Chapter 300 Assigning Ling Mountain

"We understand."

Hearing this, everyone immediately began making their selections.

Among the 7 spiritual veins, the most precious was undoubtedly the Blue Jade Lake, a top-grade tier-3 spiritual vein. Located less than 30,000 li from the Heavenly Ruins Lake, it also contained a top-grade tier-3 water vein within its depths.

Blue Jade Lake was renowned for the blue jade veins within its waters. This blue jade was an exceptionally precious gemstone, used to craft storage jade vials and jade boxes that could prolong the preservation period of spiritual herbs and elixirs, making it an extraordinarily valuable treasure.

Every decade, a single third-grade Blue Jade is formed within the Blue Jade Lake. When refined into a treasure box or jade vial, it can extend the preservation period of elixirs and spiritual materials by 30 years.

Its value was estimated to be around several tens of thousands of spirit stones. Therefore, acquiring this vein would bring substantial benefits—whether for personal use or for sale.

That water vein could also be used to cultivate spirit pearls. Once obtained, the family would no longer lack water-attribute resources.

The old clan leader exchanged a glance with Eldrin, then without another word, exchanged for this spirit vein.

Among the remaining individuals, Xavier and Patriarch Fang had forgone the opportunity to exchange for these spiritual veins and earth veins in order to secure the Golden Core Formation Pill.

The major immortal clans such as the Qian and Pan families, all at Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm), finally made their move. They exchanged for a mid-grade third-order spiritual mountain. Once these spirit veins were fully developed, their clans' foundational resources would be substantially augmented.

After all, the resources consumed by the Purple Mansion Immortal Clan were fixed. Under such circumstances, each additional spirit vein would essentially bring a massive, unearned extra income. Over time, this would undoubtedly allow the clan's foundation to grow increasingly vast.

In addition to these immortal clans, Yu Qingyan also contentedly exchanged for the mid-third-grade Spirit Mountain Thunderclap Valley.

The Thundering Vale was once a spiritual mountain of the Thunder Roc lineage. Beneath the mountains lay unique mineral veins of Thundering Treasure Gold, an exceptionally rare heavenly material of the thunder attribute.

This object contains the power of thunder, making it excellent for either forging thunder-attribute magical treasures or cultivating thunder-based divine abilities. For Eldrin (Person Name), who possesses the Thunder Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) and practices thunder-based divine abilities, it is also a remarkable treasure.

In order to secure Thunder Roar Valley, Yu Qingyan refrained from exchanging for any other treasures, effectively compensating others with a massive amount of merit points before finally obtaining this spiritual mountain.

After the major immortal clans had exchanged for the third-order spirit mountain ley lines, Lyra (Person Name) put away the illusory map.

There were still quite a few second-tier spirit mountains, as well as an immense number of first and second-tier treasures. However, these would naturally be handled by Lyra's disciples and descendants, along with the disciples of the Chen Immortal Clan.

Once these demon beast pelts and bones were refined into resources such as elixirs, magical instruments, and talismans, it was foreseeable that the disciples of the Chen Immortal Clan and Celestial Ruins Mountain would experience rapid advancement in their 100 Crafts of Cultivation, thereby earning them vast sums of spirit stones.

After everyone had finished exchanging their treasures, Lyra said calmly, "I will acquire the Heavenheart Herb as soon as possible to refine the Golden Core Formation Pill."

"You should return first and deal with the matter of the spirit vein."

"Many thanks, Fairy."

Xavier (Person Name) exclaimed with delight to Patriarch Fang, "Since breaking through to the False Core stage, we now possess a 30 percent certainty of forming a true Golden Core."

If they could obtain a Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object), their chances would soar to a full 50 percent. At this thought, the 2 returned to their clan with immense joy, preparing to mobilize their resources to acquire a Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object).

After all, they were 2 False Core cultivators. With the merits their 2 great clans had earned in this battle—sufficient to equate to nearly 1,000,000 spirit stones—and by mortgaging or liquidating some of their ancestral assets, they truly qualified to obtain the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) from Lyra (Person Name).

"Leave my presence."

After the crowd had dispersed, Eldrin and Lyra remained before the spirit spring, beginning to tally the gains from this battle.

Lyra retrieved the demon core of the Crimson Scorpion Demon King and carefully placed it inside a fourth-grade treasure box. She then stored the demon core of the Black Flood Dragon within a jade container. With a tinge of regret in her voice, she remarked,

"This Black Flood Dragon (Demon Beast) inner core is severely damaged. I'm afraid no more than 2 pellets can be successfully refined."

"With my level of cultivation, slaying it was already the absolute limit of my capabilities."

Eldrin also felt a pang of heartache. A single Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) was worth at least 2,000,000 spirit stones. Losing 1 meant losing 2 million spirit stones—a loss so substantial it felt like having his very bones crushed.

More crucially, once damaged, the creative energy within the Black Flood Dragon (Demon Beast) inner core would dissipate within 3 years. Even if sealed with a fourth-tier jade box to preserve its medicinal potency, this duration could only be extended to approximately 10 years.

At this thought, he furrowed his brow and couldn't help but mutter, "I wonder where 1 could find this Skyheart Grass?"

"Do not worry."

Lyra stowed the treasure case and said, "As is customary, after the beast tide subsides, Golden Core realm cultivators in Ji Province will convene an exchange assembly. We should be able to procure the Skyheart Herb then."

"That makes things much easier."

Eldrin nodded calmly. Having journeyed all this way to the present day, his solitary slaying of a Golden Core Demon King served as a proclamation: he had now stepped into the ranks of Ji Continent's high-level cultivators.

Even a Golden Core Elder would treat him as an equal, if not regard him with even greater esteem.

In this world, strength ultimately dictates 1’s standing, and the division of seniority by cultivation realm is merely another way to measure power.

A flicker of amusement glimmered in Lyra's eyes as she observed his expression, then she spoke again.

"For the next trade gathering, we have quite a few items to procure."

"With Qingyang Mountain and Spirit Isle Lake, we now possess 2 fourth-order spirit veins. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root at Spirit Isle Lake should also reach the fourth order within a dozen or so years."

"Your Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) and Pingyang City will also reach fourth rank within a few decades. By then, we shall possess 5 fourth-ranked spirit veins."

"To simultaneously occupy several fourth-order spirit veins, we must deploy at least 3 teleportation arrays and link them into a unified network."

Eldrin nodded slightly. To set up a teleportation array, the most crucial treasure required was the Void Gem.

That Void Gem (Spiritual Object) was valued at no less than 1,000,000 spirit stones. Purchasing several at once would likely strain the financial resources of both Lyra (Person Name) and Eldrin (Person Name).

The few extra fourth-order magical treasures in their possession likely wouldn't remain with them for long—they would need to be traded 1 by 1 for other valuable resources.

At this thought, a faint flicker crossed Eldrin’s brow as he gazed toward the direction of Earthlion Ridge. “If we can capture Earthlion Ridge, then Skyvoid Lake, Earthlion Ridge, and Sunpeak Mountain will form a triangular defensive formation. Our cultivation resources would then become abundant.”

"Let's not rush for now."

The proposal stirred a flicker of interest within her, yet after a moment of contemplative silence, Lyra (Person Name) ultimately shook her head.

Eldrin also nodded, suppressing the thought. The spiritual vein of the Earth Lion Ridge was as high as mid fourth-grade, and the Earth Lion Demon King, backed by the grand formation, possessed considerable strength.

Not to mention the uncertainty of capturing it, even if they succeeded, it would place immense pressure on the Sky Ruins Alliance.

When the Old Patriarch and Elara (Person Name) break through to the Golden Core realm, only then will they appear effortless and at ease.

Moreover, ideally, 1 must prepare 3 to 4 or more Void Gems (Spiritual Object) to connect several fourth-order spirit mountains into a unified whole.

Otherwise, even if Golden Core cultivators were deployed for defense, it would disperse the strength of the Heavenly Ruins Alliance and increase the risk of its Golden Core cultivators being defeated 1 by 1.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind swept across the mountain peaks, carrying with it the scent of snow and decay. Lin Feng tightened his tattered robe, his fingers trembling as he clutched the last remaining spirit stone in his palm. The faint glow of the spirit stone pulsed like a dying heartbeat, its energy nearly depleted. "Just 1 more night," he whispered to himself, his breath forming mist in the frigid air. "1 more night until the sect examination." Below the cliff where he stood, the magnificent structures of the Cloud Sky Sect sprawled across the mountainside, their curved roofs adorned with intricate carvings that shimmered with protective formations. Lanterns made of luminous pearls cast ethereal light upon the stone pathways, where disciples in pristine white robes practiced their sword forms with graceful precision. Lin Feng's gaze fell upon the main training ground, where Elder Ming (Person Name) was demonstrating the third form of the Flowing Water Sword Art (Cultivation Technique). The elder's movements were fluid yet powerful, his spiritual energy swirling around him like visible mist. Dozens of young disciples watched in awe, their eyes filled with admiration and envy. A bitter smile touched Lin Feng's lips. 3 years ago, he had been among those promising disciples, hailed as the most talented newcomer the sect had seen in decades. But that was before the incident during the secret realm exploration, before the mysterious energy had sealed his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment realm. "Lin Feng!" A sharp voice cut through his reverie. He turned to see Zhang Li (Person Name) approaching, his expensive silk robes embroidered with silver threads that glittered in the moonlight. 2 lackeys trailed behind him, carrying his spiritual weapons - the Twin Moon Blades (Magic Treasure). "Still wasting your time here?" Zhang Li sneered, his eyes scanning Lin Feng's worn-out appearance with disdain. "The sect examination is tomorrow. Do you really think you still stand a chance?" Lin Feng remained silent, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists. The spirit stone in his palm seemed to grow colder. Zhang Li stepped closer, his voice dropping to a malicious whisper. "Why don't you save yourself the humiliation? Everyone knows your cultivation has been stagnant for years. Just leave the sect quietly and return to your mortal family." "The examination hasn't begun yet," Lin Feng said quietly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions within him. Zhang Li laughed mockingly. "Still clinging to false hope? Fine then. I look forward to seeing you make a fool of yourself tomorrow." As Zhang Li and his companions strode away, their laughter echoing in the night, Lin Feng unclenched his fist and looked at the spirit stone in his palm. Its glow had faded completely now, leaving behind a dull, gray surface. But as he was about to toss it away, a strange warmth began to spread from the stone through his fingers. Cracks appeared on its surface, from which golden light began to seep out. The light grew brighter, forming intricate patterns that swirled in the air before him. A voice, ancient and profound, echoed directly in his mind: "After 3 1000 years of slumber, the Heaven Devouring Art (Supreme Cultivation Method) awakens once more." The golden patterns surged toward him, merging with his body. Lin Feng felt torrents of spiritual energy flooding his meridians, washing away the mysterious seal that had constrained his cultivation for so long. Power he had long forgotten coursed through him, making the very air around him vibrate with energy. When the light finally faded, Lin Feng found himself standing taller, his senses sharpened beyond anything he had ever experienced. The world appeared clearer, more vibrant, and he could feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathering around him as if welcoming a long-lost monarch. He looked toward the distant training grounds where Zhang Li had disappeared, a new light burning in his eyes. "Tomorrow," he murmured, "the examination will indeed be interesting."