"Fellow Daoist Ethan, just ahead lies the Xuxi Soil."

The Sect Master of Yunyue stopped walking and pointed toward a massive platform floating above a sea of clouds in the distance. At the center of the platform stood an ancient jade coffin, its surface rippling with mysterious starlight, as though it contained the secrets of the cosmos itself.

"For ten thousand years, our Kunlun Immortal Sect has guarded this sacred earth," the Sect Master explained. "It is the very foundation of our sect."

He swept his sleeve, and a gentle radiance enveloped the jade coffin. The lid slowly rose. Inside lay a handful of dark violet soil, starlight flickering across its surface, radiating a dense and ancient astral energy.

"This is the Star Abyss Spirit Soil?" I breathed in amazement. Though the soil was no larger than a palm, holding it gave me the sensation of cradling the entire night sky.

"Indeed." The Sect Master nodded. "Fellow Daoist Ethan, you may try placing the spirit vein seed upon it — see whether it can be activated."

I drew a deep breath and retrieved the spirit vein seed from my qiankun pouch. A faint luminescence drifted across the seed's surface, like a sleeping heart waiting to beat.

I carefully set the spirit vein seed upon the Star Abyss Spirit Soil, anticipating a miracle. Yet the moment seed met soil, nothing happened at all.

"How can this be?" I frowned.

Ding! Incompatible attributes detected between the spirit vein seed and the Star Abyss Spirit Soil — activation failed. The Star Abyss Spirit Soil carries the Astral attribute, while the spirit vein seed carries the Earth Spiritual Source attribute. The two are mutually repellent and cannot be merged.

Disappointment welled in my chest, but I steadied myself quickly. Though I had failed to activate the spirit vein seed, I had at least confirmed that the Star Abyss Spirit Soil existed — and that gave me a direction for seeking other spirit soils going forward.

"It seems I was too hasty." I gave a rueful smile. "Many thanks, Sect Master Yun, for letting me lay eyes on this legendary Star Abyss Spirit Soil."

The Sect Master shook his head, a faint, cryptic smile crossing his face. "There is no need for despair, Fellow Daoist Ethan. Though the Star Abyss Spirit Soil cannot activate the spirit vein seed, the ancient texts record another spirit soil far more wondrous — the Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil."

"The Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil?" My eyes lit up.

"Indeed." The Sect Master nodded. "Legend holds that the Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil originates from the Nine Heavens above. Its attribute is compatible with all things — it can merge with any spirit vein seed. If you can obtain the Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil, activating the spirit vein seed should present no difficulty whatsoever."

"Then where is the Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil now?" I asked urgently.

The Sect Master let out a long sigh. "The precise whereabouts of the Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil have long been lost. However, in this old man's judgment, it is most likely concealed on Penglai Island — the immortal mountain beyond the eastern seas."

"Penglai Island?" I furrowed my brow. "The Penglai Island said to be shrouded in ancient sealing formations?"

"The very same." A flicker of wariness passed through the Sect Master's eyes. "Penglai Island is enveloped in ancient restrictions. Ordinary mortals cannot approach it, and even cultivators require a specific token — the Penglai Jade Talisman — to gain entry."

"The Penglai Jade Talisman? And where would one go to find such a token?"

Yunyue reached into his robes and produced a rolled ancient scroll, which he presented to me. "This is the Kunlun Star Chart. It marks three locations where the Penglai Jade Talisman may be hidden. Whether you find the talisman, Fellow Daoist Ethan, depends entirely on your own fortune."

I took the Kunlun Star Chart and unrolled it. Spread before me was a star map, three points upon it shimmering with a faint, soft glow.

"My deepest thanks, Sect Master Yun!" I cupped my hands in gratitude, my heart full.

The Sect Master waved a hand, a trace of expectation appearing on his face. "Fellow Daoist Ethan, the hope of Blue Star's spiritual energy revival now rests with you. If you truly succeed in activating the spirit vein seed and restore Blue Star to its former glory, you will be the great benefactor of our entire cultivation world."

"Sect Master Yun, set your mind at ease. I will find the Nine Heavens Xuxi Soil, activate the spirit vein seed, and bring Blue Star back to life."

I bid farewell to Sect Master Yun and departed Kunlun Immortal Sect. Standing before the mountain gate, I gazed out across the boundless sea of clouds, my mind churning with thoughts.

"Greenhorn, you've got your work cut out for you now." The elderly System's voice rang through my mind. "Penglai Island, ancient sealing formations, the Penglai Jade Talisman... you're in for quite a ride."

I smiled. "Quite a ride? We're just getting started. Cultivation was never meant to be easy — wasn't that something you said yourself?"

I unrolled the Kunlun Star Chart and studied the three marked locations carefully. The first lay deep within the Eastern Sea; the second in the barren deserts of the Western Regions; the third on the frozen tundra of the Far North.

"I'll start with the Eastern Sea." I murmured to myself. "Deep beneath the Eastern Sea — perhaps I'll find some clue there."

I circulated the Tidal Verse and transformed into a streak of blue light, shooting off in the direction of the Eastern Sea. As I flew, I turned over in my mind how to locate the Penglai Jade Talisman.

"System, what do you think the Penglai Jade Talisman might look like?" I asked.

Ding! According to records in the ancient texts, the Penglai Jade Talisman may take the form of a jade pendant, or alternatively a seal, engraved with the image of Penglai Immortal Mountain. The System replied.

"A jade pendant or a seal..." I shook my head. "That's far too broad a description. It's practically no help at all."

End of Chapter 93: The Xuxi Soil