Once Entering Vastness, Heaven and Earth Broaden

Situ Yuelan spoke with utmost seriousness, and Chen Ming's expression also grew solemn.

"As for those two Qi Gathering magic arts, it's not that I don't want to give them to you, but I can't recall the specific details. I won't hide it from you. It was only when I was condensing talismans that day that I realized, I am Situ Yuelan, but also, I am not her!"

It turned out that the Situ Yuelan before him was the sentience transformed from a Spirit Condensation Realm Supernatural Ability.

She was merely a supernatural ability that the Spirit Condensation Realm Cultivator Situ Yuelan had shed from her physical body, possessing only a portion of Situ Yuelan's memories.

Having obtained some of the divine soul memories of the Spirit Condensation Realm Cultivator Situ Yuelan, she mistakenly believed herself to be that Spirit Condensation Realm Cultivator, merely injured.

The two were originally one, from the same source. Furthermore, she was formed from the fundamental supernatural ability that allowed Situ Yuelan to achieve the Spirit Condensation Realm. Now, having condensed only a part of the memories, she was both a new Situ Yuelan and possessed some consciousness of her own sentience.

Therefore, she now only knew the names of those two Qi Gathering magic arts but could not manifest them.

"No wonder, that day, you said 'I am not me.' So that's the reason!" Chen Ming said with sudden realization.

"I am formed from Situ Yuelan's supernatural ability and a portion of her memories. Now, I am her, and yet I am not her!"

"If I can find her physical body, perhaps I can recover other scattered memories, and then I might be able to condense those magic arts!" Situ Yuelan said.

"Fellow Daoist Situ, rest assured. Since you have been so candid, our alliance still stands."

Chen Ming offered a few words of comfort. Seeing that he had no intention of breaking their agreement, Situ Yuelan finally relaxed.

"Let's enter the mountains first, find a hidden spot, and rest a bit before discussing anything else!"

After they made their decision, Situ Yuelan once again hid within the bronze mirror.

Traveling with Qing Ling was not very convenient.

Chen Ming simply held the branch that had transformed from the Grotto-Heaven Dojo, gently shook it, and then put the bronze mirror and Qing Ling inside. He entered the Vast Mountain Range alone.

Chen Ming had been in the Vast Mountain Range for only a few days when a Luan Bird descended from the sky, surrounded by colorful clouds and mist. It was Fairy Caiyi, who had pursued him.

"He's hidden in the Vast Mountain Range?"

Fairy Caiyi calculated with her fingers, but the chaotic Spiritual Energy of the Vast Mountain Range blocked her, making it impossible to determine his location.

She lingered outside the Vast Mountain Range for several days, not daring to enter.

"There will be plenty of time. Let's see how long you can hide!"

Fairy Caiyi recited an incantation, and a colorful talisman manifested, disappearing around the perimeter of the Vast Mountain Range.

After setting up the talisman, Fairy Caiyi let out a cold laugh and departed on the Luan Bird.

As long as Chen Ming emerged, the talisman would sense his aura, allowing Fairy Caiyi to descend rapidly with the talisman's aid.

Chen Ming entered the Vast Mountain Range alone, initially expecting it to be nothing but desolate mountains and harsh waters.

Unexpectedly, the Vast Mountain Range held hidden wonders, forming a world of its own.

Amidst the high mountains and swift currents, there were also Mountain Valley Villages and Mortal Cities, though they were scattered between the mountains and rivers.

While not as level as the outside world, they were still quite substantial.

"I heard that the Vast Mountain Range is not only home to Heretical Paths but also inhabited by Demons and Monsters. How can there be such a peaceful scene?"

Chen Ming was puzzled. He connected his Spiritual Sense to the Grotto-Heaven Dojo and asked Situ Yuelan in the Bronze Mirror.

Situ Yuelan replied, "It may seem peaceful, but wherever there are mortals, there are cultivators protecting them! It's just to cultivate Incense and Fire, or to perform Flesh and Blood Sacrifices."

"I happen to have a feeling that a spiritual item formed from my body has been lost in that tribe ahead. Fellow Daoist, you might as well experience the customs of the Vast Mountain Range."

Chen Ming sensed it slightly. The tribe only had the aura of the Contemplation Realm, nothing that could endanger him. He then concealed his aura, transformed into the appearance of a mortal, and quietly blended in.

This tribe was called "Minping," and they worshipped the Totem God, an "Auspicious Spirit God."

The "Auspicious Spirit God" cultivated the Water Pattern, and this tribe favored blue and green colors. Their clothing and tools were often adorned with water patterns and fish scale patterns.

When Chen Ming arrived, the Minping Tribe was holding a marketplace after a grand sacrifice, and it was very lively.

The Minping Tribe was not small, and their sacrificial activities were on a large scale. They also had several specialty spiritual items that attracted people from surrounding tribes and cities to trade.

Chen Ming's arrival was timely and not abrupt.

"This Minping Tribe carries some wild aura, yet it has been softened and given a unique character by the teachings of the 'Auspicious Spirit God'!"

Chen Ming admired the architecture, customs, and clothing of the Minping Tribe.

"Eh, the aura of that tile ahead is so familiar!"

Chen Ming suddenly sensed something from a stall ahead. Several Green Tiles emitted a strangely familiar aura, so he went forward to examine them.

The owner of the stall was a half-grown youth in his teens. Seeing Chen Ming approach, he stammered, "Guest, if you like anything, please, please pick it out!"

Chen Ming picked up a Green Tile and sensed it slightly, finally understanding the source of the familiarity.

Indeed, the material of this Green Tile was very similar to that of the Spirit Devouring Jar.

When the Spirit Devouring Jar was refined, this type of Green Tile must have been incorporated into it.

Furthermore, this Green Tile was inscribed with mysterious Patterns.

To ordinary people, the Patterns on the Green Tile were merely ancient and mysterious.

But under Chen Ming's Spiritual Sense, the Patterns were actually a Method for Artifact Refining, albeit incomplete.

"I'll take these green tiles. How much are they?" Chen Ming asked.

The youth's eyes lit up when Chen Ming wanted to buy them. "I found these tiles in some ruins in the mountains. I just thought they looked nice, but a True Person used to cultivate there. I don't know how much these tiles are worth. If you have any Spiritually Endowed Herbs, I'm willing to trade."

"Oh?"

In an instant, Chen Ming understood what the youth meant.

The Spiritually Endowed Herbs he spoke of were merely some plants that had absorbed a bit of Spiritual Energy. They were quite useful to Mortals.

But to Cultivators, they were no different from weeds.

Chen Ming had many Spirit Grasses on him, all nurtured by the Spiritual Energy of Cuiping Mountain. Trading one for these green tiles wouldn't be a loss.

But then he thought, if he traded Spirit Grass like this, it might not necessarily be a good thing for the youth before him.

With a thought, Chen Ming secretly took a common herb. From the Azure Wood Life and Death Gas, he conjured a bit of vitality and infused it into the herb.

The common herb, having received this bit of vitality, instantly changed its appearance. Its roots were jade-green, its leaves unfurled, and a faint life force flowed through it. It was clearly no ordinary herb.

Chen Ming took the herb and handed it over, saying, "How about this one?"

Seeing the herb, the youth quickly said, "It's fine, it's fine! Thank you, sir..."

Before the youth could finish speaking, a group of people wearing clothes adorned with Wave Water Patterns, surrounding a noble young master, walked over.

The noble young master's clothes were decorated with the "Auspicious Water Pattern," marking his origin.

"Put these tiles away. The Old Ancestor has been collecting items with secret patterns like these recently!"

The noble young master said indifferently, pointing at the green tiles on the youth's stall.

Someone beside him stepped forward to take the green tiles.

The youth clenched his fists, his eyes red, gritting his teeth. His body trembled as he suddenly snatched the tiles into his hands. "These are my things, and this gentleman already said he wanted to buy them. How can you snatch them!"