Shen Lan, Sovereign of Yunmeng, led the group through the grand hall.
Shallow pools lined both sides of the hall. Water lilies rested quietly upon the surface, dotted with floating duckweed. Pale pink and white petals swayed gently on the rippling water. Sunlight streamed down from the skylights above, passing through the surface and scattering into shimmering fragments across the stone walls and pillars, making the hall resemble a palace beneath the waves.
Following Shen Lan, they arrived at the center of the hall, where a wide spiral staircase descended downward. The steps were broad and gentle, and every few paces, luminous stones embedded in the walls cast a soft emerald glow, illuminating the passage. The deeper they went, the cooler and more humid the air became. Faintly, the sound of flowing water could be heard—like the heartbeat of the earth itself.
At the end of the staircase, the space suddenly opened up.
The lowest level of the Longevity Hall was a vast natural cavern. The surrounding rock walls blended seamlessly with ancient stone formations. At the center of the cavern lay a massive deep pool.
Its surface stretched as wide as a lake, the water a clear azure, glowing faintly with spiritual light—like a giant sapphire embedded deep underground. At the center of the pool, spring water continuously surged upward from below, forming a slightly raised circular mound, as if something beneath the surface was breathing. That deep blue radiance emanated from within, layer upon layer, dyeing the entire cavern in a dreamlike glow.
From the edges of the pool extended eight carved stone channels. Water flowed steadily through them, disappearing into hidden conduits along the cavern walls. These conduits connected to the eight fish-mouth outlets outside the fortress, eventually feeding into the waterways of Yunsheng City and sustaining the entire city.
"This," Shen Lan said, standing at the edge of the pool, her sleeve drifting lightly as she gestured toward the glowing waters, her voice echoing softly in the cavern, "is the Spring of Eternal Youth—the origin of the Longevity Hall, and the sacred site guarded by Yunmeng for generations."
Everyone stood by the pool, holding their breath as they gazed upon it.
The water was so clear it was nearly transparent, yet its depths could not be seen. Looking into it felt like peering into an endless azure abyss—another world, perhaps even the end of time. Spiritual light shimmered across its surface like countless tiny stars drifting beneath the water, silent and mysterious.
"Bring the water," Shen Lan instructed softly.
Two attendants in white gauze robes stepped forward. One held a silver pitcher, the other carried a tray with several silver cups. With a gentle motion of Shen Lan's hand, the pitcher rose into the air as if guided by an invisible force and slowly descended into the pool.
Ripples spread as it touched the water.
Moments later, it rose again, droplets clinging to its surface. The attendant poured the clear blue water of the Spring of Eternal Youth into the cups, one by one, the sound crisp like pearls striking jade.
"The water of the Spring of Eternal Youth, when consumed regularly, preserves youth," Shen Lan said. She took a cup and handed it to Shen Jingnian, then the attendants distributed the rest. "Though a single cup cannot grant immortality, it can prolong life, clear the mind, and enhance one's spiritual power. Please."
Lin Fei accepted his cup and looked down.
The water shimmered with a faint blue glow within the silver cup, radiating a refreshing aura that invigorated the senses. Meng Yao and Deng Qian beside him held their cups with visible excitement, while Granny Liu examined hers with quiet interest.
Lin Fei raised the cup and drank it in one gulp.
The moment it touched his throat, a cool sensation spread through his body, like a mountain spring flowing within him. At first, it felt cleansing—every pore opening, every inch of his body awakening.
Then—
Something changed.
A strange force surged up from his dantian.
It erupted violently, like a long-dormant power suddenly awakening. A scorching current burst forth, rampaging through his body. His spiritual energy, as if seized by something unseen, began coursing uncontrollably through his meridians.
The heat surged upward—through his chest, straight to the crown of his head—breaking through barriers like a flood.
Lin Fei felt unbearably hot. Sweat poured from his body, his limbs trembling. His clothes were quickly soaked through.
"Lin Fei, what's wrong?" Li Chen's voice rang out, filled with alarm.
Lin Fei tried to respond, but his lips trembled uncontrollably. He couldn't form a single word.
The energy within him grew stronger, fiercer—like it was about to tear him apart.
Then—
A sudden ringing echoed in his mind.
Just like when he had broken through the Qi Refinement Realm—something shattered within him. A cool stream flowed down from the crown of his head, merging with the raging energy inside.
The world blurred.
The pool, the people—everything dissolved into overlapping light and shadow.
"Headmaster! Elder! Something's wrong with Lin Fei!" Li Chen's voice sounded distant.
Lin Fei was losing consciousness.
He staggered forward—and stepped into empty air.
"Lin Fei!"
A cry rang out.
His body tilted forward—and he fell.
Cold water engulfed him from all sides.
The azure pool swallowed him whole.
Yet strangely, the icy water merged seamlessly with the burning energy inside him. The essence of wood and the endless vitality of water intertwined, forming a boundless force that surged through his body—breaking through every blockage, expanding his meridians.
Spiritual energy flowed like a rising tide.
A profound sense of comfort spread through him.
He stopped resisting.
He let himself sink deeper into the blue.
The light above grew dimmer… farther away.
Everything became silent.
Only the faint sound of water echoed—like ancient whispers.
…
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Fei's consciousness slowly returned.
He felt a softness beneath him—a bed. A faint medicinal scent lingered in the air. Voices drifted into his ears, light and distant, as if coming from far away, yet also close at hand.
"How is the child?" an elderly male voice asked.
"Strange," another voice replied—old, steady, and calm. "There is nothing wrong with him. On the contrary, his meridians are exceptionally strong, and his spiritual energy flows smoothly and abundantly. It's as if he has directly stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm."
"What?!" a young woman's voice exclaimed in surprise.
"Brother Yun, you didn't deliberately bring this unusual child here to use the Spring of Eternal Youth for a breakthrough, did you?" There was a hint of displeasure in her tone.
"Lan'er, how could you think that of me?" the male voice sighed helplessly. "Besides, who would dare to enter that deep pool so easily? Even with your cultivation, you cannot remain within it for long."
Lin Fei listened hazily. He wanted to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt as heavy as mountains.
The power within his body stirred once more.
A fierce surge of spiritual energy poured in from the crown of his head, spreading through his meridians. His consciousness blurred again, sinking back into darkness.
…
After an unknown period of time, Lin Fei awakened once more.
This time, the voices were clearer.
"…That inscription—how much of it have you deciphered?" the same male voice asked.
"I cannot decipher it," the young woman replied, her voice carrying both fatigue and frustration. "I once sent people to explore the bottom of the spring, but its depths are immeasurable. Even those at the Heavenly Realm cannot withstand the pressure within. If there truly is a secret, I can only descend personally."
"No," the male voice grew firm. "You are the Sovereign of a nation. You cannot take such a risk."
There was a moment of silence before she spoke again, more quietly.
"But I have a feeling… what lies at the bottom of the Spring of Eternal Youth… may be the secret to becoming a god."
Lin Fei's heart trembled.
A god?
The man spoke again, his tone gentler now, carrying a note of concern. "You are only at the late stage of the Heavenly Realm. If you force it and fail to withstand the pressure, your cultivation could be destroyed. And then—who would protect Yunmeng?"
"…Perhaps, only by reaching the Divine Transformation Realm can one reach the bottom," she said softly.
"Who in this world can attain that realm?" the man sighed, his voice filled with weariness. "For thousands of years, only a handful have ever reached it. Some things cannot be forced. Fate is unpredictable—you must not become too obsessed."
Silence fell.
Lin Fei tried to keep listening, but suddenly his throat tickled, and he couldn't help coughing.
The sound was not loud, yet it echoed clearly in the quiet room.
Footsteps approached. The door to the chamber was gently pushed open.
Lin Fei struggled to open his eyes. Through his blurred vision, he saw two figures enter—it was Headmaster Shen and Shen Lan.
"You're awake?" Shen Jingnian walked to the bedside, placing a hand on Lin Fei's forehead before checking his pulse, closing his eyes to sense for a moment.
Lin Fei parted his lips, his voice hoarse and barely audible. "Headmaster… I…"
"Your spiritual energy became disordered. You nearly suffered a deviation," Shen Jingnian said as he withdrew his hand. His expression remained calm, though a trace of self-reproach lingered in his tone. "The water of the Spring of Eternal Youth reacted too strongly with you. That was my oversight."
Shen Lan stood beside him, her gaze resting on Lin Fei's face for a moment, her expression complex.
"You child…" she began, then stopped, letting out a soft sigh.
Lin Fei wanted to ask something, but dizziness washed over him again. His eyelids grew heavy, as though weighed down by lead. The spiritual energy within him was still circulating—no longer violent, yet far more abundant than before.
"Rest for now," Shen Jingnian said gently, tucking the blanket around him. "We'll speak tomorrow."
Lin Fei tried to respond, but lacked the strength. He could only give a faint nod.
Shen Jingnian and Shen Lan exchanged a glance before turning and leaving the chamber, quietly closing the door behind them.