Did Everyone from the Immortal Sects End Up in the Mining Grounds?

"Senior Brother Mu was injured? How did that happen?"

Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised.

Mu Qi was a True Disciple of Heartbreak Cliff with profound cultivation. How could anything ordinary have injured him?

The only explanation was that someone had attacked the Mining Grounds.

"He's been helping out at the Mining Grounds lately. You've heard about the sect's war with Azure Heaven Mountain, haven't you, Junior Brother?" Liu Xingchen asked softly.

Jiang Hao nodded. "Yes. I heard we have the advantage."

"That's right. Elder Bai Zhi personally took action this time, and the other elders in charge haven't been idle either.

Your master, the master of the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, the peak master of Thunderfire Peak, and the valley master of Frozen Moon Valley all took action.

I heard Azure Heaven Mountain has suffered years of internal strife, so their overall strength is inferior to ours.

But they had just finished hosting a Dao Discussion Conference, and quite a few powerful cultivators lent them a hand.

That was why the fighting dragged on for several months without any results.

Then, last month, Elder Bai Zhi struck with the force of thunder and severely wounded Azure Heaven Mountain's Sect Leader.

Only then did the advantage shift entirely to our side.

You understand how a defeated army crumbles like a collapsing mountain, Junior Brother. They lost their momentum.

Many were captured alive. The battle merit for killing someone is far less than for taking them alive.

So the Heavenless Tower has been unusually lively lately, which means the Mining Grounds have been lively too."

"The prisoners include people from other sects, not just Azure Heaven Mountain?" Jiang Hao understood at once.

Liu Xingchen nodded and continued walking.

"So people inevitably come to rescue them. That was how Mu Qi got injured, but his opponent fared even worse. Mu Qi captured them alive and threw them into the Heavenless Tower."

Jiang Hao nodded, though he was still puzzled.

Had Liu Xingchen come all this way just to tell him that?

Although they were on reasonably good terms, Liu Xingchen usually did not come to chat unless something dangerous was involved.

Soon, he understood the main reason for Liu Xingchen's visit.

"With Mu Qi withdrawing from the Mining Grounds, Heartbreak Cliff needs to send someone to replace him.

Right now, your duties are the lightest of anyone at Heartbreak Cliff, Junior Brother," Liu Xingchen said pointedly.

Jiang Hao lowered his eyes in silence. With the work at the Spirit Medicine Garden finished, he really did not have anything pressing to do lately.

It was perfectly reasonable to send him as a replacement.

The Spirit Medicine Garden had also tightened its guard, making a repeat of the previous incident unlikely.

Besides, the rabbit was there, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator was stationed there too.

"Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao said gratefully.

Knowing beforehand would let him make some preparations, so he would not arrive completely in the dark.

"Do you remember the Golden Core spy you killed back then, Junior Brother?" Liu Xingchen suddenly brought up Jin Zhouheng.

"I do. It was my first time facing a cultivator of that level. It's still fresh in my memory." Jiang Hao nodded.

He knew nothing about what had happened afterward regarding Jin Zhouheng.

Ever since killing him, Jiang Hao had heard nothing more about the matter.

Nor had anyone come to question him.

When a Foundation Establishment cultivator killed a Golden Core cultivator, someone ought to have asked about the details.

Yet there had been nothing.

"I've actually been working on this case until now. It's only just ended-or perhaps it still hasn't." Liu Xingchen glanced at Jiang Hao.

"Jin Zhouheng came from the Sunset Glow Sect. He came to kill you for Yun Ruo.

He had only recently broken through to Golden Core. In his sect, he was considered honest and simple, but he had never gotten along well with others since childhood. Somehow, Yun Ruo convinced him to spill his brains and blood for her.

Once we had our eyes on Jin Zhouheng, he should have had no way to resist.

But he received a message that night and evaded our arrest.

We severely wounded him during the pursuit, only for someone else to intervene and obstruct us.

That was how he finally managed to find you.

Someone else wanted you dead too.

That person was very strong. Five of us from the Formation Hall pursued him for months.

We only captured him alive recently."

They had pursued him for months? Jiang Hao was startled. No wonder he had not seen Liu Xingchen these past few months.

Then he asked curiously:

"Who was he?"

"A spy from the Ghost Shadow Sect. He's already been thrown into the Heavenless Tower.

He'll be sent to the Mining Grounds soon. Interestingly enough, he used to work there.

We're still investigating the people at the Mining Grounds. There should be more traitors among them, so if you go there this time, you'd best be careful.

One word of warning, Junior Brother." Liu Xingchen's tone grew serious.

"The Mining Grounds fall within the sect's territory, but once you enter the tunnels, it's difficult for the Law Enforcement Hall to investigate thoroughly.

Sometimes we can only conduct a cursory inspection. The Mining Grounds have an energy of their own, and inside, it greatly interferes with our tracking."

"Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao said gratefully. After a moment's thought, he continued:

"Was Jin Zhouheng the person you mentioned who held a high position in the Sunset Glow Sect and was infatuated with Senior Sister Yun Ruo?"

"No." Liu Xingchen shook his head.

Jiang Hao said nothing more.

That meant the threat from the Sunset Glow Sect remained.

As for the Ghost Shadow Sect, he was not too concerned.

Their main target was probably the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and it was relatively safe for now.

What he needed to worry about now was the Mining Grounds. Once he entered the tunnels, he could easily encounter danger.

He would have to watch out not only for those who hated him, but also for spies looking to make a move.

He would especially have to keep an eye out for people from other sects coming to rescue prisoners.

Fortunately, Liu Xingchen said he need not worry too much about the Heavenly Joy Pavilion. They were devoting all their efforts to attacking Azure Heaven Mountain.

They would not spare any attention to deal with a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him.

Still, he needed to remain vigilant.

Liu Xingchen left, and Jiang Hao went to the Spirit Medicine Garden alone. Senior Brother Mu Qi was standing at the entrance.

His face was pale, and his aura was somewhat unstable.

He was indeed injured, but not as badly as he appeared.

Having practiced the Nameless Manual, Jiang Hao could roughly gauge the extent of his injuries.

It looks like Senior Brother Mu Qi wants to use his injury to get out of the Mining Grounds. Are things looking bad over there?