Chapter 743

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

We have arrived at Yaoguang Cave.

Compared to last time, the situation clearly feels different this time.

The sky over this area is covered in dense dark clouds, with lightning threading through like swimming snakes.

Although forces such as the Longhu Immortal Sect and the Wu Sheng Worm Mother are interested in the Yaoguang Nine Domains and have already begun exploring, they have not yet reached this place.

What's more, right now everyone is drawn to the Qinghua Flowing Radiance.

Stowing the Thunder Dragon Water-Avoiding Boat, the group passed through the water curtain and entered the cave.

The power of lightning inside grows ever more violent; originally it existed only in the core area, but now even the outer perimeter is scorched black.

The insects that were once everywhere are now pitifully few.

Nu Tu stepped forward, earth qi surging around her, forming a yellow barrier ahead.

Gonggong followed close behind, additionally propping up a layer of water shield, and then the two led the way ahead, taking the rest deep into the passage.

The further forward they went, the more wrong the situation became.

Cracked riverbed, boiling magma, scorching breath — the internal conditions grew increasingly harsh.

Even the half-section of Thunder Dragon has undergone a change now.

Before it slept with eyes closed; now it has actually opened them a slit.

Its whole body emanates an indescribably terrifying aura that makes one's scalp tingle.

From this it can be seen that it too has been affected by the Qinghua Flowing Radiance, showing signs of revival.

"Compared to last time, it's far more frightening now."

"Has the Thunder Dragon awakened?"

"Go around it, let's head straight for the water eye."

Seeing this situation, whether avatar or main body, all wore solemn expressions.

But things have come to this; if they turn back now, they would have to wait another three hundred-plus years.

By then, who knows what will happen — the Tianyuan Realm's winds and clouds shift unpredictably, opportunities vanish in a flash.

Last time, besides Xu Zhangqing, Fenglong, and the two Spirit Plant Puppets, it was Tai Bai, Zhu Rong, Gonggong, and Nu Tu's four avatars who went deep and ultimately found the Xuan River Water Eye.

Therefore, going forward, the four of them clear the way ahead, Xu Zhangqing takes Fenglong in the middle, and the two Spirit Plant Puppets follow behind.

The deeper they go, the drier the air; the rocks underfoot crumble into grit when stepped on.

Fortunately there was no danger along the way, and everyone reached the deepest part quite smoothly.

Ahead lies an incomparably vast and empty space, all barren stone ground, with traces of water stains lingering in the cracks.

Only the water eye in the depths still retains a layer of blue-green water curtain.

The water curtain shimmers with spiritual light, its surface flowing with patterns like tree rings.

Behind the water curtain is a hazy expanse, yet one can clearly perceive the pure wood spiritual energy.

The green flag in Xu Zhangqing's palm trembles of its own accord, resonating with this aura.

Tai Bai pointed at the water curtain: "That is the secret realm entrance."

Nu Tu reminded: "Apart from wood spiritual roots, no other spiritual roots can enter."

Xu Zhangqing scanned the crowd, then with arms wide open said with a half-smile: "Separated for so many years, you lot should go home!"

The words "go home" had barely fallen when Tai Bai of the metal spiritual root, Gonggong of the water spiritual root, Zhu Rong of the fire spiritual root, Nu Tu of the earth spiritual root, and Fenglong of the thunder spiritual root all transformed into streaks of multicolored spiritual light.

They converged onto Xu Zhangqing from different directions.

In an instant the five elements circulated, the heaven-grade golden core and the mysterious seals all activated.

Xu Zhangqing's aura and fluctuations climbed steadily; he was already at earth-grade golden core late stage, and with the five elements converging and the mysterious seals restarting, he rapidly rose to heaven-grade golden core perfection.

His whole person, from inside out, circulated with five colors, thunder light faintly visible.

Boom—

The sea area near Yaoguang Cave was originally surging with waves, covered by dark clouds.

Just then, the seawater suddenly stilled, as if smoothed by an invisible force, and even the dark clouds disintegrated in an instant.

However, not only did sunlight not arrive, it instead sank into an even deeper darkness.

A mass of counterclockwise-rotating tribulation clouds pressed down over a thousand li, the atmosphere oppressive to the extreme.

"What's going on?"

"This is… someone undergoing tribulation?"

"Get away fast, once you get close you'll be…"

However, just as these people were puzzled, making all sorts of guesses.

The rotating tribulation clouds suddenly paused, then vanished.

They came fast and left fast; many mistook it for an illusion.

……

……

Xu Zhangqing hesitated no longer, striding toward that blue-green water curtain; the moment his foot stepped in, there was not the slightest obstruction, like passing through a layer of flowing jade.

The instant he entered, Xu Zhangqing was wrapped in an unprecedentedly dense spiritual energy; this spiritual energy differed from the outside world — not ordinary plant spiritual energy, but spiritual energy carrying the origin of life.

Xu Zhangqing marveled inwardly: "What pure wood spiritual energy…"

Divine Sense subconsciously spread out, but was blocked by an invisible barrier.

He tried to probe deeper; the moment he touched the barrier, he felt a gentle yet irresistible repulsive force, and a thought emerged in his mind: "Insufficient cultivation; Outer Court only."

Xu Zhangqing's eyes narrowed, and he instantly understood.

There were actually strict cultivation restrictions within Qingdi Garden; although he was a Heaven-grade Golden Core Perfection, he was still at the Golden Core Stage and could not reach the depths.

Xu Zhangqing gathered his mind and stopped forcing it: "It seems I can only explore the Outer Court for now."

It was said that Qingdi Garden had three districts.

Outer Court, Wanling Heavenly Garden.

Middle Court, Qianji Corridor.

Inner Court, Daluo Heart Court.

From his current position and angle, he could only see a Giant Tree phantom in the depths.

As for what lay before him, ancient and primordial Lingti were everywhere within reach.

A glance showed it was almost boundless, simply subverting common sense.

Some rice stalks bore white jade the size of pigeon eggs, crystal clear and translucent, emitting gentle Wood Spirit Qi.

Some vines entwined and crossed like spirit snakes, hung with colorful crystals, pure Spiritual Energy flowing within.

There were also bowl-sized flowers arranged neatly; the dew rolling on their petals was actually condensed Moonlight Spirit Liquid, and a touch could nourish the Divine Soul.

The air was filled with a rich fragrance that could not dissipate; inhaling a breath made one feel refreshed, and even the Spiritual Root, Golden Core, and Mystic Seal trembled slightly.

"Truly worthy of being the Qingdi Outer Court, to have so many strange flowers and exotic herbs!"

"No wonder it ranks first, truly unbelievable!"

"And now, only I alone enjoy it all!"

Xu Zhangqing felt surprise and joy in his heart, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

But he wasn't foolish enough to pick them directly; every Lingti here contained Spirit Qi and was not ordinary vegetation, requiring careful handling.

Looking around, he targeted a Fire Marrow Ling Fruit Tree laden with red fruit.

This fruit tree was over three zhang tall, with Red Fire burning among its branches and leaves; the red fruits were as brilliant as agate, and were top-grade materials for refining pills.

Xu Zhangqing activated his Golden Core and Mystic Seal, releasing mana containing Wood-element laws, and lightly touched the Fire Marrow Ling Fruit Tree; only to see the branches and leaves sway gently, emitting a faint clear sound.

Immediately after, a ripe red fruit fell automatically and landed steadily in his palm.

Xu Zhangqing nodded slightly: "As expected."

If he picked them rashly, trouble would absolutely ensue.

If done according to this method, there would be no problem.

With everything clear in his mind, he began his next action.

First, from the rice stalks of the Tai Ancient Dragon Blood Rice, he collected dozens of rice seeds containing Dragon Might; the rice grown from these could enhance a Xiuxian Zhe's physical strength.

Next, from the Crystal Vine, he took over a dozen fist-sized spirit crystals, which were the core base materials for refining Magic Treasures.

Then, from the Moonlight Flower, he collected a small jade bottle of Moonlight Spirit Liquid, which was greatly beneficial for stabilizing the Golden Core and nourishing the Divine Soul.

As he walked, Xu Zhangqing came before several large trees; these trees were over ten zhang tall, with trunks as thick as iron and covered in thorns.

Seeing someone approach, they actually waved their trunks to attack, with considerable force.

Xu Zhangqing's eyes brightened: "These are all good materials for refining Spirit Plant Puppets!"