Central Continent, Fox Immortal's Blessed Land.
A towering crystal mountain range stood at the center of the Blessed Land.
It was called Soul-Shaking Mountain, entirely pink in color, radiating a dreamlike glow.
At this moment, elite disciples from ten sects climbed the peak like tiny ants, straining with every step.
Near the mountain's waist, Fang Zheng was drenched in sweat, his face deathly pale. His fingers gripped the cliff face tightly as he gasped for breath.
Any living creature that drew near Soul-Shaking Mountain would suffer the torment of a shaken soul. The higher Fang Zheng climbed, the more dizzy he became, his soul feeling as though it were being buffeted by a fierce wind, threatening to topple at any moment.
"Oh my, you're about to give up? Then just give up. Look how far behind everyone else you are—how could you possibly win? You might as well just quit. You've already lost all hope." The Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit pursed her delicate pink lips and suddenly appeared beside Fang Zheng.
The Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit looked like a small girl, her skin as white as snow with a rosy tint. A pair of bright, dark eyes radiated innocence. Most striking of all was the fluffy, snow-white fox tail growing behind her rear—soft and utterly adorable, making one want to reach out and touch it.
At this moment, the Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit sat cross-legged in mid-air, watching Fang Zheng and teasing him.
Fang Zheng wasn't surprised.
From the base of the mountain to his current height, the Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit had appeared several times, always showing up to watch the show—quite the mischievous one.
Fang Zheng had already figured out the secret to dealing with her: simply ignore her.
Sure enough, when the Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit saw that Fang Zheng wouldn't respond, she grew bored, her little pout deepening: "You boring fool. Whatever you do, don't become my master—my life would be far too dull. Hee hee, the others are much more fun."
With that, she vanished on the spot, off to find other elite disciples to bother.
After the Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit left, the Soul-Residing Flea in Fang Zheng's empty orifice trembled gently, and the voice of Venerable Celestial Crane came through.
"Fang Zheng, keep pushing. Now isn't my time to step in. You need to reach at least the mountain's waist before we'll have any chance of winning. Persist, persist a little more. The power of the soul can be pushed further. You still have vast reserves of untapped potential."
Hearing his master's encouragement, Fang Zheng's wavering gaze grew firm once more.
He answered in his heart: "Master, don't worry. I will keep going. I just wanted to rest for 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? The Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit was just right beside me. If I grabbed her, wouldn't that mean I wouldn't have to climb anymore?"
Venerable Celestial Crane was startled and immediately scolded: "You reckless boy—utterly ignorant and fearless! You'd even dare to scheme against an Earth Spirit! Do you have any idea how Earth Spirits are formed? They are the residual will and soul fragments of deceased Gu Immortals, fused with the power of the Blessed Land to create a spiritual entity!"
"What? Earth Spirits were Gu Immortals in life?" Fang Zheng was stunned.
"That's right. The Fox Immortal's Earth Spirit you just saw was transformed from the Fox Immortal after death. She retains no memories of her former life—only her ultimate obsession remains. Don't let her harmless appearance fool you. Within this Fox Immortal's Blessed Land, she can freely manipulate the power of heaven and earth, directly rivaling a Gu Immortal! She can freely seal any Gu from First Transformation through Fifth Transformation. Only Sixth Transformation Immortal Gu can move freely within a Blessed Land. Fang Zheng, you are far too reckless. Stay put and climb the mountain properly—have no unrealistic thoughts!" Venerable Celestial Crane lectured him.
"Yes, Master. I won't dare again." Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly, admitting his mistake in his heart.
After scolding Fang Zheng, Venerable Celestial Crane softened his tone and offered further encouragement: "So now you understand, don't you? As long as you become the master of the Blessed Land, you'll gain the Earth Spirit's loyalty. Within the Blessed Land, the Earth Spirit is a being comparable to a Gu Immortal!"
Fang Zheng was dumbfounded.
What a tremendously powerful ally! It was equivalent to gaining the support of a Gu Immortal!
Venerable Celestial Crane continued: "However, Earth Spirits can never leave the Blessed Land. The true essence of the Fox Immortal's inheritance lies in this vast Blessed Land itself. Fang Zheng, your cultivation level is still too low—there's far too much you don't know. Once you inherit this Blessed Land, you'll gradually come to understand just how enormous the help a Blessed Land can provide to a Gu Master! You're incredibly fortunate—stumbling upon a Blessed Land with a Spirit, and receiving your sect's backing. If it were a Spirit-less Blessed Land, the benefit would be drastically diminished."
Fang Zheng couldn't help but ask curiously: "Master, what would a Spirit-less Blessed Land be like?"
Venerable Celestial Crane replied: "A Spirit-less Blessed Land is doomed to perish. It's like a slumbering divine dragon—everyone can drink its blood, eat its flesh. It will never awaken until the day it dies. Fang Zheng, once you become the master of the Blessed Land, you must hand over its resources to the sect. The Immortal Crane Sect has nurtured you, and you must give back to the sect. As the sect grows stronger, the greater its protection for you will be. Do you understand this principle?"
"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 chance of avenging myself against my brother. If possible, I won't just repay the sect—I will also help you, Master, to be reborn!" Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly, his gaze clear. He had always held deep respect and gratitude for the Immortal Crane Sect.
Venerable Celestial Crane paused in surprise, then gave a dry laugh: "Silly disciple, how could the dead be so easily revived? It's enough that you have the heart."
……
The glory of the Righteous Path enveloped Three-Forked Mountain from top to bottom.
Under Tie Mubai's influence, the Three Kings' Inheritance had become a playground for Righteous Path explorers.
Every Demonic Path Gu Master had been driven out, forbidden to set foot on Three-Forked Mountain.
"Tie Mubai is far too overbearing—he's staked out the whole area and won't let any of us in."
"A senior expert of his stature, yet so greedy. He ate the meat and left us nothing but the bones!"
"The real issue is that the Three Kings' Inheritance opens for shorter and shorter periods each time, and the three pillars of light are growing weaker. It seems the Little Beast King was right a month ago—this Gu Immortal's Blessed Land is in decline, and before long it will be completely destroyed."