Chapter 541 - 540: Washing Marrow and Sinews

Chapter 541: Chapter 540: Washing Marrow and Sinews

"Ling Fei, come. Join us in paying respects to our ancestors and the Holy Stone." Old Shi Ren beckoned Ling Fei forward to stand on a Sacrificial Altar by the edge of the Holy Pool.

Numerous beast heads were arranged there, and incense and candles had been lit.

Old Shi Ren and the other Elders stood below the Sacrificial Altar, bowing in prayer.

Ling Fei followed suit, paying his respects.

It was a ceremony to honor their ancestors and the Holy Stone. The ritual was elaborate, and the entire clan participated.

Old Shi Ren and the others proclaimed to their ancestors Ling Fei’s great service to the Stone Race, explaining their decision to induct him into the clan.

The ceremony took a full hour to conclude.

"This is our clan’s Stone Ring, engraved with an Innate Pattern. You only need to connect with it using your mind, and you can merge it into your body. From then on, you will be able to comprehend the Mystical principles contained within the Holy Stone." Finally, Old Shi Ren took some Holy Stone Water and sprinkled it on Ling Fei’s body. He then bestowed a wondrously mystical Stone Ring, placing it around Ling Fei’s neck.

With a mere thought from Ling Fei, the Stone Ring flashed, transforming into a Stone Pattern that merged into his body.

And just like that, he now possessed the unique aura of the Stone Race.

’This is an Innate Stone Pattern, and it holds Mystical principles.’ Ling Fei’s face filled with surprise as the Stone Pattern merged with his body.

’These Stone Patterns are like Dao Patterns. Though incomplete, they’re still incredibly rare.’

"From this day forward, Ling Fei is the Eldest Young Master of our Stone Race! You will all treat him with the respect befitting that title!"

Old Shi Ren turned, his authoritative gaze sweeping over the tens of thousands of clan members as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Young Master Ling is our clan’s benefactor, and now he is the Young Master’s elder brother. He deserves to be our Eldest Young Master!"

"We will certainly respect the Eldest Young Master!"

"All hail the Eldest Young Master!"

On the mountaintop, from within the crowd, the members of the Stone Race roared their approval.

The crowd was filled with goodwill toward Ling Fei.

After all, they had been on the verge of despair, but then Ling Fei had opened Little Shi Tou’s Spiritual Apertures. It was impossible to describe their joy.

The Stone Race feared no one, but they always repaid their debts of gratitude.

Being cheered on and acclaimed by tens of thousands of people, Ling Fei felt a strange mix of emotions.

’Originally, this was just a transaction with the Stone Race.’

But now, the Stone Race’s enthusiasm made him feel a growing fondness for this great clan.

’How could a Clan that so values repaying kindness be sealed away in this place?’

He wondered, filled with suspicion.

"Young Master Ling, since you are now the Eldest Young Master of the Stone Race, I will give you a gift today to commemorate you joining our clan," Old Shi Ren said with a smile.

"Oh?" Ling Fei’s eyes flashed with interest.

"Heh heh. This Holy Pool Water is formed from the condensation of mist that rises from our clan’s Holy Stone." Old Shi Ren gazed at the Holy Pool before them and smiled. "This water can perform a complete Washing of Marrow and Sinews, forging an immaculate body. For a Cultivator, its benefits are simply indescribable."

"The other Elders and I have discussed it and decided to allow you to enter for a Washing of Marrow and Sinews," Old Shi Ren said with a smile.

"How could I possibly intrude upon such a sacred pool?" Ling Fei said.

For any Cultivator, this Holy Pool was an immense blessing.

"Heh heh, you are our clan’s Eldest Young Master. It’s only right that you undergo the Washing of Marrow and Sinews. Otherwise, wouldn’t the title be an empty one?" Old Shi Ren chuckled.

"Indeed!" the Grand Elder beside them added with a smile. "You are our clan’s benefactor; you’ve certainly earned this opportunity."

In truth, this was also the Stone Race’s way of making it up to Ling Fei.

Previously, when the Kunpeng Race had come to apply pressure, they had wanted Ling Fei to go on a rescue mission alone. However, due to the delicate relationship between the two clans, the Stone Race was unable to commit their full strength to a battle.

This had left Old Shi Ren feeling rather guilty, so he intended to make it up to Ling Fei by helping him grow stronger.

"In that case, it would be rude of me to refuse." Seeing their sincerity, Ling Fei didn’t stand on ceremony and cupped his hands in thanks.

He desperately needed to increase his strength right now, so he naturally couldn’t let this opportunity pass.

He wasn’t one to stand on rigid ceremony.

As for this debt of gratitude, he would be sure to remember it.

"Heh heh, in that case, you may enter and begin your Washing of Marrow and Sinews now!" Old Shi Ren smiled. "Furthermore, you can also take this time to sense the Mystical principles within. If you can comprehend the Mystical arts of the Stone Race, I believe it will be of great benefit to you." Old Shi Ren was filled with confidence in his clan’s Divine Techniques.

"Oh?" Ling Fei looked surprised. "I can comprehend Mystical principles in the Holy Pool?"

"This Holy Stone is no ordinary object; it is our clan’s Sacred Object!" Old Shi Ren smiled. The Holy Stone was the very foundation of the Stone Race’s existence.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the Holy Pool in front of them rippled as a barrier was opened.

Not just anyone could enter the Holy Pool; it was sealed off by a barrier. Only a select few, such as the Clan Leader, could deactivate the barrier to let someone inside.

"Please!" As the barrier opened, Old Shi Ren made an inviting gesture toward Ling Fei.

"Then, thank you, Elder Shi!" Ling Fei cupped his hands toward Old Shi Ren before striding forward, passing through the glowing barrier to arrive at the edge of the pool.

"The Holy Pool..." Nearby, Shi Gang and Shi Gao were practically drooling. They dreamed of soaking in the Holy Pool, but sadly, they weren’t qualified.

Ling Fei stood at the edge of the Holy Pool.

"Shed your clothes. Let no dust cling to you, and forge a foundation free of impurities." Old Shi Ren’s voice reached his ears.

Ling Fei’s eyes flashed. Golden light flickered around his body as his clothes vanished, and any specks of dust were annihilated by his Dragon Qi.

Instantly, Dragon Qi swirled around Ling Fei, resembling True Dragons coiling about his form as a dazzling golden light enveloped him.

Ling Fei then walked step-by-step toward the stairs leading into the Holy Pool.

As his foot touched the top step, the sole of his foot made contact with the Holy Pool Water. Immediately, a cool current of energy surged into his body.

The sensation was incredibly soothing, making Ling Fei feel completely at ease.

He had fallen into the Holy Pool before and been soaked in its water, but he had been fished out before he could use it for a Washing of Marrow and Sinews.

Stepping into the Holy Pool now, however, felt completely different.

He could truly feel the extraordinary nature of the Holy Pool Water; it was as if some kind of Innate Holy Water was about to be infused into his very being.

It contained the aura of the Mystical principles of the Great Dao.

Ling Fei waded in step by step, and soon the water submerged him up to his waist.

Mist swirled within the Holy Pool, making it seem like a true Divine Pool.

As Ling Fei’s body disappeared into the water, the people on the mountaintop gradually dispersed.

The area of the Holy Pool was completely shrouded by Forbidden Patterns. Flickering Light Patterns made everything hazy and indistinct, making it impossible to see what was happening inside.

These Forbidden Patterns were there to prevent anyone from disturbing the person undergoing the Washing of Marrow and Sinews in the Holy Pool.

Shi Gang and the others, however, waited not far from the Holy Pool.

At this moment, Ling Fei was sitting cross-legged on a Celestial Stone within the Holy Pool. Focusing his mind, he began to draw the Holy Pool Water into his body to begin the Washing of Marrow and Sinews.

SWIRL!

The Holy Pool Water stirred. Writhing Dao Patterns were drawn out by Ling Fei, entering his body along with the water.

However, the moment these Dao Patterns entered his body, Ling Fei felt an immense, crushing gravity. The Power was so oppressive that his bones, flesh, and meridians felt as if they were about to shatter. His very bloodline seemed on the verge of rupturing. An unbearable pressure seized him, and he found it difficult to even breathe.

’These Stone Patterns are so incredibly potent!’ Ling Fei’s eyes narrowed, his mind reeling in shock. His bones had been tempered by True Dragon Blood Qi, making them comparable to a Top Level Spiritual Treasure. He never imagined they would start to crack and shatter under the assault of the Stone Patterns within the Holy Stone Water.

The realization was stunning.

CRACK! CRACK! His bones began to crack and then abruptly shattered. Ling Fei’s entire body trembled as cold sweat poured down his forehead. He was enduring immense pain.

Yet, as soon as his bones shattered, the Holy Pool Water immediately surged in to envelop the fragments. Within the water, Stone Patterns flickered, tempering his bones and meridians.

Wisps of impurities were refined out, only to be instantly annihilated.

Ling Fei had thought his physique, having been tempered countless times, was already flawless. He never expected that impurities would still be forced out under the refining power of the Stone Patterns, only to be crushed and annihilated. Afterward, the Holy Pool Water began to nourish and reshape his bones and sinews.

Once his bones and sinews were reshaped, Ling Fei looked inward. He could sense his bones had become as clear as crystal, like flawless jade, pure and unblemished, gleaming with a treasured light.

’To temper one’s frame with the Celestial Stone Pattern and then reshape it with the Holy Pool Water... it truly is worthy of being called the Holy Pool of the Stone Race.’

Ling Fei was filled with deep emotion.

Only now did he truly understand why entering the Holy Pool for a Washing of Marrow and Sinews was such a rare opportunity, and why Shi Gang and the others valued it so highly.

If one’s body could be tempered to such a flawless, pure state, it would undoubtedly elevate their entire foundation. The benefits were simply indescribable.

’What if Wan’Er and Lian Shuang could also undergo this tempering?’ A thought suddenly struck Ling Fei. He felt this opportunity was too good to miss.

’If the two of them could re-establish their foundations here, their future paths in Martial Arts would be much smoother.’

With a thought, Ling Fei conveyed his idea to Shangguan Wan’Er and Lian Shuang.

"The Holy Pool of the Stone Race!" Lian Shuang was stunned for a moment, then murmured, "This is indeed a rare opportunity."

She was lost in thought for a moment, her mind wandering to many things.

She had a similar opportunity in her youth, but unfortunately, a sudden turn of events left her displaced, and she became a blade forged by the Xu Clan.

’If that tragedy hadn’t befallen her clan, wouldn’t she have already undergone a Washing of Marrow and Sinews in a Holy Pool of this caliber long ago?’

"But the Stone Race only gave you permission to undergo the Washing of Marrow and Sinews. Wouldn’t it be wrong for us to just enter without asking?" Shangguan Wan’Er asked, somewhat hesitant.

"AHEM. An opportunity like this is rare. If they find out, I’ll just refine a few extra top-grade Spirit Awakening Pills for them as compensation later," Ling Fei transmitted, giving a mental cough.

At a time like this, he couldn’t afford to worry about such things.

After all, if they missed this chance, it would be incredibly difficult for Shangguan Wan’Er and Lian Shuang to find another Holy Pool of this quality to establish their foundations.

"That’s true. Those who wish to achieve great things can’t get bogged down by minor details," Shangguan Wan’Er said with a nod.

"However... to enter the pool for the Washing of Marrow and Sinews, you have to be... unclothed, to remove any surface impurities..." Ling Fei finally added, a little awkwardly.

At his words, Shangguan Wan’Er blushed profusely.

"An opportunity like this is too rare. We shouldn’t let modesty hold us back." After pursing her lips, Lian Shuang’s eyes flashed as she glanced at Shangguan Wan’Er.

She knew full well the benefits of using such Holy Pool Water for Foundation Establishment.

It would make her constitution superior to almost any other. Even among the disciples of the great clans in the Divine Wilderness, few could compare. Her future achievements would be unimaginable.

With that, the two women flashed into existence, appearing out of the Dragon Bone Space.

After appearing in the space above the Holy Pool, Light Patterns flickered around their bodies as their clothes were removed and stored in their Sodium Rings.

Once this was done, Five Elements Light Patterns swirled around Lian Shuang, enveloping her body while simultaneously removing any impurities.

In truth, Cultivators of their level already had very few physical impurities.

Shangguan Wan’Er also emerged gracefully. Her Pill Essence swirled around her like a light veil, outlining her enchanting and peerless figure.

After preparing herself, her gaze shifted to the Holy Pool. She caught sight of Ling Fei, who was shrouded in mist, and her cheeks instantly turned red.

Lian Shuang, however, remained impassive, showing little emotional fluctuation. With a flash, her body entered the pool and was submerged in the Holy Pool Water.

Shangguan Wan’Er followed suit, slipping into the water beside Ling Fei.