I planted the spiritual roots for my people, and they bestowed upon me a body inscribed with incense

It was thanks to this cone-shaped magical artifact that the three of them were able to reach the depths of the palace without any hindrance. As long as they could create an opening in the formation, they would be able to continue deeper into the true depths of the palace.

The dragon vein of Daqing is located deep within the palace. As long as the entrance is found, one can enter underground. Looking at the entrance created by the cone-shaped magic weapon, the two couldn't help but admire it.

The cone-shaped magical artifact is truly amazing, able to enter the formation silently. The person Guo Ruyan sought out is indeed extraordinary.

Soon, with the help of the magic artifact in the hands of the Foundation Establishment cultivator Tan, the three of them successfully entered the deepest part of the palace. The spiritual energy in this space was more than three times that of the outside.

Upon entering deeper into the area, Guo Ruyan revealed a crystal-clear little mouse in her hand. As soon as the mouse appeared, it guided the three of them toward a grand hall.

After a while, with the combined efforts of the three, a dark hole appeared in front of them. At this point, the white rat in Guo Ruyan's hand refused to go in no matter what.

Left with no other choice, Guo Ruyan put the spirit rat back into her spirit beast pouch. Then, the two of them looked at Li Yuan. At this moment, the white snake on Li Yuan's sleeve slowly crawled to the entrance of the cave, as if attracted by something, and instantly slithered into the cave.

Without hesitation, Li Yuan entered the cave. After exchanging a glance, the two jumped into the cave.

After the three walked around for a while, the underground space began to expand, and the spiritual energy in the cave was even more concentrated than outside. Unsurprisingly, this was the location of the imperial city's spiritual vein.

The white snake led the way, and the closer it got, the more excited Li Yuan could feel it. However, the underground space was really spacious, and the three of them spent half a day exploring it before finally reaching their destination.

At this moment, the three people and the snake also stopped to observe the wonder before them. A five-foot-sized golden crystal appeared in front of them, emanating a penetrating aura.

Looking at the dragon crystal, both of them were filled with greed, wishing they could immediately step forward and take the crystal into their hands.

However, the imposing aura emanating from the array flags ahead brought the two of them back to their senses.

At this moment, the cultivator Tan looked at the several imposing array flags and slowly spoke:

"The Thousand Sails Locking Spirit Formation must not be broken, otherwise it will definitely be detected."

Upon hearing this, Guo Ruyan looked at the man and slowly spoke:

"Does Fellow Daoist Tan know how to handle this?"

Upon hearing this, the cultivator surnamed Tan nodded confidently.

"This formation is an advanced version of the Spirit Locking Formation, a top-tier formation. Fortunately, I borrowed my master's magic artifact, the Spirit Locking Pearl, before leaving home, which can temporarily conceal the aura of this Thousand Sails Spirit Locking Formation."

As they spoke, a crystal-clear bead appeared in the hand of the cultivator Tan. The moment the bead appeared, Li Yuan and Guo Ruyan's eyes lit up. Neither of them expected that this cultivator Tan would actually be able to produce a treasure used by a Purple Mansion cultivator.

Tan Xing, the cultivator, did not try to raise the price. After taking out the Spirit Locking Pearl, he began to manipulate it to move closer to the Thousand Sails Spirit Locking Array.

As expected, the Spirit-Locking Pearl could block the Thousand Sails Spirit-Locking Array. At that very moment, the cultivator Tan glanced at Li Yuan and slowly said:

"Fellow Daoist Li, have your spirit beast extract the crystal, leaving an inch inside."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan nodded. At Li Yuan's signal, the white snake transformed into a phantom and flew out, attacking the dragon crystal. After a while, the dragon crystal appeared in his hand.

Looking at the ten-foot-long dragon crystal, Li Yuan quickly took thirty percent and then handed the rest to Guo Ruyan. Guo Ruyan did not say much about Li Yuan's actions, but divided it in two and handed one half to the cultivator Tan Xing.

After receiving the Dragon Crystal, the cultivator Tan put away the Spirit-Locking Pearl and then slowly said to the two of them:

"The remaining dragon crystals will last for three more days. After three days, the Ouyang family will surely discover that the dragon crystals have disappeared. Fellow Daoists, let's leave quickly."

As he spoke, the cultivator surnamed Tan slowly made his way towards the exit.

Two days later, the three of them appeared outside the imperial city. Guo Ruyan looked at the two people in front of her and slowly said:

"Fellow Daoists, this matter is settled, and I will take my leave." Although he spoke, he did not intend to leave, but instead looked at the cultivator Tan.

Tan Xing glanced at Guo Ruyan and slowly said:

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Guo, let's just speak frankly about what we're thinking." As he spoke, the cultivator Tan looked at Li Yuan and slowly said:

"Fellow Daoist Li, if you are afraid of the trouble and do not want to take over this dragon crystal, you can sell it to me. I am willing to offer a price that will satisfy you."

Upon hearing this, Guo Ruyan, not to be outdone, retorted:

"Fellow Daoist Li, you cannot trust the words of this stranger. I am willing to buy the dragon crystal in your possession at a high price."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan quickly stepped back and looked at the two of them.

"Haha, fellow Daoists, this dragon crystal is also something I need, and I really can't bear to part with it."

The cultivator surnamed Tan glanced at Li Yuan, who had retreated, a smile appearing on his lips, and then slowly said:

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Li, you are overthinking it. We two are not capable of doing the kind of thing that a Tribulation Cultivator would do. Since you are not going to buy it, I will not force you. However, if you are considering making a move later, please consider me, Tan, first."

As they spoke, the cultivator surnamed Tan slowly flew away into the distance, and at the same time, a jade pendant appeared in Li Yuan's hand.

Li Yuan took the jade pendant and glanced at it. The words "Xiaoyao Sect" were engraved on it, so it seemed that this cultivator surnamed Tan was a member of the Xiaoyao Sect.

After watching the cultivator surnamed Tan leave, Guo Ruyan slowly said:

"Fellow Daoist Li, are you really not considering selling this dragon crystal? If you do, it would be enough for your Li family to cultivate two more Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Li Yuan shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist Guo is too kind. Dragon crystals are extremely rare and hard to come by. I have no such plans for the time being. However, if I were to sell them later, I would certainly consider giving them to Fellow Daoist Guo first."

Guo Ruyan knew that Li Yuan was not a fool, so she nodded and took out a jade pendant as well.

"Fellow Daoist Li, now that we've become acquainted, if you have time, you can come to Guo Family Fort to find me anytime. I see that you've already achieved Foundation Establishment at such a young age. If you were to venture out and explore, you might just reach the Purple Mansion realm."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan smiled and accepted the jade token.

"Haha, alright, if I have the chance, I will definitely leave Daqing and come to Guojiabao to visit you, fellow Daoist."

Guo Ruyan nodded upon hearing this.

"Alright, I'll be waiting for you at the Guo family." With that, Guo Ruyan vanished from the spot in a flash.

Li Yuan didn't delay and headed towards the small fishing village. It wouldn't be long before Daqing discovered the loss of the dragon crystal, so Li Yuan decided to return to the small fishing village to avoid trouble.