Zhenyuanzi's Teachings and Admonitions

Once their respective tasks were clear.

The five did not immediately disperse but first went together to the "relatively simple" sorting area assigned to Jieyin and Zhunti.

This area was located in the south-central part of the West, a stretch of rolling hills.

Looking at the Earth Vein Light Shadow Map, the veins here resembled a silk net that had been crumpled and then hastily smoothed out.

Though the overall framework remained, there were subtle twists and tangles everywhere, with Spiritual Energy flow sluggish and obstructed.

Zhenyuanzi chose a small hollow where Earth Qi was typically blocked as a teaching point.

He had Jieyin and Zhunti carefully sense the state of the Earth Qi here.

It felt heavy, like a pipe clogged with silt—the underground spiritual mechanisms wanted to flow.

But were trapped by an invisible resistance.

They could only circle in place, leaving this area sparse in Spiritual Energy, the land barren, and plants struggling to grow.

"To fix this kind of problem, the key is to guide rather than force a breakthrough."

As Zhenyuanzi spoke, he once again summoned the Earth Scroll.

But this time, he only drew forth a faint glimmer of light, like the finest surgical blade.

He extended a finger and tapped in the air, and that thread of earthy yellow radiance seeped into the ground like a living stream.

Jieyin and Zhunti watched intently, releasing their divine sense to follow the light's trail deep underground.

They "saw" that about a hundred zhang below, several hair-thin earthy yellow Spiritual Veins were tangled together.

Forming a small "nodule" that blocked the rise of Qi from slightly larger vein branches deeper down.

"Found the knot." Zhenyuanzi's voice was calm.

"Next, don't use brute force to break it—that could damage the already fragile Spiritual Veins.

Instead, use your own gentle mana to simulate pure Earth Qi.

Like warm water melting ice, gradually soak and loosen this nodule."

The thread of Earth Scroll light gently wrapped around the small nodule, emitting a unique Dao resonance of soothing and ordering.

The chaotic Earth Qi clogged in the nodule began to loosen and separate under this resonance.

Zhenyuanzi's fingers trembled with extreme subtlety, like the most skilled zither player.

Guiding the separated strands of Earth Qi back into the fine vein paths where they should flow.

The process was slow and delicate, taking most of half a day.

When the last strand of clogged Earth Qi was guided into place, the small nodule quietly dissolved.

The ground trembled slightly, and a faint but fresh and smooth Spiritual Energy.

Like a stream freed from its shackles, slowly surged from underground, spreading through the small hollow.

A few clumps of wilted wild grass seemed to straighten instantly, their color growing a bit fresher.

"That's how it's done." Zhenyuanzi withdrew the Earth Scroll.

"The key is precise sensing, gentle technique, and ample patience.

One small nodule like this, or many similar blockages across an area.

The principle is the same—it just requires repeated work and attention to how they connect, to avoid fixing one and breaking another."

Both Jieyin and Zhunti were Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals with sharp comprehension. After careful observation and reflection, understanding dawned in their hearts.

Jieyin said in a deep voice:

"Daoist friend, your method deeply aligns with the principle of moistening things silently. I understand."

Zhunti nodded as well:

"It looks simple, but it demands extreme control over mana and focus of mind.

We will proceed cautiously, starting with the smallest and simplest blockages to practice."

Seeing their quick grasp, Zhenyuanzi felt reassured.

He explained in detail the area assigned to them on the Earth Vein Light Shadow Map.

Pointing out several key nodes and potential difficulties that needed special attention, and repeatedly urged:

"Don't rush, but seek stability. Consolidate each place after sorting it.

If anything feels uncertain or abnormal, don't force it—contact us promptly with the secret method."

Jieyin and Zhunti accepted solemnly.

They knew this was the first step in restoring the West's Earth Veins, the foundation-laying step, and could not afford the slightest carelessness.

After taking their leave of Xuande, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun.

They chose a relatively marginal area with the mildest problems and began their first careful attempt at independent sorting.

After watching Jieyin and Zhunti depart, Zhenyuanzi turned to Xuande, his expression even more solemn than before:

"Daoist friend Xuande, that Demon Qi Remnant Land is the most perilous location in this entire restoration effort.

The demon qi is deeply entangled with the earth veins and possesses the ability to corrode one's mind and spirit.

Though you are protected by your merit, you must still exercise extreme caution."

He described in detail the location of that area and some features observed from its periphery.

It was a vast basin, once an ancient Spirit Lake, with part of the Rahula Demon Palace built along its shore.

After the self-detonation, the lakebed shattered, and the demon palace ruins, thick with dense demon qi, sank deep into the earth veins.

This left the entire basin shrouded year-round in a gray-black demonic mist, barren of all life.

Any living being approaching would feel extreme discomfort, even risk being corroded by the demon qi.

"Even using the Earth Scroll to sense it, I can only reach the periphery. The demon qi at the core is too dense.

Moreover, it's twisted together with the earth veins, making it difficult to probe the specific damage to the veins inside."

Zhenyuanzi said gravely.

"Therefore, Daoist friend, your primary task is to purify the demon qi—especially that which has already seeped into the shallow layers of the earth veins and become interwoven with them.

But remember, until the demon qi is basically cleared, do not attempt to repair the earth veins there!

Because without a clear view of the veins' true condition, acting rashly could backfire.

It might even provoke a fiercer backlash from the demon qi or trigger unpredictable mutations in the earth veins."

He emphasized repeatedly:

"After purification, leave the earth veins in that area as they are—do not touch them.

Once the demon qi has dissipated, I will go and investigate carefully. Only after I understand the specific fractures and distortions in the veins below will we discuss how to repair them.

This point is absolutely critical."

Xuande listened attentively, committing every word to memory.

He understood well that this was no trivial matter. Anything left behind by the Devil Ancestor Rahula, even mere remnants, was not to be underestimated.

"Rest assured, Daoist friend. Xuande understands.

I will first devote all my effort to purifying the demon qi and will not rashly disturb the earth veins' foundation.

After you have investigated and understood the situation, I will proceed with the repairs."

Hongyun patted Xuande on the shoulder, his usual smile rare to see:

"Daoist friend Xuande, that place is sinister. I felt a chill just looking at it from afar once.

You're going alone—be extremely careful.

If anything feels off, pull out immediately, and we'll regroup and discuss another plan.

Merit is fine, but it's not worth more than your own safety."

Feeling the genuine concern in Hongyun's words, a warmth spread through Xuande's heart. He nodded:

"Thank you for your worry, Daoist friend Hongyun. I will act with caution."

With the instructions given, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun lingered no longer.

They were responsible for the most complex and core restoration areas—a daunting task requiring immense time and effort.

The two clasped their hands in farewell to Xuande, then transformed into streaks of light, flying toward a region northwest by west—an area on the Earth Vein Light Shadow Map colored the deepest red, with the most twisted structure.

In the blink of an eye, this temporary teaching ground in the mountain hollow was left with only Xuande.

He raised his head, gazing in the direction Jieyin and Zhunti had departed.

Then he looked toward the sky where Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun had vanished.

Finally, his eyes settled on the northwest by west.

That region which, even on the Earth Vein Light Shadow Map, appeared exceptionally gloomy and oppressive.

He did not set off immediately.

Instead, he first found a flat mountain rock, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused his mind, beginning to adjust his own state.

His mind sank into the Purple Mansion, where vast Da Luo-level mana flowed slowly, meticulously polished into seamless unity.

The shadow of Qingyun appeared faintly above his head, the Three Flowers budding, Dao rhymes cascading down.

Most importantly, he stirred the power of merit deeply hidden within his Primordial Spirit and the origin of his Dao body.

A warm, peaceful, and resilient golden radiance faintly seeped through the pores of his entire body.

Not dazzling, yet carrying a sense of Purity that repelled all evil and rendered all dharma invulnerable.