The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 3065 Utter Disappointment
After demonstrating, Zhou Zixing pulled himself out of the hole with some effort and gestured for everyone to come forward and channel their inner energy into their dantian as he had instructed. The entire formation also stopped as Zhou Zixing ceased channeling his innate power.

"Everyone, take turns. Remember, when you input your internal energy, your fingertips must touch the etched patterns, and the internal energy must be input slowly, without interruption or speed. Maintain a continuous and slow input of internal energy."

"In addition, if you don't feel the suction after inputting internal energy, or if the fluorescence in the etched lines doesn't become brighter, increase the input of internal energy. But be careful to increase it slowly, and don't increase it all at once."

Zhou Zixing deliberately stood to the side, giving instructions to everyone. After all, this was the first time he had ever seen this thing, so he was a little worried that everyone would make mistakes.

As Qian Ying's manager and assistant, Qian Wantong was in the first position in line. After Zhou Zixing gestured, he stepped forward and stood in front of the small alcove. He also glanced at Qian Ying.

After all, he wasn't sure if it was safe to channel his internal energy into that small indentation, especially since Qian Ying hadn't explained the situation after returning. Having someone come over now and channel their internal energy into it could be fatal if there were any hidden dangers.

However, after seeing Qian Ying nod slightly and give a signal, Qian Wantong felt relieved.

After all, Qian Ying wouldn't have let him do it if there were any pitfalls. He still needed to manage the Qian family's forces and handle various other matters. Therefore, the matter of inputting internal energy should be safe.

At this moment, the martial artists standing behind him, as well as Zhou Zixing and others, did not notice Qian Wantong's expression. Only Qian Ying and Chen Mo saw it.

Qian Ying understood Qian Wantong's thoughts, so when he turned around, she nodded slightly to indicate that the action was safe and that he could do it without worry.

Although Chen Mo did not understand Qian Wantong's thoughts, he saw the subtle exchanges between the two men and understood why.

However, he didn't look down on Qian Wantong; on the contrary, he greatly admired the man's caution. Without a bit of caution, one wouldn't even know how they died in this treacherous valley.

Seeing the interaction between the two, Chen Mo felt relieved. Although he knew something about the recessed area and the etched energy patterns inside, he didn't know anything about the cultivator who created these formations. What if the formations concealed deadly intent? Wouldn't that be like offering one's head as a gift?
Since it's safe, we can just wait patiently. However, we don't hold out much hope that internal energy will continue to activate the formation. Qian Ying doesn't know, but surely Chen Mo understands the difference between internal energy, innate power, and spiritual energy?

So, he quietly pulled Ouyang Nan along, falling slightly behind. He figured that once the first few Acquired Realm martial artists had been tested, they wouldn't need to go forward for further testing. After all, the internal energy of Acquired Realm martial artists couldn't possibly activate the formation; it would all be a waste of effort.

After receiving the signal, Qian Wantong felt relieved. He took a few steps forward and faced the small indentation. Following Zhou Zixing's demonstration and explanation, he reached out and pressed his hand on it. When he touched the etched patterns, he felt a cool and comfortable sensation.

He slowly channeled the internal energy from his dantian through his meridians to his fingertips, and then used his fingers to input the energy into the etched patterns. However, after inputting the energy for quite some time, the entire building remained completely still; not only did the formation not activate, but there wasn't even the slightest movement.

This was a bit awkward, so Qian Wantong could only turn his head and look at Zhou Zixing.

Seeing Qian Wantong's actions, Zhou Zixing understood that there was no reaction after inputting Qi, so he said, "Continue inputting, and slowly increase the amount of Qi, and see if it works."

Qian Wantong nodded in agreement and continued, but after a while there was still no reaction, so he turned to Zhou Zixing and shook his head again.

"Keep increasing the power, use your full strength to push it, and see." Zhou Zixing's expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he had already guessed what was going on. He and Qian Ying had considered this outcome when they discussed it earlier, so he wasn't disappointed. He had expected it.

However, if the acquired martial artist's internal energy is insufficient to activate the mechanism of this building, then relying solely on him and Qian Ying to activate it would likely be extremely time-consuming, depleting their innate power and resources such as pills, which would truly fall short of expectations.

Qian Wantong obediently increased his own energy input, but the entire building showed no reaction, so he shook his head and said, "Elder Zhou, there is still no reaction."

Zhou Zixing was somewhat discouraged, but after looking at the other acquired martial artists, he said to Qian Wantong, "Alright, you go down first, let someone else come up and try. Maybe someone else can do it."

Immediately, Qian Wantong nodded to another acquired martial artist behind him, signaling him to step forward and give it a try.

The latter immediately stepped forward and, following Qian Wantong's method, reached out to touch the etched patterns and channeled his internal energy from his dantian into the patterns.

Everyone's attention was drawn to this, but after waiting for a while, they found that there was still no movement. They sighed silently, not expecting that it would still be useless.

"Pour in all your energy!" Zhou Zixing said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the person who reached out did as instructed, channeling all the energy from their dantian into the etched patterns.

However, even after the man's dantian energy was depleted, there was still no reaction, and the entire building remained unchanged. He had no choice but to stop inputting dantian energy, and helplessly turned to look at Zhou Zixing and Qian Ying, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.

Before Zhou Zixing could say anything, Qian Ying, still somewhat unwilling, said to the person behind him, "You come down first, and then someone else can come up and try." Perhaps everyone's energy is different, and maybe another person will succeed. So she thought she would continue and see if the next one could succeed.

However, when they tried another one, there was still no response.

Just as it was the fourth person's turn, a clattering sound was heard, which surprised everyone present. They hadn't expected their energy to be effective.

"Keep your typing rhythm steady and don't change it too much," Zhou Zixing reminded him with a smile.

It seems there are differences in the internal energy of martial artists, which is why it took several people to find one who met the conditions to activate the mechanism. It's really not easy. In that case, let's just call all the martial artists over later and experiment with them one by one to see who is suitable.

If there are enough people to properly channel their energy and activate the mechanism, then he and Qian Ying will be able to relax a bit. Otherwise, if they exhaust all their innate power, who knows what unexpected events might occur, or a new strange beast might suddenly emerge from the bottom of the lake? Wouldn't they just be left to wait for death?

Chen Mo watched the smiles on everyone's faces from behind, inwardly scoffing. These people are smiling now, but they'll be in trouble later. If formations could be activated with internal energy, that would be truly outrageous!

Innate power can still be related to spiritual energy, since it is also a kind of energy absorbed from heaven and earth. Although it is still somewhat impure, it can still be used as a driving force for spiritual energy. However, the internal energy in the dantian of an acquired martial artist is absolutely impossible to use as a driving force for spiritual energy formations.

Just as everyone was happy, Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing discovered that the entire cylinder did not continue to stand up, but instead slowly fell back down as the mechanism clicked.

Damn it, it's not that the internal energy was effective, but because too much time had been wasted, the mechanisms that had just been opened were immediately restored to their original state.

Damn it!

Hehe! Just as expected, Chen Mo thought to himself.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd and amidst the clattering sounds, the building gradually returned to its original state.

Finally, with a click, the small dent was covered, and the horn also retracted a bit, waiting for someone to take it away.

"Alright, put your hands down and go back first." Qian Ying said helplessly when she saw the building restored to its original state, and gestured to Qian Wantong.

After nodding, Qian Wantong waved to the other Acquired Realm martial artists and led them back to the spot 300 meters away. Since these Acquired Realm martial artists were no longer of any use, they could simply return to a safe area and keep watch.

The two old men looked at the building and sighed deeply. They hadn't expected that in the end, they themselves would have to do the work; it was truly disheartening.

“There is a difference between innate power and acquired energy. I didn’t have high expectations to begin with. Now that things have turned out this way, it’s up to you and me to open this mechanism,” Qian Ying said to Zhou Zixing with a hint of helplessness.

“Then let’s get ready and begin. Who knows if this mechanism can actually get us across the lake? If it can’t, we’ll have the others hurry up and start making rafts,” Zhou Zixing nodded in agreement.

After the two of them made their preparations, they pressed down the unicorn again, which triggered the back wall of the building, revealing the small indentation and etched patterns.

"Let's begin!" Qian Ying nodded and took out a pill, putting it in her mouth. In case she needed to replenish her innate power later, she could swallow it directly. This pill could quickly replenish her innate power.

Following his previous experience, Zhou Zixing traced the etched patterns with his fingertips and began to channel his innate power into them.

A series of loud noises began to rise after his innate power was inputted, rumbling incessantly, and the entire building began to slowly deform.

The two massive cylindrical columns on the side of the building were slowly pulled up by the iron chains again, and finally, after being perpendicular to the ground, they made a click and were locked in place.

At that moment, Zhou Zixing gestured to Qian Ying again, and the two quickly switched positions, with Qian Ying taking over and then channeling innate power into her.

As the innate power continued to be inputted, the mechanisms of the entire building gradually began to operate.

Meanwhile, the other martial artists, standing 300 meters away, were also staring intently at the building, watching as the entire structure deformed.