Chapter 372

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Very soon, Xu Zhangqing arrived at Zhu Fuxian's place — that is, right at the Spirit Field Grain Master's front door.

Over a dozen mu of Spirit Fields, cultivating many varieties of Spirit Plants.

Among them, medicinal herbs were the most numerous, accounting for at least two-thirds.

Xu Zhangqing saw it with his eyes and thought to himself: "There weren't this many before; suddenly the types and quantities of medicinal herbs increased — could something have happened?"

However, all sorts of ideas and guesses were quickly tossed to the back of his mind by him.

The reason for coming here, wasn't it just to ask the Grain Master for news about Rong Long?

Therefore, Xu Zhangqing immediately cupped his fists toward the inside: "Grain Master, your Disciple has come!"

First a wave of cool Qi surged over, then the Fence Gate opened on its own, and afterward Zhu Fuxian walked out of the Bamboo Hut, wearing a smile as he teased: "You came pretty fast."

Xu Zhangqing grinned: "Since you summoned me, I naturally couldn't delay."

Zhu Fuxian knew exactly what was what in his heart, and at once said: "Let's talk while we walk."

Xu Zhangqing asked in surprise: "Go where?"

Zhu Fuxian summoned the Lightly Vitality Shuttle, only then answering: "You also count as one of the parties involved; come with me to the Xing Punishment Hall to see Rong Long."

Xu Zhangqing seemed to half-understand, immediately stowed away his own Broken Moon Flowing Frost, and then followed behind the other, leaping onto the Lightly Vitality Shuttle.

Whoosh—!

The two instantly soared into the sky, flying toward the Nine Heavens above.

"Grain Master, where is the Xing Punishment Hall?"

"Hou Tu Peak!"

"Hou Tu Peak, one of the Seven Great Immortal Peaks?"

"You've joined Dongting for five years; it's about time you saw what an Xianfeng looks like!"

At this, Xu Zhangqing was filled with anticipation.

As everyone knows, the Seven Great Immortal Peaks float above the Nine Heavens.

Xu Zhangqing had always been curious: why place the Immortal Peaks in the sky, especially Hou Tu Peak which needs Earth Qi so much?

Today he would finally get to personally witness it, to see just what the situation was.

As they kept ascending, the two soon passed through the cloud layers.

Xu Zhangqing only felt the sunlight become even brighter, even a bit dazzling.

Then, the unique heaviness of Earth Qi surged over, and as they drew nearer, the heavy pressure also kept increasing.

Very soon, a scene difficult to describe in words appeared before him.

Steaming Earth Qi, mixed with countless dust particles, transformed into pillars of Qi gushing upward.

A massive earth-yellow mountain peak just stood abruptly before him like that.

It was wider at the top and narrower at the bottom; the top even exceeded a hundred li, the bottom gradually narrowing to a hundred zhang, and then connecting with the Qi pillars.

The surface was not smooth rock, but flowing yellow earth terrain.

Because it had been scoured by Earth Qi year-round, it presented ripple-like patterns.

Xu Zhangqing found it hard to believe: "This isn't Earth Qi; it seems to be... Xuanhuang Qi?"

Earth Qi only turns into pale yellow gas and clouds after it becomes dense.

Yellow Qi is heavier; a single strand weighs ten thousand jin, and overall it is ochre-yellow.

The massive Qi pillar before his eyes actually had two colors mixed together — both deep black-red and bright earth-yellow.

Amid the dissonance there was a touch of balance; it looked profoundly mysterious.

Especially the pressure — it could simply be described as terrifying.

Even with Xu Zhangqing's Five Elements Perfection, he still felt a strong sensation of sinking into mire.

As they drew ever closer, it was as if stepping deeper into a swamp step by step; his body felt as though it were bound.

Zhu Fuxian gave a slight nod, affirming: "This is indeed a Qi pillar formed from Xuanhuang Qi."

Xu Zhangqing couldn't help pressing further: "Is there something down below?"

Zhu Fuxian smiled lightly: "Directly beneath the Xuanhuang Qi pillar — or rather, at the deepest part of the Spiritual Vein — there is a vein of Xuanhuang Mother Ore.

The meaning of Hou Tu Peak's existence is to suppress the Xuanhuang Qi leaking from the Mother Ore.

Over a long time it formed its current appearance, even becoming one of the Seven Great Immortal Peaks."

That is to say, a vein of Xuanhuang Mother Ore was discovered at the deepest underground; because of excavation, Xuanhuang Qi leaked out.

Later, the Immortal Sect moved a Spiritual Vein here to suppress it, and then formed the present Hou Tu Peak.

This is also the real reason why it can appear above the Nine Heavens.

Overall, it not only surpasses imagination but also possesses extreme visual impact.

Xu Zhangqing couldn't help taking a deep breath, thinking to himself: "Dongting's foundation far exceeds my imagination; no wonder it can be one of the Three Great Immortal Sects."

The two drew closer and closer to Hou Tu Peak; suddenly "whoosh-whoosh" wind sounds rang out all around.

Then, one Qi-wave vortex after another appeared, even moving toward them.

It looked like they were being attracted over.

Zhu Fuxian took out a palm-sized, ancient, unadorned Token.

The Token was overall an irregular oval shape; the front was engraved with the two characters "Spirit Field".

Xia Fang, three rings of spirit seedling patterns encircled it.

The first ring was seedlings.

The second ring was mature stalks.

The third ring was fruit-bearing.

Symbolizing the entire process of spirit field breeding, cultivation, and harvest.

Embedded dead center on the back was a spirit stone, within which a wisp of leaping green radiance was sealed.

As the token's green light flashed, the ceaselessly approaching waves of air vortexes rapidly dissipated, and the two entered Hou Tu Peak without obstruction.

Xu Zhangqing leaped off the Lightly Vitality Shuttle, feeling as if his whole body were stuck, his body as though covered by an invisible layer of armor, exceptionally heavy.

He subconsciously wanted to rely on his Earth Spiritual Root; as long as he converted Earth Qi, he could solve this problem.

But suddenly reacting, Zhu Fuxian was following beside him, so he could only forcibly endure it.

Though in terms of spiritual roots, Wood Restricts Earth.

But in actuality, when one side is too overbearing, it will be counter-restricted.

What's more, here there was not only Earth Qi, but also Yellow Qi, and even Mysterious Yellow Qi.

Wood alone cannot support it, manifested to the fullest at this moment.

Zhu Fuxian saw it in his eyes, casually releasing a cool breath that enveloped Xu Zhangqing's whole person; the originally heavy pressure and muddy feeling vanished without a trace in an instant.

Xu Zhangqing hastily cupped his hands: "Thank you, Master He!"

Zhu Fuxian waved his hand: "Come, let's go to Xing Punishment Hall."

Xu Zhangqing followed while asking: "I previously encountered Enforcement Disciples of Xing Punishment Hall, with all kinds of spiritual roots; why is this?"

For example Zhang Xue, she is a Water Spiritual Root.

Yet she became one of Xing Punishment Hall's Enforcement Disciples all the same.

Zhu Fuxian explained: "To prevent Earth Spiritual Roots from dominating, among Xing Punishment Hall's Enforcement Elders and Enforcement Disciples, part are other spiritual roots.

Metal Wood Water Fire Earth, Mutant Spiritual Roots—almost all are present."

Xu Zhangqing suddenly understood: "No wonder."

Zhu Fuxian said with a half-smile: "If you are willing, I can recommend you."

Xu Zhangqing hastily waved his hand: "Forget it, being a Spirit Cultivator is enough to keep me busy; if I also became an Enforcement Disciple, wouldn't I be worked to death."

Next, the two didn't exchange much.

Always walking forward, delving deeper into Hou Tu Peak.

Gradually, they finally arrived at the location of Xing Punishment Hall.

This place was very subtle.

It happened to be at the boundary where Earth Qi, Yellow Qi, and Mysterious Yellow Qi—the three Qis—met.

The so-called Hall was not a Palace.

But a mountain-waist grotto hewn out.

Directly above hung a slice of Xuanhuang Mother Ore, about ten zhang in diameter, bright Mysterious Yellow Qi flowing slowly within the slice.

Opposite was a Public Trial Platform.

Directly below was the entrance to the Nine-Story Dungeon.

At this moment, Rong Long, whom Xu Zhangqing had been longing for, had already been imprisoned on the Public Trial Platform!