The Elven Cultivator

After advancing to the Golden Core Stage, Anton had been researching how to refine Profound Artifacts.

Not the unconventional method used for Sword Pills, but the orthodox refining technique.

It was just much more difficult than he had anticipated.

He originally thought that with his foundation in refining Magical Artifacts, getting started on Profound Artifacts wouldn’t be too hard.

But when he actually started trying, he discovered that refining Profound Artifacts had extremely high requirements for an Artifact Refiner’s Cultivation Level, Divine Sense, and understanding of the Laws.

After failing several times and wasting a good deal of fine materials, Anton simply shelved the refining of Profound Artifacts for the time being. He instead turned to mass-producing Magical Artifacts, planning to first accumulate enough experience.

Some of these refined Magical Artifacts were given to the Golden Tier Warriors in the Clan.

For example, the Flying Goose Feather that Romance was currently using to fly was a product of his handiwork.

It was a Flying Magical Artifact that didn’t require Spiritual Qi or True Essence, but could be used with just a breath of vital energy.

The other Magical Artifacts were placed in the Taichu City warehouse, for disciples to exchange for with Contribution Points in the future.

The three chatted casually along the way and soon arrived at the Thousand Rock Hills.

Looking down from the sky, the once rugged, gray, rocky land had now completely changed its appearance.

Countless vines poked out from the cracks in the rocks, their emerald-green leaves swaying in the wind, dotting the greyish-brown stone with vibrant life.

The once-barren hills were now covered in low shrubs and wildflowers. From a distance, it looked like a green ocean.

”The Thousand Rock Hills have changed so much,” Romance exclaimed.

”It’s all due to the influence of the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array,” Eleanor said with a smile. ”In another hundred years, the Thousand Rock Hills, and even the Northern Wilderness, might be completely absorbed into the Silver Moon Forest’s domain.”

”That would be wonderful.”

Romance’s eyes sparkled, as if picturing the scene.

Anton also nodded to himself.

The effectiveness of the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array was directly proportional to the size of the Silver Moon Forest.

The vaster the forest, the denser the Wood Attribute Spiritual Qi, and the stronger the Array’s various functions, such as Gathering Spirit, nurturing spirits, and defense.

If they could really ’swallow’ both the Thousand Rock Hills and the Northern Wilderness, the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array’s effects would at least double from their current level.

By then, the Spiritual Qi density in the Silver Moon Forest would increase dramatically, likely becoming a Grotto-Heaven on the level of a Profound Abode.

However, reaching the higher levels of a Qi Manor or True Palace was not something that could be achieved through an Array alone.

It required a Spirit Vein.

The Silver Moon Forest was inherently deficient; it had no Spirit Vein beneath it. Relying only on the Eternal Tree and the Spring of Life for energy, it was almost impossible for it to grow into a Qi Manor or True Palace-level Grotto-Heaven on its own.

Unless a Spirit Vein was introduced.

The Taoist Jade Scroll did indeed record a method for transporting Spirit Veins.

However, to accomplish this, it would require at least a mighty expert at the Harmonization Stage.

Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Void Amalgamation, Harmonization...

The Harmonization Stage is a realm where a Cultivator completely merges with the great Dao of Heaven and Earth. At this level, a Cultivator can control the Heaven and Earth Law. With a mere gesture, they can draw upon the Power of Heaven and Earth for their own use, becoming a ruler of a region.

Only by reaching this level could one transport a Spirit Vein completely from one place to another without harming its source, preventing it from collapsing midway.

Anton was still very far from that realm, so there was no need to consider such methods for now.

He was more inclined towards another, more convenient approach.

’Since I can’t bring in a Spirit Vein, I’ll just have to move closer to one.’

He would rely on the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array to actively guide the Silver Moon Forest’s expansion, making it grow towards Taichu City.

As long as it successfully ’merged’ with Taichu City, the Silver Moon Forest would naturally become part of the grotto-heaven. It could then rely on the regulatory capabilities of Taichu City’s array cluster to channel the Spirit Vein’s energy into the settlement, significantly increasing the energy density of the Silver Moon Forest.

This was undoubtedly faster and less difficult than introducing a new Spirit Vein.

It wasn’t just about Taichu City. Expanding the Silver Moon Forest towards the Thousand Rock Hills also took into account connecting with the entrance to the Dark Nether Realm.

In this way, they could eliminate the physical distance between the three strongholds, allowing for deep integration of strategy, resources, and talent. This would reduce the efficiency loss of a three-front layout and achieve efficient allocation and recycling of strategic resources.

In Anton’s vision, the Silver Moon Forest would serve as the Clan’s ecological foundation and demographic heartland.

Here, the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array would continuously expand the woodland. The Eternal Tree and the Spring of Life would produce Life Spring Water, Eternal Tree branches, and various other forest-specific products, serving as a crucial source of raw materials for the Clan’s potion-making and Rune Equipment manufacturing.

At the same time, the forest would be the main settlement for the Clan’s population, shouldering the great responsibility of raising future generations and preserving the bloodline.

Taichu City, with its Spirit Vein and array cluster, would become the Clan’s core and Cultivation Holy Land.

Meanwhile, as the number of disciples in Taichu City grew, eventually surpassing the Clan’s Enchanters and Alchemists, they would become the main force for inscribing runes, Alchemy, puppet-making, and Artifact Refining. Taichu City would then transform into the core production center for the Clan’s high-end resources.

As for Nine Nether City, it would become the Clan’s outpost and resource supply base for exploring the Dark Nether Realm.

The depths of the Dark Nether Realm held countless rare mineral veins, Magic Plants, and exotic beasts, serving as a vital resource reserve for the Clan’s future development.

At the same time, Nine Nether City would also provide the Clan with strategic depth.

If the surface strongholds were to face a major crisis, clan members could retreat to Nine Nether City through the underground passages, using the geographical advantage to defend themselves and preserve their effective strength.

In summary, connecting the three would upgrade the Clan from a single forest stronghold to a ”triune” three-dimensional power structure.

This would not only enable resource linkage between the surface and underground and facilitate tiered talent development, but it would also allow the arrays in the three locations to provide mutual support. This would form a complete defensive system, strong in both offense and defense, thoroughly cementing the Silver Moon Race’s unshakable dominance over the Eldron Plain.

Killing many birds with one stone.

However, to achieve this goal, relying solely on the Silver Moon Forest’s current expansion speed, it would be almost impossible without two or three hundred years.

To shorten this time, he had to enhance the effects of the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array and accelerate the Silver Moon Forest’s expansion.

’The core of the Great Derivation Cyan Profound Array is the Eternal Tree and the Spring of Life. To strengthen the Array, the simplest method is to strengthen these two.’

Anton calculated silently.

There were many rare treasures on the Dawn Continent that could achieve this goal; he could think of no less than ten of them.

But without exception, these treasures were all incredibly rare and precious.

He either didn’t know where to find them...

...or he knew where they were, but they were difficult to obtain.

For example, the Myriad Wood Source Heart from the Jade Royal Court.

The Jade Royal Court’s Eternal Tree was the largest and oldest living Eternal Tree on the Dawn Continent.

It was also known as the ’World Tree’.

Every hundred years or so, it would produce a Myriad Wood Source Heart from its core.

This thing was the ultimate treasure that protected the Jade Royal Court, and it was extremely precious.

It could be used as a core material for refining Fantasy-level magical items, which were of a higher tier than Ancient Level, and it could also be used to comprehend the Laws.

It could also be used to cultivate High Tier animated plants.

Because of its wide range of uses and scarce production, the Jade Royal Court never sold the Myriad Wood Source Heart to outsiders.

Even if Anton wanted to get his hands on one, he had no way of doing so.

’Maybe I could talk to Alicia?’

After pondering for a moment, Anton set the matter aside for now.

It couldn’t be rushed; it required long-term planning.

The three of them passed through the hills and soon arrived at the entrance to the mining area.

The once heavily guarded mining area had now become a bustling hub.

Ore transport carts came and went, and slaves, under the watchful eyes of supervisors, carried heavy crates filled with various metal ores mined from the Dark Nether Realm.

The three of them didn’t stop, heading straight into the depths of the mine and through the passage that connected the surface to the Dark Nether Realm.

The moment they emerged from the passage, the scene before him left Anton slightly stunned.

In the months since Nine Nether City was built, he hadn’t returned to the Dark Nether Realm.

But in just a few months, everything before him had undergone significant changes once again.

Originally, after taking over this area, the Clan had planted a large number of Fluorescent Vines and embedded many Light Source Stones to enhance the lighting.

But now, in addition to those two things, the ground and rock walls were covered with countless glowing Runes, extending in all directions like blood vessels.

Those Runes were deeply embedded in the ground and walls, their light soft and not harsh. They intertwined with the light from the Light Source Stones and fluorescent plants, transforming the once pitch-black underground world into a radiant palace.

”Glowing Runes.” Anton raised an eyebrow.

Eleanor explained, ”I had people inscribe glowing Runes along all the main transport routes, creating ’light paths’ to ensure that exploration teams can always see the way.”

Anton nodded slightly and soon noticed another change.

The air seemed much fresher.

The air in the Dark Nether Realm was supposed to be cold and damp, with an acrid, metallic smell of soil and minerals that would make one feel tight-chested and short of breath after a while.

But the air he was breathing now, though still carrying the unique coolness of the underground, was much fresher. The persistent musty smell had faded considerably.

Before he could ask, Eleanor had already taken the initiative to explain, ”We also renovated the air and ventilation systems in this area. We’ve set up small Wind Arrays at every cavern intersection to drive air circulation, and we’ve planted air-purifying moss that absorbs impurities and releases fresh air.”

”The air quality in the Dark Nether Realm is much better than before now.”

Eleanor explained gracefully.

”In addition, we’ve widened and modified all the passages and caverns here. We’ve also set up coordinate steles that mark the distance to the surface and to various strongholds. We’ve also drawn layered maps, with each cavern level mapped separately, marking all known passages, forks, and dangerous areas.”

”These maps are all recorded into locator rune discs for the exploration teams to use, ensuring they won’t get lost in the complex terrain.”

After listening, Anton was silent for a moment, then let out a long breath.

”You’ve done even better than I expected.” He looked at Eleanor, his eyes filled with admiration.

’I never expected the Elf Maiden to have put in so much work behind the scenes.’

Lighting, ventilation, paths, navigation... she had considered every possible difficulty.

These modifications seemed trivial, and none were difficult on their own, but coordinating the planning and execution to cover all aspects was not something just anyone could do.

After these renovations, this place—with its complex terrain, perpetual darkness, and cold, damp air—had become almost indistinguishable from the surface world.

Now, when the Elves moved about this area, the environmental impact on them was already negligible.

A faint smile touched Eleanor’s lips as she accepted his praise with composure.

Anton, on the other hand, began to think about something else.

Eleanor’s renovations gave him an idea.

’In the future, any area of the Dark Nether Realm conquered by the Clan can be transformed in this same way.’

’First build the foundation, then expand the territory.’

’Every time we take a new area, we’ll first establish the infrastructure—lighting, ventilation, roads, and navigation—before considering further exploration.’

’Although doing so will consume a lot of resources and manpower and slow down the pace of exploration, its strength lies in its steady and solid approach, laying a firm foundation for subsequent work.’

’In a place like the Dark Nether Realm, safety is more important than anything else.’

’If insufficient preparation leads to casualties, the loss isn’t just in lives, but also in morale and confidence.’

’By contrast, spending some extra resources and time in exchange for a higher safety factor and a more stable exploration pace is a trade that is always worth it.’

If not for the fact that the terrain and environment of the Dark Nether Realm were truly unsuitable for large-scale tree planting, Anton would have wanted to turn this area directly into a forest.

That way, the area would in turn become the Elves’ home turf.

They would have a huge advantage whether in defense or offense.