Deep Within the Earth Vein, Kirin's Legacy

The words "extremely high" in the system's prompt struck the core of Xuanwei's consciousness like a heavy hammer.

Risk is extremely high! Opportunity is also extremely high!

The joy he felt moments ago from mastering the "Hibernation" technique and optimizing his cultivation method was instantly washed away by this sudden discovery. In its place was an extreme caution and intense struggle when facing the unknown.

Innate Wutu Essence Qi! That was one of the most fundamental five-element essence qis in the Primordial World, containing infinite creation and vitality. It was also a supreme treasure for tempering the physical body (though he didn't have one yet), improving one's foundation, and refining magical treasures! If he could obtain it, the benefits would far surpass the spiritual light motes he had previously absorbed.

But... this was the place where the Kirin tribe fell!

The Dragon-Han Primordial Calamity was the first immeasurable tribulation that swept across the Primordial World, shaking the heavens and earth! The Dragon, Phoenix, and Kirin tribes fought for dominance, ultimately nearly annihilating each other. The accumulated resentment, malevolent energy, and tribulation energy were deep enough to corrupt all things and pollute the mind. Those who left their mark in such a grand tribulation were at least Grand Unity or even Quasi-Saint level mighty figures. The place where they fell, even with just a trace of their will or a wisp of tribulation energy, was by no means something his immortal qi, with its current energy level of a mere 0.15%, could touch.

Go, or not go?

This was a life-or-death choice laid before him. The opportunity was tempting, enough to transform him completely; the risk was terrifying, capable of destroying both body and soul in an instant.

Xuanwei's immortal qi, in its true form, flowed slowly through the rock crevices, reflecting the intense struggle within his heart. He "watched" the slow but steady increase of the energy level in his consciousness (which had now recovered to 0.18%), recalling the suffocating despair he felt when the Crimson Flame Fierce Bird had stared at him, and the system's resolute sacrifice of energy for survival.

"System, assess my probability of entering the depths of the earth's veins, successfully obtaining the Innate Wutu Essence Qi, and returning safely," he attempted to seek a more rational analysis.

[Data insufficient for precise assessment. Known variables: Host's current state (Energy 0.18%, mastered 'Deep Immortal Seclusion', 'Innate Immortal Qi Origin Method'), Target area energy level (Extremely high, presence of unknown restrictions and lingering wills), Environmental complexity (High).]
[Rough probability estimate: Survival probability below 10%, probability of successfully obtaining essence qi below 1%.]
[Warning: Host is strongly advised not to explore in current state.]

A survival probability below 10%!

The system's assessment was like a basin of cold water, dousing most of the adventurous flame in his heart. Reason told him he should leave immediately; continuing to lie low and develop was the correct path.

However... the faint fluctuation of Innate Wutu Essence Qi emanating from the depths of the earth, like the most beautiful immortal melody or the most alluring poison bait, continuously stirred his heartstrings. He could feel that the origin of his Innate Immortal Qi had an instinctive craving for that pure earth element origin.

It was something that could elevate his essence!

"Risk and opportunity coexist... System, if I only stay on the periphery, using the 'Hibernation' state to observe from afar, never venturing deep, can I control the risk within an acceptable range?" he changed his line of thought, asking unwillingly.

[Attempt is possible. Recommendation: Maintain 'Deep Immortal Seclusion' state to its limit, compress sensory range to within three zhang around you. Once any energy anomaly or mental pollution is detected, abandon immediately and retreat at full speed.]
[Note: Earth vein structure is complex, malevolent energy and essence qi may coexist, extreme caution is required for differentiation.]

With the system's relatively "feasible" suggestion, Xuanwei felt more at ease. He decided not to be greedy, not to rush in, but just to "take a look." If it was impossible, he would turn back immediately.

Having made up his mind, he no longer hesitated. He invested the energy he had just recovered back into [Deep Immortal Seclusion]. This time, he wasn't seeking "deathly stillness," but extreme "concealment" and "assimilation." His immortal qi本体 became even dimmer, its aura almost completely withdrawn. Slowly, like a water droplet seeping into a sponge, he "sank" into the rock layer below the crevice.

Earth Evasion?

No, it wasn't true Earth Evasion divine ability. His current strength was far from enough to support such a spell. He was relying on the pure, attribute-less nature of his own immortal qi and the high affinity with his surroundings in the "Hibernation" state. Like a spiritual entity, he moved extremely slowly through the tiny cracks in the rocks and the gaps in the flow of earth vein spiritual energy.

This process was more than ten times more difficult than floating through the air. Within the earth, the spiritual energy leaned towards being heavy and condensed, with a dominant earth element, which slightly repelled his light and ethereal origin. Furthermore, various chaotic earth malevolent energies and oppressive turbid energies, like mud, hindered his progress.

He could only rely on the system to continuously adjust his route, searching for paths with relatively pure earth vein spiritual energy and less resistance, moving downwards bit by bit.

Darkness, absolute darkness. Not visual darkness, but perceptual. Within the earth's strata, his spiritual sense was greatly suppressed, only able to vaguely perceive the area within a few feet around him. In his ears (if he had them), there was the low rumble of earth vein spiritual energy flowing and the faint groans of rocks under billions of years of pressure.

He didn't know how long he had dived, perhaps only tens of feet, perhaps hundreds. The concentration of surrounding earth element spiritual energy grew higher and higher, and the pressure increased, making his progress more difficult. But at the same time, the fluctuation of the Innate Wutu Essence Qi, originating from the depths of the earth, carrying the weight, support, and nurturing of all things, became clearer and clearer!

He could even occasionally capture extremely faint, pale yellow specks of essence qi, as brilliant as stardust, flowing mixed with the ordinary earth vein spiritual energy. Just by being close to these specks, he could feel his Innate Immortal Qi origin stir with comfort.

Hope was ahead!

He suppressed the urge to immediately pounce and devour those scattered essence qis, remembering the system's warning, maintaining his Hibernation state, and continuing to advance cautiously.

Finally, after passing through an unusually dense rock layer, like some kind of natural barrier, the "scene" before him suddenly opened up!

It wasn't visual openness, but perceptual. It was as if he had gone from a narrow pipe into a vast underground cavern. There was no light here, but the earth element spiritual energy, so dense it was almost liquefied, and the magnificent Innate Wutu Essence Qi, emitted a soft, pale yellow glow themselves, slightly illuminating this underground space.

This was a huge cavern, with a high dome and edges that couldn't be seen. In the center of the cavern was a mound of dark golden soil, piled like a small hill. The extremely pure Innate Wutu Essence Qi was emanating from the core of this mound!

However, coexisting with this vigorous life and supreme creation was a thick, unresolvable sorrow, unwillingness, and violent malevolent energy!

Around the mound, a tangible dark red malevolent energy permeated, churning and forming various indistinct beastly phantoms, letting out silent roars. On the ground, giant fossilized bones were scattered everywhere, still maintaining some posture of struggling combat. Their bones were covered in cracks and scorched marks, emitting a chilling ancient pressure. Furthermore, a heavy tribulation energy enveloped the entire cavern, making the very space here feel viscous and sluggish.

The Kirin's place of demise! Seeing it with his own eyes was far more shocking than the system's prompt!

Xuanwei held his breath, pushing his Hibernation state to its limit, clinging tightly to the rock wall at the entrance of the cavern, not daring to advance another inch. He could even feel the dark red malevolent energy, like living tentacles, slowly sweeping through the void. If his concealment hadn't been perfect, he would have been discovered and devoured in an instant.

His "gaze" was fixed on the dark golden mound in the center. Within it must be the most core, most pure Innate Wutu Essence Qi, and perhaps even the origin essence left by a Kirin mighty figure!

But the surrounding malevolent energy and tribulation energy, like the most loyal yet most venomous guards, blocked all prying eyes.

What to do? Should he return empty-handed?

He was unwilling. Having risked so much to come here, was it just to take a look?

As his mind raced, desperately searching for a solution, the system's prompt, with a hint of anomaly, sounded again:

[Special energy field detected... Analyzing... Weak resonance with host's immortal qi origin... ]
[Source: 300 paces ahead and to the left, beneath a smaller Kirin skeleton.]
[Energy attribute: Pure earth element origin, containing a trace of indestructible 'guardian' will, low degree of malevolent energy pollution.]

Xuanwei's heart stirred, and he immediately "looked" in the direction the system indicated.

Indeed, at the edge of the pile of huge skeletons radiating terrifying malevolent energy, there was a relatively "small" Kirin skeleton. It was a lustrous jade white all over, completely different from the dull and withered appearance of the other skeletons. Its bones were relatively complete, and its posture was not one of struggle, but curled up, as if guarding something. Beneath its curled sternum, a soft and firm earth-yellow halo could be faintly seen.

The aura emanating from the halo was pure and warm, carrying a tragic yet resolute "guardian" intent, completely out of place with the surrounding violent malevolent energy, forming a small haven of purity.

This was it!

Xuanwei's heart (his core consciousness) began to beat violently. This was perhaps something a powerful Kirin clan expert had guarded with their last strength before death, or perhaps its own uncorrupted origin core! Regardless of which it was, its value was immeasurable, and the difficulty of obtaining it was clearly far less than the mound of earth surrounded by dense malevolent energy in the center!

Opportunity!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. The target was right before him, but the path was still perilous. He needed to cross nearly a hundred paces, avoiding the patrolling tendrils of malevolent energy and any lingering restrictions.

Like the most patient hunter, he began calculating his route. Relying on the system's precise perception of energy flow, he found a path where the malevolent energy was relatively sparse and the energy flow was smoother. With each step he took, he was extremely cautious, synchronizing himself perfectly with the fluctuations of the surrounding earth veins.

Ten paces, twenty paces, fifty paces...

He drew closer and closer to the jade-white Kirin skeleton, able to clearly feel the warmth and pure power emanating from the earthy yellow halo. That power made him feel incredibly comfortable, and even the growth rate of his Innate Immortal Qi Origin Method seemed to accelerate quietly in this environment.

Eighty paces, ninety paces...

Victory was in sight! He could even "see" the core of the halo, which appeared to be a fist-sized, earthy yellow crystal covered in natural, profound patterns, lying quietly under the protection of the jade-white skeleton.

Just ten more steps...

However, the instant his mind showed a sliver of relaxation due to the imminent success—

Disaster struck!

From the empty eye sockets of the jade-white Kirin skeleton, which had been quietly curled up until now, two clusters of faint but incredibly stubborn earthy yellow soul fire suddenly leaped up!

At the same time, a residual will, far from a fraction of its peak power but carrying ancient, majestic, and a hint of scrutiny, awoke like a slumbering dragon and instantly locked onto Xuanwei, who was already within reach!

"Buzz--!"

An invisible pressure descended. Though not violent, it was as heavy as a mountain, instantly pinning Xuanwei's immortal Qi body in place, almost forcibly breaking his "Deep Immortal Seclusion" state!

A desolate, weary, yet slightly surprised thought echoed directly in the depths of his consciousness:

"Innate Immortal Qi? So weak... How... did you arrive here?"