Across the Layered Mountains Continent, winds and clouds shifted. Human expeditions crossed beyond the safe zones and entered the wilderness.
"Everything hinges on this."
Atop a sacred mountain, the Xu Family had gathered. They had committed everything they owned to this expedition. If it failed, the family might not recover for a long time.
A small altar had been prepared on the mountaintop, with a leafless peach branch planted at its center.
"Offer the sacrifice!"
The Xu Family head wore a solemn expression. He was the first to present the offerings prepared long ago and bow.
The others followed. In that moment, every hope the Xu Family held for the future became tangible power.
Guided by the rite, that power streamed into the peach branch and, through it, entered the Great Void.
"It's begun."
Inside his cave dwelling, Jiang Chen sensed the change and opened his eyes.
Almost at the same moment, the Spirit Lord responded. The power of the Blessed Land crossed the Great Void and descended into the mortal world.
Rustle, rustle. The peach branch took root and sprouted. Bolstered by the Blessed Land's power and suffused with Nurturing Divine Authority, it grew rapidly, becoming a tree heavy with leaves and branches in just a few breaths.
As the peach tree matured, the Blessed Land's influence on the mortal world deepened. Suppressed by the twin Dao resonances of Xuanhuang and Withering and Flourishing, the once-violent earth energy began to settle, while wisps of light, pure energy rose into the air.
A fierce wind swept up, scouring away the foulness. The entire mountain took on a new aspect.
At the sight, the Xu Family members' expressions changed.
"Spiritual energy! It's real spiritual energy!"
"So pure. There's none of that violent earth energy mixed in."
Cries of astonishment rose one