Chapter 121.

Chapter 121.

The ancient battlefields in the country had either been purified by the great powers of the Mystical Studies world or dispersed over time by the living energy of people or natural dissipation.

Only some recent sites of intense resentment remained, which the current Mystical Studies community couldn't handle and had sealed, waiting for time to erode them.

Now that Shen Wang could solve this issue completely, the Mystical Studies world was more than eager.

Fortunately, there weren't many remaining battlefield sites in the country. After five days of hard work, Shen Wang and his team had purified all the remaining malevolent energies.

As expected, they found traces of foul play in these ancient battlefields.

Shen Wang shared his findings with the members of the Special Department and the Mystical Studies Association as a warning.

Individually, the formations might not reveal much, but piecing together the traces found in all of them showed that someone had meticulously selected several places to use the negative energy to nourish evil spirits, creating a self-sustaining cycle of malevolent energy.

Judging by the age and wear of these items, it was clear they had a history of several decades at least.

A chill arose in the hearts of both the Mystical Studies Association and the Special Department members.

"Who could it be... to have targeted Huaxia so early and secretly set up such a terrifying formation?"

Looking at the formation, Gu Dongting asked in confusion, "What exactly are they trying to achieve?"

Shen Wang sneered in response, "What else can they be up to... Following the path of madness with deviant practices, deluded by the idea of cultivating with malevolent energy."

The use of negative and malevolent energies in cultivation wasn't a novel concept anywhere.

While the righteous path relied on cultivating with spiritual energy, grounded and steady but slow in progress, there were always some who sought shortcuts through twisted and evil practices.

What they didn't realize was that cultivating with dark and malevolent energies, although faster than using spiritual energy, also strengthened inner demons over time.

Madness, stupidity, losing all cultivation in an instant, and death due to an outburst of malevolent energy... such were the common fates of these practitioners.

"Even so," Gu Dongting sighed softly, "there are still those who fall into the path of evil."

"An obsession with power beyond a certain limit breeds demons, harming both oneself and others."

"Gu Dongting lowered his eyes, lost in thought."

"After discussing serious matters, Shen Wang's eyes twinkled as he smiled and took out a few glowing green pebbles. Handing one to Gu Dongting, he asked, 'Guess what this is?'"

"Gu Dongting was startled and instinctively took it, asking, 'What is this?'"

"As soon as he held it, Gu Dongting was taken aback."

"The pebble, no bigger than a bean, felt surprisingly heavy in his hand, like a weighty iron block. When it touched his skin, he could faintly sense the vigorous spirit energy within."

"Shen Wang smiled proudly, 'The array can purify evil energy, turning it into spirit energy. I've collected that energy into this object.'"

"While speaking, he gestured for Gu Dongting to observe closely; 'The crudely purified evil energy is still too violent, so I engraved a mini purification array on this object.'"

"In this way, the longer the time passes, the more pure and gentle the spirit energy becomes."

"A hint of admiration appeared in Gu Dongting's eyes as he generously praised, 'Such a method is unheard of.'"

"Shen Wang didn't keep secrets, smiling as he said, 'I collected five spirit stones on this trip. I'll keep one for myself and give you two.'"

"'The remaining two will go one each to the Mystical Studies Association and the Special Department.'"

"A fair distribution, quite equitable."

"Gu Dongting was startled again, then showed a slight smile, 'Thank you, this is precious…'"

"Shen Wang thought he was going to refuse and was considering how to persuade him, but then he heard Gu Dongting continue."

"'I only need one.'"

"Shen Wang paused for a moment, then smiled with pleasure, 'Alright, I'll give you one to use for now. Let me know when you break through, and I'll prepare another for you.'"

"After agreeing on the distribution of the 'spirit stones,' they returned to the imperial capital and gave them to the leaders of the Special Department and the Mystical Studies Association."

"However, as Shen Wang expected, the moment he revealed this object, it caused a huge uproar."

"Every cultivator knows the rarity and preciousness of spiritual energy. The idea of transforming evil energy into such pure spiritual energy, not being moved by it, is unheard of."

"Both parties held the two spirit stones as if they were unique treasures in the world, cradling them cautiously, breathing heavily, eyes shining, 'Is this, is this the spirit stone used by ancient cultivators?'"

"No wonder! No wonder those who entered the purification array with you last time all made breakthroughs!"

"Shen, my friend, such a significant discovery, why didn't you mention it earlier..."

"The spirit energy within is extremely dense, a bit restless, but very clean, without a trace of yin energy."

"Why only two stones? With so many of us, shouldn't our Mystical Studies Association get more?"

"Hearing their increasingly agitated words, even turning into pressing questions, Shen Wang rolled his eyes and scoffed, 'What, tempted by wealth? Thinking of robbing me?'"

"The excited crowd exchanged glances and laughed awkwardly, 'You're taking it too seriously, Shen. We live in a society governed by law; who would dare to rob?'"

"Even if they wanted to, considering Shen Wang's endless supply of talismans, and the recently acquired top-grade defensive artifact made from a thousand-year-old tortoise shell... no one could guarantee success in a robbery."

"As Shen Wang himself said, he might not win a fight, but he can definitely outrun them."

"Shen Wang leaned back lazily in his chair, his comments sharp and mocking: 'Murder and robbery, aren't these the specialties of cultivators?'"

"'Of course not, of course not, that's ancient history. In modern society, everyone is equal, and cultivators can't trample on life either.'"

"'There are laws, after all. No matter how powerful a cultivator is, can they withstand planes and cannons?'"

"Once everyone expressed their stance, Shen Wang nodded and spoke frankly, 'Do you think such spirit stones are easy to make? I only got a few and kindly shared half with you...'"

"Shen Wang chuckled, 'Don't let me down.'"

"Knowing there were only a few, everyone showed disappointment, but it wasn't surprising. After all, such valuable items couldn't be easily found in abundance."

"Shen Wang continued, 'You invited me to purify the evil energy, and I've completed the task. Technically, I didn’t even have to tell you about my additional findings.'"

"'But given the internal and external crises we face, I won't keep secrets. I hope you can learn from my openness and ensure this treasure isn't hoarded by the higher-ups.'"

"After all, in a society governed by law, everyone is equal, right?"

Shen Wang's words left the crowd with flushed and conflicted expressions, unsure of how to react.

Just as Shen Wang said, he came to purify the ancient battlefield. The spirit stones were his extra reward. If he hadn’t mentioned it, nobody would have known.

Anyone else would have quietly made a fortune, but Shen Wang, whom they deemed stingy and mercenary, surprisingly shared such a treasure.

This was truly embarrassing for those harboring their own schemes.

After Shen Wang mentioned 'equality for all,' everyone understood that he simply wanted to give the less powerful disciples a chance to improve their strength.

This would give these ordinary disciples a better chance of survival in the current complex and turbulent situation.

Such nobility, even if some still desired to monopolize the treasure, became impossible after Shen Wang’s reminder.

After a long silence, the leader of the special department was the first to laugh, applauding, "Mr. Shen's magnanimity is truly admirable, beyond my own."

Once he spoke, even those who were still scheming had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

"Shen, your generosity is commendable."

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Shen Wang nodded, about to conclude and leave when suddenly someone said,

"Shen, your array is so miraculously effective. Why not share its details so that if we encounter places with evil energy again, we can resolve it ourselves?"

Shen Wang's gaze turned sharp and cold as he looked at the speaker, "Do you think this is easy to come by?"

Everyone was taken aback by his intense reaction.

"Now that all the ancient battlefields in the country have been purified, even if you know the method, how will you extract the evil energy? I've already said, to handle this negative energy, I had to use a treasured item."

"Without that item, even if you have a formation to purify the evil energy, you can only purify it on-site, it's impossible to take it with you."

In the world of cultivation, this formation that converts negative energy into spiritual energy is also taboo.

"That evil cultivator who slaughtered an entire city overnight used this formation, but he didn’t have a treasure like the Sumeru Stone, so he could only set up the purification formation on-site and absorb the spiritual energy right there."

"When Shen Wang passed through that mortal city and discovered the evil cultivator’s deeds, he used some methods to defeat him and beheaded him to appease the spirits of the dead."

"From the evil cultivator’s storage bag, Shen Wang found this formation, but it also made him offend a demonic sect, earning him a relentless enemy."

"Now, facing these restless cultivators, Shen Wang spoke harshly and scolded without mercy, 'If I give out this formation and it becomes widespread, can you guarantee that no one will secretly create negative energy sources?'"

"You people, no longer young, should use your brains, even if blinded by greed."

"Although Shen Wang was previously perceived as carefree, he was just more laid-back and unrestrained in his actions. This was the first time he displayed such fury, sparing no one's feelings."

"Everyone present was either a high-ranking official of the Mystical Studies Association or a leader of the special department, all with significant status and profound cultivation. It was their first time being scolded by a young man."

"The crowd was left with unpleasant expressions, their recently improved perception of Shen Wang instantly plummeting."

"After fiercely scolding them, Shen Wang finally said, 'I am the only one who knows this formation, and I have already erased all traces of the formation I set up. Stop harboring any foolish hopes.'"

"Even if I die, I will only take it to my grave and will never reveal a fraction of it."

"I swear this on my Daoist heart."

The expressions of the crowd changed slightly. In today's world, few cultivators made oaths on their Daoist heart.

Although the binding power of a Daoist heart oath is not as strong as it was in ancient times, it still showed Shen Wang's resolute determination.

Knowing that the matter of the formation was non-negotiable, everyone's attention returned to the spirit stones, unsure whether to feel regret or relief, ending with a long sigh.

"We were overreaching," sighed a member of the Mystical Studies Association.

Regardless of what they thought internally, under Shen Wang's firm stance, they no longer pondered over the formation.

The matter concluded, Shen Wang, still carrying residual anger, no longer engaged with these so-called 'leaders' and left the meeting room directly.

Those left in the meeting room looked at each other, each wearing a wry smile.

"We've been so naive all these years, our awareness can't even match a young man in his twenties."

"True… now that the negative energy in those battlefields has been resolved, what's the point of having the formation? It would only increase inner demons and tempt people into falling into evil ways."

"Let it go, let it go. His willingness to offer two spirit stones already shows his excellent character. Honestly, I am not his equal."

In a few words, the greed that had just risen in everyone's hearts was suppressed.

The elder from the special department looked around, his demeanor much softer. Tapping on the table to draw everyone's attention, he slowly said, "Let's use these two spirit stones as Mr. Shen suggested. Make them available for everyone to use."

"Especially for the ordinary disciples, their rights must not be deprived."

The crowd respectfully responded, "Yes, Elder Li."

Having decided on the use of the spirit stones, further arrangements still needed consideration. The crowd didn't waste more time and left the meeting room one by one to draft feasible plans.

After everyone had left, only Elder Li remained in the meeting room. He covered his mouth to cough and then slowly said, "What do you think of Shen Wang?"

The unnoticeable elder beside him stepped forward, pouring a cup of tea for Elder Li, "As you said, a person of excellent character and great virtue."

Elder Li slowly sipped his tea, pondered for a moment, and sighed, "It's a pity he's a free spirit, dislikes constraints, otherwise..."

The elder added after a thought, "He and Xiao Ting complement each other well."

"Xiao Ting is like his grandfather, with too heavy a sense of responsibility. He's still too young and hasn’t faced much adversity. Too much rigidity can lead to breakage... He still needs more experience," said Elder Li, standing up. "How many more years can I wait for him?"

The elder, watching Elder Li's retreating back, suppressed the sourness in his heart and stepped forward to support Elder Li's wrist, "You are still robust and healthy now..."

The two elders supported each other and slowly walked out of the meeting room.

Back in his room, Shen Wang first vented his frustrations to Gu Dongting. Under Gu's calm gaze, his anger gradually subsided.

After their conversation, they each returned to their respective rooms to cultivate.

Back in his room, Shen Wang took out three glowing green pebbles. Two were obtained from purifying the ancient battlefield, and one less refined stone was hastily made during the semi-finals.

Shen Wang toyed with the three spirit stones, thought for a moment, then took out the damaged Sumeru Stone and the Breath Soil exchanged from the special department.

Breath Soil, nourished by spiritual energy, could sustain any type of plant according to ancient legends, regardless of its properties.

It was an excellent spiritual soil for cultivating spiritual plants.

As for the Sumeru Stone, although it didn't possess a hint of spatial power like the Sumeru Jade or the ability to break through space after refinement, it could still create a Sumeru space.

Each of these items was extremely rare and coveted, enough to make cultivators in the world of immortality go to great lengths to acquire them.

Shen Wang toyed with these items, picking up the Sumeru Stone and beginning to refine it.

The last time he refined a small Sumeru Stone, it took a considerable amount of time and effort. This time, he didn't aim to fully refine the stone but to pry open a tiny gap in this tightly shut clamshell.

Without the aid of a special fire, this was the best he could do.

With a spirit stone at hand, Shen Wang didn't hold back on using spiritual energy, repeatedly refining. After an unknown duration, he finally caught a glimpse of a spatial crack on the dark surface of the Sumeru Stone.

Overjoyed, he intensified his efforts in the refining process.

After expanding the thin crack to the size of a palm, Shen Wang finally stopped. He let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled broadly.

From the outside, the Sumeru Stone seemed unchanged, yet it appeared to have gained a faint, barely perceptible luster.

Shen Wang carefully picked up the container of Breath Soil and placed it into the Sumeru Space, followed by tossing in the crudely made spirit stone.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he added another spirit stone.

"The spiritual energy from two spirit stones should be enough for it to grow a bit, right?" Shen Wang didn't expect it to grow as large as an acre, but at least a square meter would be reasonable...

Otherwise, it would be a huge loss.

Having sorted everything out, Shen Wang finally relaxed and fell into an exhausted sleep.

When he awoke, it was already noon the next day. Checking his phone, he realized that two weeks had passed since he began refining the Sumeru Stone.

During this time, countless people had messaged him, the most recent being from Gu Dongting.

[I've been assigned the task of eliminating the Samuyi Cult.]

Startled, Shen Wang leapt out of bed and, without even texting back, immediately called Gu Dongting.

The phone rang a few times, and amidst Shen Wang's anxious wait, the other end picked up quickly: "Shen Wang."

Gu Dongting's voice was still calm and cold, which steadied Shen Wang's heart, "Dongting, have you already left?"

There was a pause on the other end before responding, "Not yet."

Shen Wang finally relaxed, saying directly, "I don't feel at ease with you going alone. I'm coming with you."

Gu Dongting didn't expect Shen Wang to make such a request: "I'm not going alone; there are a few others with me. You don't need to worry..."

Shen Wang retorted sarcastically, "Others? Those who only know how to hold you back?"

He was still concerned about the last time Gu Dongting was bewitched. Although Gu had been lucky to encounter a relatively harmless Gu, what if he had been less fortunate and got something irreversible?

Not just distrusting those colleagues, Shen Wang now harbored a shadow over the entire Southern Yunnan region.

He absolutely wouldn't let Gu Dongting go on a mission there alone again.

Unaware of the extent of Shen Wang's thoughts, Gu Dongting hesitated for a long time before finally listening to his heart, "If it doesn't disrupt your plans, I can request to have you join."

"What plans could I have?" Shen Wang laughed, "Having a skilled expert like me come along, your leaders would be more than happy."

Gu Dongting also smiled, "Perhaps."

After some more casual conversation, they reluctantly ended the call.

Shi Yan, standing beside Gu Dongting, looked at him a few times before tentatively asking, "Elder Brother Gu, was that a call from Brother Shen?"

Gu Dongting nodded.

"No wonder," Shi Yan sighed heavily, "I was thinking, who else could make Elder Brother Gu smile while on the phone."

Gu Dongting looked at Shi Yan with a puzzled expression, "Did I smile?"

Shi Yan nodded emphatically, "You did, and you looked really happy!"

In reality, Gu Dongting's smile was a subtle one, faintly visible in his eyes, softening his entire demeanor.

After hearing this, Gu Dongting showed no displeasure, simply stating, "He is my close friend. Talking to him always makes me happy."

Shi Yan: "..."

Unable to hold back, Shi Yan sighed deeply once again.

Gu Dongting didn’t mind Shi Yan's peculiar reactions and went to report to his superiors about Shen Wang joining the mission. As Shen Wang had predicted, the leaders eagerly approved his participation without a second thought.

Fearing a delay might lead to Shen Wang changing his mind.

On the day of departure, Gu Dongting went straight to the hotel to pick up Shen Wang. His luxury car attracted quite a few glances from passersby.

Shen Wang was also surprised, "Elder Brother Gu, why are you being so conspicuous today?"

Gu Dongting lowered his eyes, his long lashes hiding his pupils, making his expression unreadable: "When there's a more convenient option, why should I choose the longer path?"

"Elder Brother Gu, you've seen the light," Shen Wang said comfortably reclining in the back seat of the luxury car, with the air conditioning set just right, water and fruits available, and the driver in the front. He laughed, "In life, it's important to indulge when we can. Otherwise, we might not get the chance later."

"Live for the moment, my life philosophy."

Gu Dongting smiled, sincerely saying, "I should learn from your life philosophy."

All those responsibilities, burdens he had taken upon himself, and the unnecessary mindset of enduring hardships with his team – it was indeed time for a change.

When the luxury car arrived at the location, Shen Wang boarded the Gu family's private jet, flying directly to the destination.

This time, most of the people accompanying Shen Wang and Gu Dongting were Foundation Building experts, unlike before when Gu Dongting had to deal with several weaker members.

After a few hours, the group arrived in Southern Yunnan. As they disembarked near the border, several waiting staff greeted them: "Elder Brother Gu, Brother Shen, and the elders."

After the greetings, they got straight to the point: "Would you like to rest first, or shall we head straight to the site?"

Noticing something off in the staff's demeanor, Shen Wang curiously asked, "What's wrong? Has something happened?"

The staff exchanged glances, frowning, "In the past few days, we've had several missing persons reports... In villages and towns near the border, there have been over a dozen cases reported."

"This doesn't even include those who, due to the short time frame, haven't yet realized their family members are missing."

"Let heaven know, I won't give in (stubbornly)."