Chapter 71: A Dao Field Acquired
After the Fire Bird disappeared, a spiritual rain began to fall on Five Finger Mountain.
There was no other way; the spiritual energy that had previously surged was too dense. Now that the giant monkey and giant hand had both vanished, the spiritual energy overflowed, becoming so concentrated that it turned into a spiritual rain.
Within Five Finger Mountain, clouds and mist churned, and five-colored spiritual light flickered in and out of existence among the peaks. The vegetation in the mountains seemed to have been injected with hormones, growing taller and stronger at an astonishing rate.
On the periphery, cultivators from various factions watched all this unfold with expressions of shock.
One cultivator murmured, “What was that Fire Bird?”
An Elder from Taisu Palace replied, “In ancient times, there were the Four Spirits: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. That Fire Bird was the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Spirits.”
An Elder from Sanqing Palace stated, “The Four Spirits guard the four directions, dispelling evil, averting disaster, and praying for blessings for all living beings.”
The Elders from Taisu Palace and Sanqing Palace exchanged glances, their expressions complex. They had meticulously scouted and nurtured disciples with exceptional cultivation talent from across the land, only to find that the first person to summon a Four Spirit was not from their sects.
“Look quickly, the Asura Gate people are entering Five Finger Mountain.”
Someone shouted, and seeing the Asura Gate members enter Five Finger Mountain, the various factions exchanged glances and then, in unison, charged into Five Finger Mountain as well.
With the spiritual rain falling and strange phenomena appearing frequently within Five Finger Mountain, there were bound to be rare treasures emerging. If not now, then when?
“Go, you’ve been here long enough; it’s time for you to gain some experience within the mountain.”
Daoist Qingyun of Taisu Palace smiled and instructed his disciples, “Remember, don’t venture too deep into Five Finger Mountain, and don’t split up.”
Senior Disciple Brother Liu Yiyun immediately responded, leading his junior disciples into Five Finger Mountain.
At the rear of the group, Chu Jun Mo noticed something amiss with Hua Chang Xin and quickly asked, “Seventh Junior Sister, are you feeling unwell? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”
Hua Chang Xin couldn’t quite explain her current state. Just moments ago, she had felt a fatal danger, as if she were about to die, but now that feeling was gone. Only her heart was still beating a little fast.
She was clearly fine, so why had she felt like she was on the verge of death?
Hua Chang Xin clutched her chest, recalling the first time she had felt the threat of death.
It was a summer day, and she had gone to play by the river with her sisters. She accidentally fell into the water, and Jiu Niang saved her, but she herself was swept away by the current.
At that time, she was also fine, yet she had felt a discomfort as if she were about to die.
Jiu Niang
Had something happened to Jiu Niang?
“Second Senior Brother, after this experience, I want to return to the capital.”
“Return to the capital?”
“I haven’t seen my family in a long time, and I miss them. I wonder if they are well?”
“Alright, I haven’t been back to the palace to see my mother in a long time either. I’ll go with you.”
“Okay, let’s hurry and catch up with Senior Disciple Brother and the others.”
At the location of the Demon Suppressing Army and the Qingzhou Army, Prince Dong’an and Chu Jun Yi watched the various factions rush into Five Finger Mountain without any obstruction.
Prince Dong’an looked at Chu Jun Yi, “The commotion at Five Finger Mountain just now was too great to stop. Even if various factions publicly agreed to the Imperial Court’s takeover of Five Finger Mountain, they would still sneak in secretly.”
Chu Jun Yi, wearing a Kirin Mask, could not be seen clearly, but his gaze was extremely serious at this moment. “The Imperial Court may not be able to take control of Five Finger Mountain.”
Prince Dong’an’s eyes flickered. He suddenly recalled the excuse the Asura Gate spy had used to instigate him to enter Five Finger Mountain: to capture the Mountain Spirit of Five Finger Mountain and claim it for themselves.
Although he had his suspicions, Prince Dong’an still feigned ignorance and asked, “What makes you say that?”
Chu Jun Yi shook his head, “A hunch.”
Prince Dong’an narrowed his eyes, looking at the young Commander of the Demon Suppressing Army before him.
In fact, fierce beasts and demonic beasts had appeared long ago, but it had been kept secret. All along, any famous mountains and rivers where demonic beasts appeared were conquered by the Imperial Court, with the Demon Suppressing Army leading the charge.
The Demon Suppressing Army should know about the existence of Mountain Spirits, right?
“Commander Yi, what do you think of the great battle just now?”
Upon hearing this, Chu Jun Yi looked at the Demon Slaying Sword in his hand, which was still humming. The moment the giant monkey appeared, he had almost lost control of the Demon Slaying Sword.
“Its aura was terrifying, but it was not a threat.”
Prince Dong’an clearly had not expected Chu Jun Yi to dismiss the recent battle so lightly.
Seeing Prince Dong’an’s surprised look, Chu Jun Yi recalled that Yan Xiaoyang had helped the Demon Suppressing Army several times and explained, “Whether it was the giant monkey or the giant hand, they were both condensed from spiritual energy and could not last long.”
Prince Dong’an: “But the spiritual energy in Five Finger Mountain is very dense.” The implication was that the giant monkey and giant hand could last for a long time.
Chu Jun Yi: “But the giant monkey and giant hand would consume each other.”
Prince Dong’an: “The giant hand was dispersed by the giant monkey.”
Chu Jun Yi: “The giant monkey only dispersed the giant hand condensed from spiritual energy. The true body of the giant hand, the giant monkey condensed from spiritual energy, could not be shattered. In the end, the giant monkey would definitely be annihilated by the giant hand.”
Even if the true body of the giant hand were shattered, the Demon Slaying Sword could kill the giant monkey.
Prince Dong’an mused, “No wonder you weren’t worried about the giant monkey breaking out of Five Finger Mountain before.”
Chu Jun Yi stopped talking with Prince Dong’an and frowned, looking at the Third Peak of Five Finger Mountain. “The giant monkey and giant hand are merely leftover problems from the past and not a real threat. The true trouble is the person who can summon the Vermilion Bird.”
Prince Dong’an thought of the mysterious cultivator who had used a Fire Lotus to save him on Five Finger Mountain and remained silent.
Chu Jun Yi looked at Prince Dong’an, “Your Highness, I need you to keep a closer watch on the area outside Five Finger Mountain.”
Prince Dong’an chuckled, “What, is the Demon Suppressing Army trying to slack off?”
Chu Jun Yi glanced at him, “I am about to lead the Demon Suppressing Army into Five Finger Mountain.”
Prince Dong’an immediately asked, “Are you going to capture the person who summoned the Vermilion Bird?”
Chu Jun Yi: “The Minister issued a strict order that all cultivators who can summon the Four Spirits must be captured and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison of the Heavenly Department.”
Prince Dong’an frowned, “Why?”
Chu Jun Yi shook his head, “If Your Highness wishes to know, please go to the capital and ask the Minister yourself.” After saying this, he cupped his fists and turned to assemble the Demon Suppressing Army.
Meanwhile, in a cave at the foot of Five Finger Mountain, Jiang Guanyun stared grimly into the depths of Five Finger Mountain. The Vermilion Bird successor, that wild girl, was actually the Vermilion Bird successor!
With the emergence of the Four Spirits, the struggle for luck in the Four Spirit Realm had begun.
This was too fast, too fast for his expectations.
Damn it, that wild girl deserved to die.
If it weren’t for her, the Four Spirit Realm would not have started its struggle for luck so soon, and the Jiang Family would have had time to seize resources and establish a foundation. The Jiang Family would definitely have a place in the struggle for luck.
All of this had been ruined by that wild girl.
“Pfft~”
Thinking of his plans being ruined, Jiang Guanyun’s anger surged, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. Killing intent boiled in his eyes. He had originally planned to return to the Jiang Family to heal his injuries as soon as possible, but now he decided to stay.
He had to kill that wild girl. The struggle for luck should not have begun so early.
Of all places on Five Finger Mountain, the Third Peak was where the spiritual rain was most concentrated.
In the area where the Monkey Cave was originally located, countless fresh spiritual plants and spiritual fruits sprouted like mushrooms after a rain. Especially where Hua Chang Xi lay, due to the extreme density of Fire Spiritual Energy, a pool of Fire Spirit Spring had been directly carved out.
Hua Chang Xi floated above the spring pool, enveloped in a red glow.
By the edge of the pool, the Mountain Spirit, with bulging eyes, watched Hua Chang Xi, who seemed to be asleep. Seeing the Fire Spiritual Energy from the spring pool continuously entering her body, he was relieved to confirm she was alright.
The Fairy is truly amazing. He had already prepared himself for his spirit body to be scattered, but he never expected the Fairy to summon the Vermilion Bird at the last moment.
No wonder the Fairy was not afraid of the Monkey King’s Domain.
The Vermilion Bird, that was a supreme existence capable of suppressing all evil spirits.
The Mountain Spirit gazed intently at Hua Chang Xi, once again marveling at his good fortune. He casually picked a newly grown spiritual fruit from the edge of the spring pool and gnawed on it, his eyes narrowing into slits with joy.
Suddenly, the Mountain Spirit’s round face creased. “Annoying, those greedy cultivators have entered Five Finger Mountain again.”
Due to the powerful spiritual energy impact from the previous battle between the Monkey King and the Buddha’s Hand, some mountain formations had been exposed, revealing shallow mineral veins.
The Mountain Spirit didn’t mind cultivators entering the mountain to gather spiritual plants and fruits, or hunt demonic beasts. However, he could not tolerate those cultivators trying to seize the spiritual meridians.
Among them was even a descendant of that scruffy old Daoist who had wanted to refine him.
“I’m so angry!”
He would drive these cultivators out of Five Finger Mountain.
The Mountain Spirit, furious, stomped his feet by the pool. Looking at Hua Chang Xi in the pool, he suddenly exclaimed, “Eh?”
The inheritance seemed to mention that as long as Five Finger Mountain became the Fairy’s dojo, others could not enter or leave without her permission and would be punished.
The Mountain Spirit didn’t care if Hua Chang Xi truly had the ability to punish those who trespassed on Five Finger Mountain; he now had blind faith in her.
The Fairy could even summon the Vermilion Bird, which instantly resolved the Monkey King. Dealing with those cultivators would be a piece of cake.
Thus, the Mountain Spirit opened his mouth wide and spat out the Five Finger Mountain Seal.
The Mountain Seal was formed after the Monkey King’s Domain was destroyed and Five Finger Mountain broke free from the ancient suppression. The entire mountain body returned to its original state, condensing into a miniature version of Five Finger Mountain, about the size of a baby’s fist.
“Fortunately, the Fairy spat blood earlier, and there are still bloodstains at the corner of her mouth.”
The Mountain Spirit controlled the Mountain Seal and flew towards Hua Chang Xi in the pool. He rubbed the bloodstains from the corner of Hua Chang Xi’s mouth. As the Mountain Seal emitted a red glow, he forced out a drop of his own essence blood and merged it into the Mountain Seal.
The two red glows merged, and the Mountain Seal shot into Hua Chang Xi’s Dantian.
The dojo contract was thus hastily formed. Hua Chang Xi, while unconscious, gained a dojo.
Seeing the Mountain Seal enter the Fairy’s body, the Mountain Spirit immediately grinned.
From now on, the Fairy would protect Five Finger Mountain with him. Hahaha, he had found a guardian for Five Finger Mountain; he was truly brilliant.
At the same time, within Five Finger Mountain, all demonic beasts and demonic plants that had gained sentience, as well as all cultivators who had infiltrated the mountain, simultaneously looked up at the sky.
Although they could see nothing, they could clearly feel an invisible power descending upon them.
As that power passed through their bodies, a voice echoed in their hearts: Five Finger Mountain has a master. Unauthorized entry is forbidden without the master’s permission. Violators will be severely punished.
Chu Jun Yi, who was rapidly heading towards the Third Peak, stumbled and looked up at the sky with a solemn expression.
His premonition had come true. Five Finger Mountain had a master!
Was it the person who summoned the Vermilion Bird who had obtained Five Finger Mountain?
“Pfft~”
Jiang Guanyun, who had stubbornly infiltrated Five Finger Mountain again, intending to capture the Mountain Spirit, also spat out several mouthfuls of blood at this moment, staring at the sky with bloodshot eyes.
Five Finger Mountain had a master!
Just a little more, just a little more, and Five Finger Mountain would have been his.
That wild girl deserved to die!
The cultivators from various factions were somewhat at a loss due to this sudden development.
“Should we continue?”
There were simply too many spiritual medicines and spiritual plants in Five Finger Mountain. Leaving them behind and departing Five Finger Mountain was truly unbearable.
“How about we gather a bit more?”
All the cultivators knew how precious cultivation resources were. Leaving empty-handed was truly unwilling, so they tentatively tried to stay in the mountain.
Slowly, they discovered that nothing happened when they gathered things, and their courage grew. They began to frantically gather spiritual medicines and spiritual plants, and dig for spirit mines.
By the spring pool, although the Mountain Spirit could sense that the cultivators had not left, he was helpless as the Fairy had not woken up.
“When the Fairy wakes up, they’ll pay.”
“Commander, should we continue deeper?”
Chu Jun Yi did not answer immediately. Five Finger Mountain suddenly becoming someone else’s dojo was something he had never encountered before.
Dojo
There were many mountains governed by the Imperial Court, but none were definitively the Imperial Court’s dojo.
Without a definitive mark, those mountains could, in essence, still be contested.
Where did the person who summoned the Vermilion Bird come from?
His appearance had caught everyone completely off guard.
Seeing Chu Jun Yi remain silent, another member of the Demon Suppressing Army spoke, “Commander, I feel like the situation in the mountain is not right.”
“At our current speed, we should have already passed the Second Peak, but now we are still circling around the First Peak.”
Chu Jun Yi also noticed this situation and frowned, “Five Finger Mountain has grown larger.”
The Demon Suppressing Army was not unfamiliar with this situation. They had encountered similar incidents many times when fighting demonic beasts and capturing mountains, so they were not overly worried.
However, Chu Jun Yi sighed. He had wanted to take the person down in one fell swoop while they were weak, but now that Five Finger Mountain had grown larger, by the time they reached the Third Peak, the person’s injuries might have already mostly healed.
Now that Five Finger Mountain had become that person’s dojo, capturing someone within it would be difficult.
“No need to go any deeper.”
“Didn’t we see an open-air spirit mine before? Let’s go back and mine it.”
Upon hearing this, all the Demon Suppressing Army members were invigorated. Although they handled many cultivation resources, most of them were handed over, and the resources they received were just enough for cultivation.
The daily lives of the Demon Suppressing Army were quite meager. If they could mine all the spirit mines they had seen earlier, with the Commander’s personality, he would definitely let them keep some.
Because Five Finger Mountain suddenly had a master, the cultivators from various factions were no longer as leisurely in the mountain as before. Instead, they frantically searched for all sorts of cultivation resources.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the Third Peak, above the Fire Spirit Spring pool, the red glow that had enveloped Hua Chang Xi slowly receded. As the last trace of red light disappeared, Hua Chang Xi opened her eyes.
“Fairy, you’re awake.”
Seeing Hua Chang Xi open her eyes, the Mountain Spirit danced with joy.
Looking at the Mountain Spirit, Hua Chang Xi showed a look of surprise. “Fatty, how did you grow so big?”
The Mountain Spirit before had been like a newborn infant, while the current Mountain Spirit was like a two or three-year-old child.
The Mountain Spirit’s eyes curved. “Because I’ve become stronger! To suppress the Monkey King, Five Finger Mountain consumed a large amount of spiritual energy and was suppressed by the Buddha’s Hand. Now that the Monkey King’s Domain is destroyed and the suppression has disappeared, I’ve become stronger.”
Hua Chang Xi let out an “Oh” and looked around. “The Monkey King is gone?”
Mountain Spirit: “The Monkey King died long ago. What remained was merely a trace of the Monkey King’s aura, and that trace has also been dispersed by you, Fairy.”
Hearing this, Hua Chang Xi recalled the moment the Monkey King’s fist smashed down.
At that moment, she had already despaired, believing she was doomed. But suddenly, the image of a small bird breathing and exhaling flashed in her mind.
Then, she felt herself transform into Fire Spiritual Energy, and the small bird burst forth from her body and flew away.
“Fatty, did you see a small bird?”
The Mountain Spirit was taken aback. “A small bird? Fairy, are you referring to the Vermilion Bird?”
“Vermilion Bird?” Hua Chang Xi was somewhat astonished.
The Mountain Spirit continued, “Yes, Fairy summoned the Vermilion Bird. As soon as the Vermilion Bird appeared, it scattered the Monkey King.”
Hua Chang Xi stammered, “The small bird was the Vermilion Bird…”
“Fairy!”
The Mountain Spirit sensed someone digging up a mineral spirit and quickly shouted, “Fairy, please do something about those greedy cultivators! They are stealing your resources.”
Hua Chang Xi’s mind had not yet fully cleared. She looked over in confusion. “Who is stealing my resources? Stealing what from me?”
The Mountain Spirit was anxious. “Fairy, Five Finger Mountain is now your dojo. Many cultivators are in the mountain stealing spiritual plants and fruits, and even mining. These are all yours.”
Hua Chang Xi’s thoughts stirred. She felt something new in her Qi Sea. Raising her hand, a miniature Five Finger Mountain, the size of a baby’s fist, appeared in her palm.
“How did Five Finger Mountain become my dojo?”
The Mountain Spirit immediately smiled and took credit. “I helped you form the contract.”
Hua Chang Xi was stunned. “Fatty, you’re really good to me.” She had essentially been given Five Finger Mountain for free.
The Mountain Spirit smiled shyly. “I was recognized by the Fairy, so I’m like your child. Of course, I’d think of you when something good happens.”
Hearing this, Hua Chang Xi felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, not knowing what to say.
Mountain Spirit: “Fairy, please drive those cultivators out.”
Hua Chang Xi held the Five Finger Mountain Seal and already knew that unauthorized entry and exit from Five Finger Mountain without her permission would result in punishment.
Punishment?
How was she supposed to punish those cultivators?
Her only known offensive technique was to burn them with a Fire Lotus.
Five Finger Mountain was vast, and Hua Chang Xi could sense its approximate boundaries. There were many spiritual plants, spiritual fruits, and demonic beasts within the mountain. She didn’t mind other cultivators taking a little.
However, since the rules were established, they had to be followed.
“Those who enter Five Finger Mountain without my consent will be burned by Fire Lotus.”
The power of the Fire Lotus would be determined by the cultivator’s realm.
Hua Chang Xi did not want to kill the cultivators, only to make them leave Five Finger Mountain. The power of the Fire Lotus would be only one-tenth of the cultivator’s cultivation base.
It would not be fatal, but being burned by the Fire Lotus would be extremely painful.
Soon, screams echoed throughout Five Finger Mountain. The cultivators who had lingered in Five Finger Mountain began to flee towards the outside.
The Demon Suppressing Army, who had been frantically mining, was also startled by the sudden appearance of the Fire Lotus. After quickly extinguishing the Fire Lotus, they could still feel the burning pain.
“Commander, should we continue?”
Chu Jun Yi looked into the depths of Five Finger Mountain. “.Withdraw.”
He understood that while the Fire Lotus’s power was not great now, it was merely a warning from the master of Five Finger Mountain. If they did not withdraw, the Fire Lotus’s power would increase, and they might not be able to withstand it.
