Six months later, a spiritual vein that could continuously replenish spiritual energy appeared beneath Clear Cloud Temple. During this period, Temple Master Qingfeng, following Shang Shujue's idea, reported the revival of spiritual energy to the authorities. Shang Shujue accompanied him on the trip.
After a series of inspections and calculations, the authorities finally believed that spiritual energy was about to revive and that the future would be chaotic, so they designated Clear Cloud Temple as a national first-level strategic reserve.
Clear Cloud Temple was sealed off from then on, prohibiting ordinary people from visiting. The country then selected 500 outstanding soldiers from various armies who were exceptional in character, morally upright, and physically fit, to go to this place for cultivation.
These people were all diligent, and from time to time they would join Daoist Qingfeng and his fellow disciples, Shang Shujue, to go to the secret realms that appeared every now and then for training.
These secret realms were discovered by Shang Shujue when they first formed, and he immediately reported them to the higher authorities. Those places instantly became strategic locations, inaccessible to anyone.
Now, half a year has passed, and among those five hundred-plus people, there are many with outstanding talents who have now entered the Golden Core and are holding important positions in their respective teams.
As for Shang Shujue, this exceptionally talented little monster, his cultivation level is already at the Half-Step Nascent Soul. He had already stepped into the Nascent Soul three months ago.
However, because he couldn't find enough spirit stones to replenish the spiritual energy lost during the upgrade process, nor could he find suitable tools for undergoing tribulation, he has not yet been able to pass the Heavenly Tribulation and enter the Nascent Soul Stage.
Although spiritual energy has revived, there are still very few Golden Core Stage cultivators, let alone Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. Moreover, they are unaware that with the revival of spiritual energy, they cannot enter the Qi Refining Stage without domestic cultivation manuals.
Now that Hua Nation has taken control of the secrets of heaven, it has purchased the mineral deposits they had abandoned at the lowest cost. When the spiritual veins of their underground world mature and produce all kinds of rare and precious materials, they will make a fortune.
Now that Clear Cloud Temple has developed a spiritual vein first, and it is showing an increasingly strong trend, there must be treasures appearing underground.
Daoist Qingfeng's current cultivation level is at the Early Golden Core Stage. His talent is not high, and it is already an unparalleled honor for him to be able to enter the Golden Core. If it weren't for Shang Shujue's assistance during his Tribulation Transcendence, he would probably have already passed away and turned into a handful of ashes.
With his help, Shang Shujue's fellow disciples also successfully survived the Heavenly Tribulation and are now all Golden Core Stage cultivators. Almost all the other soldiers who were cultivating also received his assistance.
Therefore, Shang Shujue held considerable prestige in the army and Clear Cloud Temple. It was unknown what treasure he had obtained in the secret realm, but a golden lock engraved with golden runes appeared between his brows, resembling a longevity lock.
Each time he operates it, a clear and melodious bell sound will ring out, and Daoist scriptures and doctrines will appear in one's ears, making one's mind clear and mind enlightened, and one will benefit greatly. Moreover, at critical moments, this lock can even serve as a life-saving barrier.
Anyone inside the barrier would not suffer fatal harm. Furthermore, the lock seemed to have developed sentience due to Shang Shujue's ever-increasing cultivation...
" Xiao Jue, junior brother, could you let Little Tangyuan come out and train with us for a little while? Your sixth senior brother and I are just one step away from entering the Mid Golden Core Stage."
The sixth senior brother sat in front of Shang Shujue, his hands clasped together, looking at him expectantly, begging him to release his precious spirit weapon to spar with him. He looked rather humble and pitiful.
Shang Shujue calmly poured two cups of tea, pushing one towards his sixth senior brother and drinking the other himself. From his increasingly stunningly handsome face, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
ε=(´ο`*))) Sigh, my junior brother is becoming more and more mysterious... Is this the self-cultivation of a prodigy, a darling of the Great Dao? I admire him so much...
Seeing that Shang Shujue remained unmoved, the sixth senior brother stopped pleading with him. He picked up his teacup, took a big gulp of tea, and turned to look at the regimental commanders of various regiments who were teaching new recruits swordsmanship on the training ground not far away. His mind had already wandered far away.
"Alright, let's talk about it another time, Junior Brother. Let's sit here a little longer and then go check out the spiritual veins below."
"Master used his spiritual sense to survey the area, and it seems that more than one precious gem has sprouted there. He has already taken Major General Lu there first, and we must go there soon after."
Shang Shujue paused in his tea-drinking motion, then lowered his eyes, downed the tea in one gulp, put down the cup, and stood up. "Let's go."
Without waiting for her sixth senior brother to speak, she transformed into a streak of light and flew away. Her sixth senior brother was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly and followed her.
"Junior Brother, wait for Sixth Senior Brother—"
When the two arrived at the entrance of the spirit vein, they appeared in front of the barrier, standing at the entrance holding an enchanted gun modified from spirit stones.
This thing can kill a berserk spirit beast, and it can also kill a cultivator at the Peak Foundation Establishment Stage. It was developed by the National Academy of Sciences. Those older generation scientists were really amazing.
"Greetings, two Daoist masters. The Major General and Daoist Qingfeng have been waiting inside for quite some time."
The two soldiers guarding the entrance to the spiritual vein were at the Foundation Establishment Stage. They were already familiar with the faces of Shang Shujue and Sixth Senior Brother, as well as the fluctuations of spiritual energy on their bodies. So they were not surprised to see them now.
"Okay, thanks for reminding me."
Shang Shujue nodded to the soldier who spoke, and then walked into the barrier with his sixth senior brother. They had passes and would not be stopped by the barrier.
Moreover, this barrier was set up by him and his master together. How could he not know the reason behind the formations and restrictions on it? That's impossible.
"Junior Brother, what kind of rare and precious treasures do you think will emerge from the spiritual vein beneath our Clear Cloud Temple this time? I hope it's a pill for body cultivation, so that my Seventh Junior Brother's cultivation can be more stable."
The sixth senior brother couldn't contain his curiosity about the precious thing he would see soon, and even began to pray with anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Shang Shujue couldn't help but turn to look at him, then slightly raised an eyebrow, "You think this is a restaurant? You've even ordered food?"
The sixth senior brother smoothed his whisk and smiled somewhat sheepishly, "I was just looking forward to it. We haven't ordered yet. I did want to, but this spiritual vein won't listen."
Shang Shujue gently shook his head and said nothing more. After reaching his destination, he saw Major General Lu, his master, and his fellow disciples frowning around a rock that was as tall as an adult. He paused slightly and then quickened his pace unconsciously.
"Master, Senior Brother, Major General Lu."
Shang Shujue walked over and called out to everyone in turn. When they heard his voice, they calmed down. His seventh senior brother came over and pulled him up, looking like a savior had finally arrived.