Chapter 2270: Absorbing Spirituality

Everyone was speechless.

The number of phantom spirits was immense, and each possessed cultivation similar to a Divine King. If they were truly trapped inside, even if they could obtain the treasure, it would be difficult for all fourteen of them, even those with the title of Conferred Divine King, to escape unscathed. Even if they managed to retreat, death would be unavoidable. They were mere acquaintances, hardly knowing each other's names, and had come for treasure. Who among them would be willing to sacrifice themselves to save others?

"Provoking the phantom spirits and dispersing them is the method that will incur the least loss right now," Ao Feng declared, waving his hand. "If you don't trust me, then what's the point of this alliance?"

Everyone remained silent. Indeed, if they didn't trust each other, there was no point in forming an alliance. In such a case, their combat strength would not only fail to increase but would actually diminish.

"Or, we could form an array and forcefully attack..."

"An array?" Ao Feng scoffed. "Leaving aside the fact that the Tide Sea isn't open for long, even if it were, would others, upon learning of the treasure, give us that much time?"

"That's true," someone conceded. "For a dozen or so Divine Kings to train in an array until they can advance and retreat freely would take at least half a month. We can't afford such a delay!"

"Spending so much time here would be better used searching for other treasures," another added. "What we could find would far surpass a top-grade Divine Essence Pill and a Conferred King's promise!"

A wave of thoughts rippled through the group. They had assumed it would be a simple matter, but it turned out to be far more complicated. If it proved too difficult, their hastily assembled team would quickly fall apart.

Seeing that the makeshift group was indeed unreliable, Ao Feng, left with no choice, declared, "I will charge at the very front. All of you, provide support from both sides, and don't let me be attacked by phantom spirits from the flanks." These people simply wanted to obtain treasure without any danger. But in reality, such a convenient scenario rarely exists.

"Alright!" the others agreed.

"Let's begin!" Too impatient to devise further tactics, Ao Feng took a deep breath and charged forward.

Whoosh! The power of a Conferred Divine King was unleashed. Ao Feng moved like lightning, and a colossal hoof appeared in the air before him. With a gentle squeeze, space shattered, and the phantom spirits blocking their path instantly swayed, disintegrating into streams of energy.

"Follow me!" With a roar, the remaining Divine Kings swiftly followed. Zhang Xuan and Luo Qiqi also trailed closely behind the group.

It had to be said that Ao Feng's strength was indeed formidable. Divine King-level phantom spirits were instantly annihilated with a single move, leaving no trace of residual consciousness.

"These phantom spirits... they seem to be very beneficial for the soul..." As he followed the group, fending off the phantom spirits attacking from the sides, a thought sparked in Zhang Xuan's mind.

These were all forms of spirituality, similar to the awakened spirits he had encountered before, a type of soul. Even though they were plant spirits, their sheer number meant they could still greatly aid the soul. His current soul, having received the Nine Heavens Conferred title, had reached the pinnacle of a Conferred Divine King, but it was still some distance from being able to assault the Emperor realm. If he absorbed and refined this spirituality, would it make his soul body even stronger?

"I'll try!" With that thought, he willed it, and the strands of spirituality shattered by Ao Feng were absorbed one by one into his glabella. Normally, absorbing spirituality meant seizing control, making it extremely difficult. However, the shattered phantom spirits no longer possessed subjective consciousness, making them akin to pure souls, which were effortlessly absorbed. Zhang Xuan immediately felt his soul body grow stronger once more, and his eyes gleamed.

"Excellent..." He was fortunate to have come with this person. Regardless of whether they found the Earth Treasury Spirit Fluid or managed to obtain it, this trip had already been worthwhile for him.

With Ao Feng charging ahead and a dozen Divine Kings continuously fending off attacks from the sides, a vast amount of spirituality was dispersed. In less than ten minutes, Zhang Xuan felt his soul body more than double in strength. By this point, the group was completely engulfed by phantom spirits.

The mountain gorge was filled with ancient flora that had thrived for untold years, all capable of generating spirituality under the abundant and pure spiritual energy. As a result, the spiritual essence was inexhaustible and limitless. After a fierce battle, the number of surrounding phantom spirits not only didn't decrease but actually increased.

After absorbing for a while longer, Zhang Xuan stopped. Spirituality, like spiritual energy, had a strong effect when first absorbed, but this effect gradually diminished over time, reaching saturation. Unless... there was even purer spirituality!

"The Earth Treasury Spirit Fluid is right ahead..." After advancing a bit further behind the group, Ao Feng roared.

Zhang Xuan looked up and indeed saw a small, milky-white mass hovering above a small pool in the middle of the gorge. It was only the size of a fist, radiating dense spiritual power. It was several times purer than a top-grade Divine Essence Pill. Even before getting close, he could feel the true qi within him pulsating, filled with an intense longing.

"It really is a good item, useful for me..." His eyes lit up. As he had guessed, this item indeed had a profound effect on him. If consumed, it wouldn't be difficult to reach the mid or late stages of a Conferred King, even if it couldn't push him to the pinnacle.

However... He had spent the entire journey focused on absorbing spirituality and hadn't exerted much effort. This was something Ao Feng and the other Divine Kings were risking their lives to obtain, and it would be inappropriate for him to simply snatch it. After all, he was a master teacher, not a bandit.

Since he now knew this type of substance existed here, and the gorge was so vast, there might not be just one drop. At worst, he could always search for more. For others, surrounded by phantom spirits, obtaining it would require fighting their way through a bloody path. For him, it wasn't so troublesome. If absolutely necessary, his Witchcraft Soul could leave his body and impersonate a phantom spirit. The others likely wouldn't easily detect him.

Rumble! As if guarding the spirit fluid, the number of phantom spirits increased even further, doubling the pressure on the group. In an instant, three or four Divine Kings sustained severe injuries, and even Ao Feng, the Conferred Divine King, had blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The phantom spirits' strength had also grown considerably by this point, all reaching the peak of the Divine King realm. Moreover, they fought with reckless abandon, launching soul attacks, leaving the group mentally and physically exhausted.

"If this continues, it's very likely we'll all die here..." a Divine King couldn't help but say. Grave expressions appeared on everyone's faces. They had thought that with so many Divine Kings allied and a Conferred Divine King leading the way, they could easily charge in and out multiple times. They never dreamed it would be so perilous.

"We must retreat, otherwise, none of us will leave here alive..." Another Divine King roared, and the idea of retreat spread among the group. Even though they had seen the Earth Treasury Spirit Fluid, they needed to be alive and strong enough to take it. If they continued to push forward without retreating, they would all be annihilated sooner or later.

"We've come all this way; how can we give up now?" With a ferocious expression and wide, staring eyes, Ao Feng roared, "Everyone wait for me here! I'll get the spirit fluid and come right back..." Having said that, he let out an enraged bellow, and his body flickered, instantly transforming into a massive golden dragon. He soared through the air, charging towards the spirit fluid. Knowing it was impossible to break through in his human form, he didn't hesitate, directly reverting to his true body.