Chapter 1087: Capturing the Branch

"Dig here?!"

The various teams looked at the unremarkable hill, exchanging glances, with deep surprise evident on each face. They hadn't sensed any unusual fluctuations here; there was no trace of the so-called Ancestral Qi.

Mu Youlan, Bian Buji, Han Jinhe, and the others also hesitated, then turned to Qin Lian, seeking her advice.

"Dig," Qin Lian said after a moment of silence, biting her lip. A look of worry was in her eyes. If Zhou Yuan's actions succeeded, it would establish a strong sense of trust in him among everyone. However, if he failed, it would undoubtedly diminish his prestige. After all, many rogue cultivators were in their team. They weren't there for the glory of the Heaven Abyss Territory but for pure personal gain. If Zhou Yuan repeatedly acted recklessly, driving them to do things that yielded no visible benefits, these mercenary-like cultivators would likely disperse or even defect to other forces. But given Zhou Yuan's persistence, Qin Lian didn't press the matter further. She decided to wait until he hit a wall before having a serious talk with him.

*Boom! Boom!*

With Qin Lian's command, the teams no longer hesitated. Streams of Genesis Qi erupted, transforming into numerous swirling drills that furiously plunged into the ground. The earth vibrated, the ground was torn apart, and the deepening pit continuously expanded.

Moments later, a massive, dark pit appeared before everyone's eyes, but the anticipated Ancestral Qi vein still hadn't emerged. A subtle unrest stirred within the teams. A day of fruitless efforts made some individuals impatient, though they dared not openly defy orders. Still, quiet complaints began to surface.

Seeing this, Qin Lian's eyebrows furrowed, and she was about to scold them. However, Zhou Yuan waved his hand, stopping her. His gaze was fixed on the depths of the enormous pit, and a sacred rune swirled within his pupils.

"How interesting. This vein actually knows how to hide, like a living creature," he chuckled softly. Despite their frantic digging, the Ancestral Qi vein remained unseen. It wasn't that it wasn't there; rather, the vein was constantly evading them. Typically, in such situations, one would have to cast a wide net, forming a general encirclement. While less efficient, finding a single flaw would reveal its presence. Moreover, the vein they encountered seemed to possess a higher degree of sentience.

Zhou Yuan extended his hand, and snow-white hairs surged from his palm like a tide, instantly transforming into a white python-like ribbon of energy. The white python shot downwards, carrying immense power, continuously breaking through thick soil and rock, thrusting furiously deeper into the earth.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The white python-like ribbon created a colossal disturbance, as if it intended to overturn the entire mountain range. The people of Heaven Abyss Territory watched as the depths of the earth were churned upside down. What puzzled them was that they still didn't see the Ancestral Qi vein. This scene made it seem as if Zhou Yuan was chasing an invisible target, which looked somewhat comical. However, Zhou Yuan ignored their bewildered stares, concentrating on manipulating the ribbon of hair as it frantically weaved through the earth's depths. Under the gaze of his Obstruction-Breaking Sacred Rune, the Ancestral Qi vein was continuously evading his pursuit. But this area had already been locked down by his "Earth-Suppressing Pillars," so the Ancestral Qi vein couldn't escape and was confined to an ever-shrinking zone. Its capture was only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, stronger individuals like Qin Lian, or those with significant accomplishments in Soul cultivation, gradually began to sense something as Zhou Yuan continuously closed in on the Ancestral Qi vein. Their eyes widened instantly.

"Got you."

About ten seconds later, Zhou Yuan's lips curled slightly, and he pressed his hands down. The white python-like ribbon crushed the colossal underground rock. At that very moment, an indescribably ancient aura erupted like a volcano, drawing a series of astonished gazes. Deep underground, pale yellow currents of air were seen emanating. These currents appeared ethereal yet subtly formed into long, dragon-like shapes. Though merely currents of air, they exuded an ancient charm and sentience. Moreover, upon seeing the pale yellow currents, everyone present felt their Genesis Qi surge with an extreme yearning and covetousness. Faintly, a roaring sound seemed to emanate from the pale yellow currents.

"It's the Ancestral Qi vein!" someone exclaimed in excitement.

"He really found it?!"

Numerous gazes turned towards Zhou Yuan's slender figure, filled with surprise and then a sense of speechlessness. This outcome was clearly unexpected. Before the Ancestral Qi vein appeared, they couldn't have imagined that such a desolate place would harbor one.

Qin Lian, Mu Youlan, and the others also stared at Zhou Yuan in astonishment. "You... you can sense the Ancestral Qi vein so clearly?" Qin Lian couldn't help but ask, her heart filled with shock. Ancestral Qi veins were notoriously difficult to detect. Even they relied on "Qi Observation Platforms" to determine general directions before gradually searching. Yet, as Zhou Yuan had proceeded, the Ancestral Qi vein had hidden itself completely. Despite their best efforts, they hadn't found a single trace, but Zhou Yuan had been tracking it with incredible precision. They hadn't been able to see the pursuit underground earlier, but it was clear Zhou Yuan had been actively hunting the Ancestral Qi vein. What level of perception was required for this?!

Zhou Yuan smiled. He naturally wouldn't reveal the matter of his Obstruction-Breaking Sacred Rune; he'd let others assume his Soul perception was exceptionally strong. "Prepare the altar, connect it to the Hunyuan Heaven, and guide this Ancestral Qi vein in," Zhou Yuan instructed.

However, just as he finished speaking, the ground around them seemed to subtly begin to tremble. "What's happening?" Qin Lian immediately became alert. Zhou Yuan's brows also furrowed slightly. His gaze then shifted to the depths of the enormous pit where the Ancestral Qi vein lay. Under the observation of his Obstruction-Breaking Sacred Rune, he saw countless strange auras surging forth from the earth's depths like a tide. "Are these ancient beasts born from this Ancestral Qi vein?" Zhou Yuan scanned the desolate mountain range, lost in thought. There wasn't a single ancient beast visible here, which probably meant they weren't absent, but rather that all of them had been devoured by these unknown underground ancient beasts. "All teams, be on alert! Prepare for battle!" Zhou Yuan commanded. The torrent-like auras from underground exuded a dangerous presence that clearly couldn't be underestimated. What also made Zhou Yuan slightly curious was that earlier, on the Qi Observation Platform, he had used his Obstruction-Breaking Sacred Rune to observe a slight anomaly in the vein at this location, which was why he had chosen this spot. Perhaps these underground ancient beasts would provide some answers to those anomalies.

Upon hearing Zhou Yuan's command, all teams became vigilant. Powerful streams of Genesis Qi rose, and numerous Genesis Weapons appeared in their hands, radiating an icy aura. With the Ancestral Qi vein now in sight, they knew that once these final obstacles were cleared, they would be able to immerse themselves in the Ancestral Qi, an opportunity not to be missed. Thus, their fighting spirit was exceptionally high. Gazing with fervent battle intent, their eyes were fixed on the depths of the pit.

The ground trembled with increasing intensity. At one point, the depths of the enormous pit suddenly ripped open, and a black torrent, accompanied by ear-piercing shrieks and surging malevolent aura, swept forth.