Chapter 294 - 177: The Omen of Great Fortune, Danger Averted_2

"However, since it’s the cave mansion of a Golden Core Zhenren, the restriction arrays inside must be extremely powerful."

"There may even be unknown dangers within."

"A slight mistake, and you might perish in there."

"When I was young, I was tempted too but eventually chose to give up."

"How many Foundation Establishment Cultivators of my generation have gained any benefits from a Golden Core Cave Mansion?"

"Most of them ended up perishing in there."

Fan Wenli said quietly, always believing that if that Golden Core Cave Mansion really contained a wealth of treasures and no dangers, why would Ma Zhong Mountain invite other Foundation Establishments? Wouldn’t taking it all for himself be better?

"Does this mean Fellow Daoist Jiang is in grave danger?"

"Only pity for his Dao Companion."

Lian Minglan sighed.

"Maybe it won’t be a big problem."

"Perhaps Fellow Daoist Jiang has divine protection."

"Before things are over, no one knows what might happen."

Fan Wenli wasn’t entirely sure of Jiang Fan’s fate, but clearly, he didn’t have high expectations for Jiang Fan’s outcome. He’d seen too many greedy young cultivators like this one.

But how many young cultivators can actually break through heavy encirclements?

Cultivation is too difficult for loose cultivators; it’s tough every step of the way.

Especially without cultivation resources, it’s even more challenging.

That’s why every loose cultivator is extremely busy, needing to fight for their future.

Whoosh!

In a short time, under Ma Zhong Mountain’s guidance, they quickly arrived at a nameless peak.

Three other Foundation Establishment Cultivators had been waiting there for a long time.

They were Qi Yongqing, Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment; Liu Zimo, Fifth-Layer Foundation Establishment; and Biyan City, Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment. They were mostly mid-stage cultivators, not far different in cultivation from Ma Zhong Mountain.

Moreover, they all lived in Xuanjian City.

They had known Ma Zhong Mountain for many years.

They weren’t exactly close friends, but at least somewhat familiar.

"Fellow Daoist Ma, you finally arrived."

"We thought you were going to stand us up with such a delay."

Foundation Establishment cultivator Qi Yongqing immediately greeted Ma Zhong Mountain.

"How could that be?"

"This opportunity is of utmost importance to us."

"That’s why I invited another Daoist to join us; I hope you don’t mind."

Ma Zhong Mountain immediately introduced Jiang Fan to everyone.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists."

Jiang Fan nodded and greeted everyone.

He had a thought and used the Emperor’s Gaze to observe the fate of Ma Zhong Mountain and the others.

Suddenly, he saw a layer of black tribulation clouds hovering over their heads, accompanied by a blood-red glow.

Without a doubt, these people all had a death tribulation upon them.

Even with himself joining the team, they couldn’t avoid this death tribulation.

"No way, are these guys going to die?"

"Is this operation a death trap for them?"

"But for me, it’s a sign of great fortune?!"

Jiang Fan’s eyes flickered.

He hadn’t expected to see their inevitable death.

This meant that, with or without him, these people’s actions were destined to lead to death.

Obviously, this Golden Core Cave Mansion was more dangerous than imagined.

However, while it was dangerous for Ma Zhong Mountain and the others, it wasn’t so for him.

After all, he had many means to fend off danger.

"Fellow Daoist Ma, what’s going on? Why invite another Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

"Yeah, won’t adding one more person mean losing a share of the profits? No matter how great the interest from the Golden Core Cave Mansion, it won’t leave much left after dividing among so many Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"This kid isn’t your relative, is he? You’re not trying to share our profit with him, are you?"

At this time, Qi Yongqing and the others transmitted their voices using spiritual sense communication.

Such voices could only be heard by them, keeping it very secretive.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoists, I’m not that kind of person."

"I invited Fellow Daoist Jiang as cannon fodder."

"After all, this Golden Core Cave Mansion is not simple; who knows what dangers we’ll face."

"Having one more Foundation Establishment cultivator means one more buffer."

"During danger, he can help us share the risk."

"Even if there’s no danger afterward, we distribute treasures based on merit in our group; if the merit isn’t significant, not much benefit will be divided."

"So no matter what, having this Daoist join is more beneficial than harmful to us."

Ma Zhong Mountain immediately explained through spiritual sense, comforting this group of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He always felt that the Golden Core Cave Mansion was very dangerous, so he subconsciously sought a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators to share the risk. If anything unexpected really arose, he could escape at the first moment.

"I see."

Qi Yongqing and the others couldn’t help but nod, quite satisfied after the explanation.

They looked at Jiang Fan with noticeably kinder eyes.

After all, at a critical moment, this kid would be the one to save them.

"Welcome, Fellow Daoist Jiang, to join us."

"With Fellow Daoist Jiang, this will certainly be safely thrilling."

"If this cooperation goes well, we can collaborate again next time."

"Indeed, on the path of cultivation, having more friends is definitely better than having more enemies."

Qi Yongqing and the others warmly greeted Jiang Fan.

"Not at all, we’ll all be friends in the future."

Jiang Fan smiled slightly.

He naturally sensed these people’s ill intentions.

But to him, these people were basically dead.

So no matter their intentions, it didn’t matter.

He was only looking forward to the harvest from this trip to the Golden Core Cave Mansion.

......

A few days later.

Under Ma Zhong Mountain’s guidance, the group flew toward the Mist Mountain Range.

Upon arriving at the Mist Mountain Range, Jiang Fan immediately noticed that this area indeed differed in orientation.

All the mountains were shrouded in white mist, making it impossible to see their true form.

If unfamiliar with this area, cultivators could easily get lost.

Moreover, deep within the mountains lurked ferocious demon beasts, ready to strike at any moment.

A moment’s carelessness could lead to death in the Mist Mountain Range.

However, all members of this group were Foundation Establishment cultivators, so ordinary demon beasts weren’t their match.

Additionally, Ma Zhong Mountain and others were very familiar with this area, ensuring they didn’t get lost all the way.

After crossing several large mountains, they finally arrived in front of a nameless peak.

"We’re here."

"This is the location of the Golden Core Cave Mansion."

"It’s surrounded by a Tier Three Array."

"So I haven’t been able to break through this array and could only return empty-handed."

Ma Zhong Mountain pointed to the mountain ahead.

Everyone looked over; the mountain’s exterior appeared unremarkable.

But upon closer inspection, one could feel an invisible barrier power enveloping the entire mountain, isolating it from the rest of the world, seamless, with almost no flaws.

"If I’m not mistaken, this should be the Tier Three Array, the Inverted Five Elements Array."

"Arranged using the Power of the Five Elements."

"But due to the inversion, it’s impossible to find the array’s flaws."

"The Five Elements are continuously cycling, endlessly."

"If you enter, you’ll be suppressed by the Power of the Five Elements, never able to leave."

"Undoubtedly, the Golden Core Zhenren of this cave mansion was a Tier Three Array Master."

Foundation Establishment cultivator Liu Zimo said excitedly, as he was also a Tier Two Array Master, and Ma Zhong Mountain had invited him specifically to break the array.

"If that’s the case, does that mean the Tier Three Array can’t be destroyed?"

Ma Zhong Mountain and the others looked quite grim.

If it truly was a complete Tier Three Array, it was utterly impossible for mere Foundation Establishment cultivators to destroy it.

A rash attack would lead to a backlash from the array’s power.

"If it were a complete Tier Three Array, we couldn’t break it."

"But a truly complete Tier Three Array relies on a Tier Three Spirit Vein."

"Without a Tier Three Spirit Vein as the energy source, a Tier Three Array can’t operate effectively."

"And there is no Tier Three Spirit Vein here."

"So the energy source for this array should come from spirit stones."

"Once the spirit stone’s energy is exhausted, this array will naturally collapse."

Foundation Establishment cultivator Liu Zimo explained.

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