Chapter 304 - 303: The Ancient Dongtian and the Secret of the Sacred Grounds

The Dao Fruit of Three Rebirths within the Thunder Rain Dao quietly revolved within Lin Yuan’s Primordial Spirit.

It was no larger than a pearl, yet its existence had fundamentally changed his understanding of his own cultivation. Golden-purple lightning flowed across its crystalline surface, silver rain gathered into delicate streams, and crimson, black, and white currents intertwined around its outer layer, forming an endless cycle of destruction, nourishment, and rebirth.

At the very center of the fruit was a faint, colorless radiance.

The Origin.

It was so subtle that even Lin Yuan could not properly examine it. Nevertheless, the moment his attention settled upon it, he could feel the relationship between the three principles more clearly than before. Thunder was no longer merely the force of destruction. Rain was no longer merely the power of nourishment. And Three Rebirths was no longer an abstract cycle connecting beginnings and endings.

Through their intersection, he could faintly perceive the principle that allowed all three to exist.

His Dao Fruit had not granted him complete authority over the Origin, but it had given his comprehension a stable foundation upon which he could continue advancing.

Previously, whenever Lin Yuan touched upon the Origin, the sensation had been fleeting. It was like catching a glimpse of a vast ocean through a narrow crack in a wall. He could recognize its immeasurable depth, but the moment he attempted to examine it more closely, his perception would return to the three principles through which he had reached it.

Now, the situation was different.

The Dao Fruit had crystallized the relationship between Thunder, Rain, and Three Rebirths. Even when he was not actively comprehending the Dao, the fruit continued to preserve that relationship within his Primordial Spirit.

It was like a lamp that remained lit even after the person who had kindled it stopped adding oil.

Of course, this did not mean his comprehension would automatically deepen with time. The fruit was a manifestation of what he had already understood, not a substitute for the understanding he had yet to obtain.

Still, the difference was considerable.

Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes.

The violet sky entered his vision, followed by the ancient trees surrounding the jade plaza. Their leaves trembled gently despite the absence of wind, and faint streams of spiritual Qi flowed between their branches.

Everything appeared the same as before.

Yet, when Lin Yuan looked at the world now, he could perceive a few things that had previously escaped his attention.

The spiritual Qi in the surrounding environment did not move randomly.

It gathered around certain locations, flowed through invisible channels, and dispersed into the distance before gradually returning through different paths. Some of these movements were so subtle that even a powerful cultivator might mistake them for ordinary fluctuations in spiritual energy.

However, Lin Yuan could see that the movements were connected.

The entire region seemed to participate in an immense cycle.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

’Interesting.’

The thought had barely emerged when a familiar voice interrupted him.

"Almsgiver Lin, have you discovered something?"

Lin Yuan turned his head.

Ku Ming stood a short distance away, his golden eyes observing him with a mixture of curiosity and solemnity. The monk had witnessed the formation of the Dao Fruit from beginning to end. Although he had seen many extraordinary cultivators during his long life, Lin Yuan’s achievement had still left a deep impression on him.

After all, there was a difference between a cultivator who formed a Dao Fruit through the comprehension of a single principle and one who crystallized the relationship between three distinct Daos.

The latter path was far more complicated.

Even if both fruits appeared equally stable, the depth of the understanding contained within them could be entirely different.

Lin Yuan smiled faintly.

"Nothing certain yet. I was merely observing the movement of spiritual Qi."

"Observing spiritual Qi?" Ku Ming repeated.

"Yes. Have you noticed that the spiritual Qi around this place appears to be moving in a continuous cycle?"

The monk glanced at the surrounding trees before nodding.

"Naturally. The spiritual Qi in the Sacred Grounds is exceptionally dense, but its movement is not entirely natural. There are ancient formations scattered throughout this region, and many of them continue operating despite the passage of countless years. They gather spiritual Qi from the surrounding territory, circulate it through the land, and prevent it from dispersing too quickly."

Lin Yuan’s gaze remained on the distant forest.

"Ancient formations?"

"Indeed. Although most cultivators entering the Sacred Grounds pay greater attention to the density of spiritual Qi and the ancient Dao laws, the formations are equally important. Without them, many regions would have long since become barren."

Ku Ming paused before adding, "Of course, this is only true of the outer regions. Deeper within the Sacred Grounds, some of the formations are so ancient that even this poor monk cannot determine their original purpose."

Lin Yuan turned toward him.

"You have explored the deeper regions?"

"I have spent quite some time here."

The monk smiled.

"Although my cultivation is not particularly impressive compared to the ancient experts whose inheritances remain within these grounds, I have managed to find a few places where I can cultivate in relative peace. There are several locations where the spiritual Qi is considerably denser than it is here, and the laws are also more suitable for comprehending the Dao."

Lin Yuan’s eyes brightened slightly.

That was precisely what he needed.

Although the formation of his Dao Fruit had been successful, it was only the beginning. The fruit had stabilized his understanding of the three principles, but there were still countless mysteries he needed to explore. If he could find a place where the spiritual Qi was denser and the ancient laws were more clearly manifested, he might be able to deepen his comprehension more efficiently.

More importantly, Bai Qingyue was accompanying him.

She had reached the Middle Stage of Core Formation, and although her cultivation had improved considerably from its previous state, the gap between her realm and his remained enormous.

The Sacred Grounds provided an excellent environment for cultivation, but their crushing pressure meant that simply absorbing more spiritual Qi was not enough. She needed a place where she could cultivate safely while gradually adapting to the ancient laws.

Lin Yuan turned toward Ku Ming.

"Master Ku Ming, would it be convenient for you to show me one of those places?"

The monk blinked.

"One of those places?"

"I would like to find somewhere with a greater concentration of spiritual Qi. Qingyue and I intend to spend some time cultivating here, and I would prefer to find a suitable location before we begin."

Bai Qingyue glanced at him.

Although Lin Yuan had not explicitly mentioned her safety, she immediately understood his intention.

The Sacred Grounds were not like the cultivation lands she had encountered in the past. Their spiritual Qi was dense, but the laws governing it were also considerably more profound. Even with the protection of her Heaven and Earth Luck and her karmic connection to Lin Yuan, she could not recklessly enter a region where the pressure exceeded what her current foundation could withstand.

Finding a suitable cultivation ground would allow her to make steady progress without exposing herself to unnecessary danger.

Ku Ming brought his palms together.

"Amitabha Buddha. There is no need to be so formal, Almsgiver Lin. You have already demonstrated an extraordinary understanding of the Great Dao, and accompanying you may even help this poor monk broaden his own horizons. If you wish to cultivate in a more suitable location, I shall take you there."