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.
After hearing Xu Ziqing, Yun Lie nodded slightly, “Let’s acquire it as soon as possible to avoid any unexpected complications.”
Xu Ziqing smiled, “As you say, senior brother.”
So, the two immediately used their escape techniques, transforming into two light orbs, one green, and one black, swiftly darting a hundred feet away.
The closer they got, the more they felt a sense of heat, which was due to being near the Evil Flame Gold Ore mountain. But this released heat was not from the mountain itself; it was…
After Xu Ziqing steadied himself, he couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
About five zhang1an old Chinese measure of length equal to 10 chi, or 3.58 metres (11 feet 9 inches). ahead was the mining mountain. The peak wasn’t particularly high, just over a hundred zhang, but on the outer layer of the mountain, it was densely covered with insects.
These insects were, of course, the Flame-Eating Demon Worms.
Their entire bodies were crimson, resembling flames—what Xu Ziqing had seen as the fiery red of the mining mountain was not the color of the mountain itself but the hue revealed by these insects adhering to its surface.
These worms resembled spiders, with eight legs and two pincers, their sharp teeth making them appear very fierce.
They clung tightly to the mountain’s exterior, their heads burrowing deep into the mountain, their bodies pulsating as if they were constantly feeding.
—They were not directly devouring the ore; instead, they were continuously siphoning the fiery energy from within, allowing them to have a prolonged meal. Who could say they lacked intelligence?
After absorbing the heat, the Flame-Eating Demon Worms inevitably became a bit warm.
The heat that Xu Ziqing sensed was actually emitted unconsciously by them.
Though Xu Ziqing knew that there was a nest of these vile insects here, he never expected they had occupied the entire mining mountain.
Given this situation, how could the two brothers find the essence of Geng Metal?
Taking a deep breath, Xu Ziqing’s mind raced as he desperately searched through the various rare records he had read in his mind, looking for weaknesses and solutions to deal with these evil insects.
The Flame-Eating Demon Worms loved fire, but their temperament didn’t seem particularly fierce. As long as their fiery possessions weren’t contested, they usually wouldn’t harm others…
While he was contemplating, suddenly, a few rays of escape light appeared in midair, seeming to be a group that was about to land not far away.
Xu Ziqing sensed someone’s presence and immediately pulled Yun Lie to hide in an unoccupied spot nearby.
He wasn’t sure whether the newcomers were good or evil, and considering his senior brother’s current condition, it was best to avoid any encounters.
Soon, the few rays of light landed, transforming into five young men wearing the same sect’s attire. They seemed to be disciples from a certain sect who had come together to this place.
Among these five male cultivators, three were at the Golden Core stage and two were at the Core Formation stage. Even the Core Formation stage cultivators were at the peak of the late stage, representing quite a formidable force.
However, despite their display of being from the Dao of Immortals, Xu Ziqing did not approach them. Firstly, he didn’t know the purpose of these individuals’ arrival and whether they might conflict with him. Secondly, it was wise to be cautious; even cultivators of the Dao could harbor selfish motives, especially in a secret treasure land where there were often those who would kill for treasure. It was better to be careful.
Upon thinking of this, Xu Ziqing tightened his hold on Yun Lie and transmitted a message, “Senior Brother, don’t make a sound.”
Yun Lie replied through their connection, “I’m not afraid of these people.”
Xu Ziqing smiled and rea.s.sured him, “It’s always troublesome; it’s better to avoid it if we can.”
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 n.o.bles, 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 antic.i.p.ation 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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- 1an old Chinese measure of length equal to 10 chi, or 3.58 metres (11 feet 9 inches).