A towering mountain range of crystal stood in the center of the blessed land.
It was called Soul-Shaking Mountain, entirely pink, radiating a dreamlike color.
At this moment, elite disciples from ten sects, like so many ants, were laboriously climbing the peak.
Near the mountainside, Fang Zheng was drenched in sweat, his face deathly pale, his two fingers gripping the cliff face as he gasped for breath.
Any living creature within the vicinity of Soul-Shaking Mountain would suffer the torment of having its soul shaken. The higher Fang Zheng climbed, the more dizzy and disoriented he became. His soul felt as though it were being battered by a fierce wind, on the verge of toppling over.
"Oh my, oh my, you can't hold on anymore? Then just give up. Look at how far behind everyone else you are — how could you possibly win? Might as well just quit. You don't have any hope anyway." The Fox Immortal's earth spirit pouted her delicate pink lips, suddenly appearing beside Fang Zheng.
The Fox Immortal's earth spirit took the form of a small girl, her skin white as snow yet tinged with a rosy hue. A pair of large, lustrous black eyes radiated an innocent light. Most striking of all was the snow-white fox tail growing behind her — fluffy and utterly adorable, practically begging to be held and played with.
At that moment, the earth spirit sat in midair, watching Fang Zheng and teasing him.
Fang Zheng wasn't surprised.
From the base of the mountain to his current height, the earth spirit had appeared several times, each time coming to watch the show. She was quite the mischievous one.
Fang Zheng had already figured out the secret to dealing with her: just ignore her.
Sure enough, seeing that Fang Zheng remained silent, the earth spirit grew bored, her little pout deepening: "You stupid boy, you're so boring. Whatever you do, don't become my master — my life would be far too dull then. Hee hee, the others are much more fun."
With that, she vanished from the spot and went off to play with the other elite disciples.
After the Fox Immortal's spirit left, inside Fang Zheng's Empty Orifice, the Soul-Parasitic Flea trembled faintly, transmitting Heavenly Crane Immortal's voice.
"Fang Zheng, keep pushing. It's not my turn yet. You need to reach at least the mountainside before we have any chance of winning. Persist, keep persisting. The power of the soul can be wrung out. You still have vast reserves of potential that haven't been unlocked."
Hearing his master's encouragement, Fang Zheng's scattered gaze rekindled with determination.
He answered in his heart: "Master, don't worry. I'll keep going. I just wanted to rest a moment and catch my breath."
After a pause, Fang Zheng asked again: "Master, I've always had a question — what exactly is an earth spirit? Just now that Fox Immortal's spirit was right beside me. If I'd grabbed her, wouldn't that mean I wouldn't have to climb the mountain anymore?"
Heavenly Crane Immortal was startled and hurriedly scolded: "You ignorant boy, you truly fear nothing! You'd dare lay a hand on an earth spirit? Do you have any idea how an earth spirit is formed? It is a spiritual entity born from the lingering will and soul fragments of a deceased Gu Immortal, combined with the power of the blessed land!"
"What — an earth spirit was a Gu Immortal in life?" Fang Zheng was shocked.
"That's right. The Fox Immortal spirit you just saw is what became of the Fox Immortal after death. Only she no longer retains any memories of her past life, merely her final obsession. Don't be fooled by her harmless appearance — within this Fox Immortal's blessed land, she can freely manipulate the power of heaven and earth. She can directly contend with a Gu Immortal! She can freely seal any Gu from the First Transformation through the Fifth Transformation. Only Immortal Gu of the Sixth Transformation can move freely within a blessed land. Fang Zheng, you are far too reckless. You behave yourself and climb this mountain. Absolutely no unrealistic thoughts." Heavenly Crane Immortal lectured him.
"Yes, Master. I wouldn't dare again." Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly, acknowledging his mistake in his heart.
After the scolding, Heavenly Crane Immortal softened his tone and comforted Fang Zheng: "So now you understand? As long as you become the master of the blessed land, you will gain the earth spirit's loyalty. Within the blessed land, the earth spirit is an existence comparable to a Gu Immortal!"
Fang Zheng was stunned.
What an incredibly powerful ally! It was equivalent to having a Gu Immortal at one's side!!
Heavenly Crane Immortal continued: "However, the earth spirit ultimately cannot leave the blessed land. The true essence of the Fox Immortal's inheritance lies in this vast blessed land. Fang Zheng, your level is still far too low — there are far, far too many things you don't know. Once you inherit this blessed land, you will gradually come to understand just how enormous a help a blessed land is to a Gu Master! You are truly fortunate — to have encountered a blessed land with a spirit, and to have the sect's support. If it were a spiritless blessed land, that would be an entirely different matter."
Fang Zheng couldn't help but ask curiously: "Master, what would happen with a spiritless blessed land?"
Heavenly Crane Immortal replied: "A spiritless blessed land is doomed to perish. It is like a sleeping divine dragon — everyone can drink its blood and eat its flesh. It will never awaken until it is dead. Fang Zheng, when you become the master of the blessed land, you must turn over the resources within to the sect. The Immortal Crane Sect nurtured you, and you must give back to the sect. The stronger the sect grows, the greater its protection of you. Do you understand this?"
"Mm, I understand. It was the Immortal Crane Sect that took me in. Without the sect's help, I would have no hope of competing for the inheritance. Nor any possibility of avenging myself against my brother. If I can, I will not only repay the sect, but also help you revive, Master!" Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly, his gaze clear and bright. He had always held deep reverence and gratitude toward the Immortal Crane Sect.
Heavenly Crane Immortal paused, then let out a dry laugh: "Silly disciple, how can the dead so easily return to life? It's enough that you have the heart."
……
The glory of the Righteous Path blanketed Three-Fork Mountain from top to bottom.
Under Tie Mubai's influence, the Three King Inheritance had become a playground for Righteous Path explorers.
Any Demonic Path Gu Master was expelled without exception — not one step into Three-Fork Mountain would be tolerated.
"Tie Mubai is far too overbearing. He's claimed the whole site and won't let any of us in."
"He's a senior expert of great standing, yet so greedy! He's taken all the meat and bones and won't even leave us the broth!"
"The most critical thing is, the Three King Inheritance opens for shorter and shorter periods, and the three pillars of light grow weaker and weaker. It really seems to be true what the Little Beast King said a month ago — this Gu Immortal blessed land is decaying, and before long it will be completely destroyed."