The Dangers of Sharp Gold and the Mystery of the Earth Vein

As the first light of dawn broke, Su Yan had already left Chang'an, embarking on a journey outside the Great Tang's borders. After reaching Foundation Establishment, he felt as light as a swallow, his spiritual energy circulating more smoothly, and his travel speed had increased significantly. Little Big Dipper, full of vigor, followed by his side, anticipating the new day, especially when Su Yan told it they were going to find something that would make its claws sharper.

Outside the Great Tang, the land bordered the country but was more desolate and primitive, with steep mountains and dense forests. The official roads were in disrepair, and more often than not, they had to travel along small paths frequented by wild beasts. The monsters here were generally between levels 18 and 25, making them excellent training targets for Su Yan, who had just reached Foundation Establishment.

According to the records in "Introduction to Star Beast Cultivation" and information gathered from the Star Pavilion, "Sharp Gold Stone" was typically found in areas with rich metallic spiritual energy and abundant mineral veins. The "Black Wind Mountain" area to the southwest of the Great Tang was known for its abandoned mines and exposed metal veins, making it a highly probable location.

Su Yan didn't head directly for Black Wind Mountain. Instead, he cleared several small anomaly nodes marked on his compass along the way. These nodes mostly caused minor distortions in the earth's energy, giving rise to more aggressive common monsters. With Little Big Dipper as the main physical damage dealer, clearing them was not difficult. He also used this opportunity to familiarize himself with his post-Foundation Establishment strength and the usage of his new skills, "Wood Escape" and "Armor Shattering Talisman."

"Wood Escape" truly lived up to its reputation as a life-saving divine skill. Although it consumed a large amount of mana, its effects were remarkable when dodging monster encirclements or crossing terrain obstacles. His synergy with "Armor Shattering Talisman" and Little Big Dipper grew increasingly seamless. Often, with a flash of the talisman's light, Little Big Dipper's claws and fangs could tear open larger wounds on monsters, achieving astonishing efficiency.

"Buddy, it looks like we need to give you a new nickname. How about 'Armor Shattering Killer'?" Su Yan chuckled as he watched Little Big Dipper once again dismantle a level 25 "Skeleton General" with a swift strike under the enhancement of the "Armor Shattering Talisman." Little Big Dipper proudly flicked its tail and nudged a few copper coins dropped on the ground with its nose, as if to say, "The spoils of war are mine."

They traveled, stopping and starting, their experience steadily increasing, and they also harvested a small amount of Star Iron and scattered materials. Several days later, Su Yan arrived in the Black Wind Mountain region.

Black Wind Mountain lived up to its name. The mountains were dark, vegetation sparse, and a dry mountain wind carrying grit blew year-round, stinging the face. The air was filled with a faint metallic scent and the smell of sulfur. At the foot of the mountain, one could see the entrances to several long-abandoned mines, dark and gaping like the mouths of giant beasts.

Su Yan unfolded his compass and simultaneously circulated the "Star Qi Drawing Art," sensing the fluctuations of metallic energy around him. The compass's "Star Power Resonance" also reacted faintly to materials like Sharp Gold Stone, which contained a specific metallic essence.

He chose a mine that appeared to be of considerable size, with many discarded mining carts and tools scattered near its entrance. The interior of the cave was dark and damp, illuminated only by some moss that emitted a faint phosphorescence. The air was mixed with the smell of mold, dust, and a more intense metallic aroma.

The tunnels inside the mine were complex and maze-like. From time to time, "Cave Rats" (Level 20, numerous, low attack) and "Rock Golems" (Level 22, high physical defense, slow movement) that lived within would emerge to harass them. Su Yan was too lazy to engage them, mostly using "Wood Escape" to bypass them directly or using "Immobilization Talisman" to freeze them, allowing Little Big Dipper to finish them off quickly.

He focused on the compass's guidance, navigating through the web-like mine shafts. Occasionally, he would find scattered iron ore or tin ore, but none of them were the Sharp Gold Stone he needed.

After venturing about half an hour into the mine, the compass needle finally showed a significant deflection, pointing deep into a side passage. At the same time, Su Yan felt the metallic energy ahead become exceptionally sharp and active.

He cautiously approached. The passage led to a relatively spacious mining chamber. Embedded in the chamber walls were some crystals that shimmered with a faint golden light, with sharp edges and a cool touch—they were indeed "Sharp Gold Stone!"

However, the mining chamber was not empty. Three noticeably larger "Enhanced Rock Golems" (Level 25, Elite), covered in dark gold metallic carapaces and with red lights flashing at their joints, were guarding the mineral vein. They seemed to have been attracted by the rich Sharp Gold essence and had nested here.

"Three level 25 elites... a bit troublesome." Su Yan hid at the corner of the passage, observing the situation. A direct confrontation was out of the question. Even with Little Big Dipper and "Armor Shattering Talisman," facing three tough elite monsters simultaneously offered little chance of victory.

His gaze swept across the mining chamber. He noticed some loose boulders on the ceiling and sharp debris scattered on the floor.

"Got it..." Su Yan had an idea. He first set up several "Immobilization Talisman" traps at the entrance of the passage, then commanded Little Big Dipper, "Buddy, same old routine. Go lure one over. Be careful not to get too close, and lead it to that area with a lot of debris."

Little Big Dipper understood. It slipped silently into the mining chamber like a purple phantom and spat a provocative burst of "Starfire" at the nearest Enhanced Rock Golem.

"Roar!" The Rock Golem, singed by the Starfire, was immediately enraged and pursued with heavy steps. The other two were also alerted but reacted slightly slower.

Little Big Dipper, with its excellent speed, skillfully lured the golem towards the area Su Yan had designated. As the first golem stepped into the debris field, Su Yan seized the moment and fired a "Soul Chasing Talisman." It wasn't aimed at the golem, but at a precariously balanced boulder on the mining chamber's ceiling!

"Rumble!"

The boulder fell. Although it didn't directly hit the golem, it kicked up a large amount of sharp debris, which shot towards the golem like shrapnel, dealing considerable damage and causing a brief stun.

"Now! Armor Shatter! Little Big Dipper, go!"

The yellow light of the "Armor Shattering Talisman" accurately hit the stunned golem. Little Big Dipper lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow, its claws and fangs flashing with cold light, unleashing a flurry of attacks on the weakened joints. -255! -301! The effects of "Advanced Poison" also spread rapidly.

The other two golems charged over at this point, but Su Yan's prepared "Immobilization Talisman" traps were triggered one after another. Although they could only hold the golems for a very short time, it was enough for Little Big Dipper to finish the kill, quickly retreat after replenishing its status with "Life Drain."

Following the same method, utilizing the terrain and control advantages, Su Yan and Little Big Dipper cooperated seamlessly. After some time, they finally defeated the three Enhanced Rock Golems one by one.

"Done!" Su Yan breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. Although the strategy was successful, his mental focus had been intense, and his mana consumption was considerable. He quickly sat down to meditate and recover, while Little Big Dipper lay beside him, licking the scratches on its claws from the battle.

After recuperating, Su Yan began to collect the "Sharp Gold Stone." He carefully pried the golden crystals from the rock walls, harvesting a total of five pieces of good quality Sharp Gold Stone, enough for him to use for some time.

With his objective achieved, Su Yan was about to leave when his gaze inadvertently swept across a rock wall deep within the mining chamber. The compass seemed to vibrate slightly, pointing in that direction.

"Huh? There's something else?" He walked over curiously. The rock wall appeared unremarkable, but when he placed his palm against it and circulated his spiritual energy to sense carefully, he detected an extremely faint, abnormal fluctuation connected to the earth's veins. This fluctuation... was somewhat similar to the "Seed of the End" he had encountered before, but it was deeper, more... ingrained, as if it had partially merged with the earth's veins of this land.

"It's not newly planted... these are... 'roots' that have been growing for some time?" Su Yan was startled. Could the "End Times Cult's" activities here have started earlier than he thought? And beneath the Black Wind Mountain mineral veins, was there also an undiscovered, larger source of abnormality hidden?

He tried to use the compass's "Trace Source," but the feedback this time was extremely vague and chaotic. He could only sense a deep darkness and distortion, as if something was lurking and writhing deep underground.

"This place is not suitable for lingering." Su Yan decisively abandoned the idea of further investigation. With his current strength, rashly disturbing whatever unknown entity might exist underground would be tantamount to suicide.

He noted down the location and the characteristics of the abnormal fluctuation, deciding to investigate later when his strength was sufficient or when he found more clues.

Carrying the harvested Sharp Gold Stone and new doubts, Su Yan quickly left the Black Wind Mountain mine. On his way back to Chang'an, he kept thinking about the anomaly in the earth's veins. If the "End Times Cult" was not just "planting seeds" on the surface but had already extended its reach into the earth's veins, the situation would be even more dire. This would mean their ambitions might be greater, and their roots deeper.

"I must improve my strength as quickly as possible and repair the compass to see more of the truth." Su Yan clenched his fist, feeling the pressure on his shoulders increase.

Upon returning to his small courtyard in Chang'an, Su Yan immediately set to work according to the methods in "Introduction to Star Beast Cultivation." He ground the "Starlight Sand" and "Sharp Gold Stone" into a fine golden powder, then mixed it with the collected "Dawn Star Dew" to form a viscous potion that shimmered with starlight.

"Here, buddy, try out your new gear." Su Yan called out to Little Big Dipper.

Little Big Dipper approached curiously, sniffed the potion, and seemed to sense the power within that was beneficial to it. It obediently extended its claws and teeth.

Su Yan carefully applied the potion to the tips of Little Big Dipper's claws and fangs. The potion quickly permeated, and a faint, almost imperceptible golden sheen appeared on the surface of Little Big Dipper's claws and teeth, emitting a sharper aura.

[System: Your summoned beast 'Little Big Dipper' has used 'Star Sharp Potion'. Permanent Physical Attack +15, slight increase in Physical Penetration.]

"Good effect!" Su Yan looked at Little Big Dipper's status panel with satisfaction. A 15-point increase in attack power was quite significant in the early stages, and physical penetration was an even more precious attribute.

Little Big Dipper also excitedly waved its claws, making a few quick slashes in the air, accompanied by faint whistling sounds. It was clearly very pleased with its "new weapon."

After dealing with Little Big Dipper's enhancement, Su Yan took out the Star Iron he had harvested and began guiding the compass to absorb it. As another piece of Star Iron turned into pure Star Power and integrated, the compass's repair progress increased to 42%.

Feeling the compass's increasingly clear guidance and the more detailed presentation of the Star Map in his mind, Su Yan knew that his pace could not stop. The dark side of the world was constantly revealing itself, and he had to grow faster to preserve a sliver of hope amidst the brewing storm and glimpse the ultimate truth.

Next, should he continue to accumulate resources and contributions through Star Pavilion missions, or explore other places that might contain Star Iron or clues? He needed to plan carefully.