Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

"No... I don't think so. The Puppet Demon Elder came after me first..."

When Xu Yan'er mentioned Mo Haoxuan, a deep sense of disgust flashed in her eyes.

"If he hadn't been so greedy, Old Master Mo and Aunt Hong wouldn't have died!"

At that time, we only picked up some rough stones from the outer perimeter of the vein.

We were clearly about to leave.

But he was blinded by greed and insisted on staying to continue mining.

Old Mo and we could only stay and keep him company.

As a result, they were attacked by several wood crocodiles, and the battle became extremely volatile.

This is what attracted the Puppet Demon Elder..."

Xu Yan'er and her group were dragged into a desperate situation because they were waiting for Mo Haoxuan.

However, when real danger came, Mo Haoxuan was the first to run away.

What an irony.

"He's not dead...?"

Lu Zaian rested his chin on his hand, inwardly sighing with regret, then asked again:

"Besides the wood crocodile, did you encounter any other dangers?"

"No, that's not the case. The area around the mine seems to be occupied by an entire group of wood-horned crocodiles. No trace of other monsters has been found..."

Xu Yan'er answered truthfully.

"A group of wood crocodiles? That's a bit tricky..."

The Water Core Stone Vein contains so many raw stones that even Foundation Establishment level spirit items can be extracted from them.

It would be a lie for Lu Zaian to say he wasn't tempted.

It was just a group of Wood Crocodile Demons that could occupy the mines.

Their leader is probably at least a second-tier low-grade.

However, if a decision is made to take action, careful planning is still necessary.

'Now that I've also entered the Body Refinement and Foundation Establishment stage, if I join forces with Xiao Yi, I can easily deal with a second-tier low-grade demonic beast...'

It wouldn't matter if the Wood Crocodile Demon King's strength exceeded his expectations.

Lu Zaian was still quite confident in escaping.

With the life-restoring power of the Longevity Body, Lu Zaian could burn his essence blood and fly away for three days and three nights without stopping.

"Hmm... Let's go, take me to see..."

"Okay!" Xu Yan'er clenched her fist in secret joy.

.........

Led by Xu Yan'er, the two ventured about a thousand miles deeper into the desolate marshland.

They encountered few dangers along the way.

Perhaps it was because Lu Zaian directly displayed his powerful Foundation Establishment Qi and Blood cultivation along the way.

Countless first-tier, mid-to-high-grade demonic beasts and poisonous insects fled in terror!

"We're almost there, Grandpa Lu. Just ahead, not far off, is the entrance to the mine, and also the habitat of that group of Wood-Horned Crocodile Demons..."

The two were near a small island that spanned a hundred miles in circumference.

The surrounding water was surprisingly emerald green.

Lu Zaian stood on the branch of a giant aquatic tree and strained his eyes to look into the distance.

In the very center of the small island ahead, there was a lake that looked like a piece of emerald green.

On the lake.

At this moment, a dozen or so dark green creatures, resembling "driftwood," are floating on the water.

"Good heavens, the wood crocodiles are taking a nap here..."

“The mine is right beneath the lake. We sneaked in quietly when the wood crocodiles came ashore to sunbathe,” Xu Yan’er said excitedly.

The wooden crocodiles outside the mine were only low-to-mid-grade first-tier creatures, no match for Lu Zaian.

Xu Yan'er was already looking forward to the scene of Lu Zai'an annihilating the group of monsters.

After all, these wood crocodiles were also among the murderers who killed Old Mo and Aunt Hong.

"No rush, let's observe for a while before making a decision."

Lu Zaian waved his hand, signaling Xu Yan'er not to rush.

Based on his knowledge of the habits of the Wood Crocodile, this monster loved to bask in the sun.

They have special cells that can perform photosynthesis like plants, generating energy that is beneficial to the growth of organisms...

Lu Zaian has not yet seen the leader of this group of wood crocodiles.

Without knowing the rank of the Wood Crocodile King, Lu Zaian should not act rashly.

So the two of them quietly observed and waited on the tree trunk.

An hour later.

It was midday, and the sun was scorching hot.

Sunlight filters through the island's lush vegetation, scattering across the lake's surface, creating shimmering, golden waves.

On the lake, the previously motionless "driftwood" began to awaken!

Wow – Wow –

One after another, the ferocious-looking, single-horned, and dark green-scaled wood crocodiles swam out of the water and climbed onto the shore to enjoy the sunshine!

Wood crocodiles were seen emerging from the bottom of the lake.

Each one was larger than the last, with its single horn spiraling longer and its scales a deeper green.

Its aura gradually approached that of a first-tier high-grade demon beast.

Before long, a huge shadow rapidly approached the lake surface.

The surrounding wood crocodiles scattered in all directions, making room for them.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

A colossal creature, over ten zhang long, suddenly burst out of the water, splashing water everywhere!

"Roar!!"

This enormous creature was none other than the Wood Crocodile King.

Its wooden horns were two zhang long, spiraling straight up to the sky, looking extremely ferocious.

Its scales were as hard as meteorite iron, a dark green!

With each opening and closing of the nictitating membrane, a pair of amber vertical pupils scanned left and right, exuding a powerful and oppressive aura!

"As expected, this is a second-tier, low-grade Wood Horned Crocodile King!"

Just as Lu Zaian thought so.

A shadow reappeared at the bottom of the lake!

Another equally enormous wood crocodile emerged.

With its ferocious single horn and dark green scales, its aura was in no way inferior to that of the other Wood Horned Crocodile King!

"what?

There were two?

Are they a male and a female?

No wonder they were able to form such a large group..."

Lu Zaian's pupils contracted slightly. This can't happen again, can it?

Fortunately, Lu Zaian waited for half a day, but no third second-tier wooden horn emerged.

"Grandpa Lu, what should we do?"

"It seems there are two Tier 2 Woodcrocodiles, you can't handle them either..."

Xu Yan'er looked worried; the strength of this group of wooden crocodile demons had clearly exceeded her expectations.

"...It's not that we can't deal with it."

Lu Zaian rested his hand on his chin, stroking his white stubble.

I should be able to handle one myself, and it shouldn't be too difficult for Xiao Yi to handle one either.

But not now.

The sun is blazing hot right now, and the Wood Crocodile can continuously absorb sunlight and convert it into energy, replenishing its demonic power in a steady stream during battle.

To ensure success, Lu Zaian chose to wait and see.

"Grandpa Lu, are you really sure?"

"How about we go back first and find some help?"

Xu Yan'er frowned slightly, looking somewhat worried.

Most human cultivators are weaker than demonic beasts of the same level, let alone one against two.

This is still the home ground of the woodcrocodile population...

Xu Yan'er didn't want to see her savior turn around and be killed by her.

"Don't worry, even if I can't handle it, I can retreat safely."

Lu Zaian reassured Xu Yan'er.

Woodcrocodile is not good at speed.

Even if they can't handle it themselves, they can leave easily.

Needless to say, Xiao Yi is even more so.

A naturally intelligent aquatic creature, once it dives into a swamp, even a second-tier high-grade demon beast might not be able to catch it.

.........

The sunset is infinitely good, just near dusk.

Lu Zaian and the other man waited until almost sunset.

At first glance, a magnificent sunset glowed where the water met the sky, a vibrant orange-red expanse.

The group of wood crocodiles on the island also finished sunbathing and began paddling their limbs in preparation for returning to the lake.

"Now's the time! We can prepare to make our move!"