Chapter 267: The Golden Spirit Herb Appears, Spiritual Essence Qi

Chapter 267: The Golden Spirit Herb Appears, Spiritual Essence Qi

From Chu Ning and his companion's vantage point, the valley beyond the mountain range extended as far as the eye could see—likely spanning over a thousand miles. Aside from a couple of peaks that were noticeably shorter, the rest of the terrain was mostly flat. Yet, this very place had a concentration of spiritual energy that far surpassed that of the outside world.

Although it wasn't as visibly dense as the white mist atop the mountain peaks, the spiritual energy here was, in fact, richer and purer. As Chu Ning carefully sensed the surroundings, he discovered that the spiritual energy in this valley seemed to be overflowing from the very same white mist they had passed through earlier. He couldn't help but be astonished by this realization.

When he turned to Shi Xueyong, he saw the same surprise reflected on her face. She, too, had apparently made the same discovery.

Shi Xueyong turned her head to glance at the white mist atop the peak behind them and asked curiously, "The spiritual energy in this valley seems to be overflowing from that mountain peak. But where does the spiritual energy on that peak come from? It's even more abundant than the energy outside."

At that moment, Chu Ning thought of a possibility. "Could it be seeping out from the spatial rift?"

"Spatial rift?" Shi Xueyong exclaimed in surprise. "What kind of place lies beyond that spatial rift that it can generate spiritual energy?"

Chu Ning shook his head; naturally, he had no answer to that question. Then, he released the hand he had been holding and raised his head to look toward the heart of the valley. "Let's go. If I'm not mistaken, the place with the densest spiritual energy ahead should be where the Golden Spirit Herb is located."

The two of them flew toward the core of the valley, and as they did so, they noticed that the number of cultivators in the vicinity was gradually increasing. Soon, they joined up with several members of the Yunxia Zong.

With their combined numbers, they encountered many members of the Tianji Alliance and the Mo Dao Alliance along the way, but because there were cultivators from all sides, no conflicts arose.

Just as they were approaching the core area, a large lake appeared before them, and the very heart of this place was at the center of the lake. At that moment, several cultivators had already gathered around the lake, including Yuan Zhuo and Jia Yumin, whom Chu Ning and his group had parted ways with earlier in the white mist atop the mountain.

The two of them were naturally overjoyed to see Chu Ning and Shi Xueyong. They had also spotted another late-stage Golden Core cultivator who had traveled with them before, but they didn't see the remaining two. Thus, they surmised that the other two were probably not lucky enough to make it out of the white mist of the spatial rift.

Shi Xueyong then approached a white-robed elder and pointed at Chu Ning, introducing him. "Senior Brother He, this is Chu Daoyou from Jiuhua Zong. If it weren't for Chu Daoyou's help along the way, I might have perished in that spatial rift."

Chu Ning's attention had already been drawn to this elder with eyes that shone sharply. Standing there, he exuded a formidable and awe-inspiring aura. Even with several late-stage Golden Core cultivators present, he was still the most striking figure among them. He was He Feng, the late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Guiyuan Zong, and the strongest member of the Yunxia Alliance on this journey.

Upon hearing Shi Xueyong's words, He Feng cupped his hands and smiled at Chu Ning. "Thank you for your assistance, Chu Daoyou."

Chu Ning returned the gesture, cupping his hands and replying, "He Daoyou is too kind. We are all part of the Yunxia Alliance, so it's only natural that we support each other."

Hearing this, He Feng gave Chu Ning a glance before shifting his gaze to the few figures flying toward them. One of them was none other than Aolang Tian of the Da Luo Zong. Accompanying him were two other cultivators from the same sect.

Like the others, Aolang Tian and his companions made their way over to greet He Feng after entering from a different direction. Upon spotting Chu Ning standing not far from He Feng, Aolang Tian's heart stirred, but his face remained expressionless. He merely laughed and said, "Brother He, fellow Daoists, it seems you all arrived earlier than I did, but I'm glad I didn't miss out on anything."

"You're just in time, Brother Aolang," He Feng replied with a slight nod, his face also devoid of any strong emotion.

Both He Feng and Aolang Tian were cultivators with overwhelmingly powerful auras. However, whether intentionally or not, He Feng's aura became even more concentrated after Aolang Tian's arrival, subtly overshadowing the latter.

Aolang Tian didn't seem to mind, and he was about to say something more when, suddenly, a wild and unrestrained aura approached from the side. Another cultivator was flying toward them.

This newcomer seemed to be heading toward the Tianji Zong, but he paused when he flew past the Yunxia Alliance's gathering. Chu Ning observed that he was a rugged-looking middle-aged man.

"He Feng, I'm not here for you," the rugged man, whom He Feng addressed as Tie Shi, thundered. However, his gaze wasn't fixed on He Feng but rather on Aolang Tian, who stood nearby. There was a glint of cruelty in his eyes.

"Mr. Ao, your Da Luo Zong sure has guts. How dare you kill even my junior brother?" Tie Shi said, his voice like rolling thunder.

Aolang Tian's face twitched slightly at Tie Shi's words, and his eyebrows furrowed. "Tie Shi, what do you mean? We don't even know who your junior brother is."

"Hey, don't bother denying it," Tie Shi said coldly. "My junior brother's name is Qiu Wanhu. Before he died, he used a secret technique to send me a message. The person who killed him was a cultivator from your Da Luo Zong!"

Upon hearing the name 'Qiu,' Chu Ning's heart stirred. Could this be the middle-aged Qiu clansman who had died after Chu Ning instigated a conflict with the old man named He? He hadn't expected that the man would be able to send a message before his death. Fortunately, Chu Ning had hidden himself well and altered his appearance and aura.

Aolang Tian, who was baffled by Tie Shi's certainty, furrowed his brows once more. He glanced at the other two Da Luo Zong cultivators beside him, who both shook their heads.

Aolang Tian replied coldly, "Mr. Tie, I'm not here to fear you, but it's clear that this has nothing to do with our Da Luo Zong. Don't try to pin this on us."

Tie Shi laughed indifferently. "It doesn't matter if you admit it or not. As long as I kill all the Da Luo Zong cultivators here, I will have avenged my junior brother."

This man was incredibly arrogant. Alone, he stood before the many cultivators of the Yunxia Alliance, yet his words were devoid of any courtesy.

Upon hearing this, the faces of Aolang Tian and the other Da Luo Zong cultivators changed slightly, as if they were wary of Tie Shi.

Aolang Tian didn't respond immediately, but He Feng took up the conversation. "Tie Shi, do you really think the Yunxia Alliance is so weak?"

Hearing He Feng's words, Tie Shi laughed loudly. "He Feng, don't spout nonsense. My junior brother's transmission mentioned that your Da Luo Zong seems to be quite close to the Demon Path Alliance. I wonder if this is the doing of your sect alone or if the Yunxia Alliance is also involved in such schemes?"

At Tie Shi's words, Aolang Tian's eyebrows twitched, but he maintained his composure and let out a cold hmph. "I didn't expect you, Tie Shi, to also engage in sowing discord."

"Hahaha!" Tie Shi laughed wildly but didn't say another word. Instead, he flew towards the area where the Tianji Alliance cultivators were gathered.

Witnessing this, the expressions of the Yunxia Alliance cultivators became complex. He Feng's face remained impassive, while Aolang Tian and the others looked slightly unnatural. As for the rest, some were suspicious, while others were puzzled, their reactions varied.

Chu Ning couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He hadn't expected that his small scheme to incite conflict would have such an effect. If nothing unexpected happened, Yuan Zhuo and Jia Yumin should have already conveyed his message to He Feng. This late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Guiyuan Zong might not have believed it entirely before, but with Tie Shi's words, He Feng should no longer have any doubts.

Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, after Tie Shi flew away, Aolang Tian's brows furrowed deeply, and he turned to He Feng. "Brother He, Tie Shi must be hoping for a dispute between our Yunxia Alliance and the Demon Path Alliance so that their Tianji Alliance can reap the benefits. That's why he spoke such divisive words. He's truly despicable."

After Aolang Tian finished speaking, He Feng nodded and replied with a meaningful sentence. "Indeed, he's despicable."

For a moment, everyone at the scene fell silent.

Chu Ning and Yuan Zhuo exchanged glances, both feeling greatly relieved.

If He Feng was on guard against the Da Luo Zong, no matter what tricks they had up their sleeves, the situation would be much easier to handle.

Gradually, more Golden Core cultivators arrived.

To Chu Ning and Yuan Zhuo's delight, not long after, Roger, another Golden Core cultivator from Jiuhua Zong, also joined them. All three members of Jiuhua Zong had safely reached the core area.

However, not everyone was as fortunate.

As time passed, fewer cultivators arrived, and out of the sixty Golden Core cultivators from the Yunxia Alliance, only twenty-seven had made it so far.

They hadn't even reached half the expected number.

This caused the hearts of those present to sink slightly.

Looking at the other two alliances, the Tianji Alliance still had the most people, with over forty cultivators present.

At this moment, the Tianji Alliance seemed to realize that time was not on their side. The rugged-looking middle-aged man who had left a deep impression on Chu Ning earlier took to the skies once more.

Then, his thunderous voice reverberated across the lake.

"Fellow cultivators, I believe most of us from the three alliances have arrived.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, our Tianji Alliance suggests that we join forces to compel the Spirit Herb to appear. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this proposal, the cultivators from the three alliances gathered by the lake stirred with anticipation.

After all, this was the very reason they had come here.

"But what happens after the Spirit Herb appears?"

Just then, a cultivator from the Demon Path Alliance shouted out.

Tie Shi, the burly man, heard this and let out a hearty laugh.

"That's a ridiculous question. When we force the Spirit Herb to appear, whether it's the Spiritual Essence Qi or the Spirit Herb itself, it will naturally be up for grabs. May the best cultivator win!"

On the Yunxia Alliance's side, everyone looked at He Feng, awaiting his response.

He Feng, the late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Guiyuan Zong, took to the skies, representing the Yunxia Alliance.

"We, the Yunxia Alliance, have no objections and are ready to begin whenever."

Tie Shi's gaze shifted to the Demon Path Alliance upon hearing He Feng's reply.

"Old Freak Hua, what about you? Surely you won't take the words of that lone cultivator as your decision?"

As Tie Shi finished speaking, a middle-aged man in Confucian robes flew out from the Demon Path Alliance.

At first glance, this man seemed devoid of any demonic aura, and his aura was not as sharp and fierce as Tie Shi's or He Feng's.

Moreover, his appearance had a hint of righteousness to it, which Chu Ning found peculiar.

However, since even Tie Shi addressed him as Old Freak Hua, Chu Ning would not be easily deceived by his outward appearance.

At that moment, Yuan Zhuo's voice sounded in Chu Ning's ear.

"That man is called Hua Shusheng. He's the first of the three great protectors of the Xuanming Zong, the largest sect in the Demon Path.

He's ruthless and cunning, so don't be fooled by his appearance."

Chu Ning nodded slightly.

Hua Shusheng spoke up, "Alright, then. We, the Demon Path Alliance, have no objections as well."

"Good! Then let's begin!"

As Tie Shi spoke, he took out an intricately designed disc-shaped treasure. From a distance, Chu Ning could only make out the dazzling crystals that encased its outer layer.

The center of the disc, however, was hollow.

As Tie Shi brought out his treasure, Hua Shusheng and He Feng also took action.

Hua Shusheng produced a square-shaped banner with golden edges, called the Spirit Gathering Banner. With a flick of his wrist, the banner grew to several times its original size, spanning several dozen feet.

He Feng, on the other hand, took out a five-ringed chain, with intricate runes etched along the edges of each ring.

Chu Ning glanced at it and immediately realized that each ring likely represented a different attribute.

Indeed, He Feng's voice soon confirmed his suspicion.

"This is the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain, capable of gathering the power of various attributes and transforming it into metallic-attribute spiritual power.

Fellow cultivators, infuse your spiritual power into the ring that corresponds to your attribute.

If you cultivate multiple attributes, you may choose any one of them."

As he spoke, He Feng positioned himself among the crowd and tossed the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain into the air.

The chain instantly enlarged to several times its original size.

Chu Ning's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Back when he was in Qingxi Zong, he had witnessed the eruption of the Wood Spirit Herb's Spiritual Essence Qi and its subsequent appearance.

He clearly remembered that during the eruption, the Spiritual Essence Qi had seeped into their bodies along with their spiritual power.

He could choose to infuse his spiritual power into any of the Wood, Fire, or Earth rings.

However, based on his speculation, if the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain was emitting spiritual power from the Metal ring, then the Spiritual Essence Qi was most likely to surge into that particular ring.

If that was the case, then infusing his spiritual power into the Earth ring would be the closest to the Metal ring without actually choosing it.

"I hope the Spiritual Essence Qi of this Golden Spirit Herb won't only erupt within the Metal ring.

If it does, then I'll be helping others achieve their goals while failing to accomplish my own.

I'll have to come up with an alternative plan."

Chu Ning secretly pondered.

As he watched the others take action, he too gathered his spiritual power and directed it towards the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain, infusing it into the Earth ring.

Apart from him, only two other cultivators infused their power into the Earth ring.

The Wood, Fire, and Water rings also had very few participants.

Most of the cultivators chose to infuse their power into the Metal ring.

Standing next to Chu Ning, Shi Xueyong also infused her metallic-attribute spiritual power.

She glanced at Chu Ning with a hint of surprise, wondering why he, a cultivator of Earth-attribute spiritual power and at the early Golden Core stage, would involve himself in this endeavor.

At that moment, the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain, empowered by the spiritual power of numerous Golden Core cultivators, released a thick, dazzling beam of golden light from the Metal ring, shooting it towards the heart of the lake.

Upon hearing this proposal, the cultivators from the three alliances gathered by the lake stirred with anticipation. After all, this was the very reason they had come here.

However, a cultivator from the Demon Path Alliance shouted out, "What happens after the Spirit Herb appears?"

Tie Shi, the burly man, heard this and let out a hearty laugh. "That's a ridiculous question. When we force the Spirit Herb to appear, whether it's the Spiritual Essence Qi or the Spirit Herb itself, it will naturally be up for grabs. May the best cultivator win!"

On the Yunxia Alliance's side, all eyes turned to He Feng, awaiting his response. He Feng, the late-stage Golden Core cultivator from Guiyuan Zong, took to the skies, representing the Yunxia Alliance.

"We, the Yunxia Alliance, have no objections and are ready to proceed whenever you are."

As Tie Shi heard He Feng's reply, his gaze shifted to the Demon Path Alliance. "Old Freak Hua, what about you? Surely you won't take the words of that lone cultivator as your final decision?"

As Tie Shi finished speaking, a middle-aged man in Confucian robes flew out from the Demon Path Alliance. At first glance, this man seemed devoid of any demonic aura, and his aura was not as sharp and fierce as Tie Shi's or He Feng's.

Moreover, his appearance had a hint of righteousness, which Chu Ning found peculiar. However, since even Tie Shi addressed him as Old Freak Hua, Chu Ning would not be easily deceived by his outward appearance.

At that moment, Yuan Zhuo's voice sounded in Chu Ning's ear, "That man is called Hua Shusheng. He's the first of the three great protectors of the Xuanming Zong, the largest sect in the Demon Path. He's ruthless and cunning, so don't be fooled by his appearance."

Chu Ning nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Hua Shusheng spoke up, "Very well, then. We, the Demon Path Alliance, have no objections either. We shall proceed."

"Good! Then let's begin!" Tie Shi exclaimed. As he spoke, he took out an intricately designed disc-shaped treasure. From a distance, Chu Ning could make out the dazzling crystals that encased its outer layer, while the center of the disc was hollow.

As Tie Shi brought out his treasure, Hua Shusheng and He Feng also took action. Hua Shusheng produced a square-shaped banner with golden edges, known as the Spirit Gathering Banner. With a flick of his wrist, the banner grew to several times its original size, spanning several dozen feet.

He Feng, on the other hand, took out a five-ringed chain, with intricate runes etched along the edges of each ring. Chu Ning glanced at it and immediately realized that each ring likely represented a different attribute.

Indeed, He Feng's voice soon confirmed his suspicion. "This is the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain, capable of gathering the power of various attributes and transforming it into metallic-attribute spiritual power. Fellow cultivators, infuse your spiritual power into the ring that corresponds to your attribute. If you cultivate multiple attributes, feel free to choose any one of them."

As he spoke, He Feng positioned himself among the crowd and tossed the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain into the air. The chain instantly enlarged to several times its original size.

Chu Ning's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Back when he was in Qingxi Zong, he had witnessed the eruption of the Wood Spirit Herb's Spiritual Essence Qi and its subsequent appearance. He clearly remembered that during the eruption, the Spiritual Essence Qi had seeped into their bodies along with their spiritual power.

He could choose to infuse his spiritual power into any of the Wood, Fire, or Earth rings. However, based on his speculation, if the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain was emitting spiritual power from the Metal ring, then the Spiritual Essence Qi was most likely to surge into that particular ring.

If that was the case, then infusing his spiritual power into the Earth ring would be the closest to the Metal ring without actually choosing it. "I hope the Spiritual Essence Qi of this Golden Spirit Herb won't only erupt within the Metal ring. If it does, then I'll be helping others achieve their goals while failing to accomplish my own. I'll have to devise an alternative plan." Chu Ning secretly pondered.

As he watched the others take action, he, too, gathered his spiritual power and directed it toward the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain, infusing it into the Earth ring. Apart from him, only two other cultivators infused their power into the Earth ring.

The Wood, Fire, and Water rings also had very few participants. Most of the cultivators chose to infuse their power into the Metal ring. Standing next to Chu Ning, Shi Xueyong also infused her metallic-attribute spiritual power.

She glanced at Chu Ning with a hint of surprise, wondering why he, a cultivator of Earth-attribute spiritual power and at the early Golden Core stage, would involve himself in this endeavor.

At that moment, the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Chain, empowered by the spiritual power of numerous Golden Core cultivators, released a thick, dazzling beam of golden light from the Metal ring, shooting it toward the heart of the lake.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end