Chapter 282: Thousand Star Vine

Under the scorching sun, the vibrant vines flourished with colorful leaves.

Some were fiery red, their leaves turning to reveal a crimson glow across the sky. Others were snow-white and crystalline, fluttering like snowflakes in the gentle breeze. Still others were deep black, resembling inverted ink dragons.

Dozens of vines hung above every major city, extending from tens of thousands of meters down to a few hundred meters above the ground, piquing the interest of many explorers.

“What exactly are these?” Chu Feng felt a sense of unease. The sudden appearance of so many vines worldwide had captured everyone's attention.

It was rumored that at least two to three thousand people had already disappeared after climbing the vines, vanishing into mist clusters one to two meters in diameter.

Some were extraordinary individuals, while others were ordinary people, driven by a high-stakes gamble to change their current circumstances, eagerly ascending into the sky.

The Yellow Ox looked at them suspiciously, examining them closely before saying, “They look a bit like Thousand Star Vines.”

“What kind of plant is that? Is it famous?” Chu Feng asked.

“Yes, very famous. Once they fully mature, they can blot out the sun and cover the starry sky,” the Yellow Ox replied, its small, pink face etched with seriousness.

Chu Feng was astonished. Could they really be that exaggerated?

“These are in the primitive stage of Thousand Star Vines, just taking root and sprouting. They are far from fully evolved; their form will continuously change as they grow.”

The Yellow Ox’s small face was taut with solemnity as it explained that the most incredible Thousand Star Vines, true to their name, rooted themselves in the starry sky, their tendrils connecting thousands of stars.

Connecting thousands of stars? Chu Feng was dumbfounded. Was that even a plant? It sounded like a fantasy.

“Only a few have ever grown to that extent,” the Yellow Ox said gravely, explaining that even in its homeland, such plants only existed in ancient texts.

“What does it signify, with Thousand Star Vines growing across the sky in a single day?” Chu Feng frowned.

“It could be seeds carried from the depths of the starry sky, sprouting in this land of recovery, or it could be the deliberate act of people from other worlds,” the Yellow Ox said.

That’s why it warned Chu Feng not to venture into the misty clusters, as it was too risky; there might be a path connected to them.

“One renowned mountain, one path, and now even the sky is like this? I feel as though Earth is riddled with holes, or rather, intricately connected in all directions,” Chu Feng remarked with a strange expression.

“It has always been this way. Otherwise, why would various orthodoxies from beyond the domain risk everything to come here, if not to harvest good fortune?” The Yellow Ox said, a complex expression on its small face as it gazed at the sky.

“Many places on Earth have force fields, which proves the extraordinary nature of this ancient land; various cultivation sites once existed here,” the Yellow Ox pointed out.

Studying force fields is over ten times more complex than mastering various inheritances, and even in the outer domains, few are willing to delve into this field.

The rare few talents in force fields are mostly found within top-tier orthodoxies.

On Earth, however, force fields cover all the renowned mountains, though they have not yet fully manifested, which is truly astonishing.

“Let me remind you again: after the great changes in heaven and earth, cultivating here for one year is equivalent to ten or even a hundred years elsewhere. With the revival of sacred tree roots and the opening of certain sacred lands, even the top-tier great sects from beyond the domain cannot remain still. However, for some reason, they are unable to rush here and find it difficult to descend.”

The Yellow Ox reiterated this, urging Chu Feng to cherish the opportunity for rapid evolution, warning that missing it would lead to lifelong regret.

It is precisely for this reason that masters from all realms will go to great lengths to forge paths connecting here, sending their disciples to seize the opportunity to become saints and ancestors.

At this moment, the Golden Condor King descended from the sky, and the Black Ox, Donkey King, and Northeastern Tiger all gathered around, having heard the end of the conversation.

The unprincipled Northeastern Tiger shamelessly declared, “Brother, quickly study that Force Field Scripture, seize the initiative, and claim all the famous mountains under heaven! When those divine maidens, heavenly talents, Daoist sons, and saintesses arrive, they’ll have no choice but to flirt with us. Then you can take a group of divine maidens as your wives, I’ll marry a few white tigresses, and we’ll recruit a bunch of divine sons as our underlings. Thus, we’ll become saints and ancestors!”

The Yellow Ox scoffed, “I’m just afraid that when those people arrive, you’ll be the first to betray us, running off to become their mount or guardian beast.”

“Nonsense! Do I look like such an unprincipled tiger?!”

“Yes!” the Black Ox nodded emphatically.

The next day, Lin Luoyi returned. She was dressed casually, even somewhat rebelliously, with several rips in her jeans revealing her luminous skin, paired with a loose T-shirt.

This outfit seemed inconsistent with her status and demeanor, yet she wore it anyway, as if trying to appear down-to-earth.

She was tall, with long legs, and walked aimlessly beside Chu Feng, strolling down the road.

Despite her casual attire, her demeanor remained cool, like a snow lotus from an ice mountain blooming amidst the bustling world, carrying a chilly aura and a faint, subtle fragrance.

“A truly grand era is approaching,” Lin Luoyi said, looking up at the colorful vines in the sky. Her exquisite, flawless face showed both concern and longing.

The financial magnates understood the anomalies better than ordinary people; even Lin Luoyi, despite her youth, knew many secrets from her clan.

The world was likely to undergo drastic changes. Perhaps the strong would remain strong, or the weak might rise, achieving rapid advancement. Various scenarios could unfold; a period of great transformation was imminent.

Moreover, beings from other realms were about to descend; a new grand era was on the horizon.

Lin Luoyi looked at Chu Feng and earnestly advised him to be more discreet during this period, explaining that in the coming great era, he needed to know how to lie low and protect himself.

Chu Feng nodded, understanding her good intentions. He knew that the most prominent timbers rot first, and with snow falling on renowned mountains and strange vines hanging from the sky, drastic changes were clearly imminent.

It was hard to say who would rise and who would fall. Existing peerless masters might become even stronger, but they could also be surpassed by newcomers; the entire landscape was about to change.

Even the financial magnates were waiting, quietly anticipating that day.

Chu Feng had been hunted, and he couldn't swallow that humiliation. He wanted to settle one last score, and then retreat into a quiet life.

Under Lin Luoyi's repeated persuasion, Chu Feng nodded and said, “From now on, I will cultivate myself and wait for the great changes to occur.”

Reading the *Nanhua* in solitude, reciting the *Huangting* in leisure—perhaps he truly needed a period of quiet, uneventful days.

When they last met, Lin Luoyi had already become a king; now she had advanced further and was beginning to exert her power.

Chu Feng wanted to know about the Old Dragon King of the South Sea. That old flood dragon did make him somewhat wary, and he was waiting here to learn more through Lin Luoyi.

He knew that Celestial Organism had previously planned sea expeditions and was knowledgeable about many things.

“It is at least one thousand five hundred years old and has three sons; Black Teng is its youngest child,” Lin Luoyi explained in detail.

Chu Feng felt a surge of pressure; all signs indicated that the old flood dragon was indeed terrifying.

“It won't come ashore in the short term. The fortunes in the sea are no less than those on land, with underwater cave ruins and legends of true dragon lairs. Most importantly, it is pursuing the Dragon Transformation Fruit, which is crucial for it.”

Lin Luoyi speculated that the Old Dragon King of the South Sea would not come ashore for the next few months. The competition for the Dragon Transformation Fruit in the deep ocean was currently fierce; any lead would stir up a bloody storm, and the major overlords wouldn't leave.

“Many things can happen in a few months,” Chu Feng smiled. There was nothing to worry about. By then, the world would have already undergone drastic changes, and he only needed to seize opportunities to continuously evolve.

He had three seeds in hand; as long as the unique soil on the renowned mountains further recovered, he could plant them again.

Afterward, Chu Feng asked about the jade block containing the Flood Dragon Demon Fist. Lin Luoyi informed him that the Pre-Qin Research Institute had not yet returned it.

That day, Chu Feng departed with the Yellow Ox and others, heading to Xijing, the location of the Pre-Qin Research Institute.

Xijing, the capital of thirteen ancient Chinese dynasties, could be called a venerable ancient city.

It also bordered the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.

The Pre-Qin Research Institute was located here. Initially, they researched historical lineages prior to the Qin Dynasty, then gradually expanded to become a financial magnate.

While studying Pre-Qin history, they acquired some ancient artifacts and came into contact with supernatural abilities, which led the consortium to increasingly pursue mysterious powers.

In Xijing, the ancient city walls still stood, mottled and weathered, like a painting stretched across the heavens and earth, a living piece of history.

In the sky, vine after vine hung down.

“According to the latest news, someone returned safely and said that the ends of these vines lead to a Heavenly Palace, a land of immortals. Some have even harvested mysterious fruits and have now evolved to the quasi-king realm.”

Chu Feng and his companions heard this news as they walked through Xijing.

Vines hung over major cities worldwide, and soon more news arrived.

Ordinary people had evolved into extraordinary individuals, and extraordinary individuals had evolved into quasi-kings!

“If we climb up, will we directly become peak kings?” The Black Ox was tempted.

“Don't risk it. It feels like they're fishing,” Chu Feng warned him, urging him not to succumb to temptation.

They arrived at the Pre-Qin Research Institute, only to find it deserted. The building was quiet, with only a few less important individuals remaining.

This situation was predictable. Chu Feng had conquered two major financial magnates in a single day, shocking the world, so other magnates would surely be on alert and prepared.

The Pre-Qin Research Institute chose to retreat, avoiding his sharp edge, and all important personnel had evacuated.

However, not long after, an acquaintance appeared: Qi Honglin, whom Chu Feng had met in Shuntian. He was a high-ranking member of the Pre-Qin Research Institute and possessed the jade block containing the Flood Dragon Demon Fist, which he had given to Chu Feng as an apology.

“This old man came here to show sincerity. We truly did not participate in the operation to besiege Brother Chu Feng.”

Then, he directly presented an ancient jade, explaining that it was the one Celestial Organism had lent them and that the Lin family had already approved its transfer to Chu Feng.

Everything was beyond Chu Feng’s expectations. The other party dared to appear, adopted such a humble stance, and directly offered the jade block he urgently desired.

This was the lower half of the Flood Dragon Demon Fist, incomplete from the previous acquisition.

The Yellow Ox had excitedly told him that once the complete Flood Dragon Demon Fist was integrated with the Ox Demon Fist, his combat power would at least double!

Last time, he had only integrated half of the Flood Dragon Demon Fist. He did feel his strength increase, but it wasn't enough; the augmentation was less than double.

Chu Feng tapped Qi Honglin's glabella to hypnotize him. The result was that there was no evidence whatsoever to indicate that the Pre-Qin Research Institute had participated in besieging him. He felt as if he had punched thin air.

The good news was that they had obtained the lower half of the Flood Dragon Demon Fist!

“Chu Feng, we are at Dalin Temple.”

The unexpected call startled Chu Feng; his parents had actually appeared at Dalin Temple on Mount Song.