Chapter 2243: Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid

"There really are plenty of good things here..."

Leading Luo Qiqi forward, in less than two hours of flight, the treasures they had gathered nearly equaled the total earnings of over a month in the Divine Realm.

With Beauty Pills and Barrier-Breaking Pills constantly sold, his wealth over the past month had reached an astonishing level; two hours catching up... it showed just how many treasures there were.

However, it was also because his soul was strong enough that with a thought, he could "see" farther and search a wider range. Any other peak Title Divine King would probably not even achieve a tenth of the effect.

In the empty sky, countless fragments of rock flew about, many bearing precious medicinal herbs, each worth a fortune, along with various ores, dark iron...

These items piled together could refine divine king-level pills and longswords.

"These things are still of little use to me..."

After gathering for a while, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

These herbs were indeed precious, but for him, even Supreme Divine Origin Pills were of little use. Unless he could obtain something beyond that, it meant nothing for increasing his strength.

"Ahead is a stretch of land..."

After flying a bit longer, Luo Qiqi said.

Zhang Xuan looked and indeed saw a vast expanse of land before them.

Tens of thousands of kilometers in diameter, it stretched beyond sight.

Spiritual energy was abundant, vegetation lush.

"It might be that when the Divine Realm's sky shattered, land was also swept in..." Sensing a familiarity in the ground, Zhang Xuan speculated.

The hole in the Divine Realm's sky was simply too large, causing spiritual energy to decline so rapidly.

It was not strange that a piece of land had been swept in.

Landing on the ground, he extended his spirit and indeed felt that this land was filled with countless treasures. Ores rare in the Divine Realm were everywhere here, and rivers were formed from coalesced spiritual energy.

"There are people over there..."

He raised an eyebrow.

They had discovered the land, and other arriving Divine Kings and Title Divine Kings had also discovered it. Some had landed on it, about a dozen or so, gathered together as if discussing something.

"Two friends, why not come over and talk?"

The other party's voice sounded. Clearly, they had noticed each other.

"Master Zhang..." Luo Qiqi looked at him.

"Let's go over!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Everyone was here to seek treasures; there was nothing to avoid.

The other party consisted of twelve people: eleven Divine Kings, and the strongest was a Title Divine King from the Cloud Chi Heaven, bearing the mark of Cloud Chi Heaven.

"Two friends, I am Ao Feng, a Title Divine King under Cloud Chi Emperor!" The Title Divine King Ao Feng clasped his fists.

Zhang Xuan returned the greeting.

"We are all here for wealth. Alone, one's strength is small, and it's hard to handle dangers. United, we need not worry about that!" Ao Feng said.

The others nodded.

A lone Divine King here was indeed very dangerous. Not to mention various spatial rifts and traps that were hard to guard against; one misstep could lead to death and destruction.

Moreover, there were specialized Divine Kings and Title Divine Kings lurking in the shadows to hunt. Without unity, even if one obtained treasures, it was uncertain whether they could take them back.

Every tidal surge of spiritual energy, the number of Divine Kings and Title Divine Kings who died in it was unknown, often exceeding half.

"As you all know, if a Divine King does not gain the favor of an Emperor or pass the Title assessment, no matter how long they cultivate, they can only linger at the same realm, unable to advance even half a step! Their lifespan is only about ten thousand years; when time is up, they vanish into ashes..."

Ao Feng said.

The eleven Divine Kings below all looked sorrowful, feeling the same.

The strength of a Title Divine King could not be achieved through step-by-step cultivation... That was why countless Divine Kings envied it.

"You have all obtained many treasures from the Tidal Sea, enough to push your cultivation to the peak of Divine King. But... what use is reaching the peak? Your lifespan does not increase?"

Ao Feng looked around, his voice tempting: "Unless... you can gain the favor of an Emperor!"

"We also know that if we gain an Emperor's favor and receive a few pointers, we can pass the assessment and even become Title Kings. But... how do we gain an Emperor's favor?"

A Divine King couldn't help but ask.

Who doesn't want to be liked by an Emperor?

But Emperors are high above; one can't even see them. Gaining their favor is extremely difficult!

Once, a Divine King wanted to gain favor and deliberately did something shocking to attract attention. The result was not appreciation but being slapped to death...

Since then, all cultivators understood: to gain an Emperor's recognition, one must have sufficient strength and an introduction; otherwise... everything is illusory.

"It sounds complicated, but it's actually simple!" Seeing the crowd attracted, Ao Feng smiled and said: "Actually, this time I entered here carrying an Emperor's instructions. He wishes to obtain a treasure. If you all can help me get it and present it, it will surely please him greatly. Then, becoming a personal disciple or Title Divine King will be as easy as turning over a hand!"

"A treasure the Emperor needs?"

"Isn't the Emperor without desires? Does he need something too?"

"Are you serious? If we find this treasure, the Emperor will accept us as personal disciples or even directly grant us Title Kings?"

The crowd was stunned, all somewhat tempted.

The fear was that the Emperor had no desires.

As long as there was desire, it was manageable.

If they could truly achieve it, obtaining a Title was indeed possible.

"May I ask what treasure the Emperor desires?" Unable to hold back, someone asked.

If it was too difficult to obtain, even costing their lives, then forget it.

Wanting a Title was to extend lifespan and gain higher status; if it cost their lives, that would be putting the cart before the horse.

"What the Emperor desires is on this continent: a portion of [Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid]. This thing has such dense spiritual energy that even someone of my strength cannot use it; only an Emperor can refine it..."

Ao Feng's eyes flickered: "However, there are some Phantom Spirits guarding it here. I cannot enter alone; I need your help to obtain it!"

"Phantom Spirits?"

"They are special life forms born from overly abundant spiritual energy. They have no physical form, their strength is similar to Divine Kings, and they are very troublesome. I went there once before and was blocked. If we join forces, we should be able to break through their defenses!"

Ao Feng said.

If he could obtain the Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid alone, he certainly wouldn't seek others to share.

Unfortunately, even as a Title Divine King, he had no good way here.

"Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

He had seen records of this in books at Master Kong's residence; its effects far surpassed Supreme Divine Origin Pills. If he could obtain it, he might be able to charge straight to the peak of Title Divine King.

"Are there many Phantom Spirits? If it's too dangerous, forget it. We just want to spend our remaining days peacefully..."

A Divine King in the crowd said.

"Spend your remaining days peacefully? Hmph, do you think the current state of the Divine Realm can maintain such days for many more years? Spiritual energy is declining, resources are scarce! Not to mention advancing higher; even maintaining your current state requires considerable expense! And how long can your savings last?"

As if expecting someone to say that, Ao Feng snorted: "Once you can't maintain it and your cultivation drops, what will your enemies, those who covet your position and strength, do? What about the forces you protect behind you? I don't need to elaborate; you can imagine!"

"This..."

The crowd couldn't refute.

Cultivation is like sailing against the current; if you don't advance, you retreat.

To maintain it, you need countless resources, just like athletes must constantly train and balance nutrition to stay at peak form, without any slack.

Now the entire Divine Realm's spiritual energy is declining, resources are scarce. Even Divine Kings find it increasingly difficult to maintain, and each has a huge family behind them. Once something happens, everything accumulated before will collapse and vanish.

"At this point, the Divine Realm no longer allows peaceful days. Either advance or die... it's that simple! Even Title Divine Kings cannot escape!"

Seeing the crowd silent, Ao Feng continued: "To tell you the truth, two days ago, a battle broke out on the moon... Tianzong Emperor has fallen!"

"What did you say?"

"Tianzong Emperor fallen?"

"How did he fall? Was it... a contest with Lingxi Divine Sovereign?"

"Can an Emperor also fall?"

The crowd erupted instantly.

The battle between Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi on the moon was almost unknown in the Divine Realm except to Emperors and their close Title Divine Kings. Hearing this news now, they all couldn't believe it.

Tianzong Emperor, who burst onto the scene, gave hope to countless ordinary cultivators, making them believe that with effort, they too could become Emperors... challenging the many Emperors who had existed since the formation of heaven and earth!

Because of this, he was an idol to countless deities; even if not spoken, everyone admired him deeply.

They thought this idol would easily win even against Lingxi Divine Sovereign, but never dreamed... he had fallen!

If even an Emperor could fall, they were just ordinary Divine Kings... the possibility of falling was even greater.

The eleven Divine Kings were speechless, the atmosphere oppressive.

"So, we need to become stronger to protect ourselves and our families, not remain content with the status quo like before!"

Seeing the crowd swayed, Ao Feng said: "The Phantom Spirits are indeed dangerous, but if we unite and cooperate well, the chance of obtaining the treasure will reach ninety percent! Ninety percent chance to change your life. How to choose, I don't need to elaborate; you all understand!"

"We need to consider..."

"How about this!" Seeing them still hesitant, Ao Feng continued: "As long as everyone is willing to go with me, whether we get the Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid or not, I will reward each with a Supreme Divine Origin Pill and a personal favor. Of course, if you accept my favor, after obtaining the treasure, you won't get the Emperor's reward."

"This..."

First stunned, then their eyes lit up, each filled with fervor.

These eleven Divine Kings were mostly scattered cultivators; even if some were from other heavens, without family support, they could obtain few resources.

A Supreme Divine Origin Pill, even just one, was already a sky-high price for them.

Moreover, there was the favor of a Title Divine King...

The price of such a favor far exceeded a single pill.

And there was also the chance to gain the goodwill of an Emperor-level expert!

No matter how you calculated, it wasn't a loss.

"Alright, I agree!"

"I agree too!"

...

Opportunity and danger coexist.

Those daring to venture here had surely already accepted the possibility of death. Moreover, having reached the Divine King level, they were basically not cowards. Within a minute, the eleven Divine Kings made their decision.

"And you two?"

Seeing everyone agree, Ao Feng sighed in relief and looked at Zhang Xuan and the other.

"I also agree..."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Since the Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid was useful to him, he would find it first.

"Alright, we are now an alliance. If anyone withdraws temporarily, they must be judged... even killed on the spot!" Ao Feng said.

In a coalition, the most taboo is someone fleeing at the last moment, which could bring danger to everyone.

"Alright!" Understanding this, they all nodded.

"Let's go!"

Having discussed, Ao Feng said no more and flew forward first, the others following closely.

Before long, they arrived at a mountain stream where spiritual energy was even denser, and various vegetation grew so thick it blocked the sky and sun.

"Ahead are the Phantom Spirits..."

Ao Feng pointed.

They looked and saw in the white mist ahead some illusory figures flickering.

"They are... plant spirits born from vigorous spiritual energy!"

Zhang Xuan realized.

He had thought the so-called Phantom Spirits were something else, but it turned out that the spiritual energy here was so abundant that some ancient trees and grasses had formed their own consciousness.

Similar to Dan Wang back then.

These spirits, though appearing to have Divine King-level strength, were actually weak in combat. They were just numerous, making them hard to resist and defend against!

Moreover, as long as the spiritual energy here remained, they could be said to be immortal, indeed very troublesome.

"Our goal is to obtain the Earth Treasury Spirit Liquid, not to fight them to the death... So, our aim is to enter the interior of the mountain stream, find the thing, and quickly leave!"

Seeing everyone understood what the Phantom Spirits were, Ao Feng arranged the strategy: "In a moment, you all attack from all sides, drawing these Phantom Spirits away as much as possible. Then I'll find a chance to slip in. Once I get the liquid, we'll leave immediately..."

"The plan is good, but if you get the liquid and then flee directly without telling us, what should we do if we're trapped by them?"

A Divine King said.

It wasn't that they didn't trust him, but they had just met; no one would truly entrust their life to another.

"Right, if you take the thing and leave, we'll be trapped with no benefits and might even fall. This can't be done!"

Another Divine King said.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Seeing everyone's doubtful expressions, Ao Feng frowned.

"We go in together, and we retreat together!" The Divine King who spoke earlier said.

"Right, together in, together out!" The others nodded simultaneously.

"Going together is safe, but have you considered that once surrounded by these Phantom Spirits, not only will we not get the treasure, we might all die inside!"

Ao Feng said.