Mortal Cultivator: Lin Tianzun

Chapter 37: Exploring the Underground Palace to Find the Elixir, a Giant Centipede Appears and a Battle Begins

In the days that followed, Lin Fan traveled through various dangerous locations. Sometimes he scaled cliffs, sometimes he entered natural caves, and sometimes he ventured deep into hidden valleys. Wherever he went, he inevitably engaged in fierce battles with the demonic beasts guarding the elixir.

Driven by instinct, these beasts fought fiercely to protect the elixirs. However, Lin Fan, relying on his immense strength and fearless spirit, always prevailed in each fierce battle. After a hard-fought battle, he successfully slew the beasts and collected numerous rare and precious elixirs.

At this moment, Lin Fan was heading towards a mysterious underground palace. This palace was located in an extremely secret location, buried deep beneath the earth, as if it were a treasure deliberately hidden by the earth, making it impossible for ordinary people to explore. It was rumored that several disciples of the Chen family had stumbled upon this place by chance.

It was said that the palace's interior was a treasure trove of rare medicinal herbs, with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants growing freely, all rare treasures of nature. But exactly what these medicinal herbs were, not even Lin Fan, nor even the Chen family disciples who discovered the place, were fully aware. Lin Fan only knew that a powerful Level 2 demonic beast resided within the palace, guarding it.

Level 2 demon beasts are no easy task. In the demon beast power hierarchy, level 2 demon beasts are equivalent to human cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage. Not only are they physically formidable, they also master innate magical powers. Their strength is enough to overturn boulders, their speed is lightning-fast, and their scales are so tough that even top-tier magical weapons struggle to penetrate their defenses.

Upon learning of this, Chen Minghui, the Chen family's patriarch, attached great importance to this matter. He fully understood the value of this underground palace and the difficulties inherent in this undertaking. Consequently, the patriarch devoted considerable effort to meticulously preparing a response plan for the three Chen family members accompanying him. He not only bestowed upon them an immensely powerful talisman but also prepared several powerful intermediate-level talismans. With these treasures, and with the combined efforts of several individuals, it was possible to slay the demon beast and retrieve the medicinal herbs within.

This talisman is a secret treasure treasured by our ancestors for many years, and the intermediate-level talismans are equally formidable. Each one is engraved with complex runes, imbued with unique magical powers, and when used at a crucial moment, can unleash unexpected results. With these precious treasures, while defeating the guardian beast remains fraught with difficulty, victory is not completely impossible.

As for inviting Lin Fan along, it was because of his formidable strength, and they believed that one more person would mean more strength. Lin Fan sped along, feeling both anticipation for the upcoming battle and vigilance against unknown dangers.

He knew very well that this trip to the underground palace would be full of difficulties and dangers, but with his own strength and the preparations made by Chen Minghui, a Jindan-stage cultivator, he was still confident that he could escape unscathed. As for whether he could kill the monster, it would depend on the means of Chen Minghui, a Jindan-stage cultivator.

"Brother Lin, you're finally here!" An anxious voice suddenly came from the darkness. Lin Fan turned around and saw three Chen family members standing at the entrance of the underground palace.

The leader was tall and burly, like a towering iron tower. Every step he took shook the ground slightly, his strides steady and powerful, revealing his unwavering confidence. His arms were as thick as stone pillars, his muscles bulging like a ferocious beast poised to erupt. He exuded a chilling, oppressive aura, and his presence was overwhelming.

The man next to him resembled a pale-faced scholar. Dressed in a simple, elegant blue robe and holding a delicate folding fan, his every gesture exuded elegance. The fan's gentle opening and closing brought a gentle breeze, and his expression of refined refinement, like a man steeped in poetry and literature, captivated his sense of belonging.

The one standing at the edge had a sarcastic face, a sinister and cunning expression. His triangular eyes darted around, constantly calculating something, his thin lips slightly pursed, a chilling air emanating from him. His gaze wandered, as if he couldn't meet anyone's gaze, constantly searching for an opportunity to exploit. Just looking at him was intimidating and untrustworthy.

Lin Fan, the burly man, the pale-faced scholar, and the triangular-eyed man gathered together, solemnly discussing how to deal with the troublesome Level 2 demon beast before them. The atmosphere was tense and oppressive, with everyone talking at once.

Lin Fan was the first to break the silence and analyzed: "This monster is quite powerful. We must formulate a comprehensive strategy to win." The other three nodded in agreement.

After some thought, the burly man said in a deep voice, "Although my talisman is powerful, it accumulates slowly. I need to find a good opportunity to activate it and deliver a fatal blow."

The pale-faced scholar pushed his glasses up on his nose and continued slowly, "I have a few intermediate-level talismans given by the ancestors. They can be used to injure monsters, but you have to grasp the timing to achieve the greatest effect."

The triangular-eyed man rolled his eyes and agreed, "I also have an intermediate-level talisman that can trap the monster for a while, but this monster is very agile, so someone has to lure it into the trap."

The four men's eyes met, a tacit understanding forming. It was ultimately agreed that Lin Fan would use his agility to attract the monster's attention and lure it into the designated area. When the moment was right, Triangle Eyes, observing the moment, swiftly unleashed his intermediate-level talisman, trapping the monster with its power. Simultaneously, the pale-faced scholar flung his intermediate-level talisman, launching a fierce attack on the monster, injuring and weakening it. The burly man, taking advantage of this moment, activated his talisman with all his might, waiting for it to accumulate sufficient power to deliver the final, fatal blow to the monster. The four men exchanged glances, a mixture of caution and anticipation in their eyes. Then, with slow, silent steps, like swift, ghostly figures, they slowly descended into the mysterious and eerie underground palace.

Upon entering, an air of age and decay washed over them, like the weight of time, enveloping them. They slowly made their way along the winding passageway, the crystals inlaid on the surrounding walls emitting a faint glow, like flickering will-o'-the-wisp fire, barely outlining a path forward.

Not far into the journey, the narrow passage suddenly widened, revealing a vast, imposing plaza. The plaza was paved with smooth, polished bluestone, each slab engraved with intricate runes. These shimmered and danced in the dim light, like spirits, whispering of an ancient and mysterious past.

Tall stone pillars rise from the ground around the square, standing proudly like giants. Vivid relief carvings cover the pillars, depicting mythical figures soaring on swords, their robes flowing and their demeanor flowing; or magnificent battles between immortals and demons, with flashing swords and bloody storms; and even strange creatures and auspicious beasts frolicking among them, their expressions charming and amusing. These reliefs are meticulously detailed, and the expressions of the figures and beasts are vividly portrayed, giving the impression of vividness and movement, as if they are about to burst through the walls at any moment.

In the center of the square, an octagonal stone platform rises majestically from the ground. Each side of the platform is inlaid with gemstones of varying colors. The gems interplay with each other, and the play of light and shadow creates a dreamlike, enchanting radiance. Atop the platform, a massive bronze tripod stands quietly, its body engraved with mysterious patterns, exuding a subtle, ancient and majestic aura, as if endless power lurks and surges within.

In one corner of the square, a vast expanse of rare and precious medicinal herbs flourished, resembling a hidden wonderland of spiritual plants hidden from the mortal world. The rich aroma, like invisible ripples, instantly permeated the air, slowly permeating everyone's nostrils. This rich aroma seemed to possess a magical power, causing everyone to feel their pores relax, fatigue instantly dissipated, and their spirits lifted, their bodies and minds immersed in this wonderful comfort.

Each of these magical herbs resembles a work of art meticulously crafted by nature, each unique in form and style. Look at those plants, their radiant blossoms blooming at their tips, their multicolored lights interweaving in a dreamlike ethereal ethereal wonderland. Deep within the stamens, it seems as if a vast galaxy is hidden, with tiny sparks of starlight flickering and dancing, a mysterious and captivating scene. Next to them, the medicinal herbs, with their thick stems, have translucent skin, resembling warm glass. The spiritual fluid within is clearly visible, flowing slowly through the veins of the roots and stems like a flowing stream, reflecting a shimmering light.

A rough count revealed a considerable number of twenty or thirty mature spiritual herbs. Each one imbued with the essence of heaven and earth, brimming with immense spiritual energy. In the world of immortal cultivation, they were priceless treasures, emitting an irresistible, alluring aura that captivated the eyes of the crowd and stirred their hearts.

"Oh my God, so many rare and precious elixirs!" The white-faced scholar-like man couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, his eyes full of surprise and greed, and the folding fan in his hand stopped flapping unconsciously.

The man with a sinister and cunning face stared with his triangular eyes wide open, muttering to himself: "I'm going to be rich now..." As he spoke, he couldn't wait to rush over to pick the fruits.

Just as everyone was captivated by the vast expanse of rare and precious medicinal herbs before them, reveling in the joy of their impending harvest, something unexpected happened. A dull roar echoed from the darkness of the square, and then the ground began to tremble slightly, as if a vast army of horses were galloping towards them.

Everyone's faces suddenly changed, and they quickly turned around. Their gazes were focused on a massive, Level 2 demonic beast: a giant centipede. This centipede was more than two people tall, its body as thick as a small truck, and covered in a layer of hard black scales that gave off a cold, metallic sheen.

Its head was triangular, and its two enormous compound eyes gleamed with a faint green light, like two will-o'-the-wisp flames, emitting an endless chill and ferocity. Its antennae were slender and flexible, waving constantly in the air, as if sensing every movement around it.

Its body, composed of dozens of tightly connected segments, jutted from each segment by a pair of knife-sharp legs covered in sharp barbs. As it walked, these legs moved rapidly across the ground, making a rustling sound like the beat of a drum, rattling everyone's nerves.

Its tail is raised high, and at the end is a thick stinger. The tip of the stinger is flashing with dark green venom. Just a slight prick can kill the enemy instantly.

This giant centipede was astonishingly rich in detail from every angle, fully showcasing its terrifying power as an apex predator. As Lin Fan and the others gazed at this suddenly appearing behemoth, a strong sense of crisis welled up in their hearts. A life-or-death battle was inevitable.

(End of this chapter)