Chapter 1086: Exploring Ancestral Energy

The region indicated by the map fragment Zhou Yuan had chosen was located northwest of Hunyuan Heaven City.

The area was far from the city, so even with their large contingent traveling at full speed, it took them half a day to reach. During this journey, they encountered a sudden natural disaster attack while resting briefly. Fortunately, everyone was already on high alert, so when the disaster erupted, they promptly evaded it, preventing any significant losses.

While en route, Zhou Yuan and his team also encountered creatures native to the Ancient Origin Heaven. These were beast-like beings, somewhat resembling Genesis Beasts, but they lacked the intelligence of Genesis Beasts, acting purely on instinct like wild animals. Such creatures were known as Ancient Beasts.

Although Ancient Beasts had no intelligence, they possessed a remarkable quality: formidable physical strength. This strength seemed to be naturally honed over years of absorbing the Genesis Qi of this world, a characteristic that even the top-tier Sky Sun stage experts from Tianyuan Region envied. Within the entire contingent, probably fewer than ten individuals could surpass these Ancient Beasts in sheer physical might.

Consequently, many Ancient Beasts in the Ancient Origin Heaven were enormous, possessing the power to flatten mountains. Zhou Yuan and his group once encountered a colossal beast as tall as a mountain. Its four legs were as thick as hundred-zhang pillars, and the ground trembled when it moved. Even Zhou Yuan felt a strong sense of danger in its presence. Therefore, they deliberately chose to avoid that giant beast to prevent provoking it and suffering unnecessary casualties. The danger level of the Ancient Origin Heaven was clearly evident.

After traveling with several minor scares but no major incidents, Zhou Yuan and his team arrived at the location indicated by the map fragment less than half a day later. It was an exceptionally barren mountain range. The range appeared boundless, with towering peaks rising sharply into the clouds, steep and perilous. However, the entire range seemed to lack vitality; greenery was scarce, only bare, jumbled rocks were visible.

Consequently, all eyes turned to Zhou Yuan, including Qin Lian's. Zhou Yuan cleared his throat. Gazing at the vast mountain range, which he presumed would take several days to explore, he waved his hand and said, "What are you all staring at? Get moving! Dig out that hidden Ancestral Qi branch vein!"

Seeing him give the order, the Tianyuan Region's Sky Sun stage contingent could only shrug. They then dispersed into their assigned squad formations and began to systematically explore the mountain range.

Boom! Boom!

As the contingent moved, rumbling sounds immediately echoed through the mountains. Each squad circulated their Genesis Qi, transforming it into sharp, spiral drills, then began to furiously bore into the ground and mountain slopes. Deep pits appeared one after another. In a short while, this mountain forest became riddled with holes. These Sky Sun stage experts were clearly masters of destruction.

Zhou Yuan watched this scene with his arms crossed, then turned to Qin Lian, who was beside him. "Why are you staring at me?"

Qin Lian retorted, "My esteemed Elder Zhou Yuan, I must ask, do you truly believe we'll find anything at this place?" Upon arriving, Qin Lian's heart had sunk considerably. The area was too barren, completely unlike a place rich in Ancestral Qi. Places abundant with Ancestral Qi were known to foster numerous Ancient Beasts, yet they hadn't seen a single Ancient Beast here.

Zhou Yuan chuckled, "Well, we're already here. Let's just look."

Qin Lian sighed. There was nothing else to do now, so she stopped arguing. She soared to a high vantage point, scanning the surroundings and maintaining vigilance.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuan turned his gaze to the barren mountain range. Sacred runes flowed deep within his pupils, but after a thorough scan, he didn't detect any significant fluctuations indicating a large convergence of Ancestral Qi. However, he wasn't surprised. The mountain range was too vast for his Heaven Breaking Sacred Rune to pinpoint it immediately, but he trusted its power. He was certain that an Ancestral Qi branch vein was hidden within this seemingly barren range.

Moreover, when he had previously observed this area through the "White Jade Mirror," he noticed that while the pale yellow aura on the surface was faint, subtle points of light flickered deep within, an anomaly not present elsewhere. This was why he had instructed Qin Lian to choose this location.

"I refuse to believe I can't find you," Zhou Yuan muttered to himself. He then placed one hand behind his back and began walking, each step covering dozens of meters. With every step, he paused for a moment to observe his surroundings. Legend had it that Ancestral Qi branch veins possessed a certain sentience, naturally seeking good fortune and avoiding danger, making them difficult to locate. Thus, Zhou Yuan entered the mountain range step by step, focusing intently on his search.

Meanwhile, the main contingent continued its systematic exploration within the mountain range, their rumbling efforts echoing throughout. Time passed quickly; most of a day had flown by. Qin Lian stood at her high vantage point, her expression grim. After most of a day's exploration, they hadn't detected any Ancestral Qi fluctuations, let alone found any trace of a branch vein. Mu Youlan, Bian Buji, Han Jinhe, and other deputy captains also flew to Qin Lian's side, shaking their heads to indicate no discoveries in their respective areas.

This further vexed Qin Lian. If they returned empty-handed this time, the Myriad Ancestors Domain would surely mock them. More importantly, this first failure would be a significant blow to their contingent's morale.

"Where's Zhou Yuan?" Qin Lian asked.

Mu Youlan pointed toward the depths of the mountain range. "I saw him head deeper in to search alone earlier."

Hearing this, Qin Lian transformed into a streak of light and sped deeper into the range. After searching for a moment, she spotted Zhou Yuan standing on an inconspicuous hill and immediately descended.

"We've searched for most of the day with no success," she said. Qin Lian looked at Zhou Yuan, speaking with a hint of resignation. "It seems we'll likely return empty-handed this time." However, she had no intention of blaming him. Instead, she offered comfort: "This is our first time in the Ancient Origin Heaven; we have no experience. It's not surprising if we've made a mistake. You don't need to be discouraged."

Zhou Yuan smiled. "Don't you think this mountain range is exceptionally barren? And we've searched for half a day without finding any trace of an Ancient Beast."

Qin Lian frowned. "What does that prove?"

Zhou Yuan lightly stomped his foot and raised his hand. Suddenly, hundreds of light projections shot out, transforming into stone pillars that crashed down like nails, scattering across the area.

"Earth-Suppressing Pillars? Zhou Yuan, what are you doing?" Qin Lian was instantly alarmed. These Earth-Suppressing Pillars were only meant to be used after an Ancestral Qi branch vein had been found, serving to stabilize it and prevent it from scattering or escaping. But here, now...

Qin Lian looked around and carefully sensed the surroundings again, still detecting no signs of Ancestral Qi.

"Summon everyone here," Zhou Yuan commanded, offering no further explanation.

Qin Lian was bewildered, but ultimately, she didn't question him further. She simply turned and left. A moment later, countless sounds of rushing air echoed in the distance as the entire Tianyuan Region contingent gathered around the hill where Zhou Yuan stood. However, the various teams that arrived also surveyed the area with puzzled expressions, as they too sensed nothing unusual.

Facing the myriad questioning gazes, Zhou Yuan remained calm. He pointed to the area.

"Start digging. The Ancestral Qi branch vein should be right beneath us."