There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Chapter 1007 Puppet Advancement

"Don't you want to look into his past?"

Yu Lian suddenly asked.

Wang Ping shook his head and said, "He has already attained the True Monarch status. To see his past clearly, it would take at least several hundred years to uncover the secrets he has hidden. I can guess what his past was like below the fourth realm."

A fleeting sense of regret crossed Yulian's mind; she was disappointed that another story idea was gone.

"What do we do now?"

Yulian asked again.

Wang Ping's gaze pierced through layers of space, fixed on the flow of the earth's vein rules.

The earth vein power of this starry sky is like countless intertwined strings, each containing the rhythm of the earth. They extend from the earth spirit core within the Earth Script True Monarch's body, pierce through the crust of Zhongzhou Star, and then spread into the void, weaving into a large net covering the entire star field. Between the meshes of the net flows earth-yellow spiritual energy, sometimes as gentle as a stream, sometimes as violent as a raging torrent.

Near the Broken Sky Mountains, the flow of the earth veins is particularly intense. The suppression array set up by the underground cave gate forms pitch-black nodes, which are deeply driven into the earth vein network like nails. The earthy yellow spiritual energy around these nodes is forcibly distorted, forming unnatural vortices.

Just as Wang Ping had predicted, the more the magic array suppressed the earth's vein power, the more ferocious the rebound became. The originally gentle spiritual light would occasionally vibrate violently, accumulating a thick energy barrier around the nodes.

Those attempting to advance are caught in a precarious balance. They must break through at the very moment the magic array suppresses them to its limit, at which point the power of the earth veins will briefly stagnate. But such an opportunity is fleeting, lasting no more than twenty breaths. Once missed, the accumulated rebound power will erupt like a torrent, engulfing the advancer in the raging turbulent earth vein currents.

At this moment, Wang Ping could clearly see that dozens of such energy vortexes had formed above the Broken Sky Mountains.

Sensing Wang Ping's emotions, Yu Lian said softly, "Your name still has value in this starry sky. The Underground Gate is now nominally under your supervision, so they will definitely respect your ideas."

Wang Ping was well aware of this, which is why he sent Yulian to deliver the message.

As it turned out, their guess was correct. After receiving the news, Zhi Gong and Yun Song, two cultivators at the fourth realm, immediately descended to Zhongzhou Star. After two hours of discussion, the three of them decided to remove the suppression array set up nearby. Zhi Gong even personally explained the reason to the puppet king Qian.

Fortunately, the puppet Wang Qian did not begin to open up new earth vein power at this moment. He was only trying to mobilize the mountain power of the Broken Sky Mountain Range. At this moment, the magic array that suppressed the earth vein power did not have much effect on him. Moreover, in his mind, the name Wang Ping was equally useful.

The matter was quickly confirmed.

Ten days later.

The local cave gatekeeper carefully cleared away all the spells that were suppressing the earth's vein power, and the earth's vein rules in this area suddenly became exceptionally smooth.

Another half month passed, and Zhi Gong, Yun Song, and Bai Wan personally came to the underground cave to protect Wang Qian and help him gather the unique earth vein power of the Duan Tian Mountain Range.

Wang Qian has already refined the power of this mountain range. As long as his cultivation is sufficient and the array he has set up is in good condition, there will be no unexpected problems.

When Wang Qian adjusted his mindset and put his consciousness in a state of neither sorrow nor joy, he did not inform the three people, but directly activated the huge magic array set up in the northern part of the Broken Sky Mountains.

The next moment, in the northern part of the Broken Sky Mountains, a huge array of light suddenly shone, attracting the attention of countless cultivators from the Central Continent. However, they also knew that this place had long been designated as a forbidden area by the Earth Cave Gate, and the demons of the Demon Realm had also issued a statement that no outsiders were allowed to approach. Therefore, they could only look up and gaze at it.

Countless beams of earthy yellow light shot into the sky from the mountain ridge, weaving together a magnificent landscape painting high in the air. In an instant, the dormant power of the earth veins deep within the mountains was awakened, trembling violently like a dragon turning over. Rocks cracked and the spiritual veins were rebuilt.

More than ten breaths later, the terrain of the entire mountain range changed at a speed visible to the naked eye. The main peak slowly rose, the valleys on both sides collapsed into abysses, and the originally scattered earth energy began to converge towards the center of the magic array.

Wang Qian's figure hovered at the core of the magic array deep underground, surrounded by thick earth spirit light. His hands constantly changed hand seals, and each movement triggered an even stronger resonance from the depths of the mountains.

After a long while, the power of the earth veins transformed into a tangible torrent, surging along the array patterns beneath his feet and opening up a brand new passage in the void.

Zhi Gong, Yun Song, and Bai Wan stood in a triangle, each using their supernatural powers to suppress the turbulent earth veins around them. Zhi Gong released twelve bronze array flags from his sleeve, which were driven into various corners of the cave to form a stable barrier. A clear, moon-like light appeared above Yun Song's head, calming all the restless spiritual energy. Bai Wan formed hand seals and set up layers of light screens around the array, guiding the overflowing energy back into the array.

"This step needs to be completed within ten days, so everyone stay focused!"

Zhi Gong gave a reminder, and the other two nodded silently, while Wang Qian kept his eyes closed.

Two days later, the newly opened ley line gradually took shape.

It is like a crystal-clear amber river, flowing straight from the Broken Sky Mountains to the heavens. Pure mountain essence flows inside, and the walls of the passage show patterns that are completely consistent with the mountain's shape. Occasionally, pebbles are swept into it and instantly assimilated into pure earth vein energy.

Then, this power was slowly absorbed into Wang Qian's spiritual veins and merged with the earth vein power within the spiritual veins. It flowed slowly like a trickle along the spiritual veins around Wang Qian's body.

Initially, these external forces repelled the earth elemental energy within Wang Qian's body, causing subtle tremors in his spiritual meridians. Spiderweb-like cracks appeared on Wang Qian's skin, oozing a faint earth elemental aura. However, as the incantation continued to operate, the repulsive force gradually weakened, and the essence of the mountains began to resonate with the dantian, as harmoniously as a drop of water merging into the ocean.

Wang Qian's primordial spirit floated above his physical body, his hands forming a circle as he guided the refined essence to his limbs and bones. As time passed, his spiritual body gradually developed a jade-like luster, then became as solid as rock, and even his breathing carried the unique rhythm of the earth's veins.

But as the fusion deepened, a halo of earthy yellow light erupted from Wang Qian's body, making even the air feel heavy in his wake. At this moment, he had become the embodiment of this mountain range, his breath stirring the earth's energy, and every gesture exuding the majesty of a mountain.

Time flew by and it was already the ninth day.

The puppet king finally used the refined mountain power to open up new earth vein power in his meridians. In Wang Ping's vision, he saw the five elements and yin-yang rules woven by the universe, which, through the life rules he constructed with the 'Heavenly Talisman,' connected to the new spiritual veins in the puppet's body, thus acknowledging its existence.

However, precisely because of this, the newly opened earth vein power within the puppet's body will be gradually assimilated, and it needs to complete the final step of its advancement before being assimilated. Wang Ping stopped watching the show. He first used the 'Heaven-Covering Talisman' to shield himself and Yu Lian from all the heavenly secrets of this moment, and then used the 'Heaven-Stealing Talisman' to define the earth vein aura connecting the Earth Script True Monarch to the great net of heaven and earth rules, making it stable.

A few breaths later, the stability of the earth vein aura around the Broken Sky Mountains was observed, and it instantly soared to (94/100). Zhi Gong, Yun Song, and Bai Wan immediately sensed the change in the earth vein aura, and they all turned their gazes to Wang Qian, knowing that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Wang Qian also had the idea of ​​advancing to the next level. Without any hesitation, under the watchful eyes of Zhi Gong, Yun Song, and Bai Wan, he decisively activated the power of the newly opened earth veins in his body and gathered it towards the core of his Qi Sea.

The newly generated earth vein power flowed like rivers flowing into the sea, instantly forming a circle of energy in the Qi Sea and driving all the earth elemental energy of this mountain range.

At first, these forces simply swirled randomly, forming a chaotic, earthy-yellow mist. After more than ten breaths, a subtle rhythm gradually emerged at the center of the mist, contracting and expanding rhythmically like a heart. Each contraction compressed the surrounding earth vein power to a more solid level; each expansion absorbed more earth elemental energy from the outside.

In just two days, a tangible energy particle was born in the core of Wang Qian's Qi Sea. It was only the size of a grain of rice, but it weighed as much as a thousand pounds. This was the prototype of the Earth Spirit!
The moment the nascent earth spirit took shape, Wang Qian's entire sea of ​​qi trembled, and all the free earth spirit qi in the outside world surged toward it as if on a pilgrimage, with these forces piling up layer upon layer.

Another day passed, and the nascent earth spirit began to autonomously absorb and exhale spiritual energy. With each breath, it stirred up surging earth spirit energy in Wang Qian's dantian. This earth spirit energy washed over Wang Qian's meridians, integrating the purest earth-type spiritual energy into his spiritual body. His skin gradually developed a rock-like luster, and finally even his pupils were tinged with the weight of the earth.

Meanwhile, his primordial spirit was also undergoing a transformation under the nourishment of the nascent earth spirit, but this process was very slow and would probably take more than a hundred years to truly complete the transformation.

This step is a natural progression; barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should be successful. Wang Ping doesn't need to worry about it; Zhi Gong, Yun Song, and Bai Wan can handle it all.

"Suddenly, I feel a little empty."

Yu Lian uttered these words when Wang Ping removed the "Heaven-Covering Talisman," and with that, the destiny she had planned came to an end.

Wang Ping did not respond to Yu Lian. He immediately took Yu Lian away from the underground world, only staying in the sky above Zhongzhou Star for a moment before returning to Jiuxuan Mountain.

The moment his feet touched Mount Jiuxuan, his consciousness sensed that someone's deductions involved him. Under the watchful eyes of Yulian and the three-colored cat, he gently manipulated the space in front of him with his left hand, and fine timelines instantly appeared before his eyes. As planned, he erased the events of his helping Wang Qian advance his career from the timelines.

Of course, this erasure is not an actual erasure, but merely a means of shielding the deduction.

After watching Wang Ping finish his work, Yu Lian asked, "Is someone investigating you?"

Wang Ping shook his head. "They're not investigating me, they're investigating Zhongzhou Star. My presence was very obvious in that timeline, and if they don't clear it out, there will always be some traces left."

When they finished their conversation, they were momentarily disoriented, and their memories of Zhongzhou Star became blurred, which quickly turned into forgetting.

This feeling of being in a daze is very strange. For example, Wang Ping knows that he just did it, but when he tries to recall it carefully, he can't remember anything. If he doesn't think about it, he can get a general understanding. Of course, with his current cultivation level, he can recall it if he tries to think about it, but there is no need for him to.

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

Yu Lian came to her senses and said to Wang Ping.

Wang Ping nodded, walked to the spirit tree, and lit the stove next to the tea table. The calico cat had been observing the two of them, and only jumped down from the spirit tree when it saw that everything was normal. Yu Lian immediately started playing with her.

Before long, the aroma of tea filled the air in front of the spirit tree. Yu Lian and the calico cat stopped playing and gathered around the tea table, chatting and sipping tea with Wang Ping.

...

Leisure time passed quickly, just ten days after Puppet King Qian advanced to the fourth realm.

Zhi Gong set up an altar and prayed to Wang Ping, asking about the remaining four-realm slots for the Underground Gate. Wang Ping then gave the slot to Zhi Gong.

The three fourth-realm experts from the Underground Cave Sect didn't think that Wang Qian's successful advancement would make things easier for the others. They were planning to use the earth spirit within Liu Yunfujun's body to advance as well. The reason they only came to inquire now was because Yu Lian's earlier words had taken effect.

Wang Ping had no interest in knowing what Zhi Gong and the others were going to do, nor did he care whether they would succeed. He continued to try to observe the spatial characteristics under the Wood Spirit's rules.

Several years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In recent years, Liu Shuang and Shen Xiaozhu have visited him more and more often, and Wang Ping's mood has become better and better.

Suddenly one day, Wang Ping awoke from his meditation. It was still night on Jupiter. He subconsciously looked up at the starry sky, and then a golden, glittering divine palace silently unfolded beneath his feet.

The rain lotus, which was absorbing spiritual energy, sensed the change in Wang Ping's emotions. It flew over and landed in the center of the divine palace. It glanced at the star map composed of countless golden lines, felt the fervent faith of the believers, and asked Wang Ping, "What happened?"

"I feel like I'm about to lose something."

Wang Ping's consciousness swept across the prayers of millions of believers, but in an instant he locked onto a particular aura.

Yu Lian landed on Wang Ping's shoulder, following his senses to detect the aura he was paying attention to. She then said with slight surprise, "Is it Second Senior Brother's disciple? Zhang Xinghuai?" Her tone was first puzzled, then slightly shocked. "Why is his aura so weak? He's already at the point of exhaustion. This shouldn't be the case."

Wang Ping immediately released a portion of his consciousness, connecting with a divine magic user on the Central Plains. This divine magic user was cultivating diligently in the Northwest. Amidst the shocked and envious gazes of his companions nearby, he transformed into a streak of light and sped towards the Snow Region. In just over ten breaths, he appeared atop an unnamed ice mountain in the north of the Snow Region.

Zhang Xinghuai sat cross-legged atop the iceberg. He wore a blue Taoist robe but had a Buddhist shaved head and ordination scars. He looked incredibly old, his body hunched over like a withered pine tree. His skin was an unhealthy grayish-white, covered with age spots and cracked lines.

Those once insightful eyes are now deeply sunken, their cloudy pupils covered with a layer of gray. Their long, white eyebrows are sparse and scattered, trembling in the wind along with the few remaining white hairs on their bald heads.

(End of this chapter)