Chapter 539 - 52: Taichu Ore Vein

The Golden Radiance Tower Ship emerged from a towering Cloud Mountain, appearing high above a vast, crimson land.

Fang Cheng and the Qiu sisters stood aboard the tower ship, leaning against the railing to gaze out at the view. They couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of creation.

As far as the eye could see, the mountains, rocks, and even the plants were all a shade of crimson that radiated a sense of intense heat. The colors varied in intensity, as if someone had haphazardly daubed them across a giant scroll.

This was the Chu Shao Plateau.

Within a radius of tens of thousands of miles, the climate was extremely hot. Forget ordinary mortals; even Cultivators would find it difficult to live and train here for extended periods.

Following the directions left by Zhuang Daojing of the Divine Image Sect, Fang Cheng steered the Golden Radiance Tower Ship forward for half a day. Soon, a towering crimson peak that pierced the clouds appeared on the land ahead.

Atop the peak was a magnificent, golden-tiled palace. Cultivators from the Divine Image Sect, dressed in fine robes, could be seen entering and exiting from time to time.

As the Golden Radiance Tower Ship drew near, thousands of auspicious mists and strange-hued clouds suddenly billowed out from the palace in a gesture of welcome. A seven-colored rainbow bridge materialized, stretching across the sky to meet the ship.

"Is that Fellow Daoist Fang who has arrived?"

As the melodious voice rang out, a tall, stately, and voluptuous beauty flew out from the palace to greet them.

Her robes were gorgeous, with flowing ribbons wrapped around her arms, and she possessed an air of grace and nobility. Over a dozen Life Soul Cultivators followed behind her, all looking at the Golden Radiance Tower Ship with curiosity.

Fang Cheng and the Qiu sisters disembarked from the tower ship. He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhuang, have you had any success these past few days?"

Zhuang Daojing replied gently, "We’ve found a few scattered pieces of Taichu Divine Stone, but nothing ideal. As for the Divine Stone Vein, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack... Fellow Daoist Fang, please follow me into the palace to talk."

Fang Cheng nodded without saying much more. With a wave of his sleeve, he put away the Golden Radiance Tower Ship and entered the palace with Zhuang Daojing.

The palace’s interior was lavish yet elegant, divided into many side halls and rooms. In the main hall, a large crimson sand table sat in the center. Lights flickered across its surface, and many small flags were stuck into it.

Zhuang Daojing pointed to the sand table and said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, this is a topographical model of the Chu Shao Plateau. I’ve marked every location where Taichu Divine Stone has been found."

Fang Cheng looked at the sand table, his eyes glinting. Before arriving, he had learned from the Qiu sisters that every time a Taichu Divine Stone Vein appeared, it would be accompanied by a celestial phenomenon. However, finding the exact location of the vein was a matter of pure luck.

Often, numerous factions would swarm to the area, spending years or even decades before the true vein was discovered.

The markers on the sand table seemed close together, but on the scale of the entire Chu Shao Plateau, they were thousands of miles apart. The Divine Image Sect’s method was to have Disciples skilled in Earth Escape Techniques venture underground to try their luck.

Zhuang Daojing frowned and said, "The phenomenon here was originally discovered by one of our sect’s Outer Elders. After our Disciples searched the area, they did indeed find a few pieces of Taichu Divine Stone. But for some reason, the news leaked, attracting several major powers like the Bamboo Immortal Sect, the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave, and the Cyan Emperor Sect. The Chu Shao Plateau is too vast; with our sect’s strength alone, it’s impossible to lock down this area."

Fang Cheng had heard of these sects from the Qiu sisters. They were all top-tier powers on the Cangwu Continent, possessing Tribulation Realm foundations, and were in no way inferior to the Divine Image Sect.

Fang Cheng smiled. "It seems that whoever finds the vein first will be the one to claim this fortune for themselves."

Zhuang Daojing nodded. "Indeed. If you can help me find the vein before the other three sects, Fellow Daoist, my sect will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Fang Cheng pondered for a moment before saying, "Give me three to five days. It shouldn’t be a problem."

He had agreed to cooperate with the Divine Image Sect for two reasons. First, he was interested in the sect’s internal clues about the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada.

Second, he wanted to use the sect’s resources to gather materials for himself, such as Spiritual Medicine and Flying Swords.

Of course, the generous offer of getting first pick of thirty percent of the Taichu Divine Stone was enough to make this trip worthwhile on its own!

With the Qiu sisters’ abilities, the value of that thirty percent of Divine Stone would far exceed the remaining seventy percent.

Seeing his confidence, Zhuang Daojing was both surprised and relieved. She said gracefully, "In that case... I’ll have to trouble you, Fellow Daoist."

Fang Cheng laughed heartily, led the Qiu sisters out of the palace, and immediately summoned the Golden Radiance Tower Ship, flying deeper into the Chu Shao Plateau.

Aboard the tower ship, he looked at Qiu Wen Si and asked, "Wen Si, what should we do next?"

Qiu Wen Si’s beautiful eyes gazed at the land below. She said softly, "Benefactor, I need to go down to the surface myself and search area by area to sense the vein’s location."

Fang Cheng nodded. With a point of his finger, a white bone pellet shot out. It spun rapidly and transformed into a white bone shuttle, pointed at both ends with an oblong center.

He said, "This is the Bone Celestial Crossing Shuttle, a Fifth-rank Magical Artifact. It can pass through rock and mountain with ease. You and Yu Tan can take this shuttle to search for the vein. I will wait for you here."

Qiu Wen Si and Qiuyu Tan did as he said. After the two women entered the Bone Celestial Crossing Shuttle, they focused their minds and established a faint connection with the artifact, allowing them to control it on a basic level.

Immediately after, the Bone Celestial Crossing Shuttle shimmered and shot away as a streak of white light.

With a great wave of his sleeve, Fang Cheng sent the Void God Gu and the Fire God Gu flying out after them.

The Chu Shao Plateau was currently teeming with people, making it a complicated situation. However, with these two Tier Five Gu Insects for protection, plus the power of the White Bone Relic itself, it was more than enough to ensure the sisters’ safety.

Fang Cheng casually returned to the treasure pavilion of the tower ship, sat down, and entered a state of meditative cultivation.

On the Chu Shao Plateau, aside from the four major sects—the Divine Image Sect, the Bamboo Immortal Sect, the Ten Thousand Ghost Cave, and the Cyan Emperor Sect—there were also many Cultivators from smaller sects, as well as Loose Cultivators, all aimlessly searching for the vein.

The Golden Radiance Tower Ship hung silently above the sea of clouds, majestic and unmoving, exuding a grand aura. Passing Cultivators who sensed the vast and lofty presence from within the ship all felt a sense of apprehension and kept their distance.

...

「Two days later.」

The Bone Celestial Crossing Shuttle returned to the Golden Radiance Tower Ship. The Qiu sisters emerged, their faces beaming with joy. They bowed to Fang Cheng and said, "Benefactor, we have not failed our mission."

"You’re back much faster than I expected." Fang Cheng smiled slightly. "Lead the way."

Qiu Wen Si immediately pointed out the direction of the vein. The Golden Radiance Tower Ship began to move slowly, heading toward the southwest of the Chu Shao Plateau.

Qiuyu Tan walked to Fang Cheng’s side and said softly, "Master, my sister and I were just lucky. We found the vein without searching for too long. And it’s enormous. I’m afraid that once the Divine Image Sect begins excavating, it will attract the covetous eyes of other powers."

Fang Cheng said, "It’s fine. Since the Divine Image Sect has been able to establish itself on the Cangwu Continent for so many years, they must have their own methods and resources. If they can’t handle it, then I’ll test the mettle of these Cangwu Continent Cultivators myself."

Qiuyu Tan felt a thrill of excitement. ’The reserves of that Taichu Divine Stone Vein are astonishing,’ she thought. ’If we really get to pick thirty percent first, I can’t imagine how many good things we’ll be able to get out of it.’

’At that time, even if Master casually rewards me with a few items, it would be worth more than what others have painstakingly accumulated over many years.’

Qiu Wen Si, in contrast, was much calmer.

Soon, the Golden Radiance Tower Ship flew over a mountainous area. Qiu Wen Si pointed downward and said, "Benefactor, the vein is located about six miles beneath this spot."

...