Chapter 29

Tang Yan did not walk directly to the altar but first went to a relatively secluded corner to thoroughly wash his body, which was covered in dirt, and changed into a relatively clean set of clothes.

After everything was properly arranged, he was allowed to approach the altar.

The baptismal pool was located inside the giant altar, but to receive the baptism, one had to go to a specific place first.

Guided by the maid, Tang Yan passed through four narrow corridors and arrived at a room filled with mist. Inside, six wooden barrels, each two meters tall, were lined up, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance.

"The medicinal liquid in the barrels is specially prepared from over twenty precious herbs. It can cleanse the dirt from your body, allowing you to enter the baptismal pool without a single impurity," the maids explained as they led Tang Yan to one of the barrels.

"How long should I soak?" Without hesitation, Tang Yan stripped off his clothes and sat in the barrel. Despite the misty warmth, the water was actually refreshingly cool, spreading a soothing sensation throughout his body. It felt as if all his pores were opening up, and every cell was becoming active.

An indescribable coolness and comfort!

"Five minutes will be enough."

Tang Yan closed his eyes and quietly enjoyed the strange, bone-chilling sensation. The medicinal water seemed to have a life of its own, gently swaying and caressing his skin, clearing away his fatigue and pain. The wound on his back, which had already healed considerably, was now healing even faster.

Since being reborn in this strange world, Tang Yan had been constantly on the run and in battle, never truly relaxing or closing his eyes in peace. The sudden coolness made him drowsy, and he felt an urge to fall into a deep sleep without a care in the world.

"Master? Time's up, please follow me." The maid's gentle call woke Tang Yan from his daze. He took a deep breath, feeling a refreshing sensation spread through his body, as if he had suddenly become much lighter.

Leaving the medicine room, they followed a gravel path leading underground. The passage was very narrow, allowing only two people to walk side by side. Bright luminescent stones hung along the walls, illuminating the area like daylight.

The deeper they went, the colder it became. The walls were covered with crystalline frost, but as they continued, Tang Yan sensed an extremely dense life force. The qi sea in his body became active, as if a hungry child greedily sucking in nutrients.

After walking for about twenty minutes and descending hundreds of meters, the maid led Tang Yan to a crossroads. Two stone doors stood closed, each guarded by a powerful warrior. When Tang Yan arrived, Yang Ruyan was already waiting, accompanied by an elderly man with white hair.

"Tang Yan? Why is it you? Is this where you should be?" Yang Ruyan looked at Tang Yan in disbelief.

"Whether I should or shouldn't, I'm here." Tang Yan winked at Yang Ruyan, boldly scanning her well-proportioned body, his fiery gaze as if trying to see through her towel.

Yang Ruyan's face turned angry. "Do you believe I'll gouge out your dog eyes?"

"Would you?" Tang Yan grinned, then stopped teasing her and bowed slightly to the old man. "I apologize for keeping you waiting. Shall we begin?"

The old man, with a kind and benevolent face, smiled and nodded. "We can begin, but I need to explain a situation."

"Please go ahead."

"According to the usual practice, this year's baptism ceremony ended a minute ago. However, out of respect for the heads of the Yang and Tang families, we have allowed a delay."

"Thank you, Elder. We will remember your kindness." Both Tang Yan and Yang Ruyan showed respect.

The old man smiled warmly. "That's not the key point. The key is that we can only open one place. Normally, men and women are separated during the baptism, but today's situation is special, so we can only open one place. Do you understand what I mean?"

"What?" Yang Ruyan was taken aback.

Tang Yan was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "You're a good person. I'll treat you to tea later."

The two guards at the door raised their eyelids, looking at Tang Yan's strange expression and Yang Ruyan's angry and embarrassed face, and sighed inwardly, "What a mess."

Yang Ruyan was flustered. "Elder, are you sure there's no mistake? You want me to go in with him? I've heard that it's a natural spring, not very large, and there's no cover. How can you possibly... I..."

"I know this is difficult, but the empire stipulates that there are thirty baptisms each year, over five days, with six sessions per day. Although today we've only had five sessions, the preparation time was too long, wasting valuable time. Moreover, when the baptism is activated, we need to control it carefully, which means we can't open a separate pool for just one person. Allowing both of you to enter one spring is already an exception," the old man said with a smile, his tone firm.

"I understand, Elder. Thank you for your efforts. I'll go in first and get ready. Ruyan, you'll eventually join the Tang family, so there's no need to be shy," Tang Yan said, whistling as he pushed open the stone door.

"You!!" Yang Ruyan's face turned red with anger.

The white-haired old man shook his head, amused. "Young man, remember, this is a baptism, not a romantic bath. You must focus and clear your mind of any distractions, or you will be overwhelmed by the spiritual energy of the spring, with dire consequences."

"Elder, I..." Yang Ruyan's face was a picture of distress. Was this a baptism or a humiliation? She even suspected that the old man had been bribed by Tang Yan to let him in and take advantage of her.

The old man smiled and nodded. "Don't be nervous. We will increase the mist in the spring so no one can see each other clearly. If you are really uncomfortable, we can only apologize and ask you to come back next year."

Yang Ruyan struggled internally for a moment, then gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and reluctantly entered.

The space inside was like an underground cave, with dense stalactites and stalagmites, giving a sense of natural purity.

In the central area was a spring pool about ten meters in diameter, not very large, but crystal clear and serene.

The air in the cave was filled with a thin, white mist, gently floating like spirits. Taking a deep breath, one could feel a dense life force permeating the entire body.

Tang Yan stood before the spring, his eyes gleaming. The qi sea in his dantian was uncontrollably turbulent and excited. According to the memories of the Second Young Master Tang, this baptismal altar in the Illusory Forest was special, utilizing and guiding a powerful earth spirit vein that contained extremely pure life energy.

For others, the spring's purpose was to activate spirit veins or open treasures, but for Tang Yan, it was the perfect condition for advancing the Undying Heaven Technique!

So far, Tang Yan had absorbed thirteen spirit source liquids, and the accumulated life essence had formed a thin mist in his qi sea. His body's recovery and physical strength had improved significantly, with minor injuries healing in just a few minutes.

This was only the first stage of the Undying Heaven Technique. What kind of miraculous effects would the second stage bring? What powerful martial techniques would accompany it?

Tang Yan was very excited!

"If you dare to peek, I won't let you off easily!" Yang Ruyan entered the spring, eyeing Tang Yan warily.

"Since I've already touched you, what's the point of just looking?"

"You shameless scoundrel, if you say another word, I'll kill you right now."

"You always talk about killing. Aren't you tired? Alright, I don't have time to fool around today. I'm not really interested in your underdeveloped body."

"Tang Yan!!" The relentless teasing almost drove Yang Ruyan to the brink of madness. How could there be such a shameless scoundrel in the world, and why did she have to encounter him?

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Do you have a need, Miss? Sorry, I'm busy." Tang Yan laughed and jumped into the spring. "Teasing is over. Let's get to work. Miss Yang, prepare yourself. Today's baptism is crucial for your entire life. You should calm your mind."

"Shameless! Pervert! Scoundrel! If you make any moves, don't blame me for crippling you!" Yang Ruyan remained standing, still wary of him. She still suspected that Tang Yan had come in to cause trouble.

Gradually, the mist in the cave became thicker, almost obscuring everything. Tang Yan remained still. After a few more minutes of vigilance, Yang Ruyan cautiously entered the spring and moved to the farthest corner.

Tang Yan ignored Yang Ruyan, sitting cross-legged in the spring, focusing his mind and embracing the true essence, carefully sensing the strange changes in the spring. The tranquil water was as smooth as silk, sometimes still, sometimes moving without a ripple, but there were no expected changes.

It was like a playful little beast, observing a strange guest.

Tang Yan sat quietly, waiting patiently, not rushing to take action. He could vaguely sense that the divine spring had a special awareness, probing him in a unique way.