91: Golden Lotus Karma

After leaving Wuzhuang Temple, Qing Wu and the other followed another trail.

After careful sensing, they knew this was the location of Mount Sumeru, which they had searched for before but could not find.

The former ancestral court of the Western Land had suffered a disaster during the Calamity and had become dilapidated.

At this time, there probably wouldn't be any suitable treasures waiting for them to obtain at Mount Sumeru.

However, as the main battlefield of the struggle between Dao and Demon, perhaps some treasures like the Beast God Palace would remain, just like after the Beast Calamity.

Furthermore, this would be the location of the Dao Field of those two Fellow Daoists in the future.

It was rumored that Daoist Zhunti was the transformation of the Bodhi Tree, one of the ten Supreme-Grade Acquired Spiritual Roots.

Looking at it this way, Qing Wu really had to see how this Fellow Daoist ended up in such a miserable state step by step.

At the same time, they could discuss experiences and insights regarding the transformation of a Supreme-Grade Acquired Spiritual Root.

With guidance, they soon found the location of Mount Sumeru.

What met their eyes was indeed a scene of ruin and decay.

The former ancestral court of the Western Land now had only a fragmented mountain skeleton left.

The main peak had been split horizontally by some terrifying power, and residual zhuxian sword Qi continued to infect the deep Spiritual Veins.

Stepping onto the mountain path, a subtle cracking sound came from beneath their feet.

The stone steps that should have been paved with gold and jade were now entirely charred rock fragments.

Occasionally, a few shards of colored glass embedded in the rock crevices could be seen, vaguely allowing one to recognize the former scenery of Mount Sumeru.

Continuing to climb upward, the Evil Qi in the air became heavier, but a faint divine light surged ahead.

Passing through layers of Evil Qi, the scene ahead gradually became clear.

Two figures were busy on the broken mountain top; Jieyin held the twelfth grade golden lotus of merit, with rays of golden light falling like fine rain, purifying the polluted soil.

Zhunti used the seven treasure tree to root deeply into the Earth Veins, striving to repair the broken Spiritual Veins.

"Brother, this node is severely damaged; I'm afraid it cannot be fixed." Zhunti retracted a charred tree root, revealing a Spiritual Vein node heavily infected by Evil Qi.

Jieyin sighed deeply, the light of the golden lotus dimming slightly, "Let's just do our best..."

He looked up at the vast cracked mountain body in the distance and smiled bitterly, "I just didn't expect Mount Sumeru to be destroyed to this extent."

"Otherwise, establishing a Dao Field would not be so difficult for us."

Although there was complaining in their words, their hands did not stop, as they continued to do their best to repair the Spiritual Veins beneath their feet.

The golden lotus bloomed with brilliant light again, dispersing more Evil Qi.

It was said that the West was barren, but seeing these two Fellow Daoists, it didn't seem to be the case.

Zhunti's seven treasure tree could brush away large swathes of Evil Qi; it appeared to have been refined to a very high level.

What Jieyin held was the twelfth grade golden lotus of merit, a Top Grade Innate Spirit Treasure.

For some reason, when Qing Wu saw this golden lotus of merit, he thought of it being bitten by a certain mosquito, resulting in its grade falling.

Seeing them so busy, Qing Wu and the other did not disturb them for the time being, but instead wandered around various parts of Mount Sumeru to see if there were any remaining treasures.

However, as expected, not a single hair was left on Mount Sumeru; what valuable things could possibly remain?

"Which Fellow Daoist has arrived?"

The movement of the two caught the attention of Jieyin and Zhunti.

Fearing the newcomers were there to cause trouble, they immediately stopped activating the seven treasure tree and the golden lotus of merit, allowing the surroundings to return to being shrouded in Evil Qi.

"Fear not, Fellow Daoists, we two have come to lend you a hand."

Saying that, Qing Wu summoned the Beast God Palace and began to swallow the surrounding Evil Qi greedily.

The God Deceiver artifact spirit also showed its Divine Might again, having a buffet.

Yuan Feng activated the Azure Lotus Treasure Flag, using its wood-element power to aggregate the Spiritual Veins beneath their feet.

Seeing that they had no ill intent, Jieyin and Zhunti did not hesitate and continued to coordinate using the treasures in their hands.

With the four of them working together, a large area was quickly cleared.

The four sat facing each other, silent for a moment.

Jieyin's gaze fell upon that massive palace.

This object could actually devour Evil Qi, and the artifact spirit within was also an extremely extraordinary and sentient existence.

If it could be borrowed, the repair work would be much faster.

However, the palace slowly shrank and fell into the hands of the man in green opposite him, who put it away.

Jieyin could only sigh softly, desiring it but unable to obtain it.

Zhunti kept observing the person opposite him, always feeling that the other's aura overlapped slightly with his own, perhaps having the same origin.

However, the other party's cultivation was much higher than his, making him afraid to peer too closely.

Seeing the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Qing Wu was the first to break the silence, "The Western Land is already barren and wretched. Why did you two Fellow Daoists choose this dilapidated place to establish your Dao Field?"

"With the strength of you two Fellow Daoists, you could surely make something of yourselves in the East."

This question was indeed worth exploring.

He wouldn't believe it if these two hadn't established their Dao Field on these ruins for some specific reason.

Although Mount Sumeru was the ancestral court of the West, after the Calamity, it probably couldn't compare to any famous blessed land or cave heaven in the East.

Jieyin smiled bitterly, "It's just the entanglement of Karma."

When Jieyin spoke of this matter, he was somewhat helpless.

They had only come to Mount Sumeru to search, originally just with a glimmer of hope.

They didn't expect to actually find a treasure, which was this twelfth grade golden lotus of merit.

"When we two saw such a treasure, we were overjoyed and plucked it, not expecting it to be connected to the last bit of intact Spiritual Vein of Mount Sumeru."

"This immediately caused the already dilapidated Mount Sumeru to become even more ruined."

"The two of us also incurred some Karma, and had no choice but to settle here."

"So that's how it is." Qing Wu showed a look of realization.

Whether it was worth exchanging a Top Grade Innate Spirit Treasure for such Karma was uncertain.

Regarding this, one could only say they deserved it.

They didn't even think about why such a treasure would bloom so vividly in this land of silence and death.

Only after obtaining it did they realize it was a poison that seeped into the bones, but it was too late for regrets.

And the one who planted this Immortal Lotus, who else could it be but Hongjun.

As for whether he intentionally plotted against Jieyin and his brother, it was no longer important.

Anyway, since these two had already accepted part of the Karma, they might as well continue to be utilized.

Promise them great benefits, take them as Disciples, bestow the status of Saints, and then say 'The West shall surely prosper,' and the two of them would run themselves ragged.

With this opening question, the atmosphere on site relaxed slightly.

Subsequently, the group began a Dao Discussion, but they discussed the future of the West.

It was mostly Jieyin and his brother speaking; although they were forced to settle in the West because of such Karma, it sounded like both were willing to accept this result.

Rather, it was an opportunity that prompted them to take root in the Western Land.

Both were born in the West and always held a heart of gratitude toward it.

Seeing the West so destroyed, they also felt immense heartache.

In every word and action, it was clear that the two truly possessed great perseverance.

After that, Qing Wu and the other rose to take their leave.

Repairing Mount Sumeru had to be done by Jieyin and his brother personally; otherwise, how would they repay the Karma?

Before leaving, Jieyin told them that the main peak of Mount Sumeru had been sliced in half during the great war and had fallen into an abyss of Evil Qi, which neither of them could do anything about.

Qing Wu thought, there's such a good thing?

Legend has it that the Heaven-Turning Seal was refined from half of Mount Buzhou; although it was Acquired, it had reached the level of a supreme treasure, a pure stat monster.

Presumably, even if the half-mountain of Mount Sumeru couldn't be refined into a treasure like the Heaven-Turning Seal, it would still be an excellent material.