I forge immortality with spiritual treasures.

Chapter 4 Strange Tales from Under the Springs
"..."

Although the mountains and forests are inherently quiet and secluded, they are not without the chirping of insects, the warbling of birds, and the soft cries of small animals.

Now, however, it is completely silent.

It seemed that all movement was briefly suppressed by that roar that was both angry and sorrowful, and fear and lurked in the shadows.

"Taoist priest……"

Cai Que'er's eyes widened, revealing a human-like surprise: "Is that tiger demon dead?"

Ying Chan lowered his eyelids, seemingly trying to sense something with his hearing and smell. After a long while, he let out a long sigh and replied, "I don't even know if he's alive or dead."

"But it should no longer pose a threat."

"The Taoist priest is amazing," said Cai Que'er. "Although I haven't seen that tiger demon, it must be considered one of the most ferocious monsters in this mountain area."

Ying Chan smiled but did not reply. He simply leaped down from the rock and put the ebony bow back in front of him.

Upon seeing this, Cai Que was immediately drawn to it, her eyes sparkling as she asked, "Taoist priest, is this a magic artifact?"

"A magical artifact?" Ying Chan paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I'm afraid it doesn't count."

This concerned Ying Chan's greatest secret, so he didn't say much, only explaining, "This bow was made by myself; it's not even a half-finished product, let alone comparable to a magical artifact."

As Ying Chan spoke, he tied the bow to his shoulder. In the urgency of the situation, he had carelessly tossed aside the cloth that wrapped the bow, and it had drifted away with the wind. He simply carried it behind his back, making it easier to retrieve it in case of another emergency.

"Really?" Cai Que tilted her head.

It only felt that it should shoot and seriously injure the tiger demon with an arrow, which would be very impressive! But it didn't know what a true 'magical weapon' should be.

However, at this moment, another sound suddenly rang out, quite noticeable in the otherwise quiet mountain forest.

"That's a bad word."

Ying Chan's eyelids twitched, and when he turned his head, he saw that there was another person there at some point.

"Ah!" Cai Que'er exclaimed in surprise, "Where did this Taoist priest come from?"

This man appeared to be about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, with a topknot, cloud-walking shoes, and a magic sword on his back. Although he was not wearing a Taoist robe or feathered garment, he certainly looked like a Taoist.

Hearing what the colorful sparrow said, she glanced at it slightly and praised, "What a clever sparrow."

Cai Que'er seemed startled and instinctively hid behind Ying Chan.

The Taoist priest didn't pay any attention and turned his gaze to the large bow behind Ying Chan, then said, "This bow may not be up to par in other aspects, but its power is truly no less than that of ordinary magical artifacts."

"This was made by you, young friend? Such skill is quite remarkable."

"Little friend?"

Ying Chan's mind raced, and he raised his hand in a bow: "You flatter me, Daoist Master."

The Taoist smiled slightly, but unexpectedly, he didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he asked, "Young friend, are you here to retrieve the spiritual spring?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the spiritual eye again: "The spring will be flowing soon."

Almost as soon as the Taoist finished speaking, Ying Chan heard a very faint gurgling sound and couldn't help but look up.

Sure enough, after a few breaths, a spring gushed forth from the spiritual eye. The spring water was colorless and odorless, yet for some reason, it could invigorate one's spirit.

Ying Chan felt a slight heaviness in his heart.

He knew that he would likely encounter other cultivators while trying to retrieve the spiritual spring, and he also knew that if he did, he probably wouldn't be able to win the bid.

He had no idea how to prepare the tuition fee, so he could only try his luck.

It seems his luck may be running out.

“Indeed, but…” Ying Chan cupped his hands again, pondering, and said, “If Daoist also wishes to take the spiritual spring, I should respectfully decline.”

"Oh?" The Taoist shook his head and smiled. "Young friend, you came first, and I arrived later. How could you possibly let me have you?"

Having said that, he urged, "Young friend, hurry up and fetch the spring water."

The Taoist's words once again surprised Ying Chan.

He wasn't judging others by his own petty standards; it was just that after traveling far and wide, he had come to know the complexities of human nature and knew his own cultivation was shallow and his strength weak, so he had to be careful.

Ying Chan paused for a moment before bowing again and saying, "Thank you for your modesty, Daoist Master."

The Taoist nodded slightly and said no more. Ying Chan then reached into his robe and took out several talismans. Just as he was about to cast a spell, the Taoist frowned upon seeing this.

"Young friend, please wait."

As soon as he raised his hand, Ying Chan wisely stopped and asked, "What advice do you have?"

"Hmm." The Taoist pondered for a moment, "Young friend, are you using a water-drawing talisman or some other kind of magic to draw water from the spring?"

"Exactly," Ying Chan asked. "Is there some kind of taboo surrounding this?"

The Taoist priest said, "Once this spiritual spring is infused with the water-drawing talisman, it will be no different from ordinary clear water."

"What?" Ying Chan was immediately dumbfounded.

"Although the water-drawing talisman can draw water, it cannot retain its spiritual energy and cannot be used as a container at will."

The Taoist priest could tell that he truly didn't even understand such 'common sense', so he shook his head and asked, "May I ask, young friend, what is the purpose of taking this spiritual spring?"

Ying Chan was stunned for a moment, glanced at the talisman in his hand, and smiled helplessly.

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by the Taoist priest." He put away the talisman and replied, "I have heard that there is a Taoist academy in the east that accepts many disciples and teaches Taoist methods, so I am eager to join it."

The Taoist's eyes flickered slightly.

"I've only heard that the Taoist academy charges a fee for training," Ying Chan said. "I am of mortal origin and know nothing about cultivation, nor do I know what to use for training. So I thought I'd take some spiritual spring water to see if it could be used as a substitute."

"So that's how it is..." Upon hearing this, the Taoist couldn't help but chuckle.

"Although this spring is full of spiritual energy, it is not a rare item and is probably not enough to be used as tuition."

"Liar." Ying Chan's heart stirred, but before he could speak, Cai Que'er couldn't help but peek out from behind him and exclaimed, "If that's the case, why did you come to take it?" The Taoist was not annoyed, but instead replied with a smile, "I took this spring only to use it as pure water for refining elixirs."

"Clean water?" Ying Chan nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, why don't you fetch the spring water first, Daoist?"

The spring water flowed gently, its flow undiminished by their conversation.

In that short time, much of it has already flowed into the pool, and it's unknown when it will stop flowing.

“Very well.” The Taoist thought for a moment, “However, I am not one to take advantage of others, so let me tell you about the Xuandu Taoist Academy.”

"Xuan Du?"

Ying Chan had been eager to learn, and was overjoyed to hear this. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "I am all ears."

The Taoist priest was in no hurry. He first took a porcelain bottle from his waist, raised his hand and tossed it upwards. The porcelain bottle seemed to break free of its restraints and flew higher and higher until it reached the Spirit Eye, where it hung upside down in the air.

As the Taoist priest made a hand gesture, it seemed as if an invisible force was drawing the spring water flowing from the spiritual eye, twisting it into a thin stream, and flying into the mouth of the porcelain bottle.

Ying Chan, watching from the side, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

He had also learned some magic, which made it even more incomprehensible to him why the Taoist could control objects and water so easily.

Compared to this, the porcelain vase that seemed to hold a secret seemed insignificant.

"Indeed, there are even more profound Daoist methods in this world... in this realm."

Suddenly, Ying Chan felt a sense of relief, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon, and an endless hope welled up within him.

The Taoist priest, unaware of his inner thoughts, used magic to collect the spiritual spring before leisurely saying, "Actually, young friend, there's no need to be troubled by the tuition fee."

"what?"

Ying Chan was somewhat doubtful that he had misheard: "What do you mean by that, Daoist Master?"

"This Taoist temple is the orthodox sect of Taoism in this world, established by the Xuandu School."

"The Xuandu Sect, the orthodox sect of Taoism in this world...?"

Ying Chan couldn't help but mutter to himself, and Cai Que'er's eyes widened as well, for it was the first time she had ever heard of the Xuandu Sect.

It turns out that the legendary upper sect of the Taoist temple really exists.

“Exactly.” The Taoist said leisurely, “The Xuandu Sect charges tuition fees because the Dharma is not easily passed on, not to erect high walls and keep people out.”

"Therefore, there is also a rule that anyone who has the desire to seek the Way and has a firm will may be allowed to temporarily waive tuition fees and enter the Taoist academy."

"Is there such a thing?"

Ying Chan was both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly asked, "May I ask, Master, how can I obtain this permission?"

I believe I have no lack of desire for the Way and unwavering determination, but this matter is ultimately elusive, so I wish to seek a method.

But the Taoist priest, upon hearing this, simply replied, "I do not know either."

Ying Chan was taken aback.

Whether the Taoist priest truly didn't know or was unwilling to speak, it was unclear. However, since the matter had already been brought to this point, he wisely refrained from asking further questions.

Moreover, after this conversation, his direction became clearer, and he immediately thanked her earnestly, saying, "Thank you sincerely for your guidance, Daoist Master."

The Taoist waved his hand: "A few words are not enough to offer any guidance."

Ying Chan didn't say anything more, but still bowed respectfully.

Upon seeing this, the Taoist priest couldn't help but smile.

"Alright." After thinking for a moment, he said, "In that case, I will not accept your greeting for no reason."

As the Taoist was speaking, he suddenly raised his hand and summoned a green leaf from the wind.

"Stretch out your hand."

Ying Chan, not understanding why, raised his hand, and the Taoist placed the leaf in his palm.

Strangely enough, this leaf, which clearly came from the wind, suddenly seemed to gain weight after passing through the Taoist's hands, and landed steadily in Ying Chan's palm, remaining motionless no matter how the wind blew.

"This is……"

Ying Chan was puzzled, but then suddenly noticed something unusual.

He tried rotating his palm, and the leaf started to rotate as well, but in the opposite direction to his movement.

After trying it twice, Ying Chan quickly discovered that the leaf had been pointing in only one direction the whole time.

"Judging from your appearance, you must be heading to the Taoist academy."

"The journey has been fraught with difficulties, with mountains and rivers, and many storms. It's easy to get lost, so let this leaf guide your way."

As the Taoist priest spoke, he suddenly raised his hand, summoned the porcelain bottle back into his palm, shook it gently, and showed a satisfied expression. "With this matter settled, I shall depart."

After saying that, his figure suddenly disappeared from the scene.

Ying Chan was slightly moved, solemnly grasped the leaf, and bowed towards the void: "Thank you for the gift, Daoist Master."

The Taoist priest had already left and offered no response, so Ying Chan was about to set off again.

But then, after a moment's thought, he suddenly took off his luggage and pulled out two clean spare water bags.

At this point, the spring's flow may have been nearing its end, but it was still flowing intermittently.

Ying Chan naturally didn't mind. Regardless of its purpose, he filled both bags to the brim before setting off again.

As he entered the mountains, Ying Chan still felt a sense of wonder.

What I encountered after arriving at Dawanshan was completely different from the mundane world; it was as if I had stepped into a legendary tale.

(End of this chapter)