65 Silver Rain Waterfall

Elder He's work trip was in two days' time, which meant that Zhao Yunxiao effectively only had one full day left to complete his preparations.

Thankfully, there was not much required in the first place.

It was a routine trip where everything would be provided for. Basically, all he had to do was to show up and do his best.

Even so, Zhao Yunxiao did not take this assignment lightly, and spent most of the night going through Jun Chuan's notes on the Origin Lake Sect.

This was a rare opportunity to serve an elder of the sect.

If Zhao Yunxiao was able to get his attention somehow, it would definitely make things easier in the future as well!

***

The next morning, the trio met up at the canteen for breakfast once again.

Well, the trio plus Nie Hanchang.

This was already the second time in a row that Nie Hanchang was joining them for breakfast, so they were starting to get used to his presence.

"So that's the story," Zhao Yunxiao said in between mouthfuls of food. "I will see if there is anything interesting enough to bring back as souvenirs."

"Souvenirs sound good!" Lu Zhiying answered excitedly. "Too bad I didn't have the chance to even try for the interviews. Otherwise, it would have been nice to be able to go together!"

"Forget about the souvenirs and take care of yourself instead," Gu Qiansi rolled her eyes. "Are you sure you are even in the right state to go for this?"

"Of course, didn't you hear what Junior Martial Sister Huang said?" Zhao Yunxiao shrugged. "After a night of rest, I can feel that I am already almost fully recov- Ouch! What are you doing?!"

"So much for being almost fully recovered," Gu Qiansi scoffed when she saw Zhao Yunxiao's huge response from a mere squeeze on his arm. "Even though you do look much better than yesterday, it's still best if you go look for Junior Martial Sister Huang later."

Lu Zhiying could not help but touch her own face at this moment.

She herself had received quite a few injuries just a few days ago. Thankfully, it no longer hurt when she touched her bruise spots.

It would appear that the elixirs were pretty effective.

"Did you forget that I am a physician too?" Zhao Yunxiao said in disbelief. "Anyway, I don't have time to look for Junior Martial Sister Huang today. It's going to be a busy day for me!"

"Busy with what?" Gu Qiansi asked.

"Busy with getting stronger!" Zhao Yunxiao said confidently.

"Ohhhhh... Senior Martial Brother Zhao looks determined!" Lu Zhiying chimed in at this moment.

"How are you intending to do that, Junior Martial Brother Zhao?" Nie Hanchang's eyes lit up as well.

"Who knows?" Zhao Yunxiao's answer was definitely not what any of them had expected. "For a start, I will be going to the Sect Library to take a look. Maybe I will get some inspiration there."

"Are you going now then?" Nie Hanchang's tone dulled, obviously having lost quite a bit of interest.

"No, we will be heading to the Silver Rain Waterfall first," Zhao Yunxiao answered. "Want to come along with us?"

"I will pass. I don't think it is a form of training that suits me," Nie Hanchang shook his head. "But are you intending to go in your current state?"

"I already said that I am almost fully recovered," Zhao Yunxiao insisted.

"As if."

Zhao Yunxiao conveniently ignored Gu Qiansi's snide remark.

After they were done with their breakfast, the trio bade farewell to Nie Hanchang before heading off.

Silver Rain Waterfall.

Just like the Hundred Puppets Array, it was one of the many training grounds located in the Outer Grounds.

However, the two looked completely different.

While the Hundred Puppets Array was an open clearing with numerous puppets within, the Silver Rain Waterfall seemed much more natural as it was simply referring to a waterfall.

The drop was only around five metres in height, but the impressive thing about it was its width.

The crest was probably around fifty metres wide, making the waterfall look like a curtain of water made to conceal the rock walls behind.

It was a rather beautiful sight, though not enough to make Lu Zhiying gasp in awe either.

After all, just the width of the waterfall alone did not make it anything special.

However, the one thing that did set it apart from other waterfalls was the numerous silver altars arranged in a neat line right at the bottom of the drop, their surface barely peeking out of the surface of the base pool to withstand the direct impact from the falling water.

With a square surface of around one and a half metres on each side, each silver altar was wide enough for one person to sit comfortably. Of course, that was only if subjecting oneself to the relentless assault from the waterfall could be considered as comfortable.

Seeing this, Lu Zhiying immediately understood how this training ground worked.

After all, training under a waterfall was not something unique to cultivators. Certain mortal martial artists do that as well in a bid to strengthen their physique.

But considering that, wasn't this a little too easy for cultivators?

Upon arrival, Zhao Yunxiao and company did not head straight into the water, but went to a small hut by the bank of the waterfall instead.

Just like the Hundred Puppets Array, the duty disciple was stationed in a small and cosy hut right at the entrance of the training ground.

"Zhao Yunxiao."

"Gu Qiansi."

"Lu Zhiying!"

"So, it's Junior Martial Sister Lu! Congratulations on forming a true spiritual meridian root!" the duty disciple immediately recognised Lu Zhiying's name, but frowned after flipping through his books. "But I don't see any slots reserved for you here..."

"She didn't make a reservation. She will be doing this with us," Zhao Yunxiao explained.

"So that's it. Understood," the duty disciple nodded. "Are you starting now then?"

"Of course, time is money!" Zhao Yunxiao nodded.

"Sure... but are you sure you are all right?" the duty disciple asked after noticing the bruises all over Zhao Yunxiao.

"Superficial injuries, superficial injuries," Zhao Yunxiao waved him off before gesturing to Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying. "Well then, let's go!"

"Are we going all at once?" Lu Zhiying asked.

"Unlike the Hundred Puppets Array, multiple people can challenge the Silver Rain Waterfall at the same time," Gu Qiansi explained. "See those silver altars? Each one can fit a person. However, it's best that you stay back and watch us do it first."

"You are pampering her too much. This is a straightforward training of endurance without any tricks whatsoever. There's no need for her to wait and observe," Zhao Yunxiao said. "Let's save time by doing it altogether!"

"Let's do that then! I'd hate waiting too!" Lu Zhiying agreed.

"Are you sure?" Gu Qiansi frowned. "All right, but you must not push yourself too hard. Just get a feel of it for now."

"Sure!" Lu Zhiying agreed again, though Gu Qiansi had her doubts about whether this junior martial sister of hers would really do as she was told.

"And you too, Zhao Yunxiao, don't try to act cool and end up aggravating your injuries!"

"Yes, yes," Zhao Yunxiao waved her off nonchalantly.

Zhao Yunxiao was the first to enter the water, while the two young ladies quickly followed.

The plunge pool was rather deep – far deeper than a man's height – so they had to swim their way over before climbing up onto the silver altars.

After climbing onto the silver altar, Lu Zhiying immediately felt the pressure from the waterfall bearing down upon her.

It was heavy.

But at the same time, Lu Zhiying felt that it was unexpectedly bearable too!

If it was only at this level, she could probably endure it for hours without problem!

Lu Zhiying excitedly glanced over at Zhao Yunxiao and Gu Qiansi, wanting to share her joy.

However, she immediately realised that there was something amiss.

She was completely drenched right now, with her hair sticking to her face like a bunch of seaweed. On the other hand, her senior martial disciples looked as good as new, as though every last drop of water was just bouncing off of their bodies!

Lu Zhiying: "..."

"Do you see the small rock by the side of the altar?" Zhao Yunxiao said while pretending not to notice Lu Zhiying's look of dissatisfaction. "The waterfall has been strengthened by an array to adjust the water pressure according to your level of endurance. Tilt the rock forward to increase the pressure of the water or tilt it backwards to reduce it. If you still find that it is too weak, just tilt it forward again."

Lu Zhiying looked down and realised that there was indeed a small rock by the side of her altar.

So that was why she felt that the pressure was very tolerable.

It was because they had yet to even begin the training!

"Make sure you go slow!" Gu Qiansi cautioned. "Both of you!"

"All right, let's get started."

Sitting cross legged on their respective altars, the three of them reached for the rock by their side.

Boom-!

Lu Zhiying's confidence from earlier instantly shattered as the force of the waterfall doubled all of a sudden.

At this level, not to mention hours, there was no way she could even last ten minutes!

On the other hand, Zhao Yunxiao and Gu Qiansi tilted the rock forward once more, increasing the water pressure even further.

Unlike Lu Zhiying who was taking this with just her physique alone, the duo was guarding themselves with their essence energy as well.

Because of that, they were naturally able to withstand far higher levels of force.

The amazing thing was that when they tilted the rock by their side, it only affected the water pressure that was bearing down directly upon their respective altars and did not impact the other altars whatsoever.

This alone showed just how exquisitely the underlying array was designed.

Barely more than five minutes after starting, Lu Zhiying had already reached her limit.

It was not just about having the mental fortitude to endure either.

If that was the case, Lu Zhiying would have been more than capable of just sitting there and enduring the punishment.

However, her body simply could no longer keep up.

As time passed, she was no longer able to keep her back straight as the waterfall continued to press down on her. If things continued at this rate, she had a feeling that she might just end up engraved into the silver altar as a human monument!

Splash-!

When Lu Zhiying realised that her back was bending a little too much for comfort, she decisively escaped from the silver altar by diving into the plunge pool.

It was a little disappointing, but there was no point in continuing when she was no longer able to even do it properly anymore!

After climbing up the bank, Lu Zhiying started drying herself with a cloth that the duty disciple passed over to her.

Seemingly oblivious to the cheeks of the duty disciple that had turned red after seeing the drenched Lu Zhiying, she quickly turned her attention back to Zhao Yunxiao and Gu Qiansi who were still on their altars.

At this moment, both of them were sitting on their respective altars with their eyes closed, appearing to have entered a state of meditation while under the constant barrage of water.

From the sound of the water alone, Lu Zhiying could tell that the force of the waterfall was already multiple times that of what she had failed to endure.

Both of them had one hand placed on the rock by their altar, ready to adjust the pressure at any moment.

Who knew how many times they had increased the pressure of the water by now?

Ten minutes passed.

Twenty minutes passed.

Zhao Yunxiao seemed to be at peace as he continued to circulate his essence energy to guard against the external pressure.

As he had told Lu Zhiying earlier, this was a straightforward training of endurance, something that did not require much talent.

And this sort of activity was what he, someone who relied purely on hard work, excelled at.

Zhao Yunxiao could not say the same about anything else. But when it came to physical endurance alone, he had absolute confidence in himself!

His hand moved, and the small rock was tilted forward once more.

This was already the tenth time. 

Each adjustment using the small rock would cause the pressure to double.

With these ten adjustments, the pressure that he was currently enduring was already about a thousand times stronger than what it originally was!

This was a pressure that even Gu Qiansi would succumb to within a matter of minutes!