Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 385: Chapter 18 Mining Has Risks

“How’s the situation out there lately?” Wei Dongliu asked with interest.

“How else could it be?” Jiang the Witch replied offhandedly, “If you can’t beat them, you simply can’t beat them.”

“Even if all Six Paths combined their forces, they would still be quite far from matching the Three Pure Orthodox Sect,” Wen Yang added, “not to mention that the Hell Path hasn’t joined the battle.”

“Although we lost, the damage isn’t significant,” Long Xiaoqi said cheerfully, “compared to the gains from Penglai, overall, we’ve made quite a profit.”

Wei Dongliu chuckled, feeling a sense of contemplation in his heart.

If the Orthodox Sect recruits disciples on a principle of ‘quality over quantity,’ then the Demon Cult embodies ‘the more, the merrier,’ as to whether the disciples turn out well or poorly after joining, that depends on their own cutthroat capabilities.

Because of this, the cost of cultivating an ordinary disciple in the Demon Cult is extremely low.

In the process of combating the Orthodox Sect, even if a very exaggerated casualty rate is produced, just looking at the resource and martial force losses, perhaps the Orthodox Sect ends up losing more… which is somewhat outrageous.

In a nutshell, the Three Pure Ones of the Orthodox Sect gained face (having made the Demon Cult’s thieves quiet and surreptitious), while the Six Paths of the Demon Cult gained substance (exploiting the war to make a big profit). Both sides claim they’ve won. @@novelbin@@

“So, what does the Three Pure Orthodox Sect plan to do next?” Wei Dongliu asked again.

“Nothing much,” Long Xiaoqi answered, “They can’t find us, what else can they do? They’ll just declare victory, of course.”

“I’ve heard they’re planning to hold a major Orthodox Sect competition,” Jiang Liyan suddenly said, “with the purpose of showcasing their martial force.”

“Oh?” Wen Yang asked in surprise, “Where will it be held?”

“I don’t know.” Jiang Liyan shook her head, “That’s all the information I got from the sect.”

“A secretive competition held only internally, claiming to showcase their martial force?” Wen Yang said scornfully, “Showcase to whom?”

“To the spies within the Orthodox Sect,” Jiang Liyan said earnestly.

And then, everyone burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Wei Dongliu had a neutral expression and didn’t find it funny—at least because he too was a spy within the Orthodox Sect.

His refusal to join in the laughter caused everyone else’s laughter to gradually subside.

“By the way, where did that old thief from the valley go?” Wen Yang started making conversation.

“He got into a fierce fight with those brutes from Shushan, seems badly wounded,” Long Xiaoqi replied, “No idea where he went to heal.”

Oh, a great battle between Shushan and the Asura Path? Wei Dongliu took careful mental note to be prepared when he next assumed the identity of Ling Yunpo.

The Flying Asura listened in boredom by the side, his eyes whirling around, clearly plotting something.

Finally, they arrived above the mining area and descended. The mine attendant immediately went to greet them, smilingly saying:

“It’s Judge Wen, what brings you here? If you need any Spirit Stones, just tell me, and I’ll have them delivered to you.”

“No need,” Wen Yang waved his hand grandly, “I’ll take these few for a spin inside.”

“Isn’t that against the rules…” The attendant had just begun to speak when Wen Yang’s fierce gaze silenced him, he quickly corrected himself, “Right away, I’ll open the gate for you.”

Wei Dongliu looked on with a cold gaze, thinking that the Demon Cult, indeed accustomed to power struggles within, even had a mere mortal attendant so attuned to personal gain and peril.

He dutifully reminded everyone, then immediately retracted like a frightened turtle to avoid getting killed, acting just right in advance and retreat, his survival instincts fully maxed.

The mine gate was locked with a rusty brass lock, the attendant took out an equally rusty key and unlocked it.

“Hasn’t there been any work here recently?” Wen Yang asked, frowning.

“According to what my predecessor said, this place hasn’t been worked in over ten years,” the attendant promptly replied.

Wen Yang nodded silently.

The mine was not in operation, likely because most of the ore had been mined or because there was no recent demand within the Sect. With his position, he could not inquire clearly.

However, he had fulfilled his obligation by bringing Wei Dongliu into the mine. As for whether Wei could find the Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stone, that would depend on the latter’s luck.

The decaying wooden door opened slowly, and the steward tactfully made a hasty exit.

Looking towards the dark entrance, Wei Dongliu suddenly said,

“Flying Asura, could you take the lead?”

“Ha! You little tyke, so cautious even when entering a mining site, is it really necessary?” the Flying Asura said with a chuckle, but its feet did not hesitate, heading straight inside.

Through their time together, it had roughly figured out his temperament:

No matter how you provoke him with your words, he doesn’t care. But if you don’t follow his orders, he will make you suffer immediately.

The Flying Asura walked in the front. The darkness was as good as nonexistent due to its night vision, and it also prevented any dangers that could come from ahead.

Wei Dongliu followed closely behind with three others, each wielding their luminous Magical Treasures, carefully observing the surrounding rock walls.

“Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stones are often formed deep in the burial grounds of ancient battlefields.” Wen Yang explained to everyone, “These places are typically filled with intensely thick Yin energy and many resentful spirits. It’s easy to confirm even without looking into history.”

“Everyone, use your Divine Sense to scan the surroundings. If you find a place with particularly dense Yin energy, dig deeper and there’s a high chance you’ll find the Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stone.”

“I see.” Jiang the Witch rolled up her sleeves, revealing arms as fair as lotus roots, and said with enthusiasm, “I just learned the Heavenly Demon Guiding Technique, which can attach Divine Sense to Demon Heads and scatter them to explore. I’ll take on the task of finding the Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stone!”

“No problem with that,” Wei Dongliu asked curiously, “but why roll up your sleeves?”

Jiang Liyan hesitated for a while before waving her hand,

“Don’t ask so much. Just watch!”

As her hands moved, shaping several Spells, four or five Demon Heads emerged from the void around them, cackling eerily, and then spread into the surrounding rock walls as if the walls were intangible.

As these Demon Heads dispersed, the rest were not idle but let the Flying Asura lead the way, strolling through the mineshaft.

About a quarter of an hour later, Jiang the Witch suddenly frowned and said,

“There’s no Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stone around, but the Yin energy gets denser the deeper we go. Should we continue further?”

“Of course,” said Wen Yang without hesitation, “The outer layer is definitely the most searched area. Even if there were Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stones, they’re likely to have been mined already.”

“Let’s go right down to the deepest part.”

Wei Dongliu had no objections and signaled the Flying Asura to delve deeper.

After about half an hour, the Flying Asura suddenly exclaimed,

“This Yin energy… it’s quite pure!”

“What’s the problem?” Wei Dongliu immediately became alert, “Is there a land of absolute Yang below?”

“Not a land of absolute Yang,” the Flying Asura replied with a wicked smile, “But master, the Nine Serenities Yin Soul Stone you seek should be at the bottom of this mine.”

“No wonder your Sect sealed off this mine. Probably couldn’t decide how to deal with it, right? Besides, once the news leaks, it won’t be just a matter for one province or Sect; the whole world’s eyes will focus here.”

The others were confused by this remark, while Wei Dongliu furrowed his brows, about to order it to stop beating around the bush when he heard Wen Yang say in astonishment,

“Leak out? What do you mean? Are you saying that deep within this mine is…”

“A fissure to the Nine Serenities Underworld?!!”