342: Seven Veins Legend, Attribute Resonance

In front of the stone tablet in Qinglan Valley, The seven people gazed at the ancient Seal script that read, "The Seven Meridians of Lingxu, Each Controls an Attribute." Yu Lan used blue runes to analyze the faint vein patterns on the tablet: "These runes are not only directional guides but also contain the profound mysteries of the Seven Meridians' attributes. From the flow of the patterns, the Seven Meridians are distributed like the Big Dipper around the central hub of the Lingxu Realm, each corresponding to a core Spiritual Qi attribute."

Ling Xi's fingertip traced the tablet's surface, and purple runes resonated with the patterns: "The Spiritual Qi trajectory of the stone tablet points east, which should be the green wood meridian, the head of the Seven Meridians. If we follow this direction, we might find clues to the other meridians."

The seven people rode their spirit boat eastward. Along the way, the Vitality Spiritual Qi became increasingly dense, and its attributes gradually became clear. Initially, it was warm plant spiritual qi, with spiritual trees growing sturdier across the mountains and plains, and crystal-clear spiritual dew condensing on their branches and leaves – a typical characteristic of the green wood meridian. After half a day, the spiritual qi became scorching hot, with continuous volcanic clusters appearing below, and faint red spiritual qi rising from the magma, making the air feel burning. Further south, the spiritual qi turned biting cold, with majestic snow-capped mountains and towering ice peaks, containing pure spiritual qi in the cold air – clearly the territory of the Ice Meridian.

"The Spiritual Vein divisions in the Lingxu Realm are so distinct." Immortal of Luo Water's green runes echoed the spiritual qi of the green wood meridian, and the plant spiritual qi around her became even purer. "Each type of spiritual qi carries a unique attribute imprint, subtly attracting our source pearls."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Chen's luminous white source pearl suddenly burst forth with brilliant light, resonating strongly with the red spiritual qi of the volcanic clusters ahead. "This is the Bright Fire Meridian!" He could clearly feel his source pearl connecting to the core of the Spiritual Vein deep within the volcano, and a pure fire-attribute spiritual qi surged into his body through the source pearl, subtly loosening his cultivation.

Almost simultaneously, Zhu Rongyan's red source pearl also vibrated violently, responding to the fierce wind spiritual qi coming from the west. "It's the Fierce Wind Meridian!" The fire spiritual qi around her intertwined with the fierce wind, forming a small wind-fire vortex. "This spiritual qi complements my fire Cultivation Technique, increasing its power severalfold!"

A chain reaction followed: Bing Ningshuang's ice-blue source pearl resonated with the ice spiritual qi of the snow mountains, and cold air condensed into ice crystals swirling around her; Hai Qinghan's cyan source pearl echoed the Chishui spiritual qi from the south, the warm spiritual qi making her water-elemental Cultivation Technique even more refined; Immortal of Luo Water's green source pearl merged with the plant spiritual qi of the green wood meridian, allowing her fingertips to sprout new spiritual buds; Yu Lan's blue source pearl resonated with the Profound Gold Spiritual Qi from the north, adding a metallic sharpness to the rune light; Ling Xi's purple source pearl connected with the Thick Earth Spiritual Qi in the center, instantly enhancing her understanding of Formations.

"The attributes of the Seven Meridians correspond exactly to our seven source pearls!" A realization flashed in Yu Lan's eyes, and blue runes quickly recorded this discovery. "Green Wood corresponds to plants, Chishui corresponds to water, Profound Gold corresponds to sharp metal, Thick Earth corresponds to earth, Fierce Wind corresponds to wind, Ice corresponds to ice, and Bright Fire corresponds to fire. Our source pearls happen to be able to activate the corresponding Spiritual Vein power."

The moment The seven people's source pearls fully resonated with the spiritual qi of the Seven Meridians, a soft spiritual light descended from the sky, and an ancient Cultivation Technique scroll slowly floated down. It was precisely the "Essential Knowledge of the Seven Meridians of Lingxu." The pages of the scroll automatically opened, detailing the geographical locations of the Seven Meridians, their spiritual qi characteristics, the locations of their core spiritual pools, and methods for utilizing their resonance with source pearls, providing them with crucial information to understand the Lingxu Realm.

"It seems you are the seven Guardians from the ancient prophecy who can save the Lingxu Realm." An aged voice came from the ancient forest of the green wood meridian. Then, a thousand-year-old cypress slowly manifested into human form, transforming into an old man with green robes and white hair and beard. He was the Tree Spirit Elder of the green wood meridian. Dense plant spiritual qi surrounded him, and his eyes held both vicissitude and anticipation.

Lu Chen stepped forward and cupped his hands: "Junior Lu Chen, I have come to the Lingxu Realm with six companions to explore. We stumbled upon the Seven Meridians stone tablet and only then learned about the situation in the Lingxu Realm. May I ask what the Elder's prophecy refers to?"

The Tree Spirit Elder sighed, his gaze sweeping over The seven people: "In ancient times, the Seven Meridians of the Lingxu Realm were united, and Vitality Spiritual Qi flourished. It was a pure land of the Cultivation World. But ten thousand years ago, a group of outsiders calling themselves 'Spirit Seizers' broke in. They cultivated the Spirit Devouring Art, which allowed them to devour the Vitality Spiritual Qi of plants, Spirit Essences, and even Spiritual Veins, transforming it into their own power."

"Spirit Devouring Art?" Lu Chen's heart stirred, recalling the Cultivation Technique of the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan. "Is this Cultivation Technique related to the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan?"

"This old man does not know what the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan is, but this Spirit Devouring Art is exceptionally tyrannical. Wherever it passes, plants wither, Spirit Essences fall, and Spiritual Veins decline." Pain flashed in the Tree Spirit Elder's eyes. "To resist the Spirit Seizers, the Seven Meridians exhausted their Origin spiritual qi to set up a Seal. Although most Spirit Seizers were expelled, it also caused great damage to the spiritual qi of the Seven Meridians, creating rifts between them. Since then, they have fought independently, guarding their remaining Origin spiritual pools."

He paused, then continued: "Ancient prophecies record that when the spiritual qi of the Seven Meridians approaches balance, seven Guardians bearing Origin Power will descend. Their power, being of the same Origin as the Seven Meridians' attributes, will awaken the dormant power of the Seven Meridians, allowing them to jointly resist the Spirit Seizers and restore the vitality of the Lingxu Realm. Now, your source pearls resonating with the Seven Meridians is precisely the sign foretold in the prophecy."

Upon hearing this, everyone understood. It turned out that their arrival in the Lingxu Realm was not accidental, but a calling of destiny.

"We are willing to lend a hand to the Lingxu Realm, expel the Spirit Seizers, and restore peace to the Seven Meridians." Lu Chen solemnly promised, "But we don't know what the current situation of the Spirit Seizers is?"

"The Spirit Seizers have not completely disappeared; they are hidden in the Desolate Abyss of the Lingxu Realm, constantly accumulating strength, waiting for an opportunity to plunder the Spiritual Veins again." The Tree Spirit Elder said worriedly, "In recent years, their activities have become increasingly frequent, and several small Spiritual Veins have already been destroyed by them. If this continues, the Origin spiritual pools of the Seven Meridians will also be difficult to protect."

Just then, Hai Qinghan suddenly said, "I sense an extremely pure water-attribute spiritual qi in the direction of the southern Chishui Vein, seemingly from a spiritual spring." Her cyan source pearl shimmered with a gentle light. "The spiritual qi from this spiritual spring can nourish my source pearl, allowing my water-elemental Cultivation Technique to advance even further. Perhaps this is the Origin spiritual pool of the Chishui Vein?"

The Tree Spirit Elder nodded: "Each of the Seven Meridians possesses an Origin spiritual pool, which is the core of the Spiritual Vein, containing the purest attribute spiritual qi. The spiritual pool of the Chishui Vein is called the 'Chishui Abyss,' and it is indeed a gathering place for water-attribute spiritual qi. The Spirit Seizers' target is these seven Origin spiritual pools. As long as they devour the spiritual qi of all the spiritual pools, their Spirit Devouring Art will reach Major Achievement, and at that time, the Lingxu Realm will be completely destroyed."

A trace of determination flashed in Immortal of Luo Water's eyes: "We must quickly find and protect the Origin spiritual pools of the Seven Meridians, and at the same time, unite with the Guardians of the other meridians to jointly resist the Spirit Seizers."

"This old man is willing to lead the way for you, starting with the Origin spiritual pool of the green wood meridian," the Tree Spirit Elder said. "There are some records of the Seven Meridians' Legacy there, which might contain methods to counter the Spirit Devouring Art. At the same time, this old man will also send people to contact the Elders of the other meridians to inform them of the Guardians' arrival and strive to facilitate an alliance of the Seven Meridians."

The seven people followed the Tree Spirit Elder deep into the green wood meridian. Along the way, the spiritual trees became increasingly ancient, and the spiritual qi grew purer. During their journey, Lu Chen perused the "Essential Knowledge of the Seven Meridians of Lingxu." The methods for spiritual qi utilization recorded within inspired him deeply: "The spiritual qi utilization in this Lingxu Realm emphasizes resonance with nature, which is completely different from our Spirit Initiation Continent's Cultivation methods, yet they can complement each other. If we can combine the Cultivation Techniques of both realms, our strength will surely increase significantly."

Yu Lan agreed: "More importantly, the Spirit Devouring Art and the Cultivation Technique of the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan share the same Origin, so perhaps the methods to break them can also be mutually referenced. We can combine the Evil Qi Tracking Art with the 'Essential Knowledge of the Seven Meridians of Lingxu' to find the Spirit Seizers' weaknesses."

After half a day's journey, a clear lake appeared ahead. Huge lotus leaves floated on the water, and golden lotus flowers bloomed on them. This was the Origin spiritual pool of the green wood meridian. In the center of the spiritual pool, there was a towering Spiritual Root, emitting boundless Vitality Spiritual Qi, nourishing the entire green wood meridian.

"This is the Origin Spiritual Root of the green wood meridian, and also the core of the spiritual pool," the Tree Spirit Elder introduced. "As long as the Spiritual Root remains, the spiritual qi of the green wood meridian will not dry up. But the Spirit Seizers' Spirit Devouring Art can directly devour the vitality of the Spiritual Root, so it must be strictly guarded."

Hai Qinghan gazed in the direction of the spiritual pool, her cyan source pearl's resonance growing stronger: "The Origin spiritual pool of the Chishui Vein should also have a similar Spiritual Root. We must quickly unite with the other meridians and set up a defensive Formation to prevent a surprise attack by the Spirit Seizers."

The seven people stood beside the Origin spiritual pool of the green wood meridian, their source pearls resonating with the spiritual qi at its peak. They knew that the mission to protect the Lingxu Realm had fallen on their shoulders, and the connection between the Spirit Seizers and the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan made this crisis even more complex. Next, they would not only have to unite the strength of the Seven Meridians to resist the Spirit Seizers' invasion but also uncover the secret of the Spirit Devouring Art and explore its deeper connection with the Spirit-Corroding Evil Clan. The alliance of the Seven Meridians in the Lingxu Realm was about to be put on the agenda, and a war concerning the survival of the Lingxu Realm was quietly brewing.