Chapter 30: The Chaotic Mine Shaft

  Three days later, Ishikawa finally arrived at the mountain range where the Shuilingmen mine was located. The name of this mountain is Xianling Mountain, which is famous for producing a large amount of spiritual stones and minerals.

  This mountain was divided up by several large and small sects, each occupying a different mine tunnel according to their power. The Shuiling Sect's power was mediocre, so they occupied an ordinary mine tunnel, but the resources within the mine tunnel were rich and abundant, enough for the entire sect to use.

  Several sects occupying Xianling Mountain unite, advancing and retreating together, driving out cultivators outside of these sects.

  For example, the four or five Qi-refining stage cultivators in front of Shi Kui were a team specializing in expelling loose cultivators.

  "This is Xianling Mountain, outsiders are strictly prohibited from approaching!"

  "Xianling Mountain." Ishikawa let out a soft breath, thinking to himself: "After searching all the way here, I've finally arrived."

  Ishikawa took out a small plaque from his bosom and said respectfully: "I am a disciple of the Water Spirit Gate, sent to mine here."

  The first one, a sixth-level cultivator of the Qi Refining stage, took it over and examined it carefully, nodded, and said in a cold voice: "The Water Spirit Sect's mine is on the second small peak."

  "Thank you, senior brother!" Ishikawa concealed his true cultivation at the Qi Refining stage to avoid being too dazzling, so it was absolutely correct for others to address him as "senior brother".

  "It's indeed a mine, and it's heavily guarded." Ishikawa thought as he walked forward.

  Xianling Mountain, indeed a place where spiritual energy converges. The trees at the foot of the mountain are lush and dense, with branches full of ripe fruit, yet there is no sign of any being picked.

  This left Ishikawa in awe, but he had no time to appreciate the view.

  These days, Lin Feng's attacks have been getting more and more frequent. The spiritual stones on Shi Chuan's body are almost all thrown into the earth, so now immediately entering the mine to supplement enough spiritual energy is the most urgent thing for Shi Chuan at present.

  As for other things, Ishikawa didn't have the energy to think about them much either.

  Before long, Ishikawa arrived at the second vein of Xianling Mountain. The trees in this vein were mostly cut down, leaving one tree stump after another. On the halfway up the mountain, there was a very obvious cave entrance.

  At a glance, it's dark and gloomy inside, and you can't see what's inside at all.

  As he took a step forward, Ishikawa felt as if there was an invisible force holding him back.

  "There should be some sort of formation protection." Ishikawa thought to himself, after all the mine was a sect's most important source of spiritual stones and minerals. Setting up a complex formation would be beneficial in every way.

  However, the law array did not open, and Ishikawa couldn't keep waiting here. Ishikawa simply took out his own contribution plate and lightly touched the intangible prohibition law array. Unexpectedly, this contribution plate easily went in.

  Before long, a white light flashed at the entrance of the cave, and a small opening appeared, revealing a thread of light inside. Ishikawa quickly darted into the small opening.

  "It's done, Master Cai."

  "Drink... drink out..."

  As soon as they entered the cave, there was a large stone table with two Qi-refining fifth-layer cultivators sitting on it. In front of them were plates of beef, peanuts, pickled bamboo shoots and other side dishes to go with their drinks, and they were eating and drinking while chatting.

  Even if Ishikawa appeared in front of them, it seemed like they didn't notice him at all.

  Looking at the inner door clothes on the two, Ishikawa knew he hadn't come to the wrong place and respectfully said: "Two seniors, I just came from the sect gate and received a mining task."

  "Newcomer? Hehe..." One of them spoke up with a laugh, his mouth full of alcohol.

  "Ishikawa, first level of Qi training." Another person glanced at Ishikawa's contribution plate and casually tossed it back to him, saying: "Go find the general manager over there."

  "Thank you, both seniors." Ishikawa took the contribution plate and walked past their wine table towards the interior of the mine. Seeing that these two were drunk, Ishikawa also knew that he couldn't get any useful information from them.

  After walking about ten zhang, Ishikawa could hear the sounds of hubbub, shouting, guessing fingers, drinking games, and women's shrill cries.

  Ishikawa continued walking forward with a mind full of doubts.

  After walking for forty or fifty feet, the cave suddenly became spacious. A large hall of over ten feet appeared in front of Shi Chuan. The hall was embedded with many glowstones, illuminating the entire cave as if it were daytime.

  There were dozens of stone tables and chairs in the hall. Most of them were filled with people, just like a tavern in the mortal world. Four or five people sat around one table, playing rock-paper-scissors, drinking wine.

  There were also several tables where there were actually a few heavily made-up mortal women, leaning against and flirting with several inner sect disciples.

  Ishikawa looked around and saw a young monk at the southernmost end, wolfing down a bowl of noodles with an expression that seemed like he hadn't eaten for generations.

  However, the iron pickaxe placed beside his desk is a necessary tool for digging holes. This person should be an ordinary miner.

  Ishikawa hastily walked over and sat down in front of the monk, bowing his hands and saying: "This senior brother..."

  "Go ask someone else, I don't have time to bother with you." The monk said in a rough tone.

  This person gave Ishikawa two impressions. Firstly, his voice seemed to have some problems, but at the age of 15 or 16, he spoke with such a rough and coarse tone. Secondly, his face was dark, but it seemed that he had intentionally painted it black, because the skin on his wrists and neck was very white, which was vastly different from the color on his face.

  Ishikawa glanced at those disciples who were either drinking and playing rock-paper-scissors in the distance or hugging worldly women in their arms. He couldn't help but shake his head, knowing that what he wanted wasn't easy to get from those cultivators, but this one in front of him was more reliable.

  Ishikawa took out a piece of Ling stone and quietly handed it over, saying in a low voice: "Brother, I just arrived at the mine, and the two brothers guarding the entrance told me to come find the general manager. I don't know where to find him either. There are other things to discuss, I hope brother will inform me together."

  As soon as he saw the spirit stone, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and he immediately put the spirit stone into his storage bag. In a hoarse voice, he said: "You're not highly cultivated, but you seem to know what's going on. Take out ten pieces of spirit stones, and I'll not only tell you where the manager is, but also reveal some secrets about the mine."

  Ishikawa's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself that this person might be taking him for a fool. Although the price of ten spirit stones was not much, Ishikawa did not want to reveal his identity because of these ten spirit stones.

  However, this person was alone, and Ishikawa didn't have to worry that much. Moreover, Ishikawa had already heard from Li Kai that there were factions in the mine. If he could understand some of the situation beforehand, it wouldn't be a bad thing. He handed over another ten pieces of spiritual stone, his face bitter as he said: "Senior brother, this is all my savings..."

  The monk snatched the spirit stone from Ishikawa's hand with a speed that was too fast to be seen, and a rare smile appeared on his face. He nodded slightly to the left: "Look over there, there are two stone gates, the one on the left is it. However, before you go in, I hope you figure out if it's the right time to enter."

  Having said that, the monk swallowed the last mouthful of noodles and let out a big burp.

  Just now this person had been lowering his head, Ishikawa hadn't noticed, only to discover now that on this person's ears, there were actually two small ear holes. It was still the first time for Ishikawa to see a man with earrings.