[Decay-Proof Divine Tree Spirit Seed: 1380]
Ji Xia stood before the Decay-Proof Divine Tree, looking at the number of spirit seeds in front of him and stroking his chin.
"I still don't know the exact rules for obtaining spirit seeds. The last time I beheaded six thousand Jiu Dogs, I only got a little over 200 spirit seeds. But today, just by speaking nonsense in the palace, I've gained more than 1,300 spirit seeds."
"And the number of spirit seeds seems to be growing slowly as well."
He saw the number increase to 1381 in just a few minutes.
"First of all, killing living beings definitely gives me spirit seeds. The slow increase must be from the emotions of the people of Tai City, likely their sense of recognition. As the news spreads, I'll continue to collect more spirit seeds."
[Do you wish to activate the spirit seed acquisition log?]
A message appeared in Ji Xia's mind. He froze for a moment before instinctively replying, "Activate."
[Confirm: Spend 100 spirit seeds to activate the spirit seed log?]
[Spirit seeds deducted. Log activated.]
Ji Xia's face darkened. He muttered inwardly, "Why didn't they tell me it would cost spirit seeds when I asked? Isn't that fraud?"
He glanced back at the spirit seed count, and sure enough, it had dropped to 1281.
Suppressing his anger, he thought, "Let's check the log of spirit seed acquisition."
A massive light screen appeared in front of him, filled with detailed text.
[Spirit Seed Log: Activation Cost: 100 spirit seeds]
Beheading Qing Furen (Divine Power Realm), gained 100 spirit seeds, initial beheading of a Divine Power expert rewarded 500 spirit seeds, gained Qing Furen's emotion: Fear, gained 10 spirit seeds.Beheading 86 Green-Faced Ghosts, gained 9 spirit seeds.Killing 1000 Evil Dog Soldiers, gained 100 spirit seeds.Killing 5000 Hunting Soldiers, gained 50 spirit seeds.Gaining Cang Guard's recognition, gained 80 spirit seeds.Gaining 100 citizens' recognition from Tai City, gained 1 spirit seed....
The log displayed all the spirit seed gains and deductions clearly, helping Ji Xia understand how spirit seeds were being acquired.
"Killing stronger beings gives more spirit seeds. Beheading my first Divine Power expert gave me 600 spirit seeds in total," Ji Xia mused.
"And gaining emotions… it seems that 100 citizens of Tai City recognizing me gives just one spirit seed. Tai City has over 600,000 citizens. If all of them recognize me, I'd get 6000 spirit seeds—enough to exchange for a Heavenly Saint Right Guard barracks!"
Ji Xia felt a surge of excitement. "The news hasn't spread far yet, so not many people recognize me, but once the content of my speech is known to all the people of Tai Cang, my spirit seed count will continue to increase!"
He quickly said, "Open the first layer of the Decay-Proof Divine Tree!"
Filled with anticipation, Ji Xia entered the first layer of the space. Around him, streams of light and energy continued to flow.
"I wonder what I can exchange for with 1280 spirit seeds."
He stood in the Divine Tree's space, watching the lights float back and forth, hoping to find something suitable for the current needs of Tai Cang.
"Everything else is secondary. I must first survive the coming large-scale invasion from the Jiu Dog Kingdom and then figure out a way to deal with the looming disaster from Da Fu in two or three months!"
Determined, Ji Xia started scanning faster.
"1280 spirit seeds, but none of the military camps are affordable. Military camps are just too expensive."
Ji Xia frowned as he gazed at the light bands. "Guess I'll have to exchange for functional divine artifacts instead."
[Divine Artifact: Bone Cleansing Crystal]
Exchange cost: 500 spirit seeds
Bone Cleansing Crystal: A crystal used by ancient tribes to cleanse the marrow and wash the sinews of their youth. When soaked in water, drinking this water daily for a month can enhance one's cultivation. One crystal can serve up to 10,000 people for a month.
This artifact can be exchanged repeatedly.
"That sounds good. If one crystal can last for a month, the strength of the Cang Guard soldiers should improve a bit. Although the exact effect is still uncertain."
Ji Xia continued to scan for more artifacts. After a long while, he selected the Bone Cleansing Crystal. For now, boosting the strength of Tai Cang's military was the most important matter. If Tai Cang didn't grow stronger, it would face annihilation.
After all, the next battle would be different—now that the Jiu Dog Kingdom was prepared, the Shadow Army could no longer ambush them. Moreover, the Shadow Army had been greatly diminished, with only 500 Shadow Soldiers and 1 Shadow General left. Their strength was significantly reduced.
Ji Xia exchanged for the Bone Cleansing Crystal, then continued searching.
[Ten-Direction Giant Bow]
Exchange cost: 200 spirit seeds
Requires massive energy to activate. A Ten-Direction Giant Bow can only be drawn once. After one shot, it will exhaust all energy and shatter on its own.
"A one-time-use artifact for 200 spirit seeds?" Ji Xia paused.
He thought of the Ling Gathering Runes he still hadn't used—an artifact that could be used for an extended period, yet only cost 180 spirit seeds. Why did this Ten-Direction Giant Bow require 200 spirit seeds when it was only usable once?
The only possibility was that the bow had immense power.
"Massive energy... I wonder if Ji Qianqing, with her Nine Heavens cultivation, could use it?"
It might become a trump card.
Without hesitation, Ji Xia selected the Ten-Direction Giant Bow. The reason was simple: the Jiu Dog Kingdom had a Divine Power expert who could rival him. On the battlefield, the power of such experts was terrifying, and if there was no effective countermeasure, Tai Cang would suffer heavy casualties.
He continued searching, and after a while, he found a small black bottle.
[All-Grain Treasure Bottle]
Exchange cost: 300 spirit seeds
After devouring Ling Crystals, the bottle can pour out large quantities of ordinary rice.
Upon seeing this divine artifact, Ji Xia felt a rush of joy.
"Ling Crystals? There should still be some Ling Crystals in the treasury. They should be usable, right?"
"If the Ling Crystals are just sitting there, I may as well have this bottle consume them. Turning them into rice will help solve the urgent food shortages of Tai Cang."
"And most importantly, this artifact can be used repeatedly as long as there are Ling Crystals. That means the food crisis in Tai Cang could be solved for good!"
Ji Xia's heart raced with excitement. He had seen the immense suffering of the people of Tai Cang from hunger during his walks with Ji Qianqing through the city.
Now, as the ruler of Tai Cang, he couldn't help but care deeply for this land and its people. If he could solve their hunger problems, his journey to the Endless Wilderness would feel worthwhile.
After all, Tai Cang was now his home. The first thing he saw upon entering the Endless Wilderness was Tai Cang, and aside from Tai Cang, no other place in this vast land resonated with him as "home."
The people of Tai Cang were his people. His simple wish was for them to have enough food to survive, something past rulers had tried and failed to do because of the environment.
But Ji Xia was different. The Decay-Proof Divine Tree in his mind was his greatest support. He believed that as long as Tai Cang endured, and as long as he was alive, one day the people of Tai Cang would live a completely different life.
Having selected three divine artifacts, Ji Xia still had 280 spirit seeds remaining. He had intended to keep these seeds, but then a light point caught his attention.
After carefully examining it, a smile spread across his face.