"At least a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein?"

The Qi Family Brothers, like mad dogs, had clung tenaciously to Jia Ren, and as a consequence, I too had come under surveillance. I had thought it would be a rare, High-Grade Magical Artifact or an inheritance of the Four Arts of Cultivation. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a Spirit Stone Vein, and a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein at that! A Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein represented a fortune of hundreds of thousands, if not a million, Spirit Stones. Never mind the Qi Family Brothers; even the great Sects would mobilize upon hearing such news, frantically searching for Jia Ren's whereabouts. This was not a fortune a Loose Cultivator could hope to keep.

"The Qi Family Brothers are dead, and the witnesses have been silenced."

You should be busy mining, keeping a low profile to amass wealth. Has there been a new complication? A Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein was so precious it was hard to imagine. Anyone would carefully hide it, not leaking its existence lightly. Each additional person who knew increased the risk of exposure. Jia Ren hadn't told me, very likely harboring a similar thought. Now that he was at my doorstep, it was probably because trouble had found him.

"The Spirit Stone Vein is not mine alone; I cannot easily disclose it to Yang Daoyou…"

One monk carries water to drink; two monks carry water together to drink; with three monks, there is no water to drink. When Jia Ren had informed Yang Shengwu about the mining, inviting Yang Bingzhi as well would have invited unnecessary trouble. Yang Shengwu was on good terms with Jia Ren but was not familiar with Yang Bingzhi; direct involvement in the distribution of the Spirit Stone Vein could easily lead to discord. If one person worked harder and another less, yet the outcome was an equal share, disputes were bound to arise.

Now, the situation was different. With Yang Shengwu out, Yang Bingzhi could take over seamlessly.

"Not long ago, while mining, someone chasing a fox spirit broke in..."

"Another friend has left the Great Wilderness and will no longer meddle in this affair."

Jia Ren briefly recounted the situation, while Yang Bingzhi listened quietly.

"Daoist Jia, I am pleased you sought me out promptly," Yang Bingzhi said earnestly. "The Spirit Stone Vein is too precious; no one wants others involved. The person who fled won't rest easily and will likely try to seize the Spirit Stone Vein by force. Until an attempt to snatch the vein fails, there's no need to worry about exposure."

"There's no hurry to inform the Five Elements Sect about this. If we can reclaim the Spirit Stone Vein, you and I can share it equally."

"If the attempt to seize it fails, I will report it to the Five Elements Sect."

"To encourage the reporting of discovered Spirit Stone Veins, the Sect offers a reward. This reward comprises ten percent of the vein after deducting costs, along with a hefty sum of Sect merits."

"The rewards from the Sect can easily help you exchange for the Hundred Arts of Cultivation."

Advance, and I can mine the vein, monopolizing the Spirit Stones. Retreat, and I can use Yang Bingzhi to obtain the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. Both paths are profitable.

"Let's proceed with this plan."

"This is the Spirit Stone Vein Map. The Medium-grade Spirit Stones were discovered recently and have barely been mined."

Jia Ren handed the map to Yang Bingzhi. Compared to the version initially given to Yang Shengwu, this one was richer in detail. It was the map amended by Yang Shengwu, rendered with greater precision.

Yang Bingzhi solemnly bowed to Jia Ren and declared loudly, "Daoist Jia, I will forever be grateful for your kindness!"

"I will do everything I can to reclaim the Spirit Stone Vein. Wait for my good news."

As he was leaving, Yang Bingzhi passed Jia Ren the Medicinal Bath Ingredients for the Copper Body stage of the Mixed Refining Vajra Body.

"Daoist Jia, you should have achieved initiation into the Vajra Body by now, right? You can cultivate the Copper Body."

Jia Ren smiled and shook his head, saying, "No need for those ingredients. My Copper Body is already greatly advanced. You can collect the Medicinal Bath Ingredients for the Dark Gold Body for me instead."

Dark Gold Body?! Yang Bingzhi looked at Jia Ren closely, his expression peculiar.

Who would have thought Daoist Jia's talent for Body Refinement was so remarkable.

"I have thirty sets of Dark Gold Body Medicinal Bath Ingredients with me; take them. I will collect the remaining ingredients for you."

Although Body Cultivators were not highly regarded, Yang Bingzhi was proud of his rapid progression in Body Refinement. He hadn't expected Jia Ren's talent for Body Refinement to surpass his own.

"These are Demon-Spotting Talismans; they can be used to find and avoid Magical Beasts."

"Use these Evil Warding Talismans and Golden Bell Shield Talismans to preserve your life."

Jia Ren took out more than thirty Demon-Spotting Talismans, a dozen Evil Warding Talismans, and two Golden Bell Shield Talismans, tossing them to Yang Bingzhi. It was a gesture of goodwill in return, repayment for the Medicinal Bath Ingredients. Heading deep into the Great Wilderness, Yang Bingzhi would find use for all the talismans.

"Daoist Jia, please wait for my good news," Yang Bingzhi said, not declining the offer. He hurriedly took the talismans and left.

Compared to reporting the Spirit Stone Vein to the Five Elements Sect, having to defer to others and watch their moods when dividing the Spirit Stones, not to mention potentially being shortchanged and attracting the envy of numerous sect members, he preferred to divide the Spirit Stone Vein with Jia Ren. With a matter as delicate as a Medium-Grade Spirit Stone Vein, he had to be meticulous and plan thoroughly.

Traveling by sword flight, he swiftly headed towards his Sect. Yang Bingzhi was in no rush to check on the Spirit Stone Vein; instead, he first prepared a backup plan.

Within half a cup of tea's time, he emerged from the Transmission Hall, holding the Mining Secrets Manual, primarily used for detecting veins and types of minerals. Perhaps the Five Elements Sect had made it so deliberately; the merits required for the exchange were modest.

"Mechanism Puppets..."

Jia Ren had spoken at length with Yang Bingzhi, mentioning Mechanism Puppets.

Individual efforts to mine a Spirit Stone Vein were too inefficient; with the assistance of Mechanism Puppets, the speed of mining could be increased significantly. If one wanted to quickly mine the Spirit Stone Vein and reap the benefits, Mechanism Puppets were indispensable. It was difficult to purchase Mechanism Puppets in the Market, but for the Five Elements Sect, a Golden Core Sect that held dominion over the region, it was naturally a different matter.

"Are you sure you want to exchange merit points for Mechanism Puppets?"

In the Merit Hall of the Five Elements Sect, the Steward couldn't believe his ears when he heard Yang Bingzhi wanted to exchange Sect merit points for the unpopular Mechanism Puppets. Merit points were hard to come by; one could only attain them by completing Sect tasks. Usually, Five Elements Sect Disciples would exchange them for elixirs like the Jade Yang Pill, which aid in realm breakthroughs. Alternatively, they might use merits to gain entry into the Transmission Hall to learn powerful Cultivation Techniques and secret techniques, or to obtain precious treasures. Exchanging them for Spirit Stones was considered quite foolish. Merit points were difficult to earn but easy to exchange for Spirit Stones; however, Spirit Stones were hard to convert back into merit points. Most Sect tasks granted only a point or two, so accumulation was slow. Exchanging fifty Sect merit points for five humanoid Mechanism Puppets was truly the height of folly.

"Exchange!"

Yang Bingzhi exchanged his remaining Sect merit points for five humanoid Mechanism Puppets, leaving only two points of merit behind. With that, the merit points he had obtained from the battle between the Five Elements Sect and Thousand Beasts Mountain had been completely squandered. Obtaining more Sect merit points would be difficult from now on.

Yang Bingzhi did not regret his decision. Ever since he had entered the Sect, he had been looked down upon from all sides, facing difficulties at every turn. The actual situation was far more challenging than what he had shared with Jia Ren. After Yang Bingzhi's breakthrough to the Qi Refinement Seventh Level, his situation had slightly improved. But just a few good days later, the Qi Family Brothers had forced him into a corner where he couldn't even leave the Sect, and a flame was burning in his heart. He didn't blame Jia Ren; these were the consequences of his own lack of strength. If his realm had reached the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement, would the Qi Family Brothers still dare to treat him this way? As a marginalized figure within the Five Elements Sect, Yang Bingzhi was never assigned to lucrative garrison missions, such as those in the Law Enforcement Office. He could only pick up tasks that others were unwilling to undertake, earning a meager income. If he hadn't participated in the sect-destroying battle and received a fair amount of Spirit Stones, even his cultivation resources would have become a problem. Even so, after a long period of consumption, his resources were nearly depleted. Now that he had a rare opportunity to change his fate, Yang Bingzhi was determined to grasp it firmly, no matter what. He was willing to stake everything for a better future for himself. It was all reminiscent of reporting the Corner Worm calamity.

"Brother Wang, I'd like to exchange my Iron-Shield Armor for a Five Thunder Talisman, a Fire Serpent Talisman, and a Quicksand Talisman."

Yang Bingzhi was unaware of the dangers of the Spirit Stone Vein or the unknown enemies, so he had to make extra preparations. He took out a Middle-Grade Defense Magical Implement he didn't need and exchanged it for three First Order Superior-Grade Talismans.

After confirming everything was in order and all preparations were complete, Yang Bingzhi set out on his journey.

Body Cultivators have weaker Spiritual Power than their peers at the same level and struggle with prolonged sword flight. Knowing his own shortcomings, Yang Bingzhi had specially exchanged for a middle-grade Green Leaf Flying Artifact. Although not comparable to sword flight, it had the advantage of consuming fewer Spirit Stones and was much faster than common Wind Control Skills.

As he ventured deeper into the Great Wilderness, Yang Bingzhi ceased using the flying artifact. Flying through the skies of the Great Wilderness, which teemed with Magical Beasts and Bizarre Demons, was akin to being a target. This would inevitably draw the attention of Bizarre Demons and powerful Magical Beasts. Magical Beasts were manageable, but once targeted by Bizarre Demons, few could escape alive.

Following the map, Yang Bingzhi proceeded, suppressing his Spiritual Power Fluctuation and relying solely on his explosive physical strength to advance swiftly.

"Demon-Spotting Talisman!"

A Demon-Spotting Talisman activated, transforming into wisps of smoke of various colors that flew in every direction, detecting demon auras within a twenty-mile radius of himself.

"How can the Demon-Spotting Talisman be so powerful?!"

Yang Bingzhi was not new to using Demon-Spotting Talismans. The talismans from the Heavenly Talisman Shop were acknowledged as top-notch; once activated, they could sense demon auras within five miles.

Compared to the Demon-Spotting Talisman Jia Ren had given him, they were not on the same level at all. A twenty-mile sensing range, four times that of the ones from the Heavenly Talisman Shop. This wasn't even in the same tier of talismans! In his vision, the trails of smoke were vividly discernible, each a different color. White represented the aura of Magical Beasts below his own realm and strength; orange indicated a certain level of danger, warranting caution. Red signified extreme peril, demanding he keep his distance. Aside from detecting demon auras, had the capability to sense the strength of these auras been added? In every aspect, it completely outclassed common Demon-Spotting Talismans. Likely, only a legendary Rune Dao Grandmaster could craft such an item. When had Jia Ren made the acquaintance of such a talisman authority? Upon his return, he had to seize the opportunity to inquire.

With the aid of the powerful Demon-Spotting Talisman, the threat from Magical Beasts was reduced to almost nil. The only remaining threat to his safety came from... Bizarre Demons. Bizarre Demons required careful handling; regardless of their kind, they were best avoided if possible.

Lake of Smoky Waves was not far from the Great Wilderness Market. Why had the Five Elements Sect not acted against it yet? The Bizarre Mist Maiden differed from ordinary Bizarre Demons; she was elusive and unsealable. The Five Elements Sect had attempted to deal with her nearly ten times, each ending in failure. Had it not been for the fact that the Bizarre Mist Maiden confined herself to Lake of Smoky Waves without venturing out, the Five Elements Sect might have been forced to relocate the Great Wilderness Market. In the depths of the Great Wilderness, powerful Bizarre Demons similar to the Bizarre Mist Maiden were not uncommon, and they posed incredible dangers.

Fortunately, Yang Bingzhi had luck on his side and didn't encounter any Bizarre Demons, successfully finding the Bear Cave as recorded on the map.

"Mixed Refining Vajra Body!"

Activating the Mixed Refining Vajra Body, Yang Bingzhi's figure, tinged with both copper and dark gold hues, boldly entered the cave.

No danger awaited him as he had anticipated; the interior was empty.

He uncovered the hidden passageway beneath the soil and rocks and slipped underground.

Before him lay a twisting mine shaft. Along the rocky walls, chunks of Spirit Stone Vein shone, glittering brilliantly.

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