"Alright! Once you agree, there's no turning back!"

Seeing Yu Xian agree, Liu Xue immediately made the decision, not giving Yu Xian a chance to back out.

He raised his hand and took out a map, saying, "Look, I've already marked the route for you. Just follow it, and when you reach the mountain, start digging. That mountain is rich in mineral resources, and you're sure to find plenty of ores!"

"Tsk tsk, kid, you're in for a profit this time. This newly opened mine has been known to yield at least six pieces of essence stone a month, and some have even found eleven!"

Sun Bingcheng nodded with a smile from the side.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you. For disciples opening a new mine, you have to pay three Scorching Sun Essence Stones in the first month. If you can't pay, don't blame us for being unsympathetic."

Liu Xue patted Yu Xian on the shoulder with a fake smile on his face, "So, get to work quickly, and off you go."

Yu Xian took the map, glanced at it, and nodded calmly, "Alright."

With that, he turned around, went inside to grab his mining blade, and followed the map's route into the mountains.

"Heh heh, even if this kid manages to escape the wolf's mouth, if he can't pay three Scorching Sun Essence Stones, he'll still have to leave."

Watching Yu Xian's departing figure, Liu Xue's voice was filled with smugness, "This is what I call a plan within a plan! Hahaha!"

"Impressive, impressive, I have to hand it to you, Old Liu."

Sun Bingcheng nodded, giving a sly thumbs-up.

The two exchanged a knowing laugh.

...

Yu Xian ventured into the vast desert mountains.

This expansive Scorching Sun Mining Area, spanning hundreds of miles, belonged to the White Cloud Sect.

The mineral yield within was enough to be mined for decades, even centuries.

Currently, although there were over seventy mines opened in the area, nine-tenths of the various mountain ranges remained unexploited.

The location indicated on the map Liu Xue gave Yu Xian was a mine 130 miles away.

After glancing at the map again and memorizing the route, Yu Xian's expression turned serious.

Why assign him to an unexplored new mine so far away?

There were many mines within thirty miles of the mining area that hadn't been opened yet.

And could those two really be so kind-hearted?

Yu Xian didn't believe it at all!

Most likely, those two were trying to harm him...

But Yu Xian wasn't afraid of them. If they dared to come, he'd give them the same fate as Zhao Mulin and Old Third Zhang!

The talismanic treasure containing the Golden Light Slash spell was already in his grasp, while his other hand was poised to cast basic spell techniques at any moment.

Yu Xian cautiously made his way to the destination.

As he moved forward, despite the barren desert mountains, there were still many shrubs and grasses, poplar and saxaul trees, growing tenaciously in the less sun-scorched valleys, mountain backs, and corners.

Similarly, many small animals began to appear, darting among the thorns and poplars.

This seemingly desolate and lifeless desert mountain range was actually teeming with life.

Yu Xian took in all the movements within fifty meters, and even what he couldn't see didn't escape his ears.

As he continued forward, he unknowingly traveled 120 miles, and the mountain he aimed for was now in sight.

Yet, the anticipated ambush or trap hadn't appeared.

"Could I have been overthinking?"

Yu Xian muttered to himself.

To judge others by one's own petty mind is the most laughable thing.

"Forget it. If I really misjudged them, I'll compensate them with more Scorching Sun Essence Stones in the future..."

Yu Xian shook his head and continued forward, but just then, he suddenly heard a faint wolf howl.

Yu Xian looked up towards the source of the sound, frowning. Did he mishear?

But the wolf howl sounded again, much closer and clearer!

A terrifying figure appeared on the mountain!

It was a giant wolf, three meters long and five feet tall!

This giant wolf was engulfed in faint flames, its eyes blood-red, glaring down at Yu Xian from the mountain peak, filled with bloodlust!

A demonic beast, the Fiery Flame Wolf!

Yu Xian had unwittingly trespassed into its territory, and his strong cultivator scent had already attracted it!

"So that's how it is..."

Seeing the Fiery Flame Wolf, Yu Xian suddenly understood everything.

Liu Xue and Sun Bingcheng's trap was this Fiery Flame Wolf.

A demonic beast with strength rivaling a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator!

Understanding everything, Yu Xian's hand began forming the basic spell technique!

White Cloud Sect's basic spell, Wind Movement Technique!

He immediately retreated!

"Roar!"

The Fiery Flame Wolf on the mountain roared, then rolled down the cliff like a fireball, charging straight at Yu Xian!

"Swift!"

Completing the Wind Movement Technique, Yu Xian slapped it onto himself, instantly increasing his speed fivefold!

His gaze remained calm, fixed on the charging Fiery Flame Wolf, his hands forming the basic spell technique gesture, yet he didn't cast any spells.

Since learning to hunt at eleven, he had never feared beasts!

Now, this demonic beast was just a more formidable beast, nothing more!

Even with the Wind Movement Technique's boost, as long as his Spiritual Qi wasn't exhausted, Yu Xian maintained five times his usual running speed.

But it was still not as fast as the Fiery Flame Wolf.

The giant wolf ran like lightning, and though the mountain peak was at least five miles away from Yu Xian, in just a dozen breaths, the Fiery Flame Wolf was already a mile ahead of him!

Yu Xian's expression remained unchanged, but his hands moved swiftly.

"Go!"

Three ice spikes appeared in mid-air, shooting towards the Fiery Flame Wolf, followed by another three, and another three!

Ice Spike Technique, three consecutive shots.

The power of this Ice Spike Technique wasn't great, but its icy, bone-chilling attribute fell on the Fiery Flame Wolf's head, making it even more furious. It hated the cold.

But if it dodged, its speed would decrease, and it wouldn't catch up to that detestable human for a while.

Thus, after a brief harassment, the Fiery Flame Wolf roared, no longer dodging, charging straight through the not-so-damaging Ice Spike Technique towards Yu Xian!

As long as it reached this human, it could kill him with one bite!

Yu Xian continued to retreat, while the Ice Spike Technique transformed into the Water Serpent Technique.

An eight-foot-long water serpent, like a living creature, swiftly appeared, lunging at the Fiery Flame Wolf!

The Fiery Flame Wolf assumed it was still an ice spike and indeed didn't dodge.

Sizzle!

The Water Serpent Technique was much stronger than the Ice Spike Technique, and the moment it landed on the Fiery Flame Wolf, a small patch of its flames extinguished.

This time, it truly hurt the Fiery Flame Wolf, causing it to roar and speed up by three points, madly charging at Yu Xian!

Yu Xian's cold eyes flashed with a sharp gleam, his spell technique changed, and he shouted, "Earth Spike!"

Boom!

An earth spike, like a stalagmite, shot up from the ground, standing five feet tall, emerging precisely from the Fiery Flame Wolf's path, stabbing at its weakest point, the abdomen!

The continuous water-based spell attacks drove the Fiery Flame Wolf into a frenzy, lowering its guard, and now, this Earth Spike was Yu Xian's killing move!

For a wolf, the abdomen was undoubtedly a vital spot, no doubt about it.

As a demonic beast, the Fiery Flame Wolf had some intelligence. Sensing the sudden Earth Spike beneath it, it hurriedly dodged, forcibly slowing down and turning.

But Yu Xian's calculation was too precise. Though the Earth Spike missed its heart and abdomen, it still pierced the edge, leaving a gruesome wound!

"Hmm?"

Yu Xian, quick-eyed and deft-handed, was surprised that the Fiery Flame Wolf was quite clever, but his hands instinctively began forming the spell technique!

At the same time, he didn't retreat but advanced!

Though the Fiery Flame Wolf avoided the vital spot, it still suffered a severe injury.

And wolves, once severely injured, were likely to flee.

Would Yu Xian let it escape!?

"Roar!"

But Yu Xian underestimated the demonic beast.

Beasts flee when injured, driven by instinct.

But demonic beasts, even if they flee, do so only when facing a stronger opponent, and when facing someone clearly weaker, how could the Fiery Flame Wolf flee?

With a roar, the Fiery Flame Wolf's belly bled profusely, but it became even more ferocious and violent, opening its bloodthirsty maw, lunging at Yu Xian!

Yu Xian was shocked, but his hands remained steady!

In such a situation, any panic or mistake in forming the spell technique would mean certain death!

"Fire Flood Dragon Grand Technique!"

Seeing the Fiery Flame Wolf three meters in front of him, Yu Xian could even smell the pungent stench and blood, but his hand technique was finally complete. With a loud shout, he swung his hand!

Scorching flames materialized out of thin air, transforming into a two-zhang-long fire flood dragon, twice the size of the Fiery Flame Wolf, roaring and crashing towards it!

With this, his most powerful spell technique unleashed, Yu Xian knew he had no time to form another spell.

His eyes flashed with a fierce light, and with a low growl, he flipped his hand to grasp a treasured sword.

It was the second-tier magical treasure long sword obtained from Zhao Mulin.

Holding the long sword, Yu Xian wielded it like a woodcutting knife, slashing down with all his might, aiming for the wolf's head, just like when he was a boy, bravely facing wild wolves while gathering herbs alone on the mountain!

If he died, what would happen to his bedridden mother!?

Boom!

The Fire Flood Dragon Grand Technique collided with the Fiery Flame Wolf, erupting in countless sparks. Yu Xian's most powerful spell technique struck the Fiery Flame Wolf, causing its skin to crack, blood to spray, and leaving it in a dazed state.

After all, it was a demonic beast comparable to a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, truly tough-skinned and thick-fleshed. Though covered in blood, it wasn't dead!

This Fire Flood Dragon Grand Technique, any late-stage Qi Condensation or even perfected Qi Condensation human cultivator, without spell or magical treasure protection, wouldn't dare to stand still and take it head-on.

"Die!"

But amidst the sky full of firelight, a figure charged in, Yu Xian wielding the long sword, slashing down along the Fiery Flame Wolf's neck!

Pfft!

Blood sprayed into the sky, and with all his might, though he didn't sever the Fiery Flame Wolf's head, he cut halfway through!

The major blood vessels in its neck were severed, blood gushing like a pump, and the Fiery Flame Wolf howled in agony, finally collapsing.

"Huff..."

Yu Xian exhaled slowly, his racing heart gradually calming.

If that sword hadn't killed the Fiery Flame Wolf, it would have been his life.

Facing a demonic beast for the first time, Yu Xian was still somewhat inexperienced. Though his calculations were good, he hadn't accounted for the demonic beast's ferocity.

But isn't it in such situations that a young man grows rapidly?

Retrieving the long sword, Yu Xian took a breath and began skinning.

A second-tier demonic beast, the Fiery Flame Wolf, was a treasure trove.

Its skin could be made into a second-tier defensive magical treasure.

Its flesh, whether for alchemy or direct consumption, was highly nourishing.

Its bones could be refined into bone-strengthening elixirs.

And most importantly, its chest contained the demon core.

Demonic beasts all had demon cores.

The grade of a demon core naturally improved with the demonic beast's level.

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Demon cores were the best primary ingredient for crafting powerful elixirs, and even consuming them directly could yield significant effects.

Yu Xian quickly dismembered the Fiery Flame Wolf, sorting its skin, meat, bones, and demon core into separate piles.

Just this one Fiery Flame Wolf was worth no less than eight hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Back at the White Cloud Sect, the Alchemy Workshop and Weapon Forging Workshop would vie for it.

Calculating it this way, mining... even with the jade pendant's guidance, didn't seem to earn spirit stones as quickly as hunting demonic beasts?

But mining carried no risk, while hunting demonic beasts... sometimes, it wasn't clear who was hunting whom.

Yu Xian shook his head, suppressing his thoughts. He'd hunt demonic beasts and acquire demon cores to earn spirit stones once his cultivation level was higher!

For now, he'd mine diligently, accumulate spirit stones, and cultivate slowly.

Storing the skin, meat, bones, and the walnut-sized, fiery red demon core, Yu Xian continued forward.

The mountain was already there!

The new mountain had never been mined by anyone.

As soon as he approached the mountain's base, the jade pendant on Yu Xian's chest began to heat up, making his heart race with excitement.

The resources of this mountain were unimaginably abundant!

Without a word, Yu Xian took out his mining blade and started digging. Before long, he disappeared into an eight-foot-long, wide, and tall mine cave.

The sun set and rose, days passed, and in the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by.

On the morning of the eleventh day, a person emerged from the mine cave, looking dusty but with a face full of joy.

Yu Xian's two storage pouches were full!

The storage pouches Yu Xian had were low-grade, with a cubic space of three meters.

One storage pouch could hold four hundred Scorching Sun Essence Stones.

Considering the other items in the storage pouch, including the Fiery Flame Wolf's skin, meat, bones, and demon core, the two storage pouches, filled to the brim, could only hold four hundred and sixteen Scorching Sun Essence Stones!

In ten days, Yu Xian had mined four hundred and sixteen Scorching Sun Essence Stones from this new mountain!

With the storage pouches full, and unable to carry more, Yu Xian decided to return.

He'd exchange them for spirit stones, convert them into currency, and then come back to mine more.

After half an hour, Yu Xian returned to the lodging area of the Scorching Sun Mining Area.

After being away for ten days, the lodging area was as usual, but there were far fewer disciples mining, each diligently cultivating, preparing for the grand selection four months later.

After returning, Yu Xian freshened up a bit, cleaning off the dust, and stepped into the teleportation array, returning to the sect.

The entire outer sect had changed dramatically.

The once bustling Weapon Forging Workshop was now deserted, with countless disciples engrossed in cultivation.

Even the Alchemy Workshop saw a ninety percent drop in visitors, with only a few people coming to buy the elixirs they needed before quickly leaving, unwilling to delay their cultivation.

The first grand selection of the White Cloud Sect's outer sect, choosing six disciples to enter the inner sect, had created an atmosphere of impending storm, with palpable pressure felt by everyone.

Only Yu Xian, who never intended to compete in the selection, felt no pressure, leisurely strolling along.

Li Youmao was nowhere to be seen in the Weapon Forging Workshop's side hall.

Clearly, he too had begun cultivating diligently, preparing for the grand selection.

At the counter was a middle-aged man.

This middle-aged man had an ordinary appearance, was not tall, somewhat stout, resembling a farmer, and was dozing off, not even reacting when Yu Xian approached the counter.

Like a mortal...

But how could there be mortals in the White Cloud Sect?

Yu Xian observed for a moment, then cleared his throat, respectfully saying, "Senior?"

"Hmm... hmm?"

The middle-aged man suddenly jolted awake, as if startled, groggily asking, "Who?"

"Senior, this junior is here to exchange for spirit stones."

Yu Xian looked at the middle-aged man, remaining respectful.

"Uh... ah!"

The middle-aged man stretched lazily, finally looking at Yu Xian with some displeasure, "Exchange what? Really."

"This junior wishes to exchange Scorching Sun Essence Stones for spirit stones."

Yu Xian smiled, "How does senior handle the exchange here?"

"Scorching Sun Essence Stones? What quality? Let me see."

The middle-aged man pursed his lips, not taking it seriously.

Scorching Sun Essence Stones were just first-tier materials, so he naturally wasn't concerned.

"Please take a look, senior. They're of this quality."

Yu Xian took out a shining, top-quality Scorching Sun Essence Stone.

"Oh, it's actually top-grade, not bad, not bad."

The middle-aged man looked at the Scorching Sun Essence Stone, showing a satisfied expression, nodding, "For this quality, I'll exchange one for fourteen low-grade spirit stones, no bargaining. If you think it's cheap, go elsewhere."

Yu Xian's eyebrow twitched; one could be exchanged for fourteen.

It seemed that Xu Haoming and Li Youmao had each profited two low-grade spirit stones from him per Scorching Sun Essence Stone, those two profiteers...

"Senior's price is fair."

Yu Xian nodded, smiling, "This junior agrees."

"Hmm."

The middle-aged man was quite satisfied with Yu Xian's understanding and lack of haggling.

He nodded, taking a sip of tea, and casually asked, "How many do you have? Bring them all out. If it's a decent amount, I don't mind giving you a few extra spirit stones."

Yu Xian smiled, "To be honest, senior, I only have a mere four hundred and sixteen."

Pfft!

The middle-aged man nearly spat tea all over Yu Xian's face.

He almost jumped up, staring wide-eyed at Yu Xian, "How many did you say!?"