Under One Person: I Opened the Age of Mythology

Chapter 601

A group of ordinary monks dressed in short coats and wearing goggles were nervously adjusting the instrument parameters.

The leader was Zhao Qian, a disciple of Chen Yu who had participated in the construction of Jingye Valley.

"Report! Resonator No. 3 has detected a faint resonance in the deep earth vein 'breathing soil layer'! The frequency is stable!" someone shouted excitedly, staring at the nebula-like light and shadow flowing at the core of the instrument.

"Good! Infuse with the essence of Weak Water and initiate the biomimetic cycle of 'Water and Fire in Harmony'!"

Zhao Qian decisively gave the order.

Om-!
The chaotic source energy seed at the core of the resonance device suddenly lit up, guiding the essence of the Heavenly River Weak Water transported through the Xuanbing Jade Marrow Corridor, transforming it into countless warm blue light streams, which flowed along the red copper pipe network and were precisely injected into the "Breath Soil Layer" node detected underground.

Meanwhile, another set of pipes evenly spreads the residual heat from the earth fire, which has been tempered by the embers, from the direction of Jingye Valley under the pre-designed planting area in the gentlest "warm bed" mode.

A miracle unfolded on the edge of the desert.

The cracked red sand surface became moist and soft at a visible speed.

Tiny patches of green stubbornly pushed through the sand and gravel, quickly spreading into patches.

They are not magical herbs, but drought-resistant sea buckthorn, saxaul, and "earth vein potato" seedlings carefully cultivated by mortals that can grow in barren land.

The greenery, like a tide, slowly but steadily advanced into the depths of the red sand plain.

"It's done! The first phase of the Taklamakan... no, the Red Sand Plains Spirit Plant Base, has stabilized!"

Zhao Qian wiped the sweat and dust from his forehead, his voice choked with emotion. The chaotic source energy seed on his chest was slightly warm, conveying the joy of new life pulsating from the depths of the earth.

However, not all changes are exciting.

In another newly developed spiritual planting area, the "Yunjin Terraces," near the foothills of Kunlun Mountain, the soil was already of good quality. Benefiting from the residual energy of the newly formed Kunlun spiritual veins and nourished by the "water and fire network," the spiritual grains are thriving, and a bountiful harvest is imminent.

Wang Huan, who was in charge of this area, seemed somewhat distracted.

He leaned against a geothermal resonance instrument, watching the instrument automatically feed back near-perfect data on earth energy, temperature, and humidity, and yawned.

"With this precious gem here, why bother patrolling the fields every day?" he muttered to his new assistant. "Set the parameters, and the resonance device will adjust the water and fire, drawing upon the earth's energy. We can just wait to harvest the grain! Sincerity? Understanding heaven and earth? Hey, with this 'source energy seed' and the Heavenly Court's net, that's enough!"

The chaotic source energy seed on his chest still emitted a faint light, but it seemed to have less of a lively resonance and more of a tool-like rigidity compared to the one on Zhao Qian's chest.

The main hall of the "Heaven and Earth Academy" in Beiju Luzhou.

Hundreds of students of varying ages sat upright, their expressions focused.

On the platform, an old teacher, enlightened by the local deity, was pointing to the star projection hanging from the dome.

"Today's 'Starry Night Rhythm Study' focuses on the phenomenon of 'Mars guarding the Heart constellation.' The old instructor's voice was deep and resonant. 'Mars governs fire, and when it guards the Heart constellation, the red light in the corresponding area of ​​the starry night accelerates, and the earth's fire becomes active. At this time, the spiritual fields need to draw in slightly more Weak Water Essence by 30% to temper the fire and balance the earth's energy. If the earth's fire is forcibly drawn to ripen the spiritual grains, at best the grains will wither and dry, and at worst, it will ignite the earth's restless fire, causing widespread devastation!'"

The students bowed their heads, recording their observations on specially made jade tablets. These tablets were connected to the faint light of the starry sky, displaying a real-time map of energy tides. This field of study was directly related to their livelihoods and safety.

In another lecture hall, the atmosphere was much more serious. A monk from Mingfa Academy was lecturing on the "Symbiotic Contract Law".

"...This is a template for the newly established 'herb-gathering contract' between the former Black Wind Ridge Bear Clan and the village at the foot of the mountain." The cultivator displayed a contract scroll gleaming with golden light. "Demons may enter the mountain to gather spiritual herbs that are over a hundred years old, but for each herb gathered, they must nourish three seedlings with their demonic power, or dredge ten miles of waterways for the village. Humans, on the other hand, must reserve 30% of the gentle slopes at the foot of the mountain for demon cubs to inhabit and play in. Those who breach the contract will be held accountable by their own conscience and will have to pay the price for their karma!"

The students listened intently, holding their breath. This course no longer taught about the survival of the fittest, but rather about finding a balance for the coexistence of immortals, mortals, and demons within the framework of sincerity and law.

After each day's lessons, all students are required to complete "The Self-Reflection Record of the Scales of the Heart".

In a specially made jade slip, one records one's thoughts and actions of the day with one's mind and spirit. Will any delusions arise?
Does he or she act in accordance with his or her words?

Do we have reverence for heaven and earth and all things?
The jade slip shimmered with a faint light. Although its contents did not reach Yang Jian in real time, the purity of his thoughts during self-reflection would trigger a trace of the spirit of the scales within the jade slip, leaving a mark that was either clear or obscure, serving as an important reference for future "trials of mind and character."

The area below the Ascension Platform was teeming with people, far more than in the past.

The number of mortals ascending to immortality has surged, all thanks to the new academy system and the "Seeds of Source Power" that have opened up an unprecedented path. However, before the white jade staircase leading to the Gate of Light, there are now nine invisible "trials of mind and character."

The first challenge is "Starry Night Maze".

Those who step onto the stairs are not greeted by auspicious clouds and celestial music, but by the overwhelming sight of a vast expanse of flowing stars and the stark contrast with their own insignificance.

Those who lack willpower and reverence for heaven and earth will instantly feel dizzy and fearful, making it difficult to make any progress.

The third level is the "Corridor of Karma".

As you walk, the minor harms, debts, and even the evil thoughts hidden in your heart that you have intentionally or unintentionally caused in the past will be magnified and reproduced in the karmic illusion.

Only those who sincerely repent and have the courage to face reality can pass.

The seventh challenge is "The Question of Sincerity".

A thought originating from the primordial spirit directly struck my heart: "You ascend to the Immortal Platform, what do you seek?"

Is it immortality and carefree existence? Is it power and authority? Or is it protection and co-construction? The purity of the answer determines the strength of the guiding light.

At this moment, a cultivator who had made great contributions in the Red Sand Plain was stepping onto the seventh step.

The magnificent scene of deserts turning into oases appeared before his eyes, and his heart was filled with heroic passion. He shouted loudly, "To relieve the suffering of the people, let us expand the fertile land of our human race!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the guiding light suddenly intensified, steadily lifting him toward the portal.

Another cultivator, with even higher cultivation but who had shown signs of complacency at the Yunjin Terraces, arrived here. Faced with questioning, his mind was filled with thoughts of the glory and convenience of ascending to immortality. The guiding light flickered and dimmed, blocking him from entering and forcing him to reflect on his actions once more. Above the Pure Karma Valley, Sun Wukong's figure quietly appeared, the starry river on his dark gold robe seemingly flowing in sync with the surging vitality below.

His gaze swept over the newly sprouted greenery of the Red Sand Plain, over the focused faces of the students in the academy, and also over the various faces of success and failure below the Ascension Platform.

The chaotic star crystal at his temple remained as cool as ever, yet it faithfully reflected all these subtle changes in his heart.

A new era is surging forward in ways never before seen.

Every resonance of the Chaos Spirit Embryo, every exploration of the cultivators, every enlightenment of the academy students, every choice of the ascendant... all paint new colors on the Three Realms and weave more complex cause and effect.

The growth of the spiritual embryo requires the sincere nurturing of all beings; and the path ahead of all beings also needs the reflection and guidance of the spiritual embryo as a "mirror of the heart".

The shadows of dependency and inertia have already begun to grow in the corners, like a languid breeze over the Yunjin Terraces.

Sun Wukong's gaze finally fell upon the warm and pulsating chaotic spirit embryo deep within the starry sky. In his golden eyes, the chaotic nebula slowly rotated, reflecting the myriad phenomena of the Three Realms.

The road back to the source is long and arduous.

Will this new chapter, following its first cry, lead to a more brilliant symbiosis, or will it give rise to unknown waves? The starlight at my temples twinkles silently, as if questioning and witnessing.

……

……

Above the Valley of Pure Karma, Sun Wukong's figure quietly disappeared, leaving only the Chaos Star Crystal at his temple shimmering with a warm and profound luster in the sunlight.

However, beneath this vibrant new life, hidden currents within the Three Realms are quietly converging into a vortex powerful enough to shake the very foundations of existence.

Deep within the Lingxiao Palace, the atmosphere in the side hall, where celestial music once filled the air, was now heavy and stagnant.

The Dragon King of the East Sea, Ao Guang, had a gloomy expression. He squeezed the jade cup in his hand so hard that it creaked, but the nectar inside remained untouched.

The Antarctic Immortal's long, snow-white eyebrows were furrowed, his whisk resting on his arm, and his gaze swept over the several celestial officials and generals in the hall who also looked displeased.

"Have you all seen this clearly?" Ao Guang's voice carried a deep, oppressive weight. "The Ascension Platform is wide open. Ordinary people, with just a few good deeds and a few words of 'sincerity,' can directly reach the Heavenly Gate and sit on equal footing with us! Even worse, those vile bears of Black Wind Ridge, with countless blood debts, are now roaming freely in the Netherworld, calling it 'atonement'! If this continues, where will the majesty of the Heavenly Court be? Where will the distinction between immortals and mortals be? This new order is clearly disrupting the moral order and destroying the very foundation!"

His dragon eyes widened, and his dragon aura unconsciously spread, making the air in the hall seem a little heavier.

"The Dragon King's words hit the nail on the head," a stern-faced celestial general in golden armor said solemnly. "True Lord Yang Jian, who upholds the law, has a high moral standard and his initial intention may be to be just. However, going too far is as bad as going too far! Mortal cultivators, without a thousand years of arduous cultivation and the baptism of heavenly tribulations, have unsettled minds and shallow foundations. How can they be worthy of their celestial duties if they suddenly ascend to heaven? As for those bears and the like, their demonic nature is untamable. Even if they have remorse, who knows if it's just a temporary expedient? If their period of atonement ends and they regain their freedom, there's no guarantee they won't revert to their old ways! Such leniency is truly raising a tiger to cause trouble!"

Another celestial official, who was in charge of some of the Heavenly Laws and Records, stroked his beard and sighed: "What is even more worrying is that 'Seed of Chaos Origin Power.' Although this thing is wonderful, it easily imparts the ultimate principles of heaven and earth and the mysteries of creation to mortals. If this continues, mortals will be able to glimpse the secrets of heaven and earth, follow their own path, and regard the laws of the Heavenly Court as nothing, and regard us immortals and gods as nothing. As this balance weakens, the foundation of the Heavenly Court will be shaken!"

The Antarctic Immortal slowly opened his half-closed eyes, a cold glint flashing in them: "Fellow Daoists, I deeply sympathize with your concerns. The new laws are newly established, seemingly flourishing, but in reality, their foundations are unstable. Sun Wukong, with his Chaos Origin Core body, has undertaken this act of breaking with the old and establishing the new. While it has contributed to the Three Realms, it has been too radical. Yang Jian, Nezha, and others have all assisted him. However, the Heavenly Court is the central hub of the Three Realms, the foundation of order. How can it allow the turbidity of the mortal world and the malevolent energy of demons to run rampant?"

He paused, then lightly waved his whisk, creating an invisible soundproof barrier around the side hall: "On the surface, it's inconvenient for us to oppose the new laws. However, the mortal realm has its own order, and the cultivation world has its own traditions. The Shu Mountain Sword Sect has a long history, taking 'slaying demons and protecting the righteous path' as ​​its mission. Its rules are strict, and it places the greatest emphasis on the distinction between immortals and mortals. Its sect leader, True Person Qingxu, has profound cultivation and hates evil like poison. He has long harbored resentment towards the bear's atonement and the demons' rise to power..."

Ao Guanglong's eyes lit up: "What does the immortal mean?"

The Antarctic Immortal's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile: "The will of Heaven is unpredictable, and the conflicts in the mortal realm have their own causes and effects. Mount Shu is the orthodox sect of Taoism, and it is our duty to uphold the orthodox tradition and cleanse our own sect. If that demon seeking redemption were to 'accidentally' perish under the sword of those who uphold the righteous path in the mortal realm... even if the scales of the heart can clearly distinguish right from wrong, what can they do? Can they hold the entire Mount Shu accountable for this, or hold the act of upholding the 'righteous path' accountable?"

The immortals and gods in the hall understood each other perfectly and exchanged meaningful glances.

An invisible undercurrent began to quietly surge towards the Southern Continent of the mortal realm, towards the majestic immortal mountain of Shu, whose soul is the sword.

In the depths of the netherworld, at the Pure and Bright Terrace of the Purification Division.

The bear's massive body was submerged in the churning swamp of vengeful souls, its earthen-yellow demonic aura acting like a sturdy dam, firmly suppressing the filthy remnants of souls that were trying to retaliate.

His muscles were bulging, his teeth were clenched, and large beads of sweat mixed with the filth of the swamp kept rolling down his body.

Each output of demonic power was accompanied by excruciating pain and exhaustion of the soul, but his eyes were filled only with unwavering resolve to atone for his sins.

"Almost there... just hold on a little longer..."

He growled, feeling the faint feedback from the purification array. His resentment was stripped away and annihilated, as if his heavy sins had been lessened.

Just then, the projection of the Heart Scales hanging high on the Mingjing Platform suddenly rippled slightly, and a thought from Yang Jian directly entered Xiong Pi's sea of ​​consciousness: "Xiong Pi, the water veins of 'Yunmengze' in Nanzhanbuzhou are blocked by landslides, and turbid waves are flowing back, endangering the lives of the three cities. You must go there immediately, use your demonic power to clear the waterways, and draw the essence of the Weak Water to flush away the silt. This is a great merit, which can offset the suffering of your hundred days of purifying your evil soul."

The bear's spirits lifted, and it abruptly raised its massive head: "The bear obeys! Thank you for your grace, True Lord!"

He would gladly leave this suffocating swamp of evil spirits to do something meaningful for the living, no matter how hard or tiring it was.

He struggled to break free from the swamp's sticky grip, his massive body kicking up a spray of filthy water as he strode toward the passage from the underworld to the mortal realm.

Southern Jambudvipa, on the edge of Yunmeng Marsh.

The once vast and misty marshland is now blocked by a landslide upstream, with a large amount of mud and rocks blocking the main waterway. The muddy floodwaters have overflowed the banks, submerged fertile fields, and poured into low-lying towns.

The sounds of crying, pleas for help, and collapsing buildings were mixed together, creating a scene resembling a living hell.

The bear's massive body crashed to the ground, splashing mud and water everywhere.

Looking at the tragic scene before him, a hint of pity flashed in his large, bell-like eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even stronger determination to atone for his sins.

"Roar--!"

He let out a deep roar to the sky, not as a show of defiance, but as a gathering of demonic power.

With both palms thrusting into the turbid floodwaters, a surge of powerful earth-elemental demonic energy erupted, transforming into two enormous rocky hands that, like giant ploughs, fiercely rammed into the massive mud and rock dam blocking the waterway!
(End of this chapter)