Volume 3: Can You Hold On Now? Chapter 18: Like Water

  Xu Xian sat down slowly, facing the evening breeze and the morning glow, thinking about what to do next.

  A sudden movement, took out the merit card, said: "I want to see Mercury." Indeed, there was no reaction at all, such a complicated wish could not be fulfilled.

  Then let's change the approach, since I already know the general method of observing Mercury, I should know more detailed things, but they were forgotten by myself. In theory, these memories should still exist, if I call the mountain but it doesn't come, then I'll go to the mountain myself!

  Taking a deep breath, he gently closed his eyes and silently made a wish: "I want to recall all the memories about Mercury in my mind." As Xu Xian made his wish, a layer of clear light flowed through the merit plate. That layer of clear light seemed to flow from Xu Xian's body onto the jade plate and then back into Xu Xian's body. Turning energy that was originally impossible to use into something usable was just a transformation process. But the blood and wisdom contained within were beyond ordinary people's imagination.

  At this moment, Xu Xian's mind was like a storm, and the storm was getting bigger and bigger. With his feelings, it seemed as if he had activated the search function, all memories related to Mercury, those that he had long forgotten, were dug up again.

  "Ow, ow, ow..." Xu Xian held his head. He had just reviewed almost all of the high school geography and astronomy courses, and if he went to take the exam now, he could get a perfect score, making his teacher smile with joy. But still, he didn't have what he wanted, and his head was throbbing in pain.

  "Entrance exams are killing people!"

  Wait, another memory caught his attention. It was a visit to an astronomy museum where he saw a model of the universe and the tour guide seemed to have introduced something. What was it?

  The merits were further consumed, and the passage gradually became clear. Although it only briefly introduced the method of planetary observation with the naked eye, it contained many professional terms. However, at this time, others had just been used.

  Xu Xian burst into three loud laughs, feeling extremely satisfied. "Hui Xin" was activated, and countless data were inputted for calculation. As the sun was about to extinguish its last ray of light, a sharp glint flashed across Xu Xian's eyes. He held up his telescope and gazed towards the horizon, through the boundless sunlight that obscured his view, at a faint blue dot that was almost hidden in the sky.

  Mercury, I've found you!

  Xu Xian desperately absorbed the golden light and a faint blue starlight, but before he could absorb more, the sun set and the water star disappeared.

  The amount of icy blue energy absorbed is really just a little bit, and if you can absorb this much every day, when will there be results. No, it's not possible to do it every day, because only at rare times can Mercury be observed, today coincidentally happened to be at its greatest elongation, but afterwards there won't be such good luck again.

  Moreover, the icy blue color that has been incorporated into the divine soul is desperately protected by oneself, and it has not been melted away by the surging golden light, but it is still decreasing bit by bit, disappearing or being transformed into solar energy, it's just a matter of time.

  Was it wrong from the start, and establishing the Solar System was just a joke? Xu Xian couldn't help but feel doubt in his heart. His mood also plummeted to an all-time low, realizing that everything he had struggled for was in vain!

  When the heart and spirit are weakened, which point of star power dissolves faster.

  No, not yet. Although he had a better understanding of the difference between humans and gods, he didn't dare to have any contempt for the gods, but instead became even more cautious. The path to immortality began in the Spring and Autumn period, and apart from those heavenly soldiers and ghostly officials who couldn't become great, how many truly cultivated ones were there?

  It's not that the immortals are stingy with this way, and how can the nine continents be oh people? On the one hand, they are willing to teach, on the other hand, they are willing to learn. In the end, only a group of people can rise above all living beings and become immortals and Buddhas.

  The difficulty of this path can be imagined, and it is not easy to achieve without great wisdom, great willpower, and great luck. The opponents one has to face are strong and formidable, with sharp minds, firm determination, and strong character.

  And Fa Hai is the most outstanding among them. Even if he has learned the Great Thunder Sound or even the more powerful Mantra of Light, he cannot escape his mold. If he doesn't have some of his own ultimate skills, how can he compete with him for his own destiny in the future?

  At this time, he suddenly remembered a sentence his high school teacher had said: "Mercury has no water, even if it tries its best to preserve this bit of starlight, there is absolutely no water power existing, but only pure star power."

  But what if you add water?

  The power of the Five Elements is omnipresent, and even more so by the great river. Xu Xian has been cultivating for many years and basically understands the way of absorbing energy, but usually doesn't try to absorb energy outside of star power. Now that his heart is moved, he begins to rotate and absorb the water power between heaven and earth.

  It's indeed useful, the power of Shuǐ Líng is attached to a certain starlight, and the speed at which the star power dissolves starts to slow down, but it only slows down. A drop of water can't put out a car fire. Although the power of Xǐ Táng and Shuǐ Líng are different in nature and won't be merged with the sun's power, they will be repelled, as if in that kingdom of light, no other powers are allowed to invade.

  Xu Xian was also struggling to hold on, but suddenly remembered something and with great difficulty took out the crystal clear pale blue pearl that Long Jun had given him a few days ago, its beauty like a dream.

  This pearl shone with a soft blue light, and even in the fading glow of dusk, it was not inferior. Xian had not noticed before, but now that he absorbed the power of the water spirit, he immediately felt the abundant water energy contained within the pearl, like a river. However, these powers seemed to be solidified and could not be used directly.

  At this moment, the faint blue in the divine soul has dissipated to only a single grain. Without that hint of star power as a guide, no matter how much water spiritual energy there is, it will be repelled by the sun's power and unable to form a weather phenomenon.

  However, since the power of the Bright Pearl cannot be used directly, let's use this as a guide! Under Xu Xian's guidance, the pale blue light burst forth, and the Bright Pearl's light at this moment was more than ten times stronger than before. The invisible water spirit energy surrounding oneself, no, it was rotating around the Bright Pearl in one's hand.

  It's not just the thousand-year cultivation of the turtle spirit, but also the aura of the Yangtze River god, wildly guiding the distant Yangtze River water power.

  Thousands of miles away from the Yangtze River, in the depths of the river water, a dark cave, a pair of dark golden eyes suddenly lit up, and the surrounding water stopped for a moment. The fish, shrimp, and turtles floating in the water all stopped moving, as if waiting for the king's command, whether to be swallowed at will or to continue absorbing more water power during the water king's cultivation. Thunderstorms and rain, all are the king's grace.

  But it was only for an instant, a fleeting moment that seemed like an illusion. The water flowed eastward, and the fish swam freely, each doing its own thing. His dark golden eyes slowly closed again, and he sensed someone absorbing the power of the Yangtze River in the guise of the river god, but immediately he felt that familiar aura, his own aura. He was puzzled for a moment before remembering the bright pearl he had sent out a few days ago. A terrifying smile spread across his face, his sharp teeth interlocking like swords, and his bright red tongue licked his lips. Even this proud dragon king couldn't help but let out a sigh of "I'm getting old", having eaten something that was too hard for his teeth a few days ago.

  Xu Xian felt that the water spiritual power, which was originally slowly being drawn into his body, suddenly became abundant and overflowing, like the difference between a small stream and a great river. The crazy influx of water spiritual power made his body's azure color rapidly expand. It was as if it had grown from a tiny dust speck to a sesame seed, and was still continuously expanding. When he knew that the light in the pearl in his hand had dimmed, the last wisp of Water King's aura was exhausted, and the speed at which the water spiritual power was absorbed slowed down. Although it was still much faster than Xu Xian's absorption rate, it no longer had the smoothness of a whale swallowing water as before.

  Xu Xian also felt that today's cultivation had reached its peak, and continuing would have limited effect. The small blue star in his divine soul had stabilized, although it was far from the brilliance of the main star, but it no longer had the danger of being melted into harmony. And according to a certain mysterious law, it slowly rotated with the main star.

  If someone could compare the operation of the water star in the universe, they would find that the two operations are exactly the same, just like an accurate model of the solar system, although there are only two, but truly laid the foundation for Xu Xian's cultivation. Taking the stars as a guide, borrowing is the power of the five elements on this earth, if there is no star power, the power of the five elements cannot exist in the divine soul, but if there is no power of the five elements, the star power will only be merged.

  Xu Xian drilled through the bull's horn, insisting on starting to light up from Mercury, which is closest to the sun. It was a foolish thing to do. But if he had started lighting up from other planets, he would have found that it was impossible. With his personality, he would probably have given up, and if not for the timely gift of the attribute pearl of peace from Long Jun, Xu Xian would also have ended in failure today.

  This is also the most helpless thing in cultivation - good fortune. Having a brain and personality is not enough, one must also have a strong character, and to have such a thing, one must accumulate merit, but cannot have too many thoughts of accumulating merit. It's really difficult for many gods and Buddhas. But this just happens to be Xu Xian's specialty, relying on his easy-going temperament, he always has a halo around him, his character is as strong as diamond.

  There is today's harvest, even if accidental, it is inevitable.

  Xu Xian stopped his cultivation and carefully examined the state of his divine soul. Hmm, there's a sun. Hmm, there's Mercury too... if this continues, it'll probably form a solar system. Xu Xian suddenly had an epiphany: "Could my destiny be to establish a small universe and become a Saint Warrior?"

  If the epiphany at Red Wall was just a mental clarity of one's own path, then the establishment of Xing Gong at this moment is to take one's own path in cultivation. Relying on Point Star to build Xing Gong for cultivation, Xing Su Hai has already become an anomaly among cultivators, and at this moment, Xu Xian's cultivation method is an anomaly within anomalies. Perhaps when he starts to light up that sun star that no one has ever lit before, this path will inevitably make him stand alone.

  The practice of Xing Su Hai, which has never been seen before in the starry sky, knows that the usual star palace is just a static word, but at this moment, Xu Xian's star palace is dynamic and static, with both the fixed main star of the sun and the moving planets operating at any time, following the most accurate star map operation in the world.

  The will of heaven is vast and profound, one interpretation of which is the law, the law of the universe. Xu Xian's journey can be said to have conformed to the Tao.

  "What are you doing here so late?" Pan Yu's voice came from behind. She had discussed the details of investing with Jin Wancheng, had dinner, and waited until the second watch, but still didn't see Xu Xian return. Although she knew that Xu Xian was all-powerful and wouldn't have any problems, she still felt a sense of anxiety that made it hard for her to eat or sleep, so she finally couldn't bear it and came out to look for him, knowing that there was a blue light on the mountain outside the city, and then came here.

  Xu Xian raised his head to look at the sky, it was already deep in the night, with a bright moon and sparse stars, the sky was like a curtain. Calculating the time, there was less than a month left, and it would be Qingming Festival, where everything would begin, and he would fulfill his long-awaited destiny.

  "Ha ha, Ming Yu, it's almost Qingming Festival!"

  Pan Yu was taken aback, still with the same appearance, but his demeanor seemed even more casual and gentle. The night breeze was cool, the moonlight was like water, and he seemed to be about to drift away with the wind at any moment, reaching a heavenly palace that she couldn't even imagine, while she herself had no ability to hold him back anymore.

  "Yes, it's almost Qingming Festival!"

  The black night wind enveloped his whole body, making him feel as if he was in warm water, intoxicating himself in this spring breeze. Xu Xian gazed at that somewhat melancholic and beautiful face, the memories in his mind were chaotic, like bubbles rising from the bottom of a lake.

  A painted barge sails south, both banks are filled with the songs of orioles and swallows, willows are green. This is the majestic peaks of the Yangtze River, waves like snow, this is the great spring scenery of Jiangnan. The spring breeze is getting warmer, sometimes with light rain, following the boat.

  Pan Yu became even more silent, sometimes she thought that the one in the Lingyin Temple mural was the real her! Not as strong as she imagined, but rather melancholic and prone to depression for him, weak and self-loathing.

  "Hey Mingyu, we're about to enter West Lake! What's wrong with you lately?"

  "Probably seasick!"

  Xu Xian also said: "Don't worry, we'll be ashore soon"

  Pan Yu responded in a low voice, but wished that the small boat could drift forever on this emerald green lake.

  Xu Xian was unaware of her intentions and returned to the head of the sugar boat to cultivate. He can finally cultivate during the day, this water spirit power is not divided into day and night. Thinking that Qingming is about to arrive, he has been cultivating more diligently in recent days, absorbing the power of the sun at night to strengthen the main star, and absorbing the power of the water spirit during the day to strengthen the auxiliary star. These days of persistence are also the effect of breaking out of the cocoon, although the changes in the sun star are not great, but the water star has become more stable.

  A painted barge sails south, both banks are filled with the songs of orioles and swallows, willows are green. Compared to the Yangtze River's steep mountains and snowy waves, this is the true beauty of Jiangnan in spring. The spring breeze also brings warmth, occasionally with light rain, alongside the boat

  And then left.

  Pan Yu became even more silent, sometimes she thought that the one in the Lingyin Temple mural was the real her! Not as strong as she imagined, but rather melancholic and weak.

  Even disgusted with oneself.

  Xu Xian also said: "Hey, Mingyu, we're about to enter West Lake! What's wrong with you lately, you've been so down!"

  "Probably seasick!"

  Xu Xian also said: "Don't worry, we'll be ashore soon!"

  Pan Yu responded in a low voice, but he couldn't help feeling that this small boat would drift forever on the emerald green lake.

  Xu Xian unknowingly returned to the bow of the ship to cultivate. He can finally cultivate during the day, as the water spirit's power is not limited by day and night. Thinking that Qingming was approaching soon, he had also been cultivating diligently these days.

  Go out and work hard, at night absorb the power of the sun to strengthen the main star, during the day absorb the power of water spirit to strengthen this auxiliary star. These days have been persisted and some effects can be seen, although the change of the sun star is not big, but the water

  The star became even more stable.

  Pan Yuzhen naturally wouldn't come to disturb him, and these days were spent more with Cai Feng. It was just that without him by her side to chat and laugh, her mood became increasingly depressed.

  The boat had not been traveling for long when they saw a familiar landscape, and the people on board let out a cheer. They all knew that they were almost home. Just then, what was originally a calm sea suddenly became turbulent, with waves churning like boiling water.

  The ripples on the lake were still calm, but in the distance it was still as quiet. The small pleasure boats on the lake's surface rose and fell with the waves, while the people on board were all frightened out of their wits, the scene at Red Cliff simultaneously appearing in everyone's minds.

  Xu Xian stood at the bow of the boat and also felt a thrill, but it was not because of the waves. To say nothing of his cultivation, even the bright pearl given by Dragon King had the effect of avoiding water. He felt the gathering of the water spirit's power in the lake water, and something must be casting a spell underwater to capsize the boat. Xu Xian also took out the Water Spirit Pearl (the name he gave to the bright pearl), gathered his spiritual energy, and wanted to calm down the waves in this area of water.

  The water surface was indeed calm, but it immediately churned even more fiercely. Xu Xian knew that his cultivation in this aspect was not deep, and if he guessed correctly, relying on external objects to compete with the water spirit would be almost impossible.

  Xu Xian gritted his teeth, put the Water Spirit Pearl in his mouth, and jumped off the bow of the boat with a splash, diving into the emerald green lake water. The shrill cries from the people on the boat became muffled as they passed through the surface of the water, losing their sharpness and becoming indistinct and somewhat laughable. But Xu Xian knew that if he waited a little longer, these people on the boat would probably be in for a surprise too.

  Put the water bead in your mouth. Indeed, breathing is unimpeded, and under the effect of the water bead's power, as long as you lightly swing your hands and stretch your legs, you can suddenly swim out a great distance. Originally skilled at swimming, Xu Xian was now even more agile, like a fish swimming.

  Was the West Lake so deep in ancient times? Pan Yu would not come to disturb him, and these days were spent more with Cai Feng. It was just that without him by her side to chat and laugh, her mood became increasingly depressed.

  The boat had not been sailing for long when they saw the familiar scenery, and the people on the boat all cheered, knowing that they were almost home. Just then, the calm surface of the water suddenly churned up with waves, like boiling water, while in the distance it was still calm. The pleasure boats on the lake bobbed up and down with the waves, and the people on the boat were all frightened out of their wits, the scene at Chibi reappearing in everyone's minds.

  Xu Xian stood at the bow of the boat and also felt a wave of palpitations, but it was not because of this wave. Not to mention his cultivation, even the bright pearl given by Long Jun had the effect of avoiding water. He felt the condensation of the water spirit's power in the lake water, and something must be casting a spell in the water to capsize the boat. Xu Xian also took out the Water Spirit Pearl (the name he gave to the Bright Pearl), gathered his spiritual energy, and wanted to calm down the waves in this area of the lake.

  The water surface was indeed calm, but it immediately churned even more fiercely. Xu Xian knew that his cultivation in this aspect was not deep, and if he guessed correctly, relying on external objects to compete with the spirit in the water would be almost impossible.

  Xu Xian gritted his teeth, put the Water Spirit Pearl in his mouth, and jumped off the bow of the boat with a splash, diving into the emerald green lake water. The shrill cries from the people on the boat became muffled and unclear as they passed through the surface of the water, even sounding somewhat comical. But Xu Xian knew that if he waited a little while longer, these people on the boat would probably be jumping in after him too.

  With the Water Spirit Pearl in his mouth, he found that he could breathe easily and with just a slight movement of his hands and legs under the power of the Water Spirit, he was able to swim out a great distance. Xū Xiān, who was already an excellent swimmer, now became as agile as a fish.

  How deep is the ancient West Lake?

  This guy Xuxian had an idea in his mind, he felt that he had dived down for dozens of meters, but still hadn't reached the bottom of the sugar pit. Or was this a specially made cave?

  The sunlight can no longer penetrate to such a depth, and there is only a thin layer of faint light in the water. The ears have long since stopped hearing the cries for help from the boat, and all that remains is the sound of rushing water swirling around them.

  Suddenly, a pair of golden eyes lit up in the dark lake water, and Xu Xian felt an overwhelming pressure, a kind of pressure that was not from any magic spell, but from the instinctive fear of lower creatures towards higher creatures - Dragon's Majesty.

  Xu Xian's eyes shone with golden light, and he finally saw clearly the creature in the water.

  Snow-white antlers, white lion's mane, silver scales, a dozen meters long snake body in the water agile winding, dragon, a real dragon. At this moment, that pair of metal ball-like eyes staring at Xu Xian, seems to be excited, seems to be hesitant. But can't afford so much, the giant dragon opens its big mouth and pounces on Xu Xian suddenly.

  The water rushed rapidly, and the white dragon was incredibly fast. Xu Xian suddenly understood that fighting with such a creature in the water was suicidal. He himself was entangled by the water flow, while his opponent seemed to be unimpeded, even getting assistance from the waves, and was shockingly fast.

  Xu Xian just had time to shout: "Do you still want to eat baozi?"

  "Baozi!" The word seemed to carry a wondrous power, and the white dragon's eyes flashed with light. Its slender body twisted nimbly, circling around Xu Xian several times. A large dragon head stared at the small Xu Xian, letting out a cry of surprise: "Xu Xian!"