Chapter 379

Chapter 379: Source of Spiritual Energy

Why were the Bone Dragons here? This was merely a realm that had suddenly emerged from the cracks, supposedly unconnected to the Six Realms. Even Feng Rong and Yuan Qi had lost their powers upon arriving here. How did these Bone Dragons manage to come?

Upon closer inspection, there were exactly six Bone Dragons – matching the number of Long Clan members who had vanished from the Demon Realm. Could they have fled here? But why had they ended up in such a wretched state? You You instantly sensed no vitality remaining in them – these Bone Dragons had died days ago.

"Feng Rong." You You turned to the man beside her. "Could these be…"

"Those Long Clan members!" Feng Rong confirmed grimly. Only this explained why they carried Demonic Energy matching his own.

"This formation…" Yuan Qi stepped forward, studying the massive golden protective talisman in the stone chamber. His frown deepened. "It’s been continuously draining their Demonic Energy and Cultivation. These Bone Dragons perished after their power was exhausted."

"Draining Demonic Energy?!" You You and Feng Rong exchanged alarmed looks. "But there are no demon tribes here! Why harvest Demonic Energy?"

Yuan Qi shook his head, equally puzzled. "This is the core formation of the main peak’s network. All other formations depend on it. The Demonic Energy suppression arrays we saw earlier were merely processing overflow from this source. Most Demonic Energy gets channeled elsewhere through this formation." He needed closer inspection to determine the exact destination.

"Let’s investigate!" You You strode through the stone door.

Golden light suddenly flooded the chamber, the protective talisman flaring violently. The intense radiance pierced through the swirling Demonic Energy, scattering it. The ground trembled beneath their feet.

You You whirled toward Yuan Qi. Had she triggered some mechanism?

The scholar looked equally startled. He’d detected no defensive measures earlier. The formation’s reaction felt… artificially amplified.

Before they could react, an enraged female voice boomed from the glowing symbols: "Who dares trespass in the Heavenly Punishment Prison?!"

Curses! They’d been detected.

"You You, retreat!" Yuan Qi urged. Every element of this main peak reeked of danger.

She didn’t hesitate, darting back toward the passage. White formation walls materialized ahead like slamming gates.

"Other route!" Feng Rong pointed.

You You veered sideways, Spirit Sword materializing as she flew through twisting tunnels. More formations activated behind them, walls of light giving chase through the labyrinthine passages.

They burst into a cavernous underground city – directly facing over a hundred armed Jingling Institute cultivators.

You You: "…"

Feng Rong: "…"

Yuan Qi: "…"

Had they just delivered themselves?

Though invisible, their abrupt entrance drew attention. Dozens of divine senses swept toward them as cultivators turned.

"Intruders!" someone shouted.

You You transmitted urgently: "Plan?"

"Hold position," Yuan Qi responded. "Your concealment holds."

True enough, the probing senses passed over them. The trio surveyed the hollowed-out mountain interior – tiered formations covering every surface.

Cultivators stood on a floating platform above inky Demonic Energy depths, restrained by golden formations. Threads of spiritual energy connected to the suppression arrays above, each strand pulsing with distinct cultivator signatures.

"Those threads…" You You’s eyes widened. "They’re draining spiritual energy from everyone at the grand ceremony!"

Yuan Qi nodded grimly. "This is the nexus. The floating peaks’ Cultivation formations feed here."

"But why?" Feng Rong demanded. "To suppress Demonic Energy?"

"There’s more beneath," Yuan Qi murmured.

As he spoke, the platform flared. The churning Demonic Energy sea sank like a receding tide, revealing luminous energy rising to replace it – pure spiritual energy flowing back through the threads.

"Impossible!" Feng Rong breathed. Even the Demon God stared in shock. "They’re converting Demonic Energy into spiritual energy!"

The revelation struck them dumb. The Jingling Institute’s boundless spirit qi came from transformed demon qi! No wonder they hosted Cultivation gatherings – using stolen energy to forge artificial spiritual veins while masking their true scheme.