Recaps

Lu Yuan and the Qilin Clan agreed that he could obtain naturally accumulated Xuanhuang Deposited Sand through resource exchanges, while the Spirit Vein cores remained protected and he took on no long-term guarding duties. As the clan prepared to organize the outskirts, Qi Yue sensed a powerful underground presence approaching Xuanhuang Ridge, and Lu Yuan detected Great Luo-level Principle fluctuations within it.

• Qi Yan explained that the Qilin Clan would not allow anyone to tamper with the Spirit Vein cores, but that naturally escaping Wu Earth essence Qi could be negotiated.
• Lu Yuan and Qi Yue agreed that each request for help would be handled separately and that Lu Yuan could trade resources for deposited sand without a long-term commitment.
• Qi Yan described the different qualities of deposited sand, and Lu Yuan decided to continue using gentler essence Qi while his body adapted.
• Qi Yan instructed the patrolling qilin to check the outskirts’ Restraining Patterns and protect the earth veins whenever Lu Yuan came to collect essence Qi.
• Qi Yue sensed an underground presence moving toward Xuanhuang Ridge, and Lu Yuan detected a ferocious earth Sha presence with Great Luo-level Principle fluctuations approaching beneath the deepest rock strata.

The Mountain-Devouring Zheng demanded Xuanhuang deposited sand from Qi Yue and Qi Yan, but Lu Yuan and the Qilin elders refused to let it take the resources by force. The beast burrowed beneath Xuanhuang Ridge, and Lu Yuan watched its route as the Earth Veins began to shake.

• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng emerged from beneath Xuanhuang Ridge and demanded deposited sand from Qi Yan and Qi Yue.
• Qi Yan and Qi Yue refused to surrender the sand or let the beast dig into the Qilin Clan’s Earth Veins.
• Lu Yuan descended into view, and Qi Yue explained that the deposited sand was already covered by their exchange agreement.
• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng threatened to dig through Xuanhuang Ridge, while Qi Yue shielded the young Qilin from its pressure.
• Lu Yuan observed the beast as it sank underground, and its Earth Sha raced through an outer diversion opening toward an Earth Spirit Vein.

Lu Yuan used his enormous body to block the Mountain-Devouring Zheng’s underground escape routes while Qi Yan and Qi Yue sealed the earth veins around Xuanhuang Ridge. The Mountain-Devouring Zheng summoned its Earth Sha Dharma Form, and Lu Yuan prepared to meet its rising force.

• Qi Yan and Qi Yue used Restraining Patterns to restrict the Mountain-Devouring Zheng’s routes toward the core earth veins.
• Lu Yuan studied the creature’s underground movements and pressed his body onto sturdy rock platforms to block likely exits without damaging the core veins.
• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng repeatedly changed direction, but Lu Yuan shifted his fins to obstruct its exits as the Qilin Clan sealed nearby passages.
• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng grew furious and formed an enormous mountain-shaped Earth Sha Dharma Form beneath Xuanhuang Ridge.
• Lu Yuan raised an enormous fin and gathered power as the Dharma Form forced its way upward.

The Mountain-Devouring Zheng formed a vast Great Luo Dharma Form from rock and Earth Sha, but Lu Yuan and the Qilin Clan cut off its access to Xuanhuang Ridge's earth veins. Lu Yuan pressed the Dharma Form down with his fin, and a crack appeared between its arms.

• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng emerged from underground and formed an enormous Great Luo Dharma Form from the surrounding rock and Earth Sha.
• Qi Yan and Qi Yue sealed branch veins to stop the Mountain-Devouring Zheng from drawing on Xuanhuang Ridge's core earth Qi.
• Lu Yuan absorbed Earth Sha from the Dharma Form's outskirts, slowing its growth and weakening its supply.
• Lu Yuan brought his enormous fin down on the Dharma Form while avoiding the core earth vein, forcing it to sink under the pressure.
• Lu Yuan increased the pressure until a crack spread between the Dharma Form's arms.

Lu Yuan crushed the Mountain-Devouring Zheng’s Great Luo Dharma Form and forced it to admit defeat, ending its attempt to seize Xuanhuang Ridge’s Spirit Veins. After the beast fled, Qi Yan discovered a fine fissure spreading through the northwestern branch vein.

• Lu Yuan pressed the Mountain-Devouring Zheng’s Dharma Form apart while Qi Yue and Qi Yan guarded Xuanhuang Ridge’s earth veins.
• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng’s Dharma Form shattered, exposing its injured true body, and Qi Yan’s seals prevented it from escaping underground.
• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng attacked Lu Yuan, but Lu Yuan crushed its resistance with his giant fin until it admitted defeat.
• The Mountain-Devouring Zheng promised not to dig up Xuanhuang Ridge’s Spirit Veins by force or take the Xuanhuang Deposited Sand, then fled through a passage Qi Yan opened.
• The young qilin celebrated the beast’s retreat, but Qi Yan detected a fissure extending through the northwestern branch vein.

After helping the Qilin Clan defeat the Mountain-Devouring Zheng, Lu Yuan stabilized the damaged mountainside while Qi Yan and Qi Yue repaired the earth vein. Qi Yan rewarded Lu Yuan with extra Xuanhuang Deposited Sand, leaving the whale pleased with his visit to Xuanhuang Ridge.

• Qi Yan explained that the Mountain-Devouring Zheng had loosened the rock and that the spreading fissure threatened the earth vein.
• Lu Yuan offered to hold the outer rock in place while Qi Yan and Qi Yue repaired the earth vein.
• Lu Yuan carefully pressed his giant fin against the rocky platform, stopping the fissure from spreading without damaging nearby branches of the vein.
• Qi Yue restored the earth Qi, and Lu Yuan slowly lifted his fin after the rock and Restraining Patterns were stable.
• Qi Yan thanked Lu Yuan and offered him an additional batch of Xuanhuang Deposited Sand for helping repel the Mountain-Devouring Zheng and repair the earth vein.

Lu Yuan accepted an increased supply of Xuanhuang Deposited Sand at Xuanhuang Ridge and continued strengthening his bones while carefully controlling how much he absorbed. After Qi Yan reported Lu Yuan’s achievements to the Qilin Clan, the First Qilin decided to meet him in person, and Qi Yue informed Lu Yuan that the patriarch was on his way.

• Qi Yan led Qi Yue to draw out extra Xuanhuang Deposited Sand for Lu Yuan, who absorbed it gradually and stored the remainder for later.
• Qi Yue and nearby young qilin observed Lu Yuan’s growing strength, while he listened to their conversation about his defeat of the Mountain-Devouring Zheng.
• Qi Yan sent the Qilin Clan’s ancestral land a report about Lu Yuan’s strength, his help protecting Xuanhuang Ridge, and the earth spirit veins forming on his back.
• After learning that Lu Yuan would exchange resources but would not join a clan or guard territory, the First Qilin decided to visit Xuanhuang Ridge and meet him.
• Qi Yue told Lu Yuan that the First Qilin was coming, and the Qilin Clan began preparing for the patriarch’s arrival.

The First Qilin arrived at Xuanhuang Ridge, examined the mountains and rivers on Lu Yuan’s back, and discovered that a young earth vein had formed there. He agreed to cooperate with Lu Yuan without demanding that he join the Qilin Clan, then offered him a trial of the potent Xuanhuang Heavy Soil.

• The First Qilin arrived at Xuanhuang Ridge and praised Qi Yue and Qi Yan for protecting it, while marveling at Lu Yuan’s enormous whale form.
• At the First Qilin’s request, Lu Yuan let him inspect the terrain on his back, where he found a newly formed earth vein nourished by Lu Yuan’s growth.
• Lu Yuan explained that the mountains had formed naturally as he accumulated rocks and soil, and the First Qilin praised his rare body.
• Lu Yuan confirmed that he wanted to obtain Wu Earth resources through exchange rather than join the Qilin Clan, and the First Qilin agreed to cooperate on those terms.
• The First Qilin offered Lu Yuan Xuanhuang Heavy Soil, warned him to absorb it cautiously, and brought forth a small clump that resonated with Lu Yuan’s bones.

First Qilin gave Lu Yuan Xuanhuang Heavy Soil, and Lu Yuan cautiously absorbed a small amount, strengthening his bones while adapting to its immense weight. As the essence spread through his body, the earth-Qi channels and rocky ridge along his back began changing again.

• First Qilin showed Lu Yuan a clump of Xuanhuang Heavy Soil and warned him to begin with only a little.
• Lu Yuan absorbed a wisp of its essence Qi and felt his bones and body grow heavier as the energy entered his flesh and blood.
• Qi Yue, Qi Yan, and the young qilin watched in surprise as Lu Yuan directly absorbed a treasure that even Great Luo had to refine slowly.
• Lu Yuan spread the essence through his fins, tail, underside, and back to ease the pressure while his Qi and Blood adapted.
• After the essence began diminishing, Lu Yuan felt his bones strengthen and saw the earth-Qi channels and rocky ridge on his back slowly change.