Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 859 A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
He needs greater power, and he needs to grow more discreetly.

In the days that followed, Song Zifeng remained as lazy as ever during the day, occasionally helping villagers with odd jobs, but spending most of his time seemingly wandering around or sleeping.

But at night, he became a different person. In his dilapidated little courtyard or in the deserted mountains behind the village, he diligently cultivated the "Five Elements True Technique" and began to try practicing some basic spells that the system occasionally released, such as "Concealing Breath Technique" and "Light Body Technique".

He was like a dried-up sponge, frantically absorbing knowledge and improving his abilities.

All of this was being watched silently by Li Yunjing.

"A resilient character, knowing how to conceal one's talents, and understanding that strength needs to be accumulated... Not bad."

Li Yunjing nodded slightly, quite satisfied with the development of this chess piece.

He no longer intervened directly, but occasionally issued some small tasks within his capabilities through the "system," rewarding Song Zifeng with some basic pills or spells, guiding him to move forward steadily.

Time flies by, and several months have passed in the blink of an eye.

With the help of the "system" and his own efforts, Song Zifeng's cultivation level has steadily improved to the third level of Qi Refining.

In the eyes of ordinary people, he was already considered a "martial arts master," but he remained cautious and never revealed his true strength in front of others.

On this day, Dingxin, the guest monk of Mingxin Temple, came to Majia Village again and announced the temporary repossession of the land, which completely cut off the livelihood of the people of Majia Village.

As for why we didn't come before?
Dingxin had long forgotten about such a trivial matter.

By the time he remembered, three months had passed.

He had recently encountered problems in his cultivation, so he took the opportunity to go down the mountain and vent his anger on these lowly people. Looking at the villagers' fearful and helpless expressions, he smiled in a sickly way.

Seeing this, Song Zifeng was filled with rage, and his fist, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly.

"It's not enough... Our current strength is insufficient to fight against the entire 'Mingxin Temple'."

He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and his eyes became even more determined.

He knew he needed to wait, and he needed to become stronger.

And that mysterious "Xuanmen Transmission System" is his greatest reliance.

Far away in other parts of the "Buddha's Light Continent," Li Yunjing, who had already begun to plant more seeds, sensed Song Zifeng's change in state of mind through the "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Seal" and revealed a faint smile.

The seeds have been sown and are growing tenaciously.

As for when it will break through the soil and grow into a giant tree that can shake other trees, that depends on its own destiny.

He wouldn't place his bet on Song Zifeng alone. On the "Buddha's Light Continent," there are tens of thousands, even countless people like Song Zifeng.

He wants to find more seeds and cultivate them one by one.

A single spark can start a prairie fire!
One day, when these people grow up and unleash their power to rebel against Buddhism, the high monks of Buddhism will surely be very shocked.
Months have passed, and the "Buddha's Light Continent" is still shrouded in the fragrance of sandalwood and the sound of chanting. Beneath the surface of tranquility, undercurrents are quietly surging.

Song Zifeng sat cross-legged in his dilapidated, drafty room, facing upwards, circulating his energy according to the methods of the "Five Elements True Secrets".

The faint yet tenacious spiritual energy within his body, like a stream struggling to move forward in a dried-up riverbed, gradually widened his meridians and nourished his physical body.

The third level of Qi Refining is still as insignificant as an ant in the eyes of a true cultivator, but for Song Zifeng, a former mortal, it was a world-shaking change.

With eyesight and hearing far exceeding that of ordinary people, and strength doubled, he has also mastered basic spells such as "Concealing Breath" and "Light Body Technique," which are enough for him to hide and save his life in the mortal world.

But he knew all too well that his meager skills were no match for the powerful Mingxin Temple, which controlled the region.

The arrogant and domineering face of the monk Dingxin that day, and the desperate and helpless eyes of the villagers, were etched into his heart like a brand.

He needs more power!
[Ding! Host's cultivation level detected as stable. Long-term mission issued: Mystic Gate Starfire.]

[Mission Requirements: Secretly investigate across the Buddhist Continent, seeking out individuals of simple character, with aversion to Buddhism, and possessing potential for development, and record their information. For each successful referral that passes the initial assessment, you will receive contribution points based on their potential. Contribution points can be exchanged for cultivation techniques, elixirs, and magical artifacts.]

Current contribution points: 0

The system light screen appeared at the right time, and a cool voice echoed in my mind.

"Looking for like-minded people?"

A glint of light flashed in Song Zifeng's eyes.

He understood that it was a pipe dream for him to shake the Buddhist order on his own.

If we can gather like-minded people, a single spark can start a prairie fire!

After accepting the task, Song Zifeng's life seemed unchanged; he remained as lazy and unrestrained as ever.

However, he went out more frequently, and his activities were no longer limited to "Majia Village" and the nearby mountains and forests.

Under the pretext of gathering herbs and hunting, he began to wander through various villages and towns in the western border of the "Vanlun Kingdom," and even ventured close to some smaller cities.

He observed all sorts of people.

In "Luoxia Town", he saw a thin boy who was being beaten by his elders for refusing to shave his head and become a monk. The boy bit his lip tightly, his eyes were stubborn, and he didn't say a word.

Song Zifeng silently memorized his appearance and address.

On the banks of the Qingshui River, he heard about an old fisherman who, instead of respectfully returning a broken Buddha statue that had been pulled downstream, casually threw it back into the river because he thought it was in the way. As a result, he was publicly whipped by the traveling monks and ordered to fast and repent for three months.

The old fisherman appeared compliant, but deep resentment lurked in his eyes.

Song Zifeng "bumped into" an old fisherman by the river. During their chat, he heard the old fisherman, fueled by alcohol, angrily curse the bald monk for being too arrogant.

In a village where the temple had taken over the land and the villagers had become tenants, he saw a clever boy secretly sculpting a monk out of mud, then crushing it while muttering curses.

These people may lack spiritual roots or have mediocre talents, but they all have one thing in common: they are dissatisfied with the rule of Buddhism and retain a sense of authenticity and resistance that has not been completely erased.

Song Zifeng did not make any rash contact. He simply acted as a silent recorder, transmitting everything he saw and heard to the "system" through his mind.

He became increasingly cautious, knowing that once exposed, not only would his own life be in danger, but he would also implicate these potential "comrades".

Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of miles away, Li Yunjing's true form was strolling in the "Golden Cicada Buddhist Kingdom" on the other side of the "Buddha Light Continent".

His white robe remained pristine, like that of a wandering scholar.

His divine sense, however, spread rapidly in all directions from him like an invisible spider web.

His perception was tens of thousands of times more acute than Song Zifeng's.

He could "see" that in the underground palace of a prosperous temple, the elderly abbot was using evil magic to extract the innate vital energy of young boys and girls in order to prolong his life. His face was full of greed and ferocity, which was an ironic contrast to the solemn golden Buddha in the hall.

He could "hear" that in a devout village, an old woman donated her last bit of food as incense money, praying to Buddha to bless her sick grandson, while she herself was starving and on the verge of death, and the temple's granaries were piled high with rice.

He could sense that in some secluded corners, teenagers were gritting their teeth and staring in the direction of the temple; women were hanging themselves because they refused to be included among the "consorts"; and craftsmen were being beaten and crippled for the slightest flaw in their carving of Buddha statues...

All beings suffer, and Buddhist temples are like cages.

Li Yunjing remained expressionless, but his eyes grew increasingly cold.

He flicked his finger, and countless tiny streams of light, containing the most basic Qi-guiding method of the "Five Elements True Scripture" and a faint "system" imprint, drifted silently like dandelion seeds toward the souls he had "marked."

These "seeds" fall into the sea of ​​consciousness but are not activated immediately. They lie dormant, subtly enhancing the host's perception and physique. They are only triggered when the host encounters great injustice or develops a strong will to resist, thus giving them a glimmer of hope.

He sowed seeds over a very wide area and in large quantities.

Not everyone can seize opportunities as quickly as Song Zifeng, but as long as one percent, or even one in a thousand, can stand out, it will be enough to form a force that cannot be ignored in the future.

Time seemed to stand still and slow down under the Buddha's light. But for some, change was quietly taking place.

On the border of the "Fanlun Kingdom", the son of a hunter, whose family was destroyed by the oppression of the temple, was chased by wild beasts in the deep mountains and fell into a cave. In his desperate situation, the "system" was activated and he was given a fragment of the "Gengjin Sword Manual".

In a certain place in the "Golden Cicada Buddhist Kingdom," a down-on-his-luck scholar, imprisoned for exposing the exploitative lending practices of temples, inadvertently carved a pattern imbued with Taoist principles on the wall of his dark and sunless cell. This triggered a dormant "seed" in his sea of ​​consciousness, leading him to obtain the "Cultivating Qi with Righteousness" chapter.

On the edge of the "Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli," a young novice monk, sent to a temple as a servant since childhood but bullied for his simple and honest nature and refusal to compromise his principles, discovers a esoteric breathing technique in a Buddhist scripture while cleaning the library late at night. This technique subtly resonates with a certain feeling in his mind...

The sparks of hope have already been ignited, scattered across every corner of this continent.

Standing atop a desolate mountain, Li Yunjing gazed in the direction of "Mingxin Mountain." His gaze seemed to pierce through endless space, revealing Song Zifeng, who was still persevering and silently accumulating strength, as well as many other newly ignited, faint flames.

A deep smile finally appeared on his lips.

"Buddha's light shines everywhere?"

"Ha... let's see when this wildfire will burn down this hypocritical sacred mountain."

A breeze begins with a ripple on the water, and a wave is formed from a gentle ripple.

A storm sweeping across the entire "Buddha's Light Continent" has already begun to spread, its initial sparks hidden from the shadows.

Li Yunjing took a step forward, and ripples spread through the space beneath his feet. When he reappeared, he was already outside a Buddhist land where chanting filled the air and golden light soared into the sky.

Before my eyes, an unimaginably magnificent temple sits atop the clouds.

Countless stupas pierced the clouds, and the glazed tiles shimmered with iridescent light under the sunlight.

The enormous swastika symbol slowly rotated in the void, scattering endless aura of peace.

The sandalwood scent is so rich and substantial that it condenses into golden lotus blossoms, floating and blooming amidst the sea of ​​clouds.

Above the temple gate hangs a huge plaque, written in Buddhist Sanskrit: "Kasyapa Baoguang Temple".

Simply standing on the outskirts of this temple, one can feel the vast and boundless power of Buddhism, as deep and unfathomable as an abyss or the sea.

Compared to Mingxin Temple, this place truly reveals the essence of Buddhism, being one of the origins of Buddhism and Taoism in the "Buddha Light Continent" and even the entire "Tianlan Star".

"Namo Amitabha."

A peaceful and melodious Buddhist chant rang out, and an old monk, dressed in ordinary gray robes, with a withered face but eyes as clear as a baby's, appeared silently in front of the temple gate.

He held a string of ancient wooden prayer beads in his hand, and with each step he took, a golden lotus platform phantom naturally appeared beneath his feet.

He is the current abbot of Kasyapa Baoguang Temple, and one of the most accomplished Buddhist monks, the Great Compassionate Zen Master.

"Sect Leader Li has come from afar, and this humble monk has failed to greet you properly."

The Great Compassionate Zen Master clasped his hands together, nodded slightly, and looked at Li Yunjing with a peaceful gaze, without the slightest hostility, but rather with a hint of inquiry and understanding.

"You're too kind, Venerable Zen Master."

Li Yunjing returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his expression indifferent: "I, Li, have traveled here and heard that Baoguang Temple is a sacred Buddhist site, so I have come to bother you and have the opportunity to see it for myself."

He knew in his heart that the commotion he had caused in the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" and his recent activities in the "Buddha Light Continent" could probably not be hidden from such beings.

The fact that the other party personally greeted them was not only a matter of courtesy, but also a form of intangible deterrence and observation.

"Sect Leader Li, please."

The Great Compassionate Zen Master stepped aside to lead the way, his attitude gentle.

The two walked into the temple side by side.

Along the way, one can see Arhat Halls, Bodhisattva Halls, Sutra Repositories, and countless monks performing their duties, some meditating, some debating scriptures, and some applying Buddhist teachings to water sacred plants, creating a peaceful and prosperous scene.

The rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth intertwines with the pure Buddhist power, making this place resemble a Buddhist paradise on earth.

Compared to the oppressive atmosphere of "Mingxin Mountain" where Song Zifeng was located, and the various dark places that Li Yunjing's divine sense reached, "Kasyapa Baoguang Temple" can be called a pure land, representing the bright and upright side of Buddhism.

However, Li Yunjing knew perfectly well what was going on.

It was the radiance of this supreme holy site that illuminated the shadows and decay of countless temples at the bottom.

Without the tacit approval or even some degree of indulgence from the top, how could the likes of "Mingxin Temple" at the bottom dare to act so recklessly?

The Buddha's light shines everywhere, yet it cannot illuminate the filth within his own sect.

The Great Compassionate Zen Master led Li Yunjing directly to a quiet Zen temple at the back.

The ancient pine trees in the courtyard are vigorous and the stone tables and benches are simple and natural.

Several light vegetarian dishes were already laid out on the table: a bowl of clear water, several plates of seasonal vegetables, and two bowls of millet rice. There was not a trace of oil, but it exuded a faint spiritual energy and the true aroma of the food.

"This is a small temple in the mountains, with no delicacies, only simple vegetarian food and water. I hope you will not take offense, Benefactor Li."

The Great Compassionate Zen Master gestured for Li Yunjing to sit down.

"The Zen Master is too modest."

Li Yunjing sat down calmly, his gaze sweeping over the vegetarian meal. "Tea brewed with spiritual spring water, rice cooked with pure water, and vegetables made with spiritual plants—this is a return to simplicity and authenticity, which is already quite rare."

The two sat facing each other, silently eating their vegetarian meal.

The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, with only the rustling of pine needles in the breeze.

After the vegetarian meal was finished, a young novice monk silently stepped forward to remove the bowls and plates and offered two cups of tea.

The Great Compassionate Zen Master then raised his eyelids, looked at Li Yunjing, and slowly spoke, his voice calm yet hitting the nail on the head: "Benefactor Li seems to have some... reservations about our Buddhist sect lately?"

Li Yunjing picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and asked without changing his expression, "What makes you say that, Zen Master?"

"Your swift and decisive actions have shaken the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves, and your fame has spread throughout Tianlan."

The Great Compassionate Zen Master's gaze was profound. "Afterwards, he traveled to my Buddha Light Continent. Although he did not reveal his abilities wherever he went, this humble monk could sense that the 'causal lines' of this continent have recently experienced many subtle disturbances, all of which are subtly related to your energy."

“Especially in that corner of the land under the jurisdiction of Mingxin Temple, there seems to be an unusual phenomenon emerging, and its fortune is showing signs of burgeoning.”

He paused, then continued, "Such minor changes are not worth mentioning, but because they involve you, benefactor, they become extraordinary."

Li Yunjing felt a slight chill. This Great Compassionate Zen Master was indeed incredibly powerful, able to vaguely sense the subtle changes in fortune brought about by the "system" to Song Zifeng, and even connect it to himself.

However, the other party clearly could not understand the true nature of the "system," nor was he aware of his extensive network of connections.

"as big as World, nothing is nonexistent."

Li Yunjing put down his teacup, his tone indifferent, "Perhaps some mortal has obtained a fortuitous opportunity, or perhaps it is the Buddhist cycle of cause and effect itself. What does it have to do with me?"

"Could it be that the Zen Master believes that I, Li, would have nothing better to do than enlighten a few ordinary people and cause trouble for Buddhism?"

His words were half true and half false, pointing out potential problems within Buddhism while simultaneously absolving himself of responsibility and adopting an extremely high-handed attitude.

If I, Li Yunjing, want to take action, I'll go directly to you high-ups. Why bother cultivating the lower-level staff?
With his current combat strength, ranking among the top five in the world, if he were to actually fight a high-ranking member of the Buddhist sect, his chances of winning would be extremely high.

Even the foremost Buddhist master right now might not be guaranteed a victory!
It was precisely because of this terrifying power that Li Yunjing's words seemed somewhat "sincere".

“What you say makes sense.”

The Great Compassionate Zen Master gave Li Yunjing a deep look, his face expressionless: "The Buddhist community is vast, and it is inevitable that there will be all sorts of people, some of whom will use the name of Buddhism to commit evil. This is also due to our failure to supervise properly."

He changed the subject, his tone still calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority: "However, the Buddha's teachings are boundless, saving all sentient beings."

"A few minor flaws cannot obscure the righteousness of Buddha's light."

“Our Buddhist sect has its own rules and regulations, and cleaning up our own sect is our duty.”

"It's best not to get involved with outsiders, lest... you get burned."

He spoke the last four words very softly, but the air in the monastery seemed to freeze instantly, and even the branches and leaves of the ancient pine stopped swaying.

This is a warning, and also the final line drawn.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunjing suddenly smiled.

He smiled calmly, as if he felt no pressure whatsoever.

"The Zen Master is overthinking it."

He stood up, his white robe fluttering gently in the breeze. "I, Li, only seek to have a clear conscience in my actions."

"I won't offend anyone unless they offend me."

"As for the internal affairs of the Buddhist community, I have no interest in interfering."

He walked to the entrance of the Zen temple, turned around and glanced at the solemn and majestic temple. His gaze seemed to penetrate through the layers of halls and buildings, and he saw the golden Buddha statue sitting on the nine-tiered lotus platform.

"However, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

"If the foundation is rotten, even the tallest building will be in danger of collapsing."

"Zen Master, take care of yourself."

After saying this, Li Yunjing did not linger. With a flicker, he transformed into a faint streak of lightning, merged into the void, and disappeared.

Only the Great Compassionate Zen Master remained in the Zen temple.

He sat silently for a long time, his fingers gently moving the prayer beads, his eyes calm and still, until finally he let out a faint sigh that dissipated with the wind.

"A calamity... or an opportunity?"

He looked up in the direction where Li Yunjing had disappeared, his gaze seemingly taking in the nascent form of a future storm that would sweep across the continent.

Li Yunjing left the "Kasyapa Baoguang Temple" without any emotional turmoil.

The Great Compassionate Zen Master's warning was exactly what he expected.

This visit served as both an opportunity to gain insight and a test, as well as a declaration. He learned of the attitude of the Buddhist leadership, while the Buddhist leadership became aware of his existence and a certain underlying "intention."

That's enough.

His gaze once again fell upon the "Vanlun Kingdom," upon the young man at the foot of "Mingxin Mountain" who was still struggling to survive and accumulating strength, and upon the countless newly ignited sparks on this continent.

"Clean up the house?"

"I'm afraid you... won't be able to handle the cleanup."

Li Yunjing's figure completely disappeared into the sky of "Buddha's Light Continent," but the seeds he sowed had already quietly taken root beneath this Buddhist land.

A storm is brewing in the silence.

While Song Zifeng and his group were quietly developing and slowly growing, Li Yunjing entered the "Wilderness Continent"!
This is a forbidden zone for human civilization.

The entire continent is inhabited only by barbarians and demons; people from all walks of life cannot enter and survive here.

This is also a continent that Li Yunjing has never set foot on before.

When traveling to "Tianlan Star", how can you miss this stop?

The atmosphere of the "Wild Continent" is completely different from that of the "Buddha's Light Continent".

The moment you step onto this land, a sense of vastness, primitiveness, and wildness washes over you.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of grass and trees, the fragrance of soil, and a faint whiff of blood.

The spiritual energy here is neither as pure and peaceful as that of the "Buddha's Light Continent" nor as clear and orderly as that of the "Southern Heaven Continent." Instead, it is wild and chaotic, carrying an untamed and domineering spirit.

As far as the eye can see, there are endless primeval forests, majestic ancient mountains, and boundless wilderness.

Towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, and vines coiled around like giant pythons. In the distance, the roar of an unknown ferocious beast echoed, shaking the mountains and forests.

There are no neat rows of fields, no towering temples, and no bustling cities here.

There were only simple stone villages where tribes lived, altars painted with ferocious totems, and barbarian and demon tribes that followed the most primitive law of the jungle.

Li Yunjing concealed all his aura, walking like a ghost through this desolate land.

His divine sense cautiously spread out, sensing the unique laws and hidden dangers of this continent.

Unlike the suffocatingly oppressive order of "Buddha's Light Continent," this place is full of chaos and vitality, danger and opportunity coexisting.

He saw barbarian warriors, over ten feet tall, with blood-red totems etched on their skin, fighting against enormous beasts, their roars shaking the heavens and their blood energy soaring into the sky.

He saw the cunning demon tribes waging war against each other for control of the spirit herb mines, their demonic arts and sharp claws flying together.

He also sensed some hidden places, exuding an ancient and powerful aura, which seemed to be some ancient remnants or ancient ruins.

"This place is indeed a good place to hone combat skills and experience life and death."

Li Yunjing thought to himself.

His "Dragon Emperor Scripture" requires abundant blood and qi, his "Heavenly Poison Scripture" requires various rare poisons, and his "Starfall Secret Manual" can also draw upon the chaotic yet abundant stellar power of this place.

He wasn't deliberately searching for anything; he simply followed his heart, experiencing the unique "Tao" of this continent.

On this day, he arrived at a dangerous place known as "Meteorite Dragon Valley".

Legend has it that a true dragon fell here in ancient times, and its blood stained the earth, making the spiritual energy of this place exceptionally violent, and also giving birth to many rare poisonous creatures and spiritual materials.

In the valley, miasma permeated the air, and poisonous insects lurked.

Li Yunjing strolled among them, collecting several highly poisonous herbs that were hard to find elsewhere, intending to use them to refine the "Heavenly Poison Scripture".

At the same time, he also sensed a trace of the true dragon's oppressive aura and resentment remaining in this place, which greatly influenced his cultivation of the "Dragon Emperor Scripture".

Just as he was immersed in his enlightenment, a deafening roar suddenly came from the depths of the valley, accompanied by a strong energy fluctuation!
A savage, violent, and primordial pressure swept over, causing all the poisonous insects and ferocious beasts in the valley to prostrate themselves on the ground, trembling in fear.

Li Yunjing raised an eyebrow and looked up.

Deep in the valley, amidst billowing smoke and dust, a colossal creature stood upright!

That was a giant ape that was over ten zhang tall!

Its entire body was covered in dark golden fur, its muscles were bulging like a dragon, its eyes were blood red, and its fangs were exposed, exuding a ferocious aura that made people's hearts tremble.

Its body was enveloped in an earthy yellow light, drawing upon the power of the earth; every step it took caused the valley to tremble.

"Ancient Demonic Ape?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes.

This is a ferocious beast with ancient bloodline, possessing immense strength and a powerful physique. Once it reaches adulthood, it can rival a Nascent Soul cultivator. Moreover, it is violent and extremely difficult to tame.

Judging from the aura of this demonic ape, it has already reached the peak of the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm. In this "Meteor Dragon Valley", with the help of the remaining dragon might and earth veins, its strength is probably even more terrifying.

Opposite the demonic ape was a group of barbarian warriors with peculiar attire.

There were about a hundred of them, all of them full of vigor and vitality, with the lowest cultivation level being the Golden Core stage. The elders at the head of the group even exuded the powerful fluctuations of the Nascent Soul stage.

They were covered in intricate totems and wielded weapons such as bone spears and stone axes, forming a strange battle formation to confront the ancient demonic ape.

In the center of the battle formation, a girl with a hot and agile figure, wearing a short skirt made of animal skin, stood out.

Holding a white bone scepter engraved with mysterious runes, she chanted incantations, seemingly guiding the power of the battle formation to condense into a huge phantom of a savage god to contend with the ferocity of the demonic ape.

"Barbarian rituals?"

Li Yunjing recognized the girl's identity.

Barbarian rituals communicated with the spirits of their ancestors and mobilized the power of tribal totems, holding a revered position among the barbarians.

At this moment, the illusory image of the savage god was already teetering on the brink of collapse under the frenzied attacks of the demonic ape.

The demonic ape unleashed a punch, and the earthen-yellow light condensed into a mountain phantom, slamming heavily into the primordial god phantom.

"boom!"

The illusory image of the primordial god trembled violently, its light dimming.

The girl in charge of the battle turned pale, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, but her eyes remained firm. She raised her scepter high and chanted even more loudly, trying to stabilize the situation.

The surrounding barbarian warriors roared and poured their blood energy into the battle formation, barely managing to hold on.

But it was clear to everyone that the gap in strength between them and this ancient demonic ape was too great, and their defeat was only a matter of time.

"For the sake of the tribe's sacred relic... we must not retreat!"

The girl wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes resolute.

Li Yunjing remained hidden in the shadows, quietly watching this scene.

He was not a pushover; the conflict between the barbarians and the demonic apes had nothing to do with him.

He was weighing the pros and cons.

Offering help might forge a good relationship, allow us to learn about the internal situation of the barbarian tribe, and even potentially yield information about the "sacred relic."

However, it could also lead to unnecessary trouble and expose their whereabouts.

If they don't intervene, they will remain safe and sound and continue their travels.

Just as he was pondering, the ancient demonic ape seemed to be completely enraged by the barbarian's tenacious resistance. It roared to the sky, shattering the clouds, and pounded its chest with both arms. The dark golden fur all over its body stood on end, and an even more terrifying aura burst forth!

It opened its blood-red maw, and a dark golden breath, condensed to the extreme and seemingly capable of melting everything, surged towards the barbarian battle formation like a destructive torrent!

This strike has already surpassed the scope of the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, containing a trace of the true meaning of the Law of Destruction!

"not good!"

"Saint Protector!"

The barbarian warriors' expressions changed drastically. They burned their life essence and pushed their battle formation to its limit. The barbarian god's phantom solidified a bit more, attempting to resist.

However, before that terrifying dark gold breath, the illusory image of the barbarian god was as fragile as paper, instantly pierced and dissolved!
The destructive power, undiminished, hurtled straight towards the young priestess at the heart of the battle formation!

A flicker of despair finally crossed the young priestess's eyes; she sensed the approach of death.

"Certainly."

At this critical moment, a calm voice, as if carrying some profound truth of the universe, suddenly rang out in the valley.

The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every living being present, even overpowering the roar of the demonic ape and the booming of energy.

The next moment, the dark gold breath, powerful enough to destroy a peak Nascent Soul cultivator, suddenly froze less than three feet away from the young priestess!

As if time had stood still, the raging torrent of energy was frozen in mid-air by an invisible force, unable to advance even an inch further!
Not just the breath, but the entire valley was frozen in shock. The wind stopped, the falling leaves hung in mid-air, the barbarian warriors' expressions froze, and even the ancient demon ape's frenzied movements froze instantly. Only its crimson eyes could still move, filled with unbelievable astonishment!
Words become law, time and space stand still!

The young priestess stared blankly at the frozen breath of destruction before her, then looked around at everything that had solidified. Finally, her gaze fell on a figure that had appeared in front of her at some unknown time.

He was a young man dressed in a white robe, with an ordinary appearance and a peaceful demeanor, seemingly out of place in this wild and desolate place.

But just by standing there, he seemed to become the center of heaven and earth.

Li Yunjing glanced at the frozen dark gold breath and casually waved his hand.

The solidified destructive energy, like a gentle stream, bypassed the girl and the barbarian warrior, silently disappearing into the surrounding earth.

"Boom!"

The earth trembled violently, creating a bottomless crater with smooth, mirror-like edges.

Only then did the frozen space-time return to normal.

The wind continued to blow, leaves fell, and the barbarian warriors resumed their movements, but they were all stunned, staring at the deep pit and then at the white-robed man, their faces filled with shock and awe.

The ancient demonic ape, upon the restoration of time and space, did not attack again. Instead, it let out a low growl filled with fear, its massive body involuntarily taking a step back. Its crimson eyes were fixed on Li Yunjing, filled with vigilance and...fear!
Its animal instincts told it that this seemingly insignificant human possessed the power to easily destroy it!

Ignoring the demonic ape, Li Yunjing turned to the still-shaken young priestess and asked calmly, "Are you alright?"

"Thank you so much for saving my life, senior!"

The girl snapped out of her daze and quickly bowed, her voice trembling slightly: "Junior Anona is a priestess of the 'Black Stone Tribe,' and I am deeply grateful!"

The other barbarian warriors also put away their weapons and bowed respectfully to Li Yunjing.

Li Yunjing nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the still wary and uneasy ancient demonic ape.

Why are you fighting with this beast?

he asked.

"Reporting to the senior, deep within the valley guarded by this demonic ape, there is a 'Dragon Blood Sacred Tree' that is of vital importance to our tribe. The 'Dragon Blood Fruit' that grows on it is an essential item for our tribe's high priest to heal wounds and prolong life."

Arona hesitated for a moment, but then told the truth: "We had no choice but to come here and take this risk..."

"The Dragon Blood Sacred Tree?"

Li Yunjing's heart stirred.

This tree can only grow by being watered with dragon's blood. The dragon blood fruit it produces contains the true blood and qi of a dragon, which is a treasure for body cultivators and is of great benefit to their cultivation of the "Dragon Emperor Scripture".

He looked at the ancient demonic ape, and with his divine sense sweeping over it, he indeed sensed a rich aura of blood and dragon might deep within the cave behind it.

The demonic ape seemed to sense Li Yunjing's divine sense, and let out another low growl, blocking the entrance to the cave and refusing to back down.

Li Yunjing looked at the demonic ape and suddenly said, "You guard this tree simply because you want to use its blood and dragon might to cultivate and break through the shackles of your bloodline."

"I will take three Dragon Blood Fruits to help you purify your bloodline and enhance your potential. Breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm in the future will not be difficult."

His voice carried a strange rhythm, reaching directly into the heart of the demonic ape: "How is it?"

A hint of hesitation flashed in the demonic ape's crimson eyes. It was quite intelligent and could sense Li Yunjing's power and the allure contained in his words.

It has been guarding this place for hundreds of years, but the effects of consuming "Dragon Blood Fruit" have been greatly reduced, and it has indeed encountered a bottleneck.

Seeing this, Li Yunjing said no more, extended a finger, and a wisp of pure chaotic lightning, carrying the meaning of creation and destruction, leaped from the fingertip.

This ray of lightning was not intended for attack, but rather it exuded a supreme and all-encompassing Daoist aura.

Sensing the terrifying power and a glimmer of opportunity contained within the lightning, the hesitation in the demonic ape's eyes instantly transformed into a complex mix of fear and longing.

It let out a low growl, and finally slowly lowered its massive body, signifying submission.

"It has agreed."

Li Yunjing withdrew the lightning and said to Anona, "You may go and pick the 'Dragon Blood Fruit' you need, but be careful not to damage the tree roots."

Arona and the barbarian warriors were both surprised and delighted. They quickly thanked the demon ape and cautiously entered the cave from its side.

A moment later, they emerged carrying several blood-red fruits radiating immense power, their faces filled with excitement.

Arona respectfully presented three of the best-quality dragon blood fruits to Li Yunjing: "Senior, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace. Please accept these three 'dragon blood fruits'."

Li Yunjing accepted the "Dragon Blood Fruit" without ceremony, feeling the surging blood energy and dragon power within it, and nodded.

"Refine it carefully; whether you can break through depends on your own destiny."

He looked at the demonic ape that was still lying on the ground, flicked his finger, and a point of light containing pure star power and a trace of chaotic lightning energy entered its brow.

"Thank you, fellow Taoist!"

The demonic ape trembled, its eyes filled with wild joy, and it kowtowed repeatedly to Li Yunjing.

After dealing with the matter here, Li Yunjing prepared to leave.

"Senior, please stay!"

Arona hurriedly called out, "Senior, you have done my Blackrock Tribe a great favor. Please come with us back to the tribe so that the chieftain and the high priest can express our gratitude in person!"

Other barbarian warriors also extended invitations, their attitudes earnest.

Li Yunjing pondered for a moment. He was looking forward to learning more about the barbarians, and this was a good opportunity.

"Alright."

Seeing that Li Yunjing agreed, Anona and the others were overjoyed and quickly led the way.

After leaving the "Meteorite Valley" and traveling for several days through the dense primeval forest, a tribal village built on a huge black rock mountain came into view.

The stockade wall is made of huge black stones, painted with various ferocious totems, exuding an ancient and desolate atmosphere.

The village is filled with stone houses, and people come and go, most of whom are tall and vigorous.

Upon seeing Anona and the others return, the gates of the village were opened wide, and many barbarians poured out.

When they learned that it was Li Yunjing who had saved Anona and the others and helped them retrieve the Dragon Blood Fruit, the entire "Black Stone Tribe" was in an uproar.

The chieftain was a burly man nearly two meters tall with a powerful aura, possessing the cultivation of the late Nascent Soul stage. He led important figures from the tribe and personally welcomed Li Yunjing into the largest stone hall in the village, treating him as an honored guest.

In the center of the stone hall, a roaring bonfire burned, roasting huge pieces of animal meat, and the air was filled with the aroma of meat and a unique fragrance of wine.

The barbarians were generous and their gratitude was genuine; they all toasted Li Yunjing.

The wine was brewed from a unique spiritual fruit found only in the wild. It was spicy on the palate, had a strong aftertaste, and contained remarkable spiritual energy.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

Li Yunjing also met the high priest of the "Black Stone Tribe," an old man with a weathered face and an aura as obscure as an abyss.

After taking the "Dragon Blood Fruit," his injuries improved significantly, and he was extremely grateful to Li Yunjing.

Through conversation, Li Yunjing gained a deeper understanding of the "Wild Continent" and the "Black Stone Tribe".

The vast and untamed continent is home to tens of thousands of small and medium-sized tribes like the Blackrock Tribe, scattered throughout the land.

Tribes constantly waged wars over resources for survival and totems of faith.

Above all the tribes, there are several super tribes with long-standing traditions and powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul level. They rule vast territories and are the true overlords of the wild continent.

The "Blackrock Tribe" is a large tribe located in a remote corner. The strongest chieftain is only at the late Nascent Soul stage, and the high priest has not yet recovered from an old injury, making the tribe's survival quite difficult.

"Senior Li possesses extraordinary abilities, I wonder..."

Chief Heiyan hesitated, his face filled with hope.

Li Yunjing knew what he wanted to say; he simply hoped that he could become the tribe's support or provide more assistance.

He put down his wine cup and calmly swept his gaze over everyone in the hall.

(End of this chapter)