Lu Ping'an tied the three-hundredth storage pouch, packed with enough rocks to make a small mountain, around his waist, then wiped the sweat from his forehead with a grime-covered hand.
"Only a hundred thousand zhang."
Lu Changsheng hovered at the very front of the passage. His hands continuously formed incantations as he gazed intently at the increasingly hard rock layers below.
"Only a hundred thousand zhang?!"
Lu Ping'an let out a wail.
"This disciple's divine sense tells him that treasure is five hundred thousand zhang deep! At this rate, we'll have to keep digging for another ten thousand years!"
"What's the rush?"
Lu Changsheng rebuked him without looking back, his tone carrying the calm detachment of one who had seen through the mortal world.
"For cultivators, the one thing most to be avoided is the word 'rush.' The Wu and Yao races are vying for dominion over heaven and earth, hastening toward success. And what's the result? Bloodshed every day, with mighty beings falling one after another."
"We're digging a hole underground. It may seem dull, but in truth, it's cultivation. Every stroke of the sword cuts not only through the rock, but also carves your Dao-heart."
Lu Changsheng's finger twitched. The flying-sword drill slowed, and the rock ahead began to shift from its original gray-brown to a deep, ink-black hue.
"Carefully sense the aura around you."
At his master's words, Lu Ping'an quickly focused his mind and cautiously extended his divine sense.
The moment he did, his round, bright eyes widened.
"It's so cold... No, that's not right. It's so heavy! How can the soil around us contain such a violent aura?"
Lu Changsheng nodded, his expression growing exceedingly grave.
"This is Earth Sha Turbid Qi from deep within the Primordial Land."
"When Great God Pangu opened heaven and