When Lin Xiao and the others arrived near the site, they discovered that the area was covered with illusion arrays and defensive formations. However, these formations were relatively low-level, possibly even weaker than the ones Mo Yuanjiao had learned from the "Basic Array Carving Manual." They seemed designed to ward off only Qi Refining cultivators or ordinary mortals.
Although Li Zhanying, a Nascent Soul cultivator, didn't possess many powerful techniques, his sheer cultivation level made it easy for him to crush these simple arrays. With just a wave of his hand, the formations were effortlessly dismantled.
The guards in charge of the site were shocked and flustered when they realized someone had found the location so quickly, and without any prior warning. They barely put up a fight before Lin Xiao and his group easily subdued and restrained them, leaving them unconscious and guarded by Li Zhanying.
Several entrances to mining tunnels lay around the area. While Li Zhanying stayed outside to guard the captives, Lin Xiao and the others ventured into the tunnels to rescue those who had been captured.
As they delved deeper into the mines, they all noticed something strange—the spiritual energy within their bodies was being drained!
Lin Xiao was startled by this phenomenon and carefully inspected the multicolored stones embedded in the walls. It seemed that these stones were actively absorbing their spiritual energy.
The captives inside the tunnels, upon hearing from Lin Xiao that they could leave, hesitated at first. They glanced around nervously, realizing that the whips that had lashed them earlier were now gone, and the threatening voices had ceased. Tentatively, they took a few steps forward, looking back at Lin Xiao for confirmation. When they saw he wasn't stopping them, they became overjoyed, helping each other as they stumbled and ran out of the tunnel.
After confirming that no one was left behind in the tunnel, Lin Xiao grabbed a few of the already-mined stones and placed them into his personal storage space before quickly exiting the tunnel. If he stayed any longer, his spiritual energy would be depleted by nearly half.
Once they returned to the surface, the strange sensation of having their spiritual energy drained disappeared, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The exhausted villagers, having finally escaped the mine, collapsed on the ground. With tearful smiles, they looked up at the setting sun in the distance, overwhelmed with emotion. The effort it took to escape had drained the last of their strength.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao rummaged through his storage and pulled out several Rejuvenation Pills. He glanced at Liu Yunan, signaling for assistance.
Receiving the cue, Liu Yunan also retrieved a few Rejuvenation Pills from his storage bag, as well as a stack of bowls he had recently bought in preparation for future disciples joining the sect. These bowls were now coming in handy.
He took the pills from Lin Xiao, placed them into the bowls, and dissolved them in water. The diluted Rejuvenation Pills were then distributed to the wounded captives, allowing them to slowly recover.
Meanwhile, Tong Jialiang, who had been frozen in place inside the tunnel when Han Weishu appeared, remained unresponsive. No matter what she said to him, he seemed to be in a daze, staring blankly at her.
Even though Han Weishu was only at the Qi Refining stage, she also felt the rapid depletion of her spiritual energy upon entering the mine. Without hesitation, she carried Tong Jialiang on her back and rushed out of the tunnel.
Once outside, she immediately fed Tong Jialiang a pill and took one herself before sitting down to meditate and recover.
Though she had a strained relationship with her father, he had never neglected to provide her with basic pills and supplies.
After recovering, Han Weishu turned to Lin Xiao and the others and said, "There's something wrong with the mine! Not only does it drain spiritual energy, but once that energy is depleted, it begins to damage the body!"
Since Han Weishu was only at the first level of Qi Refining, her spiritual energy was quickly drained upon entering the mine. She soon realized that her body was slowly being harmed after her spiritual energy had been exhausted.
Even though she was only at the first level of Qi Refining, having cultivated for over ten years, she was sensitive to changes in her body. She quickly recognized the damage happening within her.
Lin Xiao, Liu Yunan, and Tong Shuzheng, who either had sufficient spiritual energy or no cultivation at all, hadn't noticed the effects as clearly. Tong Shuzheng had only felt a slight discomfort but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
After hearing her explanation, Lin Xiao looked over at the captives who had consumed the diluted Rejuvenation Pills. Unlike ordinary mortals, they weren't recovering as quickly as expected after taking the pills. Although their wounds were healing, and the bleeding had stopped, the recovery process was slower than usual. Their faces remained pale, and their lips had turned a faint purple.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao thought for a moment before saying, "We'll discuss this later. For now, let's focus on getting these people back."
After all, if they stayed here too long and were discovered, it would only bring more trouble.
Liu Yunan pulled out a palm-sized spirit ship and said, "I found this spirit ship on one of the captured cultivators. We can use it to transport everyone back."
Seeing the spirit ship, Lin Xiao smiled and turned to Li Zhanying. "Senior Li, how about you take command of the ship?"
Li Zhanying was slightly surprised by Lin Xiao's offer. By handing him control of the spirit ship, Lin Xiao was essentially giving it to him. After all, they had come here together and had worked together to subdue the captors. Lin Xiao had every right to keep the ship. Offering it to him meant Lin Xiao wasn't planning on taking it back.
Noticing Lin Xiao's sincere smile and lack of hesitation, the not-so-wealthy Li Zhanying gratefully accepted the offer with a nod.
Liu Yunan handed over the ship, and Li Zhanying wasted no time. Mimicking the techniques he had seen other sect cultivators use, he infused the ship with his spiritual energy, throwing it to the ground and activating it.
It wasn't that the royal family couldn't afford a spirit ship, but with so few cultivators among their ranks, owning one would have been impractical and a waste of resources. Thus, even though Li Zhanying had reached the Nascent Soul stage, he had little experience with spirit ships.
Once all the villagers and unconscious captors were loaded onto the ship, Li Zhanying took charge of escorting them back to Pusi.
Lin Xiao, however, didn't go with them. He planned to stay behind to see if he could destroy or seal this dangerous site. If left unchecked, it could easily become a threat again.
Given his ability to travel alone quickly, no one objected to his decision. They only reminded him to stay safe before departing.
After watching them leave, Lin Xiao opened his personal storage and used its identification function on the stones he had collected. Before destroying or sealing the area, he needed to figure out exactly what these dangerous stones were.