Black Tiger Mountain had actually formed through volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. The volcanic ash that fell after the eruptions was ideal for growing many kinds of spirit plants. Nourished by an upper-grade second-tier spirit vein as well, every part of the mountain except the crater was covered in various spirit plants.
Apart from Liu Changxu, the other six also released their spirit beasts and spirit insects.
His father, Liu Shihao, had a first-tier supreme-grade Silver-Eared Spirit Monkey; Huang Tianjie had a swarm of first-tier Gold-Eating Ants; Xue Yuchan had a first-tier supreme-grade Violet Lightning Marten; Chen Shuo had a first-tier supreme-grade Long-Armed Ape; Wu Changkun had an upper-grade first-tier red-feathered crane; and Wang Yuting had a first-tier supreme-grade Golden-Horned Deer.
According to their plan for exploring Black Tiger Mountain, the seven divided into three groups and advanced from south to north in a fan-shaped formation. Anyone who discovered a second-tier Blackflame Tiger was to send a signal immediately.
Liu Changxu and his father naturally formed one group. After some discussion, they decided that Liu Changxu would lead his spirit beasts through the dense forest to investigate, while his father would search from a flying boat at low altitude. Xiao Yun, the Azure Cloud Eagle, would keep watch high overhead, while several hundred amethyst bees would spread through the forest to provide early warning.
After entering the dense forest, Liu Changxu discovered that the vast majority of the spirit plants growing there were first-tier spirit wood trees, with fragrant-leaf pines being the most abundant.
Fragrant-leaf pine timber was of ordinary quality and not particularly suitable for making magical artifacts. However, its pleasant, fresh fragrance made it ideal for building houses and making furniture, and its pine nuts were an excellent ingredient.
To keep his spirit beasts from getting hurt,