Spirit Field Takes Shape

Nuoding Academy—Rear Mountain

Gu Hengzhi stood quietly before the newly cleared hillside, his figure like a statue. His left hand formed a spell seal while his right slowly opened. Within his palm, a nearly imperceptible thread of golden light emerged like a faint flame.

This strand of Tier-One Faith Power was the fruit of several months of diligent cultivation, every trace of it condensed from his blood, sweat, and effort. Now, to test whether this land could be transformed into a Spirit Field, he resolutely decided to take the gamble.

"Go."

He spoke in a low voice, as though it had crossed the barriers of time and space, carrying a trace of unwavering resolve. That strand of Faith Power, like a brilliant shooting star, slowly struck the ground beneath his feet.

The golden light instantly seeped into the soil. At first, it caused only a faint tremor, as though the earth were softly breathing. Then, a ring of pale spiritual energy rippled outward from the surface, as if some sleeping power were being awakened.

A flash of delight passed through Gu Hengzhi's eyes, and anticipation rose in his heart. He crouched down and gently brushed aside the dirt with his fingers, trying to sense the changes in the earth energy. Yet after only a few breaths, his expression stiffened slightly.

Spiritual energy was indeed stirring, but it seemed to be blocked outside by an invisible membrane, unable to penetrate deep into the earth. His brows furrowed faintly, his gaze revealing a hint of confusion.

He closed his eyes and formed the seal again, pouring more Faith Power into the ground. Yet no matter how hard he guided it, that strand of Faith Power only formed a layer of floating radiance across the surface, illuminating the surrounding earth but never truly penetrating the Earth Vein or awakening its vitality.

"...Something's wrong."

He slowly rose to his feet. The brightness in his eyes had faded, and fine beads of sweat appeared at his temples.

This was his first attempt at cultivating land with Faith Power. He had originally been full of confidence, but now it felt as though that hard-won strand of Faith Power had sunk into the sea without the slightest response. Although the spiritual energy between heaven and earth flowed toward the rear mountain slope like a tide, it only hovered above the surface, far less dense than he had hoped.

He stood in the mountain wind, silent for a long time. Beneath the pale golden afterglow, his face looked especially wan, as though all life and vitality had drained away.

He murmured softly, a trace of weariness showing between his brows. Yet it did not linger on his face for long. He drew a deep breath, as though exhaling all his exhaustion, then strode firmly toward the stone statue at the foot of the mountain.

The stone statue stood silently there, like an ancient monument. Tall green pines rose behind it, as though guarding this land. Its face was kindly and gentle, with a faint smile at its lips, as if it had been silently watching his every move.

Gu Hengzhi came before the statue and respectfully bowed. His tone carried both an earnest plea and the stubbornness unique to youth.

"Earth Deity, this disciple is slow-witted. I beg you to dispel my confusion and tell me how I should begin the method of creating a Spirit Field." His voice echoed through the mountains, carrying a force of devotion.

The mountain wind shifted slightly, and leaves rustled in the forest, seeming to add a mysterious air to his plea. At that moment, the statue's brow suddenly glimmered faintly. A deep, gentle voice, as though it had come from ancient times, slowly rang out within Gu Hengzhi's sea of consciousness.

"Young friend... this is not your fault. Simply scattering Faith Power over the land is far from enough." The voice seemed to contain endless wisdom, stirring reverence in all who heard it.

"You lit a fire upon the surface, yet failed to let that fire burn into the heart of the earth." The Earth Deity's words were like a sharp sword, piercing the fog in Gu Hengzhi's heart. His heart jolted, and light gathered once more in his eyes. Like someone who had found a ray of light in the darkness, his expression became increasingly animated.

"Please instruct me, Earth Deity!" His voice was filled with longing, as though awaiting a baptism.

Within his sea of consciousness, the Earth Deity's voice remained warm and calm, yet every word rang as clear and thunderous as a great bell.

"The root of a Spirit Field lies in the Earth Vein. If the earth energy remains blocked and spiritual energy drifts freely, it will vanish in an instant."

"You must use faith power to pierce the Earth Vein, then nourish it with spiritual energy. Only then can this place truly come alive."

Gu Hengzhi was suddenly enlightened. It felt as though a heavy hammer had struck his heart, and he gritted his teeth inwardly. I was too hasty... I thought that injecting Faith Power alone could create a Spirit Field, but I overlooked the workings of heaven and earth at their source. He steadied himself, cupped his hands, and said quietly, "Please grant me guidance, Earth Deity, and help me open the Earth Vein here."

The mountain wind suddenly stilled, as though heaven and earth themselves had held their breath, silently awaiting this moment.

In an instant, the stone statue seated at the foot of the mountain shone with a layer of soft golden radiance, like a dazzling rising sun scattering boundless light. A warm, generous divine power poured down from Gu Hengzhi's sea of consciousness like spring rain. It was heavy but not oppressive, warm but not scorching, like an ancient tree taking root in the soil and spreading endlessly, full of life.

The Earth Deity's figure seemed to step out from the statue, flickering in and out of view. His face, framed by white hair and beard, bore a peaceful smile. He gripped a jade ruler in his hand, planting it firmly upon the ground.

"I will lend you a hand."

Before his words had faded, the jade ruler flicked lightly like a feather and accurately touched the hillside.

In an instant, a ring of dazzling golden patterns rapidly spread from the point of contact like golden ripples. A low hum suddenly rose from the once-silent mountain, as though a sleeping beast had awakened. Then, a second strand of Faith Power condensed in Gu Hengzhi's palm. It was like a tiny candle flame, yet it carried his unwavering resolve.

"Please!"

He clasped his hands around the spell seal and carefully guided that strand of faith power into the previous spot. The Earth Deity assisted with complete focus at his side, guiding the power slowly yet steadily into the ground.

Unlike before, when it had drifted uncertainly, this time the faith power seemed to have found its way home. Following the path guided by the Earth Deity, it steadily sank deep into the Earth Vein.

A moment later, the earth trembled faintly.

A fresh and vast surge of spiritual energy rose from underground like a spring. It first spread gently like a thin veil, then rapidly expanded like surging waves, covering the entire hillside in the blink of an eye.

Gu Hengzhi stared at the ground beneath him. The once dry, meager soil had become moist and full of life, glimmering with a faint azure radiance. He could even vaguely smell a trace of spiritual fragrance wafting from the earth.

"This... this is the scent of a Spirit Field!"

His eyes widened, undisguised delight flashing within them. He even crouched down involuntarily, grabbed a handful of soil, and gently rubbed it between his fingers—the earth was moist and warm, as though a faint trace of spiritual energy danced at his fingertips.

He finally understood that this was not a "false appearance" forcibly created through surface power, but a sign that the land itself had truly begun to come alive.

The Earth Deity nodded slightly, looking at him with the affection of an elder gazing upon his grandson, and slowly said:

"This place is now connected to the Earth Vein, with spiritual energy flowing without end. Only then can it become a 'field.' After fifteen days, inject another strand of Tier-One Faith Power, and it will truly stabilize."