"What do you mean, Uncle Long?" Han Shindong asked politely.
"Young Master, your thinking has been clouded after that Spirit Sea realm cultivator escaped your grasp. You even came to this barren wasteland to search for him. But, you seem to be forgetting two important things," Uncle Long said in a serious tone causing Han Shindong's face to turn ghastly.
Uncle Long didn't pay much attention to Han Shindong's reaction. He continued on serenely as if lecturing his junior. As a person who had seen this Young Master grow up from childhood, he knew well what kind of person Han Shindong was.
Han Shindong might act arrogantly and be a little reckless during normal times. He was even willing to bully others with his background. But, he had one redeeming point. He listened to people he respected.
"One, the most precious thing here is not that Spirit Sea realm cultivator. Cultivation resources are something that can be easily acquired with money. To you, they aren't a big problem at all. But, the most precious thing here is the opportunity left behind in the Grotto Heaven. Those kinds of things can't be acquired by money," Uncle Long said in a grim tone.
"This place is not explored much due to the barren state it is in. You can also see that most people here aren't keen on remaining in this area. That means, someone has yet to unearth the opportunity left in this region. Your focus must be on that. Not on some Spirit Sea cultivator," Uncle Long admonished Han Shindong seriously.
Han Shindong's face changed upon hearing Uncle Long's statement. What his Uncle Long said was indeed true. He had misplaced his priorities after entering this region.
Compared to a legacy technique or a cultivation art from the Grotto Heaven, the matter of spirit herbs was nothing. If he could obtain cultivation art from the Grotto Heaven, his prowess would rise dramatically and he might even break through to the Violet Palace realm.
Not to mention that these legacy techniques will pave a clear road for him to grasp martial dao intents. This would not only boost his combat power but also help him in breaking through to the next demesne.
So, his priority should always have been on these things. He wasn't a poor cultivator lacking spirit herbs. His Han family was one of the major families in the Wei Empire. Resources are not something he lacked.
"I understand, Uncle Long," Han Shindong said lowering his head.
"Two," Uncle Long continued as if he hadn't heard Han Shindong. "Are you even sure that the Spirit Sea realm cultivator is still alive? Ever since we entered this region, we have been under constant attacks from these Sand Scorpions. Even Violet Palace realm cultivators have succumbed to their ambushes."
"That person is a Spirit Sea realm cultivator. Unlike you, he doesn't have people protecting him. So, what are the chances of him still being alive? If he is dead, you would only be wasting time searching for him. The main hall region is open and the main legacy can be obtained by someone very soon. You shouldn't waste your time like this," Uncle Long said directing a frown at Han Shindong.
Han Shindong nodded. He understood what his Uncle Long was trying to say. And he didn't think he was wrong. Yes, he was a bit frustrated and humiliated by being not able to catch a mere Spirit Sea realm cultivator. But, compared to that, his future was more important.
Even if that Spirit Sea realm cultivator survived this barren wasteland somehow, he would be able to find him outside. Then, he can act as per the situation. For now, it was important for him to concentrate on unearthing the opportunity present in this region.
"Uncle Long, you are right. This is indeed my mistake. Thanks for guiding me. Let's move out and search for the legacy site. If anyone has found it, I want to know about it as soon as possible. If not, we will comb this place down and find it out," Han Shindong ordered causing his subordinates to brighten up.
Long Rongchen looked at the surrounding people and sneered in his heart. He was gratified with the way Han Shindong was conducting himself. He may have gone down the wrong path, but when reminded, he immediately corrected his path. This kind of temperament to change would bring him benefits down the line.
Long Rongchen also knew what these subordinates were thinking. He couldn't help but sneer at their pitiful mindset. The most important thing should be to make an impression on the Young Master for these subordinates.
Instead, these morons were lusting after the opportunities present. Even if they found any opportunity, it would not be their turn to obtain it. If they didn't know their place, he wouldn't mind reminding them of it. Sneering inwardly, he looked away from them.
However, none of the subordinates were privy to his thoughts. Compared to searching for a Spirit Sea realm cultivator, they would gladly search for a legacy site. Even if they capture that Spirit Sea realm cultivator, they wouldn't obtain any benefits. But, a legacy site can benefit them as well in their minds.
""Yes, Young Master!""
*****
"Finally," Duncan let out a large breath and looked around the surrounding hill region with relief etched in his eyes.
It had taken him one entire week to traverse the entirety of the barren valley to return to this place. And that was only because he knew how to orient himself and traverse the valley due to his prior experience. If not for that, he would still be lost in that valley currently.
"Heh, who knew that I would feel relieved to return here? I left this place thinking that I would need to increase my cultivation faster. Even though my cultivation increased, I also ran into a lot of danger in the last month," Duncan sighed looking at the first region he was transported into.
"I never expected the barren valley to have so many cultivators roaming around. This only shows how turbulent the situation is beyond the forest region. Luckily, I changed my mind and didn't go over," Duncan said with a complex emotion flashing through his eyes.
"In the end, my strength is only on the lower end of the spectrum inside this Grotto Heaven," Duncan chuckled to himself self-deprecatingly. "Without enough strength, roaming around the Grotto Heaven and seeing other sights could only be a pipedream. If I want to live my life as I wish, I need to get stronger."
Duncan's eyes firmed up as he looked at the distant hill before his eyes.
"My martial arts have progressed as much as possible in the past five months after I entered this Grotto Heaven. My cultivation has also reached a bottleneck. I can't progress any further without the next volume of the <Slaughter Demon Sutra>. I can only practice my soul art now. It is the only thing that I haven't even started on," Duncan said tightening his fists.
"My visualization wasn't up to par when I tried the soul art previously. I need to use this last month inside the Grotto Heaven to obtain at least a basic mastery of this soul art. And this is the perfect region for that. I need to excavate my hidden stash first. Then, I will find a quiet place with a good view of the hills and meditate on them," Duncan loosened his fists and started walking toward the place where he had hidden his first stash.
Duncan knew clearly that it was only a matter of time before someone entered this region as well. As of now, everyone was struggling in the barren valley unable to find their bearings. But soon, someone will figure out the trick and will reach here.
His first-mover advantage wouldn't last long. He was able to traverse the valley when he wasn't even in the Spirit Sea realm. Now the barren valley was filled with people at the Violet Palace realm and Spirit Sea realm.
Duncan didn't fancy himself to be a one-of-a-kind genius. If he could figure a way out with his low cultivation, then others would figure it out eventually too. Once they figured out the trick in handling the sand scorpions, the barren valley wouldn't pose much of a hindrance to them.
Before they all come over, he should find a remotely quiet place and enter meditation. If they come over and saw all the spirit fruits plucked out, they would search for people in this region.
The Steeles might distract a major part of them. So, that would reduce the number of people searching. But, there will always be a few people who would search for resources first. And they would be combing this region for the culprit who plucked out all the spirit fruits.
It was only prudent to hide out and enter meditation before that time comes. The defensive formation that was in the hands of the female from Wind Blossom Sect would come in handy to hide behind. Duncan was glad he looted that female.
It's just that the number of spirit stones present was not really much. Even combined with the number of spirit stones he found in the Nine Yin Sect disciple's spatial ring, Duncan wasn't sure that the formation could last until the Grotto Heaven closed.
Granted, with no one attacking the formation continuously, the spirit stones would last for a long time. But, even then, the consumption would be huge. Duncan didn't think the spirit stones will be able to last for that long.
So, it was imperative that he find a perfect place that has a small region that needs to be defended. These hills have a lot of hidden places. He had found them while exploring this region previously. But, only a few were well hidden and among them, only three or four spots had a view of the hills in front of him.
He needed to find the ideal spot and enter meditation before people started pouring into this region. Duncan knew the importance of this aspect. So, he didn't waste any more time and immediately set forth to accomplish his goal.
