nyslfriends Chapter 1865 Change, Earth Element Grass!
Chapter 1865 Change, Earth Element Grass!
at the same time
The former Immortal Alliance City has now been renamed [Zhendong Immortal City]!
More and more cultivators gathered in front of the huge list in the center of Zhen Dong Immortal City.
The golden characters flowing on the notice shimmered with a regular luster, each character displaying the majesty of the Cultivator Association.
The crowd surged in like a tide, the cultivators varying in their cultivation levels.
From young cultivators in the early Foundation Establishment stage to senior cultivators in the Golden Core stage, everyone looked up and read carefully.
“The first prohibition on this list,” an old man in a grey robe pointed upwards.
“Those whose spiritual veins are shattered will have their souls and spirits destroyed… This is extremely harsh.”
The middle-aged cultivator in a blue robe beside him interjected:
"Isn't it?
The spiritual veins are creations of heaven and earth. If they are allowed to be mined and broken, the spiritual energy of this endless sea will eventually be depleted.
In the long run, the president's move is wise.
“But what surprised me most,” a pretty female cultivator said softly.
"It is this seventh rule: Demonic cultivators are forbidden from refining the Myriad Soul Banner. Those who violate this rule will have their cultivation abolished and their souls annihilated."
A murmur arose from the crowd.
A black-clad demonic cultivator snorted coldly:
"The Banner of Ten Thousand Souls is a magical treasure passed down through our demonic path; how can it be banned so easily?"
"Inheritance?" An old Taoist priest with white hair turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning.
"Using the souls and spirits of living beings to forge weapons, and harming living beings, such a tradition should have been eradicated long ago!"
"Daoist Master, you are mistaken," the black-clad demonic cultivator retorted without backing down.
"In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak, and such things don't apply."
The Myriad Soul Banner is merely one of many methods. Haven't the magical artifacts of you immortal cultivators ever been stained with blood?
"Blood and soul, how can they be equated?" The old Taoist's voice grew colder.
"Alright, alright," a refined-looking scholar-like cultivator smoothed things over.
"Please look, everyone. Although the ban prohibits the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, it does not prohibit the Ten Thousand Beasts Banner."
The process of forging weapons with the essence of demonic beasts is ultimately different from that of forging weapons with the essence of living beings.
It's clear that the guild leader doesn't completely ban demonic practices, but rather has drawn a line.
“What this fellow Daoist said makes sense.”
A voice came from behind the crowd.
Everyone looked and saw a purple-robed cultivator slowly approaching, wearing the insignia of the Cultivator Association on his chest—
A golden sundial.
Suddenly, the surroundings became quieter.
"I am Chen Guanlan, a deacon of the Cultivator Association." The purple-robed cultivator bowed slightly.
The president said:
In the world of cultivation, all kinds of methods coexist, and the demonic path is also one of the great paths.
However, even the Great Dao has its boundaries. Using the souls of innocent beings to forge weapons violates the harmony of Heaven and Earth, shaking its very foundations; therefore, it is unacceptable.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd:
"As for the prohibition of fighting within the city, there are no restrictions outside the city..."
Ladies and gentlemen, the association does not aim to create a peaceful immortal realm; that is impossible.
Within the celestial city, order is essential;
Outside the Immortal City, everyone relies on their own abilities.
Do you all think this rule is fair?
No one responded for a moment.
This rule, seemingly a compromise, actually contains a deeper meaning—
It provided space for cultivators to fight, while also ensuring the stability of the Immortal City, the foundation of the city.
"Deacon Chen," someone suddenly spoke, pointing to a list of names at the top of the list.
"Why are there so many powerful demonic cultivators in the positions of temple master and deputy temple master?"
The Jade Flute Half-Saint of the Illusionary Heart Demon Sect, a hundred years ago, destroyed three sects and four factions with a single song, "Illusionary Heart Guide," leaving behind a blood debt.
The Blood Sword Sect's Blood Sword Half-Lord even used human blood to consecrate his sword... Can these people really wield power?
Chen Guanlan's expression remained unchanged:
"In the cultivation world, the strong are respected; you all understand this principle."
The president needs someone who can stabilize one side and command all factions.
Although the Jade Flute Half-Saint and the Blood Sword Half-Saint had committed atrocities, they were powerful enough to restrain the various sects of the demonic path.
"Without them, the demonic path would descend into chaos; how could this ban be enforced?"
"But this is not fair!" a young cultivator couldn't help but shout.
Chen Guanlan looked at him and suddenly smiled:
"Young friend, where in this world is there absolute fairness?"
In the past, the Immortal Alliance held absolute power and suppressed the Demonic Path. Do you think that was fair?
Today, the demonic path has entered the game, sharing power, and you all feel it's unfair...
Ultimately, it's just a difference in perspective.
He changed the subject:
"Moreover, the chairman is not without constraints on these giants."
As he spoke, he pointed to the middle section of the notice:
"Please see Article Thirteen: "
Sects and families that occupy spiritual veins must plant a corresponding number of Earth Element Grasses according to the level of the spiritual vein.
Large spiritual veins require the planting of ten million plants annually.
"Earth Element Grass?" someone wondered.
"What is that?"
An elderly woman with white hair slowly spoke:
"I know."
The Earth Element Grass has three leaves and one stem, and is entirely green. It cannot be used for alchemy or ingested. Its only use is to absorb the energy of the earth's veins and slowly transform it into the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
The spiritual energy transformed annually by a single Earth Element Grass is roughly equivalent to ten low-grade spirit stones.
"That's great!" a boy blurted out.
"Abundant spiritual energy, cultivation is faster!"
The old woman glanced at him and shook her head:
"Little kid, you're overthinking it."
Although a single Earthworm only occupies the size of a palm, ten million Earthworms... do you think that would take up a lot of space?
However, the coverage area of spiritual veins is limited. In addition to earth elemental herbs, it is also necessary to build palaces, open cave dwellings, set up formations, and cultivate spiritual fields...
Planting these ten million plants will take up at least thirty percent of the spiritual vein's area.
The young man was stunned.
"That's exactly right." Chen Guanlan nodded.
"Earth Element Grass can only grow on spiritual veins, so why didn't anyone cultivate it in large quantities in the past?"
Occupying sacred fields would be a losing proposition.
But the president has stipulated that it must be planted; do you all understand the deeper meaning behind this?
The crowd quieted down, and many people's eyes flashed with thoughtful expressions.
A lean, rogue cultivator suddenly clapped his hands:
"I understand!
With the prohibition against shattering spiritual veins in place, spiritual veins must not be damaged;
After regulations were introduced for planting *Gnaphalium affine*, the spiritual fields were forced to shrink.
If those major sects want to maintain their supply of elixirs, they must cultivate small and micro spiritual veins!
"That's right," Chen Guanlan smiled.
“Those marginal spiritual veins that were once considered ‘trash’ by major sects are now going to be valuable.”
And the small, low-level families who control 90% of the micro-spiritual veins...
Their spiritual fields will also be occupied by the Earth Element Grass, greatly reducing their income.
In the future, the difference between cultivators from small families and independent cultivators will be minimal.
"What about us independent cultivators?" someone asked urgently.
"If the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gradually becomes denser as a result," Chen Guanlan gazed into the distance.
"In the wilderness, the chances of spiritual herbs growing are greater."
Having no land or fields, yet feeling free and unrestrained.
The crowd erupted in noise again.
Some people looked happy, some looked solemn, some cursed under their breath, and some seemed to be deep in thought.
This scene is just a microcosm of the situation on the list of Zhen Dong Xian City.
at the same time.
On the shores of the East Sea, in the city of Bitao, several demonic cultivators stared at the notice, their faces ashen.
"The Banner of Ten Thousand Souls... Is our sect's three-hundred-year heritage about to be severed?"
What's the point of not cutting off all ties?
"The chairman himself set these rules, and you want to disobey them?"
"Outside the city...there is still freedom outside the city."
The western mountain ranges, the Xuan Tie City.
Several elders of major sects gathered together, their expressions grim.
"Ten million Earth Element Grasses... Our sect's spiritual fields will have to be reduced by forty percent!"
"It's not just us, it's the same for all major commodities."
The president is trying to reallocate resources.
"Those miniature spiritual veins...it seems we need to send someone to collect them."
South China Sea islands, a city of crystal.
A group of independent cultivators surrounded the list, their eyes shining.
"If the spiritual energy can truly become denser, we might be able to find centuries-old spiritual herbs deep in the mountains and forests!"
"Those small families won't have it easy from now on. Let's see how they can still act arrogantly."
"Let's go try our luck in the Endless Mountains!"
The desolate northern desert, a city of yellow sand.
Several clan leaders gathered together, sighing and lamenting.
"If we plant the Earth Element Grass, the spirit field will be gone... Where will we get the pills from now on?"
"We'll have to go to dangerous places to gather herbs, but that's too risky..."
"Sigh, life is tough."
"···"
In the center of the Endless Sea, at the headquarters of the Cultivator Association of Zhenhai Immortal City...
Inside a palace, Cheng Buzheng, the president of the Cultivator Association, stood with his hands behind his back by the window, looking down at the sea of clouds below.
Behind him, dozens of giants, including the Blazing Sun Half-Venerable and the Heavenly Pivot Half-Venerable, stood on both sides.
"Guild Master," the Blazing Sun Half-Venerable hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"The ban has been issued, and the reaction in Zhucheng has been intense, especially among some of the younger generation..."
Cheng Buzheng didn't turn around, but simply said:
"Intense is good; without destruction, there can be no construction."
Tian Shu Half-Saint said in a deep voice:
"Those major sects probably won't be willing to give up their profits."
"They will," Cheng Buzheng said, turning around with a glint of stars in his eyes.
"Because this is the general trend."
He walked to the center of the hall, where a huge map of the endless sea floated, with spiritual veins shimmering on it like veins.
"The cultivation world has long been plagued by problems: major sects monopolize spiritual veins, small clans barely survive, rogue cultivators live hand to mouth, and sects act recklessly..."
If this continues, one day the spiritual energy will be depleted, and the path to immortality will collapse.
He tapped his finger lightly, and dots lit up on the map, marking the locations where the Earth Element Grass would be planted.
"The Earthly Grass will slowly release spiritual energy. After ten thousand years, the concentration of spiritual energy in the Endless Sea will increase by 30%."
As the number of spirit fields shrinks, major sects will be forced to develop smaller spirit veins, breaking the monopoly of small families and giving independent cultivators more opportunities...
Resources will flow again.
The half-saint of the Blazing Sun seemed to be deep in thought:
"So the ban on the Ten Thousand Souls Banner is also for this reason?"
"Is the soul also a resource, and perhaps the least valuable resource that should be used?"
"Exactly." Cheng Buzheng nodded.
"The soul is the foundation of reincarnation!"
The Celestial Pivot Half-Saint suddenly laughed:
"The chairman is far-sighted."
However… outside the city, where the law is unrestrained, the feuds, struggles, and grudges will likely be even more intense.
"The path to immortality is inherently like this." Cheng Buzheng gazed at the vast sea of clouds outside the hall.
"Order is given within the city, while wildness is preserved outside the city."
Between this balance of order and wildness, the path to immortality can continue to thrive.
He paused, his voice lowering:
As for those who are unwilling to accept this...
Time will eventually smooth out their rough edges.
There was silence in the hall for a moment.
After a long while, the half-Buddha of Blazing Sun bowed:
"My subordinate understands."
The president waved his hand, and everyone took their leave.
In the empty hall, the president walked alone to the window and looked out into the endless distance.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the sea of clouds, seeing the joy, worry, anger, and anticipation of countless cultivators.
It was as if I were seeing a vibrant world of cultivation.
···
As time passed, it was already June of the first year of the Daoli era.
now!
In the height of summer, cicadas chirped noisily deep within the dense forests of the Shehong Mountains.
Sunlight filters through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the decaying leaves.
A dark purple streak of light swept across the sky, moving incredibly fast yet leaving no trace.
Wherever it passed, the birds and beasts in the forest fell silent, as if they had instinctively sensed danger.
The light stopped in front of an unremarkable mountain peak.
As the light faded, a magnificent, jet-black treasure ship was revealed.
The ship is long and narrow, with the insignia of the Nine Nether Demon Sect carved on both sides.
— Twisted, ghostly vines coiled around the skull.
The demonic energy emanating from the ship was as solid as ink, swallowing up some of the surrounding light.
Three figures leaped from the ship's side, landing silently.
The leader was a young man dressed in a dark purple brocade robe. He had a handsome face, but also a lingering sinister aura.
A white jade pendant hung from his waist, the front engraved with "Murong," and the back with the ghost face totem of the Nine Nether Demon Sect.
This is precisely the symbol of identity for a direct descendant of the Murong family.
Murong Dutian.
The two guards following behind him were both dressed in black robes, their auras deep and unfathomable, clearly indicating that they were both at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
"right here?"
Murong Dutian frowned as he examined the mountain peak in front of him.
The mountain is not high, about three hundred feet high, with a gentle slope and sparse vegetation.
The only special feature is that the spiritual energy is slightly denser than the surrounding area.
However, it was only a slight difference; unless a Golden Core cultivator deliberately perceived it, the difference would be almost imperceptible.
"Little Lord,"
The withered-looking Golden Core demon cultivator on the left stepped forward, his voice hoarse.
"There is indeed a small spiritual vein hidden beneath this mountain."
There is a layer of 'spirit-sealing stones' on the surface, which suppresses the spiritual energy deep within, preventing it from showing outwards.
"The Spirit Sealing Stone layer..." Murong Dutian narrowed his eyes.
"Naturally formed?"
"It should be caused by crustal movement," the pale-faced, beardless demonic cultivator on the right interjected.
"I have investigated this place repeatedly. This spiritual vein is not registered with the Cultivator Association, and there are no powerful sects within a hundred miles."
This is exactly the secluded place the young master needs.
Murong Dutian remained silent for a moment, then snorted coldly:
"If it weren't for that damned Cultivator Association, why would I need to sneak around like this to refine the 'Nine Netherworld Myriad Souls Banner'?"
"Just find any spiritual vein and set up a grand formation!"
"Young Master is right," the withered demonic cultivator said in a low voice.
"Those people in the monks' association are indeed meddling too much."
but……"
He glanced around and lowered his voice:
"After all, the guild leader is a Nascent Soul cultivator, so we should be careful."
This place is uninhabited for five hundred miles around, and its spiritual veins are hidden, making it the best choice.
"Fine." Murong Dutian waved his hand impatiently.
"You all set up a formation outside and guard it well. I'm going down to retrieve the core of the spiritual vein and refine it into the banner."
"Young Master, do you need my subordinate—"
“No need,” Murong Dutian interrupted.
"A mere small spiritual vein is enough for me alone."
"Keep an eye on the outside and don't let anyone get close."
The voice has not fallen,
He had transformed into a dark purple streak of light, shooting straight to the ground.
Strangely, the hard rocks before him rippled like water, engulfing him completely—
This is the "Earth-Traveling Escape Technique" passed down by the Murong family, which allows one to move through soil and rocks as easily as a fish in water.
The two Golden Core demon cultivators exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Let's set up the formation."
The withered demonic cultivator sighed and took out a series of black array flags from his storage bag.
"You mean... nothing will happen?" the pale-faced demonic cultivator asked in a low voice while cooperating with the formation.
"Although the Cultivator's Association's patrol teams mainly inspect small spiritual veins and those above them,
But what if…
"···"
...(End of this chapter)