Master of Strange Dao

"""

But their figures seemed to be bound there tightly, even when they used the escape skill, transforming into tunneling light, they still clung desperately to the Blood River.

Soon, the tunneling light dispersed, and someone fell into the Blood River, vanishing completely without even a single bubble.

Some retreated, and some fell in with their magical treasures.

Over a hundred people sank into the Blood River and disappeared, with hundreds more slowly disappearing like King Qi.

An hour later, the people arriving intermittently were completely gone.

The area returned to silence.

Only a few, too fearful to enter or spies, remained nearby.

Yu Ziqing moved a bit closer, seeing more clearly.

The Blood River surged for dozens of miles, and at a certain distance, many blood shadows dispersed, completely disappearing after several dozen miles.

The entrance was indeed here, and the Bloodthirsty Devil Flower was the key to opening it.

An endless stream of power flowed forth, maintaining the Blood River, which seemed like it wouldn't dry up anytime soon.

No wonder the Bloodthirsty Devil Flower wasn't willing to go with him.

It turned out to be the entrance.

Another Immortal Herb, the Undying Mandala, was involved, Yu Ziqing's Little Bodhi Tree sent a strand of information.

This was the Bloodthirsty Devil Flower, consuming its accumulated power, transforming into nutrients to nourish what lay below.

Yu Ziqing realized that this wasn't the Bloodthirsty Devil Flower intentionally opening a passage to the land of the Undying Mandala—it merely built the path in the process of nourishment.

And this Blood River would attract more people, eighty percent of whom would become nutrients again.

Yu Ziqing looked from a distance and agreed with the old saying: it's wise to heed advice.

Seeing everything settled, Yu Ziqing immediately turned and left.

Even if he had the chance to go, he feared he wouldn't survive; even if he obtained something, he feared he wouldn't live to enjoy it.

Moreover, the giant said the Undying Mandala was surely not yet mature.

That last shred of curiosity in Yu Ziqing vanished.

He hurried away, absconding with over thirty intelligent, spiritually aware magic plants.

These plants needed to be settled quickly.

They were intelligent, easy to communicate with, rational, able to understand reason, and restraint.

This was the basis on which Yu Ziqing was willing to take them.

If they were like ordinary magic plants, devoid of reason or spiritual wisdom, then they would just be harvested for materials.

The Little Bodhi Tree Demon stayed in Jinlan Mountain—though small, it had an optimistic nature.

It would surely be lonely in the future, so a group of little friends would keep it company.

There would be no need for a Mountain Guardian Spirit Beast in Jinlan Mountain in the future.

Guardians like magic plants were better, they wouldn't run off or be lured away, and would steadfastly guard their post day and night.

In the unlikely event that the hungry ghosts guarding the Forbidden Land surrounding Jinlan Mountain were reassigned, or went elsewhere,

there would still be someone guarding the base camp.

Yu Ziqing left the Abyssal Rift, and on his return, he saw more and more people heading towards the Abyss.

The news certainly must have spread.

Yu Ziqing didn't bother; he only needed to find out whether anyone returned this time, to ask if King Qi had died.

If he had, it would prove the power of the three calamities used as a trap was enough to kill him.

If not, it would prove the power of the three calamities wasn't strong enough, leaving him a chance to survive.

He would then have to ponder how to channel more of the three calamities' power at once.

After all, a cultivator in the Ninth Tier of Qi Refinement in the Third Tribulation Realm was, theoretically, most afraid of disaster.

With the power of the three calamities as a catalyst, it should easily incite a tribulation.

And the tribulation should be a little stronger than usual.

If it could withstand that, then Yu Ziqing would consider another application.

If it couldn't harm others, then it could be used to help.

According to the consensus among cultivators, the stronger the tribulation, the greater potential and power one would have upon overcoming it.

So the top experts generally wouldn't take shortcuts through tribulations, facing them head-on for the best results.

But the strength of a tribulation was mostly uncontrollable; what tribulation a cultivator in the Third Tribulation Realm might face was also uncontrollable.

It was not only related to themselves but also to experiences, surroundings, and so on.

Until close to the time, when confirming a tribulation was imminent, they typically wouldn't know what kind of tribulation they would face.

If slightly strengthening the tribulation with the power of the three calamities was within their capacity,

it would naturally result in more benefits than the original after crossing the tribulation.

The double-sided nature of everything lay in this.

The value of power all depended on its place of use.

Yu Ziqing mused over myriad uses in his mind.

Upon returning to Jinlan Mountain, Yu Ziqing first went to see You Zhen.

"Brother, there's something, let me give you a heads-up first."

"You're back, have a seat and have some tea first," You Zhen replied with a cheerful smile as he poured tea, waiting for Yu Ziqing to put down his cup before asking, "What's up?"

"I met King Qi. The thing about the Immortal Herbs is eighty percent true, and the path to where the Immortal Herbs are has been opened.

But, my advice is, it's best not to muddy the waters now."

"Don't worry, my second brother, even if he knows, won't go, nor will he send any strong ones. But thank you for your good intentions, I will inform Ren'er," You Zhen said confidently, determined that Emperor Zhen would not take such risks.

"Uh, aren't you asking why? But it's Immortal Herbs."

"Just drink your tea."

You Zhen refilled his cup, smiling and shaking his head, without giving an answer.

"""