Chapter 919
Chapter 919
Finally, he went to the "Listening Rain Pavilion" branch in Wendao City, met with Chu Hongxiu's trusted confidant, learned about the current situation of the Northern Listening Rain Pavilion and the Cold Moon Hermit lineage, and agreed to keep in touch.
With everything arranged, Fu Shaoping left Wendao City and began his travels and research journey in the Central Plains.
He first went to several famous dangerous places and ancient ruins in the Central Heaven Domain to search for "Void Crystal Core" (used to stabilize spatial links) and "Nine Heavens Breath Soil" (used to support the foundation of the contract array).
With his Nascent Soul stage cultivation and profound understanding of space and contract rules, he ventured into several spatial rifts and unstable ruins, enduring numerous dangers, and finally succeeded in finding a high-quality "Void Crystal Core" and a small amount of "Nine Heavens Breath Soil".
The "Five Elements Spiritual Essence" requires collection from special regions where the spiritual energy of the five elements is extremely pure and abundant. Fu Shaoping spent two years traversing the Eastern Hua Domain, Southern Li Domain, and Western Extreme Domain, collecting sufficiently pure single-attribute spiritual sources from deep within the gold essence mines, the core of the earth fire lava, the heart of the ancient tree, the eye of the deep sea cold spring, and the nodes of the thick earth dragon vein. He then carefully harmonized and refined these sources using the power of the contract, transforming them into a balanced essence of the five elements.
The "Pure World White Lotus" is even rarer. This plant grows only in the purest and clearest spiritual springs or places where merit accumulates, blooming once every thousand years and bearing fruit once every thousand years. Following clues provided by the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, Fu Shaoping traveled to the remote "Pure Moon Heavenly Pool" in the Northern Xuan Region, where he lay in wait at the bottom of the pool for a full year before a white lotus matured, allowing him to harvest three lotus seeds. During this time, he also repelled several powerful guardian spirit beasts that coveted the lotus seeds.
As for the "blood of a true dragon," Fu Shaoping didn't hold out much hope. He consulted countless ancient books and inquired through the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and various other channels, only to find a few dubious clues: some said that the "Dragon Fall Abyss" in the Western Extreme Region might contain the remains of an ancient true dragon; some said that the "Lava Dragon Nest" in the Southern Li Region was once inhabited by sub-dragon species; and there were even rumors that a severely wounded and dying ancient dragon soul was sealed in a secret realm in the Central Heavenly Region.
These clues were extremely vague and dangerous. After much deliberation, Fu Shaoping decided to first explore the most rumored "Dragon Fall Abyss" in the Western Regions.
The Dragonfall Abyss is located in the far west of the Western Region, a perilous place shrouded in endless gales and spatial turbulence. Legend has it that in ancient times, a wicked dragon was slain here by a powerful being. Its blood soaked the earth, and its resentful spirit lingered, forming this dangerous area.
When Fu Shaoping arrived at the edge of the abyss, he was also awestruck by the sight. The abyss was like a wound on the earth, bottomless, and the pitch-black gales roared out like countless evil spirits, tearing the rocks at the edge into powder. The air was filled with fine spatial cracks, shimmering with dangerous light.
"Such a dense aura of dragon's resentment and the broken might of a dragon..." Fu Shaoping focused his senses. There were indeed remnants of the fallen aura of a true dragon in this place, but after countless years, it had long since merged with the malevolent energy, the gale-force winds, and the spatial turbulence, forming an extremely harsh environment.
He did not venture deep into the area rashly, but instead explored the periphery for several months, gradually adapting to the environment and attempting to sense the remnants of dragon blood.
He discovered that there were indeed some faint traces of "dragon blood essence" remaining deep in the abyss, corrupted and eroded by the evil energy, but it had long since lost its activity and, combined with resentment, had become a highly poisonous substance, making it completely unusable. As for the "heart's blood," there was no trace of it at all.
"It seems there's little hope here." Fu Shaoping was somewhat disappointed, but not surprised.
After leaving the Dragonfall Abyss, he followed other clues and visited the "Lava Dragon Nest" in the Southern Li Domain and several secret realms that seemed to contain dragon relics. However, they were either already explored, or they were just nests of sub-dragon species (such as Jiao and Chi), whose heart blood was far from meeting the standards of true dragons and thus had limited help in purifying the "Qi Shu".
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Fu Shaoping has gathered all the array-setting materials except for the "True Dragon's Heart Blood". His cultivation has also become more and more stable through repeated trials, and his use of Nascent Soul stage power has become more proficient.
"It seems we have no choice but to use substitutes for the formation. Fortunately, we have prepared the 'Nine-Leaf Ice Soul Grass' and the 'Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Milk,' and with the fragment of the 'Purification Heavenly Stele,' we should have a 70% chance of success." Fu Shaoping returned to Daocheng, sorted out his gains, and pondered in his heart.
Just as he was about to contact the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion to discuss the specifics of returning to the Northern Territory, Guan Xingzi took the initiative to come to his door, bringing unexpected news.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, we just received an urgent message from the Northern Branch!" Guan Xingzi's expression was solemn. "The seal of 'Qi Shu' is showing abnormal fluctuations! The rate of erosion by evil energy has suddenly accelerated, and the seal shows signs of loosening! Junior Brother Xingyan judges that it may be the Myriad Contracts Alliance secretly causing trouble, or... the evil consciousness inside 'Qi Shu' is trying to break through!"
Fu Shaoping abruptly stood up: "When did this happen?"
"The anomalies began about three months ago, and the fluctuations have intensified in the last month. Junior Brother Xingyan and the others are doing their best to reinforce the seal, but the effects are limited. He hopes that if you can extricate yourself, you can return to the Northern Territory as soon as possible!"
Fu Shaoping felt a chill run down his spine. The century-long agreement had not yet expired, but unexpected events had arrived ahead of schedule.
"I'll set off immediately!" he said without hesitation.
"Wait a minute!" Guan Xingzi said, "The Pavilion Master has ordered that, in order to lend Fellow Daoist Lu a hand, the 'Heavenly Mystery Disc,' a treasure of the main pavilion, be temporarily lent to you. This treasure is an ancient relic, capable of deducing heavenly secrets, stabilizing space, and amplifying formations. It may be helpful for you in setting up the purification formation. In addition, the main pavilion will send an elder in the early Nascent Soul stage, 'Array Master,' who is proficient in formations, to accompany you and assist in setting up the formation."
As he spoke, Guan Xingzi took out an ancient compass about the size of a palm, neither gold nor jade, engraved with stars and trigrams, as well as a token representing Zhen Yuanzi's identity.
Fu Shaoping was deeply grateful, knowing that the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion had gone to great lengths to help him. "Thank you, Pavilion Master! Thank you, Senior Guan Xingzi! I will forever remember this kindness."
"There's no time to lose. Fellow Daoist Lu, you can go to the teleportation array first. Elder Zhen Yuanzi will meet you there."
Fu Shaoping nodded, put away the Heavenly Mystery Disc and the token, bowed solemnly to Guan Xingzi, and then transformed into a stream of light, heading straight for the ultra-long-distance teleportation array of Wen Dao City.
The Central Plains and the Northern Territory are far apart, and even with a large teleportation array, multiple transfers are required. Fu Shaoping was eager to return home and spared no expense, choosing the fastest but most resource-intensive continuous teleportation route, even though it cost him a fortune in spirit stones.
Half a month later, Fu Shaoping, weary from his journey, met Zhen Yuanzi (an elderly man with a lean face and a calm demeanor) who had rushed over after receiving the news, outside the last teleportation array on the edge of the northern border.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, I've long admired you." Zhen Yuanzi cupped his hands in greeting. "The situation is urgent, let's talk as we walk."
Without further delay, the two flew at full speed towards the Valley of Burial Gods.
On the way, Zhen Yuanzi informed Fu Shaoping in detail of the latest intelligence from the Northern Branch:
The anomaly in the "Contractual Chains" seal initially appeared as a slight disturbance in spiritual energy. However, it soon began to be mixed with wisps of dark, malevolent energy within the multicolored mist deep within the Burial Valley of Gods, and the concentration of this energy continued to increase. The "Contractual Chains" at the core of the seal began to tremble, and some areas even showed signs of erosion and melting.
The Northern Branch of Tianji Pavilion, together with allies such as Tingyu Tower and Hanyue Sanren, reinforced the seal day and night and attempted to suppress the evil energy with purification methods, but with little success. The evil energy seemed to be conscious, constantly attacking the weakest point of the seal, and its power seemed to come not only from the "Qi Shu" itself, but also from the resonance of some external force.
“We suspect that the Wanqi Alliance may be secretly ‘infusing’ the evil energy of ‘Qishu’ near the seal through some kind of evil ritual!” Zhen Yuanzi said in a deep voice.
Fu Shaoping's eyes were icy: "As expected, they were the ones causing trouble. It seems they couldn't wait any longer." He was anxious and quickened his pace.
Several days later, the two finally arrived at the outskirts of the Valley of Burial Gods.
The sight before him made Fu Shaoping's heart sink.
The Valley of Burial Gods, which was originally shrouded in a seven-colored mist, is now enveloped at its entrance by a thick, gray-black miasma! The miasma churns, and faint, mournful howls and eerie whispers emanate from it, unsettling the mind. Deep rumbling sounds echo from within the valley, and the earth trembles slightly.
Near the valley entrance, a temporary camp had been set up. Cultivators from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, the Listening Rain Pavilion, and other allies from the Northern Territory stood ready, the atmosphere heavy with tension.
Fu Shaoping and Zhen Yuanzi landed at the camp and were immediately welcomed into the main tent.
Inside the main tent, familiar faces such as Xing Yanzi, Liu Rushuang, Chu Hongxiu, Bai Wuyai, and Manager Zhou were all present, but they all looked tired and worried.
"Junior Brother Lu (Fellow Daoist Lu)! You're finally back!" Upon seeing Fu Shaoping, everyone's spirits lifted, especially when they sensed the unfathomable Nascent Soul aura emanating from him, which greatly reassured them.
"How is the situation?" Fu Shaoping asked directly, without bothering with pleasantries.
Xingyanzi sighed, "This is very bad. The seal is being eroded from both inside and outside. Inside, the evil consciousness of 'Qishu' seems to have awakened prematurely due to some kind of stimulus, and is attacking wildly. Outside, at least fifty Wanqi Alliance cultivators are lurking in various parts of the valley, setting up several 'Evil Gathering Arrays' and 'Blood Sacrifice Arrays,' constantly drawing on the earth's evil energy and hunting living beings for blood sacrifices. The resulting evil power is continuously flowing into the valley, nourishing the evil energy of 'Qishu'!"
“We have organized several operations to wipe out the Wanqi Alliance cultivators on the outskirts, but they are extremely cunning, scattered and hidden, and can be eliminated after a single strike. Moreover… we suspect that the Wanqi Alliance may have sent more than one Nascent Soul cultivator this time!” Liu Rushuang added, as she herself had now broken through to the Golden Core stage and possessed a sharp aura.
Chu Hongxiu said angrily, "Those rats are hiding in the shadows, using evil formations to pollute the earth's veins. If this continues, even if the seal is not broken for the time being, the entire Burial Valley and even the surrounding area will become a dead land!"
Fu Shaoping frowned deeply: "We can't wait any longer. We must immediately begin setting up the 'Three-Turn Purification Array' to forcibly purify the 'Pillar'! At the same time, we must eliminate all Wanqi Alliance forces in the outer perimeter and cut off the source of evil power!"
"Junior Brother Lu, are you confident?" Xing Yanzi asked.
Fu Shaoping took out a jade slip: "This is the complete array diagram and a list of required materials for the 'Three-Turn Purification Source Array'. I have prepared most of the materials, only lacking 'True Dragon Heart Blood', but a substitute can be used. This array needs to be set up in a place with stable ley lines and relatively stable space within a hundred miles of the outer perimeter of the 'Spirit of the Array' seal. Then, I will enter the core of the seal, using the 'Contract Order' fragment and the 'Purification Heavenly Stele' as a guide to establish a remote link with the Source Stone, activate the array, and purify the evil energy from both inside and outside!"
He made several copies of the jade slip and gave them to Xingyanzi, Zhenyuanzi, and others.
Zhen Yuanzi took the jade slip and examined it carefully. The more he looked, the more astonished he became: "This formation... is extremely profound! It can so exquisitely combine the powers of contract, space, purification, the five elements, and vitality! Fellow Daoist Lu, I am ashamed to admit that I am inferior to you in the art of formations!"
"Senior Zhen Yuanzi, you flatter me. I still need your great help."
"I will do my best!"
After reviewing the array diagram, Xing Yanzi decisively said, "Alright! Let's do as Junior Brother Lu says! We'll split up immediately: Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, please lead the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and the array masters from all sides to be responsible for selecting sites and setting up the array; Junior Nephew Liu, Lord Chu, and Fellow Daoist Bai, you lead the elite forces to wipe out the Wanqi Alliance cultivators on the outskirts, and be sure to destroy their evil arrays as much as possible before the array is completed; Elder Zhou and I will stay at the camp to coordinate and prepare for any surprise attacks from the Wanqi Alliance's Nascent Soul cultivators."
He looked at Fu Shaoping: "Junior Brother Lu, you need to adjust your state as soon as possible and prepare to enter the core of the seal. That is the most dangerous place."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "Understood."
The group acted swiftly and decisively, immediately commencing their operation.
Zhen Yuanzi led dozens of array masters to explore the earth's veins within a hundred-mile radius of the Burial God Valley, searching for the best location to set up an array. Liu Rushuang, Chu Hongxiu, and Bai Wuyai each led a team of Golden Core cultivators, piercing into the valley's evil miasma like sharp swords to begin the cleansing operation.
Fu Shaoping, meanwhile, was in the quiet room of the camp, adjusting his state and carefully studying the array diagram to ensure that everything was foolproof.
He knew that the final battle was imminent.
This is not only for the century-long agreement, but also for the peace of the North, to stop the ambitions of the Myriad Contracts Alliance, and also to... fulfill his vow to protect the order of the contract.
As night fell, the evil aura in the direction of Burial Valley seemed to intensify, with faint glimmers of blood rising into the sky.
The calm before the storm was oppressive and suffocating.
Fu Shaoping looked out the window, his eyes filled with contract runes, resolute and fearless.
Three days later, on the outskirts of the Burial Valley, about eighty miles from the valley entrance, lies a relatively flat area called "Soul-Suppressing Plain".
This location was chosen by Zhen Yuanzi and his team after repeated explorations, making it the optimal spot for setting up their formation. The terrain is stable, relatively unaffected by the evil energy within the valley, and the space itself is quite secure.
At this moment, in the center of Zhenhun Plain, the outline of a huge and complex formation has begun to appear.
The "Three-Turn Pure Source Formation" consists of three layers:
The outer formation, based on the "Nine Heavens Breath Soil" and guided by the "Five Elements Spiritual Essence," connects to the earth's veins, forming a stable network for the circulation of the five elements and the supply of energy. At this moment, seventy-two array flags, engraved with contract runes, have been inserted into the ground in specific positions, shimmering with a faint five-colored light.
The central array is the core purification and contract rule transformation layer. With the "Heavenly Mystery Disc" as its array eye, the "Void Crystal Core" stabilizing the spatial nodes, and the "Purifying White Lotus" seeds, along with purifying materials such as the "Ice Soul Nine-Leaf Grass" and "Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Milk," arranged to form the core purification array diagram. Array Master Yuanzi is leading a dozen top array masters, carefully outlining contract runes invisible to the naked eye in the void. Each rune must precisely correspond to the Heavenly Dao contract rules and perfectly link with the outer and inner arrays. This is the most complex and mentally taxing layer. (End of Chapter)