137: Gathering Spirit Formation, gathering blood and energy

"A Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array?!"

Bao Gaoshua's eyes widened, looking at Midnight Gao Sou in disbelief.

Although he was a Newbie, he wasn't completely clueless. After playing for so many days, he had checked guides, understood market prices, and knew the rarity of different grades.

In the Xuanhuan World, at least in the four countries of Newbie Village, Cultivation Techniques at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment levels—which are Ninth-Grade, Eighth-Grade, and Seventh-Grade—were relatively common. You could basically get them from any small Sect or Family. Sometimes, even hunting Loose Cultivators could drop Seventh-Grade Cultivation Techniques. Only complete Immortal Foundation Methods were harder to find.

As for combat equipment, Seventh-Grade and Sixth-Grade Magical Artifacts were extremely rare, almost exclusively usable by Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Eighth-Grade Spiritual Artifacts were equally scarce, only possessed by direct descendants of prominent Sects or second-generation members of powerful Families. Even Ninth-Grade Spiritual Artifacts were extremely precious, with many people only able to use Mortal Weapons.

However, whether it was Cultivation Techniques, equipment, or even Medicinal Pills and Talismans, which were also rare, these could all be supplemented by exchanging reincarnation points for Golden Fingers. Therefore, for players, they weren't too scarce.

But Formations were different. While Reincarnation Golden Fingers also offered them, they only provided Formation techniques or a package of resources for a Formation. To set up enough Formations, one still had to diligently learn the techniques, gather resources, and work extremely hard.

As for the native inhabitants of the Xuanhuan World, they were even worse off. For example, Lu Dingpeng, the Mortal Foundation Cultivator whose soul Midnight Gao Sou had previously possessed, as an outer Elder of Duan Kong Cave, only used a Ninth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array. And when he visited the princess's bedchamber in Great Jiang Imperial City, he only saw a Seventh-Grade Spirit Gathering Array.

This was enough to show the scarcity of Formations.

And now, Midnight Gao Sou actually said he would provide a Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array for every Great Love Sect player? What kind of joke was this? Could such a good thing really exist?

All the players present cast doubtful looks at Midnight Gao Sou.

Although they had heard before that the Great Love Sect would provide a Spirit Gathering Array, everyone thought it would be at most an Eighth-Grade one, and they would probably have to take turns using it.

They never imagined it would be as high as Fifth-Grade, and that everyone would get one!

The significance was so immense that the first reaction of those present was not joy, but confusion, followed by questions:

"Gao Sou, are you bragging?"

"Do you know what a Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array means?"

"Duan Kong Cave wouldn't even dare to say they could provide everyone with a Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array. Can our Great Love Sect provide it?"

"Don't fool us like we're natives. We've read the guides; we know what a Fifth-Grade item is."

Midnight Gao Sou calmly looked at these players. For some reason, he felt he wasn't looking at vibrant lives, but rather at sources of blood Qi for him... Thinking this, he quickly cut off the thought, coughed, and explained:

"I need to explain clearly to everyone. Although it's called a Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array, the grade itself is not an issue. However, my, Midnight Gao Sou's, Formation-laying skill is problematic, and the resources invested by the Great Love Sect are far from sufficient. So, the final effect will definitely not reach Fifth-Grade levels."

"Moreover, to meet the cultivation needs of all players, apart from using standard Formations in the main Sect, all other branch Sects will use the large-scale Spirit Gathering Arrays recorded in the Legacy, which can be used by multiple people. But the actual effect will be further discounted."

"After conversion, it will probably be equivalent to a Ninth-Grade to Eighth-Grade level."

Good heavens, it was advertised as Fifth-Grade, but upon closer calculation, it became less than Eighth-Grade.

In fact, Midnight Gao Sou had hidden a bit. Even if his Formation-laying skill was up to standard, the resources provided were sufficient, and all standard Formations were used, the actual effect would still not compare to the most ordinary Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array. This was because the main function of his Spirit Gathering Array was not to gather Spiritual Qi... Although Midnight Gao Sou concealed this point, he didn't hide it entirely. He continued:

"Furthermore, due to my personal skill limitations, some blood Qi will be consumed when cultivating with the Spirit Gathering Array. So, you need to pay attention when investing Lifespan and resources, and adjust and replenish them at all times."

"At the same time, to ensure the Spirit Gathering Array operates normally and doesn't encounter any problems, I will inspect it periodically. On inspection days, the Spirit Gathering Array will be closed for a period of time. Other than that, it operates twenty-four hours a day."

After Midnight Gao Sou clarified the pros and cons, Bao Gaoshua and the other players were completely stunned.

Although it didn't sound as impressive as a true Fifth-Grade Spirit Gathering Array, for them, these Newbie players, it was already an extremely Heaven-Defying existence.

"Gao Sou is generous!"

"The Great Love Sect is righteous!"

"To provide Spirit Gathering Arrays for free, directly crushing other Sects!"

"Good heavens, a Spirit Gathering Array of this caliber would only be enjoyed by Elders in Duan Kong Cave, right?"

"I'm joining the Great Love Sect today!"

The players were incredibly excited, and Bao Gaoshua's heart was surging.

Qingling Sect and Heshui Prefecture were inaccessible, and Duan Kong Cave's contract was too poor. Only the players' own Sect was the truly good place to be!

His heart swelled with emotion. Just wait, when their players collectively rise, that Duan Kong Cave will surely be overthrown. By then, the entire Yue Kingdom, and even the entire Xuanhuan World, would be their Great Love Sect's playground!

As he thought this, he heard Midnight Gao Sou chuckle, "Since you are Disciples of my Great Love Sect, why not go in and experience the Spirit Gathering Array?"

At these words, the players present didn't hesitate. A throng rushed in, only to see that the entire keep was a Spirit Gathering Array. Stone walls separated it into individual cultivation cells, with everyone sharing one Formation.

As soon as Bao Gaoshua sat down to meditate, he immediately felt Spiritual Qi gathering, and his cultivation speed continuously increased. This Spirit Gathering Array was indeed effective.

He was ecstatic. As for the slight loss of blood Qi, he didn't care at all. After all, consuming some resources to replenish blood Qi and then investing Lifespan could restore it, and the improvement brought by the Spirit Gathering Array could completely compensate for it.

"Ah, my Great Love Sect's Disciples are growing more and more numerous."

Midnight Gao Sou laughed heartily, watching more and more players join the Great Love Sect, his heart also surging with emotion.

He waved his hand, dismissing the others, and then went to inspect the core of the Spirit Gathering Array.

He saw that the core position was protected by another small Formation, which could not be seen through from the outside. After entering, one had to dig downwards and then open a hidden Formation to finally see a square pool, which was continuously being filled with blood Qi.

Midnight Gao Sou sat cross-legged, greedily absorbing the blood Qi and investing Lifespan to cultivate.

At this moment, Star Fiend Daoist in his mind spoke:

"Not enough, completely not enough..." The blood Qi obtained this way is too thin, too little, and too slow.

"If you only want to achieve Immortal Foundation, then this is fine."

"But if you want to achieve Golden Core, you must listen to me and use more blood Qi, preferably the blood evil Qi that disperses upon death."

"Only by doing so can you lay a sufficient foundation and forge the strongest Immortal Foundation..."

Midnight Gao Sou frowned, "No, these are all Disciples of my Great Love Sect. How can I kill them?"

Star Fiend Daoist cackled, "Who told you to kill them? Aren't there other Sects opposing you? That newly established Purple Qi Sect, isn't it an eyesore to you? Exterminating a Sect, slaughtering, plundering Qi... how easy."

Midnight Gao Sou pondered for a moment, "Purple Qi Sect is also one of our people. No."

Star Fiend Daoist cackled again, "Alright then, what about other Sects and Families? For example, that Wu Ta City on the border, the small Yan Family..."