After bidding farewell to his loved ones in the Houtu Tribe, Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) did not immediately head east. There was one goal he had to accomplish before setting out: climb Buzhou Mountain again and reach the "recommended sign-in point" marked on the system map, at the highest point in his current area.
This time, he was no longer the frail youth who had first arrived in the primordial world, struggling with every step. His cultivation had stabilized at the peak of the First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique. His body was far stronger than that of an ordinary Qi refiner, and he was protected by the Chaos Bead's aura, carried the Houtu Token, and had grown quite accustomed to Buzhou Mountain's pressure. His steps were steady and resolute as he followed the rugged, steep ridgeline toward the cloud-wreathed summit.
The higher he climbed, the heavier Pangu's pressure became, and the more violent the spiritual energy grew. The astral winds were like knives, scraping against his skin with a metallic ring. But as Lin Xuan circulated his profound art, a bronze sheen flowed over his body, dissolving most of the pressure and erosion without a trace. Like a devout pilgrim, he planted each step firmly, feeling the ancient power beneath his feet, born at the dawn of creation and carried by this pillar of the primordial world.
Along the way, he also encountered several groups of powerful beasts, including fierce birds at the Refining Spirit to Void level circling overhead. But Lin Xuan either used the Breath Concealment Technique to avoid them or took a detour after sensing them in advance, unwilling to invite unnecessary trouble. His goal was clear: the summit.
After several arduous days of climbing and overcoming danger more than once, Lin Xuan finally reached the peak marked on the map. It was a relatively flat platform of massive stone, as if shaved level by a giant axe, only a few dozen yards across. Standing there, he had an unobstructed view, and it seemed he could almost reach the heavens.
Beneath him, an endless sea of clouds churned like a white ocean. In the distance, the vague outlines of the vast land were visible, its mountains and rivers laid out before him. When he looked up, the sky seemed lower, and the stars appeared close enough to touch, though it was daytime and he could only sense the scene's majesty. Here, Buzhou Mountain's immense presence, supporting both heaven and earth, was impossible to miss. The howling wind could not budge him; instead, it stirred in him the boldness to stand atop the peak and look down upon all other mountains.
[ Ding! The host has reached the highest sign-in point in the southeastern region of Buzhou Mountain: Sky-Supporting Cliff. This place contains a trace of the complete Dao Charm of the junction between Heaven and Earth. The sign-in reward will receive an additional bonus. Sign in now? ]
"Sign in!" Lin Xuan answered without hesitation, his heart full of anticipation.
[ Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations, host, on completing your first summit sign-in at Sky-Supporting Cliff on Buzhou Mountain! ] [ Rewards: ] 1. [Divine Ability: Shrink Ground into Inches (Beginner)]: A simplified version of an ancient supreme divine art. When used, it can bring a thousand miles within reach; one step can carry you a hundred yards. As your cultivation improves and your understanding of the laws of space deepens, its range and effect can increase without limit. Note: Requires the use of magical power. Repeated use places considerable strain on the body. 2. [Buzhou Mountain Essence (One Wisp)]: Condensed from Buzhou Mountain's Origin Aura, it contains a trace of unyielding will and the weighty Dao Charm of the pillar between Heaven and Earth. Effect: Permanently improves the foundation and resilience of the body, and enhances affinity with earth and strength laws. 3. [Low-Grade Spirit Stones x500]: Crystallized pure spiritual energy, useful for assisting cultivation.
Boom!
A massive stream of information flooded his mind: the method for using Shrink Ground into Inches, profound and mysterious, touching on the basic principles of folding space. At the same time, a pure, heavy, boundless aura imbued with unyielding will—the Buzhou Mountain Essence—flowed into his limbs and bones, sinking deep into his marrow. He felt as if his body had formed a faint connection with the sacred mountain beneath his feet, growing steadier and more solid.
What delighted Lin Xuan most was undoubtedly the divine ability Shrink Ground into Inches! It was the ultimate tool for long journeys, chasing down enemies, or escaping them. With it, crossing mountains and rivers would no longer be an unreachable dream, and his journey to Longevity Mountain would be far more efficient!
He eagerly put it to the test. He fixed his mind on a jutting rock a hundred yards away, circulated his magical power according to the divine art's instructions, and took a step!
Whoosh!
The surrounding scenery blurred and stretched, as if he had passed through a brief corridor in space. The next moment, he was standing firmly on the rock! Looking back, he saw that the summit platform where he had stood was now a hundred yards behind him.
"It worked!" Lin Xuan was overjoyed. Though it was only the beginner level, with a range of a hundred yards per step, he could feel his magical power nearly halved and his body growing sore after using it several times in a row. Still, this was momentous! It meant he now had the means to move quickly through the vast primordial world!
He stood at the edge of the rock and gazed eastward. Beneath the sea of clouds stretched the boundless land of the primordial world, where unknown dangers and opportunities awaited. Longevity Mountain was only his first destination.
Drawing in a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, rich with spiritual energy, Lin Xuan's gaze hardened. He turned and took one last look toward the Houtu Tribe, silently thinking, Brother Houyi, Brother Kuafu, take care. Once I've learned all I can, I'll come back to see you!
Then he used his divine ability and stepped forward. His figure vanished from Sky-Supporting Cliff, reappearing dozens of yards down the mountainside. After a few more flashes, he had descended from the summit and disappeared into the vast mountain forest, heading east to begin his true journey.
His trials on Buzhou Mountain had come to an end. He had grown from a transmigrator who had survived by luck into a cultivator of the primordial world, equipped with a profound art, a divine ability, a treasure, and allies. The story of the first volume ended here.
And his new journey, the long road to Longevity Mountain, had only just begun. What sights and challenges awaited him ahead?
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