Pond of Intentions
Everyone’s heart shivered, and everyone turned to look ahead.
In front of them, on the road was a 6 m tall gigantic stele, with the words “Qin Creek” written in dim gold.
Seeing that, everyone became joyous and immediately increased their pace, sprinting forward.
Hong Yan’s attention was turned, and she did not continue interrogating Su Yun.
Su Yun naturally heaved a sigh of relief. The group anxiously sped up and reached their destination quickly.
Qin Creek, the core of the Wen Xian region. The Wen Xian region was the highest area of the north, and it was said that the Qin Creek was extremely close to the sky, and when one stood at the top, they could raise their hand and touch the clouds.
Of course, it was just a saying. Raising the hand could definitely not touch the clouds, even if they tiptoed.
The place was filled with a fragrant scent of abundant grass, with mountains and rivers on both sides. Below the creek was a bluish green river that flowed beautifully.
When a person steps into Qin Creek’s lands, they would see a large number of spirit beasts. Three tailed squirrels, elks with nine different colors of intricate lines on its body, and snow white steeds. One look was enough for people to be dazzled.
The scenery was beautiful, the land was spiritual. It was as if the people had entered a paradise.
“I heard that Qin Creek is a place where no sects can reside and occupy properties, is that true?”
Su Yun’s gaze retracted from the beautiful scenery and asked Wang Zhong Shan.
“That’s right.” Wang Zhong Shan nodded: “Qin Creek’s land is a very spiritual place, and could be said to be one of the few paradise that remains on Sky Martial Continent, the most divine place. In here, no sects can occupy land and stay here, and cannot hold a share of this place.”
“Oh? Who set that rule?”
“The protectors of Qin Creek, which are also the people who set the Mountain River List competition! They believe that the secular sects have too much evil tendencies, self interest and greed dominate their thoughts, which would dishonor this pure land.”
“The protectors of Qin Creek?” Su Yun was startled as he muttered, then he asked: “Then why are they organising this Mountain River List competition?”
“They think that only the talented will not dishonor the pure land.”
“What a load of dog shit.” Shen Hao who was at the side could not hold back and laughed.
After passing through a windy road, they were welcomed to an open, panoramic flat land, which was filled with inch long grass and tall trees. And on the flat land, there were many tall buildings, where the common people of Qin Creek lived.
Qin Creek was a place with no cities or towns, and everyone just lived anywhere they wanted to.
Although it was not the first time Su Yun had been to Qin Creek, but he was also not very familiar with the place. He then watched as Wang Zhong Shan led the group for a few rounds, and after half a day, they arrived at the deep part of Qin Creek, a mystical valley entrance.
The valley was not high, but it was immensely big, and could be clearly seen from the outside. Because there were people standing outside of the valley, where there was a huge gigantic statue inside.
The statue was as big as a mountain, as though it reached for the skies. A majestic and grand statue of a dragon head with a human body, wearing a gown, looking like the legendary Dragon King. He wields a longsword with both his hands, his bright dragon eyes looked ahead, with an imposing might that seemed to be able to swallow the mountains and rivers.
“That is the famous Dragon King looking down on the land of Qin Creek.”
Wang Zhong Shan who was at the front introduced.
A group of people rushed towards the dragon.
Nearing the valley entrance, one would be able to see a large group of people dressed in snow white robes and masks.
They were not equipped with weapons, nor could Profound Spirit Qi be detected on their bodies. They just stood in great numbers at both sides of the Qin Valley, earnestly looking at every single person that entered.
Inside the valley entrance, was a man made gigantic wooden gate, filled with all sorts of carvings and veined patterns. The veined patterns released a bit of light aura, shining with all sort of colors, with vague spirits that were small, swaying in the light.
Wang Zhong Shan led the group to the front of the door, and greeted the people in the white robes and white masks in front of the door with both hands clasped together.
“I am Wang Zhong Shan, the representative of Long Ao Nation Sky Dragon City’s Wang Family, these are the talents that I have recommended, and am here to participate in the Mountain River List competition.”
Wang Zhong Shan retrieved a white circular order badge from his storage ring and handed it over.
The man in white robe and white mask accepted the order badge and inspected it, then nodded his head: “The order badge is real, Cultivator Wang, the Mountain River List is a place where talents gather, with all sorts of expert cultivators. I hope that all of you will be able to let out your brilliance in the competition, and achieve a good result. Alright, friends, follow the path on the left and continue walking upwards and find Huo Yuan, let him record it down and arrange for your training area, there is still two more days to the opening ceremony of the competition, you can all rest for now.”
“Oh, thank you senior brother.”
“Qin Creek does not have a sect, and we are not any senior brother, so just call us cultivators. Before you go, please take these badges.”
Finished, a man by the side took out many order badges and gave them to Wang Zhong Shan.
Wang Zhong Shan divided the badges to everyone.
Su Yun got one and took a look at it. It was an ordinary order badge, with a shallow imprint of the word “Insect”.”
“What does this mean?”
Su Yun asked with curiosity.
“Brother Wu Yun, you don’t even know about this? Since you actually want to join the competition, you need to at least have the knowledge on the fundamentals and the rules.” Hong Yan said: “Mountain River Sect competition is conducted with ‘level steps’ as advancements. At the start, everyone is an “Insect group” competitor, and then they will fight with their opponents, and slowly advance. There are a total of seven levels of steps, and only upon reaching the last step will the person be qualified to join the seeded participants to fight in the last competition for rankings.”
“Seven levels of steps?”
“Yes, they are insect, snake, wolf, eagle, elephant, lion, and dragon.”
“So it’s like that.”
Su Yun nodded his head and hung the order badge on his waist.
The remaining bodyguards and the Purple Horned Beasts could not enter the valley, so they stayed outside Qin Creek to wait.
Entering the valley, they followed the words of the man in white, and found another man in white robes and white mask called Huo Yuan. He recorded everyone’s information, and then began to verify their particulars, only bringing them to their area after confirming there were no mistakes.
“So these people are the protectors. They all wear white robes and white masks, and the only way to differentiate them is by following the order badges on their waists.”
Wang Zhong Shan said softly.
Everyone nodded.
Everyone followed Huo Yuan, and the only surprising thing was that, Huo Yuan did not bring them to their training area, but instead took a few turns and reached a gigantic and deep pond.
At that time, there were a many spirit cultivators that came from all over the continent, they surrounded the pond, and under the arrangements of the white robed and masked cultivators, they would enter the water.
Su Yun became suspicious, glancing at the water which was extremely clear, bright and holy. It was like a clean mirror, and when people entered the water, there was still not a bit of dirt or dust.
“What is this place?”
Wang Zhong Shan asked Huo Yuan.
“The Pond of Intentions!”
“Pond of Intentions?”
“In this period of time, Sky Martial Continent has had spirit demons, and devils all coming out. To ensure that this competition is held smoothly, every contestant that is participating is required to enter the Pond of Intentions for a test. If the contestant is a devil or spirit demon, they would be found out due to the clear water becoming murky, and the 12 protectors around the pond will immediately kill them.”
Huo Yuan said.
Hearing that, Su Yun’s mind tensed up.
“There is such a procedure?”
“There was not in the past, it started from this year.”
Su Yun was dumbstruck.
His entire body was filled with Evil Spirit Essences, his Evil Profound Spirit Qi was astonishingly tyrannical, how could the Pond of Intentions not have any reaction?
Anxiously gazing at the Pond of intentions, then looking at the 12 protectors who stood by the side of the pond not moving an inch like statues, he instigated the Heavenly Scale Divine Eye to take a look, causing him to inhale in cold air.
12 Ninth stage Spirit Soul cultivators!
He could not believe his eyes.
Since when were there so many ninth stage Spirit Soul cultivators? Who exactly were the Qin Creek Protectors?
“Alright, everybody, please go inside the Pond of Intentions. Once the test is over, we will then bring everyone to their arranged training area to rest.” Huo Yuan stood by the Pond of Intentions and spoke to Su Yun and the rest.
“Are we truly going to be tested?” Su Yun asked.
“If you remain by the side and not get tested, you will be disqualified, and will be temporarily imprisoned, since not taking the test is a display of guilty conscience.”
“…”.
Wooosh!
Just then, Wang Zhong Shan and a few others had already entered the pond.
Seeing all of them enter, the pond water immediately released ripples after ripples, a deep and bright shining light emitting out from inside the pond, entering Wang Zhong Shan’s body, allowing him to immediately release sounds of pleasure, after a while, he went out of the pond.
“I never expected the pond water to actually stabilize and amplify the Qi channels in my body, is that a good thing?” Wang Zhong Shan said happily.
“That is indeed the effectiveness of the pond, but everyone is only able to obtain the benefits during the first time they enter the Pond of Intentions.”
“So there are truly such good things in the world.”
Wang Zhong Shan was happy.
Hearing that, Luo Xiao Miao and the rest did not hold back. They anxiously entered the Pond of Intentions.
“Brother Wu Yun, what are you doing? Quickly come down!”
Hong Yan who had entered the Pond of Intentions laughed and shouted towards Su Yun.
“This” Su Yun frowned, he did not know what to say.
“Fellow cultivator, is there any difficulty for you?”
Huo Yuan who was at the side asked curiously.
“There isn’t.”
“Then please enter the water.”
Huo Yuan said.
Su Yun nodded his head, his heart thumping hard and quick, he anxiously looked around, only to realise that the 12 protectors were actually looking at his way, all of their eyes fixated on Su Yun’s body.
I got their attention.
But, if I enter the pond, will my Evil Spirit Essences be exposed?
Who cares, I can only flow with the current situation, catch them unprepared and I will quickly leave.
Su Yun completely did not think that there would be such a requirement. He took a deep breath, and finally decided to leave. But before leaving, I should first hold back the 12 cultivators.
He stepped towards the Pond of Intentions.
He was already secretly touching the Death Sword on his back, waiting to take action, preparing to use Imperial Sword Technique to leave.
Just that.
Whoosh!
Half of his body was already inside the pond, but the pond water was still as clear as before, without a trace of murkiness.
“This?”
Su Yun was startled.
He suddenly felt a boiling feeling in his chest, the Monarch Occult Force at his heart was activated, a large amount of Spirit Life Qi surging towards all the Evil Spirit Essences in his body, covering them up.
“Monarch Occult Force?”
Su Yun suddenly understood!