Chapter 79: The Earth Vein Black Crystal

In the dark underground river, Shen Chen swam like a frog, moving swiftly towards where the black stone fish were more densely gathered.

Thanks to the water barrier that formed a bubble-like shield, Shen Chen no longer had to worry about water entering his ears and nose. Similarly, after consuming a large amount of black stone fish flesh, he did not feel the slightest bit of difficulty breathing in the oxygen-deprived underwater environment, as if his bloodline automatically regulated his breathing...

In such aimless swimming, it was unknown how long had passed, but the black stone fish around Shen Chen became increasingly dense.

This filled Shen Chen with great joy, as his previous thoughts were gradually being validated. If he could find the lair of these black stone fish, perhaps... he could indeed find a trace of the legendary world-renowned treasure...

"A huge underwater cave, the black stone fish seem to be coming from that direction..." After about half an incense stick's time, a massive underwater cliff suddenly appeared in front of Shen Chen. However, it was not completely blocked off; on the cliff, there was a cave entrance at least two zhang wide.

Shen Chen noticed that many palm-sized black shadows were swimming in and out of the large cave. However, when the rapid light from his forehead shone on the cave entrance, the black shadows scattered like frightened deer, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Without hesitation, Shen Chen quickly swam and soon entered the cave...

...

This cave was really large, not only wide but also long and winding. Shen Chen swam for a long time without finding the end.

"Could this cave lead to a lake or a pond..." While swimming, Shen Chen suddenly thought of a question.

At this thought, Shen Chen became so excited that he started to tremble. Whether he could find the treasure was all about luck, but more importantly, it was about being able to leave this damned underground river.

Having stayed in the darkness and dampness for over a month, to be honest, Shen Chen's bones were almost rusted. While a significant increase in strength was certainly a cause for joy, if he could never leave, it would be useless. If possible, even if he had to run out naked like a wild man, Shen Chen would not frown!

"Alright, let's take it one step at a time, and see what happens!" Shen Chen shook his head, trying to calm himself down. The more he was in such a desperate situation, the more he needed to endure loneliness; otherwise, he would drive himself mad before seeing the light of day again.

Subsequently, Shen Chen increased his swimming speed. It was clear that the cave was becoming narrower. When he entered, it was several zhang wide, but now it was less than one zhang.

The deeper he went, the more obvious this became. After about an hour, Shen Chen's swimming movements became noticeably slower.

At this point, he had squeezed into a narrow, elongated rock passage less than three feet wide, making it difficult to swim. Eventually, Shen Chen gave up swimming and began to climb using his hands, grabbing the walls of the cave.

"Damn! You're playing with me again, you scoundrel of a sky!"

After a moment, in a dark corner of the underground river, Shen Chen's heart tightened, almost making him spit blood in anger.

It wasn't that Shen Chen lacked composure, but... there was no path ahead!

Shen Chen was furious. He had been toyed with once in the canyon, and now, a familiar scene tragically befell him again.

Although he wasn't in a dead end and could retreat safely, the fact that he had exerted so much effort only to find that the cave was a dead end was infuriating!

In fact, the path ahead was not completely blocked. There was a small cave entrance about a foot wide, slightly larger than a large bowl. If Zhong Ling were here, with her petite figure, she might be able to squeeze through by compressing her chest and buttocks.

But for Shen Chen, a grown man, unless... he knew bone-shrinking techniques!

Shen Chen naturally did not know bone-shrinking techniques, and he wasn't even sure if such a martial skill existed. Staring at the small cave entrance, he could only look longingly and sigh, seemingly at a complete loss.

"Alright, I'll just consider this a bad omen for today. I'll take a look and then find another way out!" After twitching for a while, Shen Chen gritted his teeth and decided to return the way he came. Before leaving, he bent down, his face close to the cave entrance, trying to see what was inside.

However, after a few beams of light from his forehead illuminated the small cave, Shen Chen was momentarily stunned.

It turned out that behind the small cave entrance, there was a vast natural stone chamber on the other side of the rock wall, which was over a dozen zhang thick. Of course, the stone chamber was also submerged in water.

What truly surprised Shen Chen was the tall, stalactite-like object in the center of the natural stone chamber, which was about a dozen zhang high and as thick as a thousand-year-old banyan tree, standing there majestically.

Moreover, the scene around the large underwater stalactite also left Shen Chen amazed. The area around the stalactite was densely packed with black shadows, like a massive underwater beehive.

And those black shadows were undoubtedly the black stone fish, whose numbers were so vast that they could shock the entire Tianlong Continent!

"Whew... so many black stone fish, this is too terrifying. Could I have accidentally stumbled upon the lair of these extraordinary fish?" Shen Chen's mouth opened wide in shock, and he drew in a deep breath. Even though he had eaten many black stone fish before, seeing this scene still gave him a dreamlike feeling.

There were at least ten thousand black stone fish, Shen Chen estimated.

Ten thousand black stone fish?

If this were said outside, it would surely make people laugh. Such a claim would be considered a wild exaggeration. But now, what Shen Chen saw was truly incredible. If this were known, the great figures of the Tianlong Continent would surely fight to the death to find this place.

At that time, even if they had to dig three thousand feet deep, the great figures of the Tianlong Continent would capture all these treasures!

"Swallow..." Shen Chen swallowed hard. The delicious taste of black stone fish never got old, and seeing such a large school of fish right before his eyes made his eyes widen!

Wait...

Why were so many black stone fish circling around a large stalactite?

Suddenly, Shen Chen had an idea...

"Could that stalactite contain... the legendary Earth Vein Black Crystal?!" Shen Chen's pupils dilated rapidly, and a never-before-felt intense excitement began to rise in his heart.

Earth Vein Black Crystal!

Also known as the Pulse of the Earth, it is said that after the Tianlong Emperor ascended to heaven a thousand years ago, the essence of the land retreated underground and was likely absorbed by some kind of celestial spirit. This celestial spirit is the Earth Vein Black Crystal, which is almost considered a treasure on the Tianlong Continent!

However, while black stone fish can consume the residual outer layer of the Earth Vein Black Crystal, the Earth Vein Black Crystal itself is not meant to be consumed. In fact, if anyone were to consume such a world-renowned treasure, they would be struck by lightning, and even the great figures would be enraged!

As a treasure whose value cannot be measured by money, the greatest use of the Earth Vein Black Crystal is in crafting powerful spiritual treasures, which make countless cultivators envious!

"Damn... could there really be Earth Vein Black Crystal inside? I can't breathe..." Shen Chen patted his chest, finding it difficult to breathe. Having lived two lifetimes, he had seen many great events.

But this time, Shen Chen couldn't remain calm!

In his past, during his free time, he had heard people say that most cultivators on the Tianlong Continent focused on the material quality of their weapons. For example, the red gold longsword in his hand was forged from volcanic red gold, with excellent material quality. In the outside world, it would likely be worth several tens of thousands of body-tempering pills.

However, the pursuit of material quality alone is only suitable for ordinary cultivators from small sects and minor forces. For important figures and powerful cultivators from medium to large forces, simple material quality is not enough. What they care about most is whether the weapon is spiritually connected!

Once a weapon is spiritually connected, it is no longer an ordinary weapon but a priceless... spiritual treasure!

Throughout history, spiritual treasures have always been a symbol of a powerful cultivator's strength, status, and identity. Shen Chen vaguely remembered that in his family, his father Shen Yifeng and several elders all possessed spiritual treasures. When Shen Chen was at home, he was always treated as a precious gem by his elders and was never allowed to touch these treasures...

If spiritual treasures already make countless cultivators envious and passionate, then the pinnacle of spiritual treasures, known as "spiritual treasures," are truly the ultimate dream of all cultivators.

Undoubtedly, to be considered a spiritual treasure, it must be crafted from a spiritual material. The spiritual materials used to craft spiritual treasures are typically divided into "three streams and nine grades," with each grade differing by a vast margin. The "Earth Vein Black Crystal" in front of Shen Chen, which might be contained in the large stalactite, is a well-known peak existence, with the highest grade of "first stream and first grade." Any spiritual treasure crafted from Earth Vein Black Crystal is a legendary existence with a glorious reputation.

Shen Chen knew that in the world, the number of first stream and first grade spiritual materials that people can name is few. The Earth Vein Black Crystal, being one of the best, has made countless nobles and generals go to great lengths to find even a small piece!

Standing here, even though he couldn't yet confirm whether the stalactite contained Earth Vein Black Crystal, Shen Chen was already struggling to move. Even if it only contained some residual fragments or outer layers of the Earth Vein Black Crystal, it would still be a rare treasure that could shock the world. Shen Chen could only wish he were a water snake, so he could squeeze through the small cave entrance.

"No, I can't turn back from a treasure trove. I'll regret it in the future. I have to try!" Tempted by the Earth Vein Black Crystal, Shen Chen's eyes began to show a fierce determination. Entering the underground river and surviving was a rare opportunity that might never come again. If he missed it, Shen Chen would regret it for the rest of his life.

With a fierce look in his eyes, Shen Chen's actions became more determined.

He no longer cared about the inconvenience of moving underwater. He pulled out the red gold longsword in his hand and began to frantically chisel at the small cave entrance, determined to create a passage...