Sword-shaped spirit crystals were distributed throughout the cave, clustered together like exotic flowers and plants growing within the rocky expanse. A mist-like concentration of spiritual energy swirled around the spirit crystal stalagmites. Lin Zhao, nearly suffocating, walked through the low, damp cave, his heart pounding. Everywhere he looked, there were spirit stones, some stalagmites even reaching a meter in length, radiating impressive spiritual energy.
He gripped the head of one spirit stone and tried to pull it free with force, but it remained unmoving.
"Sir..."
Nu Zhi couldn't bear to watch any longer. "Spirit stones are true treasures of heaven and earth, drawing essence from the heavens and rooting themselves in the earth. The base of a spirit stone is connected to the rock. If you break it forcefully, the spiritual essence within will continuously leak from the damaged part, and it will likely turn into an ordinary rock within a few days."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao paused. "Then what should be done?"
"Special people are needed to harvest them."
Nu Zhi pondered for a moment. "In the Great Shang Dynasty, the Mountain and Sea Division of the White Emperor City has cultivators specifically for mining spirit stones. Most of these cultivators are in the Middle Five Realms, possessing an innate keenness for spirit crystal stalagmites. They can control their strength precisely, and with careful grinding, they can extract a perfect spirit stone."
"Great Shang Dynasty..."
Lin Zhao frowned. He harbored no goodwill towards the Great Shang Dynasty's Mountain and Sea Division. The memory of Li Tong, the Junior Administrator of the Mountain and Sea Division who had tried to kill him, was deeply ingrained and exceedingly unpleasant.
"Besides that, there is another method."
Nu Zhi pursed her red lips. "The Mo family's ancestral home also has a group of artisans capable of mining spirit stones. Fifty years ago, the Mo family's ancestral home purchased the ownership of a small spirit stone mine from the Great Shang Dynasty at a great cost, dispatching Mo family cultivators to mine it and refine the spiritual essence themselves, forging Jin Zi coins, Fei Yu coins, and the like."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao thought for a moment. "Nu Zhi, find a way to get in touch with people from the Mo family's ancestral home. We need to make plans for this spirit stone mine."
"Okay."
Nu Zhi smiled and nodded. "After returning to the mountain, I'll contact the Mo family's ancestral home?"
"You can. By the way, is this spirit stone mine on Mount Luoyan considered medium-sized or large?"
"Large!"
Nu Zhi confirmed. "I've already scouted it with my spiritual sense. The entire mountain range is almost crisscrossed with caves full of spirit stones. Perhaps this is one of the largest spirit stone mines in the entire world, sufficient to support the entire expenditure of food and funds for our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"That's good. Let's go."
After leaving the cave, Lin Zhao looked at the group of Snow Domain cavalry. "You will guard this place. Do not act rashly, nor make a grand display. Just act as if you are guarding the Mount Luoyan camp. Report any news to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool immediately."
"Yes, Sir!"
Lin Zhao, Nu Zhi, and Chu Yu returned to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Nu Zhi sent a flying fish message to the Mo family's ancestral home and awaited their response. Lin Zhao, meanwhile, continued to engross himself in drawing talismans at the Natural Dwelling, consuming 100 points of stamina as soon as his stamina reached 200, and exhausting all his stamina before logging off each night to avoid waste.
...
Deep in the night.
The Mount Luoyan camp was silent. A group of Snow Domain cavalry sat by a crackling bonfire, roasting flatbread and drinking hard-won, inferior rice wine. They chatted and laughed amongst themselves.
In the darkness, a figure ascended into the sky, riding a flying sword from the spirit stone-filled cave. His form was almost indistinguishable from the night. He wore black, with an inconspicuous character for "Xiu" embroidered on his sleeve.
This assassin, riding his sword, was a sword cultivator of the ninth realm, Nascent Soul stage. He looked down upon Mount Luoyan, his gaze falling upon the hundred Snow Domain cavalry. A cold smile played on his lips. "These fools," he mused indifferently, "probably don't even know they're sitting on a treasure mountain. Well, what right do mere mortals have to this immense fortune? If heaven gives, but one does not take, then death is deserved!"
With that, he descended from the air, accompanied by a dazzling sword light. The captain of the hundred cavalry, who had been drinking broth, was instantly split in two, blood splashing everywhere. The remaining cavalry scrambled to their feet, but it was too late. The Nascent Soul stage sword cultivator swept his sword, and dense sword energies tore them all to shreds. Simultaneously, a meteor-like flying sword shot out from the Veiled Sword Lake, rapidly piercing and killing the Snow Domain cavalry attempting to mount their horses and flee down the mountain. In a mere few breaths, the hundred Snow Domain cavalry were unable to resist, the difference in their realms being too vast.
"..."
The ninth realm assassin stepped through the scattered blood and entrails, his brow furrowed. He sneered, "A bunch of ants, daring to flaunt themselves on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, calling themselves the Snow Domain Legion. Does that white-robed man truly consider himself Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool? It's a joke. Have they already forgotten who rules this human world?"
Saying this, he produced a flying fish from his sleeve, briefly scribbled a note, and placed it in the flying fish's mouth. After crushing a flying fish coin to nourish the fish, he released it. The flying fish gracefully flicked its tail in the air and then vanished into the wind. The assassin did not leave; he intended to wait for reinforcements to arrive and fully control this incredibly precious, large-scale spirit stone mine!
...
Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
A figure descended gracefully, riding a streak of sword light, clad in a grey long gown, exuding an air of immortal grace. The Mo family's ancestral home had indeed sent someone, and it was one of their guardians, Xu Zhan, a twelfth realm sword cultivator.
"My name is Xu Zhan!"
He glanced at Lin Zhao. "Has the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool truly discovered a large-scale spirit stone mine?"
"Indeed."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "Nu Zhi, let Senior Xu Zhan have a look."
"Yes, Sir."
Nu Zhi raised her hand gently, and sword intent rippled. The scene inside the cave materialized in her palm. The sight of the stalagmite forest, resembling sword stones, made the Mo family expert tremble. He was a Mo family master, and Nu Zhi's illusionary sword intent still contained a trace of powerful spiritual essence. This was undeniable.
"Indeed."
Xu Zhan smiled. "It seems the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool has stumbled upon great fortune."
"Senior Xu Zhan, perhaps we could have some tea together in the Natural Dwelling while we discuss?" Lin Zhao suggested.
"Certainly!"
Xu Zhan smiled slightly. He had initially found this young man quite unlikable, but seeing that he was polite and considering the matter of a large spirit stone mine, he felt compelled to be courteous. After all, the Mo family's ancestral home was located at the most barren end of the world, trying its best to avoid any of the world's fortune, living a truly hard life. Decades ago, to obtain a small spirit stone mine from the Great Shang Dynasty, the Mo family had paid a considerable price, even agreeing to establish a Mo family branch in White Emperor City, which was no easy feat.
Inside the Natural Dwelling, Dong Cang served two cups of fragrant tea. Lin Zhao and Xu Zhan sat opposite each other, with Nu Zhi standing beside them. In Nu Zhi's mind, maintaining proper respect was important, and doing so would make Xu Zhan value her lord even more.
"Lin Zhao."
Xu Zhan looked at him and smiled. "Let's get straight to the point. Possessing a large spirit stone mine, what are your intentions? How do you plan to deal with the Mo family's ancestral home? Will you sell it directly, or cooperate?"
"Cooperate."
Lin Zhao smiled. "My intention is for the Mo family's ancestral home and us to jointly utilize this spirit stone mine to forge currency."
"Jointly forge currency?"
Xu Zhan couldn't help but be taken aback, then he laughed. "Boy, aren't you dreaming too big? Why should the Mo family's ancestral home necessarily cooperate with you to forge currency?"
Lin Zhao cupped his fists and smiled. "Because this spirit stone mine, ultimately, lies within the contested territory between humans and demons. It is also close to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. For years, the Mo family's principle has been neutrality, with a slight leaning towards humans. If the Mo family's ancestral home were to send people down the mountain to personally guard this spirit stone mine, it would not only be troublesome but also easily lead to animosity with both the demon and human sides. Therefore, I believe it would be more secure for the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool to dispatch troops to guard the spirit stone mine, and for the Mo family's ancestral home to be responsible for forging currency. Furthermore, even if there were any disputes surrounding this spirit stone mine, the Mo family's ancestral home could completely remain uninvolved."
"Oh?"
Xu Zhan narrowed his eyes and smiled. "The demon race is eyeing us covetously from Mount Pan Yun. Once the Great Shang Dynasty learns of this news, they will not stand idly by. Are you so certain that the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool can defend this priceless spirit stone mine?"
"I can try."
Lin Zhao's demeanor was quite humble. He cupped his fists again. "If our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool can successfully defend this spirit stone mine, then the Mo family's ancestral home can consider cooperating with us. If we cannot defend it, then any contract will be considered void."
"Agreed."
Xu Zhan raised an eyebrow. He suddenly found this young man somewhat interesting. "Let's get the unpleasantries out of the way first. The Mo family's ancestral home will absolutely not interfere in the dispute over this spirit stone mine. This is your Snow Domain Heavenly Pool's own affair."
"Good."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded.
"Since it's a joint currency forging venture, there must be a division of profits, right? How will the proceeds from currency forging be split?" Xu Zhan asked with a smile.
Lin Zhao said solemnly, "Our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool will not cheat or deceive. We are willing to split it fifty-fifty with the Mo family's ancestral home. The Mo family's ancestral home will send artisans to help us mine the spirit stones, and the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool will be responsible for protecting the spirit stone mine and escorting the spirit stones. What do you say?"
"It's a deal."
Xu Zhan suddenly looked towards the south, having perceived everything. He smiled. "Let's see if your Snow Domain Heavenly Pool can defend this spirit stone mine first."
"Good!"
Xu Zhan gracefully took to the air on his sword and departed.
...
"What happened?"
Lin Zhao, seeing through the situation, looked towards the south. "Did Senior Xu Zhan just discover something?"
"Something has happened at Mount Luoyan."
Nu Zhi's willow-leaf eyebrows knitted slightly. "Just now, the aura of the hundred Snow Domain cavalry we dispatched to guard the spirit stone mine vanished instantly. They must have been killed."
Lin Zhao gritted his teeth. "Who would dare kill people from our Snow Domain Heavenly Pool at Mount Luoyan?"
"We'll know once we go and see!"
"Summon Mu Gua and Chu Yu. We must be fully prepared!"
"Yes!"
Under the starlit night, several figures descended upon Mount Luoyan amidst Nu Zhi's dim sword light. Nu Zhi, using her eleventh realm sword immortal's power, erected a barrier, early on suppressing their auras. As the group stood in the sword light, gazing down at the earth, they saw a scene of scattered limbs and broken bodies. The air was thick with the stench of blood. All one hundred Snow Domain cavalry had fallen. Not far away, on an ancient pine tree, a greyish figure lay motionless, like a cicada on a tree. His cold, bloodshot eyes stared at the scene of carnage, as if waiting for the next prey to fall into his trap.