This time, there were quite a lot of people heading to Stone City. Not only were there disciples who wanted to enter the ancient cave, but there were also quite a few elders accompanying them.
Fortunately, Wen Zhiyuan's flying spirit boat was big enough to accommodate all of them. As everyone stepped onto the boat, Wen Zhiyuan raised his hand, and the enormous flying spirit boat slowly rose into the sky. It picked up speed, and the scenery around them became blurry. However, with the protection of the formation, Lu Xuan felt like he was walking on flat ground.
At this time, Wen Zhiyuan's voice clearly reached everyone's ears. "Everyone, cultivate in peace. This journey is quite far. If I'm not mistaken, it will take about a day and a half to arrive."
Hearing this, Lu Xuan was secretly shocked. He had heard that Stone City was on the border of the Jiuhua Alliance's subordinate fourth-rank sects. In other words, to reach Stone City, they would have to cross at least half of Profound Ice Pavilion's territory. Even so, with this flying spirit boat, it would only take a day and a half to reach.
Due to Zhao Ying tagging along, the four of them were able to enjoy the benefits of having a powerful master. There was a special quiet room in the flying spirit ship for them to rest in. As for the other direct disciples, most of them could only rest and sit quietly on the deck of the flying spirit ship.
After a while, Lu Xuan couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Bing 'er, is there something special about Stone City? Why do the fourth-rank sects use it as their border? And I heard that Stone City doesn't belong to any sect? "
Lu Xuan was not looking for trouble. He knew nothing about the outside world of cultivation, so it would be good for him to know more about it. Zhao Binger had grown up in the Xuan Ice Pavilion, so she was naturally more knowledgeable than he was.
Before Zhao Bing 'er could answer, Zhao Ying slowly opened her eyes. After a period of rest, her complexion looked much better. She had only used up too much energy last night, but hadn't suffered any serious injuries.
"Let me tell you. I'm sure you don't know much about the Sky Sword Continent," Zhao Ying said softly.
Du Xiaomao nodded again and again. She was just a core disciple before, so she knew everything about the Profound Ice Pavilion, but she didn't know much about the outside world.
"Stone City has existed for a long time. It's said that in the past, the Jiuehua Alliance's subordinate Fourth Rank Sects fought over the ownership of Stone City. All of them suffered heavy losses. Although the Jiuehua Alliance wanted to keep the Fourth Rank Sects in check, they didn't want to see so much internal strife. That's why they decided to step in and make Stone City the border of the Fourth Rank Sects. It doesn't belong to any of them. But that's a long time ago. Stone City was like this during my father's time."
Seeing that Zhao Ying hadn't gotten to the main point, Lu Xuan couldn't help but ask again, "What's so special about this stone city? Why do they all want to fight for the ownership? "
"Speaking of Stone City, there is indeed something special about it. It's special in the word 'stone'." Zhao Ying began to answer Lu Xuan's question. "There are countless mountains around Stone City, and within these mountains, there are often veins of ore. These veins are what makes Stone City special."
Lu Xuan's eyes lit up. "Could it be a primal stone vein?"
In his mind, only the most important primal stone vein would incite the great sects to fight over it.
Zhao Ying smiled faintly, then shook her head. "If it really was a primal stone mine, the Nine Eastern Alliance would have taken control of it long ago. The great fourth-rank sects wouldn't even have a chance to fight over it. It's strange, but the stone mine produced by Stone City is rather special. At least, no other place in the entire Heavenly Sword Continent has produced it. Stone City is the only place to be."
Zhao Ying didn't say what kind of ore it was. Lu Xuan's heart itched, but he didn't interrupt. He could only listen patiently.
"Ordinary mineral veins produce ores directly, such as Ice Crystal Stones, Yuan Stones, and so on. But the ores produced by the stone city are wrapped in a layer of outer shell. What's more amazing is that this layer of outer shell can actually prevent a martial artist from probing. Unless the outer shell is broken, it is impossible to know what ore is inside."
Lu Xuan couldn't help but pause. What did she mean by not knowing what was inside? Could it be that Stone City produced more than one type of ore? Randomly? This was rather interesting.
Since he'd thought of it, Lu Xuan asked directly, and Zhao Ying quickly gave him an affirmative answer. "Correct. The ores produced by Stone City are strange. Without breaking the outer shell, no one can know what's inside. And some of these ores are extremely precious!"
"Could it be supreme grade primal stones?" Du Xiaomao also listened with great interest. For her, supreme grade primal stones were very precious. They were almost like cheats for cultivators.
"Not just supreme grade primal stones. Supreme grade primal stones are naturally precious, but they're not the most precious. After all, supreme grade primal stones can be found everywhere, and some ores are unique in the Sky Sword Continent!"
"Have you ever thought that the power contained in ores can directly enhance a cultivator's soul? Or have you ever thought that ores can contain extremely strong blood Qi, which can directly enhance a cultivator's physique? Even some rare ores can make a cultivator's bloodline purer? In short, many strange but extremely useful ores may appear in the mineral veins produced by Stone City! "
Zhao Ying's words left Lu Xuan and Du Xiaomao speechless. Although Zhao Binger was calm, that was because she already knew. The first time she heard about it, she was equally surprised. The world was big, and there were many strange things.
Lu Xuan let out a long sigh of relief and said, "It is no wonder that several of the fourth-rank sects want to take over the stone city. Once they have control over the stone city, they would be able to mine this amazing ore without limit. If they were to provide it to the powerful ones in their sects, their strength would definitely undergo a qualitative change."
Zhao Ying nodded. "You're right. That's what all the sects think. Otherwise, they wouldn't have waged so many wars."
Lu Xuan then realized another problem. If Stone City wasn't under anyone's control, then who would control these magical ores?
When she heard Lu Xuan's question, Zhao Ying answered matter-of-factly. "Of course it's in the hands of the Jiuhua Alliance."
Lu Xuan couldn't help but frown. Sure enough, the Jiuhua Alliance wasn't a good organization. They didn't let the fourth-rank sects fight over it, and instead took it for themselves. But there was nothing to say about it. They were a fifth-rank sect, after all.
"What a shame. I wanted to get my hands on some ores to improve my bloodline, but it looks like that's out of the question." Lu Xuan sighed.
Zhao Ying laughed at his words. "Do you think these magical ores are easy to find? What I'm talking about is an exception. For example, ores that improve soul energy. Out of ten thousand ores, there might not even be one. Besides, if you really want to get your hands on one, you can try your luck. "
"Try my luck?" Lu Xuan was puzzled. Did she want him to search the mountains? The chances were slim, and he doubted the Jiuhua Alliance would let him.
Zhao Ying explained. "The Jiuhua Alliance doesn't use the ores themselves. They sell them. That's why, in Stone City, gambling on stones is the most popular!"
Du Xiaomao couldn't help but laugh. "Gambling on stones? There's gambling on stones in the world of cultivation? I've heard that in the mundane world, there's gambling on stones. But they only bet on things like jade. "
"That's right. Because it's impossible to tell what kind of ore is inside before the outer shell is broken, the Stone City is the only place in the world of cultivation where you can gamble on stones. You should know that there may be rare and precious ores, but most of them are common, even cheap ores. The Alliance sells these ores and earns far more than they would if they mined them themselves."
After listening to Zhao Ying, Lu Xuan finally understood why she said he could try his luck. Gambling on stones really was a life of luck.
With this thought in mind, Lu Xuan nudged Zhao Binger with his elbow. "Binger, we'll have to wait a day to get to Stone City. Why don't you come with me and try your luck?"
"I'll go too. It sounds interesting." Du Xiaomao's interest was piqued.
Zhao Binger shook her head. "It's not that easy to find top-quality ores. The Jiuhua Alliance has been in business for so long and still hasn't stopped. It's obvious they've made a lot of money. The ones who lose out are you, the ones who gamble on stones."
Lu Xuan didn't let up. "There's no harm in trying. Just treat it as fun and relax. My luck has always been good. Maybe I'll find some top-quality ores. We'll split it half."
Zhao Bing`er still didn't agree. Zhao Ying also became playful and teased Zhao Bing`er, "When Bing`er first heard about the wonders of the stone city, she was also very interested. She asked me to take her there to try it. In the end, she spent twenty supreme grade primal stones and came back with a pile of useless lower grade primal stones. As a punishment, I made her cultivate in the ice chamber for a month."
Hearing this, Lu Xuan and Du Xiaomao couldn't help but laugh. No wonder Zhao Binger refused to go. She had a psychological trauma. Lu Xuan never knew that Zhao Binger, who had always been like a goddess, could be so cute.
Zhao Binger blushed. She pulled Zhao Ying's sleeve and said, "Master, you're talking about my past again."
Lu Xuan smiled. "Master, we should talk more in private. Tell me more about Binger's childhood."
Zhao Binger glared at him. "Don't you dare. I'll ignore you."
Lu Xuan smiled and said, "Bing'er, this time, you have to go whether you want to or not. Don't be afraid. This time, I will take you to get revenge and win back all 20 top-grade Primordial Stones that you lost."
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