Chapter 34: The Guardians of the Underground Holy Spring

The Underground Holy Spring was an ancient, mysterious sanctuary deep beneath Bo City, built with dark green boulders that exuded a sense of timeless power. Each boulder had a strange Magic Diagram and an ancient incantation engraved on its surface, pulsating faintly with energy that seemed to reverberate throughout the enclosed space. As Light stepped inside, his heart quickened in anticipation, knowing that the place was more than just a relic of history—it was a gateway to untapped potential.

The altar in the center was a sight to behold. It stood tall with four layers, each intricately designed to serve a specific purpose. The very bottom layer had a small, perfectly carved hole that acted as a circuit channel, allowing the clear, crystalline Holy Spring water to flow through. The water, practically transparent, moved at a slow, deliberate pace, seeping through the stone channel like liquid light. The air around it shimmered with an ethereal energy, and Light could feel the weight of centuries pressing down on him.

The moment his eyes caught sight of the altar, the Little Loach Pendant resting on his chest began to emit strange trills, as though it had suddenly come to life. Its vibrations were unlike anything Light had felt before—a deep, insistent hum that coursed through his body, demanding attention.

"What are you getting excited for, acting like you can drink all this!" Light muttered, shaking his head as he scolded the pendant. Its incessant buzzing was both distracting and intriguing. Over the months, he had come to rely on the Little Loach Pendant for more than just companionship. It was more than a simple Spirit-grade Stardust Magic Tool; it had become a source of power, nourishing his two Stardusts with a special energy that accelerated his cultivation.

But now, as it buzzed and throbbed against his chest, Light couldn't shake the feeling that the pendant wanted something more. It wasn't just reacting to the Holy Spring—it was craving it.

*Could it be…* Light thought, his mind racing. *Is it possible that the Little Loach Pendant is able to absorb the Underground Holy Spring's energy?*

The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. If the pendant could indeed absorb the sacred energy from this place, then it might evolve into something far more powerful than a mere Stardust Magic Tool. Light's heart pounded at the possibilities. The Underground Holy Spring was a treasure coveted by many, known to possess a colossal amount of energy capable of pushing a Magician from the Basic level to Intermediate in a short time.

*Should I try?* Light wondered, his fingers brushing the smooth surface of the pendant. *If the Little Loach Pendant really can absorb the energy from this place, then wouldn't it be able to advance to an even higher quality?*

The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. If the pendant could absorb the special hot spring within the Underground Holy Spring, it would be like carrying a piece of this ancient power wherever he went.

Light clenched his fists. There were too many resources like this—valuable treasures that were monopolized by a select few. The nourishment from the Underground Holy Spring was much stronger than anything the Little Loach Pendant had ever absorbed. It wasn't fair that such power remained locked away, accessible only to a privileged few. If he could harness this energy for himself, he might finally gain the strength he needed to fulfill his ambitions.

As Light contemplated his next move, a group of guards stood just outside the holy chamber, completely unaware of the young man's inner turmoil. Among them was a new recruit, Wang Tonglian, who turned to his commanding officer, Guard Captain Liang Bin, with curiosity in his eyes.

"Captain Liang, is this Underground Holy Spring really that miraculous?" Wang Tonglian asked, his tone skeptical.

Liang Bin, a seasoned veteran with a face lined from years of service, smiled knowingly from his seat on the floor. His expression was one of calm confidence. "Our Bo City traces back a long time, even earlier than the Age of Qin Kingdoms. The Underground Holy Spring has survived through the ages, its power undiminished. Why do you think Bo City is so reputable in the south? It's all because of the Underground Holy Spring."

Wang Tonglian's eyes widened in shock. "Dating back to the Qin Kingdoms? Doesn't that mean it has more than two thousand years of history?"

"Exactly. And that history is why we guard it so fiercely," Liang Bin replied, his voice tinged with reverence. "Cultivating inside there for a single day is equivalent to cultivating for three months outside."

The rookie guard's skepticism wavered as he glanced toward the sealed entrance to the Holy Spring. "But Captain, there are only a few people in Bo City who have entered it."

Liang Bin nodded solemnly. "That's true. Even I have only had the privilege once, seven days of pure cultivation. For those of us who thirst for power, it's an experience that's hard to forget. In that place, you feel as if nothing else matters, as if the world itself bends to your will."

The thought of spending seven days in such a place made Wang Tonglian's head spin. He'd heard rumors, of course, but to hear it firsthand from someone like Liang Bin was different.

Another guard chimed in, "Captain, doesn't the Holy Spring have another ability? I heard even just guarding it from outside can provide some benefits."

Liang Bin nodded again. "It's subtle, but yes. The Underground Holy Spring emanates energy even through the restricted door. That's why many are willing to guard it for long periods of time. You may not notice it day by day, but over time, you'll see the difference."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Vice Captain Lin Yuxin, a formidable woman in a tight, white uniform that hugged her athletic frame. Her beautiful eyes carried a sternness that made it clear she didn't tolerate nonsense.

"Captain Liang, the cavern tunnel that was dug by the Colossal-eyed Ape Rat has been found. It looks extremely deep. We didn't dare go too far in," she reported, her voice crisp and efficient.

Wang Tonglian, still fresh in his position, couldn't help but comment, "You're thinking too much, Vice Captain. The Colossal-eyed Ape Rat is common in Bo City. It probably just dug through the underground drain by mistake."

Lin Yuxin's brow furrowed in annoyance. "Do you really think it's that simple? These creatures are crafty, and their tunnels don't just lead to random places."

Liang Bin raised a hand, diffusing the tension. "The Magic Association has already sent someone to investigate. There's nothing unusual about it. Let's not overthink this."

Despite the captain's reassurances, Lin Yuxin wasn't convinced. She nodded curtly and turned to leave, her posture rigid with unease. The guards watched her go, some shaking their heads as they admired her retreating figure.

"Ever since Lin Yuxin's sister went missing, she's been like this. It's been a year, and they still haven't found her body," one guard whispered.

After leaving the underground hall, Lin Yuxin couldn't shake off her worry, despite the Magic Association's ongoing investigation. She had discovered something unusual in the caverns of the Colossal-eyed Ape Rat just the day before.

It was water.

Though water in sewers was expected, to Lin Yuxin, a Water Magician, this particular water was anything but ordinary. It closely resembled the properties of the Underground Holy Spring. This was perplexing—why would water resembling the sacred Underground Holy Spring be found in the filthy sewer tunnels? To her horror, the rats and cockroaches were drinking it as if it were nothing special.

Suspicious of its origin, Lin Yuxin had taken a sample to a specialist in the Magic Association for analysis. The results were due today.

Stepping into an empty area, she glanced at her watch, noting that it was nearly time to call the researcher.

"How is it, what did the results say?" Lin Yuxin asked anxiously over the phone.

"It is not the Underground Holy Spring," the researcher answered calmly, causing Lin Yuxin to nod in acceptance. It seemed like her suspicions were unfounded.

"However," the researcher continued, "other than lacking the Holy Spring's special effects, it possesses many similar qualities."

"What does that mean? Could there be another Underground Holy Spring somewhere in the world?" Lin Yuxin asked, bewildered.

The researcher explained, "The Underground Holy Spring is a naturally occurring Spirit Pond. It nurtures cultivators and magical beasts. However, the water you found seems to be from a similarly unique environment, yet tainted by darkness. It acts more like a stimulant—temporarily boosting strength but at the cost of the creature's energy, driving them to madness."

Startled by this revelation, Lin Yuxin began to connect the dots. Could this water be the reason for the Colossal-eyed Ape Rats' sudden aggression?

The researcher added one more chilling detail. "This water could easily pass as Underground Holy Spring water—at least for a day—if someone didn't consume it."

The thought sent a shiver through Lin Yuxin. Was someone trying to create fake Underground Holy Spring water? And could this be related to the near-breach of the Underground Holy Spring by the Colossal-eyed Ape Rats a year ago? Lin Yuxin forced a smile, but deep down, she knew this was no coincidence.

Meanwhile, back at the station, the mood was lighter among the guards despite the strange, yellow-tinted rain falling from the sky. They joked about its odd color, unaware of the looming danger.

Wan Duanfeng, the Army Commander of a regiment of 1000 men and an Intermediate Earth Magician, stood watch at the northern checkpoint. His sharp eyes scanned the forest, drenched by the heavy rain, when suddenly a faint light ball broke through the yellow downpour.

"Brilliant Light?" he murmured, his expression darkening.

Brilliant Light was a crucial signal used by Light Magicians in the army to transmit messages, alerting to danger. It was akin to a signal flare, undetectable to magical beasts but effective in transmitting crucial information.

Just as Wan Duanfeng processed this, another Brilliant Light shot up from the distant mountain, burning even brighter than the first. The guards around him tensed.

"Commander Wan, that's a warning signal. Why is group three sending us a signal? Could it be a magical beast escape?" a battlemage beside him asked, his voice filled with concern.

Before they could react, another Brilliant Light blazed through the sky.

Two Brilliant Lights.

A Blue Alert had been triggered.