Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

By this estimate, this exploration could yield at least four hundred top-grade Spirit Stones, of which they would take two and a half shares, amounting to one hundred stones.

Moreover, these few nodes are the most valuable resources, and their allocation is a difficult issue.

Pei Xiu lowered his gaze, sending a message back:

”Do not let your guard down, I fear that disputes may arise over the distribution of benefits.”

The stakes involved are simply too high to afford any carelessness.

At this moment, he felt immensely thankful that he brought his Daoist partner along; otherwise, he would have to gamble on the other two keeping their promises, and even a Daoist Oath might not be reliable.

...

The four broke into the second hall, discovering it was the repository of the White Tiger Wind Shriek Fiend. Unfortunately, the remaining fiend was scarce, only a few hundred wisps.

Fortunately, they acquired some Dragon Pattern Gold and Celestial Profound Red Gold, worth about seventy to eighty top-grade Spirit Stones.

The group arrived at the entrance of the last hall, where Yuan Hong sensed the tense atmosphere among the team and smiled:

”This is the last hall; how much resource do you think we can gather?

Why not make a bet, each of us gives one top-grade Spirit Stone to the winner.

The stakes aren’t high; does anyone feel like playing a round?”

Now there is a mutual vigilance among the group, making it too tense, it’s necessary to help everyone relax a bit.

Zhang Le asked curiously:

”What are the rules? Tell us.”

”It’s simple; none of us knows how much we’ll gain inside. Those participating can make an estimate of the harvest.

There are only three possibilities: the harvest is the most, the least, or in between the other two halls.”

”I bet the harvest is in the middle.”

Zhang Le said, tossing out a top-grade Spirit Stone.

Yuan Hong deftly caught the stone, looking at the other two:

”Are the two Daoists interested? However, only one of you can participate.”

”We can’t dampen our friends’ spirits; I bet the harvest is the most.”

Pei Xiu placed a wager, thinking winning would gain him three top-grade Spirit Stones while losing would only cost one, making it worth a try.

He also felt the tension in the atmosphere, and this proposal was the perfect chance to ease everyone’s nerves.

Yuan Hong put away the Spirit Stone, saying:

”I have no choice but to bet the harvest is the least.”

He stepped forward, wielding a Spiritual Artifact to attack the hall’s entrance as the Dharma Prohibition’s light curtain emerged.

”The moment to uncover the truth has come; I’ll personally unveil the mystery, you guys be on guard!”

Zhang Le smiled, ”For some reason, I have a strong premonition that I will win!”

Yuan Hong sneered, curling his lips, ”I think you will lose!”

He manipulated the Spiritual Artifact incessantly against the light curtain. When the Spiritual Light of the Dharma Prohibition shattered, the hall’s door suddenly swung open, releasing a massive black mist, and a pungent, fiendish stench burst forth.

The sudden turn of events caught everyone by surprise, and Zhang Le shouted, ”Run!”

With that, he rode the cloud and ascended into the air.

However, the speed of the black mist was too swift, and in the blink of an eye, it engulfed the group, followed by screams.

The black mist’s spread encountered a bottleneck; it couldn’t surpass the golden ring on the ground.

Whenever any mist overflowed, golden flames would arise, burning the black mist to ashes.

”Roar!”

In the distance came a wild lion’s roar, as a white shadow like a bolt of lightning and light flew toward them.

The Ice Crystal Lion arrived at the edge of the Magic Array at the center of the cave, barking incessantly at the black mist.

It sensed its master was in danger, but the swirling black mist struck fear in its heart, preventing it from approaching by even an inch.

Suddenly, a portion of the black mist transformed into a venomous snake darting towards the Ice Crystal Lion with incredible speed, flying seven to eight yards in a mere instant.

The golden Rune on the ground suddenly shone, transforming into a sea of golden flames as the snake formed by the black mist was reduced to ashes, unable to break out of the Dharma Prohibition area by even a yard.

The Ice Crystal Lion, startled, retreated ten yards in fear.

The speed of the black mist was extremely fast, and if not for the burning golden flames, it would have been hit.

The Ice Crystal Lion kept howling, attempting to contact its master this way, as Spiritual Communication was no longer working.

A moment later, the black mist receded, revealing the bodies of Yuan Hong and the others.

They were all lying face down on the ground, with a copper coin-sized hole at the back of their heads, from which black liquid flowed.

Their exposed skin showed protruding blood vessels, which appeared unusually black.

Seeing its master, the Ice Crystal Lion howled more intensely, cautiously inching forward.

About half an hour passed, and the Ice Crystal Lion paced around the Dharma Prohibition boundary, occasionally howling, full of sorrow.

The blackness on Zhang Le and the others’ bodies completely faded, and their back-head wounds started slowly wriggling, soon healing, with even their hair regrowing.

One by one, they awoke, their sclera now blood-red, emitting an eerie glow, akin to the eyes of cats or dogs illuminated by a flashlight in the dark.

Zhang Le blinked, the blood-red in his eyes quickly receding, revealing a sinister smile at the corner of his mouth. He stood up, beckoning to the Ice Crystal Lion.

The Beast Taming creature looked puzzled, lifting its leg and putting it down again, not daring to approach, scared by the black mist.

Zhang Le’s gaze dimmed as he stepped forward, but upon stepping into the golden Rune area, a lot of black qi emanated from him, and he let out a loud scream.

However, he didn’t stop, gritting his teeth, he charged out of the Rune area, severely burned, revealing cracked black-red skin.

The Ice Crystal Lion showed fear, turning to flee, feeling its master was no longer the same.

But it didn’t flee far before turning back because its master controlled its body using a Blood Contract.

Whimpering, it entered the black mist-filled hall with a scream.

Yuan Hong and the others rushed out of the golden Rune area, also severely burned.

Moments later, their muscles started wriggling, with their severely burned bodies rapidly recovering at the cost of their bodies emaciating.

Liuu Ruyan coquettishly said:

”Master needs more flesh and blood to recover, we must find a way to bring more Cultivators, the higher their Cultivation, the better.”

Her newly grown skin appeared more tender, seemingly delicate and breakable.

Pei Xiu chuckled in a low voice:

”Let’s return to the Immortal City first, then find more cultivators to explore here.”

”Good idea.”

...

Red Rock Immortal City.

Ji An sat cross-legged on the Pudun, contemplating the Divine Intent realized the day before.

He had a premonition that understanding Gold Generating Water would not take long because the general direction was set, what remained was to continually refine his understanding.

He would incorporate the insights from Fire Generates Earth, trying to develop a theory applicable to other Five Elements transformations.

If a methodology could be developed, it would greatly aid him later, enabling quicker comprehension of all Five Elements Mutual Generation Divine Intents, thus achieving the Five Elements Endless Life realm.

In that case, the Five Elements Divine Mansion within him would constantly be in a state of cultivation, refining each stream of Spiritual Qi with every breath.

The accumulation of Magical Power would accelerate, after all, he would be cultivating the twelve double hours, even during sleep.

Time flew by, and noon arrived.

Ji An walked out of the Grotto Mansion to find Yuan Hong and Zhang Le standing not far away.

”How have the two Daoists been?”

Since he refused their invitation to explore the ruins, he hadn’t seen them for several months.

Zhang Le approached, lowering his voice to say:

”Thanks to you, just returned from outside last night, and today we have a deal to discuss with you, which won’t take long.”

Ji An raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking to himself:

’They must have returned from exploring the ruins; could it be they have plenty to trade for resources they temporarily don’t need?’

Thoughts spun rapidly in his mind, and he put on a businesslike smile:

”Dear Daoists, please join me in the Grotto Mansion for a discussion.”

He was quite curious about what they had gained, and also curious about whom they had chosen as allies, and whether they returned together.

The three entered the Grotto Mansion and took their seats, and without beating around the bush, Zhang Le directly produced a red Jade Bottle, saying:

”Daoist, first check whether this item is to your liking?”

The bottle was covered with dense Runes, from which crimson light emanated, and Ji An immediately recognized it contained a Spiritual Fiend.

He took the Jade Bottle, opened it, and his eyebrows raised slightly:

”Red Dragon Abyssal Fiend! You Daoists have good fortune.”