CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: DEATH CAVE

With this finger bone, Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai’s lives became much simpler.

They would go out on the boat to collect Spirit Stones during the day, and cultivate with them at night.

Moreover, Ji Yuan secretly created a small door between the two rooms, discreetly sharing the effects of his Cave Mansion with Qiu Qianhai.

The things that had the risk of exposure were naturally not done.

But this level 1 Cave Mansion only increased the concentration of Spiritual Qi by twenty percent at night.

Qiu Qianhai didn’t even notice it, he just said that using Spirit Stones for cultivation was really extravagant, and his cultivation was advancing much faster.

That evening, after Qiu Qianhai sold the Cold Iron Sand, he returned.

Ji Yuan was waiting for him halfway on the boat.

When he saw him coming, Ji Yuan expressed his thoughts.

"In the next few days, let’s not sell on Qingbo Island anymore. We’ve been selling for a few consecutive days, and I’m afraid we might be targeted by someone with intentions. Let’s store up for a few days and then sell them at Jingde Square’s Hundred Treasures Tower."

"Okay."

Qiu Qianhai nodded, took out a piece of leather candy from a storage bag, tossed it into his mouth, and slowly said while savoring the sweetness on his tongue:

"The place we discovered these past few days is nice, producing about four pounds a day... Let’s dig for four more days, and then after four days we’ll go sell at Jingde Square."

Four days... Ji Yuan estimated that after these four days, he should return.

This time, upon returning, Ji Yuan planned to go into seclusion, not coming out until reaching the later stage of Qi Cultivation.

"Alright."

"Let’s put in some extra effort tomorrow and search thoroughly. I still feel there’s a Death Cave nearby."

"..."

The next evening.

On a dilapidated black awning boat by the shore of Qingbo Island sat two middle-aged men, one tall and one short.

Both of them were from Huaiyin Square, so they had a great relationship; one was named Sun Dazhi, and the other was Deng Lang.

Even back in Huaiyin Square, they often engaged in robbery. Later, they accidentally encountered a tough opponent and got forced to Black Water Square.

Later, when Cold Iron Sand’s price went up, they came to Qingbo Pool to make money.

"Why didn’t those two come today?" Sun Dazhi raised an eyebrow and said, "Could it be that today’s situation wasn’t good, and they didn’t dig much?"

"Ha, Brother Sun, what are you thinking? Don’t you know how sneaky those two are? From the first day, they came separately. If it weren’t for us happening to find out they lived on the same island, we wouldn’t even be aware of their relationship."

"I guess they’re just afraid of attracting attention by coming too often, and they’re planning to return after a few days."

Deng Lang stroked the stubble on his chin, "Or maybe they’re planning to directly go to another market to sell Cold Iron Sand."

"So what do we do?"

Sun Dazhi spread his hands.

Between the two, it was always Deng Lang, who had reached the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation, who made the decisions, while Sun Dazhi at the sixth layer was less detailed in his thoughts.

"Heh, this depends on whether Brother Sun wants to take the risk for this opportunity or not."

"Of course I do, damn it, finding a Death Cave and digging a few pounds of Cold Iron Sand a day, sixty to seventy Spirit Stones coming in, who wouldn’t be envious of that?"

After speaking, Sun Dazhi looked hesitant: "But with our strength... it might be difficult, especially with that guy in the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation looking calm and not easy to deal with."

"What’s so hard about it? We can just find two more people."

Deng Lang said carefreely.

"Who to find?"

"To be sure of taking down someone in the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation, finding the ’Qingbo Heroes’ would be the most reliable. They make a living as Tribulation Cultivators and would absolutely be interested in such matters."

"Those two are both in the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation, much stronger than us. If we find them... we won’t get much share of the benefits."

Sun Dazhi was somewhat reluctant.

"That’s true..." Deng Lang glanced at him, "Let’s observe for two more days, and in the meantime, look for other suitable candidates, or it would be best if those two are caught alone."

"Alright then."

After chatting, Deng Lang made an excuse and left.

He sailed the boat alone on the waters of Qingbo Pool, thinking to himself... given those two’s cautious nature, they would probably leave Qingbo Pool in two days.

We can’t wait any longer; if we do, the meat at our doorstep will be gone.

Sun Dazhi has a promising name, Dazhi, yet he’s a person with no ambitions, lacking strength and unwilling to share profits.

Following him won’t last long.

This was something Deng Lang had already realized, so he decided to abandon Sun Dazhi and approach the Qingbo Heroes himself.

Speaking of the Qingbo Heroes, they’re quite the figures.

No one knows which market they’re originally from; they are known to be two brothers named Liu Da and Liu Er.

Before Cold Iron Sand’s price rose, they were already residing and cultivating at Qingbo Pool, and the two brothers excel in a combined attack technique, with their peak achievement being jointly killing someone in the later stage of Qi Cultivation.

So in this small land of Qingbo Pool, regular late-stage Qi Cultivators are willing to give them face.

They don’t live on Qingbo Island but on a slightly distant island called Hanpool Island. When Deng Lang arrived, he happened to meet them returning aboard their Dharma Ship.

"Brothers, brothers."

From afar, Deng Lang smiled and spoke, indicating he didn’t mean any harm.

The Liu Brothers, who looked somewhat similar, slowed their ship, "Deng Lang? What brings you to us?"

"Naturally, I’ve come to bring wealth to you two brothers." Deng Lang approached, clasping his hands in salute, and added, "The kind that makes a fortune."

"Oh? Who have you set your sights on?"

What kind of wealth could someone like Deng Lang bring to them?

It could only be the wealth of the dead; otherwise, could it be mining profits?

"Let’s talk on the island, let’s talk on the island."

Deng Lang was afraid of being seen.

Liu Da and Liu Er exchanged a glance, "Alright then."

"..."

After a short while.

After listening to Deng Lang’s description, the Liu Brothers exchanged a glance, "Can you confirm digging three to four pounds of Cold Iron Sand a day?"

"Confirmed!"

Deng Lang said with certainty: "I and Sun... I have observed them for several days, there’s no mistake."

"I estimate most likely they found a Death Cave."

"It’s possible."

Liu Da finished, lightly tapping his knee with his finger, "But we brothers haven’t acted as Tribulation Cultivators in many years... let us consider for a day, and you come back at this time tomorrow for an answer, how does that sound?"

"This... alright then."

Deng Lang naturally didn’t dare say no, and since they said so, he could only excuse himself.

As for Liu Da’s words, Deng Lang would never believe them.

Not acting as Tribulation Cultivators for many years?

Ha, perhaps many days would be more like it.

They probably have something else going on that they can’t spare time for; otherwise, with their natures, they would have agreed by now.

But just as he left Hanpool Island, a flash of inspiration crossed Deng Lang’s mind, and a thought suddenly emerged in his mind...

Could these two be intending to abandon him and handle this alone?!

Deng Lang suddenly turned his head to look at the beast-like island.

Damn it, if I had known, I wouldn’t have revealed their location.

But Liu Da pressed him for it, and Deng Lang dared not refuse.

After Deng Lang left, Liu Er immediately said, "Brother, it’s definitely a Death Cave. If not for finding a Death Cave, there’s no way they’d have such output, several pounds of Cold Iron Sand a day... this Death Cave is probably quite large."

"Hmm."

Liu Da leisurely nodded.

"Let’s pack up and go directly to find those two newcomers."

"Alright."

For Liu Da’s decision, Liu Er wasn’t surprised.

According to Deng Lang’s words, how much could we earn from this robbery?

But if we find the two newcomers and force them to reveal the Death Cave’s location, that’s the real profit.

Besides, since we know their identity from Deng Lang... is there still a need to share the profits with him?

If there are grievances, just kill them all at once!

...

Meanwhile.

At a dim area beneath the waters of Qingbo Pool, two dark silhouettes huddled together, one mumbling using their throat to make sounds.

"I told you, there’s definitely a Death Cave here!"

——

ps1: There won’t be any cliché plot where they just discover a Death Cave and it gets stolen by someone else, don’t worry.

ps2: It’s the last week on the new book chart, please support with monthly votes and recommendations, and help hit the list, thanks in advance!