Chapter 103: Chapter 104: Underground Spiritual Vein

It was no accident that the Earth Dragon had chosen this place to heal; Song Changsheng could feel an incredibly dense life force here.

This life force could allow the Earth Dragon to accelerate its healing.

But why was there such a dense life force underground?

There were only two possibilities. The first was a Supreme Treasure brimming with life force, like a High-Tier Spirit Medicine or a Wood Attribute Artifact.

But Song Changsheng had already ruled out that possibility. That left only the second option: a "Wood Spirit Vein." A so-called Wood Spirit Vein shared the same origin as a regular Spiritual Vein. The only difference was that a normal Spiritual Vein emitted pure, attributeless spiritual energy that any person—or even a Demon Beast—could absorb to cultivate.

A Wood Spirit Vein, however, was different. It only emitted Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy, making it most suitable for cultivators with a Wood Spirit Root. While cultivators with other Spirit Roots could also cultivate with it, they would have to expend a great deal of effort to convert the energy, making it not worth the trouble.

Back when Song Changsheng was in the Dark River beneath Bright Mirror Lake at Little Cyan Mountain, he had found an unformed Water Spirit Vein. From it, he had even obtained an exceedingly precious Ink Jade Ghost Lotus.

This Wood Spirit Vein and that Water Spirit Vein were similar in principle and exceptionally precious.

If this was an undeveloped Wood Spirit Vein, its value would be even greater, as it would contain a vast amount of Spirit Medicine.

Among the Six Great Foundation Establishment Influences of Ling Province, the Li Clan possessed a large-scale Tier One Wood Spirit Vein. Because of this, they held a near-monopoly on the Tier One Spirit Medicine market in Ling Province, making them second only to the Song Clan in terms of wealth—a feat even the Earth Fire Sect couldn’t match.

At this thought, Song Changsheng’s heart burned with excitement. ’If this really is a Wood Spirit Vein, the clan will be able to enter the Spirit Medicine market in the future!’

’It’s a shame I’m not skilled in the Geomancy and Meridian Seeking Skill. Otherwise, I could have snagged a few benefits for myself first. What a pity. I should report back to the clan for now.’

Song Changsheng harvested the Earth Dragon’s spine, teeth, and other Spiritual Materials. After placing a Restriction on the area, he returned to the surface.

"The Earth Dragon has been slain, Clan Elder, you can rest assured. However, the Section-B Mine still holds many hidden dangers. For the time being, please instruct the miners and our clansmen to stay away, to avoid unnecessary casualties."

Song Changsheng presented the Earth Dragon’s spine as proof, speaking with great solemnity.

"But... Young Clan Leader, the Section-B Mine is one of the top three most productive mines in the entire Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein. The cost of abandoning it would be far too great," Song Xianhe said, his voice laced with worry.

"Do not worry, Clan Elder. I will arrange for this to be handled properly once I return to the clan. For now, I must ask you to keep our clansmen away and prevent any needless deaths."

’The matter of the Wood Spirit Vein requires the utmost caution. Although I doubt anyone could navigate that underground labyrinth, it’s still better to be careful. If word of this gets out, it won’t just be Qu Jinsheng and Zhangg Chenlong who show up here.’

"I understand. I only hope the Young Clan Leader can send someone here as soon as possible."

"Rest assured, Clan Elder. I will depart at once!"

Song Changsheng mounted his Spirit-Slaying Gourd, transforming into a long streak of light as he sped away...

"Sheng’Er, is what you’re saying true?" Song Xianyun shot to his feet, utterly astonished.

"Twenty-first Grandpa, would I dare deceive you with such a lie? Although it isn’t confirmed, I’m at least eighty to ninety percent certain," Song Changsheng said with a wry smile.

"Ah, that’s not what I meant. It’s just... this is too incredible. A Wood Spirit Vein... aside from the one belonging to the Li Clan, it’s been years since another has appeared."

"Twenty-first Grandpa, I am not skilled in the Geomancy and Meridian Seeking Skill. To know if it’s real, you need only have Sixty-first Uncle make a trip. Then it will be crystal clear.

However, this Wood Spirit Vein is likely undeveloped, so we will need a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to stand guard."

The Sixty-first Uncle Song Changsheng mentioned was Song Luyou. He was ranked sixty-first among the fifth-generation disciples of the Song Clan and was the family’s only Tier Two Low-Grade Earth Master. He specialized in seeking out veins and spiritual sources; he was the one who had led the team that discovered the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein.

"Mm, that makes sense. Your mother and Luhuai are currently in the clan. Have them accompany you and Luyou. If you need anything, send a message at any time. The clan will give you its full support," Song Xianyun decided without hesitation.

"I understand."

Song Changsheng immediately notified his mother and the Fourth Elder, Song Luhuai. Then, taking Song Luyou and an elite squad of Law Enforcement Team members with him, he secretly rushed to the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein.

After telling Song Xianhe to keep everyone away, Song Changsheng led them straight to the place where the Earth Dragon had been healing.

"Sixty-first Uncle, I’ll leave it to you," Song Changsheng said, cupping his hands in respect.

Song Luyou was a middle-aged man who looked honest and unassuming. Hearing Song Changsheng’s words, he quickly waved his hands. "Young Clan Leader, you are too kind. It’s just that when a Wood Spirit Vein manifests, it can cause strange phenomena that might attract unwanted attention. I must ask the Young Clan Leader to set up a Concealing Array to prevent any news from leaking."

"That’s simple enough. Clan Uncle, you can begin your survey. I will go and set up the Array."

Song Changsheng went outside the mine entrance and had someone summon Song Xianhe. "Clan Elder, given the importance of the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein to our clan, we have decided to further upgrade the Guardian Array.

I will be making improvements to the original Array, which will involve testing its stability. Please inform the clansmen to avoid any unnecessary panic."

Having given Song Xianhe this pretext, Song Changsheng took out his Array Banners and began the Array Formation.

The Array he chose this time was the Tier Two Low-Grade Mist Concealment Array. When activated, it would shroud a designated area in a thick mist, causing even Foundation Establishment Cultivators to lose their way inside.

Since he was merely improving upon the original Array, Song Changsheng worked quickly. He finished the setup in less than two ancient hours. The moment he was done, he activated the Array, and a milky-white fog soon enveloped the area above the ore vein.

This fog could not be penetrated by the naked eye, and it even blocked Divine Sense. Forget the strange phenomena of a Spiritual Vein manifesting—even if two Foundation Establishment Cultivators were engaged in Magical Combat inside, no one on the outside would notice a thing.

Not long after Song Changsheng finished setting up the Array, news came from Song Luyou. He had confirmed the existence of a Wood Spirit Vein. It was at the Tier Two Level, but its scale was small, classifying it only as a minor Spiritual Vein.

Even so, Song Changsheng and the others were exceptionally excited. A Tier Two Wood Spirit Vein! And an undeveloped one at that! It was certain to have nurtured many Tier Two Spirit Medicines!

"Clan Uncle, there’s no time to lose. Please begin."

"Very well. Young Clan Leader, Elders, please act as my Guardians!" Song Luyou nodded. He took out a Compass, began to pace in the Seven-Star Step, and muttered a series of incantations.

The needle of the Compass began to spin wildly. Suddenly, with a flash of Spiritual Light, the red-tipped needle stopped, pointing toward the southwest.

"This is the best place to enter!" Song Luyou shouted.

The twenty Law Enforcement Disciples who had come along immediately sprang into action. Following Song Luyou’s directions, they began to excavate the Spiritual Vein. After digging for a little over a hundred feet, an incredibly dense burst of Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy erupted from the ground...