Under Han Li’s watchful gaze, the flying blade struck the stone wall, erupting in a blinding white light. Sensing something amiss, Lu Weiying’s expression shifted slightly as he swiftly recalled the blade with a wave of his hand.
Han Li focused his gaze and saw that where the blade had struck, a shallow cut about an inch deep had appeared, with faint silvery glimmers faintly visible within the mark.
“This is…” The old man’s face flickered with surprise as he hurried forward to examine the mark closely. “Gangyin Sand! The wall actually contains raw Gangyin Sand ore?” After only a brief inspection, his voice trembled slightly.
At the mention of “Gangyin Sand,” Han Li’s expression changed dramatically. He too stepped forward, extending a finger to lightly trace the mark, carefully assessing it.
Naturally, Han Li had heard of Gangyin Sand—it was one of the rare materials that could be incorporated into artifact forging to enhance a treasure’s durability. In terms of effectiveness, it was second only to Refined Crystal. The material itself was incredibly hard, resistant to destruction by ordinary treasures, and had become nearly extinct in both the Chaotic Star Seas and the Tiannan cultivation world. No wonder Lu Weiying’s flying blade had barely left a mark.
Han Li studied the cut with a grave expression before suddenly raising his hand in silence. Over a dozen small, emerald-green swords shot from his sleeve, transforming into streaks of green light that struck various points across the stone wall.
The two Southern Ridge cultivators were momentarily stunned but quickly grasped Han Li’s intent. A series of clinking sounds rang out as over a dozen sword holes, several inches deep, appeared on the wall, each also shimmering with silvery light.
“It is indeed Gangyin Sand, and the entire wall is infused with it. However, the density is uneven, suggesting it’s not artificially placed but rather a natural vein of Gangyin Sand ore,” Han Li remarked calmly, though a trace of astonishment flickered across his face.
Seeing that Han Li’s flying swords could pierce holes several times deeper than Lu Weiying’s blade, the two Southern Ridge cultivators’ expressions shifted slightly. However, upon hearing Han Li’s words, the old man surnamed Lu’s eyes burned with greed as he fixed his gaze on the wall, no longer speaking.
A flash of fervor also crossed the Southern Ridge Marquis’s face, but after a brief contemplation, his expression gradually returned to normal.
“Let’s move on. We should prioritize exploring the inner valley for treasures,” the Southern Ridge Marquis said composedly.
“Leave now? This Gangyin Sand is already a rare treasure. Shouldn’t we collect some first?” the old man hesitated, his face filled with reluctance.
“Brother Lu, have you lost your senses? You just witnessed how hard this Gangyin Sand is. Even if there’s an entire vein here, a fist-sized chunk of raw ore can only yield a grain-sized amount of refined Gangyin Sand. How much time and spiritual power would it take to extract enough? Moreover, while this material is precious, remember that what we truly lack isn’t external treasures but spiritual medicines that can extend our lifespans and rapidly elevate our cultivation. Otherwise, when our time comes, we’ll be nothing but bones,” the Southern Ridge Marquis frowned, casting a meaningful glance at the old man.
Lu Weiying froze momentarily before nodding in realization. “You’re absolutely right, Brother Nanlong! I was momentarily blinded by greed and nearly forgot our primary objective. Thank you for the reminder.” As an experienced cultivator, he quickly regained his composure, clasping his hands in gratitude before resolutely turning away from the wall, as if afraid of further temptation, and strode deeper into the cave.
The Southern Ridge Marquis’s expression eased as he motioned for Han Li to follow.
Han Li, too, was reluctant to leave the Gangyin Sand vein behind, his steps slowing slightly. Even if his flying swords, infused with Metallic Essence, were far sharper than ordinary blades and he had spirit liquid to restore his spiritual power, extracting enough Gangyin Sand would be arduous and risk provoking envy from the other two.
After weighing the impracticality, Han Li sighed softly and prepared to follow them into the cave.
Just then, the voice of the Great Divination Sage suddenly echoed in his mind: “Heh! So much Gangyin Sand! I searched for years in the past but found little. Truly befitting the Fallen Demon Valley! This material is perfect for my newly designed puppets—their bodies reinforced with Gangyin Sand would be impervious to ordinary treasures. Take all of it!” The voice brimmed with excitement.
“Take all of it? Old monster, are you dreaming? This is a Gangyin Sand vein, not a spirit stone vein. How am I supposed to extract it all? Chip away with my flying swords?” Han Li retorted irritably.
“Hmph! Since I mentioned it, of course I have a method. Boy, don’t you have many Gold Devouring Beetles? I’ll teach you an incantation to command them to burrow into the wall, consume the Gangyin Sand, and regurgitate it as condensed crystals. This technique was obtained from a slain insect cultivator years ago. While other spirit insects can perform similar tasks, none are as efficient as your beetles,” the Great Divination Sage explained confidently.
“Such an incantation exists? Excellent, transmit it to me. I’ll have the insects gather the Gangyin Sand immediately,” Han Li replied, his tone a mix of surprise and delight—whether for the material or the technique remained unclear.
“First, let me be clear: no matter how much Gangyin Sand you obtain, it must first be reserved for my final puppet. None can be wasted elsewhere or incorporated into your treasures. Only if there’s surplus after crafting may you use it as you please,” the Great Divination Sage stated firmly before relaying the incantation.
“Senior seems unaware, but my treasures don’t require Gangyin Sand—they’ve already been tempered with Refined Crystal, a far superior material,” Han Li chuckled lightly.
“Refined Crystal? You possess such a heaven-defying material? Do you have any left? Even a trace would be immensely useful!” The Great Divination Sage’s voice surged with excitement, bordering on euphoria.
“As you know, my treasures are a complete set of flying swords. The Refined Crystal I obtained back then was just enough—there’s no surplus,” Han Li replied flatly.
“None? What a waste!” The Great Divination Sage’s voice dripped with disappointment and lament.
Han Li rolled his eyes internally. Using Refined Crystal on his lifebound treasures was hardly wasteful, but since he needed the other’s cooperation, he feigned ignorance of the complaints.
By now, Han Li had followed the other two deeper into the cave, deliberately maintaining some distance to avoid drawing suspicion.
The cave was dim, but the three cultivators, with their heightened spiritual senses, could see clearly by channeling a trace of spiritual power into their eyes. The tunnel’s dimensions remained consistent with the entrance, its walls still tinged with pale yellow.
Along the way, Han Li casually struck the wall with another flying sword, revealing the same silvery glimmer. A mix of awe and greed swelled within him.
As he walked, Han Li listened to the insect-controlling incantation transmitted by the Great Divination Sage. Though the ancient text was cryptic, with a few pointers from the sage, Han Li—already somewhat versed in insect manipulation—quickly grasped its essence.
Once the incantation was fully imparted, the Great Divination Sage fell silent again. Han Li reviewed the technique once more, ensuring its accuracy, then subtly brushed his waist, causing a spirit beast pouch to vanish. From his sleeves, golden Gold Devouring Beetles silently emerged, flitting back toward the entrance unnoticed.
The two ahead remained oblivious as Han Li released all the beetles over the span of a tea’s brewing. Concealed within his sleeves, his hands formed a seal, and a low chant resonated through his spiritual sense, reaching the swarm now hovering before the wall at the cave’s entrance.
The golden cloud of insects suddenly flared with light before blurring and surging into the wall without resistance, vanishing as if swallowed by the stone—leaving no visible trace.
Assured through his spiritual sense, Han Li withdrew his focus and quickened his pace.
Shortly after rounding a bend, the two ahead halted. Han Li tensed, peering forward to see the passage widening dramatically.
The broad tunnel was studded with stalactite-like formations emitting silvery-white threads of light, illuminating the entire space. These strands, though intangible, were vividly distinct, as if solid.
“This is the Northern Polar Primal Light. Though you two likely know of it, I must reiterate: within it, aside from the Two Polar Rings, do not recklessly use spiritual power or treasures. If the light senses any external spiritual energy, we’ll perish without question,” the Southern Ridge Marquis warned solemnly, gazing at the silvery threads.
Han Li remained silent but flicked his sleeve, sending a black ring spinning into his palm, its surface shimmering with spiritual light.
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