Storage ring

Early the next morning, Shiheng remained utterly unaware of the conspiracy secretly targeting him.

He left his quarters and headed straight for the Laiyang commander's tent, hoping to learn more about the enemies attacking them. But after a round of questions, the commander hemmed and hawed without offering a single useful piece of intelligence. Shiheng's heart sank slightly. Rather than press him further, he turned to inspect the defensive works around the camp. After making his rounds, he planned to return to his quarters.

He had barely taken a few steps when a personal guard hurried up, glanced around, and leaned close to his ear, lowering his voice. "My lord, someone discovered level 8 magic crystals deep in the vein."

Shiheng's gaze sharpened. "Come. Let's take a look."

The group hurried deep into the vein. When they reached a newly blasted rock face, the spiritual energy was so dense it had almost condensed into mist. Shiheng reached out, his fingertips touching the glittering vein, and immediately reached a conclusion-this was indeed a level 8 magic crystal mine.

A vein of such quality was enough to get them killed here on the frontier.

Shiheng's expression darkened. "We can't hold on to this. The Dark Church has been attacking this place so fiercely for no apparent reason. I'm afraid... they must have learned about it long ago."

He immediately turned and addressed everyone present in a grave voice. "Not a word of what you saw today is to leave this place. All of you, go outside first and rest here for a day."

Then he instructed the trusted personal guard, "Keep them together under watch. No one is to leave camp without permission. Also, go tell the Laiyang commander to come here."

Everyone acknowledged his orders and withdrew. Before long, Shiheng was alone in the mine.

Curiosity and a faint, inexplicable stirring drove him farther into the vein. The deeper he went, the more oppressive the air became, as though some ancient being lay sleeping here.

When he reached the very bottom, Shiheng stopped dead.

Beneath the rock wall lay a severed arm.

It was no mortal limb, nor the remains of a magical beast-a terrifying aura lingered around the severed arm, making even his soul tremble, as though the slightest trace of its residual might could collapse the entire mine.

On one finger of the severed arm, an ancient-looking ring gleamed in the gloom, its light particularly piercing.

Shiheng's heart pounded wildly, and his breathing instantly quickened.

A Space Ring?

This arm... could it be the remains of a God-level expert?

Though he knew no one else was around, he still instinctively swept a quick glance to either side, checking that there were no ambushers or watchers. Without further hesitation, Shiheng gritted his teeth and steeled himself, forcing a drop of blood essence from his fingertip and letting it fall directly onto the ring.

The blood essence dissolved into it on contact.

The ring flashed faintly, and a tenuous connection formed between them.

Shiheng dared not delay. With a thought, he stored the severed arm and its terrifying aura directly inside the Space Ring, then hid the ring beneath his clothes against his chest and pressed it tightly.

A surge of nervousness and wild joy had only just begun to well up inside him, with no time to fully break free, when hurried footsteps filled with excitement sounded outside the mine. The Laiyang commander's booming voice drew closer. "Lord Shiheng! Have you really discovered a level 8 magic crystal mine?"

Shiheng instantly suppressed every feeling, his fingertips instinctively pressing against his chest, where the newly bound Space Ring lay hidden. The God-level severed arm inside still gave off a faint pressure, keeping him from relaxing for even a moment. He quickly composed himself. By the time he turned around, his face held only its usual calm steadiness, with nothing unusual showing.

The Laiyang commander strode up to him, his eager gaze sweeping over the glittering magic crystal wall beside them. Greed and wild joy all but spilled from his eyes. He reached out to stroke the rough surface, which radiated spiritual energy, and even his voice trembled. "It really is a level 8 magic crystal mine! Such enormous reserves! In all my years guarding Laiyang Town, I've never encountered an opportunity like this!"

"An opportunity isn't necessarily a blessing." Shiheng spoke evenly, his tone calm and unruffled as he deliberately suppressed the pounding of his heart. "This vein is far too high-grade. Our duchy simply doesn't have the strength to hold it. I'm afraid the Shadow Church's repeated attacks were aimed at this all along. If we try to keep it for ourselves, we'll only bring utter ruin upon us."

The Laiyang commander froze at his words. Most of his wild joy instantly faded, and a measure of belated fear appeared on his face. He nodded repeatedly. "You're right, my lord! I was too hasty. Our duchy lacks the resources to swallow such a rich prize. Then what would you suggest?"

"I sent my guard to fetch you so you could carefully survey the vein's extent and reserves, compile a detailed report, and immediately send word back to the duchy. The duchy can then report it to the Radiant Church." Shiheng delivered his instructions methodically, his gaze remaining clear as he deliberately avoided looking deeper into the mine, lest he give himself away. "Only with the Church behind us can we protect this vein. Our duchy can also use the Church's influence to secure a share, rather than lose our lives for nothing."

"You've thought of everything, my lord!" Understanding dawned on the Laiyang commander, and his trust in Shiheng deepened further. He immediately summoned his subordinates and began arranging the survey and the dispatch of the message. His mind was entirely on the level 8 magic crystal mine, and he never noticed the fleeting unease in Shiheng's eyes.

Shiheng responded casually to the commander's remarks, keeping his gaze placid, though inwardly he was already tense to the limit. He did not want to spend another moment in this mine that concealed such an enormous secret, afraid that staying too long would let someone notice something amiss. He immediately said, "I've already examined the vein's general condition. There's nothing unusual about it. I'll leave the remaining arrangements to you and return to camp first."

Without waiting for the Laiyang commander to say anything more, Shiheng gave a slight nod, then turned and walked toward the mine's exit.

Only when he stepped out of the mine and the morning sunlight fell across him did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief. His back was already soaked in cold sweat. The Space Ring rested against the skin of his chest, its faint coolness constantly reminding him of his staggering discovery-the severed arm of a God-level expert and a Space Ring of unknown nature. These were secret treasures enough to drive the entire continent mad. He could not let the slightest hint escape.

He suppressed the excitement and wariness surging within him and walked through the camp with his expression unchanged, his mind racing through his next steps. Yet he failed to notice several furtive gazes in a corner of the camp quietly fixing on him. A conspiracy targeting him had already begun to unfold in the shadows.