CHAPTER 451: CHAPTER 393: CULTIVATION SPIRIT ROOT, 8 TRIGRAMS REFINE SEAL

The Eight Sceneries World, faster than expected by several years.

Song Lin hadn’t anticipated this rapid pace; the original plan was to take it in three years.

At first, quietly setting up the layout—should the Heavenly Venerate discover it—they could rely on the logistical support of the real world to hold their ground evenly in battle.

The speed was due to countless unexpected happenings.

Firstly, the Heavenly Venerate went into secluded cultivation, allowing the Donghua Alliance members to play several months on "easy mode."

However, that was no simple matter; once the Heavenly Venerate emerged from his cultivation, the danger would return in full force.

Secondly, Zhonghuang Zi broke through to the Primordial Spirit level. Because he cultivated deep within the World in the Pot, combined with the restrictions of Zhengxin and Mei Hua’s pre-arranged array, the phenomenal signs of the breakthrough weren’t revealed.

Furthermore, Song Lin managed to obtain the Nine Tripods.

Even without Zhonghuang Zi, Song Lin could have easily secured victory. The Nine Tripods suppressed the world, rendering the Heavenly Venerate’s "Mother Tree of All Things" ineffective, reducing it to merely a tribulation crossing. With Song Lin’s current power, he was more than capable of handling the Heavenly Venerate.

Meanwhile, others had already scattered in groups to hunt down and eliminate the remaining demons.

These demons were unnatural beings, birthed from the excessive condensation of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.

Now, the priority was to exterminate them all, letting them return to their essential state as Primordial Energy.

Song Lin sat beneath the Mother Tree of All Things, holding the Heavenly Master Seal, seeking insights into this world.

Through the tendrils of the Mother Tree, his Divine Thought clearly perceived every location and every individual’s movement.

Upon receiving information about the demons, Song Lin transmitted it to the others using the Yellow Divine Seal.

Zhonghuang Zi was also assisting; under the Mother Tree, Song Lin remained alone.

The massive, pitch-black, eerie tree emitted fearsome, deathly Demonic Qi. Yet, strange fresh buds sprouted from its branches—life and death merging in harmony, unexpectedly serene.

"The Three Realms Heavenly Master Seal... No, the Demonic Qi is still too overwhelming."

Merely holding it for a short time, Song Lin felt the Demonic Qi rushing toward him. He reckoned that if he held it longer, he’d risk complete contamination.

Moreover, the Mother Tree of All Things and the Heavenly Master Seal shouldn’t be in this state—purification efforts would require more work.

The Mother Tree of All Things was simpler to manage—a direct infusion of vitality from the Ju Mang Wood Emperor Technique would suffice.

As for the Heavenly Master Treasure Seal...

Song Lin stood and paced briefly in contemplation.

"Got it!"

He conjured an Eight Trigrams Furnace with three legs and two ears, its belly engulfed in perpetually burning flames.

Plop!

The Three Realms Heavenly Master Seal formed a perfect arc in the air before landing squarely inside the pill furnace.

Indeed, Song Lin intended to purify the artifact with fire, seizing the opportunity to hone his alchemy skills.

He had been stuck in the Middle Returning Pill realm for far too long.

Now, having grasped insights into the Wood Dao and Fire Dao, he had a deeper understanding of temperature control and the nature of medicinal properties.

It was time to consider breaking through to the realm above the Seven-Transformation Golden Core.

With that in mind, Song Lin began refining the Heavenly Master Seal. The first step was to erode its Demonic Nature using alchemical techniques, followed by embedding his Divine Thought.

Once he reached the Primordial Spirit stage, he would formally claim the Treasure Seal and find a domain to become a Heavenly Master.

"Palace Master!"

Gu Yuchan approached, stepping on radiant lightning, and bowed respectfully.

"What is it?"

Song Lin asked.

"I have discovered the Xuanzhen Palace’s treasure book."

Gu Yuchan presented the tome.

The book, titled *Xuanying Feather Transformation Technique*, was briefly perused by Song Lin. This method bore similarities to the Cultivation Path, absorbing various Heaven and Earth Essence Qi and refining them into Divine Skills.

However, the Feather Transformation Technique wasn’t as complete as imagined; it adhered to traditional realms for cultivation.

This method could train one up to the Primordial Spirit stage, with its Primordial Spirit Dharma Image divided into the Xuanzhen Feathered Primordial Spirit, the Taichu Formless Primordial Spirit, and the All-Things Unity Primordial Spirit.

"This technique cannot be cultivated."

Song Lin closed the book, remarking that it was no surprise Xuanzhen Palace had declined. With the changes in the rules of Heaven and Earth, even the foundational Heaven and Earth Essence Qi underwent subtle shifts.

As a result, Xuanzhen Palace fell into decay, with some experts even succumbing to inner demons, much like the Heavenly Venerate.

"Still, its concepts are commendable. When you reach the realms of Three Flowers Gathering at the Top and Five Qi Chaoyuan, perhaps you can reference the Primordial Spirit Dharma Images described within."

Song Lin was the founder of cultivation practices, while Gu Yuchan was the patriarch who expanded them; currently in the Purple Mansion Realm, the future path was uncharted and required personal insight.

Though Xuanzhen Palace’s treasure book couldn’t be utilized for cultivation, it could serve as a valuable reference.

Gu Yuchan seemed deep in thought.

Song Lin offered further wisdom.

"In this realm, there is an abundance of Essence Qi. It’s unwise to consume it indiscriminately. Not everyone shares your innate talent; some are naturally attuned to specific types of Spiritual Energy. Be sure to teach them according to their aptitudes."

"So... prior to cultivation, test their affinity for specific types of Essence Qi, and tailor their guidance accordingly?"

Gu Yuchan displayed excellent comprehension and immediately grasped the crucial point.

"Exactly. Let’s call this approach the Spirit Root Method."

Song Lin smiled.

Thus, cultivation gradually transitioned toward precision, entirely shedding the influence of the Pre-Qin Qi Cultivation Technique.

...

The Dharma Assembly continued, with the Donghua Taoist Alliance focusing entirely on this realm, dedicated to channeling all resources toward its development.

Every Taoist School established its own sanctuaries for the Great Dao.

The Mystical Sect’s Xuanyu City—the airborne city accommodating millions, free from mundane affairs.

The Spirit Treasure Sect’s Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect, encompassing the Nine-layered World.

Three more months had passed.

The demons of the Eight Sceneries World had been entirely eradicated.

Now, the focus shifted to allocating various resources and constructing a base for the Donghua Alliance.

Beneath the Mother Tree of All Things.

A towering Three-eyed General knelt down before its shadow, flanked by the bizarre forms of the Mei Mountain Seven Saints.

"Palace Master, the Taoist Soldiers are ready. Shall we proceed?"

"Good!"

With Song Lin’s assent, the team began their frenetic preparations for building the palace.

This was to be the Taiyi Golden Flower Palace.

Additionally, Song Lin planned to build eight more palaces across the regions for guardianship.

These would consolidate phenomena of spring, summer, autumn, winter, wind, flower, snow, and moon, delegated for management by the Cultivation Forest and Swordman Forest.

Ultimately, the world would be jointly governed by these two forests.

Specialists from other forests could settle here for training.

This wasn’t favoritism from Song Lin—it was because the environment of this realm didn’t suit other veins of cultivation.

Training here was less effective compared to the real world.

The eighteen forms of Xuanying Qi were optimal for Qi Refinement. Other cultivation veins could join in if desired.

Moreover, as part of the exchange, the output of the Eight Sceneries World would be shared with other forests, facilitated by Shi Yinhua.

In short, the Taiyi Golden Flower Palace would serve as a temporary residence and administrative hub for various branches.

The mortal world, meanwhile, would be managed primarily by the Cultivation Forest and Swordman Forest, observing the Three Refuges and Nine Precepts, ensuring clear boundaries between mortals and cultivators.

The outside world.

The Donghua Jungle acquiring this treasure couldn’t be kept secret; numerous forces dispatched scouts to investigate, but Song Lin had them promptly rebuffed—not a single being permitted entry.

Mei County City, Prince Ying’s mansion.

Wu Yi paced repeatedly, wearing an unperturbed expression, though a trace of solemnity lingered in his eyes.

"Your Highness, please have some nourishment first." The pregnant Princess handed him a bowl of Osmanthus Lotus Seed Soup.

Seeing her approach, Wu Yi’s gaze softened. He accepted the jade bowl and said, "Alright, you rest for now. I’ll await news."

"Report!"

A distant shout echoed from the front courtyard, and the Princess wisely retreated to the inner chambers.

In the next instant, a figure rose from a swirl of black mist.

Dressed in black, the messenger knelt low, presenting a letter: "Your Highness, the disappearances of the civilians have been investigated. Over 3,500 people went missing in Yinghua Land. The crime scenes bore traces of Demonic Qi, but..."

"But what?"

"Investigations by the Evil Exorcism Altar elders revealed that it wasn’t demons—but Taoists disguised as demons. Sword Guard elders pursued them northward, tracing the clues to people from Xuanyu City. Furthermore, the Mystical Sect’s civilians are suffering even worse..."

Locust plagues, drought, lightning, demons... The civilians of the Mystical Sect suffered catastrophic casualties, with tens of thousands reported missing.

The majority were able-bodied adults, while some refugees fled near Yinghua Land, creating immense strain on the local infrastructure.

"Does the Mystical Sect not intervene?"

Wu Yi frowned deeply, already envisioning towns reduced to rubble and ruins.

"Sword Guard and Demon Guard experts suspect it’s the work of Tianhe forces. I’ll report this to the Palace Master later; incidentally, the Demon Guard elder requested arrangements for the refugees."

"How many?"

"Over a million! It could be two million, perhaps even more in the future."

"Two million? More?" Wu Yi was stunned.

"Similarly, Yuzhen Sect and Weiling Sect are facing analogous situations. However, they seem to have residual Demonic Qi for now and haven’t intervened."

"A despicable pack of demons and ghosts, vile and shameless scoundrels."

Wu Yi cursed bitterly, wishing he could tear into the hypocritical lot.

"Alright, you may return. I’ll handle the refugee arrangements."

...

The Eight Sceneries World.

The black-clad messenger reported the findings to Song Lin, with Zhonghuang Zi and Zhengxin present nearby.

"Tianhe is using human sacrifices to worship the Ghost King."

Zhengxin said.

"Such base wickedness."

Yuanbo sighed.

"Perhaps he knows of my breakthrough, hence the urgency."

Zhonghuang Zi’s killing intent gleamed in his eyes; he yearned to avenge his grudge.

Everyone present shared irreconcilable enmity with Tianhe. The heinous slaughter naturally evoked rage among them.

"Should we settle the score now?"

Zhonghuang Zi and the others looked toward Song Lin.

A deep grudge written in blood could not go unanswered.

Song Lin fell silent for a long moment, then opened his eyes, gaze resolute: "Wait a little more; Tianhe seeks to provoke us into action—we must not fall for his ploy."

The current priority was the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master.

If Song Lin acted rashly against the rules, it could invite punishment from the Celestial Master.

After recent events, the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master was already verging on anger.

Should their group ignore warnings and flout authority, the consequences would be severe.

Even if Song Lin weren’t killed outright—what would happen to the Donghua sect members?

The tactic of "killing the chicken to scare the monkey" was common even among mortal officials; the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master undoubtedly understood this principle.

"Nonetheless, we can’t sit idly by. Now is the perfect chance—Tianhe publicly claims demons are to blame. Good. Under the guise of exorcising demons, we’ll sever Tianhe’s pawns and vanquish these vermin lurking in dark corners!"

"Then let Zhonghuang Zi lead the team—he’s been secluded for too long; it’s time to stretch his legs a bit."

"As for the civilians, let’s move the surplus population to the Eight Sceneries World."

Song Lin smiled.

The group dispersed afterward.

Song Lin leaned against the half-green, half-black Mother Tree.

As the tree revived, its roots began to sprout anew, making the world slowly grow larger.

The Eight Sceneries World currently spanned 800,000 square kilometers, capable of accommodating 500 million people.

With roots strengthening, the world expanded at a rate of 800 square kilometers annually.

Ten years would yield 8,000, a hundred years 80,000, and a thousand years 800,000.

In the distant future, could this be a small-scale Real World?

The root system’s information seeped into Song Lin’s mind, unveiling visions of over a thousand cultivators meditating and practicing Essence Qi circulation.

Exhaling clouds, inhaling winds.

Absorbing and refining the Heaven and Earth’s Essence, carefree and at ease.

Such cultivation required vast energy sources; this world could host numerous practitioners.

In the event of overcrowding in the future—that would be left to the wisdom of their descendants.

"Haha! I’ve succeeded!"

Deep within the mountains, Gu Yuchan let out a celebratory yell toward the heavens.

He had deduced eight branches of cultivation methods based on the Xuanzhen Palace’s secret techniques.

Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Yin, Yang, Thunder!

The Eight Great Spirit Roots!

Attuned to different types of Spiritual Energy based on affinity, categorized into upper, middle, and lower tiers.

Once Song Lin verified them, he entrusted eight disciples to practice these methods.

Elsewhere, Yan Jiuge directed teams to construct palaces, assign mountain domains, and explore the Heavenly Sword Dao.

Watching the boisterous and lively gatherings, Song Lin suddenly felt a cosmic stir, gazing into the boundless void.

A momentary resonance with the Great Dao seemed to foretell something.

Calamity?

Providence?

Song Lin couldn’t discern it but sensed he’d just created something extraordinary.

"Cultivation of the magic veins—may you remain steadfast and virtuous; lest Primordial Energy be extinguished, and the Taoist order fall!"

Song Lin spoke solemnly while taking out the Eight Trigrams Furnace to refine the half-black, half-white Heavenly Master Seal.