32: Chapter 32 The Mystery of Cuiping Mountain

He did not immediately issue the order to scout, but instead turned and strode toward the stone cave where Liu Yuan was recovering.

Su Qingyao and Liu Ruxu followed closely behind.

Inside the stone cave, Liu Yuan was already sitting cross-legged. Although his complexion remained pale, his eyes were much clearer.

He seemed to have anticipated Lin Chen's arrival; on the flat stone slab in front of him, he had already used a charcoal pen to sketch a rough map from memory.

On the map, Luoxia Valley, Wild Wolf Slope, and a highlighted "Cuiping Mountain" located a hundred miles to the northeast were clearly marked, showing the approximate positions of all three.

"Young Master Lin," Liu Yuan spoke first. His voice was still weak, but his thoughts were clear. "There is no need to risk going deep into the valley."

Upon hearing this, even Lin Chen was somewhat surprised.

Liu Yuan pointed his finger at the mark on the map representing the depths of Luoxia Valley and said slowly, "Over the past two days, the abnormal frequency and intensity recorded by the Earth-Listening Formation set up by Xu'er have not been irregular collapses, but rather have shown a... periodic increase.

I have carefully compared them, and it seems there is an intensity peak approximately every thirteen days.

About half a day after each disturbance of Spiritual Qi in the valley, I had A-Tu go to a high point in the distance to observe, and he was able to see faint, imperceptible flashes of Spiritual Qi from the direction of Cuiping Mountain, echoing it from afar."

Although his voice was low, every word was clear and resonant in the quiet stone cave.

"This absolutely does not fit the characteristics of a single Seal loosening and causing a continuous collapse," Liu Yuan said, his eyes flashing with the rational light characteristic of a Formation Master. "It is more like a... resonance.

A 'Twin Resonance' formed by two Spiritual Vein nodes connected by some ancient terrain we are unaware of!"

His withered finger traced from Luoxia Valley to Cuiping Mountain, as if sketching an invisible underground vein.

"Luoxia Valley is the 'Yin Aperture,' governing the Seal and stillness.

And that Cuiping Mountain is very likely the 'Yang Aperture' currently gestating, governing growth and Spiritual opportunity! The abnormality of the Yin Aperture we felt was actually triggered by the 'fetal movement' of that Yang Aperture!"

Twin Resonance! Yin Aperture and Yang Aperture!

This astonishing deduction was like a key, instantly opening up Lin Chen's train of thought.

He immediately closed his eyes, sank his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness, and pulled up the System's [Resource Log].

A dynamic map of the surrounding Spiritual Qi fluctuations, centered on Luoxia Valley, unfolded in his mind.

He input the "thirteen-day cycle" that Liu Yuan mentioned and used the "flashes of Spiritual Qi" that A-Tu observed as a time anchor for calibration.

On the map, the Spiritual Qi values representing Luoxia Valley indeed showed rhythmic, violent drops and disturbances. And about half a day after each disturbance, the light point representing Spiritual Qi activity in the Cuiping Mountain area, a hundred miles away, would experience a small but distinct leap.

Although the intensities were vastly different, the rhythm and cycle of their fluctuations overlapped by over eighty percent!

Lin Chen issued a new command to the System: "Analyze the potential correlation between the 'Luoxia Valley Spiritual Vein abnormality' and the 'Spiritual Qi activity in the Cuiping Mountain area a hundred miles away,' and evaluate the possibility of the Cuiping Mountain area forming a stable Spiritual Vein node."

A cold, mechanical voice quickly sounded in his mind:

[Insufficient data, unable to build an accurate model.

However, based on the existing Spiritual Qi fluctuation map and the basic principles of the 'Earth Vein Qi Nourishing Technique' mastered by the host, the probability of the 'Twin Node Resonance' hypothesis existing is 67.3%.]

[The Spiritual Qi activity in the Cuiping Mountain area has been rising continuously recently, consistent with the Middle Stage of a First-Grade Spiritual Vein node gestation.

Comprehensive assessment: The probability of this area successfully gestating a First-Grade Medium Grade Spiritual Vein node is 41%; the probability of gestation failure or it evolving into a short-lived Spiritual Qi eruption is 59%.]

Risks and opportunities coexist!

Lin Chen opened his eyes abruptly, the sharp light in them causing even Liu Yuan to tremble.

"Senior Liu is right," Lin Chen said in a decisive tone. "If Cuiping Mountain is truly gestating a new Spiritual Vein, we must seize it first! The Spiritual Vein of Luoxia Valley is already showing signs of decline, and the hidden dangers deep within are unknown; it is simply not suitable as a long-term Foundation."

Sitting and waiting for the Yin Aperture's Seal to be completely detonated by the Yang Aperture's fetal movement is a path to death.

Taking the initiative to strike and seize the gestating Yang Aperture is the only chance for survival!

He immediately summoned all core members.

Inside the dimly lit stone cave, Lin Chen tapped his finger heavily on the words "Cuiping Mountain" on the map, briefly explaining Liu Yuan's deduction and the System's analysis results.

"I have decided to take Senior Liu, Qingyao, A-Tu, and Old Man Shi to head to Cuiping Mountain immediately to conduct an on-site survey and attempt to seize the initiative."

His gaze turned to Liu Ruxu, becoming solemn and serious. "Miss Liu, you will remain behind to guard Luoxia Valley.

This is our backup plan.

Your Hidden Spirit Body can most keenly perceive changes in the Spiritual Veins. I need you to continue monitoring the abnormalities in the depths of the valley and use this time to further perfect the defensive warning Formation here.

If we succeed, we will return immediately to take you there; if we fail or encounter any mishap, this place will be our final retreat."

Entrusted with such an important task, the panic in Liu Ruxu's heart was replaced by a strong sense of responsibility.

She pursed her lips tightly, looked into Lin Chen's eyes filled with trust, and nodded firmly. "I will guard this place well."

Su Qingyao had no objections and silently turned to walk toward the pill room.

A moment later, she returned with several Storage Pouches and began to inventory and distribute supplies.

She focused on preparing Medicinal Pills for poison avoidance, detoxification, and rapid recovery of Spiritual power, and distributed three of her newly drawn "Light Body Talismans" and "Vajra Talismans" to everyone who was about to depart.

They were only First-Grade Low Grade, with weak effects, but they might save lives at critical moments.

Old Man Shi was also called over. He spread out a rougher but more detailed map drawn on animal hide.

This was drawn based on his hunting experience from his younger years.

"Heading northeast from Luoxia Valley, you have to pass through a fifty-mile-long 'Black Fog Forest'," he said, pointing to a blackened area on the map. "The forest is filled with light black miasma all year round. It's not thick, but if you inhale it for too long, you will feel dizzy and nauseous. There are also many venomous insects inside.

After passing the Black Fog Forest, there is a place called 'Rocky Ravine.' The terrain is particularly complex, full of pits and bumps, and Low Grade Yao Beasts like Stone-Skinned Lizards and Iron-Clawed Crows often appear there.

Cuiping Mountain is just on the other side of the Rocky Ravine."

His finger tapped several red dots marked with cinnabar on the map. "These places are resting spots I used to visit with old hunters a few times; they are relatively safe.

But I have never been deep into Cuiping Mountain.

I just heard that the stones in that mountain are a bit strange; at night, some of them will emit a faint light on their own."

Lin Chen carefully noted the route and all the marked points.

With Su Qingyao's Medicinal Pills, the miasma and venomous insects of the Black Fog Forest were not a big problem.

The real risk lay in the complex terrain of the Rocky Ravine and the completely unknown Cuiping Mountain.

Once the plan was set, there was no more delay.

Under Liu Yuan's remote oral guidance, Liu Ruxu spent a full day and night, without sleep or rest, performing the final reinforcement and optimization of the defensive warning Formation at the mine entrance and its surroundings.

She extended the warning range of the Formation all the way to the valley entrance and cleverly set up a triple-trigger mechanism with different sensitivities, ensuring no movement could escape her perception.

At the same time, Lin Chen divided most of the resources accumulated during this period—including Spirit Stones, Earth Milk Spiritual Liquid (leaving only a small amount for Liu Ruxu to use for studying the Formation), and the precious Materials and Medicinal Pills seized from Outer Sect Deacon Wang Heng, the Qi Family, and others—into two portions.

He carried one portion with him, while the other was buried in an extremely hidden secret compartment he had personally carved inside the mine.

Only he and Liu Ruxu knew of this location, as a precaution against the worst-case scenario.

The next day, at dawn, the sky was faintly bright.

Lin Chen, Liu Yuan (still recovering from his injuries, supported by A-Tu but able to walk slowly), Su Qingyao, A-Tu, and Old Man Shi—the five of them, traveling light with only the most essential weapons and supplies—left Luoxia Valley silently.

Liu Ruxu stood alone at the entrance of the mine, which was shrouded in the halo of the Formation, watching their backs gradually disappear at the end of the mountain path shrouded in morning mist.

She subconsciously reached out and gently touched her still-flat abdomen.

Her period for this month was already more than ten days late.

She had a vague guess in her heart that made her both panicked and expectant, but she did not dare to confirm it, nor did she mention it to anyone.

The wind at the valley entrance blew her clothes, carrying the biting chill of late autumn.

She turned and walked resolutely into the depths of the mine, her steps firmer than ever before.

Whether for her father, for the new life that might exist in her womb, or for the Family that had given her and her father a glimmer of hope, she had to guard this "home" well.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen, who had already traveled far, about a mile after leaving the valley entrance, seemed to have a premonition and looked back at the mist-shrouded valley.

There was not much sorrow of parting in his heart, only an increasingly clear sense of urgency.

He had to capture this new Spiritual Vein in Cuiping Mountain!

This was not just about the Family's future Cultivation resources; it was about whether the Lin Family could have a truly safe and sustainable foothold in this cruel Immortal Realm!

Under the leadership of Old Man Shi, the group moved forward in silence and speed.

Two hours later, a forest with colors significantly deeper than the surrounding trees appeared before them.

The trees were tall and dense. Between the interlaced branches and leaves, wisps of light black mist lingered like veils, making it difficult for sunlight to penetrate. This made the light in the forest dim, exuding an ominous, deathly silence.

They had arrived at the Black Fog Forest.

The group stopped at the edge of the forest. Old Man Shi sniffed with his experienced nose, and his expression changed slightly.

"Something is wrong," he lowered his voice, his cloudy eyes full of vigilance. "It's too quiet; there isn't even the sound of birds or insects."