Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 234 Clues Intertwine, the Fog Gradually Unveils

Inside the secret chamber of the Qingyun Sect, the investigation team members sat around a huge stone table, which was covered with various maps, fragments of ancient books, and papers recording clues. Zhang Peng frowned, his gaze sweeping over the materials, trying to unravel a clear thread from the complex web of clues.

“Everyone, think carefully again. Are there any details we’ve overlooked? We already know that the activities of the mysterious forces are closely related to the spirit stone mines, but how exactly do they use the mines to prepare for the ‘Spirit Abyss Ritual’?” Zhang Peng’s voice broke the silence of the secret room, carrying a hint of weariness but also an undeniable firmness.

A disciple from Qingfeng Valley stood up and pointed to a hand-drawn map of a mineral vein, saying, "I discovered an ancient magic array in the ancient books collected by Qingfeng Valley called the 'Spirit Gathering and Dragon Trapping Array.' It can gather a large amount of spiritual power and even bind powerful spiritual creatures. Could this be related to the plans of a mysterious force? Moreover, I heard that near one of the mineral veins we investigated, some villagers saw strange lights flashing. Perhaps such a magic array is being set up there."

Zhang Peng's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Does any ancient book record the specific method for setting up and breaking this kind of magic array?"

The disciple looked troubled and shook his head: "They only mentioned some fragments about the principles of the formation, and there was no detailed record of the specific setup and methods to break it. But I suspect that since the mysterious force knows about this formation, they must have a way to set it up. We must find a way to break it as soon as possible."

At this moment, Wang Yongli stood up and cleared his throat: "Patriarch, I've been browsing through ancient books in the sect's library these past few days and discovered some hidden records about spirit stone veins. It's said that long ago, an evil force attempted to use the spiritual power of the veins to open a passage to another world and obtain greater power. They were later stopped by the cultivators of that time, but they mentioned a key item—the Spirit Crystal Heart. This is a treasure formed from high-grade spirit stones through special tempering, possessing powerful spiritual energy, and it seems to be the key to activating certain powerful rituals."

Zhang Peng fell into deep thought, connecting these new clues with his previous discoveries. "It seems that the mysterious force is likely searching for the Spirit Crystal Heart, using the spiritual power of the mine and the 'Spirit Gathering and Dragon Trapping Array' to prepare for the 'Spirit Abyss Ritual,' which may be to open a mysterious passage and obtain unknown power."

Xia Lijuan nodded slightly and added, "Then we might as well start from two directions. On the one hand, continue to investigate the clues of the Spirit Crystal Heart and see where it is; on the other hand, send disciples to the vicinity of the mine where the strange light is flashing, to secretly investigate and see if the 'Spirit Gathering and Dragon Trapping Formation' is really being set up."

Everyone agreed. The investigation team quickly split into two groups. One group, led by Zhang Peng, was responsible for finding clues about the Spirit Crystal Heart, traversing the libraries and ruins of various cultivation families, and visiting cultivators who knew the ancient legends. The other group, led by Wang Yongli, went to the vicinity of the mine to conduct reconnaissance.

After several days of travel, Zhang Peng's team finally found some clues about the Spirit Crystal Heart in the ruins of an ancient cultivation family. The ancient texts in the ruins recorded that the Spirit Crystal Heart was sealed on the summit of a mountain called "Lingjiu Mountain," protected by a powerful restriction.

"It seems we must head to Lingjiu Mountain. But the journey will certainly be fraught with danger, so everyone must be careful," Zhang Peng said solemnly to his team members, looking at the records in the ancient book.

Meanwhile, Wang Yongli's reconnaissance team also arrived near the mine. They cautiously lay in ambush in the forest, observing the activity around the mine. Sure enough, deep within the mine, they saw a group of men in black busily setting something up, with strange lights flashing around them—the very characteristics of the "Spirit Gathering and Dragon Trapping Formation" described in ancient texts.

"Everyone, don't act rashly yet. Let's continue to observe and see what other moves they make. At the same time, get this message back to the Qingyun Sect as soon as possible," Wang Yongli whispered to his team members.

As the investigation deepens, the mysterious force's plans gradually come to light, but danger is also closing in. Zhang Peng and his companions know that they are standing on the edge of a storm that will determine the fate of the cultivation world, and every decision they make could affect the lives of countless people.