Chapter 12: A Complete Transformation
The primary purpose of the river water was to irrigate the fields. Although the spiritual energy in the river water couldn't compare to that of the Spirit Spring, it was excellent for irrigation. Naturally, those with weak constitutions could also drink the river water to improve their physique and nourish their bodies.
Outside, there were three wells. The Spirit Spring could improve one's constitution, and if one was lucky, it might even awaken special abilities. The Medicine Spring could cure a hundred ailments and maintain physical health. The Poison Spring, besides its toxic properties, could also be used in medicinal preparations; it wasn't solely for poisoning. Of course, the manual provided detailed instructions on how to use it properly.
After finishing her reading, Zhu Yanyi first took off her clothes, then walked over to the Spirit Spring and took a sip of its water.
In her past life, Zhu Yanyi had been frail, which kept her height under one meter sixty. Thus, her first regret in this life was her desire for a healthy body. As for her stature, even if she couldn't reach one meter seventy, she would be satisfied with around one meter sixty-five. Since the Spirit Spring could improve her constitution and make up for this first regret, she naturally wouldn't let the opportunity pass.
After swallowing the spring water, a wave of heat emerged from her dantian. Zhu Yanyi felt pain coursing through her entire body. It was an indescribable agony, as if her whole physique was being dismantled and reassembled.
Despite the overwhelming pain, her mind remained exceptionally clear. Zhu Yanyi closed her eyes, yet she could almost visualize her body's current state. Her originally intact bones were shattered, then fused back together, sprouting new bone structure. Next came her meridians; the once slender channels slowly expanded. Then came her blood and flesh, and finally her skin and hair. She had lost track of how much time had passed. All she knew was that although she could observe the process clearly, her body no longer felt like her own. The only thing she could do was accept it calmly until everything settled down.
Once she was sure the turmoil had subsided, Zhu Yanyi opened her eyes and raised her hand to confirm she had regained control over her body. She slowly stood up, only to find her skin covered in a thick, foul-smelling black grime. Without hesitation, she walked straight into the nearby river for a bath. Although it was a cold shower, she felt no chill at all. Perhaps this space simply had no concept of hot or cold.
After washing up, Zhu Yanyi couldn't spare the time to investigate whether she had awakened any special abilities. She hurried out, reasoning that she had already spent quite a while inside the space. She worried that if too much time passed outside, someone might notice her absence, which would cause serious trouble.
Upon exiting, she glanced through a small window nearby and noticed that the sky outside showed no change. Raising an eyebrow slightly, she turned to look at the square clock on the cabinet and was overjoyed. From the moment she entered to the moment she stepped out, only half an hour had passed. She estimated that she had spent at least four or five hours inside the space. With only thirty minutes passing outside, this time dilation effectively granted her a wealth of extra time for the future.
One could never truly understand the importance of time without experiencing it firsthand. With more time, one could learn countless things and accomplish many tasks. The ancients said time was money, but to Zhu Yanyi, time was worth more than money. After all, time could be used to create wealth, but wealth could never buy back time.
Although the time dilation brought her a pleasant surprise, Zhu Yanyi did not re-enter the space immediately. Instead, she chose to first process everything that had happened. Her constitution had now been altered; even if it wasn't absolute, she would at least no longer fall ill. Otherwise, the Spirit Spring would have lived up to its name for nothing. Next, she needed to consider what she would do in the future.