Wang Zijia did not collect all of them, having no way to cheat the system. Even the lower and medium-grade spiritual root holders were of no significant use to his overall plan, let alone those with damaged and pseudo spiritual roots.
Rather than seeking immediate benefits, he planned for the future, focusing on cultivating only the most elite.
Only those with top-grade spiritual roots or above were taken away by him. Those with lower or medium-grade roots were simply noted, so he could collect them later if the people he cultivated needed them for their development.
"An Immortal, he's come to rescue us!"
"The Sword Immortal has descended!"
"Thank you, benevolent Immortal, for saving my entire family."
"Why did you only arrive now!?! My mother, my father!!!!"
"..."
As more and more people were rescued, the previously silent city slowly became bustling again.
There were those expressing gratitude;
There were those offering prayers of thanks;