As the crowd saw this, the joy on their faces gradually faded, replaced by a touch of bitterness.
Although they didn't know the sharpness of this sword, Ji Yuan's killing power was evident. Even he could only leave a faint shallow mark, let alone the others.
Soon, they realized a problem: even if they were willing to spend a lot of time and effort to cut down all the stone trees that nurtured dao patterns.
Given their immense size, a few people would be unable to bring them out into the outside world.
Even the jade thumb ring in Ji Yuan's hand did not have such a large spatial area.
Only by using the White Jade Flying Sword, with its vast space, would it be possible to achieve this.
"We can only notify the elders of the sect."
Wu Chengqing sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
In this way, although the Nine Xuan Sect would still provide them with some compensation based on the value of these items, it would never be as much as they could earn by taking them out themselves.
However, they lacked the means to do so, so this was the only option.
"Who stays, and who goes back?"
Although he looked at everyone, he was actually asking for Ji Yuan's opinion.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and then made arrangements for them. Since they needed to notify the elders of the Nine Xuan Sect, speed was of the essence, and the chosen individuals must have at least a second-realm cultivation.
"Daoist Wu and I will stay here. Old Zhao will take Daoist Liu and Daoist Wang on this trip."
Ji Yuan said this while looking at the three of them.
Given Zhao Yuansong's cultivation, he had several magical artifacts for protection, two fifth-grade talismans, and other trump cards. Even if he encountered any danger, he would have sufficient strength to resist.
As for Liu and Wang, they could provide considerable assistance, preventing Zhao Yuansong from facing danger alone.
Naturally, no one had any objections to this arrangement. After discussing some details, the three immediately headed out of the stone forest.
Their mission was to reach the location of the Rainbow Cloud Ladder, and upon arrival, they would have successfully completed their task. Elders of the Nine Xuan Sect were stationed there, and they would transmit the message to the Sky Crossing Warship.
Those who remained would only need to prevent other fellow disciples from occupying this place before the elders arrived.
However, given the vastness of the underground dojo, it was unlikely that any Nine Xuan Sect disciples would stumble upon this place in a short period.
"If you have the inclination, take this opportunity to cultivate well before the elders arrive."
Seeing the hope in Lin Miaoyi's eyes, Ji Yuan smiled and said, "Otherwise, you might not have the chance to enjoy the benefits of cultivating under the shroud of dao principles in the future."
Hearing this, the few of them immediately expressed their thanks and quickly sat down cross-legged, seizing the time to comprehend the pervasive dao韵 around them.
Ji Yuan and Wu Chengqing exchanged glances, then both smiled knowingly. Ji Yuan took out formation flags and arranged them around the surroundings, while Wu Chengqing held a large banner, quietly guarding the crowd.
This opportunity was also very rare for them. However, they couldn't all meditate and comprehend; someone had to pay attention to the movements around them to ensure their safety.
Furthermore, for cultivators above the second realm, while such dao principles could be used to accumulate their cultivation, they could not be used for breakthroughs in their realm, as it would leave hidden dangers in their dao hearts.
After reaching the Spirit Condensation realm, the accumulation of spiritual power was no longer the primary concern. The comprehension of cultivation techniques and realms was the most crucial aspect for cultivators.
"Do you want to comprehend it as well?"
After setting up the triple formations, Ji Yuan walked to Wu Chengqing's side and asked.
The latter shook his head. Although he was still some distance away from breaking through, comprehending the dao principles here would not affect him. However, this little bit of accumulation could be achieved in about two to three months.
Therefore, there was no need to save this little bit of time by sacrificing his safety in an unknown environment.
If he were to do so, it would be a net loss. If nothing happened, it would be a gain, but if any variable occurred, he might find himself in danger.
"I see that Fellow Daoist Ji's aura is already on the verge of a breakthrough, isn't it?"
Wu Chengqing asked back, his tone filled with unconcealed envy.
How much time did it take him to go from the early to the middle stage back then?
Just the accumulation of spiritual power took five and a half years, and he spent a considerable amount on various pills and corresponding resources. He almost couldn't afford this large banner magical artifact that he now found so handy.
In contrast, Ji Yuan, at only fourteen or fifteen years old, had already entered the second realm, and his aura was extremely solid, just one step away from a breakthrough, as if he could cross it at any moment.
"It will still take some time."
Ji Yuan shook his head, feeling a bit emotional about this.
He was still comprehending the Nine Yuan Heavy Water Scripture and the Profound Heaven Sword Art. The chapters corresponding to the Enlightenment realm were only at minor completion, far from being fully mastered.
Not to mention, the comprehension of the foundational cultivation technique of the Profound Heaven Dao Scripture was also something that could not be neglected.
In addition, he needed to refine the restrictions of several magical treasures, and he also had to set aside time to temper and nourish them. He also had to manage his alchemy and talisman skills, and now he had to practice the dao arts recorded in the two cultivation techniques.
He even felt that if he could break through to the middle stage within two to three years, it would be considered great luck.
Whenever he thought about not having enough time, Ji Yuan couldn't help but recall the avatar technique that Qian Nishang had mentioned. If he were fortunate enough to find a scroll of it, his cultivation speed would undoubtedly increase by several tens of percent.
However, such a technique was rare in the world, and it was all in the hands of powerful beings or formidable Golden Core cultivators.
How could these people with immense power allow their cultivation techniques to be obtained by others and then be used to develop means against them?
"Fellow Daoist Ji, do you know that you've already gained quite a reputation in the inner sect?"
Wu Chengqing seemed to have thought of something and suddenly revealed a knowing smile.
This remark surprised Ji Yuan. He hadn't expected to have any reputation spread within the inner sect.
In the Nine Xuan Sect, the only thing he was worthy of being mentioned for was sending back the destiny of the Profound Heaven lineage, which had been separated hundreds of years ago, giving the Nine Xuan Sect the opportunity to perfectly advance to a sect.
However, such a matter could at most be discussed once or twice; it could hardly be called a reputation.
"An elder, while reprimanding a disciple, mentioned that you single-handedly fought against three wild cultivators from the mountains and swamps and killed them one by one."
Wu Chengqing said with a somewhat exaggerated expression, feigning emotion. "Then, using pre-arranged tactics, you killed a somewhat renowned mid-stage second-realm rogue cultivator!"
Such achievements, even within the Nine Xuan Sect, could only be accomplished by disciples ranked among the top thirty-six.
To put it bluntly, it would likely be disciples in the top twenty who had similar combat records.
However, Ji Yuan did not feel any pride in this matter; instead, he could only offer a wry smile.
If it were an experienced cultivator with so many magical artifacts, treasures, and various other means, they would definitely have done better than him, and they might not even have suffered such severe injuries.
"That elder is too kind. At that time, I was almost..."
Ji Yuan gave a wry smile and was about to offer some explanation.
But before he could finish speaking, his expression suddenly changed, and his eyes shot out sharp glints.
Forgetting his conversation with Wu Chengqing, he quickly looked around, but in the darkness illuminated by faint light, he could see nothing unusual.
The latter also looked around, releasing his spiritual sense to its extreme. Although he also couldn't detect anything abnormal, he dared not be careless in the slightest.
Suddenly, Ji Yuan's toes touched the ground, and formation patterns rapidly spread out, followed by a semi-transparent light shield that enveloped an area of several feet.
The next breath, a sound of cracking suddenly rang out, followed by a gust of wind – it was a stone the size of a millstone!
*Boom!!!*
The stone violently struck the light shield of the formation, shattering itself while creating ripples.
Ji Yuan's expression slightly sank. He glanced down at the formation plate in his hand, and the spiritual energy within it had been significantly depleted. If it were not replenished, it could only withstand about ten more attacks of the same intensity.
This commotion naturally awakened the others who were comprehending the dao principles. They quickly got up, holding their weapons, and stood behind the two.
Just then, several more whistling sounds could be heard. It was indeed several stones the size of millstones.
"Block them!"
Ji Yuan shouted sternly, and the people behind him immediately leaped out.
Among the five, the weakest, Lin Miaoyi and the other two, were all at the mid-Enlightenment realm. Not to mention Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong, who had both broken through to the late-Enlightenment realm after returning to the Nine Xuan Sect.
Although these stones possessed a force equivalent to that of a mid-stage first-realm martial artist, the pure force did not pose a significant threat to cultivators.
Not to mention, the material of the stones themselves was ordinary. Even without weapons to block them, with the enhancement of their vital energy, they could easily block them with bare hands.
At this moment, the five figures leaped out of the formation, lightly jumped into the air, and with a palm strike imbued with vital energy, they shattered the incoming stones!
However, in a moment, several more stones flew through the air. After the five shattered them, before they could catch their breath, a larger number of stones appeared.
"Who dares to cause trouble again?"
Wu Chengqing snorted coldly and then waved the large banner in his hand.
Instantly, gusts of strong wind roared and swirled around Li Junxian and the other five, sweeping towards the distance.
Within the sound of the wind, they vaguely heard strange noises, like those made by some wild beasts.
Ji Yuan's eyebrows shot up. He immediately threw out three 'Sunlight Radiance Talismans'. The yellow paper flew with the wind, and after a few breaths, it bloomed with bright white light in the distance.
Under the illumination, seven or eight gray-haired monkeys appeared in everyone's sight, currently being blown and tumbled among the stone trees by the strong winds.
"Demonic beasts?"
Wu Chengqing frowned. The wind he had summoned, sharp as blades, swept over the gray monkeys but did not inflict any damage on them. Instead, it sparked countless sparks.
Fortunately, the surrounding forest was petrified; otherwise, it might have even ignited a raging fire.
"No, they should be異種 (anomalous beings)!"
Ji Yuan said in a deep voice.
He did not feel any demonic energy from these gray monkeys, nor any fluctuations of vital energy or spiritual power.
They had previously used only their strength to pick up stones and throw them at them!
"The skin of those monkeys seems to be petrified as well?"
Under the light of the talismans, Ji Yuan saw that after their fur was cut off, patches of skin that looked like stone were revealed, very similar to the surrounding stone trees.
Wu Chengqing also noticed this and felt a sense of surprise. A group of stone monkeys without any cultivation, who could block his attacks solely with their petrified skin?
Although he had not used his full strength, these gusts of wind were enough to split metal and break stones, and could easily heavily injure or even kill cultivators below the second realm.
"Don't kill them yet."
Seeing Wu Chengqing about to increase the power of the wind by channeling his spiritual power, Ji Yuan, who was beside him, immediately stopped him.
In such an unclear situation, if they rashly attacked and killed them, it was highly possible to attract more variables. It would be better to just repel these stone monkeys.
All things in heaven and earth have sentience. Except for anomalous beasts that have lost their original nature, encountering such gregarious beings, if one casually kills them, it will inevitably provoke the frenzied revenge of their kind.
Wu Chengqing naturally knew that he had only wanted to test the hardness of these stone monkeys' skin.
Upon hearing the reminder, he immediately retracted some of his spiritual power, and the wind summoned by waving the large banner became slightly gentler, pushing the seven or eight stone monkeys a dozen feet away.