The first task is to manage the array hub.

Without a Golden Core Zhenren guarding it, the Tier Three array becomes critically important for the spirit vein.

If no unforeseen events occur, this task will be solely undertaken by Rou Yi, the peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The second task is mining.

This task... is extremely important.

According to Rou Yi's description, the miners underneath the spirit vein are mostly early-stage Qi Cultivators.

Before descending into the mine, they must be thoroughly checked by a Foundation Establishment cultivator using Divine Sense to prevent them from carrying Storage Bags or anything similar inside.

Also, during the mining process underground, Foundation Establishment cultivators must constantly use Divine Sense to avert any attempt to absorb the spirit stones inside.

Should any such occurrence be discovered, the violator will be killed without mercy.

Of course, such a strategic location like a spirit vein cannot fully rely on these Foundation Establishment cultivators alone.

The array here covers the entire spirit vein, and every spirit stone extracted is equipped with a special restriction. Unless it's removed through special techniques from the three allied sects, even if it's "contraband," no one outside will dare to take it.

Ji Yuan has heard about this before.

If someone is found trading "contraband," you can report them to the Water Dragon Sect. Reporting one will earn you ten times the amount in spirit stones.

In other words, if someone uses one Mid-grade Spirit Stone's worth of "contraband" for trade, just by reporting them, you can earn 10 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and the person using the contraband will undoubtedly be killed by the Water Dragon Sect.

The benefits are enormous, with no repercussions, so anyone encountering a cultivator using contraband will choose to report them.

This is also considered a control method by the Six Immortal Sects of Shang Dong for such strategic resources like the spirit vein.

Besides that, cultivators such as Ji Yuan and the others at Foundation Establishment level also need to protect the miners' safety.

Because within the spirit vein, a type of exotic beast called "Spirit Crystal Beast" can breed.

Even though high-level Spirit Crystal Beasts have already been dealt with by Golden Core cultivators, there may still be some that escaped notice and are comparable to Qi Cultivators or Foundation Establishment Cultivators. When encountering these, it falls to the Foundation Establishment cultivators to handle them.

Aside from these two tasks, the third task is relatively relaxed, which is patrolling.

The cultivator named Dan Chengzi, whom Ji Yuan encountered upon entry, is now the patrol cultivator.

The general task is to secure the safety of Liancheng Mountain, ignoring passing cultivators, but driving away anyone lingering around.

Overall, it is manageable.

It hasn't exceeded Ji Yuan's expectations.

Additionally, it is evident to him that among these three tasks, the simplest is actually guarding the array—which requires hardly any effort and allows one to peacefully cultivate.

Unfortunately, Rou Yi chose to assign this task to herself.

"If Junior Brother Wu You needs to understand anything, feel free to come to me anytime."

As Ji Yuan was pondering, Yang Taian's voice suddenly rang in his mind.

He raised his head in some surprise and nodded towards the Isle Master of Forest Wood.

The Isle Master of Cloud Mist had already left earlier, maintaining a distinctly unwelcoming demeanor.

Following this, Ji Yuan proceeded to inspect his accommodation at Liancheng Mountain, which he found adequate—a courtyard with three sections, enough for residing without much concern.

The first thing he did upon entering the courtyard was deploy the Star Spiral Cloud Barrier.

This was something his neighbor, Liu Yuan, also did.

Being equipped with a basic protective array while away from home is quite normal.

Over the next couple of days, he and Liu Yuan briefly explored Liancheng Mountain together. The site of the chaotic battle had become unrecognizable, reportedly filled by Earth Cultivators from Medicine King Valley using the "Earth Dragon Flipping" technique.

The reason given was that the remnants were an eyesore and hindered cooperation among the three sects.

After all, if greeted by battle scars upon waking, one cannot help but feel uneasy thinking of the fallen comrades from the previous clashes.

The benevolent immortals abhor the sight of such battleground remnants.

Now, burying them solves the issue.

Ji Yuan also visited the Joy Palace's residence, which differed from Water Dragon Sect's lakeside cabins or Medicine King Valley's mountaintop dwellings.

The Joy Palace abode turned out to be a luxurious palace.

From afar, Ji Yuan stared at it several times before confirming it as a top-grade Spiritual Artifact, standing prominently in the valley.

"So it's her,"

Liu Yuan seemed to know the person behind it.

Ji Yuan seized the opportunity to ask, "Who?"

"Lady Mei Ru, a Fake Pill cultivator, particularly skilled in Dual Cultivation Technique,"

Liu Yuan conveyed through sound transmission.

"Is she strong?"

"To put it simply, she's managed to escape from a Core Formation cultivator,"

"Indeed, that is very strong,"

Ji Yuan had never heard of a Foundation Establishment cultivator reversing fate against a Golden Core. Merely enduring the oppressive Divine Sense of a Golden Core Stage cultivator is beyond what Foundation Establishment cultivators can withstand, let alone countering a Golden Core.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator managing to escape unscathed from a Golden Core cultivator is a testament to their exceptional strength.

After understanding this, Ji Yuan thought about venturing down to explore the spirit vein, potentially initiating the opening of the "Spirit Vein" structure.

Unfortunately, access for other cultivators is not permitted here.

Ji Yuan would have to wait for his shift to go down and see it.

Three days later.

Ji Yuan and the group returned to Rou Yi's residence.

"Tomorrow is the mining day, so let's do a simple assignment of roles now," Rou Yi glanced over Ji Yuan and Liu Yuan as she spoke. "Since you're both newcomers and unfamiliar, let's have the two veterans each lead one of you."

No sooner did she finish speaking than Yang Taian piped up, "I will go together with Junior Brother Wu You."

Rou Yi's gaze again fell on Ji Yuan.

"Alright, then I'll leave it to Brother Lin Mu."

Ji Yuan agreed without hesitation.

The division of labor was set, and coincidentally, tomorrow was Ji Yuan's and Yang Taian's scheduled day to go mining.

This circumstance suited Ji Yuan well, as he'd been longing to delve down and have a look.

The following day, Ji Yuan got up early and arrived at the spirit vein entrance with Yang Taian, joined by four Foundation Establishment cultivators from Medicine King Valley and Joy Palace.

Yang Taian took the opportunity to introduce the identities of the others to Ji Yuan.

Regardless of Joy Palace or Medicine King Valley, those assigned to mine were at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and only the Water Dragon Sect had Ji Yuan at early Foundation Establishment stage.

At the onset, Ji Yuan transmitted to Yang Taian, "My cultivation is shallow, and I am not skilled in combat. If I encounter any trouble within the spirit vein, please take care of me."

"Naturally,"

Yang Taian transmitted back with a smile, "Follow me, and you can rest assured a thousandfold."

Had Ji Yuan not earlier learned of Yang Taian's nature during the slaying of Yang Shunan, he might truly take him for a kind-hearted soul.

But the current amiable demeanor shown by Yang Taian...

Ji Yuan could keenly deduce the reasons behind it.

"Alright, it's almost time to depart,"

As the Qi Cultivators had nearly finished preparing, Dan Chengzi from Medicine King Valley stepped forward to announce.

"Good,"

Thus, the miners living at the empty space near the spirit vein exit lined up and passed in front of Foundation Establishment cultivators for Divine Sense scrutiny.

Soon, the inspection concluded, and none among the miners sought their doom.

Seeing that the cultivators from the other two factions had already gone down the mine.

Yang Taian turned to Ji Yuan and said:

"Junior Brother Wu You, let's head down as well."

Excited about the "Spirit Vein" for so long, Ji Yuan immediately plunged into the cavern.

Down to the mine!

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