stjorthotic Chapter 7 Xiong Zhou: Senior Sister, save me!
Chapter 7 Xiong Zhou: Senior Sister, save me!
The boundary between mountains and seas.
On this nameless plain where pixelated wheat grows, gentle breezes caress the plump ears of wheat, making a rustling sound, and under the starlight, they scatter a hazy, dreamlike glow.
Suddenly, a loud bark shattered the peaceful atmosphere, waking up the large dogs sleeping in the wheat pile. They all looked up at Xiong Zhou, who was burning up with heat.
His black and white fur, separated by brown, emitted wisps of blue light resembling fireworks, curling each fluffy hair and swirling around the smaller horns on his head.
The pure white wheel, which was extremely hazy, reappeared. It was several degrees clearer than before, and as it slowly rotated, it exuded a special Daoist charm, projecting the abundant Dao of the "Mountain and Sea Realm" that had not yet fully taken shape.
One after another, tiny pixel blocks, almost like points of light, emerged from nothingness like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, merging into the pure white wheel and embedding themselves into the projected path of abundance, allowing it to fill the missing gaps at an extremely fast pace.
Until a certain moment, the pixelated blocks stopped appearing, and a special charm of "completeness" emanated from the Path of Abundance, calming the unbearable heat within.
"Ugh..."
Xiong Zhou stuck out her pink tongue, panting heavily, closed her eyes, and sorted out the various pieces of information emerging from the depths of her blood.
A few breaths later, he opened his eyes, his gaze slightly unfocused.
[Power: Abundance] has been upgraded to [Lv.5]. Its influence on the "Mountain and Sea Realm" is still unclear, but it has played a significant role in promoting the recovery and growth of the bloodline power within the body.
The most significant change is that his physical strength directly reaches the limit of the first level of Qi Refining, comparable to some extraordinary talents who have entered the Dao through martial arts.
Secondly, a demonic scripture titled "Wood Qi Circulation: Mortal World Chapters" appeared in my mind, accompanied by detailed annotations from various predecessors.
What remains are some experiences belonging to the mortal realm, such as observing the heavens and sensing the qi, seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, acting on impulse, and other survival skills, as well as experiences in life-and-death battles.
The decompression of a large amount of information gave Xiong Zhou a subtle feeling that he needed to use his brain.
Before he could react, a pure white wheel materialized behind him, formed from the incense smoke. It was imbued with the aura of [Power: Abundance], bearing Xiong Zhou's unique personal mark. The nascent Abundance Dao within it stretched straight to the heavens, connecting with all the laws of heaven and earth.
At this moment, the sky seemed a little higher and more distant, and the earth seemed a few inches thicker.
The distant stars in the sky descended as illusory shadows, transforming into a constantly flowing, illusory galaxy.
A vast expanse of primordial light weaved through the landscape, accompanied by countless stardust-like rays of light falling from the sky, illuminating the entire expansive plain.
A vast array of magical phenomena surrounded Xiong Zhou, reflecting his increasingly disheveled body within the boundless laws of heaven and earth, thus creating the rudimentary form of a "path".
If [Lv.4] represents keen insight and the ability to observe all things and phenomena to enter the Dao, then [Lv.5] represents forging one's own foundation for cultivation and truly embarking on a unique path of cultivation.
Three different information panels were reflected in Xiong Zhou's eyes, displaying the current status.
-----------------
[Name: Xiong Zhou (Mountain and Sea Avatar)]
【Innate Supernatural Power: █ (Pixel Cube)】
-----------------
[The Path to Extraordinary Power: Qi Refiner]
[Spirit Origin: Earth Block + Wheat]
Rank: Celestial Foundation - Abundance (51,000/100,000)
Cultivation Realm: First Level of Qi Refining - Spirit Building
Current progress: Lv.2 (194/100,000)
[Technique: Tai Li Qi Refining Method]
当前进度：Lv.4（20，021/100，000）】
[Technique: The Lingbao Cantong Qi]
Current progress: Lv.2 (4/1,000)
Reference object: tattered yellow cloth
Ability to Connect: Gate to Another World
The principles of the same law: Earth element, Wood element, cosmic light, and emptiness.
[Technique: "Wood Qi Circulation - Mortal World Chapters"]
Current progress: Lv.5 (0/Max)
Bloodline Category: Cunning (Demon Spirit - Canine)
Recovery progress: First level of Qi Refining
Growth progress: First level of Qi Refining
-----------------
[Extraordinary Path: Totem God]
[Power: Abundance]
Level: First Stage of Spirit Refinement
Progress: Lv.5 (0/Max)
Status: Prototype
[Practice level: Level 1 of God Refining·Building God
Current progress: Divine Refinement: Lv.5 (0/Max)
Incense offerings: 1048↑/1,000,000 (Upgrading)
-----------------
Refining the spirit is the first stage on the path to sainthood.
The maximum value displayed on the panel means that one's cultivation has reached its limit, and it is no longer possible to expand further at the current level and achieve a breakthrough to a higher level.
Xiong Zhou thought to himself, "It seems that [Lv.5] is my limit in the mortal realm, and also the limit of my potential."
"Although it still can't compare to those heaven-defying things in the Immortal Sect, it's still pretty good. Among the geniuses of the Immortal Sect, it should be ranked in the upper-middle level."
"Therefore, being born into the right family is also a skill. Without the kind of enlightenment that transcends the mortal world, the power of blood from one's parents is the greatest safety net."
According to Xiong Zhou, all beings in the "Qi Refining World" have the opportunity to reach [Lv.4], which means that, statistically speaking, all beings have the hope of comprehending "subtlety" in the mortal realm.
The only difference is that this probability may be infinitely close to zero, or it may be infinitely close to one hundred percent.
[Lv.5] is the "path," which is different from [Lv.4]'s "subtlety." It requires sufficient potential to even begin.
It may stem from the potential inherited from one's bloodline, the potential from one's special physique, or the potential from one's own extraordinary comprehension.
This is yet another invisible threshold that stands between one and another before achieving immortality and enlightenment.
Xiong Zhou sensed the power within his body that seemed capable of shaking a small hill, and silently estimated it.
"With the first level of Refining the Spirit, my path to sainthood will be complete, which should increase my chances of attaining immortality by 10%."
"Adding to the original half-point of the first level of Qi Refining, my probability of attaining immortality in the future is 15%.
"Once I fill up the progress bars of the Tai Li Refining Qi Method and the Ling Bao Can Tong Qi, and then add points to [Lv.5], I should have reached 20%."
"The first level of Qi Refining is the foundation-building stage; you absolutely cannot rush to break through."
Xiong Zhou looked at the information panel again and suddenly realized that he seemed to have quite a talent for the path of gods.
Under various circumstances, his current cultivation insights on the path of sainthood are progressing even faster than his Qi cultivation since childhood. Once the incense Qi accumulates to a million points, he will naturally break through to his maximum potential.
The problem is that there are relatively few living beings who can provide themselves with the vital energy for a breakthrough, making it a significant challenge to accumulate the necessary resources.
-----------------
At the edge of the vast plain where Xiong Zhou was located, in the center of a massive mountain range, tens of thousands of times larger than the plain, surrounded by the azure energy of the heavens, a wisp of lofty law emanated.
At the highest peak of this mountain range, a pure white nine-tailed fox suddenly opened its eyes, looked down at the plain "nearby", and at the large, fluffy dog that had manifested in the laws of heaven and earth.
A deep, surprised voice came from his mouth: "A new totem."
The nine-tailed fox's gaze narrowed slightly, and after about an hour, it continued to mutter to itself, "The God of Abundance has very weak authority and insufficient divinity, and his influence on heaven and earth is extremely limited."
"But having completely mastered the full power of the Way of Abundance, possessing most of the authority over this law of heaven and earth, the totem has everything it should have, without lacking a single bit."
"interesting."
The nine-tailed fox uttered a thought that materialized into a decree, which was transmitted from the mountain peak and sent into the vast sacred mountain range.
Ten days later, a small fox with two tails and a light yellow body, carrying a scroll of imperial edict that emitted a faint light, arrived at the summit of the mountain.
The pale yellow fox with two tails put down the decree in its mouth and bowed its head to the pure white nine-tailed fox.
"Hu Xiaoqian, a new totem has appeared near our Qingqiu Mountains. Go and make contact with it to learn about the nature of this 'new neighbor'."
"The corresponding laws of heaven and earth in that small valley have been inscribed with the mark of that new totem. It is his territory. Remember to be mindful of your boundaries."
The nine-tailed fox's voice was ethereal and solemn, accompanied by a sense of holiness.
Hu Xiaoqian's eyes suddenly widened, her little mouth opened involuntarily, and her little paws pointed at her cheeks.
My goodness, are you serious?
I'm just a little fox who's just grown two tails. You want me to contact a totem god?
This newly crowned totem god could easily kill her with a simple sneeze and then swallow her whole!
Hu Xiaoqian's facial expressions were exceptionally vivid, conveying more than words in silence.
"The power of this new totem is almost the same as the power you currently possess. My decree contains the authority of the Azure Heaven, which is more than enough to protect your safety."
"Go and meet this new totem. His authority over abundance is a great addition to all pantheons."
Hu Xiaoqian's expression changed repeatedly, her mouth agape wide enough to fit a white radish.
The power of this new totem is actually about the same as hers?!
How could the true form of a totem god be so weak?!
Absolutely unimaginable!
Hu Xiaoqian held up the decree with her tiny paws and said in a voice almost like a little girl's, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Then, she picked up the decree from her little paw with her mouth and quickly headed down the mountain, running towards the "valley" outside the Qingqiu Mountains.
-----------------
Meanwhile, on the other side of Xiongzhou's unnamed plain, a vast mountain range radiating the energy of earth fire also resonated with a wisp of the laws of heaven and earth.
Unlike the lofty and ethereal nine-tailed fox, its inner meaning carries an extreme level of tyranny and terror, like an incessant fire deep within the earth, constantly erupting with destruction.
Suddenly, a giant serpent with six legs and four wings emerged from the ground, splashing up streams of lava, making the center of the entire mountain range resemble an enormous volcano, spewing out thick clouds of volcanic ash that turned into dark clouds that blotted out the sky and blocked out the sun.
This is Fei Yi, a relatively well-known ferocious beast within the realm of mountains and seas.
Her serpentine head drooped slightly, and she extended her forked tongue with nine branches, looking with great interest at the location of Xiong Zhou.
A moment later, Fei Yi, with a sinister smile, spat out a snake egg from its mouth, letting it roll from the sacred mountain beneath its feet into the "valley," where it hatched into a small clone over ten meters long, which slowly swam toward Xiong Zhou's location.
"Such a weak totem is truly rare..."
"Let me see if your power is worthy of the name of a totem."
"If you have the power, then you are worthy to become my treasure; if not, then you will become food for my clones."
Fei Yi looked at the large dog with a slightly fluffy texture engraved in the laws of heaven and earth of the "valley". Its huge snake snout opened and made a series of sounds that were almost like thunder, as if it was laughing, with a strange and twisted excitement.
After gazing at the "valley" for about an hour, she sank back into the earth, swimming into the fiery ground and splashing up terrifying streams of lava. She swam swiftly through this dreadful place and rushed into a colossal cave made of black rock.
"Splash..."
Fei Yi plunged his entire body inside. In the unusually spacious area, lay a giant, fiery red bull that looked rather haggard and had lost the strength to stand.
"My cherished collection, let's do it again..."
Amidst the terrified expression of the fiery red giant bull, the Fei Yi opened its snake-like mouth, flicked out its fangs, and gently bit down on the hairy neck of the bull.
"Sizzle..."
"Moo!"
The serpentine body of the Fei Yi slowly coiled around the fiery red giant bull and began to writhe.
Strands of authority belonging to this giant bull began to be absorbed by the Fei Yi.
-----------------
Chenming Mountain.
Xiong Zhou shivered suddenly on the blue prayer mat.
"Is there a being of a higher realm than me, eyeing me?"
He didn't bother to sort out his gains; he immediately began to carefully perceive them.
"This feeling... isn't life-threatening for the time being, but could the path to sainthood be completely severed at some point in the future?"
Xiong Zhou's path to sainthood is mainly practiced within the "Mountain and Sea Realm," which means that there are beings with higher realms than him within the "Mountain and Sea Realm" who have their eyes on him.
With a quick thought, he roughly guessed that this was the trouble brought about by the strange phenomenon that swept across the plains.
Moreover, the one who will likely target him in the end is another totem god, or multiple totem gods.
"After all, my training time is too short, and my strength is not yet sufficient."
"The whims that come from one's bloodline are quite useful. When the secrets of heaven are not obscured, one can get a vague indication of what is about to happen. Combined with the experience of our predecessors, a little analysis can lead to a more reliable prediction."
Xiong Zhou took a deep breath, and his expression returned to calm.
The true disciple took out his token, opened a list of contacts, clicked on [White Jade Sovereign], and began entering his message.
[Xiong Zhou: Senior Sister Bai Yu, help!]
[Baiyu Yuanjun: ?]
[Xiong Zhou: Your junior brother's newly comprehended path to sainthood is about to be severed!]
[Bai Yu Yuanjun: It hasn't even been a day, and you've already paved the way to sainthood?!]
[Xiong Zhou: Senior Sister Bai Yu, help!]
[Baiyu Yuanjun: Come to my temple.]
Without hesitation, Xiong Zhou immediately opened his storage bag, released a small flying boat, and took off from Chenming Mountain, heading towards Tianli Dojo.