"Though Zhuang Daoist and young Zhu are not related by blood, their bond is deeper than blood, which truly earns my admiration!"
"Guardian Ba, you're too kind. My godfather and I came to discuss the matter of the spirit vein with you, Brother Ba."
Ba Mingyang asked, "Spirit vein? Are you looking for a spirit vein?"
Zhu Xiaosuo replied, "Exactly. My godfather needs the Cloud-Walking Boots to repay a favor."
Ba Shanyue was immediately curious, "What kind of favor requires the Cloud-Walking Boots? Could it be that Zhuang Daoist's son was also saved by someone?"
Ba Mingyang was puzzled, wondering why his father used the word "also."
"Please don't laugh, Guardian Ba. I need the Cloud-Walking Boots to ask a Sect Elder for help in breaking through the Bone Transformation Stage."
"Breaking through? Did Zhuang Daoist fail to break through with the Rebirth and Marrow-Washing Pill?"
"Ah, it's a long story. I was meditating in my cave, practicing my internal skills, when I was suddenly ambushed by a beast! This caused my breakthrough to fail. Now, I can only resort to the method of infusion."
As Zhuang Yun spoke, his emotions were genuine, veins bulging on his forehead, fists clenched in anger.
Beside him, Zhu Xiaosuo kept his head down in silence, thinking about what he might reward himself with from the Zhu Clan after completing the mission.
"Ah, the path of cultivation is inevitably fraught with twists and turns. Son, why don't you tell young Zhu and his father what you know?"
Ba Mingyang scratched his head, "There's not much to say, really. Spirit veins are characterized by overflowing spiritual energy, and when you get close, the Spirit Manifesting Paper changes color. But after a spirit collapse, the spirit vein can randomly relocate, and no one knows if it will appear far away or sink underground."
"So, finding a spirit vein is purely a matter of luck?"
"I believe so."
After hearing Ba Mingyang's explanation, Zhu Xiaosuo was already planning to give up.
If he had been a geologist in his previous life, he might have been able to deduce the principles of spirit collapse and the location of spirit veins in the world of cultivation.
But he was completely clueless.
Moreover, Ba Mingyang hadn't provided any useful information.
He had no hope of finding a spirit vein.
At this moment, Ba Shanyue said, "Zhuang Daoist, young Zhu, I have matters to discuss with City Lord Zhu, so I'll take my leave. I'll visit you another day."
"Alright, take care, Guardian Ba."
"Yes, until we meet again. Ba Mingyang, come over here!"
"Yes... Brother Zhu, come visit me in the City of Seeking Immortality when you have time!"
"Definitely!"
After taking a few steps, Ba Shanyue muttered, "So young, yet so intelligent and dignified. It makes up for his poor cultivation aptitude."
Watching the departing father and son, Zhuang Yun and Zhu Xiaosuo had nothing more to say.
It was clear that they were not interested in finding the spirit vein.
In fact, for them, the later the spirit vein was found, the better.
The later it was found, the more cultivators would die, and the more stable Sun Qingde's position would be.
Originally, Zhu Jingyue, Chen Guisou, and Ba Shanyue had planned to use this heaven-sent opportunity to crush the much-hated Sun Qingde.
The three of them had been suppressed by Sun Qingde for decades and had long awaited this day.
Sun Qingde also understood their schemes, and his personal presence to command the rescue efforts was a sign of their open confrontation.
The struggle between the two factions had shifted from covert skirmishes to open warfare.
It had reached a critical point where victory or defeat would be decided.
Thus, having Ba Mingyang tell Zhu Xiaosuo about the spirit vein was purely out of gratitude for saving his life.
If it were anyone else, Ba Shanyue would have been glad to slap them away.
Zhu Xiaosuo also understood Ba Shanyue's situation, so he didn't insist on dragging Ba Mingyang along to find the spirit vein.
Even if he had, Ba Shanyue wouldn't have refused.
This is why Ba Shanyue said Zhu Xiaosuo was "dignified."
He didn't force others.
He had a good sense of propriety.
Seeing that Zhu Xiaosuo didn't keep Ba Mingyang, Zhuang Yun guessed part of the reason.
He had long known that his godson was a dignified person, so he didn't open his mouth to create trouble for him.
Zhuang Yun sighed, "Look at those hundreds of cultivators in the distance, busy and eager. If they really find the spirit vein, there will be a struggle for the Cloud-Walking Boots. How about we give up, father and son?"
Zhu Xiaosuo glanced over, seeing the cultivators using the Crumbling Stone Force to dig for the spirit vein, with dust flying in dozens of places. It was quite a spectacle.
If the spirit vein was indeed here, it probably wouldn't be their turn to find it.
"Alright, let's just look around where there are fewer people."
"Sure, we might get lucky. If we find it in a less crowded place, no one can snatch it from us."
"Then let's go to Hundred Beast Ridge. No one will go there for sure."
Zhuang Yun looked disdainful, "I told you to try your luck, not to create your own luck. At least search in Black Snow Ridge, right? That barren place at Hundred Beast Ridge, do you think a spirit vein would run there? Finding a spirit vein there would mean you're the chosen one!"
Zhu Xiaosuo was also helpless, "All the places with a chance are crowded. Besides Hundred Beast Ridge, can you suggest another place?"
Zhuang Yun was about to speak but realized he had no better ideas, so he conceded.
"Alright, let's take a stroll there and then head back to the Zhu Clan. It's just a bit of a detour."
The two left the bustling Black Snow Ridge and headed south to Hundred Beast Ridge.
Hundred Beast Ridge was far less lively than Black Snow Ridge, occasionally producing a few difficult-to-handle beasts.
It was mostly quiet.
Rather than searching for a spirit vein, the two seemed to be taking a leisurely walk.
"Back in the day, when I was selling marinated chicken feet in Yellow Dog County, Hundred Beast Ridge was a place people feared. Now, I can walk here with my head held high."
As he spoke, Zhu Xiaosuo casually killed a large white tiger that lunged at him with the Crumbling Stone Force.
"You're getting cocky, kid."
Zhuang Yun blew a breath, sending four half-human-sized wild wolves flying.
A breath with such power?
Zhu Xiaosuo eagerly asked for guidance, "Godfather, what kind of magic is this?"
"Crumbling Stone Force."
"Crumbling Stone Force can be used by blowing?"
"You're making a big deal out of it. My master could blow up a mountain with a mere fart."
"Amazing."
The two wandered through Hundred Beast Ridge, sweeping away countless wild beasts.
They basically went wherever the forest was dense.
They called it searching for a spirit vein.
Zhu Xiaosuo even proposed a theory, "The world's wonders, extraordinary sights, are often found in remote and dangerous places. Spirit veins are the same."
In truth, these two were just here to hunt some weak beasts for fun.
Having learned a bunch of spells, they couldn't usually fight anyone.
So they came here to find some live targets.
But as the novelty wore off, they started to feel a bit tired of the thrill.
"We've been walking for quite a while. Let's look for the spirit vein."
Saying this, Zhu Xiaosuo pulled out the Spirit Manifesting Paper from his pocket.
"I think you just want to sit down and rest..."
Before he could finish, their eyes widened like eggs.
The Spirit Manifesting Paper was blue!
They had actually stumbled upon the spirit vein!
They swore, they were just casually strolling and searching!
"Godfather, does this mean..."
"What are you waiting for? Use the Crumbling Stone Force to dig! Your father's future depends on what's beneath our feet!"
"Crumbling Stone Force, Crumbling Stone Force, Crumbling Stone Force!!!"
"Break it, break it, break it, ahhh!!!"