Chapter 35: Spirit Mine Dwellers

Inside the mine, Jiao Yujian walked toward the depths with a leisurely expression.

"The Meng family..."

"This will surely force you to cough up even more spirit stones this time."

Thinking of the clan behind Meng Kan, a trace of greed inevitably resurfaced on Jiao Yujian's face. He knew perfectly well that this was a golden opportunity to extort the Meng family.

***

On the other side.

After leaving the mine, Li Qing began rushing toward the back mountains of the spirit mine vein.

As he traveled, he felt increasingly that something was amiss. It was too coincidental that Jiao Yujian was the first to discover the anomaly, especially since it was the only moment the group had been separated. He couldn't shake the feeling that everything was far too convenient.

Li Qing's footsteps suddenly came to a halt.

Even if the Jade-Devouring Insect incident was real, it had nothing to do with him; he saw no reason to exhaust himself over it. Li Qing looked into the distance with a contemplative expression.

The spirit mine he had visited happened to be located on the backside of White Jade Island, a full ten miles away from his current position. After a moment of thought, he decided to continue toward the mine, but he slowed his pace. He also intentionally detoured through a side mountain range.

If this entire matter was indeed a scheme orchestrated by Wei Xuan and Jiao Yujian, he actually had nothing to worry about. Even if Wei Xuan had arranged manpower, their strength would be limited. Given his methods, it would be impossible to recruit a Foundation Establishment expert; at most, it would be a Qi Refinement cultivator. Even if he truly encountered an enemy at the peak of Qi Refinement, Li Qing could flee immediately. He also possessed a Golden Yuan Sword talisman, which was equivalent to a full-strength strike from a peak Qi Refinement cultivator. He would have enough time to escape.

Furthermore, the spirit mine was equipped with defensive formations. A peak Qi Refinement enemy would be unqualified to pose a threat to him under the protection of the grand array. Despite these thoughts, Li Qing became more cautious. He began to circulate the Hidden Spirit Art within his body, carefully concealing his aura.

As night fell, Li Qing's figure became even more inconspicuous in the darkness. The path he chose did not lead directly to the spirit mine, but rather to its flank.

After more than half an hour, he finally drew slowly close to the mine entrance. Li Qing carefully restrained his movements, making not a single sound. Simultaneously, he began to gradually release his divine sense. His massive divine sense, equivalent to the late stage of Qi Refinement, began to permeate the surroundings. Li Qing's current divine sense spanned over seventy feet, comparable to a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refinement.

After searching the surrounding area, he found no trace of anything.

"Could I be overthinking this?" Li Qing thought to himself.

Since this was a newly developed spirit mine, there were no mortals on guard; only a few glowing jade stones at the entrance illuminated the vicinity of the mine. Seeing no movement, Li Qing prepared to head toward the mine.

Just then, Li Qing suddenly saw a figure emerge from the mine. A black robe completely obscured the person's body, leaving only a pair of pupils visible. The figure stepped out of the mine and glanced several times toward the path Li Qing was supposed to have taken. Seeing no sign of Li Qing, the black-robed cultivator shook his head with some surprise and retreated back into the mine.

What the black-robed cultivator did not know was that the Li Qing he was waiting for was right beside him, observing his every move.

"There really is someone."

Li Qing watched from a distance with cold eyes. When this scene unfolded, he was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected Wei Xuan to go so far as to manufacture an accident in the mine just to trap him.

"To force me to hand over the Foundation Establishment Pill, this person is truly leaving no stone unturned..."

Thinking of Wei Xuan, a chill rose in Li Qing's heart once more. He knew he must find an opportunity to eliminate Wei Xuan. He did not want someone constantly watching his back; Li Qing possessed too many secrets that could not be revealed. If he remained under surveillance like this, he would eventually slip up.

After thinking of Wei Xuan, a sense of fervor rose in Li Qing's heart. As an outer disciple, Wei Xuan had been causing trouble for years, and with a Foundation Establishment father backing him, he surely possessed no small amount of treasures. His previous encounter with the Hei Sha and Hei Feng brothers had already given him a taste of the benefits. This was much faster than relying solely on the Sea-Suppressing Pearl for resources.

Li Qing turned his gaze back toward the mine. The moment that black-robed cultivator appeared, Li Qing had already gauged his cultivation. The seventh level of Qi Refinement—one level lower than Jiao Yujian—making him a true late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.

Currently, the enemy was in the light, and he was in the dark. The man was likely waiting for him to enter the mine to investigate.

Li Qing hid his figure under the shade of a nearby tree. He was considering whether to take the initiative. With his true strength, he was more than capable of dealing with a seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivator. Moreover, he held the greatest advantage: the black-robed man had no idea Li Qing had discovered him. Even if he struck, he would have the element of surprise.

After a brief moment of deliberation, Li Qing snapped his eyes open, a flash of ruthlessness passing through them. He was like a starving wolf, eager to devour everything in his vicinity. To rapidly increase his physical strength, he required massive resources; relying passively on the Sea-Suppressing Pearl was simply too slow. He had to collect more spirit stones. This was a rare opportunity.

"Late-stage Qi Refinement... there must be good things in that storage bag," Li Qing thought.

As long as he could close the distance, he could leverage the massive advantage of being a body cultivator. In close-quarters combat, the man would surely die.

With a plan forming in his mind, Li Qing slowly retreated and then circled back toward his original direction. To eliminate the suspicion of the cultivator inside, he chose to follow his original plan and enter the mine via the old path.

After a while, Li Qing appeared on the path leading to the mine, feigning complete ignorance. He walked toward the mine at an unhurried pace.

*Tap! Tap!*

The sound of Li Qing's footsteps had clearly been noticed by the black-robed man inside. The man had already activated his divine sense and could see everything happening within clearly. As Li Qing's figure slowly approached the mine, he even sensed a strange aura emanating from the mine. The surrounding area was a Warm Jade Spirit Mine, and that strange aura naturally came from the hidden black-robed man.

Li Qing was not foolish enough to actually approach the mine entrance; doing so would be tantamount to throwing himself into danger. The hidden man was a true late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, and he needed to remain cautious.

*Tap! Tap!*

When Li Qing reached the vicinity of the mine, he stopped and feigned a look of confusion, walking around the mine in several circles as if lost. At that moment, his divine sense observed a shadow beginning to manifest at the entrance of the cave.