Chapter 473: Chapter 415: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole, The Four Symbols Begin to Appear
"Not good, there’s a problem with the Earth Veins."
Zhengxin was greatly alarmed.
The Essence Qi of the Earth Veins, along with the Qi of the mountains, rivers, and streams, was continuously dissipating, as if it had fallen out of control.
This sensation was incredibly subtle, likely ongoing for a very long time.
If it hadn’t been for his state of sensing the Heavenly Heart, he probably wouldn’t have noticed it at all.
Thinking of this, Zhengxin flew out of his thatched hut.
He flew directly to the Spirit Prohibition Mansion located in the blessed land of Earth Evil.
At the depths of the Spirit Prohibition Mansion’s great hall, three Heavenly Law Platforms stood tall.
These were the Heaven, Earth, and Water Altars.
Ever since yielding to the Donghua Jungle, blessed lands of all ranks could be freely accessed, as long as one could withstand the consumption involved.
Whoosh!
Zhengxin landed, and Earth Evil, utterly confused, asked, "What’s going on? Why is Taoist Friend here at leisure?"
Zhengxin’s expression was grave as he said, "Take a look at the blessed land—does it seem normal?"
"The blessed land?"
Earth Evil extended his Divine Thought and sensed the Heaven, Earth, and Water Altars.
He didn’t notice anything at first; everything seemed normal.
However, recalling Zhengxin’s earlier words, Earth Evil quickly grew cautious. Upon closer observation, he was shocked beyond words.
The power of the blessed land had vanished.
The authority of the blessed land was like a reservoir, while the power controlled by Earth Evil was akin to a faucet tapping into the water.
In the current situation, the faucet was still running, but the reservoir had no new source of water.
It was like fishing in a dried-up lake—once the power ran out, regret would come too late.
Fortunately, Zhengxin had warned him early, but how could this possibly change the overall situation?
"What is going on?"
Zhengxin demanded.
"If my guess is correct, this must be the work of Tianhe. Only Tianhe has the ability to reclaim such authority. But this power lies with the Taoist Alliance, and Tianhe couldn’t possibly make such a decision alone. This move is likely supported by the Heavenly Master."
Earth Evil’s face darkened.
"Of course, there’s also another possibility—there could be some other malfunction at play."
He then recommended that Zhengxin consult Yuanbo from Yun River Prefecture and Tian Sha from Black Prison Prefecture. As for Liqi Mansion, there was no need, as Zhengxin himself was from there.
After receiving Earth Evil’s reminder, others also realized the gravity of the situation.
All of them had, invisibly, lost control over this land.
The Black Prison Prefecture, overseen by Tian Sha, suppressed countless Evil Demons, resentful Qi, and toxic miasma from the Earth Veins.
Should these erupt, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The situation for others was just as dire—mountain collapses, floods, droughts, Essence Qi deprivation.
"This is no different from a Demon Tribulation. It seems intentional—someone seizing the opportunity to settle old scores before their strength wanes, lest they lose the initiative."
The Zhonghuang Zi remarked upon hearing the news.
Thousands of years of grudges, sects destroyed in bloody vengeance—it was time to put an end to it all.
"Send word to Song Lin before we make a decision."
"Then let’s go. I believe Song Lin would think the same."
The next day, Song Lin, who had just barely awakened, was informed of this matter.
"The disappearance of Essence Qi?"
There was no need to ask—it must have been Tianhe and the others’ work.
First, drain the mountains and rivers of Essence Qi, causing internal chaos within the Donghua Alliance, severely weakening their forces. Then, strike with an overwhelming advantage.
Now that the issue had been spotted early, striking back immediately was the prime choice.
Song Lin mused briefly before recalling Martial Arts and the Pill of Longevity.
"Tell them not to worry about it. It’s not a big issue. I have a way to acquire power."
Seeing Zhengxin’s puzzled look, Song Lin explained, "The Heaven and Earth Essence Qi is not just something we need—it’s something they need too. Tianhe is confident in defeating us in one fell swoop, which means he must be relying on something, and I dare say it’s not just him alone."
"You’re right. The Primordial Spirit can absorb energy from the void. Relying solely on Tianhe would make it difficult to take down the Zhonghuang Zi. Perhaps Tianhe has sought external allies."
Zhengxin suddenly grasped the reasoning.
"Rather than living in fear day to day, it’s better to proactively lure the snake out of its hole. One decisive battle will settle everything, seize victory, and reclaim the Heavenly Master’s position."
Becoming the Heavenly Master had always been Song Lin’s ambition, one he had pursued with unyielding patience for decades.
The Heavenly Master position was not just a symbol of authority or a ticket to unify the world; it was tangible evidence of elevating a burgeoning Magic Vein into prominence.
Everyone knew that the Donghua Alliance’s approach suited the common people of the world.
Why had there been no grand era of widespread acceptance among the people?
It all boiled down to legitimacy.
No matter how renowned the titles of Donghua Great Master or Shadow Heavenly Master were, they couldn’t erase the fact that Song Lin was someone under Tianhe’s banner.
This was the weight of legitimacy.
Legitimacy wasn’t just about names—after all, even Uncle Liu used the banner of a Han Dynasty relation to gain credibility. To accomplish great works, one had to build anew and establish a power that belonged solely to themselves.
Only then could they command respect.
Others might be in a hurry, but Song Lin was no less impatient.
He wasn’t doing this just for others but for himself too—the Heavenly Master position was non-negotiable, with no option of retreat.
At the same time, in moments like these, one couldn’t settle for petty gains.
Since the opponent was taking the initiative to attack, it was the perfect chance to eradicate them completely.
This was an excellent opportunity—on returning, seek help from the Queen Mother to create a Pill of Longevity in the real world.
Zhengxin asked no further questions but relayed Song Lin’s message to everyone.
Years of tacit understanding meant no one questioned the plan. Instead, they followed Song Lin’s suggestion to feign ignorance while secretly nurturing Martial Arts practitioners.
According to Song Lin, Martial Artists would play a crucial role in the future battle.
At the very least, they wouldn’t be constrained by Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.
The "lure the snake out of its hole" strategy was, in fact, quite effective.
The story unfolded.
A group traveled to Lu Mountain.
The Four Directions Sect on Lu Mountain had four Sect Leaders.
Their names were equally intriguing—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Lords. The Spring and Summer Lords were at the True Immortal Early Stage, while the Autumn and Winter Lords possessed Ghost Immortal Early-Stage cultivation.
The combined strength of the four was equivalent to the legendary Yang Immortal, Yang God—roughly the Mid Tribulation Crossing level.
At Lu Mountain’s summit, a middle-aged Taoist in a green robe stood at the edge of a cliff.
Blustery winds whipped his robes as brilliant sunlight bathed his figure.
The middle-aged Taoist had his eyes closed, inhaling the essence of spring sunshine.
A thousand-mile radius was within his senses—the stirring growth of vegetation, the subdued roars of beasts, the gentle murmurs of flowing rivers.
Above his head faintly shimmered a dharma image.
It was an ebony-tailed mutant bird with a slender beak, sleek feathers, and gem-like eyes, as if it carried the sun in its beak, spreading the harmony of spring across the land.
"Spring sun caresses all, nourishing the flourishing of all things."
This was none other than the dharma image of the Spring Lord.
The Four Seasons Masters—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—each performed their mystical arts from their respective directions.
In just one day, the entire mountain experienced all four seasons.
Spring’s Mystic Bird, Summer’s Fire Crow, Autumn’s Black Tiger, and Winter’s Teng Snake.
These were the four wondrous phenomena.
The disciples on the mountain conducted their cultivation at various hours, a routine they had followed for decades without finding it strange.
A barely perceptible golden light hung faintly in mid-air.
Song Lin had arrived with his group at Lu Mountain.
This was one of the four Great Sects under Heaven, controlling the power of the Four Seasons.
Song Lin’s purpose here was intricately tied to the Four Divine Beasts and their counterparts.
Years ago, during the Eight Masters’ invasion, the Great Zhou had not been idle either; the Four Gods had fought against the Four Seasons Masters.
What followed was unclear, only that the Four Seasons Masters never resurfaced, while the Four Gods also disappeared without a trace.
Beneath Lu Mountain.
There lay another Grotto Heaven.
The sky was divided into four colors, each corresponding to Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Within the Spring domain stood a towering tree that reached three thousand zhang. Its leaves were as green as fans, its trunk straight and free of extraneous branches.
The Summer domain held a massive fiery orb, the Autumn domain a divine sword, and the Winter domain was steeped in frosty rain and chilling winds.
The Mystic Bird, Fire Crow, Black Tiger, and Teng Snake—the four Divine Beasts—stood beneath the tree, endlessly absorbing power.
The Jianmu was none other than Ju Mang transformed.
The Mystic Bird was actually a swallow. Gazing at the Jianmu, which had long lost its independent consciousness, the swallow burst into silvery laughter, its voice distinctly feminine: "No matter how powerful you were, you can’t escape my grasp. Once I completely refine you, I will transcend then return to my peak."
The Four Seasons Masters considered the Four Divine Beasts a stroke of unexpected fortune.
The rules governing these beings were perfectly suited for the Four Seasons. Seizing their Divine Skills would not only restore the Masters to their peak but perhaps make them stronger than ever.
There would be no fear of suffering calamity again.
"Hmph, in this realm, everyone knows the Four Divine Beasts but fails to revere the Four Seasons. Wait and see—soon the world shall learn who the true gods of the Four Seasons and Four Directions are."
After emerging from seclusion, the Mystic Bird planned to engineer a grand upheaval of Primordial Energy, forcing mortals to remember its majesty.
Boom!
Just then, the sky was suddenly torn apart by a golden light.
The Four Sect Leaders coughed blood and were sent flying backward.
The Spring Lord crashed onto the edge of the Jianmu.
Before the Mystic Bird could berate him, the Spring Lord, still vomiting blood, stammered, "Honored God... someone has breached the sanctuary!!"
"Who?"
The Spring Lord didn’t have time to answer, as the commotion in the sky answered the question for him.
A thousand-zhang giant casually ripped through the seam of the Grotto Heaven.
The turbulent Void Ripples could only leave faint white marks on his flesh.
The giant’s body radiated golden light, his blood and Qi surging to the heavens, like a mountain suppressing the entire world.
Twelve stars appeared above his head, transforming into Divine Generals.
Each one radiated the aura of a giant among mortals.
In an instant, thunder, Sword Qi, golden light, Taoist Soldiers—all erupted simultaneously, and spells poured down like rain.
Twelve enigmatic characters cast black flags, unleashing techniques such as Fire Dragons, Black Winds, Yellow Clouds, True Qi, and the Five Immortals.
These ancient immortals had never seen such a scene before.
Their spells were overwhelmed within the torrent, and their thousand-zhang dharma images were forcibly suppressed.
The protectors, Abnormal Soldiers, and Divine Beasts defending this realm were obliterated into ash.
Simultaneously, four Divine Generals ascended above the four phenomena, infusing them with the powers of Wood, Metal, Fire, and Wind.
Crack, crack!
The Jianmu rose from the ground, its emerald light piercing the heavens, then transformed into a green-robed maiden standing on twin dragons.
Ju Mang had been resurrected.
"Hehe, now it’s my turn!"
Ju Mang chuckled lightly with a sweet smile, dimples forming on her cheeks. Her jade-like, slender fingers pointed at the Mystic Bird.
Countless trees sprouted from the ground, trapping the Mystic Bird in place.
"I’m free at last, you wretched bird. Prepare to die!"
Zhuu Rong, reborn in flames, ignited the Fire Crow in a conflagration.
The Four Divine Beasts devoured the Four Masters.
Seeing the developments, Song Lin urgently commanded, "Absorb their power, but under no circumstances devour their Primordial Spirits!"
"Understood!"
Ju Mang and her companions, having lost their physical forms, now sought shelter within the Four Masters, staging a coup in their hosts.
From Song Lin’s perspective, the fusion of the two sides caused transformations in these mutant beasts’ appearances.
The Mystic Bird turned green, with a dragon-like body and wings.
The Fire Crow transformed into a phoenix-like bird.
The Black Tiger absorbed the Geng Metal Energy, causing its body to turn white, and the Teng Snake grew a turtle shell.
Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise?
The Four Symbols?
Song Lin was struck by the revelation—these were actually the Four Symbols!
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