The spiritual energy within the Yinglong Heavenly Realm is so dense, it's no wonder spiritual core source crystals can form here.
Li Xuan, leading over eight hundred people, advanced in an orderly fashion within the Yinglong Heavenly Realm.
At the forefront of the formation, Li Xuan surveyed the surroundings with his divine sense and discovered that this realm seemed to be a world unto itself, vast beyond imagination.
Fortunately, his divine sense detected no other parties, so there was no need for excessive concern regarding safety.
Li Xuan and his group were headed for a Level 3 relic located to the southeast. According to the map of the Yinglong Heavenly Realm provided by Xie Yushan, over a thousand spiritual core source crystals had been collected from this relic in the past. A century later, it was natural to expect new crystals to have formed.
Since Li Xuan had not detected any other teams during his initial survey, he took advantage of the proximity and led his people toward it swiftly.
"I never imagined this Level 3 relic would be so expansive," Li Xuan remarked, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as they finally reached the marked location after half an hour of travel.
The palace before them spanned over a thousand meters wide. Dense spiritual energy emanated from the piles of toppled stone, drawing everyone's attention. Around the ruins, trees bore abundant, fragrant fruits that emitted an enticing aroma.
"Go ahead and gather them. We'll distribute them later," Li Xuan said with a smile, waving his hand as he noticed the eager looks on everyone's faces.
Upon hearing this, the group dispersed in a clamor, quickly heading towards the spiritual trees scattered around.
Spiritual core source crystals primarily formed on the Nine-Treasure Spiritual Trees, unique to the Yinglong Heavenly Realm. Additionally, some formed independently. The group collected them rapidly, and within five minutes, every last spiritual core source crystal from this Level 3 relic was gathered.
Everyone presented their collected crystals to Li Xuan, their gazes burning with renewed fervor.
Li Xuan smiled at their enthusiasm, a hint of his own excitement reflected in his eyes. A quick calculation revealed that a total of nine hundred and thirty-seven spiritual core source crystals had been gathered from this Level 3 relic. After deducting the thirty percent to be submitted to the sect, approximately seven hundred remained.
"At present, the remaining amount, after the sect's share, is still not enough for us to divide equally. Therefore, we will continue to search for more relics to collect. If we are lucky, perhaps at the next relic, we can each obtain two."
Li Xuan addressed the group and then consulted his map again.
The others looked at Li Xuan with palpable excitement. Spiritual core source crystals could be consumed directly. Having already collected from one relic so soon after entering, they eagerly anticipated further discoveries.
Furthermore, based on past experience, the Yinglong Heavenly Realm contained tens of thousands of Level 3 and even Level 4 relics, with no significant dangers within. Therefore, merely collecting the spiritual core source crystals from these relics was a relatively effortless task for them.
"The nearest relic to our current location is a Level 4 relic. However, it is over two thousand li away. Estimating the time, it will likely take us two hours. Take a short break, and we will depart in five minutes."
After examining the map, Li Xuan looked up and announced this to the group. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Five minutes later, Li Xuan was the first to rise, his figure a blur as he swiftly moved towards the distance.
Endless rolling mountain peaks receded rapidly as Li Xuan led the over eight hundred disciples of the Xuan Sect's Langya Peak towards the location of the Level 4 relic marked on the map.
After flying for a full two hours, Li Xuan finally slowed his pace. The group behind him also reduced their speed, their faces lighting up with joy as they gazed at the mountain ahead. The Nine-Treasure Spiritual Trees were particularly striking.
"Let's get to it and collect them quickly," Li Xuan said, nodding as he noticed the expressions on everyone's faces.
The group dispersed once more, landing on the mountain slopes and weaving amongst the Nine-Treasure Spiritual Trees. In less than a moment, they had finished collecting all the spiritual core source crystals from this Level 4 relic.
After everyone submitted their findings, Li Xuan discreetly tallied the haul and a smile spread across his face. This Level 4 relic had yielded an astonishing one thousand three hundred and twenty-nine crystals.
After deducting the thirty percent for the sect, each disciple in the group could receive two spiritual core source crystals, with some remaining.
"Two per person, distribute them," Li Xuan instructed, handing a spatial ring filled with the crystals to a disciple at the early stage of the Dao Fusion realm beside him. The group cheered, and after each took two crystals, their gazes returned to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan said nothing further, glancing into the distance. "According to the map, we are currently in the Azure Dragon Canyon. Our destination lies deeper within the Yinglong Heavenly Realm."
"Following the route between these two points, the next relic is a Level 5 relic. However, the map indicates that this Level 5 relic may not be as straightforward to collect from."
"So, what are your thoughts on this?"
Li Xuan then looked at everyone. After all, in the face of potential danger, Li Xuan could not make the decision alone. Otherwise, if something went wrong, he would bear the responsibility.
"Level 5 relics contain guardian beasts. Their strength is almost equivalent to the Dao Integration realm. Coupled with their thick physiques, and their frequent consumption of spiritual core source crystals, these guardian beasts possess much more potent spiritual energy than ordinary wild beasts."
"A lone disciple would naturally not dare to enter such a relic. However, with over eight hundred of us, uniting our strength, subduing such a guardian beast should not be difficult."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, a man in a cyan robe stepped forward and spoke. Li Xuan looked at him and nodded.
This man was named Shi Hongyi, a disciple of Langya Peak with a mid-stage Dao Integration realm cultivation. He had participated in the previous opening of the Yinglong Heavenly Realm. His words were naturally met with Li Xuan's approval.
"Indeed. With Senior Brother Li Xuan leading us, and all of us here, dealing with a guardian beast will be a piece of cake!"
"Since we are in the Yinglong Heavenly Realm, encountering danger is normal. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold; without risk, how can there be success!"
"Although Senior Brother Li Xuan is still only at the Dao Fusion realm, few have managed to break through from the mid-stage Dao Origin realm to the Dao Fusion realm in just three months. With Senior Brother Li Xuan leading us, a mere Level 5 relic is nothing to fear!"
"..."
The group voiced their opinions, and Li Xuan nodded before saying, "Since that is the case, let us proceed along the designated route."
Everyone nodded in agreement. After retrieving their spatial rings, Li Xuan checked the direction and set off again.
Along the way, Li Xuan and his group encountered some Nine-Treasure Spiritual Trees growing on mountain peaks or within canyons. Although they only yielded a few spiritual core source crystals, it was still considered a gain.
As night fell, under Li Xuan's arrangement, the over eight hundred people set up camp at the foot of a mountain to rest.
Deep into the night, as visibility diminished, Li Xuan, who was meditating and cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes and instantly appeared in mid-air.
"Someone is approaching our position!"