A Glimmer of Hope

"Fine Steel Crane Beak Hoe, Strength +5"

When the players received the Fine Steel Crane Beak Hoe from Chen Xu and Chen Guoqing, they were all stunned.

Wang Haodong couldn't believe it and blurted out, "My strength... it feels like it's increased a lot!"

He swung the hoe a few times instinctively, and it cut through the air with a whoosh! That power was definitely not his original strength.

"Mine too!"

"The Fine Steel Crane Beak Hoe can boost our strength!?"

"Then mining efficiency is about to double!?"

"Experience Points will double too—this is great!"

All the players present were swept up in ecstasy.

"Let me share a piece of information about the 'Divine Domain' with you."

Yang Ling's voice rang out.

The players immediately quieted down and turned to look at him, their eyes brimming with excitement.

"Here, we can pull up the Attribute Panel."

"It shows details like level, strength, agility, spirit, and so on."

"Also, if you've practiced Martial Arts, you can see the proficiency on the Attribute Panel."

At these words, the players grew even more excited!

"I knew it! There had to be an Attribute Panel!"

"Brother Yang, how do we pull up the Attribute Panel?"

A player asked impatiently.

"Become a Martial Artist."

Yang Ling said: "Only by becoming a Martial Artist can you see your own Attribute Panel. I've confirmed this with a player I know."

"Become a Martial Artist?"

The players felt like cold water had been dumped on them.

"Boss Yang, I've been here over a month, and I've asked around about Martial Artists."

A young man said calmly: "What I've heard is that becoming a Martial Artist is extremely difficult. Martial Skills and Cultivation Methods are all controlled by the Major Sects in the Divine Domain. Getting into those sects is about as hard as jumping straight from elementary school to Tsinghua or Peking University."

"..."

That vivid comparison left the players feeling a bit hopeless.

"But... I used to think it was impossible, but now it might not be."

The young man shifted his tone, a glint flashing in his eyes: "With Boss Yang leading us to mine and Level Up, and with equipment like the Fine Steel Crane Beak Hoe boosting our leveling speed, our levels will rise fast from here on, and our strength will keep increasing. By then, we'll be different from the Local Natives. The Major Sects aren't blind—they'll see our exceptional talent, and the rest will fall into place naturally!"

"That's right! As long as we can level up, our strength grows, and those sects will definitely want to take us in as Disciples!"

"Then we can practice Martial Arts, become Martial Artists, pull up the Attribute Panel, and secure our footing in the Divine Domain."

"Not to mention, at least we can survive in peace. Don't laugh, but I haven't had a single good night's sleep since I came to the Divine Domain!"

Gradually, a glimmer of light returned to the players' eyes.

As long as there's hope for the future, life has meaning.

Yang Ling glanced at the young man's Attribute Panel:

Character: Li Tianye

Occupation: Miner

Level: 4

Strength: 8

Agility: 5

Spirit: 5

Health Points: 80

"All three base attributes starting at 5 points—that's top-tier stats. His Spirit is also much higher than normal, so he'll train faster in the future."

"This one's a talent."

Yang Ling nodded inwardly.

"Brother Yang, should we head down to the mine?"

Chen Xu was a bit excited.

Seeing the team suddenly grow, he could hardly contain his eagerness.

The other Players all looked to Yang Ling, waiting for his orders.

"Let's go. Down the mine."

Yang Ling waved his hand.

At the entrance of the Ore Vein, Fang Qingyang and the other Stewards stood respectfully to one side.

Xu Qing was speaking with a slightly older young man.

"Junior Brother Xu, you promised the sect that the Red Gold Mine's monthly output would reach three thousand five hundred catties."

"That was a bit rash."

"How about this: I'll go back and explain things to the higher-ups, and we'll settle on three thousand catties instead?"

"Senior Brother, I said three thousand five hundred catties. How could I take it back?"

Xu Qing smiled. "If I become someone who goes back on his word, the sect won't trust me with important tasks in the future. They wouldn't dare let me take charge alone."

"Senior Brother Xu, with the Red Gold Mine in its current state, a monthly output of three thousand five hundred catties is nearly impossible."

Fang Qingyang spoke slowly, a hint of emotion in his voice.

"A little over two thousand catties a month is the limit."

"We have to try, don't we?"

Xu Qing glanced at Fang Qingyang.

Just then, everyone felt something was off.

They turned around and saw a large group of Miners marching toward them.

At their head was Yang Ling.

Fang Qingyang's sharp eyes caught sight of the Fine Steel Crane Beak Hoes in the Miners' hands, and he immediately understood what was happening.

"Yang Ling has already recruited a group of Miners?"

Xu Qing's expression shifted.

At the same time, Yang Ling sensed the tension in the air.

"That person next to Xu Qing—why is he looking at me so strangely?"

Yang Ling swept his gaze over the man and opened his Attribute Panel:

Character: Yang Zhiwen

Occupation: Martial Artist

Strength: 32

Agility: 25

Spirit: 10

Martial Arts: Mountain River Drawing Sword Technique (Entering the Hall and Room), Mountain River Twelve Fists (Entering the Hall and Room), Mountain River Heart Method (Mastery Through Practice)

Faction: Mountain River Sect

"Strength 32? Agility 25? And Spirit 10?"

Yang Ling felt a slight chill.

He himself hadn't broken 30 in any single attribute yet.

The closest was his Spirit at 27.

As for Strength and Agility, they hadn't even reached 20, let alone the 30 mark.