Chapter Twenty-Six: Discovery of the Primordial Vein Mine

In the ancestral temple, the clan leader, the elders, and the chief all regarded Yi Tian with looks as though he were some strange creature. The audacity of this youngster was truly astonishing.

It was at that moment that the Grand Elder’s expression suddenly changed. “Could it be that you’ve awakened a talent?” he asked.

The clan leader Yi Du, the chief Yi Ke, and the other elders were all visibly startled by this suggestion. They recalled Yi Tian’s earlier descriptions, which indeed resembled the legendary accounts of talent awakening.

The Grand Elder, keeper of the tribe’s ancient records, was familiar with some of the old tales and chronicles. It was said that among the human race, those who awakened innate talents were rarer than one in a hundred million. The kinds of talents were countless—some exceedingly powerful, others utterly unremarkable.

Clearly, Yi Tian was one of those rare individuals who had awakened a talent.

“I suppose you could say so,” Yi Tian replied, though not conclusively.

At the tribe’s request, Yi Tian recorded the optimized version of the Inferno Technique, now elevated to the highest grade of the human tier.

When the clan leader Yi Du and the others read the technique Yi Tian had written, they were even more convinced. With their discerning eyes, they could tell this Inferno Technique was vastly more profound than the tribe’s inherited lower-grade version—it originated from the same source but had now reached the highest human tier.

Yi Tian also wrote out the improved versions of the Wild Ox Mountain-Splitting Technique, the Gale Tiger Technique, and the Wind and Thunder Technique. As they held these four human-tier top-grade techniques, the clan leader and elders trembled with excitement, overwhelmed by the enormity of their fortune.

Yi Tian’s talent was undeniably powerful; he had refined the tribe’s techniques, elevating them to the highest human grade. Each such technique was of immense value—even the ancient powers of Jingmu Prefecture, with centuries or millennia of history, possessed only a handful.

“Oh, and a few years ago, Yi Feng, Yi Shan, Yi Li, and I accidentally slew a murderous fiend. From him, we obtained a secret art, the Feather Flight Technique. I’ve improved that as well!” Yi Tian promptly recorded this upgraded human-tier technique.

At this point, the clan leader, elders, and chief were numb with astonishment. One top-grade technique after another emerged—it was a seismic shock to their hearts. Wasn’t it said that such techniques were incredibly rare? Their tribe hadn’t possessed even one before.

Of course, the tribe had once flourished long ago, but over time nearly all their techniques had been lost, leaving only a few middling human-tier arts to uphold their legacy.

Yi Hong and Yi Kuang were especially dumbfounded. It was inconceivable that Yi Tian had improved all the tribe’s techniques and elevated them to the highest human grade.

“Your contribution to the tribe is immense. If you have any requests, speak them!” said the clan leader Yi Du, now composed.

As a man who had lived for decades, he clearly guessed that Yi Tian would want something in return for offering these techniques.

Yi Tian smiled. “Actually, I have no major requests. I just feel that joining the tribe’s warrior ranks has delayed my cultivation time. If possible, the four of us could form a dedicated squad—providing the tribe with a set amount of prey each month, and otherwise managing our own time freely. What do you think?”

“No!” Yi Du refused without hesitation.

His rejection puzzled the elders and chief. Compared to Yi Tian’s contributions, this request seemed trivial—why deny it?

Only the Grand Elder appeared thoughtful.

Yi Tian had been confident, certain the clan leader would agree. He hadn’t expected such a refusal.

But then, Yi Du spoke again. “A four-man squad is too small. Let’s add Yi Kuang and Yi Hong to your team.”

“Old fox!” Yi Tian cursed inwardly.

He hadn’t expected the clan leader to insist on adding Yi Kuang and Yi Hong. But with no alternative, Yi Tian reluctantly agreed.

As for Yi Kuang and Yi Hong, Yi Tian knew well how to win them over.

When Yi Tian and his companions left the ancestral temple, the entire tribe was abuzz. Yi Tian had made a meteoric rise, establishing himself as the strongest of his generation. Yi Kuang, Yi Hong, Yi Feng, and the others ranked second, forming the next tier of top five.

The news swept through the tribe, sparking endless discussion. Yi Xiaolong and Yi Xiaoting were especially proud—who knew their elder brother was so powerful?

From then on, Yi Tian, Yi Feng, Yi Shan, Yi Li, Yi Kuang, and Yi Hong formed a dedicated squad, with Yi Tian as the undisputed leader and the others as members.

After Yi Tian submitted the improved top-grade human-tier techniques, the tribe’s leaders, captains, and chiefs were soon taught these advanced arts. Many, after practicing them, broke long-standing bottlenecks and advanced their strength.

The tribal leaders intentionally controlled the dissemination of these techniques. They did not immediately teach them to all warriors, wishing to keep the news tightly contained. Otherwise, even a single top-grade technique would attract the attention—and perhaps hostility—of other powers. If word got out that the tribe now possessed three top-grade techniques and one secret art, the entire Jingmu Prefecture would be thrown into turmoil.

Yi Tian paid little mind to these hidden currents, trusting the clan leader and elders to handle matters wisely.

In the days that followed, Yi Tian and his companions continued to visit the valley as they always had. The original four had become six.

Yi Feng and Yi Shan were not friendly toward Yi Kuang and Yi Hong, remembering well the beating they’d received years ago and still feeling aggrieved.

Even the proud Yi Kuang was nervous the first time he entered the valley.

Fortunately, Yi Kuang and Yi Hong had begun training in the Feather Flight Technique. As fifth-tier warriors, their true energy was more abundant, but even then, their first descent into the valley was fraught with mishaps and danger.

Thus, each day Yi Tian led them between the tribe and the outer edge of the Fulong Mountains, to the valley they called Peach Blossom Valley.

Every month, Yi Tian and his squad entered the Fulong Mountains once or twice, hunting a few extremely dangerous beasts to bring back for the tribe. Their task was to provide ten such beasts or one fierce monster each month—once completed, their time was their own.

For the six-man squad, this task was easy.

Only now did Yi Kuang and Yi Hong realize how enjoyable Yi Tian’s life had been. In this paradise-like valley, cultivation and leisure alike were first-rate.

The only regret was that the energy here was not abundant, nor were there many resources supplied by the tribe. Even as descendants of the clan leader or chief, they received few resources and bore heavier responsibilities under stricter requirements.

One day, as Yi Tian and his companions were training, roasting meat, and sparring in the valley, Yi Feng suddenly rushed back.

“Good news, good news! Guess what I’ve found?” he exclaimed, gesticulating wildly.

“Speak plainly!” Yi Tian said, annoyed.

Yi Feng composed himself. “I found a Black Wind Rabbit on the other side of the valley. I chased it until it slipped into a crevice. The crack was narrow, barely wide enough for one person. I followed it to the end, and there, I discovered something remarkable.”

He finished and produced a stone.

“Raw stone?” Yi Tian asked, uncertain.

The stone was nearly identical to those he’d seen in the Stone Pavilion Street of Black Dragon City—color, texture, and unique markings. At once, he thought of raw ore.

“Does that mean there’s likely a vital energy vein at the end of that crevice?” Yi Li realized.

Yi Shan, Yi Kuang, and Yi Hong were utterly stunned. They could scarcely believe they’d found a vital energy vein—a treasure trove that could make any power go mad and shake all of Jingmu Prefecture.