Chapter 509: Earth Refining Method, Heaven Mending Method, Shocked Yu Ying

Reverend Lanchuan told Zhao Xing to rest for three years, but Zhao Xing arrived at Reverend Lanchuan's cave dwelling on the eagle-headed peak three months later, ahead of schedule.

"Didn't I tell you to rest for three years and consolidate your Dharma Body?" Reverend Lanchuan asked.

"I have already completed it," Zhao Xing replied.

"In that case, choose a position then," Reverend Lanchuan said, handing Zhao Xing a Daoist scripture that listed various roles.

Yushenzhou had been established for only a few decades and was still expanding. It had a large population under its control, but there was a significant shortage of high-level talent.

Zhao Xing looked through it and found that while there appeared to be many positions, there were only two places where one could easily acquire wealth.

One was the Nine Yin River.

The border of Yushenzhou was still some distance from the Nine Yin River. Yushen wanted to divert the river's water into the province, but the Nine Yin River was highly unusual; its water was incredibly heavy and contained potent toxins, making it extremely difficult to divert into Yushenzhou.

Most sections of it were difficult to divert. The few suitable sections were also contested by Yuewangzhou. However, Yushenzhou's expansion relied on the Nine Yin River because Soul Wells required Yin-attribute water for nourishment, with higher quality being better. Additionally, the river produced high-end resources such as Bone Spirit Crystals.

The second was the Myriad Soul Well, which was located outside Yushenzhou within a misty Dao barrier larger than both Yushenzhou and Yuewangzhou. In other places, Soul Wells were sparsely distributed and of low quality, but in the Myriad Soul Well area, they were very dense, though equally dangerous. It was rich in Soul Crystals, but Sky Patrol Divine Guards needed to be led by an Earth God Official to visit this area.

"Reverend Lanchuan, I wish to go to the Nine Yin River to excavate a canal or to the Myriad Soul Well," Zhao Xing stated his intentions.

Reverend Lanchuan was not surprised. He could see that Zhao Xing had reached a bottleneck in his 'Dharma,' and at his current cultivation level, it would be difficult for Zhao Xing's spell realm to advance further. Breaking through to True Spirit and Dharma Body, and becoming a demigod, was his most pressing need.

"I have no immediate plans to go to the Myriad Soul Well, and furthermore, you have not yet achieved any merits, so it wouldn't be appropriate to take you there," Reverend Lanchuan said. "Go to Wangyue City first and develop the Nine Yin River. This is the Earth Refining Method. As long as you complete one water diversion task, you can return to me. Yu Ying has also been assigned here; you can depart with him."

"Understood."

"Fellow Daoist Chen'an, you even have disciples from the Divine Fire Sect serving you." Yu Ying and Zhao Xing teleported to Wangyue City together. Yu Ying noticed that Zhao Xing's retainers were not simple; all possessed Li Fire Dao Bones and bore the unique insignia of the Divine Fire Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Yu Ying is also extraordinary; you actually have dragons serving you." Zhao Xing looked at Yu Ying with surprise. She sat in a chariot pulled by four bone dragons, none of which were low-ranked.

"These four dragons were all Eight-Calamity Emperor Lords in the mortal realm, and they willingly followed me to the Bone Yin Realm," Yu Ying said with a touch of pride. Dragons were rare in the current era, and she had spent many years in the mortal realm cultivating them.

"Which sect did Fellow Daoist Yu Ying belong to in the mortal realm?" Zhao Xing inquired, eager to learn about the situation in the mortal realm of the Xuanhuang World.

"The Earth Sea Divine Sect," Yu Ying said with a hint of pride, but noticing Zhao Xing's lack of significant reaction, she became curious about his sect.

"What about you, Fellow Daoist Chen'an?"

"I'm a rogue cultivator," Zhao Xing replied casually.

Having been in the White Bone Divine Domain for many years, he was certain that he had entered another space-time. It might have been the Xuanhuang World of the past, a period before the Sinking Luo Desolate Domain became a wasteland, possibly even during the era of one of the Five Emperors. Yet, Zhao Xing was perplexed because he had never heard of the Five Emperors in the mortal realm of the Xuanhuang World. If his conjecture was correct, could it be that the Xuanhuang World had no communication with the outside world? Whose territory was the Sinking Luo Desolate Domain historically? Bone God Yuan? "With so many powerful individuals, they surely wouldn't be nameless in the history of the Xuanhuang World. Were they erased?" Zhao Xing speculated.

Upon arriving at Wangyue City, Zhao Xing and Yu Ying immediately went to pay their respects to another Earth God Official, Jin Yue. Looking down from the sky, Wangyue City appeared very rudimentary, but large numbers of skeletons were busily transporting various materials like ants. Both inside and outside Wangyue City were desolate, with only a vibrant area to the east, rich in spiritual plants. The rest of the city was heavily imbued with Yin energy.

Jin Yue, a Thirteenth-Rank Demigod, was a direct subordinate of Grand God Official Dong Jun. He did not handle specific affairs, usually residing in seclusion. He only appeared when powerful enemies attacked Wangyue City. After meeting Zhao Xing and Yu Ying, he spoke only a few simple sentences.

"Within Wangyue City, apart from fellow Sky Patrol Divine Guards, you may freely command all bone beings as laborers. It matters not if they perish. I care not how you divert the river, but seventy percent of all gains must be submitted. Of course, if you can successfully accumulate a treasure pool, you will receive more, but no one has managed to do so in recent years. Do not disturb me unless it is necessary."

After these words, Reverend Jin Yue dismissed Zhao Xing and Yu Ying.

"All bone beings can be used as laborers, and it doesn't matter if they die?" Zhao Xing, flying overhead, looked at the rows of foolish-looking skeletons in the city. Although their True Spirit Kindling was pure, it appeared dull.

"Of course, they aren't truly dead," Yu Ying said, accustomed to it. "There are about a hundred thousand skeleton soldiers in the city, and a hundred Soul Wells. If they die, they'll just crawl out of the Soul Wells again, available for our use. You can make these skeleton soldiers obey by using the Sky Patrol Divine Talisman."

Seeing Zhao Xing deep in thought, Yu Ying decided not to continue the conversation. "Emperor Lord Chen'an, I'll be going first." Yu Ying gestured, and a large amount of light dispersed, then enveloped approximately fifty thousand skeleton soldiers, carrying them eastward.

Zhao Xing shook his head and waved his hand, taking the remaining fifty thousand skeleton soldiers. The fifty thousand skeleton soldiers could be controlled by divine talismans, making them perform any task commanded. Having died too many times, their memories were largely forgotten, and their intelligence significantly reduced. They were bone beings with mere strength. Zhao Xing found it very simple to command them, but they couldn't perform intricate tasks; they were only useful for manual labor.

Zhao Xing recalled Wei Tianchen. If there was no true death in Yuan's divine domain, had Wei Tianchen also revived from a Soul Well at some point? "They were all around the strength of a Three-Calamity Emperor Lord, yet they've been reduced to puppets, devoid of independent thought. How is that different from being truly dead?" Zhao Xing shook his head, no longer dwelling on it.

Yu Ying went to the east, while Zhao Xing went to the north of Wangyue City. Diverting the Nine Yin River water into Yushenzhou was a process of turning waste into treasure. Zhao Xing chose a desolate plain and, using the Earth-Splitting Method, created five hundred underground tunnels. The tunnel entrances, each with a ten-mile radius, formed, and then he sent the fifty thousand skeleton soldiers down to continue expanding them. Once they had dug three hundred miles deep, they began horizontally tunneling towards a specific section of the Nine Yin River.

A year later, the infrastructure project was complete. Zhao Xing withdrew all the skeleton soldiers and began inspecting the tunnels. At this point, a vast underground labyrinth had appeared beneath the plain, and numerous holes had been excavated in the earth's meridians.

Zhao Xing began the second step: relocating the abandoned Soul Wells. Abandoned Soul Wells were abundant throughout Wangyue City. Zhao Xing first moved five of them and transplanted them beneath the plain. He then began to apply the Earth Store Method, Meridian Guiding Method, and Earth-Splitting Method within the underground labyrinth to reinforce and adjust it. If one could see through the ground at this moment, the underground labyrinth would appear very similar to an alchemy furnace! Indeed, this was the Earth Refining Method that Reverend Lanchuan had taught him!

"The Earth Refining Method uses the power of earth's meridians to create an underground furnace, refining subterranean treasures. The materials are Nine Yin River water, and the medium is the Soul Well. The first layer of the Earth Refining Method produces only one type of item: Bone Spirit Crystals. The second layer of the Earth Refining Method, where Soul Wells are reborn, yields Soul Crystals. The third layer of the Earth Refining Method, where Soul Wells advance, will give birth to bone servants that can obey commands."

"Reverend Lanchuan is truly an amazing individual," Zhao Xing mused, looking at the Earth Refining Method. It was created by Reverend Lanchuan, who had only developed up to the third layer. However, these three layers already impressed Zhao Xing greatly, as they could produce bone beings up to the Six-Calamity Emperor Lord level. If further refined, Reverend Lanchuan might very well create a divine technique!

"This Earth Refining Method shares a remarkable similarity with the Life Palace of the Earth." In his first year of studying it, Zhao Xing fully comprehended the first layer, finding Reverend Lanchuan truly exceptional.

A year later, water vapor appeared in all five Soul Wells, and gurgling streams quickly emerged from the three-hundred-mile deep abandoned Soul Wells.

"The Nine Yin River water, filtered layer by layer by the earth's meridians, arrived here already purged of its toxins and no longer heavy." Zhao Xing observed the dense spiritual energy emanating from the Soul Wells. In the incomparably clear water, even some shimmering particles appeared.

*Whoosh~*

Zhao Xing reached out and grabbed, and a dozen particles appeared in his hand.

"Bone Spirit Stones. These are the Bone Spirit Stones for advancing the bone body, but they are currently only low-grade and of little use to me. I wonder what methods other Sky Patrol Divine Guards and Earth God Officials use to turn waste into treasure. Senior Divine Mirror, can I observe them secretly?"

Zhao Xing knew that many Sky Patrol Divine Guards and Earth God Officials along the river were engaged in similar activities. It wasn't just the Ministers of Agriculture; Formation Masters and Forging Masters among the mechanists were also collecting resources around various sections of the Nine Yin River. In fact, this was a form of assessment. For instance, Ayiso directly collected grand medicines from the Nine Yin River, but that posed an even greater challenge.

"It's possible, but I cannot guarantee you won't be discovered," the spirit of the Eight Directions Divine Mirror said. "After all, I am not the strongest Divination Master's divine artifact. If you secretly observe others, there's a chance you might be found out. Of course, you can look at the Sky Patrol Divine Guard and Earth God Official levels; Heavenly God Officials certainly possess divine artifacts."

"Alright, then I'll observe those two levels and learn from others' experiences."

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, ten years had gone by since Zhao Xing arrived at the desolate plain north of Wangyue City.

Thirty thousand miles east of Wangyue City, Yu Ying gazed at the Soul Well below, from which spring water was emerging, and a faint smile appeared on her face. "Finally, I've cultivated the first layer. This Earth Refining Method is truly difficult. I wonder what level Emperor Lord Chen'an has reached. When he first received the Earth Refining Method, he seemed completely unfamiliar with it, so he should be slower than me, right? In another ten years, everyone will have to return to Wangyue City to present their tributes. At my current pace, in ten years, I should be able to refine 100 square units of high-grade Bone Spirit Crystals and submit seventy of them. Rewards will be given based on merit at the tribute banquet. I don't expect any special rewards, as long as I'm not at the bottom. I wonder if Emperor Lord Chen'an can cultivate the first layer within ten years."

Yu Ying wanted to go to Zhao Xing's territory to offer guidance, but she was a Reverend herself. If anyone was to seek advice, it should be Zhao Xing coming to her. How could she be so proactive? "Never mind. After the tribute banquet, he'll probably come to me for advice."

On the Soul Well Plain, Zhao Xing looked at the five Soul Wells and couldn't help but frown. "I've mastered the second layer, and all five Soul Wells have regained vitality, but this has reduced their production speed of Bone Spirit Crystals, instead yielding mostly useless skeleton generals. Even if I suppress it, the probability of producing gemstones is still affected. I've only accumulated thirty thousand square units of Bone Spirit Crystals so far. After submitting my share, I'll only have nine thousand units, which is nowhere near enough for my breakthrough."

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, then summoned Bai Lanjun and the other two.

"My Lord, what are your commands?"

"Xiaobai, use the fire pit to teleport to Wangyue City and bring me a few more Soul Wells. You don't need to mobilize any skeleton soldiers; I intend to expand the scale."

"Yes, My Lord."

Bai Lanjun, along with Hu Qing and Yan Jun, immediately set to work.

No sooner had the three left than Fu Mengzhen gracefully approached, her smile captivating. "Your Majesty, it's time for dual cultivation."

Zhao Xing glanced at Fu Mengzhen. Her flesh and blood had almost fully recovered, and her figure was curvaceous. Being skilled in dance and music, her demeanor was also exceptional, imbued with a hint of allure within her immortal aura.

"I intend to cultivate in seclusion today, my beloved consort. You may rest first," Zhao Xing refused Fu Mengzhen.

"But Your Majesty, you haven't engaged in dual cultivation with me for months."

Fu Mengzhen pestered Zhao Xing for a while, but seeing that her 'Dao companion' remained unmoved, she could only depart, filled with resentment.

"Fu Mengzhen's cultivation will soon recover," Zhao Xing mused, watching her retreating figure. "Old Wei's remaining Dao Heart Enchantment Potion will last for another century. After that, I don't know what I'll do with her."

Putting that matter aside, Zhao Xing resumed reading the cultivation notes left by Wei Tianchen. Zhao Xing had already mastered the second layer of the Earth Refining Method, which revived Soul Wells, by his third year. Wei Tianchen's medical texts played a crucial role, as Wei Tianchen's medical Dao was the healing of heaven and earth itself! By analogy, Zhao Xing gained many insights while cultivating the Earth Refining Method.

"Healing heaven and earth, proving the Grand Dao, slaying gods and restoring the Dao—"

Zhao Xing held the medical text in one hand, while the other hand shimmered with golden light as he approached one of the Soul Wells. Gazing at the bone life form being nurtured within, he suddenly pointed a finger.

*Poof!*

The nascent phantom of the bone life form was instantly shattered, transforming into clusters of light points that eventually coalesced into individual Bone Spirit Crystals. Zhao Xing's heart stirred. Instead of retrieving these Bone Spirit Crystals, he used the 'Heaven-Mending Method' recorded in Wei Tianchen's medical texts to guide these light clusters back into the Soul Well before they fully solidified.

*Rumble*

The Soul Well, like a hollow bone, now emitted a pure white light and began to expand autonomously. Strands of chaotic energy intertwined around the Soul Well, as if manifesting the patterns of some Grand Dao of heaven and earth.

"Hmm? I feel that the Soul Well seems stronger than before. Could the third layer of the Earth Refining Method also integrate medical theories? Is this the correct direction for comprehending the third layer?" "Old Wei is truly a genius," Zhao Xing sighed with admiration. He hadn't expected that revisiting Wei Tianchen's medical texts today would yield another revelation, showing him the path to the third layer of the Earth Refining Method.

Following this direction, Zhao Xing began to meditate.

In the fifth year, the third layer of the Earth Refining Method was mastered!

By this point, Zhao Xing had only been in the desolate plain outside Wangyue City for fifteen years, yet he had fully mastered the secret method created by Reverend Lanchuan. However, he seemed to sense a divergence in their creative directions compared to Reverend Lanchuan, indicating a slight difference in their paths of enlightenment.

Five years later, all ten of Zhao Xing's abandoned Soul Wells had revived, and they drew in even more Nine Yin River water. However, at this point, Zhao Xing had to return to Wangyue City. The twenty-year tribute banquet was about to begin. This was both an offering to God Yu and a minor assessment of the Sky Patrol Divine Guards' cultivation. Naturally, those who contributed the most would receive rewards. If he could, Zhao Xing would not want to submit a tribute. However, the Sky Patrol Divine Guard tokens were imbued with the Grand God Official's divine power, having been issued at the end of the baptism. Daring to secretly hoard or falsely report would be disrespectful to the gods, making it impossible to remain among the Sky Patrol Divine Guards.

"The Nine Yin River is a vital frontier for development. Along its thousands of miles, at least several thousand Sky Patrol Divine Guards will be attending the assembly. I've only cultivated the third layer for five years and have only obtained a total of one hundred eighty thousand square units of Bone Spirit Crystals. I wonder which table I'll be seated at."

The tribute banquet, of course, had different tiers. Based on Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow, there were four levels of seating areas. The Grand God Official would appear at the banquet to bestow rewards.

"Xiaobai, is the fire pit ready?" Zhao Xing packed all the Bone Spirit Crystals and called out to Bai Lanjun, Hu Qing, and Yan Jun. As for Fu Mengzhen, to avoid any complications, Zhao Xing left her behind to guard the residence.

"My Lord, the fire pit is ready and provides a direct route to Wangyue City."

"Alright, let's go. We're returning to the city for the banquet."

Inside Wangyue City, Zhao Xing emerged from a fire pit within a simple building. He proceeded along a grand avenue, heading towards the center of Wangyue City.

*Clatter, clatter, clatter*

Soon after, Yu Ying's chariot also appeared on the avenue. She looked around and quickly spotted Zhao Xing.

"Fellow Daoist Chen'an, wait for me." Yu Ying swiftly drove her chariot to catch up with the walking Zhao Xing.

"Fellow Daoist Yu Ying, long time no see." Zhao Xing smiled and cupped his hands.

"Fellow Daoist Chen'an, twenty years have passed, and you still don't even have a mount." Yu Ying was somewhat puzzled.

"I'm accustomed to it," Zhao Xing said.

"If you don't mind, Fellow Daoist, come and ride in my chariot," Yu Ying warmly invited.

"Alright," Zhao Xing replied, then hopped onto Yu Ying's chariot.

"Fellow Daoist, it's been twenty years. What have your gains been?" Yu Ying quickly inquired about Zhao Xing's progress.

"Not much, just about one hundred eighty thousand square units of Bone Spirit Crystals," Zhao Xing said.

"One hundred eighty thousand square units, that's indeed a bit few," Yu Ying nodded slightly. "Among Reverend Lanchuan's many subordinates, you might be at the bottom—wait, did you just say one hundred eighty thousand?" Yu Ying's mouth uttered "one hundred eighty thousand square units," but her mind subconsciously registered it as "eighteen," only realizing her mistake after speaking. She thought she had misheard.

"Fellow Daoist Chen'an, are you joking? In twenty years, you refined one hundred eighty thousand square units?"

"Yes, one hundred eighty thousand square units." Zhao Xing looked at Yu Ying's astonished expression and couldn't help but wonder, "Is that a lot?"