I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 586 Earth Temple

"Thank you, sirs!" Xia Daoming hesitated for a moment, but still decided to go with them.

However, as soon as he moved, his expression changed drastically, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

"Your injuries are too severe, you need to lie down!"

Seeing this, the burly man's eyes flashed with sympathy. He raised his hand to stop them and then instructed his companion behind him:
"Shoulu, go over there and cut some wood that can be used to make a stretcher."

"Qingliu, go and gather some vines."

"Yes, my lord!"

The burly man and the only woman clasped their hands in greeting, accepted the order, and turned to step into the forest.

Xia Daoming watched them depart, his heart secretly trembling—he hadn't been unable to move because of injury or pain, but because the gravity of this land was far greater than that of the Xuanhuan Realm. Every movement felt like carrying a thousand-pound boulder. Upon closer inspection, even the pressure of the air was astonishingly heavy, as if even breathing was a struggle against the heavens and earth.

"No wonder these Nascent Soul cultivators walk on the ground like mortals; flying here must be extremely taxing."

Before long, the sound of branches breaking came from the forest. Shoulu returned carrying a thick wooden plank, while Qingliu carried a bundle of vines, which carried the fragrance of grass and spirit flowers.

The four of them quickly made a makeshift stretcher. Xia Daoming did not refuse and moved to lie down on it.

"Shoulu, Qingyuan, you two carry the stretcher," the burly man ordered.

“My lord, I was injured a few days ago and my strength has not yet recovered…” The thin young man, Pan Qingyuan, frowned as a copper bell at his waist swayed slightly, emitting a faint spiritual light.

The burly man's expression darkened, but he ultimately composed himself and coldly snorted, "Then I'll do it!"

"How could I trouble you, sir? Let me do it." Qingliu hurriedly stepped forward.

"It's alright, you're a woman, it's not appropriate for you to do such rough work."

The burly man waved his hand and, together with the robust Du Shoulu, lifted the stretcher and steadily stepped onto the winding mountain path.

Deep in the mountains and forests, the sky is high and vast, and the clouds and mist flow like water.

Ancient trees reach for the sky, their trunks over several meters thick.

Occasionally, a spirit bird would flutter its wings and fly through the forest, its plumage magnificent and its feathers shimmering with light; in the distance, the roars of beasts were deep and resonant, carrying a suppressed power.

A rich, ethereal aura swirled in the air, as if even breathing could cleanse the mind and spirit.

The mountain path was rugged, with a clear, emerald-green spring flowing between the cliffs, shrouded in mist. Several spiritual herbs, each over ten feet tall, grew from the cracks in the rocks, their petals gleaming with spiritual light. Occasionally, a spiritual beast would peek out from the depths of the dense forest, its ears twitching and its eyes like jewels.

Xia Daoming lay on the stretcher, regulating his breathing and listening to the four people's casual conversation. Soon, he confirmed that he was in the Earthly Immortal Realm, which countless cultivators of the Xuanhuan Realm dreamed of—a place called Yujianqi, governed by the Earth God Temple.

The leader was named Cui Songbai, the patrol officer of the local temple; the burly man Du Shoulu, the female cultivator Qingliu, and the thin young man Pan Qingyuan were all patrol soldiers. Although Pan Qingyuan was a constable, he had some background. The copper bell at his waist was an extremely sharp magic weapon, and his own cultivation was already close to the fourth tribulation. He was not very obedient to Cui Songbai's command.

Although the local earth god temple can receive a salary from the heavens and be worshipped by the local people, this job is not easy. In a world where demons roam freely, one must not only ensure good weather and abundant harvests in the area, but also fight off the demons who cause trouble at any time. The danger far outweighs the comfort.

In recent years, Yujian has been plagued by frequent disturbances from demonic beasts, especially the ferocious Zhu Pi Mountain Lord of Zhu Pi Ridge, who has devoured countless lives and plundered numerous resources. Although the local earth god temple is determined to eradicate him, the Zhu Pi Mountain Lord possesses profound magical power and commands a large number of mountain spirits and wild monsters, making their forces vastly inferior. A rash attack would inevitably result in a crushing defeat. Therefore, the earth god specifically petitioned the City God Pavilion of Biyuan County for assistance, but the plea for help seemed to have sunk without a trace, receiving no reply whatsoever.
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"So we've arrived at the Earthly Immortal Realm. No wonder the immortal spiritual energy is so abundant. In the Profound Realm, even Golden Core cultivators would be tempted by these spiritual herbs and fruits, but here they are as common as ordinary wild grasses and fruits."

Moreover, the Biyuan County where Yujianqi is located is just a remote place under the rule of the Heavenly Court. As the saying goes, "the mountains are high and the emperor is far away," the imperial court has no reach, which is why demons can run rampant.

"The celestial realm is indeed different from the mortal realm. With such an environment and resources, I can recover quickly with just a little rest. Moreover, the Heavenly Court doesn't seem to value this place much, which is perfect for me to establish a foothold first upon my arrival, then plan for development, and slowly gather information about the ancestral mountain and the true fire and true water."

Xia Daoming was not concerned about the current chaos in Yujian. The most important thing right now was to take the first step in establishing himself in the Earthly Immortal Realm.

Before we knew it, the sky was gradually darkening in the west.

The sun in the Earthly Immortal Realm is completely different from that in the Profound Realm—nine blazing suns hang in the sky, arranged in a row, illuminating the mountains and rivers like a golden carpet.

The group traversed the rugged mountain path to the stream at the foot of the mountain. The stream was wide and clear, teeming with fish and shrimp. Occasionally, a shimmering, translucent fish would leap from the water, creating a trail of water droplets that sparkled with iridescent colors. The stream meandered down the mountain ridges like a jade ribbon encircling the land, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the surrounding landscape.

As they traveled along the river, Xia Daoming remained on a stretcher. On the surface, his body was covered in bloodstains, a shocking sight. However, thanks to the nourishment of the innate Ren water and the miraculous vitality of the Nirvana Sacred Fire, most of his broken bones and meridians had already recovered. In addition, the immortal energy of the Earthly Immortal Realm was extremely abundant, and with just this one journey, his blood sea and true essence had recovered considerably.

The fire sycamore tree played an indispensable role in this.

Its ethereal roots had already quietly penetrated deep into the earth, drawing in an endless stream of pure immortal energy and channeling it into Xia Daoming's body, letting him know that with its assistance, his future cultivation would be twice as effective.

"I don't know how long I've been drifting in that chaotic space, nor do I know if Lian'er, Wen Yue, Lan Xi, and Master have arrived in the Immortal Realm, or if they are all well now..."

Xia Daoming's gaze dimmed slightly, a trace of concern rising in his heart.

"Brave Warrior Xia, the Earth God Temple is just ahead!"

Just as she was lost in thought, Qingliu suddenly spoke, pointing forward.

Xia Daoming looked in the direction she was gesturing—

In the distance, the mountains rise and fall, verdant as waves. Here, the stream splits in two, encircling a temple built against the mountain and beside the water, like a jade belt embracing it.

The stream is crystal clear, its bed paved with smooth blue stones. The murmuring water reflects the vermilion walls and doors of the temple, as if the flowing light and shadow have gilded it with a spiritual glow.

A blue stone arch bridge spans the front of the temple, with the water flowing gently beneath it. Occasionally, a crystal-clear fish leaps out of the water, splashing water and creating colorful sparks.

At the end of the bridge stands the main gate, perched high on the stone steps. Thick vermilion lacquer and upturned eaves hang beneath the eaves, with a gilded plaque bearing six ancient seal script characters that read "Yujian Zhitu Dimiao" (Jade Stream God Temple). The strokes are vigorous and powerful, like dragons and snakes rising from the land, and auspicious energy seems to linger around it.

Behind the temple rises a mountain, with ancient trees reaching for the sky. The tree roots are like coiled dragons piercing into the mountain, and the branches and leaves are lush. Occasionally, egrets and cranes fly among the trees.

Water mist and mountain haze intertwine in the forest, and occasionally a ray of pale golden light pierces through the clouds, reflecting on the animal-shaped ornaments and ridge beasts on the temple roof, making them seem to come alive.

As dusk falls, the afterglow of the nine blazing suns intertwines with the stream and the temple walls, the river surface shimmering with golden light, and the temple seems to be draped in a flowing golden veil, exuding a gentle and ethereal aura amidst its solemnity, like a deity quietly watching over this land.

　That concludes today's update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)