"Did you hear that voice when you first entered, saying there was a grand gift prepared for those who entered here?" Ye Bufan asked.
Song Mingqin and Qu Fei both nodded, then asked, "What is it? Is there a problem?"
"The problem should be here," Ye Bufan said. "The main hall inside has three levels, but there's a barrier outside preventing us from entering. We've tried many methods without success, and that voice hasn't given us any further hints. So, we suspect that what it said upon our arrival is the hint."
"So you two are looking for the grand gift?" Song Mingqin asked.
Ye Bufan nodded. Song Mingqin then turned his gaze to Ye Qingyi.
"Old Song, let's hurry and look for the grand gift too, or else this inheritance will be taken by someone else," Qu Fei said, patting Song Mingqin's shoulder.
"Then let's split up," Song Mingqin said to Qu Fei and Ye Bufan.
"Alright! We'll contact each other if there's any news," Qu Fei replied. Ye Bufan also nodded.
As Song Mingqin left, he cast a deep glance at Ye Qingyi. In many people's memories, the owner of the Green Bamboo Tavern, Ye Qingyi, had never been seen in action, and her strength was unknown. However, the fact that Ye Qingyi could come here with Ye Bufan was enough to prove her abilities.
Ye Bufan saw that he had almost finished harvesting the medicinal herbs, and Ye Qingyi had searched the vicinity but found no trace of the so-called grand gift.
"What exactly is this grand gift? There's no specific scope," Ye Bufan mused while harvesting spiritual herbs.
"Do you have any guesses? You can share them," Ye Qingyi said.
"What is the source of energy that a sect in ancient times used to maintain those formations, and even barriers?" Ye Bufan asked.
"Spirit ore," Ye Qingyi replied after some thought. Immediately, Ye Qingyi's eyes lit up.
"So, we just need to find something made of materials related to spirit ore," Ye Bufan said. "Although we don't know how likely this is, we can try it first."
"We can go to the side halls first. I remember there were some stone statues and even some weapons inside."
Ye Bufan pondered for a moment and went to the side hall with Ye Qingyi. However, as soon as they entered, they saw another stranger in the side hall.
"This is Meng Po," Ye Qingyi explained to Ye Bufan upon seeing the person's appearance. "Her status in the Earth Fiend Hall is higher than the Black and White Twin Fiends and the Ox-Head and Horse-Face Guardians. She has a Nascent Soul stage cultivation and excels at spiritual power techniques. She is a major general under the Living Yama."
Song Mingqin and Qu Fei stood opposite Meng Po, and the atmosphere was tense. Meng Po's gaze swept over Qu Fei and Song Mingqin, and she said, "I didn't expect you two to have reached the Nascent Soul stage as well."
When the two of them had first appeared, Ye Bufan had sensed that their auras were slightly different. Hearing Meng Po say this, Ye Bufan finally noticed that Song Mingqin and Qu Fei had both entered the Nascent Soul stage.
"So, if it really comes down to a fight, you won't have any advantage," Song Mingqin said.
Meng Po smiled slightly and said, "Since we've all arrived here, I don't think anyone wants to fight to the death, do we? My objective isn't you either. I'm here to find something for my boss."
"Are you looking for a person or an object?" Song Mingqin immediately became alert.
Meng Po's eyes flickered slightly as she said, "What else could I be looking for but what is needed?"
"Ye Bufan," Song Mingqin called out to Ye Bufan, turning his head. While they were speaking, Song Mingqin had sensed Ye Bufan's aura.
"Senior Song," Ye Bufan said, stepping forward. Meng Po's expression changed slightly upon hearing Ye Bufan's name.
"Since she's looking for something, you should come with us," Song Mingqin said. "After all, your master has shown me kindness. Since we're here, I will ensure your safety."
"Thank you, senior," Ye Bufan said, cupping his fists in a bow. "However, I wish to act alone. I hope you can forgive me."
Song Mingqin was clearly taken aback by Ye Bufan's refusal. He then transmitted his voice to Ye Bufan, saying, "Ye Bufan, don't be foolish at this time. It's obvious that Meng Po is here for you."
"Don't worry, senior. If I fully unleash my spiritual power, I can contend with cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, I have some hidden trump cards," Ye Bufan explained to Song Mingqin.
Song Mingqin looked at Ye Bufan, then could only sigh and slowly say, "In that case, have it your way."
Having followed the Living Yama for a long time, Meng Po became suspicious of Ye Bufan's unusual refusal of Song Mingqin's protection. She scanned Ye Bufan with a puzzled look.
"Could it be true, as my boss said, that someone is protecting him from the shadows?" Meng Po pondered, a little conflicted. According to the situation described by the Living Yama, there should be another master hiding in this space, with strength far exceeding the Living Yama's.
"Ye Bufan, you go first," Song Mingqin said.
Ye Bufan nodded and quickly left the side hall with Ye Qingyi, heading towards other rooms. The layout of each room was essentially the same, mostly containing weapons and similar items.
"Found it?" Bai Zizhen's voice came from another direction.
Immediately afterward, Bai Zizhen emerged from a room, holding a piece of spirit ore about the size of a fist.
"That is... spirit ore!"
Whether it was Song Mingqin, Qu Fei, Meng Po, or Ye Bufan and Ye Qingyi standing nearby, everyone's eyes were filled with excitement.
"It seems my guess was correct," Ye Bufan said, taking a deep breath. Bai Zizhen had already reached the main hall. Everyone followed him. They saw Bai Zizhen standing before a barrier. Under Bai Zizhen's control, the energy from the spirit ore entered the barrier, finally opening a gap, and they walked through.
At this moment, the Living Yama suddenly appeared and tried to rush in as well, but he was repelled by the barrier.
"What's going on?" Everyone was confused.
"A grand gift, only one person can receive it," the old man's voice echoed throughout the entire space. The next second, almost everyone moved simultaneously.
Spirit ore, a crystal of spiritual energy between heaven and earth, is extremely rare. At the same time, the spiritual energy contained within spirit ore is very abundant and concentrated. Obtaining a piece of spirit ore and refining its spiritual energy completely could save at least twenty years of cultivation time.