As the flying boat continued deeper, the land below remained deathly still, shrouded in a layer of cold mist.
Yet Ye Yunfei knew that beneath this bleak and desolate surface lay numerous crystal ore veins.
Since ages past, various major forces from the Northern Wastelands had entered this land, demarcated territories, and occupied fixed regions, all seeking to mine crystal ore.
It could be said this barren land was the treasure vault of all the major forces of the Eastern Barrens!
A large portion of these great factions' wealth was hauled out from here!
However, the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area was simply too vast.
It was said to cover nearly a third of the entire Eastern Barrens territory!
So, even though the major powers had been mining here since ancient times, many vast and mysterious areas remained untouched!
Moreover, deep within this ancient mining area, legends spoke of many perilous and terrifying regions brimming with unknown dangers. Even the top experts of the Eastern Barrens dared not venture in lightly.
Thus, in the hearts of Eastern Barrens martial practitioners, the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area was both a mineral-rich land and a hazardous zone!
That was also why only those major forces dared to send people into this area to mine crystals.
Weaker sects simply didn't dare dispatch personnel into this dangerous mining zone.
A single misstep could lead to complete annihilation.
Legend had it that in ancient times, many weaker sects had attempted to send teams into the mining area to search for and extract ore. None returned, all perishing within this dangerous region.
As time passed, only the major forces of the Eastern Barrens dared to send people into the mining area.
"Master, you are a Geomancer. Why not use your Geomancy Technique to locate crystal veins within this mining area and then extract them? We'd make a fortune," suggested Hu Miao, standing beside Ye Yunfei within the flying boat as she scrutinized the impoverished land below.
"Good suggestion," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"However, this land is filled with all sorts of ominous auras. There must be dangerous things buried beneath the ground. If we barge around recklessly and provoke something terrifying, we'll be in big trouble."
Ye Yunfei frowned as he sensed the aura emanating from the earth below. He was acutely sensitive to the earth and could tell at a glance that this land was extremely perilous.
"Hey, Master, look. There seem to be many mine shafts over there," Hu Miao suddenly said.
Sure enough, not far ahead, the ground was dotted with dark, yawning pits.
Scattered around these openings were countless tents for housing.
Numerous people were crawling in and out of these pits—these were the miners!
They were laborers hired from all over the Eastern Barrens by the various major forces, specifically for the task of mining.
"Master, look at that large banner. This mining area seems to belong to the Gan Family of the Eastern Barrens!" Hu Miao suddenly pointed at a massive tent in the distance.
Indeed, atop that tent flew a large banner fluttering in the wind, bearing the four large characters: Eastern Barrens Gan Family.
"So they are Gan Family mines," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but sneer.
"Since they are Gan Family mines, there's no need to be polite. If possible, we'll rob them outright."
Ye Yunfei stepped out of the flying boat, stored it away, then flashed towards the mine shaft area ahead.
Directly activating the Hidden Shadow Secret Art, he vanished from sight and soon landed on the ground, moving swiftly through the mining zone.
In this area, besides the miners, there were also many Gan Family members standing guard and overseeing the mining operations.
Many Gan Family members held barbed whips, ready to curse or strike the miners at the slightest mistake. Some miners were beaten until their flesh was torn, a pitiful sight.
After traversing the mining zone for a while, Ye Yunfei's expression shifted suddenly as he looked in one direction.
In that direction stood a large cellar piled high with freshly mined crystals!
Their quality varied, and among them were quite a few Law Crystals.
It appeared this was a temporary treasure vault!
"That's the one!"
Ye Yunfei sneered, his figure darting underground as he headed towards the cellar.
As he neared the cellar, Ye Yunfei discovered its surroundings were filled with all sorts of Formations: defensive, isolating, offensive, and concealing.
"They can't stop me."
Ye Yunfei immediately released his Soul Power, analyzing these Formations.
Half an hour later,
Ye Yunfei had thoroughly analyzed all the Formations around the cellar. His figure flashed as he charged forward directly.
Buzz... Buzz...
Ye Yunfei passed through Formation after Formation, entering the treasure vault directly.
"This vault has various spatial restrictions laid out within. Space travel here is difficult," Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said.
"Have you succeeded in cultivating the Hidden Shadow Secret Art?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"If you succeeded, how could I fail?" Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm appeared on Ye Yunfei's shoulder, curling its lip.
"Hmm?"
Just as Ye Yunfei was continuously traversing Formations and entering the cellar, not far away, within a tent, a Gan Family elder sat cross-legged. His expression suddenly moved as his eyes snapped open.
"The treasure vault's location seems a bit off.
I just sensed the Formations around the vault seemed to have been touched."
This Gan Family elder frowned as he looked in the direction of the vault.
This elder was quite powerful with keen perception, and he had detected the disturbance caused by Ye Yunfei passing through the Formations.
Whoosh!
After a moment's thought, he sprang into motion, rushing towards the vault.
A short while later, the elder arrived at the vault's entrance.
"Greetings, Elder!"
The Gan Family members guarding the cellar hurried forward to pay their respects.
"Any unusual activity?" the elder asked.
"Reporting to the Elder, nothing unusual," a squad leader reported.
"Open the door. I'll take a look inside," the elder ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
The squad leader immediately rushed over and used a secret art to open the vault door.
The Gan Family elder walked into the vault.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei was also inside the vault, preparing to collect the crystals when this elder arrived.
"I hope the Hidden Shadow Secret Art is effective."
Ye Yunfei immediately activated the Hidden Shadow Secret Art, vanishing from sight, suppressing his aura. He hid behind a relatively large crystal and remained completely still.
The elder walked into the vault, pacing back and forth several times, looking around carefully.
He even stared at the crystal concealing Ye Yunfei several times.
Due to the excellent efficacy of the Hidden Shadow Secret Art and because this elder was merely an ordinary member of the Gan Family—not a top-tier expert—he did not spot Ye Yunfei.
However, even though he didn't see anything, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Finally, his gaze fixed on the crystal where Ye Yunfei was hiding.
"Could this crystal be the problem?" the Gan Family elder muttered to himself.
"Not good!
They've struck an accursed vein!
It seems like mine ghosts! Run!"
Suddenly, loud shouts rang out in the distance.
"What now? Another accursed vein?"
The elder frowned.
Then, his figure flashed as he left the vault.