The Abyss Ruins held vast quantities of rare ores, flora, and fauna resources. Both the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire knew this, but because of the Ascension Curse, they were unable to harvest them on a large scale.
Otherwise, would the Abyss People still be constrained by outsiders?
They would have long since begun secret mining, established all sorts of bases, and mass-produced Soul Guidance Weapons!
The Abyss People's spirit of exploration did not only point downward. It could also turn outward, to see a broader world—but—
They could not get out!
That was why Abel sighed.
"Actually, we aren't affected by the Ascension Curse..."
"But it's only you people."
Abel's unspoken meaning was clear: with so few people, even with Storage Soul Tools, how much ore could they possibly carry?
Besides, they would have to mine the ore themselves!
"I wasn't finished—"
Halfway through speaking, Zhou Qing glanced at the other Adventurer's Guild trainees on the training ground and walked toward the shade of a nearby tree.
Abel immediately caught on and hurried after him.
"Riko trusts you, so I trust you too. The Guardians of the Seventh Layer gave us permission to travel back and forth through that black Elevator without suffering the Ascension Curse."
"Really?"
Abel's eyes trembled.
He had never expected that black pillar itself to be an Elevator, much less that Zhou Qing had earned the recognition of the two legendary Guardians of the Seventh Layer.
"If nothing unexpected happens, it will open within two years." Zhou Qing nodded. "And during those two years, we won't just sit around. We can establish the relevant trade procedures in advance."
"Then there's no problem."
Abel chose to believe him, but then added, "However, if we're going to trade, we'll need to invite the Lord