Chapter 540: In Search of Hongze Heaven and Earth, A Powerful Finger Bone

Chapter 540: In Search of Hongze Heaven and Earth, A Powerful Finger Bone

The group of four and the turtle left the mountains and continued their journey in search of Hongze Heaven and Earth. Fang Hao, seated atop the turtle's shell, began purifying the large stone he had acquired.

"I have a plan," he said excitedly. "We can gather materials from the Unchanging Land to forge a flying boat. It will be perfect for traveling through the Unchanging Land, and it will have capabilities such as stealth, defense, and exploration."

"Great idea!" Canghai Turtle immediately expressed his approval. After all, with a flying boat, he wouldn't have to carry them around anymore; they could simply travel by air in the future.

"The Unchanging Land has an abundance of resources that far surpass those found in the heavens and earth," Canghai Turtle explained enthusiastically as he described the various rare and precious materials that could be found there.

During their journey, Canghai Turtle took the initiative to seek out large mountains and places where treasures might be found along the way. His goal was to help Fang Hao gather the materials needed to forge the flying boat as soon as possible.

A roar echoed in the distance, signaling the approach of a group of Unchanging True Spirits. It seemed they had sensed the presence of the four travelers and the turtle, and they were charging toward them.

"The aura we carry is quite different from that of the Unchanging True Spirits," Canghai Turtle explained. "Because of this significant difference, some true spirits may actively harass us or even view us as a delicious meal."

The group of true spirits rushing toward them were not particularly strong, and the one leading the pack didn't even possess the strength of a realm master.

"In the Unchanging Land, the weakest true spirits are the most numerous," Canghai Turtle continued as he ignored the approaching group. "And these weaker spirits usually serve as food for the stronger ones."

Without bothering to dodge or evade, he moved forward to confront the true spirits head-on. "Be careful when consuming the flesh and souls of these true spirits, as they are tainted by the Unchanging Qi. Make sure it doesn't contaminate your soul, or you'll experience some discomfort and will need to take time to remove the Unchanging Qi."

At the Supreme Realm and above, even if one couldn't refine the Unchanging Qi, accidental exposure wouldn't result in a complete loss of consciousness. However, it could still cause some influence, and the Unchanging Qi would need to be separated.

Of course, if one were suddenly exposed to a large amount of Unchanging Qi, even a Supreme Realm warrior wouldn't be able to avoid its effects. But such a scenario was highly unlikely.

For Xu Yan and his companions, the Unchanging Qi no longer posed any threat. They could integrate it into their sword intent or even use it to cultivate certain divine abilities.

"I wonder how true spirit meat tastes," Xu Yan said with a smile.

"I have the perfect vessel for this," Fang Hao said as he took out a large cauldron and placed it on the turtle's back.

"Senior brothers, let your junior brother handle this. I assure you the true spirits' bodies will remain intact," Jiang Buping said with a grin as he stood up, his Extreme Soul Divine Spear in hand. With a swift throw, he sent the spear hurtling toward the group of true spirits.

Boom!

The intent of the Extreme Soul trembled, and in an instant, the charging true spirits fell to the ground, their vital energies extinguished.

The true spirits behind them let out fearful roars and abruptly stopped in their tracks before scattering in all directions.

Canghai Turtle swallowed hard and turned to look at the spear, his heart filled with awe.

It was terrifying!

With a single throw of the spear, the souls of the true spirits were obliterated. It was a formidable display of power.

Jiang Buping recalled his soul spear, which had just taken the lives of over a dozen true spirits, their soul consciousness eradicated.

"Fifth Junior Brother's Extreme Soul Martial Arts and his killing power are truly astonishing!" Fang Hao exclaimed.

Xu Yan and Meng Chong nodded in agreement. When it came to the strength of their soul attacks, Jiang Buping was unparalleled.

Even Xu Yan's sword intent and divine abilities, which specialized in attacking the soul, couldn't match the sheer intensity of Jiang Buping's Extreme Soul Martial Arts. After all, it was the pinnacle of soul-destroying power.

It was the ultimate path to soul perfection.

"These true spirits have their uses. Let's keep a share for Senior Sister, and we can consume the rest," Fang Hao said with a grin. He stored away two of the true spirit bodies, intending to give them to Su Lingxiu when they returned to the Great Wilderness in the future.

Xu Yan then raised his hand, and in an instant, he sliced open the true spirits, cutting them into pieces that he tossed into Fang Hao's cauldron.

"Let's see how my culinary skills fare. I'll use my artifact refining techniques to create a delicious meal," Fang Hao said excitedly. He ignited a fire under the cauldron, and the concoction began to simmer. As for seasoning, he selected various spirit herbs and even emptied a bottle of pills into the cauldron.

"The pills crafted by Junior Sister are exceptionally flavorful. They'll enhance the taste of the true spirit meat and add a wonderful aroma!" he exclaimed.

Soon, a mouthwatering aroma filled the air.

Canghai Turtle swallowed hard and turned his head to look at the cauldron on his back. Steam rose from it, carrying a rich and enticing fragrance.

"Come, Old Turtle, this true spirit meat is truly delicious!" Xu Yan waved his hand, retrieving a large piece of cooked true spirit meat from the cauldron and offering it to Canghai Turtle.

The Unchanging Land stretched endlessly, shrouded in mist and haze. Traveling through it, one couldn't even tell how much time had passed.

After all, in the Unchanging Land, there was no day or night. As far as the eye could see, it was all a blur, and one could only rely on their own perception to judge the passage of time.

In a certain mountain, Fang Hao was collecting materials while Xu Yan and the others circled around it, marveling at the strength of the true spirit that had once inhabited it.

Based on Canghai Turtle's teachings, they could tell that this true spirit had been at the Heaven and Earth Master level during its lifetime.

"The Unchanging Land is not lacking in powerful true spirits at the Heaven and Earth Master level," Xu Yan remarked with awe.

Then, he frowned in confusion and asked, "Why are there only seven Heaven and Earth Masters among the Seven Great Heavens and Earths?"

The seven members of Taicang were incredibly strong, having hunted countless true spirits, including some that rivaled the Heaven and Earth Master level.

But aside from the Taicang seven, including Tian Hu, none of them had reached the Heaven and Earth Master realm. After all, they all possessed intelligence and cultivation methods.

"True spirits at the Heaven and Earth Master level are not that common in the Unchanging Land," Canghai Turtle explained. "This particular true spirit was most likely slain by one of the seven Taicang members. And while we have gained wisdom and cultivation methods, we are still quite young compared to these powerful true spirits.

"Moreover, we gained enlightenment from the purple light, creating our own small heavens and earth, which altered our innate characteristics as beings. We need time to break free from these constraints, and what we lack is precisely that—time. It's not that we are incapable of breaking through to the Heaven and Earth Master realm."

Canghai Turtle sighed and continued, "When it comes to the creation of heavens and earth, everything requires time to grow and develop, and we are no exception. Furthermore, the Heaven and Earth Master realm is a designation that came about after the creation of heavens and earth, and even among those who bear that title, there can be significant variations in strength.

"Those who truly qualify as Heaven and Earth Masters are those who have created their own heavens and earth, and their strength far surpasses that of true spirits who are merely at the same level."

After some thought, Canghai Turtle added, "In fact, before we gained wisdom, our strength seemed comparable to that of Heaven and Earth Master-level true spirits. But after gaining wisdom, things changed. After all, we are no longer mindless beasts.

"It feels like the moment we gained wisdom was our true birth, akin to newborn infants. Everything needs to grow and develop, and perhaps this is the price we pay for gaining wisdom."

Xu Yan asked in surprise, "So, are you saying that after gaining wisdom, your strength weakened, and you need to cultivate to regain it?"

Canghai Turtle shook his head. "Maybe yes, maybe no. I don't know for sure. Our memories from before gaining wisdom are hazy, so it's hard to be certain. It's just a feeling we have—that we used to be very, very strong.

"Of course, it could also be an illusion. Perhaps only Taicang knows for sure, as some of them followed him even before gaining wisdom, and only they would know if there were any changes in strength before and after."

After exploring the mountain, the group of four and the turtle continued on their way, moving further and further away from the Great Wilderness Heaven and Earth and deeper into the Unchanging Land. As they ventured deeper, their chances of encountering true spirits increased.

Due to the distinct difference in their auras, these true spirits were easily drawn to the group, resulting in frequent encounters and hunts.

Xu Yan and his companions took these opportunities to hone their martial arts and cultivate their divine abilities.

On one occasion, they even encountered a group of true spirits led by several at the Realm Master level, forcing them to engage in a protracted battle as they tried to shake off their pursuers.

"Old Turtle, how much further until we reach Hongze Heaven and Earth?" Meng Chong asked, scratching his head as he gazed out at the endless haze.

"We're getting close to where Hongze Heaven and Earth used to be," Canghai Turtle replied in a low voice.

A day later, Xu Yan and his companions noticed that the Unchanging Land ahead seemed even more dim and the spiritual energy more violent.

Canghai Turtle slowed down, exhaled, and suppressed the fear that was rising within him. "Hongze Heaven and Earth used to be right there!" he said solemnly.

As far as the eye could see, there was no sign of a massive heaven and earth, not even a small hill. It was clear that Hongze Heaven and Earth had drifted away from this location.

"Let's keep going. We should be able to find Hongze Heaven and Earth. The way heavens and earth drift is somewhat predictable, and I predict that Hongze Heaven and Earth will continue in the direction it was originally moving," Canghai Turtle said, his pace quickening.

Xu Yan and the others wore eager expressions, anticipating their first encounter with one of the Seven Great Heavens and Earths—even if it was a desolate and lifeless place.

Another day passed, and as they looked out into the distance, all they saw was endless haze with no sign of the heavens and earth.

Even Canghai Turtle was perplexed.

"This is odd. Since the Hongze Heaven and Earth is dead and no longer under anyone's control, it shouldn't be drifting too quickly."

"Is it possible that the Hongze Heaven and Earth was taken away by the Unchanging Temple?"

Fang Hao said in a low voice.

"Not likely," Canghai Turtle shook his head. "The Unchanging Temple has no interest in dead heavens and earth; they are indifferent to them."

After some contemplation, he added, "Perhaps something unexpected happened, causing the Hongze Heaven and Earth to drift faster or deviate from its original course."

Canghai Turtle gazed into the distance, slightly altering their direction of travel. "According to my calculations, the deviation shouldn't be too significant. We just need to allocate some extra time for the search."

Xu Yan nodded in agreement. They had entered the Unchanging Land for exploration and training, and finding the Hongze Heaven and Earth was not their sole purpose.

The group of four and the turtle continued their search for the Hongze Heaven and Earth. Another day passed.

"That mountain over there seems unusual. It looks like there's a fire burning inside it," Xu Yan suddenly said, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Meng Chong and the others followed his gaze to the left, where a distant mountain loomed, resembling a beast lying in wait.

Judging from the size of the mountain, it was evident that it once housed a true spirit comparable to the Heaven and Earth Master level, and among them, it was a formidable one.

"Let's go take a look!"

Without hesitation, Canghai Turtle made his way towards the mountain. As they drew closer, Xu Yan's curiosity grew. Through his Small Heavenly Daoist Eye, he noticed a glow akin to the hues of dusk emanating from within the mountain, and the closer they got, the more intense the heat became.

"Why is it so hot here? Could this true spirit have possessed fire abilities, and even after its death, the source of its power remains untouched?"

Canghai Turtle furrowed his brow, perplexed. "But from the looks of this mountain, this true spirit must have perished long ago, and it seems to have been slain. How could there still be remnants of its power?"

"We'll know once we go in and explore."

Xu Yan's figure moved, and in an instant, he found himself atop the mountain.

Meng Chong and the others quickly followed suit.

"It seems there's some sort of flame inside the mountain. It might be a treasure, and this heat could be useful for refining artifacts. Let's see what it is," Fang Hao said excitedly.

"This scorching sensation feels familiar somehow," Canghai Turtle said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Have you encountered this before?" Fang Hao asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Not exactly encountered, but this aura of fire..." Canghai Turtle trailed off as he quickly located an entrance into the mountain and hurried inside, eager to confirm his suspicion.

Xu Yan and his companions followed close behind.

"Old Turtle, what's so special about this fire's aura?" Xu Yan asked, his curiosity piqued.

Upon entering the mountain, they were greeted by a reddish glow, similar to the hues of a sunset, and the scorching aura grew more intense.

As they ventured deeper, the surrounding walls of the passageway became remarkably smooth, as if they had been seared by flames.

Boom!

A terrifying wave of heat surged towards them, and despite their considerable strength, they still felt its searing effects.

Within the mountain was a massive cave, its walls as smooth as porcelain, illuminated by the reddish glow.

The reddish glow and the scorching aura emanated from a finger bone, roughly a foot long, that stood upright at the cave's center. There were no signs of flames, yet it exuded an intense heat.

It seemed as though this finger bone had burned its way through the mountain, creating the cave.

Xu Yan turned to look at the entrance. Based on its position, it appeared to be located where the true spirit's mouth would have been.

The finger bone had either pierced through the true spirit's mouth or been bitten off and devoured by it.

However, the intense fiery power contained within the finger bone had incinerated the true spirit's internal organs, leading to its demise.

A single broken finger had annihilated a true spirit at the Heaven and Earth Master level. The owner of that finger must have been incredibly powerful.

Xu Yan and his brothers exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting the same speculation, and they couldn't help but be astonished. What kind of fierce battle had taken place here?

Of course, it was also possible that the battle hadn't occurred at this location, and the true spirit had fled the battlefield, only to succumb to its injuries and perish here.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end