The Ferocious Beast Retreated, but the Qilin Clan Discovered This Whale Could Protect the Earth Vein Too

Northwest of Xuanhuang Ridge, after Mountain-Devouring Zheng left, the mountains and rivers that had been disturbed by the Earth Sha finally gradually calmed down. However, the crack hidden deep in the rock strata continued to extend slowly, and several small tributaries of earth energy nearby were drawn in, and their flow direction began to change.

Qi Yan carefully examined the crack, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"This thing was burrowing around underground, forcibly pushing open a section of the outer rock layer. Now, the weight above is pressing down, and the crack is still widening. If it continues, a large section of this nearby hillside will collapse sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yue immediately extended his Divine Sense deep into the earth and discovered that the crack passed right through the rock layer between two outer branches. If the mountain continued to slide, although it would not damage the true core for the time being, it might completely disrupt the originally stable flow of earth spirit.

He immediately ordered the nearby patrols to keep the young Qilin away from the damaged area, and then personally activated the Earth Spirit Dao Rhythm to stabilize the loosened rock layer.

Several young Qilin were celebrating the defeat of the Mountain-Devouring Zheng when they heard that there was a problem with the earth veins. Their smiles immediately disappeared. The Blue-Horned Qilin rushed to the edge of the rock platform and used its Divine Sense to examine the area. It discovered that several small gaps had appeared deep in the hillside.

"Elder, why are these rock layers still moving?" the Blue-Horned Qilin couldn't help but ask, his voice now tinged with tension.

Qi Yan explained in a deep voice, "The Mountain-Devouring Zheng forcibly erected its Dharma Form just now, and it borrowed a lot of Earth Sha from the surrounding rock layers. The parts that were originally tightly attached have loosened. We need to stabilize the outside first, and then slowly let the earth energy return to its original flow."

Lu Yuan also noticed the situation.

He was already preparing to rise back up, but after hearing Qi Yan's words, he scanned the crack with his Divine Sense and quickly discovered that the outer rock layer was slowly moving towards the valley. Although the movement was not large, it could indeed cause a collapse if it continued.

Looking at the hillside, Lu Yuan felt a sense of helplessness.

Good heavens, we just chased away the guys who were stealing resources, and now we have to clean up their mess. No wonder the Qilin Clan has been so busy guarding a Spirit Vein for so many years; the real trouble often lies in these seemingly inconspicuous rock crevices.

However, Xuanhuang Ridge is now a place where I can reliably obtain the Wu Earth Essence Qi.

If we simply watch the ley lines continue to be damaged, it will naturally affect our ability to extract resources in the future.

Thinking of this, Lu Yuan slowly raised his head.

"Qi Yan, could I help you suppress that rock layer first?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yan's expression shifted slightly.

He had already witnessed Lu Yuan's physical strength firsthand, but the hillside was currently in an unstable state. If it were to suddenly bear too much pressure, the cracks might continue to expand.

"Fellow Daoist, your strength is certainly sufficient, but this time you need to be more meticulous in your control. We must stabilize the rock strata, especially the stone platform on the west side; it absolutely cannot be pushed down any further." Qi Yan explained earnestly, and then transmitted the locations that needed support to Lu Yuan through his Divine Sense.

Lu Yuan did not rush to make a move.

He first carefully observed the area marked by Qi Yan and found that most of the stone platforms were far from the core earth vein, and the surrounding rock layers were still quite thick. As long as the pressure was evenly distributed, it would be possible to prevent the loosened mountain from continuing to move outward.

"I understand. You're in charge of repairing the lower Restraining Patterns. I'll support the outer rock layers first," Lu Yuan replied slowly, then began adjusting the position of the giant fins.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yue immediately rushed to the other side of the crevice.

He was skilled at identifying the direction of earth's air currents. As long as Lu Yuan could temporarily stop the movement of the rock strata, the Qilin Clan would have a chance to reorganize the outer branches that had already been affected.

A large expanse of earthy yellow spiritual light shone along Qi Yue's four hooves, and fine patterns began to appear on the nearby rocks, gradually guiding the previously chaotic earth energy back to a more stable direction.

At the same time.

Lu Yuan's enormous fins began to slowly approach the northwest rock platform.

The nearby young Qilin immediately tensed up.

Having just witnessed how this giant fin crushed the Great Luo Dharma Form of the Mountain-Devouring Zheng with a single blow, and now seeing Lu Yuan preparing to place it on the ground, they couldn't help but worry that the already loosened hillside would collapse under the weight.

The Blue-Horned Qilin couldn't help but look up, even lowering its voice considerably.

"This... can you really control it, senior?"

Beside it, the Red-Maned Qilin stared intently at the dark gold scales. Its four hooves, which had already been tucked in, slowly took two steps back, its tension clearly visible in its eyes.

Lu Yuan naturally noticed their reactions.

However, he didn't get distracted by explaining.

What's truly important right now is controlling the power.

He first allowed a small portion of the fin edge to contact the most solid rock platform on the outer edge, and then slowly adjusted his Qi and Blood while hovering, gradually increasing the weight actually transmitted to the rock layer.

Boom...

A deep sound came from deep within the rocky platform.

The stone layers that were initially moving outwards finally began to slow down noticeably.

Lu Yuan continued to release his Divine Sense to confirm that the nearby shallow branches were not subjected to additional compression before he moved the giant fin slightly to the other side, allowing more pressure to be evenly distributed along the rock platform.

This operation is much more complicated than simply smashing a Dharma Form a Great Luo deity.

When fighting, you only need to concentrate your strength on your opponent.

To stabilize a loosened hillside now, one must constantly be mindful of where to press down and where to leave space.

While controlling the giant fins, Lu Yuan couldn't help but mutter to himself.

It's strange, as I've grown up, fighting has become increasingly easier, but doing these delicate tasks has become increasingly difficult.

Fortunately, after numerous training sessions, his control over this body was much more refined than when he first awoke.

Not long after.

The rock fissures, which had been expanding continuously, finally stopped.

Qi Yan noticed the change immediately, and the expression on his face relaxed instantly.

"We've stabilized!"

He quickly poured more Law Power into the Earth Vein Restraining Patterns, and the several streams of earth spirit that had been interrupted due to the movement of the rock strata began to slowly reconnect.

Qi Yue also seized the opportunity to organize the surrounding earth energy along the other side of the crack, allowing the earth spirits that were originally scattered to gradually return to the designated passage.

The two Qilin Great Luos worked together very skillfully.

Lu Yuan maintained pressure on the giant fin, preventing the loose rock layer from moving further, and also refraining from adding weight recklessly downwards.

This process lasted for quite some time.

The nearby young Qilin were initially too nervous to utter a sound, but when they discovered that the dark golden giant fin remained perfectly still and that even the most fragile rock layer below did not show any obvious cracks again, their expressions gradually changed.

The Blue-Horned Qilin finally couldn't help but exclaim, "This force is too exaggerated! It was this fin that crushed the Great Luo Dharma Form just now, and now it's the same fin that's supporting the rock layer!"

The Red-Maned Qilin nodded repeatedly, its eyes filled with awe.

"The elder once said that a truly powerful physical body also requires precise control. Back then, I thought that being able to send an enemy flying was impressive enough. Now I realize that controlling one's strength is no easy feat."

Qi Yan heard this discussion but did not interrupt.

Even he himself was marveling at it.

Lu Yuan's current body is so enormous that he can precisely control the pressure of a certain giant fin and even restore the stability of rock strata within a range of thousands of miles. This truly requires an extremely astonishing level of physical control.

A moment later.

Qi Yue has finally completed the last adjustment of the earth's energy.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Yuan, you can lift yourself up slowly now. The branch below has been reconnected, but don't let go all at once. Wait until the surrounding rock strata have fully adapted."

Lu Yuan nodded slightly.

The enormous fins then slowly rose.

The rock platform that had been under pressure gradually returned to its natural state. Several cracks that had been re-fixed by the Restraining Patterns remained stable, and the Earth Spirit Qi in the vicinity began to flow slowly in its original direction.

After carefully examining the situation for a while, Qi Yan finally felt completely relieved.

It's done.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the giant whale in the Sea of Clouds.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Yuan, we are truly grateful to you today. If we had relied solely on the Earth Vein Restraining Patterns to slowly repair the area, it would have taken us quite some time to stabilize that rock layer."

Lu Yuan retracted his giant fin, stretched his fin bones, and casually said, "It's good that it can be repaired. If that place had really collapsed, my future attempts to consume Wu Earth Essence Qi in Xuanhuang Ridge would have been affected."

Qi Yan couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

This behemoth certainly speaks very directly.

However, precisely because of this, the two sides find it easier to get along.

Qi Yue re-inspected the nearby ley lines and, after confirming that there were no obvious abnormalities, instructed the young Qilin to resume their daily patrols.

Before leaving, the Blue-Horned Qilin couldn't help but turn back to look at Lu Yuan.

Today, it first witnessed the Great Luo Dharma Form being crushed by a single fin, and then saw this giant beast using the same giant fin to stabilize a fragile mountain. The shock in its heart was completely overwhelming.

"I used to think he was just big, but today I'm truly impressed," the Blue-Horned Qilin said in a low voice, while the Red-Maned Qilin beside him nodded earnestly.

Qi Yan had returned to Lu Yuan's presence.

He gazed at the mountains that were gradually returning to calm, and after a moment's thought, he finally spoke up.

"Fellow Daoist, I'm going to increase the reward for the Xuanhuang Deposited Sand we discussed earlier."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan's golden eyes lit up slightly.

"Anything else?"

Qi Yan nodded.

"Today you helped repel the Mountain-Devouring Zheng and assisted in restoring the damaged ley lines. These two things cannot be considered just an ordinary resource exchange. There happens to be a batch of collected sediment outside Xuanhuang Ridge, which I intend to give to you as well."

Looking at Qi Yan, Lu Yuan's mood finally improved.

It seems this trip to Xuanhuang Ridge was quite fruitful.