Wet viviparity

Chapter 743 The Gourd, Lord Tan Turtle
Black Owl stopped three steps in front of the stone table.

This was right within the sight of the Pool Turtle King. Its massive head slightly raised, a hint of surprise flashing in its murky yet gentle eyes, clearly indicating that it had only just noticed the contents of the basket.

"Oh? Shuhanlingzhu."

Tan Guijun put down his pen and said, "Just now, the old man Jingjing came over and mentioned that it is really strange that a minor cultivator in the world climbs the ladder to the mountain and does not seek opportunities on the sunny slope of the East Mountain, but instead comes all the way to the vicinity of Zipo Peak."

"Looking at it this way, it seems you, a mere cultivator, have had quite the extraordinary fortune to unearth this spiritual abode. In that case, we can be considered neighbors."

Although Black Owl had obtained the Shuhan Residence, he had no intention of living in seclusion on Ziding Mountain. So he said, "I am still detached from worldly affairs and my seven emotions are not yet severed. Although I have obtained this spiritual abode, I have no intention of living in seclusion. Today, while exploring the mysterious pool, I happened to meet an immortal. This is a rare opportunity. I humbly request your guidance."

"These thirty-odd spiritual mansions and immortal buildings were built spontaneously by the ancient immortals when they were in a good mood."

At the beginning of the construction, I admired the beautiful scenery of Qiongtan and the palaces of the three heavens. I intended to emulate its pure and ethereal beauty and strive for a spiritual and otherworldly atmosphere.

Unexpectedly, his attempt to imitate a tiger ended up resembling a dog, resulting in a forced and unnatural imitation. Only after the completion of the work, guided by the old star deity, did he realize that he had gone completely astray and was far from the truth.

Not to mention the heavens, even the abodes of the immortals of the upper realms, such as the Mysterious Goddess, the Divine Maiden of the Vast Forest, and the Immortal Minister of the Purple Mansion, cannot compare to it.

However, its construction was quite laborious. The exquisite silk canopy, the star-shaped chessboard, and all sorts of delicate and elegant decorations were hard-won. It would be a shame to destroy such a waste of effort and resources, and it has been idle for over ten thousand years.

Having nowhere else to turn, they set up a charitable arrangement to provide shelter for the fellow Daoists in the mountains.

Now that you have acquired it, it would be best to settle in the mountains. Once it circulates in the world, such magnificent houses and furnishings will surely attract those shallow-minded, vain, and heretical practitioners who will scheme to seize it.

"Xiao Xiu has some connections in the world, so he is not afraid of evil disturbances."

"Black Owl said."

"External evils are only one aspect; internal demons are the root of the problem."

I see a fierce nature in your face. Although this nature has the potential to dissipate, it is ultimately like a carbuncle that is deeply ingrained and needs to be removed slowly.

If one were to find a different path and place this celestial abode, its weight would be immeasurable. Even a slight impact would make its magical combat power comparable to a priceless treasure in the mortal realm. If you were in the mortal world, possessing this celestial abode would inevitably encourage violence and reignite your violent tendencies.

"Good insight."

Black Owl thought to himself.

"You are overthinking it, Immortal Master."

Black Owl silently recited the Dharani mantra in his heart, secretly activating something, while still maintaining an indifferent expression, which made Tan Guijun quite unhappy.

But Tan Guijun, always kind-hearted, offered some advice and even made an exception, promising that if Sheng Heixiao could reform his evil ways in the mountains, he could be brought into the ranks of immortals at Yanshou Palace.

As they were talking, a bright star fell from the cliff outside the pool, casting a large shadow as it landed. It was unclear whether it was a cloud or a fog. Accompanied by a buzzing sound, it instantly blocked the hundreds of feet of cliff and surged toward the Bihan Pool.

In an instant, it surged like a raging tide, covering the sky and the earth, forcing the Pool Turtle to concentrate and be on guard.

In the blink of an eye, the raging tide, resembling mist and clouds, arrived before them. As soon as it rolled onto the pool, the entire pool of water seemed to be blown away. Only then did Black Owl realize that it was rolling black frost, mixed with sparks, densely packed and swirling wildly, flying in and filling the area in the blink of an eye.

"What kind of evil creature is this?!"

The turtle shell on Tan Guijun's back lit up, and a mysterious light shield shaped like an inverted bowl appeared around its body.

The countless black frost and sparks crashed down, and upon contact with the inverted spiritual barrier, a bright light appeared outside the barrier. In an instant, the ghastly green flames illuminated both the inside and outside of the pool, turning it a deep blue.

"When did this gourd acquire such power?"

Black Owl, inside the gradually dissipating spirit shield, thought in surprise.

This gourd is the Jade Fiend Gourd that Jiang Zheng seized. Hei Xiao forcibly summoned it and ordered it to unleash its power in order to lure Tan Guijun away. Unexpectedly, the gourd's power has greatly increased. It seems that Jiang Zheng has put a lot of effort into this gourd.

After the protective barrier was broken, flames immediately surged in from all sides, the eerie light flickered wildly, and the demonic aura soared into the sky.

Black Owl lifted Wei Fu from the basket, then released the basket, instantly transforming it into two energies to protect himself. Before the flames could engulf him, the giant foot that Tan Gui Jun raised slammed down heavily, and with a loud bang, the water of the thousand-pound pool dispersed into water vapor, which then quickly condensed.

Fine frost particles rustled and swirled, like thousands of gusts of snow wind, sweeping away the firelight.

"Be careful." The firelight was swept away, but the Pool Turtle King let out a painful howl, while warning the Black Owl.

His hill-like tortoise shell was covered with black frost, which froze together, making the color even darker and greasy, as if it were soaked in black oil paint.

Tan Guijun seemed unsteady on his four legs. His vital essence was being drained by the frost, and his hill-sized body swayed wildly in front of Hei Xiao, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"My precious gourd, come back!"

A loud shout came from afar, and a bright star flashed in the sky as if in response.

"Jiang Zheng!" Black Owl stood behind Tan Guijun. With a thought, the point of light immediately broke free from the call, circled once, and rushed towards the bottom of Bihan Pool.

"You wicked beast, how dare you! This pool is a place that stores pure water; how can you defile it?"

With a loud shout, Tan Guijun roused himself and began to move, shifting horizontally in mid-air like a flying hill, heading towards the point of light. Unexpectedly, the point of light changed course midway and flew back the way it came, landing in Jiang Zheng's hand.

“My precious gourd, I knew you still recognized me.”

Jiang Zheng held the gourd to his face, as if he had just regained his senses.

Seeing the Pool Turtle Lord flying over from the bottom of the pool, Jiang Zheng hung the gourd on his back, immediately landed on the back of the demon bird, and urged his mount to flee far away.

At Bihan Pool, only Black Owl remained.

Although the old turtle was lured away, it would be hard for it to leave this little cultivator alone in the Cold-Repelling Pool once it regained its composure. Therefore, Black Owl had to obtain the Purple Hemp Light-Stabilizing Screen from the pool as soon as possible.

He reassembled the two baskets and placed the small pot inside.

After holding it up for only a short while, Black Owl's wrist was already sore and numb. If he hadn't refined the spirituality of the Shuhan Residence, allowing him to reduce its weight at will, he probably wouldn't have been able to lift it up with one hand, let alone lift it up with one hand.

I strolled to the edge of the pool and bent down to gaze at the deep, dark water.

According to the secret recorded by Xiao Shou Gu, the location where the Purple Hemp Ding Guang Banner was sealed corresponds to the position of the Lucky Star among the Three Destinies of the Southern Dipper in the sky.

He looked up at the sky. The sky was clear and cloudless, with no stars in sight. Although Black Owl didn't have the same ability to predict the future as the real person, he could still identify the positions of the stars.

He came to a spot on the pool and stared at it intently. Gradually, specks of starlight began to float on the water, and then a dazzling purple light suddenly burst forth. The light was not fiery, but rather extremely cold and still.

In an instant, the entire Bihan Pool seemed to be paused by an invisible giant hand; the surging water, the floating ice shards, and even the cold mist in the air all froze.

A thin, translucent purple shimmering light flashed and disappeared from the depths of the pool. Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, it exuded an aura that could subdue all demons and establish dominance over the region.

In the blink of an eye, the Black Hawk would not allow such a golden opportunity to slip by.

The primordial spirit, which had been gathering power for a long time, unleashed its strength, raising its hand and pointing a finger. As soon as the purple light curtain appeared, a light that could freeze the person instantly burst forth.

At the same time, the silver rat appeared, rising and falling on the surface of the pool to catch the frozen magic weapon in its arms.

Black Owl reached forward, his fingertips touching the strange, icy yet warm and resilient object in the treasure rat's arms—the very "Purple Hemp Light-Stabilizing Curtain," which had concealed its brilliance and transformed into a cluster of purple, cold stars the size of a pigeon's egg.

The moment it touched the object, a surge of spiritual energy rushed up the arm and into the primordial spirit. Black Owl groaned and forcefully channeled his physical body's true power. The Six Jia Yang Harmony Qi enveloped the cold star, and the two forces strangely merged, instantly calming the power of the Dingguang Banner.

Black Owl felt no joy at acquiring the treasure, knowing it wouldn't stay in his hands for long.

However, now he only needs this treasure to realize its value, and he needs to use it to cause some trouble, but not in Ziding Mountain.

He took the purple, star-shaped hemp light-fixing banner and casually unfurled it, instantly transforming it into divine light, crystal clear and translucent.

"time to go!"

As he spoke, he tossed the tuft of white ape hair outwards, as a reminder to Ma Ling that he had already seen through Ma Ling's methods and that it was time for him to close the net.

With a thought, divine light immediately enveloped his body, and in an instant he soared into the sky. After disappearing for more than 800 feet, he turned again and flew towards the worldly gate outside the peach grove on the sunny slope.

(End of this chapter)