Ji Yuan gazed forward, and upon seeing the middle-aged Taoist's rage, he realized his judgment had been correct.
Earlier, he had sensed that no matter what methods the other party employed, they did not consume any spiritual energy. They merely used runes and array patterns to mobilize the power of heaven and earth.
However, any method used would inevitably consume some form of energy. If the opponent had no spiritual energy, then what was being consumed might be the light spots filling this place.
These light spots contained extremely pure spiritual energy and life force, which, with a bit of refinement, could provide abundant spiritual energy.
Yet, this person had not done so, and this alone was worthy of deep thought.
Seeing that his method was effective, Ji Yuan immediately took a deep breath, unleashing his spiritual energy without regard for consumption, channeling it all into the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda above his head.
The spirit-devouring power obtained from the Crimson Feather Evil Tiger's demon core was pushed to its limit. A large number of light spots surged forward, all being swallowed by the pagoda, which was only a few inches in size.
However, these light spots contained a wisp of the middle-aged Taoist's divine sense. Even with the power of the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda, it was difficult to increase the speed of consumption.
At the current pace, before a certain amount of light spots could be consumed, the elder before them would likely be unable to hold on any longer.
Although he was unclear about the middle-aged Taoist's specific cultivation, he was certain that the other party had once been a great Golden Core cultivator, as the Taoist aura emanating from him could not be faked.
Even though the opponent was currently only condensing rune flying swords to fight, the elder, with his three-realm strength, was already beginning to falter. His defensive energy was being heavily consumed, and even the giant tiger formed by his vital energy and blood behind him had become significantly dim.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan felt a surge of anxiety. However, even if he were to expend the vast amount of spiritual energy accumulated in the pagoda at any cost, forcibly activating the unrefined triple restrictions, he still could not increase the consumption speed by even a fraction.
In fact, as time passed, more and more light spots retreated. Under the shroud of the middle-aged Taoist's divine sense, they were able to resist the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda's devouring power.
Suddenly, Ji Yuan's expression shifted slightly. Without hesitation, he removed the satchel from his waist. With a surge of spiritual energy from his palm, he shattered the tightly wrapped coarse cloth.
A fragmented furnace thus appeared in his palm, which he held up before him. Through its broken parts, one could see a pool of shimmering, multi-colored liquid within the furnace.
Although he did not know what kind of treasure this fragmented furnace was, one thing was certain: this item had the ability to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Based on his previous conjecture, if this treasure were complete, it would be enough to suppress the destiny of a sect. Even in its current incomplete state, if it were submitted to the Nine Xuan Sect, it might still be enough to exchange for an opportunity to enter the forbidden area.
At this moment, Ji Yuan was resorting to a desperate measure. After taking out the fragmented furnace, he channeled his spiritual energy into it, doing his best to activate its power.
However, whether it was due to insufficient spiritual energy or the severe damage to the furnace, after a long while, the fragmented furnace remained motionless, as if it were an inanimate object.
"This thing..."
Instead, Li Buwei, who was beside him, showed a look of surprise.
He instinctively took out a piece of fragment, which was covered in special rust. The surface seemed to be inscribed with some patterns.
The material of this fragment looked almost identical to that of the fragmented furnace. The only difference might be the lack of spiritual energy, making it appear like an ordinary object.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan's heart stirred. He had two similar fragments himself. One was obtained in the market town of the Nine Xuan Sect, and the other was also from Li Buwei.
As he hesitated whether there was any connection between the two, he suddenly felt a very faint fluctuation emanating from the fragmented furnace in his hand, as if it were yearning for something.
The next moment, Ji Yuan felt his spiritual energy pour out like a bursting dam, being actively absorbed by the fragmented furnace in his hand!
Before he could even cut off the flow of spiritual energy, he saw the fragmented furnace in his hand emit a dim glow, enveloping one of Li Buwei's fragments.
Immediately after, that fragment flew over rapidly and perfectly merged with the fragmented furnace!
"I found this thing in a ruin. It should be a battlefield from thousands of years ago. It is resistant to water and fire, and difficult to damage with swords and blades. Apart from that, it has no other peculiar properties," Li Buwei said rapidly as he saw the young man looking at him.
At the same time, he revealed that he had originally obtained two pieces. One had now merged with the fragmented furnace, and the other...
Ji Yuan's eyes flickered, and he then took out two fragments of the same material from his jade ring.
As soon as they were taken out, they were enveloped by the glow emitted by the fragmented furnace and then successively fitted onto the incomplete furnace body.
The fragmented furnace, which had been missing nearly half of its body, now only had one gap and was missing a furnace lid.
After three fragments of the furnace body were fitted in succession, the fragmented furnace immediately exuded a vast aura, no longer remaining as unresponsive as before, no matter how much spiritual energy Ji Yuan injected.
Now, his spiritual energy could barely circulate within the fragmented furnace. Although he had not yet discovered or refined the restrictions contained within, a trace of connection had still been established between them.
Ji Yuan slowly raised his head and, as if divinely inspired, tossed the fragmented furnace in his hand, causing it to hover beside the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda.
Without needing to be activated by spiritual energy, the fragmented furnace autonomously emitted immeasurable divine light. Without any special fluctuations, countless light spots from all directions surged forward uncontrollably.
Even with the blessing of the middle-aged Taoist's divine sense, these light spots were all absorbed into the fragmented furnace. In just a short period, nearly thirty percent of the light spots in the underground cave had been consumed!
"How dare you!"
The middle-aged Taoist let out a furious roar. More and more rune flying swords condensed around him, shooting towards the fragmented furnace suspended in mid-air.
However, these rune flying swords were all intercepted by the elder from the Shanhe Gang. Although he didn't fully understand what was happening, seeing the other party's fury made him burst into laughter.
Even Ji Yuan and Li Buwei couldn't help but smile. As the light spots in the cave were rapidly consumed, they could all feel the middle-aged Taoist's aura weakening at the same pace.
It seemed they had bet correctly. The countless light spots in this place were the foundation of the middle-aged Taoist, not only the source of his power but likely also essential for his existence.
Otherwise, the other party would have refined them all long ago, instead of keeping them nearby.
Boom!!!
But at this moment, a thunderous roar suddenly came from above their heads, and surging spiritual energy descended through layers of earth and stone.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan and the others' faces changed drastically. They could feel two Golden Core Taoist auras desperately approaching this place. If not for the obstruction of more than ten three-realm cultivators, they would have likely already broken through the earth and stone and arrived here.
"Two young friends, if you have any other means, use them quickly! This fellow seems to be desperate!" the elder suddenly shouted, his tone tinged with urgency.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan immediately withdrew his gaze and then looked forward.
He saw that the middle-aged Taoist was in a fit of rage. While rune flying swords condensed around him, he was also frantically absorbing the light spots in the cave.
When he realized he could no longer control the light spots, he resolutely unleashed runes, incorporating the light spots he had accumulated over a long period into his body in advance.
At this moment, Ji Yuan could even see boundless rage burning in the other party's eyes, as if he wished to grind them into dust.
After a moment's thought, he had a general guess. These light spots were likely the fundamental basis for the other party's resurrection, but due to certain reasons, he needed to wait for other opportune moments.
However, by disrupting him now, the other party had to consume the light spots prematurely. If not, his foundation for future resurrection would entirely benefit others.
Ji Yuan surmised that by consuming the light spots in this place prematurely, the middle-aged Taoist would miss out on many opportunities, and his future resurrection would likely come at a much greater cost.
But what did any of this have to do with him?
A flash of light in his eyes, he formed seals with both hands consecutively, his spiritual energy pouring out without reservation. One portion flowed into the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda, and the other was allowed to be fully absorbed by the fragmented furnace.
He quietly took out a jade bottle and poured out a round pill, which he swallowed in one gulp.
This was the Spirit Nourishing Pill that Ji Yuan had refined in the inner city of Xuanhuang City using the vast spiritual energy accumulated within the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda.
This Spirit Nourishing Pill had no other effect except to provide a large amount of pure spiritual energy. Because the spiritual energy within had already been refined and purified in the alchemical furnace, it could replenish the consumption of spiritual energy with a bit of refinement.
In just over ten breaths, Ji Yuan felt a surge of fullness in his body as spiritual energy filled his entire physical form. Even with his full cultivation, he could not refine it all at once.
With a large amount of spiritual energy being converted into spiritual energy, the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda and the fragmented furnace, now adequately supplied, immediately unleashed even more powerful auras, beginning to compete with the middle-aged Taoist for the light spots in this place.
Those light spots contained extremely pure spiritual energy and vitality. If they could be refined for one's own use, they would not only increase cultivation but also enhance one's fundamental essence!
All things in the world have a life essence. Mortals call it vital energy. Those who are weak and sickly have thin vital energy and need to consume tonics.
For cultivators, the life essence is also called true essence. After decades of cultivation, one can only condense a mere thread or two.
This substance is both a part of the foundation of the Tao and a manifestation of one's lifespan. If the true essence is abundant, one's lifespan is long and continuous; if the true essence is thin, one's lifespan is short.
For a former great Golden Core cultivator to spend thousands of years accumulating light spots, the vitality contained within could significantly increase true essence.
If it weren't for this, it wouldn't have been considered the foundation for his resurrection, and even if his true body were found, he would have been unwilling to use even a fraction of it.
"Senior! Quickly stop this person!"
Ji Yuan's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted loudly.
In fact, without his reminder, the elder of the three realms had already discovered the problem. As he continued to absorb the surrounding light spots, the middle-aged Taoist's aura grew increasingly solid.
If before, the other party's aura was like a mirage, existing yet illusory, then after absorbing a large number of light spots, his aura had become increasingly real.
Waves of spiritual energy were brewing within the middle-aged Taoist, seeming as though they could erupt from his body at any moment.
His aura was also rapidly increasing from the early stage of the Enlightenment Realm, quickly breaking through to the late stage of the Enlightenment Realm. In just over ten breaths, he completely rivaled the middle stage of the Spirit Manifestation Realm.
Seeing this, the elder let out a fierce roar. The blood-qi giant tiger behind him suddenly exploded, scattering the countless rune flying swords before him!
He crossed over ten Zhang in just a few steps, appearing before the middle-aged Taoist. They were only about three Zhang apart, and he raised a pair of iron fists!
Rumble!!!!!!
A deafening roar echoed throughout the underground cave, and even the ground beneath their feet shook violently.
Countless gravel fragments fell off amidst the powerful fluctuations, making the entire cave seem on the verge of collapse.
Under the elder's all-out attack, the light curtain formed by array patterns before him shattered into countless fragments, and he finally reached the middle-aged Taoist.
Even facing a former great Golden Core cultivator, the elder showed no fear on his face; instead, his fighting spirit was soaring.
As a pure martial artist, considered crude by cultivators, as long as his temper flared, he would dare to swing his fists even if a mighty being stood before him!
Thus, he carried this principle to the extreme, raising his fists without pause. In an instant, robust defensive energy poured out along his fists, and a fist intent that seemed capable of shattering mountains and rivers erupted without reservation!
Boom!!!
In the blinding light, Ji Yuan and Li Buwei could see the lotus platform beneath the middle-aged Taoist cracking inch by inch. Streams of powerful spiritual energy emanated from it, surging forward like waves.
However, the elder's figure remained unmoving. He extended his fists forward, inch by inch. Although his speed was slow, it was extremely firm. Even though his fists were already bleeding, and even the white bones beneath the flesh were exposed.
As if influenced by the powerful fist intent before him, Ji Yuan felt a surge of ferocity well up within him. He poured out all the spiritual energy in his body in one go, channeling it into the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda and the fragmented furnace before him!