Chapter 219: Spiritual Essence Bathing, Fire Fortune Qi Refinement, Princess and Noble Lady

"Zhao Xing, what treasure is down there?" Long Xiao said. "Why do I feel my qi and blood surging, my mouth dry and tongue parched?"

"I can hardly wait to jump down right now." Xia Jing took a deep breath. "Why does it attract me so strongly?"

Ji Ji Ziyun and Chen Shijie said nothing, but their expressions betrayed their hearts—clearly they felt the same.

Still, the four of them all had very high military discipline.

When traveling together, they followed standard military-squad procedures to the letter.

Zhao Xing was squad leader; without his order, all four held themselves back and took no action.

"Heaven and earth gather the finest essence, fire fortune is born within the waters—truly a marvel." Zhao Xing could not help but praise. "According to the *Five Elements Feng Shui Fortune*, this is fire-fortune spiritual essence."

"Fortune spiritual essence is even divided into the five elements?" Long Xiao scratched his head.

"I too know a little of the feng-shui fortune theories." Ji Ji Ziyun said, "Innate fortune is divided into the five elements; the twelve stems and branches mark the fortune years."

"Fire is ruled by Wu and Gui; those whose fire-element fortune thrives will surely have great fortune in any Wu or Gui year."

Zhao Xing nodded and said, "Brother Ji truly lives up to being a marquis's heir—broadly learned and talented."

Xia Jing tugged at his nose: "What do you mean by that? Is my being a marquis's heir just for show?"

"Hahaha." Ji Ji Ziyun and Zhao Xing laughed together.

"Still, I don't know what the *Five Elements Feng Shui Fortune* is."

"A miscellaneous book." Zhao Xing said offhandedly.

In truth it was a scroll within the *Great Expansion Scripture*.

Once one's fortune perception reached the Expansion Four level, a cultivator's sensitivity to fortune gradually strengthened.

? ￠O

If one cultivated the *Great Expansion Scripture* or a similar secret tome, one need not reach the second-grade 'Heaven Fortune Realm' to perceive, to some extent, the rise and fall of fortune.

At the same time, one would also gain a more detailed understanding of where fortune should reside and how fortune is divided.

The *Great Expansion Scripture* notes: 'When fortune glows red tinged with green, adorned with purple light (Expansion Four level), one may seek the five elements' fortune of heaven and earth for augmentation, or seek the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, or famed mountains and great marshes, or bury one's ancestors in a feng-shui treasure site.'

The meaning is that upon reaching Expansion Four, one may, according to the five elements' fortune, actively seek methods to augment fortune, making advancement easier.

When Zhao Xing had been promoted in rank earlier, he had felt the urge to refine a 'Fortune Golden Dragon'; to actually carry it out required an extremely profound 'Qi Refinement Art'.

Like the earlier cramming-style absorption of fortune at East Lake Spirit Mountain in Gucheng—that only suited low-grade fortune; besides being wasteful, it was unsuitable for enhancing high-grade fortune.

"You're all talking too complicatedly, I don't really get it." Long Xiao scratched his head. "Zhao Xing, just tell me straight—how do I get the benefits here?"

"Simple." Zhao Xing smiled. "Go down and take a bath."

"Huh?" Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Xia Jing all froze. "Bathe in spiritual essence?"

"Right, bathe in the spiritual essence hot springs." Zhao Xing looked down at the valley below. "There are many hot springs in the valley; let's each pick one and bathe. The five-elements fire fortune will naturally increase."

Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Xia Jing all knew no method of refining fortune; whether Ji Ji Ziyun did or not, Zhao Xing did not know.

He himself did know a little—the *Great Expansion Scripture* contained a chapter called the Five Elements Fortune-Transformation Art.

Zhao Xing could only go down and try. Fortune-type secret tomes were too profound; even though he had trained the Great Expansion Qi-Watching Art to the mid-stage perfection level and opened his Heavenly Eye, success was still not guaranteed.

Let alone passing it on to Old Chen and the others to cultivate.

"Cousin, when you go down to the springs, be careful." Ji Ji Ziyun reminded them. "Five-elements fire fortune will have certain effects on a person. Just bathe—bathe only. Absolutely do not practice any arts in there, or you'll suffer qi deviation."

Zhao Xing slapped his forehead—almost forgot that: "Brother Ji really does think things through; I nearly forgot to warn them… Brother Ji is right—if you see any illusions, ignore them."

"Unless Brother Ji and I come to pull you out."

"Got it, I won't move around recklessly." Long Xiao rubbed his hands together.

"Going down."

At Zhao Xing's command, the five of them landed the Qilin Flying Boat in the middle of the valley.

After disembarking, Long Xiao hesitated, wanting to say something: "Um…"

Zhao Xing asked, "What is it?"

"Should we bring it down too for a wash?"

Long Xiao pointed at Aotian Meow.

Zhao Xing laughed: "You really do treat that mountain cat like a son, sharing even this good fortune with it?"

"Sure, of course—just keep it from running off. There are plenty of hot springs here."

This spiritual essence hot spring site was one of the larger opportunities in the Inverted Peak mountain range.

Large in the literal sense.

Even if several dozen more people came to bathe it would be fine, because a single person simply could not absorb that much fire fortune in a short time.

"Good, I'll definitely keep an eye on it." Long Xiao happily hugged Aotian Meow and left.

"Why don't you just give the mountain cat to Long Xiao," Xia Jing said, watching Long Xiao's back. "I can see he truly loves that cat."

"That's not out of the question."

For Zhao Xing, a pet was just a pet—something to keep for idle amusement, to relieve boredom. He would never, like Long Xiao, raise a pet as if it were a son.

Long Xiao's nature was relatively simple, and suited to raising pets; giving the mountain cat to Long Xiao was a decent arrangement.

Whenever he returned to Gucheng, he would go to East Lake Mountain again, have the Mountain God dissolve the master-servant contract, and then give it to Long Xiao.

This was a trivial matter; Zhao Xing paid it no mind. He flew a circuit around the valley and picked a small hot spring to test the waters first.

"Old Chen, you do it or shall I?"

"You do it—your Five Elements Mist Concealment is suitable."

"Good."

Zhao Xing raised a hand and pointed skyward; Five Elements Mist Concealment activated.

This stretch of valley was thus hidden from the map by the Mist Concealment art.

If anyone passed by, unless they could see through a high-level Five Elements Mist Concealment, they would never discover this treasure site.

"Done. Time for a bath."

Zhao Xing stripped off his clothes and jumped in.

"Splash~"

Though it was a hot spring he jumped into, a shower of sparks flew up.

The sparks were warm, with the texture of water, yet they were burning.

"It's only warm, yet I feel restless and agitated, even aroused."

"This is the side effect of absorbing the Fire Fortune." Zhao Xing assessed.

But immediately, a cool sensation radiated from the jade pendant in his embrace, dispelling all discomfort.

"Long Hunyu Pendant." Zhao Xing took out the Long Hunyu Pendant.

A sixth-rank Long Hunyu Pendant, specially supplied to the royal family. Worn close to the body for long periods, it can continuously strengthen the Life Soul, ward off evil and delusions, and greatly reduce the chance of qi deviation.

The Soul Armor is also sixth-rank, but the Soul Armor is purely defensive in nature, while the Long Hunyu Pendant leans toward support; the Soul Armor emphasizes defense.

Old Master Zhao didn't even generate illusions. Without these side effects, he now truly felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring.

Lying in the hot spring, Zhao Xing fell asleep.

Recalling the Five Elements Wind and Cloud Fortune in the Great Expansion Sutra, and the attached "Fire Fortune Qi Cultivation Method," he attempted to actively absorb the fiery fortune's spiritual essence.

"Heaven's Fortune is my fortune, Heaven's Mandate is my mandate..." Zhao Xing, as if asleep, murmured in his sleep.

Soon, he entered dream cultivation.

"Gurgle~"

After a quarter-hour, the "flames" in the hot spring, shifting from chaotic flow, began to become orderly, streaming toward the corner where Zhao Xing lay.

Upon touching Zhao Xing's body.

"Pfft~"

The flames passed through his body, as if having no substance.

But if observed closely, one could notice the brightness of these flames had weakened slightly.

One quarter-hour of dream cultivation, attempting the "Fire Fortune Qi Cultivation Method," already yielded initial results!

Half an hour later, the flow speed of the flames in the water suddenly accelerated.

Rushing toward Zhao Xing at great speed.

Almost visibly withering away.

One hour later, this small hot spring of five meters in diameter became crystal clear; the flames in the water vanished completely, and the water gradually cooled down.

The change in water temperature woke Zhao Xing from his dream.

Internally observing the Five Elements and judging the time, Zhao Xing realized he had slept for an hour and also noticed the changes in the hot spring.

⊙Co

"Excellent, excellent, the effect is truly good." Zhao Xing climbed out of the cool pool water. "I've heard the Li Fire Dao Academy possesses a 'Nine Violet Li Fire Fortune.' If I can obtain it, it will be stronger than the 'Fire Fortune Qi Cultivation Method' in the Great Expansion Sutra. I must make a trip there in the future."

The predecessor of the Li Fire Dao Academy, the Li Fire Sect, was once one of the Ten Great Divine Sects of the Ancient Era, on the same tier as the Dream God Sect (Nightmare Sect).

The "Fire Fortune Qi Cultivation Method" given in the Great Expansion Sutra is merely mid-grade; it mentioned the Li Fire Sect's "Nine Violet Li Fire Fortune," which is a top-tier fortune technique.

"The Nine Violet Li Fire Fortune, relying solely on absorbing Fire Fortune, can turn the Fortune Pillar violet, and can also boost cultivation. In Wu and Gui years, one is certain to experience great fortune."

"The Great Expansion Sutra once stated that whenever the Li Fire Sect engaged in war, they would always choose to launch campaigns or withdraw troops in 'Wu years' and Gui years."

"Disciples fighting also pick their timing. The Great Expansion Sutra once stated: when encountering people of the Li Fire Sect, do not fight them in Wu months, Wu days, Wu years, Gui months, Gui days, or Gui years."

This is not rumor; it is true. In his past life, sorcerers who came from the Li Fire Dao Academy all carried a "Timing Buff."

In his past life, Zhao Xing once encountered a man carrying a "Wu Xu Hour Buff."

During the Xu hour, this person's combat power increased by 30–100%!

This is much the same as the "Gambler's Battle Method."

Those who cultivated the "Nine Violet Li Fire Fortune" and received its true transmission not only gained greatly increased combat power but also experienced miraculous phenomena at certain hours.

If the enemy's strength was equal, during a fight the opponent would suddenly suffer meridian chaos; those of lower realms would simply suffer qi deviation and explode to death, which was incredibly exaggerated.

If the enemy's realm was higher, when being pursued, strange things would always happen inexplicably, helping the Li Fire Sect disciples escape; they simply could not be killed.

"However, the Nine Violet Li Fire Fortune also has flaws. If one encounters someone from the Bishui Dao Academy, such as Princess Youruo, who cultivates the 'Six Tribulations Bishui Fortune,' they are mutual counterweights."

"In Bing and Xin years, the Water Fortune rules; Bing years and Xin years are good years for disciples of the Bishui Sect."

Because the mechanism of "Establishing the Dao's Grand Vow" exists, all sorts of immortals rush to seize "hours" to manifest their existence.

But there are only twelve hours; how can they accommodate so many immortals?

Thus, in the Ancient Era, many sects fought until they were utterly crazed.

Naturally, things are different now, but if Princess Youruo encounters someone from the Li Fire Dao Academy, she will inherently carry a sense of aversion.

"That woman, Miss Murong Qing, is truly nauseating! She is already married, yet she still comes to provoke you! Brother Liu, I will kill her for you!"

Inside the Myriad Dharma Palace, Princess Youruo rose from the bed with killing intent surging, because she had just learned that Miss Murong Qing from Yuanhe Commandery, Daoyuanzhou, had just visited the Myriad Dharma Palace.

"Stop!" Liu Tianning blocked in front of her. "She merely stopped by to visit on the way; how did she provoke you?"

"You shouted at me?" Princess Youruo bit her lip. "You actually shouted at me for that cheap woman? You still have her in your heart, don't you?"

"What are you saying? She is already married. I have known her since childhood. Does seeing her once even..."

Before he could finish speaking, this projection was split in two by Princess Youruo with a single chop.

Another projection of Liu Tianning appeared before her.

"Get lost!"

Princess Youruo chopped away this projection as well.

"Bang bang bang bang bang bang!"

No one knew how many projections were split open, but Princess Youruo couldn't even get out of the main hall; there was no way, Liu Tianning had too many projections!

She had not even gone out yet, but she was already panting from exhaustion.

Liu Tianning said nothing, letting her strike away.

Not until Princess Youruo had vented her anger did his true form appear: "Are you satisfied?"

"Hmph." Princess Youruo turned and sat back on the bed.

"I told you, she merely came to request a spot on the Exploration Team."

"If you have business to attend to, then attend to it. Why come to the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace?" Princess Youruo said. "Did you not take a disciple? Send him on such trivial errands. If you cannot even train your disciples, then I shall teach them for you!"

Liu Tianning's brows knitted together, and his expression grew cold: "How I conduct my affairs requires no instruction from you. Youruo, I warn you, do not even think about laying a finger on my disciple."

Seeing Liu Tianning's demeanor, Princess Youruo knew her lover was angry.

"Liang Lang, I was wrong..." Princess Youruo's face quickly softened.

Liu Tianning remained unmoved, his face still cold.

Princess Youruo came over with a smile, took Liu Tianning's hand, and pressed herself against him. "I spoke wrongly. I will never do so again. Do not be angry..."

Liu Tianning shook off her hand: "Remember my words."

"Yes, this slave has remembered." Princess Youruo's eyes were seductive as she leaned in again, intending to kiss Liu Tianning.

Unexpectedly, Liu Tianning simply turned and left.

Princess Youruo lunged into empty air but felt no anger; she merely watched Liu Tianning's retreating back with a dazed gaze. The more he acted this way, the more she liked him.

After a moment of stunned silence, she chased after him, following Liu Tianning step for step.

"Liang Lang, I want a spot on the Exploration Team too."

Now that they were discussing serious matters, Liu Tianning was no longer cold-faced: "Who do you want it for?"

Youruo said, "My niece, 'Ji Zixuan'. She has also arrived at the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven."

Liu Tianning: "Did not King Tianyan grant you three spots?"

Youruo smiled: "No, I want yours. If that Miss Murong Qing can have one, why can't I?"

"..."

Unable to withstand Princess Youruo's pestering, Liu Tianning said, "Very well, let her be added."

Zhao Xing was soaking in a hot spring when the Earth Mirror placed beside him suddenly trembled.

He ignored the first tremor, but a moment later it rang out again.

Zhao Xing picked up the Earth Mirror and saw two new messages on it:

【Murong Xue has joined the Exploration Team! Approver: Liu Tianning】

【Ji Zixuan has joined the Exploration Team! Approver: Liu Tianning】

After glancing at them, he tossed it aside.

Old Liu had released a few people these past few days, but that required no further intervention from him.

Unexpectedly, just as he set it down, the Earth Mirror trembled again.

This time, it was Liu Tianning contacting him.

Zhao Xing did not think much of it and simply answered.

"Buzz~"

Above the hot spring, an image projected.

Liu Tianning and Princess Youruo were in a garden pavilion within the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace.

"Master, this... I did not know the Princess was here. This disciple is rude."

Zhao Xing had not expected Old Liu to video-call while with his lover, and he himself was bare-chested.

Princess Youruo, however, laughed: "It is no matter. Nothing can be seen."

Liu Tianning glared at her, and the latter shrank back her head.

"Put your clothes on first. I have something to say to you."

Liu Tianning ended the communication.

Zhao Xing hurriedly climbed ashore, adjusted his attire, and then dialed Liu Tianning's projection.

"Master, what is the urgent matter?"

Liu Tianning said: "Did you see the two people who just joined the Exploration Team?"

"I saw them."

"They are unfamiliar with the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. You shall lead them in their actions."

What?

Lord Zhao was very reluctant in his heart but had to agree. Liu Tianning rarely ordered him to do things; these two must be quite important to him.

Perhaps they were some nephews or descendants.

"Yes. I have a straw man in Yang City. Master, tell me the address, and I can go to fetch them."

"No need," Liu Tianning said. "I will have them come to the Huai Liu Courtyard to find you."

"Yes."

Princess Youruo asked curiously: "Zhao Xing, were you just soaking in a hot spring? The flames flowing in the water... did you find a precious location?"

Zhao Xing said: "In reply to the Princess, this subject was fortunate enough to find a place. Observing its extraordinariness, I came to test it."

"Coming early is not as good as coming at the right time," Princess Youruo smiled. "Does your precious location have any extra spots? Let my niece share in your fortune."

Zhao Xing said with difficulty: "There are spots, but men and women are distinct; I fear it would be inconvenient..."

Princess Youruo chuckled: "I didn't expect you to be so conservative, completely unlike your master... Have you never participated in the Spring Society Festival?"

Zhao Xing was left speechless.

The Great Zhou had an open atmosphere, especially regarding men and women.

How open was it?

Just take an example to see.

The 'Spring Society Festival' spoken of by Princess Youruo is a festival held during the Spring Equinox, the grandest festival of the year.

Besides worshipping Heaven and Earth and the She gods (Earth Gods; in some places, concept spirits of mountains, waters, etc.).

It also had an official function: providing a venue for men and women to meet in secret.

During the Taizu era, the Spring Society Festival was even written into the 'Zhou Code': "For every Spring Society Festival, prefectural and county-level governments must investigate those in their prefecture or county who have reached the age of hairpin-tying or coming-of-age but remain unmarried, organize their participation in the Spring Society Festival, and the government must provide venues, ingredients, and entertainment facilities."

This rule was abolished in the late period of Emperor Wen.

Why?

Because it was too unrestrained.

Men and women, during these few days of the Spring Society Festival, would go on spring outings; once they took a fancy to each other, they would directly copulate in the wild!

During the reign of Emperor Wen, with explosive population growth, the edict was abolished, no longer making it mandatory, and concepts of propriety gradually strengthened.

But many places still retained these traditions, especially the Southern Barbarian tribes who admired Great Zhou; they even copied the edict verbatim, changing only the festival's name to 'Divine Union Festival'.

Princess Youruo's words were no different from asking Zhao Xing: Yo, you conservative kid, are you still a virgin?

Making Lord Zhao quite embarrassed.

Liu Tianning shot her a glance: "Why are you saying this!"

Princess Youruo covered her mouth and giggled.

Liu Tianning spoke seriously: "Zhao Xing, arrange it yourself; if it is inconvenient, you don't necessarily have to bring them to this place; you can wait a few days."

"Yes. Disciple understands." Zhao Xing nodded.

Princess Youruo spoke again: "Zhao Xing, you must take good care of my niece; absolutely do not let her feel aggrieved. As for the other one, you can just perfunctorily deal with her."

"..."

After hanging up the communication, Zhao Xing helplessly closed his eyes, began activating the straw men in the Huai-Liu Courtyard, and waited for the arrival of the two connections.

The true body then found Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Ji Ji Ziyun.

"Bad news!"

Splash~

Long Xiao jumped straight out of the hot spring: "What's wrong? What's wrong?"

He was completely naked; Zhao Xing took one look and found it utterly blinding to the eyes; truly a martial artist.

"You all put on your clothes, then come to the flying boat for a meeting."

After everyone arrived.

Zhao Xing said: "My teacher arranged for two connections to come, and both are women."

Long Xiao frowned: "The Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is so big; why do these two connections insist on following you?"

Chen Shijie widened his eyes: "You are also a connection; what right do you have to speak?"

"What is their background?" Xia Jing asked.

"One is a royal daughter, named Ji Ji Zixuan. I wonder if Brother Ji knows her."

"The other is named Murong Xue; she is my teacher's... um, friend's daughter."

Xia Jing said: "Since your teacher arranged it, we cannot push it away. Ji Ji Zixuan... I have no impression. What about you, Cousin?"

Ji Ji Ziyun also shook his head: "Great Zhou's royal clan has millions, if not ten million; how could I know everyone? I only know those with status."

The 'status' spoken of by Ji Ji Ziyun refers to the four levels of royal daughters: Wengzhu, Junzhu, Wang Ji, and Princess.

Junzhu and Wang Ji have no distinction of superiority or inferiority; they merely distinguish the royal bloodline.

Princess is the most noble bloodline.

"In short, this is bad news." Zhao Xing said listlessly, "Two Heirs, the matter of dealing with them is left to you two."

"Easy to say." Xia Jing smiled, "Cousin is most skilled at dealing with women. Entrusting this matter to him is not difficult."

Ji Ji Ziyun widened his eyes: "How do you slander my innocence? Making me sound like a libertine."

"Enough. I will try to delay the time." Zhao Xing said, "You two quickly go to the hot spring to absorb and reach your limit as soon as possible. Afterwards, I can arrange for them to stay here, leave a clone to guard, and then the five of us will go elsewhere."

"One royal daughter, one noble lady; how in your mouth does it sound like dismissing beggars?" Xia Jing laughed.

"If it were Cousin, he would probably go bathe together with the royal daughter and noble lady."

"Qilin Son, get lost!" Ji Ji Ziyun cursed bitterly.

"Hahahaha."

While chatting on this flying boat, outside the gate of the Huai-Liu Courtyard, eighteen trees away, two beautiful figures had now appeared.

Murong Xue and Ji Ji Zixuan appeared simultaneously outside the courtyard gate.

"May I ask, is Senior Brother Zhao here?" One of the young women, wearing a jade-blue long skirt, spoke; her voice was crisp and carried into the courtyard.

Zhao Xing flew to the courtyard gate; Ji Ji Zixuan took a look, then bowed properly: "Ji Ji Zixuan of the Bi Shui Dao Academy greets Senior Brother Zhao; trouble you to lead the way."

Beside her, a woman in a white skirt wearing a veil spoke with a cold voice: "Murong Xue of Taihe Commandery greets My Lord."

Zhao Xing returned the bow, then invited them into the courtyard gate: "Please enter, Misses."

The Spring Society Festival truly existed in ancient Zhou Dynasty; here it is adapted.

Legend has it that Kong Qiu was born from his parents copulating on a hill in the wild on the day of the Spring Society.