Chapter 884 - 392: Sword Array Defeats Fake Soul, Strength Shocks Everyone

These two scents were incredibly extreme. They seemed capable of blending into one another, yet remained entirely distinct.

This gave Li Chang’an a profoundly peculiar feeling. He couldn’t help but think of Yin and Yang. They were also two opposing forces, and their characteristics shared similarities with this Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower.

He did not rush to pluck the Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower. Instead, he sat cross-legged and carefully observed it for a long time until a vague clue formed in his mind.

"The Dao of Balance?" Li Chang’an thought as sudden enlightenment washed over him. He realized that his ability to smell both scents simultaneously was perhaps not due to his sharp perception, but because he had delved into the Dao of Balance for many years.

"If I could constantly observe this Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower and witness its process of growth and decay, it might greatly help my comprehension of the Dao of Balance.

"Unfortunately, this flower has already bloomed. I can only watch it wither..."

Li Chang’an sighed inwardly. He sent out a surge of Magical Power, carefully digging up the Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower and preserving it along with the surrounding soil.

Following that, he ventured into the deepest part of this area.

The deeper he went, the denser the Spiritual Power became. The rock walls of the mine tunnel gradually transitioned from black stone to crystal-clear Spirit Stones. These Spirit Stones were of incredibly high quality; almost all of them were Top Grade Spirit Stones, with every single piece containing a vast amount of Spiritual Power.

"Collect!"

Li Chang’an waved his large hand. The Storage Pouch opened its mouth like a Taotie, frantically devouring pieces of Spirit Stones of varying sizes.

Throughout this process, Li Chang’an maintained his guard. Although his Divination indicated good fortune, he knew better than to lower his guard. Too many bizarre incidents had occurred deep within this Spiritual Ore mine.

Fortunately, nothing strange happened even after he collected the very last piece of ore. However, Li Chang’an vaguely felt that the aura within the mine tunnel had become significantly colder and gloomier. It was as if some extremely frigid object was buried deep within the earth.

"There must be a hidden space beneath this Spiritual Ore mine," he thought.

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but recall how, years ago in the Thousand Lakes Secret Realm, the collapse of that Spiritual Ore mine had revealed the ruins of a Palace belonging to the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty. He suspected that similar ruins lay beneath this Spiritual Ore mine as well. Even if it wasn’t ruins, it had to be some immensely valuable Treasure.

"Perhaps I can use a clone to dive deep underground and take a look."

This thought flashed through Li Chang’an’s mind. But just then, a sudden chill ran down his spine, as if something terrifying was about to happen. He immediately dismissed the idea.

"Never mind. I shouldn’t let curiosity get the better of me. The more curious one is, the faster they die.

"This isn’t a place to linger. I should leave."

Although there might be more Spirit Stones deep in other mine tunnels, Li Chang’an had no intention of exploring further.

This mining trip had netted him over two hundred thousand Top Grade Spirit Stones. Even for a Nascent Soul True Monarch, this was quite a handsome fortune.

"Unfortunately, there are no Top-grade Spirit Stones."

Li Chang’an felt some regret. To this day, he had yet to see a legendary Top-grade Spirit Stone.

The exchange rate for Top Grade, Middle Grade, and Low Grade Spirit Stones constantly remained at around one to a hundred. But Top-grade Spirit Stones were different. They were exceedingly rare and impossible to create artificially. Only a very few High Tier Spiritual Ore mines could birth one or two pieces.

Rumor had it that Top-grade Spirit Stones were not only used for cultivation but had other applications as well. However, in today’s Cultivation Immortality Realm, these Spirit Stones were practically extinct, and no one knew what those other applications were.

Just as he was deep in thought, the entire Spiritual Ore mine suddenly trembled. Immediately after, Cui Ling’s furious voice echoed out.

"Lin Fan, get your ass out here!"

"He came rather quickly," Li Chang’an thought. Carrying Guo Hao by the collar, he walked toward the Spiritual Ore mine’s exit at a leisurely pace.

At this moment, due to the erosion from the Power of Curse, Guo Hao had been tortured beyond recognition, looking as if he could step onto the Reincarnation Path at any second. He had originally intended for Li Chang’an to suffer these torments. Being reduced to this state now meant he was simply reaping what he sowed.

Before long, Li Chang’an exited the Spiritual Ore mine.

Outside, over ten Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the Righteous Influence had already gathered. Ming Xia, Zi Xia, Cyan Dragon, and the others were all present. Even the Two-headed Jade Spirit Turtle of the Black Tortoise Sect was waiting not far away.

"Huh? Didn’t this Old Turtle plan to never leave his Sect? Why is he here? Does he just want to watch the show?" Li Chang’an wondered with some surprise as he cast a glance at the Old Turtle.

Ever since the Red-eyed Flood Dragon was besieged and killed by Demonic Nascent Souls, the Old Turtle had never stepped out of the Black Tortoise Sect. His sudden appearance today was rather unexpected.

Little did he know, the Old Turtle was also feeling quite surprised. The reason he had come here was entirely due to the persuasion of the others. Everyone felt that since he had lived the longest and had the most peaceful state of mind, he was the best candidate to mediate the conflict. Not wanting to see an internal war within the Righteous Dao, he reluctantly agreed to come.

However, the more he looked at Li Chang’an, the more familiar the man seemed.

The Old Turtle muttered inwardly, "This Daoist Lin Fan has never formally interacted with me. Where is this sense of familiarity coming from?

"No, it’s more than just familiarity.

"How bizarre. He’s clearly a Human Race Cultivator, yet I feel a sense of closeness to him, as if I’ve met a fellow kin..."

The last time he felt this way was when he met Li Chang’an.

"I have lived for over five thousand years and have never experienced this feeling with any Human Race Cultivator before. Yet, I’ve consecutively encountered two recently. It can’t possibly be a coincidence. Could it be..."

The Old Turtle stared at Li Chang’an with suspicion, observing him again and again. Coupled with that sense of familiarity, a bold speculation gradually formed in his mind.

Li Chang’an did not notice anything particularly unusual, though he found it a bit strange.

"Why does this Old Turtle keep staring at me?" he thought.

He temporarily suppressed his doubts and looked at the other people present. They were all standing between him and Cui Ling, clearly not wishing for the two of them to fight.

Everyone had already understood the course of events.

At the end of the day...