As Zong Shou pierced into the mountain forest, Zong Yuan and Chu Xue were already catching up. The former had stepped into the Martial Ancestor realm just a few days prior, barely meeting the deadline Zong Shou had set, thereby avoiding the peril of becoming a corpse.

Chu Xue, at this moment, had also successfully fused with that Metal-attributed Earth Vein. While her total internal energy might still lag behind Zong Shou, the endurance of her aura even surpassed his.

They easily kept pace. It was Tiger Zhongyuan, however, who, despite recently integrating a Spirit Vein, had to stay behind to watch over the heavily injured Ruo Shui and could not accompany them.

Chu Xue followed closely behind Zong Shou, her expression showing a hint of confusion. "Young Master, Didn't you already find an Earth Vein before?

Even Xiao Zhi and Xiao Jin—no, wait, the names of these spirit pets—haven't they successfully fused already? Why are we going over there again?" Mentioning the names of these spirit guards, Chu Xue couldn't help but feel a little speechless, strongly doubting her Young Master's taste.

Even a child wouldn't choose such common and rustic names. Zong Yuan’s gaze flickered as well.

He knew Zong Shou’s martial arts had already broken through the Innate Realm, which he realized half a month ago when Zong Shou returned carrying Ruo Shui. Compared to his Spirit Law cultivation, which had advanced to the Night Roaming Realm, while still startling, it was somewhat more comprehensible.

For this Heir Apparent to possess martial arts prowess almost comparable to Hu Qianqiu, breaking through the Innate Realm was only a matter of time. An Innate realm cultivator who was barely over fourteen years old—in the eyes of others, this alone would be enough to shame countless martial cultivators.

Even Zong Shou within the Zong Clan, whom many considered second only to Zong Shi in cultivation aptitude, had only reached the Innate Realm upon turning twenty full years old! Over there, Zong Shou seemed not to hear Chu Xue’s words.

Only in the depths of his eyes did a hint of anxiety faintly appear. Over these past ten-plus days, he had effortlessly found the Spirit Veins needed by Chu Xue and Tiger Zhongyuan, one by one.

He had even secured the fourth Earth Vein Zong Yuan would need soon. Yet, his own progress had been minimal.

Earth Veins containing both Water and Fire elements were easy to locate; this era was inherently close to a Spiritual Tide, and Spirit Veins were becoming abundant. But finding one beyond Water and Fire that also secretly harbored an Electric Source Spirit was proving quite thorny.

After twenty consecutive casting attempts, he had only managed to find a single Water Vein so far. The Beast Crystal Spirit Stones he had on hand were completely depleted.

This final attempt had only been made possible because Tiger Zhongyuan and the others had hunted down formidable beasts to gather the last required materials. If this attempt succeeded, it would be perfect.

But if it failed, he would have to delay for over ten days until they could reach the major cities with branches of the Sanlu Bank to acquire more Spirit Stones. His state of mind was clear; he didn't rejoice in possessions nor grieve over personal setbacks, maintaining a constant, broad perspective.

He wasn't worried about his own cultivation progress, but rather felt a profound concern for Xuanyuan Yiren. The deadline of the fifth month was approaching, yet he was still stuck at the initial stage of the Innate level—how could he not be anxious?

He couldn't let that girl wait too long for him. At this moment, his mind was clear of distractions, only desiring to quickly fuse the Spirit Vein, accumulate more foundation capital, and then hurry to Xuan Mountain City to meet his future father-in-law.

“The relationship between Thunder and Fire generates life! Fully embodying the Five Elements, Fire containing Thunder.

Although this type of Earth Vein is not common, it shouldn't be considered rare either. While this Water Fairy Lake is bitterly cold, within a four-thousand-mile radius nearby, there are several volcanoes guaranteeing sufficient fire.

Why is it that I simply cannot find one? If I truly have no other recourse, I must try that location.

If that also fails, I'll just have to delay a bit longer to acquire Beast Crystals and then search in a different area.” At the same mountaintop, Zong Yuan and Chu Xue, along with that Shadow-Hiding Lion, were not standing within the formation but stationed at separate corners, guarding the perimeter. And the Fifth-Tier Demonic Eye Silver Bear, whose seal Zong Shou had already broken, stood imposing within the formation.

When Zong Shou next cast the Three Profound Mirroring Spirit Art, he began focusing on the northernmost edge of this small mountain range. Geographically, that spot was the 'dragon's head' position of the entire mountain range’s trajectory, typically the place where Spirit Veins converged most intensely—tens or hundreds of times greater than elsewhere.

The reason Zong Shou had deliberately avoided this area previously was a group of White Apes residing there. They were all Fourth-Tier formidable beasts, with over twenty of them reaching the Fifth-Tier.

One Ape King possessed unfathomable power and was incredibly intelligent, comparable to an eight-year-old human child. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, he truly did not wish to provoke this band of formidable beasts.

That five-colored light wave reappeared, with ripples visible intermittently. Having cast this technique twenty times in succession, Zong Shou had become quite adept.

He had already resolved to leave immediately if this search yielded nothing. Yet, after just a moment, his brow arched, revealing a trace of joy.

On the five-colored light curtain, countless Spirit Vein reactions manifested instantly. Among them, one, deep red tinged with purple, was the Fire-attributed Earth Vein he had sought nine times unsuccessfully—fully possessing the Five Elements, carrying an Electric Spirit.

“What luck! It’s actually high-grade too.

It’s just that this location is somewhat troublesome. It’s a pity Ruo Shui can’t move yet.” If he had the assistance of the Xuanwu Sect of the Six Earth Meridians, those White Apes, no matter how fierce, would be as easy as chopping vegetables.

A Martial Ancestor of the Six Earth Meridians possessed roughly nine hundred thousand jin of strength. But once reaching the Seven Earth Meridians, the Xuanwu Sect realm, that strength directly soared to a massive three million jin!

More than three times what it was before. Never mind that Ruo Shui appeared extremely frail at the moment; in truth, if she managed to muster a sliver of strength and apply even a light squeeze, Zong Shou would likely lose his life.

Glancing around, Zong Shou shook his head repeatedly. Among these two humans and one beast, only Zong Yuan could offer any real help; the others—Chu Xue and Xiao Zhi—would be a burden if brought along.

With a slight shift of thought, Zong Shou extruded his Yin Soul from his body, wrapping the Demonic Eye Silver Bear—which had already reformed into soul smoke according to his will—and soaring upwards. Transforming into a Thunder Luan, he flew directly north.

Not long after, he arrived at the northernmost tip of the mountain range. This area was a low peak, but extremely steep, flanked by towering cliffs on both sides.

Hundreds of White Apes were scattered across the entire mountainside. Zong Shou frowned.

Why did this Spirit Vein have to hide exactly where the White Apes were densest? Why was it fixed right there, unmoving?

This location was clearly the den of this ape colony. The White Apes entering and exiting here were visibly more robust, their auras stronger, and their eyes subtly gleamed with keen light.

Scanning the vicinity, Zong Shou secretly shook his head, his hope completely extinguished. There were no blind spots; avoiding this group of beasts was impossible.

Just as he was about to give up, a thought struck him, reminding him of an item. With a flap of his Thunder Wings, Zong Shou’s Nascent Soul soared up again.

This time, however, he flew directly towards the lakeside where the others were staying, scooping up all the wine flasks inside the Cloud-Flipping Cart. “This damned girl, she secretly drank four bottles of this wine!

No wonder her Body Refining progress has far exceeded my expectations. Why didn't I notice before that Xue'er also had this penchant?!” Arriving near that low mountain, Zong Shou first separated and carefully hid the six remaining bottles of Immortal Brew, placing them in locations within a hundred li radius that were difficult for formidable beasts to reach or climb—either in small, hidden crevices or atop thousand-zhang cliffs—and then opened all the bottle caps.

He then returned to wait near the low mountain. Sure enough, after only a short while, the White Apes began to stir, rushing outwards in a frenzy.

Even from the cave on the cliff to the left, over a dozen White Apes emerged. Among them, one was exceptionally tall, with faint golden patterns faintly visible on its chest.

Seeing this, Zong Shou smiled, though with a touch of regret. “I haven't even had a single sip of that Immortal Brew, and these brutes got it all.

I wonder how skilled Miss Zhenru is, the one Lei Dong keeps thinking about. What a pity…” A talisman suddenly shot out from the depths of his Nascent Soul.

A gentle breeze immediately stirred the open ground, blowing into the cave. Zong Shou waited silently, confirming that no existence within could pose a serious threat.

Without further delay, he soared inside. As soon as he entered, three slightly older White Apes stood up as if they were men.

Their eyes first showed alertness, then, seeing this mass of dark mist rampaging recklessly within the cave, they hesitated no more. With fierce roars, they lunged toward him.

Zong Shou paid them no mind. The Thunder Fang Sword emerged from his Nascent Soul, carving several skillful arcs through the air, instantly dispatching these three White Apes, which were only at the Fourth-Tier.

“Judging by the Ape King, it's probably close to advancing, and most likely underwent a mutation. This beast clearly possesses intelligence; even being attracted by the Immortal Brew, it still managed to arrange for subordinates to guard this cave.

I need to move faster…” The Yin Soul drifted, and he immediately located the Earth Vein. Zong Shou instantly activated the Soul Sucking Tower, beginning the absorption process.

Over these twenty days, he had gained considerable insight from repeatedly casting the Three Profound Mirroring Spirit Art, and he had become much more proficient in this technique for absorbing Spirit Veins. At this moment, he urged the spiritual formula with all his might, disregarding his soul power.

In mere moments, he had drawn the Earth Vein into the tower for containment. Zong Shou felt a slight joy in his heart, knowing that the cultivation of his initial Earth Meridian was more than halfway complete.

Once the Spirit Vein was fused, the Source Spirit within would continuously supply spiritual energy, greatly extending his qi flow and significantly boosting his strength. At this time, the White Apes showed no signs of returning.

Zong Shou’s mind stirred again, and he looked toward the depths of the cave. “Wherever formidable beasts gather, there are often spiritual treasures.

Although these White Apes are gregarious beasts, they might still possess some valuable items…” Zong Shou extended his spiritual sense again. The apes were still dozens of miles away, wandering around like headless flies.

Thus, he worried no more and flew deeper into the cave. In a short while, the space before him widened.

The bottom of this cave, whether naturally formed or excavated by the White Apes, was astonishingly vast, spanning several hundred zhang from north to south. However, the interior was extremely messy, filled with nutshells and beast bones everywhere.

Even Zong Shou, in his Yin Soul form, could vaguely sense the stench here. But after scanning the surroundings, he secretly smiled, his gaze locking onto a corner on the eastern side of this stone hall.