Under Ji Ning's guidance, Ye Ling gained a clearer understanding of Tianyun Island.
In essence, Tianyun Island's status in the Origin Upper Realm was akin to that of the Time Genesis Land in the Lower Realm.
From the moment the Origin Upper Realm was born, Tianyun Island coexisted with the world.
The most ancient and powerful beings in the Origin Upper Realm were mostly born on Tianyun Island.
For a considerable period, Tianyun Island was revered as a sacred land by these supreme powerhouses. Any supreme powerhouse fortunate enough to ascend Tianyun Island would experience earth-shattering transformations in their strength upon returning.
However, three trillion years ago, for some unknown reason, the Ascension Path suddenly fractured, and Tianyun Island vanished into divine concealment. The supreme powerhouses could no longer trace Tianyun Island nor rediscover the method to enhance their power.
It was precisely because of Tianyun Island's disappearance that the supreme powerhouses of the Origin Upper Realm began to plunder the Seed of Origin from the Origin Lower Realms to strengthen themselves.
It could be said that the tribulations endured by the Origin Lower Realms were closely related to the disappearance of Tianyun Island.
Now, their ascension to Tianyun Island was nothing short of a miracle!
"So, Ye Ling, do you understand now? Tianyun Island is the sacred land of the Origin Upper Realm. Now that we have ascended this island by chance, it is a great fortune!" Ji Ning became more excited as she spoke, her eyes shining brighter.
After learning of Tianyun Island's origin, Ye Ling pondered for a moment and then asked Ayun, who was leading the way, "May I ask, Elder, why did the Ascension Path of Tianyun Island break?"
"That involves an old story, and it's quite troublesome to explain. If Lord Di Zu wishes to hear it, Ayun will tell you slowly after you receive the inheritance," Ayun replied with a smile to Ye Ling.
'He's deliberately avoiding the topic?'
Upon hearing Ayun's answer, Ye Ling's eyes narrowed slightly. He quietly took note of this matter and then asked Ayun, "Then, what is the inheritance you are going to give me?"
"It is the power that will help Lord Di Zu break through to a higher realm," Ayun said with a slight smile. "Once you accept the inheritance, you will become the strongest in the world."
"The strongest?" Ye Ling's expression changed slightly.
"Indeed... Once you see the inheritance, you will understand everything," Ayun said, leading Ye Ling to a hot spring shrouded in white mist.
The spring water exuded an incredibly sacred aura, like the most pure place in the world, tolerating no impurity.
Within the spring water lay boundless energy.
The magnitude of its energy was immeasurable compared to Zhou Wen!
"Such terrifying power!" Ye Ling felt the energy contained within the hot spring, his pupils constricting slightly, and a tempestuous wave surged in his heart.
The energy in this spring felt almost as potent as good and evil combined.
Ayun stopped at the edge of the hot spring, turned, and respectfully said to Ye Ling, "My lord, this place is called the Tianyun Sacred Spring, the core of Tianyun Island. The inheritance we are to give you is at the center of the Tianyun Sacred Spring."
"This is the legendary Tianyun Sacred Spring?"
Ji Ning stared at the spring water ahead, her face filled with excitement. "Legend has it that the first thing supreme powerhouses do upon reaching the Tianyun Sacred Spring is to bathe in it and undergo a complete transformation!"
As she spoke, Ji Ning asked Ayun, "Elder, can I enter and bathe?"
"Since you have come to Tianyun Island, you are a fated person. Guests are certainly qualified to bathe in the Tianyun Sacred Spring."
Ayun smiled at Ji Ning. "If you wish to bathe, please shed all your clothing and enter the spring with a pure body."
"Mm." Ji Ning nodded, then looked at Ye Ling, as if waiting for his consent.
After all, she was able to come to the Tianyun Sacred Spring thanks to Ye Ling. Even though she was eager to bathe, she still had to act according to Ye Ling's wishes.
"If you want to bathe, then bathe. Don't mind me." Ye Ling had no intention of stopping Ji Ning and let her do as she pleased.
"Thank you."
Ji Ning bowed to Ye Ling, then shed all her clothes in front of him and stepped into the Tianyun Sacred Spring.
Boom!!!
The moment Ji Ning entered the Tianyun Sacred Spring, a vast torrent of energy surged from within, pouring into Ji Ning's body!
Ji Ning's aura began to climb at a visible rate, and her physique became even more perfect!
Ye Ling sensed the change in Ji Ning's aura and couldn't help but marvel, "This is the Tianyun Sacred Spring... It actually possesses such energy! No wonder it's the sacred land of supreme powerhouses."
At this moment, Ji Ning's aura transformation was no less than absorbing a Seed of Origin.
And Ye Ling, due to the One-Body-One-Life contract, was once again strengthened!
Even more astonishingly, Ji Ning's power continued to rise, showing signs of challenging the top supreme powerhouses!
"Even at the edge of the Tianyun Sacred Spring, I gain such enhancement. What kind of energy would be obtained at its center?"
Seeing the extent of Ji Ning's power surge, Ye Ling's heart was instantly stirred. He subconsciously shed his clothes and walked towards the Tianyun Sacred Spring.
However, before Ye Ling could enter the Tianyun Sacred Spring, the World-Suppressing Pearl within him suddenly reacted, releasing a considerable power that enveloped his soul.
In the next moment, Ye Ling and Ji Ning's One-Body-One-Life contract...
Broke!
"What is this!"
Seeing that the World-Suppressing Pearl had actively severed his One-Body-One-Life contract with Ji Ning, Ye Ling's pupils contracted sharply. The foot that was about to step into the Tianyun Sacred Pool immediately retracted.
Ayun, seeing Ye Ling suddenly stop, couldn't help but ask, "Lord Di Zu, what is wrong?"
Ye Ling realized something was amiss. He immediately calmed his emotions, put on his robes again, and said to Ayun, "Since I began cultivating, I have always preferred to break through on my own."
"Although the Tianyun Sacred Spring can greatly enhance my strength, it is ultimately relying on external forces, equivalent to pulling seedlings to help them grow."
Ayun explained, "If Your Lordship is worried about unstable foundations due to absorbing the power of the Sacred Spring, then that is an unnecessary concern."
"The power of the Sacred Spring is the purest spiritual energy in the world. Absorbing this energy will not cause any side effects from rapid power increase; instead, it will repair your foundation."
"Any hidden dangers left behind on your cultivation path will be repaired by the Sacred Spring."
"Moreover, the core inheritance of Tianyun Island lies at the center. If Your Lordship does not enter the Tianyun Sacred Spring, you will not be able to obtain the inheritance."
Ye Ling shook his head slightly and said to Ayun, "I will continue to cultivate step by step. I'm sorry... I have failed Elder's kind intentions."
The World-Suppressing Pearl was a divine artifact gifted to him by Shan. It had saved his life several times. Now, the World-Suppressing Pearl had suddenly reacted to the Tianyun Sacred Spring, and even actively severed his One-Body-One-Life contract with Ji Ning...
The World-Suppressing Pearl must be trying to tell him something.
Compared to this unknown Tianyun Island, Ye Ling trusted the World-Suppressing Pearl's judgment more.
Ayun sighed slightly upon seeing Ye Ling's unwillingness to enter the Tianyun Sacred Pool, then said, "Since Your Lordship is unwilling to accept the inheritance, Ayun cannot force you."
"Ayun will go and prepare a banquet for Your Lordship. Your Lordship may rest by the Sacred Spring. After your companion finishes bathing, Ayun will send someone to escort you."
With that, Ayun clapped his hands, and a young boy and girl appeared with fruit platters at the edge of the Tianyun Sacred Spring, setting up a resting place for Ye Ling.
Ayun bowed to Ye Ling and then withdrew from the Tianyun Sacred Spring.
As Ayun left, Ye Ling looked at Ji Ning, who was undergoing the baptism within the Tianyun Sacred Spring, his brows furrowed slightly, and worry appeared in his eyes.
"World-Suppressing Pearl... what exactly are you trying to tell me?"