Chapter 3394: Eight-Rank Demon Beast

The Wang family’s treasury held many top-grade Spirit Treasures, though most were confiscated items. Only the Boundary-Breaking Disk had been personally forged by Wang Changsheng.

"Ice Soul Divine Crystals! It's rare to find this kind of refining material here," Wang Zongque exclaimed. "Wang Hui, how long do you estimate it will take to mine all of them?"

Wang Hui pondered for a moment before replying, "At least a month. However, if you assist us, we could significantly reduce that time."

Mining Seventh-tier ore was not an easy task, which was why Wang Hui's true form as a Nine-Colored Worm was crucial; otherwise, it would have taken much longer.

"If we deploy formations, we can shorten the time even further," Wang Yongan suggested. "However, the raw ore will still need to be refined before it can be used for artifact crafting."

"Formations can help with mining?" Wang Qingfeng asked, puzzled.

"Yes," Wang Yongan affirmed, nodding. "Before Ancestor Yuqi disappeared, he left a set of Seventh-tier formations specifically for mining. I brought them along." He then took out the formation flags and disk, beginning to set them up with Wang Shenfeng.

Once the formation was prepared, Wang Yongan retrieved a shimmering golden formation disk. He cast a spell, and the ground subtly vibrated as a cloud of golden mist emerged. Tens of thousands of Vajra Worms and Silver-Sheathed Worms flew out from it, swarming towards the stone wall. These worms were transmuted from spirits; it was common practice to incorporate monster spirits into formations, primarily for combat. Bai Yuqi and a Seventh-tier artifact refiner had jointly refined the spirits of these Vajra Worms and Silver-Sheathed Worms into this particular formation. While its offensive capabilities were not exceptional, it proved remarkably effective for mining metal ores.

The Vajra Worms and Silver-Sheathed Worms latched onto the stone wall, immediately beginning to gnaw and burrow into it. Wang Qingfeng and the others, either by deploying treasures or conjuring avatars, also attacked the wall, actively mining the raw Ice Soul Divine Crystals. A series of thunderous explosions echoed, shaking the immense white peak violently. Wang Yi'er and his companions, having finished processing the Ice Dragon's corpse, quickly joined the mining team. For everyone present, extracting the Ice Soul Divine Crystals was the absolute top priority.

In a vast, dense black forest, seven Witch cultivators, including Wu Xue and Cui Yao, swiftly soared through the sky, their expressions filled with panic. A piercing roar suddenly echoed, forcing them to halt, their faces contorted in pain. A colossal wave of crimson flames then swept over them, engulfing their forms. Seven streaks of light emerged from the inferno, their protective spiritual aura flickering faintly around their bodies.

"Split up and retreat! Regroup at Mount Yulan," Wu Xue commanded. With a flick of her right hand, a small, white-glowing bell shot into the sky. Below them, a colossal red python, covered in countless crimson scales with golden eyes, emerged from the dense forest, its tongue flicking intermittently, its body adorned with faint golden patterns. Its emergence snapped countless trees at their bases. It was an Eighth-tier monster beast—a Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python!

The Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python appeared gravely weakened, with many scales missing from its body. Having only recently advanced to the Eighth-tier, it was actively seeking nourishment. Wu Xue had initially believed a precious treasure had appeared and went to investigate, only to discover it was an Eighth-tier monster beast foraging. They had inadvertently stumbled into its path.

With a flash of white light, a large white bell materialized directly above the Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python's head. A dull clang resonated as the white bell unleashed a wave of white sonic energy, hurtling towards the python. The Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python's eyes each shot forth a golden beam, effortlessly shattering the sonic wave. The colossal white bell then descended, aiming to trap it.

The Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python opened its enormous maw and blasted forth a torrent of incredibly thick golden flames. These flames struck the large white bell, sending it reeling and tumbling backward to crash heavily onto the ground. Clearly visible on its surface were several fine cracks.

The seven Witch cultivators, including Wu Xue, divided into two groups, scattering in different directions. Cui Yao and a short, stout elder in yellow robes followed Wu Xue, while the remaining four fled in the opposite direction. The Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python, however, focused its pursuit on Wu Xue, as a cultivator in the late Integration stage would serve as a powerful restorative for it.

Countless crimson fireballs manifested in the void, plummeting from the sky and crashing down upon Wu Xue and her companions. With deafening roars, surging flames engulfed the three, causing the very earth to tremble. The Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python's tail suddenly swept into the inferno. A pained male shriek echoed, and the short, stout elder in yellow robes was flung from the flames, crashing heavily onto a towering peak. Before he could even rise, a crimson aura descended from the sky, engulfing him. His body rapidly shrank, and he was drawn into the Golden Flame Sky-Swallowing Python's mouth by the crimson light, vanishing instantly.

As the flames dissipated, Wu Xue and the other individual were nowhere to be seen. Deep underground, Cui Yao and Wu Xue, encased within a yellow light barrier, were rapidly moving.

"To have encountered an Eighth-tier monster beast... what dreadful luck," Wu Xue remarked, frowning.

"It shouldn't have been long since it advanced to the Eighth-tier; it hasn't fully recovered yet. We still have a chance to escape," Cui Yao stated, her expression serious. She cast a spell, and the yellow light barrier intensified, causing them to accelerate their subterranean movement.

With deafening roars, numerous crimson fireballs pounded the ground, causing it to crack and sending dust and flames everywhere. From a hidden cave nearby, a loud bang was heard, and the ground subtly trembled, as if a battle was raging within. A short while later, the sounds subsided, suggesting the conflict had ended.

Inside the cave, a portly elder in red robes and a graceful young woman in a green skirt stood together, their brows furrowed and faces etched with murderous intent. The ground was heavily scarred and pitted, bearing clear marks of a fierce battle. Opposite them stood a lean young man in a golden robe, his eyes constantly darting about.

"Body snatching! Do you truly believe we wouldn't dare kill you just because you've taken over Fellow Daoist Sun's body?" the red-robed elder spat coldly. They had painstakingly located True Monarch Jinhong's meditation cave. After finally breaking through its defenses, they discovered the treasures he had left behind. However, just as they were dividing the spoils, True Monarch Jinhong's remnant soul appeared and possessed one of their fellow Integration stage cultivators.

"What benefit would you gain by killing me? Don't you wish to advance to the Mahayana stage?" the young man in the golden robe asked meaningfully. The last time the Myriad Spirit Ruins opened, True Monarch Jinhong had entered to seek treasures, but his physical body was severely damaged. Unable to find a suitable host for possession, he could only set up a trap to lure other cultivators, a plan that had now evidently succeeded.

"The Mahayana stage? What exactly do you mean by that? Explain yourself!" the red-robed elder demanded.

"I know of a place that contains spiritual artifacts capable of aiding in the breakthrough to the Mahayana stage," True Monarch Jinhong said, his tone sincere. "However, the restrictions guarding it are extremely powerful; I cannot overcome them alone. If you join forces with me, we would have a reasonable chance."

"Spiritual artifacts for breaking through to the Mahayana stage? You're not trying to trick us, are you?" the young woman in the green skirt asked, her face etched with suspicion.

"I have no need to deceive you," True Monarch Jinhong stated gravely. "In my current state, I am no match for any of you. If you don't believe me, you can kill me; just be prepared for the consequences. If you attempt to soul-search me, I will self-destruct immediately. It's either we cooperate, or you kill me."