After passing through a shadowy bend, the mining tunnels ahead no longer appeared. Yuanfang arrived at a fork in the road, with three paths before him.
The Spirit Candle's guidance appeared once more.
[Light the Milestone Spirit Candle] [Respawn location recorded]
The three paths were easy enough to distinguish. One led downward, one upward, while the middle path appeared relatively flat.
Yuanfang had no trouble making decisions. After a brief observation, he chose to explore them from left to right.
First was the downward path. The dust and ore along this road both looked compacted, something that would only happen if many people frequently passed through.
But that was not the important part. What mattered was that the path ahead of Yuanfang was growing increasingly narrow.
Some sounds gradually caught Yuanfang's attention as well.
Faint clashing sounds, seemingly caused by a battle.
After thinking for a moment, Yuanfang took out his dagger and Devilfish Tail Staff, then continued onward.
Before long, he reached a relatively spacious mining area and clearly saw the source of the noise.
Sure enough, it was the sound of battle.
A Guard Captain was leading three patrol soldiers against a group of Exiled Prisoners.
There seemed to be another passage behind the Guard Captain. He was likely guarding something—or someone.
That was probably the target of the rioting Exiled Prisoners as well.
Although the Guard Captain and his soldiers were not at a disadvantage, the Exiled Prisoners had the numbers and still caused them some trouble.
After checking the information on both sides, Yuanfang raised a hand and fired a Bloodstone Burst.
With a boom, crimson light exploded, instantly changing the course of the battle.
Several Exiled Prisoners were severely wounded and collapsed, turning to ash, while the Guard Captain staggered back several steps