There was a reason the Earth Dragon had chosen this place to recuperate. Song Changsheng could feel a powerful vitality permeating the air.
This vitality was undoubtedly accelerating the Earth Dragon's healing process.
But why would such a rich life force exist deep underground?
There were only two possible explanations. The first was the presence of a life-rich treasure perhaps a high-grade spiritual herb or a wood-attribute magical artifact.
However, Song Changsheng had already ruled that out.
That left the second possibility: a Wood Spirit Vein.
Wood Spirit Veins share the same origin as ordinary Spirit Veins, with one key difference. Normal Spirit Veins emit pure, non-elemental spiritual energy that can be absorbed by any cultivator or even demonic beasts. Wood Spirit Veins, on the other hand, produce only wood-attribute spiritual energy. They are most suitable for cultivators with a wood spiritual root; others can still use them, but the conversion process requires too much effort and is highly inefficient.
Back in the day, Song Changsheng had once discovered an undeveloped Water Spirit Vein in the underground river beneath Mirror Lake in Little Azure Mountain, and from it, he obtained the extremely rare Black Jade Nether Lotus.
This Wood Spirit Vein was of the same caliber and extraordinarily valuable.
If it was truly an untouched Wood Spirit Vein, its worth would be even higher, as it would likely harbor an abundance of untouched spiritual herbs.
Among the six major Foundation Establishment clans of Lingzhou, the Li Clan had risen to prominence largely because they controlled a large first-grade Wood Spirit Vein. Thanks to it, they practically monopolized Lingzhou's first-grade spiritual herb market, becoming second only to the Song Clan in wealth far surpassing even the Earthfire Sect.
The thought made Song Changsheng's heart race. If this was a Wood Spirit Vein, then their clan could soon carve out a place in the spiritual herb market as well!
"It's a pity I'm not versed in geomancy or spirit vein detection, or I might've been able to harvest a few benefits for myself first. Alas… I'd better report back to the clan."
After harvesting the Earth Dragon's spine, teeth, and other valuable materials, Song Changsheng laid down a restriction formation around the area and then returned to the surface.
"The Earth Dragon has been slain, Elder. You can rest easy. However, there are still many hidden dangers inside the Yi-character Mine. For now, please keep the miners and clansmen away to prevent unnecessary casualties."
As he spoke, Song Changsheng solemnly displayed the dragon's spine for all to see.
"But… Young Patriarch," Elder Song Xianhe said anxiously, "the Yi-character Mine is one of the top three in the entire Chiyun Iron Vein. If we abandon it, the loss would be far too great."
"Please don't worry, Elder. Once I return to the clan, I'll arrange for someone to handle the matter appropriately. All I ask is that you restrain the clansmen for now. We must not suffer needless deaths."
The matter of the Wood Spirit Vein required the utmost caution. Even though Song Changsheng didn't think anyone could navigate the underground labyrinth, it was better to be safe. If word got out, it wouldn't just be Qu Jinsheng and Zhang Chenlong showing up next time.
"I understand. I only hope you can send someone as soon as possible."
"Rest assured, Elder I'll set out right away!"
Mounting the Spirit-Slaying Gourd, Song Changsheng transformed into a streak of rainbow light and soared into the distance…
"Sheng'er, are you telling the truth?" Song Xianyun stood up in shock.
"Twenty-First Granduncle, would I dare lie to you about something like this? While it hasn't been fully confirmed, I'm at least eighty to ninety percent certain," Song Changsheng replied with a wry smile.
"Ai, that's not what I meant… it's just… it's hard to believe. A Wood Spirit Vein, after all besides the one owned by the Li Clan, none have appeared for so many years."
"Twenty-First Granduncle, I'm not skilled in geomancy or vein-divination. To be sure, we only need to send Uncle Sixty-One to take a look."
"This Wood Spirit Vein might very well be completely undeveloped. We'll need a Foundation Establishment cultivator on site to oversee it."
The "Uncle Sixty-One" Song Changsheng referred to was Song Luyou ranked sixty-first among the fifth-generation Song clan members and the family's only Grade-2 Low-Rank Geomancer. He specialized in vein divination and spirit vein detection, and it was he who had originally led the team that discovered the Chiyun Iron Vein.
"Hmm, you're right," Song Xianyun said decisively. "Your mother and Elder Lu Huai are at the clan today. Have them go with Luyou. If anything's needed, send word immediately. The clan will provide full support."
"Understood."
Song Changsheng quickly notified his mother and the Fourth Elder Song Luhuai. Then, together with Song Luyou and a team of elite enforcement disciples, he secretly set off for the Chiyun Iron Vein.
After informing Song Xianhe to keep people away, Song Changsheng led the group directly to the place where the Earth Dragon had been healing.
"Uncle Sixty-One, I leave it to you." Song Changsheng cupped his fists respectfully.
Song Luyou, a plain and honest-looking middle-aged man, quickly waved his hands. "Young Patriarch, you flatter me. However, when a Wood Spirit Vein reveals itself, it may produce unusual phenomena and attract unwanted attention. I'd suggest you set up a concealment array to avoid leaking any spiritual fluctuations."
"That's easily done. You begin your inspection, Uncle I'll take care of the array."
Outside the mine, Song Changsheng summoned Song Xianhe.
"Elder, given the importance of the Chiyun Iron Vein to our clan, I've decided to upgrade the defensive formation."
"I'll be modifying the existing array. During the process, I'll need to test its stability, so please inform the clansmen in advance just to avoid unnecessary panic."
After giving this warning, Song Changsheng brought out an array of formation flags and began his setup.
This time, he chose the Mist Concealment Maze Array, a Grade-2 Low-Rank formation. Once activated, a heavy mist would enshroud the area, making it impossible to navigate even for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Since he was working off the previous formation's structure, Song Changsheng worked quickly. In less than two hours, he completed the array and activated it.
A milky-white mist rapidly blanketed the area above the mine.
This mist blocked not only the naked eye but also the spiritual senses. Never mind spirit vein phenomena even if Foundation Establishment cultivators engaged in battle inside, no one outside would notice.
Soon after the array was completed, a message came from Song Luyou: the presence of a Wood Spirit Vein had been confirmed and it was of Grade-2 tier, albeit relatively small in size.
Even so, Song Changsheng and the others were visibly thrilled. A Grade-2 Wood Spirit Vein, untouched and undeveloped, could only mean one thing a treasure trove of Grade-2 spiritual herbs!
"Uncle, no time to waste. Let's begin."
"Very well. I'll need the Young Patriarch and the two Elders to protect me while I work!" Song Luyou nodded, then pulled out a compass and began to chant while walking a precise seven-star pattern.
The compass needle spun wildly before suddenly flashing with spiritual light. The red-tipped needle locked onto the southwest.
"This is the optimal entry point!" Song Luyou shouted.
The twenty enforcement disciples sprang into action. Under Song Luyou's direction, they dug rapidly. After excavating a dozen or so meters, a surge of intensely rich wood-attribute spiritual energy burst forth…
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