Upon hearing the words of the Thirteenth Prince and Lin Fei, Ye Tian instantly grasped the preciousness of the Spirit Pool. He felt an immense sense of gratitude for having met the Thirteenth Prince and Lin Fei; otherwise, he might have missed this opportunity entirely.
After all, according to the regulations of the Shensheng Sect, only outer disciples in their first year of initiation are eligible to apply for entrance into the Spirit Pool for a single baptism.
However, had it not been for the reminders from the Thirteenth Prince and Lin Fei, in three days, with Ye Tian's strength, he would undoubtedly have secured a position within the top ten. At that point, he would be promoted to an inner disciple and would no longer have the chance to enter the Spirit Pool for baptism.
"This Spirit Pool is likely accessible to very few!" Ye Tian sighed softly.
"Indeed!"
The Thirteenth Prince nodded, a glint in his eyes. "The existence of the Spirit Pool is scarcely known among the Shensheng Sect, or it is simply overlooked. Of course, if one were to meticulously study the Star Manual, they might discover its existence. However, those who join the Shensheng Sect are primarily motivated to earn contribution points to exchange for powerful martial techniques or precious resources to enhance their strength. How many possess the patience to thoroughly read the Star Manual?"
Ye Tian could not help but nod in agreement. Even he, upon joining, had first thought of using his contribution points to acquire items, rather than remaining indoors to study the Star Manual to completion. Of course, it wasn't that Ye Tian lacked patience; rather, his patience was reserved for cultivation, not for reading.
"Moreover, even if someone were to discover the Spirit Pool, accumulating ten thousand contribution points within the first year is no small feat. Additionally, as you may have noticed, every assessment cycle features arena battles. Consequently, those capable of earning ten thousand contribution points are typically recruited into the inner sect ahead of time. The remaining weaker disciples would find it nearly impossible to amass such points within a single year," Lin Fei chuckled.
"Why do I feel that the Shensheng Sect does not wish for us to enter the Spirit Pool? Otherwise, there would be no need to conceal it so deeply," Ye Tian pondered with some confusion.
"Of course, they do not want us entering the Spirit Pool. Have you considered how many resources the Shensheng Sect expends to maintain its existence? Even ten thousand contribution points would be a bargain for us, let alone a hundred thousand."
Yun Shuiyao shot Ye Tian a glance.
Ye Tian couldn't help but touch his nose; why did this girl always seem to be at odds with him? Had he inadvertently offended her in some way?
Lin Fei continued, "However, it cannot be said that way. Those of status can still learn of the Spirit Pool's existence from disciples of the Shensheng Sect, just as we have. Therefore, every assessment cycle, there will always be individuals entering the Spirit Pool."
"Let's go. I suspect Wu Ding and the others will also head to the Spirit Pool. We should make our way there before they beat us to it," the Thirteenth Prince declared, rising to his feet.
"Mm!" Ye Tian nodded, feeling a surge of anticipation. He was currently in dire need of spiritual energy to cultivate the Condensation Technique, and the Spirit Pool might just alleviate his urgent need.
Thus, the four of them set off together, leaving the courtyard.
On the path outside the courtyard, numerous figures began to appear, all clad in white, clearly wearing the standard attire of the Shensheng Sect.
"This outfit is quite ugly!" Yun Shuiyao remarked, glancing at her white garments with dissatisfaction.
"Let's make do for now. Once we become inner disciples, we'll be able to wear the beautiful blue Star Robes, which are the attire of inner disciples!" Lin Fei replied with a smile.
"Yet the most impressive is undoubtedly the purple Star Robe. Wearing that would surely draw attention wherever one goes in the Great Yan Kingdom," the Thirteenth Prince said, his face filled with longing.
"The purple Star Robe? How could you even think of that? Only the true disciples of the Shensheng Sect are permitted to wear such attire, requiring a cultivation level of Martial Sovereign. We should focus on our cultivation first!" Lin Fei rolled his eyes.
Ye Tian's heart stirred. He had heard of the true disciples of the Shensheng Sect—there were merely thirty-six of them, each a prominent figure in Nanlin County, wielding substantial influence throughout the Great Yan Kingdom.
"Wang Fanyun and Wan Yunxia must have become true disciples of the Shensheng Sect by now!" Ye Tian thought to himself. These two had previously been among the strongest three inner disciples alongside Liu Yunfei, and it was highly likely that they had already broken through to the Martial Sovereign realm, becoming true disciples of the Shensheng Sect.
Recalling Liu Yunfei's last words, Ye Tian resolved to find an opportunity to inquire about Wan Yunxia's whereabouts to fulfill Liu Yunfei's request.
As they conversed, they soon arrived at the location of the Spirit Pool, which was quite remote and sparsely populated, shrouded in a formation that obscured its mysteries from ordinary people.
Ye Tian looked up to see a modest stone house before him, its door firmly shut, appearing entirely unremarkable. At the entrance stood an elderly man with white hair, sweeping the ground, seemingly oblivious to the arrival of Ye Tian and his companions.
"Old senior, we have come to apply for the Spirit Pool baptism!"
In unison with the Thirteenth Prince, Ye Tian and the others respectfully bowed to the elder.
The elder paid them no mind, continuing his sweeping.
Unperturbed, Ye Tian and the others approached the stone house.
"My father once told me that one must never underestimate the elders of the Shensheng Sect; paying our respects is never a mistake!" the Thirteenth Prince whispered.
Ye Tian and Lin Fei nodded in agreement, both aware that those who live longer tend to possess greater strength, especially in a place like the Shensheng Sect, where powerful figures abound.
"Hey, open the door! We wish to apply for the Spirit Pool baptism!" While they were engaged in quiet discussion, Yun Shuiyao had already begun knocking on the stone door.
Creak...
With a crisp sound, the stone door opened, revealing a boy with a shaved head who peeked out, his bright eyes wide with innocence. He glanced at Ye Tian and his companions and said, "Ah, four more kids have come again, so bothersome! According to the rules, each of you must pay ten thousand contribution points."
Ye Tian and the others exchanged exasperated glances at the young boy, who, despite his youth, dared to call them "kids." However, considering they were newcomers, they obediently presented their identity tokens.
After deducting ten thousand contribution points, the boy allowed Ye Tian and his companions to enter.
Upon stepping through the stone door, they were immediately enveloped by an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy, and before them lay a pool of water comparable in size to their courtyard.
The pool's water was milky white, resembling milk, and it emitted a thick mist, akin to ethereal vapor.
Within the pool, four young men and women with closed eyes floated—none other than Wu Ding, the Seventh Prince, Bai Yunfei, and Meng Shiyun.
"Those four have indeed arrived ahead of us!" Lin Fei remarked with a smirk, realizing they had been outpaced.
"Regardless, the space is ample; we need not concern ourselves with them!" the Thirteenth Prince replied, shaking his head.
"Indeed, let us enter quickly!" Ye Tian nodded and, unable to contain his eagerness, leaped into the Spirit Pool, instantly feeling the overwhelming spiritual energy envelop his entire being.
This sensation was unprecedented; Ye Tian couldn't help but let out a groan of pleasure. However, he quickly focused his mind and began to cultivate the Condensation Technique.
The Thirteenth Prince, Lin Fei, and Yun Shuiyao also jumped into the Spirit Pool without delay.
As time passed, Ye Tian felt his proficiency in the Condensation Technique advancing rapidly; within moments, he had condensed a false acupoint.
"The spiritual energy here is incredibly dense; if I could cultivate in this environment, a single day would be equivalent to a year of training outside!" Ye Tian marveled to himself.
In less than an hour, he had already condensed thirty false acupoints, a speed that left him utterly astonished and exhilarated beyond measure.
"If this continues, I shall reach the pinnacle of the Condensation Technique in just a few hours," Ye Tian thought, his heart racing with excitement.
"Chirp, chirp..."
At that moment, Ye Tian felt a stir in his bosom as a small creature emerged, stretching and sniffing the air as it began to absorb the spiritual energy from the pool.
"Little Golden Mouse!" Ye Tian opened his eyes in surprise. Fearing that others might discover his treasure-seeking mouse, he had kept it close to him, as this little creature preferred to sleep during the day and seldom disturbed him.
"Chirp, chirp!" The little Golden Mouse was now swimming excitedly in the Spirit Pool, diving towards the bottom.
"Hey!" Ye Tian exclaimed, quickly diving after it, eager to catch the small mouse.
However, the little mouse was remarkably swift and reached the pool's bottom in an instant. Ye Tian had no choice but to follow, whereupon he discovered a green crystal emanating a faint glow.
"This... this is a Martial Soul Crystal!" Ye Tian's eyes widened in astonishment, his gaze fixated on the azure crystal before him.
At that moment, the little Golden Mouse comfortably perched itself atop the azure crystal, wearing a contented expression.
This must be a Martial Soul Crystal, Ye Tian was certain. The Martial Soul Crystal he had previously acquired resembled this one, differing only in color.
"An azure Martial Soul Crystal! If I were to absorb this, my green Martial Soul could undoubtedly evolve into an azure Martial Soul," Ye Tian thought, unable to suppress his excitement.
Warriors possessing an azure Martial Soul are exceedingly rare throughout the eighteen nations of Beihai. In the entire Great Yan Kingdom, it seemed that only the monarch possessed an azure Martial Soul, and even if there were others, they would not exceed a handful.
This illustrates the rarity of the azure Martial Soul.
"If my Martial Soul were to ascend to an azure level, combined with the spiritual energy here, I might even advance to the Martial Spirit realm ahead of schedule."
"However, this is the sacred ground of the Shensheng Sect. This Martial Soul Crystal was likely placed here by a powerful master of the sect. If I were to absorb it, who knows what kind of repercussions it might provoke?"
"Damn it, fortune favors the bold. My Martial Soul has not advanced in a long time; if I miss this opportunity, who knows when I'll have the chance to ascend to an azure Martial Soul?"
"This opportunity is a gift from the heavens. If I let it slip away, I might incur divine wrath!"
After a fierce internal struggle, Ye Tian gritted his teeth and resolved to absorb the Martial Soul Crystal.
"Chirp, chirp..." Meanwhile, Ye Tian grabbed the little Golden Mouse by its tail and set it aside, causing the mouse to squeak in protest, baring its tiny teeth at him.
Ye Tian settled into a cross-legged position at the bottom of the pool and began to absorb the azure Martial Soul Crystal.
The little Golden Mouse blinked its large eyes, curiously observing Ye Tian.
Gradually, a black aura enveloped the azure Martial Soul Crystal, emanating from Ye Tian's palm.
The little Golden Mouse suddenly displayed a look of terror, seemingly very afraid of the black aura surrounding them.