The Nine Refinements Nine Yuan Heavy Water Secret Technique had only been cultivated to the rudimentary stage by Ji Yuan, and he hadn't even completed the first refinement.
Even so, the changes brought about by this secret technique were nothing short of earth-shattering!
Now, within his dantian, his spiritual energy was as vast as an ocean, more than double that of cultivators of the same realm!
The cultivators of the same realm here referred to those cultivating the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture, or at least techniques of the same caliber.
If compared to ordinary cultivators, the amount would be at least three times more!
Not only that, Ji Yuan's physical strength had also greatly increased. In terms of toughness alone, it was no weaker than martial artists in the mid-to-late stages of the Flesh and Bone realm. Due to the properties of heavy water, his strength was even superior.
Most importantly, after refining his spiritual energy with the Nine Refinements Secret Technique, he had become more attuned to water-attributed powers. Now, when he cast water spells, their power was inherently amplified.
"This is..."
After adapting to his changes, Ji Yuan realized that the area where everyone was gathered was already shrouded in a faint mist.
Within this mist, he could sense extremely dense spiritual energy. Taking just one breath was equivalent to several hours of diligent meditation.
"It's all thanks to you!"
Zhao Yuansong replied somewhat grumpily.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he and the others around him burst into happy laughter.
Indeed, thanks to Ji Yuan, within two to three hours, they had condensed over a dozen precious spirit crystals using the special containers they held.
Even Lin Miaoyi and the others had condensed at least seven or eight spirit crystals, equivalent to ten years of their previous accumulation!
The lowest grade spirit crystal contained as much spiritual energy as seventy to eighty spirit stones, and was even more valuable. One low-grade spirit crystal could be exchanged for a hundred low-grade spirit stones.
The market price of a low-grade spirit stone was roughly fifty taels of snowflake silver!
Seven or eight low-grade spirit crystals, if converted to silver, would be at least thirty to forty taels of snowflake silver!
This was an immense fortune that Lin Miaoyi and the others had never dared to imagine before. With this, they could afford several decent magical artifacts for self-defense, and still have enough left to purchase numerous elixirs and talismans to enhance their cultivation and combat power.
For this trip alone, even if they were to return to the Sky Crossing Warship immediately, they would already be completely satisfied.
"It seems there isn't much spiritual energy left on that mountain peak."
Ji Yuan looked up and saw that the mountain peak, which was once spewing countless rays of spiritual light, had now become much dimmer. Only occasionally would a few rays of spiritual light erupt.
The area had now returned to darkness, with only the luminescent plants scattered everywhere and the occasional flashes of spiritual light providing some illumination.
"Furthermore, the array formation should be close to complete collapse."
Wu Chengqing said from the side.
After several hours, the array formation, which had already been significantly eroded by the long years, was on the verge of collapse and could fall apart at any moment.
Once it did, everyone could ascend the mountain peak and see if any treasures remained.
However, before the array formation collapsed on its own, even cultivators of the third realm would not dare to act rashly. The residual power of the array formation was sufficient to heavily injure or even kill any cultivator below the Golden Core stage.
"This spiritual energy must not be wasted!"
Retracting his gaze, Ji Yuan looked around at the dissipating spiritual mist.
At this moment, his white porcelain bowl already contained three or four spirit crystals. After taking them out, it continued to autonomously absorb spiritual energy from the heavens and earth.
However, he felt the speed was not enough, so with a thought, he once again activated several of the magical artifacts and treasures on his person.
With the joint efforts of eighteen people, in just over an hour, the spiritual energy in this area was almost entirely absorbed. Ji Yuan alone accounted for nearly half of it.
This was with him holding back and not fully activating the Profound Heaven Spirit Devouring Pagoda; otherwise, he could have absorbed even more spiritual energy.
Firstly, the gains from this trip were already sufficient. He understood the principle of "too much is as bad as too little," and he also wanted to share the benefits with others, as a way of thanking Yu Qingling and the others for their protection.
Secondly, it was because he had indeed absorbed too much spiritual energy when the spiritual energy was gushing out earlier. Now, not only were his six acupoints filled with spiritual energy, but even several of his magical artifacts and treasures were saturated.
Within the Profound Heaven Spirit Devouring Pagoda, there were already over thirty spirit crystals, along with a large amount of spiritual energy. If he continued to absorb recklessly, this treasure would not be able to unleash its spirit-devouring power when fighting others later.
After a brief inventory, Ji Yuan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, realizing that the saying "the strong become stronger" was not without reason.
In the same environment, even with Yu Qingling's mid-stage Spirit Point realm cultivation, he had only condensed a little over ten spirit crystals. Yet, Ji Yuan, relying on the Profound Heaven Spirit Devouring Pagoda, had condensed over thirty spirit crystals.
With this disparity, the gap between them would soon be bridged. If no unforeseen circumstances arose, they would only grow further apart, with their differences widening.
"Stay here for a while and do not get involved easily."
Ji Yuan put away his thoughts and surveyed his surroundings before speaking to Lin Miaoyi and the others.
According to his perception, besides them, nearly fifty other cultivators had gathered here, bringing the total to over sixty people!
Among these cultivators, the vast majority had cultivation at the second realm, with only a very small number being at the mid-to-late stages of the first realm.
Under these circumstances, it was not suitable for Lin Miaoyi and the others to ascend the mountain together. Even with their protection, there was a high risk of them perishing.
After all, if five or six early-stage Spirit Point realm cultivators were to gang up on them, it would be difficult for Ji Yuan and Zhao Yuansong to even protect themselves, let alone have the energy to protect others.
Lin Miaoyi and the other four nodded, naturally understanding the danger, and did not insist on joining.
Subsequently, Ji Yuan took out array flags and set up a five-layered array formation in this area. For the sake of caution, he even buried more than thirty spirit stones.
With this, the five-layered array formation, when activated simultaneously, would be able to withstand the full assault of two to three early-stage Spirit Point realm cultivators for at least half a quarter of an hour.
After completing this, he handed over the five array plates to Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong. With their late-stage Enlightenment realm cultivation, they would be able to maintain the array formation for a longer period.
"Fellow disciples, after the array formation collapses, let us each seek our own opportunities first."
Seeing that he had finished, Yu Qingling stepped forward and said.
Although he was speaking to Wu Chengqing and the others, his gaze eventually fell upon Ji Yuan.
Clearly, he had also realized that this young Taoist priest was the leader of this group.
Ji Yuan and the others naturally had no objections to this. In fact, they wore expressions of understanding.
The reason they had gathered here was merely due to the previous invitation, coupled with the fellowship of fellow disciples and shared interests.
After the array formation on the mountain peak collapsed, they would naturally go their separate ways and act in their own teams to seek their own fortunes.
If they insisted on sticking together, although their combined strength would be greater, it would lead to significant issues in the distribution of any opportunities they found.
A single misstep could even lead to serious disagreements, putting everyone in grave danger, making them vulnerable to those with ulterior motives.
"If you encounter danger, you may send out a signal. Fellow disciples will surely help each other."
A disciple of the Nine Xuan Sect from another team spoke up. His expression was solemn as he addressed everyone.
This person was named Zhang Chengdao. He appeared to be in his early thirties and had a mid-stage Spirit Point realm cultivation, holding a considerable reputation among inner disciples.
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded one after another, agreeing that although they would seek their own opportunities, if one party encountered danger, they would come to their full assistance.
This was the benefit of being a sect disciple. When venturing out, they were not alone and could receive help from their fellow disciples.
Cultivators who were ordinary rogue cultivators, or even wild cultivators from the mountains and marshes, often traveled in groups. However, they were filled with suspicion towards each other. Their minds were often occupied with how to trick those around them to become the biggest winner.
If they encountered danger, they could only rely on themselves. If they survived, they had a glimmer of hope; if they didn't, they would perish.
On the other hand, sect disciples, when venturing out, carried the sect's unique signal tokens. If they encountered major trouble or danger, they could directly activate the signal to attract nearby fellow disciples for assistance.
"The array formation has collapsed!"
As they were chatting, everyone suddenly turned their heads and looked towards the distant mountain peak. Several exclamations sounded in their ears.
They saw that the half-collapsed mountain peak was now flashing with an unsteady light. Numerous anomalies were appearing on it, and countless mystical array patterns were directly exposed to their gazes.
With explosions echoing through the heavens and earth, the array formation protecting the mountain peak successively collapsed, transforming into surging spiritual energy fluctuations that spread in all directions.
However, no one paid attention to these spiritual energies at the moment. Dozens of cultivators gazed at the mountain peak with solemn expressions, waiting for the moment when the entire array formation completely collapsed.
Unknowingly, half an incense stick of time passed. When there were no more explosions echoing in the world, dozens of figures simultaneously swept towards the mountain peak, now unprotected by any array formation.
Ji Yuan and the others also surged forward without hesitation. Although they did not exert their full strength, they did not fall far behind. In a short time, they had arrived at the foot of the mountain.
The position they were in happened to be the entrance to the mountain path leading to the mountainside. Seven or eight cultivators had already rushed in, and outside the mountain gate, several people were already fighting.
Upon seeing this, Yu Qingling and Zhang Chengdao, without a word, immediately led their respective fellow disciples to attack, forcefully knocking away the cultivators blocking the mountain gate!
The group ascended along the stone steps, closely following behind several cultivators. Although they still had the strength, they did not try to overtake them at full speed.
Sometimes, speed was not the key to the greatest benefit. One could also step into a dangerous situation by being too hasty.
Moreover, even if one reached a treasure at the fastest speed, they would immediately become the target of everyone else, and be besieged by other cultivators, possibly leading to their demise.
After advancing more than ten zhang, the stone steps beneath their feet spread out, revealing three mountain paths before them.
The group exchanged glances and each chose a mountain path, then dispersed.
Ji Yuan and the others chose the path on the right. When they were heading towards the mountain peak earlier, they had seen dilapidated buildings on the right side of the mountain peak, with some spiritual lights emanating from them.
Now that the array formation on the mountain peak had collapsed, the strongest cultivators would naturally set their sights on the peak, intending to compete for the opportunities there. To rashly join in now would only be a waste of their own energy.
Instead, it would be better to first see if they could find some good things elsewhere, and then ascend the peak to join the most crucial competition.
This way, even if they failed to seize anything in the end, they would not return empty-handed, and would not put themselves in a situation of being besieged for no reason.
Walking along, the five soon arrived outside a mountain cave. As they approached, they could hear the sounds of battle emanating from within the cave.
The group exchanged glances, their hearts filled with extreme vigilance, and then quickly entered the cave.