Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Upon hearing the hint of looseness in Ji An’s tone, Zhang Le’s lips formed a smile, and he said:

”Let me slowly explain it to you, Fellow Daoist. At the entrance of the ruins, there is a gigantic black stone, with large claw marks and signs of corrosion on it, as well as many traces of sharp tools cutting into it. It seems a great battle took place there.

I believe a large number of Demon Beasts were involved in the attack. It’s not uncommon for high-tier Demon Beasts to drive low-tier ones... Now, the core area remains unexplored. Three kinds of Evil Qi—metal, fire, and earth—converge within the earth veins here, which also serve as the energy source for the Magic Array.

Even if we gain nothing from the core area, the very convergence points of these three Evil Qis constitute a continuous source of Spirit Stones.”

He did not exaggerate at all, as he knew the premise of cooperation was to be open and honest.

If the other party agreed to go, only to find that the descriptions did not match the facts upon arrival, it would create a rift within the team, which is a taboo in exploration and treasure hunting.

They were treasure hunting for wealth, not Tribulation Cultivators. Who knows how many Tier Two Top-grade Talismans a Talisman Maker might have on him!

Cultivators traveling alone are either fools or truly capable ruthless people.

Ji An stroked his chin as he listened intently. After the other had finished speaking, he asked:

”Something seems off. Why would the original owner of the ruins abandon an area with resources? Were there any suspicious findings on the corpses?”

Spiritual Fiend is a Tier Two resource; abandoning a source of continuous wealth and sealing it off seems problematic no matter how you look at it.

The fact that a cultivator carrying Magical Treasures died indicates the fall of a Golden Core Daoist Master, and his small frame couldn’t withstand many Golden Core Level attacks.

From the description, it appears the ruins weren’t completely taken over by Demon Beasts. Therefore, the motive behind cultivators’ voluntary withdrawal is intriguing.

Zhang Le gently shook his head. ”All that remains are shattered white bones; we found nothing of value.

I reckon the ruins have endured for over a thousand years. Any dangers within would have likely worn away over time.”

Time is the most formidable Great Cultivator. How many living beings have been buried under the dust of the ages? Whether mortal or gifted cultivator, how many can achieve immortality?

”I can’t agree immediately; I need to think it over carefully.”

Ji An lightly shook his head. Based on the gains from the description, he speculated that there must have been an unexpected danger for the original owner to abandon the ruins.

If he nodded in agreement, he feared he’d be unable to withdraw midway.

Zhang Le and Yuan Hong exchanged a glance and solemnly stated:

”This is as it should be. If you decide to join us, we are united. If you refuse to join the exploration team, we ask that you do not disclose this news to others.”

A ruin with leftover Magical Treasures is enticing to a Golden Core Cultivator, leaving them no choice but to be cautious.

The reason they extended an olive branch to Ji An was due to his uncomplicated network. He had a certain foundation, but it was within their range of acceptance.

Ji An nodded slightly and directly took a Daoist Oath, claiming that if he did not join the exploration team, he would not disclose today’s discussion to any force in any form for thirty years.

After he swore the oath, Zhang Le and Yuan Hong visibly relaxed.

They all had a certain understanding of each others’ circumstances. A Daoist Oath holds considerable binding force for cultivators aspiring to ascend the Immortal Path.

”Fellow Daoist Ji, how long do you need to consider?”

”I’ll give you a reply by tomorrow morning.”

Yuan Hong laughed, ”You are straightforward, Fellow Daoist.”

The conversation that followed was much more relaxed, and half an hour later, the two guests left.

Ji An remained in the Quiet Chamber, carefully weighing the pros and cons of the situation.

In his view, exploring the ruins was similar to venture capital; it faced two aspects of risk.

The first is the danger during exploration. The area sealed by the Magic Array—no one knows what’s inside.

Zhang Le said the ruins have a thousand-year history. If a Golden Core Level Demon Beast were sealed inside, such a length of time is far from causing fatal harm to the creatures within. Ten thousand years might be considered safe.

The second risk refers to the subsequent distribution plan following a startling discovery after exploration. Whether it can be executed remains uncertain.

He himself possessed a Talisman Treasure and Tier Three Talismans, but judging from Zhang Le and Yuan Hong’s Demon Hunting successes and their manner, they seemed to come from major forces. Their resources might even surpass his.

”Why did I leave the Sect to come to the Far North?”

Ji An asked himself. His purpose was, of course, to understand Five Elements Mutual Generation, laying the foundation for a breakthrough to the Golden Core.

Is there a gain within the ruins that could assist in understanding Five Elements Mutual Generation?

There might be, but it’s uncertain.

According to Zhang Le, the source of the Magic Array includes Gold Element Evil Qi, but maintaining the array’s operation makes it less likely to form the movement of a Gold Element Spirit Tide.

The risk is considerable, but the help to his cultivation is limited; it’s likely to just gain some superficial wealth. Is it worth the risk for such superficial wealth?

With this in mind, Ji An made a decision in his heart.

He gently shook his head, casting aside the matter and sat down cross-legged to start circulating the Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture.

At this stage, without suitable Pills to take, cultivators choose to cultivate bit by bit to purify Magical Power.

The accumulation of Magical Power is a long-term process, and every day should not be relaxed.

As the cultivation technique operated, the Spiritual Qi in the Grotto Mansion crazily converged towards the Quiet Chamber.

In a moment’s work, the rich Spiritual Qi formed a dense fog.

Within Ji An’s body, the Five Elements Divine Mansion glowed, and the Dao Seed in his Acupoints shone brilliantly.