The Dao field established by a Three-Tribulation Great Immortal Monarch had long since fallen into ruin over hundreds of millions of years.
Although Lu Changsheng did not know why shattered remnants like this Ziji Palace had managed to endure, they still gave him hope.
What if?
A Heavenly Immortal's Dao field—how mighty would its immortal treasure be?
Lu Changsheng pressed resolutely deep into Ziji Palace.
He knew little about Dao fields, but as a Mortal Immortal, his capacity for analysis was peerless beneath the heavens. Now that he knew this had once been an Immortal Monarch's Dao field, even a ruined one, deducing the approximate location of its immortal treasure was well within his power.
Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged on the ground and began his careful analysis.
Merely pinpointing the position of the immortal treasure within the Dao field did not take long. In just a month, Lu Changsheng made progress.
Guided by his senses, he walked toward the palace’s northeastern corner, finally stopping before a stone pillar.
The pillar was exceptionally prominent, seemingly holding up the entire palace. Yet to the eye, it appeared completely ordinary.
According to Lu Changsheng’s analysis, however, the immortal treasure should be right here.
Where was it, then?
Lu Changsheng struck the floor with a palm.
*Boom!*
A massive crater was blasted into the ground, yet no aura of an immortal treasure emerged. That meant it was not buried underground.
Yet the hall was empty. If it was not beneath the floor, where could it be?
Lu Changsheng’s analysis could only determine an approximate location. Finding the exact treasure required his own search.
“No, the immortal treasure is definitely here. As the anchor for the entire Ziji Dao Field, it would have to be prominent and conspicuous.”
“What is the most conspicuous thing here right now?”
Lu Changsheng raised his head.
The first thing his eyes caught was the pillar.
It seemed to support the entire Ziji Dao Field. Nothing else here stood out so prominently.
Could the immortal treasure be inside this pillar?
“The pillar…”
Lu Changsheng’s heart stirred. He reached out and touched it.
*Hum.*
The pillar actually vibrated.
Lu Changsheng stared intently at it.
He understood now.
The immortal treasure could not be inside the pillar for a simple reason: the pillar itself was the immortal treasure!
“So that’s it… This pillar is an immortal treasure, and one that anchors fortune, yet it doesn’t leak even a wisp of immortal spirit qi. What an extraordinary treasure.”
“And does this pillar support the entire Ziji Palace? Which is to say, it supports the entire Ziji Dao Field…”
Lu Changsheng looked upward and pushed his analytical ability to its limit.
Within his vision, countless faint threads hovered above the pillar, branching out one after another in all directions. Clearly, the pillar truly held up the entire Dao field. Once it was removed, the entire Ziji Dao Field would likely cease to exist as well. Ziji Palace would collapse completely into rubble rather than retaining an outline of a palace as it did now.
“Fortunately, this treasure is exceedingly restrained. It merged seamlessly with Ziji Palace, giving off no immortal spirit qi whatsoever. Otherwise, how could I have ever had the fortune to claim it?”
Lu Changsheng’s heart burned with anticipation.
This was an immortal treasure from an Immortal Monarch’s Dao field, guaranteed to anchor fortune—even immense fortune. Using it to establish his own Dao field would be more than enough.
However, the prerequisite was that he had to claim it first.
This required no analysis on his part. The treasure was masterless, and no one presided over the Dao field. As long as he could move it, he could take it.
Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng wrapped both arms around the pillar, his terrifying strength erupting all at once.
“Up!”
The pillar began to shudder.
*Rumble!*
It shook violently. As it did, Lu Changsheng saw the entire palace begin to collapse, and that was merely the start.
Yet Lu Changsheng remained unmoved. He gave a mighty heave, and at last, the pillar was lifted free.
Only then could he see clearly that this treasure was truly a heaven-upholding pillar, seemingly capable of bearing the weight of all things. Furthermore, possessing it would grant any Dao field immense stability. It could not be more suitable for founding a Dao field.
Refining such an immortal treasure, however, must have been unimaginably difficult. Rumor had it that it was forged from primeval divine mountains and later fused with other immortal treasures before falling into the hands of Immortal Monarch Ziji, who used it to establish his Dao field and anchor its fortune.
This immortal treasure was called the Dragon-Subduing Pillar.
A domineering name indeed.
“In.”
Thoroughly pleased, Lu Changsheng stored the Dragon-Subduing Pillar directly into his underwater manor.
The moment the pillar was stowed away, the entirety of Ziji Palace began to cave in. The faint outline that had survived was erased completely, reduced entirely to a heap of broken rubble.
“Time to leave.”
Lu Changsheng drew back from Ziji Palace, watching its collapse with his own eyes.
What did it matter if this had once been the thriving Dao field of a Heavenly Immortal? In the end, it still fell, turning into a wasteland of ruins.
Even Heavenly Immortals could not endure forever.
*Bang!*
Suddenly, amid the distant rubble of Ziji Palace, stones shattered and a figure burst forth from the debris.
At the sight of this figure, Lu Changsheng’s expression shifted slightly.
He was rather familiar with it—wasn’t that the Heavenly Immortal corpse from Ziji Palace?
Before, Lu Changsheng had not known its exact identity. But now, seeing how it had guarded Ziji Palace all along, could it be the master of the palace, Immortal Monarch Ziji himself?
Lu Changsheng pondered. It was truly possible.
“Immortal Monarch Ziji…” Lu Changsheng murmured softly.
Of course, he understood clearly that even if the corpse could still move, it was no longer Immortal Monarch Ziji. At most, it was the physical remains he had left behind.
A Three-Tribulation Great Immortal Monarch of the past, fallen despite an imperishable flesh, reduced to a monstrosity like a Heavenly Immortal corpse. In fact, within the spaces of the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield, starting from the fourth layer, there were countless such corpses.
Lu Changsheng watched the Heavenly Immortal corpse begin to wander.
With Ziji Palace gone, it no longer had an obsession to guard, so it began roaming the third layer.
This Heavenly Immortal corpse was no small threat; even Lu Changsheng could do nothing against it. Once it roamed the third layer, that space would become extraordinarily perilous from this day onward, its danger rising to a whole new level.
Yet that no longer concerned Lu Changsheng.
He prepared to leave the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield. This journey had yielded abundant rewards. Not only had his Dao Fruit advanced, but his original goal of obtaining an immortal treasure to anchor fortune had also been fulfilled with the Dragon-Subduing Pillar. Staying in the ancient battlefield any longer served no purpose.
As for the fourth layer, there might be many treasures there, but it was not a place the current Lu Changsheng could explore. Once he became a Heavenly Immortal, he might return to brave it, but certainly not now.
“Let’s go.”
Lu Changsheng hesitated no longer, immediately departing the third layer and journeying all the way out of the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield.
The moment he stepped outside, he saw many immortals also fleeing the battlefield’s space, looking rather battered and disheveled.
“I don’t know what happened, but the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield shook violently!”
“It seemed like an upheaval in the third layer, though no one knows what caused it.”
“I heard a Heavenly Immortal corpse appeared in the third layer—one capable of ripping True Immortals to shreds! It’s far too dangerous!”
“What? A Heavenly Immortal corpse in the third layer? That’s terrible. We can’t go there anymore. We can only search the first two layers, but those have already been picked clean. What good things could possibly be left?”
“Sigh, finding an immortal treasure to anchor fortune in the ancient battlefield will be even harder now. Without risking our lives, there’s no hope…”
Many immortals sighed in despair, bewildered by the sudden disaster.
Lu Changsheng listened calmly, showing nothing on his face.
He knew that he was the culprit. Taking the Dragon-Subduing Pillar was what had set the Heavenly Immortal corpse wandering the third layer. Still, Lu Changsheng had not anticipated this outcome, and with the pillar already in hand, he had no mind to care about the troubles of others.
*Whoosh.*
In the next instant, Lu Changsheng transformed into a streak of light and vanished beyond the horizon.
***
Lu Changsheng returned to Lu City and immediately summoned Qi Guangmao and his son, setting the entire Qi clan at ease.
“Patriarch, did you make any gains on this trip to the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield?” Qi Guangmao asked.
He naturally knew the purpose of Lu Changsheng’s journey. Including travel time, Lu Changsheng had been gone for more than five years. Five years was a considerable span, but whether Lu Changsheng had secured an immortal treasure to anchor fortune was what truly mattered.
Lu Changsheng did not hide anything. He nodded and said, “Not bad. I had some gains and can now begin preparing to establish the Dao field. However, we still need to choose a site. Furthermore, founding a Dao field takes more than just an immortal treasure to anchor fortune; your Qi clan will need to provide manpower and effort to build and refine it. All of this requires preparation.”
Lu Changsheng’s words left Qi Guangmao with mixed feelings.
He had truly obtained an immortal treasure to anchor fortune.
Qi Guangmao felt conflicted because he knew that once Lu Changsheng established his Dao field, he would definitely leave Lu City. Yet the Qi clan had only just gained a firm footing and built their foundation here.
Even so, Qi Guangmao had already thought this through. No matter what, the Qi clan had to follow in Lu Changsheng’s footsteps. Wherever Lu Changsheng went, the Qi clan would go.
“Patriarch, if you establish a Dao field, it cannot be situated within ten thousand li of Lu City,” Qi Guangmao said cautiously, already considering site selection on Lu Changsheng’s behalf. “Moreover, by general unspoken agreement, no Dao field may be founded within ten thousand li of an existing one. Doing so is considered a grave provocation to that Dao field’s master. Therefore, the site must be chosen with utmost care.”
Lu Changsheng was naturally aware of these conventions. He nodded and said, “Have the Qi clan keep an eye out as well to see which locations might be suitable.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
Qi Guangmao and his son bowed respectfully and withdrew.
Alone in his secret chamber, Lu Changsheng took stock of his spoils. The harvest this time was immense, especially the Dragon-Subduing Pillar.
He began refining it bit by bit. As it was already masterless, the process was quite simple. In merely three months, Lu Changsheng had completely refined the Dragon-Subduing Pillar, commanding it as easily as his own limbs.
The pillar did not merely anchor a Dao field’s fortune or act as a support. It also possessed suppressive might. Once a Dao field was founded with the Dragon-Subduing Pillar as its core, it would carry a terrifying suppressive force. At that time, even immortals far stronger than Lu Changsheng would be easily suppressed upon entering the field—Great Immortals included!
Given the pillar’s extraordinary nature, Lu Changsheng felt that once the Dao field was established, even a Heavenly Immortal would find little advantage within its borders.
However, selecting a site was indeed troublesome and required many considerations.
For instance, the location could not be too remote. If it was too isolated and desolate, how could they interact or trade with the outside world? Yet the prime spots were almost all occupied. Founding a Dao field in a desirable location meant defeating someone else’s Dao field, which was exceedingly difficult. Inside their own Dao fields, immortals saw their strength multiply severalfold, even tenfold; destroying a True Immortal’s Dao field was no easy task.
Moreover, that went against Lu Changsheng’s style. Eager as he was to establish a Dao field, he would not destroy another’s without cause.
He also needed to determine the future development path of the Dao field: whether it would focus on commerce or resources. Lu City, for example, centered on trade, while other Dao fields possessed abundant resources and prioritized them accordingly.
Then there was another dilemma: an immortal vein.
Whether a Dao field possessed an immortal vein made all the difference. A Dao field without one could hardly be considered appealing. In the Ziji Dao Field, Lu Changsheng had found clues suggesting it had once possessed an immortal vein, only for it to be obliterated during the great ancient immortal war.
Lu Changsheng possessed such a mighty treasure as the Dragon-Subduing Pillar. If he established a Dao field without an immortal vein, wouldn’t the Ancestor Realm cultivators within still have to search all over for veins just to break through? Such a Dao field would hold virtually no allure.
“An immortal vein…”
Lu Changsheng had struggled with that very issue himself, ultimately being forced to take risks in the Blood Marsh Mountain Range before finally finding an immortal vein and advancing to True Immortal.
“Wait, the Blood Marsh Mountain Range…”
Lu Changsheng’s heart stirred.
When it came to immortal veins, the Blood Marsh Mountain Range certainly had them, even massive ones. If he established his Dao field there, he would never lack resources.
“No, the Blood Marsh Mountain Range is far too terrifying. Even True Immortals perish there, and there are immortal beasts rivaling Heavenly Immortals or even stronger. Trying to build a Dao field there and encompass the range with my current strength would likely be nearly impossible…”
Lu Changsheng was confident, but confidence was not arrogance, much less stupidity.
Everyone knew the Blood Marsh Mountain Range was rich in resources. Encompassing it within a Dao field would make it rival any field in existence. Yet over all these years, had any True Immortal or Heavenly Immortal built a Dao field there? None.
That proved only one thing: the Blood Marsh Mountain Range was perilous in the extreme. Setting up a Dao field there would likely see it overrun before long.
Thinking along these lines left Lu Changsheng without good options. He could only wait for now and see if the Qi clan found any new leads.
During the few months Lu Changsheng spent quietly refining the Dragon-Subduing Pillar, rumors began circulating through Lu City.
Word had spread that Lu Changsheng, the forefather of the Qi clan, had obtained an immortal treasure to anchor fortune in the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield and was preparing to establish a Dao field.
The rumors were told with vivid detail. Furthermore, the Qi clan had indeed been inquiring about various locations lately, especially places with immortal veins, while steadily purchasing and stockpiling supplies related to founding a Dao field. This only lent further credence to the rumors.
For a time, many factions and immortals fixed their eyes on the Qi clan.
An immortal treasure capable of anchoring fortune! And the Dao field had not even been established yet—did that not mean anyone had a chance?
Wealth stirred hearts, to say nothing of a fortune-anchoring immortal treasure.
Still, this was Lu City, the Dao field of Great Immortal Lu. No one dared break Great Immortal Lu’s rules, so they could only behave themselves while keeping close watch over the Qi clan and Lu Changsheng’s movements.
***
In the blink of an eye, a year passed.
Over that year, the Qi clan had completed their preparations, gathering ample supplies for founding a Dao field. They had even identified multiple suitable locations.
On this day, Qi Guangmao and his son arrived at Lu Changsheng’s quarters.
“Patriarch.”
Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. “Bring the map.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
The two presented a massive map of certain regions within the Heaven Realm. The Heaven Realm was far too vast for a complete map to be drawn, but maps of specific territories were available.
“Patriarch, these are the sites our Qi clan has identified as suitable for founding a Dao field. Please make the decision.”
Qi Guangmao pointed out the marked locations on the map one by one, explaining each in detail.
Lu Changsheng nodded slightly. The Qi clan had indeed been thorough; these places were all well-suited for a Dao field.
Yet Lu Changsheng gave no verdict. Instead, he pointed to a certain area on the map and asked, “I also have a place in mind that I think would work. Look at this—what do you think of this area?”
Qi Guangmao and his son’s eyes went wide as they saw the region he indicated.
“Th-this area… While it isn’t inside the Blood Marsh Mountain Range, it is very close to it…”
Qi Guangmao could not quite fathom Lu Changsheng’s reasoning. Being right beside the desolate, uninhabited Blood Marsh Mountain Range—what could he possibly hope to gain?
“Indeed, it is very close to the Blood Marsh Mountain Range,” Lu Changsheng said. “However, a certain distance remains. Within that buffer, the immortal beasts inside the range generally won’t charge out to assault the Dao field. Once established, it may be remote and see little trade, but we must look to the future. With the Dao field backed by the Blood Marsh Mountain Range, a True Immortal’s Dao field might not be able to claim the range, but what about a Heavenly Immortal’s Dao field? And even if a Heavenly Immortal’s Dao field cannot secure it, what about a Golden Immortal’s Dao field?”
“As long as I continue cultivating and advancing, should I one day attain the Golden Immortal realm, the immense power of a Golden Immortal’s Dao field could encompass the entire Blood Marsh Mountain Range. When that time comes, with the whole mountain range in our grasp, the Dao field’s potential will truly be boundless…”
Lu Changsheng’s words rang out like thunder, leaving Qi Guangmao and his son profoundly shaken.
A Golden Immortal’s Dao field!
Lu Changsheng was still merely a True Immortal, yet he was already planning for a Golden Immortal’s Dao field! His ambition was so vast that he actually intended to claim the entire Blood Marsh Mountain Range as his own!
Merely entertaining such a thought was staggering enough, yet Lu Changsheng was already planning ahead and taking steps toward it right now.
“This…” Qi Guangmao was at a loss for words.
Was this boundless ambition, or overestimating one’s abilities?
Yet on closer reflection, if Lu Changsheng truly achieved the Golden Immortal realm one day, having the Dao field backed by the Blood Marsh Mountain Range would be extraordinarily advantageous. At that time, the mountain range would no longer stand apart; everything within it would become part of the Dao field! Perhaps when that day arrived, Lu Changsheng’s Dao field would become a sacred ground of the Heaven Realm!
“This is truly… earth-shattering!” Qi Guangmao declared, stating his stance first. “Regardless, our Qi clan fully supports the Patriarch. As long as the Patriarch decides on a location, our Qi clan will spare no expense!”
Though Lu Changsheng’s choice seemed audacious, during the True Immortal stage it would not have much direct entanglement with the Blood Marsh Mountain Range anyway, given the distance.
Lu Changsheng glanced at Qi Guangmao and his son and nodded. Their support was no surprise; his word was law in the Qi clan now. He could leave the Qi clan, but the Qi clan could not survive without him. That was simply the reality.
“Now for the most critical and practical issue,” Lu Changsheng said. “No matter where we build the Dao field, we need an immortal vein. Do you have any word of one?”
“An immortal vein…” Qi Guangmao hesitated. “Patriarch, we have no leads on an immortal vein. They are essentially monopolized; finding a new one is simply too difficult. Unless… the Patriarch makes another trip to the Blood Marsh Mountain Range. There are definitely immortal veins there. If the Patriarch could ‘move’ one out, the Dao field could be established.”
“Move an immortal vein?”
Lu Changsheng was slightly taken aback. Indeed, why hadn’t he thought of that? An immortal vein could actually be relocated. However, moving one intact was no easy feat, as it required a formidable divine ability:
Mountain-Moving!
This divine ability could relocate an entire mountain peak, and it could likewise move an immortal vein intact without damaging it in the least. It was exceptionally suited for transporting immortal veins.
“Patriarch, we can spend a massive sum to purchase a Mountain-Moving Grand Array,” Qi Guangmao said cautiously. “The grand array is virtually identical to the Mountain-Moving divine ability, perhaps even better, specifically designed for relocating mineral deposits and immortal veins. It is merely very expensive, but no matter how steep the price, compared to establishing a Dao field, it is nothing. The real issue is the immortal vein itself.”
Qi Guangmao’s meaning was clear: transporting the vein was manageable; finding one was the real challenge.
Moreover, Lu Changsheng was thinking further ahead. An ordinary immortal vein would be of little use even if relocated. Take the vein he had found on his first trip to the Blood Marsh Mountain Range: his own breakthrough had depleted and destroyed it entirely. What was the point of such a vein?
It had to be at least a large immortal vein, or even an ultra-large one—capable of supporting many people breaking through into the Immortal Realm and sustaining healthy, continuous development.
Such veins were typically found deep within the Blood Marsh Mountain Range. The depths could be dangerous, but Lu Changsheng was already a True Immortal now. He had even braved the Tianyuan Ancient Immortal Battlefield. Even if he encountered a Heavenly Immortal and could not prevail, escaping would be no problem.
“Go and purchase the Mountain-Moving Grand Array. Remember, you must acquire the most powerful one available, capable of moving even an ultra-large immortal vein.”
“As for me, I shall make another trip to the Blood Marsh Mountain Range to search for an immortal vein.”
Lu Changsheng quickly made his decision: he would return to the Blood Marsh Mountain Range!
Chapter 392