"This Half-Moon Immortal is indeed a first-grade Golden Core cultivator. He possessed four mid-grade spirit treasures and a pile of low-grade ones," Xue Jing remarked, gazing enviously at the dozen or so spirit treasures before him.
He, Xue Jing, as a second-grade high-quality Golden Core cultivator, only had one mid-grade spirit treasure. Compared to the Half-Moon Immortal, his own possessions were indeed meager.
Of course, this was also because he was sent to Earth shortly after breaking through to the Golden Core realm. Had he been in the outside world, his current strength might have already reached the late or even peak Golden Core realm, possessing greater power to seize more spirit treasures.
At the same time, he realized that the square seal spirit treasure in Zhang Fan's hand was very likely also obtained from the Half-Moon Immortal.
High-grade spirit treasures!
They were generally held by Nascent Soul Heavenly Immortals, and even first-grade Golden Core cultivators only possessed a few.
"I'll take this sword!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian was the first to act. Besides Zhang Fan, he was the only sword cultivator present. Thus, without any pretense, he naturally took the dark black long sword from the seventeen spirit treasures.
Holding the dark black long sword, Wu Chen Jian Xian casually thrust it forward. Instantly, countless root-like shadows spread out from the sword body, entwining the void and subtly affecting space.
"A good sword!"
Wu Chen Jian Xian was thrilled. As a cultivator at the peak of the Condensing Core realm, his previous weapon was merely a spirit artifact, which was truly pathetic.
Generally speaking, in the Myriad Domain Starry Sky, any cultivator at the peak of the Condensing Core realm with some background could possess a spirit treasure of their own.
Of course, the spirit treasures mastered by peak Condensing Core cultivators were only the most common of low-grade spirit treasures. Even so, the power of a spirit treasure was far beyond that of a mere spirit artifact.
"This sword is forged from ten-thousand-year-old black wood. Although the refining technique is quite ordinary, due to the quality of the refining equipment, this sword's power is considered top-tier among low-grade spirit treasures. It will be sufficient for you even after you condense a second-grade Golden Core," Zhang Fan commented.
Wu Chen Jian Xian gently stroked the sword body, feeling its temperature. Every inscription on the sword was perfect, a masterpiece of craftsmanship. This was the most perfect sword he had ever seen, undoubtedly crafted by a renowned artificer.
Yet, Zhang Fan described the refining technique as "ordinary," making Wu Chen Jian Xian lament how exceptionally high his master's standards were.
Zhang Fan also used a sword. Although his bronze ancient sword, limited by its material, could at most reach the pinnacle of a spirit artifact, it had accompanied him for many years, nurtured by his spirit and divine sense. In Zhang Fan's hands, it was no less effective than an ordinary low-grade spirit treasure.
"Thank you, Master!"
Having received the black wood sword, Wu Chen Jian Xian bowed to Zhang Fan and retreated to the side.
"I think this pair of great hammers suits me!"
Lin Hao Tian strode towards a pair of great hammers with flames flowing on their surfaces. He extended his hands, unfazed by the flames, and grasped them.
Lin Hao Tian had not practiced any hammer techniques. He merely felt that his advantage lay in strength, and this pair of great hammers could better leverage that strength.
"These great hammers are called Flowing Fire Meteor Hammers. They are forged entirely from meteor iron and can be considered high-grade mid-level spirit treasures. The hammer bodies are extremely heavy. However, Hao Tian, you have now reached minor accomplishment in the Saint Body, possessing immense strength. This pair of Flowing Fire Meteor Hammers is perfectly suited for you," Zhang Fan said with a nod. Originally, in his plan, this pair of great hammers was intended for Lin Hao Tian.
Xue Jing watched with great envy. Lin Hao Tian had not yet reached the Golden Core realm, yet he could possess a set of mid-grade spirit treasures, comparable in quality to Xue Jing's own Blood Axe.
Subsequently, the three Blood Clan Princes each selected a low-grade spirit treasure. Knowing their own strength was insufficient, they dared not choose any of the mid-grade spirit treasures.
Xue Jing already possessed a Blood Axe battle weapon, so he did not select another. As for the Blood Demon Flood Dragon, it fought entirely with its own abilities, and these spirit treasures were unsuitable for it, so it did not choose any either.
"Alright." Seeing that everyone had a suitable spirit treasure, Zhang Fan waved his hand and collected the remaining treasures into his Star Chart Space.
"Follow me!" Zhang Fan released his divine sense, enveloping Xue Jing, Lin Hao Tian, and the others, then used a遁术 (escape technique) to burrow underground.
Initially, Xue Jing and the others were bewildered. Why was Zhang Fan suddenly taking them underground?
But gradually, they all sensed something amiss.
As they delved deeper into the earth, they could clearly feel the spiritual energy density in their surroundings increasing drastically.
In just a few breaths, Zhang Fan had led them nearly a hundred meters underground.
"Is that... spirit crystals?"
Xue Jing was the first to sense it. In this subterranean space, there was a spirit vein! Although this spirit vein was only dozens of meters long, considered quite meager, he, who hadn't seen a spirit crystal in hundreds of years, was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
Sent to Earth, Xue Jing had never imagined that this planet, chosen by True Immortal Zhi Wu as a place of destiny, would not even have a single spirit crystal.
He had not brought many spirit crystals from the outside, and they had been depleted hundreds of years ago. It was thus understandable how desperately he craved spirit crystals.
On planets with abundant spiritual energy, one could still cultivate by absorbing the power of heaven and earth. However, on Earth, the spiritual energy was too scarce. Even if he constantly circulated his cultivation technique to absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, he might struggle to break through to the mid-stage Golden Core realm even by the time of his natural demise.
"Although this spirit vein is small, it is entirely composed of pure spirit crystals, without any impurities. If mined, it could yield millions of spirit crystals. If I were to cultivate here alone, it would likely allow me to cultivate to the late or even peak Golden Core stage," Xue Jing said with fervent eyes.
"Your thoughts are quite fanciful."
Zhang Fan, listening to Xue Jing's wishful thinking, couldn't help but smile. This small spirit vein was almost the entirety of the Half-Moon Immortal's fortune. He had only consumed a small portion during his last cultivation session, and the spirit vein would automatically absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth to recover.
However, this time, threatened by external cultivators, Zhang Fan did not have much time to cultivate slowly using this spirit vein.
He had brought everyone here with the intention of rapidly increasing their cultivation levels using this spirit vein.
"For the next period, this place will be your secluded cultivation ground. As for me, I will begin my secluded cultivation in a month. During this month, you can ask me any questions you have regarding your cultivation!" Zhang Fan swept his gaze over everyone and spoke.
Zhang Fan's offer to guide them brought joy to everyone, even Xue Jing.
Although Zhang Fan's cultivation realm was not the highest among them, his understanding and insights into cultivation were such that even Xue Jing felt inferior.
Over the course of a month, everyone consulted Zhang Fan. Even the Blood Demon Flood Dragon sought Zhang Fan's guidance several times on its doubts regarding the cultivation of the Blood Dragon Body Refinement Technique, benefiting greatly.
During this period, Zhang Fan found a Nascent Soul-level hammer technique called "Radiant Moon Six-Pointed Star" in his mind and imparted it to Lin Hao Tian.
Concurrently, based on the characteristics of the three Blood Clan Princes, he taught them a combined attack technique that could maximize their strength.
Once the month passed, Zhang Fan set up formations, divided the areas, and began his secluded cultivation.
...