"This is the Water Spirit."
The white serpent showed no hostility toward the human youth. A wispy, smoke-like spiritual glow floated midair, its sapphire radiance overpowering the mushrooms' fluorescence and casting rippling aquatic reflections across the cavern walls.
The dense water spirit energy created an almost suffocating sensation, as if submerged underwater. Water's nature was fickle—it could nurture all life yet also claim lives in an instant.
As the water spirit energy surged forward, Li Pingcan activated [Breath of the Tree], remaining perfectly composed amidst the shifting aqueous mist.
Locating the water spirit was one thing; the breath-holding side effect of this technique allowed temporary underwater survival, but too many variables remained.
His true trump card was the skill called [LV5 Water Manipulation], one of the abilities unlocked when he broke through to LV4 Druid, following [Oak Stick Technique] and [Primal Savagery].
[Water Manipulation: Within selected range, you can create or alter water flow, redirecting it within a three-meter radius.
You can shape water into simple forms that move according to your will. Effects last two hours.
You can change water's color or transparency.
You freeze water, which will thaw after two hours unless containing living creatures.With multiple castings, you may maintain up to two non-instantaneous effects simultaneously, or dismiss one as an action.]
With his elemental amplification's [Double] trait, the duration of this water-based ability extended to four hours.
Naturally, the toll on his vital energies was equally formidable.
That said, by channeling spiritual energy intercepted through the "Mystical Records of Blessed Lands," he could theoretically stack [Water Manipulation] spells to conjure terrifying tidal waves or freeze entire lakes for miles, extinguishing all life.
This was Li Pingcan's true confidence in seeking the water spirit.
'Yet intercepted energy remains rootless, unsustainable.'
'Only through cultivation, using genuine spiritual energy to power techniques, can one unleash true "immortal arts."'
He coveted every shred of immortal fortune.
........
The white serpent flicked her tail tip, condensing the water spirit energy into a flawless sapphire sphere of crystalline purity.
Observing Li Pingcan's unflappable composure and quick reflexes, she couldn't hide her astonishment, tilting her serpentine head in visible puzzlement.
'Mortal yet extraordinary.'
Faint hope took root in her heart, blossoming into greater anticipation.
She yearned for freedom too deeply.
Their transactional foundation was set.
Before attempting to remove the Spirit-Locking Nail, Li Pingcan had one crucial question.
"If I extract this nail, will immortals come hunting the 'culprit'?"
This was his greatest concern.
Through [Animal Affinity], he scrutinized the serpent's emotions, noting every micro-expression.
The white serpent's gaze turned distant, as if recalling antiquity. "The immortal who placed this nail has long departed this world."
He had been her master, yet in his final moments erected this prison to confine her for three centuries.
"Rest assured, our bargain carries no hidden consequences."
It rang true.
Li Pingcan detected no verbal traps.
Stepping forward, he examined the arm-thick nail engraved with intricate runes. Yet when he reached out, his hand passed through it like a phantom.
Visible yet intangible to mortal touch.
"Hiss..." The serpent sighed mournfully.
Li Pingcan remained calm. While he couldn't physically interact, perhaps combining the "Mystical Records of Blessed Lands" with [Oak Stick Technique] might yield unexpected results.
The skill description mentioned transforming ordinary branches into magical weapons capable of channeling spiritual energy.
Producing a willow branch, he activated [Oak Stick Technique], then funneled energy from the Five Elements Spirit Storage Array into it. The ordinary switch erupted with prismatic radiance.
The serpent's eyes brightened. "Oh?"
It worked!
Excited, Li Pingcan coiled the glowing willow around the nail. Standing atop the serpent's body, he gripped the branch with all his might as overwhelming resistance crashed down like collapsing heavens.
"Open!"
Gritting his teeth, he roared, channeling every ounce of strength. The willow's stored energy rapidly depleted as ancient runes flickered erratically, vibrating surrounding mist into vapor.
The serpent's pupils contracted sharply—three centuries of stillness shattered as her scales trembled audibly.
Just as the nail loosened, catastrophe struck.
Blinding divine light erupted from the nail. The willow's stored energy melted like snow in boiling water, disintegrating instantly into broken fragments.
"The immortal's lingering will!"
Before the serpent finished speaking, rebounding energy formed a vortex that would have dashed Li Pingcan against the cavern wall. Yet before he could deploy [Spore Growth] as cushion, the serpent's tail gracefully caught him.
The nail's runes stabilized brighter than before.
So close yet so far.
Li Pingcan bowed remorsefully. "This junior's inadequate skills have failed your expectations."
Through [Animal Affinity], he sensed not anger nor resentment from the serpent, only three centuries of resignation.
Failing meant forfeiting the water spirit.
Disappointment was inevitable—how could mortal means easily breach an immortal's handiwork? Her jailer had been no ordinary transcendent.
As he sighed, the sapphire water spirit floated before him, shimmering tantalizingly.
"Presently, you cannot breach immortal restrictions. When you truly refine this water spirit..."
The serpent's serene words lingered as Li Pingcan's despair turned to elation—light appearing at the tunnel's end!
Reverently cupping the water spirit, he bowed deeply. "Thank you, White Lady!"
........
Silence reclaimed the cavern.
Coiled around a stone pillar, the white serpent gazed distantly in quiet contemplation.
A crotchety voice suddenly grumbled, "Why favor that human whelp? Have you forgotten their kind imprisoned us for three centuries?"
The Spirit-Locking Nail confined not just the serpent, but also the mystical tortoise serving as the lake's "central island," trapped together in Dragon Spring Lake's watery prison.
"Old Tortoise."
The serpent roused from reverie. "I merely remembered him—though he confined me, without his enlightenment centuries ago, I'd still be a mindless little snake. He taught me benevolence and the Great Dao."
The gift of awakening outweighed three centuries of grievance.
An immortal once stroked a serpent's head; today a serpent gifted water spirit.
This mirroring of past and present filled her with nostalgic warmth.
Her true lingering pain wasn't imprisonment, but the immortal's dying words: "Different kind, different heart."
Hence the "Spirit-Locking Nail."
Three centuries of virtuous deeds were her testament—though not human, she too possessed goodness.
This was her obsession, her Great Dao.
Smiling, she said, "When that youth refines the water spirit, he may yet free us."
The tortoise scoffed. "Humans act only for gain! Having received your gift, why return?"
"He will."
The serpent shook her head. Li Pingcan exuded a uniquely natural serenity absent in other cultivators—this ineffable affinity made her believe.
Believe this karmic thread would take root, blossom, and bear fruit.