Chapter 650

Chapter 650: The Pool of Life

"The next trial ground will benefit your bodies. I will test it first. If I judge it safe, you may follow."

Ye Yun sought to boost Jin An and Golden Ling’er’s cultivation, fearing they’d face danger once parted from him. Reviewing the dragon egg’s inheritance memory, he learned the third trial enhanced physical resilience. He decided to guide them through it.

Though Golden Ling’er and Jin An had grown reliant on his presence, Ye Yun knew perpetual protection would dull their instincts. Better to strengthen them now than watch them fall prey to others later within the Xumi Treasure.

His focus fell hardest on Golden Ling’er. Her reckless boldness hinted at a sheltered upbringing—pampered, free to cultivate or idle as she pleased. Yet despite her lax habits, she’d reached the Nascent Soul stage before twenty. Without exceptional talent, this spoke of immense training resources piled upon her.

Ye Yun shook his head. Her father’s indulgence had bred this complacency.

"Surprising, boy. Giving them Immortal artifacts? Even teaching swordplay?" The Ancestor of the Sword Path sounded bemused.

"Fate binds us. I rarely form ties, so I’ll honor this one," Ye Yun replied flatly.

"Why bother? Ignoring them wouldn’t be unreasonable. Your zeal puzzles me."

"I have my reasons. If it irks you, stay silent. Suppressing that supreme Immortal artifact drains my true qi, and the Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique mends my body too slowly." Ye Yun sighed, weariness etched in his smile.

Fire poison seared his meridians unceasingly. Immortal Spirit Stones fed spiritual energy to quell it, a cycle of frustration.

As they advanced, voices erupted behind them—a mob of cultivators scuffling over spirit herbs.

"Move, brat! Blocking our path?"

"Nascent Soul fledglings dare venture here? Foolish!"

"Leave them. Hurry—I sense danger."

"Coward! But your hunches aren’t wrong. Move!"

Ye Yun ignored their jeers. Suppressing the fire poison left no patience for fools. Behind them, North Ming Dao Ren and others trailed, treasure-hungry.

Moonlight suddenly blazed, striking a man clutching herbs. His body disintegrated to ash.

The crowd froze, crushed by an invisible force.

"Which senior punishes us? What crime have we committed?" a bold soul demanded.

Moonlight flared again. The speaker vaporized.

Terror silenced all. Even North Ming Dao Ren hunched low.

Ye Yun shielded his charges, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Fools coveting heavenly materials and earthly treasures?" A woman emerged—the Moon Dynasty envoy. Her gaze settled on Ye Yun. "A spirit herb hardly warrants this fuss."

"Their noise hindered my seal-breaking. My attendants fell into slumber. I came to see you." She eyed him coolly. "The temple’s life-energy suppresses your fire poison. Yet why drag these deadweights?"

"My reasons mirror yours for keeping servants."

"Compare your trash to my Moon Goddess Palace disciples?" She sneered.

"Yours are slaves. Mine are comrades." Tension crackled.

North Ming Dao Ren and company trembled. Clash between pinnacle Nascent Soul experts meant doom for bystanders.

"Since you know my origin, declare yours," she demanded.

"A wandering cultivator. Unworthy of your interest."

"Your sect?"

"None." Her scrutiny met his calm, ancient well-deep eyes.

She glanced at Golden Ling’er, then vanished into the third trial’s darkness.

"Gone? I nearly died of fright!" Jin An wiped sweat.

"Even Father’s sternness never felt so… lethal," Golden Ling’er murmured, staring after the woman.

"Did your father threaten you with murderous intent?" Ye Yun asked.

"Master’s strict, but never like that," Jin An said.

Golden Ling’er frowned, silent.

North Ming Dao Ren’s group exhaled collectively.

Ye Yun advanced. Darkness parted, revealing an emerald pool thrumming with life-energy—its value surpassing top-quality Immortal artifacts.

"People are absorbing essence there. Is this our trial?" Golden Ling’er pointed.

"Emerging will show its worth." Ye Yun smiled. "I’ll guard the pool. Intruders will be expelled."

"Senior, hogging shared space may harm your reputation," Jin An ventured.

"It’s huge! We won’t crowd them," Ling’er added, eyeing two alluring figures lounging in the waters.

"Enough chatter. In you go." Ye Yun’s true qi shoved them into the pool. "Focus. Release true qi slowly. Absorb thoroughly."

As he left, his gaze flicked to distant shadows. Watchers disapproved, but he cared not.