322: Traces of Fallen Immortal Valley, guarded by remnants of an array

A hundred miles outside Qingzhou City, Luoxian Valley was hidden among continuous green mountains. The cliffs on both sides of the valley entrance were like sharpened blades, covered with ancient, vigorous pine trees. Pale purple mist entwined among the pine branches, making it look like a fairyland from afar. The seven people followed the records in the «records of the nine provinces» and traveled forward. The closer they got to the valley entrance, the richer the sparse Spiritual Qi in the air became. Although it was still far from the Spirit Initiation Continent, they could clearly sense the flow of Spiritual Qi, which was completely different from other places in the Mortal Realm.

"The Spiritual Qi here is indeed several times denser than in Qingzhou City." Immortal of Luo Water took a deep breath, green runes flickered slightly in her palm, and the wood-elemental Spiritual Qi around her resonated with the Spiritual Qi in the valley, making her feel completely refreshed. "It seems what «records of the nine provinces» said is true; there are indeed Cultivation ruins in the valley."

Lu Chen nodded, his gaze falling on the open space at the valley entrance. Some faint patterns were vaguely visible on the ground, covered by thick fallen leaves and dust. If not for the resonance between the source pearl in his body and the Spiritual Qi, they would have been almost imperceptible. "These are formation patterns." He crouched down, pushed aside the fallen leaves, revealing the dark green rocks beneath, on which intricate runes were carved. "It's the prototype (rudimentary form) of a Spirit Gathering Array, but it's too old, the formation patterns are incomplete, and it can no longer function."

Ling Xi quickly walked forward, purple runes flowing at her fingertips, carefully observing the direction of the formation patterns: "These formation patterns are of the same origin as the Spirit Gathering Arrays on the Spirit Initiation Continent, but they are more ancient and simple. It seems that the ancient Cultivation system in the Mortal Realm has intricate connections with our Spirit Initiation Continent." Her fingertips traced the formation patterns. "There are three formation eyes, all of which have been eroded by time, and their Spiritual Qi has been cut off. As long as the formation eyes are repaired and Spiritual Qi is reinjected, this Spirit Gathering Array can be activated again."

"Then I'll trouble Ling Xi," Lu Chen said. "We will protect you to prevent Mortal Martial Artists or wild beasts from intruding."

Ling Xi nodded, took out seven source pearl fragments (leftover scraps from purifying Demonic Weapons earlier) from her Huai (bosom), and embedded them into the grooves of the three formation eyes. She formed hand Seals, the purple runes within her body burst with light, and the Power of the Origin Orbs flowed into the formation eyes through her fingertips. With the injection of Spiritual Qi, the incomplete formation patterns gradually lit up with a faint spiritual glow, like a sleeping giant Dragon slowly awakening.

"Buzz—"

With a low hum, the Spirit Gathering Array was completely activated. The air at the valley entrance vibrated violently, and the surrounding sparse Spiritual Qi converged towards the Formation like a tide, forming a visible Spiritual Qi vortex. The pale purple mist was swept up by the Spiritual Qi vortex and gradually dissipated, revealing the true scene within the valley—a winding stone path led to the depths of the valley, with lush vegetation and unknown spiritual flowers blooming on both sides of the path, emitting a faint fragrance.

"Such dense Spiritual Qi!" Zhu Rongyan felt the Spiritual Qi in the air, her eyes full of pleasant surprise. "It's dozens of times denser than Qingzhou City. Although it's still not comparable to the Spirit Initiation Continent, it's enough for Cultivators to Cultivate."

The seven people walked along the stone path, and the Spiritual Qi along the way became denser and denser. At the end of the stone path was the entrance to a collapsed Immortal Cave. The rocks above the Immortal Cave had broken, and part of the entrance was blocked by rubble, revealing only a dark interior. The rocks around the Immortal Cave were covered with more complex runes, which were in the same vein as the Spirit Gathering Array's patterns, clearly left by the Cultivators of that year.

"This is an ancient Cultivation Immortal Cave." Yu Lan walked forward, blue runes flickering in her palm, deciphering the runes on the rocks. "These runes are part of the Immortal Cave's protective formation, but they have become ineffective with the collapse of the Immortal Cave."

Lu Chen activated the Power of the Origin Orbs, and the pure white spiritual light in his palm surged. A palm print of spiritual light struck the rubble blocking the Immortal Cave entrance. With a "boom," the rubble was shattered, revealing the spacious Immortal Cave entrance. The Immortal Cave was filled with a faint mixture of dust and Spiritual Qi, and the light was dim, only vaguely showing the internal contours.

The seven people entered the Immortal Cave. Ling Xi casually set up a simple illumination Formation, and purple spiritual light illuminated the entire Immortal Cave. The interior of the Immortal Cave suddenly opened up into a huge stone chamber. The walls of the stone chamber were covered with dense text and patterns, which were a complete set of Cultivation Techniques.

"It's a Golden Core Stage Cultivation Technique!" A hint of pleasant surprise flashed in Lu Chen's eyes as he stepped forward to study it carefully. This set of Cultivation Techniques, from the Qi Refining Stage to the Golden Core Stage, had detailed steps and ancient methods, with clear differences from the Cultivation Techniques of the Spirit Initiation Continent. The Spirit Initiation Continent's techniques focused on absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and refining source pearls, while this set of techniques focused more on tempering the Physical Body and the Fusion of spiritual power, allowing for slow progress even in an environment with sparse Spiritual Qi.

"The Cultivation system of the Mortal Realm is indeed different from ours." Yu Lan was also studying the Cultivation Technique, her eyes full of realization. "Although this set of Cultivation Techniques only goes up to the Golden Core Stage, it is extremely suitable for environments with sparse Spiritual Qi. It seems it was modified by ancient Cultivators to adapt to the Mortal Realm's environment."

The Sea Cultivation Saintess walked to the underground river on one side of the stone chamber. The river water was clear, and several silver small fish swam in it, their bodies emitting a faint spiritual light. "These are Spirit Fish." A hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes. "Spirit Fish only live in places with abundant Spiritual Qi, and their inner cores contain pure Spiritual Qi. It seems there's a Spiritual Vein remaining beneath this Immortal Cave."

She raised her hand, and a water-elemental Spiritual Qi lifted a Spirit Fish. The Spirit Fish struggled a few times in the Spiritual Qi before becoming still. A rice-grain-sized white inner core condensed between its eyebrows, emitting a faint Spiritual Qi. The Sea Cultivation Saintess handed the inner core to Immortal of Luo Water: "This inner core can replenish spiritual power. Although the quantity isn't much, it's already a rare treasure in the Mortal Realm."

Immortal of Luo Water took the inner core, green runes flickering, and sensed the Spiritual Qi within: "If we can find the source of the Spiritual Vein, perhaps we can use the Power of the Origin Orbs to reactivate this Spiritual Vein and replenish the Spiritual Qi in the Mortal Realm."

Just then, Bing Ningshuang's voice came: "Everyone, come look here."

Everyone looked over and saw a huge stone coffin in the depths of the stone chamber. The stone coffin was made of black profound iron, and its surface was covered with complex patterns. These patterns twisted and intertwined, bearing a striking resemblance to the evil Qi patterns of the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan, but they did not emit any evil Qi; instead, they exuded an ancient protective power.

"These patterns..." Lu Chen frowned slightly, walking forward to observe carefully. "They are indeed similar to the patterns of the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan, but the aura is completely different. The Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan's patterns are full of destruction and corrosion, while these patterns contain the power of protection and Seal."

Yu Lan also walked forward, blue runes flowing in her palm, deciphering the patterns on the stone coffin: "These patterns are part of an ancient Seal Formation, of the same origin as the Spirit Gathering Array and the Immortal Cave's protective formation. They should have been used by the Cultivators of that year to guard something or Seal a certain existence."

Ling Xi's fingertips traced the patterns on the stone coffin, purple runes resonating with the patterns: "The material of the stone coffin is 'Profound Iron Essence,' which can isolate Spiritual Qi and evil Qi. It's an excellent Material for refining sealing artifacts. It seems that a powerful ancient Cultivator is buried in this stone coffin, or an important secret is Sealed within."

Zhu Rongyan couldn't contain her curiosity and wanted to push open the stone coffin: "Why don't we open it and see what's hidden inside?"

"Don't act rashly." Lu Chen stopped her. "Although the Seal Formation on the stone coffin has become ineffective, we don't know what's inside. If a dangerous existence is Sealed within, opening it rashly might cause an accident."

Yu Lan nodded in agreement: "Let's first carefully study the patterns on the stone coffin and the Cultivation Techniques on the stone chamber walls. Perhaps we can find clues about the stone coffin."

The seven people divided their tasks. Lu Chen and Bing Ningshuang stayed by the stone coffin, observing the changes in the patterns; Yu Lan and Ling Xi continued to decipher the Cultivation Techniques and runes on the stone chamber walls; the Sea Cultivation Saintess and Immortal of Luo Water explored along the underground river, searching for the source of the Spiritual Vein; Zhu Rongyan looked around the Immortal Cave, searching for other hidden clues.

Time passed little by little. The Spiritual Qi inside the Immortal Cave became denser and denser under the effect of the Spirit Gathering Array. Yu Lan and Ling Xi deciphered that the Cultivation Techniques on the stone chamber walls were not only Cultivation methods but also recorded some of the Cultivator's experiences from that year—he was an ancient Cultivator who remained in the Mortal Realm. To protect the Spiritual Veins of the Mortal Realm, he spent his entire Cultivation laying out the Spirit Gathering Array and protective formations, eventually sitting in meditation and passing away within the Immortal Cave.

The Sea Cultivation Saintess and Immortal of Luo Water traveled along the underground river and found that the end of the underground river was an underground spring. The rocks around the spring were covered with Spiritual Vein patterns, and Spiritual Qi gushed out from the depths of the spring, confirming the speculation that a Spiritual Vein remained beneath the Immortal Cave.

As Lu Chen and Bing Ningshuang observed the stone coffin patterns, they discovered a line of tiny ancient characters hidden deep within the patterns. Lu Chen activated the Power of the Origin Orbs, and the pure white spiritual light illuminated the characters. Yu Lan rushed over upon hearing the news and deciphered the meaning of the characters: "Guardian Envoy of the Nine Provinces, sealing with one's body, the Spiritual Veins endure, protection everlasting."

"Guardian Envoy of the Nine Provinces..." Lu Chen murmured to himself, a hint of realization flashing in his eyes. "It seems that the Cultivator buried in this stone coffin is precisely the one who guarded the Mortal Realm back then. He sacrificed himself to Seal a certain threat, which led to the depletion of Spiritual Qi in the Mortal Realm."

Just then, the stone coffin trembled slightly, and a faint spiritual light flashed across its surface patterns. Immediately after, an ancient Cultivation Technique manual fell out from the gap between the stone coffin and the ground, landing at Lu Chen's feet. The cover of the manual was inscribed with the four large characters «Remnant Formation Restoration Art», which detailed various methods for repairing ancient remnant Formations, including Spirit Gathering Arrays, protective formations, and Seal Formations, precisely what they needed at the moment.

Lu Chen picked up the manual, filled with emotion: "It seems this Guardian Envoy had long anticipated that someone would come here in later generations and deliberately left behind the method for repairing Formations. His protective heart, spanning ten thousand years, still guards the Mortal Realm."

The seven people gazed at the stone coffin, their hearts filled with respect. This ancient Cultivator, in the Mortal Realm with depleted Spiritual Qi, single-handedly guarded the Spiritual Veins and Sealed threats. This perseverance and sentiment were deeply moving.

"We must open the stone coffin and see what other clues this Guardian Envoy left behind." A hint of determination flashed in Lu Chen's eyes. "Since he left the «Remnant Formation Restoration Art», perhaps he also left methods to activate the Mortal Realm's Spiritual Veins and restore Spiritual Qi."

This time, no one objected. Ling Xi set up a protective formation, surrounding the stone coffin; Yu Lan prepared purification runes, in case of any accidents; Lu Chen, Zhu Rongyan, and Bing Ningshuang combined their strength, activated the Power of the Origin Orbs, and slowly pushed open the stone coffin.

The moment the stone coffin lid was pushed open, a rich Spiritual Qi and a faint protective power rushed out. Inside the stone coffin, there was not the imagined remains, but a perfectly preserved Cultivator's body. The body was dressed in ancient Cultivation attire, with a serene face, tightly clutching a cyan token inscribed with the three large characters "world protecting token."

Beside the body, there was also a Jade Slip, emitting a faint spiritual light. Lu Chen picked up the Jade Slip, injected a trace of Spiritual Qi, and the characters on the Jade Slip instantly lit up, recording the life of this Guardian Envoy of the Nine Provinces and the truth about the depletion of Spiritual Qi in the Mortal Realm.

The seven people gathered around, carefully studying the content on the Jade Slip, their hearts filled with shock. They had not expected that the depletion of Spiritual Qi in the Mortal Realm was closely related to the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan, and this Guardian Envoy of the Nine Provinces had actually used his own Cultivation to Seal a branch of the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan, protecting the peace of the Mortal Realm with his life.

And this world protecting token contained the power to activate the underground Spiritual Veins, perhaps it was the key to restoring the Spiritual Qi of the Mortal Realm.