Chapter 1450: Such Are Spiritual Veins

However, as Chen Changsheng probed the depths of this Spiritual Vein, he saw Spiritual Energy from across the world gathering toward this region. Driven by qi destiny, it converged and sank into the vein. Yet it remained entirely gaseous, unable to condense into a true Spiritual Vein.

Because of this, the overall Spiritual Energy in the Mortal World was steadily rising. The problem, however, was that this energy would not settle within the vein; instead, it drifted restlessly.

It seemed as though it would soon flee the area entirely.

Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. Witnessing this change only solidified his suspicions.

This was nothing more than a grand scheme set in motion long ago.

This would be a great tribulation!

A destruction of the Dao!

Yet Chen Changsheng noticed another inconsistency: the concentration of Spiritual Energy within this vein was nowhere near enough to elevate the entire Mortal World.

"So where does the problem lie?"

He vaguely sensed that aside from qi destiny, there had to be another underlying factor.

The qi destiny was merely a facade.

With that in mind, Chen Changsheng began searching across the Mortal World.

A long while later, deep within the heartland of the Mortal World, he discovered another Spiritual Vein.

He could hardly believe it when he saw it. The vein was incredibly robust, its liquid pooling into a spring. Boundless Spiritual Energy radiated outward, and the restless energy drifting through the empty channels elsewhere seemed to originate right here.

Raising an eyebrow in thought, Chen Changsheng cast his gaze upward.

A towering mountain stood there, its peak seeming to reach the heavens. It was shrouded in clouds and mist, hazy and indistinct.

As he climbed the slope and looked back, the Mortal World below became a blur, fading entirely from sight.

Pondering this anomaly, Chen Changsheng looked down at the mountain beneath his feet.

Just then, a voice rang out.

"Fellow Daoist, this humble priest greets you."

Chen Changsheng turned to find a man standing behind him. With snow-white hair but the unwrinkled face of a youth, the man held a Whisk, exuding an utterly transcendent aura.

Chen Changsheng cupped his hands slightly. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Zhang Zhengdao stroked his beard and smiled. "I am Zhang Zhengdao, titled Qingping, of the Orthodox Celestial Master Way. Might I ask for your name, Fellow Daoist?"

"This Chen is merely a Rogue Cultivator," Chen Changsheng replied. "I do not belong to the Daoist Gate."

Zhang Zhengdao smiled warmly and stepped forward. "You are not a cultivator of the Mortal World, are you?"

"I cultivated in the Mortal World in my early years. After leaving it, I wandered the realms. Having found the time to return for a quiet look around, I certainly didn't expect to stumble upon such an Immortal Mountain."

"This mountain is named Hidden Immortal," Zhang Zhengdao said. "It has stood here for years, entirely hidden from mortal eyes. Only those brought by fate can see it. That you arrived here is proof enough of your discerning eyes, Fellow Daoist."

Chen Changsheng paused in surprise. "Hidden from mortal eyes?"

"Exactly."

"In my earlier years, I wandered through this region," Zhang Zhengdao said. "I passed by this exact spot seven times without noticing a thing. It wasn't until later, when a moment of enlightenment struck me at its foot, that I managed to grasp a fleeting thread of the Great Dao. When I looked up, the mountain revealed itself to me. I took up residence here to dedicate myself to cultivation, and in all these years, no outsider has ever visited. You are the first, Fellow Daoist."

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng became increasingly certain. This mountain was very likely a part of the Heavenly Dao's physical body.

"How long have you resided here, Fellow Daoist Zhang?" Chen Changsheng asked.

"Nearly a hundred years," Zhang Zhengdao replied.

Chen Changsheng was taken aback. Taking a closer look, he realized the man's Dao Cultivation was remarkably profound—he had already stepped into the Dongxu Realm.

One had to understand just how impossibly difficult it was to reach the Dongxu Realm in the Mortal World. Out of countless millions, perhaps only a single cultivator might ever achieve it.

It was a testament to the man's extraordinary ability.

Chen Changsheng cupped his hands in genuine admiration.

Zhang Zhengdao waved it off with a smile. "I may have cultivated for many years and stepped into the Dongxu Realm, but compared to the descending immortals, my meager attainments are hardly worth mentioning."

"You are mistaken, Fellow Daoist," Chen Changsheng said. "We cultivate our own Dao. Why should we care about others?"

"Well said, Fellow Daoist."

Zhang Zhengdao continued, "It is incredibly rare for anyone to set foot on this mountain. Since fate has brought us together, why don't you visit my humble abode for a cup of tea so we can discuss the Great Dao?"

"Gladly!"

"Wonderful, wonderful."

With Zhang Zhengdao leading the way, they soon arrived before a small wooden cabin.

The cabin sat on the mountainside. Beside it, a stream bubbled as it flowed down the slope. The Daoist had built a waterwheel to draw the water into a channel. The vegetation in the courtyard was meticulously kept, and auspicious mountain beasts could be seen frolicking nearby.

The two conversed joyfully, discussing both cultivation and the Mortal World.

Having lived away from the world for so long, Zhang Zhengdao was entirely oblivious to the Mortal World's current state.

Chen Changsheng filled him in on the details. Hearing this, Zhang Zhengdao could not help but sigh. "A century passes in the blink of an eye. Who could have guessed that the world below the mountain would change so drastically, becoming completely unrecognizable."

Chen Changsheng nodded slightly. "Do you have any plans for the future, Fellow Daoist?"

Zhang Zhengdao let out a long breath. "My entire life has been devoted to cultivation. Even now, my heart remains burdened by unresolved doubts, which is hard to accept. I feel the answers for the path ahead lie right here in this mountain."

Chen Changsheng nodded before changing the subject. "Do you know what makes this mountain so extraordinary, Fellow Daoist?"

Zhang Zhengdao shook his head. "Truth be told, even now, I have yet to unravel the secrets of Hidden Immortal Mountain."

"As far as This Chen is aware, a Spirit Spring lies hidden deep beneath this mountain," Chen Changsheng said. "That is why this place is so rich in Spiritual Energy."

"Oh?"

"It is a Spiritual Vein."

Zhang Zhengdao paused, a look of sudden realization washing over his face.

"A Spirit Spring... No wonder this place is so unique."

Snapping out of his daze, Zhang Zhengdao turned back to Chen Changsheng. "Did you come here for this Spirit Spring, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "I came here investigating an anomaly concerning the ancient Spiritual Veins. Finding this mountain was entirely a matter of chance."

"Might I ask what state the Spiritual Veins of the Mortal World are in nowadays?"

"The vast majority of them have dried up."

"Ah?"

Zhang Zhengdao looked bewildered. He frowned deeply. "Dried up? But as I see it, the Mortal World's Spiritual Energy has been rising steadily."

"That is exactly what is wrong," Chen Changsheng replied.

Chen Changsheng explained, "The Mortal World's abundant Spiritual Energy stems partly from the qi destiny born of the world's unification. However, over seventy percent of it radiates from the Spirit Spring beneath this mountain. Positioned right in the heartland of the Mortal World, the spring is pumping out Spiritual Energy in every direction. It flows through the ancient Spiritual Veins, effectively blanketing the entire Mortal World."

"Such a bizarre thing is actually happening?"

Zhang Zhengdao reeled from the revelation. "A single Spirit Spring is elevating the Spiritual Energy of the entire Mortal World?! How is that possible? Could this spring truly be entirely inexhaustible?"

"That is exactly what This Chen is trying to figure out," Chen Changsheng said.

Zhang Zhengdao stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Could you take me to see it, Fellow Daoist?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. Using an Escape Art and opening their Dharma Eyes, the two were finally able to clearly perceive the Spirit Spring's location.

As Zhang Zhengdao cast his gaze downward, a majestic, overwhelming wave of Spiritual Energy washed over him.

He recoiled in shock. "Fellow Daoist, this Spiritual Energy is incredibly violent! If anyone were to carelessly refine it, they would undoubtedly end up entering fire and falling into demons!"

"Such are Spiritual Veins," Chen Changsheng replied.