30: The spring is enchanting, and the heart of Tao is gently rippled.

Su Wanqing was immersed in the Purifying Demon Spring. The cool spring water, rich with Spiritual Qi, enveloped her. The pure purification power, like countless tiny tentacles, gently yet firmly permeated her Meridians, stripping away and dissolving the wisps of Devilish Qi entrenched within. This process brought a slight needle-pricking sensation, but it was predominantly a sense of refreshment, cleansing the dust and clarifying the Divine Soul.

She couldn't help but let out an extremely soft sigh, tinged with relief. The Lunar Essence Power surrounding her became even purer and more crystalline under the spring water's nourishment, reflecting the purifying aura emitted by the spring. She could feel that the Bottleneck of her Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage seemed to have loosened.

However, amidst this extreme comfort, an indescribable sense of strangeness quietly emerged. The spring water seemed not only capable of purifying Devilish Qi but also... amplifying one's senses and emotions. She could clearly hear her slightly quickened heartbeat and feel the three distinct auras behind her, even though they had their backs turned—especially the steady and warm aura belonging to Lin Xuan.

In her mind, she involuntarily recalled his focused expression when he expelled the Alluring Fire for her in the Secret Realm cave; his heroic stance defending her against the demonic source on the Star Gazing Platform; and just now, his readiness to let her use the Spiritual Spring first... A faint blush quietly crept onto her cool, pretty face, more captivating than the sunset glow. She quickly composed herself, silently operating the Supreme Yin Youying Mind-Cultivation Technique, trying to suppress the inexplicable flutter.

On the bank, although Lin Xuan had his back to the spring, his acute Golden Core Stage perception prevented him from completely isolating the sights and sounds behind him. The water gently rippled, the woman's suppressed soft moan, and the increasingly clear, cool aura permeating the air—a mixture of the spring's fragrance and Su Wanqing's unique body scent—felt like invisible threads wrapping around his heart.

He was no Liu Xiahui, and moreover, Su Wanqing was already a rare beauty in the world, with a cold, immortal temperament. Now, being in the Spiritual Spring, she added a few layers of indescribable temptation. The vital essence within his Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art stirred slightly, but his Dao Heart was firm. He took a deep breath, suppressed the distracting thoughts, and focused his Divine Sense even more intently on scanning the Demon Marsh outside the light barrier, not daring to be Divided Soul for a moment.

Qu Feiyan took in Lin Xuan's almost imperceptible tension and Su Wanqing's heavily suppressed subtle movements (although she also had her back to the spring, her perception had its unique qualities). A knowing, slightly playful curve lifted the corner of her red lips. She knew that some seeds, once planted, would naturally take root and sprout.

About half an hour later, the Spiritual Light in the spring gradually subsided. Su Wanqing's aura became harmonious and clear, indicating that the Devilish Qi within her body had been completely expelled, and her cultivation had even improved slightly.

She rose from the spring, using Spiritual Power to evaporate the moisture, and changed into a clean, plain white dress. She still maintained her cool and ethereal appearance, but the slight movement in her eyes showed less of her usual iciness and a hint of imperceptible softness.

"I am finished." She walked over to Lin Xuan, her voice soft.

Lin Xuan turned around, met her clear but subtly rippling eyes, and nodded, "How do you feel?"

"Very well. The Devilish Qi is completely gone, and my Spiritual Power has also been purified somewhat." Su Wanqing nodded slightly and stepped aside. "You two should go quickly."

"Finally, it's my turn, Sister!" Qu Feiyan giggled, without any hesitation. With a sway of her figure, her red silhouette fluttered as she plunged into the spring water, splashing a few droplets. She seemed to enjoy it immensely, letting out a lazy and satisfied sigh. Her seductive eyes were like silk threads; she even deliberately stirred the spring water, making the splashing sound clearer, and her gaze vaguely swept toward Lin Xuan on the bank.

Lin Xuan felt helpless and could only turn his back again, focusing his attention inward. This enchantress truly challenged his self-control at every moment.

Gongsun Yu looked at Qu Feiyan's bold behavior, her cheeks flushed even deeper. She lowered her head, twisting the corner of her clothes, feeling a little flustered.

Su Wanqing watched Qu Feiyan's almost provocative actions, her cool eyebrows furrowing almost imperceptibly. She said nothing, only walking to the side, sitting cross-legged, and silently consolidating her recently enhanced cultivation. However, the speed at which she entered meditation seemed a little slower than usual.

Qu Feiyan soaked in the spring slightly longer than Su Wanqing. She seemed intentionally to guide the purification power in the spring water, not only expelling Devilish Qi but also refining her own Spiritual Power, which was a Fusion of Seductive Essence and Blood Fiend Power. Her aura became increasingly condensed and profound. When she finally rose, her red dress clung to her, outlining a breathtaking figure. Her wet, long hair was spread out, her seductive eyes were like waves, and she resembled a lotus emerging from the water, yet possessing a deadly charm.

She walked openly toward Lin Xuan, twirled around, and smiled sweetly, "Junior Martial Brother, don't you think I'm even more charming now?"

Lin Xuan's eye twitched slightly. He remained expressionless: "Congratulations, Senior Sister, on the improvement of your cultivation."

Qu Feiyan pouted, seemingly dissatisfied with his reaction, but she didn't press the matter further. She walked away chuckling to circulate her energy.

Finally, it was Gongsun Yu's turn. The young girl hesitated for a long time. Only after Lin Xuan's gentle encouragement and a look from Su Wanqing did she blush and quickly remove her outer robe (she was still wearing fitted inner garments). Like a startled fawn, she darted into the spring, only her head visible above the water, her eyes tightly shut, afraid to look at the bank.

Lin Xuan found it amusing, yet also thought the young girl was pure and lovely. He still adhered to propriety, guarding them with his back turned.

Gongsun Yu soaked for the shortest time. Her cultivation was the weakest, and the Purifying Demon Spring's effect on her was the most pronounced. Not only was the Devilish Qi completely gone, but some internal injuries left by forcefully activating her Lightning Technique were also repaired. Her aura was significantly stronger, truly only a step away from the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

After everyone had finished using it, the Purifying Demon Spring was still crystal clear, with Spiritual Qi misting around it, as if hardly anything had been consumed.

The four people sat around the thatched cottage pointed out by Daoist Shoujing (the cottage was simple but clean and tidy, containing several private meditation rooms). Their conditions had all recovered to the Peak, with even slight improvements in cultivation.

"What are our plans next?" Su Wanqing asked, looking at Lin Xuan and breaking the silence. After the cleansing of the Purifying Demon Spring, she seemed to trust Lin Xuan's judgment even more.

Qu Feiyan and Gongsun Yu also looked over.

Lin Xuan pondered, "Senior Shoujing said that the Demon Palace is the only exit, but it is fraught with danger. Although we have recovered our condition, our strength is not yet enough to force our way through. My suggestion is that we might as well cultivate here for a period of time."

His gaze swept over the Three women: "This place has pure Spiritual Qi and the aid of the Purifying Demon Spring, making it an excellent location to solidify your Foundation and improve your cultivation. Especially Wanqing and Miss Gongsun, you have reached a Bottleneck, and you might use this opportunity to attempt a Breakthrough. As for me, I also need time to stabilize my Golden Core Realm and comprehend certain things."

He was referring to the Seven-colored Crystal Core obtained from the Bewitching Divine Devil Taro, and the vague insights regarding space and purification power brought by the Fusion of the immortal abode pivot token fragments. This relatively safe Spiritual Island was the perfect time to digest these gains.

"I have no objection." Su Wanqing was the first to agree; she knew deep down that strength was the fundamental requirement.

"That works. I also feel that my recently improved cultivation needs some time to settle," Qu Feiyan said, stretching lazily, fully revealing her curves.

Gongsun Yu naturally had no objection either.

"However, this place is not absolutely safe," Lin Xuan shifted the topic, looking at the silent Demon Marsh outside the light barrier and the black Demon Palace looming like a colossal beast in the distance. "We need to take turns keeping watch, and we must find a way to learn more information about this place, especially the Demon Palace, from Senior Shoujing."

Only by knowing ourselves and knowing our enemy can we fight a hundred battles without danger of defeat.

With the plan set, the four temporarily settled down on this Small Spiritual Isle. Lin Xuan focused his main energy on stabilizing his Golden Core and comprehending insights. Su Wanqing and Gongsun Yu utilized the superior environment here to attempt Breakthroughs. Qu Feiyan was responsible for coordinating the watch and making contact with Daoist Shoujing, attempting to gather more intelligence.

Time quietly flowed on this isolated Spiritual Island. Cultivation steadily improved, relationships subtly shifted, and the distant Demon Palace, like a sword hanging overhead, reminded them that comfort was only temporary, and the final trial would eventually arrive.