"Understood."
Elian nodded and said to the gathered crowd, "Activate the formation."
As his words fell, the Chen family cultivators began operating the formation flags. Radiant formation patterns lit up, finally opening a gateway into the Metal Earth Vein.
"What dense Metal energy! It truly is a Third-Rank Metal Earth Vein," exclaimed Chen Qinghao with delight as he looked at the Metal Earth Vein's interior.
The Chen family cultivators nearby also showed expressions of great joy. A Third-Rank Metal Earth Vein could bring immense benefits, enough to significantly bolster the Chen family's foundation.
While everyone was elated, Elian spoke with a serious tone, "Although Metal Earth Veins are unlike Wood Veins and are theoretically scarce in demonic beasts, that doesn't mean there won't be any."
"You all stay outside. The Patriarch and I will investigate the situation inside before making any further plans."
The Patriarch nodded and cautiously reminded, "If anything goes wrong, seal off the Metal Earth Vein immediately after we exit."
Hearing this, Chen Qingwan and the others quickly agreed, their expressions becoming serious and prepared.
Seeing their response, Elian and the Patriarch felt somewhat reassured.
With their cultivation levels, they could handle a single early-stage Purple Mansion demonic beast together. However, if there were more than two or if the strength of a Purple Mansion demonic beast reached the mid-stage, they would need to rally everyone to set up a formation and use the beast boats to fight jointly.
If there was a late-stage Purple Mansion demonic beast, they would have no choice but to retreat and seek assistance from Tianxu Mountain.
Unlike Wood Veins, Metal Earth Veins were much less likely to nurture life. It was far harder for demonic beasts to emerge in such veins. If a late-stage Purple Mansion demonic beast appeared, it would also indicate the vein's grade was exceptionally high.
"Let's go."
Having made their decision, the two did not delay and stepped into the Metal Earth Vein.
Upon landing, Elian looked around and saw that the Metal Earth Vein was barren, with exposed ore scattered about and the air filled with dense energy.
Compared to the vibrant and life-rich Wood Veins teeming with demonic beasts, this place was desolate and remote.
"Green Vein Iron Ore," the Patriarch said with a smile, looking at the ore all around.
Green Vein Iron was a First-Rank beastual metal that could be used as a supplementary material for crafting Second-Rank magical artifacts. While not particularly valuable, the sheer abundance of it here was enough to make the Patriarch beam with joy.
After a few breaths, the Patriarch calmed himself and couldn't help but say, "To find so much beastual metal at the outskirts alone! No wonder those Purple Mansion immortal clans occupying Third-Rank Metal Earth Veins can sustain themselves for millennia, producing Purple Mansion ancestors every generation."
"This mine vein must also contain many other resources," Elian said with a slight smile, adding, "Let's first confirm whether there are any demonic beasts here. We can catalog the resources after securing the area."
The Patriarch nodded and joined Elian in flying on their swords toward the depths of the Metal Earth Vein.
A typical Metal Earth Vein extended only a few hundred miles. The two searched it thoroughly within half an hour, eventually focusing their attention on the central mountain.
"We've searched everywhere else and found no demonic beasts."
"The only place left is the core of the Metal Earth Vein," Elian said, both he and the Patriarch growing more serious as they looked toward the towering mountain in the distance.
Demonic beasts were incapable of concealing their aura. Even from dozens of miles away, they could sense a vague presence atop the mountain.
"There are Purple Mansion demonic beasts there, but we don't know how many or their cultivation level."
"We'll find out soon enough," the Patriarch said.
Confident in their abilities, the two fearlessly flew toward the core of the Metal Earth Vein.
From twenty miles away, the demonic beasts sensed their presence. Two golden figures emerged.
"Two Purple Mansion demonic beasts," Elian said, his expression changing slightly.
"Be cautious."
The two demonic beasts emitted immense and concentrated energy. The leading beast, upon seeing them, unleashed a streak of golden lightning from dozens of miles away.
"Metal Element Divine Thunder!"
Elian raised the Fiery Void Sword to block the attack. The golden lightning coursed through the sword, crackling with wild energy.
"This power... it's not early-stage Purple Mansion level," Elian muttered, his expression shifting as he noticed the sword's glow dimming. Had the sword not been fire-attribute, countering metal, it might have been damaged.
Before he could think further, the fight erupted. Within just a few breaths, both Elian and the Patriarch realized the difficulty they faced.
The two demonic beasts included one at the mid-stage Purple Mansion level and the other at the early stage. Their combat power was far beyond expectations.
"Retreat!" the Patriarch shouted, activating the Crimson-Gold Three-Treasure Flags to form a barrier of golden glass to block the beasts' attacks.
Seizing the opportunity, Elian summoned the Sky Traversing Boat and carried them both out of the Metal Earth Vein.
The boat's speed was extraordinary, and while the demonic beasts were more powerful, they couldn't catch up. In no time, the two were outside the Metal Earth Vein.
The Patriarch shouted, "Seal the Metal Earth Vein immediately!"
The Foundation Establishment elders controlling the formation swiftly sealed the Metal Earth Vein, trapping the two demonic beasts inside.
Seeing the grim expressions on Elian and the Patriarch, Chen Qinghao stepped forward and asked, "What's the situation inside?"
"This Metal Earth Vein is likely of mid-Third-Rank grade," Elian said solemnly.
Metal demonic beasts were less intelligent than Wood demonic beasts. For one to reach the mid-stage Purple Mansion level was exceptionally rare, indicating the Metal Earth Vein's grade might exceed the originally estimated low-Third-Rank.
The group was both thrilled and apprehensive.
The higher-grade Metal Earth Vein meant more abundant resources. For example, a low-Third-Rank Metal Earth Vein could produce one Metal Earth Crystal every hundred years, while a mid-Third-Rank vein could produce one every sixty years—a significant difference.
However, a higher-grade vein was also more challenging to conquer. The mid-stage Purple Mansion demonic beast alone was already a daunting obstacle for the Chen family.
After sealing the vein, the Chen family Foundation Establishment cultivators convened a meeting in the Black Iron Mountain to discuss their options.
During the discussion, Chen Nianchuan looked at Elian and the Patriarch and suggested, "We might be able to handle the two demonic beasts."
"Oh?" Elian raised an eyebrow.
"Explain."
Known for his ambition, Chen Nianchuan spoke calmly.
"Purple Mansion demonic beasts are much weaker than cultivators of the same level and lack powerful magical treasures."
"With the Patriarch and Elian joining forces, you should be able to handle the mid-stage Purple Mansion demonic beast."
"With us ten-plus Foundation Establishment cultivators operating two Third-Rank beast boats and several hundred Qi Refining cultivators assisting, we should be able to exhaust the early-stage beast's power and eventually kill it."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D