43: Earth-grade spiritual plant - Five Qis Returning to the Origin Tree

One month later.

A barren mountain cave.

Clear, greasy oil dripped into the fire, making a crackling sound.

Smelling the inviting aroma, Gu Changsheng licked his lips.

“As expected, the meat grown in the demon Meat Field is more fragrant…”

He had been in the Yellow Springs Secret Realm for over three months.

The roasted demon meat stored in his yin toad pouch ran out in the second month.

This was even after he deliberately slowed down, mixing it with Netherworld Beast meat.

Truth be told, while Netherworld Beast meat was rich in Qi and blood, no less than a True Core Realm demon, its taste was far inferior to that from the Meat Field.

For such a long time, Gu Changsheng's mouth had long since gone bland.

This month since returning to Chenping County, he spent every day painting at a stall, farming, and roasting meat.

His Lifespan had also accumulated to over eight hundred years.

His appearance had once again returned to that of a twenty-year-old youth.

Additionally, he absorbed the Corpse Core inscribed with Yellow Springs Underworld Light, and his Divine Ability, Nine Nether Soul-Seizing Underworld Light, successfully reached the Minor Achievement Realm.

Whoosh whoosh—

Gu Changsheng blew on it, ignoring the heat, and eagerly swallowed the roasted meat skewer. A warm current immediately rose in his abdomen, surging through his limbs and meridians.

He stretched his arms, his body like a fully drawn bow, and his spine let out a series of cracks.

“Qi and blood have finally recovered… It’s about time to depart.”

The Pill Appreciation Assembly would open in three months, and Gu Changsheng had to return to the Five Viscera Temple in advance. Staying too long might attract unnecessary attention.

He turned his head to look at the pitch-black Meat Field, where the tentacle-like demon flesh wriggled, devouring the millet scattered across the field.

“Tong Er, this time, Master is going on a long journey.

You stay here and guard this property for me, Master.

If any outsiders intrude, kill them without mercy.”

“Yes, Master.”

Azure Dragon Child, holding a sword, replied respectfully.

Although this place was in the wilderness, rarely visited by people, precautions still had to be taken.

This Meat Field was an important cultivation resource.

Especially since it could extract top-grade Evil Qi—Black Mountain Qi, making it a true treasure.

Gu Changsheng nodded, black Qi spreading from his fingertips. Several sword lights slashed out, instantly cutting down the grown demon flesh and storing it in his yin toad pouch.

“These, plus the dried demon jerky from before, should be enough rations for about half a year…”

Considering the limited space in the yin toad pouch and that he would be staying in the Five Viscera Temple for at least three or four months, meat provisions had to be prepared in advance.

Compared to fresh meat, dehydrated jerky naturally took up less space.

Just as Gu Changsheng was about to leave, he suddenly felt his pant leg being tugged.

“Ying ying~”

The little white fox rubbed its small head against Gu Changsheng’s pant leg, extending its pink tongue to gently lick his shoe.

“Hmm? You want to leave with me… Forget it, you should stay here and guard the house for me.

Also, if you don’t transform, do you really think I, Master, am running a charity?

When I return, if you’re still like this, don’t blame me for skinning you and making a fox meat hotpot.”

Hearing this, the little white fox’s big eyes showed fright. It quickly let go and backed away, waving its small paws as if saying its meat wasn’t tasty.

“Haha.”

Gu Changsheng laughed heartily, blood-red light emanating from his body, transforming into a blood-red rainbow and departing.

Three months later, Lake Heart Island.

The clear lake water rippled, reflecting dazzling light under the sun.

A small, grayish-green reed boat parted the blue waves, slowly sailing towards Lake Heart Island.

In the sky, colorful streaks of light occasionally swept past, flying towards Lake Heart Island.

Those were Spirit Building Stage cultivators, riding their respective flying Magical Artifacts, leaving trails of exhaust.

“Master, when do you think I’ll also be able to control a Magical Artifact and fly into the sky?”

A boatman, simple and honest in appearance, looked at the streaks of light in the sky, his eyes filled with envy.

This person, named Yan Qing, was Dan Chenzi’s second Disciple.

The original eldest Disciple had long since been drained of his essence by the bearded man (the woman in yellow) and died.

Gu Changsheng, wearing Dan Chenzi’s skin, walked out of the boat cabin, reaching out to give Yan Qing a hard knock on the head, scaring the young man into immediately shrinking his neck.

“Foolish child, instead of wasting time on that, you’d better worry about how you’ll survive this Immortal Ascension Assembly… Row the boat quickly.”

Gu Changsheng sternly ordered.

The Pill Appreciation Assembly, widely rumored outside, was internally proclaimed as an Immortal Ascension Assembly for Dao Tong.

Those who survived could consume a Five Viscera Pill and had a chance to advance to the Foundation Building Realm.

Little did they know, in the eyes of the Five Viscera Temple Elders, these Dao Tong were merely ingredients for a great medicine.

Hearing this, Yan Qing’s boat-rowing movements immediately quickened. With no trace of fear on his face, he smiled and said, “Master, don’t worry.

I have already mastered the secret technique ‘Burning Heart Fire’ from the Heart Fire Chapter of the Five Viscera Method.

An ordinary Contemplation Realm cultivator might not be able to defeat me.

When I come out, having broken through to the Foundation Building Realm, I will still take care of you, Master, in your old age and see you to your end.”

‘Taking care of him in his old age and seeing him to his end…’

Gu Changsheng’s cheek twitched as he glanced at his panel.

It still showed eight hundred thirty-seven years of Lifespan remaining.

‘Perhaps your grandson’s grandson will die of old age, and I’ll still be alive…’

Looking at Yan Qing’s young face, Gu Changsheng’s heart stirred slightly.

Unlike the other Dao Tong of the Five Viscera Temple, who schemed and backstabbed,

this Yan Qing was pure of heart and filial to his Master.

Unfortunately, in the eyes of the original owner, he was still destined to have his heart and liver extracted to refine a Five Viscera Pill.

‘These three months, you have treated me with utmost respect, and poured three months of foot-washing water… I shall bestow upon you a means of self-preservation.

Whether you live or die… depends on your luck…’

Gu Changsheng took out a crimson longsword and said, “Yan Qing, as Master and Disciple.

This journey is perilous, so I shall lend you this Li Huo Flying Sword.”

He said “lend,” but in reality, he had no intention of getting it back.

After all, it was merely a Spiritual Artifact.

Now, with Gu Changsheng’s Second-Turn Golden Body, he could directly withstand Magic Treasures.

“Master, this… how can I accept…”

Yan Qing’s face flushed red, tears welling up in his eyes.

Being bestowed a Spiritual Artifact was a privilege only for Personal Disciples who inherited the Master’s mantle.

‘Indeed, Master is only cold on the surface, but deep down, he still values me…’

“Cough cough, don’t act like a little girl.

This Flying Sword is a Spiritual Artifact. If it’s lost in battle, even if you sold yourself, you couldn’t compensate for it.

Remember, come back alive…”

“Master…”

Yan Qing could no longer control himself. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he heavily kowtowed several times on the boat deck.

As the sun set, a small boat slowly moved forward.

Three days later, Gu Changsheng saw the outline of Lake Heart Island in the distance.

However, the most conspicuous feature was the five qi gathering tree in the center of the island.

Its canopy covered most of the island, and its straight trunk pierced the clouds.

Above Lake Heart Island, a thin mist hung.

This was the Five Elements Qi gathered by the five qi gathering tree.

‘The five qi gathering tree, ranked among the Earth-grade Heaven And Earth Treasure.

It can naturally absorb the Five Elements Qi freely floating in the Void Realm.

Every thirty years, it condenses spirit fruits on its canopy, which are precisely what the Five Viscera Temple calls the greater five viscera pill.’

Gu Changsheng silently recited.

Thirty years, which perfectly corresponded to the timing of the Pill Appreciation Assembly.

‘This Lake Heart Island is near a water source, and the trees on the island are lush, so there’s no shortage of Water Qi, Wood Qi, and Earth Qi.

However, there are no volcanoes or mineral veins.

This Fire Qi and Metal Qi can only be extracted from the Dao Tong.

No wonder, within the Five Viscera Temple, most Dao Tong cultivate the Heart Fire Chapter and Lung Metal Chapter.

Clearly, the higher-ups secretly guide and control them, intending to use the Dao Tong as medicine to replenish the Metal and Fire Qi.’

In every Pill Appreciation Assembly, at least ninety percent of the Dao Tong would die.

It was extremely perilous.

Before long, the boat docked.

“Be extremely careful after we part ways.”

“Yes, thank you, Master, for your guidance. Yan Qing will always remember it.”

Gu Changsheng nodded, and with a sweep of his figure, he flew towards the Dao Platform building.

That was where the Spirit Building Stage cultivators gathered.

It was also the place for pill appreciation and exchange of insights.