Your Highness, the National Preceptor

[Ji Stone, also known as Spirit-Extinguishing Stone, contains the aura of devouring. Born from the void, it is an entity capable of devouring spiritual energy.]

Looking at the short line of appraisal results, Lin Xiao fell into deep thought.

It seemed these people knew the effects of this stone. No wonder they went to such great lengths to capture mortals instead of doing it themselves.

However, observing the condition of the rescued mountain villagers, it was obvious that this Ji Stone didn't just affect cultivators with spiritual power; it also had an effect on mortals.

These cultivators knew this, and not daring to abduct people within their own country, they took the risk of sneaking into the territory of the Pu Si Kingdom.

But considering a sect's ruling power over its own territory domestically, capturing people in their own domain would always be less risky, more convenient, and faster than going to a neighboring country.

Thus, he could basically conclude that the imperial court of the Huan You Kingdom was likely aware of this.

They might even be the masterminds behind the scenes.

Lin Xiao tried to destroy the Ji Stones in the mine. However, after spending a lot of time and effort, he only managed to destroy the outermost layer of stones in the tunnels. There was no telling how deep and thick the veins inside were.

Since utterly destroying this place in a short time was unfeasible, Lin Xiao had no choice but to seal it up for now.

There would be plenty of time in the future to figure out a way to deal with it completely.

Because the Ji Stone was extremely hazardous, Lin Xiao deliberately spent some spiritual stones in the system shop to purchase a high-level sealing array to use here.

He also set up an illusion array around it, which he also bought from the shop, to prevent ordinary people from wandering in by mistake.

He couldn't help it; he didn't have the spare time to study formations himself, so he didn't have any good formation-related items on hand.

The quality of items produced by the system was guaranteed, so Lin Xiao wasn't worried about his spiritual stones going to waste.

This illusion array even came with a built-in defensive function.

After thinking for a moment, he left a few more things inside.

Having arranged everything, and seeing that it was getting late, Lin Xiao finally left in satisfaction, returning to the Pu Si Kingdom the way he came.

Not long after he left, the cultivators of the Golden Crow Sect who came for the shift change discovered the anomaly here.

What should have been a continuous mountain range had now turned into a massive lake.

These cultivators repeatedly confirmed their bearings; they definitely hadn't gone the wrong way.

Then, completely baffled, they stepped into the illusion array set by Lin Xiao.

The next day, the manager in charge of this matter in the Golden Crow Sect, seeing that the sect members who were supposed to change shifts yesterday hadn't returned, finally realized something might be wrong and hurried to the mine.

As a result, he also discovered the changes here.

He couldn't find any of their sect's cultivators nearby.

Although this manager was a Golden Core cultivator, he didn't act arrogantly relying on his cultivation base. Instead, the disappearance of his sect members made him much more cautious. He only probed frantically from the perimeter, not daring to take a single step forward.

However, no matter how he probed, the lake scenery here did not change at all. No matter how powerful the attack spells he threw into it were, it swallowed all his moves without causing a single ripple.

Seeing this, the manager felt extremely uneasy and dared not stay any longer. He immediately left to report the situation to the monarch.

The monarch of the Huan You Kingdom was very surprised.

Upon hearing the report, his first reaction was that the Pu Si Kingdom had discovered their deeds and had secretly sent people from their country's three major sects over.

After all, according to the report, it was an illusion array of immense scope and extremely high intensity!

Even the Golden Core cultivator of the Golden Crow Sect was helpless against it.

He hurriedly turned and left his palace, planning to relay this situation to the State Preceptor.

Deep within the palace, the red-robed State Preceptor was kneeling and burning incense before a pitch-black stone carving placed on the desk ahead.

This person had ordinary facial features, though his bone structure was quite well-proportioned.

However, his face was as pale as frost. He looked to be only in his twenties, yet his face lacked any of the healthy color a young person should have.

Hearing that the monarch had arrived, the State Preceptor only slightly lifted his eyelids before gently closing them again, continuing to murmur something unintelligible to the black stone carving above.

When the monarch of the Huan You Kingdom entered, this was the scene he saw.

But he was already used to it. Despite his anxiety, he dared not speak up to interrupt. He sat down to the side and waited quietly.

After a long time, when the sun outside had shifted from rising in the east to setting in the west, the State Preceptor finally slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as deep as ink.

Seeing this, the monarch of the Huan You Kingdom breathed a sigh of relief. He was just about to speak when the State Preceptor spoke first:

The monarch need not worry. Immortal Ji has already made a decision regarding this matter.

Hearing this, the monarch of the Huan You Kingdom was taken aback for a moment, then said cautiously:

So the State Preceptor already knew. About this matter... we were incompetent. We truly did not expect the Pu Si Kingdom to notice so quickly, and to so generously use such an ancestral treasure to seal the mine. I hope the State Preceptor can put in a good word for us in front of Immortal Ji...

He assumed that the large-scale illusion array was a bottom-of-the-box level treasure in the hands of the Pu Si Kingdom's three major sects.

Otherwise, with the foundation of the Pu Si Kingdom's royal family...

Excuse me, but having been royal families for so many years and neighbors for so many years, who didn't know who?

It was absolutely impossible for the Pu Si Kingdom's royal family to have such a grand display of wealth.

The State Preceptor in front didn't even turn his head. He only let out a faint chuckle and then said softly:

When Immortal Ji is born and takes control of this world again, you will naturally receive endless benefits. But you must also put more effort into your tasks. Now that things have just begun and such a problem has occurred, it makes it difficult for me to speak up for you, doesn't it?

The monarch of the Huan You Kingdom understood the underlying meaning and immediately apologized:

I beg Lord Immortal Ji and the State Preceptor to give us another chance. We will definitely resolve this matter. I only hope that at a critical juncture, the State Preceptor can provide a little necessary help...

As if too lazy to listen to him say anything more, the State Preceptor half-squinted his eyes as if pretending to sleep, his thin lips only parting slightly to say:

Go on, monarch. When it is time to make a move, I will naturally do so.

After saying that, he completely closed his eyes and made no more sound.

Seeing this, the monarch of the Huan You Kingdom immediately shut his mouth and quietly retreated out the door.

Only when he was far away from the State Preceptor's palace did the monarch's eyes, which had originally carried a hint of trepidation, turn completely dark and gloomy.

In the position of a monarch, apart from the ancestors in their royal family, when had he ever needed to be so humble and subservient?

But it was all for Immortal Ji's cultivation method that required no spiritual roots...

Once he got his hands on that cultivation method that didn't require spiritual roots, and led the entire royal family to cultivate together, by then...

What was detestable was that the Golden Crow Sect was so careless in their work. If it weren't for the fact that this sect had pledged allegiance to their royal family since the founding of the country and could be considered loyal, he would have lost his temper long ago!

Now the matter had just begun, and it was already noticed by the Pu Si Kingdom...

With a profound expression, he ordered his entourage to return to his own palace.