Clear prices, open ticket sales!
As soon as this news got out, it left many cultivators who had been eyeing the origin of the fire beasts and planning to visit Li Ye or even sneak underground themselves utterly stunned.
Originally, they assumed that since Li Ye was setting up formations everywhere and using a large number of fire beast crystal cores to fuel them, sealing off the various earth fire tunnels, he likely intended to explore and exploit the underground legacy on his own.
At most, they figured he might invite a few trusted allies to join him on the venture.
For everyone else, sneaking in secretly would be the only option.
Many who had more elaborate plans were even beginning to consider approaching other mountain peaks that also had access to the earth fire tunnels, hoping to use those as alternative entry points into the underground.
But before anyone could even put such plans into action, Li Ye publicly released this message much to their delight.
Just a single fire beast crystal core?
Considering that anyone who entered the earth fire tunnels would inevitably encounter fire beasts anyway, obtaining one for the price of admission was neither too high nor too low…
Some even thought it was quite a bargain!
Within just a few days, numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived at Li Ye's place in groups, trading for access tokens that would allow them a single entry into the underground tunnels to explore.
And Deng Tiancheng, who had been among the first to receive the news directly from Li Ye, had already gathered a group of fellow cultivators and was the very first to step into the earth fire tunnels.
Watching Deng Tiancheng, Fan Yuanzhou, and the others pass through the formation and disappear into the tunnel, Luo Feibai couldn't help but show a hint of hesitation and regret on his face.
"If there is an ancient legacy underground, wouldn't letting others go explore it be the same as giving up the opportunity for nothing, Alliance Leader?"
But Li Ye remained calm, smiling as he replied,
"If you think it's a shame and want to go down and have a look yourself, I won't stop you. After all, your task is to oversee the suppression of the fire beasts. Killing a few more down there is just part of the job."
Luo Feibai looked at Li Ye's smiling face and suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
"I think I'll stay up here and manage the overall situation instead…"
He seemed to recall that earlier expedition underground with Li Ye.
Not to mention the endless wave of tier-one fire beasts they encountered along the way, but by the time they were surrounded by five tier-two fire beasts, there had been more closing in from behind.
And that was on top of the countless beasts already dealt with on the surface who knew how many more were lurking down there?
This was not the kind of place a small party could just force their way through and emerge with treasures…
He had only just entered the Foundation Establishment and still had over 150 years to live better to treasure his life a bit more!
"Then focus on managing things up here," Li Ye said with an approving nod.
With that, light surged around him, and he gracefully soared into the air and vanished.
......
Boom!
Vital energy surged within his body, radiating a scorching aura.
Fan Yuanzhou charged at the forefront, clad in enchanted armor, wielding a massive, heavy blade with astonishing ease and fluidity.
With a sweeping strike, he effortlessly cut down a horde of first-tier fire beasts.
A direct slash split a second-tier fire beast cleanly in half, the halves disintegrating into ash mid-air.
While he was finishing up on his side, the rest of the team had also cleared the surrounding fire beasts.
With a wave of their hands, they collected fire beast crystal cores of various sizes, stashing them away.
As the pressure eased, and the group took a brief moment to rest, a tall, gaunt-faced cultivator in the four-person team held up a second-tier core, examining it with a slight shake of his head.
"This Li Ye is far too cautious and overly concerned about his safety," he remarked. "All it took was one large wave of fire beasts, and he hasn't dared to return since…"
"No matter how strong these fire beasts are, with capable cultivators working together, how can they possibly pose a threat?"
"To give up the potential fortune beneath his territory just for the sake of temporary safety… I wonder if he'll regret it someday."
Deng Tiancheng glanced at him and responded mildly,
"Brother Chang, I believe Li Ye has his plans. Since we've already benefited from his arrangements, perhaps it's best not to question his choices behind his back."
This Chang Chengwei wasn't a disciple of Jiuding Valley like Deng Tiancheng but a wandering cultivator he had met by chance. Seeing that he had some techniques that countered fire-type foes, Deng had invited him along.
In Deng's mind, his value and standing were nowhere near someone like Li Ye, a master alchemist.
Even if today's conversation never left their group, Deng wouldn't allow anything that could damage his relationship with Li Ye to happen regardless of whether he had similar thoughts himself.
Faced with this, Chang Chengwei's expression stiffened slightly.
But Deng Tiancheng was a disciple of Jiuding Valley, already at mid-foundation Establishment despite his young age, not someone he could afford to offend.
Truthfully, even outside this situation, Chang would never dare speak so casually about Li Ye. He'd be far more respectful.
Still, he was only voicing what many others were already thinking yet even that earned a warning?
Fan Yuanzhou shot him a sidelong glance and added,
"Ha! Alchemist Li is a highly accomplished master. Just staying in the mountains and occasionally taking on alchemy commissions is enough for him to fund his cultivation. He does not need to risk his life on reckless ventures!"
"Instead of worrying about what he chooses to do, we should focus more on what lies deeper in this tunnel!"
Chang Chengwei flushed, wanting to argue, but was silenced by the undeniable truth of Li Ye's status as a respected alchemy master and his many allies.
Most of the time, cultivators chase after every slim opportunity simply because they lack the foundation to grow steadily.
If one could cultivate securely and steadily, who wouldn't prefer that path?
Silently, and somewhat sour-faced, Chang fell quiet.
Sensing the tension, another older cultivator in the group stepped in to ease the atmosphere.
"Ahem… Fellow Daoists, how's the rest going? I noticed the activity below has quieted a bit why don't we seize the moment to push forward and hopefully uncover the underground legacy sooner?"
The group said no more and began to regroup and press onward.
…
As they delved deeper, Deng Tiancheng and the others keenly noticed a sharp increase in the frequency of fire beast appearances at every branch of the fire path.
First-tier fire beasts were becoming nearly endless. Second-tier ones no longer appeared solo now coming in groups of two or three.
The largest wave so far had included six!
If not for Deng Tiancheng and Fan Yuanzhou both being mid-foundation cultivators with solid combat power, they might have already suffered casualties.
"The fire spiritual energy is getting more intense and blazing. Judging by the number of fire beasts, we may be approaching the lava cavern where their nest lies…"
"Everyone stay sharp. Be on alert for anything unusual!"
Deng Tiancheng warned. The four all wore grim expressions, their divine senses combing the surroundings inch by inch.
If the number of fire beasts increased any further, they might have no choice but to turn back.
But this time, what blocked their way wasn't fire beasts
Suddenly, Fan Yuanzhou, who was leading the way, seemed to have triggered something. A flash of restriction light flickered to life.
"Something's wrong…"
His face changed drastically. "Retreat! Now!"
Even as the words left his mouth and his body began to move, a burst of terrifying energy exploded without warning engulfing all four of them.
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