Cultivation begins with harvest.

"Um?"

Everything inside the Cloud Tower was a reconstructed, almost illusory existence. When Chen Guang tried to use his subconscious magic to block it, he found that he couldn't use it at all.

The only way to counter it is with formations.

Having realized this, Chen Guang focused his attention on the peach grove. Since he had nothing on him and his magic power could not leave his body, the only way to set up an array was to focus on the peach grove in front of him.

As they approached, the black peach bark was still slightly damp, with some natural cracks revealing some crimson patterns. The subtle energy emanating from it stirred something within Chen Guang.

"It is wounded but not fallen, moist but not excessive, like wood full and water-stained, and of sufficient age. It can be used as the main material for divination objects, and only requires some simple carving."

Look at it more closely.

Newly sprouted but never-blooming spring branches, pebbles dripping wet dew into puddles...

They all contain some special spiritual energy. These are not top-grade spiritual objects, but they are enough if the purpose is just to set up some simple formations. These are spiritual objects that can be obtained in the mortal world with a considerable chance. Their principle of existence is also very simple: by using objects as a support, some illusory spiritual energy will gather.

When the target is these spiritual objects, Chen Guang can use his magic power and cast some spells, which greatly speeds up the process of gathering materials and setting up formations.

As one arm-thick piece of the scattered hexagram was carefully placed on the ground, a pink light screen rose up. When the peach blossom petals fell, the light screen naturally blocked them.

A simple blocking formation is complete.

"what?"

The peach blossoms didn't resemble flowers; instead, they pressed down on the light screen like heavy stones. The senses transmitted back through the magic power that maintained the formation were extremely clear. The peach petals remained motionless, pressing down on the formation. Although the formation was still operating, this 'pressure' was permeating the formation set up by Chen Guang. After a certain period of time, the spiritual energy within the peach petals, which possessed a bewitching effect, would still affect Chen Guang.

This was quite different from what was expected, which explains why there was no sign of passing the level despite the formation being set up.

"Is the goal to ensure the smooth flow of Qi and even distribution of power within the formation?"

Chen Guang's first reaction was to deflect the force, which was an extremely natural reaction—when a heavy object is placed on your body, your first reaction is to turn to the side to deflect the force or dodge.

This is an extremely natural and appropriate reaction.

However, old peach branches, buds of spring, and piled green stones of this level are all very simple spiritual objects, even fragile spiritual objects. Given enough time, mortals can cultivate them. Strictly speaking, they are not spiritual objects, but non-spiritual objects that have the potential to transform or have just begun to emerge. They are fine for setting up simple formations, but once the required level is raised, they will be like using dry bamboo to lift heavy objects, unable to bear the weight.

Silently looking up, I watched as peach petals fell one by one above the array's light screen. From where they fell, the array began to glow with a pink light, like blood vessels 'growing' on its surface.

Chen Guang had a sudden inspiration, so he left the formation and stepped into the rain of flowers.

Enchanting inspiration, constantly gathering, little by little, converges into a river.

What were originally just some simple, vague images suddenly became clear representations. One after another, graceful women seemed to appear before his eyes, and one after another, fantasies about the beauty of the opposite sex burst forth from his mind. The enchanting and graceful bodies of women swayed in his mind. Even though he was clear-headed, Chen Guang could still feel that this clarity was like a small boat in the waves, gradually becoming difficult to steer as the storm grew stronger.

If this continues, we'll get lost sooner or later. If this place weren't deserted, we'd probably make a complete fool of ourselves.

Even with the strength of Chen Guang's soul, he could sense that time was running out.

Without hesitation, they headed deeper into the peach grove.

The surrounding petals fell more and more violently, not like a rain of flowers, but more like a raging wave, crashing down on Chen Guang without ceasing. Along with this, in addition to the more intense falling of peach blossoms, the gnarled and vigorous black and moist bark of the trees gradually came into view.

"A century-old sacred tree..."

After going deeper for several dozen steps, the quality of the spiritual objects on the peach tree increased significantly. Except for the peach petals, which were still not pluckable, all the other spiritual objects were seized by Chen Guang with speed, precision, and ruthlessness.

Having sensed the limits of his soul's endurance, and realizing that the peach grove wasn't yet at its deepest point, Chen Guang still chose to venture a little further in.

However, the exertion he faced with each step was beyond Chen Guang's expectations. After only three or five steps, the falling peach blossoms softened, but the ancient and vigorous old trees suddenly became somewhat graceful and affectionate, making Chen Guang's mouth dry.

It's no longer an old tree; it's become an alluring sight that's impossible to look away from.

No more entry is allowed.

Chen Guang immediately became obedient and retreated to the entrance in one breath. He had already obtained enough spiritual items, so there was no need to collect any more.

Rearranging the formation is not difficult. To approach the requirements of the second-level Xuanhuang Formation, multiple nodes are arranged to relieve the force. With a certain understanding, it can be accomplished simply by improving the quality of the materials.

Once the formation was rearranged, when petals fell again, they floated on water, spinning several times before being thrown away by the formation.

"The conventional method for accessing this level would be to use ordinary formations to collect resources one step at a time. However, thanks to my powerful spiritual soul, I skipped this step."

Just as the peach blossoms were thrown away, the peach grove in front of him seemed to collapse and fall into the depths of the mist. A token engraved with the peach grove appeared. With a gentle touch, the token shattered and turned into a cloud of pink mist that enveloped Chen Guang and carried him upward. At the same time, a sequence of array inheritances from the token flowed into his sea of ​​consciousness, causing Chen Guang to forget everything else for a moment. When he opened his eyes after receiving the inheritance, he was already on the second level.

The second level is the valley.

Before us was a narrow canyon entrance, covered by dark green moss and dense, large-leaved plants.

A glowing token is located ten steps from the entrance. Obtain it to enter the next level.

The restraints have weakened somewhat.

Some of the forces that had been suppressing Chen Guang from using other methods began to weaken, and he was able to use his Clear Eyes again, seeing clearly the black snakes in the valley whose shadows resembled ink paintings, lurking sinisterly and menacingly beneath the moss and green leaves.

The Ink Shadow Serpent is a peculiar spirit beast with traces of the universe, almost invisible to the outside world. Its harassment ability is unparalleled among first-tier spirit beasts. Clearly, this level tests both defense and reconnaissance. Simple defense may not be enough for a first-tier formation to withstand the Ink Shadow Serpent's attack. It requires targeted defense, knowing its direction of attack, and then making specific defenses. This places high demands on the complexity of the formation, reaction speed, and even mobility.

Beneath the green leaves and moss, one can clearly perceive the gestation of some spiritual beings with clear and discerning eyes.

Each floor seems to require locally sourced materials.

As Chen Guang was observing, he suddenly felt a wetness in one palm and a heavy weight in the other. He looked down.

He held a handful of dark peach branches with wet bark in his right hand.

In his left hand, a simple flower basket contained the spiritual items he had collected deep within the first level. The quantity was exactly what he had left over after setting up the formation on the first level.

Could it be—