Chapter 67: The Weak Water of the Three Thousand

After Qin Shu returned, his family’s happiness was plain to see.

The next day, neighbors noticed that both Qin Wei and Wang Yurou wore much wider smiles than usual. They asked if they had heard any good news recently. These were close neighbors; twins who had moved here long ago, so there was no reason to keep secrets. The family said they were joyous that their son had returned safely.

Everyone was surprised to learn that, over a year ago, during the great calamity where a group of explorers fell into the Abyss, Qin Shu had miraculously survived and returned. They offered congratulations.

In the coming days, Qin Shu once again used his karmic true yuan to cleanse and refine Qin Qing’s body. Her time to begin her spiritual awakening was upon her.

Time flew quickly, and before long, the annual awakening ceremony was at hand.

Standing on the square, Qin Qing looked at Qin Shu and said, “Brother, I’m a bit nervous. Last year, only a few in Yangzhou City managed to awaken with sunlight spiritual souls.”

“What’s there to be nervous about? That’s actually quite normal.” Qin Shu comforted her. “After all, the good fortune of a city is limited. Two years ago, I awakened with the transcendent-level Cyan Lotus Dao Seed spiritual soul, which may have depleted much of last year’s good luck. Additionally, with the Kui Mountain Range falling into the Abyss, Yangzhou City’s good fortune has diminished significantly, so it’s not surprising.”

“Believe in yourself,” he continued. “You’re my sister, and I won’t let my specially tailored cultivation for you go to waste.”

“Right!” Qin Qing nodded, her expression visibly easing.

Before long, her name was called: “Number 1793, Qin Qing, please step forward.”

Watching this scene, Qin Shu couldn’t help but recall his own spiritual awakening.

Back then, he had faced it alone—not because his family wasn’t supportive, but because he’d chosen not to involve them.

However, at that time, he did have one friend by his side: Ye Yunqing.

But now, she’s a disciple of an immortal, he thought, and probably even reached Core Formation by now.

Of course, I’ve already achieved Golden Core, so there’s nothing to envy.

These memories were fleeting; he held no resentment or longing towards Ye Yunqing—it was simply unnecessary.

Now, Qin Qing’s awakening was the most important matter at hand.

Among the thousand or so who had awakened before her, the highest level achieved was Moonshadow, leaving the school leaders visibly displeased.

Rumor had it that this year, Yizhong was under the watchful eye of some powerful figure, hopefully yielding a promising prodigy.

In the Immortal District, the City Lord was personally overseeing the process.

Qin Qing placed her hand on the awakening platform. For a brief moment, light flashed—then vanished just as quickly.

Without warning, a nine-colored light pillar erupted, reaching for the heavens. A river seemed to descend from the ninth heaven, following the light pillar and merging into Qin Qing’s body.

“N-Nine, nine-colored Mythical Rank potential!”

The school leaders leaped from their seats, astonished.

Yes, they didn’t merely stand up; they jumped.

A Nine-Colored Mythical Rank was far more extraordinary than a five-colored one.

Two years ago, when Ye Yunqing awakened as a five-colored phoenix, it had caused immense stir, but this incident surpassed it.

In all of Yangzhou, perhaps even within the Nine Provinces Holy Court, one might not witness the awakening of a Nine-Colored Mythical being even after a millennium.

That towering, nine-colored light pillar was brilliantly dazzling, illuminating the entire sky above Yangzhou City.

The sight of the Heavenly River descending could even be seen by those residing within the Nine Provinces Holy Court.

Several beams of light descended, fixing their gaze upon Qin Qing, yet none uttered a word.

Among them stood the city’s ruler, Xu Zhixuan, a Heaven Immortal Realm powerhouse. Even he could only stare blankly at Qin Qing.

At that moment, Qin Qing had her eyes closed, receiving the spiritual soul legacy.

Qin Shu, scanning the crowd, recognized someone—a newcomer once again.

Kong Yanran… What a scene she’s created this time.

Watching his sister, Qin Shu couldn’t help but smile.

Wondering who might take her as an apprentice, Qin Shu’s thoughts raced.

But when Qin Qing came to, not a soul, including City Lord Xu Zhixuan, uttered a single word.

This puzzled Qin Shu greatly.

However, his confusion was swiftly dispelled.

A pool of clear water coalesced before Qin Qing, transforming into an ethereally beautiful woman clothed in imperial robes. Her presence seemed to eclipse even the heavens and earth, making everything else pale in comparison.

All eyes were drawn to her, captivated by her splendor.

Xu Zhixuan was the first to regain his composure. He bowed with hands cupped respectfully and said, “Xu Zhixuan, City Lord of Yangzhou City, welcomes the envoy from Divine Water Palace.”

His words jolted the others back to reality.

If even the city lord was paying respects, none dared to be tardy in their greetings. They mimicked his gesture, bowing deeply to the woman in imperial robes. “We all welcome the envoy from Divine Water Palace.”

“Rise, all of you,” the palace-dressed woman commanded. With a wave of her hand, a surge of radiant energy lifted everyone to their feet.

She then turned her gaze to Qin Qing. “A nine-colored spiritual soul amidst the Weak Waters’ mists—impressive, truly impressive,” she remarked with a smile. “My child, I am Ye Ruoshui, Seventh Palace Master of the Divine Water Palace and a Great Luo Golden Immortal. I offer you a place as my disciple. What say you?”

Great Luo Golden Immortal? Qin Qing was rendered silent. To her, immortals of such lofty rank were scarcely more than figments of the imagination.

The Golden Immortals endure, their essence timeless.

Rumor had it that even the masters of the Nine Provinces Holy Court were merely Supreme Ethereal Immortals.

Needless to say, not just Qin Qing, but even Xu Zhixuan, the city lord himself, wore an expression of bewilderment.

Yet when they considered the emergence of a nine-colored, myth-level spiritual soul, their astonishment gave way to understanding.

Among myth-level spiritual souls, five colors were common, seven colors were rare, and nine colors were nigh impossible to find.

In the entire Central Heavens Region, the appearance of even one nine-colored myth-level spiritual soul within a century would be considered remarkable.

The Divine Water Palace hailed from the Dao Alliance’s Innate Spirit Treasure Sect, consisting entirely of women. Even the lowest-ranking disciples possessed at least a five-colored myth-level spiritual soul, specifically a water elemental divine soul.

The Weak Waters perfectly matched this description. In the absence of greater entities such as supreme or chaotic spiritual souls, a nine-colored myth-level soul indeed represented the pinnacle of attainable power.

Qin Qing, somewhat undecided, stated, “I’ll need to ask my brother.” Her gaze then scanned the crowd, locating Qin Shu.

Ye Ruoshui also turned his attention to Qin Shu, instantly assessing his strength with a single glance—Golden Core stage, yet untransfigured.

His bone age is twenty, Ye Ruoshui noted, with remarkably pure and abundant true essence, indicating an exceptional foundation. His physical body rivals that of a top-tier fourth-rank monster, and he practices both immortal and martial cultivation in dual harmony.

Truly a promising prospect.

Xu Zhixuan and all other immortals present also directed their gaze towards Qin Shu, their eyes fixed with keen interest.

Kong Yanran recognized him at once. Isn’t this that Bronze fellow? She immediately saw through his cultivation level.

Truth be told, Qin Shu wasn’t even trying to conceal it.

The Divine Might of Changing the Heavens and Earth was indeed impressive, but against a Great Luo Golden Immortal or a celestial, it proved utterly useless—the gap between their realms was too vast.

“Go… Golden Core?! How is this possible?!” Kong Yanran’s expression was one of pure astonishment. After all, her own darling disciple was still only in the late Foundation Establishment stage. Well, not even Core Formation yet, she thought to herself.

The other familiar immortals also recognized Qin Shu.

Ji Ming, one of the immortals present, exclaimed, “Isn’t he supposed to have a Bronze spiritual soul? How can this be?”

“Oh!” Hearing Ji Ming’s words, Ye Ruoshui grew curious. He enclosed Qin Qing within his magical energy and carried her over to stand before Qin Shu.

“Young man, shall we discuss this elsewhere?”

“Lead the way, Senior!” Qin Shu replied deferentially.

Qin Qing, feeling somewhat nervous, clasped Qin Shu’s hand tightly.

The trio transformed into a stream of flowing water and departed.

In their wake, Ye Ruoshui’s voice echoed, “Carry on without us. Pay them no heed.”

Left behind, Kong Yanran wore a conflicted expression, perhaps dreading that she had just sabotaged her disciple’s promising marriage.

Ji Ming, for his part, wished he could turn back time: this wasn’t merely a Bronze spiritual soul, but a Variant spiritual soul, one akin to those of mythical gods.

As for the possibility of a Daoist figure, they dared not even entertain the thought.