Two days flew by in a flash.
The entire ancient dungeon was silent, save for Rin Tianhai, who watched the light screen intently, replaying the formation barrier in his mind countless times and occasionally gesturing with his hands non-stop. At this moment, he looked slightly haggard. Soon after, his complexion flushed with excitement.
"I found it!"
Rin Tianhai was thrilled beyond measure. His days of diligent research and countless rehearsals had finally enabled him to discern the barrier's weak point.
In the top left corner of the formation's light screen lay a rather ordinary beam of light, which should be the fulcrum connecting the screen. It fluctuated at certain intervals, possibly malfunctioning due to long neglect.
Timing carefully, Rin Tianhai made hand signs and deployed the Huoyuan Slash. A powerful flame-formed great sword stabbed toward the corner of the light screen.
A piercing screech rang out as the screen shattered, dissolving into specks of spiritual light and vanishing completely.
Thankfully, the barrier was so ancient that its defensive power had significantly weakened; otherwise, even if he had found the central point, it would have been impossible for him to break it, no matter what tricks he deployed.
The misty light screen in front of the stone chamber dissipated, revealing a chamber over thirty yards in size.
"Empty?"
"Eh?"
It wasn't entirely empty. Spread across the ground lay the remains of a demonic beast, most of its body already turned to ash. From the surviving skeletal structure, it seemed to be an earth spirit beast still in its juvenile stage.
This chamber must have once housed it. But after countless years, it had died, leaving only its remains.
Demonic beasts lived far longer than humans, and yet this one had been tragically trapped and perished here. Rin Tianhai lamented the beast's fate—and his own luck. His face showed disappointment. After exerting so much effort to open the barrier, he had gained nothing in return.
He glanced toward the deeper passage. Surely, the other chambers would hold something of value. Turning, he left the first chamber and continued on.
He soon discovered that each chamber was sealed by the same kind of formation barrier, all laid down at the same time with little difference in strength. This was incredibly good news. Since he had already found the weak point, there was no need to waste energy searching further.
Returning to the second chamber, he examined it carefully and then struck the light beam with another Huoyuan Slash. The barrier dispersed, revealing another scattering of demonic beast bones in the middle of the chamber.
"Another spirit beast room?"
Without lingering, Rin Tianhai went straight to the third chamber. As soon as he broke its barrier, a fragrance drifted out.
"Spiritual Medicine Garden!"
His eyes lit up. He rushed inside faster than if he were fleeing for his life.
"Two-hundred-year-old Hidden Spirit Grass—it's actually Hidden Spirit Grass!" he exclaimed.
Hidden Spirit Grass was a primary ingredient for concocting the Second Order minor elixir, the Minor Foundation Building Pill. Although only two plants met the required age for alchemy, Rin Tianhai was thrilled. The younger stalks could be transplanted into the family's herb garden for future use.
There was also True Soul Grass and Brahman Blood Grass, both two-hundred years old. True Soul Grass was the main ingredient for Strong Spirit Pills, which could increase Divine Sense. With long-term use, the growth of Divine Sense would become quite substantial. Brahman Blood Grass was used in Body Strengthening Pills, which enhanced Qi blood and eased the pain of cultivation, extremely precious to body cultivators.
Besides these, other useful spiritual herbs were scattered about, most for Qi Condensation Pills. Unfortunately, the higher-level medicines had withered long ago, decayed from lack of care.
Rin Tianhai quickly gathered all the herbs suitable for alchemy, placing them into a jade box. Those not old enough were dug out with their soil intact for transplanting.
Half an hour later, he had finished collecting everything and left the chamber. There was no onward path, so he moved to the next.
Upon breaking another barrier, he stepped into a ten-zhang-wide room lying in ruins. Only fragments remained scattered across the floor. This had once been where the owner refined pills and artifacts, but now it was beyond recognition, with nothing of value left.
With a hint of disappointment, Rin Tianhai pressed on toward the final stone chamber at the very depths of the mansion.
This chamber resembled a study. The bookshelves had decayed with age, and what remained had been violently destroyed. It looked as though someone had already searched the place roughly.
Seeing this, Rin Tianhai's expression turned bitter.
But then his gaze landed on a small golden tower. He hurried forward. Its surface shimmered with golden light and runes, identical to the jade tube he had obtained from the Red Robe Cultivator. At its top was an empty slot.
Rin Tianhai took out the jade tube and placed it beside the tower. The patterns matched perfectly. It seemed the Red Robe Cultivator had indeed taken this from here.
First, he tried to lift the golden tower, but failed. He wasn't surprised. If it could be moved easily, the Red Robe Cultivator would never have left it behind.
After thinking for a moment, he cautiously set the jade tube into the vacant slot. Nothing happened.
Seeing no change, Rin Tianhai slowly extended his Divine Sense into the jade tube.
A moment later, his face shifted in shock, as though he had encountered a formidable enemy.