"Spirit Stones! They truly are Spirit Stones!"

Zheng Yi stared at the five small gray-white stones, each only as thick as a finger, that suddenly appeared before him, his eyes full of excitement.

It's been almost ten years since he came to this world, and five or six years since he embarked on the path of cultivation; yet this is the first time he has seen spirit stones!

Compared to spirit sand, the spiritual qi contained in spirit stones is undoubtedly greater and of purer quality.

Holding them in his hand, he carefully sensed them as he operated the "Great Five Elements Life and Death Scripture."

Indeed, strands of cool air emanated from the spirit stones, slowly seeping into his body.

At least fifty percent faster than normal meditation and cultivation.

No wonder so many cultivators fight to the death for spirit sand and spirit stones—the benefits are clear.

Not only for cultivating oneself but also for arrays, puppets, alchemy, and many of the hundred skills of cultivation, they mostly require the presence of spirit stones.

Even though the spirit stones in his hand are just five low-grade ones, they are more than most cultivators in Great Yu possess.

Some cultivators don't even have spirit sand!

He stopped cultivating and took a deep breath.

Five spirit stones are still too few; using them for cultivation now seems somewhat unwise.

Puppet Xuan Ye and the Mountain Protection Array both require spirit stones.

But alas...

Zheng Yi shook his head; still too few!

His mind checked the other world within the lenses again; Niu Liang was so excited he didn't know what to do, consistently examining the grenade but afraid to use it.

After all, items obtained in exchange for five spirit stones are not to be used lightly except in critical moments.

"Niu Liang, Niu Liang... a mere loose cultivator with few spirit stones in hand."

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

He suddenly recalled Zhang Yongkang, who intervened during the Weiyang River conflict when Lei Family cultivators ambushed Zhang Family cultivators.

That one is a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

With one strike, he directly slew three Qi Cultivation cultivators, even while injured.

If he could come to the Great Yu World, not to mention that Great Yu's cultivators would be crushed by him, even the overseas cultivation realm would be heavily shaken.

Alas, such a level of cultivator in the mirrored world can at best become the head of a clan and is even granted by other clans.

It's conceivable how powerful the cultivators over there must be.

"Zhang Yongkang, if only I could contact him... but alas, I have little to entice a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"Should I consider using treasures from the Zheng Family Treasure Vault, like that refined gold?"

"According to Daoist Master Tianxingzi, refined gold is the dream treasure for every sword cultivator; it must be very precious in the mirrored world too."

"Additionally, if the lenses are obtained by Zhang Yongkang, what will I do when I cross over there later?"

"And..."

Zheng Yi's gaze shifted, saying, "The Weiyang River battle that day, Zhang Yongkang single-handedly suppressed five Qi Cultivation cultivators, killed three in one strike, two fled, it seemed to establish dominance but also exposed that he was indeed heavily injured."

"Otherwise, he wouldn't suppress external foes using such fierce methods."

"Under normal circumstances, a clan's Foundation Establishment cultivator should be stationed at the rear, letting disciples or family members handle it gradually, rather than recklessly intervening."

"What if the enemy lays an ambush?"

"Zhang Yongkang must have encountered trouble!"

Zheng Yi frowned again, "This matter requires long-term planning..."

Days later, Tianxingzi requested a meeting.

"Your Majesty."

Tianxingzi respectfully said, "The Tier Three Grand Array: Profound Origin Spirit Gathering Array has been set up. This array integrates both Spirit Gathering Array and Profound Origin Returning to Earth Array. Once activated, it can gather the spiritual qi within a thousand miles radius and has the effect of shielding spiritual qi."

"Ordinary cultivators, as long as they don't approach the core area, cannot detect the spiritual qi fluctuations."

"Unfortunately, the grand array can only encompass Celestial Longevity Mountain, with minimal impact on the Capital City."

Zheng Yi nodded, "Daoist Master Tianxingzi, you've worked hard. But how might we cover the entire Capital City, and even the Capital Region?"

If possible, he would certainly hope the Mountain Protection Array could encompass the entire Capital Region.

Unfortunately, Celestial Longevity Mountain is already vast, and the Mountain Protection Array struggles to guard it.

Encapsulating the entire Capital Region would be...

Tianxingzi shook his head with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, this is extremely difficult."

"Even during the cultivation realm's flourishing thousands of years ago, major sects' Mountain Protection Arrays would only cover the main sect peak and surrounding peaks."

"Outside the sect's cave mansion, there are mortal cities serving the sect."

"And the Mountain Protection Array cannot cover such a large area."

"I see..."

Over the years, the seven strands of Innate Spiritual Qi concentrated within the Capital Region, causing spiritual qi to flourish.

But after all these years, the seven strands of Innate Spiritual Qi have merged with this area.

Some spiritual qi gradually dissipates towards the surroundings.

Water overflows when full.

It's unknown if it's the nature of spiritual qi.

Or perhaps... the culprit causing spiritual qi tides in the Profound Cyan Realm is still absorbing the world's spiritual qi?

"Unless... there's a large number of spirit stones to construct a more powerful array!"

"Currently, the Profound Origin Spirit Gathering Array is constructed based on Celestial Longevity Mountain's spirit vein, absorbing the spirit vein's spiritual qi."

"This method absorbs spiritual qi too slowly; with a large number of spirit stones, the Mountain Protection Array's range could expand."

"Unfortunately, whether spirit stones still exist in the world is unknown."

Tianxingzi said, "Your Majesty, I've been repairing arrays during this time, and now it's finally accomplished."

"Next, I'll train the Spirit Search Team to quickly determine if there is a spirit stone vein on Celestial Longevity Mountain."

"Daoist Master, please look, is this item a spirit stone?"

Zheng Yi suddenly spoke, waving his hand, and five spirit stones obtained from Niu Liang appeared before him.

"This is..."

Tianxingzi's eyes widened in shock; he hurried forward to examine them and used qi to sense.

"Indeed, they're spirit stones!"

"Spiritual qi is abundant, a hundred times that of ordinary spirit sand!"

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

Zheng Yi smiled casually, "I have my ways, but can these spirit stones be used in arrays?"

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

Tianxingzi smiled wryly, "We need at least... no, seventy or eighty thousand spirit stones; having mid-grade or top-grade spirit stones would be ideal..."

"Seventy or eighty thousand..."

Zheng Yi's mouth twitched; where the hell was he supposed to find so many spirit stones?

Even if he sold Niu Liang, he wouldn't have enough spirit stones!

Tianxingzi, showing his understanding, did not press further and instead said, "Your Majesty, might I borrow a spirit stone? Using it as a guide, we can more quickly find the underground spirit stone vein."

Zheng Yi waved his hand generously, "These five spirit stones are all yours, Daoist."

Tianxingzi's whole body shook tremendously, shocked, "Your—Your Majesty, this—this item is too precious. I feel undeserving..."

"Ah~ What is that, Daoist Tianxingzi?"

Zheng Yi shook his head, "Daoist Tianxingzi has helped greatly. I don't even know how to repay you yet."

"As long as you remain loyal to work for me and for the Great Yu, you will be well-rewarded!"

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

"Since Your Majesty holds me in such high regard, I will use all my skills to serve you!"

Zheng Yi nodded, "Good!"

...

At the banks of the Wei River.

Niu Liang looked indifferently at the mortals working sifting spirit sand in the river; it had been a week since the last ambush.

The spirit sand sifting operations had long returned to normal.

As if the ambush that day had never happened.

And Niu Liang, too, resumed his normal work.

Nevertheless, his thoughts had already changed.

The Thunder Shock in his storage bag was currently his greatest reliance.

Especially that shard of broken mirror, or rather...

The Strongest Immortal Monarch Cultivation System!

Also, based on the last ambush, he sensed something was amiss.

A storm may be brewing.

Therefore, he had already prepared to make a hasty exit any time.

Though the Zhang family had repeatedly said nothing had happened and it was all a misunderstanding, he didn't believe such nonsense.

Twenty years as a loose cultivator had trained his eyes keenly.

When things go awry, flee quickly!

Of course, running now wasn't a good time as he would get caught by the Zhang family.

After all, the Zhang family still had a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He could only take advantage during the chaos...

Just then, his expression suddenly changed, and he quickly looked into the distance.

To the south of Weiyang Mountain, a burst of smoke and fire rose to the sky, with great momentum.

In that direction... was the Zhang family's Spirit Medicine Garden!

Unexpectedly, this time Lei Jiahui chose to hit from that direction.

Compared to the Weiyang River, the Spirit Medicine Garden was the Zhang family's lifeline.

The other two Foundation Establishment loose cultivators were stationed there, along with the Zhang family's eldest son, Zhang Shaoyang.

He hesitated, choosing instead to observe the situation unfold.

Zheng Yi had already noticed Niu Liang's thoughts and nodded secretly.

Such caution was why he survived longer.

It's a pity he overthought it a little.

If he were in such a position, he would have found an excuse to quietly slip away.

After all, with the system in hand, the world was his oyster, wasn't it?

Unfortunately...

Just then, a sword light suddenly flew from afar; it was the Zhang family's third son, Zhang Shaohai.

"Niu Liang! The Spirit Medicine Garden is under attack; accompany me quickly to aid!"

Niu Liang's face changed and he replied helplessly, "Understood!"

Thus, the two of them rode their magical artifacts swiftly towards the Spirit Medicine Garden.

Before long, Niu Liang found himself in the midst of a chaotic battle.

Seven or eight cultivators were engaged in fierce combat, magical artifacts and talismans erupting in constant flames.

Even Zhang Yongkang joined in, fighting against a middle-aged man in black with a national face.

"Hahaha... Zhang Yongkang, you truly have not recovered from your injuries; today is your death day!"

Zhang Yongkang gritted his teeth, "Thundercloud Peak! Our Zhang family has never interfered with your Lei family; why do you keep ambushing us!"

"Hahaha..."

The cultivator called Thundercloud Peak laughed, "Why? Blame it on your Zhang family coming at the wrong time."

"Kill!"

As soon as he spoke, he waved his hand, and a thundercloud suddenly formed in the sky, gathering over ten bolts of lightning to attack Zhang Yongkang fiercely.

"Damn...!"

Zhang Yongkang cursed under his breath and clapped his hands, five differently colored sword lights rose in front of him, turning into sword shadows shooting towards the lightning.

In an instant, electricity flashed, and sword shadows flew, ravaging the entire mountainside into riddled holes.

By the time Zhang Shaohai and Niu Liang arrived, the chaotic battlefield divided as two of the Lei family cultivators quickly came towards them.

Zhang Shaohai formed a one-handed seal, and a Dawn Flying Sword shot out, obstructing one of them.

"Leave the other one to you!"

Niu Liang lamented silently, as he was merely a sixth-layer Qi Cultivation cultivator.

The cultivator charging at him was obviously much stronger.

Faced with the chaotic battlefield, he instinctively slapped his storage bag, and three precious talismans carefully kept appeared in his hand.

With his magical power, they instantly transformed into three fiery flames, encasing the charging cultivator.

"Heh~"

The coming man sneered, talismans?

Aside from being a distraction, what are they good for?

Forming a seal with one hand, a black lightning flag suddenly rose from his back, turning into a black cloud rushing towards Niu Liang.

The black cloud surged and instantly scattered the three fires.

But in the next moment, he saw a smoking iron ball obscured behind the flames.

"What's this thing?"