Chapter 90: Advancing to Innate Realm

 ***

By reciting the incantations and performing the corresponding body movements, a significant amount of natural qi was drawn in by Tang Ailian. With her brush, she sealed this energy onto the paper. Once the symbols were complete, they seemed to radiate a distinct brilliance, unlike ordinary lifeless symbols.

Perhaps due to her expertise from her previous life, the first few symbols took longer to draw, but as she continued, her progress became smoother. What initially took over ten minutes for one symbol was reduced to just a few minutes, and eventually, she could create two symbols in a minute.

Because the medicinal well was nearby, Tang Ailian would drink from it whenever she felt tired or hungry, restoring her internal energy. When her psychic energy was depleted, she would meditate and practice psychic cultivation. She tirelessly continued this process for five days, creating various symbols she might need inside the ancient tomb.

Among the symbols Tang Ailian crafted were symbols for agility, blessings, lightning spells, healing, exorcism, curses, and spirit expulsion. There were hundreds of each type. She even created fifty first-level elemental symbols for fireballs, earth manipulation, golden knives, wooden arrows, and water dragons. However, these elemental symbols were kept as a reserve and wouldn't be used unless absolutely necessary.

She collected all these symbols, filling a bag and placing ten percent of them in her personal bag while storing the rest in her spatial realm as spares. These symbols were primarily intended as backups.

After a drink from the medicinal well and restoring her psychic energy through meditation, Tang Ailian began preparing medicine.

Over the past few days, she had used the medicinal well to nurture two Snake Yang Fruits. Even though Little White had been tempted, Tang Ailian firmly prohibited it from consuming them. To compensate, she gave Little White a Nascent Spirit Pill as a reward. Since it had recently advanced, she stored the pill in its spatial realm.

This time, Tang Ailian planned to concoct Resurrection Pills using the Snake Yang Fruits. Although it was extravagant to use such valuable materials, she knew that entering the ancient tomb was extremely dangerous. She needed to be fully prepared, so she used one of the Snake Yang Fruits to make Resurrection Pills.

Yes, she was making Resurrection Pills, not Resurrection Elixirs. Even though the components were the same, she utilized the Medicinal Well's water, which had been infused with spiritual energy for more than a century, to create these pills.

After a day and night, Tang Ailian had successfully produced thirty-six Resurrection Pills, each about the size of a green bean. These pills were not meant for consumption but would be used as a last resort. When thrown into a place filled with Yin energy, these pills would produce Yang energy, exhausting the Yin energy in the surroundings.

Tang Ailian had everything ready: the symbols, the pills, and now it was time to break through to the Innate Realm. She wanted to minimize the risk as much as possible before entering the ancient tomb.

Although Tang Ailian had only recently reached the Advanced Stage of the Postnatal Realm, she had already established a foundation for the Innate Realm while still in her mother's womb. Breaking through to the Innate Realm from the Postnatal Realm was relatively easy for her, and the real challenge would come after reaching the Innate Realm.

After taking one of the pills and sensing the fiery medicinal energy surging within her, Tang Ailian knew the breakthrough was imminent. Her body's meridians were now filled with liquid energy instead of ordinary Qi. Her movements were powered by various energies, making her feel invigorated.

When she consumed the fifth pill, her Innate Realm barrier finally gave way. Internally, she saw that her meridians were no longer filled with Qi but with liquid energy. Every part of her body was brimming with different energies, boosting her confidence.

Exiting her spatial realm, Tang Ailian took a quick bath to wash away the impurities caused by breaking through to the Innate Realm. As she opened the door, she was surprised to see Zhao Lu standing outside.

"Little Divine Doctor, I heard that you're also joining the expedition to the ancient tomb?" Zhao Lu immediately asked, getting straight to the point.

"Yes, any problem with that?" Tang Ailian inquired.

"Of course, there's a problem, a big problem. Please don't go, I beg you," Zhao Lu pleaded desperately.

"But I want to go. It's dangerous, but crises can also be opportunities," Tang Ailian replied naively.

Zhao Lu tried his best to dissuade Tang Ailian, but she remained determined to enter the tomb. In the end, he had to settle for accompanying her, fearing for her safety. He insisted on staying within three feet of her at all times.

"Alright, when I get tired, Brother Lu, can you carry me?" Tang Ailian asked cheerfully.

Before leaving, Zhao Lu received a water jug from Tang Ailian and was instructed to drink a large cup of the water before going to sleep that night. "It helps ward off evil spirits," she told him.

Indeed, since she had moved the Snake Yang Grass into her spatial realm, the water from the medicinal well now contained pure Yang energy. Drinking it would repel Yin energy and dispel malevolent forces.

As Zhao Lu left, he recalled one more thing and rushed back to Tang Ailian. She handed him a dozen amulets. "Give one to each of the seniors. These are for exorcising evil, but don't let anyone see them. I don't want to be accused of promoting feudal superstition."

Zhao Lu couldn't help but smile as he took the amulets. He found it amusing that Tang Ailian was involving herself in such matters. Did she think she was a ghost-hunting Taoist priest?

Back at the camp, Zhao Lu distributed the amulets to his fellow expedition members. He also emphasized that everyone should keep them close at hand. "Small Divine Doctor said to keep these on us. If anyone forgets, you're not allowed to enter the tomb."

Several of the members had their doubts about Tang Ailian's capabilities and were puzzled as to what a young child like her could contribute.

The expedition team, comprised of fifteen "experts" from various backgrounds, was an eclectic mix. Some wore peculiar outfits, while others carried various ghost-hunting tools, and even two self-proclaimed tomb raiders. They all questioned why a little girl who appeared to be only five or six years old was joining the expedition.

(End of the chapter)