Vaan traveled five kilometers into the seven-kilometer-long passage before opening up a new inclined path that stretched for another thirty-four kilometers, connecting to a different rare metal deposit.
However, he didn't reach the second rare metal deposit before opening up another inclined pathway leading up to the next closest mineral deposit.
He repeated the same step until he linked up a few dozen mineral deposits and was five hundred kilometers closer to the surface. There, he finally discovered some soil among the endless layers of rocks.
Ding!
<Analyzing soil composition...>
<Soil composition analysis completed>
<Soil composition: 32.67% limestone powder, 29.51% carbon dust, 17.87% humus, 6.63%...>
'As expected, there's a fair bit of humus,' Vaan mused.
Even without confirming the soil composition, he had already guessed there would be a substantial amount of humus in the soil after scanning the soil-to-rock formation in the area. After all, the soil-to-rock formation somewhat resembled a neural network, which he figured was most likely created by plant roots.
Humus was the decomposed organic matter of plants.However, considering the sheer size of the soil-to-rock formation, the roots of the plant life had to be equally enormous, and there was no such large plant in Vaan's knowledge.
Even the roots of the world tree that used to exist in the Verdant Wood Kingdom would have paled in comparison by at least a hundredfold.
If a plant with such enormous roots existed in Pangea, it would be easily seen from anywhere on the continent.
After all, such a colossal plant life would have been comparable to the fabled Tree of Origin that was said to pierce into the heavens. Such an enormous tree had only ever been recorded in stories and never seen or proven to exist at least, not in Pangea.
There wasn't a single existing plant in Pangea that could even come close to such size with its roots.
'The remnants of colossal plant... The Purpleflame Territory was said to be a once flourishing green planet filled with incredible magical plants before calamity descended on its land. Could this place be part of the Purpleflame Territory?' Vaan wondered.
Although it was too early to draw a conclusion with a single discovery, he was already leaning toward the Purpleflame Territory.
After all, the Darksea Abyss Territory was a toxic water planet like Pangea. It was hard to imagine any plant life thriving to unimaginable sizes in such a harsh environment, even if they most likely existed in that vast unknown sea.
Furthermore, Vaan learned that the magical plants that used to grow in the Purpleflame Territory even attracted the Skymagia Star Kingdom.
If the Purpleflame Territory possessed such pure mana within its soil, it would be easy to understand why its magical plants could grow so well.
'Purpleflame Territory, huh? I hope this subterranean region is part of the Purpleflame Territory,' Vaan desired.
Considering he intended to become the Great Devil of the Darksea Abyss Territory, all its resources practically already belonged to him.
On the other hand, the Purpleflame Territory was still ownerless.
Thus, if the subterranean region was connected to the Purpleflame Territory, he could continue to enjoy its valuable resources without the other Great Devils' knowledge.
Why wouldn't he want to enjoy the resources of two territories without competition?
'I should end the investigation here,' Vaan suddenly decided.
If the subterranean region were truly connected to the Purpleflame Territory, nothing good would come from getting too close to the surface.
After all, it was still a place that even the Great Devils considered dangerous.
It would be disastrous if he attracted the fiery evil spirits or the Eternal Purpleflame to the underground space. It would be even worse if it allowed the Great Devils to learn about the pure mana in the deep subterranean region.
'Although it is good to know where the underground space is located, I don't absolutely have to know, especially if the risks outweigh the benefits,' Vaan mused.
It was an eventful break, but he should return to the others.
Solana was still looking forward to their dual cultivation, so he shouldn't keep her waiting. Otherwise, she would miss her chance once he met Hecate.
On that note, he was quite curious about what she had to give him.
...
Meanwhile, Ninth Dream fled without a clear direction in mind but somehow found herself in front of Fourth Dream and Seventh Dream. Perhaps she subconsciously wanted to share the grave news with her sisters.
Nevertheless, Ninth Dream quickly noticed Fourth Dream was giving her a weird look.
Moreover, she was familiar with that look since she had seen it on Seventh Dream before when she told her about masturbation.
As such, it only took a moment for Ninth Dream to realize that Fourth Dream must have also learned about masturbation.
Furthermore, Fourth Dream must have also watched a live demonstration of it.
Ninth Dream couldn't help but direct a blaming look at Seven Dream, who quickly averted her gaze after realizing she had been found out.
However, before Ninth Dream could complain, Fourth Dream criticized her with a frown, "Why are you back already, Ninth Sister? Your shift shouldn't have ended yet."
"I don't want to be on duty right now. Please take over my shift, Fourth Sister! I will make up for it next!" Ninth Dream pleaded.
Her face quickly reddened as Vaan's mischievous smile flashed across her mind.
Fourth Dream suddenly had a sense of déjà vu as she recalled such a situation. It was also precisely because they had been over it before that she felt displeased with Ninth Dream.
How could Ninth Dream still know any shame and embarrassment when she could prune her flower garden while spying on other people's private affairs?
"You can't be wilful forever, Ninth Sister. Go back and complete your shift now," Fourth Dream instructed with a deep frown, adding, "I can't believe you left Sir Vaan on his own without any of us around."
"I don't care. I'm not going back today. Someone, please take over just for today!" Ninth Dream stubbornly requested, adding, "I'm not feeling well right now."
"Stop being a child! Why are you being like this? Do I have to force you to go back?" Fourth
Dream scolded, feeling a little mad with her behavior.
"Hmph, you can try, Fourth Sister," Ninth Dream pouted, feeling slightly angry too.
She didn't understand why Fourth Dream was suddenly acting so strict.
If Fourth Dream was unwilling to take over her shift, so be it. After all, even if Fourth Dream didn't want it, Seventh Dream definitely did.
Nevertheless, Fourth Dream suddenly didn't know what to say when Ninth Dream challenged
her.
She remembered that her cultivation was one stage lower than hers. As such, she wouldn't be able to beat her.
If she didn't quickly increase her cultivation, wouldn't she be bullied by her younger sisters in the future? Where would her dignity as the fourth elder sister be?
Suddenly, Fourth Dream didn't find it so bad to take over Ninth Dream's shift.
Although she was still mad since Sir Vaan's whereabouts were currently unknown, she really should try this thing called masturbation and catch up on her cultivation.
"Never mind. I will look for Sir Vaan and guard him," Fourth Dream stated.
"There's no need to trouble you, Fourth Sister," Seventh Dream shook her head and
volunteered, "I can do it."
"I insist, Seventh Sister," Fourth Dream firmly stated.
"Eh? Alright then, if you insist..." Seventh Dream timidly conceded after seeing her fierce yet
determined gaze.
Shortly after, Seventh Dream and Ninth Dream watched Fourth Dream depart in search of
Vaan.
"Hmph, smelly Fourth Sister," Ninth Dream snorted with a resentful look, muttering, "I was going to share the grave news with you. But since you are so mean and scolded me, you can
suffer with us."
"Huh? What grave news are you talking about, Ninth Sister?" Seventh Dream quickly inquired
with astonishment.
Ninth Dream glanced left and right, confirming Fourth Dream was gone before she whispered
into Seventh Dream's ears.
The moment Seventh Dream heard the so-called grave news, her whole body instantly froze
in disbelief.
However, her expression soon twisted into shock and outrage.
"What did you just say?! Sir Vaan can really-Mmf!!"
"Shh! Don't let Fourth Sister hear you!"
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