After exchanging for the Yuan Nurturing Spirit Rice, Ji Xia continued to browse through the Chengtian Net carefully. Eventually, he pulled out a massive, timeworn book with a yellowed cover.
The book was incredibly large and heavy, measuring about three feet in both length and width. Yet, it exuded no mystical aura, appearing as nothing more than an ordinary book.
[Heavenly Refining Codex
Spirit Seeds Required for Redemption: 3,200
Info 1: A forging codex bestowed upon the Tang Dynasty by immortals during the Immortal Tang Era.
Info 2: It contains detailed records of 32 schools of forging techniques and the forging secrets for 800 divine weapons and 800 sets of divine armor.
Info 3: Viewing the original copy of this book enhances the viewer's comprehension of the codex.]
The reason Ji Xia chose to exchange for the Heavenly Refining Codex was simple.
The Craftsmanship Division had recently established the Slaughter Equipment Institute, gathering the best blacksmiths from across the nation to forge stronger weapons and armor for the Taicang Silver Guards and Ji Guards Army.
Unfortunately, Taicang's foundations were too weak, with no exceptional forging techniques or heritage to rely on. Even though the blacksmiths were talented, diligent, and hardworking, their progress remained slow and unsatisfactory.
This Heavenly Refining Codex could resolve the shortcomings of the Slaughter Equipment Institute. If they managed to forge the divine weapons and armor described in the codex, Taicang's military strength would see immense growth.
Taicang's current development was noticeably unbalanced. The army's strength was not weak; the 2,000 Taicang Silver Guards had steadily reached the Seventh Heavenly Realm. With the continuous supply of Tailai Spirit Water, some would even break through to the Eighth Heavenly Realm within the next two or three months.
However, their equipment remained woefully inadequate. Many soldiers in the Ji Guards Army still lacked proper armor, and the quality of their weapons was poor.
This severely limited the army's combat potential.
Thus, establishing the Slaughter Equipment Institute was imperative. The Craftsmanship Division had already submitted a proposal to the royal court detailing its benefits. Ji Xia naturally understood the necessity of equipping his army with quality weapons and sturdy armor and approved the proposal immediately.
With the Heavenly Refining Codex and a Zongfang Sandalwood to accelerate their comprehension, Ji Xia believed that the forging techniques of the Slaughter Equipment Institute would greatly improve in the near future.
Apart from the Yuan Nurturing Spirit Rice and the Heavenly Refining Codex, Ji Xia's attention was drawn to another divine item shrouded in a mysterious light.
[Star Ancient Tree Seed
Spirit Seeds Required for Redemption: 4,800
Info 1: Absorbs the power of stars to grow continuously.
Info 2: Provides rich spiritual energy to the surrounding region.
Info 3: As the ancient tree grows, the spiritual energy it releases will become denser, and its range will expand significantly.]
The Star Ancient Tree Seed was another carefully chosen divine item.
Ji Xia had read in ancient texts that many weaker nations suffered from sparse spiritual energy. This scarcity led to weaker cultivators and stunted martial development.
The texts even described a distant Spiritual Mountain, an enormous, towering mountain that was essentially a massive spiritual crystal. It constantly released spiritual energy so dense it was almost tangible.
The nations at the base of this Spiritual Mountain flourished and grew strong, with some even ascending to become divine kingdoms.
This demonstrated the immense benefits of abundant spiritual energy.
The region surrounding Taicang was likely not abundant in spiritual energy. While it was sufficient for daily cultivation, Ji Xia knew that denser energy would be even better for Taicang's people.
The Star Ancient Tree Seed was expensive and required time to mature. In its early stages, the spiritual energy it provided might be minimal. However, once it took root and grew, its benefits to Taicang's people would be immeasurable.
"Even if I have to wait, it's worth it."
Ji Xia decided firmly. "The sooner I plant this seed, the sooner it can take effect. Starting early will save precious time."
The fourth divine item Ji Xia redeemed filled him with anticipation.
[Yellow Springs Water Essence
Spirit Seeds Required for Redemption: 3,000
Info 1: Ordinary water essence nurtured within the Yellow Springs of the underworld.
Info 2: Strengthens ghostly beings, granting them two 'growth abilities.'
Info 3: Each water essence can be used for 500 ghostly beings.]
Ji Xia exchanged for the Yellow Springs Water Essence with the Yin Soldier Nest in mind, which still housed 200 Yin Soldiers and Yin Minions.
He remembered the perilous days when he first descended into the Boundless Wilds. Without the Yin Soldier Nest and the Sword of Vengeance, not only he but even Taicang would have been destroyed.
The Yin Soldier Nest originally held 1,000 Yin Soldiers and three Yin Generals. However, after countless battles, 800 Yin Soldiers and two Yin Generals had fallen.
What once seemed like an indomitable force now appeared weak and unable to keep up with Ji Xia's rapid progress.
If these Yin Soldiers were mere puppets without intelligence, Ji Xia might have forgotten them. However, the divine tree's creations were extraordinary, possessing intelligence and thoughts.
Thus, when Ji Xia discovered the Yellow Springs Water Essence, he made up his mind to redeem it.
"Consider it a way to thank the Yin Soldiers for saving me during my darkest moments."
"Besides, granting them two growth abilities is an excellent deal."
After redeeming the four divine items and three Zongfang Sandalwoods, Ji Xia had spent 26,000 spirit seeds. Once again, he marveled at how quickly they were consumed.
With about 8,000 spirit seeds remaining, Ji Xia turned his focus to Meridian Stones.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Ji Xia retrieved the glowing light containing the Meridian Stones from the Chengtian Net.
"Four stones should be enough. Three will go to Tai City, which should last for a while, and one will be sent to Cang City. If Tai City has it, Cang City should, too."
"Previously, there weren't enough Meridian Stones, so Cang City only had 1,000 Ji Guards. The Boundless Wilds is filled with danger. I'll inform General Ji tomorrow to send another 3,000 guards to Cang City."
With that thought, Ji Xia spent another 4,800 spirit seeds to redeem four Meridian Stones.
Having spent nearly all of his 34,000 spirit seeds, Ji Xia was left with just over 3,000 for emergencies.
With all the chosen divine items redeemed, Ji Xia exited the first layer of the Divine Tree Space and returned to the Forbidden Withering Divine Tree.
As he harvested the divine items growing on the tree, his gaze fell upon the massive Divine Gourd over a yard tall.
After a month of nurturing, the gourd was no longer just green but now had hints of crimson light emerging from it.
Ji Xia approached the gourd and placed his hand on it.
Suddenly, a ferocious aura surged through his palm, making his consciousness shudder!
This ferocity was thick and menacing, filled with an unmistakable killing intent that sent chills down his spine.
Ji Xia froze as visions overwhelmed him—countless corpses strewn across blood-soaked battlefields, rivers of crimson flowing endlessly, the wails of resentful spirits, and mighty warriors falling one after another.
Silently, Ji Xia withdrew his hand.
This Divine Gourd was nearly ripe.
But… was it truly a divine being that lay within the gourd?
"Such an aura… could it be an evil spirit instead?"