The words did not continue, but the Black Jade Lion was not surprised.
The Two-Horned Lizard has already explained this issue.
The Steel-Mane Bear's real question wasn't about this issue, but rather, as it stated in the first half of its sentence, why the Two-Horned Lizard would rather die than do this.
There is only one answer to this.
"Because Lord Two-Horned Lizard is just such a beast!" the Black Jade Lion said earnestly.
"Is it really such a Calamity Beast?" the Steel-Mane Bear muttered to itself.
"Yes, that's right. Doesn't it seem unbelievable?" The Black Jade Lion nodded vigorously.
After a moment's hesitation, Steel-Mane Bear nodded.
"It's unbelievable, that's for sure. You'll understand as you get to know more. Lord Two-Horned Lizard is just that kind of being. This is the first time in my life I've ever encountered such a being," the Black Jade Lion said with a touch of emotion.
It paused, seemingly feeling that this statement lacked credibility, and added:
"I discovered this even before I reached the Fifth Tier. Unlike other adults, the Two-Horned Lizard doesn't consider itself superior to us or bully us just because it's stronger."
"Even Feather Owl Xiao can't compare to this."
"Although Feather Owl doesn't bully them, it mostly just doesn't take us seriously; it's pure indifference."
"But the Two-Horned Lizard is different. It truly takes us seriously and genuinely believes that it, being of a higher rank than us, is no different from us!"
Steel-Mane Bear was somewhat incredulous, but recalling the previous behavior of the Two-Horned Lizard, he didn't know how to refute it.
The Black Jade Lion watched its expression with a smile.
Suddenly, he laughed:
"Alright, there are many like you who don't believe it at first, but once you spend more time with Lord Two-Horned Lizard Two-Horned Lizard, you'll naturally realize what kind of beast he is. Let's focus our main efforts on finding other Calamity Beast for now!"
Steel-Mane Bear hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
The two Calamity Beast turned their gaze back and looked ahead once more.
They then parted ways at a fork in the road, each heading in a different direction.
Inside the dark mine tunnels, one after another, Calamity Beast slowly moved forward.
Some eyes cautiously scanned the surroundings, searching for Calamity Beast they recognized or thought they could try to hunt;
Some had already found it, stopped, and hesitated, unsure how to speak.
Of course, they haven't completely given up on mining.
Lord Rock-Backed Beast has already given a heads-up.
Mining is still necessary, but given the current situation, there's no need to worry about mining enough. Just make sure your mining output isn't too low and you don't suffer too severe penalties.
If there are indeed not enough resources for some of the Calamity Beast to mine, some can be transferred from other Calamity Beast.
As long as we ensure we won't be punished in the end, and that the Black Rat don't notice anything unusual, that's fine.
Amidst the resounding sounds of mining.
One of the Calamity Beast stopped, glanced at the other Calamity Beast it had chatted with briefly, and panted, "..."
"Hey, Black Stone, do you remember your days out there?"
"If only we hadn't been brought here!"
"I wonder when this will ever end..."
One after another, different voices, but all pointing to the same goal, echoed throughout the mine tunnels.
Some Calamity Beast responded eagerly to this question; others instinctively avoided it; still Calamity Beast responded with a mixture of fear and undisguised longing...
The number of Calamity Beast joining the rebellion is growing at a rate that no other Calamity Beast could have predicted!
What prompted them to join was not the Induction words, but the long-standing, heavy, and oppressive dark cloud that had been weighing on them!
One by one, the Calamity Beast joined, and after transformation, they became new members who went out to persuade other Calamity Beast!
The sounds of persuasion echoed through the mine, on the way back, and across the fields...
"... Now, let's go in and mine!"
The sound faded.
One after another, the Calamity Beast stepped forward and burrowed into the mine ahead.
Black Rock Leopard stayed at the back, only getting up and slowly following after the Calamity Beast ahead began to move.
"... Let's bet on this leopard. I doubt it'll dig up enough ore tonight!"
"Is that so? Then I'll bet it will find something!"
What are we betting on today?
"Just like yesterday, you can get priority for the best food..."
Teasing voices came from behind.
Because it mentioned the name of its own race, the Black Rock Leopard paused and looked back.
Two Black Rat were staring at it, making no attempt to avoid its gaze.
They just watched it.
There was no malice in his eyes, only pure mockery!
After a moment's hesitation, the Black Rock Leopard turned around and walked forward again.
This time, however, the steps will be even heavier than before.
It knows its condition better than anyone else.
Having gone ten days without food, it would indeed be difficult for it to mine enough ore today.
This "sufficient amount" does not refer to the amount after its current grade is increased by 20%, but rather to the amount that is not so lacking that it is deemed unnecessary for its survival!
Thinking of this, Black Rock Leopard's steps became even heavier.
Actually, it felt that if it exerted more effort today, it might be able to live another day, but for some reason, there seem to be quite a few Calamity Beast talking around at night these past two days.
It didn't hear what was said specifically, nor did it want to care.
All it knew was that the other person's voice was disturbing its rest even more.
Otherwise, I probably would have been in better shape today, at least with a little more energy, right?
But what's done is done, and nothing can be changed.
All we can do now is...
"If we try a little harder today, maybe we can still find a ore that will only be whipped, but not abandoned?"
Black Rock Leopard thought to himself, taking one step at a time.
After a while, it arrived at the place where it had been mining all this time.
It glanced at the Calamity Beast that had already started mining, paused, and then wearily slammed its paw against the rock wall once more.
The clanging sounds rang out intermittently.
The sound would last all day.
Only when the familiar, piercing knocking sound rang in his ears did the Black Rock Leopard numbly stop moving.
It turned its head and looked at the ore box, which was less than a fifth full, with a hint of despair.
It wasn't until it heard that piercing knocking sound again that it snapped back to its senses.
His gaze was raised.
The few remaining Calamity Beast nearby were looking at their ore chests with a sigh of relief, then picked them up and walked out of the mine.
During this process, they either ignored it or looked at it with some pity, but not a single Calamity Beast was willing to stay for it.
All the Calamity Beast moved upwards until they disappeared from its sight.
Black Rock Leopard stared blankly at the dark mine tunnel, hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked deeper into the mine.
We also saw some Calamity Beast along the way.
Some stood there dumbfounded; others were still digging frantically.
The Black Rock Leopard was completely oblivious to this; it continued downwards, not even knowing which way to go.
After a while, its steps suddenly paused slightly.
In their field of vision, the mine tunnel, which should have been empty or at most only had a few creatures, was now inexplicably teeming with thirty or forty Calamity Beast.
Some of them were as numb as it was, while others were full of energy, though their faces were equally tired.
What are they doing?
The Black Rock Leopard turned its head slightly, a look of confusion that hadn't been seen in a long time.
Before it could turn a second time, it saw the Rock-Backed Beast standing in the very center smiling and beckoning it with its paw.
For some reason, the Black Rock Leopard walked over.
"Everyone, do you still remember the old days?"
"Remember when we were free and unrestrained..."
"But what about now? Why should we...?"
"And why...?"
"We were destined to become..."
"No, the world shouldn't be like this..."