Mountain root qi is the qi of this mountain itself.
Qi has properties.
As it says, "There is a large tree called yòu(The Pomelo). It has green leaves in winter, red fruits that taste sour. Eating its skin and juice can cure one's rebellious qi disease. The people of Qizhou treasure it, but when transplanted north of the Huai River, it becomes a different species. The myna bird does not cross the Ji River, and the raccoon dog crossing the Wen River dies; these are all due to the influence of qi."
This means there is a large tree named yòu with evergreen leaves and red, sour fruits. Consuming its skin and juice can treat rebellious qi diseases. People from Qizhou cherish it, but when moved north of the Huai River, it turns into another species. Mynas don't cross the Ji River, and raccoons die if they cross the Wen River—all because of the qi.
Qi has properties. Different places have different qi, which shapes their characteristics, leading to various situations and customs.
Li Qi once thought these were nonsense, but after careful consideration, he had to admit it made sense.
In his previous world, oranges grown south of the Huai River remained oranges, while those grown north turned into a different species—a mere difference in variety. But in this world, such things genuinely exist.
In another world, temperature differences across regions are due to latitude, as the Earth is round and sunlight varies.
However, in this world, the earth is flat.
On clear days, standing on a hill, Li Qi could see for dozens of miles without any horizon.
It's evident that there is no concept of latitude and longitude here.
This is a world where the sky is round and the earth is square.
Thus, what determines the properties of different regions must be the intangible qi of the earth and heaven.
Li Qi had recognized many times that this world was entirely different from his former one.
Of course, there were some similarities, but at a deeper level, things were definitely different. For instance, gravity here wasn't the same as in his world; otherwise, the flat earth would have collapsed long ago.
Given this, he fully believed the descriptions of mountain root qi in the book "Wu".
Why is something called a mountain?
What distinguishes a mountain from a pile of soil or stones on the ground?
The difference lies in roots. A mountain, though appearing simply as a towering pile of rocks and soil, actually extends underground with an inverted mountain, even deeper and more robust than above ground.
This is the mountain root, allowing mountains to stand for millennia.
Without roots, a mountain would collapse easily—how could it stand?
The nature of mountain roots follows the surrounding terrain.
Mountain roots with springs forming streams indicate a water-soil integration pattern.
If mountain roots contain stone bones, it signifies abundant vegetation and vibrant life.
When rivers erode mountain roots, it indicates bare hills without trees, barely tens of meters high.
Legend has it that Penglai has mountains whose roots naturally form emerald gates, creating mirages and wondrous human spectacles.
These are manifestations of mountain root properties.
As a Wu practitioner specializing in earth deities, Li Qi had unique methods to utilize mountain root qi.
That involved combining it with heavenly qi.
The book "Wu" states, "Earthly qi rises, heavenly qi descends, yin and yang interact, heaven and earth collide, thunder drums them, and wind and rain spur them!"
Earthly qi rises as clouds, heavenly qi descends as rain, and together they generate thunder!
Wu practitioners are known for their combat prowess.
When Shen Shuibei first met Li Qi, she described him as, "Calling upon ghosts and gods, protected by ancestral spirits, blessed by celestial and terrestrial deities, surrounded by myriad gods, his power is terrifying." (Refer to Chapter 23)
Shen Shuibei, although her path isn't known, is ranked fifth.
However, Li Qi was still a novice with only a few strands of qi, lacking any rank.
But this didn't mean he couldn't use knowledge and planning to create a trump card for himself.
The Azure Dragon bestowed Azure Dragon divine qi, a type of heavenly qi, but the household deities Shenshu and Yulu granted him weren't earthly qi.
The Five Worship Deities are earth deities, but they grant divine qi, not earthly qi.
So now, Li Qi prepared to use his own qi and the mountain spirit's aversion to exchange for a strand of earthly qi.
The ritual proceeded.
The mountain spirit felt its inherent purity tainted by human qi.
This enraged the pure mountain spirit, but the contamination was too weak to affect it significantly. It easily dispersed Li Qi's qi and reclaimed its strength.
Li Qi felt an indescribable pressure...
The surrounding forests... seemed to dislike him?
He felt like he was being rejected by the entire world.
"No wonder it's said this method shouldn't be used lightly... This interferes with the mountain spirit's path. If it eventually becomes a god, it might come looking for trouble..." Li Qi mocked himself.
Human qi contaminating a mountain spirit makes its path much harder if it becomes a god.
An unaware mountain spirit's current aversion wouldn't cause any real harm, so Li Qi wasn't worried. As for the future?
Joking aside, among billions of mountains, how many could become gods?
The odds are higher for winning the lottery.
"This side is ready... I'll leave this altar here." Li Qi looked up at the stone altar.
The altar was built entirely with stones, meticulously analyzed for stability, weighing about ten tons in total.
It wasn't easy carrying it up.
With his task complete, Li Qi glanced at the old horse and Shen Shuibei.
Those two non-humans were even more exhausted than him, already asleep. The old horse rested against a tree, while Shen Shuibei leaned against the horse, both sound asleep.
They truly looked relaxed...
But Li Qi dared not relax.
He decided not to sleep tonight.
Finding a high spot with a view around, he sat down.
Continuing to read.
His progress was now 0.8%. Diligent daily reading always yields results.
Today's trump card came from studying books.
One day, he hoped to be like Shen Shuibei, quoting classics effortlessly.
As a former researcher, Li Qi knew well that "knowledge is power."
While reading, Li Qi kept an eye on his surroundings.
But before he noticed anything unusual, Shen Shuibei's ears suddenly popped up.
Her rabbit ears.
Adorable.
Before Li Qi could react, Shen Shuibei opened her eyes in panic, "Horse hooves! Something's coming! Many horse hooves, at least ten!"
Upon hearing this, Li Qi immediately stood up.
Damn, divination really works.