After subduing Big Gold, the creature became noticeably more affectionate towards Wei Zhong. Through their newfound connection, Wei Zhong could now exchange basic information with it.
"Let's go," Wei Zhong said, flipping onto Big Gold's back. "Show me where you came from."
The smooth, fish-like scales offered little grip, so he opted to grasp the creature's whiskers instead. Big Gold didn't seem to mind this unconventional approach and plunged straight into the lake.
The water's turbulence had largely subsided, with only strings of bubbles rising from the depths. Wei Zhong's spirits soared as he gathered the scattered spirit stones around him. The ones he had already collected from the lakebed were worth eight or nine hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, more than double the entrance fee. And there might even be a spirit stone vein hidden below! The thought sent shivers of excitement through Wei Zhong.
Man and beast descended further into the lake's inky depths, where sunlight barely penetrated. Wei Zhong's naked eyes could barely make out his surroundings; only the runes of his Spirit-Seeking Art allowed him to perceive the varying shapes of spiritual light.
Suddenly, a deep trench appeared before them, like a submarine fissure stretching across the entire lakebed.
Wei Zhong's eyes narrowed, but he regained his composure and followed Big Gold deeper into the fissure.
Scanning his surroundings, Wei Zhong was surprised to find unfamiliar spiritual herbs growing on the rocky walls of the crevice. He plucked several handfuls of the spiritually rich plants and stuffed them into his Storage Pouch.
After venturing an unknown distance, Big Gold suddenly turned into a tunnel. Faint light illuminated the passageway, emanating from certain rocks embedded in the walls. These rocks even contained traces of spiritual energy.
Wei Zhong considered prying some loose, but the glowing stones seemed firmly fused to the rock face. Fearing he might trigger another underwater tremor like the one he had experienced earlier, he decided against forcibly prying them loose.
As Big Gold ventured further, the number of glowing rocks increased, some even scattered across the tunnel floor.
"This is too easy," Wei Zhong thought gleefully as he collected them all.
After traveling several more miles, they reached a vast underwater cavern, as bright as day and brimming with spiritual energy.
"This must be Big Gold's home," Wei Zhong mused, surveying the surroundings. The mountain cavern was even larger than the lake above.
The air felt somewhat stuffy. Though the glowing rocks illuminated the ceiling, the cavern remained completely sealed by stone, denying any view of the sky. No wonder Big Gold seemed so delighted to venture outside.
Aquatic plants thrived within the cave, particularly the dense cluster at its center.
Big Gold emitted a peculiar crooning sound. As its master, Wei Zhong understood its meaning: "This is my home." The fish used its barbels to part the obstructing plants, inviting Wei Zhong inside.
A sudden realization struck Wei Zhong: two golden spiritual herbs grew hidden within the aquatic foliage. One was tall, the other short, their surfaces covered in golden scales resembling those on Big Gold's body.
The sheer abundance of spiritual energy left Wei Zhong speechless. Regrettably, his knowledge of spiritual plants was limited; he recognized only a few common types of Spirit Medicine. I'll need to catch up on this once we leave the Secret Realm, he thought. Could these be Second-Tier Spirit Grass?
Noticing Wei Zhong's lingering gaze on his spiritual herbs, Big Gold nudged him with its body, asserting ownership and forbidding him from taking them.
With a sigh, Wei Zhong stroked the fish's head. "Don't worry, I'll keep them safe for you. We'll get you out of here first, and then I'll return them."
Hesitation flickered across Big Gold's face, but it ultimately trusted Wei Zhong. It allowed him to carefully excavate the two herbs, along with the surrounding soil, and store them in his Storage Pouch.
Wei Zhong pulled out a spirit stone. "Where did you see one of these?"
Big Gold led Wei Zhong to a corner of the cave, where its barbels pointed to a small hole in the ground. The fish indicated that spirit stones would periodically erupt from this opening.
Wei Zhong hesitated, eyeing the narrow passage, barely wide enough for one person. Turning to Big Gold, several times his size, he retrieved his Spirit Beast Pouch, intending to store the fish inside.
Though Big Gold showed some reluctance, it eventually obeyed Wei Zhong and entered the pouch.
Having infiltrated this place, Wei Zhong wasn't sure if he could return. If the Secret Realm closed prematurely, any spirit beasts left outside their pouches would be trapped here.
After securing Big Gold, Wei Zhong squeezed into the small hole.
...
Within the Mineral Vein, disciples of the Azurewood Sect were hammering and chipping away at the rock with specialized spirit stone mining tools and magic artifacts.
In a remote, abandoned tunnel, Wei Zhong emerged from a small pool on the ground to find spirit stones radiating spiritual light embedded in the rock walls.
So it really is a spirit stone vein.
Suddenly, he heard the sounds of hammering and shouting. Wei Zhong suppressed his aura to the lowest possible level and cautiously followed the noise.
Wei Zhong spotted a group of Azurewood Sect Inner Sect Disciples clad in their signature azure and white Daoist robes.
So it really is the Azurewood Sect.
As the overseers of this Secret Realm, it was no surprise they knew about its resource nodes. What Wei Zhong hadn't anticipated was discovering a mid-sized spirit stone vein here, one yielding mid-grade spirit stones.
Good heavens! The Azurewood Sect must have mined countless spirit stones from this place over the past century. No wonder they've surpassed Han Bamboo City to become the foremost Golden Core power in Wild Plains Prefecture.
Truly worthy of a great sect with centuries of history.
Just as Wei Zhong was marveling at this discovery, he suddenly heard a cold snort. Someone had detected him.
A sword light shot toward Wei Zhong. Without time to ponder how he'd been exposed, he hastily activated the First-Grade High-Grade shield he'd recently acquired.
The small sword struck the shield, nearly piercing through. Wei Zhong had no time for shock or regret, for another sword light was already hurtling toward him. He could also sense his pursuer rapidly closing the distance.
Drawing his magic sword, Wei Zhong parried the second strike with a clang. Using the recoil to propel himself backward, he fled into the shadows.
Wei Zhong glanced down at his First-Grade High-Grade magic sword and saw a deep gash marring its blade.
His heart ached. The two Flying Swords were undoubtedly Second-Tier Magic Artifacts; otherwise, they wouldn't have crippled both his magic tool shield and sword in a single exchange.
What kind of monster has the Azurewood Sect sent? Wei Zhong wondered. Someone who wields two Second-Tier Flying Swords and possesses such terrifying spiritual sense that he discovered me even when I was fully concealing my aura.
Chaos had erupted within the mine.
"Enemy infiltration! Junior Brothers, be vigilant!"
Wei Zhong fled frantically, already losing track of his location in the labyrinthine tunnels.
They're sticking to me like leeches! he thought. He could feel the icy dread at his back. If he slowed down even slightly, a Flying Sword would overtake him.
Behind him, Lu Yibin was equally astonished.
"Such speed! It seems we're dealing with a formidable opponent this time."
Yet Lu Yibin remained unconcerned. With his superior cultivation, no mere Qi Refining Loose Cultivator had ever escaped him.
Still, he noticed the fleeing figure's trajectory—straight toward the Inheritance Hall above.
Wei Zhong continued his desperate flight until he finally burst into daylight.
"Finally out!"