Why is my Hundred Lifetimes Book different?

After sharing a few drinks, Jin Wujiu's three-person team was officially formed.

The task was then assigned.

The Ten Directions Walkers have three main responsibilities: spiritual geomancy, hunting down sinful cultivators, and patrolling against demons and evil spirits.

As a newly formed trio, and coinciding with the revival of the Earth Mechanism, the first task assigned to Ren Qingshan and his two companions was to re-measure the spirit along the main vein of the Great Qi Earth Mechanism and draw a map.

The three were each assigned two ninth-grade Taoist techniques.

In addition to practicing the Earth Escape Technique, all three of them also specialize in another technique.

Ren Qingshan was assigned the [Golden Eyes of Qi Observation], which allows him to see far into the distance, survey mountains and rivers, and see the key nodes of the earth's structure. This technique consumes a lot of spiritual energy, but for cultivators with limitless spiritual roots, it is just right because they have plenty of spiritual energy to sustain them.

Li Yao was assigned the [Spirit Testing Array], which was set up at a key node of the Earth Mechanism, and various information would be continuously transmitted back.

Pang Feihong was assigned the [Mountain Moving Technique], which allows him to move rocks and soil for use in formations.

These three Taoist techniques are almost entirely useless in combat; they are purely for completing missions.

However, the advantage is that the spells are all recorded in the jade talisman. After refining the jade talisman, one can learn them instantly without having to spend a long time cultivating and comprehending them.

These jade tokens must be returned when I resign from my post.

Ren Qingshan then realized that there was another reason why Jin Wujiu had recruited him so easily: he was just a servant, and what Jin Wujiu valued was the Limitless Spiritual Root, not him.

However, this actually made Ren Qingshan feel more at ease.

As for this job, even though it's hard and tiring, it's fine.

There are gains and losses.

……

Having received their mission, the three of them left Tiandu City together, dressed in the standard official uniforms of the Ten Directions Travelers, and flew swiftly.

Their flight speed wasn't fast, only about twice the speed of a sword.

Ren Qingshan remained unassuming and followed at a steady pace.

But in his heart he was thinking, if he were to kill Pang Feihong at an opportune moment, would he be discovered? And if he were discovered, what would he do? Which advantage or disadvantage would outweigh the disadvantage?

After much thought, it still doesn't seem worthwhile; the timing isn't right.

To be fair, this young man's attitude towards me was quite friendly, as if he intended to befriend me.

But the debate over visualization outweighs everything else, and besides, you can't see into someone's heart, so outward attitudes don't tell you anything.

……

"Qingshan, the first node in the map is just ahead. Try observing the aura."

Nearly a thousand miles from the capital city, the first spirit-testing array appeared ahead, located deep in a mountain, its exact location marked on the previously made map.

After landing, the three used earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique that allows one to escape into the ground) to burrow deep underground, where they soon came into view.

A spirit pillar shaped like a pagoda, thick at the top and thin at the bottom, seems to pierce the earth's core. It is covered with densely packed runes, making it look exceptionally mysterious.

Ren Qingshan activated the Taoist jade talisman and used his Golden Eyes of Insight. In an instant, he felt his spiritual power cascade down like a waterfall.

As far as the eye can see, the ground is not covered with rocks, but with colorful earth energy.

Especially deep underground, there is a dazzling golden sea, which looks sacred and majestic, almost like the sun that cannot be looked at directly.

Is that the main vein of the Earth's machinery?

With this thought in mind, Ren Qingshan didn't waste any more time and quickly observed the direction and density of the earth's energy according to the requirements of the aura observation, recording them in his notebook.

"The price of ground machinery has already increased by a full 30% compared to last year!"

"Brothers, this mission, though arduous, isn't without its rewards. If any spiritual creatures are formed underground, we brothers will be the first to face them!"

Li Yao is naturally lively and talkative. He said with a smile as he entered the information.

Pang Feihong couldn't help but retort, "There are spiritual creatures and also malevolent creatures! Earthly secrets and earthly evils are one and the same. If you encounter an earthly evil, you'd better pray for good fortune."

"What are Earthly Fiends? You can escape if you encounter one. But if you run into Sea Fiends, that's truly terrifying. Endless Sea Fiends—even Foundation Establishment cultivators might not be able to withstand them!"

Ren Qingshan listened to the two bickering without interrupting, focusing instead on fully activating his Limitless Spiritual Root to restore his spiritual power.

In just a few short minutes, nearly 90% of the spiritual energy in my lower dantian had been depleted!

If this were an ordinary cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining, they probably could only last for a dozen or so breaths.

……

This task is tedious and arduous, repeated day after day.

In the blink of an eye, more than two months have passed quietly.

On this day, when Ren Qingshan was meditating at night, a new message suddenly arose within the Pangu Great Power Visualization Diagram, which was completely enveloped by the vast mortal energy within his body.

[Fellow practitioners: 6 people]

One person is missing!

Ren Qingshan quickly realized the other party's location; it was in Tiandu City.

The original four fellow cultivators in Tiandu City—one from Pang Feihong and the other two from the Zheng family—were always together. The one who was revealed now was someone else entirely. Ren Qingshan didn't know his exact identity, but he had roughly compared them. This person lived in Ward 14, in the inner city area, and should also be a member of a family with some influence.

Sensing all this, Ren Qingshan remained calm and composed.

After waiting for more than two months, my strategy finally yielded some small results.

I wonder what the other fellow practitioners are feeling now?

urgent?

Or is it fear?

unknown.

The next day, while surveying the ground, Pang Feihong occasionally lost focus and looked rather unwell. When asked what had happened, he wouldn't say.

Ren Qingshan was naturally well aware of this.

In fact, after spending the past two months together, Ren Qingshan sometimes wanted to remind him that he should just give up his cultivation. Although it would waste three years, at least he could survive and learn other visualization techniques.

But such compassion is a luxury and a danger for me.

If the other party doesn't appreciate it and turns around and bites back, one's own situation will become extremely passive.

Unless you've been through life and death together...

Otherwise, Ren Qingshan would have absolutely no choice but to completely trust him!

……

Heaven.

The Zheng family.

In the underground chamber, Zheng Yi paced anxiously, looking at his father: "Father, I can't hold back any longer! What should we do? The Heavenly Creation Instrument won't malfunction, will it?"

"Where exactly is the opportunity to obtain Pangu's superhuman strength?"

"Another one died!"

"Did someone really manage to solidify a fragment of the seal last time?"

"The remaining divine sense is being consumed at a normal rate each day!"

Stuck at the point where the residual imprint was solidified, he waited, and so did the immortal servant.

Yesterday, I used the Heavenly Secrets Divination Instrument again, and the result was still that the heavenly secrets were obscure and difficult to understand, and the time was not yet ripe!

Dead golden toad!

All they do is eat and never work!

They're consuming more and more gold, yet they're trying to fool people with this kind of nonsense!

He now has a vague sense of regret.

Although this Pangu Great Strength Divine Power was left behind by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it truly torments one's mind!

"Father, why don't you go find that official below the Hall of Contemplation and ask him for the list?"

"That sir..."

Zheng Yi asked cautiously, his words lacking certainty.

That official has an eccentric temper and holds a high position of power. Seeking his help requires a great deal of personal connections and resources, and there is no guarantee that it will be successful. It is extremely difficult.

Zheng Tianlin looked at his son, his brows furrowing deeply.

"The price of going to find that person is enough for me to hire a Foundation Establishment Grandmaster to redraw your visualization diagram."

"Currently, there are three strategies."

"First, go to the Boundless Sea and find the Fang family. The Pangu Great Strength Divine Power belongs to the Fang family. They always send people to participate in these events, so we can try to exchange ideas and make some deals. I will handle this matter."

"Secondly, send your immortal servant out of the city. If he has formed a remnant seal, he might not even dare to enter the gate when he sees the Zheng family! Send him outside as bait and see if it works."

"Third, let's wait a little longer. If neither of these two strategies works, and the Heavenly Creation Instrument can't calculate it either, then for safety's sake, let's disperse our cultivation! I'll go find you a safe visualization method."

"In the future, I'll see who gets to possess Pangu's immense strength!"

……

……