Chapter 4, Valley of Lost Souls

The toxic smoke was extremely potent, and the ground surrounding it, tainted by the smoke, was rising with white vapor, corroded into numerous large and small pits

Indeed, it is impossible for an infant to consume large quantities of meat all at once, but directly feeding them the elixir is a different matter. The spiritual energy emitted from the spiritual eye is the most pure and concentrated, and when combined with the gathering spirit array, it is sufficient even for those at the True Monarch level. "Xie Xiaoyu explained. That said, he himself was in a state of inner turmoil, hesitating between using it and not using it.

Heaven and earth are in harmony, and all things begin to thrive. First, there are the spirits, then the demons, and finally, humans emerge. The spirits only understand the regulation of breath and energy, while the demons take a step further, knowing how to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. Thus, a system of cultivation was established, from which the "Taoyin Xuanjing" evolved.

That thing shot out a long tongue, striking like a whip.

This is dew

After finishing his tasks, Xie Xiaoyu walked over and sat down next to Li Guangzong

Li Guangzong instinctively swung his hand, wanting to throw this thing far away. He was quite bold, but he always felt a bit uneasy about such things. He was relatively fine; the three women screamed in shock and fled as if they were flying, escaping far away.

Indeed, the young master changed his expression.

In a moment's effort, nine stone caves, each five feet high and ten feet deep, were excavated. These caves are situated very close to each other, with a distance of no more than two feet between them

During the six months in prison, Xie Xiaoyu learned that he could never let his guard down; these past two months have made him realize that any place could potentially harbor a crisis

If he didn't have this large pocket, he really wouldn't know what method to use to transport the two demon beasts away

The originally pitch-black surroundings suddenly transformed into a myriad of twinkling lights, each poisonous bee adorned with sword light, which appeared as if it were a tangible entity hanging on the bees' delicate bodies and their thin, transparent wings, resembling the dewdrops resting on blades of grass in the early morning

With just a twist and a turn, that long and slender tongue was severed into two segments

"If it really doesn't work, then let's make an iron shield; I don't believe those poisonous bees can pierce through iron," the old mine chief said from the side. Although the detoxification pill was of no use to him, he was still quite enthusiastic.

On this day, Xie Xiaoyu entered the valley early.

Suddenly, a small group of venomous bees turned around and flew towards Xie Xiaoyu, surrounding him in the blink of an eye

The amusingly unremarkable old servant stared wide-eyed at the new mine head kneeling on the ground

A series of blood droplets splattered, these sharp spikes tore through the snake's skin, taking away a dozen or so scales, and then slid away

The piercing roar suddenly shattered the silence of the night

This system of teachings can be regarded as the origin of all methods

Nine stone caves have varying amounts of mist emanating from them, with the mist being densest in the middle cave at the top row

This is a spiritual eye; a single spiritual vein will not have more than three spiritual eyes. In the sect, only the sect leader is qualified to enjoy such a good place. "Xie Xiaoyu exclaimed in admiration.

The sound of jingling bells echoed endlessly, and that piece of metal gradually changed shape, transforming into a large umbrella canopy

Disgusting as it may be, his face was filled with joy

This is a laborious task; by the time he sets up the last flag of the formation, the sun has already begun to set, and it is nearing evening

The sun rose higher and higher, and it was nearing noon when the snake suddenly lunged out, striking like a bolt of lightning.

It is evident that the Liu family from Anyang is once again scheming behind the scenes

"Xier also wants to cultivate, little brother, is it possible..." Li Guangzong did not know how to begin.

This is a boundary marker, a certificate issued to them by the mining association. As long as it is placed in the ground, this area will belong to them. In the future, this will become a new mining district, and the mining association will also add a new flight route.

The demon beast would never roar inexplicably; this creature must have encountered a formidable enemy

Li Guangzong lifted a slab that was neither metal nor stone, measuring over 3 feet in length and more than 1 foot in width, and walked to the top of the mountain, forcefully driving the slab into the ground.

"Good, you really have a way with this." The young master slapped the table again. This time, he was overjoyed, and all his grievances vanished into thin air

The clanging sound above grew increasingly dense, and suddenly, a very faint penetrating sound entered his ears

He cut about 1 pound and then stopped. This substance is not the main ingredient; it is merely a medicinal catalyst and can be used in smaller quantities. Moreover, although this substance can neutralize the pervasive miasma of Tianbao Prefecture, it is itself a potent poison. He, Su Mingcheng, and Li Guangzong can withstand it, but others cannot.

This matter is far from over. One must consider the owner when dealing with a dog. Their actions show a blatant disregard for the reputation of the Liu family from Anyang, which is absolutely unacceptable. However, we cannot confront them openly; there are many who are currently enjoying the spectacle, and your situation, young master, is precarious. Therefore, we must devise an alternative plan.

Everyone in Tianbao Prefecture knows that a new mining area has emerged, but this particular mining area is quite different. There has been little activity since its establishment, and there is no intention to recruit personnel. The flying ship only enters once every half month, bringing in only a small amount of food and water. What is brought out are iron boxes filled with metal ingots, and the quantity is limited, just meeting the minimum monthly quota.

Xie Xiaoyu did not respond. At this moment, he was solemnly holding a compass in one hand and a long knife in the other, poking around on the hillside

Xie Xiaoyu had never intended to practice such sinister and devious arts, yet among the retainers of the Liu family in Anyang, there was a practitioner well-versed in the transformations of esoteric skills

Where are we staying tonight? Li Fulu looked up, worried that he would have to sleep outdoors

Xie Xiaoyu turned her head slightly and caught a glimpse of the wicked lizard with the corner of her eye, causing all the hairs on her body to stand on end

Those foolish boys responded and immediately got to work. The ground is littered with fallen trees; all that is needed is to trim them and then split them into planks. The only troublesome part is pulling the stumps out of the ground and then filling the holes with soil

The grass serves as food for insects, which in turn are used to feed the chickens; the insects are the chickens' feed. All the manure is utilized for growing grass, ensuring that nothing is wasted from start to finish

The gradually tattered black iron umbrella canopy above him and the flowing light gauze around him alternated before his eyes, leaving him momentarily stunned.

The trees beside the old mine have become quite dense, and the vegetation is flourishing, but it cannot be compared to this place at all. Here is a true deep mountain forest, with the canopies of the large trees resembling a luxurious canopy, covering an area of at least one mu, making it impossible to see the ground from above.

Su Mingcheng is responsible for operating the furnace, as he possesses the most substantial vital energy among the three; Li Guangzong is in charge of transportation, due to his great strength; while Xie Xiaoyu is solely responsible for shaping, which requires control.

The person piloting the flying ship complied, but instead of landing directly, he stopped two zhang above the treetops

He found some grass leaves in the stomach of the porcupine, and what excited him even more was that he had seen this type of grass before, but the place was extremely dangerous, and he did not dare to approach it

Before I came to Tianbao Prefecture, an elder gave me a formula to concoct a detoxification pill using several inexpensive medicinal materials. The only challenge lies in the medicinal catalyst. The components of the catalyst are uncertain; it could be from plants, snakes, insects, or even demonic beasts, and I can only try them one by one. The miasma in the Soul-Descent Valley is dense, and toxins are widespread. If I cannot find it here, it will be even more impossible elsewhere. "Xie Xiaoyu finally revealed the purpose of choosing this place.

There is no reaction to snake blood ... ... there is no reaction to pig blood ... ... ... there is no reaction to snake meat ... ... there is no reaction to pig meat ... ... ... there is no reaction to snake tendons ... ... there is no reaction to pig trotters ... ...

The flying snake was enraged, and a plume of dark green toxic smoke erupted from its mouth, hitting the porcupine squarely, which let out a desperate scream.

"Let him go down to receive forty lashes; whether he lives or dies depends on his luck," the young master waved his hand.

A flash of emerald light shot out from the wild boar's eyes, and in an instant, it disappeared into the wound of that snake

Regarding such signs, the reasons provided by the old mine head are quite sufficient. This is a perilous area where ordinary mining methods are simply ineffective. Any sound of striking will immediately attract monstrous beasts. They can only use special methods to gradually extract the ore, and they can only mine at the edges, daring not to venture deeper

These lowly people are simply courting death! Do they really think that being far from the Central Plains means they can act with impunity, believing that my Liu family cannot reach them? That young master, after smashing the porcelain in the house, still felt indignant and began to kick and hit everything around him

This is the only time when one must run quickly; as time passes, it is certain that monsters will come to assess the situation, leaving no opportunity for him to take advantage of it

The closer she ran to the scene of the fight, the more shocked Xie Xiaoyu felt. From a distance, it didn't seem particularly intense, but upon approaching, she saw that the areas struck by the snake were marked with impressions over a person's height. Trees, encircled by five or six people, were completely pierced by sharp stings. The ground, corroded by toxic smoke, spanned an area as large as five or six city blocks, requiring a long detour to navigate around it.

This item is called the Heart-Losing Gu, one of the seven types of poisonous Gu that Su Mingcheng has painstakingly nurtured

The heart-stealing poison in Xie Xiaoyu's hand is extraordinary. He once told Su Mingcheng that in addition to the Seven Killers, Seven Stars, Seven Poisons, and Seven Worms, one could also incorporate the Seven Emotions, Seven Injuries, and Seven Orifices, but that would be forbidden by heaven

The old miner nodded repeatedly. It was only now that he realized this group of people didn't need to mine for money at all; that greenhouse was more valuable than any mine.

Both venom glands are also valuable. The toxicity of this snake is exceptionally terrifying, and one of the seven poisons of Su Mingcheng can be exchanged for it

The place where he struck the talisman is a hillside, with a steep slope, and sand continuously flows outward

"Damn! Could that be an ordinary wasp? The young man doesn't even dare to get close; will a piece of gauze be of any use?" Li Guangzong angrily scolded his son

Outside, a piercing cry for mercy immediately rang out. The new mine owner never expected that by pretending to be pitiful and coming to plead for help from his master, he would receive such a result

"Another piece of starlight silver, this material is the softest," Li Guangzong selected another metal ingot.

After a long and arduous journey, Xie Xiaoyu finally arrived in front of the two corpses of the demon beasts. She unfurled the military-grade storage bag she had casually taken earlier and stuffed both tightly entangled corpses into it. Then, she slung the bag over her shoulder and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a barely noticeable green speck landed on the flying snake, resembling a leaf, silently adhering to its body

Upon hearing about so many benefits, Li Guangzong no longer found this object, covered in coarse hair and marked with a mix of black and yellow, to be ugly and hideous, and he carefully cradled it in the palm of his hand

Just when he thought he had gained nothing again today, the purplish-red liquid suddenly turned a deep blue

Xie Xiaoyu extended her hand and said, "Give me a few quicksand talismans"

What puzzled him was that the spot of deep blue was clearly visible above

There is no longer the buzzing of poisonous bees, no longer the sound of metal piercing, and the surroundings have returned to silence

Three women are in charge of the greenhouse, which is largely occupied by rows of pipes covered in grass. Xie Xiaoyu's previous experiment was successful; he found a method to grow plants without soil, thereby addressing the issue of residual toxins at the source.

Young Master, the Master did not summon you here with the intention of having you do anything, but rather to help you avoid some trouble. The Liu family of Anyang, after all, is a prestigious family with a history of a thousand years; would they really lack for anything?" The old servant continued to advise. He was genuinely frightened; this young master was a troublemaker, and with the situation in the Central Plains being unstable, it would be even more chaotic here without anyone to keep him in check.

The practice of profound skills involves the spirit and soul, impervious to blades and swords, and unbreakable by the five elemental spells. It is exceptionally difficult to deal with, and only two means can counter it: one is the method of thunder, and the other encompasses various techniques of the demonic sect.

This is a privilege that others do not have; only those who venture into unfamiliar territories to develop new mining areas possess such qualifications

Bees are active only during the day and generally do not come out at night, so the dangers during the day far exceed those at night

This sudden extraction shook the earth and mountains; the porcupine, weighing at least tens of thousands of pounds, was unexpectedly flung a hundred feet away. The surrounding large trees were also uprooted, and a patch of land the size of a city block was completely stripped of a layer of soil.

As he looked up, the scattered pinpricks of light in the sky had merged into a continuous expanse, and beads of sweat the size of mung beans began to form on his forehead

Only one person is neither at the mine nor at the camp. Xie Xiaoyu spends all day wandering in the deep mountains and forests, and every time he returns, he always brings back a large pile of miscellaneous items. Most of the things that Su Mingcheng keeps in the pond are brought back by him. Every night, he takes those items into a distant wooden house, not knowing what he is doing. After an hour, he always comes out dejectedly, throwing a large pile of things to Su Mingcheng for him to deal with

There are also two fangs related to poison, as long as a person's leg. This is also a naturally born magical weapon, which can eventually be refined into a flying sword, at the very least a medium-grade magical artifact

It is finally put to use now

Everyone, please be quiet; I have something to say," Xie Xiaoyu called out loudly

Everything in the distance clearly entered his eyes

Xie Xiaoyu stood behind the large heliostat, peering through the small hole in the center.

Standing by the porthole, Xie Xiaoyu gazed at the jungle below through the window

The blue-and-white porcelain plate shattered against the wall, sending fragments flying in all directions, while the large vase adorned with crimson landscape designs was thrown to the ground, also breaking into a heap of shards

What Xie Xiaoyu said was actually words of comfort. For someone like the old miner, who is over fifty and whose vitality has already diminished, it is impossible to cultivate further.

A small mine with only a few shafts, rated slightly above average, yet it is required to submit 10,000 pounds of metal ingots each month

Indeed, indeed. Everyone nodded in agreement

That patch of grass grows beneath the beehive; if you move a little further away, no grass will grow.

The lizard was rolling around on the ground, its tail thrashing wildly, producing the sound of sharp slaps. Its body was marked by bulges on the east and swellings on the west, having completely deformed.

In contrast, Su Mingcheng appeared relatively indifferent. Every hall in Tianbaozhou sells detoxification pills, which is one of the benefits provided by the halls and also a means to attract loose cultivators to join them

The ingot gradually turned red, and the shimmering silver began to melt, flowing softly and transforming into a mass of twisted liquid

Xie Xiaoyu forgot that he was in a perilous situation; his mind was solely occupied with that sword strike from earlier

The old servant immediately ran in with small steps

The snake lunged at the porcupine like a mad creature, disregarding the sharp quills, and actually coiled around the porcupine's body as if intending to strangle it to death

Xie Xiaoyu disregarded everything and kept running forward with her head down

The advantage is that progress is rapid in the early stages, with one day of cultivation equivalent to half a month for others. Over time, the difference becomes self-evident. The disadvantage is that such unearned gains and a habit of comfort make future cultivation difficult. The effectiveness of the spiritual eye is only significantly apparent before reaching the True Monarch level; beyond that, such miraculous effects diminish.

Suddenly, a cloud of blood mist erupted, and the egg shook twice before splitting open. A spider, the size of a fist, crawled out from within and swiftly climbed into Li Guangzong's palm

Xie Xiaoyu leaped into the air and jumped directly over; he did not wish to engage in combat with anything on the narrow cliff.

As he jumped, he flicked his fingers, and a sword talisman shot out swiftly.

This creature is an insect, measuring only the length of two fingers, entirely emerald green, and shaped like a freshly sprouted tender leaf

There is also a large tendon on the back of the snake, which is quite a good thing.

Xie Xiaoyu glanced at the pig's stomach in the plate, which resembled a sandbag, and immediately wore a bitter expression. Was she really expected to cut that thing open and search inside?

This is a fang, and the tip seems to have some green substance on it

It looks as if an earthquake has struck, with countless trees lying on the ground, entire slopes collapsing and sliding down, and fresh soil rolling over the surface

Xie Xiaoyu was concerned that those foolish boys would recklessly touch the formation flags, so she decided to set up a circle of restrictions around each flag. Once someone touched the restriction, they would be immediately transported outside.

Has He Shu already found out about our situation?" asked Xie Xiaoyu

The things that can never be learned from books.

Suddenly, a flash of emerald light swept by, and the "leaves" that were stuck to the body of the flying snake soared into the air, instantly piercing into the eyes of the porcupine

The snake quickly withdrew, as it did not wish to fight desperately

The entire formation consists of thirty-six flags, arranged according to the positions of the Heavenly Stems.

"Detox Pill?" Su Mingcheng, however, heard something of interest in the words.

It is quite common to develop a swelling after being stung by a bee; however, if the entire body swells to five or six times its normal size, it is abnormal, indicating that the toxicity is beyond imagination

Aside from doing some sewing and mending, the other time is spent preparing three meals. Li Xier, on the other hand, spends most of her time in meditation. During the day, no one competes with her, so she naturally chooses the best spiritual eye stone cave.

You must help me vent this frustration! The young master shouted as he slammed his hand on the table

As we were approaching the foot of the mountain, a shadow suddenly leaped out from the thicket beside us

He put away the box and began to mow the grass. This time, he only focused on the blades of grass growing on the surface. If it cannot be cultivated manually, this patch of grassland is the most important treasure, and it must not be overexploited

Suddenly, he remembered something and glanced around.

Ordinary people simply cannot accomplish this, yet Li Guangzong and the others do not care. Here, everyone is a cultivator, and each person has a soil spider. Not to mention 5,000 jin of ore; even 50,000 jin of ore can be mined without issue.

The young master rolled his eyes a few times, and he already understood

Xie Xiaoyu felt a chill in his heart. He now understood why there were hardly any demon beasts near the beehive; it turned out that these poisonous bees were the overlords of the Soul-Descent Valley, and no demon beast dared to provoke them

Almost simultaneously, the porcupine's body shrank, and its sharp quills turned direction, pointing at the flying snake

A sharp hissing sound was heard, and a more than one zhang long sharp spike shot out rapidly

In the adjacent depression, seven pools, each measuring one zhang in diameter, have been excavated. The pools are arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper, with their walls lined with a layer of jade. This is the second time the pools have been created; Su Ming has matured and become skilled, resulting in pools that are much larger and more beautiful than the previous ones

In this isolation zone, the toxins in the water, soil, and air will gradually be expelled, allowing people to reside here

Practicing the Thunder Technique is certainly not feasible in a short time; it is inherently difficult to master, and there are no shortcuts. In contrast, demonic arts are different; they are easy to grasp, progress rapidly, and there are countless shortcuts available.

Xie Xiaoyu walked very cautiously and slowly, and he did not head straight towards the direction from which the sound came; instead, his goal was a small hill in the distance

One must not act hastily in the Valley of Lost Souls; every step requires careful consideration. Each tree here may harbor two or three venomous snakes, and as for various poisonous insects, they are even more numerous. Behind the trees, there may well be a lurking demon beast. If there is nothing at all, it is even more terrifying, as the tree itself may pose a threat, or there could be demon beasts similar to earth spiders hidden in the ground

This "Taoyin Xuanjing" was obtained from the Xinyue Hall

Once again confirming that there were no dangers along the way, Xie Xiaoyu quickly began to run.

The beehive is located on a cliff deep within the Valley of Lost Souls, and by the time we arrived there, it was already late at night

All ferocious beasts have the habit of foraging at night, and the same goes for the supernatural creatures; it is during the night that they make their appearances

"Such a servant should be dragged away and beaten to death," the old servant said fiercely

The old servant beside him was not concerned. He exposed Jia Liu's true nature in front of the young master, merely intending to alert the other servants who had followed them—there was no need to constantly scheme for personal gain at the risk of bringing trouble to their master, and it was not necessary to establish rules by taking lives.

This place is filled with spiritual energy, yet the vegetation is surprisingly sparse. Don't you find that strange?" Xie Xiaoyu was not very confident. He was not familiar with the art of locating auspicious sites and feng shui. He had read some books on the subject before and had reviewed them again before coming to Tianbao Prefecture; this was his first time applying it.

The "Lishi Jing" states that upon reaching the final stages of cultivation, one will become over ten feet tall, with a broad back and a round waist, which is evidently unsuitable for women to practice.

Then let us hurry to gather. More anxious than Li Guangzong were the actors, as they were deeply affected by the poison.

After nightfall, the Valley of Lost Souls becomes increasingly deep and terrifying, with the distant mountains resembling sharp canine teeth. The moonlight casts down upon the dense treetops, and the scattered rays of light appear chillingly clear.

I still fell short, I miscalculated and went off course, "Xie Xiaoyu lamented to herself.

He continued to repeat that action, not knowing how much time had passed. For the past two months, he had been living this way; it was normal for there to be no response. Up to now, he had not seen anything show any sign of reaction.

"Is there a result?" Li Guangzong approached.

The old servant feels helpless. His young master is a fool, and his temperament is impatient. Had he known it would turn out this way, he should not have indulged, pampered, and desperately concealed the truth from the master in the beginning

During the day, I mine while also training my strength, and in the evening, I practice my energy in the Spirit Eye Stone Cave. Life is both simple and fulfilling.

A light sound of clattering was heard, and a large shard fell from the left edge, with countless venomous bees swarming in.

Confirming that there are no dangers in the surroundings, let the earth spider stand guard nearby, and Xie Xiaoyu takes out a set of items from the storage bag

The work in the greenhouse is quite tedious, yet not exhausting; three women can complete a round in the morning and another round in the afternoon.

With a loud buzzing sound, a large swarm of venomous bees flew out from the hive

This set of methods does not require insight, does not emphasize qualifications, and has no significant bottlenecks, making it one of the easiest paths to achievement in the world. However, once mastered, its power is quite considerable

Everyone suddenly realized, but no one felt any dissatisfaction; if the detoxification pill were truly refined, it would be a blessing for all.

After a while, the knocking sound in the room ceased. A moment later, the young master called out, "Anfu, come in here!"

The snake skin is undoubtedly related to the art of wind manipulation. Although it is already riddled with holes and in tatters, he still carefully peeled it off.

Days pass by like this, one after another

The snake was struggling just a moment ago; as soon as the green light struck it, it twisted a few times and then became completely still

The surroundings immediately fell silent

For the average person, obtaining the detoxification pill, which is valuable yet not widely available, is not particularly difficult; as long as there are people coming from the Central Plains every month, the detoxification pill is not something hard to acquire in the Central Plains.

I absolutely do not dare to imply such a thing, but the problem is that you do not have capable subordinates. For instance, Jia Liu only knows how to boast and flatter, and he is particularly greedy. You instructed him to be low-key, to win people's hearts, and told him not to worry about the wages, but what has he done? Isn't he putting you in a precarious position? What is his intention? Isn't it to embezzle? I have long seen through the thoughts of the person kneeling outside, and I also understand my young master's temperament very well; he despises being deceived by others. Isn't it to embezzle? I have long seen through the thoughts of the person kneeling outside, and I also understand my young master's temperament very well; he despises being deceived by others.

Xie Xiaoyu had no prior experience entering this place at night, which is extremely dangerous. Not only are the demonic beasts unpredictable, but his vision is also limited. One of his two magical treasures, the Yangsui Mirror, is of no use at all.

The penetrating sound grew louder, gradually merging into a continuous roar. It was not merely penetrating; in some areas, the holes were densely packed, and had already begun to shatter.

The mine is indeed a good one, containing valuable ores such as Xuan Iron, Cold Iron, Roasted Silver, Shining Star Silver, Brilliant Gold, Sunset Gold, and much more, all of which are worth significantly more than Red Fire Copper. Based on the already opened mines, the ore reserves are moderate; it is neither a poor mine nor a rich one. However, the current mining area is not extensive, and the explored region is less than one ten-thousandth. The personnel sent by the mining association are unable to determine the grade and can only assign a temporary grade of six based on the reserves of the already opened mines, categorizing this mining area as slightly above average.

Upon seeing this scene, Xie Xiaoyu grabbed the giant umbrella with both hands and ran away. At that moment, he could no longer care about the dangers lurking in the darkness; his priority was to evade the immediate threat.

Beside it, a wooden basin was piled high with chunks of meat, fat, and various entrails, all of which were deemed useless. The majority would be used to feed snakes and insects, while a small portion would be given to the starving earth spiders

During this period, he has been able to enter and exit the Soul-Descent Valley without any loss, and has achieved considerable gains, relying on these two Xuanming Yinsha Bewitching Poison Talisman Sword Insects

Although there were such speculations, he still crouched down, took out a flat box, and carefully dug up a large patch of grass along with its roots. He intended to take it back to try planting it, and if successful, he would no longer need to take risks in the future

Looking up, one could see a barely noticeable small hole on the black iron umbrella canopy

I still have some good things to give you." Xie Xiaoyu took out another jade box and a jade plate the size of a mirror from her storage bag. The plate was adorned with patterns twisted from golden and silver threads, and it also featured numerous engraved runes.

The Demon Gate excels at capturing demons, which can be categorized into two types: tangible and intangible. All intangible demons, whether they are inner demons, shadow demons, or celestial demons, have the ability to confuse the mind and corrupt the soul.

As flashes of blades and swords flickered through the dense forest, trees began to fall one after another, quickly creating a clearing.

Xie Xiaoyu's eyes were fixed on the top of his head; he was now in a dilemma. If he simply fled back, he would also lead a swarm of poisonous bees back with him. Even though there was a large formation in the camp, it was not very effective against such a numerous yet small entity. The "Reverse Universe Void Shift Formation" was not particularly useful in this case.

With nothing to do, everyone used the felled trees to split them in half and arranged them in a circle in the open space, beside which they built a stove. At this moment, the people who had been busy all day gathered around, with Aunt Li, Xi'er, and Erzi's wife stewing chicken soup on the stove. This had previously been the task of Uncle Chang, but now that there were three women, it was naturally entrusted to them.

You should first set up the greenhouse. Two rooms will be sufficient: one for Aunt Li, Erzi's wife, and Sister Xi'er, and one for the mine head.

Once this formation is set up, the area within several miles is enveloped. Anything that enters will be subject to arbitrary displacement, and even the most powerful beasts will find their strength rendered ineffective within the formation, potentially even turning their own power against themselves. Remarkably, even when this great formation is activated, it remains undetectable from the outside, lacking any dazzling light or swirling auspicious clouds that might reveal its presence, allowing individuals to fall into the trap without awareness. It is undoubtedly an extremely insidious formation.

I do not understand this. Su Mingcheng did not know that Xie Xiaoyu was an insider, and he was once again provoked.

Whenever she thought of the many thorns still embedded in the stones and soil, Xie Xiaoyu felt a sense of regret, for those were treasures

The sword light suddenly trembled, and a cold sword energy was unleashed, drawing a crescent-shaped arc in midair, which instantly rotated twice.

It took exactly two hours for Xie Xiaoyu to reach the summit of the mountain, which is still three to four miles away from the place where the beast's roar was heard.

"Do you mean I won't amount to anything?" The young master's expression immediately darkened.

Resignation aside, a solution must still be sought

By the light of the sword, he finally saw clearly that it was a monster with a row of bony plates on its back, resembling a lizard.

Young Master, the most important thing now is to suppress this matter. That dog servant has messed everything up. Some things can only be done privately and cannot be spoken of publicly. Many people outside are spreading rumors that the Liu family is failing and is desperate to make money, disregarding our reputation. Sooner or later, this will reach the Central Plains and the ears of the Master. The old servant fell silent. He knew that mentioning the Master was the most effective; this was the Young Master's Achilles' heel.

I will go get it right away," Li Guangzong said hastily

"Back in the days at Qiuluochuan, I was conscripted into the army." Li Guangzong seemed somewhat reluctant to speak of it, as if being conscripted was a grievance, yet there was a hint of pride in his tone. The great victory at Qiuluochuan was the most significant triumph over the indigenous tribes in nearly a century.

Unlike the violent ferocity and momentary brilliance of electricity, dew, though equally fleeting, does not arrive with such swiftness. Instead, it is light and gentle, ensnaring one unsuspectingly.

The number of Spirit Eye Stone Caves is insufficient, necessitating a rotation for their use; however, the quantity of ordinary stone chambers is quite adequate. Due to the presence of the Spirit Eye Stone Caves, Xie Xiaoyu is not concerned about excess or deficiency, directly employing the best Spirit Gathering Array, thus the effects of cultivation within are not significantly lacking.

A series of clattering sounds echoed from the room, accompanied by a string of curses.

No wonder you can return to Middle-earth. Su Mingcheng suddenly realized. It is easy to come to Tiangong Prefecture, but difficult to leave. When the great airship arrived, it mostly carried people, with very few goods. On the return journey, however, it was filled with metal ingots, and there were only a few dozen seats available for people. Most of these were taken by the government and mining associations, while the remaining seats were monopolized by various major gangs. For ordinary citizens, leaving is absolutely more difficult than ascending to the heavens

In this jungle, the colorful light clusters are far more abundant than anywhere else, overlapping with one another. Some coalesce into distinct shapes, some appear hazy, some are scattered like stars, and some resemble smoke or mist. The different shapes represent different entities: those that coalesce into form are either demonic beasts or highly poisonous snakes and insects; the hazy ones are toxic miasma; the scattered ones are ores and medicinal herbs; and those that resemble smoke or mist are spiritual veins and energy caverns. They coalesce into distinct shapes, appear hazy, are scattered like stars, and resemble smoke or mist, with different shapes representing different entities: those that coalesce into form are either demonic beasts or highly poisonous snakes and insects; the hazy ones are toxic miasma; the scattered ones are ores and medicinal herbs; and those that resemble smoke or mist are spiritual veins and energy caverns.

"Didn’t you say that having too much spiritual energy is not good for cultivation?" Su Ming asked in surprise

Suddenly, a dark shadow darted out from behind a tree ahead. He felt a slight tremor in his heart, thinking that the creature was about to pounce. To his surprise, the creature, as if it had seen a ghost, turned and fled.

Xie Xiaoyu wiped the tusks dry with a cloth and examined them carefully under the solar microscope. The solar microscope can magnify objects significantly, revealing some green details that are only visible to the naked eye, making them clear and distinct under the microscope.

What is this? Is it also a spiritual vein? Su Mingcheng asked out of confusion

The "Reversal of the Universe and Void Displacement Array" is an exceptionally sophisticated formation that cannot be purchased with money.

Once this object left the body of the flying snake, the snake awakened. It struggled to free itself, but at that moment, it was like a bundle of cotton thread entangled on a mountain of needles, unable to be pulled away.

At this moment, a soft reprimand escaped from Xie Xiaoyu's lips, and his hand suddenly spread open, sending a hazy sword light radiating in all directions

A flying ship is hovering in the sky

The essence of this sword lies in its omnipresence and all-encompassing nature. Before it is unleashed, the opponent is already ensnared by its moves; once it is activated, an unexpected change occurs, leaving the opponent with no means to evade or escape.

A sound as dense as the plucking of strings suddenly came from above; the wasps were attacking

Take this umbrella cover out of the furnace, and Xie Xiaoyu asked Li Guangzong: "Where are those few pieces of light gauze that your wife usually weaves? Bring them over for use."

Xie Xiaoyu opened a large umbrella, holding it above his head, allowing the shimmering silver net and several layers of light gauze to cascade down. He summoned the earth spider back and stepped forward, making his way towards the beehive.

Two solar mirrors floated in mid-air, slowly rotating, ultimately facing the direction from which the beast's roar came

The "Great Method of Observing the Sky and Penetrating the Earth" is not a form of clairvoyance, thus he cannot see the conditions beneath the tree canopy; however, what he perceives is still significantly more than what others can.

He carefully placed the cut grass blades into a small cloth bag, then stuffed it into the storage pouch, and cautiously retraced his steps along the original path

A series of crackling and slapping sounds echoed behind, accompanied by piercing shrieks.

The booklet is titled "The Lunar Secret Scripture," which is a well-known text in the esoteric tradition. The methods contained within require the practitioner to absorb the essence of the moon on a full moon night, refine it into a primordial elixir, and then nurture its growth, transforming the elixir into an infant

"Do not follow me; rebuild the killing pool. There is a branch of spiritual vein there," Xie Xiaoyu pointed to a depression a hundred zhang away and said, "I still need to set up the grand formation. Without the grand formation, I cannot feel at ease. Who knows when a beast might come by?"

The thorns pierced through the snake skin, protruding like long spears.

However, after weighing the pros and cons, he still decided to take a risk

That is the crushed remnants of grass; unfortunately, it is impossible to determine which type of grass it is from these fragments.

Xie Xiaoyu grasped the spell, flicked his hand, and cast a talisman. However, this time his technique was somewhat intricate; the quicksand talisman dispersed and was embedded into the ground according to the positions of the nine palaces

It is unclear whether it is intentional or unintentional; on this side, all the individuals seated, along with the *illustrated* books, are people of status, and there are also the old mine owner and Su Mingcheng on one side

At this moment, the one I despise the most is not the rebellious miners, but this guy in front of me

The flying ship landed, and everyone disembarked from the vessel, busily unloading their belongings.

Xie Xiaoyu is in need of such an item

Once again, a roar echoed, and he quickly took out a pair of gleaming silver objects from his storage bag and put them on his ears

The completely melted starlight silver spread across the umbrella canopy, instantly transforming into a thin layer of silver film that adhered closely to the surface. At the edges of the canopy, this film draped down into delicate strands, which then intertwined and wove together, quickly forming a silver fishing net.

If we are going to hit, let’s hit harder; after all, there are plenty of various metal ingots in the warehouse, so we might as well use them to forge. Li Guangzong rubbed his hands together

"Dark iron... bring me a piece." Li Guangzong rummaged through the metal ingots and finally pulled out a pitch-black iron ingot. Dark iron is not the most precious of these materials, but when it comes to hardness, no other material can compare.

Ten thousand pounds per month means over three hundred pounds per day. Calculating per person, at least twenty pounds of metal must be extracted each day. Even with good luck, it would require mining five to six thousand pounds of ore.

The servants all stood in the courtyard, none of them willing to go in at this time and encounter misfortune

However, this porcupine is rather useless; apart from its sharp quills, there is nothing else of value.

Xie Xiaoyu quickly shifted her gaze away from the flying snake.

This is a very terrifying place, where there are powerful demon beasts equivalent to real-life levels everywhere. With his current strength, he simply cannot provoke them.

What are you looking for?" Su Mingcheng asked as he approached.

"No matter what, let's give it a try." Xie Xiaoyu was not very confident either. However, since she knew what the medicinal catalyst was, she would surely find a way to obtain it. It was the initial feeling of being completely at a loss that had been troubling her.

Su Mingcheng beside him had already become numb. This time he could be certain that it was not modesty; Xie Xiaoyu had indeed miscalculated, off by at least seven feet. However, compared to this person, he didn't even know what that was, the gap was too great.

Dew is originally formed from the condensation of water vapor, which is ubiquitous and pervasive.

"Stop the nonsense and get to work," Li Guangzong said, giving his son a firm pat on the head.

The snake is highly perceptive; if it senses any disturbance in the air and discovers that someone is watching, it could lead to trouble

A wounded porcupine was there crying out loudly. This porcupine was as large as a house, with a brownish-black color, and its body was covered with sharp quills standing upright, each one measuring as long as two people.

The old fellow's eyes twinkled, and he already had a plan in mind

Su Mingcheng, however, did not have such worries. He did not understand, and even if he did, he would not care. The Real Person level was already his highest goal; he did not even dare to think about the True Monarch level.

Cautiously all the way, he let the earth spider lead the way in front, while he followed behind. The pair of silver long ears were worn throughout, and he repeatedly confirmed that there was no danger ahead before he could run a few steps.

Those young men also crowded over, as they were eager to possess a demon beast of their own

Where there is the first, there is the second. Soon, a dense sound of penetration erupted, and in the blink of an eye, the black iron umbrella had transformed into a large sieve

"This is simple; just get a veil worn by beekeepers, and that will do," Li Fulv said from the side

The several pieces of light gauze are woven from the silk produced by earth spiders. Initially intended to be woven into fabric, the silk turned out to be too light and too fine, ultimately resulting in thin veils

Two metal ingots were thrown into the smelting furnace. This is a standard furnace provided by the mining association, characterized by its strong firepower and simple operation; however, it is difficult to control and is not intended for the production of tools.

What should be done about this matter? Should one just endure in silence? The young master has lost his previous urgency. Now he is thinking about what will happen if the news reaches the Central Plains. If his father finds out about these matters, he will definitely not let him off easily

This is a place of extreme danger; if the noise is too loud, it can easily attract monsters

The person kneeling repeatedly bowed his head, knowing that his life had been spared. If the young master truly wanted his life, he would not have mentioned a number, but would have simply said, "Take him away and beat him to death"

Inside the jade box lay the very eggs of the earth spiders. He took one out and placed it in the center of the jade plate, then had the uncle prick his index finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the egg

Su Mingcheng also said nothing. The positions of the Dui and Zhen trigrams are exactly in the middle of the nine squares, with the concentration of spiritual energy neither too high nor too low, which is somewhat regrettable. The Dui position corresponds to the Western White Tiger, which belongs to Metal, making it quite suitable for Xie Xiaoyu; the Zhen position corresponds to the Eastern Azure Dragon, which belongs to Wood. He understood this point well, as he needed to nurture both the evil and the gu, and the consumption of vitality was quite severe, thus requiring the nourishment of Wood energy.

However, that flying snake is not faring well either, as its tail has been lacerated by sharp thorns, leaving it bloodied.

Value, complete value

Xie Xiaoyu stood still, listening attentively.

There is a rather troublesome matter; there is a large beehive at the location of the medicinal herbs, filled entirely with venomous bees. "Xie Xiaoyu first mentioned the difficulty.

The delicate veil hanging under the umbrella is similarly surrounded by venomous bees. These bees are utterly unrestrained, relentlessly stinging at the veil, yet the veil remains unaffected, as the indomitable bee stings penetrate directly through the mesh of the veil.

The boundary marker also serves as a formation base; once it is embedded in the ground, it will immediately connect with the earth's veins, creating a barrier zone.

Having completed all of this, Xie Xiaoyu picked up a purplish-red bottle from the corner, used a silver needle to extract a drop of purplish-red liquid from the bottle, and then, regardless of its efficacy, proceeded to test each one.

"He Shu, when you have some free time, you can practice a bit. The 'Classic of Strength' is in the hands of the elder, along with a commentary that I provided as answers to everyone's questions. You, Erzi, and Xizi should start practicing. The 'Classic of Strength' emphasizes both internal and external cultivation, which has a beneficial effect on the body. After a while, I will attempt to refine a detoxification pill. If successful, we will no longer have to worry about the pervasive miasma here, and your bodies will return to their original state"

However, this sudden action also provoked the ferocity of the porcupine. The beast charged violently towards the flying snake, its sharp quills stabbing in all directions.

After a considerable amount of time, the other piece of dark iron also began to melt

Others had already finished their work. In the center of the open space stood a makeshift wooden shed, square in shape and exceptionally crude, filled with rows of wooden frames. Compared to the small shed used for experiments in the old mining area, this shed was dozens of times larger. Those foolish lads, while working, were thinking about the deliciousness of chicken, all believing that this time they could enjoy chicken for every meal

The sword light is very weak, lacking the sharp and piercing sensation of the past. It is light as a feather, devoid of any killing intent, yet it envelops the myriad of poisonous bees within it.

Su Mingcheng does not need to work in the mines. He is more diligent than anyone else, spending his days meditating in his spiritual cave, only occasionally wandering around the seven pools. These seven pools are now shrouded in different colored mists, with black water, sludge, and decayed soil at the bottom, while vibrant poisonous mushrooms and delicate, dripping toxic flowers and plants grow above. Among the flowers and plants, centipedes, scorpions, spiders, toads, lizards, and venomous snakes crawl about. The entire camp, apart from this leader, keeps a considerable distance from this hollow area.

Suddenly, these brilliant sword lights, as radiant as dew, scattered simultaneously, creating a scene reminiscent of dawn breaking upon the earth

Both of these monstrous beasts exhibit remarkable patience; one continuously circles around, while the other merely roars without making any proactive attacks

Isn't that sufficient

He became increasingly convinced that opportunities must be sought in inconspicuous places

It was originally agreed to weave fabric from spider silk and then tailor a robe for each person. However, after it turned into a light gauze, those few young men found it unappealing, so the spider silk gauze has remained piled up in the storeroom.

The snake seemed to be aware of its peril, its body twisting in the air in a strange manner, evading most of the incoming sharp projectiles; however, five or six still struck its body.

However fast a creature with four legs may run, it cannot outpace something with wings. The group of venomous bees surrounding Xie Xiaoyu split into two, with one team pursuing the shadow. In an instant, a similarly piercing scream echoed from that direction

Once again, it is the Sword Gu that has made a significant contribution

The first to jump down was Xie Xiaoyu, followed closely by Su Mingcheng and Li Guangzong, each holding a magical weapon in their hands

When this fellow left initially, he repeatedly urged to keep a low profile at the mine, to retain the miners through bribery if possible, and if that failed, to recruit new workers. He also assured that wages and other matters would not be an issue, emphasizing that the situation must not escalate. Unexpectedly, this beast was submissive and docile like a rabbit in front of the young master, but once released, he immediately revealed his true nature, turning out to be a mad dog

The foundry is located in a corner of the camp, deeply buried underground. It is dirty and chaotic inside, with a thick layer of slag and iron sand covering the floor. The surrounding walls are constructed from slag to provide sound insulation.

"Anyway, everyone has to work during the day. There are seven spirit caves available, not just for Sister Xi'er to use; others can also give it a try if they wish to cultivate," said Xie Xiaoyu. He pulled out a small booklet from his storage bag and tossed it to Li Xi'er.

The entire Soul Valley is a vast basin, nearly 300 miles long and over 180 miles wide, surrounded by towering mountains and ancient trees reaching the sky. Up to now, Xie Xiaoyu has not even completed a quarter of the search, and even in the areas that have been searched, there are many places that are too dangerous to explore further.

The originally retreating flying snake suddenly changed its demeanor, flicking its tail and striking towards the porcupine.

The flying snake surprisingly contracted its muscles in an instant, evading the sharpness of the deadly stinger

The collection of martial arts techniques at the hall is certainly much more comprehensive than that of the earliest shop. However, because there are knowledgeable individuals in the hall who have pre-screened the items, the collection consists solely of relatively complete techniques. Therefore, techniques like the "Six Suchness Method," which are mixed in with other scriptures after being separated, cannot be included. Thus, although the quality of the items there is relatively high, they are of little use to Xie Xiaoyu

With a resounding boom, the loose soil surrounding the monument rose high, revealing intricate patterns that crisscrossed like veins.

I have already found the medicine guide. "Xie Xiaoyu was filled with joy.

Magenta remains magenta

The emerald light once again soared into the air, flickering a few times before flying straight back into Xie Xiaoyu's hand

What about me? The old miner also felt a stir in his heart

You think of something for me! The young master shouted while banging on the table

Indeed, it was not wrong. Xie Xiaoyu stared with delight at the faint mist rising from the bottom of the stone cave.

He would certainly not let such a good opportunity slip by, not only because it is a rare chance to take advantage of the chaos, but also because the demon beast might possess the medicinal ingredients he needs.

Compared to "like electricity," the phrase "like dew" can be described as very slow, yet it can also be said to be extremely fast, even faster than "like electricity"

Isn't something about to happen in the north? According to the rules, the government will definitely pull people from various mines. I heard they plan to open their own mine. Once they determine the location of the mining area, you should visit the governor's office and the mining association again, so that the person in charge can make a note of it..." The old servant chuckled coldly and then said leisurely

The snake bones are as white as jade, and when struck with a knife, they produce a ringing sound; they are indeed valuable items

Aww

As for snake gall, it is indeed a valuable item

You must have heard just now that I am quite fortunate to have found a spiritual eye, which is also your good fortune. The spiritual eye is not large, so everyone can only squeeze in a bit. Since I did not calculate accurately, it is slightly off. These nine spiritual holes have varying strengths and weaknesses, and the number is insufficient, so everyone can only take turns using them. Only Su Mingcheng and I occupy one each; I occupy the Dui position, while Su Mingcheng occupies the Zhen position. " Xie Xiaoyu observed the reactions of the crowd

"No," Xie Xiaoyu said, grabbing Li Guangzong's arm. "This creature is called a soil spider; it is a formidable beast. It moves through the earth as fish do in water and can even penetrate rock. The silk it produces is impervious to blades and bullets. I plan to use this silk to make a piece of magical clothing for each person! It is extremely sensitive to vibrations, and using it to keep watch at night is more effective than having a dog. Moreover, this area is teeming with magical beasts. If we continue to mine with iron picks as we did before, the noise will be too great and will easily attract these beasts. The soil spider can burrow into the rock, and I will also teach you the technique of transferring power through objects. The strength of the soil spider's larvae is limited, but with your assistance in transferring power, they will become immensely powerful. One person with one spider can match the strength of a hundred or more people."

Su Mingcheng, without saying a word, handed over a handful of talismans. Although he lacked experience, he was financially well-off.

This statement is half true and half false, but he himself does not dare to practice it fully. After obtaining the Seven Emotions Bewitching Technique from the demonic sect, he only practiced the emotions of anger and fear, integrating one into the Heart-Losing Gu and the other into the Soul-Losing Gu. The former, once afflicted, will become enraged to the point of madness, seeking vengeance without rest; the latter, once afflicted, will be filled with fear, becoming paranoid and suspicious.

That was a pair of long ears crafted from silver, measuring two feet in length and six inches in width. Accompanied by the "Heavenly Observation and Profound Insight Technique," he could clearly hear the sound of branches breaking within a distance of three miles, and even larger sounds could be heard from as far as ten miles away

The cabin was filled with the stench of blood, and the two monstrous beasts had been dismembered. Along the wall lay sharp spikes. These were sturdier than the magic dagger in his hand; when struck, the blade shattered, yet the spikes bore not even a white mark.

Compared to this spiritual eye, the four million taels of silver he brought out are simply insignificant

This time he heard it clearly; the sound came from a place over twenty miles to the southeast

That flying serpent is quite remarkable; the best material among the dismembered parts is undoubtedly the pair of wings on its back. This serpent moves with lightning speed and is exceptionally skilled in wind manipulation, which is certainly related to those wings. It can be refined into a magical artifact for flight.

Xie Xiaoyu formed hand seals with both hands, and with each point of her finger, the piece of dark iron seemed to be struck by an invisible hammer. After the sparks flew, it was certain that a portion of it had caved in.

Acting on impulse, the others lost interest in having a meal, and the three of them—Xie Xiaoyu, Li Guangzong, and Su Mingcheng—went into the foundry.

A patterned and mottled snake is continuously slithering in front of the porcupine. Judging by the proportion of the fallen trees to the snake's body, this snake is at least ten zhang long, and if coiled up, it could easily fill half a house. Its triangular head indicates that it is extremely venomous, and the most bizarre aspect is that it has bat-like wings on its back

The grand formation mentioned by Xie Xiaoyu was orchestrated by the old mine owner, who utilized all his connections and feigned misery at the mining association, with tears and snot, presenting himself as a victim with no recourse for his grievances. The higher-ups, aware of their culpability, sought to placate the situation by borrowing a set of "Reverse the Universe and Shift the Void Formation".

A quarter of an hour later, Xie Xiaoyu, suppressing her nausea, ran out of the wooden house

"Put us there," said Xie Xiaoyu, pointing towards a remote hill.

Xie Xiaoyu urged the earth spider to take the lead, as they cautiously made their way southeast, one person and one spider.

In the center of the house, there is a furnace, with a cavity the size of a basin drilled into the ground, directly drawing in the underground fire. The furnaces in Tianbao Prefecture are almost all of this type

The porcupine knew that there was no escape, so it simply chose to fight to the death. It struggled and twisted with all its might, trying to tear the snake's wound as wide as possible.

Those are two solar mirrors, one large and one small. The large one is like a wooden basin used for bathing, with a hole carved in the middle; the small one is only the size of a cup's rim. The concave sides of the two solar mirrors face each other directly.

Beneath his feet, a spider the size of a teapot emerged. This creature had no ears and could not hear sounds, yet it was able to perceive the vibrations in the air

He thought he was seeing things and quickly dropped another drop down.

A faint and low growl of a beast reached his ears

Xie Xiaoyu is somewhat skeptical about the symbiotic relationship between this grass and the poisonous bees

The spiritual eye is beneficial, but like situations with rich spiritual energy, it has both advantages and disadvantages

That is the only area where the trees are relatively sparse

"Have you ever served in the military or fought in a war?" Su Mingcheng asked curiously. Those who understand that crafting armor requires a balance of flexibility and rigidity are either professional blacksmiths or individuals with a military background