One Year Later

One year later.

Tomorrow would be the last day of Cheng Buzheng's year at the Spirit Stone Mine.

Inside the secret chamber.

Cheng Buzheng sat cross-legged on the ground. As he slowly concluded his cultivation, the Spirit Energy gathered around him quickly dispersed. He opened his bright black and white eyes and tossed aside the irregular waste stone he held in his hand.

He silently calculated in his mind, resting his chin on his right hand, lost in thought.

"Tomorrow marks exactly one year since I came to the Spirit Stone Mine. I'll have twelve days of rest time next!

Returning to the sect would definitely not be enough time, but... the daily necessities for so many cultivators surely aren't carried on their person.

After all, cultivators are also a special resource. With so many cultivators gathered here, it's impossible for people to see them and remain indifferent!

Nearby, there must be some sort of cultivator trading market.

With a full twelve days of rest, I'm sure I can find a cultivator market, and this place is definitely not a secret. Many people should know about it!

In the past, I was afraid two days of rest wouldn't be enough, which is why I waited until today. I hope the market doesn't disappoint me!"

Cheng Buzheng thought silently, then his mind sank...

Master of the Heavenly Jade Disc: Cheng Buzheng
Realm: Third Level of Qi Refining
First-Order Cultivation Technique: Mid-grade (Boutique) Crimson Fire Technique+
First-Order Spell: Low-grade (Extreme) Purple Crystal Bracelet+, Low-grade (Extreme) Earth Escape Technique+
Spiritual Power Value: 10

Seeing that his Panel still showed ten Spiritual Power Value, he wasn't surprised. The Spirit Stone Raw Ore he'd "borrowed" had basically all been absorbed and cultivated by him, but he had left enough Spirit Stone Raw Ore to meet his quota.

Otherwise.

His cultivation wouldn't have advanced so quickly. It was all built upon the Spirit Stone Raw Ore.

If he had the aid of Alchemical Pills, his cultivation speed would have been even more rapid, perhaps breaking through to the Third Level of Qi Refining in just over half a year.

Although it sounded wonderful, he knew it was impossible. The inspections at the mine entrance were so strict, and his golden finger had no storage ability. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

Cheng Buzheng thought somewhat greedily, then his gaze subconsciously swept across the secret chamber.

Seeing the empty Back Basket placed in the corner, he waved his sleeve. A surge of Magic Power transformed into an invisible large hand, scooping the Spirit Stone Raw Ore from the corner into the Back Basket. It was like hailstones falling from the sky, and in the blink of an eye, the Back Basket was filled.

Only then did he stop his actions.

Afterward, Cheng Buzheng closed his eyes slightly, holding a piece of Spirit Stone Raw Ore, and began to cultivate again.

The next day.

Cheng Buzheng, who had been sitting cross-legged in the secret chamber, opened his eyes, a glint of crystal light flashing within them. He stood up, slung a full back basket of Spirit Stone Raw Ore over his shoulder, and held a Mining Pick in his hand.

He looked at the Mining Pick in his hand and thought to himself:

"The back basket still has some use; I can use it to carry Spirit Stone Raw Ore when I'm 'harvesting' from others.

But this Mining Pick is completely useless. I've been in the Spirit Stone Mine, but I haven't dug up a single piece of Spirit Stone Raw Ore. I can only pretend to work.

In the future, when cultivation becomes too tedious, perhaps I can get some exercise. After all, 'harvesting' is my main business, while digging Spirit Stone Raw Ore myself is just a hobby. They are two completely different concepts, and the priorities should not be reversed!"

Cheng Buzheng suppressed the strange thoughts and walked to the rock wall. A layer of Yellow Spirit Light enveloped him before he merged into the rock wall.

Arriving at the junction of the Main Mine Tunnel and eight branch tunnels, he extended a Divine Sense. Seeing that no one was nearby, the Yellow Spirit Light flashed, and Cheng Buzheng appeared at the end of the Main Mine Tunnel.

He pretended to have been working diligently for a long time, head lowered, back bent, the Mining Pick in his right hand, his face numb, as he silently walked upwards along the Main Mine Tunnel.

Cheng Buzheng had been putting on an act for a year, and he had gained considerable insight and experience.

He walked silently in the dark Main Mine Tunnel, the "ding-dong" sounds gradually fading.

After walking for a long time, he saw a glimmer of light, knowing he was not far from the mine entrance.

Cheng Buzheng reached the mine entrance and saw a rather thin young man. In front of him was a square-shaped Magic Tool, which seemed to be forged from refined iron.

He walked forward, approaching the thin young man, and skillfully poured the full back basket of Spirit Stone Raw Ore into the square Magic Tool.

Cheng Buzheng cupped his fists and said:

"Senior Brother Wei... I'll trouble you!"

Senior Brother Wei, who was sitting on the ground, opened his eyes, glanced at the square Magic Tool and the Scale Compass beside it, and smiled.

"So it's Junior Brother! Your mission is going well.

You've met your monthly quota, and your cultivation has advanced rapidly. You've already broken through to the Third Level of Qi Refining!

Junior Brother... do you have any secrets? Tell me... I definitely won't let you suffer!"

Hearing this.

Cheng Buzheng's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately put on a helpless expression.

"Senior Brother Wei, you're joking... You only know one side of the story... If it weren't for the delay caused by the Mining Mission, I would have already advanced to the Third Level of Qi Refining.

Before I came here, I was already at the peak of Qi Refining Level 2, in a state where I could break through at any moment. Who knew... it would take until now to break through!"

"If it weren't for the good Spirit Stones earned from the Mining Mission, I would have come here to mine too!"

He knew that Senior Brother Wei's question meant he had already entered the sight of those with intentions.

There was no other way. Breaking through from Qi Refining Level 2 to the Third Level of Qi Refining could still be explained for now, but it wouldn't be possible later. It seemed he needed to find a way to conceal his cultivation.

Senior Brother Wei's face showed a look of understanding, as if he believed his words:

"So that's how it is. My cultivation has been progressing slowly lately. Tang Tu Le!

I hope Junior Brother doesn't mind~"

"This is only natural! Brother, you're overthinking it!"

Cheng Buzheng said, shaking his head as if he didn't care at all.

Cheng Buzheng knew that Senior Brother Wei only believed him on the surface, but he was definitely still suspicious in his heart. He would surely observe him secretly in the future, and once confirmed, he would strike with a Thunderous Strike.

With Senior Brother Wei's cultivation at the Late Qi Refining Stage, he would be powerless to resist. Unless he found a Cultivation Concealment Method before leaving this time.

Otherwise... he could only temporarily stop cultivating. But after the mission ended, he would no longer be able to enjoy such generous cultivation resources.

Thinking of this, Cheng Buzheng couldn't help but get a headache. These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

"This is... your reward for this month!"

As Senior Brother Wei spoke, he took out two Spirit Stones and handed them to Cheng Buzheng.

Cheng Buzheng took the Spirit Stones, examined them carefully, and then carefully put them into his embrace, deliberately showing a look of surprise, "Thank you... Brother!"

Senior Brother Wei, with a smile on his face, waved his hand and said:

"You can go first! I still have things to do here!"

"Yes! Brother, I'll go first~"

At this moment, Senior Brother Wei looked up at Cheng Buzheng's retreating back and thought to himself.

"Judging by his appearance just now, as if he had never seen Spirit Stones before... Could I have been overthinking it?

Hmm... I'll observe him further..."

Cheng Buzheng, holding the Back Basket in his left hand and the Mining Pick in his right, arrived at the Item Inspection Senior Brother's station. He placed the two Spirit Stones in his embrace, the Long-necked Porcelain Bottle containing Bigu Pills, the Secret Ring, the Mining Pick, and the Back Basket on the inspection table.

After bidding farewell to him, he went to the Leader Senior Brother and cupped his fists, saying:

"Greetings, Senior Brother... Please excuse me!"

The Leader Senior Brother did not speak but nodded. Then, a Divine Sense thoroughly searched his body. As expected, he passed safely.

Arriving at the final inspection station, he saw the slender Senior Brother Hua sitting in a chair. On the table before him was the Beast Control Compass, and the Crimson-Gold Spirit-Seeking Mouse, currently lying on the table.

Seeing someone approach, Senior Brother Hua muttered a few words into the Beast Control Compass. The Spirit-Seeking Mouse on the table instantly transformed into a golden light and appeared before Cheng Buzheng.

It then circled Cheng Buzheng once before transforming into a golden light again and reappearing on the table. It squeaked a few times at the slender Senior Brother Hua.

After communicating with the Spirit-Seeking Mouse via Divine Sense through the Beast Control Compass, Senior Brother Hua understood its meaning. He waved to Cheng Buzheng, signaling him to leave.

Seeing this.

Cheng Buzheng went to the item inspection area, put away his belongings, and bid farewell to the inspection senior brother before completing the entire process.

Not long after.

He arrived at the 'Storage Pavilion', retrieved his Storage Bag, and then returned to his Wooden Hut.

PS: Setting down the bowl, a polite triple request (requesting collection, recommendation, and votes).