Chapter 61: Earth Essence Crystal

Lin Tianming and Lin Tianfeng continued their search meticulously, moving more than ten miles deeper into the terrain.

Unwittingly, they arrived at a stone forest covering an area of about a thousand acres, surrounded by valleys and shrouded in dense fog.

Lin Tianming suddenly stopped and activated his Five-Colored Eye to observe the area.

"Hmm, there's something strange about this place!"

The earth attribute spiritual energy in this entire stone forest was exceptionally dense, much higher than in other places.

"Big Brother, do you notice anything unusual about this place?"

Lin Tianfeng had scanned the area several times and found nothing peculiar except for the thick concealment and the limited range of his spiritual sense.

"Tianming, have you discovered something different?"

"The earth attribute spiritual energy here is extremely dense, and with the stone forest layout and the fact that Silver Earth Scorpions are earth attribute beasts, I suspect this is their nest!"

Prompted by Lin Tianming's observation, Lin Tianfeng quickly extended his spiritual sense to carefully sense the difference in the spiritual energy.

After a moment of sensing, Lin Tianfeng smiled and said, "You're right. If you don't pay close attention, it's easy to miss!"

Lin Tianming immediately sent a message to the other clan members, and the two of them cautiously observed the movements within the stone forest.

After half an hour, Lin Shiji and the others gathered behind Lin Tianming.

Lin Shiji asked calmly, "Tianming, have you found the Silver Earth Scorpions' nest?"

"Fifteenth Uncle, I'm almost certain it's here. Let me verify it first!"

Lin Tianming took out an Earth Shaker Sword and swung it three times, sending three sword energies into the stone forest.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The ground trembled, and several large rocks were shattered, scattering in all directions.

The stone forest echoed with the sound of scurrying creatures, indicating a significant number of beasts.

"Shhh, shhh, shhh..."

Startled, dozens of Silver Earth Scorpions began to move underground, trying to flee.

Certain that this was the Silver Earth Scorpions' nest, Lin Shiji gave orders.

"Hmph, they are just early-stage Silver Earth Scorpions. There aren't many mid-stage ones. Quickly surround and kill them; don't let any escape!"

The group drew their weapons and swiftly surrounded the stone forest. Without any late-stage Silver Earth Scorpions, the early-stage ones would be eradicated soon.

Lin Tianming repeatedly slashed, killing early-stage Silver Earth Scorpions with ease. Even the mid-stage ones couldn't hold out for long, only requiring more effort.

In just half an hour, all the juvenile Silver Earth Scorpions were killed.

After quickly cleaning up the battlefield, the group gathered again.

"All the Silver Earth Scorpions have been killed. It should be safe inside now, but let's be cautious. Pair up and search inside; we might find some useful items."

Upon hearing Lin Shiji's instructions, everyone eagerly rushed into the stone forest.

Lin Tianming and Lin Tianfeng moved swiftly through the forest, searching carefully.

"Earth Spirit Mushroom!"

Lin Tianfeng spotted several Earth Spirit Mushrooms, collecting them with joy.

After half an hour, everyone regrouped and reported their findings.

"I found three Earth Spirit Mushrooms!"

"I found two Earth Spirit Mushrooms!"

...

Lin Tianfeng reported, "I found five Earth Spirit Mushrooms!"

Despite covering a significant area, Lin Tianming found nothing.

Lin Shiji showed a hint of disappointment. Given the size of the Silver Earth Scorpions' nest and the large cave system, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle against the swarm. Yet, they had only found a dozen Earth Spirit Mushrooms, worth about two hundred spirit stones—not much of a haul.

With a disappointed look, Lin Shiji said, "Let's go!"

As Lin Shiji turned to leave, Lin Tianming spoke up.

"Wait!"

Lin Shiji turned back, puzzled.

"Fifteenth Uncle, the earth attribute spiritual energy here is abnormally high. Let me check again; there might be a hidden treasure!"

Lin Tianming walked deeper into the stone forest, finding the spot with the densest earth attribute spiritual energy. He began digging with his Earth Shaker Sword.

After an hour, a hole several meters wide and ten meters deep had formed in the center of the stone forest.

The deeper they dug, the denser the earth attribute spiritual energy became. The soil turned to rock, making digging increasingly difficult.

Everyone jumped into the hole to help with the excavation.

An hour later, they had dug nearly four hundred meters deep. The loose soil had turned to rock, significantly increasing in hardness. Each meter required considerable effort. Two clan uncles were about to give up, while one persuaded them.

"Tianming, stop digging. We've wasted hours, and there's no guarantee we'll find anything."

"That's right, let's give up!"

Another uncle echoed. Lin Tianfeng and Lin Tianhong wanted to speak up for Lin Tianming but held back due to their lower rank and power. They sighed and continued to help dig.

Ignoring their advice, Lin Tianming kept digging tirelessly. As they neared a depth of five hundred meters, the black soil turned gray, a sign that encouraged Lin Tianming to keep going.

After another hour, they reached over five hundred meters deep. Lin Tianming swung his sword with all his might, breaking open a half-meter-wide hole in the gray rock wall. A surge of strong earth attribute spiritual energy burst forth.

Inside the opening, a gray-white fist-sized stone was embedded in the black rock, standing out prominently.

Overjoyed, Lin Tianming exclaimed, "I found something!"

Everyone felt the strong change in spiritual energy and quickly gathered around.

Lin Tianming carefully used his Earth Shaker Sword to extract the gray-white stone, examining it closely.

"It's Earth Essence Crystal!"

Lin Tianming was certain. Although he wasn't a craftsman, he had read many books on spiritual materials and recognized common ones.

Earth Essence Crystal was a second-tier low-grade spirit mineral, highly valuable for crafting defensive spiritual tools. Adding even a small amount could greatly enhance a tool's defense and durability, making it an excellent crafting material.

The fist-sized piece in Lin Tianming's hand could be used three times to craft first-tier high-grade tools, worth over a hundred spirit stones.

Everyone was excited. The two uncles who had wanted to give up now shamelessly praised Lin Tianming for his keen eye.

Ignoring them, Lin Tianming handed the Earth Essence Crystal to Lin Shiji for confirmation.

Lin Shiji examined it thoroughly and confirmed, "Indeed, it's Earth Essence Crystal. This might be a small spirit mineral vein. Let's continue digging and estimate the reserves. I'll go out and set up a concealment array to hide this place."

"Understood!"

Everyone responded in unison, continuing to dig diligently.

Lin Shiji flew out of the hole and stopped outside the stone forest.

From his storage bag, he took out an array plate and four array flags, quickly setting up an array to cover the entire stone forest. He then cast several illusion spells to conceal the area.