160: The love of heaven and earth

Above the sky, everything calmed down.

The broken bronze chains were still, unmoving.

Qin Jin looked up, thoughts flashing in his mind: "Since I can complete transactions with Heaven and Earth, if there's an opportunity in the future, I might as well proactively try some things in this regard, and perhaps gain more blessings from Heaven and Earth."

Having made up his mind, Qin Jin looked at the shan he remnant pieces in the sky, finally focusing on the empty area.

"Countless years have passed, and quite a few shan he remnant pieces have fallen."

He had an idea in his mind, took one last look at the sky, and then descended from his original position, passing through the Sky Membrane, and returning to the Great Barren.

After ascending to this place, he followed the guiding intent from the Thunder Marsh to this area. Now, the area below was far from the Si Huo Tribe and had reached a new territory.

With a glance, Qin Jin's body plummeted.

He already understood the origin of the shan he remnant pieces within the Great Barren. In the past, there must have been some shan he remnant pieces that were acquired by tribes in the Great Barren, like the Spring Stream Tribe fragments, playing different roles.

Similarly, in this vast land, there must also be some shan he remnant pieces that are still buried, undiscovered, and hidden in the wilderness.

"Everything still revolves around my own cultivation. There's no need to deliberately search."

"But if an opportunity arises, I can't miss it."

With his mind observing the two Divine Cauldron fragments within the Spirit Ruins, Qin Chi's body rapidly descended.

Just as he was descending, Qin Jin sensed something, stopped his descent, and his gaze suddenly turned towards the distance.

As far as his eyes could see, at the end of his vision, a stream of light appeared from an unknown origin, rapidly approaching under Qin Jin's gaze.

Enveloped in brilliant light, the object within was not clearly visible.

"Human, exotic beast, Sacrificial Spirit?"

A guess formed in his mind, and spiritual energy surged within the Spirit Ruins. Qin Jin prepared for battle. If there was a problem, he would re-enter the Sky Membrane and retreat from above.

The escape light was extremely fast.

As it approached, the brilliant light continuously converged, shrinking to the size of a palm, and the object within was revealed.

It was a [tower].

It appeared to have nine stories, but the top was extremely dilapidated, and the middle few stories were almost broken, with only some unknown material's framework connecting them.

It looked quite miserable.

The nameless pagoda had no plaque visible on its top and was full of holes. After appearing before Qin Jin, it swayed and came to a stop in front of him.

"What is this?"

Qin Jin's spiritual power extended slightly, attempting to make contact, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response.

How could something that could be enveloped in an escape light be ordinary? Qin Jin extended his palm, protected by three layers of power—origin, spiritual energy, and wish power—and tentatively reached for it.

His hand reached out.

This small nine-story pagoda, which had originally calmed down, moved again, actively drawing closer and gently landing on Qin Jin's palm, appearing to show affection.

"Could this be an ancient treasure once left behind in the Great Barren?"

"It actually sought me out on its own."

He looked at the small pagoda in his palm, various thoughts flashing through his mind, and his heart stirred.

"Could it be—"

"Is this a Heaven and Earth Treasure similar to the wudao stele? Has it chosen me on its own now?"

"Is it because I received a gift from Heaven and Earth, and my talent has improved?"

He made a guess in his mind, his palm flashed, and the pagoda left his hand, hovering in place.

Qin Jin turned around, preparing to leave, his figure moving forward in the high sky.

Seeing him leave, this dilapidated small pagoda became his little tail, obediently following behind him without any other movements.

Qin Jin made several more attempts.

This small pagoda was indeed coming for him. If he held it, it would not move; if he ignored it, it would follow behind him.

"If it's the effect of improved talent, how did it sense it?"

"Could it be that in this Heaven and Earth, if some heavenly prodigy appears, Heaven and Earth will directly broadcast it to the treasures nurtured by Heaven and Earth?"

And then they will eagerly come forward?

"Or is it that not only talent is affected, but there are other reasons, such as the golden mist that could no longer be detected after being woven into armor?"

Various guesses arose in his mind.

Qin Jin controlled his wish power, enveloping and circling the pagoda's body.

Wish power is generated by human sacrifices, but its root can even be linked to the mountain and river Divine Cauldron. Its power level is extremely high, making it most suitable for this kind of thing.

"According to what the wudao stele once said, it became Shi Cang's accompanying treasure, but its own consciousness only awakened much later."

"Is this pagoda perhaps the same?"

"Treasures have spirits. They instinctively sought me out, and perhaps there was originally a consciousness that could communicate, but now, due to severe damage, it cannot communicate."

"When I return to the tribe, I'll ask the wudao stele if it knows anything."

"Although its memory is incomplete, it is, after all, an existence that has continued from ancient times to the present."

Having made up his mind, Qin Jin looked at the small pagoda quietly enveloped by wish power, put it away, and carried it with him.

He continued to descend as originally planned, heading directly downwards.

Qin Jin had never witnessed the bronze chains breaking and the Divine Cauldron fragments falling, but the corresponding land area beneath the Sky Membrane was undoubtedly the most likely place to hide fragments.

Since he was already here, Qin Jin didn't mind spending some time searching.

As he continuously descended, the situation on the surface came into view. At a glance, below was a primeval dense forest composed of countless towering trees, appearing to have no signs of logging, nor any traces left by humans or beasts.

With a slight raise of his brow, Qin Chi did not fully descend. His spiritual power spread out, sensing everything around him.

At the same time, with a slight thought, both shan he remnant pieces from the Spirit Ruins were taken out and held in his hands.

In the past, when he acquired the second fragment, the two fragments reacted to each other. Although not strong, it was enough to make a judgment.

Having planned out a search area in his mind, Qin Jin held the fragments, moved through the air, and began searching in this area.

Boundless Star Sea.

Within a shimmering spiritual energy passage, two figures stood, instantly crossing an unknown distance in the Star Sea.

Su Buqi, War God of Gui Xu.

An Ran.

At this moment, An Ran turned her head and looked at the Martial God beside her: "It seems this time was quite successful. I haven't seen you in this state for a long time."

"What a pity."

Hearing her words, Su Buqi, War God of Gui Xu shook his head: "Those existences who were unusually attentive ultimately didn't choose to attempt further probing."

"Otherwise, it would have been a good chance to warm up."

"What are you going to do next?"

An Ran didn't pick up on his words, and her inquiry sounded.

"First, notify the Starfire Federation to hold the [Ultimate Deliberation]."

"Although the way the Planet's Divinity manifested has changed, its specific effects, once spread, are bound to cause a huge stir."

Lei Yu Watcher.

He uttered the name: "Gods truly possess innate, unparalleled abilities."

"Fortunately, Venerable Observer is a Star God, a naturally trustworthy ally of the Federation."

"The most difficult step has already been resolved by our ally. The emergence of such a Planet's Divinity may even change the Federation's ecosystem and the ecosystem of the four major evolution systems in the future."

"I need to ensure that nothing unexpected happens in the upcoming matters and that all contingency plans are in place."

During their conversation.

In front of this special passage formed by spiritual energy, a portal generated.

The two stopped speaking, stepped forward, and exited the portal, entering the Star Sea.

Upon reaching the Star Sea, they overlooked the surroundings. Countless starships shuttled through the area, and more than one super-large star fortress was located here. Throughout the entire star domain, an unknown number of measures had been deployed.

Directly in their line of sight.

Within the entire region, there was only one gigantic planet.

At a glance, it was extremely special, not the usual appearance of a life planet, but rather a hemisphere, looking like a super-gigantic continent floating in the Star Sea, covered by an oval firmament.

If one were to use words to describe it.

It would be: Heaven is round, Earth is square!

This planet truly embodied an ancient cosmic concept.

The Starfire Federation continuously developed, occupying numerous star systems.

The Ancestral Star was the nominal core, but its commemorative significance was greater, as the Ancestral Star was damaged and not the top-tier life planet itself.

However, this special planet before them was the true core region within the Starfire Federation's territory, where the government resided.

Because this planet was the first Gaia Planet controlled by the Federation!

Its name was [Buzhou Star].

Wuyuan, Martial Arts Department.

Inside the spacious large-scale combat arena, many students were sparring.

Wuyuan was already martial, and after the Po Xian Cup ended, this trend became even stronger.

At the edge of the arena, in the spectator stands, many S-rank students were watching the battle.

The combatants on the stage they were looking at were two familiar figures.

An Shi versus Ye Pingan!

This time, the two rarely fought solely with martial arts techniques, but instead activated their origin power, going all out.

Just then.

Candle Kite's figure flickered and appeared beside Bai Huaiyu.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Huaiyu looked at her.

Candle Kite's clone glanced at the others, and with a wave of her hand, a barrier formed around them, obscuring everything. She said, "Miss Bai, your request this time cannot be fulfilled."

"According to the information I received, the destination you wish to go to is currently under martial law throughout the entire star domain, and no one else is allowed to enter."

"Martial law?"

Surprise appeared in Bai Huaiyu's eyes, and she shook her head: "Then so be it."

She looked at Candle Kite's clone, who maintained a serious expression, and smiled gently: "Don't worry, I won't cause unnecessary trouble for the academy."

"After all—"

"I really like my current academy life."

Candle Kite nodded, and her figure disappeared.

The surrounding barrier dissipated, and the other students who were watching the battle together glanced over but did not ask anything.

Although Wuyuan was not comparable to Tian Ce, it also had its rules, so they naturally wouldn't say more.

Xie Wuhai turned his head to look at the arena and commented, "After not engaging in purely skill-based combat, I feel like the gap between Ye Pingan and An Shi has widened even further."

"Well, now that's good. After this loss, he'll only have his mouth left to be tough."

After a quick complaint, Xie Wuhai withdrew his gaze: "I wonder where Qin Jin went. He actually got an early holiday."

"Everyone, have you decided what you're going to do during the holidays?"

"Go home."

Han Miao's words were concise.

"I'm going to participate in a special training camp."

Chi Wenwu leaned back in his seat: "My family arranged it, and I don't know the specific details yet."

"I haven't decided yet."

Yu Xingchen's voice sounded.

After the last selection, his relationship with Xie Wuhai had improved quite a bit.

With a word, he looked at Xie Wuhai: "Crow, have you decided where you're going for the holidays?"

"Of course."

Xie Wuhai nodded, becoming interested, and quickly said: "This year, the martial arts dojos within the Federation will restart old traditions and hold dojo performances to compete for the Federation's top dojo."

"My grandfather sent a message saying that they will also announce a super important piece of news this time."

“If you have nothing to do during the holidays, you can come with me to watch the excitement. It’s a good way to relax and cultivate at the same time.”

“This is a grand event for our Dojo World!”

Great Desolate.

Qin Jin flew at a low altitude.

Spiritual energy continuously surged forth. While being consumed, the Spirit Ruins continuously absorbed external spiritual energy for refinement.

The improvement of talent and the enhancement of spiritual energy’s properties also had an impact on combat power.

After mastering the ability to fly, many things became quite easy.

He kept moving forward.

Qin Chi, guided by his spiritual perception and cross-referencing with the remnant fragments, suddenly detected an extremely faint anomaly within his perception at a certain moment.

At the same time, a faint glow simultaneously appeared on the surface of the two remnant fragments in his hand.

It seemed the reaction was the same as when the Life Fire Remnant Fragment entered the Spirit Ruins in the past.

“There really is a remnant fragment here!”

Qin Chi’s spirit trembled, and his body descended.

This place was already deep within the primeval dense forest. As he continued to descend, stepping onto the ground, everything around him seemed normal.

The faint glow of the remnant fragment still flickered. Qin Jin cross-referenced it and walked forward on the ground. After he had walked dozens of meters and taken a step, his movements suddenly paused.

The surrounding environment remained unchanged, still a dense forest with giant trees. But under a giant tree, illusory figures like smoke appeared. Looking at their faces, they resembled an old man, and around him were several illusory children clinging close. Some hid in the shade of the trees, some climbed onto the tree trunk, all shaking their heads and listening intently.

The illusory old man spoke words. The language was similar to the Great Desolate language, but there were also many differences. Qin listened carefully, barely able to distinguish them.

What the other party was speaking was the language of cultivation.

However, listening to the content, there were no systematic chapters, but rather scattered words, disorganized and unconnected, nor was it the Heavenly Azure Method.

“This shan he remnant piece—”

Puzzled, Qin stepped closer. As he approached the lecturing old man, the illusory figures of the children dispersed, and the old man also dispersed, as if everything that had just happened did not exist.

Only the giant tree remained in place.

Qin’s gaze fell on its upper part.

On its trunk, a bronze color was faintly revealed.

Divine Cauldron Remnant Fragment.

This Divine Cauldron Remnant Fragment had fallen here an unknown number of years ago, even half-merging with the tree, with only a corner still exposed.

Qin Jin pointed his fingers like a knife, and his primordial power surged, cutting and extracting the remnant fragment.

“Today’s luck is truly good.”

“After coming down from the Sky Membrane, I first obtained that unknown thousand-tower, and now I have successfully acquired the third remnant fragment.”

As thoughts flashed, Qin Jin looked at the pattern on the surface of the remnant fragment.

The pattern depicted precisely the scene of the old man lecturing and the children listening.

This scene seemed like a transmission, and also like a continuation.

“Ji Lianxing once said that in ancient times, human sages established the path of cultivation, allowing humanity to rise in one fell swoop.”

“The scenes carved on the Divine Cauldron contain myriad things. Perhaps, listening to its narration, perhaps this is the scene of inheritance left behind in this world before humanity had risen and established a unified cultivation path, inscribed upon the Divine Cauldron.”

Making a judgment in his mind, Qin, with practiced ease, enveloped his spirit with wish power and entered its internal space.

Everything was as usual.

A Divine Cauldron Remnant Fragment that had not yet exhausted its power was full of vitality, like spring all year round, resembling a second world.

But once everything was exhausted and it fell, its interior would turn desolate.

After a series of tests, as the Spirit Ruins trembled slightly, the three remnant fragments entered the Spirit Ruins together.

The other two had long adapted to their state within Qin’s Spirit Ruins. This newly acquired Divine Cauldron Remnant Fragment, upon entering the Spirit Ruins, glowed on its surface. Unlike the static state of the other two fragments, it actually began to wander within the Spirit Ruins.

As it wandered, under Qin’s observation, the carved patterns on the surface of the remnant fragment gradually blurred, turning into a mirror. First, it reflected the internal scene of the Spirit Ruins, and then the internal image changed. As spiritual energy surged, whether refining or filling, a slight difference appeared from the scene of the Spirit Ruins.

“This is—”

“Guidance?”

Qin observed carefully and verified it himself, quickly confirming its function: “It is trying to find some weak points within the Spirit Ruins,

and provide a solution to help my Spirit Ruins become more perfect.”

“Mountain and River Divine Cauldron.”

“Tsk.”

Qin Jin clicked his tongue in wonder.

The carved image alone clearly couldn't achieve this. To accomplish these things, it could only mean that the Divine Cauldron, forged with the combined power of the Immortal Dynasty,

was too extraordinary.

“The Divine Cauldron is extraordinary, but the things it did were also unimaginable, which led to this result.”

“So far, the remnant fragments I’ve obtained are not large. Will larger fragments become increasingly special?”

“Fortunately, when the Divine Cauldron Remnant Fragment is within my own Spirit Ruins, it cannot be perceived or touched by other remnant fragments. This avoids some potential troubles.”

As Qin pondered.

The Divine Cauldron Remnant Fragment ascended, changed direction, and at this moment, it actually arrived near the Fire God!

During normal cultivation, the Fire God appeared with its eyes closed, standing to one side of the Spirit Ruins, with various spiritual energies intertwining and refining around it, like long silk cloths circling the Fire God.

Now, the remnant fragment stopped in front of the Fire God, its mirror surface reflecting the Fire God. Under Qin Jin’s observation, the changes on the mirror surface this time were slower.

Time passed...

After a certain period, within the mirror, the Fire God’s chest suddenly changed. It still maintained a human form, but its chest seemed to be armored, appearing with a layer of pitted surface. Numerous cave-like holes appeared on top, with exotic flames swirling inside.

This scene was extremely familiar to Qin Jin.

The moment he saw it, he recognized it: “Divine Martial Cauldron?”

Qin had a sudden realization.

“This time, it is no longer pointing out weak points, but rather pointing out another possibility, a direction I have not yet discovered.”

Carefree View of Fire Mystic Scroll

This was a supreme-grade fire-attribute true scripture, and when Qin cultivated, he was even inside the Divine Martial Cauldron. He forged the Fire God, in addition to his own power, also utilizing the extraordinary flames within the Divine Martial Cauldron.

Now it seems that this method has caused this Spirit Ruins Fire God to undergo a unique change.

After reflecting this scene, the speed of change on the mirror surface slowed down significantly. It seemed that it had found the problem, but when searching for a solution, it was extremely slow and difficult.

“After all, this is also something that has not appeared in this world.”

Qin Jin let out a long breath, not feeling anxious.

Knowing the direction that could be explored was the most important thing. His path of cultivation was still long, and even if this remnant fragment could not give him any guidance, he would eventually make a breakthrough in this direction himself.

His mind left the Spirit Ruins.

With the target object in hand, Qin Jin did not linger, ascending into the sky, confirming his direction, and returning to the Si Huo Tribe.

Currently, the map of the large area around the Si Huo Tribe had been perfected. With the help of the map left by the Tu Yang Tribe, they even knew the situation of more distant places.

He returned at high altitude.

As he approached the Si Huo Tribe, wish power concealed his form, and Qin returned to the Sacrificial Spirit Hall.

Outside the hall.

Qi Chuan stood still.

Entering the hall, his perception spreading, Qin Jin’s voice sounded in Qi Chuan’s mind.

“What is it?”

“Lord Sacrificial Spirit.”

Because he couldn’t always be in the Great Desolate, Qin had already made arrangements. If there was something to report, one could directly come outside the Sacrificial Spirit Hall and wait for fifteen minutes.

If he was not “in seclusion,” he would naturally respond.

Qi Chuan greeted him and said in his mind: “I received a message from my clansmen. They, along with the clansmen of the Tu Yang Tribe, led by the Tu Yang Tribe,

everything went quite smoothly, and they have already made contact with two tribes.”

“They are preparing to send people to our tribe to observe the ceremony.”

Speaking of this, Qi Chuan paused slightly, then continued: “According to the message, among these two tribes, one tribe is relatively small, not as large as ours, but the other tribe is very large. Some of their clansmen no longer call themselves tribes, but rather call themselves nations,

and there is already a trend of becoming a great nation.”

“Great nation…”

“It seems that in other areas of the Great Desolate, the development of humanity is not limited to this.”

As thoughts flashed, Qin Jin said calmly: “No need to worry, just arrange everything normally.”

“I understand.”

Qi Chuan nodded, bowed, and left the vicinity of the great hall.

“This sacrificial ceremony will allow us to thoroughly ascertain the attitudes of the other tribes nearby. At that time, we can make further plans.”

With a thought, Qin activated the azure lightning dark halberd and entered it, his spirit spreading, arriving at the other side.

There, Shi Cang stood in place, diligently exercising with a stone lock.

The stone lock in his hand was precisely the transformed wudao stele!

Compared to ordinary stone, the stone it transformed into could freely adjust its weight.

“The wudao stele has recovered a bit more.”

“It seems it’s precisely the influence of the world establishing its name.”

The calm voice was not concealed, sounding beside Shi Cang and simultaneously entering the ears of one person and one stele.

“Shi Cang, bring the wudao stele over.”

“I have something to ask.”

Hearing the voice, Shi Cang did not hesitate. He carried the wudao stele and quickly ran into the Sacrificial Spirit Hall.

He placed the wudao stele on the ground, greeted him, and then quickly ran out of the hall.

The young boy who had just embarked on the path of cultivation had endless energy.

The wudao stele, in its stone form, changed, reverting to its broken stele appearance. A few more cracks on its surface had disappeared. Before Qin Jin could speak, above the wudao stele, the character ‘Wu’ ( Enlightenment) flickered, and a somewhat fluctuating voice sounded first.

“Favored by heaven and earth?”

Qin heard it, and his heart stirred.

Facing this old fellow who had existed for so long, he indeed gained something.

His tone was calm, without ripples, and he said directly: “What is ‘favored by heaven and earth’?”

The wudao stele’s voice still fluctuated: “Although my memory is incomplete, there are some remnants. Since ancient times, there have been some living beings in heaven and earth who, from the moment they came into existence, would be born with the love of heaven and earth, which is what the human cultivators of that time called those with great fortune.”

“Heaven and earth treasures like me often become companion treasures to such beings due to our innate talent and this kind of influence.”

Listening to its words.

Qin’s thoughts were clear, and he thought of the golden mist that had transformed into a treasure armor.

“So, this is the second feedback from heaven and earth?”

“No wonder after merging with my body, it can’t be seen, touched, or perceived.”

“Because this is not a kind of power.”

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

Qin Jin spoke: “You sensed it and became Shi Cang’s companion. Is he the ‘favored by heaven and earth’ person you spoke of?”

Upon hearing this.

The wudao stele’s ‘Wu’ character flickered: “Logically speaking, with his talent, he should be uniquely blessed and favored by heaven.”

“However, after I awakened, I did not sense any related aura on him.”