System Panel

Just as Gu Hengzhi and the Earth Deity were chatting happily, his sea of consciousness suddenly trembled slightly, as though stirred by some mysterious force. A faint curtain of light emerged from the void like ripples, gradually condensing into a translucent panel. Like a mysterious mirror, it gave off a weak glow.

Gu Hengzhi frowned slightly, staring intently at the light screen as he gently touched it with a finger. In an instant, the panel seemed to activate and slowly opened, revealing a clean and clear interface.

[Main Panel]

Name: Gu Hengzhi

Age: 19

Soul Power Level: 5.35

Spiritual Power Level: 8.39

Physique Strength: 7.66

The numbers were neatly arranged on the panel, with the stages of soul power and their corresponding realms marked beside them, clear at a glance. Soul power level, spiritual power level, and physique strength were all represented numerically. The entire interface felt concise and efficient, like a carefully designed control panel.

A prompt quietly appeared beside it: "Click to view information on summoned deities." Gu Hengzhi lightly tapped it with his consciousness, as if opening a door into a mysterious world. Another panel, like an unfolding scroll, slowly spread out before him.

[Earth Deity · Earth God of the Eastern Lands]

Life Form: Divine Remnant Consciousness (Derivative)

Soul Power Level: Unknown

Spiritual Power Level: Unknown

Physique Strength: Unknown

Main Abilities:

Vein Acceleration—Run swiftly upon the ground, significantly increasing speed. Like a gale sweeping across the earth, it leaves behind a string of blurred afterimages.

Element Bodyguard—Earth elements protect the body, hardening the skin until it becomes incomparably tough, like an indestructible suit of armor that wards off outside attacks. It can also be concentrated on a single area, increasing its defensive effect.

Vein Meditation—Borrow the power of the earth veins to accelerate cultivation. As though becoming one with the land, it continuously draws upon the earth's strength to nourish one's soul power.

...

Gu Hengzhi crouched down and gently pressed both hands against the damp soil, as though he could feel the Earth Deity's broad, warm palms. He shut his eyes and listened closely to the earth's breathing, sensing that mysterious power—Earth Vein Acceleration.

Gu Hengzhi slowly rose to his feet. Like a novice dancer, he cautiously tested his first step. The ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble faintly, as though the earth were answering his call—or applauding his courage. Suddenly, a subtle pushing force came from the soles of his feet. It felt like a mother's hand, carrying the weight and warmth of the earth as it steadily pushed him forward.

"I'm running faster..." Joy rose in Gu Hengzhi's heart, but his reason, like an impregnable fortress, immediately took the upper hand. He calmly considered, "This speed increase is probably no worse than Tang Buddha's Ghost Shadow Traceless Step, and it can continue building speed. However, its limitations are considerable. If I lose contact with the ground, it's like a bird losing its wings—I can no longer benefit from this passive effect. That means I won't be able to leap across rooftops and walls or break free from the earth's restraints."

Gu Hengzhi quickened his pace and tried to run. His footsteps were steady and powerful like pounding drums. Though he lacked nimble footwork, every step landed like the roots of a great tree digging into the earth—solid and unwavering. With each step, it felt as though he became one with the land, endless power surging up from beneath his feet like a tide.

"This feels pretty good. It's a steady, grounded path, like a towering mountain—its strengths lie in endurance and power."

Rising slowly from the ground, Gu Hengzhi's body resembled a calm, immovable mountain. His arms, as though forged from steel, slowly lifted as he gathered his strength into another miraculous ability—Earth Element Bodyguard.

Gu Hengzhi's body seemed to merge with the earth. Earth elements flowed over his skin like a gentle stream, condensing into a heavy shield. Like armor forged by the land itself, it wrapped tightly around him and elevated his defenses to an entirely new level. His skin became hard as rock, its textures clearly visible, as natural and seamless as stone.

Even more astonishingly, this shield was not fixed in place. Like a nimble spirit, it could flexibly cover his entire body according to Gu Hengzhi's will. Its thickness could be adjusted freely, like a loyal guardian constantly providing him with the firmest protection.

"Compared with the Mysterious Jade Hand, which can only protect a small area, this is true full-body defense!" Gu Hengzhi murmured. He tried swinging his petrified arm, feeling the heaviness and power contained within it, as though the whole world were under his control. "Although it's a little less flexible, its defensive power is unparalleled. And it can adjust its thickness according to the needs of battle—this is simply a stroke of genius!"

Gu Hengzhi's gaze fell upon the tip of his right index finger as he pondered in silence. Concentrating, he gathered earth elements at his fingertip like raging waves. In an instant, the tip of his index finger rapidly turned to jade, becoming incomparably hard, like an indestructible jade finger. With a light jab, the hard bluestone shattered like fragile tofu, splitting into eight pieces as though paying tribute to his strength.

"This... isn't this a weakened version of the Great Wilderness Heaven-Prison Finger?" Wild delight welled up in Gu Hengzhi's heart. "It seems Earth Element Bodyguard holds enormous potential, with endless room for development."

Immediately afterward, Gu Hengzhi crouched down again. Like a steady mountain, he pressed both hands heavily against the ground like massive hammers and began trying the third ability—Earth Vein Meditation.

He shut his eyes, as though immersed within a vast and boundless world, feeling the earth energy beneath his feet flow slowly into his body like a surging river. Soul power and the earth's spiritual energy intertwined and merged like a magnificent dance, bringing threads of warmth like a spring breeze brushing over his face.

His breathing gradually steadied, like a breeze rippling across a lake. His consciousness began to blur, yet became exceptionally clear at the same time, like the dawn before sunrise—hazy, but full of hope.

"This is much faster than simply cultivating in seclusion." He marveled inwardly. "Tang Buddha's Mysterious Heaven Technique may cultivate as fast as lightning, but the earth's nourishment is like a flowing stream—far more lasting and steady."

Gu Hengzhi seemed to hear the Earth Deity whisper softly by his ear, "Young friend, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is not something to be rushed. What matters is deep roots and flourishing leaves. Earth Vein Meditation is like a great tree rooting itself in the land. By sorting through the earth veins, one can increase one's own strength..."

He could clearly feel the soul power within his body roiling like raging waves, his cultivation speed visibly increasing. Though it was not a rocket-like leap forward, it was more solid and dependable, like a firm foundation.