the water surface, stirring up ripples.

Ling Hao removed his outer robe and stepped into the Spiritual Spring.

The warmth of the Warm Jade Bed transmitted through the pool water, and the seven-colored phantom mist gathered and dispersed around Ling Hao, like invisible threads wrapping around him.

He wrapped his arm around Chi Wanhe's waist and leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Chi Wanhe's cheeks flushed red, and she reached out to punch his chest, only to have her wrist caught.

"Alright," Ling Hao's voice was low and slow in the mist, "Let's begin. Since you all want this so much, Revered Master will satisfy you before leaving the Sect, and incidentally, check your... Cultivation Technique progress."

The galaxy on the dome began to revolve, and Spiritual Qi descended.

As the Spiritual Qi grew denser, by the pool, a Nine-Orifice Exquisite Vine moved without wind; its tendrils were soft as silk, tips slightly curled, slowly stretching out. It reached into the water, its tips unconsciously tapping the surface, creating interlocking concentric circles.

In the center of the pool, a Sound-Resting Stalactite hung inverted, and from within the hollow stone tube came a very faint dripping sound—drip, drop, neither hurried nor slow.

The first ripple spread across the pool surface. As the waves gently surged, the water softly lapped against the jade steps.

"Revered Master, Disciple has exchanged for a Cultivation Technique from the Scripture Pavilion—'Xiaoxue Haoyang'—could Revered Master please guide me?"

Ling Hao's voice came from the mist, filled with a smile.

"Very well. Let me see..."

"Hmm, this is an ice-water Cultivation Technique; the two are of the same origin. You only need to follow Revered Master's instructions..."

"I will listen to everything Revered Master says..."

After some time,

"Does it feel alright? Have you entered the gateway?"

"It... it's alright... I have already entered the gateway..." Chi Wanhe's voice was a bit airy, the tail end slightly raised.

"Revered Master has guided me a few times, and the Bottleneck has completely loosened."

Seeing Chi Wanhe finish her Cultivation, the others beside her scrambled to be next.

"Revered Master, it's my turn, 'La Cao Si Wo Volume One—Frost Flowers Filling the Sky'..."

"Revered Master, 'Woshui Liuduo' has reached the second chapter, let me go first..."

"Revered Master, I am also about to have a Breakthrough, the third page of 'Quanshe Limian' is about to be finished!"

"Alright, alright, one by one."

The water waves grew denser, and undercurrents emerged. Golden-edged whirlpools formed underwater, and the Warm Jade Bed trembled faintly, transmitting that undercurrent to everyone leaning on it.

The fluorescent light of the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Vine began to shine; at first, it was only a faint azure, but with the frequency of the water ripples, it gradually turned into a glowing white. The tendrils wrapped around the jade railings by the pool, tightening more and more.

The dripping sound of the Sound-Resting Stalactite quickened.

Drip, drop, drip, drop, drip, drop...

"Fourth Junior Sister,"

Du Yuqing's voice sounded, "How did you practice this 'Xiao Zui Tun Tian' technique to such a level..."

Lu Changning's voice was slurred,

"I, I just followed what Revered Master said before, worked hard... practiced, and practiced more, and that was it..."

"Is that so?"

Ling Hao chuckled, reaching out to rub Lu Changning's wet head: "Little Changning did well. Revered Master is very satisfied."

Lu Changning gave a muffled "Mm."

Spiritual Qi from the dome poured down, and the tide surged in layers.

The pool water slapped against the jade steps, one wave higher than the last.

The seven-colored phantom mist gradually changed from pinkish-white to crimson, and then from crimson to an intense golden-red, dyeing the entire illusion realm in a hazy, warm color.

The fluorescent light of the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Vine flared brightly, its tendrils growing crazily and spreading everywhere.

The reflected galaxy on the dome began to shake violently. Countless light spots, like spilled mercury, projected flowing light and shadows onto the pool surface, the stone walls, and everyone.

"Revered Master..."

Xia Yingying's voice carried a sob,

"I... I seem to be... about to... have a Breakthrough, the Divine Ability 'Miyongli'..."

"Good, you must hold on."

Ling Hao's voice was steady,

"The Cultivation has reached a critical point; you cannot give up halfway."

Lin Xiwei encouraged from the side: "Yingying... don't, don't be afraid... I am here..."

Shui Liuli giggled:

"Sixth Senior Sister, you are actually... less experienced than me, to be Breakthrough-ed so quickly..."

The crashing waves split the stone; a few fine fragments peeled off the brittle stone by the pool and fell into the water with a "splash" sound.

A long hum came from within the Sound-Resting Stalactite, as if something had been washed through the narrow stone tube by the water current, emitting a sharp and satisfied echo.

The fluorescent light of the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Vine reached its peak at this moment, almost blinding. Then—it suddenly extinguished.

The Spiritual tide receded, and the tendrils hung down softly, soaking into the water and drifting slowly.

The remaining ripples circled back.

After the great waves, the water surface still rippled incessantly, but the waves gradually became softer and wider, spreading outward circle by circle until they touched the pool wall, then folded back, intertwining with each other, slowly returning to calm.

The seven-colored phantom mist gathered again, fading from golden-red to crimson, and then from crimson back to the initial pinkish-white, floating thinly on the water surface.

The dripping sound of the Sound-Resting Stalactite became leisurely again. Drip—drop—drip—drop—the interval was very long, as if it were tired and needed a long time to accumulate the next drop.

After a long time, the water waves completely calmed down.

The women leaned or rested, scattered around the spring water. Chi Wanhe rested her head on Ling Hao's shoulder, Qin Zhaoxue leaned against his arm, Du Yuqing lay on his chest, Lu Changning curled up by his legs, and Lin Xiwei lay on her side nearby.

Shui Liuli and Xia Yingying squeezed together, their silver hair and water-blue long hair intertwined.

"Revered Master,"

Chi Wanhe spoke lazily, "How long have we been Cultivating here?"

"One night in the outside world, a month or so in the tower."

"Fortunately, you have all made progress."

Ling Hao's voice was low and hoarse, and he rubbed his lower back,

"This Cultivation really was... every inch of time is worth an inch of... gold."

Qin Zhaoxue chuckled: "Every inch of time traded for an inch of gold; Revered Master's guidance is naturally effective."

"Of course."

Shui Liuli yawned, "Revered Master's guidance is one of a kind in the world."

Ling Hao was silent for a moment, his fingers weaving through Chi Wanhe's hair: "After going out, Revered Master will be going to Fusang Province."

The women all went quiet.

"You stay in the Sect and Cultivate well."

Ling Hao's voice was calm, "Take good care of the three little ones. They are young, their Heart-Nature is not yet settled, don't let them learn bad habits."

Chi Wanhe pouted: "Is Revered Master saying we will lead them astray? They were already led astray by Revered Master long ago!"

"Ahem, I am saying, you must set an example. Cultivation cannot be neglected, and Sect affairs must also be taken to heart."

Qin Zhaoxue nodded:

"Revered Master, rest assured, we will take good care of those three little ones."

Du Yuqing raised her head, her gaze burning: "Revered Master, when will you return?"

"I do not know."

Ling Hao was frank, "Once matters in Fusang Province are concluded, I will return."

Shui Liuli suddenly laughed: "Then Revered Master must return early. Otherwise, the three little ones will pester us every day asking 'When is the male older brother coming back?', and we won't be able to stand it."

The women chuckled, and the atmosphere relaxed a little.

Ling Hao stood up, water droplets sliding off his shoulders.

"Night ends and dawn comes; it is time to leave."

Outside the Heaven-Reaching Tower, the outline of Heaven-Pillar Peak gradually became clear in the morning light. Spiritual mist swirled, and birds chirped crisply.

When the doors of the Heaven-Reaching Tower opened, morning light poured in.

Ling Hao brought the seven Disciples back to Tianyuan Floating Island.

In front of Haoran Tower, in the courtyard, a few figures were waiting.