Mana Crystals and Burrowing Robots

[Rail +1]

[Mana Stone +3]

[Mana Crystal +1]

System notifications kept appearing.

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue followed behind, happily picking up the precious ores.

With his new backpack, Cao Xing no longer had to worry about running out of space.

He even picked up the stones on the ground, taking everything he could.

"Xing, there are a few Mana Crystals here. They can be broken down into five Mana Stones."

Liu Muxue held two crystals in her hands and said excitedly.

Cao Xing's eyes lit up. "Mana Crystals-what a great find. Muxue, put them away."

"Mm-hmm." Liu Muxue answered with a light laugh.

As they continued forward, Cao Xing raised his staff and refreshed the effects of [Ice Armor] and [Ice Healing] for them.

After they had advanced nearly a hundred meters,

they encountered another group of Molemen Miners.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

There were around fifteen Molemen, making threatening noises.

Among them, Cao Xing also spotted several Molemen carrying Iron Swords and Spears.

[Molemen Soldier Lv. 9]

[Health: 960]

[Attack: 67-71]

[Molemen Spear-wielder Lv. 10]

[Health: 1,040]

[Attack: 76-79]

Several of the Molemen had gained many levels and had learned some basic combat skills.

This time, Cao Xing didn't need to give an order. The four powerful recruited creatures had already charged forward.

"Thud! Thud-thud!"

Frost Wolf Winter led the charge. Its stout legs pounded across the mine tunnel, sending Molemen flying with every collision!

Then it opened its jaws and lunged down at a Moleman.

[-273]

Blood sprayed into the air.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

The Moleman shrieked and struggled with all its might, but before long, its body was bitten through and it died on the spot.

The other Molemen attacked Frost Wolf, but each strike immediately triggered a layer of Scale Armor and a layer of Frost Armor.

[-34]

[-27]

[-15]

A few pitiful damage numbers floated up, and before the Molemen could attack again,

several green +22, +22 numbers appeared above Frost Wolf's head.

Within seconds, its health was completely restored.

After Cao Xing's mental strength increased, the amount restored by [Ice Healing] had also risen dramatically.

The sight before them nearly drove the Molemen to despair.

Then Asam and Andrew began attacking as well.

[-437]

[-8]

[-312]

[-8]

[-784]

[-8]

Damage numbers floated up one after another.

Against these Molemen Miners, Asam and the others were overwhelmingly powerful.

On top of that, Sarah was secretly wielding Phantom Shadow Blades.

They cut through the Molemen like grass, and the creatures fell in droves.

Cao Xing led Liu Muxue along behind them, casually picking up the loot.

[Rail +1]

[Rations +7]

[Viscous Liquid +1]

There was no denying it: this kind of battle was incredibly relaxing.

They didn't need to do a thing. All they had to do was follow along and pick things up.

They could also gain experience.

[Your territory member Sarah Blade Dance killed Moleman Lv. 7 and gained 70 experience]

[You gained half the experience: 35]

[Your territory member...]

Experience notifications kept appearing.

Before long, Cao Xing's experience bar had reached Level 5, 23%.

Liu Muxue had reached Level 4, 34%.

Delight showed in both their eyes.

At that moment, a complicated look appeared in Liu Muxue's eyes.

She knew how difficult it was for the survivors to fight these days. When they encountered wild creatures, the slightest mistake could cost them their lives.

Even the top ten on the current rankings, including Fang Long and Zhou Bo, faced the risk of death at any moment when they fought.

But the battles Cao Xing and his group were having now were almost absurdly easy.

A few minutes later, the battle ended.

Cao Xing picked up a large number of pickaxes from the Molemen.

He also found some [Iron Ingots] and [Viscous Liquid].

And four copies of [Weak Book of Chaos].

It was a decent haul.

Cao Xing said with satisfaction, "Let's keep moving."

Thud! Thud!

Frost Wolf Winter strode at the very front, exuding an imposing presence.

They continued onward for nearly 500 meters, and Cao Xing picked up a large number of Rails along the way.

The mine tunnel before them had grown much wider.

Just then, a monster nearly two meters tall blocked their path. Its entire body was covered in iron plating, and its head looked like a massive drill.

Cao Xing's eyes immediately lit up at the sight.

"A mechanical monster?"

The monster's attributes appeared before him.

[Molemen Technology: Burrowing Robot]

[Level: 15]

[Attack: 237-250]

[Armor: 115-124]

[Durability: 2,000]

[Skills: Burrowing Form (Starts its drill and switches into Burrowing Form, increasing its movement speed by 30% and dealing multiple hits of cutting damage to enemies along its path.)

Drill Ejection (Ejects the drill on its head, dealing five hits of damage equal to 80% of its attack to enemies. Maximum range: 50 meters. Also inflicts three stacks of Level 1 Bleed Effect. Can only be used once.)]

The Burrowing Robot had no health bar. Reducing its durability to zero would render it unable to fight.

At that moment, the Burrowing Robot spotted Cao Xing and the others. It spoke in a halting, synthesized mechanical voice.

"Enemies... detected... must... eliminate..."

Then it lowered its body.

Its upright form changed into the shape of a car.

Like a Transformer changing forms.

The drill on its head whirred into action.

Even a graze from that drill would tear skin and flesh.

At that moment, the Burrowing Robot charged toward everyone.

Cao Xing immediately ordered, "Go on. Take it down."

The four recruited creatures charged forward at the same time.

"Roar!"

The upgraded Frost Wolf led the charge.

It brought a paw down on the robot.

[-31]

A black damage number floated up.

The damage didn't look high, but that was because mechanical constructs like this had very high armor.

After being attacked, the Burrowing Robot immediately turned its head and charged at Frost Wolf Winter.

"Whirr! Whirrr!"

The drill spun at high speed and tore away a large patch of fur and flesh from the Frost Wolf.

"Awooo!"

The Frost Wolf cried out in pain.

Damage numbers appeared above its head.

[-131]

[-15]

[-144]

[-15]

Seeing this, Cao Xing exclaimed in surprise, "Whoa, this thing hits that hard?"

Even the Frost Wolf had nearly been sent flying by it.

Just then.

A snowy-white figure suddenly leaped up and slapped the Burrowing Robot's shell.

Smack!

[-95]

Andrew's attack was impressive. It immediately took away nearly one-twentieth of the robot's durability.

A Bear Claw mark also appeared above the Burrowing Robot's head, and its defense plummeted.

By then, Asam and Sarah had arrived as well.

The four powerful creatures began surrounding the Burrowing Robot.

"Thud!"

"Crack!"

Asam's longsword, Andrew's sharp claws, and Sarah's Phantom Shadow Blades repeatedly struck the Burrowing Robot.

[-102]

[-8]

[-156]

[-8]

[-454!]

[-8]

Sarah's attacks were as fierce as ever. With a single slash, she triggered [Coup de Grace] and took away nearly a quarter of the robot's durability.