I have a panel that reduces proficiency.

Chapter 50 The Supreme Lord's Seven Emotions Transform into True Water, Attaining the True Unde

Chapter 50 The Supreme Seven Emotions Respond to Transformation and Generate True Water, Attaining the True Understanding of the Dao

Fang Shi stared intently into the distance.

Those fine, hair-like silver threads still meandered and wandered in the mist, crisscrossing to form mysterious patterns.

But this time, when he looked at it again, it was completely different.

Previously, when he looked at these patterns, he found them to be intricate and interwoven, with no clear beginning or end, and he couldn't understand them at all.

But at this moment, the crisscrossing patterns suddenly seemed to have a pattern in his eyes.

Without further hesitation, he condensed a bit of magical power at his fingertips and slashed forward.

The three-way intersection at the end of the air intake pattern broke off immediately.

The spiritual energy to the left dissipated into countless stardust, while the spiritual energy to the right vanished silently.

The array suddenly stopped, the rotation of the wind vortex pattern slowed down, the frost of the cold moon pattern dimmed, and even the surging mist suddenly thinned out.

But at that very moment, the thinnest and weakest reverse line suddenly lit up.

With the first two paths cut off, the remaining spiritual energy in the main vein of the Qi-guiding pattern had nowhere to go and poured into this only passage.

The reverse pattern, which started as thin as a needle tip, suddenly surged upwards, carrying an extremely concentrated power, and flowed straight into Fang Shi's fingertip.

Fang Shi suddenly took three steps back, his eyes tightly closed, his face deathly pale, and his right hand trembling uncontrollably.

"How could this happen?"

Qi Xueyi flashed to his side and grabbed his wrist.

A flash of inspiration struck her, and her expression changed drastically.

"The reverse lines even exude a foul aura—"

Her brows furrowed, then she suddenly looked up at the lingering mist, a flash of understanding in her eyes. "Yes," she said, "the earth's veins in the Cold Mist Ravine have been turbulent for countless days, and the array's core is located precisely at a node of these veins. Over time, the turbid energy has become stagnant within it. Those reverse lines are the only pathway to the array's core. By cutting off the first two streams of spiritual energy, the remaining energy rushed into the core along the reverse lines, which in turn stirred up all the accumulated turbid energy—"

She lowered her eyelashes, and the hand gripping Fang Shi's wrist trembled slightly.

"I taught how to cut off the reverse lines, but I completely overlooked this one detail. I was too careless."

"Junior sister."

Zhou Yan stepped forward, glanced at Fang Shi, his gaze lingering on his pale face for a moment, and said, "This is not your fault. The disturbance of the earth veins in Cold Mist Ravine is a recent event. The records in the temple's scriptures do not mention the presence of turbid energy in the array's core. Who could have imagined that the accumulated turbid energy would happen to be stuck at the end of the reverse pattern? You have already done your best to teach him how to break the array."

"If anyone is to blame, it's Li Daoyuan for his lack of skill. A disciple who specializes in formations couldn't even detect the signs of being corrupted by turbid energy. It's no surprise that he suffered a backlash after making a rash move."

[Minor Breath Concealment Technique - 1]

[Minor Breath Concealment Technique - 1]

【————】

[Minor Breath Concealment Technique - 1]

Impure energy enters the brain, causing the control panel to refresh wildly.

Fang Shi felt a wave of dizziness, and the information contained within the turbid air manifested in his sea of ​​consciousness: "Water is the essence of Heaven and the origin of Yin. Yet those who wield it in the world mostly use its form, failing to grasp its spirit. Drawing from rivers and streams is merely the inferior method; confining the essence of rain and dew is only the middle way. The superior one who wields water does not rely on external things, nor on the timing of Heaven, but uses the spirit as the abyss and the intention as the spring, creating something from nothing and seeing the truth in the void—"

The information ends abruptly here. But even this fleeting glimpse of the opening reveals a lofty vision and profound methods that far surpass Fang Shi's "Minor Water Cloud Technique".

If his prediction is correct, this is probably a method sufficient to prove the foundation of cultivation.

Is this the "gift" that Qi Xueyi was talking about?

But why is it hidden in the turbid air?

He only obtained this fragment, yet his Minor Concealment Technique deducted a full 20 points.

He has the control panel at his disposal and the means to recover, but what about Li Daoyuan?

If Li Daoyuan had suffered the same fate, how would he have recovered?

"Are you done yet?"

Zhou Yan's voice came from ahead, tinged with impatience, "A mere drop of turbid energy entering the body, and it takes this long?"

Fang Shi opened his eyes and looked in the direction of the sound.

Zhou Yan was already standing at the edge of the array eye where the mist was thinning, just one step away from stepping into the next area. She was looking back at him with a slight frown.

The screen in my mind kept flashing, and fragments of scriptures still echoed deep within my consciousness.

Fang Shi's expression had returned to calm. He bowed to Zhou Yan and said, "Reporting to the Immortal Master, I was not injured. It was just that the turbid energy came suddenly, causing a momentary surge of qi, but I am now fine."

Zhou Yan said, "Since there's no problem, let's continue."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Qi Xueyi suddenly spoke up.

She stepped forward, blocking Fang Shi's path, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Senior brother," she said, "you're being too heartless. He was just struck by the turbid energy; his meridians must have been damaged. Even if he says he's fine, who knows if he's suffered any hidden injuries? The deeper you go into the Cold Mist Ravine, the more dangerous it becomes. What harm is there in letting him recover a bit?"

Zhou Yan paused, turned to look at her, his expression slightly grim, and said, "Junior Sister, time waits for no one. You know best how many array points still need to be inspected. If we keep delaying like this, will we be able to reach the depths before dark?"

"Then let him go back. What serious matter could it possibly cause by sending him back to the temple?"

As she spoke, she turned around and saw that Fang Shi's forehead was still covered in cold sweat, and a few strands of hair at his temples were stuck to his cheeks with sweat. She took out a plain handkerchief from her sleeve and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"You really are something."

As she wiped his sweat, she gently scolded, "That backlash from the turbid energy is incredibly dangerous. How can you say it's nothing? I taught you how to break the formation, not how to risk your life. If you really can't hold on, just say so. With me here, your senior brother won't do anything to you."

As Zhou Yan watched this scene, his fist, clenched in his sleeve, slowly tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm and simply turned his face away coldly.

Fang Shi looked past Qi Xueyi's shoulder and gave Zhou Yan a deep look.

Then he looked away and his gaze fell on Qi Xueyi's face.

The worry in her eyes was clear and unambiguous, without a trace of falsehood.

Fang Shi remained silent for a moment, then said, "Thank you for your concern, Immortal Qi. I am truly free of any further problems. Since Immortal Zhou said there are still array cores to pass through, then we should not delay any longer. I can continue."

Zhou Yan said, "Junior sister, did you hear that? He himself said he could continue, are you going to stop him? Since he is willing, you don't need to meddle."

Qi Xueyi glared at Zhou Yan, then turned to look at Fang Shi, biting her lower lip.

Fang Shi simply looked at her without saying a word.

She finally sighed, tucked the plain handkerchief back into her sleeve, and whispered, "Very well. Since you insist on continuing..."

Before she could finish speaking, Fang Shi suddenly spoke up.

"Immortal Qi, there's no need to worry. The journey is still long, and there are many places to investigate. If you keep worrying like this, you'll probably collapse from exhaustion before I do. My life is worthless, but worthless lives have their own resilience; I won't die."

Then he bowed to Zhou Yan again and said, "Immortal Zhou, please give your orders."

Zhou Yan snorted coldly, said no more, and turned to walk into the depths of the fog.

Fang Shi followed.

Upon reaching the next formation, before Fang Shi could even make a move, Qi Xueyi began explaining the key points of the formation change.

[Three Talents Maze Formation Proficiency +2]

Fang Shi understood perfectly and answered the question swiftly and decisively.

But the moment the Qi-guiding pattern broke, the reverse pattern lit up again, and the accumulated turbid Qi arrived as promised, flowing back into his fingertips.

He took two steps back again, his face pale, and his mind was in turmoil once more.

[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency - 30]

"It's happening again!" Qi Xueyi exclaimed in surprise, rushing forward to support his arm. "Why is this turbid energy present at every key point of the formation?"

Zhou Yan stood to the side with his hands behind his back and said, "The earth's veins are in turmoil, and the turbid energy is overflowing. It's not surprising that it's stagnating in any place. Since he has already broken through one place, he should be more careful about the second one. He is still not skilled enough."

Fang Shi ignored him and kept his eyes tightly closed.

In his mind, the second passage of scripture was slowly emerging—

"—To generate true water, first regulate the seven emotions. Joy is yang fire, which can evaporate true yin and transform it into mist; anger is yang wind, which can drive away mist and haze to form clouds;

Worry is like condensed air, causing clouds to gather into dew; thought is like harmony, causing dew to condense into frost; grief is like sinking, drawing frost down to form a spring; fear is like sealing away, binding the spring into a deep pool; surprise is like stimulating, allowing one to draw a ladleful from the pool. These seven emotions are not enemies, but rather the vessels of creation. People do not understand this, regarding the seven emotions as burdens, unaware that without emotion, the water dries up, while with emotion, water arises. Those whose emotions are as deep as the sea, their waters are also as deep as the sea.

He opened his eyes, ignored Zhou Yan, and only shook his head slightly at Qi Xueyi before continuing on his way.

The third key point of the formation is hidden deep within an ice crevice.

Qi Xueyi bit her lower lip and continued explaining, almost guiding his hand step by step to identify the shapes.

[Three Talents Maze Formation Proficiency +6]

In the end, she even forbade Fang Shi from breaking the formation again, and told him to do it himself.

Zhou Yan's face darkened, and he said, "No. Inspecting the array's core is his duty. If you, Junior Sister, take action on his behalf, and this gets back to the sect, not only will he, as an outer disciple, be unable to bear the consequences, but you and I will also be subject to gossip."

Qi Xueyi turned her head abruptly, about to retort, but Fang Shi's voice rang out first.

"I appreciate Immortal Qi's kindness."

His face was pale, but his tone was calm as water. He said, "But what Immortal Zhou said is right. This is a minor task for me. There is no reason for you to do it for me."

Before he finished speaking, a glint of light appeared at his fingertips, and he slashed forward first.

Qi Xueyi reached out to stop her, but it was too late.

The Qi-guiding pattern snapped instantly, the reverse pattern suddenly brightened, the array collapsed, and the turbid Qi surged backward.

[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency - 40]

He staggered backward, his back slamming against the ice wall, sending a cloud of frost flying.

Qi Xueyi strode forward, a handkerchief already in her hand, but she raised her sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead.

"It's alright."

In the sea of ​​consciousness, the third passage of scripture continued—

"—When the seven emotions are harmonized, true water arises naturally. At first, it is but a single, clear drop of moisture in the mind, like morning dew hanging on a blade of grass; then it gathers into trickles, like the first melting of spring ice, falling gently from the depths of the abyss; then it gathers into a rivulet, flowing down the twelve-story tower, passing the Crimson Palace, entering the Yellow Court, where, wherever it passes, mortal bones gradually soften, and worldly forms gradually transform; finally, it accumulates into a deep pool, and once formed, it is inexhaustible and inexhaustible, even in a thousand-year drought, this pool will not dry up. Only then can it be called—"

At the fourth key point of the formation, Fang Shi almost stubbornly rushed ahead of Qi Xueyi. Before she could even explain, he had already made his move.

[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency - 50]

Fang Shi grunted and knelt on one knee.

He spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ice, the scalding blood congealing into dark red frost flowers, which were instantly blown away by the cold wind.

Qi Xueyi rushed forward and took his arms with both hands, but he had already supported himself against the ice wall and slowly stood up.

In the sea of ​​consciousness, the fourth passage of scripture arrived as scheduled: "—Therefore, the Supreme Being controls water not through water itself, but through emotion; not through the external, but through the internal. He takes the body as heaven and earth, and emotion as creation; then, between heaven and earth, what water cannot be generated? What flow cannot be controlled? When joy arrives, spring rain falls suddenly; when anger arises, raging waves crash against the sky; when sorrow comes, cold dew condenses into frost; when thought stirs, gentle rain nourishes all things; when grief arises, autumn tides surge; when fear erupts, ice freezes a thousand miles; when startled, waterfalls shatter rocks. The seven emotions intertwine, like the changing of the four seasons, like the rotation of the sun and moon—this is the way of nature—"

"Don't break it anymore."

Qi Xueyi supported Fang Shi, staring intently at his profile, and said, "You've already broken four of the array's cores, and most of the turbid energy in your meridians is stagnant. The outer wall of your dantian has already developed cracks from the turbid energy seeping in. If you break another one, even without the turbid energy backlash, your own magical power will collapse first. At that point, you won't even be able to stand up, let alone break the array."

Fang Shi didn't look at her. He slowly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and said, "Immortal Qi, please let go."

Qi Xueyi did not let go.

A beam of spiritual light shot out from her palm and landed on Fang Shi, rendering him unable to move.

"You're not allowed to break it again."

She looked into his eyes and said, "This time, I'll go."

"Junior sister."

Zhou Yan's voice came from the side, saying, "Since he is unwilling, you forcibly detained him with your magic, which is against his will. Article 37 of the Three Plates Temple's rules states that fellow disciples shall not use magic to force each other. As the daughter of an elder of the Department of Criminal Justice, you cannot have forgotten this rule."

Qi Xueyi simply said, "Sect rules are sect rules, and today, I am the sect rules."

11

Zhou Yan paused for a moment, then raised his right hand, his five fingers spread wide.

A surge of powerful magic energy erupted from his palm, as thick and powerful as a mountain about to collapse.

The oppressive aura of the eighth level of Qi Refining spread down, scattering the remaining mist around them, and causing frost and dust to fall from the ice walls.

Fang Shi felt a sudden lightness throughout his body, as the spiritual light that had imprisoned him was shattered.

Almost at the same instant, another magical force landed on Qi Xueyi—it didn't harm her in the slightest, but it felt like a heavy weight had been placed on her, pinning her firmly to the spot.

Zhou Yan withdrew his hand and said, "Hurry up and go."

Fang Shi took a step and charged forward.

During the brief standoff with Qi Xueyi, he had already thoroughly understood the fifth array eye. Combined with the experience gained from breaking through the previous four array eyes, he now rushed to the array eye, his fingertips already condensing magical power. "Don't—"

Qi Xueyi gasped in shock.

But it was too late.

The air-guiding pattern broke immediately.

The reverse pattern suddenly expanded and contracted, then exploded with a bang.

A thick, almost tangible column of turbid air erupted from the depths of the array's core, slamming head-on into Fang Shi's chest.

He felt as if he had been struck by an invisible giant hammer, and his whole body flew backward, his back slamming heavily against the ice wall, shaking down a cloud of ice shards.

His body slid down the ice wall, and before he even hit the ground, he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ice. The crimson blood droplet rolled a few times on the ice before freezing into a dark ice bead.

The thick fog that had enveloped the Cold Mist Valley finally dissipated completely in that instant.

Ice walls, crevasses, valleys, distant mountains—everything was clearly exposed to the sunlight.

[Minor Concealment Technique Proficiency - 600]

Fang Shi's consciousness was fading. The numbers on the panel were fluctuating wildly, and his proficiency in the Minor Concealment Technique was plummeting at an unprecedented rate.

At that very moment, the fifth passage of scripture surged into his consciousness: "Therefore, this path has no name, but it is forcibly named—'The True Understanding of Attaining the Dao by Transforming the Seven Emotions of the Supreme Being into True Water'."

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