315 - Elasia Saga

When they had just used the mystical bow and crossbow to kill the Grayrock Snake, Fu Yan's entire focus was on the beast egg inside the small cave, so she hadn't noticed anything peculiar. However, Bai Yue Li, who was beneath the rock wall, had no intention of going up. She originally planned to wait for Fu Yan to come down so they could leave together. But as she idly glanced around, she caught sight of the two beast corpses that had fallen from above. By that time, the rocks below were already stained red with blood, making Bai Yue Li frown slightly. She was about to look away when something odd about the slightly bulging abdomen of the Grayrock Snake caught her attention. For a moment, Bai Yue Li paused, casting a glance upward at Fu Yan, who hadn't come down yet. After a moment's thought, she started walking towards the corpse of the Grayrock Snake. As she got closer, Bai Yue Li realized she wasn't seeing things. There really seemed to be something inside the snake's belly. Normally, any ordinary food ingested by a Grayrock Snake would quickly be digested and dissolved. However, this object didn't seem to be something it had just eaten. If the snake had been full, it wouldn't have gone out of its way to attack the majestic demon leopard above. With this realization, Bai Yue Li quickly suspected it wasn't so simple. While she was thinking, Fu Yan had descended from above. Without much hesitation, she walked over to Bai Yue Li's side, both of them now gazing curiously at the snake's abdomen. Without much delay, Bai Yue Li drew a thin line across the Grayrock Snake's belly with a gentle movement of her hand. With a soft thud, something about the size of half a fist rolled out from inside. They both paused, staring intently at the object that had fallen onto the rocks. It looked like an unusually small stone with a silvery sheen, reminiscent of a rare gem, particularly beautiful. However, upon sensing the power emanating from the small stone, Fu Yan's eyes widened in surprise. She spoke instinctively, "This is…” "Soul stone!" Bai Yue Li exclaimed, somewhat incredulously, as she closely examined the silver-hued stone that had emerged. Fu Yan quickly nodded, explaining, "When I used my mental energy to probe it, I experienced a simple resonance, and my mental energy was immediately reflected back." This soul stone was not particularly large, and perhaps it had expended a lot of force inside the snake. The soul power it emitted was faint and subtle. If Fu Yan hadn't cultivated strong mental energy, it might have been challenging to identify it. While talking, Bai Yue Li activated a Purification spell, enveloping the soul stone entirely, to cleanse it, given where it had been found. Once the light from the Purification spell faded, Bai Yue Li reached out, and the soul stone flew straight into her hand as if it was being summoned. Held in her palm, Bai Yue Li could distinctly feel a gentle wave of soul power spreading out from the stone. "Indeed, a soul stone," she remarked with a hint of delight, looking up quickly at Fu Yan. Soul stones, like spirit stones, are naturally formed earth treasures. What's different is that spirit stones contain pure spiritual energy, while soul stones harbor soul power, making them the best aids for cultivating mental energy. Moreover, soul stones serve as the foundation for large arrays. No large formation is complete without them. They also block mental probes. If an otherworldly cultivator carried a dense soul stone, Fu Yan’s mental energy would feel as if it were in a dark void, unable to clearly examine the other party. However, very few cultivators on the continent choose to refine their mental energy due to the scarcity of soul stones. As a result, soul stones are extremely valuable. This small, half-fist-sized soul stone could fetch around ten thousand high-grade spirit stones at auction. A full fist-sized soul stone would see its value increase two or three times over. Nonetheless, even with their high price, soul stones are rare on the market. When Fu Yan was cultivating her mental energy before, she had to rely on mental herbs due to the lack of soul stones. The effects were different; otherwise, despite her ascension, her mental energy would have already broken through to the next level. That was why Fu Yan was so surprised upon identifying the soul stone. After regaining her composure, Fu Yan glanced at the dead Grayrock Snake before remarking, "Since the Grayrock Snake swallowed a soul stone, there may be more in the vicinity." Perhaps a soul stone mine existed nearby, though it was unlikely. Finding even a small collection of soul stones nearby would be extremely rewarding. Bai Yue Li nodded, acknowledging the possibility of more soul stones nearby. "We should search more thoroughly," she suggested, handing the soul stone to Fu Yan. Since their primary task in the forest was to find the Tree of Life, exploring wouldn't be a waste of time even if they didn't discover more soul stones. With this in mind, Fu Yan pocketed the soul stone and began searching the mountain’s surroundings with Bai Yue Li. The mountain itself wasn’t large, and by midday, they had combed through it entirely. Unfortunately, they found nothing. Logically, with Fu Yan’s powerful mental energy, locating more soul stones should have been straightforward, but the mountain's stone walls showed no reaction to her searches. "It looks like the Grayrock Snake swallowing a soul stone was just a coincidence," Fu Yan remarked, a bit frustrated, as she rejoined Bai Yue Li. Bai Yue Li also seemed resigned to the possibility of it being all a coincidence. But then Fu Yan suddenly thought of something. "Right, if the Grayrock Snake appeared above, hungry for the demon leopard's egg, it might have come from somewhere else." Initially, they both assumed the Grayrock Snake had eaten the soul stone there, but perhaps it had ended up there incidentally. The realization gave them a renewed sense of determination. By evening, they came upon a rocky gorge not far from where they spent the day. It was situated behind the original mountain, about ten miles away. Even before they entered, they noticed another Grayrock Snake hanging from a slanted branch high above, its tongue flicking as if tasting the air. Grayrock Snakes favor rocky environments because their skin blends with the rocks, making it hard for other beasts to notice them unless they moved. The enormous rocky gorge was an ideal setting for them. Therefore, when Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li spotted the snake, they weren't overly surprised. Instead, their eyes lit up with realization. "Sister, it seems we weren't wrong after all," Fu Yan said calmly. It was likely that the Grayrock Snake encountered the demon leopard there originated from the gorge. Bai Yue Li nodded her agreement, adding, “Be careful, the number of Grayrock Snakes here is likely to exceed our expectations.” Fu Yan had already anticipated this. Soon after, another coiled Grayrock Snake appeared before them. Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li held their breath and cloaked their presence, preventing the creature from sensing them. Without having located more soul stones, Fu Yan didn't want to alert any Grayrock Snakes in the area. With swift, silent movements, the two of them deftly entered the rocky gorge. Along the way, they encountered numerous Grayrock Snakes; with every few steps, they could spot another coiled figure in the crevices. All the while, Fu Yan's mental energy carefully scoured the area, intent on noticing any anomaly. Finally, providence smiled upon the diligent. Before an hour had passed within the gorge, Fu Yan abruptly halted. In that moment, she sensed her mental energy sink as if into a void, only to gradually reflect back to her. The aura was unmistakably that of a soul stone. Upon realizing what lay ahead, Fu Yan's eyes brightened suddenly. With hardly a moment's hesitation, she locked eyes with Bai Yue Li and exclaimed, "I can feel it, sister, it's over this way!" Without waiting for Bai Yue Li’s response, Fu Yan took her hand and swiftly led them in the direction of the presence she sensed. Bai Yue Li offered no objections and allowed herself to be pulled along. After half an hour, they arrived at the base of a steep rocky cliff, where a large, crooked tree grew from the mountainside. Fu Yan redirected her gaze upwards to the trunk but hadn’t had time to say anything when Bai Yue Li swiftly picked up a small pebble from the ground. This pebble, identical to the previous soul stone, shimmered with a silvery hue and was indeed another soul stone. Though small, likely a leftover fragment of a larger stone, it barely carried any soul energy. Yet Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li chuckled softly, with Fu Yan remarking, "It appears this is the right spot. Who knows how many soul stones are here." "Let's go," Fu Yan suggested, recovering from her previous thoughts. Without delay, she and Bai Yue Li leaped effortlessly to the base of the tilted tree. Once settled, Fu Yan peered downward, spotting a vast crevice in the rocks—a two-to-three meter wide entrance to a dark, silent chasm. Releasing her mental energy again, Fu Yan didn't hesitate as she sent her considerable psychic force down the passageway. Try as she might, she couldn't find the bottom, as if her energy were swallowed by the void. However, she did detect a reflective resonance—soul stones were definitely within. Yet, the true extent remained a mystery; they would have to explore it personally. Retracting her mental powers, Fu Yan turned to Bai Yue Li. "Sister, the soul stones are inside the cave." Bai Yue Li nodded, already understanding from Fu Yan's expression. Despite the potential danger, having come this far, neither considered turning back. In the next moment, a protective aura of true essence shimmered around both of them. Once prepared, standing beside the crooked tree, Fu Yan gently wrapped her arm around Bai Yue Li's waist, and together they leaped into the pitch-black entrance below. "Whoosh—" Clutched together, they fell rapidly. How long this descent lasted was unclear until finally, Fu Yan twisted midair, ensuring they landed securely. Dust and stones cascaded down around them. After a brief cough and a wave to clear the dust, Fu Yan looked down at Bai Yue Li, "Are you alright, sister?" Bai Yue Li lifted her head from Fu Yan's hold, quickly checking both of them for injuries. Both had landed unharmed. They stood once more, Fu Yan releasing Bai Yue Li and smoothing her disheveled hair until she resumed her usual appearance. Only then did Fu Yan reluctantly let go of her. However, Bai Yue Li paid little mind to Fu Yan’s touch, her attention captivated by a vast, humanoid-sized soul stone in the cavern before them. Noticing Bai Yue Li's expression, Fu Yan surveyed the surroundings. Unlike the constricted exterior, the cave was vast and open. Silver light illuminated the chamber entirely, and upon taking it all in, Fu Yan was momentarily stunned. A small soul stone mine indeed lay before them. The walls were dotted with small soul stones, and in the center stood multiple human-sized stones, three or four in total. Even the usually composed Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li couldn't help but gasp at the sight before them. After a moment of disbelief, Fu Yan smiled at Bai Yue Li, "With so many soul stones, I believe my mental energy can finally break through to the next level." Bai Yue Li nodded with a light smile. While they began considering how to gather the soul stones, Fu Yan took a slight step forward, only to be overtaken by an icy chill creeping up her spine. She realized something was amiss, her eyes widening instantaneously. Without delay, she released a protective barrier of psychic energy, which enveloped both herself and Bai Yue Li. "Roar! Boom!" The screeching sounds echoed from behind, causing Fu Yan’s psychic force to shudder, as though something massive had collided with it. Luckily, Fu Yan’s robust mental energy held firm, allowing the pair to quickly evade and leap to the furthest wall of the cave. Raising their eyes, a gigantic serpent head loomed into view, mouth agape, revealing itself as a Grayrock Snake. This snake, though, dwarfed the others they had encountered, its size three to four times larger, with eyes glowing ominously red like lanterns hanging on a gate. Capable of easily tearing them apart with a single bite. With the mental barrier gone, the massive Grayrock Snake lunged again, but Bai Yue Li, standing aside, prepared her formidable magic in response. However, Fu Yan stopped her with a raised hand. Bai Yue Li paused, trusting Fu Yan implicitly, and withdrew her counterattack. In the same breath, a golden light flared from Fu Yan's palm. In less than a heartbeat, she wielded the power of laws, crafting it into a long, binding rope that lashed toward the oncoming Grayrock Snake. Instantly, the snake's immense body was ensnared by the power of laws. It struggled futilely, hardly able to move an inch. Utilizing the power of laws on a non-immortal Grayrock Snake was overkill, but within this soul stone mine, restraint was necessary to preserve the surrounding stones. Bai Yue Li seemed to understand Fu Yan's thoughts and chuckled softly. With the Grayrock Snake restrained, Fu Yan inspected the cave to ensure no others lurked within, her powerful mental energy ineffective in the space, and only then did she relax. "How do we collect these soul stones?" Bai Yue Li pondered aloud, eyeing the human-sized stones. Soul stones shouldn't be mixed with spirit stones to prevent power interference, and the storage rings seemed inappropriate for so many. Fu Yan stepped forward, "No worries, we can store them all in the Xuyu Jade Seal's cultivation trunk." That would certainly be more convenient. Resolved, they wasted no time, swiftly transferring all the soul stones into the Xuyu Jade Seal. Though it seemed like a lot, it took less than an hour to clear the cave of soul stones. Remembering the trapped Grayrock Snake, Fu Yan reached for her spirit sword. “Hiss… grumble…” The Grayrock Snake sensed this, emitting a peculiar sound, its eye glimmering with a pleading look. Surprised, Fu Yan paused. She hadn't expected the Grayrock Snake to possess even a rudimentary intelligence, explaining its extraordinary size. It must have survived for quite some time. Seeing its supplicating demeanor, Fu Yan thoughtfully sheathed her sword, gazing at the massive serpent before her. "Since you have developed even a rudimentary intelligence, I won't kill you today." Developing intelligence is a rare feat for beasts. Having spoken, she waved her hand, retracting the pillars of golden law back into her palm. Of course, Fu Yan remained wary. Should the snake harbor ill intent, it would face certain death—a realization not lost on the creature. Freed, the Grayrock Snake retreated to its prior resting place. Additionally, it used its tail to dislodge rocks, revealing a hidden passageway that appeared to be an exit. With the path clear, Fu Yan turned to Bai Yue Li. “Let’s leave, sister.” Bai Yue Li nodded in agreement, not having any additional thoughts regarding Fu Yan's decision to spare the Grayrock Snake. Soon, having swept the cave clean of soul stones, the two of them followed the passage indicated by the snake and smoothly exited the cave. The exit led out to the rear of the rocky gorge. By the time they emerged, the sun had long set, and the night enveloped the primal forest in an eerie silence. However, nighttime was also when danger was most prevalent. Fu Yan cast a quick glance at the dense forest ahead before taking Bai Yue Li's hand, and together they vanished from the spot. In a short time, they found themselves back within the Xuyu Jade Seal. "Sister, I want to take advantage of all these soul stones to meditate in seclusion and break through to the next level of mental energy," Fu Yan said, turning to Bai Yue Li. "Even though you haven't cultivated mental energy, the power of the soul stones can help strengthen your consciousness." "Alright," Bai Yue Li replied affirmatively. The purpose of their journey was to enhance their skills, and this was an opportune moment. Moreover, time moved differently within the Xuyu Jade Seal than it did outside. With their minds made up, Fu Yan led Bai Yue Li to the spirit pool on the mountaintop. Around it, variously sized soul stones were arranged in a circle. With a soft splash, two pieces of delicate fabric descended, and in the blink of an eye, their figures intertwined in the pool. The soul stones around them began to hum softly, releasing a gentle wave of soul energy that flowed into the intertwined figures in the spirit pool. As their spirits intertwined, both Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li's bodies shivered slightly. Amidst the swirling aura, their pale cheeks flushed with a deep crimson.