It was almost 11 p.m.
The train arrived at the north of Sugar Ruins City to Sugar Black-Iron Mine.
The moment they left the train, Gurney heard the thunderous sound of steam-hauled mining engines.
Looking over, the entire Sugar Black-Iron Mine was a busy scene of laborious work.
Tall steel steam cranes moved back and forth to transport the excavated ores to the supernatural steam locomotives.
As for the several huge mines that were 20 meters high, the supernatural high-pressure steam engines, through mechanical wheels, moved the tracks and transported a large amount of ore from the depths of the mines.
On one side, there was a supernatural steam pump continuously pumping out the water inside the mine.
Excavation, water pumping, transportation, and a series of other operations were carried out by steam-powered machinery.
In his previous life, coal fuel and steam could hardly provide the huge and complex mechanical energy needed by the entire era.
However, this world was not his previous world. This was a world with supernatural powers, special metals, and unique energy sources.
Firstly, the water in this world was mixed with a special energy called "water element". The water vapor formed by combustion would expand under high pressure with a proportion and intensity that was terrifying.
The incinerator built with supernatural metal could lock in the energy from burning coal so that it could be used to heat up the water vapor instead of escaping.
Secondly, the magic source coal formed by mixing with the special energy called "fire element" would attach the element of fire and cause the heat released from the combustion to be extraordinarily high.
In fact, Gurney learned that the high source coal formed by mixing in fire element and wood element in a certain proportion would release an even more terrifying energy. The new efficient energy source and utilization was the reason why the great era of supernatural steampunk could be realized.
Looking at the steampunk steel machinery, Gurney could feel the vigorous power of these machines and the rugged beauty of the domain of steel and iron.
Not only Gurney, but the other students also stopped to watch although most of them were not seeing this for the first time.
…
After lunch.
While the other students were still making preparations to enter the wilderness under the guidance of the teacher, Gurney's group was one step ahead of them, having entered the wilderness already.
After passing a mountain ridge, the sound of machinery from the mine was already very soft.
Deep in the forest, the mountain trails were hard to move on.
A group of six, each with their own bags, moved forward vigilantly.
The muscular and strong Pavel Korchagin held a sharp blade and walked at the front as the vanguard. At the back was Shadower Avery, while Gurney and the three girls walked in the middle.
The six of them were very careful and vigilant; they did not speak excessively as that would waste their concentration and energy. They kept up with Pavel who was at the front as they quickly moved.
The six of them with exploration experience clearly knew that the moment they entered the wilderness, many supernatural lifeforms had already noticed them.
These were many wilderness lifeforms, and while supernatural lifeforms might be quite few in number, half-supernatural lifeforms were not.
For example, a certain eagle species had the same physique as normal eagles, but they would have an extraordinary sense of sight.
Or for example, a certain group of wolves that had the same body as the others would have an even stronger and fiercer biting force.
Or some mountain apes that looked normal would have intelligence not lower than humans.
Against these half-supernatural lifeforms with certain abilities, if one was not alert, they would likely get lightly or heavily injured, or even lose their lives.
…
Not until around 4 to 5 p.m. did the group arrive at the foot of the mountain that had a cluster of ancient trees with thick, low, sharp branches and buds that were higher in number than leaves.
"It will be dark soon, so we will rest here today," Avery quickly said after scanning their surroundings and returning to the group.
It was not the first time that everyone had entered the wilderness, so they naturally knew what each of them was tasked to do.
The division of labor among the six of them was this: the three ladies would fetch water, and the remaining three would take care of the rest of the hard labor.
The division of tasks was similarly simple and straightforward.
Gurney, who was about to go to gather wood, suddenly thought of something as he passed by Avery.
"Those two wilting-grass wolves that were tailing us, have they been dealt with?" Gurney lowered his voice and asked.
The wilting-grass wolves were half-supernatural lifeforms; their fur resembled withered grass, and they shed their hair and changed color with the change of seasons, completing their seasonal camouflage. They were quite a perfect half-supernatural species in the wilderness plain.
Most of the time, the wilting-grass wolf only appeared before humans in the desolate season of autumn. Thus, they were given such a name.
There would be a wilting-grass wolf king among a group of wilting-grass wolves too. The wolf king would be a true supernatural species; it was as strong as a bull and as fast as the wind. With a single bite, it could easily tear apart a person's skull.
Even Gurney was not willing to face a supernatural tier-one wilting-grass wolf king.
While they were moving in the mountains today, Gurney had sensed that two wilting-grass wolves had been tailing them for a long time.
"I killed one, while the other escaped. Wilting-grass wolves will not approach again after they have been taught a lesson," Avery replied.
"That's good." Gurney nodded.
While staying alert, Gurney collected wood nearby while his gaze swept through those corners that would be hard to figure out if something was hiding.
From time to time, Gurney would enter those relatively hidden locations. After he came out, he would have a new herb in his hand.
This herb would appear like magic in Gurney's hand; right after, he would quickly process it and toss it into the black thorn box. The entire process would last less than ten seconds.
As a Pharmacist and someone who had a level-six Bone Essence Potion Mantra, along with Gurney's own experience in handling a large amount of herbs in this half a year, Gurney was completely proficient with the techniques of handling such herbs.
Inside this ancient tree forest.
Behind an ancient tree, after having just processed a herb, Gurney was first stunned before he rubbed his fingers together, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Interesting."
At the next moment.
Swoosh!
Sparks flew as a gray figure charged out from a location that was 10 meters away from him. The speed was too fast to react to, and the figure reached Gurney in almost an instant.
It was a plump gray rabbit, but it was as strong as a hunting hound. It had four sharp fangs and a vicious face; its eyes showed a cruel light that wanted to tear its prey apart.
When the fangs were aimed towards Gurney's neck and wanted to deal the fatal blow, against this sneak attack, Gurney only moved his legs slightly and dodged this attack with an agile movement.
At the same time, he snapped his fingers.
Bzzzzz!
The moment his fingers snapped, purple lightning instantly gathered at Gurney's fingertips.
Arc Lightning, an ordinary spell.
It could be cast with just two syllables. For Gurney, who had four silent cast runes, he could cast it with just a thought.
Different from the average Arc Lightning that could only emit thin thread-like sparks with quantity and density that was quite sparse, Gurney's Arc Lightning was as thick as a person's arm, and the sparks weaved together like a woolen ball; it was also extremely dense and packed.
Each time the level of a spell went up, its power would rise by quite a lot, and Gurney's level-four Arc Lightning had undergone several upgrades.
Even for an ordinary spell with two syllables, after some upgrades, it would become quite powerful and ferocious.
Buzz!
The Arc Lightning went entirely into the body of the lifeform that Gurney had avoided earlier.
Buzz buzz buzz…
The lifeform flew away as sparks jolted around it.
After landing on the ground and rolling for some distance, its four legs twitched for a while before stopping; it was no longer alive.
If Pavel and the rest saw this Arc Lightning, they would have been shocked.
How could this be Arc Lightning?! This was clearly even stronger than the Lightning Bolt spell.
"I was worried about the others not getting enough prey, but to think it would come to me on its own," Gurney said lightly.
His gaze swept through the surroundings before Gurney finally relaxed; there were no other supernatural beasts observing him in the area.