Chapter 197: Chapter 129: Passing the Assessment, Substantial Gains (Part 2)

“If I didn’t possess the Earth Escape Technique, these Hawthorn Demons would have been truly impossible to kill…”

Lin Chen thought silently.

He turned his head to look at the other Hawthorn Vines buried in the ground, countless and densely packed.

The large ones were several dozen feet long and as thick as a thigh, while the small ones were about three feet long and as thick as an arm.

These vines were top-quality materials for artifact refining.

Impervious to water and fire, resistant to metal and stone, extremely sturdy!

Not to mention Top Grade Magical Artifacts, even Treasure Artifacts could be refined from them!

“This time I’ve truly struck it big!”

Lin Chen decided to stay underground and collect these Hawthorn Demon vines.

After laboring for several two-hour stretches, he finally collected all the vines into his Purple Jade Gourd.

These vines alone filled more than half of the gourd…

After finishing all this, Lin Chen broke through the ground and returned to the Oasis Lakefront.

He looked around but could no longer see the figures of Wan Xun and Li Zhenqian.

Lin Chen shook his head and said:

“The road ahead is up to you now… There are still plenty of good things in this relic!”

Lin Chen first spent half a day, gathering all the Spiritual Medicine by the lakeside.

These tens of thousands of Spiritual Medicines were all five centuries old.

Including First and Second Tier Spiritual Medicines, and even a small portion of Third Tier Spiritual Medicines…

If not for the protection of the Hawthorn Demons, these Spiritual Medicines would have long become food for sky beasts and other Demon Beasts.

After picking the Spiritual Medicines, Lin Chen released Long Ba and Feng Jiu.

“The two of you, go search the relics of the ancient town over there…”

“As you command, Master!”

Long Ba and Feng Jiu quickly entered the ancient brick and stone houses of the relics for a search.

Although this ancient cultivator’s town seemed silent, Lin Chen did not know if there was any threat within, making it perfect for the two puppets to investigate.

Lin Chen held an instrument and shared the perspective of Long Ba and Feng Jiu.

After a long time, he confirmed there was no danger before entering to explore.

This ancient town, calling it a town was an exaggeration.

Just over a dozen small blue-brick houses, the tables, and chairs inside already weathered by millennia.

After searching for a long time, Lin Chen only found a few pages of ancient book remnants, even the characters on them were unreadable.

After spending half a day exploring all the ancient houses, Lin Chen still found nothing.

“Wasted so much time and found nothing?”

Lin Chen’s expression was somewhat unpleasant.

“Alas, five thousand years! Not to mention those items, ancient books, even Magical Artifacts would have weathered away… Especially in this desert area…”

As Lin Chen spoke, he suddenly realized something.

“Wait, if the ancient books inside are all weathered… Why are these dozen brick houses still standing?”

Thinking of this, Lin Chen examined these brick houses.

He pulled a brick tile from the roof and held it in his hand.

As soon as the bricks were in hand, Lin Chen felt something was wrong; the bricks seemed overly heavy, a palm-size piece weighing nearly a hundred pounds.

So Lin Chen held it and squeezed it hard.

As a result, the brick didn’t break, leaving only a deep thumbprint.

Lin Chen’s eyes widened instantly.

To know, given his current strength, he could easily crush even a Middle Grade Magical Artifact, let alone bricks?

“Hiss… Could the materials used to build these stone houses be Second or even Third Tier ores?”

Lin Chen felt his heart pounding.

The minerals in the Cultivation Realm were much richer than the Exotic Metals in the High Martial World…

For example, First Tier Spiritual Ores like Cold Iron Stone were common in the Cultivation Realm.

But in the High Martial World, they were valuable Second Tier Exotic Metals.

Second Tier ores like Centennial Iron Essence in the High Martial World were equivalent to Fourth Tier Exotic Metals!

And before Lin Chen’s eyes, the more than a dozen brick houses were clearly of a higher grade than Cold Iron Stone, at least on par with Centennial Iron Essence…

“Goodness, if all these are Fourth Tier Exotic Metals? How heavy must it be!”

Lin Chen took a deep breath without the slightest hesitation.

He started dismantling the houses!

From the brick house roofs to the walls, to the ground… He even dug three feet deep to uncover the house foundations!

Lin Chen didn’t miss a single stone, packing them all into his Nanobag.

In the end, even one Storage Bag couldn’t hold them all!

Lin Chen packed a full three Nanobags, finally storing all the stones.

After placing the Nanobags into the Purple Jade Gourd, Lin Chen looked back to ensure he missed no piece of ground, then smiled contentedly.

…

After leaving the oasis, Lin Chen headed north all the way.

After about another three days, the desert retreated into the distance behind him.

In front of him began to appear green grass and tall trees.

After walking a bit further, blue stone slabs appeared beneath his feet, surrounded by walls filled with mysterious patterns.

With a wave of tremors, the surroundings shifted in sight.

“Hmm? Does this mean… I’ve left the Black Sand Ancient Country?”

Lin Chen looked back, and the desert had vanished.

Taking in this space, several people had passed through the second round of assessments before Lin Chen.

Jiang Liqian, Ghost-eyed Child, Wan Xun, and Li Zhenqian…

And…

“Taoist Friend Xu!”

Not far away, Li Tianhan greeted Lin Chen.

The bald Martial Monk looked extremely at ease, as if passing the second trial was not difficult for him.

Upon hearing the voice, Wan Xun and Li Zhenqian immediately showed joyful expressions.

“Brother Xu! You’re still alive… That Hawthorn Demon…”

Lin Chen smiled and said:

“I used some life-saving cards, barely escaping…”

Hearing this, Wan Xun and Li Zhenqian nodded, their eyes filled with unconcealed excitement.

After recovering, Li Zhenqian had heard that Lin Chen had sacrificed himself to save him in the oasis, which made him weep bitterly and feel immensely guilty.

“Brother Xu is truly a noble and virtuous man!”

“Should there be an opportunity, you will be our guest of honor at the Changchun Sect!”

Wan Xun said with cupped fists.

Lin Chen smiled and said, “Should there be a chance, I will surely visit!”

Lin Chen was the seventh cultivator to pass the Black Sand Country’s test.

After all, other cultivators were not like him, treating demon beasts as materials and even eager to dig three feet for treasures.

Most cultivators were focused on quickly clearing the trials.

…

Another day passed.

In this space, about thirty more cultivators arrived one after another.

Meanwhile, that cold voice echoed around again.

“The second round of assessment ends, with a total of forty-two passing the test…”

“All cultivators who passed the test can choose to take the reward and leave the relic or opt to participate in the third round of testing.”

“Those who choose to leave will receive a Golden Yuan Pill as a reward…”

As these words fell, several passages to exit the relic appeared in the space.

Meanwhile, the cultivators around revealed expressions of shock.

“Golden Yuan Pill! The reward for the second test is actually a Golden Yuan Pill!”

“Hiss… This trip was not in vain! Hahaha, with this pill, Core Formation is within reach!”

“…”

Not only were the other cultivators shocked, but even Lin Chen felt waves in his heart.

What was a Golden Yuan Pill?

This was a treasure that could enhance the Core Formation probability for Foundation Establishment Cultivators!

Rumor had it that a single Golden Yuan Pill could increase a cultivator’s Core Formation chance by thirty percent…

This pill formula was almost lost, and each Golden Yuan Pill was worth more than gold.

If using real gold and silver to buy, even ten thousand Spirit Stones might not be enough!

Upon hearing the second round’s reward, most of the cultivators present were quite tempted.

Although they came for the Golden Yuan Skill of the third turn, the cultivators were aware of their own capabilities.

With this Golden Yuan Pill, they already had a chance for Core Formation, but continuing might mean risking their lives.

Li Zhenqian was very self-aware.

He walked over to Lin Chen, cupped his hands, and said:

“Thank you, Brother Xu, for the many times you’ve saved my life. Should you have time, I hope you visit the Li Mansion in Yanlai City, where you will be treated as an honored guest!”

“Alas, but I know my strength well… Passing the second round was luck, I won’t seek more… I’ll leave early this time.”

Li Zhenqian’s eyes were filled with regret, knowing that such a heaven-defying opportunity might come only once in a lifetime.

But he also knew that pushing to attempt the third round of tests might lead to certain death…

“Then, Taoist Friend Li, let’s part for now!”

Lin Chen also cupped his hands.

Li Zhenqian knew when to advance and retreat; getting the Golden Yuan Pill was already a significant opportunity for him…

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