The looks in Lu Xian and Lu Tai's eyes were completely sincere, without a hint of reluctance. Ji An could tell they genuinely didn't mind.
Perhaps for them, the blessings of the Ley Lines were less enticing than a finely crafted mechanism.
Ji An couldn't help but reflect—it was true that like-minded people gathered together. Only those with such pure, unassuming hearts would be taken as disciples by Master Lu.
"In that case, I'll humbly accept."
Ji An took one piece.
However, after he accepted his, Xiangling and Hu Tao made no move to take theirs. He looked at them questioningly.
Xiangling shook her head vigorously. "I'm just here as a bodyguard! The Jade Chamber already paid me. I can't take anything else!"
Hu Tao blinked her plum blossom eyes at Ji An. "Xiao An, you use more of it. The effect will be better for you. I don't need any."
"..."
What's with everyone pushing benefits away? This is making me feel really awkward!
"Let's use them together," he decided firmly, cutting off further discussion. "No more dilly-dallying. Time is short!"
That finally silenced their protests.
Ji An turned to Master Lu. "How do we use this resin?"
Master Lu Ban explained, "Try to sense the energy within it. Guide it through the petrified ancient tree and into the roots of the Ley Lines..."
Following Master Lu's instructions, Ji An crouched down and brought the resin in his hand into contact with the petrified tree.
However, the moment he attempted to draw out the energy, he immediately drew the attention of both the giant Ruin Machine and the Primo Geovishap.
"Oh no!"
"ROAR—!"
The Primo Geovishap instantly abandoned its opponent, turning its ferocious charge toward them. Simultaneously, the giant Ruin Machine swiveled its eye core firing a beam towards the group beneath the tree.
Fortunately, Ji An had prepared for this scenario.
Xiangling and Hu Tao immediately stepped forward to intercept.
"Guoba, spit fire! Spit fire!"
Boom—!
The Primo Geovishap's power was overwhelming. Xiangling and Hu Tao were knocked back, but they instantly rushed forward again. Even working together, their efforts to hold back the creature seemed precarious.
On the other side, the giant Ruin Machine's beam was fully charged and ready to fire at them.
Just then, Master Lu Ban exclaimed in shock, "What is that?!"
At the very moment the giant Ruin Machine fired its beam, a sudden force slammed into it, causing its massive frame to wobble and topple. The high-energy beam veered off course, searing deep, steaming gouges across the cavern's rock layers.
After falling, the Ruin Machine attempted to rise, just as it had after being struck by the Primo Geovishap.
From the shadows emerged a slender, pale silver Ruin Hunter. In its hands were two slender blades shimmering with a faint, dark energy. In the next instant, it drove the blades into the Ruin Machine's body.
The shell that had withstood the Primo Geovishap's impact against the wall was now being pierced by this Ruin Hunter's blades. The giant Ruin Machine fought back desperately, struggling in a deadlock with its new opponent.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
Lu Xian stared, dumbfounded. "Another Ruin Machine? But... why is it attacking its own kind?!"
After his initial shock, Master Lu Ban regained his composure. "Whatever the reason, it's favorable for us at the moment." He turned to Ji An. "Young Ji, how is your progress?"
"There seems to be a... development."
Ji An's expression was peculiar as he moved aside.
"This petrified ancient tree's roots have long been disconnected from the Ley Lines. The energy within its branches has already dissipated."
Master Lu was taken aback and hurriedly examined the tree, confirming it was true.
Where Ji An had channeled the resin's energy into the base of the tree, the bark began to split and crack, revealing that the trunk was hollow inside.
Seeing this, Master Lu's face fell with disappointment. "How could this be... Huh?"
Ji An coughed lightly. "Master Lu, you see it too, right? Although the tree is gone, there seems to be an unexpected surprise."
"Hmm..."
Master Lu stepped closer, peering at the large, shimmering blue energy sphere suspended within the hollow trunk.
"Could this be... a Blossom of Revelation?"
"Is that what it's called?" Ji An nodded. "But I can indeed sense the immense, almost overflowing energy contained within it."
"I recall the ancient text mentioning that a Blossom of Revelation forms when a Ley Line Blossom resonates with a certain kind of 'Will,'" Master Lu mused.
"Ley Line Blossom?" Hearing this new term, Ji An inquired.
Master Lu nodded. "In places where Ley Line energy accumulates and the elemental flow stagnates, a Ley Line Blossom may bloom. If one uses resin energy to clear the stagnation, they can receive the Ley Lines blessing."
"My guess is this Ley Line Blossom likely formed here after the petrified tree's energy dissipated and concentrated what was left."
Ji An frowned. "Then how do we make the Ley Line Blossom manifest from this...aperture?"
"I'm not sure about that," Master Lu admitted. "Perhaps try touching the sphere? You might receive information from the 'Will' within it."
Ji An glanced back at the two battlefronts. Herloxia had gained the upper hand but wouldn't finish off the giant Ruin Machine quickly, mainly due to its own limited special energy reserves. Otherwise, the fight would have ended already.
On Xiangling and Hu Tao's side, the situation was clearly deteriorating. They were holding on by a thread, looking increasingly precarious.
Master Lu offered encouragement. "Don't worry. It shouldn't cause any problems."
"Alright, I'll try."
Ji An took a deep breath. Although he had an inexplicable sense of foreboding, there was no time for hesitation. Finishing this quickly meant everyone could get out safely.
He reached into the hollow trunk of the ancient tree and touched the floating Blossom of Revelation.
The moment he made contact,
a flood of unfamiliar images surged into his mind.
Martial training, Arduous Cultivation, Roars, Battlefields, Monsters, Slaughter, countless narrow escapes from death...
No explanation was needed. Ji An understood the origin of these images.
They didn't belong to a single person. They were fragments of 'Will' from all the adventurers who had challenged powerful foes on this very land throughout the river of time. After their deaths, these memories returned to the Ley Lines, merging into the elemental cycle, waiting for the day someone would come to inherit the precious experience left behind by predecessors.
However,
Ji An realized that obtaining this experience wouldn't be so simple...
"ROAR!!"
"ROAR!"
After he touched the Blossom of Revelation, the energy within it suddenly surged violently, coalescing into a group of ferocious monsters.
Geo Slimes, Geovishap Hatchlings, and even a full-grown Geovishap...
The moment they materialized, their predatory gazes locked onto to the group.
Ji An: "..."
Lu Ban, Lu Xian, Lu Tai: "..."
Well, this is just great. We've dug our own grave.
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