The prodigies of the Three Realms contended; who would stand atop the Heavenly Ladder depended solely on the final outcome of this battle.The fortune within Buzhou Mountain would undoubtedly produce countless top-tier powerhouses. Experts breaking through to the Dao Proving Realm would not be few. This alone was the goal pursued by the prodigies of the Three Realms. In fact, the Dao Proving Realm was not their ultimate pursuit. Their true aim was to prove the Dao of Hunyuan, to become mighty beings of the Hunyuan Realm—free and unfettered, eternal and undying.
This time, the fortune within Buzhou Mountain was openly enough to allow prodigies to attain Hunyuan.
Moreover, barring accidents, as long as sufficient opportunities and luck were grasped, it was almost certain that three Hunyuan Realm Saints would emerge.
The dangers were countless, yet the opportunities were infinite. For the sake of proving the Dao of Hunyuan, even staking one's life was worth it. None would willingly retreat.
At present, however, Buzhou Mountain was shrouded in mist, its interior scenes obscured and difficult to spy upon. This caused great dissatisfaction among the beings of the Three Realms. Such a grand event—occurring perhaps once in ten thousand years, or even only once in an entire epoch—and yet they could not witness it with their own eyes. Truly, it was a profound regret.
Many beat their chests in frustration.
Swish!!
Yet just as countless beings sighed with regret—suddenly, the mist in one corner of Buzhou Mountain dissipated. Immediately after, the scene within that region was vividly reflected before the beings of the Three Realms, instantly drawing countless gazes.
What appeared was a massive valley.
Within the valley grew many ancient trees. At the very center stood a towering pine tree, and on this pine grew numerous pinecones. These pinecones were no ordinary fruit—on closer inspection, they shone with five-colored radiance, each pine nut glimmering with divine light.
"The Five Elements Pine! An innate spiritual root. Its pinecones possess wondrous effects—able to forge an acquired Five Elements Immortal Body for a living being, cleanse their marrow, and transform their aptitude, instantly elevating them into the ranks of prodigies. Moreover, they can enhance cultivation and Dao power."
Xiao Mi leapt out, narrowing his eyes, reciting the knowledge as though counting treasures.
Such heavenly treasures could not escape his sight. With the ability of the Wordless Heavenly Book, his knowledge had long since reached an inconceivable level—omniscient, omnipresent.
This was indeed an innate spiritual root.
Its value in heaven and earth was enough to drive all beings mad with desire.
Unfortunately, this Five Elements Pine was hidden within Buzhou Mountain, unknown until now. Otherwise, long ago some great powerhouse would have found a way to move it into their own Dao domain, never to reveal it. Now, situated within Buzhou Mountain, it would undoubtedly become a providence for the prodigies of the Three Realms.
At this moment, a golden rat carefully poked its head from a hole in the ground within the valley. The rat was sharp-eyed and alert, brimming with spirit.
After scanning its surroundings, in the next moment it transformed into a golden-robed youth. His whiskers twitched comically, his small golden eyes lively and bright.
"A special royal lineage of the Rat Clan—the Treasure-Seeking Rat."
Yi Tianxing's pupils narrowed. He recognized the figure: the Eternal World's Rat Clan prodigy, Shu Qianxun. Born with the Treasure-Seeking Rat bloodline, he possessed an extraordinary advantage in finding rare treasures.
He could easily discover things that ordinary cultivators would never sense.
Gifted with a natural treasure-hunting talent, Shu Qianxun had relied on this ability over the years to unearth countless wondrous items, rapidly advancing his cultivation at astonishing speed. His progress was truly meteoric, shocking all who heard of it.
Now, he was already a top-tier prodigy of the Dao Platform Realm.
Entering Buzhou Mountain, he clearly relied on this very talent to search for fortune, seeking to seize opportunities ahead of others and stand out from the myriad prodigies.
"Such fortune, such fortune! An innate Five Elements Pine—its pine nuts are incomparably precious, able to refine my Dao body and increase my Dao power. It is destined to be mine! With this, I will take another great step forward, perhaps even awaken an innate divine ability!"
Shu Qianxun's eyes lit with delight. This was a heaven-sent opportunity. Whether the pine nuts or the tree itself, their value was beyond measure.
Quickly surveying the area, he saw that no one was present. The valley was shrouded in innate restrictions—difficult to break even if discovered. Only his unique talent allowed him to enter.
Still wary, he cautiously approached the Five Elements Pine, his eyes irresistibly drawn to the pinecones.
"These pinecones are mine."
He reached out, plucking them with ease. Holding the radiant pine nuts, he swiftly set up restrictions around himself, then popped a pine nut into his mouth, intending to refine the treasure here and now. Increasing his cultivation and Dao power was paramount—he knew better than anyone that strength was the key to survival.
Only what he transformed into his own strength was a true treasure.
The pine nut melted instantly upon entry.
At once, his body radiated five-colored light. Suddenly, his mind grew drowsy, as if sinking into a mysterious dreamlike state.
"What's going on? Why does this pine nut… feel intoxicating?"
Shu Qianxun muttered faintly, before collapsing unconscious to the ground.
This scene, reflected before the eyes of the Three Realms, left countless cultivators shocked and confused. Clearly, they could not understand why, after consuming the pine nut, he had suddenly fallen unconscious. It made no sense.
"How could this be? The Five Elements Pine nuts should not cause coma. Their power is supposed to be gentle—even ordinary mortals could consume them safely. That's the peculiarity of innate spiritual roots."
"Could it be that this pine mutated within Buzhou Mountain, undergoing some strange change that induces slumber?"
Speculation abounded, though no one could state the truth with certainty.
Swish!!
In that moment, the Five Elements Pine shimmered, then vanished like an illusion. In its place stood a colossal, dazzlingly beautiful flower, gleaming with five-colored light, its aura rich and spiritual—like a radiant sunflower.
Suddenly, within its blossom appeared an enchanting face, bewitchingly beautiful. Looking down at the unconscious Shu Qianxun, the face curved into a sinister smile. The next moment, countless tendrils burst from the ground, piercing into his body, dragging him beneath the soil.
Quietly, the flower transformed once more into the Five Elements Pine.
Were it not witnessed with their own eyes, most would have thought it all a dream.
"A special race from the Nightmare World—the Illusion-Charm Race. They are born of flowers, and when matured, they wield innate powers of seduction and illusion. Their dream arts are subtle and flawless, enchanting all beings. Those who eat their illusory fruits fall into deep slumber, unable to awaken, before being drained of blood, flesh, and soul, transformed into nourishment. In the Nightmare World, they are ruthless predators. Who would have thought the Five Elements Pine was an illusion? Truly terrifying. That Rat Clan prodigy is finished."
Xiao Mi cried out.
Yi Tianxing exhaled deeply. "As expected, Nightmare World prodigies wield bizarre methods. Such deceptions—if one fails to pierce their veil, death is inevitable. In the battle of prodigies, only life and death are decided. Shu Qianxun sought countless treasures, yet in the end died because of it—fitting, in a way."
Indeed, the danger within Buzhou Mountain was now vividly apparent. Even prodigies could perish in an instant.
The Nightmare World's methods were far more frightening than most imagined.
"The scenes within Buzhou Mountain will be reflected across the Three Realms. Whenever prodigies battle, their struggles will be revealed to all beings. Anyone who wishes to watch, can," said the Western Queen Mother solemnly.
Only the Heavenly Dao of the Three Realms could achieve such a feat.
Undoubtedly, this allowed the masses to clearly perceive the battles, to experience the atmosphere and brutality of the prodigy war. Already, it was clear: when prodigies met, it was to the death.
In the next moment, countless scenes appeared in the void—glimpses of what was unfolding within Buzhou Mountain.
"Enough. Although the Three Realms may watch, there is no need to be fixated at every moment. According to intelligence, Yongye will not merely participate in the prodigy war. Their true aim remains the invasion of my Eternal World. The Demon Calamity has only just begun. Now it has reached a critical threshold. Soon, great upheavals may occur—such as the large-scale opening of Demon Abyss. That will mark the true eruption of the Demon Calamity."
Yi Tianxing cast a deep glance at Buzhou Mountain, then withdrew his gaze.
Compared to the prodigy battles, his focus lay upon the Eternal World itself. That was where the true outcome would be decided.
The Demon Calamity was inevitable. The only question was when Yongye would strike.