Chapter 104: Mystery

Wang Changsheng changed his spell, causing the red python to release its grip and spew a stream of crimson flames that enveloped most of the fire ape's body. The black giant bear, wielding a spiked club, suddenly swung it towards the burning fire ape. Simultaneously, the azure giant eagle opened its mouth, releasing dozens of foot-long azure flying swords that struck the flaming creature.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that the azure flying swords spewed by the azure giant eagle were not solid but ethereal, a manifestation of the intermediate-level spell, Wind Spirit Sword. Wang Yaozong quickly cast a spell, causing two azure flying swords to glow brighter. A layer of azure flame appeared on their blades as they struck the burning fire ape, one in front and one behind.

A shrill scream rang out as the fire ape's head was severed, bleeding profusely before it collapsed. Witnessing its companion's horrific death, the other fire ape was enraged. It opened its mouth and emitted a deafening shriek, sending a red sound wave sweeping directly towards Wang Yaozong. Hearing this sound, Wang Yaozong and the others felt as if their eardrums had been sharply pierced, causing their movements to falter.

The red sound wave flashed and instantly arrived in front of Wang Yaozong. With his combat experience, Wang Yaozong remained calm. He conjured a palm-sized azure shield that grew with the wind, blocking directly in front of him. The red sound wave struck the azure shield, causing its surface to flicker with spiritual light before it was sent flying backward. It collided with Wang Yaozong, who felt a tremendous force, sending his body involuntarily flying backward.

Seizing this opportunity, the fire ape opened its mouth and spewed crimson flames, melting the ice layer beneath its feet into a puddle of water. It then strode quickly towards the valley exit. It was not foolish; if it stayed any longer, it would surely die. Wang Changsheng was positioned near the valley exit, so the fire ape would certainly have to pass him to escape.

Wang Changsheng saw the fire ape charging towards his position, but his expression remained unchanged. He patted his storage bag, and a blue light flew out, revealing a blue iron staff about two *zhang* long, adorned with several blue cloud patterns. This was the Azure Cloud Staff, a low-grade magic tool that Wang Changsheng had purchased for 560 spirit stones in Immortal Fate City on his way back from Medicine King Valley to Green Lotus Mountain. Refined from Azure Cloud Sand, this staff weighed three hundred *jin*, making it a heavy-type magic tool.

Wang Changsheng quickly cast a spell, and a series of "crackling" sounds emanated from within his body as he grew significantly taller. He gripped the Azure Cloud Staff tightly with both hands and swung it towards the fire ape. Disdain flashed in the fire ape's eyes as it opened its mouth and spewed a thick pillar of crimson flame towards Wang Changsheng.

A hint of mockery appeared at the corner of Wang Changsheng's mouth as his figure blurred, and three additional Wang Changshengs suddenly appeared. All four Wang Changshengs, each holding a blue long staff, surrounded the fire ape. The aura and facial features of each clone were identical to the original. The crimson fire pillar struck one of the Wang Changshengs, who immediately disintegrated into ash.

With a dull thud, a blue long staff struck the fire ape's head, its most vulnerable spot. It couldn't help but let out a miserable scream, clutching its head with both hands, its gaze at Wang Changsheng filled with malevolence. Wang Changsheng had no intention of engaging in close combat with the fire ape. Instead, he manipulated three second-order puppet beasts to pounce on the fire ape, while he stood by, looking for its weak points. At this moment, Wang Yaozong also controlled two azure short swords, sending them to strike the fire ape.

The red giant python opened its gaping maw and bit the fire ape's thigh. The black bear puppet, wielding a spiked club, struck the fire ape. The azure eagle puppet swooped down from high altitude, its giant claws aiming for the fire ape's crown. Outnumbered, the fire ape was soon covered in wounds, bleeding profusely. Wang Changsheng seized an opportunity and, from behind, smashed its head with a staff.

In the distance, Wang Changming and Wang Changhao, who had witnessed the entire combat process, looked at Wang Changsheng with admiration. Their ability to kill two second-order fire apes this time was entirely due to Wang Changsheng, who controlled the three second-order puppet beasts to entangle both creatures. The others merely provided assistance.

Wang Changsheng put away his magic tool, looked at Wang Yaozong, and asked with concern, "Second Uncle-Grandpa, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Changsheng," Wang Yaozong replied. "You and Mingsen, quickly pick the spirit fruits and then carefully dig up the spirit fruit tree. Be sure not to break the roots. If the transplant is successful, we'll have an extra source of income in the future. Changming, Changhao, go help them."

Wang Changsheng put away his puppet beasts and walked into the cave with Wang Mingsen, with Wang Changming and Wang Changhao following closely behind. Soon, they stood before the mango tree. Wang Changming and Wang Changhao stared intently at the three Yellow Moon Mangoes on the tree, their eyes gleaming with eagerness.

"Uncle Twenty-two, what do you think of the growth of this Yellow Moon Mango tree?" Wang Changsheng asked Wang Mingsen. Wang Mingsen examined the mango tree from top to bottom and praised it, "It's lush with thick branches and full fruits. If we can successfully transplant it back to Green Lotus Mountain, that would be excellent."

"Uncle Twenty-two, would a Yellow Moon Mango tree grow so well in a place with sparse spiritual energy?"

Wang Mingsen was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, saying, "Changsheng, are you suggesting there's a second-order spirit vein here? But the spiritual energy in the cave is so faint; it doesn't seem like it. However, if there's a spiritual spring or spiritual river underground, the Yellow Moon Mango tree could indeed grow this well." As he spoke, he couldn't help but look towards the ground.

"I thought so too. Our family only has two second-order spirit fruit trees, precisely because we don't have enough second-order spiritual springs to cultivate them! Sixteenth Brother, go out and report to Second Uncle-Grandpa. I'll use earth evasion to go down and take a look."

Wang Changsheng began to chant, and after a moment, a faint yellow light appeared on his body before he vanished into the ground. Wrapped in the yellow light, he slowly moved underground. After descending more than ten *zhang*, Wang Changsheng detected faint spiritual energy in the soil. At twenty *zhang* deep, he sensed a weak water spiritual energy, and at thirty *zhang* deep, he could hear the sound of flowing water.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Changsheng felt his feet lose ground and suddenly dropped into an open space. He quickly cast a protective shield on himself and released his divine sense. He then took out a moonstone the size of a watermelon, whose soft light illuminated the surroundings.

He now found himself in a natural grotto about one hundred *zhang* in size. Beneath his feet was hard soil, and in the corner to his left, more than ten foot-tall black flowers grew. Several *zhang* ahead, a rushing river flowed. As Wang Changsheng cultivated water-attribute techniques, he was highly sensitive to water spiritual energy. The water spiritual energy here was extremely abundant, even more so than at his residence on Green Lotus Mountain.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Wang Changsheng swallowed, looking at the rushing river not far away. "Could this be a spiritual river?" he wondered. Spiritual rivers, spiritual springs, and spiritual wells were all rare spiritual resources in the cultivation world. Spiritual wells were the most common, spiritual springs less so, and spiritual rivers were exceedingly rare. If this river truly was a spiritual river, the Wang family would be wealthy beyond measure.