NOVEL NEXT Chapter 72:
Chapter 72:
Xiao Yang, Lin Wangchuan, and Song Qiang ventured together into the underground spiritual vein.
“Senior Brother, the spiritual energy here is unbelievably dense,” Song Qiang exclaimed in shock.
Every breath they took was infused with spiritual energy so pure it seemed to have been accumulating for countless years. Such a concentration of energy explained the massive disturbance when the ground vein was breached.
“Holy Son, I can feel my cultivation about to break through!” Lin Wangchuan said excitedly.
“This is a supreme-grade spiritual vein. Naturally, its energy is incredibly rich,” Xiao Yang said calmly.
The value of a supreme-grade spiritual vein was beyond measure. In the Northern Territories, the top ten forces each held dominion over one supreme-grade spiritual vein, which was the foundation of their strength and legacy. A well-managed vein could sustain a sect’s prosperity for millions of years, which explained why so many powerful factions coveted this place. Control over such a vein meant access to endless cultivation resources, which in turn ensured dominance in a world where strength dictated everything.
Xiao Yang recalled his grandfather’s words: Only the strong control their fate; the weak can only accept it.
In his previous life, he had been obsessed with his junior sister and had fallen victim to Qin Fei’s schemes, his master’s betrayal, and his fellow disciples’ plots. This had led to his demise at Qin Fei’s hands. His family had been no better, treating him as nothing more than a resource provider, and they had even given the resources he earned to Qin Fei.
But this time, things would be different. Every cultivation resource he found would belong to him alone, not his parents, not his sister, and certainly not Qin Fei.
“Senior Brother, there’s light ahead!” Song Qiang suddenly exclaimed.
Xiao Yang snapped out of his thoughts and saw faint glimmers of light illuminating a massive underground space in the distance.
“What’s making that light?” Lin Wangchuan’s curiosity was piqued. Being naturally adventurous, he was thrilled by the prospect of exploration.
With a burst of speed, Lin Wangchuan darted forward on his flying sword.
“Brother, wait!” Xiao Yang called out in alarm, quickly pursuing him.
In his previous life, he had entered this spiritual vein after the battles had mostly ended, so he didn’t know what dangers lay within. While they were still far from the location of the terrifying presence he remembered, supreme-grade spiritual veins were inherently perilous. Even an ordinary beast exposed to such energy could transform into a formidable monster. Xiao Yang feared Lin Wangchuan might encounter danger.
Song Qiang followed close behind.
“Really? It’s just a Stardust Pearl!” Lin Wangchuan exclaimed as he reached the source of the light. Embedded in the jade-like walls, the pearl’s brilliance illuminated the underground cavern.
Nearby, Song Qiang gawked at the radiant walls. “Wait, is this… spiritual jade?” he muttered, dumbfounded. Compared to spiritual jade, spiritual stones were like scrap iron to gold. Even the weakest spiritual jade held purer energy than the best spiritual stones, and only the most elite cultivators had access to it.
Yet here, the walls were entirely composed of spiritual jade.
Song Qiang eagerly pulled out his spatial bag and began prying chunks of spiritual jade from the walls.
“What are you doing?” Lin Wangchuan asked, watching Song Qiang chisel away at the jade.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m collecting it!” Song Qiang replied, his bag filling with jade.
“Have we just entered the vein?” Xiao Yang asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah…” Song Qiang answered, confused.
“Doesn’t that mean there are better things deeper in?” Xiao Yang continued.
“Of course…”
“Then why are you wasting time on this trash?” Xiao Yang sighed.
Lin Wangchuan burst into laughter. “Old Song, even I know the best stuff is further in. Why bother with this?”
Embarrassed, Song Qiang tossed the jade aside.
“Let’s go. Your spatial bags should carry treasures, not scraps,” Xiao Yang said, leading the way.
As they ventured deeper, the glow of Stardust Pearls embedded in the walls bathed the cavern in an ethereal light. The air was thick with spiritual energy, making the entire place feel like a celestial paradise.
For several miles, they flew through the vein without encountering anything unusual. Then, they reached a fork in the path. Two massive tunnels stretched out before them, their destinations unknown.
“Senior Brother, which way should we go?” Song Qiang asked.
“The left path,” Xiao Yang answered without hesitation, guiding them into the left tunnel.
In his previous life, he had learned that this was a dual spiritual vein. The left path led to a fire spiritual vein, while the right path led to an ice spiritual vein. Both were supreme-grade, their rarity making them even more coveted. The fire vein was Xiao Yang’s destination; he knew precisely where his goal lay and what dangers awaited.
As they ventured into the fire vein, the temperature began to rise steadily. The walls around them glowed with a faint red light, as if flames danced within the stone itself. The air grew hotter with each step.
For Xiao Yang, whose True Yang Sacred Physique thrived on fire energy, this was an ideal cultivation ground.
“Fire jade… No, are those fire crystals?” Song Qiang exclaimed, his eyes wide as he stared at the glowing walls.
Unlike spiritual jade, fire crystals contained immensely concentrated fire energy, making them highly sought-after in cultivation.
Surrounded by such abundant resources, Xiao Yang understood why so many powerful factions had fought over this place in his past life. Yet he ignored the treasures around him, focusing on his ultimate goal.
Eventually, they reached a vast chamber where the air shimmered with heat. At its center lay a massive lake of molten lava, the fiery glow illuminating countless treasures scattered around its shores.
Among the treasures were rare herbs, each one brimming with fiery energy. Xiao Yang instantly recognized some: Fire Lingzhi, Crimson Flame Grass, Fire Yuan Ginseng, and Fire Yang Fruit.
“This… This place is a treasure trove!” Lin Wangchuan and Song Qiang were stunned, quickly filling their spatial bags with the herbs.
Xiao Yang paid no attention, his gaze fixed on the center of the lava lake. There, suspended above the molten lake, was a massive fire crystal the size of a small mountain. Fire energy swirled around it like dragons, radiating an overwhelming aura.
Atop the crystal grew a small crimson tree, its sole fruit glowing like a mythical phoenix ready to take flight.
“Is that… a True Phoenix Nirvana Fruit?” Xiao Yang’s heart raced.
This fruit was the reason he had come. Consuming it could grant a hundred years of cultivation and transform one’s physique, akin to a phoenix reborn through nirvana. Moreover, it was the key ingredient for crafting the legendary Nirvana Pill, a divine elixir capable of breaking through cultivation limits and granting unparalleled strength.
Xiao Yang clenched his fists in excitement. In his previous life, this fruit had remained out of reach. Now, it was within his grasp.
As he prepared to approach, a startled cry came from behind him.
“Is that… a True Phoenix Nirvana Fruit?”
Xiao Yang’s body tensed as he turned to face the source of the voice.