Ambush

In the blink of an eye.

The Two-year period was drawing to a close, which also meant Cheng Buzheng would soon return to the sect and embark on a new journey.

In the Secret Chamber.

Cheng Buzheng sat cross-legged on an exceptionally soft pelt, his eyes slightly closed, a layer of spiritual energy gathering around him.

Before long, the spiritual energy surrounding him slowly dissipated. He suddenly opened his Clear Black and White Eyes, a glint flashing in them.

Feeling the abundant magical power within his body, he couldn't help smiling.

After two years of cultivation, supported by a plentiful supply of Spirit Stone Raw Ore, he had reached the Peak of the Third Level of Qi Refining. He was just one opportunity away from advancing to Qi Refining Mid-stage.

Such a great leap in cultivation made the two years of secluded practice worthwhile.

Had he stayed in the sect, he would probably have reached no more than the Peak of Qi Refining Level 2 by now. It was clear that rapid progress in cultivation was inseparable from resources.

Cheng Buzheng swept a hand out, and the pile of Spirit Stone Raw Ore in the corner flew with radar-like precision into the basket beside him.

In the blink of an eye.

The basket was packed full. This was the quota of Spirit Stone Raw Ore he had to hand over for the final month.

Then Cheng Buzheng's gaze fell on the remaining pile of Spirit Stone Raw Ore.

Seeing this,

Cheng Buzheng wrapped Divine Sense around the pile and connected his soul to the Small Plate deep in his Sea of Consciousness.

In an instant, the small pile of Spirit Stone Raw Ore in the corner turned into a pile of Waste Stone. Deep in his Sea of Consciousness, the panel floating above the Small Plate changed.

Master of the Heavenly Jade Disc: Cheng Buzheng

Realm: Third Level of Qi Refining

First-Order Cultivation Technique: High-grade (Ultimate) Starry Sky Technique +

First-Order Spell: Low-grade (Ultimate) Purple Crystal Bracelet +, Low-grade (Ultimate) Earth Escape Technique +, High-grade (Ultimate) Concealment Technique +

Spiritual Power Value: 325

Seeing that his Spiritual Power Value had increased by more than two hundred, Cheng Buzheng felt his spirits lift. This much Spiritual Power Value would be enough for him to carry out the next stage of his plan after returning to the sect.

After all, he knew just how hard it was to earn Spirit Stones out in the world. As a saying from his previous life went, "Money's hard to earn, and shit's hard to eat."

He focused his mind on the panel and suddenly felt it was still a little cluttered. With a thought, a flash of light passed over it, and the panel changed once more.

Master of the Heavenly Jade Disc: Cheng Buzheng

Realm: Third Level of Qi Refining

First-order High-grade Cultivation Technique: Starry Sky Technique (Ultimate) +

First-order High-grade Spell: Concealment Technique (Ultimate) +

First-order Low-grade Spell: Purple Crystal Bracelet (Ultimate) +, Earth Escape Technique (Ultimate) +,

Spiritual Power Value: 325

Looking at the now much more concise panel, Cheng Buzheng felt it was no longer an eyesore and sank into thought.

"Less than seven days remain until the mission ends. It's time to settle accounts... I can build up my Spiritual Power Value a little more while I'm at it!

"Then I can return to the sect without a worry!"

He didn't hesitate. He knew he had little time left.

Cheng Buzheng stood up and patted his exceptionally smooth robe.

With a thought,

a flash of Yellow Spirit Light appeared and enveloped him.

Like a fish swimming through water, Cheng Buzheng swiftly traveled through the rock strata. Before long, he emerged in the Eighth Branch Mine Tunnel.

Following the familiar route, he arrived beneath the Stone Cave where he had once stored Spirit Stone Raw Ore.

Cheng Buzheng reached the corner of the Stone Cave, one zhang underground. He sensed that only two Early Qi Refining Stage cultivators were inside.

The Spirit Stone Raw Ore was still stored there. He made no move. Although the Earth Escape Technique naturally concealed his aura, any fluctuation of magical power would certainly give him away.

After quietly scouting the area, he slipped away without a sound. This was only his first inspection; he absolutely couldn't make a move yet.

Once bitten, twice shy.

This time, he wouldn't be careless in the slightest. After all, this was his last chance to scavenge. There would be no more opportunities afterward.

Next, Cheng Buzheng reached the Seventh Branch Mine Tunnel and swiftly made his way toward the familiar Stone Cave.

Before long, he arrived at the Stone Cave where Wang Daba had once stored Spirit Stone Raw Ore.

Three zhang underground, Cheng Buzheng sensed the area. There was no one in the cave, and the Spirit Stone Raw Ore that had been stored there was gone as well.

Seeing this,

Cheng Buzheng thought to himself:

"Looks like... he moved the Spirit Stone Raw Ore!

"...Last time, his Spirit Stone Raw Ore was the only one I missed.

"This time... he's moved it again. He's a cautious one!"

He sighed softly, then slipped away without looking back. He knew he wouldn't find where the ore had been stored in such a short time.

Then he went from the Sixth Branch Mine Tunnel all the way to the First Branch Mine Tunnel.

After inspecting each one in turn, he found that most of the mine bosses had already moved their Spirit Stone Raw Ore. Only the Third Branch Mine Tunnel, Fifth Branch Mine Tunnel, and Eighth Branch Mine Tunnel still had their ore stored in its original location.

Most of the time, the Qi Refining Mid-stage mine bosses secluded themselves in the Stone Caves where the Spirit Stone Raw Ore was kept. Even when they occasionally went out, they would immediately assign two Early Qi Refining Stage cultivators to guard the place.

After cautious, careful observation, he was certain that no cultivators had joined forces to ambush him.

Only eight people could threaten him in the Spirit Stone Mine Tunnel: the eight Qi Refining Mid-stage mine bosses.

They were all in different places now, so cooperation was impossible. Besides, nearly a year had passed since the last time.

Whatever wariness they'd had was long gone.

Cheng Buzheng pondered for a moment, a look of determination flashing across his face.

Three zhang beneath the rock strata, a streak of Yellow Spirit Light swiftly headed toward the Third Branch Mine Tunnel.

The mine boss was not in the cave at the moment. Only two Early Qi Refining Stage cultivators were there. This was the perfect opportunity to strike.

He'd save the tough bones for last and chew through the easy ones first. He understood that much.

A quarter of an hour later.

Three zhang underground, beneath the Stone Cave where the Third Branch Mine Tunnel's Spirit Stone Raw Ore was stored, a streak of Yellow Spirit Light came to a halt.

After a cautious, thorough inspection, he found nothing amiss.

Only then did Cheng Buzheng quietly burrow upward, stopping one zhang beneath the surface.

Then he flipped his right hand. The Purple Crystal Bracelet spun rapidly in his palm as magical power surged from his dantian and poured into it.

Cheng Buzheng planned to kill with a single strike, ending the fight in the shortest time possible and giving them no chance to send word.

The Purple Crystal Bracelet's violet glow grew brighter and brighter. He focused his mind.

A wave of purple Rosy Cloud instantly spread out, enveloping the two Early Qi Refining Stage cultivators on the ground. At the same time, a layer of spiritual light formed from magical power covered the entrance, ensuring their cries for help couldn't get out.

The two cultivators, one tall and one short, were caught off guard. They found themselves unable to move at all. The magical power that had once obeyed their every thought now responded with great difficulty.

They tried to shout, but saw a thin layer of spiritual light over the entrance. Panic seized them, and they desperately urged their magical power.

Seeing that the violet light had enveloped them both, Cheng Buzheng didn't stop. He raised his right hand, and the Purple Crystal Bracelet spun furiously, cutting through the rock strata in its path.

"Boom!"

The air exploded, rocks flew, and stone dust filled the cave.

Through the mist-choked cave, a streak of violet light shot toward the two cultivators, who couldn't move at all.

Just then,

the two cultivators, desperately urging their magical power, turned red in the face, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths. At the moment danger struck, they finally managed to cast their spells.

The shorter cultivator's hands flashed through a series of hand seals. In the blink of an eye, a wall of earth radiating a faint yellow glow rose in front of them.

The other, the slightly taller cultivator, formed one spell seal after another. In less than a breath, a huge golden sword appeared before him.

He drew a line through the air with his finger and barked,

"Go!"

The Purple Crystal Bracelet spun wildly like a violet disc, glowing with a hazy purple light as it left rings of ripples in the air. Waves of force slammed into the cave walls, sending heaps of rocks tumbling down.

In the blink of an eye, the two collided.

"Crack!"

The golden sword was sliced in two by the Purple Crystal Bracelet and shattered. Then it became golden specks of light and vanished.