About ten minutes later, the group, following the winding passage, arrived at a large cave. The cave was the size of a football field.
In the center of the cave was a rectangular pool constructed with stacked stones, covering an area of about a thousand square meters. At each corner of the pool stood a waist-thick stone pillar, reaching up to the cave’s ceiling.
Above the pool, faint waves of energy surged, but they were contained within an invisible barrier around the pool, preventing the energy from spreading.
Inside the cave, besides the four central pillars, there were dozens of other stone pillars positioned at various angles. Initially appearing chaotic, connecting the landing points of these pillars revealed an abstract pattern.
“Is that Ink Pool?” Azure Dragon pointed towards the central pool and asked Len Quinn.
“Yes!” Len Quinn nodded.
“Are there mechanisms inside this cave?” Casey asked.
“No more!” Len Quinn shook his head. “All the mechanisms are set up in the passage. It’s safe inside here.”
“I have a question.” Azure Dragon wore a pensive expression and continued, “Since Ink Pool is used to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, how does it absorb the external energy when it’s set up in this cave?”
“That’s the function of the formation!” Len Quinn paused and explained. “What we see now is only a part of the entire formation. The cave isn’t completely isolated from the outside, you just haven’t seen the passage. Additionally, on the mountainside above this cave, there’s a corresponding formation.”
“One Yin, one Yang, internal and external in harmony, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, condensing essence and gathering energy!”
“Alright.” Azure Dragon shrugged.
“Casey, lead everyone in quickly!” At this moment, Billy said to Casey.
“Are you not coming in?” Harleen looked at Billy and asked, while the others also turned their attention.
“I’ll stay outside to guard for you!” Billy smiled and nodded. “The spiritual energy inside the Ink Pool is limited. If I go in, I’ll absorb a large portion of it.”
Hearing this, Len Quinn cast a look of admiration. Only a few individuals like King of the West could resist such temptations.
“Boss, why don’t you and Casey go in! We…” Night Orchid began to speak.
“Martial artists who enter Ink Pool can break through faster, the lower their cultivation is. For those with God-Emperor cultivation, even if all the spiritual energy inside the Ink Pool is absorbed, they can at most break through one level.” Billy interrupted her. He then looked at Casey and Azure Dragon, “If both of you can break through to the realm of War God-Emperor, you can come out early.”
“Understood!” Casey and Azure Dragon nodded vigorously.
After that, everyone moved towards the Ink Pool without further hesitation. Everyone understood that Billy’s help to them went far beyond just this. Their achievements today were entirely due to Billy’s efforts.
Without saying much, they all had their own understanding in their hearts. In no time, everyone entered the Ink Pool.
As soon as they entered, they immediately felt that the air inside was entirely different from the outside. The rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth made them feel refreshed, and with every breath, they could sense strands of spiritual energy entering every part of their bodies. This feeling was more pronounced than when they had the Elemental Spirit Fruits.
There were many cushions on the floor of the Ink Pool. Without much ado, everyone exchanged glances and chose a cushion to sit cross-legged. Then, they began to operate their cultivation techniques, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, officially entering the state of cultivation.
“Can I… leave now?” About ten minutes later, Len Quinn looked at Billy and asked.
“Not in a hurry!” Billy casually said, “I’m alone, and it’s boring. Just keep me company for a while!”
They didn’t know what unexpected changes might occur after entering the Ink Pool. Therefore, he couldn’t let Len Quinn leave so quickly.
“I…” Len Quinn took a deep breath and spoke again.
“Accompany me to the Treasure Cave to get some Elemental Fruits.” Billy directly interrupted him.
Martial artists, once they reached a certain realm, could go without eating or drinking for several days. A Battle God martial artist could endure for three or four days, while a War God-Emperor powerhouse could go without food for a month or more.
Billy estimated that, except for Casey and Azure Dragon, the others would have to stay inside the Ink Pool for at least a month. During this time, they would need to eat at least occasionally.
The Elemental Fruits in the Treasure Cave were the best food.
“Okay, okay!” Len Quinn took another deep breath and responded. He didn’t insist further. He could only follow Billy honestly towards the Treasure Cave.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, five or six days had passed.
Boom!
One morning, a powerful aura burst forth from Casey, several orders of magnitude stronger than before. Then, he opened his eyes, and a trace of excitement flashed in them.
Clearly, the one who had already achieved War Emperor realm had officially stepped into the War God-Emperor realm.
“Boss!” In just two minutes, Casey, full of energy, walked out of the Ink Pool, looking at Billy with an excited expression.
“Haha, well done!” Billy laughed heartily. Naturally, he sensed the martial aura emanating from Casey.
“Thank you, Boss!” Casey, full of gratitude, bowed to Billy.
“Azure Dragon, you’ll probably need to stay inside for another ten days or so. Like Casey, make good use of the time to cultivate the Bloodshadow Blade Technique. Try to form your aura of a War God-Emperor within a month.” Billy smiled faintly.
“Yes, boss!” Azure Dragon responded loudly.
Time continued to slip away.
On the fifteenth day, Azure Dragon emerged from the Ink Pool, radiating a vigorous energy, much more excited than before. Without a doubt, after half a month of cultivation, he also smoothly stepped into the War God-Emperor realm from the middle of the War Emperor realm.
“Boss, Casey!” He walked towards Billy and the others, his expression showing great excitement.
“Azure Dragon, not bad. You made it!” Casey congratulated him with joy.
Azure Dragon scratched his head. “This Ink Pool is really a treasure. It’s too amazing!”
“Azure Dragon, the others probably need another ten days or so inside. You and Casey should seize the time to cultivate the Bloodshadow Blade Technique. Try to form the real God-Emperor’s aura within a month.” Billy smiled faintly.
“Got it!” Azure Dragon responded loudly.
Following the predicted time, on the twenty-ninth day, the spiritual energy in the Ink Pool was almost depleted, and Azure Fang and the others successively walked out. Including Harleen and her sister, everyone had excited expressions on their faces, and their eyes revealed traces of excitement.