Chapter 438: Ancient Ruins · Dongji Capital

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Not far east of Guiling City lay the Ancient Ruin: Dongji Capital. Wang Yu was no stranger to this place; he had once made a considerable fortune from this popular ruin.

But things were different now. What would have been a significant amount of spirit stones for Foundation Establishment or Core Formation cultivators was now negligible to him. Indeed, aside from supreme-grade spirit stones, those low-grade spirit stones had lost all meaning for him. Even exchanging them for higher grades would only yield high-grade ones, which were of little use.

At this moment, the original ruin site had transformed into a colossal pit, its depths unfathomable. It was divided into four concentric layers: the Outer City, Inner City, Palace City, and Imperial City, with a sprawling complex of palaces located at the very heart of the city. Its architectural style was extremely archaic, perhaps most closely resembling the immortal palaces of the Upper Realm. The Outer City comprised hundreds of residential quarters, their faint spiritual aura largely decayed by the passage of time. Ancient corpses roamed rampant within, their desiccated bodies wandering aimlessly.

The Inner City was permeated with overwhelming Yin energy, where zombies and Yin ghosts roamed unchecked. Rare demonic creatures also spawned there, including the Three-Eyed Corpse Infant, a unique zombie comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator, and ferocious plants that constantly dwelled in darkness. Bloodthirsty Demonic Vines, Illusory Man-Eaters, and similar entities were also present. The mere presence of these creatures in the outer and inner districts was enough to indicate the grave perils of the area.

The Palace City, dotted with official residences and immortal mansions, was entirely cast from azure jade stone. This material was capable of lasting ten thousand years, and with the added protection of restrictions and formations, only a small portion of the Palace City had collapsed, with most areas remaining intact. The most mysterious region was undoubtedly the Imperial City, the true residence of the imperial family—the palace of the Ancient Human Emperor! It was arguably the closest place to the immortals, and the immense value of its contents was beyond doubt.

The complete unveiling of Dongji Capital would undoubtedly draw numerous Nascent Soul cultivators from Chiyuan for exploration; even the forces from Taihu might not be able to resist. Nascent Soul cultivators would be the main force in this exploration of Dongji Capital. Even Spirit Transformation cultivators from the Heaven-Refining Demonic Sect would arrive. This was far more appealing than a mere Spirit Transformation legacy. The hidden secrets and ancient immortal treasures within would be fiercely contested by all cultivators.

Wang Yu arrived half a month later. The peculiar lightning he had absorbed within his body had been mostly refined during the journey, and its true nature could now be confirmed. It was likely the Black Demonic Lightning recorded in ancient texts! This lightning, Yin-attributed, possessed an all-corroding property and immense destructive power. Once subdued, it became a Fourth-Tier lightning, giving birth to a Yin Lightning Spirit Root within his dragon spine, comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root. Highly compatible with the "Yin Underworld Demonic Dragon Art," this lightning might allow Wang Yu to advance the cultivation method to the Fifth Tier, provided he could perfectly integrate the Black Demonic Lightning. Wang Yu planned to attempt this during his next secluded cultivation. Alternatively, he could wait until he broke through to the Spirit Transformation stage; deriving cultivation methods at a higher realm offered a significant advantage for the "placement slot." Coupled with various "attachments" that boosted comprehension, it was well worth attempting. The Lightning Devouring Secret Art had unexpectedly opened up the path of body refining for him, which was a truly pleasant surprise.

His journey to Accumulated Thunder Mountain had certainly not been in vain. Yet, the fact that no one had ever discovered that white lightning was merely the dissipated state of demonic lightning felt a bit too convenient to attribute solely to luck. There might be another story behind it. However, he had no time for further contemplation. With Dongji Capital's full emergence, early arrival meant early exploration. He intended to wait for half a month, allowing the demonic lightning to be fully refined before venturing inside. It was also a good opportunity to observe from outside for a while and see which Nascent Soul cultivators had arrived.

And so, another half month passed in the blink of an eye. With the perfect refinement of the Black Demonic Lightning, Wang Yu's body refining cultivation improved by a small margin, reaching a level roughly equivalent to the peak of the first layer of the Nascent Soul stage. Furthermore, it continuously nourished his internal organs, automatically refining his body through a subtle, pervasive erosion—truly a cheat for body Refining cultivation.

As for fellow Nascent Soul cultivators, among those he recognized were Elder Xuanyan, who held a grudge against him, and the two Ghost Market Lords, Yama Demonic Lord and Luofu Demonic Lady, both veteran powerhouses at the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage. From the Yellow Springs Temple alone, seven or eight Nascent Soul cultivators had arrived sequentially within just half a month. There were also powerhouses from the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect, Joyous Demonic Sect, Nether Mountain Cult, and Heaven-Refining Demonic Sect. All five demonic sects had gathered, temporarily setting aside the righteous-demonic war, which showed the allure of Dongji Capital. He hadn't seen the Savage Demonic Lord Youmo or the Demonic Lord Minghu, two old allies with whom he had worked well; he wondered if they were still in seclusion, attempting breakthroughs. However, many grand cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage had also arrived—too many to count, a true gathering of elites, making it an undoubtedly historic event. Cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage were even more plentiful. There were over ten thousand Core Formation cultivators present, countless elites gathered, each employing their own unique methods. It was conservatively estimated that many would rise to prominence after this exploration.

At the edge of the underground city's deep pit, Wang Yu quietly descended from the clouds, his eyes glinting with three-inch golden light—it was the Geomancy Secret Art, "Gaze of Qi Golden Pupil." Legend held that Geomancy was created by the Ancestor of Geomancers, who initially served as the Grand Tutor of the Ancient Immortal Dynasty. In his later years, he reportedly went mad and vanished during the celestial phenomenon of the "Nine-Star Alignment." However, the Ancestor of Geomancers must have been involved when the Immortal Dynasty built its cities. For the past half month, Wang Yu had been both refining the Black Demonic Lightning and observing with the geomancy techniques from the "Earth Mother Scripture." As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." He had learned the mystical art of geomancy precisely to gain a territorial advantage when exploring such ruins. Back then, Master Long could effortlessly dispatch Core Formation cultivators by utilizing the Nether Tiger Suppressing Prison Formation of the ancient Heavenly Soul Sect. Now, with his "Earth Mother Scripture" perfected, Wang Yu's geomancy mastery surpassed that of Master Long at the time. Once he understood, he could also utilize some local advantages, turning this place into a semi-home ground. At the same time, he needed to be wary: while he possessed geomancy, others might too, or form teams with cultivators skilled in it. These were all possibilities he needed to guard against.

The full manifestation of Dongji Capital provided a complete overview. After observing with the "Gaze of Qi Golden Pupil" secret art for some time, Wang Yu realized that Dongji Capital's layout was unlike anything he had ever seen. The "Secret Records of Heaven and Earth's Extraordinary Formations," which encompassed countless patterns, notably lacked this specific configuration. But to say it wasn't there was clearly impossible. Wang Yu frowned in deep thought. "According to dynastic regulations, there are capital cities in all four directions: east, south, west, and north," he mused. "If the Ancestor of Geomancers set up these extraordinary formations by viewing the entire world from one city, then it makes sense that the local layout wouldn't be discernible." If this was indeed the case, he would need to personally enter the formation and observe the details. Perhaps then he could uncover some clues from subtle traces. In this aspect, the "Earth Mother Scripture," created by a disciple of the Ancestor of Geomancers, shared a common lineage. This gave him a distinct advantage over other geomancers when observing within the formation.

After a moment of hesitation, Wang Yu transformed into a streak of dark lightning, instantly disappearing into the deep pit.

In the Outer City of Dongji Capital, Demonic Lord Yingui, Patriarch of the Guishui Demonic Palace, held a token. Accompanied by three peak Core Formation cultivators dressed in Yin-Yang robes, he transmitted a message with his spiritual sense: "Legend says that each of the four capital cities of the Ancient Immortal Dynasty has a Heavenly Yin Water Pool, which, after tens of thousands of years of nurturing, will produce countless Heavenly Yin Divine Pearls. This treasure can help me break through to the late Nascent Soul stage. Have any of you found anything?" Demonic Lord Yingui, a sixth-layer Nascent Soul cultivator, was notably courteous towards the three Core Formation cultivators, indicating their considerable skill.

"Senior Yingui," one grey-haired cultivator replied, "this token is called the Geomancy Token. There are four types—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—and it was once a treasured heirloom of the Ancestor of Geomancers' lineage. The one you hold is indeed the Water Token. The Heavenly Yin Water Pool is connected to the Ancient Immortal Dynasty's geomantic layout, and this Water Token is key to pinpointing its location. The Outer City offers little exploration value for Nascent Soul experts, so you will surely achieve your desire, Senior."

"Let's hope so!" Demonic Lord Yingui said no more. Unlike ordinary magic treasures, a geomancer's artifacts only produced extraordinary effects when used in conjunction with geomancy. To ordinary cultivators, it was merely an antique. It was like a geomantic compass, which every geomancer would craft and use. Handing the Water Token to the Core Formation cultivator, the group of four headed east into the Outer City.

At the same time, Wang Yu landed in the Outer City. His geomantic compass fully unfolded, its Universal Star Orbit Instrument and Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches Compass interacting to help him pinpoint a specific orientation within the layout. His usually stern expression showed a slight ripple. "Huh, a major treasure right after entering? And in the Outer City..." On the star orbit instrument, the Water Virtue Star shone with unprecedented brilliance, guiding his direction. The sensation was akin to a magic treasure perfectly complementing his geomantic compass, which was truly astonishing. "Let's go take a look." Given Dongji Capital's vast scale, it might take years to fully explore and exhaust its countless treasures. Thus, encountering a suitable treasure was perfectly normal, simply due to the sheer abundance.

Half an hour later, Demonic Lord Yingui and his group arrived at a square courtyard. He casually blasted the wandering ancient corpses into charred, viscous liquid. This was the destination indicated by the Water Token. The most famous divine ability of the Guishui Demonic Palace was the Guishui Yin Lightning! Though called lightning, its nature was like water, exceptionally viscous. Its appearance was very similar to flowing asphalt. The Core Formation geomancer quickened his pace, walking back and forth in the courtyard. After measuring its area, he forced out pure Yang blood from his fingertip with his magical power. He drew a blood talisman in mid-air and struck it into the ground.

"Senior Yingui," he said excitedly, "this should be the place. The rest is up to you. The Ancestor of Geomancers must have left a contingency when setting up the layout, and our cultivation is too weak..."

"Stand back." Demonic Lord Yingui unceremoniously dismissed the three, stomping his foot. From his loose sleeves, a massive amount of Guishui Yin Lightning surged forth, continuously penetrating the ground. It completely corroded the bluestone floor in the courtyard, causing the ground to begin sinking. The three Core Formation cultivators exchanged glances, each pulling out their geomantic compass. The reactions on their compasses were identical to Wang Yu's. The difference was that the Water Token was embedded in the leading cultivator's geomantic compass. The more magical power poured into it, the brighter the Water Virtue Stars on the other two geomantic compasses became. What he was doing was self-evident. They were not the only three geomancers, nor was Wang Yu the only one, who had entered Dongji Capital for exploration. Demonic Lord Yingui controlled the three using demonic methods because he valued their outstanding geomancy skills, and their weak cultivation made them easy to manipulate. It would be a disservice to his title as a Demonic Lord not to seize such control.

"The time is now." The three twisted their geomantic compasses, their bodies instantly turning into flowing water and disappearing into the ground. Demonic Lord Yingui suddenly looked up, his furious emotions nearly bursting from his eyes. "—You're asking for death!" With a thought, he immediately triggered the Yin lightning planted in the three's Golden Cores. However, there was no feedback, which infuriated him even more. He had been fooled! But he was certain the location was correct; those three must have used the local geomantic formation to escape, perhaps even having already entered the Heavenly Yin Water Pool. Otherwise, there was no reason they could block his methods. But no matter how deep he dug or how thoroughly his spiritual sense searched, he found absolutely nothing. This was a prime example of specialization.

A moment later, Demonic Lord Yingui suddenly leapt from the pit, his face terrifyingly grim. As soon as he looked up, he saw a handsome, silver-haired cultivator smiling at him. Darn it... his impotent rage had been seen! Sensing that this person's cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul stage, Demonic Lord Yingui quickly calmed down: "Fellow Daoist, were you secretly following me?"

"How could that be?" Wang Yu raised the geomantic compass in his hand and said concisely.

"Is there a water-attributed treasure here?" Demonic Lord Yingui subconsciously thought he was referring to the Heavenly Yin Divine Pearls. Helplessly, he could only nod, but then a sudden thought flashed through his mind. Staring at Wang Yu's geomantic compass, he said, "Fellow Daoist, are you a geomancer?"

"Naturally."

"Then this is easy," he said. "Fellow Daoist, have you heard of the four tokens—Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind? This place... the situation is..." Demonic Lord Yingui recounted the entire story. Finally, he said, "The Heavenly Yin Divine Pearls will be split equally, and the Water Token will be yours. As for those three, I will personally extract their souls and refine their spirits, tormenting them for three hundred years!"

"That's easy. I'll do as Fellow Daoist says." The Heavenly Yin Divine Pearl, a supreme water-attribute treasure, was inherently cold and perfectly suited for Wang Yu. It could serve as a Fourth-Tier primary ingredient for refining cultivation pills or as a spiritual item to aid in breaking through cultivation realms. After his Grand Yin Demonic Origin Pills were depleted, he hadn't taken any pills for some time. Now, he had just entered Dongji Capital and encountered such an opportunity. His luck was truly exceptional recently. Whatever he lacked seemed to appear, and things were going incredibly smoothly.

As for Demonic Lord Yingui, this sixth-layer Nascent Soul demonic lord, it was merely a temporary collaboration. He wasn't afraid if it came to a real fight; while his chances of decisive victory weren't high, a fifty-fifty outcome was certainly achievable. His accumulated strength was sufficient to allow him to contend with opponents beyond his realm. Furthermore, the fact that Demonic Lord Yingui was outsmarted by three mere Core Formation "ants" indicated his mediocre skill in schemes and tricks. No need to worry too much; better to go in and see.

And so, a temporary alliance was forged. Wang Yu casually remarked: "This is a multi-layered illusion formation, a common trick of geomancers. Spiritual sense is useless here. If one has accurate intuition, they can find the right path even with their eyes closed." Demonic Lord Yingui looked thoughtful. "Can Fellow Daoist solve it?"

"Simple." Wang Yu waved a streak of spiritual light, enveloping Demonic Lord Yingui. Without bothering to calculate directions, he performed the geomantic step, "Left Four, Right Two." With a light stomp, both transformed into streams of water and merged into the ground.

Their vision went black for a moment. When their vision cleared, they found themselves in a spacious underground palace. Numerous stone pillars stood within a vast, flat azure jade plaza, their tops illuminated by eternally burning merfolk oil lamps. Demonic Lord Yingui suddenly sneered. "You three ants, die!"

A burst of Guishui Yin Lightning suddenly erupted in the distance. Wang Yu's brow furrowed, a sense of unease washing over him. He had guessed the trio's intentions: luring other geomancers here was merely a ploy to make two "tigers" fight, thereby stirring up the situation and creating an opportunity for themselves. But the possibility of collaboration couldn't be ignored. Thus, Demonic Lord Yingui's immediate action upon entering the underground palace strongly suggested a trap!

(End of Chapter)