A day later.
Ye Yunfei finally arrived at the area described by the Vermilion Bird Demon King.
This was already the core area of the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area!
At a glance, it was a barren wasteland stretching for a thousand li, desolate and uninhabited, and pervaded by various ominous auras.
Ye Yunfei noticed that there were almost no mineshafts within the core area of the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area. It seemed none of the major powers had entered this region to excavate ore deposits.
After thinking for a moment, Ye Yunfei understood the reason.
This was the core region of the ancient mining area, which also meant it was definitely the most dangerous place.
He guessed that even the major powers of the Eastern Barrens didn't dare to casually send people into this core area for mining operations.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly saw a vast, seemingly endless stretch of mountainous terrain appear on the earth ahead. It was distributed with massive mountain ranges, lying across the land like giant dragons.
Looking out, he saw countless bald peaks densely packed across the ground.
These peaks were extremely tall, with no vegetation whatsoever, covered in grotesque rocks and scorched black.
Many auras of terrifyingly powerful experts were flitting about between those mountain ranges, as if searching for something.
All of them were top-tier powerhouses of the Eastern Barrens!
"Many things are buried beneath this land, and some of them are truly dreadful."
Ye Yunfei descended, communed with the earth's energies, and probed the ground, frowning slightly.
As a Geomancer, Ye Yunfei could perceive the various auras buried deep underground through his connection with the earth's vital forces.
In this land, Ye Yunfei didn't dare at all to travel beneath the earth's surface, because too many ominous auras lurked down there. He might encounter some troublesome existence at any moment.
In fact, ever since entering the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area, Ye Yunfei had seldom traveled underground.
It was widely known that many dangerous things were buried beneath the soil of the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area.
With a flick of his sleeve, more than a thousand Earth Dragons surged out from Ye Yunfei's body and burrowed into the ground, beginning to move about beneath the earth.
Most of these Earth Dragons were Green Dragons, with a few Blue Dragons among them.
"The Vermilion Bird Demon King is over there!"
Soon, Ye Yunfei detected the Vermilion Bird Demon King's aura and raced towards him, employing his movement technique.
"Your Majesty."
A moment later, Ye Yunfei arrived on a mountain peak and appeared beside the Vermilion Bird Demon King.
At this time, the Vermilion Bird Demon King was standing atop the peak with several Great Demons.
"Young Master Su, you've arrived."
Seeing Ye Yunfei, the Vermilion Bird Demon King was somewhat surprised.
"Young Master Su, this ancient mining area is extremely dangerous. Why have you entered it?"
The Vermilion Bird Demon King asked directly.
"I've come for Divine Crystals."
Ye Yunfei answered frankly without concealing anything.
"For Divine Crystals?"
The Vermilion Bird Demon King was taken aback but didn't press further.
In his mind, Ye Yunfei's strength was far too weak; he shouldn't be here seeking Divine Crystals.
However, Divine Crystals were priceless treasures coveted by every martial artist.
Thus, he didn't say that Ye Yunfei was wrong to come.
"Some time ago, someone spotted a Divine Crystal here, though they failed to claim it.
Later, news spread out, attracting countless powerhouses from the Eastern Barrens.
So far, no one has found that Divine Crystal.
Moreover, even if its location is discovered, with so many powerhouses gathered here, snatching it will be extremely difficult."
The Vermilion Bird Demon King shook his head.
"Divine Crystals possess sentience. They automatically hide and move. They also contain immense energy. Those with insufficient strength may not be able to successfully claim one even if they find it."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young Master Su, you seem to understand something about Divine Crystals."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Vermilion Bird Demon King looked surprised.
"I understand a bit."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Your Majesty, there seems to be a discovery over there!"
At that moment, a Great Demon suddenly sprinted over, landed before the Vermilion Bird Demon King, and reported.
"Let's go take a look!"
The Vermilion Bird Demon King said, his figure flashing as he shot into the sky.
Ye Yunfei and the other Great Demons followed behind.
A moment later, they saw nine connected, dark red mountain ranges appear ahead. Seen from afar, they looked like nine crimson dragons lying on the earth.
In the middle of these nine mountain ranges stood a solitary peak.
The nine ranges seemed to cluster around this central peak, creating a scene akin to nine giant dragons encircling a single mountain.
"This is the Nine Dragons Encircling the Pearl formation!
And all nine dragons are red, devoid of any hair. These are Crimson Dragons, indicating an extremely inauspicious formation!"
Ye Yunfei felt inwardly shocked.
The Nine Dragons Encircling the Pearl formation could be either highly auspicious or extremely ominous!
Based on Ye Yunfei's geomancy experience, he recognized at a glance that this one was a greatly inauspicious arrangement.
At this moment, many auras of terrifying powerhouses were searching for something on those nine mountain ranges.
Especially above the central peak, dozens of experts had gathered and were examining the mountain.
Anyone could see that this peak was extraordinary.
"Your Majesty, earlier someone saw a radiant divine light shooting into the sky from here, brilliant and dazzling. It's likely related to the Divine Crystal."
The Great Demon who made the report earlier said.
"That peak is definitely unusual."
The Vermilion Bird Demon King nodded.
Boom...
At that moment, a powerful figure suddenly extended a hand, which continuously enlarged, and chopped down towards the mountain peak, attempting to split it open.
Boom!
As that powerhouse's palm descended, the peak shone with dazzling light and erupted with a powerful surge of energy that sent the attacker staggering back several steps.
"It's that strong!"
The onlookers drew in sharp breaths of shock.
It must be known that this powerhouse was a famously renowned expert of the Eastern Barrens. With his strength, a single palm could shatter dozens of mountain peaks, yet now he had been repelled by this one.
"Let's attack together!"
A purple-robed elder shouted loudly.
Boom! Boom!
Several dozen powerhouses in the vicinity simultaneously struck towards the peak. The terrifying energies unleashed by these experts nearly overturned the heavens and earth of this region.
However, the mountain peak surged with a bewitching crimson light that repelled all the attacks. The peak itself remained completely undamaged.
"This mountain is too hard!
It cannot be destroyed by brute force!"
Someone exclaimed in alarm.
The peak stood silently, emanating a steady yet sinister aura.
"Eh?
Look, there's a cave on the mountain!"
Suddenly, someone pointed at the peak and cried out.
Indeed, on the mountainside, there was a cave entrance from which billowing multi-colored mist was seeping out.
Dazzling divine radiance also shot forth from within the cave.
"The Divine Crystal we seek might be inside!"
One of the many powerhouses gazing at the light-spewing cave suddenly said.
"Come, let's go in and investigate!"
After examining the cave for a moment, a brave expert moved, descending towards the mountain peak.
Soon, this expert arrived before the cave. After a moment's hesitation, he finally walked inside.
Seeing that expert enter, the other powerhouses also rushed forward, vying to be first as they charged towards the cave.
"Let's go, we'll go too."
The Vermilion Bird Demon King said, also preparing to charge over.
"Your Majesty, wait.
The terrain here is extremely treacherous, and that peak is the most dangerous location within it. Do not rush in lightly.
How about this: we'll enter from a different position."
Ye Yunfei had been observing the topography of the area intently and suddenly spoke.