Chapter 1242 - 1241: Shocking Discovery
The Undying Tree has vanished, and the Emperor’s Tomb appears!
Before everyone’s eyes, a Palace as vast as a giant city slowly surfaced, like an Ancient Desolate Era behemoth awakening from the depths of the earth, the aura it released making hearts palpitate!
"So this is the Emperor’s Tomb?"
Everyone’s gaze fell upon that enormous Palace. The palaces within were interlocked and intricate, layer upon layer, one look made it seem as if there were countless tiers, with no way to see the bottom at all.
Down below, no one knew how many more layers there were, all shrouded in a chilling aura, heavy dark clouds roiling beneath.
"This Emperor Qinling’s burial place is far more imposing than the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace."
Ling Chen couldn’t help but brighten his eyes. When he had entered the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace back then, it had already been extremely shocking, but compared to this Emperor Qinling’s burial ground, it was clearly far inferior.
"That’s because the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace was merely one of this emperor’s traveling palaces, not this seat’s tomb."
The Human Emperor seemed unable to listen any longer and couldn’t help but coldly snort.
"That’s true enough."
Ling Chen nodded. The Human Emperor’s Underground Palace from back then was merely a relic left behind by the Human Emperor, while the one before their eyes was Emperor Qinling’s burial ground. Who knew how much manpower and resources Emperor Qinling had spent back then to finally construct this peerless tomb.
"The Emperor’s Tomb has yet to fully emerge. For now, let’s explore this Immortal Medicinal Garden and search for the medicinal ingredients we each need."
Shen Bingxin sheathed the ice-blue longsword in her hand and addressed the crowd.
Ling Chen nodded. By now, the forces from all sides had already entered the Immortal Medicinal Garden and begun gathering medicinal herbs. After all, in this Immortal Medicinal Garden, almost every single plant was medicinal; even ordinary weeds, having been nourished by so many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, carried no weak medicinal properties. Taken outside, they could probably fetch quite a good price.
The Immortal Medicinal Garden covered an extremely vast area, stretching for several hundred li in radius. The experts of the various great powers quickly dispersed into the Immortal Medicinal Garden and soon disappeared without a trace.
Having lost the threat of the Undying Tree, the experts of the major powers no longer had any scruples and began frantically harvesting within this Immortal Medicinal Garden.
Ling Chen landed in a nearby region. Here, the vegetation was lush and thriving, every plant a startling green. At regular intervals one could find a clump of Spirit Grass infused with Spiritual Qi. The Spiritual Qi these Spirit Grasses emitted in turn nourished the surrounding ordinary plants, causing each blade of grass to radiate exuberant vitality.
On the surface of the lake, there were Spiritual Qi–rich duckweed and lofty, ancient, elegant Blue Lotus. Upon the lotuses, purple, white, and red lotus blossoms vied to outshine each other, each one possessing medicinal value. Beneath the lotus flowers swam plump fish, their Spiritual Qi oppressive.
Farther away, verdant trees stretched on without end. Deeper in, towering, extraordinary Spirit Trees rose head and shoulders above the forest, and even deeper still, one could vaguely see several colossal trees piercing the clouds. Though their grade could not be determined, they were definitely no ordinary varieties.
The mountains contained Spiritual Qi, and the Spirit Grass and Spirit Trees that grew there were clearly superior to those on the plains, lakes, and in the forests. On every peak, spiritual radiance coiled without dispersing, extremely eye-catching.
"This is the Spirit Root Flower that has already gone extinct in the outside world."
After all, Shen Bingxin had lived for several hundred years and was very particular about Spirit Grass and Spirit Tree resources. She crouched down and carefully dug out a small, pale-blue plant flickering with starlight. Judging by its Spiritual Qi, this little plant should be of no low grade, but considering it had gone extinct in the outside world, its value was inestimable. If taken out and cultivated, it would surely allow for the nurturing of a large number of Spirit Root Flowers.
This Spirit Root Flower was a rare medicinal ingredient in the Middle Ages, capable of being refined into Spirit Root Pills.
While Shen Bingxin was picking various herbs, Ling Chen was likewise collecting medicinal ingredients. His Gold Sword Pupil not only let him see farther and more clearly, but also allowed him to see the strength of Spiritual Qi, which greatly helped him determine where to search for medicinal herbs. Ling Yin’s Bewildering Heavenly Eye was even more formidable than his. In just the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they had harvested dozens of Ancient Medicine plants, all of them nameless nowadays, extinct rarities.
Across the whole of Lingyue Island, perhaps only Shen Bingxin had a richer haul than his.
However, this collection spree did not mean there was no danger at all. Within this Immortal Medicinal Garden, besides the everywhere-visible Ancient Medicine, there were also many Ancient Exotic Beasts. They lurked within the garden; if they weren’t disturbed it was fine, but once they were roused, disaster would follow.
Ah!
Just as Ling Chen was putting a stalk of Blood Cherry Grass into the Heavenly Mansion Ring, a shrill scream suddenly rang out from not far behind him. Following the sound, Ling Chen looked over and saw in his line of sight a Senior Half-Saint whose face was contorted in terror. Something seemed to be wriggling inside his robes. In the blink of an eye, his entire body collapsed apart, and with a "pa" sound, a small black snake dropped out from his sleeve and burrowed back into the soil.
"It’s a Mind-Devouring Ancient Snake."
Ling Yin couldn’t help but cry out, "I’ve seen this thing in the ancient books stored in the Heavenly Eye Clan. It’s said that although this creature is small, its fangs are unimaginably sharp, able to easily tear through a human’s defenses. Even a Saint Body can easily be infiltrated by it, and then the five viscera and six bowels inside the body will be completely devoured, not a scrap left."
"This kind of Mind-Devouring Ancient Snake is said to have gone extinct three thousand years ago. I didn’t expect there to be any here."
A grave look surfaced in Ling Chen’s eyes. He promptly nodded, sweeping his gaze around the surrounding area as he said, "Exotic Beasts similar to this Mind-Devouring Ancient Snake are likely quite numerous in this Immortal Medicinal Garden. We have to be more careful and stay on utmost alert."
These Ancient Exotic Beasts were extremely bizarre; no one knew what they truly were. If one happened to fall victim to their sneak attack, then no matter how strong one was, one might die silently right here.
"Mm."
Ling Yin nodded. She then lifted her head as the skin at her brow parted, revealing a golden vertical eye. Under the observation of this vertical eye, everything within a radius of ten li—where the Treasures were, where the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth was densest—was laid bare.
"Brother Ling Chen, over there, it seems there’s some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures."
Ling Yin suddenly raised her hand and pointed toward the southeast.
"Oh?"
Ling Chen arched a brow. "Then let’s go take a look!"
Even Ling Yin sensed something unusual, which meant there was a real chance that Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were present. As for the other Ancient Medicine, in front of true Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, what did they amount to? One mustn’t pick up sesame seeds and drop a watermelon.
Swoosh!
Ling Chen’s figure flashed. After darting past a stretch of dense forest, he landed atop a section of tree trunk, then lifted his head to look ahead. The source of the disturbance Ling Yin had spoken of seemed to be not far in front.
Ling Chen raised his head, and then he heard Ling Yin let out a startled cry from ahead. His heart thumped, and his figure shot forward. With a few quick flickers, he appeared at Ling Yin’s side. At this moment, Ling Yin was staring wide-eyed, her pretty face filled with intense astonishment as she looked ahead.
Before them lay a patch of black soil. However, the ground there had already been torn open, and a section of black tree had broken through the earth, its trunk twisted and gnarled, branches crossing in all directions, shimmering with a cold, steel-like luster.
On that tree, one could see some naturally formed ancient patterns. Faintly, an extraordinary, nameless fluctuation quietly spread out from it.
Moreover, what drew the most attention was that on that black tree hung five black fruits that were almost half-transparent. They swayed as if about to fall off at any moment.
"This is..."
Ling Chen’s pupils shrank slightly. Although he did not recognize this thing, judging from that fluctuation, it was absolutely anything but ordinary.
"A Soul Ghostly Demon Tree."
Ling Yin lightly covered her lips with a jade hand, her large eyes filled with intense shock. "I didn’t expect that not only is there an Undying Tree here, but even a Soul Ghostly Demon Tree."
As she spoke, a look of wild delight surfaced on her pretty face. "Five Soul Ghostly Fruits, Brother Ling Chen, we’re about to strike it rich..."