Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Run!!!
This place was discovered by Qiu Qianhai a couple of days ago. He found that the Cold Iron Sand in this area of the water was much more abundant than in other places.
When encountering such a situation, any miner with a bit of experience can guess that there’s definitely a Cold Cave nearby.
It’s a Death Cave!
As for how to tell it’s a Death Cave... because you would feel the chill from a living Cold Cave from a distance of a mile.
To find a Death Cave, you first need to discover a place where the Cold Iron Sand is richer than elsewhere. For ordinary miners, only the veteran ones might perceive such slight anomalies.
But in front of Qiu Qianhai, who possesses a mysterious finger bone, these aren’t issues at all.
Even a few days ago, he was always talking to Ji Yuan, saying that finding a Death Cave was as easy as pocketing something for him.
Now, he’s actually found a clue... In other places, he can dig up no more than three and a half jin of Cold Iron Sand at most.
But here, he can easily dig up four jin.
For this reason, Qiu Qianhai concluded that there must be an undiscovered Death Cave nearby.
Since it is an undiscovered Death Cave, it must be collapsed and blocked on both ends, with a thick layer of mud and sand on the surface.
Ji Yuan and he circled around this area for two days, eliminating several places.
Now, only the last place is left.
The two of them used spells to clear away three meters of mud and sand before they saw an expanse of pitch-black stones piled into a slope.
Qiu Qianhai found a sunken spot, and as soon as he took out the finger bone, it emitted a blue ghostly light.
And the light intensified the closer it got to the stone slope.
Thus, it could be basically confirmed that the Death Cave was here!
Facing the collapsed giant stones, Qiu Qianhai first attempted to use the Artifact Manipulation Technique, but it didn’t budge an inch.
Ji Yuan was on the side, vigilant of the surroundings.
By this time, it was already late, and the water at the bottom was even darker.
The Cloud Rain Marsh at night is far more dangerous than during the day.
Many fierce Spirit Fish Demon Beasts come out to roam during the night.
Moreover, cultivators can’t see very clearly underwater, adding a few more layers of danger... This problem was overcome by Ji Yuan, who had prepared many Night Vision Talismans in advance. They were just the most basic first-grade low-grade talismans, handy at his fingertips.
Ji Yuan waited for a moment while Qiu Qianhai tried various spells like the Water Arrow Technique and the "Water Technique of a Thousand Blades," but none could open the gap of the collapsed giant stone to uncovered the Death Cave.
It made sense; the giant stone was indeed massive.
Moreover, this place was close to the Cold Iron Sand vein. Even the stones on the outer perimeter were harder than ordinary rocks.
Noticing that Qiu Qianhai was still staring at the Death Cave in a daze, Ji Yuan thought for a moment, then stepped forward and patted his shoulder, making a few gestures.
He meant for Qiu Qianhai to keep watch while he gave it a try.
Ji Yuan stepped up, looking at these giant rocks, thinking moving them was hopeless. The only option was to find a weak spot and drill a small hole to get inside.
And this spot, Qiu Qianhai had already found.
At the crevices of several giant rocks, he had hacked them with a magical artifact, leaving blade marks everywhere.
Ji Yuan’s first thought was to summon the White Water Flying Sword, which shrunk to its normal size upon entering the water and slashed forward.
This time, although it wasn’t as smooth as slicing through tofu, it still cut two fingers deep into the stone.
There’s hope!
After all, the White Water Flying Sword is a mid-grade magical artifact, useful for slicing stone.
Qiu Qianhai’s eyes brightened, but Ji Yuan still felt it was too slow. It was already dark, and if they didn’t hurry, who knows when they would be able to open a way.
Just as Ji Yuan was pondering, a flash of inspiration came to him, and he suddenly thought of something.
With a flip of his hand, the Heart-Protecting Mirror he obtained from Xiong Youfu appeared in his grip.
Even though this artifact was merely a low-grade magical artifact, infusing it with Spiritual Qi could emit a powerful Spiritual Light.
"This will work, this will work,"
Qiu Qianhai mumbled, speaking excitedly.
Ji Yuan responded with an "Mm," slightly lifted himself up, and then aimed the Heart-Protecting Mirror at the gap underwater.
Spiritual Qi surged into it frantically.
Even though Ji Yuan was known for his prolonged Spiritual Qi in the water system Qi Cultivation sixth level, he spent a full third of his Spiritual Qi to fully charge the Heart-Protecting Mirror.
Then, with a thought in mind, he unleashed it.
In an instant, a thick white Spiritual Light shot out from the Heart-Protecting Mirror, directly hitting the fissure.
"Boom—"
Accompanied by a loud noise came a surging wave of water.
Even though Ji Yuan had already raised several Water Shields, he was still pushed back several meters before he stabilized himself. He hurriedly surveyed the surrounding waters.
Fortunately, the water resistance was immense.
The water wave didn’t penetrate far before it dissipated.
"Go!"
Qiu Qianhai led the charge, rushing toward the Death Cave.
Ji Yuan followed closely and saw indeed, under the water, a dark cave entrance.
Qiu Qianhai instinctively wanted to jump in, but Ji Yuan quickly reached out and grabbed him, then slowly shook his head.
"Mm!"
Qiu Qianhai understood his meaning, summoned a piece of White Bone Turtle Shell to protect his front, and also drew out his Crescent Moon Saber.
Ji Yuan then attached another Night Vision Talisman to him, and he jumped in, disappearing into the cave entrance.
Going into the cave was meant to be done by one person, while the other kept watch.
Not to mention, this was a water cave. If no one was guarding this place, and a demon beast showed up or other miners were attracted,
getting ambushed would mean a certain death.
Ji Yuan called out the Black Wind Boat, sat cross-legged on top, and waited silently.
If something really happened, he could leave with Qiu Qianhai at the first moment.
An incense stick’s worth of time passed, and Ji Yuan was somewhat pleased, estimating that there was quite a bit of Cold Iron Sand inside.
After two incense sticks’ time, Ji Yuan was even more pleased, thinking the Cold Iron Sand must be abundant.
But as three incense sticks’ time went by, Ji Yuan started to worry.
Something wasn’t right, could there have been an accident?
Otherwise, why was it taking so long?
Just as he was considering whether he should go down for a look, he suddenly sensed a surge of Spiritual Qi from within the Death Cave, along with unusual sounds.
Ji Yuan immediately got to his feet. As the White Water Flying Sword appeared, he saw Qiu Qianhai emerge from the Death Cave.
Not only that, it seemed like a giant object was following him.
Without a word, Ji Yuan sent the White Water Flying Sword swirling with a "whirling wave" force.
Using "whirling wave" in the water, of course, achieved twice the result with half the effort.
So as soon as the thing emerged from the cave, it slowed down, allowing Ji Yuan to see its true appearance.
It turned out to be a massive crab, the size of a millstone, entirely black-gray, with a layer of thick Stone Armor growing on its claws and shell.
Its eyes were entirely blood-red.
It looked like it was going to devour someone.
Damn, even if it’s not a late-stage demon beast, it’s not far from it... Ji Yuan lifted his hand and sent nearly ten Water Drop Fingers at it.
The Stone Crab wielded its claws, blocking some, but two hit its weak spots.
In pain, the Stone Crab immediately retreated back.
Seizing the opportunity, Ji Yuan grabbed Qiu Qianhai’s collar and threw him onto his Black Wind Boat.
"Run!!!"