"If I'm not mistaken, there's a spiritual energy (lingqi) mine beneath us, right?"

Chen Xiao took a deep breath and asked.

He finally realized the severity of the situation, and what Xuan Mingzi had just said was definitely not alarmist.

A spiritual energy mine usually contains a massive amount of spiritual energy, like an ocean.

The spiritual energy storm they had just encountered was only a tiny fraction of what was overflowing from the mine, yet it was already so powerful.

If Xuan Mingzi used spiritual energy to detonate the formation and ignite the entire spiritual energy mine, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The power of a spiritual energy explosion is beyond ordinary people's comprehension.

Even if it was deep underground, thousands of meters down, its power would be no less than a hundred nuclear bombs exploding simultaneously.

It would also cause a series of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides. Not to mention a mere Dragon City, even the entire Jiangbei region would hardly survive this catastrophe.

Chen Xiao glared at Xuan Mingzi, grinding his teeth: "You're a madman!"

If Xuan Mingzi disregarded the consequences and detonated the spiritual energy mine, countless people would die with him.

Even the craziest madman in history would pale in comparison.

However, Xuan Mingzi was not ashamed but proud, and he laughed wildly.

The more he laughed, the more insane he became, the more arrogant he became.

"It seems you've already imagined the consequences, but what I want to tell you is that beneath us, it's not just a spiritual energy mine!"

"What are you talking about?"

Chen Xiao was slightly stunned, "What else is down there?"

Xuan Mingzi said calmly, "Have you ever heard of a dragon vein (longmai)?"

Chen Xiao was shocked: "You mean to say, there's a dragon vein down there?"

Xuan Mingzi said lightly, "Exactly."

"According to ancient records, Hua is a land where dragons ascend. Since ancient times, there have been nine dragon veins. However, with the disintegration of traditions, only three dragon veins are known to the world today."

"They are the Changbai dragon vein in the northeast, the Kunlun dragon vein in the northwest, and the Jiuyi dragon vein in the central region!"

"The remaining six dragon veins have been hidden for thousands of years. After decades of deduction and research, I can tell you that beneath our feet lies one of the nine great dragon veins of Hua!"

"Now, do you know what it means if I detonate this place?"

Chen Xiao swallowed hard. In an instant, he connected everything.

"So, Xuan Qingzi was sent by you. Richard was also working for you. Your initial goal was to seize this land from Lin Jie and occupy this dragon vein!"

Xuan Mingzi nodded: "You're not stupid. Originally, this was just the first step of the plan, and the easiest one, but you, this brat, messed it up. Xuan Qingzi, my junior brother, even died because of you. So, tell me, shouldn't I kill you!"

Chen Xiao didn't speak. He had never imagined that such a big conspiracy was hidden here.

He thought Xuan Qingzi was just a swindler who had been exposed, and Richard was just a gigolo coveting Lin Jie's family property.

He never expected that these two insignificant characters were plotting to seize a dragon vein.

He said coldly: "These things are destined. Xuan Mingzi, what qualifications do you have to occupy a dragon vein? To absorb the dragon qi of this place? It's because the heavens couldn't stand it anymore that they sent me to stop you!"

Xuan Mingzi snorted coldly: "The heavens? If the heavens block me, I will defy the heavens! At worst, we'll all die together. With so many people buried with me, my life, Xuan Mingzi, will be worth it!"

Chen Xiao's heart sank. If Xuan Mingzi really did that, even he would be helpless.

Even if he could survive this catastrophe, what about his mother? What about Gu Zhendong and his daughter? And all the elders and folks in Jiangbei, they probably wouldn't even know how they died.

Moreover, if the dragon vein was destroyed, even the country's destiny would be greatly affected.

Chen Xiao was silent. He didn't want to see such consequences.

This also meant that he had no way to deal with Xuan Mingzi.

When Xuan Mingzi saw the expression on Chen Xiao's face, he understood that the other party had been shocked by his madness, and he immediately laughed wildly.

"Hahahaha, young man, so what if you have heaven-defying skills? Today, you still have to be defeated by my Xuan Mingzi!"

"Speaking of which, I really envy you. At such a young age, you possess such secret techniques. Tsk, tsk, tsk, if I were your age, I would definitely be insanely jealous!"

"Fortunately, I'm old enough. I've long accepted the fact that I'm not a genius. But being able to see a genius being manipulated by me, isn't that more enjoyable than being a genius myself?"

"Talent is given by heaven, but I, Xuan Mingzi, have been defying the heavens all my life!"

Xuan Mingzi was impassioned and emotional.

As he spoke, a rope suddenly appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the rope flew towards Chen Xiao like a swimming snake.

The rope moved around Chen Xiao's body repeatedly, finally tying him up securely.

Chen Xiao did not resist, because resistance was meaningless.

Seeing Chen Xiao tied up tightly, Xuan Mingzi finally felt relieved. He stood up, paced to Chen Xiao, and pinched Chen Xiao's chin.

"Boy, try resisting!"

Chen Xiao struggled hard, and the rope binding him released a golden light, becoming even tighter.

Xuan Mingzi laughed loudly: "Boy, this is the Immortal Binding Rope (Kunxian Suo). Once you're bound by it, you can't mobilize the qi in your body. Whether you're a martial artist or a cultivator, even if you have great skills, you can't use them."

"Now, you're a fish on the chopping board. I can chop you up or knead you into a ball, do you understand?"

Chen Xiao didn't speak, his face full of anger, glaring fiercely at Xuan Mingzi.

Xuan Mingzi punched Chen Xiao in the face: "Damn it, you still dare to look at me like that? Can't you tell what the situation is?"

Chen Xiao panted heavily, grinding his teeth.

Xuan Mingzi snorted coldly: "Kneel down for me!"

Chen Xiao stood proudly, refusing to kneel.

"You little bastard, will you kneel! Will you kneel!"

Xuan Mingzi punched Chen Xiao again and again, beating him black and blue, with blood flowing freely.

"Bah!"

Chen Xiao spat, and blood sprayed all over Xuan Mingzi's face.

Xuan Mingzi was completely enraged: "You little bastard, you still want to resist? I'm telling you, it's too late!"

Xuan Mingzi struck Chen Xiao's forehead with his palm, which was covered with purple-black qi. If this hit Chen Xiao's head, it would at least cause a bloody head!

However, at this moment, the golden light in Chen Xiao's eyes suddenly intensified, and two blazing flames shot out from his eye sockets!