A Random Treasure Chest Reward

Yang Ling entered the mine vein and asked several miners he knew well, confirming that Zhang Wei had been telling the truth.

Hui Neng and the others had indeed left.

"Even so, I still can't let my guard down."

"The Vajra Wisdom King Art is a first-rate cultivation technique. Since it was lost like this... Bitter Enlightenment Temple surely won't let it go."

"But no matter what, they won't trace it back to me. As long as I don't expose the technique I'm cultivating, it'll be fine."

After giving it some thought, Yang Ling began looking for a chance to head to Mine Tunnel No. 2.

Seeing no one around, Yang Ling flashed into Mine Tunnel No. 2.

"But I can't stay in the mine tunnels for four or five days straight anymore."

Unlike before, he now had to find chances to return and cultivate the Vajra Wisdom King Art and Mountain-Crushing Fist.

These things couldn't be exposed, so naturally, he couldn't cultivate them inside the mine tunnels.

Once he had mined enough, he had to leave.

After reaching Initial Mastery in the Vajra Wisdom King Art, perhaps he would spend some time pushing his level higher and gaining more attribute points.

Opening the map, Yang Ling chose a route and slowly ventured deeper.

He didn't encounter any large chunks of Fire Crystal Rock along the way.

He wasn't in a hurry.

He steadily advanced while listening for movement, watching out for mine bandits and Ore Worms.

When he reached a fork, Yang Ling checked the map and chose one of the passages.

Not long after, the space ahead suddenly opened up.

It was a natural cavern.

He lit a firestarter and looked around, finding quite a few traces of excavation.

"This is the place."

Yang Ling began digging here and there, searching for Fire Crystal Ore.

He was strong enough that a few swings of his pickaxe could probe more than a meter deep.

After repeating this for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he found a piece of Fire Crystal Rock and immediately got to work.

In the dark, cavernous depths, only the sound of Yang Ling's constant digging remained.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Every strike of his pickaxe sent sparks flying and knocked loose bits of ore slag.

Streams of experience flowed into Yang Ling's body, easing his muscular fatigue and soreness while increasing his endurance.

Like a tireless machine, he dug with all his strength.

Who knew how much time had passed when the crisp sound of leveling up rang out again.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations. You have leveled up and gained 1 free attribute point."

Level 10!

A trace of emotion rose in Yang Ling's heart.

He added the attribute point to Spirit and glanced at his status panel:

Character: Yang Ling

Class: Martial Artist

Level: 10

Strength: 11

Agility: 5

Spirit: 12

Martial Arts: Vajra Wisdom King Art (First-rate cultivation technique, Beginner)

Experience: 60/100

Mountain-Crushing Fist (Initial Mastery)

Proficiency: 87/1000

Health: 110

"Congratulations. Player Yang Ling has become one of the first thirty advanced players to reach Level 10. Reward: one random treasure chest."

"What!? There's something this good!?"

Yang Ling froze. A flicker of white light appeared, eventually gathering into the shape of a treasure chest before him.

"Now this looks like a game. It's finally starting to feel like one."

Yang Ling stared at the gleaming white treasure chest, feeling somewhat excited.

"So you're here. I've been looking everywhere for you."

A familiar voice suddenly rang out.

Xu Qing walked in holding a torch, its light clearly illuminating Yang Ling's stunned expression.

"You..."

Yang Ling's muscles slowly tensed.

What should I do?!

He saw the treasure chest!

How am I supposed to explain this thing!?

If greed gets the better of him, I'm no match for Xu Qing!

Hui Neng had left, and Wang Jing had left too. Why hadn't Xu Qing gone yet?

"Are you that surprised to see me?"

Xu Qing asked helplessly.

He then walked over, seemingly unable to see the treasure chest on the ground.

He can't see the treasure chest?

Yang Ling's thoughts stirred.

"You suddenly appeared and startled me. I thought you were a mine bandit."

Yang Ling forced a hint of displeasure onto his face.

"If I were a mine bandit, would you still be alive? But honestly, even if a mine bandit came after you, one swing of your pickaxe would finish him off."

"You've built up your strength to the point where you're almost as strong as the guards outside, aren't you?"

Xu Qing said with a smile.

"It's nothing special. I've just got some brute strength."

Yang Ling smiled.

"Here's the thing. I'm preparing to return to the Mountains and Rivers Sect."

Xu Qing smiled faintly. "Don't be surprised. I'm a martial artist of the Mountains and Rivers Sect, and my status is higher than Wang Jing's.

This time, I disguised myself as a miner because I wanted to see whether that Buddhist scripture from Bitter Enlightenment Temple was really in our mine vein.

Clearly, such a valuable thing isn't here. Bitter Enlightenment Temple has also given up searching this place and shifted its attention to Green Mountain City.

They believe Prisoner Slayer was more likely to have hidden the Buddhist scripture in Green Mountain City.

Everything they did afterward was merely to deceive others."

"You..."

Yang Ling revealed a shocked expression, then respectfully said:

"So Your Excellency is an important figure from the Mountains and Rivers Sect."

"I preferred your earlier attitude, but this is understandable."

Xu Qing smiled. "You're dedicated to mining and dedicated to making money. That shows you're an ambitious person.

Are you interested in working for me?"

Gasp!

Yang Ling sucked in a breath.

Is this my chance to change classes?

He respectfully said, "I am willing to join the Mountains and Rivers Sect!"

"Bullshit!"

Xu Qing laughed and scolded him. "What qualifications do you have to join the Mountains and Rivers Sect?

To enter the sect, you need either family background, money, or talent.

Which one do you have?"

"Then what do you mean, Your Excellency?"

Yang Ling was stunned.

"The Sect Master plans to assign me a Red Gold Ore Vein, so I'm severely short on manpower.

I hope to find a reliable subordinate who understands mining and can help me keep watch over that place.

Just like Wu Que keeps watch over the Fire Crystal Ore mine for Wang Jing."

Xu Qing said with a faint smile.

"Like Supervisor Wu?"

Yang Ling hesitated. "I'm more familiar with Fire Crystal Rock, and I've never mined any other ore..."

He wasn't sure whether Red Gold Ore provided as much experience as Fire Crystal Rock.

Ultimately, all he wanted now was to gain a few more levels.

Xu Qing said, "Here, you can only make a trifling amount. Do you know how much Wu Que earns?"

"His monthly salary alone is one hundred taels of silver. You couldn't earn that even if you mined until your pickaxe smoked."

"Besides that, there's an even greater benefit."

A faint smile appeared on Xu Qing's face.

"Don't you want to become a martial artist?

Although you aren't qualified to join the Mountains and Rivers Sect,

some of the Mountains and Rivers Sect's martial arts can be taught to outsiders.

And I happen to have the authority to teach you one martial art."

After a pause, he continued, "Besides, Red Gold Ore is more valuable than Fire Crystal Rock and is more highly regarded within the sect.

If you can increase the mine's output and achieve something there,

you might even be allowed to enter the sect as an exception and become an outer disciple.

You're younger than Wu Que, so you have a brighter future than he does."

Red Gold Ore was more valuable than Fire Crystal Rock?

And he would have a chance to learn a martial art?

Yang Ling clasped his hands solemnly and said:

"If you don't find me unsuitable, then from now on, I, Yang Ling, will be your loyal vanguard!"

"Good. Very good."

Xu Qing smiled. "Those words are enough. It will still take some time before the Red Gold Ore mine is transferred into my hands.

When the time comes, I'll come and get you.

Before then, stay here properly and don't leak any word of this to anyone."

"Understood!"

Yang Ling nodded heavily.

Xu Qing left.

Yang Ling stood there and pondered for a moment.

Mainly, he was listening for breathing.

To see whether Xu Qing had truly left.

Only after confirming that he was gone did Yang Ling look at the white treasure chest on the ground.

"What could be inside..."