Gu Yuan indeed did not expect that there was this additional reward behind it.

If he could obtain one peak, it would certainly provide a tremendous boost to his cultivation.

Although it’s just the output of a Tier One high-grade Spiritual Land, it’s already sufficient for Qi Refining cultivators.

After all, not every sect can be as wealthy as the Cyan Peak Daoist School, allowing Qi Refining cultivators to practice on Tier Two Spirit Islands.

Besides, even Daoist School disciples can only practice there and do not receive the island’s output. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

However, although Gu Yuan was excited, he did not lose his reason and calmly asked, "May I ask, Senior Brother, how many Spirit Stones does one Spirit Peak yield in a year?"

"Among the one hundred and eight peaks, the Spiritual Qi and output vary greatly. The lower-class ones yield barely a hundred per year, while the highest-class ones might yield over four hundred per year."

Qiu Mingshan pondered slightly before answering.

Four hundred Spirit Stones may not seem much at first glance, but this is just a year’s output.

One must know, even a top-grade Dharma Artifact is priced over four hundred Spirit Stones, and one can buy a top-grade Dharma Artifact in one year, which is already a huge fortune.

No wonder even Qiu Mingshan urged Gu Yuan to participate.

Once you get a Spirit Peak, you can cultivate in peace.

"But you might find it difficult to compete for the top-class Spirit Peaks, as you are only at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, and the Daoist School’s expeditions are always equally shared; any disciple of any cultivation can participate, with the top-class Spirit Peaks surely being the domain of those at Qi Refining Ninth Layer."

"This time, since the location is full of Spirit Peaks, the wealth is astonishing. Many disciples will participate, including those senior brothers in the old-fashioned Qi Refining Ninth Layer who see no hope of breaking through, making the competition extremely fierce!"

"The noble family disciples are also going in large numbers."

"However, with the protection of the Ascendant, you should have a chance to compete as long as it’s not the top-class Spiritual Land."

"I can teach you a method, haha, which I used myself when I was younger..."

After giving advice, Qiu Mingshan suddenly chuckled.

"Please teach me, Senior Brother."

Gu Yuan immediately folded his hands in respect, seeking instruction.

"One Spirit Peak naturally has its limits, but if you combine two Spirit Peaks, that’s a different story..."

"Haha, you can first scour a Spirit Peak without occupying it, and at the last moment, find another Spirit Peak to occupy. This way, you can seize more resources. You can even have a large amount of Spirit Stones incoming without waiting for the future."

"However, be extremely cautious with this method, as it may provoke public outrage and you might be besieged, making it impossible to capture even the last Spirit Peak."

"But you are always wise and should be able to grasp the balance. I won’t advise further."

Qiu Mingshan squinted and whispered in advice.

"What you think, Senior Brother, coincides with mine!"

Gu Yuan and Qiu Mingshan exchanged glances and then both laughed.

...

...

"Competing for Spirit Peaks, huh..."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Qiu Mingshan, Gu Yuan left the Human Resources Hall, looked at the heavy snow falling outside Cyan Mountain Peak, and made up his mind.

If he doesn’t enlist, he would lose seven hundred Spirit Stones for nothing.

If he enlists, he might obtain a Spirit Peak.

This twist of events is a tremendous transformation of wealth.

Though currently among many disciples, he is considered well-off, but if he retreats this time, everything might change.

"Just in time for the month’s period, there’s one more Stone Liquid I haven’t used. I’ll keep it to scout Wave Mountain and see which Spirit Peak has the best opportunities."

"If I fight, I must have full assurance!"

Gu Yuan rubbed the bulging Storage Bag at his waist, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, then boarded the Jade Shuttle and flew towards the Market.

There are still three days before the Daoist School gathers, enough to enhance his strength once more.

...

...

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

In the huge plaza, cultivators gathered, and several-zhang tall Golden Armored Warriors raised massive Jade Hammers, striking the Jade Drums before them, producing a deep sound.

Nine massive Dragon Tooth Treasure Boats were lined up, and on the Treasure Boats’ sides, black and white Spiritual Cranes soared.

In front of Hidden Flood Dragon Hall, the Dean of Hidden Flood Dragon Institute, Zhou Qisheng, swept the crowd with eyes like lightning and spoke coldly:

"The demon race of the one hundred and eight peaks of Wave Mountain, though fearing our might, do not respect our virtue, occupying our Daoist School’s Spirit Mountain for a thousand years and harrying our borders, plundering passing Spirit Ships."

"Therefore, according to the Daoist School’s mandate, Qi Refining disciples are ordered to leave the mountain and conquer Wave Mountain, reclaiming the land of our Daoist School, and eliminating the scourge of the Spirit River."

"The spoils of this campaign belong to the Daoist School disciples themselves. If you can occupy Spirit Peaks, subdue the demon race, and lay down an Array Disc, the peak’s output is yours, until you enter the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"No time to delay, set off quickly to display the might of our Daoist School!"

What Zhou Qisheng said was exactly what Qiu Mingshan had mentioned. The Daoist School was making a grand gesture this time.

If there are victors, they will surely advance bravely with no lack of resources.

The plaza immediately filled with noise; some were already aware, while others learn for the first time.

Yet at this point, there was no power to turn back. Under Zhou Qisheng’s gaze, everyone lined up according to cultivation, received their Array Discs, and boarded the Dragon Tooth Treasure Ships.

This time, noble family disciples also boarded the Treasure Boats.

The previous Cloud Cliff Shell Field was the Daoist School’s test, a form of compensation to the Humble Lineage disciples, allowing them to earn more Shell Jade and strive to advance their cultivation.

This time, it was a comprehensive competition.

The only possible exceptions might be the Golden Core disciples or the Golden Core families.

Such figures have no need to compete for Qi Refining resources.

The small Tier One Spirit Peaks are of no concern to them at all.

The so-called bottleneck of the Qi Refining Stage is also non-existent for them.

...

...

When Gu Yuan boarded the seventh Dragon Tooth Treasure Boat, there were already over a dozen cultivators on board, all at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

After Gu Yuan, about twenty more people arrived, totaling over forty people.

This number was even greater than when Gu Yuan first boarded the Dragon Tooth Treasure Boat during his Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

Because the noble family disciples also boarded directly, making the scene sharply divided.

Though noble family disciples wore the standard Daoist robes, the robes were clearly modified, the arrays on them more intricate, and the cuffs bore each noble family’s unique emblem.

These noble families often intermarried, thus they were familiar with each other, gathering together, chatting, and laughing, making it very lively.

On the other side were mostly Humble Lineage disciples in standard Daoist robes.

Among the Humble Lineage disciples, distinctions were apparent; some seemed to have already apprenticed under masters, appearing more composed and confident, gathering together in lively groups.

The rest gathered in smaller groups based on close relationships, chatting among themselves.

Among them was a small group that stood out, drawing frequent glances from both noble and Humble Lineage disciples.

Gu Yuan couldn’t resist taking a look as well.

There was an extremely beautiful woman, tall and fair-skinned, with a Daoist robe forming a striking curve on her figure, very alluring.

She was currently talking with two female cultivators beside her, her smile as captivating as a blooming flower.

One noble family disciple seemed unable to restrain himself and called out directly:

"Junior Sister Yun, with so many demons in Wave Mountain, why not join us for safety?"