Chapter Thirty-Three: Seizing the Mine
The Flying Squirrel Lord mustered a spirit of facing death with dignity, launching a flurry of attacks against Qin Chuan.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Qin Chuan easily parried each blow, biding his time for the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Flying Squirrel Lord. Though his opponent was a ranged specialist, after a fierce barrage, his momentum began to wane. Despite undergoing several mutations, the Flying Squirrel Lord was still no match for Qin Chuan; every clash left him at a disadvantage.
As the Flying Squirrel Lord’s strength ebbed, Qin Chuan finally seized his chance, striking with a basic sword attack.
Ding! Slow effect triggered.
In that instant, the Flying Squirrel Lord suffered immense damage and his movement speed dropped by five percent.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Qin Chuan, not letting the opportunity slip by, kept weaving in and out, landing successive blows with precise footwork.
After this relentless assault, the Flying Squirrel Lord was battered and bruised, all but stripped of his ability to resist. Qin Chuan did not hesitate—another basic attack flashed forth, his sword gleaming like ice, cold and deadly. The Flying Squirrel Lord, unable to evade, stood at death’s door.
But what struck Qin Chuan as peculiar was the look of relief, even a faint smile, that flashed across the Flying Squirrel Lord’s eyes.
What the—was he seeing things?
Rather than fear or fury in the face of death, the Flying Squirrel Lord seemed almost liberated.
“I should thank you, actually,” the Flying Squirrel Lord said, abandoning all resistance, his words leaving Qin Chuan utterly baffled.
Thud!
Ding! Critical strike triggered.
Ding! You have slain a Level 16 Superior Mutant Flying Squirrel Lord. Gained 14,000 experience points. Extra reward for defeating a higher-level enemy: 100% bonus experience. Congratulations, Host, you have received 28,000 experience points.
Watching the Flying Squirrel Lord meet death so calmly, Qin Chuan was stunned. “What’s going on here? That’s an unusual twist!”
Despite the lord’s odd behavior before dying, Qin Chuan didn’t dwell on it.
Devour Origin!
Ding! Devour successful. Gained 1,925 evolution points.
Ding! Devour successful. Gained 150 evolution points.
...
“Yes! Another fifty-six kills added to my tally—what a rush!”
After a string of pleasant system notifications, Qin Chuan felt a surge of satisfaction.
Evolution Points: 113,725/204,800
Experience Points: 764,500/1,638,400
Rage Value: 80/100
“Uh, boss. Is the fight over?” came a lazy voice.
The Sleepworm, having just finished a hearty meal, slowly crawled over.
“Well, you sure took your time—only showing up after the battle’s done.”
Sleepworm gave an awkward chuckle. “Sorry, boss, it’s just that the Superior Blue Spirit Fruit was so delicious—I couldn’t stop eating.”
“Forget it. Let’s hurry and move on.”
Sleepworm sniffed the air with his sensitive nose, suddenly anxious. “Move on? Boss, wait! I smell ore again!”
Hearing this, Qin Chuan perked up instantly. “Ore? Could it be Cold Iron Ore?”
“Yeah, most likely!”
“Let’s go—time to get it!”
With a determined bite, Qin Chuan threw caution to the wind, not caring about Blackwind Cliff or anything else. Action first, questions later.
And so, sword and worm plunged deeper toward the heart of the area. As they ventured further, the surroundings grew colder, vegetation grew sparse, and in the distance, a vast lake emitted tendrils of chilling mist.
“Boss, we’re here!”
“Looks like the ore is beneath the lake.”
Qin Chuan frowned; this could be tricky.
“Boss, should we dive below the lake?”
“No, let’s check the area first—maybe we’ll find something unexpected.”
“Alright.”
Sword and worm circled the lake, and sure enough, they made an unexpected discovery.
Behind a small hill on the eastern shore, Qin Chuan spotted a cave entrance guarded by a dozen sentries.
Ding! Found Tier Two Mid-Grade Cold Iron Spear. Excellent quality. Level 15.
...
Seeing these Cold Iron Spears, their bodies shimmering with icy light, it was clear they were razor-sharp.
Sleepworm shivered. “Boss, what’s the plan?”
A beautiful curve appeared on Qin Chuan’s lips. “Same old routine—let’s play the bandit.”
Sleepworm faltered. “Huh? Boss, really?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”
“Okay, okay.”
With Qin Chuan’s assurance, Sleepworm slowly slithered over, not forgetting to cover his mouth with a broad leaf.
“Hehe, might as well go all in.”
Qin Chuan watched Sleepworm don his full ‘bandit’ attire and couldn’t help but smile. “Well, looks like this guy actually has some professional spirit.”
“Halt! What are you doing? How did you get in here?”
The Cold Iron Spear guards were highly alert. Sleepworm had barely appeared before he was spotted.
Already nervous, Sleepworm found himself even more flustered under their aggressive questioning.
“B-boss, I...I…”
“Enough! Get out now, or I’ll skewer you!”
What the—are these guards even fiercer than me? I’m here to rob them, so I’d better show some backbone!
Sleepworm, emboldened by their threats, shouted with his soft, adorable voice, “This road is mine! This tree is mine! If you want to pass, pay the toll! I’m here to rob you—nobody move!”
Pfft!
What the—this worm here for comic relief?
“Haha, I can’t stop laughing!”
...
Despite Sleepworm’s efforts to look fierce, his soft and cute voice was anything but intimidating.
The guards laughed so hard their spear shafts trembled, some even collapsing to the ground, breathless from laughter.
Meanwhile, Qin Chuan had already crept close, positioning himself within range for his ultimate skill.
A flicker of violet light—hundreds of sword shadows rained down from above.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
“Ahh!”
Seizing their distraction, Qin Chuan unleashed his ultimate, instantly killing a swath of guards.
Chirp!
He followed up with a flurry of skillful attacks, dispatching the rest. The entire fight lasted less than ten seconds.
Qin Chuan’s elaborate maneuver was designed to ensure he could eliminate the cave entrance guards immediately, preventing the inner guards from being alerted.
Devour Origin!
Ding! Devour successful. Gained 150 evolution points.
...
“Little brother, follow me.”
“Okay, boss! You’re amazing!”
Seeing Qin Chuan effortlessly wipe out the Cold Iron Spear guards, Sleepworm’s confidence soared.
He hadn’t witnessed Qin Chuan’s battle prowess back at the orchard, having been focused solely on consuming Blue Spirit Fruit. He was unaware of Qin Chuan’s strength upgrades, but now, witnessing Qin Chuan’s power firsthand, he was once again awestruck and convinced.
“Follow the boss, happiness lies ahead.”
Sleepworm muttered, and that phrase would become his motto.
Inside the cave, the cold grew deeper, the passage stretching endlessly downward.
Sleepworm whispered, “Boss, this place is a bit eerie!”
“Shh! Quiet—guards approaching.”
Sword and worm pressed against the wall, hidden in the dark corridor—nearly impossible to spot without careful scrutiny.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Two guards hopped along the distant passage.
“Sigh, delivery day again. Hard life for us errand runners.”
“Stop griping. If the Lord hears you, you’ll get a beating. Let’s call the brothers outside to help.”
“Alright.”
The two Cold Iron Spear guards bounced past Qin Chuan, oblivious to anything amiss. Years of peace had dulled their vigilance.
“No need to call anyone—you won’t make it.”
“Who’s there?”
The guards spun around, only to be met by a fierce aura.
Clang! Crack!
Ding!...
With a single sweeping strike, Qin Chuan dispatched both guards, then promptly activated devour.
“Waste not, want not.”
Ding! Devour successful. Gained 150 evolution points.
...