In the early morning, the small town was shrouded in mist, as if a veil of rain was descending.
Lin Zhao, with Xiao Shitou in tow, accompanied Su Qingjiu to school. As they passed the street corner, Xiao Shitou cast an extra glance at the vendor frying dough sticks. Lin Zhao, seeing this, couldn't help but smile. On their way back, Lin Zhao spent two copper coins to buy two dough sticks. When he received the paper-wrapped treats, Xiao Shitou's face lit up with joy.
Upon returning home, Lin Zhao told Xiao Shitou to go fishing alone, while he prepared to consume the fiery red White Tree fruit himself.
...
Sitting alone on the bedside, the young man held the fruit in his hand, his heart filled with a touch of complexity. This was his own fortunate encounter, a treasure painstakingly retrieved by his third senior brother. And he genuinely needed it. The path to the Great Dao was arduous. Lin Zhao was now fifteen years old, in the fourth realm of the martial path. How many years would it take to climb step by step and uncover the truth of his father's death in battle? How long until he could avenge his father?
Moreover, in such a chaotic world, one needed immense strength to protect oneself and those one cared about.
Thus, the young man took a bite!
Crisp and crunchy, apple-flavored!
He finished it in a few mouthfuls, all fruit, no pit, and the taste was quite good.
Lin Zhao had originally planned to circulate his qi and practice a fist stance to "digest" the fruit, which contained potent spiritual energy. However, in an instant, an overwhelming wave of fatigue washed over him. He realized he wouldn't be able to practice his martial arts. All he wanted at that moment was to sleep. He collapsed onto the bed, and the moment his head touched the pillow, he was fast asleep.
Morning light pierced through the town's mist, casting dappled golden rays upon the wooded settlement. One such ray of sunlight, passing through the window, fell upon the sleeping youth. It was as if a transformative change was occurring within the slumbering boy. Wisps of colorful spiritual energy, like a misty veil, enveloped his body. The spiritual energy was incredibly dense, like droplets of water, wrapping Lin Zhao's form layer by layer, like a silkworm cocoon.
Three hours passed in the blink of an eye. Xiao Shitou returned briefly. Seeing Lin Zhao fast asleep, he didn't wake him. He simply grabbed a large flatbread and went back to fishing.
By dusk, the spiritual energy within Lin Zhao had reached an unprecedented level of intensity. The overflowing spiritual energy continuously filled the various acupoints within his body. Miraculously, his damaged Heavenly Origin Spiritual Meridian was slowly regenerating. In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, it had completely healed, becoming even more robust than before. Tendrils of spiritual veins crisscrossed within his body, like woven silk.
The Heavenly Origin Spiritual Meridian was truly restored!
A short while later, in a semi-conscious state, Lin Zhao drifted into a dream. He stood upon fertile, vibrant soil, his body slowly floating between heaven and earth. He looked up at the azure sky and down at the boundless earth, feeling a sense of profound familiarity, as if everything in this world belonged to him, and his every thought could influence the changes in this world.
"Hum~~~"
Suddenly, a tremor emanated from deep within the earth. Lin Zhao hurried to look and saw a section of the surface slowly sinking. A trickle of water appeared in the collapsed area, quickly forming a small lake only a few dozen meters wide. Through a surge of spiritual connection, Lin Zhao looked elsewhere and saw radiant light. Another new lake appeared upon the earth. Lin Zhao's heart trembled. Though he didn't know what was happening, he understood that these lakes were of immense importance to him. Turning, he saw a third lake appear in the distance, its surface rippling with clear blue waves.
...
On the front street of the town, inside the bookshop.
Qin Suihan, who had been playing chess, and Doctor Zhang from the pharmacy both looked up.
"Hmm?"
The old doctor narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Indeed, it is the fruit with the most potent White Tree destiny. To have opened three Sword Cultivation Lakes in one go... Tsk tsk... I initially thought this lad would have no connection with sword cultivation in this life, destined only to be a rough martial artist. Who would have thought he'd have such an opportunity? Judging by this aura, he's on his way to becoming a Sword Immortal!"
Qin Suihan smiled slightly, "It's not entirely the White Tree fruit's credit. Lin Zhao's own state of mind is clear, and his innate talent in both the sword and martial paths are exceptional. With his aptitude, opening three Sword Cultivation Lakes at fifteen, is it truly that surprising?"
The old doctor scoffed, "You, Qin Suihan, wouldn't seriously intend to take Lin Zhao as your disciple, would you? Become a teacher for free?"
He grinned, taking a swig from his wine gourd, and said, "I advise you to abandon this idea early. The God of War claims to be Lin Zhao's third senior brother, which makes Lin Zhao her disciple. Do you dare to overstep?"
"I do not dare."
Qin Suihan chuckled, "However... a disciple's life is not necessarily bound to a single master. I, Qin Suihan, consider myself to have studied for a few years. I wish to teach this child some scholarly principles. I doubt she would mind too much?"
"Hard to say."
The old doctor laughed, "Those from that sect are incredibly reasonable when it comes to reason, but when they're unreasonable, they are truly unreasonable. I advise you to consider this matter carefully."
"Hmm, I understand."
"By the way."
The old doctor looked up and said, "Three Sword Cultivation Lakes. Such a world-shattering event, once it gets out, the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pool will become the talk of cultivators worldwide. A fifteen-year-old boy who hasn't even begun his journey as a sword cultivator, awakening three Sword Cultivation Lakes in one go, a natural Sword Immortal embryo. Once this news spreads... it will be detrimental to Lin Zhao. Won't you do something?"
"I will."
Qin Suihan raised his hand slightly. Immediately, a lustrous leaf from the White Tree fell into his hand. He rubbed it between his fingers and then tossed it away. In an instant, the leaf transformed into a drop of clear dew that fell upon Lin Zhao's forehead, completely concealing the aura of two of the Sword Cultivation Lakes, leaving only one.
The old doctor stroked his beard, "Such effort and toil. When a scholar actively wants to be a protector, it's truly exhausting."
Qin Suihan smiled and remained silent.
Just then, a gentle breeze arose, causing the leaves on the tree to rustle. Autumn leaves began to drift down. As a few leaves were about to float into the fish tank, the two fish within, one black and one white, simultaneously opened their mouths, as if intending to swallow the leaves. They even wagged their tails and leaped out of the water to peck at the falling leaves.
"Audacious!"
Qin Suihan let out a low roar.
Instantly, the two fish plummeted back into the fish tank, submerging themselves at the bottom, no longer daring to exhibit any presumptuous behavior.
"Hmph!"
The old doctor chuckled, "Do those from the Daoist sect always favor a carefree and leisurely life, picking up benefits for free?"
Qin Suihan smiled and remained silent.
How would I know?
...
At Heavenly Pool Ridge, in Chu Huaixi's marshal's manor.
Perched on a bare old banyan tree, Chu Huaixi and Huang Tingyu were squatting. The majesty of "Marshal Chu" was utterly gone. Chu Huaixi, having amplified his perception as a ten-realm martial artist to its limit, repeatedly confirmed the existence of Lin Zhao's three Sword Cultivation Lakes. Although their aura was faint, Lin Zhao could nurture at least three flying swords in this lifetime, which was enough to make most sword cultivators envious to the point of banging their heads on the ground.
"Three Sword Cultivation Lakes!"
Huang Tingyu grinned, "I only have two Sword Cultivation Lakes in my entire life. What kind of incredible luck does this kid have? Damn it, could he have had a tryst with a celestial maiden in his dreams and gotten married?"
Chu Huaixi's face was filled with excitement. He clenched his fist and said, "Excellent, excellent... I knew protecting Lin Zhao by killing Huang Yueran back then was the wisest choice. Fate also protects those who are worthy of protection."
Huang Tingyu laughed, "Is Marshal Chu really that happy?"
"Naturally, I'm happy."
Chu Huaixi couldn't hide the smile on his face. He leaned back against the tree trunk, took out a pot of wine from his storage artifact, and took a large swig. He laughed, "Joyful, joyful. Old Huang, do you know why I'm so joyful?"
"I do."
Huang Tingyu smiled faintly, "Throughout the history of the Great Chen Dynasty, there have been one or two cultivators in the Upper Five Realms, but never a Sword Immortal in the Upper Five Realms. This kid Lin Zhao... has a high probability of being the Great Chen Dynasty's first Sword Immortal in the Upper Five Realms, isn't that right?"
"Correct!"
Chu Huaixi's eyes were filled with hope. "At fifteen years old, he has opened three Sword Cultivation Lakes. Lin Zhao's future achievements might not be limited to the True Return realm, he might even become a twelfth-realm Spirit Transformation realm Sword Immortal!"
Huang Tingyu looked at him lazily and took a sip from his wine gourd. "Since Marshal Chu wants to brag, why not go bigger? Just say this kid Lin Zhao has the chance to reach the pinnacle and become the world's first fifteenth-realm Sword Immortal. The sole ruler of heaven and earth, how glorious would that be? The entire Great Chen Dynasty would be honored by association!"
"Get down!"
Chu Huaixi kicked the uncommunicative fellow off the tree.
Huang Tingyu landed, patted his backside, and laughed, "What, can't take a joke anymore?"
Saying that, he leaped up and landed beside Chu Huaixi again.
At this moment, a wisp of spiritual energy swept across the sky above the small town. In the next second, the aura of two of Lin Zhao's three Sword Cultivation Lakes was completely concealed, not even a trace could be sensed.
"Hmm?"
Huang Tingyu frowned, "Someone has intervened to help conceal the aura?"
"Indeed. Leaving one and hiding two prevents it from appearing too deliberate. It must be Mr. Qin's doing. After all, he consumed the most superior fruit from the White Tree. It wouldn't be right without some fortune."
Chu Huaixi looked at him and said, "Issue a secret order. Anyone who detects the aura of Lin Zhao's three Sword Cultivation Lakes must strictly maintain secrecy, or face death!"
"Rest assured."
Huang Tingyu crossed his arms and said, "Only those above the tenth realm can detect the emergence of these three Sword Cultivation Lakes. There are only a handful of people above the tenth realm in this town, and they are all our own. I will inform them individually. If they wish to live, they will keep silent."
"That's good then."
...
Nightfall.
Xiao Shitou went to the schoolhouse alone to accompany Su Qingjiu home. It was only then that Lin Zhao slowly awoke, feeling his body filled with energy. Within him, besides the surging and powerful true qi, it seemed a spiritual void had been opened in his heart. Within this void, much dense spiritual energy flowed freely, residual energy from the White Tree fruit.
At this moment, Qin Suihan, the owner of the bookshop, arrived. He handed Lin Zhao a piece of paper and said with a smile, "This is a rather rudimentary method of spiritual cultivation and qi refinement. Study it well, and do not waste this fruit."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Qin!"
After Qin Suihan left.
Lin Zhao held the paper and glanced at it, preparing to cultivate this "rudimentary" qi refining technique.