Immortal Trace, On-the-Spot Reaction

Chapter 48: Immortal Traces, On-the-Spot Reactions

Sunlight streamed down from the heavens, renewing the world.

As the yang energy intensified, Yuan Tianzong opened his eyes. He sat up, feeling refreshed. He was satisfied with his formidable physical body's self-healing capabilities and believed that cultivating with a breathing technique on this foundation might one day allow him to achieve the status of a Great Sage of the Flesh.

Yuan Tianzong picked up his mobile phone to check the time. He had slept for three days.

Zzzzt.

As he awoke, the mental energy surrounding his body transformed from a dormant calm into an active state, accompanied by wisps of lightning.

The surge in mental power from refining the Divine Smoke was not yet fully under his control. Yuan Tianzong immediately sat down cross-legged, entering a state of meditation.

He had not yet mastered methods for mental cultivation, so he could only rely on the simplest training to gain control over his surging mental power.

Coincidentally, he was practicing fine manipulation of true energy, simulating the white marks described in the Nameless Scripture. The control of true energy was centered around mental power. He drew circles with his left hand and squares with his right. The mental differentiation required for these tasks shared commonalities, allowing him to train them simultaneously.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

As the thought arose, thousands of small stones floated up within the wooden house.

Compared to the initial simulation of the white marks, where he manipulated over four hundred stones with his true energy, the number had now grown to over a thousand.

After a moment of adaptation, Yuan Tianzong discovered that his control had significantly increased. He could now effortlessly manage thousands of stones, a benefit stemming from the surge in his mental power.

His mental energy expanded, rushing out of the wooden house.

Bone, lying in the courtyard, looked up. Within a three-hundred-meter radius, countless stones ascended into the air, creating a spectacular sight.

A smile crept onto Yuan Tianzong's lips. Fifteen thousand stones. Not bad!

Under his control, fifteen thousand stones flew in various routes within the designated area.

With a crisp crack, his smile vanished.

More stones collided with each other, exploding into powder.

He sighed softly, and all the stones fell to the ground. His control was still lacking; he couldn't precisely guide tens of thousands of stones along separate paths without any deviation.

"A bit disappointing."

If anyone else heard him say this, their emotions would surely be complex.

This was disappointing?

He stretched languidly and walked out of the wooden house.

Bone immediately rushed over, holding the Jade box, its emotions excited.

Seeing this, Yuan Tianzong immediately realized what was happening and asked tentatively, "Did the seed react?"

Bone nodded.

"Haha, let me see!" Yuan Tianzong hadn't expected the incense ash to actually provoke a reaction from the withered, exotic seed. This seed had a mysterious origin. If it could truly regain its vitality, sprout, and bloom, who knew what it would bear.

He lifted the lid and peered intently at the incense ash within.

The Dao seed was buried deep inside.

He condensed his true energy into his fingertip and gently brushed aside the incense ash above it, revealing the Dao seed.

A light flickered in his eyes.

As expected, the Dao seed had changed. Bone had not misjudged.

Previously, the Dao seed had been entirely withered, exuding an aura of death, its surface covered in cracked, shriveled seed skin.

Now, after being buried in the incense ash for only three days, it had changed. A faint wisp of life was budding within. The shriveled parts were becoming plump, and new skin was growing beneath the cracked outer layer.

Upon closer inspection, faint, unusual patterns had emerged on the surface of the embryonic bud. They were too small and short, only millimeters in size, making it impossible to determine their complete form.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

Yuan Tianzong covered the incense ash again.

"Bone, you've earned merit this time. Let me see if there are any more powerful Evolved Beasts in Wangwu Mountain, and I'll hunt a few for you to refine into a pelvis."

"Dada!" Bone was overjoyed and expressed its gratitude.

"Senior Yuan."

A voice came from outside the fence. It was Xue Ding.

"Come in," Yuan Tianzong replied.

Xue Ding walked in carrying a box, from which a meaty aroma wafted. He hadn't forgotten his promise to cook.

Although Yuan Tianzong hadn't specified how long he should cook for, Xue Ding felt that Yuan Tianzong had helped him immensely, and even cooking every day wouldn't be enough to repay him. He had come for the past few days, but left on his own when he learned Yuan Tianzong was sleeping.

"Senior Yuan, these are steamed buns from our Celestial Master Temple's canteen. They taste quite good. Please try them."

The vegetarian buns indeed tasted very good, and Yuan Tianzong ate several.

During their meal, he noticed that Xue Ding had also acquired Divine Smoke and had awakened his mental power, his demeanor changing significantly.

"How many wisps of Divine Smoke did you endure?" Yuan Tianzong asked.

"Twelve wisps."

"Only twelve?"

Xue Ding gave a wry smile, "Naturally, I can't compare to Senior Yuan."

No one knew how many strands of Divine Smoke Yuan Tianzong had obtained. Some of the incense ash and exotic soil containing Divine Smoke were taken by him before anyone else could discover them, so the exact number was unknown.

However, according to information released by some individuals, Yuan Tianzong had already acquired forty strands of Divine Smoke.

This number was already astonishing. Compared to the prodigies and old monsters from all over the internet, he was in a leading position, truly terrifying.

"Twelve strands are already quite a lot, forming an incense cauldron."

Speaking of this, Yuan Tianzong voiced his inner doubts. His spiritual realm had birthed four divine platforms from Divine Smoke, and this unusual situation must have a deeper meaning.

"What is the function of an incense cauldron?"

Xue Ding was taken aback, "Senior Yuan doesn't know?"

"I don't."

Xue Ding nodded. He had initially thought that Yuan Tianzong was collecting Divine Smoke so diligently because he knew its purpose.

"Senior Yuan, not long ago, a great sect with a long heritage announced that these secret items condensed from Divine Smoke possess the power to perceive immortal traces. This is why various factions, prodigies, and old monsters are fighting so hard for Divine Smoke, enduring its impact with all their might."

"Immortal traces?" Yuan Tianzong raised his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them.

He had seen this term in an ancient text before.

It was said that immortal traces were the indelible marks left behind by powerful beings in ancient times. Though the beings were dead, their traces would never dissipate.

Just like the everlasting achievements left by some emperors. Though the emperors were long gone, their traces remained, revered by later generations.

"I heard that a prodigy from a certain aristocratic family, through the incense cauldron they condensed, has comprehended some mysterious trace. Spectral beasts often manifest outside the courtyard where he is in seclusion, exuding immense power!"

"Is that really true?"

"Of course. Although there's no concrete proof, such news wouldn't come out of nowhere."

"Divine Smoke, divine incense, divine cauldron, divine platform. It's said that the more Divine Smoke one has, the more powerful the immortal traces one can perceive."

Yuan Tianzong was inwardly delighted, but his expression remained calm.

His spiritual realm had four divine platforms. Perhaps he could also perceive immortal traces?

"That monster must be in that courtyard!"

"I've been searching for days, day and night, and I've finally found traces!"

"I've been studying the torture methods of various dynasties for days. Today, I'll open this monster's eyes!"

"I'm so excited! I'll be able to get my revenge soon!"

"The lump on my head still hurts. I want to see what kind of weapon he used to hit people so hard!"

Noisy shouts came from outside the wooden wall.

Yuan Tianzong and Xue Ding turned their heads simultaneously.

Just then, the door was kicked open.

"White Bone Spirit, I've been looking for you everywhere! Today, I'll tear down your bones..."

The voice, which had been excited and loud, quickly grew weak and lost all confidence.

The crowd crammed at the doorway stared at Yuan Tianzong in shock, as if they had been silenced.

A Refiner?!

What is he doing here?!

It's over, we've caused huge trouble!

Sweat beaded on everyone's foreheads, forming streaks on their faces as it flowed down. Some were so scared they wet themselves, their legs trembling violently. Their vision darkened, and they nearly fainted.

Yuan Tianzong's brow furrowed as he was about to speak.

Plop!

Someone knelt down with a plop, took out a square jade box, and said with a trembling voice, "Lord White Bone, seeing as you've been digging for incense ash day and night, you must really like it. I specially brought this for you. I hope you like it!"

Those who had already seen the "path to the Yellow Springs" had their eyes light up. They reluctantly took out their own incense ash and respectfully offered it.

Yuan Tianzong looked at Bone with a hint of amusement in his eyes: Bone, you have quite a good reputation. So many people are giving you such a valuable item.

Bone tilted his head, somewhat confused, but still quickly walked forward and collected all the incense ash. Looking at the still swollen lumps on the crowd's heads, he felt they were too kind, repaying kindness with resentment, and regretted hitting them earlier.

"Lord White Bone, Lord Refiner, if there's nothing else, we won't disturb you. Goodbye! Goodbye!"

Seeing that Yuan Tianzong did not speak, the crowd felt as if they had received a great pardon. They quickly turned and fled in a sorry state.

After leaving this "land of death," everyone gasped for air as if they had narrowly escaped death. They felt as if they had just walked past King Yama himself.

"Damn it! Can anyone tell me why that White Bone Spirit and the Refiner are working together? We walked right into a trap, how stupid!"

"No wonder his bone-crushing skills are so refined, he has a big bandit backing him!"

Someone spread their hands and sat down on the ground, crying, "I didn't get my incense ash back, and I even lost the little I had! Ah!!!"

"Alright, alright. Being alive is already a stroke of luck. Chen Liang, we have you to thank just now. If you hadn't had a flash of inspiration and knelt down to offer incense ash, we would all have been refined!"

"That's right, that's right! It's all thanks to Chen Liang!"

"I really didn't expect you to have such quick reflexes, kid. You've got a bright future ahead of you!"

"Yeah, yeah, it's a good thing you reacted so fast!"

Chen Liang could only offer a wry smile as everyone praised him.

It wasn't quick reflexes at all; his legs had just gone weak and wouldn't obey him, that's all. Cough, cough.

Someone optimistic chimed in, "Speaking of which, we actually survived a Refiner! That's something we can brag about, right~"

"Brag about what? Don't you dare spread this around, it's too embarrassing. We looked like idiots."

"Right, right, let's not tell anyone. It's embarrassing."

"My head still hurts from that lump. Ow."

"That lump might be infected with yin energy. I should find my master to exorcise it when we get back."

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