Chapter 324

Above, it seemed to touch the source of the celestial vault; below, it appeared to take root deep in the earth.

"The Key of Vitality... the Key of the Earth..." Wang Ping mused, "Could these two keys share the same origin? Or perhaps their resting places overlap in some spatial way?"

After another three days of travel, passing through a "Luminous Forest" of glowing mushrooms and wading through a shallow stream whose bed was paved with warm, moist spirit jade, the four emerged into sudden clarity.

This was a vast basin encircled by ring-shaped mountains, likely hundreds of li in diameter. At its center stood no towering peak, but an extraordinarily strange "landscape."

It was a tree stump.

A tree stump of unimaginable, colossal size.

The portion of the stump above ground stood nearly a hundred zhang high, with a diameter exceeding thirty zhang, its entire body displaying a dark gold hue accumulated over immeasurable ages; the wood had long since petrified into jade, its surface etched with deep, intersecting annual rings like ravines, each ring flickering with a different faint light, as if recording the passage of time since the creation of heaven and earth.

The stump was long dead, its top severed cleanly and flat, as if chopped off at the root by some unimaginable force; the cut surface was mirror-smooth, with faint seven-colored auspicious light seeping from within, forming a pillar of light shooting straight into the heavens, piercing the chaotic cloud layers above the azure void; around the pillar, space twisted slightly, with faint golden Dao patterns appearing and disappearing.

At the stump's roots, the earth bulged like hills, the exposed root system resembling coiled dragons, deeply embedded in the spirit mountain's veins; these roots were not entirely dead, some areas retaining traces of dark green vitality, and whenever the light pillar pulsed, the roots glowed faintly, resonating with the mountain's terrestrial qi— the entire spirit mountain's immense vitality seemed to revolve around this stump's remnant roots as a hub, circulating endlessly.

For a thousand li around the stump, no grass grew, only a dark gold moss emitting a faint, pure fragrance covering the ground; yet the concentration of immortal spirit in the air reached terrifying levels, nearly condensing into substantial liquid spirit rain, falling endlessly, drizzle after drizzle— to breathe here was equivalent to days of arduous cultivation outside.

"That is..." Cangxuan gazed upward at the sky-reaching light pillar, his star-like eyes filled with shock, "The legendary 'Heavenly Ladder,' 'World Axis'— the Primordial Fusang?!"

"Fusang?!" Yuliuli exclaimed, "The innate spiritual root that connects heaven, earth, humanity, and gods, upholding the primordial cosmos? Wasn't it destroyed in the primordial mythic age? How could remnants remain here?!"

Youying's form became nearly fully visible in the thick spirit mist, he (she) lifted his head to gaze at the light pillar, black robe stirring without wind: "Even this remnant root possesses such might... no wonder it became the core of the Fortune Spirit Mountain. If the Keys of Vitality and Earth are here, it makes perfect sense."

Wang Ping's heart shuddered violently. Fusang! He had seen only fragmented references in ancient texts— it predated true dragons and phoenixes, a manifestation of primordial heaven-earth laws! Its remnant root, undying through countless ages, could still mobilize the entire spirit mountain's power— what level of might was this?

He focused intently, the resonance between his chaotic Nascent Soul and the twin keys at his chest peaking here. Following the sensations of "above" and "below," his gaze fell upon two special positions on the Fusang remnant root.

At the top of the remnant root, where the sky-piercing light pillar began, at the core of its most intense halo, hovered a fist-sized crystal, verdant and dripping, resembling a tender sprout; within it, countless life meridians seemed to flow, emitting a mighty vitality that could revive all things and bring dead wood to spring— this aura perfectly matched the description of the "Key of Vitality"!

And at the base of the remnant root, where the thickest root met the earth, an earth-yellow, mountain-heavy seal-shaped crystal was embedded; the seal appeared simple and unadorned, yet conveyed a sense of bearing all things, eternal and unshakable, as if it were the very heart of the earth— precisely the "Key of the Earth"!

The twin keys, one above and one below, one of life and one of earth, perfectly matched the Fusang remnant root's nature of "connecting heaven above, linking earth's veins below"!

"The twin keys are indeed here!" Cangxuan's eyes flashed with sharp light, "And so close together! If we could obtain both simultaneously..."

His words had not yet faded when sudden change arose!

It seemed the remnant root sensed the outsiders' "covetousness" toward the twin keys, and after lying dormant for untold eons, it suddenly "came alive"!

Not awakened sentience, but an instinctive, self-preserving reactive response!

"Ong——!"

The entire dark gold stump emitted a low rumble, its surface annual rings lighting up one by one from base to tip! Each ring's illumination released a corresponding law ripple— life, growth, prosperity, decay, reincarnation... the laws of "wood" and "life" manifested here!

Simultaneously, the roots deeply embedded in the earth flared with light, the entire Fortune Spirit Mountain shuddering violently! The encircling peaks rumbled, terrestrial qi frenziedly drawn, flowing through countless invisible channels to converge beneath the stump, transforming into heavy, earth-yellow spirit light, surging upward along the roots— the laws of "earth" and "land" responded and summoned!

Above the heavens, the sky-piercing light pillar suddenly blazed fiercely, more chaotic cloud stirred, cascading down as seven-colored auspicious light, merging into the stump's summit— this was the empowerment of "heaven"!

In a single breath, the Fusang remnant root transformed from "dead object" to "nexus of heaven-earth power"! A vast, ancient, all-encompassing yet transcendent terrifying pressure descended like the heavens and earth collapsing! This pressure surpassed Nascent Soul, reaching the Divine Transformation level, and was not merely a cultivator's aura, but more like the manifestation of a region's heavenly will!

"Retreat!" Wang Ping roared, his chaotic domain instantly expanding to its limit, grayish mist swirling frantically, striving to negate the omnipresent heaven-earth pressure. Yet even so, he felt as if mountains pressed upon his head, breath stagnated, spirit power sluggish by three-tenths!

Cangxuan and the others far worse, each let out a muffled groan, employing their means to resist; Cangxuan's stellar phantom above his head flickered uncertainly, Yuliuli's gauze robe's seven-colored halo violently fluctuated, Youying nearly forced into visibility, black robe snapping loudly.

"Boom— boom— boom—!"

The attack followed immediately, unadorned yet utterly terrifying!

The Fusang remnant root's body remained still, but the surrounding heaven-earth power had already been mobilized by it.

On the ground, the dark gold moss frenziedly grew, transforming into countless incredibly tough golden vines, surging like a tide to entwine the four! The vines bore fine barbs, flashing with destructive golden light, ordinary protective spirit light shattering on contact!

In the sky, the falling seven-colored auspicious light suddenly condensed into billions of razor-sharp light needles, pouring down like a storm! Each needle contained pure immortal spirit qi and faint law power, with extremely strong penetration!

More terrifying was below! The entire basin floor came alive, transforming into muddy stone waves, layer upon layer crashing forward! Within the waves, mingled with drawn earth-vein killing qi, heavy, viscous, bearing the tone of seals and suppression!

Heaven, earth, wood— three mighty forces united in a crushing assault! Each wave comparable to a late Nascent Soul cultivator's full strike, endless and seamless in coordination!

"Form the array!" Cangxuan gritted his teeth, his Star-Guiding Disk blazing, projecting a brilliant star chart, attempting to fix surrounding space and slow the assault.

Yuliuli's bare hands flicked, pure celestial tones becoming substantial sound-wave ripples spreading out, colliding with the golden vines, slightly slowing their growth.

Youying's form suddenly dispersed, becoming dozens of indistinguishable true and false black shadows, weaving through light needles and mud waves, evading, waiting to act.

Wang Ping was the core. His Overturning Seal hummed above his head, dropping heavy earth-yellow airflow, hard-blocking the rain of light needles from heaven; his feet, the chaotic domain operating at full power, decomposing and assimilating the entwining golden vines and pounding mud waves; simultaneously, he formed hand seals, the Five Elements Divine Light gathering power.

But the pressure was too great! The Fusang remnant root mobilized the Fortune Spirit Mountain's heaven-earth power accumulated over countless ages! To oppose it here was like opposing a minor world!

After barely ten breaths, Wang Ping felt his spirit power draining like a flood, his chaotic domain teetering, the Overturning Seal's light dimming somewhat; Cangxuan's star chart eroded by earth-vein killing qi, showing cracks; Yuliuli's sound waves consumed by endless vines; Youying's shadows pierced and dissipated by light needles.

"Impossible! Forceful resistance means death!" Wang Ping's mind raced. The heaven-earth pressure at Divine Transformation level was absolutely beyond what four Nascent Soul cultivators could withstand head-on, no matter how many treasures or secret arts!

His eyes locked onto the Fusang remnant root. The remnant root showed no sentient fluctuation; all attacks were instinctive reactions, programmed behavior to guard the twin keys and expel intruders. It itself resembled the core eye of an exquisitely crafted "heaven-earth grand array."

"If it's merely instinctive defense... perhaps communication is possible?" A thought flashed through Wang Ping's mind. He recalled his exchanges with the Seven-Color Elk and other spirit beasts, and his greatest reliance— the chaotic five-element Nascent Soul, and the all-encompassing chaotic Dao!

Fusang, an innate spiritual root, essentially belonged to "wood," yet connected heaven and earth, thus necessarily related to "earth" (land). And he, bearing the chaotic five elements, where wood and earth elements precisely could resonate with Fusang!

"Fellows, buy me ten breaths! Do not attack, fully defend and maneuver!" Wang Ping transmitted sharply, simultaneously retreating backward, temporarily leaving the combat center.

Though Cangxuan and the others did not understand, based on prior trust, they immediately changed tactics. Cangxuan's star chart contracted, protecting only a small space around the four; Yuliuli's celestial tone shifted to pure defensive resonance, countering part of the heaven-earth pressure; Youying focused on creating illusions to disrupt attack targeting.

Wang Ping retreated to a relative edge, drew a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his surging qi and blood and rapidly depleting spirit power. He closed his eyes, his mind sinking into his dantian.

His chaotic Nascent Soul opened its eyes, five-colored light flowing endlessly within its grayish mist. Wang Ping focused his intent on the blue light representing "wood" and the yellow light representing "earth."

"Wood governs growth and sprouting, connecting all things; earth governs bearing, great virtue carries objects... though Fusang is remnant, its roots still connect earth veins, its top still touches heavenly light, its wood and earth natures remain its foundation..."

He recalled the insight of "balance" from touching the Yin-Yang Chaos Stone, the pure vitality emitted by the Seven-Color Treasure Tree, the deep earth's steady, heavy tone...

"I come not to plunder... but to seek the 'keys,' to open the gate to a higher path... my Dao embraces five elements, evolves chaos, and with you, this heaven-earth spiritual root, we naturally share common ground..."

His heart's intent pure, devoid of greed or hostility, only reverence for the Dao itself and awe for this anciently enduring heaven-earth marvel.

The next moment, Wang Ping suddenly opened his eyes, slowly pushing his hands forward.

No dazzling light, no earth-shaking momentum. From his palm flowed two streams of warm, gentle light, filled with natural Dao rhythm.

One was blue-green, vibrant with life, like spring's first sprouts, or like the ancient tree spirits deep in rainforests, embodying the creative, growing, connecting, nourishing truths of the wood law— this was the "Qingdi Longevity Divine Light" (wood-element divine light) of the Five Elements Divine Light.

The other was bright yellow, heavy and steady, like eternal earth, or like a mother's warm embrace, embodying the bearing, nurturing, stabilizing, storing truths of the earth law— this was the "Houtu Carrying Things Divine Light" (earth-element divine light) of the Five Elements Divine Light.

The two divine lights were not attacks, but like the gentlest tendrils, or like kindred forces calling out, slowly, tentatively, extending toward the distant Fusang remnant root.

Initially, the Fusang remnant root showed no reaction, the surrounding heaven-earth assault still raging. But when the blue-green wood-element divine light touched the stump's surface dark gold annual rings—

Hum—

The residual root trembled slightly, and the attack showed a momentary hesitation.

The pure wood-spirit vitality contained within the wood-element divine light, and that profound understanding and affinity for the "wood" principle, seemed to touch some dormant instinctual memory deep within the residual root, a memory that had lain silent for myriad ages. It was a faint resonance of the same-origin power.

Next, the bright yellow earth-element divine light also gently brushed against the exposed root system at the base of the residual root, which was tightly connected to the earth.

Rumble—

A low response came from deep within the earth. The connotation of nurturing all things within the earth-element divine light resonated wonderfully with the residual root's essence of "taking root in the earth, drawing earth veins."

The two divine lights flowed like gentle streams, gently entwining and penetrating. Wang Ping's mind followed the divine light's extension, striving to convey benevolent thoughts, expressing that he was not a destroyer, but a fellow traveler on the "Dao," seeking the ultimate truth of heaven and earth.

Time seemed to slow. Cangxuan and the two others watched nervously, straining to maintain their defense, buying time for Wang Ping.

The residual root's tremors became increasingly evident. The violent heavenly assault began to gradually weaken. The growth speed of the golden vines slowed, the light-needle downpour became sparse, and the mud-rock waves gradually subsided.

At the tip of the residual root, the emerald "Key of Vitality" crystal flickered faintly. At the base, the earth-yellow "Key of the Earth" crystal also glowed with a warm luster.

It seemed to be examining, judging.

Sweat beaded on Wang Ping's forehead as he maintained two streams of pure five-element divine light for deep communication, a tremendous burden on his mind and spiritual power. But he gritted his teeth and persisted, unreservedly displaying his insights into "wood" and "earth," and his Dao of "Chaotic Inclusivity."

Finally—

Hum—

A long, peaceful resonance sounded from within the residual root, spreading throughout the basin.

All attacks ceased completely.

The sky-full of light needles dissipated, the golden vines retracted into the moss, and the mud-rock waves stilled. The terrifying heavenly might receded like a tide, leaving only an ancient, tranquil, and inclusive aura permeating the surroundings.

In the astonished gaze of the four, the emerald "Key of Vitality" crystal at the top of the residual root trembled lightly, detached from the light-pillar core, and drifted down slowly. At the same time, the earth-yellow "Key of the Earth" crystal at the base detached from a root node and rose slowly.

One above, one below, the two key crystals met in midair, hovering silently before Wang Ping, emitting a soft and profound light.

The residual root of the Jianmu... actively surrendered the dual keys of guardianship!

It acknowledged Wang Ping, acknowledged this inheritor who bore pure wood and earth power, held the Dao in heart, and communicated in peace.

Wang Ping exhaled long and deeply, withdrew his divine light, and solemnly extended both hands.

The emerald crystal felt warm in his hand, and surging vitality flowed along his arms into him, making his pores relax, his Nascent Soul leap, as if every cell cheered. The earth-yellow crystal felt heavy and dense in his hand; the thick earth-vein qi flowed, stabilizing his mind and spirit, as if he became one with the earth beneath his feet.

With the dual keys in hand, a wondrous connection arose between them, faintly pointing toward a deeper secret concerning the "foundation of heaven and earth."

Cangxuan and the two others gathered around, gazing at the dual keys flowing with light in Wang Ping's hands, then at the now-residual-root-standing-tall Jianmu, their eyes full of emotion and awe.

"It truly... succeeded in communication." Yuliuli whispered, "Not by force taken, but by Dao harmonized. Fellow Daoist Wang Ping, your Chaotic Five-Element Dao is truly profound and inexhaustible."

"Jianmu has spirit; though damaged, it remains. It acknowledges the fellow Daoist's Dao, not brute strength." Cangxuan sighed, "To witness this primordial Jianmu residual root on this journey is already a great fortune. To also obtain the dual keys—how fortunate."

Youying fell silent for a moment, then sent a mental ripple: "This place is not suitable for lingering. The emergence of the dual keys may invite unforeseen events."

Wang Ping nodded, carefully storing the dual keys. He gave one last look at the towering Jianmu residual root, then bowed deeply with clasped hands.

"Thank you, predecessors, for your fulfillment. This junior shall not betray this affinity, will seek the Dao, and advance without cease."

The residual root remained silent; only the heaven-reaching light pillar continued to flow quietly, as if it had always been so.

The four no longer lingered, quickly departing the basin and returning the way they came.

The journey to the Creation Spirit Mountain, though fraught with setbacks, ended in fulfillment. Holding the Key of Vitality and the Key of the Earth, they are now one step closer to gathering the five keys and opening the Chaos Immortal Palace.

With the dual keys in hand, their radiance inwardly converged, and the surging vitality and steady earth-vein qi also subsided, lying quietly in Wang Ping's palm, like two exquisite jade carvings.

But Wang Ping could clearly sense the profound power within them, connected to the deep laws of the Qingming Heavenly Domain.

He bowed again deeply toward the towering, silent Jianmu residual root. Obtaining the dual keys on this journey was not by force, but by Dao harmony—this fortune, he engraved in his heart.

Just as he prepared to turn and leave the basin's core with Cangxuan and the two others, an anomaly arose again.

Hum—

The dark-gold residual root connecting heaven and earth seemed to tremble slightly. Not the previous violent tremor that stirred heavenly power, but an extremely faint, almost like leaves returning to the roots, leisurely rhythm.

Next, at the top of the residual root, where the light pillar had once erupted, a point of light brighter than jade, purer than starlight, slowly lit up. Initially the size of a rice grain, it instantly drew everyone's gaze, for it emitted a connotation transcending "vitality," nearly the "origin of creation."

The light gradually brightened and expanded, slowly detaching from the residual root's top, as if held by an invisible hand, drifting toward Wang Ping. As it approached, the light converged, finally becoming a walnut-sized, teardrop-shaped, entirely translucent emerald seed.

Naturally grown on the seed's surface were countless intricate patterns too fine for the naked eye to discern, these patterns not static but slowly flowing, as if containing a microcosm of an ever-living world.

An ineffable "life" aura emanated from it—not vast and mighty, but pure, ancient, noble, carrying a feeling that points directly to the "existence" itself.

"This is..." Wang Ping held his breath, feeling the chaotic Nascent Infant in his dantian transmit an unprecedented longing and affinity, while the illusory image of the yin-yang keys at his chest also warmed slightly.

"The Jianmu Seed." Cangxuan's voice trembled with uncontrollable excitement and disbelief.

"In legend, it is condensed from the primordial spirit-root origin, containing its initial life imprint and part of the origin laws... a seed!"

"This object exists only in the conjectures of the most ancient texts, long considered to have vanished completely with Jianmu's collapse... yet it has condensed its final origin into this object to bestow upon you?!"

Yuliuli's beautiful eyes widened, the halo on her gauze robe freezing for an instant: "Spirit-root bestowing a seed... this is the highest acknowledgment and gift. It acknowledges you not only as a 'fellow Daoist,' but as a heir with potential to 'continue its Dao.'"

Youying remained silent, but the aura fluctuations beneath his black robe revealed his inner turmoil.

The emerald seed hovered silently before Wang Ping, no longer advancing, as if awaiting his acceptance.

Complex emotions surged in Wang Ping's heart. This gift was too weighty. Jianmu, the innate spirit-root that supported the primordial wilderness, its seed's value likely far exceeded any immortal key he held. This was not merely an opportunity, but a heavy burden of karma and expectation.

He drew a deep breath, his expression solemn, extended both hands as if holding the most precious holy object.

The seed landed in his palm, weightless yet seeming to carry the hope of a heaven and earth. A cool touch transmitted, a breath of coolness and infinite vitality flowing along his arm's meridians, instantly circulating his entire body.

Wang Ping felt the fatigue, hidden injuries, and even a speck of imperceptible dust in the depths of his mind-soul gently washed away and nourished by this breath. His spiritual power's circulation suddenly accelerated, becoming more lively and pure.

Without need for refinement, the seed established a profound and mysterious mind-spirit connection with him.

He "heard" a faint yet resilient thought—not language, but direct images and feelings acting upon the heart.

It was a longing for the vast heavens and earth, a yearning to take root in thick soil, an instinct to connect all things, and... a trace of joy and entrustment, like finally seeing a "kindred spirit" after myriad ages of solitude.