Chapter Twenty-Five Entering the Mine Cave

  Chu Rui had always disliked weakness, whether in himself or others. In his opinion, weakness made people lose their fighting spirit and become vulnerable to bullying. But now, he couldn't help but envy the blacksmith's daughter, who brought out a weak side of the blacksmith. The fact that she could make such a tough man cry showed just how strong the blacksmith's emotions for her were.

  Fragile, and not afraid! Everyone has their own concerns in their heart, even strong people have their fragile side. Showing one's fragility is not shameful, for the sake of loved ones, even if it means becoming weak, what's wrong with that? At least it proves he hasn't died yet, he still has that thing called "heart". Compared to some who wear a hypocritical smile and make superficial actions that win people's praise, but are actually extremely filthy behind their backs, Uncle Iron is more respectable!

  "Blacksmith uncle, rest assured, I will definitely help you fulfill this wish, absolutely!"

  Looking at the iron master's dark face, Chu Rui felt that the crystal clear tears flowing on his face were so radiant and sacred. After a long time of walking in darkness, even though he still tightly guarded himself with morality, binding himself to make himself a human being rather than a bloodthirsty demon who only knew how to kill. However, the prolonged killing had also made his heart gradually numb.

  People now live in a steel city, wearing fake masks when they go out, and cold walls at home, locking themselves in small rooms. For a long time, there has been no heartfelt communication, people have become isolated, and their hearts have become numb. Every day is just a dull and simple life, going to work, getting off work, and going home, that's all. Life is rich, but spiritually, people have become wanderers, gradually losing themselves.

  It's extremely difficult to move someone who has become numb. The blacksmith uncle's persistence towards his daughter touched a chord in Chu Rui's heart. At this moment, he agreed, very solemnly agreeing with the blacksmith uncle, not thinking about the task, nor thinking about what rewards he could get from the blacksmith uncle, but simply wanting to help him, wanting to complete the lonely and bitter life of someone who had lost his wife in his early years and his daughter in his later years.

  "Thank you, thank you!" The blacksmith uncle was choked with sobs and after a while, he calmed down and silently took out a hoe from the corner and said to Chu Suo: "My family has been making iron for generations, we don't have any special skills or good things. This hoe is a gift as a thank you!"

  "Ding, congratulations on receiving the triggered task: Blacksmith's Wish. Obtain pre-task reward: Mining Technique, Crowbar!"

  Mining Skill: Life Skill, Beginner, 0/10,000, Can collect minerals!

  Crane Beak Pickaxe: Golden equipment, Attack 20-35! Requires level 1, Durability 30/30!

  【Special Effect】Can dig up minerals!

  【Passive Effect】Deep Excavation: Ore extraction rate increased by 20%, high-grade ore extraction rate increased by 5%!

  Chu Rui's heart didn't have much joy when he glanced at the reward he received.

  "Also, this thing is our family heirloom, take some protection with you!" The blacksmith uncle handed over a few small and exquisite iron rods.

  Iron Chip Shot: Deals 200 forced damage to all enemies within a 3x3 range!

  Hidden weapon?

  What the heck is this?

  Looking at the five small iron bars in his hand, Chu Rui was somewhat unexpected. Area attack, and it's even forced damage, 200 points for most players now is basically an instant kill! What a great thing!

  "Blacksmith uncle, I'll go first! Don't worry, I will definitely find your daughter!"

  Received the iron sheet, took a deep look at the face of the iron master who had already appeared wrinkles, Chu Rui resolutely said a sentence to him, and then turned his head and walked out of the iron shop without hesitation.

  He came straight to the village entrance and looked at the village chief who had been standing there for thousands of years without changing. Chu Rui's heart moved, and he walked forward.

  "Are you ready to set off?" Seeing Chu Rui, a smile appeared on the old village chief's face.

  "Village chief, I will definitely destroy the evil spirit that is causing trouble in the mine, don't worry. And, your son..." Chu Rui took a deep breath and continued: "I will find him, as well as the blacksmith's daughter, I will help you find them."

  "Haha, that kid told you everything. The village chief, holding back his sorrow, forced a smile and said: "Go ahead and do it! But whatever you do, don't exhaust yourself to death. For the sake of that mine, we've already sacrificed many lives. You're still young, there are many things you haven't done yet, don't waste your own life!"

  "Don't worry, Village Chief, my life is tough enough, no one can take it away from me, not even a demon!" Chu Rui chuckled and waved his hand.

  "Ding, player 'Sa Sa' requests a conversation with you, do you accept?"

  "Agreed!"

  "Sly hand, we're ready, where are you?" The crisp and straightforward voice still sounded so refreshing, and Chu Rui's slightly depressed mood improved a lot upon hearing it.

  "Here at Village Head's place!" Chu Rui explained his location before hanging up the communication.

  Listening to the blind sound, she was a bit dazed. Later, when she reacted, she couldn't help but feel some shame and anger.

  What's wrong with that man? He keeps ignoring my charm, is he blind? How hateful, others don't even have the luck to talk to me for a few more sentences. He hangs up so quickly, making me seem like a plague god.

  "What's wrong, Xiao Sa?"

  Looking at Sasa's furious face, Ye Zifeng couldn't help but ask. When he heard from Sasa that the cunning hand had received a hidden task and possibly even a hidden map, he became extremely excited. Originally, the gold coin was just to build a relationship with the cunning hand, an investment. But now, after investing, they got such an unexpected return, which further solidified his determination to win over the cunning hand. For him, nothing mattered in the early stages of the game except for levels. Reaching level 10 and arriving at the city was the real starting point. Whoever reached it first would occupy the advantage. Now that the cunning hand had given them an opportunity to gain super rich experience, how could they not be overjoyed? Looking at Sasa's angry face, he couldn't help but feel a little worried, wondering if something unexpected had happened. He had rushed back from the crocodile area, wasting leveling time, and couldn't afford to be let down!

  "Nothing much, that guy is at the village entrance!"

  Sa Sa said in a huff and walked away with an unpleasant face, leaving Ye Zifeng and others with a look of astonishment and confusion.

  "So slow!"

  Chu Rui, who had been waiting at the village entrance for a long time, finally saw Sa Sa and others walking towards him, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

  No more nonsense, Chu Rui directly pulled them all into the team.

  "Let's get one thing straight, since I'm the captain, everything will be done under my command. Also, I have priority when it comes to equipment. If you can't handle that, speak up now. If you mess up at a critical moment later on, don't say I didn't warn you!"

  He swept his gaze over the people in front of him, Yezi Feng, Sa Sa, Tian Er, and that tall and slender young magician with the ID "Xi Huo", and Chu Rui directly said in the team channel.

  "Hey, everything has to be done your way, and you get to choose the equipment too. Don't we get any benefits at all?" Just as Chu Xue's words fell, Tian'er beside her couldn't help but cry out.

  "You can choose not to answer!" Chu Rui didn't even look at Tian'er, staring straight at Ye Zifeng: "I'll give you one minute to consider!"

  Looking at Chu Rui walking away, Ye Zifeng couldn't help but smile bitterly. He glanced at Sa Sa and Xi Huo who were frowning, then pulled back Tian Er who was furious, and quietly told them about the pros and cons of the situation.

  "Discussion settled?" Chu Rui asked indifferently, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at Ye Zifeng.

  "Please give me more guidance, brother. This time, you have the final say and the right to command!" Ye Zifeng said somewhat awkwardly under the displeased faces of the three people beside him.

  "Alright! Since that's the case, let's set off then!" Without paying attention to the expressions of the three people, Chu Rui nodded and took the lead in setting off.

  According to the map provided by the village head, Chu Rui and his party ran for nearly thirty minutes before arriving at the entrance of that mysterious mine. After scanning the surroundings, Chu Rui was shocked to discover that this place was actually not far from where the Grey Wolf King rested, standing at the entrance of the abandoned mine, he could even see the high platform where the grey wolf had slept.

  Looking around, perhaps because the mine has not been visited for a long time, it has become overgrown with weeds, almost blocking the entrance. If not for the map, Chu Rui would not have known that there was a mine here.

  Perhaps it was related to the demon inside, and a chill ran down his spine before he even entered the mine. He scanned the special stones arranged in a pattern around the entrance of the mine and the talismans stuck in certain positions, Chu Rui furrowed his brow slightly, and cautiously approached, touching them, but there was nothing unusual! It seemed that this seal only worked on demons!

  No danger was found, Chu Rui waved his hand towards the back, and Ye Zifeng and others immediately followed up.

  The dark tunnel, although not to the extent of stretching out one's hand and not seeing five fingers, has greatly reduced visibility. Coupled with this gloomy atmosphere, it made SaSa and TianTian shiver a little. After all, as girls, they were born with a fear of darkness and certain small animals.

  "Bang bang......"

  Treading on the hard stone and dry wood, the crisp sound kept echoing, and waves of echoes came from the mine cave with unknown depth. The eerie atmosphere made Chu Rui and others somewhat silent and vigilant.

  "What the hell is this place? It's all black, and there isn't even a ghostly shadow!"

  After walking a little further, Tian'er finally couldn't help but pout and speak with dissatisfaction.

  "We're arriving at our destination!"

  Chu Rui, who had been leading the way in front, suddenly spoke up, causing the four people behind him to tense up instantly. The atmosphere of the road ahead was eerie and made them all feel a bit uneasy, but now that Chu Rui said they were going to really fight against the unknown, it was quite tense!

  Without noticing the tense expressions of the four people behind him, Chu Rui brought them here simply because he didn't want to owe that one person a favor. Apart from this, there was nothing else on his mind. Clutching his dagger and crouching low, he slowly advanced forward. After exiting the tunnel, what entered Chu Rui's line of sight was a massive mine, as well as the disgusting demonic creatures roaming inside...