Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

221: Soul-Destroying Crystal”Mercy... have mercy! I’ll tell you... I’ll tell you everything... This... this thing is called a ’soul fiend crystal’.

It’s... it’s formed from the essence, residual souls, and obsessions of those powerful skeletons after they die in this ghostly place. It’s... it’s congealed.

Indeed... it can indeed speed up Cultivation... especially for... for Late Stage Qi Refining... the effect is obvious...”

He panted heavily, his face filled with terror, as if recalling something horrifying:

”But... but this thing has flaws. It can’t help people Break Through major Bottlenecks, for example... it’s useless for breaking through from Qi Refining Sixth Layer to Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

Once one reaches Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Perfection, this item becomes completely useless!

Moreover, it cannot be taken out of this Secret Realm; its energy quickly dissipates once it leaves the Secret Realm, turning into a grayish-white waste rock.

Also... there are some particularly powerful bone monsters... inside... they might... they might also have other treasures co-existing.

For example... for example, the ’Yinhun Jade’ which can temporarily enhance Divine Sense perception... or... or Artifact Refining Materials with extreme Yin attributes...”

After hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but search again, and from the body of the previous Shadow Skeletons monster, they found a warm and smooth jade stone.

Just holding it in their hands, they felt their Divine Soul being nourished.

Many people’s eyes widened; this item was too precious.

Placed in the Southeast Market Town auction house, it would be a highlight item.

As for the core secret of the altar, the demonic Cultivator knew very little, only vaguely hearing from his superiors that it required vast amounts of soul fiend crystals and fresh living souls as sacrifices.

It seemed to be for awakening some ancient sleeping entity. What it was specifically, or what its purpose was, a cultist of his level was simply not qualified to know. He only knew that if the mission was not completed, the outcome would be worse than death.

This news made everyone present breathe heavily, their gazes once again focusing on the alluring yet dangerous ”soul fiend crystal” and ”Yinhun Jade,” shimmering with extremely complex light.

There was an almost uncontrollable, surging greed, an intense desire for rapid power enhancement, but also a deep apprehension of its terrifying side effects, and a hint of unease about the unknown demonic sect’s conspiracy.

The appearance of this crystal was like a huge stone thrown into an already turbulent lake, its ripples quietly spreading, impacting the bottom lines in everyone’s hearts.

The ”Cultivation acceleration” effect of the soul fiend crystal, despite its two major limitations: ”inability to Break Through major Bottlenecks” and ”inability to be taken out of the Secret Realm.”

Yet, for Immortals who lack resources and face difficult Dao paths, especially those stuck at Qi Refining Seventh Layer and Eighth Layer for many years, feeling hopeless about Foundation Establishment, it was still an irresistible temptation.

In this perilous Secret Realm, gaining even a slight increase in strength means an extra sliver of hope for survival.

Among the team, many such Cultivators had terrifyingly fervent eyes, staring intently at the crystal in Feng Xixi’s hand, as if it were their only lifeline.

Lin Jingyu’s heart was also surging with excitement; this ”soul fiend crystal” was practically tailor-made for him! The precise, effortless control over energy brought by the Spirit Refining Art.

And his tenacious Divine Soul, far exceeding that of ordinary people. The Yin Fiend Qi and residual soul resentment, which others regarded as poison and had to carefully resolve as if treading on thin ice, posed no threat to him.

If he could obtain enough soul fiend crystals, his cultivation would surely undergo a terrifying leap, possibly even allowing him to Break Through to Late Stage Qi Refining in one fell swoop!

This could save him several years of arduous Cultivation; for him, it was an enormous Opportunity.

Feng Xixi, a person of extraordinary caliber with keen Spiritual Sense far surpassing ordinary people, immediately noticed the subtle shift in the team’s atmosphere.

It was a stirring greed, like a hidden fire beneath a prairie full of dry tinder, needing only a spark to ignite a blaze.

She knew she had to stabilize the situation immediately, otherwise, before the demonic sect even arrived, internal strife within the Alliance would erupt, with unimaginable consequences.

She stepped forward, swept her fair hand, and a gentle Spiritual Power enveloped the soul fiend crystal, taking it from Shui Sheng’s hand and placing it into a pre-prepared cold jade box engraved with sealing Talisman runes.

Her movements were elegant and swift. After applying the Talisman, the luster on the box’s surface instantly receded. Her clear, cold gaze was like two ice picks.

Slowly sweeping across the entire scene, everyone touched by her gaze involuntarily lowered their heads or averted their eyes.

Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears, carrying an undeniable authority and a hint of chilling coldness:

”Shopkeeper Shui Sheng has already explained the efficacy and drawbacks of this item. You all should have a clear understanding. It is indeed a rare treasure that can aid in increasing cultivation, but its hidden dangers should not be underestimated!”

She paused, her tone hardening, ”However, you must know that the top priority right now is to crush the demonic sect’s conspiracy and prevent them from awakening that unknown evil entity!

This matter concerns our very survival, and even more, the peace of countless living beings outside the Secret Realm! Do not forget the greater good for small gains!”

Her gaze sharply turned to several Family Elders: ”All gains from the Secret Realm, whether soul fiend crystals or other Heaven And Earth Treasures, shall be temporarily kept by this seat for unified safekeeping and detailed registration!

After the matter is concluded, it will be strictly distributed according to the Alliance agreement, fairly and openly, based on individual battle merits and contributions! There will be no favoritism!”

Immediately after, her voice abruptly turned cold, carrying a killing intent: ”If anyone hoards privately, scrambles, or slackens in resisting the enemy due to coveting treasures, or even causes trouble and internal strife...”

Her voice paused slightly, and a powerful Spiritual Pressure, like a towering mountain, slowly descended around her. Although it was only released and withdrawn instantly.

It caused those few Elders with the most fervent eyes to tremble violently, their faces turning pale.

”Do not blame this seat for dealing with them according to Alliance rules, absolutely without leniency! At that time, having their cultivation abolished, being expelled from the team, and left to fend for themselves in this demonic den, will all be light punishments! Do not say I did not warn you!”

Her prestige was profound, her strength unparalleled, and she was the initiator and absolute core of this Alliance. These words, combining both benevolence and might, first courtesy then force.

Were like a splash of cold water, temporarily suppressing the restless atmosphere in the field. Everyone bowed, saying: ”We respectfully obey Shopkeeper Feng’s command!” ”We dare not violate the Alliance agreement!”

However, the trace of unwillingness and calculation deep in some people’s eyes did not truly dissipate; it was merely forcibly suppressed.

Lin Jingyu’s Divine Sense far surpassed his peers, and he keenly caught the unconcealed fervor and a hint of subtle resentment in the eyes of several Elders from the Ouyang Family and Baili Family, as well as a few flickering-eyed Cultivators from the market town’s guard team.

Especially after clearing out scattered Shadow Skeletons and acquiring a few more soul fiend crystals, he clearly felt that the surging undercurrent of emotions had not only failed to subside but had become even more dangerous under suppression.

For those at Qi Refining Eighth Layer, the crystals were too important.

Feng Xixi did not hoard them but distributed many crystals according to contributions. This made those who had experienced rapid cultivation growth unable to suppress their inner thoughts any longer.