Chapter 192 - 185: Artificially Cultivating a Spirit Stone Vein

Above the inner fortress of Kresol Dragon City.

Anton hovered high in the sky, his gaze sweeping over the empty city below.

As they were awaiting his decision, the Clan had not yet taken any action regarding the city.

The slaves once held in the city had been temporarily transferred to various mines to join the bustling excavation efforts.

Aside from a small number of garrisoned troops, the whole of Dragon City was deserted.

After seven whole days, Anton finally completed his comprehensive survey of this Earth Vein Node.

Overall, compared to the Earth Vein Node in the Dark Nether Realm, the energy concentration here was significantly higher, and the energy itself was more refined and pure.

'I might as well establish my cultivation abode here. With Dragon City already built, I can save a ton of construction work.'

Anton pondered for a moment and quickly came to a decision.

Leaving aside the concentration and purity of the energy, the crucial factor was that the environment of this Earth Vein Node was much better.

The Dark Nether Realm never saw the light of day. Its air was damp and cold, and even with the illumination from fluorescent plants, the innate sense of oppression could not be dispelled.

Dragon City, on the other hand, was located in the heart of a plain, with open terrain, abundant sunshine, and a pleasant climate.

Building his cultivation abode here would be far more comfortable than in the Dark Nether Realm, for both cultivation and daily life.

More important was its strategic location.

Dragon City was situated in the central region of the Eldron Plain. To the north lay the wastelands, to the south was Bishui Port, and to the east and west stretched endless fields and hills.

From Dragon City, it was extremely convenient to travel to any part of the plain.

Establishing his cultivation abode here would greatly increase his control over the entire plain in the future.

The Dragon Race had evidently chosen to build Kresol Dragon City here for similar reasons.

Only now, he was the one reaping the benefits.

As for the location in the Dark Nether Realm, it would not be left idle, of course.

Its purpose just needed to be adjusted.

It would no longer be his main cultivation abode, but rather a bridgehead for exploring the Dark Nether Realm.

Its unique geographical location made it a necessary thoroughfare to the deeper parts of the Dark Nether Realm.

Establishing a streamlined cultivation abode there would serve as both a secondary stronghold for the Clan and a logistics base for exploring the Dark Nether Realm.

Two cultivation abodes—one primary, one auxiliary; one in the light, one in the shadows—supporting each other like two horns of a pincer.

Only a layout like this could be considered foolproof.

'Now I have another cultivation abode to plan...'

Anton shook his head, lamenting his ever-increasing workload, then transformed into a streak of sword light and shot toward the horizon.

...

By the time he returned to Silver Moon Forest, it was already afternoon.

Instead of returning to his treehouse, Anton headed straight for the Dao Transmission Pavilion.

He had just entered the pavilion and was still some distance from the Dao Transmission Hall when he heard the chattering sound of voices from within, much livelier than usual.

"Is this Spiritual Qi? Why is it different from Teacher's?"

"Silly! Laine's Spirit Root is different from Teacher's, so of course the Spiritual Qi he refines is different."

"Exactly! Teacher has the supreme Five Spirit Roots!"

"Quick, tell us! What does it feel like to refine your first wisp of Spiritual Qi?"

In the spacious hall, the twelve students were gathered in a circle with Laine at the center, curiously staring at the faint yet clear Spiritual Light on his fingertip.

The Spiritual Light was a faint golden-red, like the rising sun on a winter's day—warm, but not blinding.

Eleanor stood to the side, watching the scene with a gentle smile.

Anton's Divine Sense swept over them, and he confirmed that Laine had indeed refined his first wisp of Spiritual Qi.

'Three years, huh.'

Anton nodded slightly.

'As expected of the Haoyang True Body, its cultivation speed is truly fast.'

'Although the abundant supply of Pills and the Spirit Gathering Array were factors, refining his first wisp of Spiritual Qi in just three years is still very impressive.'

'The first step is often the hardest.'

"Clan Leader."

Eleanor quickly noticed Anton's arrival and greeted him.

Only then did Laine and the others realize, and they hurriedly bowed to greet Anton.

"Teacher!"

Anton nodded slightly, his gaze passing over the crowd to land on Laine.

Laine's back was ramrod straight, his face flushed with a faint blush from excitement, yet he tried hard to suppress his overly eager expression.

His appearance—trying to act calm but unable to hide his joy—reminded Anton of when he had refined his own first wisp of Spiritual Qi.

"Well done, Laine," Anton said with a small smile. "From this day forward, you have officially set foot on the path of cultivation."

"But this is only the first step. The road ahead is long, so do not grow complacent."

"Yes, Teacher," Laine replied, nodding emphatically, an irrepressible smile finally breaking across his face.

The surrounding students cast envious glances his way.

Anton said no more. He turned his gaze to Eleanor, gave her a meaningful look, and then walked out of the Dao Transmission Pavilion.

Eleanor understood and followed him out.

Their figures disappeared through the doorway.

The Dao Transmission Pavilion was quiet for a moment, then erupted into a clamor.

"That was so cool! I want to be praised by Teacher, too."

"I'm going to refine Spiritual Qi quickly, too."

"I'm going to go cultivate right now."

The group of children scrambled to leave the hall, rushing toward their respective private cultivation rooms.

Laine's advancement to the Qi Refining Stage had been a great stimulus for them, and they were now full of motivation.

…

Outside the Dao Transmission Pavilion, on an arbored walkway.

Anton and Eleanor walked side by side at an unhurried pace.

"Besides Laine, the progress of Furlo, Mia, and Lucius is also quite fast," Eleanor said. "They should be able to refine their first wisp of Spiritual Qi by next year at the latest."

Anton nodded in understanding.

'The three Eleanor mentioned have either Tri-Spirit Roots or Dual Spirit Roots. It's normal for their progress to be fast.'