Our neighborhood has been transported again.

Chapter 228 The Giant Rock Dragon That Eats Dirt
Du Yu said, "Sir, we'll know when we go and see for ourselves."

"Okay, don't bring too many people this time."

Qin Ziwen then led the horned eagle, Du Yu, Shi Hu, and Zhang Meng, and then took a flashlight.

The four people and one eagle arrived at the cave where the giant rock dragon came and went.

A day passed, and the flames on the ground had long since died out, leaving behind a thick layer of ash.

Zhang Meng took out a shovel and dug it open, revealing a huge hole.

Qin Ziwen took out a solar-powered flashlight, turned it to the highest lumen setting, and shone it inside.

The pitch-black cave instantly became brightly lit.

Under the light of a flashlight, the sandstone appears to be a yellowish-brown color, similar to the outer wall of the rift valley.

A large slope extends down from your feet.

At the bottom is a wide platform, and in the distance, the sound of an underground river rushing by can be heard.

What does it eat?

Qin Ziwen shone his flashlight around and found no signs of life in this underground space.

With a size like that, the Giant Rock Dragon couldn't possibly be eating dirt, could it?

"Sir, it seems to really be eating dirt."

Zhang Meng squatted down and touched the grayish-brown mineral mud in front of him. The color of this mineral mud was completely different from the color of the surrounding walls.

On the surface of the mud, many dark brown, moss-like, fungal clusters grow.

At the same time, there are many signs of gnawing on it.

Judging from the size of the gnawed part, it should be a giant rock dragon that lives here.

They were currently at the edge of a cavern, about seventy or eighty meters deep inside the underground space.

These muds are yellowish in color and soft to the touch, while their surface is covered with a lot of dark brown moss, like a pile of moldy cakes.

Qin Ziwen looked around. Judging from the footprints on the ground, the giant rock dragon must have lived here for a long time, relying on eating these mineral muds to survive.

"If I eat these things, will those crystals grow on my back?"

Qin Ziwen frowned and pondered. If eating this mineral mud could cause earth spirit stones to grow on his back, then this mineral mud would truly be an extraordinary treasure.

He cast a glimpse of the mud on the ground.

[Spirit-Absorbing Bacteria: Long-term consumption of this bacterium can absorb the spiritual energy within the body and condense corresponding attribute source stones]

The results of his observations took him by surprise.

Because what they discerned was not the mud on the ground, but these moss-like things growing on the mud.

Sure enough, the thing on the giant rock dragon's back was not something it had formed itself, but rather a strange creature from nature.

"My lord, look here!" Du Yu's voice suddenly came from the side.

Looking in the direction Du Yu was pointing, Qin Ziwen was shocked.

Because where Du Yu was pointing, there was a symbol resembling a ship's anchor embedded in the wall, emitting a fluorescent glow, flickering slightly as if breathing.

After a moment's hesitation, Qin Ziwen offered a insightful observation.

[Anchor point found, in progress. Insight failed due to insufficient permissions]

Qin Ziwen paused, staring intently at the dark blue, menacingly shaped anchor mark.

"Insufficient permissions?" Qin Ziwen understood these four words.

Then consider the giant rock dragon that lives here, and the earth spirit source stone that grows on its back.

This made him think of many other things.

Perhaps it is not a coincidence that earth spirit stones grow on the back of the giant rock dragon, and these spirit-absorbing bacteria growing on the mineral mud are not necessarily native organisms.

No wonder so many strange things could grow on the back of the Giant Rock Dragon.

He then led a few people to explore the underground cavern. In addition to the giant rock dragon, they also found small insects such as blind spiders and cave crickets near the underground river.

The pitch-black underground river, like a ribbon, runs right through this cavern space.

Giant Rock Dragons are not known to be good at water, so their activity area is limited to this cave hall.

"Walk."

Qin Ziwen withdrew. As for the spirit-absorbing bacteria, he didn't bring the right tools this time, so he didn't take them.

I'll come back and pick up some more next time when I have the proper tools.

Back in the neighborhood, Qin Ziwen could hear cheers from afar.

Upon getting closer, I overheard their discussion and learned that news of the Qin Alliance's card rental benefit event had spread.

This sparked discussion among many residents of the community, and some members of the Qin Alliance cheered enthusiastically.

They all asked around how they could apply for the card.

Upon seeing Qin Ziwen, many people gathered around him, trying to get close to him.

"President Qin, do you think I'm suitable?"

"President Qin, is your younger brother still single?"

A group of people surrounded him, blocking his way.

Zhao Pu, who was registering nearby, saw the situation and quickly came over to help.

Then they took Qin Ziwen to the fifth floor.

"Dr. Zhao." Qin Ziwen called out to him, and Zhao Pu turned around.

Qin Ziwen handed him a Level 1 Tailor Shop card, saying, "You've been working hard lately."

Zhao Pu quickly waved his hand, "Guild Leader, I can't accept it. The alliance has a reward and punishment system now, and I obtained the card from the alliance."

“I know it was a private gift to you, and it has nothing to do with the alliance. It was something I promised you before.”

Zhao Pu fell silent and bowed deeply.

"Thank you Captain."

No sooner had he stepped into his home than Jia Liangcai followed closely behind, whispering, "My lord, the student council member who discovered the Giant Rock Dragon's lair requests that you fulfill the favor you promised."

"Sure, what's his wish?"

"He wants to join the Qin Alliance."

Qin Ziwen waited for two seconds, and seeing that there was no further explanation, he was somewhat surprised, "That's it?"

"Gone."

Qin Ziwen pondered for a moment, "Alright, let him join then. If he hasn't activated his homestead, give him a slot to rent cards."

"Understood." Jia Liangcai understood and left.

After sitting for a while, Qin Ziwen suddenly thought of something.

Arrive at the warehouse where items are stored and take out the Earth Spirit Stone.

According to statistics, there are a total of 132 Earth Spirit Source Stones.

They vary in size and are distributed on the back of the giant rock dragon.

The large ones are about the size of a basketball, while the small ones are only the size of a broad bean.

Only Earth Spirit Stones with a diameter greater than 20 centimeters can meet the criteria for a Level 1 Rare Item in the Homestead's assessment.

There are a total of sixteen Originium that meet this standard.

Lift up two Earth Spirit Stones of similar size. Cards can be combined; I wonder if this strange item can also be upgraded like a card.

As the two Originium stones drew near, the small orb of light in the Homestead appeared the next second.

[If the Homeowner's authority is above level one, the artifact synthesis function can be enabled.]

[Should we synthesize Earth Spirit Origin Stone?]

Qin Ziwen silently agreed in his heart.

The next second, the two Earth Spirit Stones in his hand merged into one.

The synthesized Earth Spirit Stone was of moderate size and became more transparent, with several golden threads appearing within the clear crystal.

This process was repeated until all 16 Earth Spirit Stones were finally combined into one.

[Level 5 Rare Item] Earth Spirit Source Stone (can be inlaid at mineral resource points)
The basketball-sized, light yellow crystal is filled with hundreds of thin, straight golden threads.

(End of this chapter)