Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Oasis opened his eyes.
He could feel the surge of power within him, his body now brimming with strength and vitality.
"I feel like I've regained all my strength," he thought, flexing his fingers and rotating his healed shoulder.
But a pang of regret hit him as he remembered 'Kaze no Kagutsuchi', his trusted sword, left behind in the valley.
The realization stung, but he knew he had to let it go for now.
"Too bad I lost my sword," he muttered to himself, his thoughts drifting back to the battle.
Shaking off the regret, Oasis focused on the time he had within the Celestial Garden Sphere.
"I'll be in here for two years, which is just two days outside," he mused, the oddity of time in this space both a blessing and a challenge.
He clenched his fist, determination surging through him.
"I have to get stronger by the time I leave this place."
The weight of his mission bore down on him.
"I'm too weak for the mission. A lackey almost killed me; then what about the leaders?"
He shuddered at the thought, the image of Rurik's cold eyes still fresh in his mind.
"They'll squeeze me like a bug."
With renewed resolve, Oasis stood up, his mind clear and focused.
The two years ahead would be grueling, but he knew he had no choice.
If he was to survive and fulfill his mission, he needed to push his limits beyond anything he had ever imagined.
He would hone his skills, refine his techniques, and become strong enough to face the dangers that awaited him outside.
There was no room for failure.
!!!
As Oasis finished his cultivation, a sudden surge of mana caught his attention.
The energy felt richer, more potent than anything he had experienced so far within the Celestial Garden Sphere.
He turned his gaze towards the source and noticed a narrow pathway winding through the bamboo trees, the only pathway visible in the entire area.
Without hesitation, he started down the path, his curiosity piqued by the promise of something extraordinary.
After only a few minutes of walking, Oasis emerged into a secluded clearing. Before him lay two ponds, each distinct in its appearance and aura.
The first was a hot spring with clear, steamy water, its surface shimmering invitingly. The warmth radiating from it was palpable, even from a distance.
The second pond, however, was entirely different. Its water was thick and creamy, with a milky texture that suggested a deep, mysterious quality.
Unlike the hot spring, this pond emanated a cold, almost chilling, atmosphere.
Oasis stood at the edge of the clearing, his eyes wide with wonder.
"What is this place?" he murmured, stepping closer to the ponds.
The air around them was saturated with potent mana, far richer than anything he had encountered before.
The sensation was almost intoxicating, as if the very air was filled with raw energy waiting to be absorbed.
As he approached the creamy pond, he knelt down to inspect it more closely.
The pond was smaller than the hot spring, yet still large enough for several people to bathe in at once.
Oasis instinctively activated his special sight, not even realizing he had done so.
Through his enhanced vision, he could see the dense, thick currents of mana flowing within the creamy water, swirling and pulsing with life.
"Amazing," Oasis thought, mesmerized by the sight.
His body, almost without conscious thought, began to absorb the mana radiating from the pond.
The energy flowed into him, revitalizing his already enhanced state.
Then, a sudden realization struck him, making his heart race.
"Wait... could this be... The Pond of Eternal Youth?" Oasis murmured, recalling the treasures of 'Tir na Nog'.
The realization sent a thrill through him.
If this was truly the Pond of Eternal Youth, he had discovered something far beyond anything he could have imagined.
A secret treasure trove of power hidden within the Celestial Garden Sphere, now his to explore.
Without hesitation, Oasis dipped his hands into the creamy water, scooping a handful to his lips.
The moment the water touched his tongue, his body was invaded by an overwhelming surge of potent mana.
It was as if the very essence of life itself was being poured into him.
His mana heart began to beat faster, pumping the influx of energy through his veins.
The sheer force of the mana caused his mana veins to expand, straining against their limits.
Every cell in his body vibrated with power, pushing him to the brink as he struggled to maintain control.
For what felt like an eternity, but was only a few minutes, Oasis fought to stabilize the wild energy coursing through him.
His breath came in ragged gasps, the intensity of the experience leaving him drained yet exhilarated.
Huff!!! Huff!! Huff!!
"A breakthrough," Oasis thought, the realization dawning on him as he felt his cultivation level rise.
"I'm now in the advanced stage of the Tabula-Rasa realm."
This newfound power filled him with determination.
"I think it's time to ascend to the next stage of the Phoenix Heart Cultivation Technique," Oasis resolved, wasting no time as he prepared.
He began to draw runes near the ponds, using his own blood as the medium.
Each line was precise, each stroke deliberate, as he worked to complete the intricate patterns that would allow him to ascend.
The first level had been about gathering power, the second about solidifying it. Now, he was ready for the final level—ascending.
"First level was gathering, second was solidifying, now for the last level—ascending,"
Oasis murmured, his voice calm and steady despite the monumental task ahead.
He finished drawing the last line of the rune, a large circle that encompassed the area around the ponds.
With everything in place, Oasis began to chant the words from the Phoenix Heart Cultivation Technique manual.
As he chanted, the energy in the surrounding area responded. The ponds began to glow, their mana-rich waters pulsing with life.
The runes absorbed the mana from the ponds, channeling it into Oasis's body in a concentrated stream of power.
The heat wave that radiated from the ritual intensified, filling the air with steam as the energy surged through him.