"Not so."
Lu Chenyuan shook his head. "The reduction in Water Qi was by no means caused by a single factor, but the result of multiple causes piling atop one another.
Besides the Defiled-Earth God contaminating the Earth Veins, it was also related to the Dragon Vein being severed.
Furthermore, the major powers had overexploited Spirit Veins over the years. Given enough time, that too would lead to the current situation."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
It was not that they had suddenly come to their senses, but that the problem had shifted from the Defiled-Earth God to themselves.
After all, everyone was extracting resources from the Heavenly Origin Realm. No one was in a position to criticize anyone else.
"Then, Grandmaster Lu, do you have a solution?"
Xu Changqing finally spoke. "If the reduction of Water Qi cannot be resolved quickly, it will not be long before the Five-Element Qi of the Heavenly Origin Realm falls out of balance.
When that happens, it will not only be Water Spirit Root cultivators who suffer. Cultivators with the other Five-Element Spiritual Roots will also be affected."
Lu Chenyuan looked at Xu Changqing, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes. "Sect Master Xu is absolutely right. Unfortunately, this old man currently has no way to resolve the matter completely.
But one thing is certain. To restore Water Qi, we must begin from three fronts.
First, suppress the Defiled-Earth God and prevent it from further contaminating the Earth Veins.
Second, open the shackles of the Nether River and allow the Profound River to reappear in the world.
Third, restrain resource extraction and allow Water Qi to slowly regenerate."
At those words, everyone around them wore expressions of sudden realization.
Xu Changqing alone did not nod. Instead, his pupils suddenly contracted.
There