Divine-level Base

The White Jade Holy Tree could produce one White Jade Sacred Fruit per day. This rapid fruiting also came at a great cost, as it had nearly drained all the surrounding Spiritual Qi dry.

If it continued its absorption, all the Spiritual Power on Taiheng Mountain would be drained completely, and all the plants on the mountain would wither.

The White Jade Holy Tree, which had cost Shu Feng ten million Source Energy to induce its mutation, was just that domineering and terrifying.

Shu Feng stored the White Jade Holy Tree in his Base Space, and with a slight flicker of his body, he vanished.

「In a pavilion at the Beiling Zhu Clan Headquarters.」

"Shu Feng, what did you want to see me about?"

Zhu Yan quietly took a sip of Spirit Tea and glanced at Shu Feng, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

By decree of the Holy Palace, the Yuanhai Shu Family had been promoted to the Yuanhai Shu Clan, becoming the ninth Great Clan of the Qianyuan Republic. Furthermore, Shu Feng had a host of experts under his command, including more than two at the Spirit Saint Level.

Shu Feng’s territory, the Mire Dragon Territory, was a veritable treasure trove, endlessly producing Treasures of Heaven and Earth like Mire Pearl Rice. The alliance between the Zhu Clan and the Shu Clan allowed them to earn massive profits every year.

The other seven Great Clans were incredibly envious of the Zhu Clan.

Shu Feng said, "Many Spirit Mountains on Blue Star have revived, producing numerous Sacred Fruits. Don’t you plan on coming out to vie for them?"

Zhu Yan gave a bitter smile. "I did venture out. I had hoped to seize a Spirit Mountain to manage as a new foundation for our Zhu Clan. But without becoming a Spirit Saint, it’s simply impossible to hold one."

Zhu Yan was a veteran Half-Saint with an incredibly deep foundation. If he wielded the Zhu Clan’s Semi-Divine Artifact, he could even contend with a Spirit Saint.

But the fight for the Spirit Mountains was brutal. Powerful Spirit Saints from various hidden factions across Blue Star all came out of seclusion, fighting desperately for control.

When Zhu Yan saw so many Spirit Saints emerging to fight over the Sacred Fruits, he wisely backed down and slipped back to the Zhu Clan. If he died in battle, the Zhu Clan’s status would plummet to that of a First-Grade Noble Family, even with a Semi-Divine Artifact in their possession.

Shu Feng smiled faintly and handed Zhu Yan a White Jade Spirit Fruit nestled in a Crystal Box. "This is a Sacred Fruit I obtained. It should help you break through your bottleneck and advance to Spirit Saint."

"A Sacred Fruit!!"

Zhu Yan’s eyes lit up, a look of intense craving flashing within them.

The Zhu Clan was one of the Eight Great Clans, and their ancestor had been a Top-Level Spirit Saint on Blue Star. He had traveled through several worlds and collected many ancient texts, so they naturally understood just how precious the first batch of Sacred Fruits to appear after the resurgence of Spiritual Power would be.

If a Sacred Fruit capable of helping someone advance to Spirit Saint were to be offered, the Emperors of the Three Great Empires would willingly trade a princess for it.

"This is too precious. Shu Feng, whatever your request is, just name it."

Zhu Yan mulled it over for a moment before taking the Crystal Box. If he could advance to Spirit Saint, his power would increase more than tenfold. At that point, wielding a Semi-Divine Artifact, he could even battle a Void Demon Grand Duke that had infiltrated Blue Star.

Once Zhu Yan became a Spirit Saint, the Zhu Clan’s standing would rise accordingly, making it even more powerful. It was a temptation he simply couldn’t refuse.

Shu Feng said, "The Qidemon Cult. I need intelligence on them. That malignant tumor must be eradicated."

Although Shu Feng’s influence now spread across Blue Star, his intelligence network was still a notch below that of an old, established Clan like the Zhu Clan.

A murderous glint also flashed in Zhu Yan’s eyes. "The Qidemon Cult killed Shangguan Tianhe. That was a provocation against our Qianyuan Republic. Eradicating them is our shared responsibility. I will have the Earth Listener cooperate with you."

Although the Eight Great Clans of the Qianyuan Republic were joined by marriage alliances, they constantly schemed and fought amongst themselves, both openly and in secret, over profits and resources.

But the Qidemon Cult’s public live-stream of Shangguan Tianhe’s execution had crossed the line for every Noble Family and Clan in the Qianyuan Republic. If the Qidemon Cult wasn’t eradicated, wouldn’t every Spirit Saint and Half-Saint in the republic have to live in constant fear?

Shu Feng added with a faint smile, "Aside from that, let me enter the Zhu Clan’s Treasure Vault and select a few treasures."

Zhu Yan laughed. "No problem. Other than the Semi-Divine Artifact, the [Purification Spear], you may take your pick of any treasure in the Zhu Clan’s vault. Come, I’ll take you to our secret vault."

Zhu Yan’s foundation was incredibly deep. If he were to advance to Spirit Saint, he would become a powerhouse on the same level as Shangguan Tianhe. He might even be able to take control of the Heart of Steel, causing the Zhu Clan’s power to soar.

For that single Sacred Fruit, Zhu Yan was willing to give Shu Feng anything, with the sole exception of the Semi-Divine Artifact, the [Purification Spear].

Zhu Yan said, "By the way, Luo Tiangang has fallen! And the [Netherworld Illusion Butterfly], one of the Seven Great Holy Spears, was also taken. Did you know about this?"

Shu Feng’s brow furrowed slightly. "The [Netherworld Illusion Butterfly] was taken? Who did it?"

The [Netherworld Illusion Butterfly] was one of the Seven Great Holy Spears of Blue Star. On Blue Star, it possessed terrifying power, capable of slaying gods and rivaling a Divine Artifact. It was also one of Blue Star’s most fearsome Secret Treasures.

Shu Feng’s current combat power was comparable to a Demigod, but if he were hit by one of the Seven Great Holy Spears like the [Netherworld Illusion Butterfly], he would be killed instantly. There was no telling how many of his lives it would consume.

Among the Six Saints of the Holy Palace, Luo Tiangang’s overall strength was far inferior to Wu Zhongchao’s, but his Destructive Power was said to be unmatched. On Blue Star, he wielded enough terrifying Destructive Power to threaten even a Divine Spirit.

Zhu Yan said, "I don’t know. I’m just warning you to be careful. Of the Six Saints of the Holy Palace, only four of you are left."

Shu Feng nodded and followed Zhu Yan toward the Zhu Clan’s secret vault.

After passing through many corridors, Shu Feng and Zhu Yan arrived before a large Bronze Gate. Standing silently in front of it was a twenty-meter-tall Diamond Giant, its entire body inscribed with Profound Mysterious Curse Seals.

The moment the Diamond Giant saw Shu Feng and Zhu Yan, it slowly opened its eyes. An incredibly terrifying pressure began to awaken from within its body.

A look of admiration flashed in Shu Feng’s eyes. "A Spirit Saint-Level Combat Creature! So this is the foundation of the Zhu Clan. Truly extraordinary!"

Each of the Spirit Saints who had founded a Clan was a prodigy among their peers, powerhouses like Wu Zhongchao who had traveled across worlds. Their foundations were astonishingly strong.

Of course, a Spirit Saint-Level powerhouse of an Alien Race like this Diamond Giant would not take action unless the Zhu Clan was facing a life-or-death crisis.

Zhu Yan took out a Diamond Token, handed it to the Diamond Giant, and said respectfully, "Yankong Ancestor, it is I, Zhu Yan. Please open the gate!"

The Diamond Giant glanced at the Diamond Token, swept it with a wave of its Spirit, and then waved its hand.

CLANK! CLANK!

Amidst a series of grinding sounds, the Bronze Gate slowly swung open.

Shu Feng immediately strode through the Bronze Gate.

Inside the Bronze Gate stood three crystal display racks. On two of them, a little over thirty treasures were displayed.

On the third crystal rack, however, lay only three treasures. One was a battle spear inscribed with countless Profound Mysterious Curse Seals, emitting faint waves of Purification.

Another was a Battle Saber that seemed to be wreathed in a raging gale. The last was a vial of golden blood that, despite its color, emanated an aura of darkness.