Daoist Xuanji respectfully led the way, his hunched body more subservient than before. He guided Shan Hu through a narrow entrance hidden behind the waterfall.
"Immortal, this is the gate to the Nine Palaces Earth-Locking Array," Daoist Xuanji whispered, his tone filled with a mix of complexity and reluctance.
Shan Hu paid no mind to his emotions, only stating lightly: "Open it quickly."
Daoist Xuanji did not dare to delay. He immediately pulled out an ancient jade token from his sleeve. He pressed the token against the array gate, chanting obscure incantations. The jade token emitted a faint yellow glow, connecting with the ancient runes on the stone wall.
"Buzz—"
A deep hum resonated as the stone gate slowly opened, revealing a dark passage leading downward. The passage exuded a dense Earth-element spiritual energy and a trace of the pressure belonging to the Mid-Foundation Establishment Basalt Rock Turtles.
"Three Basalt Rock Turtles are stationed outside the formation," Shan Hu calmly reminded him.
Daoist Xuanji's body trembled, and he quickly explained: "The Immortal sees clearly! Those three profound turtles are ancient, long-lived creatures. Even after breaking through to peak Foundation Establishment, this junior could only barely coexist with them using the array's power, and would never dare to provoke them in the slightest!"
"No matter. This Emperor will handle it myself."
Shan Hu stepped into the passage first. Daoist Xuanji followed closely, his heart filled with awe and curiosity, wondering how this mysterious "Emperor Shan" would deal with the three terrifying Mid-Foundation Establishment Basalt Rock Turtles.
At the end of the passage was a spacious underground cavern. In the center of the cavern, three Basalt Rock Turtles, resembling small hills, lay prone. Their rocky carapaces were covered in moss, and they radiated a mountain-like Mid-Foundation Establishment pressure.
In the center of the three turtles was the Nine Palaces Earth-Locking Array, which emanated a subtle five-colored light.
The moment Shan Hu stepped into the cavern, the three Basalt Rock Turtles opened their eyes simultaneously. Their gaze was cold and ancient, like two pairs of yellow lanterns, locking onto Shan Hu.
"Roar—!"
The three turtles roared in unison, their voices shaking the cavern walls. They sensed the intrusion of an outsider, and the rocky carapaces on their backs began to shift, seemingly ready to unleash a fatal strike at any moment.
Daoist Xuanji recoiled in fear, hiding near the passage entrance.
However, Shan Hu simply raised his right hand. His fingertip did not condense True Essence but released an extremely pure, almost primordial Aura of Earth Law.
This aura was more ancient and pure than any Earth-element pressure lingering in the Basalt Rock Turtles' bloodline. It originated from the Immortal Realm, representing absolute command over Earth-element spiritual energy and the laws of the Earth Veins.
The Basalt Rock Turtles' roars stopped abruptly!
Their enormous bodies began to tremble violently, their eyes filled with shock, terror, and an uncontrollable trace of ecstasy. They seemed to have encountered the Divine Being who ruled the Earth and commanded the entire Basalt Clan!
Without any hesitation, their massive heads slammed into the ground, making muffled "thudding" sounds, performing a kowtow of reverence to Shan Hu in the most primitive and devout manner.
Shan Hu withdrew his finger indifferently, and the Law Aura dissipated.
"Continue your slumber and guard this place. If outsiders covet this land, you may exterminate them."
The three Basalt Rock Turtles roared in unison, their voices filled with respect and obedience toward Shan Hu.
Daoist Xuanji witnessed this miracle-like scene, standing frozen like a clay figure. The Basalt Rock Turtles, which he had feared like mountains after a century of arduous cultivation, had instantly submitted to Shan Hu!
He finally understood that the person he faced was not merely a "peak Foundation Establishment" master, but a true Supreme Being returned from the Immortal Realm!
Shan Hu ignored Daoist Xuanji's shock and walked directly toward the Nine Palaces Earth-Locking Array.
"Xuanji, open the array core."
Daoist Xuanji awoke from his trance, trembling as he formed the hand seals once more. This time, he dissolved the restriction at the array's core.
The Nine Palaces Earth-Locking Array let out a mournful whine, and the array light instantly receded. At the center of the formation, the fist-sized, five-colored Five-Colored Earth Heart floated quietly in mid-air.
Shan Hu reached out his hand. The Five-Colored Earth Heart seemed to sense the summons, flying automatically into his palm. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, heavy as a mountain, and the massive power of the Earth Origin instantly surged into Shan Hu's body, nourishing his meridians.
"The Five-Element core ingredients are now complete," Shan Hu thought to himself.
He turned back to look at Daoist Xuanji, who was still kneeling on the ground.
"Xuanji, you have meritorious service in guarding the Earth Heart. This Emperor promises not to harm your life and entrusts you with the continued guardianship of this place."
Daoist Xuanji was moved to tears, kowtowing again: "Thank you for your mercy, Immortal Emperor! This junior is willing to follow the Immortal Emperor for life and serve as your servant for eternity!"
Shan Hu pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Your cultivation is still shallow, and you are not suited to travel the mortal world with me. But since you have a heart for the Dao, this Emperor can grant you a destiny."
He flicked his finger, and a golden speck of light containing a complete Qi Condensation cultivation method and Foundation Establishment experience instantly embedded itself into Daoist Xuanji's glabella.
"This is the Profound Turtle Sea Suppression Art. It will help you stabilize your peak Foundation Establishment and gives you hope of breaking through to the Golden Core stage within three years!"
Golden Core! Daoist Xuanji froze completely. The Golden Core stage—a realm that existed only in legends on Earth!
"The Great Path of Golden Core! This junior Xuanji bows and thanks the Immortal Emperor for his immense grace!" He prostrated himself completely once more, this time in deep gratitude and ecstasy from the depths of his soul.
Having acquired the Five-Colored Earth Heart, Shan Hu did not linger. He wasted no time cultivating in the Southwestern border region, swiftly returning to Longcheng by flying sword.
Now, his storage ring contained all the core ingredients required for the Foundation Establishment Pill: Primordial Geng Metal, Thousand-Year Spirit Turtle Herb, Deep Sea Dark Crystal, Minor Five-Element Earth (auxiliary catalyst), and the Five-Colored Earth Heart.
As soon as Su Qingxue completed the spiritual material purification and the final auxiliary herb, the Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma, was acquired, he could begin refining the pill and attempt his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
Upon returning to Dragon's Hidden Mountain, it was early the next morning. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on Su Qingxue's pale but resolute face. She was drenched in sweat, but the three core ingredients in the Immaculate Spirit Refining Array now radiated an extremely pure spiritual light, their purification flawlessly completed.
"Master!" Su Qingxue struggled to open her eyes, her voice tinged with exhaustion but mostly with the joy of success.
"Very good, Qingxue." Shan Hu looked at the three core ingredients, which glowed with astonishing spiritual light, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
"All core ingredients are ready. Now, we just await the Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma."