Strictly speaking, the Black Iron mine was not within the Chen family's territory.
The three flew on their swords for three days, traveling over 10,000 miles, before arriving at the location of the mine. Upon arrival, Elian found the area situated in a remote region on the edge of Yu County, only about 3,000 miles away from Boyang County.
Boyang County was one of the three counties in Yang Region. Although it didn't belong to the same region as the Chen family's territory in the Bianzhou region, it was relatively close.
The two counties were separated by the 3,000-mile-wide Bianyang Mountain Range, a natural boundary. While this range was impassable for ordinary mortals, it wasn't far for cultivators.
"Is this the place?" Elian asked, his gaze sweeping over the barren mountains before him.
"This is where I discovered the Black Iron mine, but there are Gold-Eating Beasts here, so I didn't dare venture further," Chen Nianfu replied, pointing at the mountains with a grave expression.
Chen Qinghao exchanged a glance with Elian, and both showed hints of excitement.
The presence of Gold-Eating Beasts, along with the mine, was a positive sign. Such beasts were often drawn to spiritual veins, which meant the area likely had one. This would save the family the effort of cultivating a new spiritual vein to secure the mine.
"Be careful," Elian reminded them.
"If there's a Black Iron mine, there's likely to be a second-tier demonic beast here."
To avoid alarming any beasts, Elian refrained from flying and proceeded on foot into the mountains. The trio conducted a thorough investigation and confirmed the presence of a second-tier low-grade spiritual vein within the mountain range. They also discovered a colony of over a hundred Gold-Eating Beasts, led by a second-tier high-grade beast.
"A late-stage Foundation Establishment Gold-Eating Beast, and it has an entire colony," Elian remarked with a smile.
"The Black Iron mine seems legitimate."
Gold-Eating Beasts consumed metal ores to enhance their strength, with their cultivation directly linked to the quantity and quality of the metal they consumed. The presence of a second-tier high-grade beast strongly indicated a rich Black Iron vein.
"It's said that Gold-Eating Beasts have flesh as tough as weapons of the same tier due to their diet," Chen Qinghao noted, frowning.
"Are you confident about taking on a second-tier high-grade beast?"
"No problem," Elian replied confidently.
"Before my breakthrough in Tianxu Mountain, it might have been a challenge. But now that I've reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, I can handle it."
"Good," Chen Qinghao nodded, smiling.
"Leave the first-tier beasts to me."
With their plan set, the pair launched their assault on the spiritual mountain. Their natal immortal swords cut through the air, catching the Gold-Eating Beast colony off guard and killing over a dozen in mere moments.
"Roar—"
The furious roars of the Gold-Eating Beasts soon echoed through the mountains as their leader, the late-stage Foundation Establishment beast, charged into the fray.
Elian's eyes sharpened as he brandished the Fiery Void Sword, unleashing a seven-zhang-long sword light in a downward slash. Now that he had broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, his spiritual energy rivaled that of cultivators at the seventh stage of the same realm, further amplifying the sword's power.
Faced with such a formidable weapon, even the Gold-Eating Beast hesitated to meet it head-on. Instead, it wielded a massive Black Iron club over a zhang long. Forged from raw Black Iron ore, the club was incredibly durable and managed to block Elian's strike, though it sustained a deep gouge.
"To think it's using so much raw Black Iron," Elian murmured, frowning briefly before relaxing. If he had already refined the Fiery Void Sword to the upper second tier with Fire and Metal Essence, this raw Black Iron wouldn't have stood a chance.
Realizing the Fiery Void Sword alone couldn't decisively win the battle, Elian summoned the Purple Sun Furnace.
With his abundant spiritual energy, the furnace's power surged. Purple Sun Flames poured out, sweeping toward the Gold-Eating Beast. Although its body was incredibly tough, the flames proved an undeniable threat.
In desperation, the beast spat out its demon core. The shimmering golden orb unleashed immense power, repelling the Purple Sun Flames and hurtling toward the furnace with overwhelming force.
Elian's eyes narrowed. While the Purple Sun Flames were formidable, the furnace itself wasn't heavily fortified. If struck directly by the demon core, it would likely suffer significant damage. He acted swiftly, summoning the Metal Element Divine Thunder.
It was his first time using this divine ability in combat, and its power was nothing short of astonishing.
"Boom!"
A thunderous roar shook the heavens as a dazzling streak of lightning tore through the sky. The serpentine bolt struck the demon core with unerring precision, dimming its light and sending it tumbling to the ground.
The Gold-Eating Beast roared in agony, vomiting blood as its core was severely damaged. Yet, its resilient body allowed it to suppress its injuries and launch a desperate charge, wielding the Black Iron club in an attempt to reclaim its core.
But Elian wouldn't give it the chance. With a swift motion, he enveloped the core in spiritual energy and began a hit-and-run strategy. The beast's immense strength was hampered by its limited spiritual energy and inability to fly, leaving it vulnerable to ranged attacks.
Elian chipped away at its defenses, and after thirty exchanges, he seized an opportunity to decapitate the beast with a clean strike.
Meanwhile, Chen Qinghao had finished dispatching the first-tier beasts. Since advancing to the second stage of Foundation Establishment, his strength had grown substantially, and with his natal immortal sword in hand, clearing out weaker beasts was effortless.
With the battle concluded, the trio explored the spiritual mountain and confirmed the presence of a Black Iron mine.
"It appears to be a small-scale Black Iron vein," Elian remarked after surveying the terrain as a second-tier formation master.
"That's a relief," Chen Qinghao said, visibly excited.
"If it were a medium-scale vein, it might attract the attention of Purple Mansion clans, and we wouldn't be able to hold it."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D