Old Ancestor Xuanming's face turned green when he heard that. "Then we're finished! This machine is useless! Neither we nor the miners outside can use what it produces. How are we supposed to run this farm?"
Ji Chen looked worried as well. "If we can't provide crystal stones they can absorb directly, Central Province's cultivators will soon lose their motivation. The Demon-Slaying Alliance affair has only just settled down. Once their resources run dry, they'll absolutely turn against us."
Old Ancestor Cangwu tightened his grip on his sword hilt. "Should I go out and suppress them?"
"Suppress what?" Zhou Xuan glanced at him. "When did I ever say this stuff was for you to consume?"
Everyone froze.
It wasn't for us to consume? Then why purify it?
Zhou Xuan offered no further explanation and turned toward the depths of the cave.
That was where the Earth Vein Core lay.
"Everyone, follow me."
The four exchanged glances, then hurried after Zhou Xuan.
Deep within the cave, the Earth Vein Core's stone stele stood quietly, radiating a faint glow.
Below it, the World Seed was bound by the Dark-Gold Chain. Phantom vines drifted slowly within the Law Sphere, looking thoroughly docile.
Zhou Xuan walked up to the Earth Vein Core and stopped.
He turned to Old Ancestor Xuanming. "Bring the jade disk here."
Old Ancestor Xuanming hurried forward and presented the jade disk with both hands.
Zhou Xuan pinched up a drop of viscous liquid from the jade disk.
Emerald-green and pitch-black light flickered between his fingertips.
Without the slightest hesitation, he flicked the drop straight into a groove in the Earth Vein Core's stone stele.
"Humm—"
The stele shuddered violently.
An immense surge of energy erupted from within it, spreading wildly outward along the earth veins.
Emperor Jiang Wu's expression changed