The flames gradually subsided and Han Lingyun emerged from the water, shock and incomprehension written all over his face.
“Brother Han, are you alright?” Su Xialu voiced out. He only received a light nod as response. Han Lingyun seemed transfixed in contemplation.
Seeing this, so as to not disturb, Su Xialu disappeared into the vapor. He too felt that Han Lingyun hinted at a path to exploit this pool with a greater efficacity and wanted to ponder on this matter alone.
Han Lingyun was trying to recollect these short instances. ‘Right when I managed to excite the surrounding water molecules, I sensed a powerful resonance. Looking back, my qi was sucked out at record pace for a very short moment. At this time, I definitely sensed the extremely prevalent and pure fire attribute. But how is this possible? Traditionally water restricts fire. And when I tried to influence the water element, nothing happened.’
Han Lingyun couldn’t help but lampoon. ‘Or perhaps I have an undiscovered powerful fire affinity? Wouldn’t I look like an absolute fool in the eyes of Senior Lu if that was the case? Nearly freezing to death, the other day...’
His chuckle ended in a bizarre sound when the itching suddenly tensed his nerves. Han Lingyun let himself sink in the pond for a moment. Settling back up, he drank a mouthful of the liquid in curiosity. No doubt it was indeed water. But it did have a strong mineral taste and felt hot on his tongue.
‘Come on, focus! I have amassed a fair amount of clues on the water at this point. Let’s summarize it’s characteristics. First, there is the restorative ability and itchiness. Then, the fact my water element comprehension doesn’t seem to have much of an effect. Wood elements increases the itchiness incredibly and fire stirs a great reaction.
I’m truly confident on this water being imbued with the fire element. This would explain the itchy sensation. Regular healing medicines don’t have this unpleasant feeling. To the contrary, martial artists would feel a warm and refreshing sensation. This water seems to be destroying and rebuilding on a small scale. Internally circulating my wood comprehension became the fodder for the fire attribute to rage inside my body.
Thinking about it, there seems to be some kind of equilibrium between the destruction and repairing in the first place. Increasing the destruction with wood could prove more harmful than good.
However, fire alone shouldn’t be able to achieve such a healing result too. But I’m also confident that this water doesn’t have a trace of wood element. Therefore, according to common beliefs, there should be a strong water-healing attribute present in this water.
As for why I can’t stir up any waves with my comprehension of the water rune… I can think of two hypotheses. The first one, is that my understanding of water is truly lacking in the aspects of healing. Perhaps that is why it cannot resonate with this mysterious water. The second one is linked with the first one. With my previous experience, I tried externally applying my understanding, which is more leaning towards movement. However, looking closely, the water in this pond seems unnaturally static. Thinking about it, there should either be a mechanism restricting water movement, or this could be another attribute of the water itself, effectively clashing with my own comprehension. Looking at the high mineral concentration, this water might have a link with the earth element as well. But this can only remain as one of my conjectures for now.
There is a high chance that this water is at least dual attributed, water and fire. I’m not going to try and find how this is possible. However, if this is the case, I might have a way of solving the itchiness issue.’
Han Lingyun focused on picturing the water rune once again, but this time tried to apply it internally, where the itchiness was flaming and raging. His pupils widened as he found the unpleasant feeling disappearing.
‘My hypothesis seems to be correct! But doing this, I am defeating the purpose of this pool. Without the destruction, the improvement brought by the healing should be much slower. To compensate, if I can excite the fire element simultaneously by concentrating on my fire understanding inside my body… The key should be to keep the equilibrium. By doubling the effectiveness of both sides, I should effectively gain twice the benefits.’
Han Lingyun’s eyes shone. Without thinking further, he poured all of his concentration on visualizing the two runes at the same time. Eyes closed, his vision sank deeper and deeper into the two natural elements, doing his best to keep the two balanced despite not being symmetric to one another. Han Lingyun even forgot about the itchiness, not noticing that the punctual feeling evened out throughout his being.
At some unknown point, Han Lingyun realized he had truly sunken into meditation. At this point, he could freely picture his spirit world.
The ecstasy of having succeeded was tempered by his current sage like state of mind. In his mind world, Han Lingyun had never felt so comfortable. He walked barefoot on the mossy grass next to the pond formed underneath the waterfall.
Han Lingyun lay down, right hand playing with the water and creating a flurry of reflections with the sunlight. Shining on his spirit body, the sun had never felt so warm and comfortable.
…
Elsewhere in the pool, Su Xialu was still thinking about Han Lingyun’s words about using his own comprehension to influence the water of the pond. Airing mindlessly in the waters at waist level, Su Xialu reached the edge of the pond.
By this time, an idea had already cemented itself in his mind. ‘My comprehension is the sword. With the sword, I can train in every condition, forgetting about my surroundings. This is a form of cultivation too. Why wouldn’t I… try it here?’
Looking up, his sword was placed just in front of him on the rock at the edge of the basin. Not asking himself any further question, Su Xialu gripped his sword and closed his eyes, beginning to practice beginner sword moves.
At first, the moves seemed clumsy, with unwanted muscle contractions from the terrible itchiness breaking the rhythm.
As Su Xialu practiced, his movements seemed to gradually become unaffected by the water, forming bit by bit a sword dance.
…
From an unknown place Senior Lu’s eyes pierced through the fog, right to the positions of Han Lingyun and Su Xialu.
At this moment, Han Lingyun’s body was underwater and simultaneously bathed in flames but he didn’t show any hints of suffering.
Su Xialu was in a trance, freely moving in the pool with his sword.
Senior Lu’s mouth faintly curved up.
…
After an unknown amount of time, Han Lingyun woke up from his cultivation session. Right then, his vision blurred, and he was back on the mountain in his grey robe, body still dripping wet.
Feeling the piercing cold air on his wet skin, Han Lingyun closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, picturing the fire rune. He imagined the joy of flames leaping and crackling, casting a warm glow on his skin, like he had enjoyed moments ago in his spirit world. Han Lingyun held on to this image tightly but as seconds tickled by, no flames appeared. He only felt the air around him warming up slightly. Han Lingyun’s expression turned slightly gloomy. Indeed, in a regular environment, enjoying the effects of his comprehension wasn’t an easy feat.
Dejectedly looking around, Han Lingyun’s mood didn’t improve by noticing Senior Lu observing him with undisguised amusement. “Heh, you might want to learn a corresponding martial art to make better use of your comprehension. Don’t think that you can replicate what you did in the Yin Yang pool.”
Hearing these last words, Han Lingyun’s ears perked up. “Can Senior explain what makes this Yin Yang pool so special?”
“Things are generally not named randomly. Of course, it’s because this pool contains both Yin and Yang concepts. With your understanding of water and fire, you managed to assimilate them to a small extent.”
Han Lingyun nodded in understanding. He wanted to ask more questions but right at this time his gaze turned blurry. Before he could understand what was happening, his stomach growled furiously. An extreme hunger Han Lingyun had never felt before came suddenly. Every cell of his body seemed to be craving for food, his entire body demanded sustenance.
Startled, Han Lingyun couldn’t help but wonder if the pond had caused this sudden surge of hunger.
Senior Lu didn’t seem surprised by this sudden outburst. “I was wondering when the aftereffects would arrive.”
Once again, before Han Lingyun could enquire, he found that the scenery around him had changed. Looking around, he understood they now stood on the rocky surface inside the crater of the Volcano. In front of him lay a pile of roasted magic beast meat. 3 young disciples were already digging into the meat frenziedly.
Unable to resist his, Han Lingyun threw himself on the pile of enticing delicacies.
