Primordial Era: I am a treasure trove, full of magical treasures.

After handing the ginseng fruit to Xuanbao, Zhen Yuanzi turned to look at the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa again, and slowly said, "I understand the schemes of my fellow Daoists. But the grudge against Hongyun must be avenged. The limits of the earth's veins begin today."

Without another word, he bowed to the crowd and walked towards the white jade bed where the remnant soul of Hongyun was located. Upon seeing this, Laozi's mind stirred slightly, and the illusory Taiji diagram enveloping the remnant soul of Hongyun parted slightly.

Zhen Yuanzi stood in front of the bed, gazing at the faint true spirit. After a long while, he took out the Earth Book.

The earthy yellow light was not dazzling, but it was so heavy that it made the entire cave feel heavy. The Qingping Sword behind Tongtian emitted a faint hum, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi in Yuanshi's hand shone with a clear light, and even Laozi, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened his eyes a crack.

The Earth Book, a supreme innate spiritual treasure, governs the veins of the primordial earth and is something born from the same origin as the embryonic membrane of heaven and earth.

Zhen Yuanzi turned the pages of the book, his finger pointing to one page—where the shape and veins of Longevity Mountain were imprinted, along with a faint, almost vanished cloud-like mark. It was a wisp of aura unintentionally left behind by Hongyun during his visit, echoing the original primordial mark belonging to Hongyun in the book. At this moment, Zhen Yuanzi was carefully peeling away this cloud-like mark.

"Brother," Zhen Yuanzi's voice was deep and resolute, "since you enjoy traveling, today, I will use this vast wilderness as my guide to build you a 'Cloud Mansion' where you can live in peace."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed his fingers like a knife and gently sliced ​​off the cloud imprint that had been peeled from the Longevity Mountain page of the Earth Book, which was infused with the aura of the Crimson Cloud. He didn't destroy it, but split it in two! About 70% of one half was sent back into the fragile true spirit of the Crimson Cloud; the other 30% was pointed into the Earth Book by his finger, not in its original position, but falling into the desolate area described in the scroll, at the junction of the western and northern parts of the primordial world, a region where the earth's veins were hidden.

This move, seemingly splitting the Crimson Cloud Mark, is actually a clandestine act of substitution using the Earth Book as a medium! The portion infused with the Crimson Cloud's true spirit can better integrate with it, stabilizing its soul; while the portion hidden in the desolate area of ​​the Earth Book becomes a highly secretive "coordinate" or "backup," subtly connecting with the ley lines of that region. From then on, as long as the Earth Book remains intact and the foundation of the primordial land still exists, the Crimson Cloud has a slim chance of never being completely annihilated. This method utilizes the Earth Book's ability to communicate, record, and even influence the primordial ley lines to a certain extent; its mysteries are virtually impossible for anyone other than the master of the Earth Book to perceive.

"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, your methods are excellent," Laozi suddenly spoke, his gaze sweeping over the Earth Book and then at the Red Cloud True Spirit. The Red Cloud's previously flickering True Spirit, after merging with the seventy percent cloud energy imprint, though not immediately strengthened, had clearly solidified slightly. This would allow it to be nurtured more naturally and smoothly by the power of the white jade bed, the Taiji Diagram's protection, and the sacred water from the Xuanbao that could restore divine consciousness. A knowing glint flashed in Laozi's eyes, and he nodded slightly, remaining silent. Yuanshi and Tongtian also seemed to sense something, but neither revealed it.

Nuwa, naturally, sensed it more clearly. She noticed the fleeting trace within the Earth Book's fluctuations—a subtle connection between the Crimson Cloud mark and a remote ley line—and inwardly praised Zhen Yuanzi for his thorough planning and decisive action. In this way, even if this wisp of true spirit were to encounter another accident, the Crimson Cloud might not completely dissipate into the world. However, this method was quite costly, and the associated ley line area would inevitably be desolate and even treacherous. Reassembling the Crimson Cloud using this "backup" in the future would be extremely difficult, but it was ultimately a safeguard. Her gaze towards Zhen Yuanzi held a newfound respect.

After doing all this, Zhen Yuanzi's face paled slightly for a moment, but he quickly recovered. He put away the Earth Book and said to the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa, "This humble Taoist must immediately return to Longevity Mountain to activate the Earth Vein Array and fulfill my promise. I entrust my brother Hongyun to you all for now."

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist," Nuwa replied. "Phoenix Perch Mountain is the sacred site of a sage, protected by the Heavenly Dao, and with the Three Pure Ones here, fellow Daoist Hongyun's spirit is without worry."

Without further delay, Zhen Yuanzi nodded to Xuanbao, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a streak of yellow light, escaping from the cave and disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

After Zhen Yuanzi left, the cave was quiet for a moment.

Xuanbao held the ten ginseng fruits, their fragrance filling the air; just smelling them seemed to invigorate his magical power. He looked at Laozi: "Master, these ginseng fruits..."

Lao Tzu said, "You little rascal, this is a ginseng fruit, one of the ten innate spiritual roots. It contains the essence of pure earth and the Dao of life. However, it is of little use to you at your current level. But if I were to do it, I could refine a few batches of Nine-Turn Golden Pills."

Xuanbao's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Master, then please use this ginseng fruit to refine the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir. Just give me a few pieces when you do."

Xuanbao didn't feel he was at a loss. Although the ginseng fruit was one of the ten innate spiritual roots, its function was too singular: to increase lifespan. In the primordial world, who would lack lifespan after reaching the Golden Immortal level? However, the Nine-Turn Golden Pill was different. In later generations, a single Nine-Turn Golden Pill could create a pseudo-Great Luo Immortal. Although he couldn't use it himself, it was still a valuable foundation.

Tongtian laughed and said, "This lad is clever and willing to spend his own money to save Hongyun, thus forging a good relationship. Zhen Yuanzi's favors are truly genuine."

Yuanshi turned to Nuwa: "Junior Sister, what Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi just said—to restrict the Demon Court from cultivating through the earth's veins and suppress its fortune by thirty percent—in your opinion, to what extent can he achieve this? And how will Dijun and Taiyi react?"

Nuwa pondered, "The Earth Book is the manifestation of the Earth's authority. As the ancestor of the Earth Immortals, Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, wielding the Earth Book, can indeed mobilize a portion of the Earth Vein authority. Especially regarding the large-scale, organized encroachment and manipulation of the Earth Veins by the Demon Court, the Earth Book is most sensitive. If he is determined to restrict them, the Demon Court's establishment of important strongholds, cultivation of spiritual lands, and even the deployment of large-scale formations using the Earth Veins will be greatly hampered, their efficiency greatly reduced, and their consumption multiplied. As for the suppression of fortune... the Earth Veins are one of the foundations of the primordial world, inherently connected to the fortune of all living beings. It is not an exaggeration that Zhen Yuanzi uses the Earth Book to induce the Earth Veins to create a sense of alienation and rejection towards the Demon Court, subtly weakening one-third of their fortune. However, this method requires a continuous drain on the power of the Earth Book and Zhen Yuanzi's mental energy, and its effects are relatively slow, not something that can be achieved overnight."

Laozi continued, "However, for Di Jun and Taiyi, who aspire to unify the primordial world and establish a supreme heavenly court, this slow-acting constraint may be more of a thorn in their side than a temporary conflict. They wish to rule the heavens, but they cannot do without the earth's support. Zhen Yuanzi's actions have precisely struck at the heart of the demon court's long-term development. Di Jun and Taiyi will likely not give up easily."

The Heavenly Palace of Lingxiao.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Dijun soon received Zhen Yuanzi's "Earth Vein Ban".

"Well done, Zhen Yuanzi!" Di Jun laughed in fury. "This is an attempt to sever the foundation of my Demon Court!"

Taiyi frowned: "Brother, the earth's veins are the foundation of cultivation. If we are truly limited by this, the cultivation speed of our demon clan will be greatly reduced, and the establishment of blessed lands will also be hindered. If this continues, how can we contend with the witch clan?"

Yingzhao said in a deep voice, "What's more troublesome is that once this precedent is set, other powerful beings in the prehistoric world may follow suit. At that time, my Demon Court's orders will be able to reach the Thirty-Three Heavens, but will not be able to reach the prehistoric land."

Ji Meng suggested, "Your Majesty, perhaps you could send an envoy to negotiate with Zhen Yuanzi, offering him substantial benefits to temporarily suspend this decree?"

Di Jun sneered: "Profit? Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun are like brothers. Now that Hongyun is on the verge of death, he hates me to the bone. How can he be swayed by profit? Besides, since the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa have tacitly approved this move, they are trying to weaken my Heavenly Court. Negotiation is tantamount to showing weakness."

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "Issue the order: From this day forward, the Heavenly Court will fully dedicate itself to proving the second transformation of the 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array'—the 'Star Vein Spirit Conversion Grand Array.' Utilize the power of the Zhou Tian stars to transform chaotic spiritual energy and temporarily replenish the deficiencies in the earth's veins. Furthermore, dispatch additional personnel to explore unclaimed spiritual veins in the primordial wilderness and seize them first."

"Furthermore," Di Jun's eyes flashed with a cold light, "those races that are subservient to my Heavenly Court, if any are suppressed by the earth's veins, the Heavenly Court can provide them with secret realms within the stars for cultivation. But tell them... in these extraordinary times, they should weather the storm together with the Heavenly Court. If they have any disloyalty, don't blame me for being ruthless!"