Chapter 198: Sword Washing Pool

"Cultivate well; I expect you'll reach Golden Core before long."

Lu Ruikai praised, the appreciation in his eyes utterly undisguised.

"It's all thanks to Master's fine teaching; just a lucky breakthrough."

Yu Changsheng nodded and said softly, following behind Lu Ruikai with a respectful attitude, bowing at the waist, and simultaneously turning toward Shen Xingchen with a slight smile and a nod.

By rights, Shen Xingchen's entry time and cultivation base were both superior to Yu Changsheng's, and he was moreover the Peak Master's Disciple; whether by sentiment or reason, Yu Changsheng ought to offer greetings.

However, Yu Changsheng thought it over: he was ultimately Wei Lao's disciple, and in terms of seniority he exceeded Shen Xingchen by who knew how much — Shen Xingchen should probably call him Martial Uncle; there was no need to be excessively deferential.

As for Lu Ruikai, his deference came from the respect due a powerhouse.

Lu Ruikai knew all this, but Shen Xingchen did not; at the moment he was slightly startled, and amid his surprise he also gave Yu Changsheng a faint smile, his gaze deep and remote, who knew what he was thinking.

"You've come at just the right time today; Xingchen is also going to the Sword Washing Pool to temper his sword, so you can look out for each other and keep each other company."

Lu Ruikai did not notice Yu Changsheng's little scheme; he walked ahead with hands clasped behind his back.

"Speaking of which, I still have to thank you, Changsheng; you were willing to endure the pain and part with the Dragon Roar Sword, letting Xingchen have it — a treasure sword with growth potential and so well-suited; in a short while I couldn't find a suitable one for Xingchen."

Lu Ruikai said lightly, glancing back at Shen Xingchen with a meaningful look.

"We each got what we needed; Senior Brother Shen also gave me many treasures, a great help for my breakthrough to Foundation Establishment."

Yu Changsheng replied respectfully.

"Mm, you have three hours; when the time is up you'll naturally be teleported out. Cherish this chance — it's rare. If your body feels unwell and you sense your limit, send me a sound transmission at once; don't force yourself to hold on, lest you damage your foundation."

Before long, led by Lu Ruikai, the three passed through layer upon layer of restrictions and arrived at the center of the Palace Complex, where a pool occupying roughly thirty square meters came into view.

The pool water showed a silver-white color; from far away as they approached, one could feel sharp Sword Qi coiling in the air above the pool, extremely startling.

In the Void, sword cries rang out incessantly, stirring countless ripples; around the pool were treasure swords surrounding it, inverted and inserted at the water's edge, forming a circle — not more, not less, exactly ninety-nine.

In the very center of the pool stood a giant sword, its whole body silver-white, brilliant light flashing; fierce Sword Qi radiated from it as a center, churning the Void in all directions; merely drawing near, even with Yu Changsheng's Foundation Establishment Body Cultivation fleshly body, he felt a stabbing pain in his skin.

But this much pain Yu Changsheng could still endure; he looked back at Shen Xingchen, and the latter's complexion was likewise normal, utterly unaffected by the rampaging sword auras all around.

It was rather the Dragon Roar Sword on his back that, amid a boom-tremor, cried without cease, as if trembling yet also excited; a blood-colored dragon shadow flickered in and out of existence at the sword tip.

One could see that after Shen Xingchen re-refined this Dragon Roar Sword, it had thoroughly submitted to him, and its quality had thoroughly advanced to a Spirit Treasure, rising another level.

"All right, you two adapt a bit then go in; remember what I said — last as long as you can, but don't force it. That giant sword inserted in the middle, even more, don't go touching it; otherwise with your cultivation bases, at best you'll lose all cultivation and be left dying of severe injuries, at worst your souls will scatter and you won't enter reincarnation."

After admonishing them once more, Lu Ruikai glanced at the two and then turned and left, saying nothing more. Yu Changsheng and Shen Xingchen exchanged a glance and smiled; Shen Xingchen said softly: "Master's words must be kept in mind; this Sword Washing Pool, as our Wanxiang Sect Holy Land, is not lightly opened to outsiders on ordinary days."

"Only when the Sword Qi inside has accumulated to the full are a few slots released; it is not only a sword-tempering holy ground for us sword-wielders, but also an excellent place to temper the fleshly body — but one must not be greedy, for danger also exists."

"The Xuantian Giant Sword at the center of the Sword Washing Pool is even more one of the foundations of our Wanxiang Sect; it must not be touched lightly, otherwise the Sword Qi it erupts could take our lives in a mere instant."

Shen Xingchen pointed at that giant sword in the center of the Sword Washing Pool and explained.

"Mm, good, I'll be careful."

Yu Changsheng nodded, not idling either; together with Shen Xingchen he drew a deep breath, adapted to the surroundings, then slowly and tentatively stepped into the pool water.

A wave of icy cold instantly spread from his heavenly spirit cover throughout Yu Changsheng's whole body; this was a chill that ignored cultivation base; in just a moment Yu Changsheng couldn't help but shiver violently.

Simultaneously erupting were the boundless Sword Qi permeating the pool water; as if they had found a target, they leapt one by one toward Yu Changsheng's body interior and surface.

A faint stabbing sensation emerged within Yu Changsheng's Sea of Consciousness; his eyes sharpened, the Thousand Mountains Resolution circulated, the pool water churned, a wisp of Qi Blood Phantom covered his body surface, and it slowly and continuously condensed and solidified.

And in his Sea of Qi, the Second Layer Spirit Platform Phantom also began to condense and manifest at a slow speed, and his cultivation base showed a slow increase.

"Huh, it can actually raise my cultivation base too; good place."

Yu Changsheng's brows and eyes brightened with joy, slightly surprised.

He could clearly feel that inside the Sword Washing Pool, every moment hammered his fleshly body; the Thousand Mountains Resolution seemed also to have been stimulated, circulating more smoothly, and his physical strength continuously rose.

Even his cultivation base advanced slowly toward Foundation Establishment Second Layer; in just a moment it equaled many days of his painstaking cultivation.

Looking at Shen Xingchen in contrast, he took off the Dragon Roar Sword on his body and slowly placed it into the Sword Washing Pool; after the pool water completely submerged it, the Dragon Roar Sword gave a clear cry, the blood dragon phantom on the sword body became even more distinct and lively, dragon cries and sword cries shining together, as if enjoying it.

Having done all this, Shen Xingchen only then slowly extended a finger into the pool water to test; immediately afterward, separated from Yu Changsheng by several body lengths, he half-submerged his body, bared his chest and back, and faced Yu Changsheng frankly.

The pool water rose past Shen Xingchen's back; Shen Xingchen gave a cold hum, his brows furrowed slightly, his body trembled once and he instantly recovered, smiled at Yu Changsheng, and said:

"Junior Brother's fleshly body is truly tough; it makes me very envious indeed."

Yu Changsheng looked deeply at Shen Xingchen, nodded and smiled: "Just a coincidence of opportunities; Senior Brother Shen's fleshly body isn't bad either."

"This Dragon Roar Sword has also successfully advanced; congratulations to Senior Brother Shen."

He could tell that Shen Xingchen's physical strength was probably not much different from his own — about equal.

Shen Xingchen chuckled lightly, his brows furrowing unintentionally; he did not continue the conversation, turned his head to look at the Xuantian Giant Sword in the center of the pool, his gaze deep and remote, slightly focused, an indescribable expression flowing within.

(Chapter End)