Our ragged group of slaves shuffled through the tunnels, the cold, damp air biting into our skin. The flickering torchlight cast long, ominous shadows on the rough stone walls, and the creak of splintering wooden supports filled the air with unease. Each step felt heavier than the last, weighed down by exhaustion and despair. For many, hope had long since evaporated.
When the tunnel split into two paths, the group divided without hesitation, some trudging left, others right. I paused, glancing at the fading torchlight of both groups, before choosing the right path.
A sudden hand on my shoulder made me jump.
"Easy their tough guy," came a familiar voice.
I turned to see Wang Jian, his battered face barely visible beneath the grime and bruises, standing with Ming Lian. The latter had his arm in a rough sling, his expression one of irritation mixed with pain.
"You're alive," I said, relief washing over me.
"Heh, Barely," Wang Jian replied with a weak smile. "But alive enough."
Ming Lian muttered something under his breath and began moving down the tunnel. Wang Jian and I followed, trailing behind the others.
"What about you?" Wang Jian asked, his sharp eyes assessing me. "You've got a nasty bruise there. Big Nose bastard get you?"
"Yeah," I muttered, touching the sore lump on my forehead. "fucker got me good."
"Well, at least you're still standing," Wang Jian said. "It's more than some of us can say."
The conversation shifted as we trudged deeper into the mines. Wang Jian explained their collars—metal bands that suppressed their Chi, rendering even experienced cultivators like him and Ming Lian nearly powerless.
"Without these, we'd have a fighting chance," Wang Jian said, his tone bitter. "But as it is, we're just stronger-than-average prisoners."
I frowned. If they were at a disadvantage, we'd need something else to tip the scales. My system flashed in my mind—a secret I hadn't yet shared. If we had any hope of escaping, it might be time to reveal it.
But before I could bring it up, a faint blue glow ahead caught our attention. Three men broke from the group, rushing toward the cluster of glowing spirit stones embedded in the wall. Their excitement was palpable as they began prying at the stones with their pickaxes, completely ignoring the rest of us.
"Let's keep moving," Wang Jian said. "No point fighting over scraps."
We continued down the tunnel, leaving the others behind. When we were finally alone, I decided to speak.
"I might have a way to help us escape," I said.
Wang Jian and Ming Lian turned to me, their expressions skeptical.
"How?" Wang Jian asked.
"It's complicated," I said, hesitating. "But if I deal the killing blow to a spirit beast, I can absorb its abilities. I don't know how it works, but I've done it before. If we find one, let me finish it off. You'll see."
Wang Jian's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued. "That's... unique. If it's true, it could be useful."
Ming Lian scoffed. "I'll believe it, when I see it."
As we moved deeper into the tunnels, the sounds of crunching stone echoed ahead. A Rock-claw Mole, its claws tearing effortlessly through the stone, came into view. Its glowing body reflected the light of the spirit stones it was devouring.
Wang Jian acted quickly, slamming his pickaxe into the creature's side and pinning it against the wall. The mole squealed and thrashed, its claws raking the air. I stepped forward and brought my pickaxe down with all my strength, landing the killing blow.
The mole fell still, and a familiar blue glow enveloped it. The aura pulsed as a system screen appeared before me.
[System Update]
You have Defeated Rock-claw Mole: Rank E, Spirit Beast.
You have gained the BONUS skill:
Earth Sense (Passive): Rank E.
Gain a sixth sense that allows you to detect vibrations and Chi through any earth-type material.
Range:1 yard.
[Available Skills to Harvest:]
Rock Claws (Active): Rank E.
Create claw constructs from earth-type material. Can part or dig through stone.
Cost: 5 Chi. Upkeep: 1 Chi per minute.
Spirit Stone Devouring (Passive): Rank E.
Consume low-grade spirit stones to temporarily boost Dexterity, Strength, Vitality, Chi reserves, and Chi regeneration. Boost increases up to 2.5x based on the size and quantity consumed.
Duration: 5 minutes.
Warning: Repeated use may stress the body.
The second option caught my attention immediately. A temporary but significant boost in strength, agility, and vitality? It was exactly what we needed to even the odds. I chose Spirit Stone Devouring without hesitation, and a surge of energy flowed through me as the skill activated.
"I've got something," I said, turning to the others. "It's... different."
Wang Jian raised an eyebrow. "What did you get?"
"You'll see," I replied, approaching the scattered shards of spirit stones left behind by the mole. I picked up three small pieces, each no larger than a fingernail. Their glow pulsed faintly in my hand, radiating raw energy.
Without a second thought, I popped them into my mouth and chewed them up.
The effect was immediate. A torrent of energy surged through my body, my muscles tightening and expanding as if filled with molten steel. My heart raced, and my skin burned with a fiery intensity. I clenched my fists, feeling an overwhelming strength coursing through my veins.
"What the —fuck" Wang Jian started, his eyes wide as he stepped back.
The tunnel seemed smaller, my senses sharper. I flexed my fingers, marveling at the raw power. My pickaxe felt like a toy, my movements lighter and faster than ever.
"This is... incredible," I muttered, my voice carrying a new edge of confidence.
Ming Lian eyed me warily. "What did you do?"
"Something that's going to help us," I said simply.
As we pressed on, my enhanced senses picked up another faint vibration in the earth. My Earth Sense painted a mental picture of a larger creature further ahead, its movements heavy and deliberate.
"There's another one," I said, motioning for the others to follow.
We entered a larger cavern, its walls lined with glowing spirit stones that bathed the space in eerie blue light. At the center of the room was a larger Rock-claw Mole, its claws tearing through the stones with frightening precision. It turned toward us, its glowing eyes narrowing as it prepared to attack.
"This one's mine," I said, stepping forward.
The mole lunged, its claws slashing through the air with deadly speed. I dodged easily, the enhanced strength and agility from the spirit stones turning the maneuver into a blur. My fist connected with its side, sending it skidding across the cavern floor.
The creature hissed, shaking off the impact before charging again. I met it head-on, grabbing its claws mid-swing. The force should have torn through my arms, but my newfound strength held firm. With a roar, I wrenched its claws apart, the cracking sound echoing through the chamber.
"That's impossible," Ming Lian whispered, his voice filled with awe.
The mole thrashed, trying to free itself, but I drove it into the ground with a single strike, the impact sending tremors through the earth. It let out one final screech before going still.
Another system screen appeared before me, but I ignored it for the moment, my attention on the others. Wang Jian and Ming Lian stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock and respect.
"That," Wang Jian said slowly, "was... fucking amazing!."
"I told you," I said, flexing my fingers as the stone-enhanced strength began to fade. "This changes everything."
Ming Lian stepped forward, his usual skepticism replaced with cautious optimism. "If you can do that... We might actually have a chance."
Wang Jian nodded. "We'll need more spirit stones… A lot more."
I looked at the glowing walls of the cavern, the promise of power shining in every shard. For the first time, escape felt not just possible—but inevitable.