Old Daoist Hongjun

At that moment, the system notification sounded in Lin Yan's mind once more:

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully breaking through the Shaping Stage and officially advancing to the Earth Immortal Realm!]

[System Panel updating...]

[Ecology Civilization Spark System]

[Host: Lin Yan]

[Race: Earth Dragon / Innate Dao Body]

[Cultivation: Earth Immortal (Early Stage)]

[Mastered Law: Law of Earth (Beginner)]

[Current Task List:]

Task One: Explore the area within a million li around the canyon and eliminate Adverse Factors affecting the Ecological Environment within the area.

Task Two: Expand the "Earth Dragon Community," recruit at least three different races, and form a preliminary Civilization Symbiotic System.

Task Three: Spread the Ecological Civilization Concept, guide the Living Beings of the community to develop Ecological Protection Awareness, and establish preliminary Ecological Rules.

[Function List:]

Primordial Basic Knowledge Atlas (unlocked range expanded to ten thousand li)

Mini Ecology Simulator (unlocked range expanded to ten thousand li; new "Disaster Warning" function added)

Civilization Inheritance Fire Seed (basic functions unlocked)—can help Living Beings that have not yet taken form develop intelligence; requires a certain amount of Origin Power and Soul Power.

[Reward List:] (Combined rewards for advancing to the Earth Immortal Realm and completing the canyon restoration task)

Innate Spiritual Treasure: Earth Spirit Seal

Cultivation Method: Kun Yuan Thick Earth Art

Array Inheritance: Nine Palaces Earth Vein Array

...

Seeing that long list of generous rewards, especially the Innate Spiritual Treasure and the Cultivation Method that led directly to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, Lin Yan's eyes went wide, and even his breathing quickened.

At last, I can shake off the identity of a penniless pauper. I'm finally going to have my own magical treasure and cultivation method.

He impatiently released the Earth Spirit Seal from within his body. A Xuan Yellow streak of flowing light flew out from his Dantian, landed in his palm, and transformed into an ancient seal the size of his palm, neither metal nor jade.

Faint patterns of mountains, rivers, and terrain could be seen upon the seal. It emanated a heavy, ancient, majestic Aura and matched his Earth Element Origin perfectly, as though it had been tailor-made for him.

[Earth Spirit Seal: Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Contains a trace of Earth Dao Origin. It can suppress and organize Earth Veins, and can also transform into a mountain to fight enemies.]

The system promptly appeared and briefly introduced the Earth Spirit Seal's functions.

"What a treasure." Lin Yan fondly played with the Earth Spirit Seal. He could sense the vast Power of the Earth contained within it. With this seal in hand, if he encountered a ferocious beast like the Scorpion Demon Lion again, he would certainly be able to suppress it with ease.

Next, he immersed his consciousness in the Cultivation Method of the Kun Yuan Thick Earth Art. In an instant, an enormous flood of information poured into his mind.

[Kun Yuan Thick Earth Art: A top-tier Earth Element cultivation method. With this method, one may cultivate to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. It encompasses all things and contains numerous divine abilities and spells.]

The contents of this Cultivation Method were incredibly vast and complex, and Lin Yan struggled to browse through it once. He discovered that it was not merely a cultivation technique; it also contained deeper explanations of the Earth Dao and all manner of exquisite divine abilities and spells, such as the advanced form of "Wutu Divine Light," "Xuan Huang Divine Light," as well as "Earth Walking Technique," "Mountain Moving Method," "Point Earth to Steel," and more.

"This is what a proper immortal cultivation method looks like." Lin Yan sighed as he read through it. Compared to the crude cultivation he had relied on through bloodline instinct before, the difference was like Heaven and Earth.

As for the Nine Palaces Earth Vein Array, it was a comprehensive Composite Array Formation combining defense, concealment, nourishment, and illusion. It could draw upon Earth Vein Power to trap and kill enemies. Lin Yan felt that placing it around the canyon would not only serve as a security barrier, but also gather Spirit Qi and nourish the ecosystem. It could accomplish several things at once and was quite a good array.

After examining all the rewards, Lin Yan finally had the mood to look at the system's other modules.

"Current Task List..." Lin Yan stroked his chin and pondered carefully.

Task One: Explore the surrounding area within a million li and eliminate ecological Adverse Factors. The system was forcing him to go out—it really could not stand seeing him stay home all day. But the Primordial Great Earth was full of danger. Who knew what ruthless figures might be waiting outside? This required careful consideration.

Task Two: Expand the community and recruit three different races. This one was a little difficult. Over the years, he had not discovered any other Living Beings capable of forming stable communities. To complete this task, he would still have to leave the canyon and search.

Task Three: Spread ecological concepts and establish Ecological Rules. To put it bluntly, this task was about building "spiritual civilization." But the Living Beings around him had Intelligence Not Yet Opened. Even if he wanted to build spiritual civilization, they first had to be able to understand him.

"The system's nature really hasn't changed at all. If I want to improve my cultivation and get benefits, I have to work honestly for it." Lin Yan curled his lip and said disdainfully.

He then opened the function list.

The coverage range of the [Primordial Basic Knowledge Atlas] and [Mini Ecology Simulator] had expanded to ten thousand li, which was decent enough. But this newly unlocked [Civilization Inheritance Module] was rather interesting. It could actually enlighten Living Beings and grant them intelligence. He just did not know how effective it was or whether there were any side effects.

Just as he was engrossed in exploring the system's new functions, an indescribably subtle sensation suddenly swept through his heart.

He abruptly raised his head and looked toward the sky above the canyon.

At some point, an old man dressed in a Plain Grey Daoist Robe had appeared, silently floating in midair.

The old man had a lean face, White Beard and Hair, and clear eyes. At first glance, he seemed like a newborn infant, but upon closer inspection, his gaze was unfathomably deep. His Aura seemed to have merged with Heaven and Earth itself. Though he stood in the air, he emitted no pressure whatsoever.

"Great God..." Alarm bells rang in Lin Yan's heart, but he did not dare show the slightest disrespect.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands toward the sky, and called out, "Junior Lin Yan failed to welcome Senior upon your arrival. I hope Senior will forgive this offense." With the enemy's intentions unclear, he intended to be courteous first and resort to force later.

Hearing this, the Old Daoist in the sky revealed a gentle smile. "Little Friend, there is no need for such courtesy. This Old Daoist is Hongjun. I was traveling through this area and noticed the unusual gathering of Spirit Qi here, so I came to take a look. I did not expect Little Friend, in the body of an Earth Dragon, to take form as an Innate Dao Body. What remarkable skill and fortune. I hope Little Friend will forgive my intrusion."

Hongjun?!

Lin Yan's mind buzzed, and he nearly lost his footing. Daoist Hongjun—the future Dao Ancestor, founder of the Mystic Gate, the one who would teach the Dao at Purple Cloud Palace and enlighten all beings of the Prehistoric World. Even the future Saints—the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti—would become his disciples.

This was absolutely the thickest thigh in the Primordial World, without question.

An opportunity! An opportunity! This was a heaven-sent opportunity! If I can form some Good Karma with this future Dao Ancestor, even if I only make him remember my face, I'll have a little more confidence walking through the Primordial World in the future, won't I?

"So it is Senior Hongjun. This Junior has long admired your great name; it is like thunder in my ears!" Lin Yan spoke with complete sincerity. Although Hongjun's "great name" might not have spread yet, he was definitely a household name in later generations.

"It is this Junior's honor that Senior has graced this humble place with your presence. If Senior does not mind, please come down and rest for a while. Allow this Junior to offer some humble Spirit Spring Water and Wild Fruit."

Old Daoist Hongjun was slightly startled. This Living Being who had only just taken form was rather interesting.

His cultivation was not high, yet he spoke in such a refined manner that it was quite pleasing to hear. It just felt a little affected and not entirely sincere. Still, his virtues outweighed his flaws. He was countless times better than those crude, overbearing, unreasonable Living Beings.

Lin Yan carefully and attentively invited Hongjun over beside a Giant Stone. He casually picked several Wild Fruit by the spirit spring, carefully washed them with Spirit Spring Water, and placed them atop the stone.

"Senior, please sit. My Humble Abode is simple, and I have truly neglected you." Lin Yan felt somewhat embarrassed. This was his first time entertaining a guest, and he truly had nothing good enough to offer.

Hongjun did not mind. His gaze swept across the entire canyon, taking in the orderly Spirit Fields, the gently flowing spirit spring, and the few little Earth Dragons in the distance peeking curiously in their direction. A trace of approval Flashed through his eyes.