Chapter 135: Golden Sun Scarlet Paulownia

Although Chen Mu and Xuetian had both found the exact location of their target through their own methods, since Huo Mingyan had taken the initiative to lead the way, there was no need for them to reveal their own trump cards.

Led by the treasure-hunting squirrel in Huo Mingyan’s hands, Chen Mu and his group of six pinpointed the area with the most intense vital energy fluctuations and headed toward the true residence of the Daoist Fuchen.

After navigating various twists and turns, the six of them arrived at the Daoist's true dwelling. Many others had already arrived, presumably using methods similar to Huo Mingyan’s to reach this spot. The doors were still closed; seeing Chen Mu’s group arrive, the others breathed a sigh of relief. After all, they had taken a Dao oath outside the cave dwelling, and violating it would easily invite inner demons. Since Chen Mu and his group were part of the same collective, they were entitled to inspect the treasures first and choose one item each before the rest were divided and contested.

Reaching this place proved that these individuals possessed certain capabilities, but the maze-like, convoluted corridors had prevented many others from finding this location, significantly reducing the competition.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Chen Mu pushed open the heavy doors. As the group of six entered, the other cultivators followed closely behind. They found themselves in a reception hall decorated with tables, chairs, and bonsai, giving it a leisurely atmosphere. Several other doors along the edges of the hall presumably led to the Daoist’s living quarters or storage rooms.

The cultivators looked at one another and then at Chen Mu’s group, gesturing for them to choose which door to enter first. Since Chen Mu’s group had the right of first pick anyway, they preferred to let these six act as pathfinders, unsure of what forbidden seals or traps might lie ahead. They reasoned that if Chen Mu’s group wanted the first pick of the spoils, they should act as the scouts for the entire party.

Chen Mu understood their intentions instantly, but he was fearless. With Rou’er’s powerful spiritual sense, any traps or seals had nowhere to hide. Thus, he led the other five to one of the doors and walked inside without hesitation.

Upon entering, a refreshing wave of vital energy hit them. Everyone was ecstatic; they had entered the herb garden where Daoist Fuchen had cultivated his spiritual plants. Most of these herbs were fourth or fifth-grade, sufficient to temper the foundations of those in the Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit realms. The garden was equipped with a Vitality Gathering Array, and the walls were embedded with medium-grade origin stones to prevent the vital energy required by these heavenly plants from leaking out.

There were about forty people present in total. Fortunately, the cave was built on a grand scale, with each room capable of holding hundreds, preventing the overcrowding that one might expect in the smaller dwellings of lower-level cultivators.

As soon as Chen Mu stepped into the garden, Xuetian transmitted a message to him: "Since we get to pick one precious treasure first, choose that small, reddish-gold tree with the intense solar attribute. That tree is called the Golden Sun Red Paulownia. Although it hasn't fully matured, it will be of great use to you. The Golden Sun Fruit it bears will greatly assist your cultivation of the 'Great Sun Ancient Scripture.' Consuming it will gradually activate your solar bloodline. You have always felt that your progress with the 'Great Sun Ancient Scripture' was smooth, but your strength is only slightly higher than an average disciple on the Bixiao Continent because your bloodline remains dormant, preventing the scripture from reaching its full potential. Of course, it is also because of your previous misinterpretations. I estimate that once you cultivate it correctly and successfully activate your solar bloodline, you will be able to cross two more minor realms when battling that Fanxing Sect disciple. That would allow you to fight across three minor realms within the same major stage. Even against a heaven-favored genius who has opened one hundred and eight origin meridians, you would hold a slight advantage. And that is a conservative estimate, as the 'Great Sun Ancient Scripture' you showed me surpasses any top-tier technique on this continent."

While consulting Xuetian about his cultivation, Chen Mu had already revealed the nature of his bloodline and the technique he practiced. Although Xuetian knew of the 'Great Sun Ancient Scripture,' he could not practice it himself as he lacked the solar bloodline, which was why Chen Mu felt secure in confiding in him.

Chen Mu was shaken. Since struggling against an ordinary Fanxing Sect disciple—where his Qi Refining cultivation could only bridge one minor gap against the early Nascent Soul realm—he had lost confidence in the scripture. Now that Xuetian told him he could soar in strength by activating his bloodline and correcting his practice, Chen Mu became determined to unlock his full potential. He also noted Xuetian’s use of the word "conservative," implying that the stronger his bloodline, the greater the power of the technique. Xuetian had also mentioned that activating the bloodline would trigger unique bloodline abilities. He was deeply curious about what his solar bloodline ability might be.

After consulting with his group, Chen Mu claimed the Golden Sun Red Paulownia tree. The other five, including Xuetian, also chose highly valuable spiritual plants. The remaining herbs were divided according to the agreement made outside, based on need and strength.

The other herbs Chen Mu chose were blood-strengthening medicines meant for future body tempering, though their grade was quite high. The fourth-grade ones were manageable, but the fifth-grade ones would cause severe harm if consumed recklessly—at best, the excess energy would wreck his body; at worst, he would explode. For a cultivator at the Meridian Refining stage to consume fifth-grade blood medicine was pure suicide. Thus, Chen Mu could only slowly digest the fourth-grade herbs while saving the fifth-grade ones for later.

Although some disputes arose during the distribution, they were resolved by trading origin stones to balance the value. Once everything was gathered and divided, the group did not forget to pry the medium-grade origin stones from the walls. Since there were few, they were distributed only to those with the highest cultivation. Chen Mu, due to his performance outside the cave, managed to secure two. Xuetian, having harvested countless stones from the ancient Human-Demon battlefield, showed no interest. Chen Mu felt a pang of envy, realizing how much wealth Xuetian had amassed.

Chen Mu stored all his spiritual plants in the Woxian Residence, sending a message to his father, Chen Haoran, to plant them in the garden there, before leaving the hollowed-out herb garden with the others.

Back in the reception hall, they moved to the remaining unopened doors, with Chen Mu leading the way. They discovered a secret chamber containing cultivation techniques, secret arts, and magical artifacts, as well as the Daoist’s private bedroom.

Most of the techniques found were demonic and cruel, focused on extracting souls and refining spirits to increase power. While Xuetian was interested in demonic arts, he considered these low-level scraps beneath him, given his own high-level demonic heritage. Chen Mu, having no interest in such malevolent arts, ignored the texts but was intrigued by the artifacts.

There was only one artifact of the Primordial Spirit grade, while the others were Nascent Soul grade. Everyone coveted the Primordial Spirit artifact. After sensing it, Chen Mu learned it was the "Wind-Walking Boots." Wearing them allowed one to move as fast as the wind, making it impossible even for a Primordial Spirit cultivator to catch the wearer.

Bound by the Dao oath, the others had to let Chen Mu’s group pick first, meaning the boots would inevitably fall to them. Aside from Xuetian, the other five were eager to possess them. Chen Mu bowed to the other four in his group and asked, "Would you mind letting me have the Wind-Walking Boots? I know it’s unfair, but I will accept a smaller share—or none at all—when we divide the remaining items."

Huo Mingyan and the others were displeased but dared not cross Chen Mu, fearing his power. They were also conflicted; the boots were a life-saving treasure that guaranteed escape from anyone below the Primordial Spirit realm. It was a tempting prize, but since they couldn't decide which of the four of them should get it, they decided it was better to let Chen Mu have them so that none of them would feel slighted.

The boots were handed over to Chen Mu. The Nascent Soul cultivators watching from the sidelines shifted their eyes, clearly plotting something. They quietly placed tracking marks on Chen Mu, hoping to hunt him down once they left the cave.