Chapter 683 - 539: Luofeng Valley’s Predicament

Around the Gathering Essence Tree, there are many Insect Towers scattered, and the Spirit Devouring Insects, with no enemies in the Little World, expand their population rapidly.

If not for the puppets capturing large amounts of spiritual insects every other day to feed the Spirit Fish and Fire Crystal Ants, the Spirit Devouring Insects would have become disastrously widespread in the Little World.

They live by absorbing Spiritual Qi, and if their numbers become too massive, they will surely encroach on the living space of Spirit Plants.

Why does the Sect limit the number of cultivators at each Spirit Vein Node? The fundamental reason is that too many High-Tier Cultivators absorbing Spiritual Qi will lead to a situation where Spiritual Qi is insufficient.

Over time, the Spirit Field won’t be nourished, affecting the Spirit Vein within the earth.

For a force, unless a Spirit Vein starts to dry up, the only way forward is to enhance the grade of the Spirit Vein by any means necessary.

The method of draining the pond to catch the fish is one that all cultivators disdain.

Ji An does not know how many times these Spirit Devouring Insects have metamorphosed. He only knows that the quality of Jade Cocoons formed during the metamorphosis of spiritual insects has reached the standard of Tier Two Top Grade Spiritual Objects.

These Jade Cocoons, when ground and sprinkled into the Spirit Field, can improve the soil.

He’s always thought these Jade Cocoons should have other uses, but hasn’t found another purpose.

Ji An activated the Earth Vein Spirit Technique, yellow spirit light spread, forming a golden lotus pattern on the ground.

He rode the clouds away, arriving at the White Spirit Field area. The growth of two Vajra Bodhi Trees is going well; now they are Tier Two Upper Grade Spirit Plants. He believes it won’t take many years for them to reach the Top-Grade Level.

Refining the Vajra Bodhi Fruit can enhance a cultivator’s physical strength and defense. This is more suitable for Body Cultivators.

For Ji An, refining the Vajra Bodhi Fruit is also beneficial. His body is still at the level of Chao Origin Stage Body Cultivator.

In the future, when the Vajra Bodhi Trees are cultivated to Tier Two Top Grade Level, he will refine the fruit to enhance himself, anyway it won’t take much time.

He activated the Earth Vein Spirit Technique again, then flew to the Black Spirit Field...

Flying clockwise around the Little World, Ji An last came to the Red Spirit Field.

In the magma lake of the Molten Rock Abyss, small red-gold fish about an inch long can be seen flicking their tails, while the large fish rarely appear on the water’s surface.

’Shallow water’ around the magma lake is filled with clusters of Fire Coral, blooming with red flowers, visited by swarms of Purple Crystal Bees collecting nectar.

On the ground, another bustling scene unfolds as Fire Crystal Ants gnaw at the crystals on the surface of Fire Coral, carrying them back to their nests.

Among the earliest planted Fire Coral, many have reached the Tier Two Top Grade Level, and the nectar produced here is very delicious.

Moreover, Ji An discovered that the nectar can nourish the Fire Element Divine Mansion, reinforcing his resolve to pursue cultivation.

Without pills to consume, his cultivation progress remains visible, with High-tier Spiritual Food playing a very crucial role.

Regretfully, the nectar from Tier Two Top Grade Jade Leaf Mulberry does not nourish the Wood Element Divine Mansion, but he will look to find another Spirit Plant to replace it in the future.

Upon inspecting the condition of the Fire Coral, Ji An flew above the Spirit Field, frowning slightly as he gazed at the Pearl Blood Rice plants.

Based on past experience, these plants should start maturing half a month ago, yet only a small portion has matured, with the rest showing no signs of maturity.

He landed in the fields, broke a few rice tassels, clasped his palms together to thresh manually.

Putting the rice grains in his mouth to chew, Ji An’s eyes immediately lit up; the Spiritual Qi contained in the grains had increased significantly.

"Hehe, I see now!"

He laughed heartily; the Spirit Rice produced by these immature plants has become Tier Two Middle Grade!

Pearl Blood Rice grows fast as a Spirit Plant, making the tier upgrade very significant.

Ji An flew several laps above the Spirit Field, leaving joyfully, returning to the center of the Little World, and started cultivating Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture under the Gathering Essence Tree.

The Heaven and Earth Spirit Tree’s tier enhancement also provides a better environment for his cultivation.

If the Small World’s Spirit Vein grade is enhanced to Tier Three, he would dedicate all his cultivation time here.

...

Time passes quickly, fifteen years fleeting as clouds and smoke.

Luofeng Valley, Wanhua Hall.

The evening breeze sweeps by, scattering the green smoke rising from the incense burner in the grand hall.

The wind chimes beneath the eaves tinkle melodiously, yet do not seem pleasant to the ears of several Daoist Masters.

Fire Cloud Zhenren furrowed his brows, sighed:

"Let’s all discuss, what should be our next step?"

These years, the Golden Spirit Sect has not exhibited a strong desire for expansion but instead actively opened up markets in the Outer Continent.

For Luofeng Valley, this was a good sign, but it also generated a new, more deadly problem.

Luofeng Valley has long controlled a large portion of the pill trade in the Western Continent, along with a considerable part of the array trade.

Yuanhe Mountain, Golden Spirit Sect, and many moderately large family forces have been their loyal customers.

With Yuanhe Mountain announcing a closed mountain policy and the Golden Spirit Sect turning to broader channels, Luofeng Valley suddenly finds its status sharply declining.

The pills that had never faced sluggish sales are now starting to pile up—a scenario unimaginable in the past.

Previously, the primary customers of these pills were the other two sects, consuming nearly a third of the output.

Nowadays, it’s not that they’re hoarding, but the demand has sharply decreased.

The Yuanhe Mountain market is completely cleared out; the Golden Spirit Sect hasn’t needed low-tier elixirs for years, and the demand for high-tier elixirs has significantly diminished as well.

They either lower prices to grab the loose cultivators’ low-level market or emulate the Golden Spirit Sect to explore the external continents market.

If they fail to break the deadlock, Luofeng Valley will inevitably decline.

Fire Cloud Zhenren is perplexed; why has the sect’s situation suddenly worsened in an era without war?

If Ji An were here, he would certainly give him a phrase for free, "When the times abandon you, they won’t even say goodbye."

Huayang Daoist Master scratches his head and pulls his hair; things didn’t develop as everyone anticipated. The situation in the Western Continent is very calm, but they were unconsciously submerged.

Chong Xuan Daoist Master said gravely, "If the situation continues as it is now, the sect’s development will inevitably suffer a significant impact.

In recent years, the sect’s reforms haven’t achieved much success. If we cannot keep up with the Golden Spirit Sect’s pace, in a few hundred years, we won’t have the capital to compete with them."

The Golden Spirit Sect’s demand for elixirs has decreased, yet Luofeng Valley’s demand for beast-taming and magical artifacts has not decreased, causing an imbalance in resource flow.

The key is that the Golden Spirit Sect has achieved this situation without any dangerous maneuvers. If dealing with a small force, they could easily find an excuse to impose their superiority.

But the opponent is the Golden Spirit Sect; let’s not even talk about imposing superiority. It’s a relief not to be oppressed.

Huayang Daoist Master’s face is solemn, he smiles wryly:

"Reform takes time to generate results, even if we impose it forcibly, it only shortens the process but can’t violate natural laws; it will take at least thirty to forty years to establish a new order."

No one expected the Golden Spirit Sect’s rise to be so swift, catching them off guard; coupled with slow adjustments, the situation has fallen into a completely passive state.

Chong Xuan Daoist Master tiredly shook his head, speaking softly:

"Senior brother, we have existing experiences to learn from now. This path can make the sect stronger; why not take it?

Now that Yuanhe Mountain is sealed off, we’ve lost the chance for united resistance. Let’s first straighten the internal affairs; with the foundation accumulated over thousands of years, there’s still a chance to maneuver against the Golden Spirit Sect."

Many cultivators in the sect are short-sighted, only seeing some immediate losses but blind to the greater future gains.

The three discussed for a while but couldn’t reach a conclusion. Fire Cloud Zhenren tiredly waved his hand:

"Let’s discuss it again in a few days."

Suddenly, Huayang Daoist Master’s mind flickered with inspiration, saying:

"Senior brother, the merchant flying ship from Central Continent has arrived yesterday. Those major forces don’t want to see a powerful Western Continent; why not use their power to curb the Golden Spirit Sect’s development?"

Chong Xuan Daoist Master’s gaze suddenly contracted; if the introduction of other forces to interfere with the situation is discovered, no one knows what kind of retaliation the Golden Spirit Sect will bring.

This move harms oneself without benefiting the other and gives leverage to others—a wise person wouldn’t do this.

Fire Cloud Zhenren said gravely:

"Junior brother, do you have any insights?"

"Central Continent’s forces have always secretly investigated the Western Continent’s intelligence. We just need to tell them about the Golden Spirit Sect’s development in recent years, and they will naturally verify.

We don’t have to do anything, just speak; Central Continent’s forces will know what to do."

The forces of Central Continent will inevitably restrict the flow of Gold Core Pills and other strategic resources into the Golden Spirit Sect and may even support Luofeng Valley.

Chong Xuan Daoist Master quickly shook his head, "Senior brother, I think this move is inappropriate, and it’s slower in effectiveness.

Doing this would only invite suspicion from the Golden Spirit Sect, potentially leading to greater conflict."

Fire Cloud Zhenren took a deep breath, "Let me think carefully."

To be honest, he didn’t want to employ such underhanded tactics. He’d prefer direct conflict, but since this involves the sect’s future heritage, he didn’t mind using some dirty tricks.

...

Golden Spirit Sect, the peak of Sunrise Peak.

The setting sun’s afterglow, the Purple Gold Phoenix Wood sways its posture in the evening breeze.

Ji An gazes at the clusters of purple flowers blooming on the branches, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

After flowering, it will produce seeds resembling the shape of paulownia seeds, and he will take one to plant in the Little World.

Just as he was foolishly smiling, Master Yuxiao flew over and called out:

"Junior brother, the merchant flying ship from Central Continent has arrived; in half a month, we’ll go together to attend the auction for Golden Core cultivators."

"Alright, but I don’t have any Tier Three resources at hand, nor many top-grade spirit stones, so I might just be a spectator."

Apart from elixirs, Ji An didn’t think he had anything to buy, but elixirs were the most competitive; he didn’t know how many he could snag.

"Stop feigning poverty in front of me; aside from that, haven’t you stored quite a bit of Tier Two top-grade Cyan Dragon Wood?

Plus two pieces of Tier Three Cyan Dragon Wood; if you’re willing, there’s no one richer than you in the sect!"

Master Yuxiao’s eyes welled with tears of poverty; he had witnessed the extravagance of a top-tier Spirit Farmer earning spirit stones.

In Red Flame Peak, the Tier Three Spiritual Peach Tree, Dragon Blood Tree, and other fruit trees haven’t yet begun to bear fruit; otherwise, his wealth would rival half of a sect.