On a mountain peak three to four hundred feet high, streams of spiritual light erupted, transforming into rolling, majestic spiritual energy between heaven and earth.
Ji Yuan gazed at the approaching cultivators with a somber expression. His body was already saturated with spiritual energy, making it difficult to even mobilize his spiritual power.
If he were to cease absorbing the abundant spiritual energy, he might miss this immense opportunity. He didn't know when he would encounter such an opportunity to freely absorb spiritual energy again.
However, if he continued to devour spiritual energy with the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda, he would be unable to defend himself against the lurking cultivators. The only way to do so would be to unleash the pagoda, exposing it to everyone. But doing so would attract even more attention, fueling greater greed and the desire for murder and treasure.
Wu Chengqing and Zhao Yuansong stepped forward, one on each side, their gazes stern as they surveyed their surroundings, releasing their auras without reservation.
Unfortunately, most of those present were cultivators at the Second Realm or above. Among those approaching, one was in the middle stage of the Spirit Point Realm.
"Fellow Daoists of the Nine Xuan Sect, the one beside me is our inner disciple Wu Chengqing!"
Ji Yuan had a sudden inspiration. He turned his gaze towards two other groups of Nine Xuan Sect disciples in the distance. "If you don't mind, please join us in absorbing the spiritual energy!"
Before his words had fully faded, he urged the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda, intensifying its suction and enlarging the vortex of spiritual energy.
Seeing this, the disciples of the Nine Xuan Sect's eyes flashed. They immediately hastened their approach. Initially, they had been observing, unwilling to stand idly by while a fellow disciple was in danger, but they would not intervene immediately unless their lives were threatened. They planned to wait until their fellow disciple was somewhat depleted before joining forces to fend off outsiders. This would not only aid their comrade and uphold the sect's reputation but also allow them to reduce the number of competitors. At the very least, it would prevent their fellow disciples from competing with them for spiritual energy. By the time they recovered, most of the spiritual energy would likely be gone.
They hadn't expected anyone to be able to gather such a vast amount of spiritual energy. Upon hearing Ji Yuan's invitation, they didn't hesitate and decided to rush over immediately.
Soon, eight Nine Xuan Sect disciples arrived. They exchanged greetings with Wu Chengqing and the others, smiles on their faces. After a brief pleasantry, their gazes fell upon Ji Yuan, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Even with over ten people absorbing spiritual energy together, the amount they could draw was greatly increased, thanks entirely to the young Daoist before them.
With the addition of eight Second Realm disciples, all from the Nine Xuan Sect's inner circle, the cultivators who had been lurking and approaching nearby immediately halted their intentions. Some even quietly retreated. They seemed to fear that a group of sect brethren would turn on them. However, disciples of renowned sects possessed their own pride and principles; they would not casually attack rogue cultivators or those from the wilderness without cause, nor would they engage in senseless murder for treasure.
"This Daoist friend is..."
A young man, appearing refined and scholarly, glanced towards Wu Chengqing. Noticing this, Wu Chengqing instinctively glanced at Ji Yuan. Seeing Ji Yuan nod slightly, he replied, "This is Daoist Ling Yu from Xuan Tian Peak."
Ji Yuan, originating from a Daoist temple and registered as a Daoist in the Great Yu Dynasty, typically used his Daoist title when addressing others, only resorting to his name when familiarity was established. Thus, Wu Chengqing introduced him by his Daoist title.
Upon hearing this, the others' eyes flickered with surprise. They were clearly aware of Xuan Tian Peak and had heard of the person who brought back lost fortune to the Nine Xuan Sect.
"Daoist Ling Yu's cultivation is profound, to be able to gather so much spiritual energy. I am Yu Qingling, and I am truly impressed!" the scholarly-looking youth said, cupping his fist in a salute.
As he spoke, the eyes of those around him flickered. They cast knowing glances at him before putting on smiles. Ji Yuan was slightly surprised. The youth's action was undoubtedly a way of telling those around them not to delve too deeply into how he could gather so much spiritual energy, to simply treat it as his own Daoist art. While seemingly unnecessary, it carried multiple meanings and was a gesture of goodwill.
Ji Yuan smiled and nodded, reciprocating the kindness. It wasn't that he was feigning aloofness; rather, his body was already so saturated with spiritual energy that his physical form was showing signs of strain. Out of necessity, he opened six acupoints to provide an outlet for the excess spiritual energy, simultaneously controlling the six Chong Shui Pearls within these acupoints to absorb the boundless spiritual energy to their fullest.
However, as the mountain's array collapsed, more and more spiritual light erupted, like a mountain spring gushing forth, making the spiritual energy in the surrounding area increasingly dense. In some places, the spiritual energy had become so concentrated that it formed a faint mist. No matter how much the twenty to thirty cultivators absorbed, the spiritual energy content in the area did not seem to decrease.
"Could this place be the cave mansion of a Golden Core Great Cultivator?" Zhao Yuansong furrowed his brow, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
By now, everyone had condensed one or two Spirit Crystals, which were pure spiritual energy compressed and contained in special vessels, far more valuable than spirit stones. Yet, a Spirit Crystal the size of a fingernail required an immense amount of spiritual energy to form. In the outside world, it could easily deplete all the spiritual energy in a forest.
"At least it was left by a cultivator at the peak of the Third Realm," Yu Qingling mused. Only cultivators of this level or higher would possess the means to gather such vast amounts of spiritual energy and refine it into their cave mansions.
Ji Yuan, however, lacked the energy to speculate on the original owner's cultivation level. His body was already overflowing with spiritual energy, rendering his spiritual power difficult to circulate. Even his six opened acupoints were quickly filled. The six Chong Shui Pearls were absorbing spiritual energy at their maximum capacity but were still struggling, appearing to be barely holding on. If this continued, the excessive absorption of spiritual energy would not only fail to increase his power but would also damage the spiritual essence he had painstakingly nurtured.
With this thought, Ji Yuan's mind stirred. He commanded the Yuan Chen Whip at his waist and the sword 'Yuan Bao' on his back to join the spiritual energy absorption. However, this action had the opposite effect. A top-tier magical artifact and an ancestral sword of unknown grade, while temporarily diverting a small portion of the spiritual energy within his body, also attracted even more spiritual energy from the heavens and earth.
Gazing at the converging spiritual light and mist, Ji Yuan quickly activated the Nine Yuan Chong Shui Scripture, seizing the moment his spiritual power recovered. The chapters corresponding to the Enlightenment Realm of this scripture suddenly appeared in his mind. His accumulated insights from the past erupted, propelling his comprehension of the scripture.
Unknowingly, he had already seated himself cross-legged on the ground. Before closing his eyes, he scattered three copper coins from his sleeve around his body.
"This is... enlightenment?" Yu Qingling and the others looked at the young Daoist who had suddenly entered a state of cultivation, their faces filled with surprise. Even Zhao Yuansong and Wu Chengqing looked on with envy. Sensing the subtle, profound aura emanating from Ji Yuan, they were certain he had entered a state of enlightenment.
Enlightenment, for cultivators, was something rare and precious. Once entered, one's comprehension of scriptures, divine abilities, and the like would reach astonishing levels. However, many cultivators might never experience enlightenment in their entire lives. Only cultivators above the Third Realm, through the accumulation of vast years, might be fortunate enough to enter this state once or twice.
"Daoist Ling Yu... truly possesses extraordinary talent!" Yu Qingling exclaimed with genuine admiration. He then quietly moved to a position, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth while keeping a vigilant watch on his surroundings. Seeing his actions, the other seven inner disciples of the Nine Xuan Sect also quietly dispersed, occupying various positions and forming a protective circle around Ji Yuan. As for Zhao Yuansong and his three companions, they offered grateful glances before closely guarding the young Daoist beside them.
As the Yuan Chen Whip and Yuan Bao joined the ranks of spiritual energy absorption, Ji Yuan's pressure grew. However, at this moment, he seemed oblivious to it all. Numerous insights and understandings surfaced in his mind, stemming from his usual contemplation of cultivation techniques, now erupting like a geyser. In his state of enlightenment, he rapidly absorbed these insights, his understanding of the Nine Yuan Chong Shui Scripture advancing at an accelerated pace.
In just a short while, the chapters corresponding to the Enlightenment Realm of this scripture were perfected. As spiritual power circulated within his body, it flowed like a mighty river, both surging and seemingly endless. When the chapters for the Enlightenment Realm were perfected, his spiritual power, as it circulated within him, began to draw in the dense spiritual energy, incorporating it into the river of spiritual power.
As vast amounts of spiritual energy were refined, the pressure on Ji Yuan suddenly lessened, and his aura continuously grew. However, as he neared the threshold of breakthrough, he felt a stir in his heart and forcefully suppressed it! Although he was naturally inclined towards water and his talent in this area seemed even greater than in sword cultivation, he still wished to break through each realm using the Xuan Tian Sword Art, or even the overarching cultivation method of the Xuan Tian Dao Scripture.
Yet, as more and more spiritual energy was refined, the spiritual power within his body had accumulated to its peak. If he did not break through, at best, his meridians would rupture, causing him to fall back a realm; at worst, he would be violently exploded.
At this critical moment, a chapter suddenly appeared in his mind. It was a secret technique from the Nine Yuan Chong Shui Scripture, known as the "Nine Refinements Nine Yuan Chong Shui Secret Art"! What is Chong Shui? The heaviest water in the world! Two pronunciations, two different meanings. One refers to its immense weight; the other refers to its inherent depth and layering. To shape water into form and refine equivalent spiritual energy within it, achieving a perfect fusion, is to create Chong Shui. This can be used for Qi cultivation, increasing one's cultivation base, or for refining artifacts and forging powerful magical treasures.
The secret art recorded in the Nine Yuan Chong Shui Scripture, in addition to directly refining Chong Shui, could also be applied to one's spiritual power cultivation. Refining spiritual power as if it were Chong Shui was the core essence of this secret art.
Instantly, Ji Yuan, using his state of enlightenment, comprehended this secret art, which he had been studying for a long time, at an astonishing speed. He then immediately deployed it within his body. The surging spiritual power circulated through his body along a peculiar meridian pathway, drawing out the dense water essence contained within his flesh and blood. This was the water essence he had accumulated from taking the Water God Pills daily. Although it had been refined several times, a large portion still lay dormant within his flesh and blood.
Concurrently, Ji Yuan's mind stirred, and a round bead emerged from his Jade Ring. He swallowed it directly. This bead, condensed from water essence by a water demon from Qian Yu City over nearly a century, utilizing ninety percent of its accumulated incense and vow power, immediately released a torrent of pure water essence upon entering his abdomen. Under the operation of the secret art, this water essence continuously merged into Ji Yuan's spiritual power!
At this moment, spiritual power circulated through Ji Yuan's body along a special route, absorbing large amounts of spiritual energy and water essence. Under the enhancement of the secret art, with each circulation, they fused more perfectly. Ji Yuan's spiritual power also became denser, possessing the characteristics of Chong Shui while truly being as vast as a river.
After nine minor circulations, thirty percent of his spiritual power had been refined by the secret art. After eighteen circulations, half of his spiritual power possessed the characteristics of Chong Shui. By the time thirty-six minor circulations were completed, forming a major cycle, Ji Yuan's spiritual power had become incredibly condensed, imbued with the aura of Chong Shui! As his spiritual power fully returned to his Dantian, it resembled a vast ocean, possessing a profound weight and being twice that of cultivators in the same realm!
Moreover, influenced by the Nine Yuan Chong Shui Scripture and the secret art, his physical body had also been strengthened by more than severalfold. In terms of physical strength alone, he was now comparable to a martial artist in the middle to late stages of the Flesh and Bone Realm. His flesh and blood now shimmered with a pale blue light, and his physical strength had greatly increased!
The vast spiritual energy continuously converging around him could no longer exert significant pressure. The danger of ruptured meridians or bursting was gone. At this point, Ji Yuan slowly opened his eyes, emerging from his state of enlightenment. His gaze immediately swept over his surroundings. Seeing Zhao Yuansong and the others guarding him, he felt a warmth spread through him. Then, upon seeing Yu Qingling and the others doing the same, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. Although he had only met these people briefly, they were willing to guard him for the sake of the sect, which was truly moving.
"How do you feel?" Zhao Yuansong, the first to sense his awakening, turned to look him up and down. In just two to three hours, although he hadn't broken through a realm, he gave the impression of greatly increased cultivation. His aura was incredibly condensed, like tempered steel. His already fair skin seemed to be covered in a faint spiritual light, and his brows were adorned with a spiritual aura, making him appear truly like a Daoist immortal.
"I feel... very good right now!" Ji Yuan murmured to himself, gazing at his hands.