Chapter 642: Exploration
Chapter 642: Exploration
"Myriad Wood Mother Qi?"
Upon hearing this, Yunxi Xianzi's expression subtly shifted. "Could it be the rumored origin qi of plants and trees?"
"Oh? Yunxi Xianzi has actually heard of it?"
Bai Family Ancestor was a little taken aback.
He prided himself on having read extensively, and the Ice God Palace was a sect with a long history of inheritance, far surpassing Penglai Immortal Island.
Yet, he had no memory whatsoever of this qi.
That Yunxi Xianzi could identify this qi truly surprised him slightly.
However, considering that she was a Soul Transformation cultivator, it was understandable.
"This concubine once received an inheritance from an ancient great divine ability cultivator, which recorded a similar aura. . ."
Yunxi Xianzi said, "It is said that if one cultivates in such an environment, any spirit herb can gain ten or a hundred years of medicinal efficacy in a single year, an effect that can be called incredible. . . And if absorbed by cultivators, it surpasses the effects of many longevity pills. However, if one does not follow the correct method, or if their wood-attribute cultivation method is not top-tier, they can easily become 'wood-transformed,' turning into tree-people similar to those we saw before. . ."
Looking at the strange tree-people rooted in the earth, the many cultivators couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.
Moments ago, these were still their companions!
"This secret realm seems even more dangerous than the previous two. . ."
Gui Axe Zhenjun gazed intently at the giant tree phantom.
At this moment, the phantom suddenly exploded, transforming into numerous colorful runes that fell upon the entrance of the secret realm, forming a five-colored archway.
On both sides of the archway, there were also lines of runes.
One side, like a dancing phoenix, was silver 'Phoenix Seal Script', while the other side, flowing like a dragon, was purple 'Dragon Chapter Script'!
Even cultivators who didn't recognize these two ancient seal scripts felt as if dragons soared and phoenixes danced before their eyes upon seeing the two lines of ancient script.
A cultivator who had just advanced to the Nascent Soul realm suddenly shrieked, two lines of blood and tears flowing from the corners of his eyes.
This was the direct backlash from the Daoistic aura within the ancient seal script when he attempted to comprehend it with his Divine Consciousness!
"This is. . . Phoenix Seal Script?"
Bai Family Ancestor identified it for a moment, then confidently said to Fang Xi, "This line of Phoenix Seal Script, this old man happens to recognize. It means 'Immortal Abode of Eternal Longevity'."
At these words, even Gui Axe Zhenjun glanced over.
Phoenix Seal Script describes the Dao of Void, being the best runes for manipulating the power of the void.
However, the inheritance of 'Phoenix Seal Script' obtained from the numerous 'minor worlds' exchanged by the Kyushu World before was too scarce. Even with many cultivators and artificial intelligence working together to complete it, there were still some regrets.
This Bai Family Ancestor was indeed a Daoist friend worth exchanging knowledge with.
"As for the line next to it. . . this old man can only barely recognize it as Dragon Chapter Script. . . As for its meaning, I haven't the slightest clue."
Bai Family Ancestor shifted his gaze to the purple ancient seal script, sighing slightly.
"The Dragon Chapter Script reads – 'Blessed Land with Longevity Matching Heaven'!"
Fang Xi sighed, then spoke.
"So that's it. To think that Dao Lord also has studies in Dragon Chapter Script. . ."
Tumo Venerable exclaimed.
"Master is the best. . . " Xiao Qing chimed in opportunely, her eyes seemingly sparkling with little stars.
"Shameless! " Bai Family Ancestor cursed inwardly.
Yet, he wasn't a spirit pet; even if he imitated Xiao Qing's methods, it would be but an awkward imitation, only adding to the ridicule.
"Just a slight understanding. . ."
Fang Xi hadn't lied.
Dragon Chapter and Phoenix Seal Scripts circulated more widely in the Earthly Immortal World.
As a Soul Transformation cultivator, with a bit of effort, one could still find such inheritances.
After all, the Dao of Void and the Dao of Time were the two most powerful laws, and many great cultivators of the Earthly Immortal World had insights into them.
It was just that the talismans comprehended by the Phoenix and True Dragon were the most famous, hence the names.
Both in Kungsang Market and within the Wang Family, there were similar collections, so Fang Xi naturally accepted them without ceremony.
Coupled with the previous talisman inheritances for drawing Dragon Chapter Script, identifying these few ancient seal scripts was not a problem.
He glanced at Yunxi Xianzi, knowing that the female cultivator was concealing her strength, but merely chuckled to himself, letting her be.
"Immortal Abode of Eternal Longevity, Blessed Land with Longevity Matching Heaven?"
"With 'Myriad Wood Mother Qi' present, it truly lives up to the name 'Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm'. . ."
The Red-haired Demon Venerable wore demonic armor, yet most of her skin was exposed, and an eyeball rotated back and forth in her crown, seemingly very interested in this spiritual realm.
"Heh. . . Myriad Wood Mother Qi is probably the most insignificant thing in this spiritual realm. . ."
Fang Xi raised a hand: "Form the array!"
One by one, the Soul Transformation cultivators flew out, each forming different hand seals, transforming into a shimmering array formation.
Chirp, chirp!
In the void, the sound of a phoenix's cry seemed to echo.
On the array flags and array plates, strikingly, were various Phoenix Seal Script talismans!
Combining the Dao of Formations with Phoenix Seal Script indicated that Fang Xi's attainments in both were master-level, allowing him to attempt this convergence.
This was, in fact, quite normal.
Fang Xi's attainments in formations needed no further mention. Even in terms of Phoenix Seal Script, with the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror' constantly observing and comprehending, his initial conditions were immeasurably higher than other cultivators.
Coupled with his insights and ancient texts from the Earthly Immortal World, Fang Xi was finally able to achieve such a feat.
Silver runes transformed into phoenixes, letting out a sudden long cry.
Large numbers of small phoenixes converged, forming a gigantic phoenix phantom with wings spread over a hundred zhang.
It let out a high-pitched cry, and from its wings flew out silver nails.
Pfft! Pfft!
Each nail emitted an inexplicable void fluctuation, piercing into the entrance of the secret realm.
Crack!
Roots suddenly shot up, emerging from the secret realm, only to be impaled by the nails in the void, as if rooting themselves to the ground.
Seeing this scene, Bai Family Ancestor and the other Soul Transformation cultivators immediately knew that the entrance to this secret realm had been fixed by Fang Xi.
Simply put. . . once the gate of this secret realm was opened, it couldn't be closed. . .
This was naturally Fang Xi's plan!
As a top cultivator in the Human World, to blindly venture into a spiritual realm or accept trials was the act of a fool!
He had to firmly hold the initiative in his own hands!
Moreover, the resources he possessed had to be fully utilized!
For Fang Xi, with Soul Transformation cultivators as labor and a large group of Nascent Soul cultivators as cannon fodder, he could slowly probe the secrets of this Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.
Ultimately, he could even slowly refine this Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm bit by bit, extracting all its benefits!
More importantly, he wouldn't put himself in a dangerous situation.
"Next. . . select Nascent Soul cultivators to enter the spiritual realm with 'Mystic Star Talismans'!"
Fang Xi ordered.
The drawing method of the 'Mystic Star Talisman' was a secret transmission of the Earthly Immortal World, possessing surveillance and marking effects.
This was essentially using them as cannon fodder.
However, most cultivators had an astonishing gambling nature!
Especially rogue cultivators!
When they saw Fang Xi offering 'Divine Transformation Spirit Paste' as a price, one by one the Nascent Soul cultivators went crazy, with many volunteering themselves.
In the end, often for just one spot, they would even proactively request a duel to determine the victor!
This scene made Fang Xi somewhat unable to watch: "Pass on my order: prioritize those who cultivate wood-element techniques, possess superior wood spiritual root aptitude, or have awakened special wood-element spirit bodies!"
After all, it was the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, and the ancient Green Emperor Mountain was also famous for its wood-element cultivation methods.
If Fang Xi had enough time, he would even want to cultivate batches of Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators of the 'Withered Glory Chant' before sending them into the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm for exploration.
Of course, it would be the 'castrated' version, without many secret arts and divine abilities like 'Withered Glory Mystic Light'. . .
...
A group of Nascent Soul cultivators, their eyes burning with eagerness, entered the secret realm.
Bai Family Ancestor and other Soul Transformation cultivators gathered on the deck of the Organ City, gazing at the bronze mirrors.
In the bronze mirrors, starlight originally seemed to flicker.
At this moment, it blurred slightly, and figures appeared within them.
Among them were black-robed demon cultivators exuding demonic qi, and strange female cultivators with faces like young girls.
Of course, there were more cultivators in various strange outfits, mostly white-haired and old – most cultivators were already quite old when they advanced to the Nascent Soul realm, so their appearance was generally that of an elder.
Furthermore, male cultivators generally didn't care much about their appearance; some were ethereal and refined, others lewd and unsightly, a true myriad of oddities. . .
Upon seeing this scene, Bai Family Ancestor chuckled: "Fellow Daoists, why don't we make a bet on who among these Nascent Soul cultivators can distinguish themselves, how about it?"
"If we're to make a bet, how can there be no stake? " Yunxi Xianzi laughed.
"I want to play, I want to play!"
Xiao Qing, lively and caring, was idly starring at Scarlet Demon venerable, wondering if this female demon could be set on fire. Upon hearing the suggestion, her eyes immediately lit up.
Gui Axe and Tumo, however, exchanged glances. As new-era cultivators of the Kyushu World, they had no such gambling habits.
"A bet, you say? That sounds interesting!"
Fang Xi, upon hearing this, said indifferently, "As for the stakes. . . let's bet on the order of your next moves."
This Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm was a tough battle, and there was no telling what kind of demons or monsters would emerge in the end.
The first Soul Transformation cultivator to make a move might not necessarily gain an advantage.
One could say that the position in this bet also represented a kind of luck.
"Since that's the case, we shall respectfully comply. " Seeing Fang Xian Dao Lord take the lead, Tumo and Gui Axe naturally agreed.
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Bai Family Ancestor's eyes. He pointed to an ordinary young man in green robes in the bronze mirror: "This old man bets on this person."
Yunxi Xianzi looked over, then suddenly chuckled: "Gu Tengzi? This person is said to have a Heaven-grade wood spiritual root, and has also awakened a special spirit body. He cultivates a top-tier wood-attribute technique. This concubine also wanted to choose him. . ."
"Ahem. . ."
Bai Family Ancestor coughed once: "This old man believes that for fairness, each person's chosen candidate cannot be the same, how about it?"
"That can be arranged. . ."
Fang Xi agreed noncommittally.
At this moment, Gu Tengzi had already arrived at a dense forest of vibrant green vines. The forest was filled with spirit mushrooms, ginseng, and various other spirit herbs. Thousand-year-old spirit medicines were as common as trash, with occasional sightings of ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs.And within the dense forest, astonishing 'Myriad Wood Mother Qi' permeated every moment. . .
Gu Tengzi observed from the periphery for a while, then finally gritted his teeth unwillingly and withdrew his protective light shield.
The next instant, he formed hand seals, and his skin took on a crystalline green luster, his face also covered in dark green tattoos.
An astonishing scene unfolded.
As Gu Tengzi formed hand seals, the dense 'Myriad Wood Mother Qi' in the forest was remarkably drawn in, turning into swirling vortices that rushed into a green-skinned gourd in his hand.
"What a fine exotic treasure!"
Bai Family Ancestor's eyes lit up at this sight: "Furthermore, the 'Spring Nether Chant' this person cultivates is also a top-tier wood-attribute technique. Even refining a little Myriad Wood Mother Qi wouldn't be harmful; he could even gain immense benefits. . ."
Through the bronze mirror, he saw Gu Tengzi carefully pluck many thousand-year-old spirit medicines, including a few ten-thousand-year-old spirit herbs that even he coveted, and he couldn't help but feel a secret delight.
But the next moment, Yunxi Xianzi shook her head: "Myriad Wood Mother Qi is the origin of wood. . . only truly top-tier wood-attribute cultivation methods can absorb and refine it. The standards by which ancient great divine ability cultivators judged whether a cultivation method was top-tier were very different from today's. This person's spirit body is somewhat abnormal, likely formed through postnatal blood sacrifice, and the cultivation method he practices, although considered top-tier now, still. . ."
Bai Family Ancestor's expression changed.
And in the scene, Gu Tengzi was originally preparing to retreat upon realizing the difficulty.
But suddenly, he saw a verdant lake within the forest. In the center of the lake, a seven-colored lotus bloomed, emitting a rainbow. He could no longer suppress the joy on his face and moved closer to the verdant lake.
He formed hand seals, the patterns on his face growing deeper. His green-skinned gourd was already full of Myriad Wood Mother Qi. At this point, Gu Tengzi could only grit his teeth and absorb a portion of the Myriad Wood Mother Qi.
The reason this person dared to do so was naturally because of his profound cultivation and spirit body, and among the cultivation methods he practiced, there happened to be a secret art specifically targeting Myriad Wood Mother Qi!
He quickly devoured the surrounding green mist and reached the lake, extending his hand.
The next instant, Gu Tengzi's smile froze on his face. His body became rigid, transforming into a strangely shaped wooden statue.
Roots extended from his legs, spreading deep into the lake water. . . streaks of extremely dark green aura rapidly diffused from his body, and he was slowly transforming into Myriad Wood Mother Qi himself!
And at the moment of this person's death, a speck of starlight flew out from his body, which was precisely the marking technique of the 'Mystic Star Talisman'.
Before Fang Xi, a sandbox was laid out.
Most of the sandbox was enveloped in mist, but now a speck of starlight flew out, dispelling a small portion of the mist. . .
"What. . . what happened?"
Bai Family Ancestor was greatly alarmed. How did he inexplicably become the first to be eliminated?
"I already said that this person's cultivation method might not be considered top-tier. Now it seems, not only is his cultivation method not top-tier, but it might even be closely related to Green Emperor Mountain, perhaps specially bestowed for medicine slaves or other menial workers. . ."
Yunxi Xianzi commented blandly: "This concubine has never before seen a cultivation method that, when cultivated to the end, turns one into Myriad Wood Mother Qi. . ."
"Could that in the lake be the 'Seven-colored Holy Heart Lotus'? This spirit medicine grows one petal every thousand years. This particular plant must be eight thousand years old. It can revive the dead, regrow flesh and bone, and cure all poisons and curses. . . Gu Tengzi was so anxious about this item, it's likely that someone he cared for in the cultivation world desperately needed it for their life. . ."
Gui Axe Zhenjun spoke a fair word.
"Heh heh, ultimately, his luck was insufficient. He drew water with a bamboo basket, all for naught, merely making a wedding dress for another. . ."
The Red refining Demon Venerable sneered twice, and for some reason, a wave of despondency washed over her. She even lost some interest in the bet, casually pointing to a Nascent Soul demon cultivator with fiery red hair.
...
Within the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm.
A demon cultivator with fiery red hair, expressionless, suddenly exhaled a stream of scorching flames.
This demonic fire possessed infinite power, causing the surrounding void to subtly ripple and incinerating the few wood spirits that appeared before him.
Upon seeing this, his face showed no joy, but rather an extreme solemnity: "Ten-thousand-year wood spirits. . . are a bit too many."
The next moment, this demon cultivator formed hand seals, and a flame puppet appeared, moving forward in his stead.
Rumble!
Not long after, a loud boom resonated!
In the mist not far ahead, a giant wooden armored figure several tens of zhang tall could faintly be seen.
Its body was covered in various thorns, and its skin resembled old tree bark, bearing patterns like dragon scales.
As it walked, the ground began to tremble.
Smack!
It casually waved a hand, and a large number of dark green runes flickered in mid-air, instantly reducing the 'red-haired demon cultivator' to a bloody pulp.
Thump! Thump!
As the wooden armored figure departed, another figure emerged from the ground, gazing in the direction the wooden armored figure had left, its face filled with fear and relief: "A hundred-thousand-year wood spirit, comparable to a late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator. . ."
...
In a cold pond, countless crimson flying ants densely covered and gnawed at several green armored beasts.
A Nascent Soul cultivator with the physique of a child was manipulating several red-skinned spirit beast bags, continuously spewing out flying ants.
"To think. . . within this spiritual realm, I could find Jia Mu beasts. Truly, this is an opportunity for this old man. If the secret art this old man cultivates had those few materials, then even advancing to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm would be highly probable in the future."
From the child's mouth, an ancient, haggard voice emerged.
He had entered the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, naturally, for his own opportunities.
As for the Dragon Fish Island Lord's task? That was entirely up to fate. . .
However, what the child did not notice was that at his feet, on a verdant sprout, a black line suddenly split open.
The black line opened, revealing an eye that was spinning around, darting here and there.
Suddenly, countless verdant and illusory vines appeared around him, like a cage, frantically strangling inwards!
Seeing this, the child's expression changed. A crimson round pearl appeared in his hand, with flames rising from within, exploding in mid-air.
Pfft!
A ball of flame rose, with countless runes flickering within.
But upon encountering the illusory vines, the flames actually flickered with green light and were extinguished one by one. . .
Seeing this scene, the child's face truly changed drastically, and he was about to activate a silver talisman in his hand.
But an inexplicable pressure emanated from the surrounding void, rendering the life-saving talisman he had so painstakingly acquired completely useless.
Pfft! Pfft!
The next instant, countless vines entangled, forming a verdant vine sphere.
And when the vines disappeared, there was no longer any trace of that cultivator. . .
Only specks of starlight still stubbornly flitted about, like fireflies.
Even though this cultivator had died, he was still contributing to Fang Xi. . .
...
Liu Xu's expression was somewhat dazed as she gazed at a verdant mountain peak ahead.
The mountain was entirely emerald green, as if entirely constructed from the most crystalline and transparent jadeite.
At the peak of the mountain, there was also a magnificent palace.
As soon as she entered the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm, she was teleported here, and was currently feeling a bit disoriented.
But as a peak mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, she quickly adjusted and recovered.
"To reach Soul Transformation, I must fight for it!"
Liu Xu was well aware that the Dragon Fish Island Lord had never truly taken her as a disciple, only imparting a wood-attribute cultivation method.
And even as a disciple of a Soul Transformation cultivator, advancing to Soul Transformation was incredibly difficult.
Although her Heaven-grade wood spiritual root aptitude was excellent, among the many Nascent Soul old monsters in the Human World, there were countless with better aptitude than her, yet they ultimately stopped before the threshold of Soul Transformation.
"Without an immense opportunity, my path to Soul Transformation is hopeless in this life. . ."
"There is only one Divine Transformation Spirit Paste. The Island Lord could bestow it upon Hong Yu, Ling Shu. . . but instead, he offers it as a reward. To achieve Soul Transformation, I must fight with my life!"
Liu Xu's expression was resolute. She maneuvered a green wood shield and flew towards the verdant mountain peak.
The massive palace had no plaque. When Liu Xu arrived before the palace, a gentle voice echoed in her ears: "Heaven-grade wood spiritual root, Earth-grade water spiritual root, cultivating a water-wood harmony secret art. Superior spiritual root aptitude. Commencing formal disciple assessment. . ."
Liu Xu was startled, then her vision blurred, and she fell into an illusion.
This illusion was as real as reality. Even she, a Nascent Soul cultivator, couldn't help but immediately become engrossed within it. . .
...
Outside the secret realm.
A group of Soul Transformation old monsters were also on the deck, their moods fluctuating with their respective chosen candidates.
"Crimson refining. . . your red hair is in great danger. . ."
Xiao Qing hopped and skipped, being the most carefree.
Fang Xi, however, remained calm, his face showing no expression whatsoever.
For him, it didn't matter when these Soul Transformation cultivators made their move.
At this moment, he formed hand seals, and streaks of light flew out, landing in the sandbox before him, like specks of starlight.
Under this starlight, layer upon layer of mist dispersed, revealing the full extent of the Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm!
This was also the meaning of the existence of those many Nascent Soul cultivators!
"Overall. . . no traces of the mastermind's intervention have been seen so far. . ."
"The entire Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm can be divided into three layers. . . The outermost layer is a divine wood forest. . . densely permeated with Myriad Wood Mother Qi!"
"The inner layer is a colossal mountain, verdant as jade. . . if there's an opportunity, inheritances and trials will be activated. . ."
"As for the true core layer. . . it's probably still hidden."
As the master of the 'All-Heavens Precious Mirror', Fang Xi was exceptionally sensitive to such spatial profoundness.
Based on the intelligence gathered from the sacrifices of many Nascent Soul cultivators, and after logical deduction, relevant conclusions were drawn.
At this moment, the voice of 'Taiyi' sounded:
"Master, after comparison, the giant tree phantom appearing in the secret realm has a 98.5% probability of being a 'Spring Autumn Tree', a 66.2% probability of being a 'Myriad Spirit Wood', and a 39.6% probability of being an 'Abnormal Evergreen Tree'. . ."
"'Spring Autumn Tree'?"
Fang Xi murmured.
This 'Spring Autumn Tree' was a subspecies of the legendary 'Great Chun Tree', rumored to have eight thousand years as spring and eight thousand years as autumn. He wondered what kind of power it possessed?
"Dao Lord. . ."
Gui Axe and Tumo both looked at Fang Xi.
Fang Xi was a man of great resolve. He immediately followed the geographical layout of the mystic realm he had obtained, setting up formation diagrams: "Prepare to set up the Heaven-Refining Grand Array. . . I'm going to thoroughly refine this Earthly Immortal Spiritual Realm!"
Fighting on someone else's home ground was a considerable disadvantage. Therefore, he chose to directly dismantle this home ground!
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