Soul Emperor Awakening

"This is the Bone Forging Pool. It will be excruciating once you’re inside. The longer you stay, the better the effects will be. If you pass out, the effects will cease immediately. You must remain conscious for it to work. Remember, you only have one chance, so think it through carefully!" Qing Piaoyun was very serious. This was no ordinary test or common reward.

If you pass out during the absorption process, it means you’ve ended the session prematurely. In other words, if you faint right after getting in, it’s over. You’ll have completely wasted your one chance.

The Bone Forging Pool requires a person to be awake to absorb its essence, and it must be done proactively; just soaking in it is completely useless. Therefore, if you pass out, you can no longer absorb it. This means the opportunity is wasted, as returning in the future will have no effect whatsoever.

Even if someone doesn’t actively absorb it, the Bone Forging Pool will still permeate their body. Even if they pass out immediately, there will still be a miniscule effect. However, it’s this very effect that causes the Pool to "remember" the person, rendering it useless for them ever again.

That’s what makes this opportunity so incredibly important. If one could absorb from it multiple times, these Elders would have drained it dry long ago, or they would have reserved it for a select few prodigies to use long-term.

The Bone Forging Pool is so precious primarily because it’s extremely limited. Buried beneath the pool are complete Dragon Bones, brought back from the Bone Dragon Ruins. Qingcheng Mansion would never pass up an opportunity like the Bone Dragon Ruins. Only after they’ve picked it clean would they release any remaining spots for other disciples to enter and absorb the Dragon Qi.

The Dragon Bones they retrieved were placed here, buried underground and mixed with stalactite liquid to create the incredibly potent Bone Forging Pool. Dragon Bones are not an infinite resource, so the pool is extremely limited. It is not given as a reward unless a disciple is exceptionally talented or has achieved great merit.

Now, the Bone Forging Pool was right before his eyes, proof of how highly Qingcheng Mansion regarded him—they had even offered it as a reward. Most Core Disciples never had this privilege, yet he, a newly promoted Inner Hall Disciple, was about to receive it. It would be impossible not to stir up jealousy.

"I understand. I’d rather die than pass out!" Lin Xuan nodded firmly. ’This opportunity was hard-won.’

’This is a great opportunity. But whether I can make the most of it depends on my own strength. If my Willpower isn’t strong enough and I pass out as soon as I get in, it will be my own weakness that causes this chance to go to waste.’

Lin Xuan would never let a single opportunity pass him by. He would strive to grasp every one of them and never let the slightest chance slip through his fingers!

"It’s not that dramatic. You just need to last for a few days. The longer you stay, the better it is for you. At the very least, you have to endure for two days, you hear me!" Qing Piaoyun’s tone was stern. He didn’t want to see his disciple’s performance be too disappointing; it would be a waste of all the effort he’d put into training him.

Normally, Lin Xuan wouldn’t have been eligible for this reward. Qing Piaoyun had to fight hard to acquire it for him, giving up a lot in the process. But the main reason it was possible was that Lin Xuan met the prerequisite: he completed three objectives ahead of schedule!

If he hadn’t completed the three objectives early, Qing Piaoyun’s efforts would have been useless. The Bone Forging Pool’s supply was dwindling. At this rate, it would eventually run dry. Therefore, anyone chosen had to be exceptionally talented; otherwise, it would be a waste.

"’Two days at the very least?’" Lin Xuan’s eyes glinted as he asked, "What’s the longest anyone has ever lasted in the Bone Forging Pool?"

Qing Piaoyun mulled it over for a moment before replying, "The top disciple of the Genius Sect, Tong Yulong, lasted a full eight days in here. That’s the longest anyone has ever managed."

"’Tong Yulong!’" Lin Xuan was taken aback. He’d seen that name before, carved on the Stone Steles outside. In fact, his name was on several of them. Aside from the stele for clearing the Illusionary Mist Array, his name dominated all the others.

’I heard his name mentioned all the way here. He’s currently the number one genius of the Core Hall; the word "prodigy" truly fits him. As the top disciple of the Genius Sect, I wonder what his personality is like. I imagine he must despise the Inner Hall Sect. He’s a true rival.’

"Yes. Tong Yulong is the most talented child I’ve ever seen. I watched him grow up. With his qualifications, he’s almost ready to become an Elder himself," Qing Piaoyun remarked with a sigh.

"’You watched him grow up?’" Lin Xuan was startled. ’Does that mean Tong Yulong has been in Qingcheng Mansion since he was a child?’

"That’s right. He’s the Second Elder’s son, so of course I watched him grow up," Qing Piaoyun said.

"’The Second Elder’s son? But isn’t his surname Tong?’" Lin Xuan was shocked. ’This is really something else. I don’t recall this from Qing Liuyun’s memories.’

"The Second Elder’s original surname was Tong. He just changed it later. In fact, anyone who becomes an Elder has to take the surname Qing. My family name was already Qing, so I didn’t have to change it," Qing Piaoyun explained with a smile.

Lin Xuan nodded. ’So that’s why Tong Yulong is Cyan Cloud Peak’s son.’ He knew that those who reached the Elder Level indeed had to change their names to prove their allegiance to Qingcheng Mansion. But he had never expected Tong Yulong to be Cyan Cloud Peak’s son...

Lin Xuan’s eyes glinted. ’This smells a bit like a conspiracy. If his own son becomes an Elder, then won’t the final say among the Elders belong to Cyan Cloud Peak? Though I’ve never met Tong Yulong, I bet his personality isn’t much different from his father’s.’

"’Eight days, huh? Then I’ll make that my goal!’" Lin Xuan declared, patting his chest.

’I don’t know if I can last eight days, but it would be best if I could surpass that. It would prove I’m stronger than that Tong Yulong!’

"’So that’s your goal, is it? If you can really last eight days, your future will be boundless. But enough talk. Get in and start absorbing. Take in as much as you can, but don’t force yourself beyond your limits.’" Qing Piaoyun gestured for Lin Xuan to enter the water. He then sat down cross-legged nearby to act as his protector, ready to pull him out if he fainted.

Lin Xuan stripped off his clothes, revealing a back covered in scars. The battles with Ling Tian and Qing Piaoxue had left his body covered in countless wounds. Elixir Pills couldn’t heal these marks, but then again, aren’t scars like these a man’s trophies of war?

He placed his Token and other belongings to the side; one couldn’t enter the Bone Forging Pool clothed. Once he was ready, he took a deep breath and leaped in.

SPLASH! His body plunged into the Bone Forging Pool. WHOOSH! Lin Xuan’s head broke the surface. He had only just entered, but the Bone Forging Liquid was already surging madly into his body. An intense, searing pain immediately followed, as if countless knives were scraping against his skin and scouring the meridians within him!

"’Absorb!’"

Without hesitation, Lin Xuan began to absorb the viscous Bone Forging Liquid around him. The moment it entered his body, the sound of splintering bone echoed from within him! Yes, his bones were actually breaking—not completely shattering, but cracking!

The excruciating pain made Lin Xuan’s eyes shoot open. ’To endure this agony for eight days... the willpower required must be immense.’