Path of the Lilies: Early Beginnings

For the next few days, the seven of them stayed in that cave and rested. Qi Huan used the chance to consolidate his rank further. On the other hand, Mu Xin and Lu Wan benefited greatly because the environment suited them. Unfortunately, they didn't manage to break through to the middle stage.     

They also scouted the area and found a tunnel that was heading up. It was connected to a part in the tunnels where they previously explored. After gathering several hundred kilos of Water Haze, they were ready to depart.     

"Is it ok to take so much Water Haze?" Mu Xin asked as they packed their belongings.     

Qin Zheng nodded. "Water Haze might be fairly rare, but it can be found in several areas in this mountain region. They can fetch a high price if you buy them in pieces. Also, there are still tons of them left in this area."     

Ye Jiao looked at the back. Honestly, she didn't believe that many of them were left after seeing how Lin Cai raided the entire area in her search for Water Haze. When she had a goal, she was extremely determined to see things until the very end. It was to the point she doubted who was the best miner in this village.     

"Just make sure that you create nice armors for us," Lin Cai grinned. "There's no need to worry so much."     

"There might be other valuable metals too," Qi Huan replied.     

Mu Xin tilted her head a bit. "But, the smell is no longer as unbearable as before."     

"That's because of the lake. Without it, I doubt I can survive," Lin Cai grumbled.     

Ye Jiao smiled wryly. They have finished packing and now ready to depart. She looked at the lake once more. It was truly a magnificent lake. Unfortunately, she couldn't stay in this place forever.     

"Right, I need to check the Natural Eon Energy Gathering Array Plate first," Ye Jiao recalled that the entrance to this tunnel was actually blocked with the thick amount of Eon Energy. People would die if they tried to barge in without any preparation     

"Can you take care of it?"     

"I'll try."     

"Won't the array stop without any Eon Energy sustaining it?"     

Ye Jiao nodded. "Normally, that's the case. However, you can activate a self-sustaining plate that can absorb Eon Energy on its own."     

Lu Wan looked at Ye Jiao as if he was looking at a monster. "You must be kidding me."     

"I'm not."     

"If it's self-sustaining, won't it mean that no one will be able to get in to stop the plate anymore?"     

"It's not impossible, but you'll either need some Eon Energy Master Rank 5 or high level tools or high level Rune Masters," Qin Zheng interrupted. "If you can't handle it, we'll just report to the Head Village and let him be the one to take care of it."     

"Got it."     

Qi Huan sighed to himself. It seemed that Rune Masters have a much higher position compared with the same level of combat occupation. The saying that one can offend Eon Energy Master Rank 4 but not Eon Energy Master Rank 4 who has side occupations was true.     

Offending Alchemists would risk them from being poisoned to death without them knowing anything.     

Offending Rune Master would risk them to be trapped by the former with their runes or anything similar.     

Offending Black Smith would risk them being killed with a high level weapon that they couldn't fight back.     

"It seems that I need to reconsider a side occupation."     

"You're already a killing machine." Lu Wan rolled his eyes at Qi Huan's remark. "Besides, which one do you think would be suitable for you?"     

Qi Huan looked at Lu Wan with annoyance. "You can get lost first, Lu Wan."     

"Tsk, you've become even more unrestrained."     

"I don't need to restrain myself in front of you."     

The seven of them bantered on the way as they headed up. The tunnels were like a maze, but they still could remember the route where they went before. Because this time they no longer have to be so cautious, they used Eon Energy and dashed inside the tunnel. In the end, they arrived much faster at the entrance.     

The thick layer of Natural Eon Energy was still there. It was filling the tunnels until they exists, making it hard for them if they wished to travel there.     

"Do you see the plate?"     

"Wait a moment." Ye Jiao didn't come too close to the thick layer as she swept her glance around the area. There were only normal tunnels filled with rocks and ores, but she knew that they must have hidden the plate somewhere.     

Extending her own Eon Energy, Ye Jiao began her search in the tunnel. Some rocks were suitable to hide things around the area, but she didn't manage to find the plate.     

Lu Wan placed his hand on the back of his head. "Is there no way to disperse this layer of Natural Eon Energy?"     

"It's already reduced compared to when we first come here," Qi Huan commented. "But it'll take a long time to disperse completely if it's only going at this rate."     

"How about if I just destroy the tunnel?" Lin Cai was annoyed. The suffocating feeling of the Natural Eon Energy was going into her body and unable to get it out irked her. They could use it because it was not useful when they were already this late.     

"I found it," Ye Jiao opened her eyes. "It's inside the thick layer. It seems that the one taking care of it must be that Eon Energy Master late stage."     

"I'll take it," Qi Huan volunteered. He had reached rank 4, so he had better resistance compared with the others. Even though it was still uncomfortable and might be painful if he stayed too long, he would be able to last longer than the others.     

"Alright, be careful, Senior Brother Qi."     

"En."     

Qi Huan walked into the tunnel while circulating his Eon Energy all around his body. It served as a barrier and protection in order to not allow the Natural Eon Energy to enter his body. There was slight pressure coming at him, but he was still fine.     

As he walked in the direction Ye Jiao pointed before, he noticed that there was a corpse in the tunnel. The man had died for a long time with his hand holding a plate. He must be ordered by the other white robed man to activate the plate, and then they left him here to die.     

'Let's take this and get out of here.'     

As he picked it up and walked, Qi Huan faintly sensed killing intent directed at him. He turned his head to the side, yet there was nothing but air in the dark tunnel. His brow creased, but he continued walking like there was nothing at all.     

If there was truly someone there, he or she must be Eon Energy Master rank 5 at the very least. After all, rank 4, like him, could not stay in the tunnel for a long time.     

"I got the plate," Qi Huan reported as he handed it to Ye Jiao. "What do you plan to do with it?"     

"I'll just sell it and divide the money with all of us," Ye Jiao replied. "I don't really have any use of this, and besides, I'll be able to draw one in the future if I truly need it."     

"Right."     

Qin Zheng turned around. "Let's get out of here."     

"We're going to use that entrance?" Lin Cai arched her eyebrows.     

"Yes."     

*sigh*     

They all started walking. Qi Huan turned his head to the back for a moment, but chose not to think too much and continued walking.     

Inside the tunnel, a man slowly walked out of the shadow. His dark iris was looking straight to the direction where they went. Even though his surroundings were filled with Natural Eon Energy, it didn't seem to hinder his movements at all.     

In the next second, he had disappeared from his place.