Chapter 104: The Cultivator''s Cave Mansion
Upon hearing the report from Deep Earth Spirit General, Meng Zhang felt delighted. The cultivator''s cave mansion was a secondary concern; the main attraction was the hidden spirit vein. This was an incredibly valuable discovery.
Controlling the spirit vein would greatly strengthen Taiyi Sect, whether by selling the resources it provided for spirit stones or using it for their own cultivation and development.
Meng Zhang said, "Tell me in detail about the location of that spirit vein."
With a casual wave, Deep Earth General caused a pile of yellow sand to appear on the ground. Under his control, the sand quickly shifted and formed arge sand table, standing steadily on the ground.
On the sand table, the surrounding terrain was clearly disyed. Since awakening, Deep Earth Spirit General had been busy using his geomancy skills to survey the nearby geography during their outings.
Especially during their recent expedition to capture sand monsters, their tracks covered the surrounding area and even extended deep underground. Most of the results of Deep Earth Spirit General''s survey were now shown on the sand table.
About two hundred miles west of Taiyi Sect, near the Zhao Family, there was a winding spirit vein. At the top of this spirit vein was the cultivator''s cave mansion.
Seeing that the spirit vein was close to the Zhao Family''s territory, Meng Zhang understood that once this hidden spirit vein was exposed, there would undoubtedly be a fierce struggle between Taiyi Sect and the Zhao Family for its ownership.
Only dozens of miles away from this spirit vein was the long-abandoned Meng Family Oasis. Over a decade ago, during the Sand Monster Incident, the Meng Family was annihted, and the Meng Family Oasis was destroyed. The surviving members of the Meng Family were mostly taken in by Taiyi Sect.
Since joining Taiyi Sect and especially after bing the Sect Master, Meng Zhang intentionally downyed his identity as a member of the Meng Family. He saw himself as the leader of Taiyi Sect, not the leader of the Meng Family.
Based solely on geographical location and the conventions of the Cultivation World, if the Meng Family still existed, this spirit vein would belong to them. However, now that the Meng Family had been extinct for many years, Meng Zhang was not willing to let this spirit vein fall into the hands of the Zhao Family either.
Without any hesitation, Meng Zhang had already decided to secure this spirit vein as soon as possible.
After entrusting matters within the sect to General Affairs Elder Tian Zhen, Meng Zhang and Deep Earth General left together.
Before departing, Meng Zhang retrieved three First Rank Formation Breaking Talismans from the sect''s treasury.
Formation Breaking Talismans were rare talismans, and Meng Zhang had obtained one before, finding it extremely useful. He had always wanted to buy a few more, but they were rarely avable on the market.
Only during this recent visit to the secret treasury of the Li Family did Meng Zhang obtain several First Rank Formation Breaking Talismans, which he had been cherishing and had never used easily.
Meng Zhang, Deep Earth Spirit General, and Li Xuan each mounted a Wind Chasing Horse and rushed towards the location of the spirit vein.
Even before arriving at the exact location of the spirit vein, they asionally encountered cultivators in the vicinity.
Based on Meng Zhang''s observations, most of these cultivators seemed to be loose cultivators.
Li Xuan, following Meng Zhang''s instructions, left the group and actively approached a group of loose cultivators.
Skilled in socializing and having an extensivework, Li Xuan quickly struck up a conversation with them, establishing a friendly rtionship after just a few exchanges.
"Do you know so-and-so? Oh, yes, he''s the master of my great aunt''s uncle''s cousin''s nephew."
With a few simr sentences, the two sides, now having amon acquaintance, became intimate.
Li Xuan''s skillful conversation allowed him to make everything clear in just a few rounds of talk.
After bidding farewell to the group of loose cultivators, Li Xuan returned to Meng Zhang''s side.
"Sect Master, about half a month ago, a group of loose cultivators obtained a Treasure Map. They followed it and found the ce a few days ago."
"Due to leaked information, more and more loose cultivators areing here, hoping to benefit. As of now, the news hasn''t spread far enough, and only nearby loose cultivators havee; no major families or sects have shown interest yet. But if we dy further, things might be unpredictable."
Meng Zhang agreed with Li Xuan''s judgment. The three of them continued forward until they reached above the cultivator''s cave mansion.
Meng Zhang left Li Xuan to take care of the Wind Chasing Horses, and with Deep Earth Spirit General, he looked around to confirm that nobody was paying attention to their location. They then immediately used the Earth Escape Spell to enter the ground.
Deep Earth Spirit General led the way, and they swiftly descended underground.
While Deep Earth Spirit General seemed at ease, Meng Zhang felt the strain. The pressure from the surrounding earth and stones increased, causing their speed to slow down inevitably.
As Deep Earth Spirit General''s figure became increasingly distant and almost out of sight, they finally reached their destination.
Meng Zhang felt a sudden lightness and found himself in a narrow passage.
Seeing Deep Earth Spirit General advancing along the passage, Meng Zhang hurried to catch up.
They had not taken many steps before arriving in a spacious underground space.
In front of themy a vast sandy area.
Several iplete corpses of sand worms were scattered across the sand, barely recognizable.
Behind the sandy area, there was the entrance to a cave.
"This underground space is a natural cavity, and the owner of this cave mansion expanded it to create this scene before us."
"This is the cultivator''s cave mansion left by the predecessor, and it happens to be situated at the core of the spirit vein. Judging from the arrangements left behind, this cultivator should have been in the Foundation Building stage."
Deep Earth Spirit General gave Meng Zhang a detailed introduction.
"To thoroughly upy this spirit vein, the fastest way is to enter this cave mansion and control its core."
Meng Zhang originally intended to leave the cave mansion of this senior cultivator forter and handle the matters concerning the spirit vein first. However, after listening to Deep Earth Spirit General''s words, he realized that it was unavoidable to explore this cave mansion.
Cultivator cave mansions were not always opportunities; more often, they were death traps.
Some generous cultivators would indeed leave behind their treasures for future cultivators. They might even leave wills, requesting those sessors to fulfill their wishes or take care of their disciples and descendants.
If those who benefited had a grateful heart, they would indeed try their best to fulfill the senior cultivator''s wishes, resulting in a win-win situation.
However, there were also many narrow-minded cultivators who would set up death traps in their cave mansions before their deaths.
If they were going to die anyway, why should their treasures fall into the hands of unrted people?
Ideally, more cultivators woulde to the underground and apany them, ensuring they wouldn''t be lonely after death.
asionally, in the Cultivation World, there were rumors ofter cultivators who had finally entered a senior cultivator''s cave mansion, believing they were going to receive an inheritance and ascend to greatness. Unfortunately, they encountered a hidden, long-established, and malicious old ghost that attempted to take over their bodies.
[Read at /maxnkoga , without ads and support the work.]