Arc 14: Dayan Empire | Chapter 284: Essence of Geng Metal

Arc 14: Dayan Empire | Chapter 284: Essence of Geng Metal

Yun Lie did not recognize the map, so Xu Ziqing immediately explained, “This map was obtained from Jiuxuan Meihu; it’s a fragment from the Heavenly Secret Realm.” He then recounted everything about the Wild Beast Plain, continuing, “Earlier, we entered the secret treasure with the fragment in the hands of Prince Tiancheng, who was unaware that we also had a copy. The location of the inheritance of Luofu Zhenren is marked on that map.”

After listening to Xu Ziqing, Yun Lie asked, “Is there something unusual here?”

Xu Ziqing nodded, “I hadn’t expected that the White Jade Palace would cast us out, but it turns out we ended up at the location shown on our fragment rather than that map.”

In truth, although the various fragments clearly depicted the terrain, they were not exhaustive, and there were subtle nuances that weren’t explicitly described. Ideally, it should have been impossible to recognize them at a glance. However, Xu Ziqing was able to identify it so easily because he saw a place he was very familiar with, one that was also quite obvious.

About a hundred feet ahead, there was an extremely tall peak, bright red in color and dazzlingly striking.

But this peak, which resembled a volcano, was not actually a volcano.

It was a mining mountain.

Within this mining mountain was a deposit of Evil Flame Gold Ore.

The ore contained a type of dual-element mineral covered in a highly sinister flame that burned continuously throughout the year, emanating powerful fiery heat. Beneath the evil flame’s surface lay a type of flame gold, an excellent and rare refining material composed of the finest fire element and superior metal.

Anyone who obtained such a mineral could easily refine it into a top-grade spiritual weapon with dual-fire properties. If handled properly, it wouldn’t be difficult to retain just one superior property. However, this type of mineral had long been absent from the outside world.

Xu Ziqing could recognize this mining mountain even with his eyes closed because the essence of Geng Metal he needed was within this mountain.

According to common sense, in a dual-element mineral deposit, the purity of the gold energy would not allow for the sedimentation of Geng Metal essence, a rare treasure of the earth. However, besides this mountain, there also resided a group of Flame-Eating Demon Worms.

The Flame-Eating Demon Worms delighted in devouring anything fiery, infiltrating everywhere and burrowing into any place; as long as there was even a hint of fiery heat, they could immediately approach and consume it entirely.

The reason Xu Ziqing had not sensed any heat floating around was precisely because of the group of Flame-Eating Demon Worms.

Or rather, it was because he did not feel any heat that he was convinced that this place was indeed as stated on the fragment, inhabited by the Flame-Eating Demon Worms.

While Xu Ziqing was contemplating, he suddenly felt a tightness in his hand; it was Yun Lie using some strength to pull his thoughts back. He turned his head to see his senior brother’s deep black pupils flickering with a flash of contemplation.

“Senior brother,” he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yun Lie replied, “There is something over there calling to me.”

Xu Ziqing was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, his expression brightening: “Senior brother, that place might indeed have Geng Metal essence, and perhaps it has developed some degree of spirituality.”

It is rare for materials like plants, metals, and stones to possess spirituality, and once they do, it becomes even more difficult to transform into a spirit. Moreover, they usually have to align with the heavens, choose a master, and receive protection from that master to have a chance to transform into a human.

Once the Geng Metal essence possesses spirituality, it would naturally have a fondness for metal cultivators, just as the double lotus had summoned Xu Ziqing, sending out thoughts of its own.

Xu Ziqing quickly figured it out and explained it to Yun Lie, feeling even more confident about retrieving the Geng Metal essence.

Only four people were aware of this fragment’s terrain: besides the two pairs of shixiong and shidi, there were Nan Zhengya and the Fox King. The Fox King had long been controlled by Nan Zhengya, who was a fire-element cultivator. Once he approached the Evil Flame Gold Ore mountain, he would undoubtedly be targeted by the Flame-Eating Demon Worms and consumed entirely. Therefore, with Nan Zhengya’s intelligence, he would certainly not come here—he likely already foresaw that when he informed Xu Ziqing about subduing the Fox King, he was subtly hinting that he wouldn’t contend for this extraordinary treasure.

Thus, Xu Ziqing only needed to worry about someone who wandered into this place without a fragment.

However, those people would likely have no idea that there could be Geng Metal essence within that mining mountain.

Yun Lie wrapped his arm around him, no longer responding.

Xu Ziqing turned his gaze back to the five men, observing their actions. He wondered, could they have come here for the Evil Flame Gold Ore?

As he thought about this, he unconsciously opened his senses, carefully listening to the words of the cultivators.

The five of them were all handsome, exuding the demeanor of young nobles, suggesting they held a significant status within their sect.

One person spoke first, “Senior Brother Shen, is the news you received accurate?”

Someone replied, “This place is indeed very hot; that person shouldn’t have deceived us.”

Another added, “If that’s the case, we can find the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Mushroom to offer to Elder Cen. If we succeed, we might be accepted as his personal disciples, and we won’t have to keep an eye on Senior Brother He’s expression!”

Immediately, the others chimed in, “Exactly, exactly! Senior Brother He has always squeezed us dry; it’s only because he’s a personal disciple, while we are merely ordinary disciples. In our Master’s eyes, we don’t hold as much weight as he does. But now that we’ve obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Mushroom that our Master desires, our outcome will definitely be different!”

Listening from the side, Xu Ziqing felt a flicker of understanding.

These individuals seemed to be disciples of a certain elder from the same sect, but they weren’t personal disciples and thus didn’t receive much attention. The elder wanted the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Mushroom, so they had come to this secret treasure land to try their luck, having heard from someone that it could be found here.

However... he frowned.

The Fire Mushroom was a pure item that could only be nurtured in a place rich in pure fire, which was beneficial for fire cultivators, but its growth was extremely demanding. If the fiery energy in that place diminished, it would immediately wither.

Given that this place had the Evil Flame Gold mine, which possessed both fire and metal attributes, it was fundamentally not suitable for nurturing pure fire. Moreover, with the Flame-Eating Demon Worms constantly consuming the fiery energy year after year, it was even less likely for Fire Mushrooms to grow... The information they had received was probably incorrect.

Considering this, Xu Ziqing felt some hesitation about whether to offer a warning.

However, given how full of anticipation they were, even if he did warn them, they probably wouldn’t believe it. It might be better to let them search for it themselves; if they couldn’t find it, they would surely leave.

Having made this decision, Xu Ziqing still didn’t want to stir up trouble and chose to observe quietly.

Meanwhile, after discussing, the five began to take action.

Senior Brother Shen, who seemed to have received the information, took on a somewhat leading role, and the other four tended to listen to his opinions. So, after he said, “Let’s first use our divine senses to investigate,” the others also released their divine senses and began to scan their surroundings.

Xu Ziqing felt a chill in his heart; if they discovered him, it would not be easy to explain in this situation!

Soon after, he sensed a faint killing intent sweep past him, as if he was cloaked in a thin veil. The scenery before his eyes became momentarily hazy. He immediately understood that his senior brother had taken action to block their divine senses, allowing him to relax and look outward again.

Those individuals seemed to have also noticed the myriad of evil insects covering the mountain, and they were quite astonished.

But in the next moment, someone made a move and shot out a stream of fire to drive them away.

Xu Ziqing was greatly alarmed and couldn’t help but mutter, “Not good!”

Translator: Lynn

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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