Changes in the Spirit Realm

Near Qinghe Town, there was a Second-Rank Superior-Grade Spirit Vein. The entire town had been built atop one of this Spirit Vein's Spirit Nexuses.

The town was rich in spiritual energy, enough to support a complete defensive formation system.

Moreover, Qinghe Town occupied an important location. Less than a hundred li south of it lay Yujin Mountain.

Within the five hundred li of mountains stretching from Yujin Mountain to the Azure Elixir Sect's mountain gate were many of the sect's important assets, including medicinal gardens, mines, and even several small and medium-sized Spirit Stone Veins.

Qinghe Town was the fortress guarding those assets.

Over at Golden Ao Mountain and Gray Goose Lake, both sects had more than enough defensive strength but lacked offensive power, and the situation had fallen into a stalemate.

The Demoncloud Sect had crossed thousands of li of wilderness on an expedition. If the conflict dragged on, its resources would be difficult to sustain.

To break the stalemate, it had to throw the Azure Elixir Sect's rear territories into chaos and force the sect to abandon Golden Ao Mountain.

To achieve that, it had to capture Qinghe Town first, then use it as a foothold to launch attacks in every direction.

Likewise, if the Azure Elixir Sect wanted to protect its own assets, it had to hold Qinghe Town.

The tiny Qinghe Town had now become the decisive point in the war between the two sects.

The flying boat was extremely fast, reaching Qinghe Town in just over half a shi chen.

The flying boat landed steadily in the center of Qinghe Town, and the disciples descended one after another.

Liu Yuanchen looked around. The sight before him was vastly different from what he remembered.

During the four years he had spent farming at Yujin Mountain, he had often come to Qinghe Town.

No matter when he visited, the town had always been bustling.

But now, the streets were desolate, with scarcely a person in sight.

Some of the buildings lining the streets had become ruins, while most of the rest bore obvious damage.

The only structure that still looked relatively intact was the Azure Elixir Pavilion, the Azure Elixir Sect's core shop.

The Myriad Treasures Trading Association and Iron Cauldron Mountain shops, both located in the center of Qinghe Town, had also suffered considerable damage.

The Azure Elixir Pavilion was not only the Azure Elixir Sect's core shop in Qinghe Town, but also served a role similar to that of a local government office.

The disciples assigned by the sect to garrison Qinghe Town usually lived in the Azure Elixir Pavilion.

After all the disciples had disembarked, Hu Shanren put away the flying boat and led them into the Azure Elixir Pavilion.

Behind the shop was a large courtyard, roughly half a mu in size, with several small houses around it.

The disciples stood in the courtyard as Hu Shanren stepped before them. "Fellow disciples, the evil cultivators of the Demoncloud Sect have invaded Azure Elixir Sect territory and slaughtered Azure Elixir Sect disciples.

Half a year ago, several hundred fellow disciples fell at Golden Ao Mountain.

Not long ago, the Demoncloud Sect's evil cultivators attacked Qinghe Town as well.

Qinghe Town is the eastern gateway of our Azure Elixir Sect. If it falls into the hands of those evil cultivators, the Demoncloud Sect's claws will be able to reach deep into our sect's heartland.

When that happens, countless fellow disciples will die miserable deaths.

Even the entire Red Wasteland may become the domain of evil cultivators.

We and our families may all become souls beneath the blades of evil cultivators.

Fellow disciples, are you willing to let such a future come to pass?"

The disciples shouted in unison, "No!"

Liu Yuanchen secretly praised him. There really were quite a few capable people in the sect. This elder was truly skilled at rousing morale.

Seeing that their spirits had been stirred, Hu Shanren spoke again. "For some time to come, Qinghe Town will be garrisoned by us.

Before the evil cultivators attack Qinghe Town, you may freely accept missions.

Upon completing them, you will receive rewards.

All missions will be managed by Elder Mo Lianshan.

For certain important missions that must be carried out, if no disciple volunteers, Elder Mo and I will assign them by force.

As for all types of resources, they will be managed by Elder Liao Mingsheng.

Qinghe Town's defenses and the Sea of Qi Realm cultivators will be under my personal command.

If disciples carrying out missions outside encounter danger, use your disciple tokens to call for help. I will dispatch Sea of Qi Realm cultivators to rescue you.

Once the evil cultivators attack Qinghe Town, everyone must act according to my orders. No one is to act without authorization."

Afterward, Hu Shanren made many more detailed arrangements, even clearly settling the disciples' food and lodging.

It had to be said that Hu Shanren was indeed a qualified commander.

The moment he arrived in Qinghe Town, he had arranged everything properly.

Once he had finished assigning duties, the disciples dispersed. Some wanted to return to their lodgings to rest, while others went out to familiarize themselves with the surroundings.

Liu Yuanchen went straight to a small house and saw a plaque hanging beside its door, bearing the three words "Mission Office."

He entered the room and found an elderly man seated inside, with a young man and a young woman standing beside him.

The young man somewhat resembled the old man and was likely his son or grandson.

The old man was Mo Lianshan, who had close ties with the Liu Family. He looked to be seventy or eighty years old, with white hair and beard.

Mo Lianshan was at the Peak Sea of Qi Realm and was already over one hundred seventy years old.

Sea of Qi Realm cultivators had lifespans of two hundred forty years, but once they surpassed two-thirds of their maximum lifespan, they were considered elderly.

At that age, it was already difficult for one's cultivation to improve.

Breaking through to a higher realm required an enormous amount of spiritual resources.

Given Mo Lianshan's circumstances, his chances of breaking through to the Condensed Origin Realm were minuscule. He was no longer worth wasting resources on.

The young man and woman beside him were likely his descendants.

By coming to defend Qinghe Town this time, he was also trying to pave the way for his descendants.

Liu Yuanchen bowed. "Disciple Liu Yuanchen greets Elder Mo."

Mo Lianshan looked at him, his face full of smiles. "Yuanchen, is it? I heard that you took Deputy Hall Master Zhao as your master. I haven't yet had the chance to congratulate you."

Liu Yuanchen repeatedly said he did not deserve it. "This disciple came to accept a mission."

Mo Lianshan smiled. "You are an Alchemy Master, so there is no need for you to carry out ordinary missions.

You only need to refine a few batches of pills whenever there is a shortage.

We have only just arrived in Qinghe Town, and our resources are still abundant. There are no alchemy missions for now."

Liu Yuanchen cupped his hands. "The mission this disciple wishes to accept is a patrol mission."

Mo Lianshan was somewhat surprised. "Since a month ago, evil cultivators have often been active around Qinghe Town.

Your Liu Family and several nearby families have also been ambushed by evil cultivators.

Patrolling outside carries no small amount of risk."

Liu Yuanchen put on a helpless expression. "How could this disciple not know how dangerous evil cultivators are? During this summons, this disciple could originally have continued hiding within the mountain gate to cultivate.

After all, in this war, our Azure Elixir Sect is only at a slight disadvantage. It has not reached the point of conscripting Alchemy Masters.

But my master said that I needed to experience life-and-death battles in order to grow.

That is why I voluntarily answered this summons and came to Qinghe Town.

If I cannot kill a few evil cultivators, I will have no way to answer to him when I return."

Mo Lianshan chuckled. "Since it is Deputy Hall Master Zhao's intention, I will not try to dissuade you."

With that, he took out a sheet of beast hide.

Only after spreading it open did Liu Yuanchen see that it was a map.

"This is a map of the Qingshui River basin. Each small square marked on it is a pre-designated patrol area.

You may choose one patrol area and carry out a patrol mission there."

Liu Yuanchen stared at the map for a while. Its quality was quite high, with spiritual light flickering across its surface.

Strands of spiritual light outlined illusory images of mountains and rivers.

Liu Yuanchen pointed at Yujin Mountain. "I will choose this patrol area."

Mo Lianshan glanced at it. "That is Yujin Mountain. You should think carefully. More than fifty li west of Yujin Mountain lies a Gold-Spotted Copper Ore Vein.

That is an important sect asset. Over the past month or two, evil cultivators have often gone there to harass it.

And Yujin Mountain is precisely the route they must take.

If you patrol there, the chances of encountering evil cultivators will be extremely high. You may even encounter Sea of Qi Realm evil cultivators."

Liu Yuanchen did not take it too seriously. If Sea of Qi Realm evil cultivators really went there, they would not merely be lurking around.

Now that the Azure Elixir Sect had dispatched several hundred disciples to garrison Qinghe Town, the evil cultivators would not dare risk going to the Gold-Spotted Copper Ore site without first pulling out Qinghe Town, that thorn in their side.

"This disciple managed Spirit Fields at Yujin Mountain for several years and is familiar with the surrounding terrain.

Even if I encounter powerful evil cultivators, I can use the terrain to escape.

Now that the evil cultivators are sweeping through the Qingshui River basin, I could run into powerful evil cultivators anywhere.

This disciple is unfamiliar with other places, so escaping would be even harder if I encountered them there."

Seeing that he had already made up his mind, Mo Lianshan no longer tried to persuade him. "Since you have made up your mind, I will not try to stop you. Put preserving your life first.

According to the rules established by the sect's upper ranks, each patrol mission lasts ten days.

Before sunset every day, you must send at least one report.

If you discover anything unusual, report it immediately.

If you encounter danger, you may use your disciple token to call for help.

While carrying out a patrol mission, you may return to Qinghe Town or stay elsewhere.

Once you receive orders from Qinghe Town, you must carry them out unconditionally.

After completing the patrol mission, you may claim ten Spirit Stones."

After hearing him out, Liu Yuanchen cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Elder Mo. This disciple will obey the rules."

Elder Mo nodded. "The patrol mission officially begins tomorrow. Though you are confident, it would be best to make some preparations."

After accepting the patrol mission, Liu Yuanchen left the Azure Elixir Pavilion.

The last time evil cultivators plundered Qinghe Town, cultivators renting shops had either died at the hands of the evil cultivators or fled with their valuables.

There were now many vacant shops throughout Qinghe Town.

The summoned disciples could freely choose any unoccupied shop as temporary lodging. Liu Yuanchen selected a relatively secluded shop in the northern part of town.

After entering the shop, he took out some Yellow-Scaled Pine seeds and nurtured them with the Yi Wood Origin-Nourishing Art.

When patrolling places where evil cultivators appeared, the most important thing, if he wished to preserve his life while also killing evil cultivators, was to keep track of their movements.

Spirit plants cultivated by the Yi Wood Origin-Nourishing Art could serve as his eyes and ears, making them perfect for this purpose.

Yellow-Scaled Pine was a type of charcoalwood. It could grow normally anywhere with spiritual energy, and planting it in the wilderness would not look out of place.

Early the next morning, Liu Yuanchen and the other disciples left Qinghe Town and scattered in every direction.

Most of the other disciples traveled in groups of three or five, patrolling an area together so they could watch out for one another. Liu Yuanchen alone went by himself.

After leaving Qinghe Town, he followed the Qingshui River upstream.

Whenever he passed places thick with vegetation, he casually tossed down several Yellow-Scaled Pine seeds.

At the same time, he used Ten Thousand Woods Become a Forest, channeling spiritual power into the seeds.

In only a short while, the seeds showed signs of sprouting.

Along the way, he used the life force of the vegetation to sense the surrounding area.

His sensing range had now reached around sixty zhang, twice the range of a cultivator of the same realm using Divine Sense.

He encountered several cultivators with relatively low cultivation, perhaps evil cultivator sentries.

He was eager to inspect the Bluestone Mountain Spirit Realm and did not attack them.

He merely used his disciple token to send a report back to Qinghe Town, then carefully detoured around them and casually dropped a pine seed along the way.

Before long, he arrived at Yujin Mountain.

After being gone for a year, the changes on the mountain were truly considerable.

Several mu of Spirit Fields had been completely abandoned. The cave dwelling also appeared to have been forcibly entered, and its defensive formation had been damaged.

Only the well had not been destroyed.

Following the patrol mission requirements, Liu Yuanchen made a circuit through the fifty-li radius around Yujin Mountain. He found only traces of destruction left by evil cultivators, but no evil cultivators themselves.

Afterward, he found a concealed spot near Yujin Mountain, sat down cross-legged, and quietly waited for nightfall.

The sun gradually sank westward before finally disappearing behind the western mountains.

Black Mist spread over from the east.

Under the cover of Black Mist, he soon arrived at Bluestone Mountain.

It had been a year since he returned to the mountain gate. He wondered what the Spirit Realm had become.

Entering the underground karst cave, he formed a thought, and his entire body appeared within the Spirit Realm.

Feeling the dense spiritual energy within the Spirit Realm, Liu Yuanchen let out a long breath. "I truly miss this feeling!"

He looked around and saw that the entire Spirit Realm had grown considerably.

When it had first been opened, it had only around three zhang in diameter.

Now, the Spirit Realm's diameter had reached more than five zhang.

In addition, the gray membrane at the edge of the Spirit Realm had changed greatly.

The membrane had clearly thickened, and some patches had turned earthy yellow.

Liu Yuanchen walked to the edge of the Spirit Realm and poked the membrane with a finger, discovering that it had become far more resilient.

When the Spirit Realm had first been opened, the membrane at its edge had resembled a balloon. Now, it was more like cowhide.

At the edges of a true Blessed Land were rocks resembling mountain stone.

The strengthening of the Spirit Realm's membrane indicated that it was likely developing in the direction of stone.

He also discovered something unusual.

When his Immortal Seed had awakened, the Black-Gold Meteorite had shattered into many fragments surrounding the Ginseng Fruit Tree Sapling.

When he opened the Spirit Realm, those meteorite fragments had scattered around its edges.

Looking closely, he found that the meteorite fragments had actually grown together with the membrane.

The membrane in direct contact with the meteorites had taken on a black-gold color.

Clearly, the two were merging.

Liu Yuanchen reached out and touched that small section of black-gold membrane. It felt slightly rough against his hand, almost like stone.

Clearly, once the two completely fused, the strength of the Spirit Realm Membrane would greatly increase.

"This meteorite used to wrap around the Ginseng Fruit. I wonder if the two are somehow connected.

How about prying off a piece of the meteorite and using it to suppress the Spirit Nexus?"

No sooner said than done, he pinched a meteorite no bigger than a longan between his fingers and tried to pull it free.

But no matter how much strength he used, he only managed to warp the Spirit Realm Membrane slightly.

As for the meteorite, it remained firmly embedded in the Spirit Realm Membrane.

"It seems this meteorite is destined to merge with the Spirit Realm Membrane.

Once the Spirit Realm grows into a Blessed Land, the membrane at its edges should develop into a Spatial Barrier.

The Black-Gold Meteorite has an extraordinary origin, so it should improve the Spatial Barrier's strength in the future.

The strength of the Spatial Barrier, along with the strength of the treasure suppressing it, directly determines whether the Blessed Land can be moved.

Either way, it all stays mine. I won't lose out."

Afterward, he turned his attention to the Ginseng Fruit Tree Sapling.