Biyi Palace.
Firefeather Crane was pecking at spiritual fruits beneath the spirit plum tree in the courtyard. Chen Jinshu arrived, riding a now-enlarged Xiao Yin from Medicine King Peak. Sensing the overwhelming pressure from bloodline instincts, the Firefeather Crane let out a sharp cry upon spotting the sparrow.
"Xiao Yin, restrain your bloodline aura. You're scaring the crane."
The sparrow immediately withdrew its radiant aura and, after dropping Chen Jinshu safely to the ground, shrank into a tiny bird.
"Come in."
At that moment, her master Shui Huanmeng's voice floated out from within the hall. Chen Jinshu instructed the sparrow not to fly around the courtyard, then made her way toward her master's quarters.
"Master!"
"You're here today regarding the Moon Cleansing Pool, I presume?"
"Your senior brothers all missed the opportunity to cleanse their spiritual roots due to various mishaps. So their understanding of it is limited."
"The archives in the scripture pavilion are incomplete regarding this matter. The Moon Cleansing Pool involves sect secrets, after all. To prevent word from leaking to outsider cultivators, only elders who've reached the late Golden Core stage are permitted to know the full details."
"I can't share much, but I can tell you the key points."
"I would be grateful for your guidance, Master."
"Sit down."
Shui Huanmeng had already guessed Chen Jinshu would come today and had brewed spiritual tea in advance. Chen Jinshu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to sip the tea.
"The Moon Cleansing Pool was created from a Heavenly Moon Spirit Pearl that our sect's founder obtained a thousand years ago. That pearl was born of heaven and earth's spiritual energy, and it possesses immense purifying power."
"Thus, the pool formed from it contains a trace of that celestial energy. It can nourish your spiritual roots and temper your physical body."
Chen Jinshu had heard of the Heavenly Moon Spirit Pearl in passing, though she didn't know much—only that, if fate allowed, one might refine their body into the legendary Heavenly Moon Physique, drastically accelerating their cultivation speed. That was why many disciples competed fiercely to enter the pool.
"The most important aspect of the Moon Cleansing Pool is harnessing both moonlight and the essence in the pool's waters to temper the body. Both are indispensable."
"Also, one must remain in the pool for at least one hour for the effect to take place."
"There's a time limit? Or are there other restrictions?" Chen Jinshu asked with a slight frown.
"You think such a sacred pool would be open to just anyone? It was formed from a spirit pearl born of heaven and earth and nurtured over hundreds of years—it's no ordinary pool. It might've even developed its own consciousness."
"Of course, the idea that it has become sentient is only hearsay among elders. There's no concrete proof. But the pool's energy is intense and aggressive. Most cultivators are burned within half an hour. You must be extremely cautious."
"Prepare a protective talisman. If it becomes unbearable, activate it and take a short rest—but do not leave the water. If you do, you forfeit your qualification."
Chen Jinshu nodded silently. She hadn't expected there to be so many nuances to this ritual. In fact, Shui Huanmeng had held back crucial information. When she learned the full truth, she had taken an oath not to reveal it lightly. So she only shared what she could.
Chen Jinshu noticed the hesitation in her master's eyes. Clearly, there was much she wasn't permitted to disclose. Sensible as she was, she chose not to press further and left after receiving the main information.
When she returned to the courtyard, she found Xiao Yin playing with the Firefeather Crane—it had even climbed onto the crane's back.
Seeing that her master wasn't paying attention, she called the sparrow to her and left in a hurry.
Ink Plum Courtyard
Not long after she returned, two unfamiliar disciples—Du Yi and Jiang Daoyu—arrived at her door.
"Senior brothers, what brings you here today?"
She invited them into the courtyard and asked politely.
"Sister Jinshu, your courtyard is truly elegant—far nicer than ours," Du Yi said with a dimpled smile.
"You're too kind. It's a humble place, unworthy of praise."
"But please, let's get to the point."
The two exchanged glances, then explained:"The Moon Cleansing Pool opens in a few days. You may have heard that the moonlight essence in the pool is limited. It's a competition—each must seize what they can."
"It's not something we're supposed to talk about openly. But since Medicine King Peak is relatively weaker, we thought to band together to increase our chances."
Chen Jinshu frowned slightly. It made sense that the moon essence was finite. But joining forces to seize it? That seemed laughable.
"Senior brothers, are the male and female disciples separated in the pool?"
"Yes, but the sections aren't too far apart. We just hoped to coordinate our efforts."
"You may do as you please. But it would be improper for me to join such an arrangement."
Besides, from what she'd learned, the pool water was scalding hot. Once inside, they'd likely forget all about alliances. Whether they could even last an hour was another matter.
"Fair enough. You're right, after all—men and women should keep their distance. We'll see you at the pool, then."
"Take care, senior brothers."
After seeing them off, Chen Jinshu shut the door and activated the courtyard's protective formation.
"This whole trend of 'alliances'—who started it? It spoils the sanctity of the Moon Cleansing Pool."
"What a pity the Lüqi Zither isn't finished yet. If it were, I might absorb even more moonlight essence with its help."
Soon, the day of the Moon Cleansing Pool's opening arrived. An elder summoned Chen Jinshu and the other Medicine King Peak disciples to the assembly point.
"The Moon Cleansing Pool opens today. May you all gain something from it."
The sect leader swept his gaze over the fifteen gathered disciples and, with a wave of his hand, teleported them to the peak of the highest mountain in the Xuanming Sect. In the blink of an eye, Chen Jinshu found herself surrounded by floating clouds.
She'd viewed this peak from the highest point of Medicine King Peak before, but thick clouds had always concealed its summit. Only now did she realize how small the lower peaks truly were—and how rich the spiritual energy was here.
"That palace ahead is the Moonlight Hall. The gate will remain open for three hours. You must exit within that time."
"Male and female cultivators enter separately. Elders are stationed inside to supervise. You may proceed."
Before long, Chen Jinshu arrived at a pool of silvery-white water—not very large, but capable of holding several hundred people. A female elder in white clothing stepped forward, drew out a black slate, and enlarged it with a spell—splitting the pool cleanly into two halves.
"Men over there. Women on this side," she said, gesturing at the two zones.
"Elder, there are only six women and nine of us men. Splitting it like this makes our side too cramped," a male disciple protested.
"The amount of moonlight essence remains the same. It's a matter of personal capability. This is fairness. Just because you have more men doesn't mean the women should get less."