The Science of Cultivation
Chapter 299: Heavenly Water

Li Lang watched as the Radiant Wing Sect disciples continued to distance themselves from the river below. The tendrils of water were all tethered to the stream, so the further they retreated, the better they fared.

However, even when they reached the edge of the woodland, the suspected heavenly water didn’t cease its pursuit. The only redeeming factor was that the tendrils were taking longer to reform every time they were dispersed.

It didn’t take very long until several cultivators, starting with Mu Hanyue, began ascending in the air. They had all noticed Li Lang safe and sound by taking the high ground, so those who were worn out or weren’t combat proficient joined him.

“Jing Song is dead set on confronting whatever that is. He won’t agree to a retreat no matter what we say,” she commented as she hovered next to Li Lang.

Li Lang just nodded and didn’t bother to respond, so she continued.

“He’s going to get someone killed at this rate if he thinks we can do this without a plan.”

“How your Radiant Wing sect is trained to deal with threats isn’t something I should interfere in. Besides, he’s not exactly wrong that you should confront it. That thing you’re looking at is likely heavenly water. It’d be a boon to your sect if you could subdue just a fragment of it.”

Mu Hanyue’s brows creased. “You really think so? Even if it is, it’s likely only the fragment Kan Wuji had—which means this is near where his burial chambers are. It’d be different if that was the source of the heavenly water, but a fragment isn’t worth risking all our lives for when it can only benefit one—”

She stopped mid-sentence as she realized Jing Song’s motive. The fragment of the heavenly water could only be transferred, which meant only one person could obtain it. It was different from the source of the Primordial Star Fire within the Crucible, which could continuously split off fragments.

“You see?” Li Lang said with a grin. “I shouldn’t interfere, or he would see it as me trying to steal the heavenly water from under his nose. Not that my help would make much of a difference. Combat isn’t exactly what I excel in.”

“But it would make a difference!” the woman sharply retorted. “As the youngest known cultivator to have subdued a Spirit-grade artifact, you must have some trump cards to deal with that. If you don’t convince Jing Song to retreat or do anything else soon, it’ll be too late. That heavenly water may have weakened after so much time without a host, but it’s still a Saint-grade existence.”

“My hands are tied. I can’t afford to be seen as overbearing already. I still need to visit numerous other sects throughout Violet Isle.”

The two held their gaze for a few moments before Mu Hanyue’s eyes widened in realization. She cleared her throat before projecting her voice much louder than before.

“I, Mu Hanyue, a disciple of the Radiant Wing Sect, would like to formally request assistance from you, Li Lang. Will you assist us in our time of need?”

“Of course. As the headmaster of the Star Gem Academy, I’m always happy to offer a hand, as meagre as my capabilities are.”

The two exchanged nods just in time for a loud crash. Trees, soil, and water were blasted everywhere, as the forest below appeared to have been bombed. Jing Song was breathing heavily as his fellow disciples congregated around him. It appeared that whatever they did, it bought them some time to regroup, so Li Lang and the others who had been resting descended to join them.

They all knew they didn’t have much time, so Li Lang didn’t mince his words now that he had justification to help, and hopefully subdue the heavenly water for himself.

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“I’ll distract it when it returns. Get ready to do whatever you just did and disrupt the flow of the river. We can’t let it hide in there forever.”

“I heard Mu Hanyue’s little request, but why do you think I’d listen to your orders? If you’re here to help, you better be listening to—”

“Is everyone ready?” Li Lang interrupted, as he gave each of the other disciples a look.

They all nodded, so he quickly took to the skies again without giving Jing Song a chance to speak.

By the time he returned to his position, he could already see the tide of tendrils had doubled in number and were snaking through the forest toward them.

Seeing this, Li Lang wasted no time and summoned his metal needles. He coated them with a heavenly fire of his own and sent them flying into nearby treelines. The Gossamer Knife Dance might have been a Mortal-grade technique, but with adequate practice and Foundation Establishment-level Qi, it could still keep up with the higher level of combat.

They reached the woodland in no time, and the signature blue-silver fire flared up without restraint. Almost instantly, a good portion of the forest went up in flames.

“A heavenly fire!” he heard one of the disciples below shout.

“Focus! Get ready to push that thing back.”

The heavenly water didn’t make them wait long. It soon reached the flaming parts of the forest and immediately slowed down. Li Lang cautiously watched it, having his needles at the ready in the airspace above, ready to intercept if it chose to detour. However, the heavenly water acted as if it had met a great nemesis and charged headfirst into the flames.

The resulting clash was quickly obscured by the huge amount of vapor produced.

The relationship between the fire and water elements is neutral. Unfortunately, that means the Primordial Star Fire will probably lose, as I can’t match up to a Violet Core-level existence no matter how weakened, but as a heavenly element, it should be able to put up a fight for some time.

“Go now!” Li Lang shouted to his allies below.

Half a dozen figures blurred as they flew around the mist. The tendrils of water didn’t seem to care about them as much anymore, now that the threatening existence of a heavenly fire was here.

Li Lang watched as they swiftly reached the river, and they formed a circle in the air. A spherical tornado suddenly formed between them and rapidly grew in size. The cultivators then sent it flying at the river. The impact sounded more like a heavy meteor had crashed down, but the results were evident.

The geography of the surrounding area had been changed. A deep crater had now cut off the river into two. A pond was forming, but before that could happen, several talismans were thrown down, causing the earth to rumble. Multiple spikes ruptured from the ground where the talisman landed. It split the river into many tiny streams that spread all around. The soil soaked them up, but it was only a temporary measure.

The human cultivators then scoured the area with their Qi senses as the presence of the heavenly water abruptly disappeared. It had successfully doused the Primordial Star Fire, but had ceased all activity.

“It seems to have run away!” Jing Song declared as he turned a sneer to Li Lang.

No one contradicted him, as none of them detected anything either. Li Lang himself ignored his gaze and continued to look around.

Would a proud heavenly element, even a fragment of it, just run? Or did that attack actually wipe it out? It has lived for so many years that it’s not surprising if it weakened, but I don’t think any of our attacks exactly targeted its main body.

Think, Li Lang. Recall the characteristics of the Primordial Star Fire. There must be a way to detect such strong entities.

He searched in every direction. The river upstream continued to flow, while downstream began to dry. The mist from the clash remained, lowering visibility, so Li Lang had to move around for a better view.

These heavenly elements should be sentient, seeing how they can pick their users. If it’s sentient, there’s a high likelihood it will try its best to survive. What’s the best way for a heavenly water spirit to survive? Sink into the subterranean level? It shouldn’t have been able to do that so fast.

No…what if it’s hiding in plain sight?

Li Lang turned his attention to the mist floating around. Heavenly elements were each unique. Even among heavenly fires alone, they each had their own unique abilities. It wouldn’t be strange for heavenly water to be able to turn into ice, or in this case, mist.

Now then, even if I turn out to be right, how do I subdue it? I don’t think continuing to fight it is the right way. The Primordial Star Fire just slipped into my mind when I approached, but it’s probably not a good idea to inhale a hostile entity, either.

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