Mining

Gao Tao opened the map, pointed to the areas Suo Lin and Mu Feng had surveyed, and said, "Suo Lin and Mu Feng both detected Tungsten-Sodium Metal here and here. They haven't finished surveying yet, but judging by the situation, the veins on both sides should be connected."

He projected images of three types of metal ore onto the map and continued, "This is Tungsten-Sodium Metal, Tungsten-Sodium Gold Essence, and Tungsten-Sodium Gold Mother. The latter two are associated ores of Tungsten-Sodium Metal, and they're far more valuable than the metal itself.

The area we've surveyed so far already spans dozens of kilometers. Our preliminary estimate is that this is at least a hundred-million-tonne vein. The Tungsten-Sodium Metal alone is worth at least several hundred Hunyuan units. If we include the associated Tungsten-Sodium Gold Essence and Tungsten-Sodium Gold Mother, its value is simply incalculable.

We have two choices now. First, we stay and mine. It'll take at least several years, but it's stable and will bring in a large amount of resources;

Second, we give up mining and continue deeper into the mountains. We might find treasures of even greater value, but we'll also face greater danger. What do you choose?"

"Let's mine it. The associated Tungsten-Sodium Gold Essence is even more valuable. A single ton is worth several million Universe Coins. Generally speaking, every ten thousand tons of Tungsten-Sodium Metal comes with one ton of Tungsten-Sodium Gold Essence. By that calculation, that's another several hundred Hunyuan units in profit.

And mining is relatively safe, which suits our current needs." Zhou Yuan was the first to state his position. He knew the value of all kinds of metals very well and understood just how valuable this vein was. He also favored steady development and did not want to take any more major risks.

Ka En immediately said, "I agree with mining. Steadily obtaining resources is more important than taking risks. What happened last time already served as a warning. We can't blindly pursue danger anymore."

Suo Lin raised her hand to show her agreement as well. "I also think mining is better. The value of this vein is enough to raise every member of our team's strength by a huge margin, and we won't have to face too much danger."

Mu Feng frowned. By nature, he loved adventure and felt that mining was a waste of time. He said, "I think mining takes too much time. Spending several years here is far too wasteful. We should keep exploring deeper. Maybe we'll find even more precious treasures."

Yun Yan had suffered a heavy setback last time because he supported taking risks. Although he had recovered, the experience still lingered in his mind, so this time he also leaned toward the conservative choice. "I agree with mining. It's better to be steady. There's no need to take such huge risks again."

Gao Tao looked at everyone. Seeing that four people had already agreed to mine, he smiled and said, "Alright, four votes are already in favor of mining, so I won't vote. We'll stay and mine.

Next, let's divide up the work. Suo Lin and Mu Feng will continue surveying the extent of the vein. The other four of us will set up warning devices to guard against beast hordes attacking. Set them farther out—fifty thousand kilometers."

Everyone nodded and began moving according to Gao Tao's arrangements.

Although Mu Feng was still somewhat unwilling, he knew the team's decision was correct. Mining would also provide him with enough resources to purchase more psychic weapons and cultivation resources.

Under the setting sun, everyone moved about busily yet orderly, working to excavate the mining area.

More than sixty years quietly passed in the dim mine tunnels.

When the last piece of Tungsten-Sodium Metal was placed into a World Ring, Mu Feng was the first to crawl out of the mine. He stretched lazily and shouted at the sky, "We finally finished mining!"

His voice carried excitement that had been suppressed for far too long, echoing through the empty valley for a long while.

Right behind him, Zhou Yuan, Yun Yan, Ka En, and Gao Tao also emerged from the mine one after another.

Their battle armor was covered in dust, and their faces showed traces of fatigue, but their eyes shone with unhidden joy.

Sixty years of mining had been dull and monotonous. Every day was spent repeating excavation work. Aside from taking turns standing guard outside, they had spent almost all their time in the mine.

For adventurers accustomed to fighting, it had undoubtedly been a tremendous test. But at the thought of the enormous profits about to fall into their hands, all their hardship seemed to vanish into nothing.

"Suo Lin, nothing unusual happened outside this past year, right?" Gao Tao walked over to Suo Lin, who had been responsible for the outer perimeter watch, and asked with concern.

Over the past year, Suo Lin had been in charge of keeping watch outside, monitoring the surrounding activity and preventing vicious beasts or other adventurers from coming to cause trouble.

Suo Lin shook her head, a relaxed smile appearing on her face. "Captain, everything was normal. A few Domain Lord-level vicious beasts came close from time to time, but I sent them away."

"Who would've thought that once we started mining, we'd keep at it for decades? I thought we'd finish it in a few years at most." Zhou Yuan looked at the valley that had now been completely hollowed out and could not help sighing.

The scale of this enormous Tungsten-Sodium Metal vein had far exceeded their expectations. From the initial estimate of a hundred-million-tonne deposit to the later discovery of associated veins, their mining plan had been extended again and again. In the end, it had taken more than sixty years.

"Yeah. After mining for decades, I'm starting to think I'm a professional miner. I've nearly forgotten how to fight." Yun Yan joked as well. He patted the dust from his body and revealed his trademark smile.

"Alright, everyone, pack up and get ready to return to the base. This may have taken decades, but the harvest was more than plentiful. It was absolutely worth it." Gao Tao smiled, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

As the captain, what he cared about most was the team's overall gains, and the results of this mining operation had undoubtedly exceeded his expectations.

"Yeah, we mined several thousand Hunyuan units' worth this time, right? With so many resources, we can raise our strength by a huge margin!" Yun Yan said excitedly.

"Quit talking nonsense and hurry up, pack your things. Get ready to go!" Gao Tao clapped his hands, signaling everyone to get moving.

He knew this was not the time for idle chatter. The sooner they returned to the base, the sooner they could turn their resources into cash and avoid unexpected complications.

With that, Gao Tao took the lead in rising into the air and flying toward the sky.

The others immediately got moving as well, storing all the remaining supplies in their World Rings and following Gao Tao.

The six of them streaked away like six meteors, swiftly leaving the mining valley and flying toward the clouds overhead.

The journey went smoothly. Other than encountering a herd of Domain Lord-level vicious beasts midway and easily dealing with them, the team encountered no other danger.

Everyone was in a relaxed mood. They chatted as they flew, discussing their plans after returning to the base. Before long, they passed through the nine layers of clouds and entered the void above the continent.

Gao Tao stopped and prepared to take a D9-class spacecraft from his World Ring, calling everyone aboard.

Just then, Zhou Yuan took out his own E2-class spacecraft first and said with a smile, "Captain, let's use mine. It's much faster than your D9-class ship and can save us quite a bit of time."