Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 452 The Secret of the Dungeon: The Dark Silkworm True Lord's Countermeasure

Although Wuguang Island is not considered a large island in the cultivation world.

However, its length and width are both several hundred miles, so its total area is quite large.

Generally speaking, finding a hidden dungeon on an island without any clues is no easy task.

However, under Xiao Chen's arrangement.

Less than fifteen minutes later, a small area on the north side of the island was marked with intersecting lines on a makeshift map.

In this way, the search area was instantly reduced from the entire island to a small mine pit with a radius of less than thirty miles.

The place appears to have been abandoned long ago, leaving only many abandoned mine shafts.

"Wow, it was hidden pretty well."

Even though Xiao Chen was already standing in the center of the mine and deliberately using his divine sense to investigate the situation, he still couldn't find anything unusual.

“I know this place. It used to be a very famous third-tier spirit mine.”

A local rogue cultivator who had been rescued from prison suddenly realized: "About 160 years ago, all the miners here suddenly left."

"Soon news spread that the spirit mines here had all been mined out."

"At first, some people secretly came to the mine to try to steal resources, but they found that there were many rocks in the mine and they were unusually solid."

"If one's cultivation level is below Foundation Establishment, it is impossible to carry out effective excavation."

"Moreover, even if Foundation Establishment cultivators come, they often bury themselves in hard work for several days without finding anything, so gradually no one is willing to come anymore."

After hearing the information he provided, Master Hongying immediately tried to stomp hard on the ground.

The result was that only a not-very-deep mark was left.

Such terrain undoubtedly increases the difficulty of the search.

One very important point is that if Xiao Chen were to take direct action, it could very likely cause some of the mine shafts to collapse.

This even caused the dungeon to collapse, resulting in accidental injury to the monks imprisoned inside.

However, if lower-level cultivators are asked to do the digging, the efficiency will inevitably be slow.

Fortunately, they had already brought a large number of people this time, and they had just rescued many rogue cultivators from the Yin Corpse Sect's stronghold. Even after removing the Qi Refining cultivators among them, there were still many left.

Under the organization of Master Hongying, everyone took out their own magical artifacts or spiritual weapons and participated in the search and rescue operation.

In addition, disciples from the Five Thunder Temple also came along.

Li Cunyuan, who was in charge, immediately said, "We'll help search too."

After saying that, he led his fellow apprentices to rush forward, each taking charge of a small area, and they worked together to excavate.

As the saying goes, there is strength in numbers.

Even though the Yin Corpse Sect had hidden this dungeon very well, it couldn't withstand such a simple and brutal digging search.

After everyone worked together for about two hours, they continued digging.

Finally, in the middle and rear part of one of the mine tunnels, they dug out a layer of exceptionally sturdy high-quality steel from underground.

If you scan it with your divine sense, you will mistake it for an ordinary rock that is no different from the surrounding rocks.

At the same time, even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator holds a top-grade magic weapon, they cannot leave even the slightest scratch on it.

However, for Xiao Chen, this was a piece of cake.

He cut a hole several feet wide with almost no effort, and saw directly into the dungeon passage hidden below.

"Oh, it looks quite big."

Xiao Chen jumped in and immediately felt a chill.

Hongying Zhenren, who was trying to follow them in, shivered involuntarily as soon as she reached the cave entrance.

It's worth noting that this wasn't because the dungeon was particularly cold.

On the contrary, the temperature inside is almost the same as the outside temperature.

What truly makes one feel a chill down their spine is the presence of a distinct yin energy.

Xiao Chen walked a few steps along the passage and arrived at the core of the dungeon.

The place is laid out in a ring shape, with seven prison cells built around it, only one of which happens to be empty.

Of the other six cells, four held different Golden Core cultivators, including a female cultivator who looked exactly like the girl outside.

The other two rooms contained two Golden Core demon beasts, which happened to be a giant python and a mutated tiger.

"Huh, what's going on?"

Xiao Chen curiously examined the layout of the dungeon: "There are so many ancient spirit scripts here. Could it be that some kind of ritual is being performed?"

As far as the eye can see, the walls inside and outside each cell are covered with a large number of ancient Ling scripts.

There were even some strangely shaped ornaments hanging there, the purpose of which was not yet clear.

Furthermore, both the imprisoned cultivators and the demonic beasts were tightly bound by chains, leaving them no room to move.

Above those chains, shackles, and collars that restrained them.

It also features many ancient scripts, and clearly echoes the surrounding environment.

"An extremely Yin place, guiding, restricting, connecting, and even transforming Yin zombies?"

Xiao Chen struggled slightly to decipher the general meaning of the ancient spirit script above.

Although he had taught himself the Ancient Spirit script, he didn't use it much in his daily life, and the writing order in the dungeon was also quite strange.

Therefore, I could only understand about half of it. I deduced, by half recognizing and half guessing, that this place should be a place where the Yin Corpse Sect specially cultivates Yin zombies.

What is a zombie?

Xiao Chen curiously walked into one of the cells with a particularly heavy yin energy and looked inside.

The cultivator who was firmly imprisoned was almost completely corrupted by the yin energy in the cell and the surrounding rituals.

At this point, most of his body had grown a layer of rust-green hair.

It looks like a moldy human-shaped rice cake.

Seemingly sensing someone approaching, the other person struggled to lift their eyelids.

Their eyes, which had also turned a deep green, held a dazed look, along with a hint of an instinctive cry for help.

"Sigh, in this situation, it seems there's no way to get you out."

Xiao Chen sighed softly, "The only thing I can do now is help you get rid of this burden in time."

The other party seemed to understand, and that glimmer of hope quickly faded.

But soon, he blinked hard to show he understood, and then, with his last bit of strength, gave a grateful look.

"Soaring Palm!"

Xiao Chen directly activated his magic, giving him a quick and painless release.

Then he checked on the condition of the other three.

One of them was a monk who had been imprisoned for more than three months, and his eyes had turned green.

He still had some strength left. Although he didn't understand what was going on, he struggled to speak: "Please, senior, grant me a quick death."

Xiao Chen nodded gently, fulfilling his last wish.

As for the other two, they were only imprisoned this month, and their condition has not yet deteriorated to this extent.

At least he still retains a relatively clear mind, and his body has not undergone any significant changes.

However, the aftereffects they left behind were equally terrible.

According to Xiao Chen's assessment, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the two of them would likely remain at their current cultivation level for the rest of their lives, unable to make any further progress.

It can be said that one's entire path to cultivation has been destroyed, which is an unbearable nightmare for any cultivator.

If this happened to a proud and ambitious person, it would be almost the same as dying here.

The reason for all this is not just those strange magical artifacts.

More importantly, it is the source of yin energy located in the very center of the dungeon.

According to Xiao Chen's careful investigation, there was a small, naturally formed area of ​​extremely yin energy at the bottom of the spirit mine.

In the very center is a piece of yin-dissolving green mica, which can slowly but continuously generate small wisps of yin energy.

It is a precious fourth-grade high-quality spiritual object, and also the absolute core of this place.

It must have been this object that led the Yin Corpse Sect to stop mining spirit ore and instead build this secret dungeon.

Considering that they deliberately limited the loss of Yin energy, it's clear they wanted to utilize this Yin-dissolving green mica slowly and steadily for a long time.

“Things like this that cause harm don’t need to stay here.”

Xiao Chen immediately waved his hand and put it into his storage ring, which was equivalent to destroying this Yin Land.

This way, he can obtain a rare spiritual item.

This will also prevent other unscrupulous individuals from reusing this place in the future.

This can be described as a win-win situation.

After dealing with the source of the problem, Xiao Chen also took the opportunity to check on the two demonic beasts.

In comparison, they appear much more lively and fierce.

Even though it was tightly restrained by chains, it still struggled fiercely when it saw strangers approaching, as if it would pounce at any moment.

"What a pity. It wasn't smart to begin with, and now it's obvious that it's just beastly."

Xiao Chen could tell at a glance that the two demonic beasts had completely lost their minds and had almost become killing tools.

Even more unfortunately, their scales and claws were distorted by the rituals set up by the Yin Corpse Sect, rendering them useless.

Unless one switches to the demonic path followed by the Yin Corpse Sect, normal people will have no use for it.

Xiao Chen shook his head, then led the two survivors back to the ground.

Then, he unleashed the Soaring Palm with a backhand, instantly purifying the dungeon with blazing flames.

"Sister~!"

Upon seeing this, the female cultivator who had been waiting outside immediately rushed forward.

The two sisters hugged each other and cried their hearts out.

Meanwhile, some independent cultivators who were also involved in the search and rescue recognized the other person's identity, excitedly went up to greet him, and comforted and encouraged each other.

However, some people came directly to Xiao Chen after he came out.

First, he respectfully greeted him: "Greetings, Senior Xiao!"

Then he explained his purpose: "I am the Left Protector of the Fubing Sect, here on the orders of the Sect Master to congratulate you on achieving the Nascent Soul stage."

"My master has long admired your illustrious name and has long wished to make your acquaintance, but we have never had the chance."

"It just so happens that the senior has returned to the Sea of ​​No Light, and the sect leader is also nearby."

"Therefore, a banquet has been prepared on the Fubing, and I have specially sent this junior to deliver an invitation, inviting you to come to the spirit ship for a chat."

Is it so efficient?
Xiao Chen was slightly surprised when he saw the bright red invitation card being handed to him with both hands.

He had only been back in the Sea of ​​No Light for a short time when he received an invitation from the Ice-Subduing Sect.

And they've already sent people over; their intelligence network is quite impressive. Actually, it's not that the Ice-Subduing Sect is that powerful, it's just that they've set up an intelligence network in such an important location as Dark Island.

As soon as Xiao Chen arrived on the island.

The relevant intelligence was sent out in time via the communication array at almost the same speed as that of the Yin Corpse Sect.

So, True Lord Fubing, who was sailing his spirit ship in search of spiritual objects, turned around to investigate the situation.

When he arrived nearby, he was surprised to learn that the island had already changed hands.

Faced with this situation, two thoughts immediately arose in his mind.

My first thought was that I had encountered a genius who was very worth recruiting, another spark of rebellion.

The second thought was that since Wuguang Island had been destroyed, the Yin Corpse Sect would definitely not let it go.

Fu Bingzhenjun immediately hesitated.

He now wanted to get in touch with Xiao Chen as soon as possible to learn about the situation of this newly promoted True Monarch.

Ideally, they should be recruited directly to their side to fight against the Yin Corpse Sect's hegemony.

However, there is also the worry that if one gets involved with him, one will have to face the Yin Corpse Sect's impending massive retaliation in advance.

The Fubing Sect is still very weak, and it is far from the best time to turn against them.

After weighing the options, True Lord Fubing did not enter Wuguang Island directly, but deliberately stayed outside and sent someone to deliver an invitation.

He decided to let Xiao Chen decide whether or not the two of them should meet.

If the other party comes aboard the spirit ship, then it's fate, and he'll take the risk.

Even if it might sacrifice the plans of the Fubing Sect, we will try our best to protect the other side.

If the other party chooses to refuse, then it's considered that they are not destined to be together, and he won't get involved in this mess.

What happens next depends entirely on the choices Xiao Chen makes.

"What would you choose?"

True Lord Fubing was hiding in a cloud in mid-air, looking down at the Island of No Light.

He felt a mix of anticipation, complex emotions, and envy.

The last one is simply out of envy that Xiao Chen was able to break through to the Nascent Soul stage at such a young age.

Judging from previous portraits, he was probably not even a hundred years old.

Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!
"Please pass on a message to Fellow Daoist Fu Bing for me."

Xiao Chen smiled and shook his head: "I appreciate his kindness, but I have some things to take care of right now, so I won't be able to accept his invitation this time."

"If he has free time after I finish my work, we can discuss it further."

Upon hearing such a direct rejection, the disciples of the Fubing Sect were taken aback.

But he didn't dare to say anything more and obediently took his leave.

However, before they could leave, a strong spiritual energy fluctuation came from the west side of the island of darkness.

Almost at the same instant, four enormous phantom images of Yin gods descended upon the sky above the Island of No Light.

The island was completely sealed off from the four directions: east, west, south, and north.

"The Formless Yin Spirit!"

The True Monarch Fubing, who was in the cloud, was immediately taken aback, and his expression changed several times in an instant.

Finally, he looked down at the lightless island in disbelief: "How could it be so fast?"

This matter is indeed extraordinary, and it all started when Elder Jia ordered the message to be sent.

This also happened immediately after Xiao Chen arrived on the island.

The Yin Corpse Sect received an urgent message from the island of no light.

Upon hearing that Xiao Chen had reappeared, True Monarch Fu Guan, who was in charge of guarding the sect, immediately frowned and sighed, "Alas, I knew this day would come."

"Back then, this Heavenly Star Demon Cultivator had already demonstrated the level of a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator."

"In just a few years, it has indeed become a future problem."

"Now that this person has returned with a vengeance, I'm afraid he will be going to oppose our Yin Corpse Sect at every turn."

He was filled with worry, but the True Lord of the Underworld Silkworm beside him remained calm and composed.

However, when asked for more specific information, he asked, "Did the intelligence report mention how many people the other side sent this time?"

"How many Nascent Soul True Monarchs are among them? And how many large spirit ships are there?"

The disciple below immediately reported truthfully: "Reporting to the True Lord, the enemy has sent more than ten people this time."

"However, there was only one Nascent Soul True Monarch among them. They did not pilot a spirit ship, but instead used water escape techniques to ride the waves."

The disciple in charge of requesting assistance sent back a series of intelligence reports.

Apart from the first brief emergency warning.

He then gradually relayed back everything he could see, including the clothing and appearance of Master Hongying and the others.

It provided ample intelligence support for the rear to assess the situation.

"Oh~, he's the only one at the Nascent Soul stage?"

Upon hearing this, True Lord Mingcan was overjoyed: "Great! Great! This is truly a wonderful thing!"

The Coffin-Bearing True Lord was a little confused and asked curiously, "Second Senior Brother, what kind of good thing is this?"

"I heard that the Star Demon Cultivator that day was still pursuing the path of enlightenment."

"It's about to become a thorn in the side of our sect."

Cultivators who follow the path of enlightenment find their progress slow and the difficulty much greater.

However, similarly, after breaking through to a higher realm, their combat strength is often among the top in the same level of cultivators.

Therefore, the Coffin-Bearing True Lord was extremely worried, feeling that because of the Dai family, he had inexplicably encountered a thorny problem.

“Ah~, Third Junior Brother, your words are different.”

The Dark Silkworm True Lord smiled and said, "I think this is a good opportunity to nip danger in the bud."

"Although the Heavenly Star Demon Cultivator is on the path of comprehension, he will indeed be a big problem if he grows up in the future."

"But junior brother, why don't you think about it carefully? At most, he's only been gone for a few years?"

The Coffin-Bearing True Lord reviewed the time: "It should only be a little over five years, not yet six years."

"That's right!"

The Dark Silkworm True Monarch nodded: "If we subtract the time required to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, even if he started breaking through immediately after leaving, he would have cultivated for less than five years at most."

"Hmph, he's just a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator right now."

"I estimate that he hasn't even had time to condense a few strands of true essence within his body. Even if we take a high estimate, it's probably only just over a hundred."

"Even if one can quickly master some spells by comprehending the Dao, it certainly won't make them very powerful."

"Since he dared to come back and cause trouble this time, and without any protectors, he's practically walking into a trap!"

"We must seize this opportunity and get there in time to kill him!"

"Moreover, we must learn from the last lesson and use the Yin God Golden Talisman in advance to ensure that he does not have another chance to escape."

Because last time we suffered the loss of not being able to find anyone outside Tianxing Island.

This time, True Lord Mingcan specifically emphasized this detail.

Clever as he is, he wouldn't fall into the same trap twice.

"But second senior brother, can the two of us take him down?"

The Coffin-Bearing True Monarch was somewhat worried: "Although it wouldn't be difficult for you and me to defeat a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator if we joined forces."

"But since ancient times, it has always been easier to defeat than to kill."

"Besides, since the other party dared to come back, they must have some means of self-protection."

"Besides, how he managed to escape last time is still a mystery to me, even now."

"I'm afraid this isn't a problem that can be solved simply by using the Yin God Golden Talisman."

"Or perhaps we should play it safe and wait for our senior brother and the others to return before making a decision."

"If we let him escape again this time, he'll be even harder to deal with in the future."

Now, only the two of them remain within the Yin Corpse Sect.

The other four True Lords set out together to the Heavenly Sound Sect to discuss the marriage alliance plan.

Firstly, it serves to show importance, and secondly, it aims to gain more leverage in private negotiations regarding the alliance.

Therefore, before they return, they cannot go out in full force to hunt down Xiao Chen as Elder Jia threatened.

"Hehe, Third Junior Brother, why belittle yourself?"

The Nether Silkworm True Lord smiled smugly: "Let's not even talk about how Junior Brother Refining Evil was just careless last time and suffered the loss of not using the Yin God Golden Talisman to lock down the opponent in time."

"Besides, we still have Fellow Daoist Zhiqin visiting our sect right now."

"As long as we take her with us, no matter how powerful Xiao Chen is, he will not escape death."

The Heavenly Sound Sect cultivates the Way of Music and has mastered many unique methods in the field of investigation.

Most methods that can evade detection through ordinary means are no match for their secret techniques.

"That may be true, but this is ultimately a private grudge within our sect."

The Coffin-Bearing True Lord raised a new question: "What if Fellow Daoist Holding the Qin makes an excuse to refuse to help?"

The Dark Silkworm True Lord retorted without hesitation: "Well, if nothing unexpected happens, the new generation of disciples will officially get married at the end of the year."

"We are practically family to Fellow Daoist Zhiqin, so how could there be any personal grudges between us?"

"Furthermore, junior brother, you may not know this, but before I left, my senior brother specially left me an echoing jade disc, which was specifically used to win over fellow Daoist Zhiqin."

"I've been worrying about what reason I should come up with so that it won't seem abrupt."

"Now is the perfect time to use this as a reward to invite her to help us defeat the enemy."

The more the Dark Silkworm True Lord spoke, the more excited he became: "This is simply a godsend!"

"Besides, Xiao Chen must have had some extraordinary encounter to break through to the Nascent Soul stage in such a short time!"

"If after killing him, Fellow Daoist Zhiqin were to choose the first spoils of war, wouldn't she be tempted?"

"This is a good opportunity to bring her completely to our side."

"Even after returning to the Heavenly Sound Sect, you can speak up for our Yin Corpse Sect more often."

"In this way, we can eliminate the hidden danger of Xiao Chen, improve our relationship with Fellow Daoist Zhiqin, and also earn some extra spiritual items from that brat Xiao Chen."

"This is a win-win-win situation!"

"If that's the case, what are you still hesitating about, Junior Brother?"

It must be said that his analysis was indeed very logical and reasonable.

After hearing this, it's impossible not to agree.

(End of this chapter)