Chapter 84, Collecting Metal Qi and Golden Armored Mountain Burrower

Translator: Raznick

 

The news of Zhou Xinlan possessing average spirit roots spread throughout the Zhou Clan.

 

Average spirit roots weren’t particularly exceptional; it merely met the qualifications for joining prominent sects and offered a decent chance at eventually reaching Foundation Establishment.

 

Within the Zhou Clan, there were roughly twenty or thirty Qi Refining cultivators who possessed average spirit roots.

 

The excitement over Xinlan’s discovery wasn’t on par with what one might expect for a groundbreaking achievement.

 

However, the reason this status became a hot topic within the entire clan was due to his boastful nature—he couldn’t help but share this news with everyone he met, flaunting it as if it were his greatest accomplishment.

 

Among “xin” generation of Zhou Clan youths—of which there were only seven in total—Xinlan was the second to possess average spirit roots, with the first having mortal parents.

 

This made him unique within the “zheng” generation of Zhou Clan cultivators, as he was the first among them to be born with average spirit roots.

 

And that, quite simply, gave Zhou Zhengyong something to brag about.

 

Zhou Daoyi was more than happy to see this happen. In fact, he was delighted if someone dared to come and file a complaint with him. He even said, “Why don’t you have such a child,” which became his way of jokingly urging people to have more children.

 

Unfortunately, no one had the audacity to bring a complaint to him yet.

 

When Zhou Xinlan turned one year old and Zhou Chun celebrated his first birthday with a special feast, he left the Nine Peaks afterwards.

 

This time, Zhou Chun was leaving the clan to go to an abandoned mine in the northwest of Mist Province, near Ridge Province. The mine was once owned by the Green Lotus Monastery, but after all the precious minerals had been depleted, it was abandoned and now occupied by a group of rogue cultivators.

 

These rogue cultivators lived around the abandoned mine and occasionally went into the mine to search for any leftover mineral.

 

In fact, many gold essence ore sold through the hands of rogue cultivators originated from such exchanges. It wasn’t that a single rogue cultivator happened to have a vein of ore; rather, they were often involved in exploiting already abandoned veins. This practice of handing over exhausted mines to rogue cultivators for them to extract the last remnants of resources was standard procedure in the cultivation world. In this arrangement, the factions controlling the mines saved costs while still achieving their goals, while the rogue cultivators could also benefit.

 

Currently, the Scarlet Glow Iron vein being mined by the five major cultivating clans, including the Zhou Clan, would likely follow this pattern as well. The journey from Nine Peaks to that abandoned mine was over a three hundred miles, and Zhou Chun traveled alone for four or five days before finally reaching the mountain range outside the destination.

 

To avoid attracting attention, Zhou Chun had disguised himself as a young man clad in dark blue robes with slightly tanned skin. His weathered and darker complexion made him appear much older, at least in his late thirties.

 

This level of age aligned with his current Tenth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation, though it still felt somewhat unusual. At least, it no longer stood out as conspicuously as it would have if he were to display cultivation matching his true age.

 

And now, his identity has transformed into rogue cultivator Han Sanse.

 

Sanse served as a nod to the once-renowned Three Absolute Sect.

 

“Up ahead should be the Hidden Gold Mountains. Though, according to the information, that abandoned ore vein is extensive and easy to locate, it’s best to save time by asking nearby cultivators for directions.”

 

Crossing the undulating mountain ranges, Zhou Chun now sat atop his horse and surveyed the mountains before him.

 

He dismounted, releasing the steed he had purchased from a nearby city back into the wilderness. Then, he cast Soaring Art  upon himself and sped through the mountains.

 

Meanwhile, a majestic eagle with blue-black feathers  was released by Zhou Chun from its perch on his back. The bird soared upward, scanning the mountainous terrain for signs of human activity.

 

This domesticated eagle had been rented from the clan for this journey, tasked with locating humans and serving as an alert system.

 

As for the Red Beak Sparrow that he used to have, it had already died a natural death half a year ago. There was no doubt about it: compared to the small-sized and relatively slow-flying Red Beak Sparrow, the eagle excelled immensely in reconnaissance and tracking. It could easily spot rabbits hopping around in the mountain forest from as high as a three thousand meters, and its flight speed was incredibly fast. When Zhou Chun released the it into the sky, it took less than an hour to locate a target.

 

It found a rogue cultivator searching for herbs in the mountains. Despite his cultivation being only at Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, he appeared to be well over forty. His age at this level of cultivation suggested that not only was his spirit roots subpar, but he likely began his cultivating journey at an advanced age as well.

 

Upon Zhou Chun approaching him and engaging in conversation, it turned out that this cultivator had only begun his practice after turning twenty.

 

This cultivator, surnamed Geng, was originally a mundane herb gatherer. His life took a turn when he accidentally rescued another injured rogue cultivator during his herb-collecting venture. In gratitude, the cultivator imparted him with the secrets of cultivation, leading Geng into the world of cultivation and transforming his destiny.

 

It was unfortunate that Geng’s spirit roots were poor, and with no one to guide or support him, after wasting nearly twenty years, he had only managed to cultivate up to the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

 

However, he was remarkably determined and resilient. Upon learning from a rogue cultivator he had saved early on about the dangers of Savage Qi, he made it a point not to cultivate in the wilderness even when he wasn’t actively cultivating.

 

If he had been less diligent—even with a poorer spirit root—he would have achieved even less.

 

Recognizing this, Zhou Chun held the man in great respect. He couldn’t help but sigh, “The Dao is vast and elusive; seeking it is no easy task. I hold Brother Geng in high esteem for your perseverance. These three spirit coins shall serve as my token of respect for your journey—may we meet again someday!”

 

With that, he thrust the three spirit coins into the other’s hand, then gave a respectful bow before departing.

 

As Zhou Chun left quickly, Brother Geng looked at the spirit coins in his hand. Grateful and happy, he returned the bow and said, “May you travel safely on your way!”

 

After parting ways with Brother Geng, Zhou Chun followed the instructions and located the abandoned vein of gold essencein the Hidden Gold Mountains in less than half a day.

 

This gold mine was once a medium-sized mine with abundant reserves, stretching over ten miles, with more than ten mining shafts dug out.

 

After Green Lotus Monastery abandoned this place, many rogue cultivators came in, and the number of shafts dug in the mountains increased close to a hundredfold.

 

When Zhou Chun arrived at the abandoned mine, he easily noticed one shaft after another that had been abandoned.

 

Most of theme became places where beasts took shelter, while some hidden ones were transformed into temporary shelters by miners still working here.

 

In any case, this area was far from peaceful, but Zhou Chun didn’t mind.

 

With his Tenth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation, he wouldn’t be treated badly here—nobody would dare to provoke him.

 

Most rogue cultivators at this level could hunt demon beasts for spirit coin, with no need to linger in an abandoned mine like this.

 

Here was where the true low-ranking rogue cultivators worked and sought their fortune.

 

After walking through the forests for hours, stopping every so often, Zhou Chun found a main mine shaft.

 

The so-called main mine shaft was one that had been dug when Green Lotus Monastery first began mining.

 

Only deep within such shafts, where vast amounts of gold essence ore had once been, did traces of the high-quality metal Qi remain that Zhou Chun sought after.

 

Low hissings echoed through the mine.

 

Along with the sounds, came faint footfalls.

 

In the depths of the abandoned mine shaft, Zhou Chun, holding the Sun Augite tightly, made his way further down into the earth.

 

In front of him, over twenty li into the mine tunnels, the Silver Thunder Python known as Whitey took on the role of trailblazer, clearing away the snakes, insects, rats, and bats that dwelled within the mine passages, as well as the swarms of bats. At present, Whitey had grown to a length exceeding three zhang, its cultivation comparable to that of a cultivator at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining Stage.

 

Zhou Chun gradually began channeling resources towards nurturing it, commencing to feed it with Beast Spirit Pills and other spiritual pills that would aid in its growth. However, for now, Zhou Chun did not require its assistance in combat. At most, he utilized it for minor tasks, such as the present undertaking.

 

As he proceeded downward through the tunnels, clearing a path with the help of Whitey, Zhou Chun eventually reached his destination after traversing over five miles within the underground mine. He was now located on a branch mine situated above the main tunnel, near its endpoint. Here, Zhou Chun detected a residual presence of metal Qi that, while not particularly dense, sufficed to meet his needs.

 

“Whitey, go to the front and keep watch. If you find anything, be sure to notify me immediately.”

 

Zhou Chun mentally commanded Silver Thunder Python to go ahead and keep watch. The python promptly slithered off, disappearing into the distance.

 

Once it was gone, Zhou Chun reached down and tapped his storage bag, pulling out a delicate golden artifact shaped like a gourd.

 

Since the Zhou Clan possessed the Hard Gold Sword Energy, they anticipated that cultivators would need high-quality metal Qi. Specifically crafted to collect metal Qi, Zhou Chun’s gour was his tool of choice for this purpose.

 

He carefully opened the artifact and placed it in front of him with its mouth facing upwards. Then, he sat cross-legged and began circulating Hard Gold Sword Energy, channeling his efforts into gathering and absorbing the loose metal Qi around him.

 

Under the influence of the secret art, it wasn’t long before Zhou Chun felt a faint thread of jin qi being drawn to him and thenfunneledinto the artifact in front of him.

 

Though he possessed the purifying stone jar that could have made this entire process unnecessary, Zhou Chun chose to proceed as planned. After all, there was no need to rush—this was one step closer to his ultimate goal.

 

The problem was that the existence of the stone jar could not be exposed. If he were to cultivate here, it would be difficult to explain upon returning. After all, Zhou Daoyi had instructed him to gather enough metal Qi and bring it back to the clan, where they would help purify the Savage Qi before handing it over for his use in cultivation.

 

It took roughly half a day for Zhou Chun to collect all the nearby metal Qi into the gourd artifact. However, the quantity of metal Qi he required was substantial. He also needed to consider future replenishment after using the secret art, so this time he had to gather as much metal Qi as possible.

 

Over the next two weeks, Zhou Chun ventured into multiple mine shafts within the abandoned ore vein, tirelessly collecting the metal Qi he needed.

 

Through his diligent efforts, the amount of metal Qi stored increased day by day, approaching the gourd’s limit.

 

On this particular day, Zhou Chun descended once more into a mine shaft, searching for any remaining metal Qi. It was in a lateral tunnel of the mine that he again found some.

 

But as Zhou Chun was performing his secret art to gather the metal Qi, something unexpected happened.

 

Thirty meters away, an unusual sound came from the wall of the mine shaft.

 

Zhou Chun, who was startled and panicked didn’t react in time and a demon beast resembling a tortoise with its body completely covered in golden scales burst through the wall and charged at him。

 

This situation truly frightened Zhou Chun。

 

He immediately recognized its origin. It was a rare metal and earth attribute demon beast known as the Golden Armored Mountain Burrower, and it was already in its fully matured state.

 

A matured Golden Armored Mountain Burrower had the power of a cultivator at the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining Stage, and in this subterranean environment, its combat effectiveness was even greater—it’s not something two cultivators at the Twelfth Layer could match.

 

Zhou Chun was already not in peak condition due to his current state of action，even under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t be confident in defeating such a demon beast in these underground conditions.

 

Hea hurriedly activated the artifact he wore, the Augur Pendant, which released a glowing mist to protect himself. But before he could do anything else, creature had already lunged at him.

 

Only then did Zhou Chun realize that the creature’s target wasn’t him but the gourd artifact in front of him—and specifically, the metal Qi within.

 

A flash of understanding crossed Zhou Chun’s mind as he realized the creature’s intentions. He panicked.

 

Not only had the metal Qi inside the gourd cost him an immense amount of time to gather, but this artifact was also one of a kind—a relic of the Zhou Clan that was now all but lost.

 

If this item was gone as well, it would be extremely troublesome to recreate such an item, and the spirit coins consumed would be very huge. So much that Zhou Chun would have to pay at least half of the clan merits he had accumulated! How could Zhou Chun not be anxious?

 

But it was useless for him to be anxious at this time. The Golden Armored Mountain Burrower opened its mouth and bit the gourd, turning around to run away with it. Its flat and narrow tail also hit Zhou Chun hard, causing the protective glow released by the Augur Pendant to shake.

 

This attack did not work, and the Golden Armored Mountain Burrower completely gave up the idea of attacking Zhou Chun, and rushed directly to the cave it dug when it came, ready to escape. But at this moment, a forked lightning suddenly tore through the darkness in the cave and hit the beast’s head.

 

Under the strike of lightning, the Golden Armored Mountain Burrower trembled. The gourd it had been holding in its mouth fell to the ground without so much as a second thought.

 

Once it recovered from the paralyzing effects of the lightning strike and resumed its grip on the gourd, Zhou Chun had already recovered from the hard tail whip, rising to his feet.