CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: FLOOD DRAGON POOL

"Though the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture is of high quality, it’s still a notch below the Purple Golden Skill. To freely command Inner Qi and Mana and maintain their balance, I must find several more Spell Heart Scriptures to integrate. Otherwise, even if the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture reaches the third realm, it may not be able to withstand the Purple Golden Inner Qi."

After silently comparing the differences between these two cultivation arts, Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered.

As for the task of finding Heart Scriptures, I’m afraid I’ll have to wait for my boss to do it on my behalf.

Having settled on his plans, Qi Xiu immediately went inside and took out the Flood Dragon Pool, enveloped by a Suppression Talisman Seal Skill, from the secret compartment above his bed.

He undid the talismanic seal.

Tearing off the oiled paper on the Magic Artifact, Qi Xiu took out the artifact that looked like a ring of ink jade.

Let me witness the power of this rare Heart Scripture-exclusive Magic Artifact.

Wearing the ink jade ring on his left thumb, Qi Xiu’s eyes gleamed with a teal light as he recited ancient, obscure incantations.

In his sea of consciousness, a thread of Mana moved at an extremely rapid pace, sneaking into the ring before the Purple Golden Dao Seed even realized it.

HUM—

A hint of coolness emanated from the ring, and a faint dragon pattern emerged.

Following the Dharma Gate described in the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture, Qi Xiu had a thought.

He flipped his left hand palm-up.

SPLASH—

A strange sound of water accompanied the motion. Above his palm, astonishingly, a bowl-sized pool of emerald water appeared out of thin air.

"Is this... the Flood Dragon Pool?"

Staring at the suspended pool above his palm, Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered. He reached his hand into the water.

The next instant, a strange visual perspective transmitted directly into his mind.

It was an immense body of water whose depth was unknown. The murky emerald waters faintly radiated a gleam. There was nothing in the water. Only in the far-off darkness, some indistinct figure seemed to be lurking and passing by.

With this essential spatial equipment for a transmigrator, I, Mr. Qi, can now be considered well-equipped.

Smiling with satisfaction, Qi Xiu retracted his hand, shook off the water droplets, and then activated his Inner Qi to evaporate the remaining moisture.

The body of water within this Flood Dragon Pool was vast and could hold many objects. The only drawback was the need for waterproofing measures to prevent damage from the water. Also, living creatures couldn’t be stored in there, as they would be drowned alive.

Moreover, other Spells in the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture were also related to water. When casting them, one had to use water as a medium. With the Flood Dragon Pool at hand, there was an inexhaustible medium to draw from. It was readily available and very convenient.

The Divine Marvel of this ring goes far beyond this, but currently, my Mana is too weak to awaken its deeper Divine Marvels. And the potential ferocity of this Demonic Artifact is very dangerous.

Stroking the cool, smooth ring on his thumb, Qi Xiu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

This Magic Artifact was different from the Hundred Faces Mask and Autumn Phyllostachys Staff in his possession; those could suppress their ferocity simply by devouring flesh and blood. Its ferocity was very subtle and strange.

And according to the records in the Bitter Pool Elusive Scales Heart Scripture, each owner of the Flood Dragon Pool perceived different demands from its ferocity. The Demonic Artifact seemed to alter its demands according to its master. This characteristic, even among Demonic Artifacts, was extremely rare and bizarre.

Such a distinctive Demonic Artifact would indeed be troublesome in the hands of others. A pity, Mr. Qi specializes in handling all things disobedient. Dare to bare your fangs, and I’ll reward you with hundreds of Suppression Talismans right away, hmph.

After threatening the Flood Dragon Pool Ring on his hand, Qi Xiu snorted proudly, flung his sleeve, and went out to ask his boss for an advance on his salary.

...

"Heart Scriptures?"

Hearing Qi Xiu’s request, Song Tingye, who was playing with a calico cat, was startled.

He’s a True Intent Martial Artist. Why would he need Heart Scriptures? If he’s looking for reference, he should be seeking True Cultivation Power. Could it be...

A strange expression flickered across his face. Song Tingye stared at Qi Xiu, who was in his Incarnation as a purple-haired burly man and looked utterly calm, and asked suspiciously, "Are you planning to cultivate both martial arts and magic?"

"Not at all. That stuff is way too hard to practice. Conflicts between Internal Qi and Magic Power could kill someone in minutes, you know," Qi Xiu immediately denied outright.

"If you’ve never practiced it, how do you know that Inner Qi and Mana will conflict with each other?" Song Tingye raised an eyebrow.

"Just guessing," Qi Xiu said without changing his expression, still looking perfectly justified.

"HEH, alright then."

Shaking his head with a light chuckle, Song Tingye turned slightly and petted the cat’s head. "Even if you, Mr. Ye, aren’t planning on dual cultivation of martial arts and magic, I still want to remind you. Dual cultivation is like walking a deadly path on a blade’s edge. One misstep could lead to total annihilation of body and soul. Besides, you have to start from scratch to practice dual cultivation. You’re already a True Intent Martial Artist. It’s definitely impossible for you."

"Mr. Ye is aware of this as well, but... I was just thinking about leaving some options for the younger generation in my family," Qi Xiu paused before casually spinning a lie.

Younger generation? What younger generation? I’m the youngest in my family.

"Is that so?"

Nodding slightly, Song Tingye didn’t dwell on this and continued, "Since you’ve asked, Mr. Ye, I certainly won’t refuse. What type of Heart Scripture are you interested in? Give me a general direction, and I’ll have my men search for it."

Seeing that Song Tingye agreed, Qi Xiu smiled. "Then I’ll have to trouble you."

He cupped his hands in thanks. Qi Xiu made some polite conversation, then got up, preparing to leave. He had gotten what he came for and needed to rush home to continue practicing.

"However..."

Qi Xiu had barely taken half a step out of the living room when he heard Song Tingye utter that word, and his heart skipped a beat.

Not good, the boss is about to dish out more work.

Forcibly maintaining the stiff smile on his face, Qi Xiu asked, "Does the County Magistrate have further matters?"

"Sigh, it’s quite frustrating to speak of."

Song Tingye strode to Qi Xiu’s side, grabbed his arm, dragged him back into the living room, and pressed him down into a chair. A hint of annoyance crossed Song Tingye’s face. "For now, the city is relatively stable. But as the saying goes, ’one should prepare for danger in times of peace; lack of foresight leads to immediate worries.’ To ensure the tranquility of the citizens of Baoho County, I intend to train a city protection army, but I have yet to settle on an instructor..."

"What about Brother Yue Ting..."

"Yue Ting’s elderly mother fell ill today. He asked for leave yesterday to return home. He’s the only son, and with his mother sick, how could I not grant his leave?"

"So, the County Magistrate means..."

Watching Song Tingye, who looked hesitant and conflicted, Qi Xiu inwardly rolled his eyes eighteen times.

Act. Keep acting. You deserve this year’s Oscar.

"I would like to ask Mr. Ye to temporarily take the role of instructor until Yue Ting returns," Song Tingye said slowly, feigning a few sighs as he revealed his true intentions.

"Mr. Ye has never taught disciples. If I take on this responsibility rashly, I’m afraid it might delay the County Magistrate’s progress..."

"No worries, no worries at all! Mr. Ye’s martial skills and Cultivation are well-known to me. You are more than qualified!"

"Well... okay then."

Seeing that Song Tingye was insistent on him becoming the instructor, Qi Xiu thought for a moment and then agreed.

After all, one must return favors. He had indeed received many benefits from Song Tingye. Just the ingredients to make the Ten Suns Qiankun Great Tonic Soup alone were worth tens of thousands of silver taels, and they were often unavailable even if one had the money. Many of the medicinal herbs were practically extinct and impossible to find.

Seeing Qi Xiu agree, Song Tingye revealed a satisfied smile.

The first step was successful. Next, he just needed to proceed slowly.