"Wait!"
As Ji Yuan slowly approached, stopping about ten feet away, one of the rogue cultivators immediately cried out.
Enduring the pain from his severe injuries, he scrambled to his feet and said with a fawning, ingratiating smile, "Daoist priest! I want to live!"
Beside him, the other man, also barely enduring the agony, crawled several steps forward, his face slick with cold sweat, and said, "We know of a colossal opportunity, and we wish to exchange it for a sliver of a chance at survival, Daoist priest!"
Hearing this, Ji Yuan's brow furrowed, a hint of curiosity appearing on his face.
*Pfft!!!*
In the next moment, a streak of sword light flashed, and the rogue cultivator whose injuries were slightly less severe widened his eyes, clutching his neck. But he could not stem the gushing tide of hot blood.
He finally collapsed, his eyes vacant. In mere breaths, his life force had been shredded by several minuscule sword energies.
"Now, you may speak."
He smiled faintly, his gaze falling upon the last remaining man.
Secrets were best shared by one person; there was no need to keep another alive. What if that person harbored some fatal countermeasure?
The sole survivor instinctively swallowed. Under the gaze of the young Daoist priest before him, he dared not hesitate for even a moment. He immediately recounted everything he knew.
Originally, he had intended to use this information to secure some personal gain, not just to save his own life.
But now, he feared that if he spoke too slowly, he would be cleaved down with a single sword strike!
"About sixty to seventy li from here, there is a cave mansion belonging to at least a third-realm cultivator. Its intact state is likely incredibly rare within this underground world!"
A hint of awe flickered in the man's eyes.
This was the first time he had seen such a complete cave mansion since entering this place.
In the preceding days, the few cave mansions he had encountered were either empty or already in ruins. Not only were there no opportunities to be found, but not even a single item of value had appeared.
In contrast, this cave mansion, left by at least a third-realm cultivator, not only had its mountain body intact, but even its protective mountain array was remarkably well-preserved through the ages.
And through the protective mountain array, one could see multiple glimmers of spiritual light emanating from the mountain. Setting aside other matters, the medicinal field on the mountainside alone was incredibly valuable.
"That medicinal field, carved into the mountainside, though it cultivates rather common herbs, each plant has a medicinal age of at least a hundred years!"
While not spiritual herbs, each hundred-year-old herb was worth thousands of taels of silver. Once revealed, it would undoubtedly be snatched up immediately.
Such herbs were great tonics for mortals and equally beneficial for cultivators. Even a cultivator in the Spirit Condensation realm would be tempted to fight for them.
Moreover, their value would multiply several times over if used to refine elixirs!
As an alchemist, whose skill approached that of a grandmaster, Ji Yuan naturally developed a strong interest.
For an alchemist, the most attractive things were undoubtedly cauldrons, formularies, and herbs of sufficient age or meticulously cultivated ones.
A good herb might serve as the primary ingredient for a precious elixir, not only enhancing one's alchemical attainments but also serving to build one's reputation if sold.
In the four cultivation paths, any one of them required sufficient fame to attract other cultivators, who would provide raw materials and generous rewards for their services.
This was especially true for alchemists and artifact refiners, who needed to leverage immense fame to accumulate their own resources by refining for other cultivators.
"Not only that medicinal field, but there are also several other residences on the peak that are shimmering with spiritual light."
The rogue cultivator spoke in a low voice, "Even on a mountain wall, within a waterfall, and beneath a sandalwood tree, dazzling spiritual light flashes!"
Such spiritual light, even obscured by arrays, could still be clearly seen from over ten li away. One could only imagine how precious the spiritual items within must be.
And with so many opportunities on the mountain itself, it was truly difficult to fathom what astonishing treasures lay within the cave mansion!
Ji Yuan nodded slightly. If the man was not lying, then this cave mansion belonged to at least a peak third-realm cultivator, or perhaps even a Golden Core great cultivator.
"However... this information alone is not enough to buy a life!"
He raised an eyebrow and looked meaningfully.
Feeling the hidden murderous intent in his gaze, the rogue cultivator's heart tightened. He quickly revealed the so-called colossal opportunity he had mentioned.
They had originally traveled together in a group of twelve. Not far from here, in a collapsed cave mansion, they had found a jade slip that had not yet been destroyed by time.
It recorded the casual notes of the original owner of this cave mansion, which mentioned that a rare spiritual spring nurtured on that mountain.
This spiritual spring could not be drunk, but if used in conjunction with elixirs uniquely refined by the original owner of the mountain cave mansion, a single day's cultivation within it would be equivalent to a month of arduous training!
Most importantly, the jade slip mentioned that this spiritual spring had the miraculous effect of improving physique and spiritual roots, and assisting one in entering a state of enlightenment!
This was why all twelve of them, risking their lives and even losing more than half their number, had pursued the middle-aged man and his companions for dozens of li.
These individuals were all rogue cultivators who had stumbled onto the path of cultivation. Their aptitude was not particularly good, otherwise, they would not have been unable to join even a small sect.
If they could obtain this spiritual spring and improve their physique and spiritual roots, they might one day have a chance to ascend to the third realm and become esteemed guests of a powerful faction.
"To enter the protective mountain array, a key-like object is required."
The man's gaze shifted past the young Daoist priest to the maiden beside the middle-aged man.
The jade token that granted access to the protective mountain array was now in the maiden's possession. It had flown out from the mountaintop by itself and landed before her.
Ji Yuan looked on with curiosity. If this was the case, then the maiden being personally chosen by the jade token, besides her own suitability for the cave mansion's inheritance, clearly indicated she possessed exceptionally strong fortune.
*Pfft!*
Suddenly, a sharp sound rang out. In the middle-aged man's shocked gaze, a streak of blood erupted from the rogue cultivator's neck, and he collapsed with an incredulous expression.
As if he had not expected that, despite revealing everything he knew, he would still be struck down by a single sword strike!
Shaking the blood droplets from his sword before sheathing it, Ji Yuan sighed with a touch of helplessness.
He was not a bloodthirsty individual by nature, but since enmity had been formed, there was no way he could let them leave alive.
What if this person held a grudge and plotted revenge? While he might not be able to harm Ji Yuan, it would still be a nuisance, perhaps even threatening those around him.
In such circumstances, it was better to act decisively.
For Ji Yuan, it was best to avoid all karma. If it was truly unavoidable, then he would sever it thoroughly.
"You clearly promised him, why did you still strike!"
As he slowly approached, the young man shakily rose to his feet, stumbled forward a few steps, and then summoned his courage to shout.
Hearing this, he frowned, "When did this humble Daoist promise?"
From beginning to end, he had never agreed to the man's terms. He had only asked him to speak after killing the other man.
The young man's expression faltered. Recalling carefully, it seemed the Daoist priest had indeed never agreed.
Ignoring the young man, Ji Yuan walked past him and approached the middle-aged man and the maiden.
After some thought, he lifted the hem of his Daoist robe and crouched down, his eyes filled with contemplation.
After a considerable pause, he finally asked, "May I trouble you to hand over the jade token in your hand to this humble Daoist?"
"Rest assured, state any demands you have. This humble Daoist will offer a price that satisfies you. However, do not be overly audacious. If the price is too exorbitant, this humble Daoist will have to find other methods."
He could not bring himself to resort to outright theft or coercion. If the other party harbored a mortal grudge, or was an utterly wicked person, then it would be a different matter.
Beyond that, if the maiden before him was unwilling to trade, or demanded an exorbitant price with no room for negotiation, then he would naturally have to consider other plans.
Regardless, Ji Yuan would never easily give up on the spiritual spring that could improve physique and spiritual roots, and even aid in entering a state of enlightenment.
No cultivator in the world would complain about having too good a physique or spiritual roots, and he was no exception. Moreover, his own aptitude was only slightly better than that of disciples from renowned sects.
Over the past year and more, his rapid progress was not solely due to the cultivation techniques he practiced and the assistance of the Great Dao Incantations.
The most crucial factor was that he himself was an alchemist. He could consume various elixirs as if they were candy, and he possessed an unimaginable fortune, with various opportunities appearing before him.
Just like this trip to the ancient dojo, if he hadn't encountered Zhao Yuansong, who was returning severely injured, outside the Nine Xuan Sect's mountain gate, he might have missed the optimal timing.
If he had come to his senses later, even if he had arrived here, he would likely not have gained much, as all the opportunities would have been taken by other cultivators.
"I need a few bottles of healing elixirs. They must be of excellent quality!"
The maiden pondered for a moment, then looked up, meeting his gaze directly.
Ji Yuan immediately took out two jade bottles and tossed them to the middle-aged man beside him.
"Taking these two types of elixirs simultaneously will stabilize your internal injuries. Continuous consumption for several days should lead to substantial recovery."
In the face of such a colossal opportunity, he certainly would not be stingy. He immediately produced elixirs of extremely high value.
Although these two bottles of elixirs were not ranked, they were among the highest quality below that category. If sold, each pill would fetch hundreds of taels of silver.
"What else do you want?"
He then continued to ask.
Clearly, he did not believe that two bottles of relatively precious healing elixirs would be enough to exchange for this jade token.
Hearing this, the maiden replied without hesitation, "I also want you to take me with you!"
Upon hearing this, not only did Ji Yuan's brow furrow in a frown, but even the middle-aged man beside him changed his expression slightly. Even the young man exclaimed at this point.
"Senior sister, absolutely not!"
The young man, looking worried, rushed over and knelt beside her, saying, "Now, several of our martial uncles have perished with the villains, and Senior Uncle Chen is severely injured. In such circumstances, Senior sister, you will have to venture alone!"
His gaze swept over the young Daoist priest beside them, a deep sense of vigilance flashing in his eyes.
In his view, if his senior sister went with the Daoist priest, it would undoubtedly be like a lamb entering a tiger's den. In the end, she would gain nothing and even lose her life.
However, the maiden's gaze was firm. After stabilizing her mind, she said with a serious expression, "You only need to bring me to the spiritual spring. I desire no other opportunities!"
"If the spiritual spring is enough for two people, then I must have my share. If it is only enough for one person, then I will consider it a wasted trip, and gaining some experience will suffice!"
Seeing his slightly hesitant expression, she added.