Excavation

The excavation force of tens of thousands pressed toward the depths underground day and night without pause.

The miners worked in shifts. The sound of iron pickaxes striking rock continued from dawn until late at night, echoing endlessly through the valleys.

Dozens of downward passages stretched and crisscrossed like a spiderweb. Baskets of rubble and earth were carried out to the surface, piled into several small hills.

As the excavation went deeper, the air in the mine grew ever damper and colder. Occasionally, disciples who had dug deep below returned saying that the aura rising from the depths made them extremely uncomfortable.

Inside the tents of the Golden Blade Sect encampment, Wang Yuanqiao was discussing something with several elders.

He had personally led men to the Ore Vein today. Though his face bore traces of exhaustion, he was far more spirited than he had been in recent days. Clearly, news that the Ore Vein had resumed operations had let him breathe a sigh of relief.

He set down his teacup and looked at the elder seated opposite him, his tone solemn. "No matter what, we must keep Li Xiao steady."

Several elders nodded in succession. One of them lowered his voice and said:

"Sect Master, why not hire Li Xiao as a Supreme Elder of our sect?

"I have already sent people to inquire into Li Xiao's background."

Wang Yuanqiao straightened in his seat.

"As expected of our sect's strategist. Hurry and tell me—what exactly is Li Xiao's situation?"

The elder pondered for a moment before speaking.

"As for Li Xiao himself, he actually joined the Three Origins Sect not long ago.

"He entered the sect through a Three Origins Token.

"When he joined the Three Origins Sect, he was only a Fourth Turn Martial Master.

"Yet within a single