Chapter 1344
Space Points, Identifying and Investigating People
"Lei Yuanhai" is located in the northeastern offshore waters.
On the sea shrouded in white mist, three figures were revealed by the light that descended from the sky.
"Tao Yu, have we already arrived at that place?"
“That’s right. I’ve been to this place a few times before. My mother-in-law and the others are inside.”
"Senior Song, please wait a moment. I'll go and send a message to Grandma, asking her to come out and lead us inside."
"Um!.."
Upon hearing Tao Yu confirm that the location was correct, Song Qingming immediately nodded slightly.
Two years ago, during the Donghuang Sword Tournament, "Granny Jinyue" took the initiative to visit and invite her to help.
After learning that the other party wanted him to help set up an array to stabilize a spatial node.
After some deliberation, Song Qingming finally agreed and came to "Lei Yuanhai".
Accompanying him were Tao Yu, a direct disciple of "Granny Jin Yue," and Huang Siyuan, who also came with them.
Originally, Song Qingming had not planned to bring Huang Siyuan along.
After all, it concerns a matter of spatial nodes, and Song Qingming had already promised "Grandma Jin Yue" that he would not tell anyone about it.
Just before setting off, Tao Yu suddenly received a message from "Grandma Jin Yue".
Song Qingming was instructed to bring Huang Siyuan to "Lei Yuanhai" as well, saying that he had something to tell her.
Finally, Song Qingming brought the two of them here together.
Just as Tao Yu threw out a talisman, a fluctuation of spiritual energy appeared in the void in front of him, revealing two figures.
Besides "Granny Jin Yue" who came out to greet us, there was also a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a long robe and with a short black beard on his face.
"You've finally arrived!"
"Grandma! Senior Yuzhenzi."
"Oh! It's Tao Yu who's back. I haven't seen you for a while. How are you? Have you practiced the cultivation technique I taught you last time?"
“Hey, you old fox, Tao Yu is my personal disciple. Your disciples are all over Lei Yuan Hai, so don’t even think about her anymore.”
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Jin Yue, please don't misunderstand."
"I merely saw that this girl possesses some talent and is perfectly suited to cultivating our sect's Tai Xuan Heart Sutra, which is why I couldn't help but offer her some guidance. I had absolutely no intention of competing with you for a disciple."
Faced with Granny Jin Yue's somewhat displeased reminder, the middle-aged Taoist priest seemed afraid of offending her.
He gave an awkward laugh and then turned his gaze to Song Qingming beside him.
"This young talent, could he be Fellow Daoist Song from Donghuang Immortal Continent?!"
"I am Song Qingming from the Xiaoyao Sect. I greet Fellow Daoist Yuzhenzi."
"Ah, fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formalities."
I heard that a few years ago, someone in the east fought with that black-scaled creature. I suppose that must have been Fellow Daoist Song!
"I never expected that you, fellow Daoist, who has only been at the Nascent Soul stage for a little over a hundred years, would be able to escape unscathed from Wu Lin's clutches. You truly deserve to be Ling Xu Zi's esteemed disciple."
"Yu Zhenzi" comes from the renowned Seven Mysteries Palace in Lei Yuanhai, a powerful sect with a profound history spanning tens of thousands of years.
Not only did our ancestors include several Nascent Soul stage masters, but some of our forefathers also successfully ascended to the upper realm.
The great battle between Song Qingming and the "Black Scale Demon Saint" a few years ago took place in the relatively remote "Luoxia Abyss" sea area.
Besides him and Li Xuanyi, only the nearby demon cultivators witnessed this event.
Unexpectedly, the news reached Yu Zhenzi's ears so quickly.
It is evident that the influence of the "Seven Mysteries Palace" has long since spread throughout the entire Thunder Origin Sea, and few things can be kept from this Nascent Soul Ancestor.
Upon hearing this, Song Qingming immediately cupped his hands in response:
"What you say is true, fellow Daoist. On the day I was traveling in the outer sea, I unfortunately ran into a few junior demons who blocked my way, which caused some misunderstandings and led to a sparring session with Wu Lin."
Fortunately, Mr. Song was lucky and managed to escape.
Seeing Song Qingming's humble words, "Yu Zhenzi" quickly waved his hand at him.
"Hehe! That kid Wu Lin's cultivation had already reached the peak of the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm several hundred years ago, and he was only one step away from the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm."
I sparred with him once, but I couldn't gain the slightest advantage. I've personally witnessed his supernatural abilities.
Fellow Daoist Song's ability to escape unscathed from him is no small feat; there's no need for modesty about that.
"Since Fellow Daoist Chen, no outstanding talents have emerged in Donghuang Immortal Continent."
With Fellow Daoist Song now in charge, it is truly a great blessing for our human race.
"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."
".
"Well, fellow Daoists, this is not the place to talk. Let's go inside and discuss it slowly!"
Upon meeting "Yu Zhenzi" and Song Qingming, the two exchanged extremely polite greetings.
Standing to the side, "Granny Jin Yue" finally couldn't help but interrupt them, and then raised her hand to cast a spell to open a passage from the white mist behind her.
The group smiled slightly and then disappeared into the white mist.
After passing through the white mist ahead, a lush, green island suddenly appeared before Song Qingming's eyes.
The island runs east to west, stretching for tens of miles. At its widest point, it is only about half the width of the island. Most of the top is covered by vegetation, with only a few palaces in the middle.
Such an ordinary island, placed among the numerous islands of the "Thunder Origin Sea," can be described as an inconspicuous existence.
It's hard to believe that this is such an ordinary island.
It's astonishing that there's a gathering of Nascent Soul cultivators like "Granny Jin Yue" and "Yu Zhenzi," whose mere stomp of their feet can influence a region of the cultivation world.
As soon as the group arrived outside the palace in the middle of the island, Song Qingming sensed a special spiritual energy fluctuation coming from the palace in front of them.
He immediately stopped and cast a spell to create a protective shield, protecting Huang Siyuan and Tao Yu who were accompanying him.
The next moment, the entire island suddenly began to shake, as if an earthquake had suddenly occurred underground.
A moment later, the surroundings quickly quieted down again, and the island returned to normal in an instant.
"Senior Jin Yue, could what's sealed inside be that spatial node?"
"Yes! This is indeed the place."
"But don't worry, Fellow Daoist Song, that was just an occasional tremor inside; it won't have any major impact. Let's go inside and talk."
"Tao Yu, take Si Yuan and find a place to settle down first. I'll come back to find you later."
"Disciple obeys!"
Only after Tao Yu and Huang Siyuan left did "Granny Jin Yue" and "Yu Zhenzi" lead Song Qingming toward the main hall ahead.
Before they could even enter, several Nascent Soul cultivators from the Seven Profound Sect, dressed in Daoist robes, immediately came out to greet them.
"Greetings, senior uncles and elders."
"You guard this place!"
After giving his instructions, "Yu Zhenzi" led Song Qingming and "Granny Jin Yue" through the outer magic array and into a palace.
The entire palace was empty except for a semi-transparent magic circle covering the center.
As the three approached, the array in front of them suddenly disappeared, revealing a dark ball of light that was more than ten feet tall.
The ball of light was narrow and elongated at both ends, with only the middle section being wider and four or five zhang high, revealing bursts of unfathomable black spiritual light.
From a distance, it looks like a huge, half-closed black eye floating in mid-air.
The sight of Song Qingming being stared at sent a chill down his spine.
"Haha, I was worried that Fellow Daoist Song would shirk this matter, but I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
Fellow Daoist Jin Yue still has more influence.
With Fellow Daoist Song's help, setting up this formation shouldn't be a problem!
Just as Song Qingming's gaze was fixed on the black eyes in front of him, a somewhat aged voice suddenly came from not far ahead.
Looking up, Song Qingming noticed a figure in white sitting cross-legged on the ground not far below the "spatial node".
With just a glance, Song Qingming immediately recognized the other person as "Lei Yuanhai" Lu Yang Zhenren of Wolong Mountain. He quickly stepped forward with a respectful expression and raised his hand in a salute.
"My name is Song Qingming. I greet Fellow Daoist Lü!"
"I have long admired Fellow Daoist Song's name. Today, I, Lü, have certainly broadened my horizons and met another young talent of the human race."
".
Apart from "Granny Jin Yue," who rarely appears in public, and "Wu You Zi," who has only recently gained fame.
Among the four Nascent Soul Ancestors of "Lei Yuanhai", the most famous and well-known are "Yu Zhenzi" and the Wolong Mountain Ancestor Lu Yang Zhenren in front of us.
Mount Wolong, where "Master Lü Yang" resides, is known to everyone in Lei Yuanhai's cultivation world.
Its status is very similar to that of the current Tianyu Sect in the "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent". It is also the number one sect recognized in the cultivation world of this place, and its popularity even surpasses that of the "Seven Mysterious Palace" where Yu Zhenzi is located.
The reason for this is that Wolong Mountain has "Master Lü Yang," the number one expert of the Lei Yuanhai human race whose cultivation has reached the sixth level of the Nascent Soul realm.
In comparison, Granny Jin Yue's cultivation level had only recently advanced to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
"Yu Zhenzi" and "Wuyouzi" are both early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, and they are all clearly inferior to the "Lu Yang Zhenren" who has been famous for over three thousand years.
Upon seeing Song Qingming, "Master Lü Yang" was equally enthusiastic and invited him to sit down and chat.
It was only during the conversation that Song Qingming learned the truth.
His master, "Ling Xuzi," was actually a cultivator of the same generation as "Master Lü Yang."
The two had already interacted thousands of years ago, before they had even reached the level of a god, and had even gone to the "Black Wind Sea" together to explore its secret realm.
Although I had heard of "Master Lü Yang" long ago and knew some of the deeds of this Nascent Soul Ancestor.
But when he learned that the other party had known his master "Lingxuzi" for more than three thousand years, Song Qingming couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Based on the calculation that a Nascent Soul cultivator has a lifespan of four thousand years, if "True Man Lü Yang" was still in the Nascent Soul stage more than three thousand years ago, then he should have reached his lifespan limit by now.
Even if he had practiced some secret methods to prolong his life, which could have given him an extra two or three hundred years of lifespan.
At this moment, "Master Lü Yang" should also be nearing the end of his lifespan, and his physical body and vital energy should be declining. It would be impossible for him to still be in his peak condition. However, when Song Qingming saw him, he could clearly feel the powerful pressure emanating from "Master Lü Yang," without any sign of his aura weakening.
At this moment, he couldn't help but recall the legend about "Master Lü Yang" in the cultivation world.
It is said that this Nascent Soul Ancestor once found a "Heavenly Origin Fruit" that had long since disappeared from this world.
This is a high-grade longevity spiritual fruit of level five or above. After a Nascent Soul cultivator consumes it, he/she can directly add sixteen Jiazi, or nine hundred and sixty years, to his/her lifespan.
If "Master Lü Yang" can still maintain this state, then the rumors are most likely true if he hasn't taken other high-level longevity-prolonging spiritual items.
In the world of cultivation, those who can cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage will almost always have some extraordinary encounters that others don't have.
While Song Qingming was somewhat surprised that "Master Lü Yang" was able to find this item, he didn't have too many doubts.
The group sat and chatted for a while before "Master Lü Yang" took the initiative to bring the topic back on track, his gaze falling on the spatial node in front of him.
"Fellow Daoist Song, Fellow Daoist Jin Yue should have already told you about the spatial node here!"
This spatial node was found by me hundreds of years ago based on a book left by an ancient cultivator. Previous cultivators have also entered it.
Although it's possible to get inside with difficulty, as you just saw, the interior of this spatial node is extremely turbulent.
If we don't find a way to stabilize it and rashly enter it, we're afraid we'll perish halfway before even reaching the upper realm.
Previously, we searched far and wide for array formation texts and finally found an ancient array that could stabilize spatial nodes and solve this problem.
The array diagram that Fellow Daoist Jin Yue gave you is the result of my research over a hundred years.
"I wonder if you have any other ideas? You can bring them up now, and we can discuss them together."
“Fellow Daoist Lü, I have studied Senior Jin Yue’s array diagram carefully over the past two years. Overall, there are no major problems. It is indeed worth a try.”
But I have a question I'd like to ask a few fellow Daoists.
The spatial node here currently appears to be quite unstable.
Even if it can be temporarily stabilized with the help of the great formation, it will still be at risk of collapsing at any time once a cultivator enters it.
Why don't you fellow cultivators find a more stable spatial node instead of risking yourselves to sneak into the upper realm from here?
When Song Qingming was first invited by "Granny Jin Yue", he did not know the specific situation of the spatial node here, but agreed to come and help set up the array.
He had just arrived on the island and was able to see the spatial node in front of him up close.
He then discovered that the spatial node before him was far more turbulent than he had anticipated.
Even Qu Bai, who had been hiding in the Sacred Star Disc, had just sent a special telepathic message to Song Qingming, reminding him that the spatial node here was extremely unstable and that it was not advisable to smuggle himself across from here.
Now that they've been preparing to meet "Granny Jin Yue" for so long, Song Qingming is still a little curious as to why they insisted on choosing this place.
Upon hearing this, all three of them, including "Master Lü Yang," showed a hint of helplessness.
"Fellow Daoist Song has just advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, so there are some things you may not be very clear about."
Most of the spatial nodes in this realm were left behind by ancient cultivators who descended to the mortal world, making them extremely difficult to find.
Even if you're lucky enough to find one, most of them are in terrible condition, making it impossible for cultivators to enter.
To be honest, I've spent the last thousand years of my life on this, and I've only managed to find a few barely usable spatial nodes.
This is already the best-case scenario.
"Six hundred years ago, when your master Lingxuzi secretly crossed over to the upper realm, he also invited me to go with him."
However, the situation at that spatial node was not much better than here. I also felt it was somewhat risky at the time, which is why I did not leave with your master.
To be honest, the success rate of sneaking into the upper realm from a spatial node is normally only one or two out of ten.
Now that we've come this far, how could we not know the dangers involved? We just had no other choice.
If I had enough lifespan and time to search slowly, I wouldn't risk making this decision; I could plan it out gradually.
"However, Fellow Daoist Song is still young, so there is no need to rush this matter. There is still plenty of time to slowly explore other better spatial nodes."
However, I must remind you of something.
Entering a spatial node is a one-way trip, so thorough preparation is essential; reckless actions should be avoided.
Otherwise, once you enter, you will die, your spirit and soul will perish, and there will be no chance for regret.
Having said that, "Master Lü Yang" raised his hand and stroked his beard.
Upon hearing this, Song Qingming looked thoughtful and asked:
"Fellow Daoist Lü, could you please tell me exactly where my master secretly crossed over to the upper realm back then?"
"That's certainly possible, but that spatial node has long since collapsed, so it's probably impossible to enter it normally."
Your master, Lingxuzi, possessed far greater supernatural powers than I did back then, which is why he was able to force his way through the spatial rift and enter it.
It's a great honor to have Fellow Daoist Song come to help. Here are some spatial nodes that I've recorded over the years, including the place your master, Lingxuzi, entered back then.
If Fellow Daoist Song can truly surpass his teacher in the future, then it might be worth a try.
After saying this, "Master Lü Yang" raised his hand and took out a jade slip from his body, tossing it to Song Qingming who was standing to the side.
Upon receiving the jade slip, Song Qingming immediately bowed in thanks.
"I, Song, thank you, Fellow Daoist Lü."
".
"Alright, if Fellow Daoist Song has no further questions, then let's discuss how to set up the formation!"
"Yes! Setting up this formation will take quite some time, so let's finish it as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen circumstances."
Seeing that Song Qingming was not speaking, "Granny Jin Yue" and "Yu Zhenzi" started urging him to set up the formation again.
Song Qingming nodded and began discussing the formation with the others.
Of the four, "Master Lü Yang" has the highest level of array formation skills. He was already a fifth-grade low-level array formation master a thousand years ago.
Compared to Song Qingming, who had only recently advanced in his cultivation, his skill in formations was even superior.
Previously, it was also "Master Lü Yang" who successfully refined this high-level array diagram that could stabilize spatial nodes using that ancient array book.
Even Song Qingming felt a sense of admiration when he saw the picture.
"Granny Jin Yue" and "Yu Zhenzi" are not major practitioners of formations. Their formation level is only around level four, and they can only help with setting up formations.
Under the guidance of "Master Lü Yang", the four of them quickly arrived near the "space node".
At the same time, Song Qingming also clearly felt gusts of wind blowing inside, which directly touched his "natal spirit".
The chill intensified around him, and his body was involuntarily drawn towards it.
Upon seeing this, he immediately raised his hand and released a protective shield of magic power to stabilize his "natal spirit" within his body, thus expelling this invisible pressure from his body.
Once everyone was in position, "Master Lü Yang" raised his hand and tossed out a high-level array plate from his sleeve.
"Fellow Daoists, please help me cast the spell."
".
"Donghuang Xianzhou", Qingyun Mountain Market.
In a shop on the east side of Fangshi Street, Song Xinyuan sat at the counter, engrossed in settling the accounts that the shop assistant had just brought over.
Suddenly, a figure entered the shop and headed straight for the counter.
When Song Xinyuan looked up and saw that a guest had arrived, a smile immediately appeared on her face.
"What does this gentleman need? Our shop has everything: pills, talismans, magical artifacts—our reputation is absolutely guaranteed!"
The Foundation Establishment cultivator standing in the living room first cautiously glanced around, and only when he saw that no one was paying attention did he whisper and ask:
"Shopkeeper, I heard from Boss Chen of Yuxiang Tower that you sell books about that secret realm here. Is that true?"
"Oh! So it was Mr. Chen who introduced you."
I only have a partial map of the bottom three levels; I don't have detailed information about the inner layers!
This item is non-refundable, and you must swear in person that you will not copy or give it to anyone else. Whether you want it or not is up to you.
Seeing that the other party pointed to the top of his head, Song Xinyuan immediately understood and took out a jade slip from under the counter and placed it in front of the other party.
Upon seeing the words "Tower of Babel" written in small characters above the jade slip, the visitor's face immediately lit up with excitement.
"Yes, this is it."
"Don't worry, shopkeeper, I know the rules. I'll take this."
"Since Mr. Chen introduced you, I'll give you a 20% discount, so it'll be 1,600 spirit stones!"
"What? Boss, what is this map made of that costs so much?"
Hearing that the incomplete map in his hand cost more than a thousand spirit stones.
Even though the visitor was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he still couldn't hide the surprise on his face.
Upon seeing this, Song Xinyuan, who had just been all smiles, immediately changed her expression.
"The materials required for this jade slip are not expensive, but the contents inside are worth much more than that."
Young friend, don't you even realize that, apart from here, where else in the entire Qingyun Mountain area can you buy a map of that place?
Do you really think that anyone can get their hands on this thing?
You think it's too expensive, and I think it's too expensive too.
"I know all that you're saying, but isn't 1,600 spirit stones a bit too high? Could you possibly lower the price a little?"
"At this price, just tell me if you want it or not!"
".
Having spent decades honing his skills at the foot of the mountain, Song Xinyuan had long since relinquished his identity as the young master of "Qingyun Mountain" and transformed himself into an ordinary merchant in the market.
From taking over a loss-making shop to now having a thriving business with seven or eight branches in the market.
Not only did it earn him a lot of spirit stones, it also honed Song Xinyuan's skills in recognizing and investigating people.
With just one glance, he could see the reluctance in the person's heart, and naturally, he did not budge on the price.
Under his overwhelming aura, the Foundation Establishment cultivator ultimately had no choice but to compromise, taking the jade slip and leaving the shop.
Looking at the "spirit stone bag" left by the other party on the table, a satisfied smile quickly appeared on Song Xinyuan's face.
"Junior Brother Song, business is good!"
"Oh! It's Senior Sister Chu. What brings you here today?" (End of Chapter)