I attained sainthood through alchemy on the cliff.

Chapter 24: Gathering of the Three Museums

The people from Iron Bone Martial Arts School have arrived.

On this day, the peaceful Black Mountain Valley was suddenly broken by a series of rapid and orderly hoofbeats.

Leading the group was a team of seven or eight riders, all dressed in dark blue tight-fitting clothes with a dark white fist and bone emblem embroidered on their chests; they were the men of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School.

The leader was not an instructor like Coach Zhou, but a middle-aged man of about forty years old with a stern face and prominent temples. He had a long, black-sheathed sword at his waist, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, exuding a murderous aura.

This person is the deputy head of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School, named Li Feng. He is at the Bone Refining Realm and his "Iron Bone Breaking Blade" is quite famous in Qing Shi Town. He is a powerful figure who truly represents the will of the martial arts school.

Zhao Kun was a capable subordinate of his faction, and his disappearance was no small matter, as it involved the possible "that thing" in the Black Mountain mine. The museum master personally ordered Li Feng to lead a team to conduct a thorough investigation.

However, shortly after the Iron Bone Martial Arts School's men arrived at the village entrance, dust and smoke rose up again almost simultaneously on the mountain roads to the east and west.

About five or six riders came from the east. They were dressed in earthen yellow, and had a steady and dignified demeanor. The emblem on their chests was a majestic mountain rock, which was the Panshi Martial Arts School.

The leader was sturdy and had a simple, honest face like an old farmer, but his large, fan-like hands had unusually large knuckles, and his aura was as deep and solid as a mountain. He was Shi Yue, the vice master of the Rock Martial Arts Academy, who was also a master of the Bone Refining Realm and was known for his defense and strength.

Five or six riders came from the west, dressed in gray-blue clothes. They moved with a light and swift air, and the emblem on their chests was three intersecting winds, which belonged to the Gale Martial Arts School.

The leader was a lean old man with high cheekbones, sharp and lively eyes, and a pair of short spikes on his back. His aura was elusive. He was none other than Elder Chasing Wind of the Gale Martial Arts Academy, Liu Wuying, who was also at the Bone Refining Realm and was skilled in movement techniques and surprise attacks.

The three groups arrived at the entrance of Heishan'ao Village almost simultaneously, and the atmosphere instantly became subtle and tense.

Sun Mancang, who had been somewhat relieved by the Sun family's request for help, felt his legs go weak when he saw this scene.

He already had to be careful around the deputy head of the Iron Bone Martial Arts School, but now Rock and Gale have also sent people of the same level!

The sky over Heishan'ao is about to change completely!

Li Feng glanced at Shi Yue and Liu Wuying, and snorted coldly: "Brother Shi, Elder Liu, you're quite well-informed."

Shi Yue smiled憨厚ly and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Brother Li is too kind. The Black Mountain abandoned mine is showing unusual activity, with rising earth energy and a faint glimmer of precious light. Although my Panshi Martial Arts School is a bit far away, we have still sensed some of it. Instructor Zhao Kun has unfortunately gone missing in such a dangerous place. We are all martial arts practitioners in Qingshi Town, so it is only right that we come to check and see if we can do our part."

The words were polite, but the meaning was clear: everyone knows about the unusual phenomena and potential opportunities in the abandoned mine in Black Mountain, so don't try to keep it all to yourself.

Liu Wuying chuckled, her voice slightly high-pitched: "Vice Master Li, if the Rock Martial Arts Academy can come, then naturally my Gale Martial Arts Academy can too. This Black Mountain Abandoned Mine isn't anyone's private property. Besides, for a Body Refining Realm instructor to perish silently inside, it must be something extraordinary. More people mean more strength and more eyes, right?"

The words were barbed, implying that Iron Bone Martial Arts School might be hiding something.

Li Feng's expression darkened slightly, but he couldn't lash out.

The three martial arts schools in Qingshi Town have long been checking and balancing each other. The allure of "that thing" that might exist in the abandoned mines of Heishan is too great to be kept secret.

Zhao Kun's disappearance is more like a clear signal—the anomalies deep within the mine have reached a critical point, enough to threaten a martial artist in the Body Refining Realm. The day when that "treasure" matures or is born is probably really close.

In fact, rumors about a "top-grade medicine" that can enhance a martial artist's physical constitution hidden deep in the abandoned mines of Black Mountain have been circulating among the high-ranking officials of Qing Shi Town and several long-established martial arts schools for a long time.

However, the mine tunnels were intricate and dangerous, and the cost of in-depth exploration was too high. Moreover, the signs of the precious medicine's maturity were unclear, so a delicate balance had been maintained. Only the Iron Bone Martial Arts School, which was the closest and most influential, would send people to check from time to time under the pretext of governing Black Mountain Pass. Zhao Kun was one of them.

Now that Zhao Kun has perished inside, the other two families immediately interpreted it as a strong signal that "the powerful beast guarding the precious medicine has begun to actively attack those who approach it, and the precious medicine is about to mature!"

This prompted both sides to send out their elite forces, who quickly arrived at the scene.

As for the murders of Yang Jin, the "deceased" hunter, and Shi Jian, Ma Liu, and others, the three martial arts schools considered them nothing more than ignorant vendettas among country folk or incidental events caused by changes in the mine tunnels. Compared to the immense opportunity of the "precious medicine," they were utterly insignificant.

The Sun family offered a reward for finding Yang Jin? That was just a trivial matter done on the spur of the moment; who really cares about it now?

"Since you two are both here, let's get straight to the point." Li Feng suppressed his displeasure and said in a deep voice, "The Black Mountain Abandoned Mine is indeed unusual. Our martial arts instructor Zhao Kun is missing and may have met with misfortune. There may be powerful beasts lurking deep within the mine, making it extremely dangerous. However, since our Iron Bone Martial Arts Academy is responsible for this area, it is our duty to investigate the truth and eliminate the hidden dangers."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Shi Yue and Liu Wuying: "However, the abandoned mine covers a large area with complex paths. To avoid misunderstandings and for more effective exploration, how about we three divide the area and explore separately? If we find anything, we can discuss it further."

Shi Yue and Liu Wuying exchanged a glance, both understanding that this was the most feasible solution at present.

Forcing each other to act together can actually hinder each other and easily lead to unforeseen changes.

"Brother Li's suggestion is excellent." Shi Yue nodded. "My Panshi Martial Arts School will be responsible for the cliff on the east side and the connected mining tunnel area."

"Then let my Gale Martial Arts School choose the west side, near the riverbank and downstream mine tunnels," Liu Wuying interjected. "Brother Li's Iron Bone Martial Arts School is naturally most familiar with the main vein and core area of ​​the abandoned mine, so let Brother Li lead the exploration of the main vein, while we provide support from the outside."

This division seems to give the Iron Bone Martial Arts School the core lineage most likely to contain treasures, but it is not impossible that there are branch lines or secret entrances on the east and west sides.

Each of the three parties had its own agenda, and all planned to first secure their territory and conduct thorough reconnaissance.

"Alright, we'll do as you two say." Li Feng knew this was the bottom line and nodded in agreement. "To prevent any unrest from the alien beasts or other accidents, the three of us will agree to a three-day period. After three days, regardless of whether anything is discovered or not, we will meet here to exchange information. If any party needs emergency support, they can launch a red signal arrow."

"Can."

"That's how it should be."

With the agreement reached, the three parties did not delay any longer and immediately took their respective personnel to begin operations according to the designated areas.

The forces from Rock Martial Arts School and Gale Martial Arts School unceremoniously recruited some of the Sun family's guards and villagers familiar with the terrain as guides.

Although Sun Mancang felt sorry that his people were being used, he dared not speak out and could only serve them carefully, secretly complaining in his heart.

With these three powerful forces suddenly surging into Black Mountain Pass, the power of the Sun family, a local bully, suddenly seemed insignificant.

He just hoped these old men would quickly find what they wanted, or confirm that they didn't have it, and then leave as soon as possible.

Soon, the area around the abandoned mine in Heishan became lively.

The three teams each took up a spot and began to explore in an orderly manner.

They were clearly well-prepared, carrying superior equipment such as specially made everlasting torches, simple compasses for detecting earth vein fluctuations, and animal-repelling powder to deal with insects and snakes. They were also much more cautious than Zhao Kun had been, not venturing rashly into the complex side passages, but clearing the perimeter first, establishing a temporary camp, and proceeding step by step.

Inside the blacksmith's shop, the clanging sound continued as before.

However, both Chen Shan and Yang Jin keenly sensed the dramatic change in the village's atmosphere.

The sound of horses' hooves, shouts, and the aura of unfamiliar martial artists... all heralded the end of the peaceful days.

As Chen Shan slowly and methodically sharpened a sickle, he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Rock and Gale are here too... It seems that Zhao Kun's death and the commotion in the mine have whetted their appetites. Good, the muddier the water, the easier it is for the fish to hide."

Yang Jin silently pulled the bellows, his heart beating slightly faster.

The three major martial arts schools gathered together, their goal being the nonexistent "precious medicine" deep within the mine, which far exceeded his initial expectations.

The chain reaction triggered by his own "dead" state seems to be pushing Black Mountain Pass into the center of an even larger vortex.

"How's your 'Breathing Hammer' and 'Mountain Splitting Palm' training going?" Chen Shan suddenly asked.

"I can now perform 150 consecutive breath hammer strikes without faltering. As for the Mountain-Splitting Palm... the palm print on the rock face behind the mountain is already three inches deep," Yang Jin replied in a low voice.

"Hmm, not bad, quite diligent." Chen Shan nodded, but in his heart he thought it was a monster. This kid's natural talent was so strong. Back then, he practiced the Breathing Hammer and Mountain Splitting Palm for a whole year. This kid actually made progress in just seven days. He was simply a monster.

Chen Shan was surprised, but he persisted in saying more.

"But that's not enough. The people outside aren't those useless guards from the Sun family; they're real martial arts elites who've seen blood. And the three old guys leading the group are even at the Bone Refining Realm. Your current strength is still no match for them."

Yang Jin clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.

Of course he knew about the gap.

"However, crisis can also be an opportunity." A glint of light flashed in Chen Shan's eyes. "The three families are keeping each other in check, their attention focused on the mine tunnels and each other, which will actually make them less vigilant in investigating your 'Stone' identity. Moreover, their large-scale investigation will inevitably alert those things in the mine tunnels... Something big is about to happen in the abandoned mine!"

Yang Jin's heart skipped a beat. Was this a reminder to him?

Indeed, on his two recent returns, Atu brought back less rock-carving earthworm meat and earth vein essence, and the emotions he conveyed showed a clear increase in unease and vigilance, as if the "neighbors" deep in the mine had become more active and sensitive.

"You mean...?"

"Leverage their strength, observe the changes, and wait for the right opportunity." Chen Shan slowly uttered six words. "They're looking for their 'things,' we'll practice our skills. While they draw attention to us, we'll hone our skills. At the same time, carefully observe the behavior of these martial arts school members, their skill levels, and the sources of their conflicts... These are all pieces of information you'll need to understand in the future."

He put down his sickle, looked at Yang Jin, and said with a deep gaze, "Remember, what you need to do now is not to rush out to seek revenge, but to be like a real stone, sinking to the bottom of the river, remaining unmoved no matter how turbulent the waves are. Gather your strength and wait... for that earth-shattering moment."

Yang Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his mind, and nodded emphatically: "I understand."

The roaring fire illuminated the boy's increasingly calm and resolute face.

Outside the blacksmith's shop, the flags of the three major martial arts schools fluttered in the wind, and beneath the mist of the abandoned Black Mountain mine, undercurrents began to surge.

A real storm is brewing.

The boy on the edge of the storm is forging himself into the hardest rock.