Chapter 334: Racing Ahead

After being enhanced, the Ice Source Jiazi Dew's effects naturally changed.

Name: Ice Origin Divine Dew.

Rank: Third Grade Supreme.

Effect: A single drop can instantly fill the water or ice dantian (limited to Jin Dan cultivators), and grants all Jin Dan cultivators, regardless of elemental affinity, an additional hundred years of lifespan.

He Pingsheng stared at this effect for three or four breaths before realizing the enhanced Ice Origin Divine Dew differed from the original.

Before enhancement, a single drop could fill a water or ice Jin Dan dantian—this remained unchanged.

The change was that now, a single drop of the divine dew could grant all Jin Dan cultivators, regardless of elemental affinity, an extra hundred years of lifespan.

Previously, only water and ice elemental cultivators could gain lifespan from it.

Now, the restriction of "water and ice elemental affinity" is gone; any Jin Dan cultivator, regardless of elemental affinity, can use it to extend their lifespan.

Moreover, the length of lifespan gained changed—from sixty years to one hundred.

Forty years more.

Good. Put it away.

He Pingsheng also understood the meaning of the words "Jue Hui."

He had seen it in the cultivation classics: Jue Hui meant the Dao path was severed.

Some cultivators suddenly found themselves unable to advance further in cultivation.

For example, at the third layer of Jin Dan, no matter what heavenly treasures they consumed or what techniques they practiced, they could not gain even the slightest increase in cultivation.

Even supreme-grade elixirs would not help.

Consuming heavenly treasures capable of breaking through bottlenecks was useless.

This condition is called "Jue Hui."

As the name implies, Jue Hui means the wisdom root is severed, the Dao path is cut off, and that is the end.

In the entire cultivation world, every cultivator, regardless of realm, will eventually encounter Jue Hui.

Unless you can cultivate all the way to ascension.

Some people's Jue Hui comes early—in Qi Refining stage.

Others' comes later.

That's the difference.

For instance, after reaching Jin Dan, nine out of ten cultivators cannot reach the true bottleneck stage; they get stuck at layers like six, three, or eight.

For these cultivators with no hope of advancing further, a single drop of lifespan-extending spiritual liquid is incredibly precious.

They are often willing to spend their entire fortune to obtain it.

He Pingsheng put away the spiritual liquid.

Around him, the crowd gradually began to stir.

Each one clenched their fists, pressed against the cliffside, and looked upward.

He Pingsheng knew this was because the Earth Dragon Gully was about to open.

What was inside the Earth Dragon Gully?

Black and White Lotus Roots of Xuan Huang.

At least thirty percent of the cultivators here came specifically for these black-and-white roots.

For some, obtaining the black-and-white roots would earn them a single Blood Jade Purple Skin Date from the imperial family, allowing them to break through the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment eleventh layer.

For some imperial princes, obtaining the black-and-white roots would win them prestige, earn them respect within the imperial family, and build up their standing in the Emperor's eyes.

The reasons varied.

One can imagine then!

Once the Earth Dragon Gully opened, countless cultivators would rush immediately toward the Black Mud Pool where the black-and-white roots lay.

Thus, securing the first advantage became critical.

After all, the first to reach the Black Mud Pool had the highest chance of obtaining the black-and-white roots.

How could one secure the first advantage?

Simple: first, start earlier than others; second, move faster than others.

"Roar…"

"Roar…"

A chorus of beast roars shook the valley.

Many cultivators now pulled out their prized possessions: spirit beasts.

Flight was forbidden here, but that didn't matter—if one could ride a spirit beast with extreme speed, it was acceptable!

He Pingsheng saw some riding white tigers, others riding blue lions.

Some simply sat atop giant serpents.

Each displayed their own unique skill.

He Pingsheng could only do his utmost.

He wore the Golden Pattern Cloud-Stepping Boots on his feet, and had the Meteor Talisman activated on his body, doubling his speed.

At this moment, He Pingsheng also quietly revealed his previous appearance—the one he used when fighting the Ninth Imperial Prince.

After all, when the golden light burst from his feet, others might recognize him.

So there was no need to hide it.

He would conceal his identity only after obtaining the black-and-white roots.

Boom…

At that moment, the final Dragon Gully finally opened.

On the colorful light membrane, a black vortex appeared.

Thousands of cultivators leapt upward like swarms of locusts, scrambling up the mountain!

He Pingsheng was no exception.

At this moment, no hesitation was possible.

Even a single breath's delay would be an insult to the Xuan Huang Black-and-White Lotus Roots.

Boom…

Boom boom boom…

Golden light blazed from beneath He Pingsheng's feet.

He was nearly the first to dive into the vortex.

"It's him…" Thirteenth Imperial Prince fixed his gaze on He Pingsheng and ordered: "Go after him!"

Boom…

Boom boom boom…

Beneath the Thirteenth Imperial Prince's feet, he too wore a speed-enhancing boot—its speed was nearly equal, just slightly slower than He Pingsheng's.

Seeing He Pingsheng take the lead, he grew frantic and waved his hand, sending a fire dragon hurtling toward He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng could not ignore it.

He had to pause briefly and block it with force.

But this block plunged him into a quagmire.

Behind him, dozens of imperial disciples in moon-white robes launched furious attacks at He Pingsheng.

He could not escape within a short time.

Dozens of imperial disciples clung to him like dozens of medicinal plasters.

Meanwhile, the Thirteenth Imperial Prince had already zipped past to take first place.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh…

Soon, hundreds more surpassed He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng could not even dream of competing—he could only retreat and fight against the dozens of imperial disciples.

It took half a stick of incense before he finally broke free.

"Damn it…" After crossing the mountain range, He Pingsheng stared at the vast Earth Dragon Gully ahead and nearly vomited.

According to the map, the Black Mud Pool holding the black-and-white roots was not at the very end of the gully, nor in the middle—it lay in the front half!

At full speed, it was only about an hour's run.

I just wasted half a stick of incense?

"Go…"

He Pingsheng swallowed a single drop of Golden Bee Holy Juice to replenish his dantian, then shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

His speed was indeed the fastest.

Four times the normal speed.

But the fact that others had taken the lead still troubled him.

Fortunately, four times speed was fast, and as he advanced, the imperial disciples gradually scattered, no longer posing a threat.

Grass and trees rushed backward in the valley.

One after another, cultivators were overtaken by He Pingsheng's speed.

Yet moving at four times speed consumed enormous energy.

But with Golden Bee Holy Juice in hand, he was not worried.

Let the consumption be.