In Ling Tian's new residence at Wang Family Village, he repurposed jade plaques, previously salvaged from a Yin Gathering Formation, to construct a Spirit Gathering Formation.
The moment the formation activated, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to slowly converge around the house.
The location, already a terrain known as the Hundred Dragons Converging Abyss, would, with the successful establishment of the Spirit Gathering Formation, possess a concentration of spiritual energy several times greater than the outside world.
Furthermore, this time, the gathered energy was pure spiritual energy, unlike the previous Yin Gathering Formation which converted the collected energy into Yin energy.
Besides the pillars in the basement, there were other hidden mechanisms within the residence.
In the rooms on each floor, various decorative items were placed.
Within these items were jade plaques, all carved by Ling Tian.
Their purpose was to alter the local feng shui of the house, ensuring the Spirit Gathering Formation acted more uniformly around the property.
Having completed these preparations, Ling Tian proceeded directly to the top floor, entering the small pavilion within the glass greenhouse.
The wooden pavilion, no more than three meters in height, also held a secret beneath it. At its base, sixteen jade plaques formed an even smaller Spirit Gathering Formation.
This formation could further gather and refine the spiritual energy flowing in from all directions.
Standing within the pavilion, one could feel the distinct difference in the environment compared to other areas.
It was a feeling that refreshed the mind and body, bringing a sense of comfort.
Ling Tian was pleased. He entered the pavilion, sat cross-legged with his palms facing upwards, and began cultivating using his Chaos Returning Yuan Qi internal art.
However, after only an hour of cultivation, Ling Tian ceased his practice and opened his eyes.
The reason was simple: his body was already saturated with the abundant spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which now needed to be slowly refined within him.
Normally, during his practice, his body acted like a magnet, constantly absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy for his use.
But today, in this residence, in this place amplified by two formations, he could feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth seemingly pouring directly into his body.
This single hour of cultivation was equivalent to a full day's practice under normal circumstances.
Ling Tian was extremely happy. With the aid of such a prime location, his cultivation speed would be greatly accelerated, yielding twice the results with half the effort.
He would now utilize this treasure trove to cultivate relentlessly and rapidly enhance his strength.
Ling Tian had not forgotten the deep-seated vengeance of the Ling family that weighed upon him.
After ceasing his cultivation, Ling Tian did not rest. He lifted the carpet covering the floor, revealing a movable wooden board beneath.
Lifting the board uncovered a hidden compartment, which contained dozens of jade pendants of various sizes.
These jade pendants were inscribed with numerous formations, with the Spirit Gathering Formation being the most common.
These pendants could serve as the eyes of a formation or be fashioned into magical artifacts.
Their function was similar to talismans, but while talismans were single-use, these jade pendants could be reused.
Ordinarily, the Spirit Gathering Formations on the pendants absorbed the spiritual energy of nature and stored it as energy.
When used, they could release the accumulated spiritual energy to activate other formations.
In essence, they were like batteries, but instead of storing electricity, they stored spiritual energy.
The next morning, Ling Tian began his busy work. First, he poured bags of nutrient soil into the planting troughs in the greenhouse.
Following this, Ling Tian pressed a switch.
The water pump began to work, and with a gushing sound, clear water started to be pumped into the artificial ponds and streams within the greenhouse.
This water was drawn directly from the depths of the outer pond through pipes.
After being injected into the artificial ponds and streams, the water began to flow slowly in a counter-clockwise direction.
This was the effect of the Spirit Gathering Formation. The convergence of a large amount of spiritual energy also altered the local magnetic field. Under the influence of this magnetic field, the water flowed slowly, becoming living water.
Over time, this water would also absorb a significant amount of spiritual energy, possessing unique benefits whether used for watering plants or raising fish.
In the afternoon, Wang Bingxia also arrived, bringing Ling Tian a large quantity of daily necessities.
Wang Bingxia had personally driven to the city to procure these items, and together, they proceeded to furnish the house.
They worked until evening, when Wang Bingxia reluctantly prepared to leave.
Before her departure, they stood hand in hand in the courtyard, sharing some whispered words.
"Bingxia, since you have nothing much to do at home, why don't you move in with me?"
Ling Tian bravely extended the invitation, and Wang Bingxia's face instantly flushed red like an apple.
"Oh, how embarrassing, what are you trying to do?"
"I was just thinking, if you lived here, I could frequently give you acupuncture treatments, and we wouldn't have to travel back and forth.
Also, to completely cure your illness, I need to teach you a set of cultivation techniques. Practicing them outside won't be as effective as here..."
Ling Tian felt awkward, believing his request was too abrupt. To his surprise, Wang Bingxia replied in a voice as soft as a mosquito's.
"Okay..."
Before Ling Tian could react, the young girl turned her head and got into her car, leaving Ling Tian bewildered on the spot.
As night deepened, Ling Tian sat cross-legged and circulated his energy.
His body was furiously absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, and simultaneously, a jade pendant worn on Ling Tian's chest was also desperately absorbing this spiritual energy.
This oval-shaped jade pendant, slightly larger than a coin, was pure white and translucent, resembling a piece of white glass.
Carved onto the jade pendant was a shape resembling a key.
From the time Ling Tian could remember, this jade pendant had been with him.
His first master, Daoist Master Xian Yuan, had told Ling Tian that this jade pendant was the only connection between him and the Ling family.
And behind this jade pendant lay a colossal secret.
As for what this secret was, Daoist Master Xian Yuan did not know. He merely stated that obtaining the secret required immense fortune.
However, Ling Tian knew that this jade pendant possessed very magical properties.
Wearing this jade pendant could calm the mind, preventing it from being disturbed by malevolent spirits.
During cultivation, the jade pendant helped to stabilize his focus, making him less prone to demonic possession.
Furthermore, wearing this jade pendant doubled the speed at which he absorbed spiritual energy during cultivation compared to not wearing it.
Imagine that, a cultivation speed twice as fast as others; it was like a cheat, a heavenly item.
And after the Spirit Gathering Formation in the residence was completed, a large amount of spiritual energy began to pour into the jade pendant!