Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Peach Garden.

As Qin Yu stepped out of the portal, he frowned slightly and looked back. His gaze seemed to be searching for something in the distance.

Just now, he felt that his connection with the Shadow of the Abyss became very faint. It was as if something was blocking it.

It still existed but it was not as clear as before, and Qin Yu could not feel his current position or condition.

Was this because of the distance between them? There was a possibility, but instinct told Qin Yu that things were not that simple.

Feeling eyes on him, Qin Yu suppressed the thought as he stepped forward and paid his respects, "Master."

Although everyone had stepped through the same portal to the Peach Garden, only the Spring Master and Qin Yu were present here. Elder apprentice brother, second apprentice brother and seventh apprentice sister were elsewhere.

Very quickly, Qin Yu was able to guess that the Spring Master must have something to say to him, but he did not know what.

Thus Qin Yu hesitated as to what he should say and how much he should say…of course, he just hesitated but did not feel uneasy.

Rationally speaking, he acknowledged the people in the Peach Garden and had a good impression of them. However, when it came to the Spring Master, it was just a collaboration.

He had to be brazen. It was only today that Qin Yu has finally reached a level that was somewhat on par in this collaboration.

The Spring Master wanted to say something but his expression changed slightly, Surprise filled his eyes and he gave a low cough and spat out fresh blood.

"Master!"

The Spring Master's complexion was pale as he waved, "I am fine. The heavens' punishment had already stabilized but I am not sure why it suddenly struck. A good thing is that it seems like a portion of it is being directed at something else, and that helped me lighten this punishment." He looked at Qin Yu and continued, "On the other hand, you gave me a big surprise."

Qin Yu waved, "I have to thank you, Master, for giving me the opportunity to enter the Lost Garden." The truth was right there and he did not try to explain.

Spring Master's eyes flashed, "I admit that I look highly upon you. If not, I would not have added you to the group of four. But I also have to admit that your performance went way beyond what I had expected. When I allowed you to enter the Lost Garden, I just thought that you would be able to find one or two sources of life and improve your physical body. But now…Galaxy God Mark. It is one of the realms rumored in the True Saint cultivation path. You reached it just like that."

Qin Yu was silent for a while. He flipped his hand over and a ball of light shone in his palm. This was a pure light ball without any hint of contamination. But when one looked at it, it was as if one could see the mark of everything in this world, and it gave a mysterious feeling.

The Spring Master stared.

Qin Yu continued, "Master, please absorb this. It can help you recover." He paused for a while, "Only if you quickly recover to your peak can we stop all the restlessness that started from the Lost Garden."

Spring Master fell silent before extending his hand forward. The light halo flew out and as soon as it touched his palm, it was directly absorbed into his body. He closed his eyes for a while before opening them. Light shone from within. As he stared at Qin Yu, his eyebrows shifted.

Qin Yu nodded, "That's right, it is exactly as you are thinking." He breathed a sigh of relief internally, alas, the Spring Master had already noticed.

The Spring Master took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, "Innate spirit, an innate spirit…" He looked at Qin Yu, "Many years ago, we suspected that there was some kind of resource in the Lost Garden that was filled with a lot of energy. Because of its existence, it was able to forcefully allow the last few of the ancient creatures tribe to survive. There were many theories, but even now, I find it hard to believe.

"An innate spirit is born together with the world and can be considered to be a part of it. How did the ancient creatures do it? If they were really so powerful as to kill off a part of the world, how did they end up like this?"

Surprise, confusion, disbelief.

Qin Yu did not sense any hint of lust or greed from him, and this made him relax. Qin Yu subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. Thereafter, he sensed the weird look the Spring Master was giving him, the look where he did not know whether he was laughing.

Qin Yu coughed awkwardly and waved, "Yes, I admit I was slightly worried. Please punish me as you deem fit."

Spring Master said, "I am more assured with your performance because this shows that although you grew stronger, you have not forgotten Peachy."

Qin Yu wanted to tell him that his description was not entirely correct. He was only worried about his women…but Ning Ling, You Qi, and Peachy were all the same, so it was not wrong either.

"But since you were worried, why did you show the power of the innate spirit first? Anyway, with your current power, I have no right to punish you anymore."

Qin Yu pretended not to hear the last sentence as he answered the first, "First of all, I said that it was best if you quickly recover so that everyone will fear us and suppress today's incident. Secondly…I was not completely sure that I could truly hide from you. Rather than let small instances leak out, I would rather tell you."

The Spring Master looked at him, "One last point. You knew that even if you told me and I had other intentions, you would be able to save yourself."

Qin Yu chuckled, and his silence was the answer.

Spring Master did not make things difficult for him, "Qin Yu, don't tell anyone else about the innate spirit, otherwise, there will be a lot of trouble!"

"Yes, I will remember!" Qin Yu hesitated, "Elder apprentice brother and seventh apprentice sister helped me a lot. Especially elder apprentice brother. Back in the Lost Garden, in order to help me buy time, he suffered a huge injury."

Spring Master reached out, "Give me some energy, I will think of something else to tell them."

Qin Yu retrieved two huge balls, "I will have to trouble you, Master."

The Spring Master's mouth twitched as he said, "Qin Yu, is there a lot more energy in you?"

Qin Yu blinked.

"Don't worry. I have not fallen into the state where I would take my disciples' things. But I can exchange…oh…" The Spring Master suddenly felt his head hurt. Qin Yu now had the Rule System Body and the Galaxy God Mark. There was nothing he lacked.

Weapons!

That's right, this brat still did not have a weapon that he could use to kill. He currently relied completely on his physical body or the galaxy to crush people. As a disciple of the Peach Garden, this was too uncultivated and did not suit his position now.

But, normal goods would not work. The Spring Master could not think of anything right now and he waved his hand, "Never mind. When I find something suitable, I will exchange it with you. Qin Yu, you have to remember that the energy from an innate spirit is extremely precious and you should not use it freely. I will pass this ball of light to your elder apprentice brother. Thousand Faces is not badly injured, don't waste…"

The Spring Master paused.

Qin Yu spoke, "Master?"

Spring Master waved, "Nothing. Since you already took it out, I will pass it to her." He looked at Qin Yu and spoke lowly, "Remember what I said earlier regarding the innate spirit. Don't tell anyone else."

Qin Yu replied, "Yes Master." He flipped his hands and retrieved ten more balls of energy from the innate spirit, "Master, is this enough?"

The Spring Master stared at him, "How much do you have exactly?"

This question was not easy to answer. Qin Yu could not say that he had a lot. It was as much as a whole mountain!

Seeing how Qin Yu did not reply, the Spring Master harrumphed and with a wave, he put all ten balls away. "I will hurry and find something to exchange!" After another pause, he added, "I will not shortchange you!"

Qin Yu nodded rapidly, signaling that he trusted the Spring Master. Seeing how he did not say more, Qin Yu bowed and took his leave.

An unexpected silence. The Peach Garden did not seem to know of the Saint battle that occurred outside of the Lost Garden. After Qin Yu returned home, there was silence for a few days until Lei Xiaoyu brought Blue Dragon to knock on his door.

"Brother Qin…" Lei Xiaoyu shouted and opened her mouth but seemed to be stuck. She had an unnatural look on her face

It seemed like the Peach Garden was not truly cut off from news. Qin Yu patted her head, "Why? Just because we haven't met for a while, are we becoming strangers?"

Perhaps it was Qin Yu's smile, but Lei Xiaoyu became a lot more relaxed as she blushed, "I was just afraid that you would blame me. Back then, seventh apprentice sister scared me and said that Master instructed me to not let anyone know that seventh apprentice sister was going to pretend to be me…Brother Qin, if you want to blame someone, you can blame Master. I did not do it on purpose."

Qin Yu's expression shifted as he put his hands together in greeting, "Greetings Master!"

Lei Xiaoyu stiffened as she stumbled and turned around. "It is not like what you are thinking, Master, listen to me…" she suddenly paused. It was completely empty. There was not a single soul behind her.

Laughter burst out from beside her.

Lei Xiaoyu pursed her lips and complained, "Brother Qin, you are too much!" The distant feeling because of the difference in their cultivation levels disappeared.

Qin Yu reached out to hold her small and cute ears, "Since you know you are in the wrong, aren't you going to come in and be nice to me. I am thirsty after saying so much."

He then noticed the small, thin snake hiding behind Lei Xiaoyu. The snake was about as thick as a finger and its eyes were darting around. It was Blue Dragon.

Lei Xiaoyu shouted for him to stop as she said, "Brother Qin, Blue Dragon knows its mistake and is here to apologize to you." She then pulled it down and handed it to Qin Yu, "Blue Dragon, hurry and apologise to Brother Qin."

Blue Dragon was about to cry!

Fine, although things were indeed as she said, I feel so embarrassed.

Gritting his teeth, Blue Dragon stood up, "Mister Ninth, previously I was dumb and offended you. Please forgive me."

It wouldn't do if he didn't apologise!

Tsk tsk. After he suffered heavy damages in the Lost Garden, he was summoned back by seventh apprentice sister, but still saw everything that happened after.

The Nether Saint and Thousand Saint, two True Saints had joined hands but Qin Yu was still able to hold his ground! Others did not know that Qin Yu could use Light and Dark Art to deflect Thousand Saint's power. Moreover, he could burn the energy from the innate spirit to produce a lot of power.

Hence, in Blue Dragon's eyes, Qin Yu was someone who could face two True Saints and even have an advantage over them.

In the end, he even joined hands with the Spring Master and killed the Nether Saint!

Blue Dragon would be stupid to go against someone like this. That was just abusing himself.

The corners of Qin Yu's mouth lifted as he said, "I don't need your apology. In the future, just remember who brought you into the Peach Garden."

There was a warning in his words.

Lei Xiaoyu crinkled her nose in dissatisfaction, "Brother Qin, don't worry. Blue Dragon is my best friend. It will forever protect me…and what about you Brother Qin? With you around, nobody will dare to bully me!"

Blue Dragon had felt touched when it heard the first part but when she got to the end, how did the feeling change? Although this was the truth, how will I survive in the future!

It was important to know that Blue Dragon's goal all this time was to protect Lei Xiaoyu after it grew big enough and to not let her suffer.

At this moment, Blue Dragon felt that his lifelong goal had been crushed!

Qin Yu glared at her, "You talk too much; hurry and prepare tea for me!"

In the end, he still did not manage to drink the tea Lei Xiaoyu prepared as someone else knocked on the door. It was elder apprentice brother.

Lei Xiaoyu ran to open the door and greeted seriously, "Greetings elder apprentice brother!"

"Xiaoyu, you are here." Elder apprentice brother smiled, "I have some things to ask junior-apprentice brother. Is he available?"

Qin Yu had walked out as he heard this. He said, "Greetings elder apprentice brother."

Elder apprentice brother nodded, "Junior-apprentice brother."

Then, there was no then. Qin Yu looked at elder apprentice brother, as he tried his best to smile but had an unnatural look. He could guess what he wanted to say.

"Xiaoyu, I remember that you said you have some good tea leaves. Go and get them. I have to entertain elder apprentice brother."

Lei Xiaoyu was clever and as soon as she heard this, she replied, "Okay, I will get them now. Elder apprentice brother, please enjoy your time." She brought Blue Dragon out and remembered to close the door properly.

Elder apprentice brother smiled at Qin Yu and showed his gratitude. He took a deep breath to speak but Qin Yu spoke first, "Elder apprentice brother, are you here because of seventh apprentice sister?"

"…Yes."

"Then I know." Qin Yu lifted his hand and five balls of light were formed. "Elder apprentice brother, is this enough?"

Elder apprentice brother thought about it, "I think it is still slightly lacking…"

This was awkward.

Qin Yu rubbed his nose as he wondered what was wrong with seventh apprentice sister. All these weren't enough?

Swish swish swish -

Another five appeared, "Elder apprentice brother, don't worry. There is more."

Elder apprentice brother rubbed his hands as he put them together in a deep greeting. His face was slightly red, "Thank you, junior-apprentice brother!"

Qin Yu jumped up to avoid him, "Elder apprentice brother, what are you doing?"

Elder apprentice brother said, "Master warned me before, but as her brother, I could not continue to watch as seventh apprentice sister suffered. Hence, I had no choice but to be thick-skinned and come. I will go back and ask Master for a punishment. Junior-apprentice brother, don't worry. I swear that I will not utter a single word even if I die."

Qin Yu replied, "If I did not trust you, I would not have given these to you. Moreover, it was thanks to you and seventh apprentice sister's help! Since this thing involves seventh apprentice sister, you should hurry. I won't hold you back for tea."

Elder apprentice brother expressed his gratitude once more before rushing off.

He finally had his tea. Maybe because of the tea leaves that Lei Xiaoyu brought, it smelled especially good.

She was a busybody and asked, "What did elder apprentice brother come here for?"

As soon as she asked, she got a light hit on her head, "Children shouldn't try to know so many things. The tea is cold, hurry and add more water."

Lei Xiaoyu pursed her lips as she was ordered around. Qin Yu drank his tea in satisfaction as his eyes fell in another direction. The Spring Master was indeed the Spring Master. In just a short while, he had recovered quite a bit, and it was time for him to get moving as well.