Step by Step Ascend to Immortality

Chapter 42: Chapter 43 Seven Treasure Pond

The brilliant glow of talismans and magical artifacts was quickly drowned by a torrent of water droplets. Cascades surged like reversed waterfalls, and crystalline sprays erupted from the shimmering pool, relentlessly latching onto the incoming magical forces, talismans, and artifacts in a seamless and intimate clash.

In an instant, radiant lights clashed violently against the shimmering water. Sparks flew as the pool's crystal-clear waters collided with the incoming forces from the Pang family cultivators, creating an incessant symphony of impact. Though explosions occasionally scattered the water, the sparkling droplets always returned, shining brighter as they clung to the talismans and weapons.

The dazzling display was more vibrant than a New Year's fireworks show, but the faces of the Pang family disciples were grim. They had believed that with a dozen of their best striking simultaneously, they would be able to break through Wang Zihan's defenses. Yet, though their attacks were brilliant, they found themselves entangled in the watery web she had conjured, their power waning with each passing second. Control over their talismans and weapons weakened as the glittering water enveloped them.

"Fire the arrows!" someone shouted, realizing that Wang Zihan was preoccupied with managing the defensive waters. Seeing the opportunity, more disciples followed the command, drawing back their bows and launching an onslaught of arrows, throwing knives, and iron balls, all pelting toward Wang Zihan like a storm of steel.

From afar, it seemed as though Wang Zihan was engulfed by the rain of arrows and projectiles, her defeat seemingly imminent in their eyes. They thought that surely her conjured waters, however mystical, wouldn't be able to fend off the sheer physical force of the attack.

But just as the barrage closed in, Wang Zihan gave a serene, confident smile. The shimmering pool at her feet, previously no deeper than her knees, rose by another half-foot, and the water droplets sprayed upward like a protective geyser.

The incoming projectiles never even touched her. As soon as they entered the reach of the pool, their speed slowed to a crawl, and the droplets of water, moving with the ferocity of a storm, swallowed them whole. Arrows, knives, and iron balls were all washed away, as if they had simply evaporated.

In an instant, a radiant rainbow formed before Wang Zihan. Her pool of treasure-like water shimmered in seven brilliant colors, and as the projectiles entered the rainbow's arc, they disappeared one after another, melting away like snow in sunlight. The mystical waters surged again and again, consuming everything the Pang family disciples threw at her, dissolving their attacks until nothing remained.

Pang Tianshan's eyes narrowed as he finally understood. The water Wang Zihan commanded may have only covered a limited area around her, but the sheer number of droplets seemed endless, thousands, maybe tens of thousands, cascading in a sweet, almost sickeningly sweet torrent. No matter what they threw at her—talismans, weapons, or spells—once touched by the water, they became trapped, consumed by its overwhelming sweetness, dissolving just like the infamous poisons of the demonic sects.

Even when the water was momentarily pushed back, it bounced back with elastic force, reattaching itself like an unshakeable curse. Pang Tianshan couldn't help but marvel, muttering under his breath, "The Seven Treasure Pool and the Eight Merits Water—what a profound Buddhist technique!"

According to legend, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss held a sacred pond known as the Seven Treasure Pool, filled with eight miraculous waters, each bestowing immense benefits: clarity, coolness, sweetness, softness, moistness, peace, nourishment, and the quenching of all thirst and hunger.

Seeing Pang Tianshan recognize the origins of her technique, Wang Zihan's heart skipped a beat, but her smile remained gentle. "Oh, it's far from the true Seven Treasure Pool. Just a humble imitation with four treasures."

Her words made it clear—she could only manifest four of the seven treasures, and of the eight legendary benefits, she had mastered just one: sweetness. Yet, hearing this, Pang Tianshan's desire for her technique only grew stronger. If just four treasures could produce such awe-inspiring power, what kind of unstoppable force could the full technique unleash?

"Miss Wang," Pang Tianshan called out, his voice booming. "You may have managed to protect yourself and your servant for now, but my men have yet to show their full strength. And I haven't even begun to fight. Why don't we end this now, before things get... unpleasant?"

Wang Zihan's smile never wavered. "I'm not done sharing this sweetness with my companion."

Her words made it clear—she wasn't about to let Du Yunlong go. Realizing negotiation was pointless, Pang Tianshan resolved to show her just how outmatched she was. Though her Seven Treasure Pool was impressive, Wang Zihan was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. No matter how refined her Buddhist technique, she couldn't hope to survive an all-out assault.

"No more holding back!" he roared.

The Pang family disciples responded immediately, unleashing their deadliest attacks in an overwhelming wave. They had realized that while Wang Zihan's technique was formidable for defense, it could only protect a limited space around her. No longer needing to guard themselves, they threw everything they had into the assault.

A massive green serpent, a white-foreheaded tiger, a black-and-white wolf, alongside enormous weapons—a thirty-foot spear, a giant stone seal, and a greenish-bronze mirror—all surged forward in an overwhelming tide of attacks. Strange talismans, charms, and Daoist techniques of all kinds were unleashed, each powerful force aimed directly at Gu Yinghua within the Tian Nü Temple.

Following behind was a barrage of countless arrows, flying stones, crossbow bolts, throwing knives, and even copper coins. Though they had yet to use their most deadly weapon, the Immortal-Slaying Arrow, everyone gave it their all, throwing whatever they had at their disposal. The strategy was clear: even if Gu Yinghua was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her spiritual power was limited compared to a Golden Core cultivator. The Pang family disciples believed that by sheer numbers, they could wear her down and eventually exhaust her strength. Each additional projectile was a small piece of Gu Yinghua's dwindling energy.

As expected, when the overwhelming onslaught reached the protective waters surrounding Gu Yinghua, the previously deep Seven Treasure Pool—once submerging most of her legs—began to recede. Now, the water barely covered the hem of her dress. In its place, a stunning rainbow of light emerged before her, forming a shimmering curtain of colors and rain.

The brilliant hues, along with the sweet waters of the Seven Treasure Pool, intertwined with the Pang family's weapons and techniques. Blinding flashes of light erupted continuously as the powers collided, painting the sky with a mesmerizing display of color and light. The reflection of precious water droplets sparkled like countless pearls cascading from the heavens, melting into the ground like snow. For a moment, many of the Pang family disciples were struck by the sheer beauty of the scene before them. How many drops of this precious water was Gu Yinghua able to control?

Yet despite the breathtaking spectacle, maintaining the mystical waters took its toll on Gu Yinghua. As she absorbed the attack, her body was pushed back a step, her lips stained with a thin line of blood. Seeing this, the Pang family disciples pressed their attack even harder.

Pang Tianshan, meanwhile, was quietly pleased. He had been preparing a powerful Daoist technique, holding it in reserve, waiting for the perfect moment to catch Gu Yinghua off guard and finish her in one decisive strike. His finger traced circle after circle in the air, ready to unleash his spell at any second.

As he observed Gu Yinghua's weakening stance, his confidence grew. The difficulty of this pursuit had far exceeded his expectations, and it had been a grueling effort to chase her down. But now, it was finally within reach—victory at last. Just as he was savoring the thought, he suddenly roared in fury: "You wretch! How dare you..."

Before his disciples could react, they saw Gu Yinghua stumble back three more steps, her face drained of color, blood flowing freely from her mouth in wave after wave.

The radiant rainbow curtain in front of Gu Yinghua suddenly transformed. All the talismans, weapons, arrows, stones, and copper coins trapped within were inexplicably flung outward, as if repelled by some unseen force. What remained was the intertwining rain of colorful light, from which countless brilliant butterflies began to emerge.

These five-colored butterflies were small, yet each one glimmered with dazzling, radiant beauty. Their wings sparkled like jewels, breathtakingly vibrant, each more captivating than the last. Some had deep blue hues with black-edged wings, while others were golden with soft pink patterns. Some even shimmered with velvet-black fronts and golden-yellow rears, creating an incredible array of hues.

The Pang family disciples were mesmerized, momentarily unable to comprehend what they were witnessing. Even as they continued to launch throwing knives and arrows, the five-colored butterflies gathered into a massive, shimmering tide. From afar, the battlefield was filled with the delicate yet awe-inspiring sight of these vibrant creatures, their graceful wings slicing through the air as they surged forward.

To call it "flying" would be an understatement. The Pang family disciples had never seen butterflies move so fast. One moment, the creatures were fluttering their wings, and in the next, they had already descended upon them, leaving behind only traces of glowing light. In an instant, the hundred or so Pang family cultivators—whether they were skilled warriors, martial artists, or other experts—were engulfed by the sea of butterflies.

These five-colored butterflies were perhaps the most beautiful creatures ever seen, with some wings shifting colors, some glowing with pure azure bordered by black, and others a mix of pink and jet-black. Yet, despite their beauty, the butterflies had become the most terrifying presence on the battlefield.

Within moments, the entire formation of Pang family disciples was swallowed by the radiant, unstoppable tide of five-colored butterflies.