Chapter 80: Thunder Toad Demon Crystal
Shen Mo furrowed his brow slightly.
It was normal for cultivators to fight among themselves.
But it was despicable for the Heavy Weapon Sect to directly target mortal miners.
He asked, "What else is going on? Tell me everything."
The elder with dark circles under his eyes gritted his teeth and said, "Before the protective array was set up, the mining site was harassed almost daily by the Heavy Weapon Sect."
"And the Heavy Weapon Sect is wealthy. They distribute spirit stones to attract wandering cultivators to harass us and attack our logistical teams, while their own people blend in."
He spat angrily, "Among our disciples, over ten outer disciples and four inner disciples have died, all in gruesome ways."
The elder recalled something else and added, "Also, Young Sect Master, do you know Steward Zhang Weihu? He was also attacked. When he was transporting food from the mountain gate to the mining site, the Heavy Weapon Sect ambushed him. His right arm and half of his left arm were chopped off. He's still lying in bed!"
Shen Mo's expression darkened.
The elder whispered, "In the next few days, stewards will be bringing miners from Qingshan City, Xishan City, and Gufeng City. These mortals are willing to work for our Qingxuan Sect, and we must ensure their safety."
Elder Li nodded, "I understand, I'll handle these matters."
"Good, I leave it to you then, I can't take it anymore." The elder with dark circles didn't return to his room but found a secluded corner and leaned against a large crate.
Soon, he fell asleep, snoring loudly.
But no one criticized him.
During this time, the safety of the Thunder Crystal Mine relied on these two inner sect elders.
Without them, everyone sent by the Qingxuan Sect would perish.
"Someone, arrange the best room for the Young Sect Master!" Elder Li shouted.
Immediately, a disciple hurried over, nodding repeatedly.
Shen Mo waved his hand, "Take me to see Zhang Weihu first."
"Yes."
Soon, Shen Mo arrived at a simple stone hut and saw Zhang Weihu inside.
The middle-aged steward who had reminded him numerous times now lay unconscious on the bed, pale and missing his right arm entirely, with only half of his left remaining. Blood seeped through his bandages.
"Not enough healing pills?" Shen Mo frowned.
The guiding disciple sighed, "We're running out... We have to conserve what we have left. Steward Zhang will have to endure."
Shen Mo took several healing pills from his storage ring and placed them in Zhang Weihu's mouth. He applied some hemostatic powder to the wounds.
Zhang Weihu's condition improved slightly.
"These pills were bestowed by Murong Yue. They've been stockpiled in my storage ring for a long time," Shen Mo said calmly.
The disciple looked touched. "On behalf of Steward Zhang, thank you, Young Sect Master!"
Shen Mo nodded. "Take me to my room now."
"Yes."
Shen Mo was soon settled into the best room available, equipped with everything he might need.
However, he wasn't particular about accommodation; peace and quiet were all he required.
He meditated quietly.
Based on Xiao Fan's life panel, he could roughly predict the future actions of the Heavy Weapon Sect.
"With the help of my 'golden finger,' I can gradually weaken the Heavy Weapon Sect."
"Through this give-and-take, the Heavy Weapon Sect will gradually become weaker and no longer pose a threat to Qingxuan Sect."
"In the future, Qingxuan Sect might even take the initiative to swallow the Heavy Weapon Sect! By then, as the Young Sect Master, I will naturally gain more resources and intercept even better opportunities."
Shen Mo began to plan immediately.
...
Night fell.
There were many demon beasts around the Thunder Crystal Mine.
Therefore, the nights at the mine were not quiet.
It was even somewhat lively.
Various demon beasts that were active at night came out to hunt.
Even the walls, over twelve feet high, couldn't keep them all out.
Many demon beasts could slip inside.
The defensive array set up by Murong Yue and others only affected powerful cultivators.
So, every few days, demon beasts would slip into the mine.
This highlighted the importance of the disciples.
Each Foundation Building Realm disciple led five Qi Condensation Realm disciples on night patrols.
They changed shifts every two hours.
If they spotted a demon beast, they would attack immediately, either driving it away or killing it.
This was to minimize the risk of demon beasts injuring people.
At this moment, Shen Mo wasn't cultivating on his bed, but standing on the roof, feeling the cool night breeze, his eyes scanning the surroundings keenly.
He was waiting for that demon beast to appear.
Before long, he saw Xiao Fan leading five Qi Condensation Realm disciples on patrol.
At that moment, a nimble shadow darted under the wall and rushed towards the mine.
Xiao Fan and the others immediately noticed the shadow and prepared to pursue it.
Shen Mo floated over to them, saying, "Keep an eye on the walls to prevent more demon beasts from appearing. I'll handle that one."
"Yes, Young Sect Master," Xiao Fan nodded repeatedly, not daring to disobey.
The other disciples also nodded in agreement.
As Shen Mo chased after the shadow of the demon beast, they spoke in surprise, "The Young Sect Master's status is so esteemed, yet he's willing to personally deal with demon beasts."
"Yeah, the Young Sect Master is really approachable, without any airs."
"I heard that as soon as the Young Sect Master arrived at the mine, he gave healing pills to Steward Zhang Weihu. He's really a good person."
"You don't know, but after this incident spread, the morale among disciples and miners in the mine has soared. Everyone knows that the Young Sect Master cares for us!"
Amidst these praises of Shen Mo, Xiao Fan felt extremely uncomfortable. He whispered, "Enough, don't forget our duties! Immediately patrol the walls and see if there are any holes made by demon beasts."
"Yes..." the disciples reluctantly responded.
Shen Mo tracked the demon beast all the way to the deepest part of the third mining tunnel.
This little creature was a third-stage juvenile demon beast, an armadillo adept at digging.
Cornered, the armadillo showed its fierceness and lunged at Shen Mo.
Shen Mo chuckled and with a swift stroke of his sword, cleaved it in half.
Afterward, he searched the area and indeed found a small pit.
From the traces, it seemed the armadillo had been hiding here for some time.
Digging into the pit, Shen Mo found two Thunder Essence Cores and a small wooden box.
Thunder Essence Cores, top-grade mysterious-level items, were treasures formed in places where thunder attributes minerals converged. They were essential for refining perfect Dao Platforms or condensing perfect Golden Cores.
Satisfied, Shen Mo nodded and covered the small pit back up before swiftly departing.
"Next up is the Thunder Toad Demon Crystal and the Crystal Refinement Art."
"According to Xiao Fan's life panel, in five days, a senior elder from the Heavy Weapon Sect will sneak into the Thunder Crystal Mine, reaching the deepest part of the sixth mining tunnel to search for these two items."
Shen Mo pondered slightly.
He knew about the Heavy Weapon Sect's situation. Ten years ago, a traitor from within the sect stole the original copy of the "Crystal Refinement Art," but the technique itself had since disappeared.
Since then, with the passing of several senior masters, the Heavy Weapon Sect's crystal refining techniques had declined significantly.
Nevertheless, they remained the only sect in the area with a complete set of techniques for drilling and embedding spiritual artifacts, ensuring they continued to prosper.
"Perhaps this elder knows something and deliberately risked coming to the Thunder Crystal Mine," Shen Mo speculated.
"However, with the protective array always active, how did he sneak in so quietly? And how did he manage to escape despite being severely injured? Was there a leak of information?"
Shen Mo immediately thought of Liu Yuanfeng.
Without a doubt, if there was any leaking of information within the Qingxuan Sect, Liu Yuanfeng would likely be involved.
"For now, the matter of information leaks can wait. I must secure both the Thunder Toad Crystal and the Crystal Refinement Art."
"Moreover, considering the usual course of events, after severely injuring this senior elder from the Heavy Weapon Sect, he'll eventually try to escape."
"However, since I already know how this will unfold, I certainly won't let him get away."
Shen Mo smiled faintly. "Since he dares to come, let's leave him here!"
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