114: Deep within the mine vein lies the source of Yin energy.
The mine tunnel was deep and secluded. Embedded in the stone walls on both sides were fluorite stones emitting a soft white light, dispelling some of the darkness, yet making the newly chiseled marks and the occasional flash of metallic luster on the tunnel walls exceptionally clear. The deeper they went, the more intense the cold, decaying aura in the air became, subtly forming faint black mist that coiled throughout the tunnel.
Ordinary miners and low-level guards staying here for long periods would inevitably suffer from stagnant Qi and blood, or even damage their Foundation. It was no wonder the Wang Family needed to deploy Earth Fiend Realm experts to guard this place year-round.
The elderly man leading the way, named Wang Zhen, was a Non-surnamed Elder of the Wang Family and was extremely respectful toward Ye Chen. As he walked, he introduced, "Senior, this red iron ore vein was only discovered ten years ago. Its quality was originally excellent, making it a vital source of income for the Family. However, about half a year ago, this strange black Qi began seeping out from the depths of the Ore vein. It not only affected the quality of the Ore but also made mining exceptionally difficult. Many miners mysteriously fell ill, and even guards with weaker cultivation bases felt unwell."
He sighed, "We have organized teams several times to investigate the source, but the closer we get to the core area where the black Qi is concentrated, the greater the resistance we encounter. Not only does the black Qi corrosion intensify, but strange creatures condensed from the black Qi inexplicably appear. They fight without fear of death and are extremely difficult to handle. During the last investigation, we even lost a Guest Elder at the Earth Fiend Realm Second Layer..."
Ye Chen listened silently, his Divine Sense having already spread forward like mercury. In his perception, the black Qi deep within this Ore vein was of the same origin as the Qi on the Black Fiend Gang Bandit Cultivators, but it was purer and more frigid. The deathly stillness and decay contained within seemed capable of swallowing all vitality, making even the rocks brittle under its prolonged erosion.
"This is not naturally formed Malevolent Yin Qi," Ye Chen suddenly spoke, his voice echoing in the deep mine tunnel. "It contains a trace of artificial refinement. Although faint, it cannot escape my perception."
Wang Zhen was startled upon hearing this. "Artificial refinement? Senior, do you mean... that the anomaly deep within this Ore vein was caused intentionally by someone?"
"Nine times out of ten." Ye Chen's gaze was sharp as he looked at the increasingly dense black mist at the end of the passage. "Moreover, the person who set this up has considerable cultivation, at least at the Tiangang Realm level, otherwise they couldn't create a Malevolent Yin Area of this scale. The Black Fiend Gang is likely just a pawn pushed out to use this place to Cultivate that strange Black Fiend Protective Aura while guarding the location for the mastermind.
Wang Zhen gasped, his expression turning extremely grim. If this truly involved an old monster at the Tiangang Realm, the crisis the Wang Family was facing was likely far greater than they imagined!
As they spoke, the two arrived at the end of the tunnel. Ahead was a massive natural cavern. In the center of the cavern was a bottomless Black Styx. The water in the pool was viscous like ink, constantly churning, emitting a nauseating stench and bone-chilling coldness. Dense, almost substantive black Qi continuously surged out from this Black Styx, filling the entire cavern.
Scattered around the cavern were some mining tools and sporadic pieces of red iron Ore, but the surface of these Ores was covered in a layer of black rust, having lost much of their spirituality.
Standing conspicuously at the edge of the Black Styx were three guards, entirely condensed from black Qi, their forms blurred, holding misty weapons! They had no facial features, only two points of crimson light flickering where their heads should be, emanating powerful fluctuations of the Earth Fiend Realm Third Layer! Sensing the aura of living people, the three Black Qi Guards immediately turned, their crimson gazes locking onto Ye Chen and Wang Zhen.
"Senior, be careful! These are the damned things!" Wang Zhen's expression was solemn as he gripped the broadsword in his hand.
Ye Chen waved his hand, signaling him to retreat. His gaze fell upon the Black Styx. The chaos primordial fetus rotated slightly, transmitting a clear sense of disgust and repulsion. This Black Styx was the source of the entire Ore vein's anomaly—a man-made "eye of baleful yin spirit"!
"Roar!"
The three Black Qi Guards let out silent roars, transforming into three plumes of black smoke. Their speed was astonishing as they lunged toward Ye Chen from different directions! Their misty weapons tore through the air, carrying a frigid power that could erode the Divine Soul.
Ye Chen's eyes turned cold. This time, he did not use his sword finger. With a thought, the Divine Ability [Chaos Genesis: Myriad Transformation] quietly activated.
He raised his left hand, palm facing up. A wisp of Chaos Gang Qi surged out, instantly transforming into a cluster of leaping, supremely Yang and rigid Pure White Flames—simulated from his comprehension of the Fire Law. Although not a top-tier spiritual flame, its pure Yang attribute was the nemesis of these Malevolent Yin entities!
"Go."
He gently pushed, and the cluster of Pure White Flames shot out like a meteor, meeting one of the Black Qi Guards.
"Hiss—!"
The flames collided with the black Qi, making a sound like cold water dripping into hot oil. The Black Qi Guard let out a shrill shriek. Under the scorching of the Pure White Flames, its body melted like spring snow, rapidly shrinking and fading until it was completely annihilated!
At the same time, Ye Chen pointed his right hand like a sword. The Chaos Gang Qi transformed into the supremely sharp Geng Metal Sword Qi, slashing through the air!
"Swish!"
A highly condensed Sword Qi, shimmering with metallic luster, streaked across the sky, splitting the second Black Qi Guard in half! The severed black Qi attempted to re-aggregate, but the Nirvana Sword Intent contained within the Sword Qi instantly erupted, completely destroying its residual consciousness and structure, turning it into pure Yin Qi that dissipated.
The third Black Qi Guard had already rushed forward, its misty spear stabbing directly toward Ye Chen's face.
Ye Chen neither dodged nor avoided, simply opening his mouth and gently exhaling.
"Whoosh—"
A Qi Arrow imbued with the power of wind and thunder whistled out! This was his simulated combination of the Wind and Thunder Laws; though crude, its advantage lay in its powerful instantaneous burst!
The Qi Arrow struck the misty spear, arriving later but hitting first. Wind blades sliced and lightning exploded! The spear instantly collapsed. The Qi Arrow, its momentum unchecked, pierced the Black Qi Guard's chest, blasting it into a mass of rolling black mist, which was finally purified by the aura naturally emitted by the chaos primordial fetus.
In the blink of an eye, the three Black Qi Guards, comparable to the Earth Fiend Realm Third Layer, were easily dispatched by Ye Chen using three completely different methods, all of which suppressed them!
Wang Zhen, standing nearby, was dumbfounded, immense shock surging in his heart. This Senior's strength was not only unfathomable, but his techniques were endless. He wielded the flames, Geng Metal Sword Qi, and the Wind and Thunder Qi Arrow—all with vastly different attributes—with effortless ease. This completely overturned his understanding!
After dealing with the guards, Ye Chen’s gaze returned to the churning Black Styx. He could sense a much stronger, frigid consciousness awakening deep beneath the pool.
"Retreat to the cave entrance and seal this place. No matter what commotion you hear, do not enter," Ye Chen instructed Wang Zhen.
Wang Zhen knew well that staying would only make him a burden, so he quickly bowed and replied, "Yes! Senior, please be careful!" After speaking, he swiftly retreated from the cavern and set up an Isolation Formation at the entrance.
After Wang Zhen left, Ye Chen slowly walked toward the Black Styx. The closer he got, the heavier the frigid, deathly aura became, trying to erode his Protective Aura. However, the Chaos radiance around his body subtly circulated, repelling all the black Qi, rendering him immune to all techniques.
He stood by the edge of the pool, looking at the viscous, ink-like water, and snorted coldly, "Stop hiding your head and tail, come out!"
Before his voice faded, he pointed his fingers like a sword. An extremely condensed Chaos Sword Aura, containing the True Intent of Guixu, shot straight into the depths of the Black Styx like a flash of light tearing through the Netherworld!
"Rumble—!!"
The entire cavern shook violently! The Black Styx churned madly as if it were boiling! An angry, shrill, non-human shriek came from the bottom of the pool, causing the entire mine tunnel to buzz!
The viscous pool water parted to both sides, and a massive black shadow slowly rose from the bottom of the pool!
It was a giant python entirely condensed from pure Malevolent Yin Qi! Its body was as thick as a water barrel and dozens of feet long, pitch black all over with distinct scales. A pair of vertical pupils were blood-crimson, radiating a terrifying aura comparable to the Peak of the Earthly Fiend Realm Fifth Level! It opened its huge mouth, revealing fangs condensed from Malevolent Yin Qi, and let out a silent roar toward Ye Chen!
This was the true core guarding this place! The creature nurtured by the eye of baleful yin spirit—the Fiend Soul!
The Fiend Soul's blood-crimson vertical pupils locked onto Ye Chen, filled with tyranny and the desire for slaughter. Its massive body stirred the pool water, raising black waves everywhere, and the temperature of the entire cavern suddenly dropped to freezing point!
Ye Chen held the guixu sword. Chaos light flowed over the blade, and his eyes were calm and waveless.
"Perfect. I'll use you to test my sword."