Mystic Crystal Mining Area

Even so, these miners remained as happy as a clam, working tirelessly without complaint.

They were all collateral descendants of cultivation families who lacked the aptitude for immortality, possessing low status and no path to the Dao.

By coming here to work as miners, as long as they served for the required number of years, the River-Facing Sect would provide them with some compensation, though it might not necessarily allow them to embark on the path of cultivation.

Yet at the very least, the various rewards they obtained would be enough to allow them to leap across social classes upon returning to the mortal world.

Therefore, Shen Mo and the others only needed to ensure the safety of these miners; there was no need to worry about anyone running away.

After all, they had come of their own volition, not as forced slave labor.

After showing his face briefly before the miners, he dismissed them, letting them continue their excavation within the mine tunnels.

The three of them then moved into the cave dwelling specifically designated for guarding the mining area.

This dwelling was quite large, covering an area of about ten mu.

The environment was pleasant and the decor excellent; truth be told, it was not inferior to the dwellings of inner-sect disciples back at the sect.

The only drawback was that this place lacked the support of a spirit vein, making it impossible to remain immersed in an environment rich with spiritual energy all day long.

If one were to cultivate here, the results would clearly not compare to an inner-sect dwelling.

"For the next two months, this place will be our garrison and our home."

"Let's cook first; after such a long journey, everyone must be hungry."

After surveying the area, Guo Zhao spoke up.

Although they were Qi Gathering cultivators, they had not yet reached the stage of inedia and could not go entirely without food or drink.

At this moment, after the long trek, they were already famished.

This cave dwelling was equipped with a kitchen.

Inside, there was a considerable amount of ingredients, not merely leftovers from the previous disciples who had guarded the post.

Every few days, someone would come to deliver fresh supplies.

Shen Mo volunteered to take charge of the cooking and prepared a sumptuous meal.

In addition to stir-fried dishes, he remembered that he still had a few pounds of Two-Headed Silver-Ringed Python meat in his Qiankun Pouch, so he took out some barbecue seasoning and prepared a grilled dish.

"Junior Brother Shen, the aroma of this barbecue is truly enough to make one's mouth water."

When the grilled python meat was brought to the table, Guo Zhao could not help but exclaim.

"It is indeed quite good." Chen Mengze also could not help but nod in agreement.

"The flavor is excellent; it is truly worth drinking a large cup to!"

The group soon began to eat, and once they tasted the flavor of the barbecue, they ate with great gusto.

Guo Zhao took the initiative to bring out several jars of wine from his Qiankun Pouch for Shen Mo and Chen Mengze to enjoy.

"I will not drink; I shall patrol the mining area tonight."

Chen Mengze did not take the wine.

Shen Mo, however, accepted it readily.

Gulp!

He took a hearty swig and felt incredibly refreshed.

The wine Guo Zhao had produced was full of fragrance; it lacked the harsh, burning sensation upon entering the throat, offering instead a unique, mellow richness.

The aftertaste was endless.

[You have consumed a mouthful of Green Mystic Spirit Wine; your cultivation has improved slightly.]

A message suddenly appeared on the information panel, which took Shen Mo by surprise.

This wine could actually increase one's cultivation?

"Senior Brother Guo, is this wine Spirit Wine?"

"Indeed." Guo Zhao nodded and said, "This wine is brewed from top-grade Green Mystic Spirit Rice. The process is complex, so it is quite valuable."

"Drinking this wine is not only delicious, but it also boosts one's cultivation."

He was truly worthy of his background as a member of a prestigious family; to think he possessed such a fine treasure.

Upon hearing this, he realized the preciousness of the wine.

He no longer drank it like a cow gulping water.

Instead, he savored the nuances of the Green Mystic Spirit Wine, letting the liquid linger on the tip of his tongue.

After three rounds of drinks, Shen Mo's eyes grew brighter the more he drank.

Being able to increase one's cultivation simply by drinking wine—wasn't this far more comfortable than popping pills?

Shen Mo felt a secret sense of envy.

In the future, once he was promoted to the inner sect and had his own independent dwelling, he would also need to plant some spirit fruits and spirit rice, and brew his own spirit wine and spirit tea for daily consumption.

He thought to himself.

"You all go ahead and eat; I'm already full."

After finishing her meal, Chen Mengze spoke up, "I'm going to head out for the night patrol."

With that, she picked up the sword resting on the stone table and departed from the garrison cave.

Seeing her leave, Guo Zhao finally felt he had nothing to worry about.

He carried over two jars of wine and leaned in, beginning to chat with Shen Mo about topics he had long wanted to ask.

"Junior Brother Shen, are you and Junior Sister Chen very close?"

"We're alright, I suppose." Shen Mo thought for a moment and replied earnestly, "We grew up together since we were young; you could say we are childhood playmates."

"Junior Sister Chen's father treats me like a nephew and has even entertained the thought of playing matchmaker between us."

Upon hearing this, Guo Zhao's expression changed drastically, and he seemed somewhat nervous.

"However, I have no romantic feelings for Junior Sister Chen, and she feels the same toward me."

Shen Mo's next sentence made him heave a sigh of relief.

"That's good, that's good!"

Guo Zhao roared with delight, patting Shen Mo's shoulder forcefully to show his joy.

This Senior Brother Guo seems a bit simple and honest. Every emotion is written all over his face, Shen Mo thought to himself.

He couldn't tell if it was a case of "caring makes one anxious" or if he was truly just simple-minded.

"Junior Brother Shen, let me tell you the truth."

Guo Zhao hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and got straight to the point: "You may not know this, but in truth, I have long secretly admired and cherished Junior Sister Chen in my heart."

Shen Mo: "..."

With that nervous look of yours, even a blind man could see it, he silently retorted, though he maintained an expression of surprise on his face.

"Is that so?"

"Since you have a close relationship with Junior Sister Chen but no romantic feelings, I hope you can help me, Junior Brother Shen."

"If I succeed in becoming a dao companion with Junior Sister Chen, I will surely remain devoted to her, never leaving her side."

"Help you? What should I do?"

"To be honest, this mining area garrison mission was an opportunity I specifically sought out. I originally wanted to be alone with Junior Sister Chen to create opportunities and deepen our bond, but I didn't expect her to bring you along."

"Senior Brother Guo, rest assured. During this time, I will not disturb you two; I will simply stay in my room to refine pills and forge weapons."

He stated his position directly.

Chen Mengze hadn't even consulted him before dragging him along to act as a shield.

Shen Mo felt he had no obligation to play the role of the scapegoat to attract hostility just as Chen Mengze had envisioned.

It would be far easier to offend this Senior Brother Guo, who possessed such a deep background.

"That's good, that's good."

Seeing him so sensible, Guo Zhao roared with delight once more: "Rest assured, Brother Shen. If I succeed, I will certainly reward you handsomely."

In just a few short sentences, Guo Zhao had become much warmer than before, even changing his form of address from "Junior Brother Shen" to "Brother Shen."

A handsome reward?

Shen Mo's heart stirred, and he became interested: "What kind of handsome reward is Senior Brother Guo referring to?"

"As long as Brother Shen is willing to cooperate, I am willing to offer a low-grade Profound-tier Dragon Sparrow Sword, which I forged with my own hands, as compensation."

A low-grade Profound-tier flying sword?

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo felt a surge of joy.

This reward was not insignificant; if one were to purchase a low-grade Profound-tier weapon at the market, it would cost at least eighty Spirit Stones.

It was indeed worthy of being called a handsome reward.

As expected of a young master from a prominent family, he was truly generous.

However, Shen Mo's focus quickly shifted elsewhere: "Forged with your own hands? So, Senior Brother Guo is also skilled in artifact refining?"