Chapter 217: Seeking Treasures in the Inverted Peak Mountains, Nobles Gather Before the Grotto-Heaven Gate!

"Effective immediately, the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven enforces strict entry and exit; any soldier entering or leaving must report to the Military Realm."

"All members within the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, except for the Exploration Envoys, are forbidden from leaving Yang City without permission."

"Any treasures obtained by the Exploration Envoys must also be handed over."

"The birth of a Grotto-Heaven creates a blessed land fraught with dangers; please, all Exploration Envoys, proceed with caution..."

Zhao Xing looked at the string of bans and regulations on the Earth Mirror and frowned: "Why issue a ban within ten days? It's earlier than I expected."

He remembered that in his past life, the spiritual surge of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven should have begun in the latter half of the month.

Moreover, at the start, the Military Realm's reaction was not that fast; the ban was issued only after many people had entered.

Confirming the birth of a Grotto-Heaven blessed land was also done with great caution.

But now, it has happened earlier, and it seems as though they were prepared for it all along.

"Past life experience cannot be taken as the sole basis. Fortunately, I have Old Liu's help and made preparations early; otherwise, I could only stand there and stare helplessly now," Zhao Xing thought.

"Zhao Xing, have you seen the news?!" A figure flew over from the distance and landed on the Qilin Flying Boat; it was Xia Jing and Chen Shijie.

This is the Shanfeng Mountain Range, where the surrounding peaks float upside down in the sky.

Zhao Xing and the other five arrived at the Shanfeng Mountain Range early, under the pretext of "exploring the celestial phenomena of the Shanfeng Mountain Range."

This research task was submitted by Zhao Xing himself.

"I've seen it."

With the ban issued and strange phenomena appearing frequently, anyone would pay attention.

"I didn't expect the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven to actually upgrade. Judging by this, it seems it's about to produce massive spiritual energy and great treasures!" Xia Jing was extremely excited.

Chen Shijie's face was also flushed with red; he never expected to encounter such a good thing.

"Don't get happy too soon. When a Grotto-Heaven upgrades, the heavens and earth must undergo violent changes; we must be on constant guard against dangers during this process," Zhao Xing said. "Where are Brother Ji and Long Xiao?"

"They are already on their way back," Xia Jing said.

They didn't come for tourism; after arriving, they naturally searched everywhere to see if there were any treasures.

However, as soon as the strange phenomena appeared, Zhao Xing sent a message ordering them to return quickly.

Because the early stage of a Grotto-Heaven upgrade is also accompanied by unknown dangers; it is better to explore extensively only after things stabilize.

Zhao Xing knew this matter inside out, so he let Xia Jing and Chen Shijie explore together; a Mage plus a Martial Artist greatly improves the ability to handle emergencies.

Ji Ji Ziyun is a Sorcerer, and Long Xiao is a Sword Cultivator; the same logic applies to them.

"Good, wait until they return and then..." Before the words finished, a huge roar came.

"Boom-Crack!"

Twenty li away in the sky, a thunderclap suddenly rang out!

"Crack-crack-crack~"

The Lei Ting was so thick its diameter exceeded twenty meters; it was practically a Lei Zhu! In an instant, it split open a floating peak below.

"Boom!"

That peak cracked down the middle, and then the entire peak began to burn, rapidly deforming and compressing.

Finally, it actually formed a living volcano floating in the air!

"Boom~~~~"

Terrifying pressure brewed in the sky.

"Which direction are they in?!" Zhao Xing suddenly grabbed Xia Jing. "Is it over there?"

"Yes." Xia Jing's voice also trembled slightly; at this moment, sending a notification was too late, so they could only hope they had already taken cover.

"Go!"

Zhao Xing immediately drove the Qilin Flying Boat, activated the barrier, and sped furiously in the opposite direction of that floating living volcano.

"Bang!"

They originally thought it was a volcanic eruption, but unexpectedly, fifteen minutes after flying out, the entire peak exploded directly!

"Boom!"

First, a circular shockwave swept rapidly through the surroundings, shattering many peaks.

Immediately after, a mushroom cloud rose, and large amounts of mountain rocks, spewing flames, splashed outward in all directions.

"Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!"

Massive boulders, twenty to thirty meters in diameter, spewing flames, splashed outward; the power was incomparably terrifying, with every single boulder comparable to a full-strength strike of a Fifth Grade.

Zhao Xing and the others had long since hidden behind several peaks; with the sky blocked, they were not affected.

But this phenomenon still left the three of them utterly shocked.

"I have never seen such terrifying heavenly might," Xia Jing said, his eyes filled with shock.

"Lei Ting splitting the mountain, the mountain exploding and tearing the sky; truly, it is beyond human capability," Chen Shijie felt even more deeply.

Zhao Xing, however, closed his eyes and sat cross-legged on the ground.

Xia Jing glanced over: "What are you doing?"

Chen Shijie said: "He is comprehending the Dao. The Minister of Agriculture inherently commands the might of heaven and earth; now that he has witnessed the heavenly might with his own eyes, naturally he has many realizations."

Xia Jing nodded, then asked: "Then why don't you..."

As soon as the question left his lips, Xia Jing knew he had said the wrong thing.

Chen Shijie also felt a bit melancholy: "My talent is not as strong as his; I only have slight realizations."

"Ahem... sorry," Xia Jing said, somewhat embarrassed.

"It's fine; people should have self-knowledge," Chen Shijie said. "However, this is indeed a great opportunity; if I watch a few more times, perhaps I will have a breakthrough."

Just then, Long Xiao arrived according to the given coordinates.

"Holy crap, did you guys see that? Such a huge Lei Ting, it blew up the mountain!" Long Xiao descended on his sword, shouting loudly.

"Good thing I ran fast, otherwise you'd all be attending my funeral feast."

"Long Xiao, where's my cousin?" Xia Jing asked.

"Oh, the Ji heir, he's in another direction, he'll be back soon, you don't need to worry about him." Long Xiao walked over, looked at Zhao Xing sitting cross-legged on the ground, and asked curiously: "Old Chen, what is he doing?"

"He's comprehending the Dao." Chen Shijie explained: "The Minister of Agriculture originally wields the might of heaven and earth. He just observed and was moved by something. I reckon he's grasping the Volcano Law or the Thunder Law."

"Oh, then why didn't you comprehend one too?" Long Xiao wore an innocent face.

"Cough, cough…" Xia Jing nearly choked.

Chen Shijie: "…"

Old Chen was speechless too. Xia Jing had just stabbed him once, and now you come to stab him again?

"I don't have his kind of talent, alright?"

"Hahahaha, sorry…" Long Xiao laughed heartily to cover his embarrassment.

Hearing this bright, clear laughter.

Ji Ji Ziyun, who had been searching for a spot above Shanfeng, immediately descended: "Cousin, General Chen, General Long, are you all alright?"

"We're fine."

"That's good." Ji Ji Ziyun's gaze fell to the ground. Seeing Zhao Xing with tightly shut eyes and a deeply furrowed brow, he thought something had gone wrong and immediately asked: "What's wrong with Brother Zhao?"

Chen Shijie: "…"

Xia Jing: "…"

"I'm going to check out the surroundings." Chen Shijie's mouth twitched as he rose and left.

Ji Ji Ziyun's head was full of question marks. What on earth is going on here?

"He's fine, everyone's fine." Xia Jing changed the subject. "Cousin, did you and Long Xiao find any unusual places?"

Ji Ji Ziyun thought for a moment and said: "At first I didn't see anything, but after the strange phenomena appeared in heaven and earth, unusual sights were everywhere."

"There was a pack of exotic beasts with grass growing on their heads, leaping between floating mountain peaks."

"There were flames flowing in water, and fruit trees bearing fruits that looked like babies. The reason Long Xiao and I split up was to chase those strange phenomena separately."

"Baby trees?" Xia Jing asked, puzzled. "What kind of strange plant is this? How come I've never heard of it? Cousin, did you get any harvest?"

"No." Ji Ji Ziyun said regretfully. "When I got close, I felt Lei Ting split the mountain, and immediately that strange tree withered in an instant, turning into a pile of yellow dead vines."

"What Brother Ji saw might be the sixth-tier plant 'Phantom Demon Vine.'" Zhao Xing opened his eyes and rose. "The Phantom Demon Vine can emit a fragrance that causes all sorts of hallucinations in people—usually the desires and longings in their hearts."

"Brother Ji saw a 'Ginseng Fruit Tree.' This thing can extend one's lifespan. Perhaps Brother Ji's hallucination came from never having seen an elder's face one last time before."

Ji Ji Ziyun said in surprise: "Such a plant exists? The Ten Yang Grotto-heaven is truly wondrous."

Zhao Xing said: "For a human martial artist to advance from the Earth Fiend realm to the Heavenly Gang realm, one must take the Nine Heavens Gang Wind to temper the body."

"At the moment of breakthrough, the Gang Wind ravages for a hundred li, and qi and blood roar like dragons singing and tigers howling."

"Humans upgrading already cause such a huge commotion, let alone a grotto-heaven being elevated?"

"From here on we'll see all manner of wondrous things, good and bad. We still need to act with caution."

Xia Jing and Ji Ji Ziyun nodded. Chen Shijie walked over at this moment: "What did you comprehend?"

Zhao Xing said: "The Volcano Law has improved slightly, reaching six revolutions. As for the Thunder Law… why does your face look a bit off?"

Chen Shijie walked away expressionlessly: "Angry."

"???"

Zhao Xing's head was full of question marks, wondering what was up with this old fellow.

Just as he was about to ask, he heard Long Xiao's loud shout coming from behind: "Come quick, everyone, there's a treasure!"

"Oh?" Zhao Xing's spirit was roused. Chen Shijie, Xia Jing, and Ji Ji Ziyun immediately took flight, soaring toward a stretch of mountain forest.

After flying three thousand meters, they saw Long Xiao and the mountain cat crouching in front of a fallen great tree.

While waiting for Zhao Xing to wake from his Dao comprehension, Long Xiao, bored with nothing to do, took Aotian Meow for a stroll around this nameless mountain peak.

Before they had gone far from the flying vessel, they saw a towering great tree lying fallen on the ground.

Its whole body emanated a faint purple glow. Even after falling, it was still five or six meters tall and a thousand meters long.

On its trunk grew many purple lingzhi mushrooms, as well as clusters of small emerald-green trees bearing some brightly colored fruits.

"Meow~" The mountain cat saw Zhao Xing walk over and wagged its tail, taking credit. I found this first!

"What kind of tree is this?" Ji Ji Ziyun and Xia Jing looked at Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing. The world had too many wondrous flowers, strange herbs, divine trees, and immortal branches for them to recognize. This matter still required asking the professionals.

"It's a Giant Spirit Tree!" "A Longevity Tree!"

Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing spoke almost simultaneously. The onlookers were baffled. Xia Jing said: "What tree is it exactly?

Chen Shijie smiled: "No difference. I used the scientific name, Zhao Xing used the common name. The common name for the Giant Spirit Tree is Longevity Tree."

Zhao Xing said: "You're the more rigorous one."

Long Xiao couldn't care less about all that: "Stop talking so much. I just want to ask—can the small tree fruits and lingzhi on this tree be eaten?"

"They can." Chen Shijie said, "The Giant Spirit Tree itself bears no fruit and isn't of much use while alive. Only after death does it become useful."

"A Giant Spirit Tree doesn't fall for a thousand years after death. Once it falls, it becomes a breeding ground for wondrous flowers and strange fruits. At this time, no matter what seeds drift onto its trunk, they will quickly bloom and bear fruit, breaking through growth shackles and completing transformation."

"Most of the lingzhi and fruit trees growing on it are edible, and consuming them extends lifespan, boosts vitality, and strengthens qi, blood, and bones."

Long Xiao suddenly understood: "So it's a tool tree."

"That's not wrong either." Zhao Xing scanned the surroundings: "The upheaval of heaven and earth accelerated the Giant Spirit Tree's growth, causing this one to rapidly enter its death phase. At least two kinds of edible good things have grown on it."

"But there are also quite a few poisonous ones that have taken over a lot of nutrients."

"Old Chen, the Giant Spirit Tree's effects have been accelerated, but we still have at least one day to make use of it. Let's quickly remove those poisonous seeds and maximize the gains."

"Good." Chen Shijie immediately flew out—one person acting from the treetop, one from the tail end of the tree.

"Whoosh~" The two swiftly pruned away the poisonous seeds on the trunk, leaving only the useful plants.

The Giant Spirit Tree's tier is sixth, but the nurturing effect of its trunk after death far exceeds Zhao Xing's Primal Moment.

Because the Giant Spirit Tree is a sixth-rank entity, yet it can nurture sixth-rank rare flowers and herbs in an extremely short time!

After busying themselves for one shichen, the two stopped.

They waited another two shichen.

Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing harvested the ripe fruits and lingzhi, then returned to the center of the tree trunk.

In the end, they obtained six purple lingzhi and eighteen fruits.

Since everything nurtured by the Giant Spirit Tree had broken through its original species constraints, Zhao Xing did not know the names of these things.

He could only use 【Five Elements Observation】 and 【Heavenly Eye Technique】 to judge their general effects.

"Meow~" The mountain cat smelled the good goods, sniffed its nose, and went to eat, but Long Xiao grabbed it back by the scruff.

"Zhao Xing, you distribute them," Long Xiao said.

Before setting out, they had agreed that all benefits would be distributed by Zhao Xing, and Zhao Xing held the right of first choice.

"Brother Xia, you test for poison first," Zhao Xing said with a smile, picking up a purple fruit and handing it to Xia Jing.

Xia Jing practiced the Gluttonous Eating Method; his poison resistance was incredibly high. This was the role of martial artists among the Exploration Envoys—testing for poison.

Through Xia Jing's refinement process, Zhao Xing could activate 【Five Elements Observation】 to further judge the effects.

"Good, it is destined for me to eat this." Xia Jing did not hesitate, immediately took the fist-sized fruit, and ate it in three or five bites, leaving not even the pit.

For some fruits, the skin and pit are the essence; it is hard to say.

Anyway, the Gluttonous Eating Method had already reached the fourth layer, so there was no fear at all.

After finishing, Xia Jing's eyes lit up: "Good stuff! My qi and blood surged greatly, and a piece of golden bone in my left arm transformed."

Zhao Xing kept his eyes fixed on Xia Jing, penetrating his body, and discovered that a bone in Xia Jing's left arm, originally at the 【Silver Bone】 level, had now transformed into a pale gold.

"Any discomfort?"

"None."

"I'll take the second one." Zhao Xing immediately ate the fruit; he had a panel and could also perceive the effects.

Of course, for such unknown things, it was better to let Xia Jing test the waters first.

【You have consumed 'Unknown Fruit' (Sixth Rank). Qi Gathering increased by one rank, lifespan increased by 3 years.】

【Your right index finger bone, 'Iron Bone Great Perfection', transformed into 'Silver Bone Initial Perfection'.】

Two records flashed onto the panel.

"One fruit raises a rank, adds three years of life, and can even cause bone transformation?"

The effect was unexpectedly good.

It must be known that Zhao Xing was already at the Great Star Realm; the improvement of his Qi Gathering rank was gradually slowing.

Raising Qi Gathering from rank forty-three to forty-four was several times harder than rising from rank one to forty-three.

Lifespan followed the same logic; currently, Zhao Xing's extra lifespan had increased to 160 years.

The increase in lifespan was an enhancement of one's fate in the mysterious heavens.

A fruit that could add three years was already quite powerful.

The third effect was also very good; the Farmer is a spellcaster, and their physical constitution is inferior to that of martial artists at the same realm.

For instance, Xia Jing was also sixth grade, but his physique was 'half golden bone, half silver bone', with qi and blood like an ocean, circulating endlessly.

Poison resistance, endurance, and recovery were far stronger than other professions.

For someone like the Farmer, without special training, normally one would not possess the physique of a sixth-grade martial artist until reaching the fifth grade.

So Zhao Xing currently only had 'Copper Skin and Iron Bone', while a body of Copper Skin and Iron Bone was something Xia Jing had possessed long ago during the reserve training period.

Why was there such a distinction? Because Zhao Xing cultivated the Solar Term Order and Later Earth Return to Origin, these secret classics.

Xia Jing cultivated the 【Gluttonous Eating Method】, 【Green Dragon Body Tempering Art】, and 【Seven Soul Hunyuan Art】, these secret classics.

Although both utilized primordial energy, different cultivation techniques caused different professions to take different paths.

"No poison, everyone eat one first," Zhao Xing said. "After eating, let me observe the effects."

Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Ji Ji Ziyun heard this and immediately consumed the nameless sixth-rank fruits one after another.

A short while later, all three had finished consuming and looked at Zhao Xing.

"Brother Ji, the effect of what you consumed is the weakest; it must be because you consumed similar treasures before, plus the nature of the techniques you cultivate seems to conflict with this fruit."

"You should not eat a second one. In the next round, if we find treasures suitable for you, we will give you more of them. Is that acceptable?"

Ji Ji Ziyun nodded: "Good. Since the effect of what I consumed is weak, I will not waste it. I will listen to you."

"Xia Jing, eat the second one and let me see."

Xia Jing followed the instruction and ate the second fruit.

This fruit had a good effect on martial artists; after Xia Jing ate the second one, a second piece of golden bone still transformed.

Zhao Xing had the Heavenly Eye open; he could see Xia Jing's luck pillar, which had vaguely changed, indicating that his fate had also increased.

Afterwards, Zhao Xing consumed the second one himself, followed by Long Xiao and Chen Shijie.

After three rounds, Xia Jing's effect weakened; after finishing the third one, he stopped and did not consume any more.

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, however, ate the fourth one. Because these two had not lived good lives in their childhood, their foundations were slightly weaker than Xia Jing's. Thus, they continued until the fourth one before the effect weakened.

Zhao Xing also ate four; the effect weakened at the fourth one. His Qi Gathering rank did not increase, and lifespan only added 0.5 years, but a piece of thigh bone transformed again.

"Just right, sixteen fruits finished, effects maximized," Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Meow~~" Ao Tian Meow looked aggrieved, how could you forget me?

"Be good, let the uncles and elders eat first; there are plenty of treasures this time." Long Xiao rubbed Ao Tian Meow's head.

Zhao Xing said, "Don't be aggrieved. There are still some fifth-rank fruits on the tree. I'll go pick some for you to fill your stomach."

Zhao Xing and the others had high standards; during this explosion of spiritual beauty in the cave heaven, they all planned to eat only sixth-rank items. There were actually piles of fifth-rank ones left, to avoid accumulating any resistance or toxins in their bodies.

"I'll go. You distribute the lingzhi," Chen Shijie said.

"Very well."

Just as Zhao Xing was fervently searching for treasures, massive flying ships and warships gathered at every entrance to the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

"What? Entry denied?!"

"Do you know who my father is?"

A man in splendid robes, his body bloated, shouted angrily at the soldiers guarding the checkpoint from the prow: "My father is Wu Chenghou! He was enfeoffed in the 325th year of the Dingxin Era. I, the heir apparent, merely wish to enter this small Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, yet you dare obstruct me?!"

The fat man in splendid robes roared: "Open the mystic gate, or do not blame me for being impolite!"

The soldiers guarding the checkpoint wore face masks, their expressions invisible; they merely pointed their sharp spears forward.

As the man in splendid robes stepped forward, the squad of armored soldiers immediately condensed their blood qi into a war formation and thrust at him without mercy.

"What?!" Behind the man in splendid robes, a mage quickly pulled him backward.

Once they retreated to a safe distance, the spears condensed from the blood qi war formation stopped advancing and withdrew.

"Damn it! Damn it!" The man in splendid robes, terrified, fell to the ground. "You bastards, you dogs!"

"Heir, stop cursing." The mage behind him helped the prodigal son up. "They form a formation at the slightest disagreement without even explaining. This prohibition must be of a very high level. We should inquire first."

"I traveled all the way from Yangtai Commandery, yet I cannot even enter the gate?" The young man in splendid robes remained furious. "Investigate! Who issued this order?!"

With so many noble families and aristocrats present, gathering information was naturally easy.

Soon, the son of Wu Chenghou learned the origin of the prohibition.

"Heir, we have investigated. The prohibition was jointly issued by Luo Hou Wang, Ling De Wang, and King Tianyan from the Military Realm."

"All nine entrances to the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven are strictly guarded, with strict entry and exit protocols. Many people are currently blocked outside," the steward reported.

"What? Ordered by the Three Kings?" The heir of Wu Chenghou finally sobered up a bit.

Ling De Wang was nothing special, but Luo Hou Wang's reputation was immense!

King Tianyan was even more mysterious.

Even if Wu Hou himself were present, it would likely be difficult to speak up at this time.

"What should we do? Is there any way to get in?" The heir of Wu Chenghou panicked; his father had only a few years left to live.

In this era, lifespan was roughly calculable; there was a set number of years one could live for each rank.

His father, Wu Chenghou, had already lived over five hundred years; his natural death was merely twenty or thirty years away.

The heir of Wu Chenghou seemed useless, and in reality... he was indeed useless.

Because his father had suffered hardships on the battlefield and had a son late in life, he did not want his son to suffer; now, this heir possessed only the strength of the Earth Fiend Realm.

"Before the Marquis departed, he said that if we encountered obstacles, we could seek Ming Wu Hou within the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven to deliver a formal visit card," the steward said.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?! You nearly scared me to death!" The heir of Wu Chenghou glared at the steward.

The steward remained silent. Delivering this visit card was no simple matter; Wu Chenghou had paid a huge price! Alas, the love of parents is universal. This heir had no idea what his father had done, thinking this was merely a casual trip to gather some benefits.

But with him like this, even if he entered, could he truly, as the Marquis hoped, transform himself and uphold the family's foundation?

Watching the heir run off to another nearby flower boat to brag and show off, the steward could not help but sigh in his heart.