Ji Xia carefully contemplated for a moment and first exchanged for three sticks of Zongfang Sandalwood.
The effects of Zongfang Sandalwood left Ji Xia in awe. Although it could not directly enhance cultivation speed or improve one's talent, lighting the incense greatly improved comprehension and memory. For studying scriptures, analyzing symbols and medicinal theories, and delving into the art of formations—any activity requiring prolonged mental exertion—it was incredibly useful.
However, Ji Xia only had access to one stick of Zongfang Sandalwood at present, and it was being used exclusively in the Heavenly Talisman Pavilion. Even he could only go there to benefit from the incense. None of the other institutions were able to enjoy its advantages.
Seeing the number of spirit seeds, Ji Xia did not hesitate. As soon as he entered the first layer of the Divine Tree Space, he exchanged for three sticks of Zongfang Sandalwood.
"Spending 5,400 spirit seeds at once, yet I don't feel the slightest pain," Ji Xia thought cheerfully. "I finally understand what it feels like to be wealthy."
A wave of pride swelled in his heart. With over 30,000 spirit seeds at his disposal, Ji Xia felt he could now select whatever he pleased within the Divine Tree Space without restraint.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, his eye caught sight of a streak of flowing light in the distance. The light did not approach him directly but instead transformed into a ball of light, sketching out a mischievous ghostly face.
Ji Xia's face darkened. Without showing any reaction, he turned his head away, pretending not to see it.
The light orb seemed to have a will of its own, looping in an arc and positioning itself right in front of Ji Xia. The ghostly face reappeared, sticking its tongue out at him.
Ji Xia was instantly furious and reached out to grab the light. Halfway through, he stopped himself.
"Forget it, I don't have the energy to deal with you. Just go away."
Ji Xia waved it off, his mood turning dull. He thought, "I didn't expect that even with over 30,000 spirit seeds, I'd still have to endure this mischievous flow of light mocking me."
Ji Xia had encountered this light long ago. Inside the flowing light was a powerful army known as the Xuanfeng Qiongqi Army.
He remembered it so clearly because the Xuanfeng Qiongqi Army was exorbitantly priced, requiring a staggering 180,000 spirit seeds to redeem!
What did 180,000 spirit seeds mean? Ji Xia couldn't even fathom it.
The last time this infuriating light mocked him. Now, just as he was feeling pleased with himself, the light returned to ridicule him again.
Ji Xia smirked as an idea crossed his mind. Pretending to turn away, he waited for the light to adjust its direction persistently. In that split second, Ji Xia struck like lightning, capturing the light orb.
The light trembled slightly in his grasp, as if shivering. Ji Xia's smile widened, revealing a set of bright white teeth. He summoned the Chengtian Net and stuffed the light into it.
"When I have enough spirit seeds, I'll redeem you. Let's see how you mock me then."
With a satisfied hum, Ji Xia felt cheerful again and focused on selecting further treasures.
Several hours passed, and Ji Xia had picked out numerous streaks of flowing and glowing light, stuffing them all into the Chengtian Net.
At that moment, Ji Xia held the last flowing light in his hand, his eyes glinting with undisguised greed.
[Divine Spirit: Yang Ren
Spirit Seeds Required for Redemption: 210,000
Info 1: A high-ranking official during the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, who died admonishing King Zhou.
Info 2: Rescued by Dao De Zhenjun with a Golden Elixir.
Info 3: Weapon: Feidian Spear; Mount: Yunxia Beast.]
Ji Xia, well-versed in classical Chinese literature like The Investiture of the Gods and Journey to the West, naturally knew who Yang Ren was. The staggering price of 210,000 spirit seeds only reflected his immense strength.
"As my and Taicang's strength continues to grow, the speed of earning spirit seeds will increase. A great figure worth 210,000 spirit seeds, or the Xuanfeng Qiongqi Army at 180,000, may not be a distant dream. Perhaps one day, I can truly redeem them."
Ji Xia chuckled foolishly. "If such divine beings could be redeemed, could they smash half a city with a single strike, just like how Da Fu shattered Zhou Qing?"
Shaking his head, Ji Xia calmed himself, storing the glowing light containing the divine spirit into the Chengtian Net. He then turned his attention to another divine item he desired to redeem.
[Yuan Nurturing Spirit Rice Seeds
Spirit Seeds Required for Redemption: 10,000
Info 1: Spirit rice cultivated extensively by the Hundred Tribes of the Great Wilderness.
Info 2: Extremely high yield, matures once a year, and possesses tenacious vitality. However, it requires large amounts of spiritual essence for irrigation.
Info 3: Effects include life extension, talent enhancement, meridian cleansing, bone structure refinement, and increased spirit gathering and refining speeds.]
The value of the Yuan Nurturing Spirit Rice Seeds was astonishing. The high price of 10,000 spirit seeds made Ji Xia hesitate for a long time.
Currently, Taicang no longer faced food shortages, thanks to the Ten Thousand Grain Treasure Bottle. Ordinary grains were no longer a concern.
However, Ji Xia understood that the talent of the people of Taicang remained too weak. Without intervention, their potential for improvement was limited.
The Yuan Nurturing Spirit Rice could solve this problem. If the citizens of Taicang could eat this spirit rice daily, Ji Xia's vision of enabling everyone in Taicang to cultivate might truly come to fruition!
"The description mentions 'requiring large amounts of spiritual essence.' How much will that cost?"
Ji Xia had looted the entire treasury of the Sacrificial Pavilion and obtained over a million spirit crystals from Zhang Yi and Pang Shixie. Even after spending 400,000 crystals on upgrading the citizens' furnaces and equipping them with the Bright Light Stones, he still had 600,000 crystals left.
Biting his lip, Ji Xia knew that "large amounts" implied an enormous expenditure of spirit crystals. His remaining 600,000 spirit crystals might quickly vanish.
Yet, even so, Ji Xia was willing to redeem the spirit rice. Spirit crystals could be earned, and alternative methods could be sought.
But sacrificing the chance to strengthen Taicang over something as insignificant as spirit crystals would be too foolish.
"Expensive as it is, so what? In this chaotic era, if Taicang does not grow strong quickly, it will inevitably face destruction."
Ji Xia's heart suddenly faltered, and he began to question himself.
"Why am I doing all this for Taicang? I'm just a soul who crossed into this world. Why am I so determined to plan for Taicang's future?"
"At first, I was too weak, and Taicang's strength was necessary for my survival. But now that I'm no longer that weak, I could easily leave and abandon this responsibility."
"Is it because of the kind, respectable people of Taicang? Or because of the title of Crown Prince thrust upon me?"
Ji Xia looked down at his open palms, confused. "In my previous life, I was just an ordinary person, selfish and afraid of responsibility. What has changed?"
Images from books flashed in his mind—scenes of humans being devoured, tortured, and sacrificed to evil gods by other races. Humans, treated like livestock, could only endure.
Taking a deep breath, Ji Xia seemed to come to a realization. "One can choose a peaceful life or choose to make a difference. Neither choice is superior to the other."
"But I have already died once and was brought here by the Divine Tree. Don't I owe it to my people to save them?"
He thought of the heroic remains he retrieved from the Jiuquan Palace and countless nations where humans sacrificed themselves, wave after wave, for their people.
"Those admirable souls—do they not deserve to be saved?"
"I am Taicang's king, and Taicang shall prosper!
I shall also become humanity's emperor, and our people will rise!
This is my vow!"
With newfound determination, Ji Xia decisively redeemed the Yuan Nurturing Spirit Rice Seeds for 10,000 spirit seeds.