Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Was It You Who Attracted the Demon Beast?
Under the night sky, four Dharma Ships sliced through the tranquil Clear Wave Pool.
Coincidentally, Liu Da and Liu Er positioned Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai in the middle.
"How much farther?"
They hadn’t been out for the duration of two incense sticks yet, and Liu Er was already impatiently asking, worried that Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai were up to some trick.
"Almost there, almost there, just past this stone island," Qiu Qianhai replied.
Liu Da and Liu Er exchanged a glance and nodded at each other.
Having lived around Clear Wave Pool for decades, they were naturally familiar with the area, knowing exactly where Death Caves or Cold Caves had appeared.
This nearby place rarely saw the emergence of Death Caves.
So, it’s only logical to find one now and then.
"Here we are."
Ji Yuan maneuvered around the island, confirmed the Death Cave was nearby, then pressed down on the bow of the boat, slapped a Water-Resistant Talisman on himself, and returned to the water.
As soon as he entered the water, he looked straight towards the bottom.
Although most of the mud had settled, the waters still appeared somewhat murky.
Silently, he stuck a Night Vision Talisman on himself and looked again towards the entrance of the Death Cave. Instantly, his vision cleared up.
The cave entrance remained, but the Stone Armor Crab was nowhere in sight.
Presumably, it had retreated back into the Death Cave.
Qiu Qianhai beside him also discreetly sighed in relief.
Though they hadn’t discussed it, their thoughts aligned... Weren’t the Liu Brothers looking for a Death Cave?
Then let’s present them with this Death Cave.
As for the Stone Armor Crab inside... what Stone Armor Crab? How would I know?
Liu Da casually released a Jade Pearl, channeling Spiritual Qi into it, illuminating the surroundings, exposing the cave entrance to everyone.
"Seriously, you two didn’t even bother covering this Death Cave? Afraid people won’t see it?"
Liu Da’s voice rang out underwater.
Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai exchanged a few awkward glances but couldn’t utter a coherent word.
Impatiently, Liu Da tossed a Talisman to Ji Yuan.
"Next time, don’t use that garbage Water-Resistant Talisman. You’re at Qi Cultivation level six, at least use a Middle Grade Water-Resistant Talisman."
Ji Yuan took it and stuck it onto himself, the surrounding waters noticeably easing up, allowing him to speak, "It’s just that this little brother is poor and really can’t afford a Middle Grade Water-Resistant Talisman. How about you give me a few?"
The Middle Grade Water-Resistant Talisman and the Low Grade Water-Resistant Talisman both repel water; the only difference is that the Middle Grade one allows you to talk freely in the water.
But the price is nearly double.
Being frugal, Ji Yuan naturally chose the Low Grade Water-Resistant Talisman.
"Heh, after we finish digging up this Death Cave, I’ll give you a few."
The Death Cave right in front of them made Liu Da change his tone and attitude a bit.
Ji Yuan didn’t care, "For the past few days, we always filled the Death Cave after digging, but eventually realized no one comes around here and we’re early risers, so we got lazy."
"Heh, nobody found it all this time. Must be some good luck to find this Death Cave."
Liu Er chimed in.
The four of them positioned themselves around the cave entrance.
Being so close, Ji Yuan was worried the Stone Armor Crab might suddenly spring out, so he clutched a Golden Armor Talisman in each hand inside his sleeves.
Liu Da summoned the Jade Pearl, throwing it into the Death Cave, where a faint Cold Iron Sand glow shone through.
His breathing quickened slightly as he turned to ask, "One of you, come with us into the cave."
"I’ll go."
Qiu Qianhai mumbled, stepping forward immediately.
In his mind, though Ji Yuan’s Qi Cultivation and strength were higher, it was Qiu’s actions that initiated today’s events.
Considering the extremely dangerous Stone Armor Crab inside the Death Cave, it was only fitting for him to go.
Liu Da glanced at him then turned to Ji Yuan.
"Brother Changsheng, if you don’t mind, come along with us."
One at level five, one at level six; naturally, the one at level six should be with him.
Otherwise, leaving a level six at the cave entrance would make Liu Da uneasy.
"Alright."
Ji Yuan didn’t hesitate.
If one had to go down, it’d be more suitable for him; with an Array in hand, whether to fight or flee was his choice.
"I’ll go first; follow me, and Liu Er, you cover the rear."
With that, Liu Da leapt into the Death Cave, Ji Yuan right behind, and finally came Liu Er.
Inside the Death Cave, Ji Yuan was even more vigilant, clutching a Golden Armor Talisman in each hand while guiding the Dragon Armor Shield from his Storage Bag.
He watched the cave interior warily.
Illuminated by Liu Da’s Treasure Pearl, Ji Yuan clearly saw his surroundings.
The narrow, cramped cave, its walls built from pitch-black fragmented stones, some having faint blue specks.
Perhaps in a few centuries, they’d turn into Cold Iron Sand.
No sign of the Stone Armor Crab was ahead.
Moving cautiously, Liu Da kept inspecting the ground.
Occasionally, he’d make a remark.
"You guys’ work is cleaner than a dog’s tongue."
"Big brother, up ahead!"
Liu Er suddenly spoke from behind.
Ji Yuan instinctively thought they had spotted the Stone Armor Crab, readying himself to strike, but when he looked up, he saw a blue layer of mud on the ground ahead.
Qiu Qianhai mentioned he only dug a yard deep... so it wasn’t surprising to encounter batches of Cold Iron Sand soon after entering the cave.
"Damn, so much!"
Liu Da exclaimed, genuinely shocked at the sight of Cold Iron Sand.
Without hesitation, he hastened forward, even Liu Er behind Ji Yuan doing the same.
The brothers crouched down near it, exclaiming with amazement while grabbing a handful.
"The yield from this Death Cave is surely not low. If we dig it all, it might come to dozens of pounds. Big brother, we’re gonna get rich!"
Liu Da responded excitedly.
"Yeah, enough talk, let’s start digging."
Clearly, Liu Da was handling it with more composure.
Even while mining, both Liu Da and Liu Er summoned their Protective Magical Artifacts to orbit around them.
Damn, no wonder they survived the Clear Wave Pool; they were this cautious... Ji Yuan cursed inside while following their lead.
But before he could squat down, Liu Da and Liu Er both turned to him with guarded expressions, asking, "What are you trying to do?"
"Mining, isn’t this the Death Cave we found?"
Ji Yuan responded matter-of-factly.
"Heh, wait, we’ll share with you after we’re done digging."
Liu Da added, "Stay back."
Seemingly angered, Ji Yuan’s face turned a shade of red, yet as the Liu Brothers slowly stood up, he "reluctantly" retreated a few paces.
He glanced deeper into the cave, hearing no disturbances.
Waiting there, he watched the Liu Brothers dig over two yards forward, nearly drunk on Cold Iron Sand, and finally spoke up:
"You’re being too much!"
"You didn’t say that earlier outside!"
"Nag, nag, nag, afraid of being overheard?" Liu Da barked back.
Ji Yuan wanted to say more, but he vaguely heard the sound of stones colliding, so he stopped.
Liu Da turned back and continued mining.
Ji Yuan’s attention was drawn to the Treasure Pearl, discreetly flicking a thread-thin Spiritual Light at it.
"Snap—"
The once bright cave was suddenly plunged into darkness.
Ji Yuan summoned the Yin Ghost Banner, plunging it into the ground. A surge of black mist engulfed the Qingbo Heroes and the Stone Armor Crab that had just emerged.