Chapter 209: Natural Disaster? Man-made Calamity!

The vision and insight of the Golden Core realm are naturally incomparable to those of ordinary cultivators.

With just a sweep of her divine sense, Qin Ruoning discovered that the breathing techniques practiced by the few young disciples in the quiet room halfway up the mountain were not only extremely profound but also completely different from the Qi Refining techniques of the Upper Realm.

She could not help but knit her willow-leaf brows:

"The Spiritual Machine in this place is severed; there is no spiritual energy to absorb. They are relying on circulating and refining their own vital essence to transform it into Dharma Power. This seems to fall under the category of ancient cultivation methods."

Bai Qianfeng's eyes also flickered as he said:

"Indeed, it is certainly ancient cultivation, and a very profound ancient method at that. But in Yuanling Heaven, ancient methods were replaced by new methods over ten thousand years ago. Where did this Lu Yuan in this Lower Realm obtain such ancient methods?"

The so-called ancient cultivation consists of the four great realms of practice: Refining Essence into Qi, Refining Qi into Spirit, Refining Spirit into Void, and Refining Void into Dao.

Ancient cultivation focuses on the state of mind, and the gathering and refining of internal and external medicines is relatively obscure and slow; furthermore, the gap between each major realm is immense, making breakthroughs extremely difficult.

Later, following changes in the environment of Heaven and Earth, and through the great wisdom and improvements summarized by generations of powerful cultivators, new methods were eventually created on the foundation of the ancient ones.

New methods emphasize Spirit Root aptitude and cultivation resources; the methods mostly involve harvesting from Heaven and Earth and absorbing Spiritual Machine. The speed of cultivation is faster, and the division of realms is more detailed.

Nurturing Qi, Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Transforming Spirit, Return to Void.

These are the seven great realms of cultivation for practitioners in Yuanling Heaven.

Compared to the difficulty of breaking through realms in ancient cultivation, these realms are much more refined and breakthroughs are relatively easier. Even if one's Spirit Root aptitude is insufficient, one can still charge toward high realms by relying on abundant resources. Thus, as soon as the new methods emerged, they quickly eliminated the ancient ones and became the mainstream among the thousands of cultivators in Yuanling Heaven.

At this moment, Bai Qianfeng and his companion could not understand at all why ancient methods, which are difficult to find even in Yuanling Heaven today, would appear in this Lower Realm where the Spiritual Machine is severed.

"It is impossible for an ancient method to appear out of thin air in the Lower Realm; it must have been passed down to this realm from the Upper Realm."

Qin Ruoning said slowly:

"Seven thousand years ago, the cultivators stationed in this realm were slaughtered to the last person. Perhaps some of them possessed collections of ancient methods."

"The passage between the two realms has been severed for seven thousand years, so that Lu Yuan cannot be a person from the Upper Realm. It can only be judged that he obtained the remains of those cultivators; otherwise, it is inexplicable."

Bai Qianfeng nodded, his eyes playful:

"Even so, for this native to be able to reach the Foundation Establishment realm using ancient cultivation is truly incredible. The secrets behind him must be thoroughly excavated. I hope this person is sensible when the time comes, so we don't have to resort to methods, which would not be pleasant."

Qin Ruoning pondered slightly; this time she did not object, only saying:

"As cultivators from the Upper Realm, and for the sake of the big picture of a realm, surely a minor Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Lower Realm can recognize the gravity of the situation."

Bai Qianfeng smiled slightly:

"It should be so."

No one knew what had happened on Xiantai Mountain.

That night, the heavy snow covering the entire Tianjing region did not stop for the whole night. When the people of Tianjing pushed open their doors early in the morning, what they saw was a world wrapped in silver, with snowdrifts nearly knee-deep.

The north is cold, and countless commoners still shivered despite wearing thick cotton-padded jackets. They spontaneously began to clear the thick snow in front of their doors. At the same time, there were a large number of extra sanitation workers hired by the government throughout the city, all carrying tools and taking to the streets to quickly sweep away the snow.

In previous years, whenever it snowed, beggars frozen to death could often be seen on the streets. But now, in the New Nation, such a situation has disappeared. After the snow was cleared, vendors, restaurants, and shops opened for business one after another. At the same time, on all the major thoroughfares in the city, trucks could be seen everywhere transporting large amounts of coal to various sales points, and the commoners coming to buy coal to burn for warmth were endless.

In the past, during the rule of the Jin Dynasty, the powerful and wealthy used high-quality bamboo charcoal and animal charcoal to keep warm. As for the commoners, the better-off bought smoke coal, while the poor either chopped down trees from the forests around Tianjing to burn for warmth or relied on tattered jackets to endure it; every year, many were frozen to death or suffered frostbite.

However, the New Nation is developing rapidly now, and it has long been fully exploring and mining various mineral deposits everywhere. Many large coal mines have been discovered in Datong, not far from Tianjing. Every winter, a steady stream of coal is sent to Tianjing and all parts of the country to provide warmth for the commoners.

With the government intervening and controlling it, the price of this coal is very cheap, so even farmers working the fields can easily afford it. Thus, whether in Tianjing or other places, cases of people freezing to death rarely happen anymore.

However.

The people of Tianjing City soon discovered something unexpected.

After this heavy snow, it snowed continuously for half a month. Later on, thick, dark clouds covered the sun, and the swirling heavy snow completely shrouded the entire city.

This time, it was incessant. During the day it was better, just heavy snow swirling about, but once night fell, it would turn into goose-feather snow or even a blizzard, blocking the sky and moon; walking at night, one could hardly see one's own fingers.

Such a blizzard could already be called a snow disaster. The officials of the government agencies in all parts of the city were mobilized, rotating day and night to try their best to clear the ever-accumulating snow. But often, just after clearing some during the day, a blizzard would suddenly descend at night, like a downpour, piling up another thick layer.

In just two or three days, the snow in places in the city that no one cleared was nearly as high as a person, as if the entire city had been frozen. Not only did the temperature plummet, but many houses and buildings were crushed by the snow, causing deaths and injuries.

At the same time, adding frost to the snow, because the heavy snow almost blocked the main roads and official roads inside and outside the city, the coal transported from Datong could not enter the city at all. This caused this natural disaster to create greater destruction and consequences, and cases of commoners suffering from frostbite and freezing to death began to appear one after another.

And on the seventh day of the snow-blocked city, which had turned into a disaster.

On a viewing tower in the inner city, the retired first Head of State Zuo Guanglie, the current Head of State Hong Zhenghai, and a group of Cabinet ministers stood on the tower, looking at the shocking scene in the city, all with extremely grave expressions:

"This kind of heavy snow only appears in the extremely cold places on the northwest and northeast borders. It has never appeared in Tianjing City before; it can be called a once-in-a-millennium event."

"Now that the heavy snow has blocked the roads, the disciples of the Heavenly Master Mansion and the students of the Martial Academy have all poured out, but it is still difficult to clear all the official roads and main streets. It is not just the coal used for heating; food, fruits, vegetables, and meat are all difficult to enter the city. The commoners who have run out of coal have no choice but to chop up their furniture to burn for warmth..."

"There have already been nearly a thousand cases of frostbite and freezing to death in the city. If this problem is not solved, this number will likely turn into thousands or tens of thousands!"

"This is outrageous! If such a situation really occurs, we will have failed the people of Tianjing, and failed the Heavenly Master!"

"If the Supreme Heavenly Master were here, what would this mere heavy snow count for? Sigh..."

Just at this moment, a figure on the sky descended rapidly, wrapped in a gale, and landed on the tower.

The group of high-ranking officials hurriedly greeted him: "True Person Chen, is there any way to resolve this snow disaster?"

As the only disciple half-acknowledged by Lu Yuan, Chen Zhantang had long been conferred the title of True Person by the Council. He showed a look of shame toward everyone: "I am sorry, everyone. I just tried it, but my Dharma Power is insufficient to blow away these vast dark clouds. I am afraid that only if Master himself takes action can this blizzard be completely ended."

Zuo Guanglie, who was already decrepit, coughed violently and said:

"True Person Chen, the Heavenly Master has been traveling the world for several years now. Is there any way to invite him back as soon as possible?"

Chen Zhantang shook his head helplessly:

"Master did not leave any way to contact him. I already notified the disciples of the Heavenly Master Mansion in all places a few days ago to keep an eye out. If he learns that Tianjing is suffering from this disaster, he will surely rush back at the first opportunity."

Faced with such great power of Heaven and Earth, the high-ranking officials had no other way. The current Head of State Hong Zhenghai said in a deep voice:

"The Heavenly Master may not be able to return in a short time. We can only rely on ourselves for this great disaster."

"Fellow colleagues, the safety of the lives of millions of people in Tianjing City rests on us. We must take the lead and fight the disaster together with them!"

"This is the greatest test and challenge for us since the founding of the New Nation. I believe that as long as everyone in Tianjing City is of one mind, we will surely be able to overcome this difficulty together!"

"True Person Chen, we will go first."

The ministers responded one after another, and then hurriedly left to coordinate and command, dealing with the snow disaster.

As for Chen Zhantang, he pinched a Dharma seal and flew into the high sky filled with swirling snow, crossing the vast white city area to arrive outside the city.

I saw that on the newly built official road outside the city, thousands of figures were holding tools, clearing the snow that was as high as a person in sections. At the forefront were the disciples of the Heavenly Master Mansion, and even Zhao Shuhua, Peng Yidao, Lin Sheng, and others who had already become high-ranking officials.

Zhao Shuhua's Martial Arts are mediocre, and he is relatively slow at clearing snow, but over these past ten-plus years, Peng Yidao and Lin Sheng have not only practiced the Guiding Technique to prolong their lives, but have also cultivated their Martial Arts to the Seventh Realm, the True Martial Realm. One could see the two of them holding steel shovels, their energy soaring like a bull, moving like dragons; piles upon piles of accumulated snow were fiercely swept away, and in an instant, a clear, wide path was formed.

Clearing snow on the main road is naturally to open a passage so that supplies like coal, firewood, and grain can enter the city. The Heavenly Master Mansion has over a thousand disciples; not to mention top experts like Peng Yidao and Lin Sheng, there are also many experts of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Realms, so the clearing is actually extremely fast.

However, it is a pity that the blizzard is overwhelming; often, shortly after they have finished clearing the snow, the main road is covered again by layers of heavy snow. They have to clear it several times almost every day to allow the vehicles transporting supplies to pass.

After Chen Zhantang arrived at this location, no one discovered his presence due to the cover of the blizzard. He saw a supply convoy ahead trapped and unable to move forward, so he immediately flew forward and formed hand seals:

"Rise!"

After a low shout, the violent gale formed a tornado, which swept up the layers of snow in front of him and blew them high into the sky, while simultaneously forming a clear passage on the ground that led straight to the trapped convoy.

With this stretch of snow cleared, the convoy immediately started up, honking their horns as they slowly drove through the cleared passage and successfully entered the city.

Thousands of Heavenly Master Mansion disciples let out joyful cheers, and Zhao Shuhua, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng also rarely showed smiles, walking over one after another:

"Zhantang, you kid is still the best!"

"Damn it, who would have thought that a dignified True Martial Grandmaster like me would find clearing snow this strenuous? The great power of Heaven and Earth is truly not something we mere mortals can contend with!"

"By the way, have those two mysterious figures who came to visit the Master at Xiantai Mountain returned? If they possess Dharma Power and Supernatural Power similar to the Heavenly Master, perhaps they could help us resolve this great disaster!"

Bai Qianfeng and Qin Ruoning did not stay at Xiantai Mountain for more than a few days before taking their leave, saying they wanted to travel around, and their whereabouts have been unknown ever since.

There was no joy on Chen Zhantang's face. He looked at the three of them, wanting to speak but hesitating, and finally said:

"Their whereabouts are currently unknown, and even if we found them, it is not certain they could resolve this natural disaster."

The gazes of Zhao Shuhua and the other two tightened in unison:

"What do you mean?"

Even with the wind and snow providing cover, Chen Zhantang could not help but lower his voice:

"Don't you think this blizzard came too strangely, too suddenly? In the history of Tianjing, there has never been such a blizzard, especially since it happened shortly after those two visited. I suspect this is not a natural disaster, but related to those two."

Peng Yidao's expression changed slightly:

"How is that possible? This heavy snow has lasted for over half a month and covered at least dozens of miles. Unless it were an Immortal like the Heavenly Master, how could they have such ability?"

Lin Sheng also asked in suspicion: "Not to mention whether they could do it, didn't those two say they came from the same place as our Master? Why would they bring down a blizzard on Tianjing and cause such a great disaster?"

Chen Zhantang was silent for a moment:

"Perhaps... they want to create some big commotion so that the Master, who is wandering outside, will know and return as soon as possible. Of course, these are all just my guesses, and it is hard to prove."

Zhao Shuhua and the other two could not help but look at each other, uneasy:

"If that is truly the case, then these two visiting the Heavenly Master, were they not harboring evil intentions?"

"These two appeared out of thin air; could it be that their claim of coming from the same place as the Heavenly Master is also a lie?"

Chen Zhantang did not speak, his heart also filled with gloom.

From the second day this blizzard began, he had an intuitive feeling that something was wrong. Now that the blizzard has evolved into a natural disaster, it makes him even more suspicious of the origins of those two.

He also thought of the Ladder to Heaven in the Extreme North and wanted to go back to see if there were any changes to the Great Evolution Mending Heaven Array. However, with thousands upon thousands of Tianjing commoners suffering in such a terrifying snow disaster, and so many places needing his help, he truly had no way to get away.

Chen Zhantang took a deep breath and said:

"Whether their origins are fake or whether they have malicious intent cannot be determined. The only thing we can do is endure this disaster and wait for the Master to return to see the truth."

"Whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made one, I believe this blizzard cannot continue to fall forever. Everyone, let us continue!"

Having said that, he flew away to other places to provide disaster relief.

Although Zhao Shuhua and the others were also full of doubts and unease, they could not think too much under such a massive snow disaster and could only focus on what was in front of them.

Just as the snow filled the sky and Chen Zhantang and the other three were busy providing disaster relief in the wind and snow.

A thousand zhang above the sky, amidst thick, mountain-like dark clouds, Bai Qianfeng sat cross-legged, looking down at the earth with a smile as if viewing ants:

"To be able to associate it with us, you are indeed somewhat clever."