239: Zhang Yongkang

Chapter 237 Zhang Yongkang

"Spirit Stones! They really are Spirit Stones!"

Looking at the five grayish-white, finger-thick little stones that suddenly appeared before his eyes, Zheng Yi's eyes were filled with excitement.

Having arrived in this world for nearly ten years and stepped onto the path of cultivation for five or six years, it was his first time seeing a Spirit Stone!

Compared to spirit sand, the Spiritual Qi contained within a Spirit Stone was undoubtedly much greater and its quality far purer.

Holding them in his hand, he carefully perceived them and circulated the Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture.

Sure enough, wisps of cool aura emanated from the Spirit Stone, slowly seeping into his body.

Compared to meditating and cultivating under normal circumstances, the speed was at least fifty percent faster.

No wonder so many Cultivators fought tooth and nail for spirit sand and Spirit Stones; the benefits lay right here.

Not just for his own cultivation, but Formations, Puppets, Alchemy, and various other arts of the Cultivation World mostly required the existence of Spirit Stones.

Even though the Spirit Stones in his hand were merely five Low-Grade Spirit Stones, they still exceeded the assets of most Cultivators in Great Yu.

Some Cultivators didn't even have spirit sand!

He stopped cultivating and took a deep breath.

Five Spirit Stones were still far too few; using them for cultivation now would outweigh the gains.

Puppet Xuan Ye and the Guardian Mountain Array both required Spirit Stones.

What a pity...

Zheng Yi shook his head; it was still far too few!

Directing his spiritual sense to check the world on the other side of the lens once more, Niu Liang was so excited he didn't know what to do, constantly sizing up the grenade, yet not daring to use it.

After all, it was something traded for five Spirit Stones, and he didn't want to use it until a critical moment.

"Niu Liang, Niu Liang... As a mere Loose Cultivator, he doesn't have many Spirit Stones on hand either."

Zheng Yi frowned, "Even if I have good things here, he has no way to exchange for them. If... "

He suddenly remembered Zhang Yongkang, who had made a move when the Lei Family Cultivators ambushed the Zhang Family Cultivators at the Wei River previously.

That was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!

The power of a single strike directly slew three Qi Condensation Cultivators, and this was even when he was injured.

If he could come to the Great Yu world, let alone all the Cultivators of Great Yu being crushed by him, even the overseas Cultivation World would shake a few times.

It was a pity that a Cultivator of his level in the lens world could only manage to become a clan head, yet was still coveted by other families.

One can only imagine how powerful the strong Cultivators in that world must be!

"Zhang Yongkang... If I could contact him... What a pity, I don't have many things on hand that can fool a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

"Could it be that I have to use the treasures in the Zheng Clan Treasure Trove, such as that fine gold?"

"According to what Tian Xingzi said, that fine gold is a treasure all Sword Cultivators dream of. It must be very precious in the lens world as well."

"Besides, if the lens were obtained by Zhang Yongkang, then when I transmigrate over in the future... what should I do?"

"And..."

Zheng Yi's eyes flickered as he said, "During the Wei River battle that day, Zhang Yongkang suppressed five Qi Condensation Cultivators single-handedly, killing three with one strike while two fled. Although it seemed like he was establishing his might, it also exposed the fact that he was indeed severely injured."

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have used such drastic means to suppress external enemies."

"Under normal circumstances, a clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivator should hold down the fort in the rear, letting subordinate Disciples or clan members slowly plot, rather than making such a rash move."

"What if he fell into an enemy ambush?"

"Zhang Yongkang is definitely in trouble!"

Zheng Yi frowned, "This matter still needs to be discussed at length..."

Several days later, Tian Xingzi requested an audience.

"Your Majesty."

Tian Xingzi respectfully said, "The Tier 3 Xuan Yuan Gathering Spirit Array has been set up. This array is formed by combining the Spirit Gathering Formation and the Xuan Yuan Return-to-Earth Array. Once activated, it can gather Spiritual Qi within a radius of a thousand miles while also having the effect of shielding Spiritual Qi."

"Ordinary Cultivators, as long as they don't approach the core area, cannot perceive the fluctuations of Spiritual Qi."

"What is regrettable is that up until now, this array can only cover the entire Tianshou Mountain, and its influence on the capital is very weak."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Daoist Tianxingzi has worked hard. I just wonder how we can cover the entire capital, or even the Jingji Area?"

If possible, he naturally hoped that the Guardian Mountain Array could cover the entire Jingji Area.

Unfortunately, the area of Tianshou Mountain was already large enough, and guarding it with the Guardian Mountain Array was already somewhat strenuous.

If it were to cover the entire Jingji Area as well...

Tian Xingzi shook his head with a bitter smile, "Your Majesty, this matter is extremely difficult."

"Even during the prosperous period of the Cultivation World several thousand years ago, the Guardian Mountain Array of a major Sect would only cover its main peak and several surrounding peaks."

"Outside the Immortal Cave of the Sect, there would also be Mortal cities to serve the Sect."

"And the Guardian Mountain Array cannot cover such a large range."

"I see..."

Over the past few years, those seven strands of innate spiritual energy had concentrated within the Jingji Area, making the Spiritual Qi of the Jingji Area exuberant.

But over so many years, the seven strands of innate spiritual energy had already fused with this region.

A portion of the Spiritual Qi was also gradually dissipating toward the surroundings.

Water overflows when full.

He just didn't know if it was dictated by the very nature of Spiritual Qi.

Or... was the culprit who caused the Spiritual Qi tide in the Xuan Cang World still absorbing the Spiritual Qi of the entire world?

"Unless... there are a large number of Spirit Stones to build an even more powerful Formation!"

"The current Xuan Yuan Gathering Spirit Array is constructed based on the Spiritual Vein of Tianshou Mountain, absorbing Spiritual Qi solely from the Spiritual Vein."

"This method absorbs Spiritual Qi too slowly. If there were a large number of Spirit Stones, the coverage range of the Guardian Mountain Array could be expanded."

"Unfortunately, it is unknown whether there are still Spirit Stones anywhere in the world today."

Tian Xingzi said, "Your Majesty, this old Daoist has been repairing the Formation all this time, and it is now complete."

"Next, this old Daoist will train a spirit-searching team to find out as quickly as possible whether there is a Spirit Stone vein on Tianshou Mountain."

"Daoist, please take a look. Is this item a Spirit Stone?"

Zheng Yi suddenly spoke up, waving his hand, and five Spirit Stones obtained from Niu Liang appeared before them.

"This is..."

Tian Xingzi's eyes shook violently as he hurriedly stepped forward to examine them closely, while also using Qi to perceive them.

"It... they really are Spirit Stones!"

"Filled with Spiritual Qi, they are a hundred times that of ordinary spirit sand!"

"Your Majesty, where did you get these from..."

Zheng Yi smiled faintly, "I naturally have my ways. I wonder if these Spirit Stones can be used in the Formation?"

"Of course they can, but there are simply too few."

Tian Xingzi smiled bitterly, "At least ten thousand... no, seventy or eighty thousand Spirit Stones are needed. It would be even better if there were Mid-Grade Spirit Stones or High-Grade Spirit Stones..."

"Seventy to eighty thousand..."

Zheng Yi's mouth also twitched. With so many Spirit Stones, where the hell was he supposed to find them?

Even if he sold Niu Liang, he couldn't gather that many Spirit Stones!

Knowing better, Tian Xingzi did not pursue the matter further and instead said, "Your Majesty, I wonder if this old Daoist can borrow one Spirit Stone? Using this Spirit Stone as a guide, I can search for the underground Spirit Stone vein much faster."

Zheng Yi waved his hand broadly and said, "All five of these Spirit Stones are rewarded to you, Daoist."

Tian Xingzi shuddered violently, shocked, "Y-Your Majesty, this... this item is truly too precious. This old Daoist is unworthy of such a reward..."

"Hey~ What are you saying, Daoist Tianxingzi?"

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "Daoist Tianxingzi has helped me a great deal, and I still don't know how to repay you."

"As long as you loyally serve me and Great Yu, Daoist, I will definitely not treat you unfairly!"

Tian Xingzi took a deep breath and respectfully said, "Your Majesty's great kindness, Tian Xingzi will never forget."

"Since Your Majesty values me so much, this old Daoist will exert all I have learned to serve Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "Good!"

On the banks of the Wei River.

Niu Liang apathetically watched the Mortals panning for spirit sand in the river water. A week had passed since the last sneak attack.

The spirit sand panning work had long since returned to normal.

It was as if the sneak attack that day had never existed.

As for Niu Liang, he had also returned to his normal work.

However, his mindset had already undergone changes.

The Thunderclap Grenade in his Storage Pouch was his greatest reliance at the moment.

Especially that broken lens, or rather...

The Strongest Immortal Lord Cultivation System!

Furthermore, based on the last sneak attack, he also sensed a hint of something amiss.

A storm is brewing.

For this reason, he had already prepared to flee at any moment.

Although the Zhang Family had stated more than once that nothing happened and that it was a misunderstanding, he didn't believe such bullshit.

Over twenty years of a Loose Cultivator's career had long since trained him to have a pair of sharp, discerning eyes.

When things go wrong, run for your life!

Of course, running now was not a good time, as he would be captured by the Zhang Family.

After all, the Zhang Family still had a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

He could only take advantage of the chaos...

At this moment, his expression suddenly shifted as he hurriedly looked into the distance.

To the south of Weiyang Mountain, a column of smoke and fire soared into the sky with immense momentum.

That direction... was the Zhang Family's Spirit Medicine garden!

Unexpectedly, the Lei Family chose that direction to launch a sneak attack this time.

Compared to the Weiyang River, the Spirit Medicine garden was the lifeline of the Zhang Family.

The other two Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators had always been stationed there, along with the Zhang Family's eldest son, Zhang Shaoyang.

Hesitating, he ultimately chose to wait and see how things developed.

Zheng Yi had long since perceived Niu Liang's thoughts and couldn't help nodding inwardly.

Only by playing it safe in this manner could one live longer.

It was just a pity that he was still overthinking things a bit too much.

If he were in this kind of situation, he would definitely find an excuse to slip away secretly.

After all, carrying a System on his back, where in this vast world could he not go?

What a pity...

At this moment, a streak of sword light suddenly flew over from afar. It was none other than the Zhang Family's third son, Zhang Shaohai.

"Niu Liang! The Spirit Medicine garden is under attack. Quickly accompany me to the rescue."

Niu Liang's expression changed, and he helplessly said, "Yes!"

With that, the two of them stepped on their Magical Artifacts in unison, quickly rushing toward the direction of the Spirit Medicine garden.

Before long, a chaotic battle appeared before Niu Liang's eyes.

Seven or eight Cultivators were locked in pair-wise combat, with the blazing lights of Magical Artifacts and Talismans constantly rising.

Even Zhang Yongkang had joined in, currently fighting a middle-aged man in black with a square face.

"Hahaha... Zhang Yongkang, you really haven't fully recovered from your heavy injuries. Today is your day of death!"

Zhang Yongkang gritted his teeth and said, "Lei Yunfeng! My Zhang Family and your Lei Family have kept to our own wells and rivers; why do you repeatedly ambush my Zhang Family!"

"Hahaha..."

The Cultivator known as Lei Yunfeng laughed loudly and said, "Why? Then you can only blame your Zhang Family for coming at the wrong time."

"Kill!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand fiercely, and a thundercloud abruptly formed in the air, condensing more than a dozen bolts of thunder that viciously attacked Zhang Yongkang.

"Dammit...!"

Zhang Yongkang cursed inwardly, slamming his hands together. Five streaks of sword light of different colors instantly rose before him, transforming into numerous sword shadows that shot toward those thunderbolts.

In an instant, lightning flashed and sword shadows flew everywhere, leaving the entire mountainside riddled with scars from the devastation.

When Zhang Shaohai and Niu Liang arrived, two more Lei Family Cultivators broke away from the chaotic battlefield and swiftly rushed to kill them.

Zhang Shaohai formed a hand seal with one hand, and a Flying Sword radiating colorful light shot out, blocking one of them.

"Leave the other person to you!"

Niu Liang cried out bitterly in his heart; he was merely a Level 6 Qi Condensation Cultivator!

Furthermore, the strength of the Cultivator flying toward him was clearly much stronger than his.

Looking at the chaotic battlefield, he instinctively patted his Storage Pouch, and three Talismans he had treasured for a long time appeared in his hand.

Activating his magical power, they instantly transformed into three raging balls of flames, enveloping the Cultivator charging up to him.

"Heh~"

The newcomer sneered, "Talismans?"

What use could this kind of trinket have other than acting as a distraction?

He formed a hand seal with one hand, and a black thunder banner suddenly rose from behind him, transforming into a dark cloud that attacked Niu Liang.

The rolling dark cloud instantly shattered these three balls of flames.

But the next second, he discovered that hidden behind the flames was actually an iron ball emitting wisps of blue smoke.

"What the hell is this thing?"