Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan's eyes narrowed.

This old monkey is indeed no ordinary creature.

He didn't hide anything and nodded, saying, "That's right."

A flicker of excitement flashed in the eyes of the gibbon.

"Fellow Daoist...Fellow Daoist, have you seen the Ancestor?"

Li Yan nodded.

"I saw him."

"He said that a great calamity was about to occur, and asked me to evolve the cave heaven to the sixth level of the Lesser Thousand Realms before the calamity began."

The gibbon and the three monkeys exchanged a glance and knelt down in unison.

"Fellow Daoist!"

"Since the Ancestor has entrusted this matter to you, we will risk our lives to help you achieve enlightenment!"

Li Yan was taken aback, then raised his hand to offer a helping hand.

"Please rise, sir."

"Let's talk this out, there's no need for this."

The four monkeys refused to get up.

The gibbon looked up at Li Yan, its old eyes filled with tears.

"Fellow Daoist, you are unaware of this."

"Back then, our ancestor treated us like his own children."

"Teach us how to cultivate ourselves, pass on the Dao to us, and protect us completely."

"But when those northerners came, we...we could only watch helplessly as our ancestor perished."

"They can't even offer a helping hand."

Her voice choked with emotion, and she couldn't continue.

The other three monkeys also had tears in their eyes.

Li Yan remained silent.

Why did these four monkeys seal their cultivation and endure for hundreds of years?

It's not that I'm afraid of dying.

It was out of fear of failing the entrustment made by the ancestor before his death.

I fear that the efforts of our ancestors will be in vain.

"Please rise, sir."

Li Yan stepped forward and personally helped the gibbon up.

"I have accepted the ancestor's entrustment, and I will not fail him."

"If you are willing to help me, I would be more than happy to do so."

The four monkeys then got up.

The gibbon wiped away its tears and took something out of its bosom.

It was a bead the size of a fist, entirely dark blue, with what appeared to be starlight flowing within.

"Fellow Daoist, this item is called the Star Marrow Pearl. It was refined by our ancestor from the essence of the stars in the heavens."

"Wearing it can draw the celestial energy into the body and accelerate cultivation."

"Moreover, this pearl is in harmony with the Dao of the Grotto Heaven. If placed within the Grotto Heaven, it can evolve into a starry sky."

Li Yan took the Star Marrow Bead and sensed its power.

Within the Niwan Palace, the Mustard Seed Cave Heaven trembled slightly.

The celestial map began to rotate on its own, echoing the star marrow bead.

【Star Marrow Beads】

[Effects: Draws upon the celestial energy of the universe, accelerating the cultivation of stellar energy-based techniques; can be integrated into a grotto-heaven, evolving into the starry sky]

[Current compatibility with the grotto-heaven: Extremely high]

Li Yan was overjoyed.

This Star Marrow Bead is practically tailor-made for him.

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, another red-bottomed macaque stepped forward and took something out of its bosom.

It was a fist-sized, yellowish-brown crystal with faint, shimmering images of mountains and rivers within it.

"Fellow Daoist, this item is called the [Earth Vein Essence], which was refined by our ancestor from the essence of the earth veins of the four continents."

"Wearing it allows one to sense the direction of the earth's veins and avoid misfortune and seek good fortune."

"If placed within a grotto-heaven, it can evolve into a vast and fertile land."

Li Yan accepted it, sensing its presence with his mind.

The Mustard Seed Cave trembled once more.

The illusory image of the earth vein condensed on its own, echoing the essence of the earth vein.

[Earth's Essence]

[Effects: Sensing the earth's veins, attracting good fortune and avoiding misfortune; can merge with grotto heavens and evolve fertile soil]

[Current compatibility with the grotto-heaven: Extremely high]

Li Yan took a deep breath.

Either of these two spiritual items, if placed in the outside world, would be enough to make countless cultivators fight tooth and nail for them.

But the four monkeys offered themselves up without hesitation.

He looked at the other two old monkeys.

The two old monkeys also stepped forward and each took out an item.

One of the items taken out was a jade bottle containing three drops of golden liquid.

"Fellow Daoist, this is the Golden Lotus Dew, which was refined by our Ancestor using his supreme divine powers to gather the essence of heaven and earth."

"A single drop can significantly increase the growth rate of golden lotus seeds."

Li Yan took the jade bottle and sensed its presence.

Inside the Niwan Palace, the golden lotus seed trembled slightly, as if yearning.

Golden Lotus Dew

[Benefits: Nourishes golden lotus seeds and accelerates their growth]

[Current growth rate of golden lotus seed: 20%]

The last old monkey took out a jade slip.

"Fellow Daoist, this is the Thirty-Six Methods of Cave Heaven Evolution" written by our Ancestor, which is the culmination of his life's work."

"Fellow Daoist, you already have the foundation of a grotto-heaven and the Primordial Chaos Opening Heaven Diagram. If you further study these thirty-six methods, the evolution of your grotto-heaven will surely progress by leaps and bounds in a day."

Li Yan took the jade slip and probed into it with his mind.

A massive amount of information is flooding in like a tidal wave.

[Thirty-Six Methods of Cave Heaven Evolution]

[Contains: Methods for stabilizing grotto-heavens, methods for expanding grotto-heavens, methods for creating blessed lands, methods for the evolution of the lesser universe, methods for the evolution of the middle universe, methods for the evolution of the greater universe...]

Each method is accompanied by the patriarch's cultivation insights, as well as solutions to thirty-six common problems.

[Currently available for study: Methods One through Twelfth (The Stability and Expansion of the Grotto-Heaven)]

[Requirements for comprehension: Fourth level of the Grotto-heaven (Blessed Land Realm), Golden Lotus seed has sprouted, Affinity Qi ≥ 500]

Li Yan accepted the four treasures and bowed deeply to the four monkeys.

"The four gentlemen's generous gifts are deeply appreciated by Li Yan."

"If I achieve something in the future, I will certainly live up to the expectations of my ancestor."

The four monkeys quickly helped him up.

"Fellow Daoist, you must not do this."

"These things, in our hands, are nothing but inanimate objects."

"Only in the hands of fellow Daoist can it play its role and fulfill the ancestor's last wish."

"It is we who should thank you, fellow Daoist."

Li Yan shook his head.

"One thing at a time."

"Any one of these four treasures would be enough to cause countless cultivators to fight tooth and nail."

"The fact that the four gentlemen were so generous in giving these gifts shows their sincerity."

"If I accept it calmly, but give nothing in return, how can I find peace of mind?"

He thought for a moment, then took something out of his pocket.

It was a jade talisman, clear and pure, with a mysterious yellow aura sealed inside.

It is the mother talisman of the [Earth Vein Demon-Locking Talisman] that was previously modified from the Kun position command flag.

"Four gentlemen, this talisman is called the 'Earth Vein Protection Talisman,' and it was modified by me from the Kun position command flag."

"Wearing it allows one to use the power of the earth's veins for protection. In times of crisis, one can escape into the earth's veins and travel thousands of miles in an instant."

"Although it is not as precious as the treasures given by the four gentlemen, it is my token of appreciation."

The four monkeys exchanged a glance, a hint of emotion flashing in their eyes.

The gibbon took the jade talisman and carefully put it away.

"We appreciate your kindness, fellow Daoist."

"From this day forward, whatever command you give, fellow Daoist, we will obey without hesitation, even at the cost of our lives."

Li Yan smiled slightly.

"There's no need to risk your life."

"Simply living well is the best thing."

The four monkeys were taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Li Yan obtained four treasures and immediately went into seclusion.

Sun Wukong personally guarded outside the stone chamber, not allowing any monkeys to disturb him.

The gray sable crouched at the doorway, its amber eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

The jade rat was chased out and squatted next to the gray sable, its little eyes full of grievance.

Inside the stone chamber.

Li Yan sat cross-legged, eyes closed, concentrating.

In the void before him, four treasures were arranged in a row.

The Star Marrow Bead is a deep, dark blue color, with a galaxy flowing within it, encompassing the entire celestial sphere within its small space.

The earth's essence, thick and yellow, with the illusory shadows of mountains and rivers flickering, seems to condense the four continents into a single fist.

Golden Lotus Dew, held in a jade bottle, contains three drops of golden liquid that float quietly, shimmering with light, within which lotus flowers bloom and fall.

The jade slip containing the Thirty-Six Methods of the Evolution of the Grotto Heaven is as white as jade, simple and unadorned, exuding a vast Daoist charm.

Any one of these four treasures, if placed in the outside world, would be enough to cause countless great cultivators to fight tooth and nail.

Now, they all belong to Li Yan.

"The four gentlemen have been very generous; I, Li, will certainly live up to their trust."

Li Yan said softly, closing his eyes and concentrating.

In the Niwan Palace, the Heart Mirror hangs high, reflecting the entire body.

Mustard Seed Cave has been upgraded to a blessed land.

Within a radius of about ten feet, the Yin and Yang energies circulate endlessly, and the Five Elements rotate and return to their respective positions.

In the center, the golden lotus seedling swayed, scattering dappled sunlight.

Where the moonlight falls, the blessed land solidifies a little.

"Let's start with the Star Marrow Bead."

With a thought, Li Yan raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

The azure star marrow bead slowly rose and hovered before his brow.

The starlight in the pearl echoes its distant presence.

Within the Niwan Palace, the Heart Mirror trembled.

On the mirror surface, lines of small golden characters slowly emerged.

Refining the Star Marrow Bead

[Time required: Approximately seven days]

[Refining Effect: Within the blessed land, a rudimentary starry sky can evolve; the speed of absorbing celestial energy increases by 300%; and the ability to deduce star charts is greatly enhanced.]

[Related to the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Gang: Progress in understanding the Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations increases by 50%, and the power of the Star Escape Technique is doubled]

Li Yan took a deep breath.

Seven days.

This was done with the aid of a cardiac mirror.

Without the Heart Mirror, it would take a hundred days just to refine this pearl.

"Let's begin."

My mind and spirit are immersed in this blessed land.

In the void of this blessed land, the celestial map was slowly rotating.

The 365 points of starlight flickered and faded, subtly resonating with the real starry sky outside.

But a star map is just a star map; it's abstract and not concrete.

Like the moon in a painting, it has the form but not the light.

Li Yan activated the Star Marrow Pearl.

The faint blue starlight within the pearl seeped into the space between the eyebrows.

Entering the Niwan Palace, passing through the twelve-story tower, descending the Crimson Palace, and entering the blessed land.

In the void of the blessed land, the Zhou Tian star map suddenly trembled.

Starlight entered and quickly spread out.

Wherever it passed, the originally illusory star map began to solidify.

Those 365 points of starlight were originally just specks of light.

At this moment, it begins to slowly rotate, releasing a faint starlight.

The interplay of starlight creates a dazzling starry sky atop the blessed land's dome.

Although it is only about ten feet in diameter, it already has the beginnings of a starry sky.

[Day 1, Star Marrow Bead Refining Progress: 15%]

[Auspicious Phenomenon in Blessed Land: The Stars Begin to Appear, and the Solidity of the Celestial Chart Increases by 20%]

Li Yan opened his eyes, a hint of weariness flashing in them.

Refining this bead was more mentally taxing than expected.

But he did not stop.

He took out a Star Soil Tempering Pill and swallowed it. The pill entered his stomach and transformed into two streams of air, one cool and one warm, which nourished his meridians.

Then, I closed my eyes again.

The next day, the Star Marrow Bead refining progress was 35%.

The blessed land and starry sky have expanded to a radius of three zhang.

All 365 main stars solidified and slowly rotated according to the trajectory of the real starry sky.

Li Yan sat cross-legged in the center of the blessed land, his mind connected with the starry sky.

He sensed that the stellar energy of the real starry sky outside was being slowly drawn towards this nascent starry sky.

The starlight entered the blessed land, was refined by the starry sky, and transformed into specks of starlight, nourishing this world.

[Comprehension: The Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Gang - The First Level of Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations]

[By using one's own star chart to draw upon external stellar forces, one can slightly alter local celestial phenomena and interfere with celestial deductions.]

[Currently usable range: within a radius of ten miles]

Li Yan had an epiphany.

This "shifting of stars and changing of constellations" uses one's own star chart as a medium to draw upon the power of the stars throughout the celestial sphere and alter local celestial phenomena.

It may seem like there's not much change, but it actually aligns with the principles of Heaven.

When the celestial phenomena change, the secrets of heaven change accordingly.

This technique will be very useful in the future if you need to conceal your whereabouts and confuse pursuers.

Day 3, Star Marrow Bead refining progress: 55%.

The blessed land under the starry sky is already five zhang in circumference.

Starlight showered down, illuminating the entire blessed land.

Bathed in starlight, the golden lotus seedlings swayed incessantly, their growth rate noticeably accelerating.

[Golden Lotus Seedling Growth +5%, Current: 25%]

Li Yan felt a slight joy in his heart.

The power of stars nourishes all things; it is indeed true.

Day 4, Star Marrow Bead refining progress: 70%.

In the starry sky, the phantom images of the sun and moon began to appear.

That was a wisp of the sun's radiance hidden deep within the Star Marrow Pearl, which manifested itself after being refined.

The sun and moon traverse the sky, and day and night begin to be distinguished.

For the first time in this blessed land, day and night alternated.

Although the sun and moon were still just phantoms, they had already taken shape.

[Auspicious Phenomena in the Blessed Land: The Sun and Moon Manifest, and Day and Night Begin to Divide]

[Cave Heaven Stability +40%]

On the fifth day, the Star Marrow Bead refining progress was 85%.

In the depths of the starry sky, the division of the twenty-eight constellations begins to appear.

The trigrams are: Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, Winnowing Basket; Dipper, Ox, Woman, False, Dangerous, Room, Wall; Legs, Lou, Stomach, Pleiades, Net, Beak, Three Stars; Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Extended Wings, Chariot.

They all returned to their respective positions according to the positions of the stars in the sky.

The Zhou Tian star chart is now complete.

Li Yan sat cross-legged in the center of the blessed land, gazing up at the starry sky.

Three hundred and sixty-five main stars, twenty-eight constellations, and the sun and moon revolve.

Although it is only ten zhang in diameter, it is already a complete small starry sky.

[The Zhou Tian Star Chart is now complete]

[Star power absorption speed increased by 400%, star map deduction ability greatly improved]

[Related to the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Gang: Progress in understanding the Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations increases by 80%, and the power of the Star Escape Technique is doubled]

On the sixth day, the Star Marrow Bead refining progress was 95%.

The starry sky and the blessed land begin to merge deeply.

What was originally just a starry sky suspended in the dome is now beginning to permeate the entire blessed land.

The starlight began to merge into every inch of the void.

Li Yan felt as if this world had truly come alive.

On the seventh day, the Star Marrow Bead refining progress was 100%.

The last glimmer of starlight merged into this blessed land.

The entire blessed land suddenly trembled.

Above the dome, the starry sky shone brightly.

Starlight fell like rain, scattering across the heavens and earth.

The Yin and Yang energies, nourished by the starlight, flow more smoothly.

The five elements, through their rotation and the blessing of starlight, are perpetually regenerating.

The golden lotus seedlings were bathed in starlight, and a faint golden light shimmered between their stems and leaves.

[Star Marrow Bead Refining Completed]

[Auspicious Phenomenon in the Blessed Land: The Starry Sky is Perfect, and Starlight Spreads Everywhere]

[Cave Heaven Realm: Blessed Land Realm 55%]

[Golden Lotus Seedling Growth +10%, Current: 35%]

[Aura of Destiny +200 (Refining Treasures, Evolution of Grotto-Heavens)]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 1640/1280]

Li Yan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

This breath, carrying specks of starlight, transformed into a small star map in the void before slowly dissipating.

After seven days of hard work, the Star Marrow Pearl was successfully refined.

The harvest was far greater than expected.

He took out another pill and swallowed it, then regulated his breathing for half a day to allow his mind to recover completely.

Then, he raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

The essence of the earth veins slowly rose and hovered before his brow.

The illusory image of the yellow mountains and rivers in the Pearl River Delta echoes this image from afar.

Refining the Essence of Earth Veins

[Time required: Approximately seven days]

[Refining Effect: Within the blessed land, a rudimentary form of thick earth can be evolved; the range of earth vein sensing increases by 500%; and the power of earth-遁 (earth-遁) techniques is doubled.]

[Related to the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Gang: The progress of comprehending "Shaking Mountains and Shaking Earth" increases by 50%, and the foundation of "Small and Large Ruyi (Law of Heaven and Earth)" is greatly improved]

On the eighth day, the refining of the earth vein essence began.

The earth element surged forth from nothingness, merging with this illusory image to transform into real, thick earth.

The ninth day.

The blessed land has already solidified into a radius of three zhang.

The thick soil was a dark yellow color, with faint outlines of mountains and rivers appearing on it.

[Comprehension: The First Level of Shaking Mountains and Earth]

[By using its own thick soil to stimulate the earth's veins, it can trigger earthquakes and landslides on a small scale, disrupting the direction of the earth's veins.]

[Currently usable range: within a radius of ten miles]

tenth day.

The blessed land, with its thick soil, has already solidified to a radius of five zhang.

On the yellow earth, the rudiments of rolling hills began to appear.

Although the hills are small, they each have their own unique shape, like a crouching tiger or a coiled dragon.

Moreover, there are faint traces of earth veins running through it.

[Auspicious Phenomena in the Blessed Land: Hills Emerge, Earth's Veins Begin to Form]

The eleventh day.

Within the thick soil, branches of the earth veins began to appear, winding and twisting, running through the entire blessed land.

Li Yan could sense the direction of the earth's veins in Huaguo Mountain, and he could also sense the pulse of Dongsheng Shenzhou.

[Earth Vein Sensing Range +300%]

[Current sensing range: 300 li radius]

Day 12.

The earth's veins branched out and began to converge into a network.

The eight trigrams—Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui—each have a main vein running through them.

Eight main veins converge at the center of this blessed land, where the golden lotus seedlings take root.

Nourished by the earth's veins, the golden lotus's roots began to extend deeper into the earth.

[Golden Lotus Seedling Growth +10%, Current: 45%]

Day 13.

The blessed land, with its thick soil, has already solidified to a radius of ten zhang.

Amidst the rolling hills, the beginnings of streams began to appear.

Although the stream is not yet filled with water, the riverbed is already formed.

Once water-elemental substances are incorporated in the future, it will truly become a stream.

[Auspicious Phenomena in the Blessed Land: The Riverbed is Taking Shape, and the Water Veins are Yet to Form]

Day 14.

The earth and the starry sky begin to merge deeply.

The worlds that were originally separate now begin to truly merge.

Starlight falls upon the earth, merging into the fertile soil.

Earth's energy rises to the dome, nourishing the starry sky.

Heaven and earth interact, yin and yang harmonize.

This place finally came to life.

On the fifteenth day, the essence of the earth veins was completely refined.

The last breath of earth energy merges into the thick soil.

The entire blessed land trembled.

On the earth, the eight main veins lit up simultaneously.

Earthy yellow light shot into the sky, reflecting off the starry sky above.

Nourished by the earth's energy, the starlight shines even brighter.

The earth was bathed in starlight, making its veins even more stable.

[Earth Vein Essence Refining Completed]

[Auspicious Phenomena of the Blessed Land: Thick, Perfect Earth, and a Network of Earth Veins]

[Cave Heaven Realm: Blessed Land Realm 95%]

[Golden Lotus Seedling Growth +15%, Current: 60%]

[Aura of Destiny +250 (Refining Treasures, Evolution of Grotto-Heavens)]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 1890/1280]

Li Yan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

This breath, once exhaled, transformed into a small, illusory image of mountains and rivers in the void, and slowly dissipated.

This breath, once exhaled, transformed into a small, illusory image of mountains and rivers in the void, and slowly dissipated.

After another seven days of arduous work, the refinement of the earth vein essence was completed.

He has reached the 95% mark of the Blessed Land realm in the Cave Heaven realm.