Chapter 56

Linghenclam is a rather peculiar demon beast.

They are naturally weak in combat, but their spiritual intelligence is easily awakened, often relying on powerful demon beasts for survival.

Importantly, their Demon Sense is more refined than that of ordinary demon beasts; even without reaching the Second Stage, they can detach it, and they are adept at sensing traces of spiritual energy flow.

In Yunhe's view, the Linghenclam is completely opposite to the Bluewater Snails he cultivates.

He could recognize this demon beast also because, after joining the Qingzong Sect, he had seen it in the sect's library.

Such demon beasts are not common in the cultivation world, but they are not nonexistent; most are in the hands of some sects or families.

Because of these forces, they can use the Linghenclam to do one thing.

Search for spiritual veins!

By following the traces of spiritual energy to lock onto the position of spiritual veins, this is the demon beast's greatest use in the cultivation world.

Besides, the Linghenclam can, to a certain extent, be equivalent to a treasure-seeking rat; by sensing traces of spiritual energy, it can find some valuable spiritual plants, materials, and treasures.

But even though the Linghenclam is naturally strong in spiritual intelligence and its Demon Sense is more refined, it couldn't possibly have condensed its Demon Sense to the point of detachment at the First Stage Middle, could it?

It seemed to sense the strength gap between itself and Yunhe, then trembled slightly and slowly opened its shell.

It revealed a pinkish lump underneath; at first glance it looked like just clam meat, but as it wriggled, it gradually took the shape of a tiny person.

At least, it resembled a person by about forty to fifty percent.

If one had to say, it might resemble a ginseng fruit more.

It blinked its pitiful, endearing eyes at Yunhe, and from its Demon Sense came a feeling of closeness and flattery.

Seeing this, Yunhe instantly felt amused.

For some reason, upon seeing it, Yunhe's heart involuntarily rose a liking; although his will and cultivation base were not enough to be swayed by such vague fondness, he also realized the Linghenclam's use to him.

Since the Linghenclam's spiritual intelligence has opened well, and it can even condense a demon sense, for him it can at least serve as a 'loudspeaker'.

Like the Black Fish and Ni Qiu, because they have been with him for a long time, even if their spiritual intelligence is not high, they can somewhat understand his meaning from his every move.

But when facing other demon beasts, without a detachable demon sense, communication is nearly impossible; meeting means fighting, and much of what Yunhe wants to inquire about and understand cannot be obtained.

Moreover, he is not very familiar with the situation here, but he should be able to learn something from the Linghenclam.

"Follow me from now on?"

Under Yunhe's indication, the Linghenclam carefully extended its demon sense, which could detach but was not strong at all, to touch Yunhe's demon sense, thereby understanding his meaning.

"Good, good."

The thought of returning made Yunhe's eyes light up.

Indeed.

Before the demon sense could detach, demon beasts communicated more through instinct.

But once the demon sense could detach, many things became much more convenient.

However, what surprised him somewhat was that the voice echoing in his mind sounded like that of a young girl.

"Or is it only a female clam?"

Bang!

However, because the demon sense had not yet been retracted, the Linghenclam somewhat shyly closed its shell.

Yunhe didn't mind this; he scratched his chin, after a slight adjustment, he learned to distinguish between the thoughts in his mind and the information transmitted by the demon sense, so that his thoughts would not automatically be sent by the demon sense.

Knock knock.

The claws lightly tapped the shell.

"Help me ask, are they willing to submit?"

Smart people like to befriend smart people; this group of Bluewater Crocodiles is quite good, they know how to read the situation, and they suit his taste.

Moreover, crocodiles are reptiles, making it convenient for him to have subordinates usable when he reaches the shore.

After receiving the message conveyed by the Linghenclam, the group of Bluewater Crocodiles that originally dared not step forward exchanged glances, looked at the leader still being pressed into the ground by Yunhe sitting on it, and they all swallowed nervously.

Afterward, a single Bluewater Crocodile obediently fell onto the riverbed and lowered its head.

After a while.

Yunhe took the Linghenclam and escaped into the earth once more.

As for that group of Bluewater Crocodiles, he temporarily left them in place, planning to bring them back when he returns.

Although the spiritual energy here is richer, the terrain and environment are more complex, and lacking the land he likes, it is not very suitable for its current life.

Once he gains strength, perhaps he could occupy this place.

During this period, he tried to ask the Linghenclam; even though its demon sense could detach, given its level of condensation and strength, it should not be able to detect him practicing the Turtle Breath Body Forging Technique.

Later, from the Linghenclam's somewhat halting explanation, he learned.

It turned out the Linghenclam hadn't found him; rather, the residual demon energy traces left in the soil layers when he used the Earth Escape Technique were sensed by the Linghenclam.

Searching for traces of spiritual energy, spiritual power, and demon energy is the Linghenclam's forte.

With the Linghenclam's assistance, Yunhe's forward speed should have increased considerably, but in practice it not only didn't speed up, it actually slowed down.

The Linghenclam's detached demon sense could help him avoid troublesome demon beasts to the greatest extent, yet it also found many valuable things.

Special metal ores contained in the soil layers, as well as spiritual plants guarded by not-so-powerful demon beasts, etc.

Although the speed had slowed, Yunhe was immersed in the joy of "abundant harvest."

A single Linghenclam at least doubled or tripled the gains of his exploration this time!

However.

After delving deeper again for a distance, the Linghenclam transmitted an extremely obvious feeling of fear.

"What's wrong?"

Afterward, following the Linghenclam's difficult explanation, Yunhe roughly understood.

Not far ahead, there is a Second-tier Beast!

"No wonder I feel that there are many fewer demon beasts around, and most of them are not strong."

However, the Linghenclam's demon sense did not sweep over the other party; otherwise, Yunhe and the others would probably already be being hunted.

What the Linghenclam sensed was a trace of movement left by an extremely strong demon power.

Yunhe scratched his chin somewhat awkwardly.

I don't know why, but he felt his chin especially itchy today.

He pondered for a long time.

"Tell me all the demon power traces; be careful, don't let them be sensed."

A Second-tier Beast's demon sense can leave the body, but it cannot maintain that state all the time; it is a huge drain.

In fact, Second-tier Beasts are still accustomed, instinctively, to sensing changes in their surroundings via breath, wild animal intuition, etc.

Such a habit may not change even if they reach a higher level.

So as long as we don't sweep over that Second-tier Beast, it won't notice.

The Linghenclam was very afraid, but still, following Yunhe's instructions, carefully told him all the demon power traces bit by bit.

And Yunhe, in his mind, 'drew' these traces into a map.

This is the activity trail of that Second-tier Beast.

What is hardest for a person to change?

It is habit.

And demon beasts likewise have their own habits.

Besides necessary hunting, the demon beasts' monotonous life destines them to a single lifestyle pattern.

According to the demon power traces described by the Linghenclam, we conduct a comparison.

Where the traces are heavier indicates the other party stayed longer; where they are lighter may just be a passing.

Finding the position where the demon power traces are relatively lightest is the place where they are least likely to be detected when passing through.

As for going and meeting that Second-tier Beast face to face?

Yunhe does not think that, with many coincidences, his Cultivator Body having slain a Second Stage red-backed arrow-winged falcon means his Demon Beast Body can directly clash with a Second-tier Beast.

Of course, if they really encounter it, relying on the advantage of the Earth Escape Technique, fleeing should be no problem.

This is also why he dares to try.

Just like that.

Relying on the Linghenclam's demon sense, his plan, and a bit of luck, amidst the Linghenclam's trembling, they narrowly passed through the riverbed bottom, going through the territory occupied by that Second-tier Beast.

"Hiss—"

After confirming safety, Yunhe suddenly scratched his chin twice.

It's getting itchier!

Even Yunhe himself didn't notice; perhaps because he used too much force, the skin on his chin broke.

However, there was no bleeding.

And beneath the broken skin, a layer of dark color faintly appeared.

Thump thump! Thump thump!

At the same time, he felt his eardrums bulging, as if his heart were beating beside his ear.

The Linghenclam suddenly transmitted an excited feeling.

It sensed traces of stagnant spiritual energy!

And it's not far away.

"Are there demon beasts?"

Yunhe suppressed the strange feeling and asked.

"No, no, I didn't sense it."

Although the Linghenclam said there was none, Yunhe still tensed his body, focusing his attention completely.

The more such a moment, the more caution is needed.

He slowed his speed and slowly approached.

He "squeezed" through a layer of stone wall made of unknown stacked stones.

His view suddenly opened up.

They actually entered a cavern space beneath the riverbed, though this space was also filled with water.

"What rich spiritual energy!"

Upon entering, what came into view was a piece of ruined ancient base stone.

"A formation?!"

Yunhe felt quite surprised.

This is Yao Shou Shijie; who knows if there are people? Anyway, he has never seen any trace of human activity, let alone human cultivators.

Yet here, he actually saw a formation!

One must know that human cultivators' bodies are not as strong as demon beasts', their lifespans not as long; the reason they can contend with demon beasts is largely because human cultivators are more skilled in the myriad arts of cultivation, which can aid in increasing cultivation speed and combat strength.

It's not that demon beasts cannot do formations; it's just that, due to their nature, at what level can they access the way of formations?

Third Stage? Or perhaps Fourth Level?

Unfortunately, he doesn't understand formations, and relying solely on this decayed formation base, he cannot determine what level this formation originally was.

"The foundation of this formation has rotted for who knows how many years; the formation has long been ineffective."

Thump thump! Thump thump!

The heartbeat sound transmitted from the eardrums became increasingly obvious; Yunhe scratched his chin twice.

He raised his eyes and looked ahead.

It was a huge stone pillar shooting up from the ground.

However, the stone pillar displayed a strange and profound black color.

At its midsection, several Spirit Stones had condensed!

Yunhe's eyes lit up.

"'Go!'"

A flash of silver light flew out from his storage bag.

With a "splash" sound, this seemingly extraordinary stone pillar was easily split open.

A faint halo of light drifted away.

Appearing before his eyes was a thumb-sized bead surrounded by rich spiritual energy.

As the bead rotated, the spiritual energy inside the cavern also began to swirl.

"'This is.'"

Looking at that bead, Yunhe was genuinely surprised.

"'Gathering Spirit Pearl?!'"

Thump—thump!

Suddenly, that heartbeat sound came again.

Hum——

Immediately afterward, he saw a strand of dark red liquid drifting down from the shattered stone pillar.

It swirled around the "Gathering Spirit Pearl".

It pulsed as if alive.

Its pulse frequency matched Yunhe's throbbing heartbeat exactly!

With each pulse, a tiny trace dissipated into the water.

Most importantly, when the water flow infused with this unknown liquid brushed past, Yunhe and the Linghenclam felt their spirits lift, their thoughts became active, and their thinking grew clearer.

Yunhe reacted.

His eyes suddenly brightened.

"'Is this the source that lets the demon beasts active in this region awaken their spiritual intelligence more quickly?'"

What is it?

Boom!!!

Before he could figure it out, the cavern suddenly erupted with a tremendous roar.

(End of chapter)