97: Breaking Boundaries and "Sustainability Robbery"

The successful preparation and first injection of "source crystal" was like a shot of adrenaline for the entire Lijian Valley.

The most intuitive change was the skyrocketing "network speed" of the "ark" network. The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the core area stabilized at about 1.5 times what it was before. Although it still couldn't be called dense, the feeling of a trickle turning into a babbling brook meant that all members who Cultivate within the coverage area of the "ark" benefited immensely.

Wen Youyi, taking advantage of this "favorable wind" and the opportunity for a Breakthrough in his state of mind, officially went into seclusion to charge towards the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

This seclusion went even more smoothly than he had expected. Nourished by the pure Spiritual Qi of the "ark" and driven by the excitement of a successful "hijack," the spiritual power in his Dantian condensed and compressed with unprecedented efficiency. The previously vague Bottleneck melted away quietly, like thin ice under the sun.

Three days later, Wen Youyi emerged from seclusion. The aura around him was noticeably stronger, and he had officially stepped into the Qi Refining Sixth Layer!

"Congratulations, Boss (Youyi)!" The core members offered their congratulations one after another, genuinely happy for him. Wen Youyi's increase in strength was crucial for the entire team.

"Congratulations to us all," Wen Youyi said with a chuckle, waving his hand. "It's mainly because our 'power bank' is effective." He pointed towards the direction of the "ark" core node.

Everyone understood and laughed. Turning the evil "blood crystal" into their own "power bank"—this operation was indeed something to be proud of.

However, amidst the joy, a realistic problem lay before them—the "blood crystal" that Hou San had presented was already exhausted, and the newly born "source crystal" had also been integrated into the "ark" network. To maintain or even improve the current "network speed," they needed more "blood crystal"!

"It seems we need to find a way to get some 'Materials'." Wen Youyi stroked his chin, his eyes starting to flicker with that "I'm about to stop acting like a human" gleam.

"Boss, do you mean... going to Black Wind Mountain to raid their home?" Zhao Iron Pillar immediately perked up, rubbing his hands together. Although the main force of the Blood Fiend Cult had been wiped out, there might still be inventory hidden in their lair.

"We will raid their home, but we can't just do this one-off business." Wen Youyi shook his head, his gaze profound. "We need to establish a channel for 'sustainable robbery'."

"'Sustainable'... robbery?" Wang Wu's mouth twitched. How did that term sound so awkward?

"That's right!" Wen Youyi snapped his fingers. "Think about it. The Blood Fiend Cult can refine 'blood crystal', but are they the only ones in this world who can? Those Evil Path cultivators, or certain forces secretly supported by 'those above', might they also be engaged in similar activities?"

Everyone felt a shiver in their hearts. It was indeed possible!

"Therefore, our goal cannot just be fixed on the inventory at Black Wind Mountain." Wen Youyi walked to the familiar white wooden board and picked up a charcoal pen. "We need to establish an intelligence network specifically to gather information about evil energy products like 'blood crystal'! Wherever there is production, wherever there is collection, we must be like cats smelling fish... no, wait, like knights protecting world peace, sneak over, 'act on behalf of heaven', and 'properly dispose of' those harmful things!"

He spoke righteously, but everyone understood the subtext: find those "nutrient" production points, then snatch them and turn them into their own "power bank"!

"This is good! I like this!" Zhao Iron Pillar was the first to agree. He loved doing things that involved protecting world peace (and getting rich on the side).

Senior Brother Li pondered, "Collecting this kind of intelligence carries significant risk, and the scope is too broad. Relying solely on us, I'm afraid our strength is insufficient."

"That's why we need to borrow strength." Wen Youyi smiled like a fox. "Don't forget, we are now an Outer Sect deacon group recognized by the Sect with an official territory. We can post missions!"

"Post missions?"

"Yes!" Wen Youyi nodded. "Just use the pretext of 'clearing out Evil Path remnant forces and collecting Evil Path Materials' to post long-term missions in the Sect's Mission Hall with generous rewards. Those Loose Cultivators or Sect Disciples who frequently travel outside must have encountered similar things, but didn't take them seriously before, or didn't dare to touch them. Now that we are buying them back at a high price and have even given it a 'righteous' name, are we afraid that no one will deliver the 'goods' to our door?"

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Senior Brother Zhang couldn't help but exclaim. This was equivalent to using the Sect's platform and contribution points to hire countless free informants and porters to collect "Materials" for them! And it was completely legitimate; no one could find any fault with it!

"Of course, we cannot let the lair at Black Wind Mountain go either." Wen Youyi looked at Zhao Iron Pillar. "Iron Pillar, get ready. Take the elite of the War Hall and go to Black Wind Mountain again. Raid their base for me! Pay attention to safety, and don't act recklessly if you run into tough opponents."

"Don't worry, Boss! I guarantee I'll dig out all the stored supplies in their rat hole!" Zhao Iron Pillar patted his chest, full of energy.

With the plan set, everyone went their separate ways to act.

Senior Brother Li immediately went to the Mission Hall to handle posting the long-term missions; Zhao Iron Pillar assembled his men and rushed to Black Wind Mountain again; Wang Wu and Senior Brother Zhang were responsible for expanding the scale of the "purification device" to prepare for the large amount of "Materials" that were about to arrive.

Wen Youyi looked at the valley that had become busy once again, feeling the stable and abundant energy flow of the "ark" network, and his heart was filled with anticipation.

Using the enemy's resources to strengthen oneself while also weakening the enemy's "food supply"—killing two birds with one stone!

He seemed to have already seen countless "blood crystal" being sent from all directions, purified, and turned into brilliant "source crystal", injected like blood into the "ark" network, continuously increasing the power of this resisting "supercomputer"!

Perhaps one day, when the "ark" is powerful enough, they will truly have the confidence to challenge "those above"!

Just at this moment, the star core fragment in his embrace transmitted that familiar, faint throbbing once again.

This time, it was no longer fragmented information, but a relatively stable and clear thought, carrying a hint of undisguised exhaustion and... appreciation?

[...Well done... 'purification'... approach... correct...]

[...Be careful... 'Scavenger'... has not... given up... searching...]

[...'web weaver'... has noticed... this... 'abnormal' area...]

Wen Youyi's heart tightened, then slowly relaxed.

He gazed at the boundless sky, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and used his mind to send a simple, newly compiled "Star Language" message through the star core fragment:

[Received. Many thanks. Together... make things happen?]

(End of Chapter)