My path to immortality began with my posting to guard Dawancun.

Chapter 171 Earth Spirit Milk
The vast underground caverns crisscross and stretch endlessly, occupying an immeasurable area.
In a few days,
Shen Changchuan followed behind Nangong Cheng, taking a winding and treacherous route that led him deeper and deeper into the caves. It gave Shen Changchuan the feeling of entering an endless cave world!
Just how vast is this underground cavern?

Shen Changchuan couldn't help but sigh and ask.

Along the way
They also encountered several monsters living in this underground cavern.

In some areas, glowing moss, swarms of bats hanging overhead, eyeless fish in puddles, and even mushrooms and medicinal herbs growing in the shadows were observed.
It's practically a complete underground world.

"Who knows? I only entered this place by accident and discovered that spot."

"If Brother Shen is interested, you can bring some people over to investigate."

"However, according to my estimation, this underground cave is definitely not small."

"Speaking of the Azure Essence Water Grass that's causing such a stir in this desolate land, such a rare and precious creature needs to grow in places rich in water vein essence. Many rivers and lakes on the surface have already been investigated, but nothing has been found. If the Wu family truly possesses a secret spiritual land where Azure Essence Water Grass can be produced, and has managed to keep the news from leaking out yet, could it be hidden in an underground river rich in water veins within a cave, which is why it's so difficult to detect?"

Nangong Cheng had only given that answer casually.
But as he spoke, he quickly realized something was wrong.

How do you feel?

This seems perfectly reasonable?
Is this really the truth?

Nangong Cheng stopped and turned to look at Shen Changchuan.

Shen Changchuan blinked.

The air fell silent for a moment.

This guess seems very likely!
Almost a year has passed since the rumors began that the Wu family controlled the production of Biyuan aquatic plants.

Over the past year, and especially recently, a large number of foreign cultivators have poured in.
Not to mention they searched the entire surface of the surrounding thousand miles.
That means they at least thoroughly investigated most of the surrounding rivers and lakes.

But still, no news was found.

Wujiaji has remained unmoved.

If the sacred land where Biyuan aquatic plants are produced is located in an underground karst cave with an underground river vein, then...
There are even secret passages inside the Wu family manor that lead to underground caves, or rather, to underground river veins.
It's perfectly normal that even after all the commotion outside, no clue can be found.
"I have no interest in the matter of Biyuan Waterweed."

"Brother Nangong might want to give it a try."

"Oh? That Azure Essence Water Grass is a rare treasure of heaven and earth that can improve cultivation aptitude. Brother Shen, you're not tempted?"

"There's nothing I can do. My strength is too weak. If I were to rashly get involved in such a vortex, I'm afraid I'd be reduced to ashes."

"That's true."

The two of them continued on their way.

They groped their way forward through the dimly lit underground cave passage while talking to each other.

Soon,
After turning a huge corner, we entered a winding passage that narrowed as we went deeper, so narrow that it felt as if the whole world was constantly pressing in, as if we were about to fall into a dead end.

Meanwhile, the ground was covered with jagged, densely packed, tall, and sharp stalactites, making it almost impossible to find a place to step.

After a short while,

As Nangong Cheng and Shen Changchuan passed through the narrowest part of the cave, barely wide enough for one person to pass through at a time,
The field of vision before one's eyes,
Suddenly, it all clicked!
What appeared before them was an incredibly vast underground cavern.

Stalactites hung down from the ceiling like sharp blades, their sharpness contrasting with the spikes on the ground, resembling the jaws of some ferocious beast. But none of that mattered.

The important thing is that in the center of this space is a sunken pit.

Inside the pit was a pool of water that shone with a milky white light and flowed with a liquid as white as jade!

Right now,

Above the jade-like pool, wisps of ethereal energy reflected in the air, creating visible rosy clouds and mist that seemed to descend into the celestial realm.

"Here we are, right here!"

"Next up is the Earth Vein Spirit Milk."

Looking down at the jade-like pool below, Nangong Cheng's eyes revealed a hint of regret.

The so-called "earth vein essence" is a rare treasure formed by the earth veins stretching for thousands of miles under a fortuitous combination.

If one can soak in it, one can undergo a transformation, improve one's cultivation aptitude, and absorb and refine the spiritual energy within, thus solidifying one's cultivation foundation and compensating for deficiencies.

Of course,
This earth vein essence milk has the flaw of not being able to be separated from the earth's energy. Once it is extracted and separated from the earth's energy, the spiritual essence it contains will quickly dissipate, turning into a useless puddle of liquid.
At the same time, its effects can only refine and improve the physical attributes of bones, muscles, and meridians; it cannot affect the soul, which is crucial for astral projection.

Therefore, compared with rare and precious natural treasures like Biyuan aquatic plants, it is far inferior.

But even so,

Even for cultivators at the Qi Refining stage, this earth vein spiritual milk is still an extraordinary opportunity.

The reason why Nangong Cheng was able to quickly recover his depleted body and even replenish his vital energy after resolving the residual blood evil power within his body, and further advance to the ninth level of the cultivation realm in a short period of time, is because...
It was by sheer chance that this pool of spiritual energy from the earth's veins was discovered!
"Brother Nangong, I am deeply grateful and will never forget your kindness!"

"Brother Shen, you flatter me. If it weren't for you dealing with the Three Blood Demons and your help, I, Nangong Cheng, would still have that residual bloodthirsty power within me. Forget about advancing any further; I'm afraid even living a little longer would be a pipe dream."

"That favor has already been repaid with the alchemist's legacy bestowed upon me by Brother Nangong."

"That's not enough. Although the alchemist's legacy is precious, it's only a basic inheritance. It's a life-saving grace and a favor that led to enlightenment. I, Nangong Cheng, have my own scale in my heart."

"Brother Shen, there's no need for further words. Go ahead, I'll protect you here."

Shen Changchuan then remained silent.

He bowed respectfully to the Southern Palace, then took a step forward and strode towards the pool of water in the center where the spirit milk gathered.

Upon seeing this, Nangong Cheng behind him...

The vague feeling of constraint in my heart also dissipated.

A debt of gratitude must be repaid.

This is his principle in life.

As a result,
That life-saving and enlightenment-granting grace has now been completely repaid.

Nangong Cheng found a place nearby and sat down to stay.

My thoughts wandered for a moment.
It's a pity that this Bell Spirit Milk cannot be lifted off the ground and cannot be taken away, otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't be willing to give up this great opportunity.
(End of this chapter)