Signing In at the Mountain Peak, Shrink Ground into Inches

After bidding farewell to his kin in the Houtu Tribe, Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi) did not immediately travel east. He had one goal to accomplish before his departure—to ascend Buzhou Mountain once more and reach the "recommended check-in point" marked on the System map, located at the highest point in the current active area.

This time, he was no longer the frail youth who had first entered the Primordial Era, struggling with every step. His cultivation was stable at the perfected First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, his physical body far stronger than that of ordinary Qi refiners. He was protected by the aura of the Chaos Bead, accompanied by the Houtu Token, and had adapted to the pressure of Buzhou Mountain to a considerable extent. His steps were steady and firm as he followed the rugged, steep mountain ridge, advancing toward the summit shrouded in clouds.

The higher he climbed, the heavier Pangu's pressure became, and the more violent the spiritual energy grew. The gale winds were like knives, striking his skin with a clanging sound. But Lin Xuan circulated his profound technique, a bronze luster flowing across his body, dissolving most of the pressure and erosion into nothingness. He was like a devout pilgrim, each step taken with solidity, feeling the ancient power emanating from the pillar of the Primordial Era, the very beginning of creation.

Along the way, he also encountered several powerful demonic beasts, and even ferocious birds at the Refining Spirit to Void level circled overhead. However, Lin Xuan either cleverly avoided them using the Breath Concealment Technique or detoured in advance with his keen senses, unwilling to invite unnecessary trouble. His goal was clear, heading straight for the peak.

After several days of arduous climbing and overcoming numerous perilous situations, Lin Xuan finally reached the peak marked on the map. It was a relatively flat giant stone platform, as if planed by a colossal axe, only a few dozen feet across. Standing here, his vision opened up dramatically, and the heavens and earth seemed within reach.

Below him was a churning, boundless sea of clouds, like a white ocean. In the distance, the outlines of the vast land were faintly visible, the courses of mountains and rivers laid out before his eyes. Looking up, the sky seemed lower, and the stars felt close (though it was daytime, he could feel the artistic conception). The majestic, sky-supporting aura of Buzhou Mountain was felt to the fullest here. The howling wind could not shake him in the slightest; instead, it stirred within him a heroic spirit of "standing at the highest point and looking down upon all mountains."

[Ding! Detected that the Host has arrived at the highest check-in point 'Sky-Supporting Cliff' of Buzhou Mountain (Southeastern Region). This location contains a trace of the complete Dao rhythm of heaven and earth intersecting. The check-in reward will receive an additional bonus. Do you wish to check in?]

The System's prompt sounded at the opportune moment, its tone carrying a hint of solemnity unlike its usual demeanor.

"Check in!" Lin Xuan said without hesitation, his heart filled with anticipation.

[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations to the Host for completing the first peak check-in at Buzhou Mountain's Sky-Supporting Cliff!]

[Reward obtained:]

1. [Divine Ability: Shrink Ground into Inches (Beginner)]: A simplified version of an ancient supreme divine ability. When cast, it can shrink a thousand miles into inches, with one step covering a hundred feet. As cultivation increases and understanding of spatial laws deepens, the distance and effect can be enhanced indefinitely. Note: Requires mana consumption, and continuous casting places a significant burden on the physical body.

2. [Buzhou Mountain Essence (a wisp)]: Condensed from the original aura of Buzhou Mountain, containing a trace of unyielding will and the profound Dao rhythm of the pillar of heaven and earth. Effect: Permanently enhances the foundation of the physical body and resistance to pressure, strengthens affinity with earth-element and strength-element laws.

3. [Low-Grade Spirit Stones x500]: Crystals of pure spiritual energy, aiding in cultivation.

Boom!

A massive stream of information surged into Lin Xuan's mind, the operational method of the Divine Ability Shrink Ground into Inches. It was profound and esoteric, involving the rudimentary principles of spatial folding. Simultaneously, a pure, heavy, ancient aura carrying an unyielding will (Buzhou Mountain Essence) merged into his limbs and bones, penetrating his marrow. He felt as if his physical body had formed a faint connection with the divine mountain beneath his feet, becoming more stable and solid.

What surprised Lin Xuan the most was undoubtedly the Divine Ability Shrink Ground into Inches! This was simply an unparalleled tool for long-distance travel and for chasing or escaping enemies! With it, crossing vast distances would no longer be an unattainable dream, and the journey to Longevity Mountain would be significantly more efficient!

He couldn't wait to try it out. Focusing his intent on a protruding rock a hundred feet away, he circulated his mana according to the divine ability's method and took a step!

Buzz!

The surrounding scenery instantly blurred and stretched, as if passing through a short spatial tunnel. The next moment, he was standing steadily on that rock! Looking back, the mountain peak platform where he had stood was now a hundred feet behind him!

"Success!" Lin Xuan was ecstatic. Although it was only the beginner level, covering a hundred feet with one step, and after several consecutive casts, his mana was nearly depleted, and his body felt somewhat sore and swollen, its significance was immense! This meant he truly possessed the capital to move rapidly within the vast Primordial Era world!

He stood at the edge of the rock, gazing eastward. Below the sea of clouds lay the boundless Primordial land, where unknown dangers and opportunities coexisted. Longevity Mountain was merely the first objective.

Taking a deep breath of the crisp, spirit-infused mountain wind, Lin Xuan's gaze was firm. He turned, casting one last look in the direction of the Houtu Tribe, and silently thought, "Big Brother Houyi, Brother Kuafu, take care. I will return to see you once I have achieved something!"

Then, he activated the divine ability and took a step, his figure instantly vanishing from Sky-Supporting Cliff and reappearing dozens of feet below on the mountain path. In a few flashes, he had descended from the peak, merged into the vast mountain forest, and began his true long journey eastward.

The trial on Buzhou Mountain had come to an end. He had grown from a lucky survivor of transmigration into a cultivator of the Primordial Era possessing profound techniques, divine abilities, supreme treasures, and allies. The story of the first volume concluded here.

And a new journey, the long road to Longevity Mountain, had just begun. What kind of scenery and challenges awaited him ahead?