Volume One: Lich Cataclysm Chapter 1: Fifteen Hundred Thousand Years—Longevity Mountain Blessed Land, Red Cloud Appears

As Zhenyuanzi took out the Earth Tome, he swiftly began to connect with the earth veins in this place. However, thanks to the ginseng fruit tree providing its essence for countless years, neither the spiritual energy nor the primordial source of the earth veins here could be matched by any other renowned mountain.

In Zhenyuanzi’s view, apart from the Heavenly Pillar Buzhou Mountain and Kunlun Mountain, there were likely few places in the wilderness with more abundant primordial source than the Longevity Mountain Range.

“Do not be distracted. Be diligent. The spiritual energy here is abundant, and the earth vein’s primordial source is plentiful. The blessed land you are about to open may be so vast you cannot imagine it. If you fail, it will cause no small harm to both yourself and the local earth veins.”

Seeing that Zhenyuanzi was somewhat distracted even while opening a blessed land, a prompt reminder was given.

Zhenyuanzi, hearing this, steadied his focus and concentrated on controlling the Earth Tome.

Fortunately, being the master of this place, many things became much easier for him. Before long, as Zhenyuanzi performed his art, an illusory miniature of the Longevity Mountain Range appeared before Qingxuan and Yangmei.

Once complete, Qingxuan began to guide the rich spiritual energy of this place into the blessed land continuously. As the spiritual energy poured in, the space gradually expanded, and the objects within began to take on a tangible form, visible to the naked eye.

The energy of the surrounding earth veins, the laws of space, the five elements, and many others were continuously absorbed into this illusory space.

Seeing this, Qingxuan and Yangmei each began to manifest their own mastery of the laws. Qingxuan was shrouded in the Dao Rhythms of Creation and the Five Elements, while Yangmei, with a casual gesture, summoned dense Space Dao Rhythms and quickly infused the space with surrounding spiritual energy and other materials.

While performing these acts, Yangmei also explained in detail the mysteries of space to Zhenyuanzi’s soul.

Zhenyuanzi remained focused, controlling the Earth Tome and absorbing Yangmei’s comprehension and application of the Great Dao of Space.

With the two helping, Zhenyuanzi’s task became much easier. Once they saw he had adapted, they handed over all control to him, only giving an occasional suggestion from the side.

Finally, when Zhenyuanzi placed the ginseng fruit tree within, the entire space suddenly expanded several times over. Realizing he was approaching his limits, Zhenyuanzi did not give up but persevered.

Qingxuan and Yangmei watched with great satisfaction.

“Impressive, Daoist Qingxuan. You’ve found such a talented disciple. Truthfully, even this old Daoist is tempted! How about it, Daoist Qingxuan? This youngster’s Dao is quite similar to mine—why not let me have him as my disciple instead?” Yangmei said, eager and full of anticipation.

“You wish! Jealous, are you? Well, it’s your own fault for holing up on that tiny, desolate island. I can’t imagine how you stand it,” Qingxuan teased.

“Never mind then. I prefer being free and unrestrained,” Yangmei replied.

“With your temperament, you want a disciple? It’s more likely you’d just lead them astray!” Qingxuan laughed.

“Are you looking down on me?” Yangmei blustered, his beard bristling and eyes wide.

Now that they had withdrawn, Zhenyuanzi, initially strained, gradually managed the process with increasing ease. He began to control the earth veins of the Longevity Mountain Range, preparing to infuse them.

“This will henceforth be the ancestral court of this blessed land. With the two of us here, just push to your limits—you’ll be fine,” Qingxuan reminded him swiftly.

Zhenyuanzi responded by drawing forth several earth veins.

“Excellent! These earth veins have already developed spiritual awareness—this is quite the fortune for you!” Qingxuan praised, and immediately unleashed the law of the Five Elements, drawing those sentient earth veins into the space.

With the veins fused, the interior was nearly materialized!

Seeing this, Qingxuan and Yangmei began to remodel the space with the Great Dao of Creation and of Space and the Five Elements. Through their efforts, the space grew further, and the ginseng fruit tree took root, its condition improving further.

At this point, the entire Longevity Mountain Range, guided by Zhenyuanzi as its master and with the Earth Tome's assistance, was relocated completely into the new space.

Zhenyuanzi then used the Earth Tome to lay down prohibitions, which alone took him countless days.

What Zhenyuanzi did not know was that, as he drew the Longevity Mountain Range fully into the space, far away in the Firecloud Cave, Hongyun suddenly opened his eyes and looked toward the mountain.

“How strange, why do I sense something happening at Longevity Mountain? There shouldn’t be—hardly anyone today could trouble Brother Zhenyuanzi. Could it be he’s away, and someone’s taking advantage? No, I must see for myself.”

With that, Hongyun left seclusion and headed straight for the Longevity Mountain Range.

Upon reaching the outskirts and looking out, he was stunned.

“This… where is the spiritual land of the Longevity Mountain? It looks utterly barren! Who would dare cause such havoc at Brother Zhenyuanzi’s domain?”

With a roar, Hongyun produced his Soul-Scattering Gourd and charged forward.

Qingxuan and Yangmei were watching Zhenyuanzi at work when, suddenly, a loud shout rang out. Qingxuan frowned, and Yangmei’s face also darkened. With a wave of his hand, Yangmei drew Hongyun to them.

At this critical moment, Zhenyuanzi nearly lost control and hurriedly pleaded with Yangmei, “Senior, please, he is my fellow Daoist!”

Qingxuan, however, snapped at Zhenyuanzi, “Nonsense! At such a crucial time, if you make a single error all your previous efforts will be wasted. And that’s the best-case scenario—worse yet, the earth veins could be damaged.”

Though his tone was harsh, Qingxuan’s hands moved swiftly, assisting Zhenyuanzi in concluding the process.

Seeing his own master lend a hand, Zhenyuanzi refocused and quickly finished laying the final prohibitions with their combined strength.

“All right, finish the last step. If the earth veins remain separated for too long, problems will arise.”

With a jolt, Zhenyuanzi used the Earth Tome to draw the fully fortified space back to the original location of the Longevity Mountain.

As the immense space fused with the land, an outpouring of vitality surged forth, accompanied by dense spiritual energy that rushed to meet them.

Only then did Zhenyuanzi breathe a sigh of relief.

Qingxuan, however, frowned deeply, his gaze toward Hongyun carrying a chill.

In this moment, Qingxuan understood more clearly than ever why Hongyun had met his fate.

“I remember telling you, your temperament must change. Do you not realize such recklessness brings needless trouble upon yourself and others as well?”

From his tone, it was clear Qingxuan was far from pleased.

Hongyun, stammering, tried to explain, “I only…”