Chapter Forty-Nine: The Immortal Spring of Ten Thousand Eyes
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The residence of the Master of the Ten Thousand Gold Valley—Golden Immortal Pavilion.
When Qin Xiaomo and Qian Mubai arrived with the others, the old valley master had been waiting in the hall for quite some time.
“Your Ladyship, Prophet, you’ve arrived. The hour is nearly upon us. Let’s go,” said the old valley master, dismissing the surrounding attendants and leading only the two of them toward the bedchamber. Each time they entered a room, he personally locked the door.
Qin Xiaomo glanced at Qian Mubai with a hint of doubt, puzzled as to why they had to enter the bedchamber and why so many locks were necessary. Qian Mubai gave her a reassuring look.
The old valley master carefully peered outside, confirming that no one had followed them, and secured the final spring lock. Then he explained to Qin Xiaomo and Qian Mubai, “Because the Ten Thousand Eyes Immortal Spring is a secret treasure of our valley, I must blindfold you both.”
“Very well!” Qian Mubai agreed, and the old valley master pulled out two azure silk scarves from his sleeve, tying them securely over their eyes. After confirming they could see nothing, he turned a porcelain vase on the wall. Suddenly, a square black hole about one meter wide opened in the floor, revealing a circular downward path.
“You may hold onto this ox tendon rope to ensure your safety as you walk. This path is smooth and free of stones, so just follow the rope; there’s no need to worry about falling,” the old valley master explained, bringing them to the rope. “I’ll walk ahead; simply follow me.”
“Master, I am curious. Surely this place is filled with traps and mechanisms. Even without blindfolds, I doubt we could easily reach the destination,” Qin Xiaomo remarked as she walked, catching the earthy scent around her and guessing they had entered a subterranean tunnel.
“You are half right, Prophet. This place is like a labyrinth, with only one correct path. If you kept your eyes open, wouldn’t you easily discover which path leads the way?”
“Oh, pardon my impertinence,” Qin Xiaomo realized she'd asked a foolish question.
“No matter.”
Soon, the old valley master suddenly announced, “We have arrived. You may remove your blindfolds.”
Qin Xiaomo expected to see dim flickering candles in the depths of a cave, but when she took off the blindfold, the surroundings were as bright as daylight. She looked up, glimpsing only a corner of the sky, with sunlight streaming through a crevice in the mountain, illuminating the cave's interior. This must be deep within one of the valley’s remote mountains—yet the cavern appeared naturally formed, save for signs of human handiwork: stone bricks paved the floor, stone steps and a surrounding terrace. At the center was a shallow square pool, about two meters across and half a meter high. Embedded in the middle of the pool’s floor was a white, transparent crystal roughly the size of a grapefruit. The shaft of sunlight struck the crystal, refracting into a rainbow that spilled onto one side, illuminating something that looked like words, though they were unclear. The place felt like an untouched paradise.
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At that moment, two more beams of light pierced the crystal from different angles, and the rainbow reached the other walls of the shallow pool.
Seeing Qin Xiaomo about to ask, the old valley master explained, “When the rainbow fills every corner of the pool, the Ten Thousand Eyes Immortal Spring will flow forth. This spring appears only once every ten years, and the cave shines as bright as day only once in that period.”
“How extraordinary! There’s water here, yet no sign of any vegetation?”
“That’s the strangest thing. Not a blade of grass grows here. I have never seen the slightest hint of plant life in this place,” the old valley master said, glancing around. “If anything ever did grow here, it would likely be an exceedingly rare treasure.”
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed through the cave, as if a thousand armies were charging. The stone walls, being smooth, amplified the sound. A clear spring began to flow from beneath the crystal. With the whole pool filled with rainbow light, it was impossible to discern the color of the water, only the shimmering, multicolored reflections—beautiful and dazzling. Soon, the pool brimmed over, gleaming like a colossal diamond.
“Prophet, please,” said the old valley master. “I shall leave you now. Refining essence and transforming energy with this spring takes several days, sometimes even ten or more. The cave is stocked with food and water; if you need anything, just tug the ox tendon rope at the other end, which is tied to a bell. I’ll hear it and come down.” The old valley master had thought of everything.
“No one else will come down suddenly, will they?” Qin Xiaomo worried that bathing in the immortal spring was akin to bathing, and being seen would be mortifying.
“Rest assured, Prophet. Once I leave, I will lock every door again, ensuring no one can enter.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Master.”
After the old valley master departed, Qian Mubai said to Qin Xiaomo, “Remove your shoes and wear something light. Sit in the pool in a meditation posture.”
Qin Xiaomo walked to the pool, barefoot, testing the water with her toes. The temperature was pleasant, not piercingly cold like well-water. She stepped in fully, sat cross-legged in the water, and before she could close her eyes, she saw the rainbow-colored spots stretching and being drawn into her body, as if the drain at the pool’s bottom had been opened—absorbing faster and faster. The rainbow spots converged into countless colored lines.
“Close your eyes. Your meridians are already open; now channel your energy. Feel the power enter your body, especially at the crown of your head—the Nirvana Palace and Hundred Convergences Point,” Qian Mubai instructed from the pool’s edge.
Beneath the colored lights, the words became clearer: “Homage to Bhagavadi Vishasha…” The yellow characters shone brighter and brighter. It became apparent that the pool’s floor was covered with words, emitting golden light. The words distorted with the rippling water, seeming as though they, too, would be absorbed into Qin Xiaomo’s body.
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At that moment, Qin Xiaomo felt a bright, piercing beam of light strike the top of her head. Her entire body felt cool and comfortable, the sensation gradually spreading everywhere, like a gentle, pure energy permeating her being. In her mind, vague images began to appear—indistinct and blurry, like a film behind frosted glass. She reached out, attempting to clear the haze, but her hand could not touch it.
“What do you see?” Qian Mubai asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“I can’t make it out. I don’t know what it is,” Qin Xiaomo replied, struggling to discern the images.
“How does your body feel?”
“There’s a coolness filling every part of me, flowing everywhere, without any order,” Qin Xiaomo said, eyes closed, sensing the various parts of her body.
“You must control it. Guide it from the crown of your head, let it flow through your meridians, until it reaches every part of you.”
“How will I know when the absorption is complete?”
“If you see any visions, let me know. If you see something familiar, tell me as well,” Qian Mubai instructed, watching her closely.
“Understood.”
Qian Mubai was tense; without guidance, if Qin Xiaomo’s mind strayed into unclear fantasies, she could easily fall into disorder. Yet, if fortune favored them, her memories from a previous life might even return.
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