Lin Xia was jolted awake by Lou Gao's barrage of questions, a chill running down his spine as cold sweat broke out across his back.
He had indeed been swept away by the possibilities brought about by the Dig move, completely overlooking the unknown dangers and terrifying complexity of the underground world.
Realizing this, Lin Xia lowered his head with lingering fear in his heart.
"Teacher is right. This disciple was reckless and failed to think things through."
Seeing Lin Xia acknowledge his mistake sincerely, the severity on Lou Gao's face eased, and his tone softened slightly.
"However, testing this ability's actual effectiveness and feasibility…" Lou Gao paused briefly. "That request, I approve!"
He stroked his beard, a sharp, calculating light flashing in his eyes.
"You're still too weak to explore unknown and dangerous areas for prospecting. But conducting experiments in an absolutely safe, fully controlled environment is acceptable. It could serve as preparation for the future. After all, what you said does make some sense!"
"Such a good soul skill shouldn't be wasted!"
Rather than shutting the idea down completely, Lou Gao pondered for a moment before continuing:
"I know of an abandoned mining site. I'm thoroughly familiar with its geological structure. There are absolutely no danger sources below, and there are even some mineral deposits that were difficult to extract back then."
"After lunch, I'll personally take you there! Under my watchful eye, you little monster and Larvitar can dig to your heart's content! Let's see just how much substance this ability of yours truly has!"
"And let this old man broaden his horizons as well—see just how miraculous a soul skill that doesn't require a soul ring really is!"
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Larvi!"
Larvitar seemed to understand that it would soon be able to dig to its heart's content. It cried out excitedly and rubbed against Lou Gao's leg while hugging its piece of Starfrost Iron.
Looking down at this little creature that defied all common sense, then at the monstrously talented disciple before him, the last trace of Lou Gao's inner frustration melted away, replaced by bold anticipation.
He sat back down and waved his hand decisively.
"Eat! You need a full stomach to have the strength to dig rocks!"
Lin Xia nodded, unable to hide the excitement surging in his heart.
Meanwhile, while Lou Gao and Lin Xia were talking, Larvitar stealthily stretched out a tiny paw toward the storage pouch resting beside Lou Gao's stone stool—it could smell more Starfrost Iron inside!
Lou Gao caught it out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help laughing as he lightly tapped its paw away.
"You greedy little glutton! You won't miss out! Dig well later, and you'll eat your fill!"
"Larvi~!"
After lunch, a spacious carriage pulled by two sturdy horned horses rolled out through the massive gates of Gengxin City.
The wheels rumbled along the slightly uneven dirt road, kicking up fine clouds of dust.
Sitting inside the carriage, Lin Xia felt its gentle swaying as his gaze occasionally drifted toward the lush scenery outside.
Larvitar lay sprawled across his lap, tiny paws gripping the edge of the window as it craned its head out curiously. Its gray-green scales shimmered faintly under the sunlight, its small nose twitching as it greedily inhaled the increasingly rich scent of minerals mixed with earth carried on the wind.
About half an hour later, the carriage left the main road and turned onto a narrower path deeply scarred with wheel ruts.
The view ahead suddenly opened up—a massive valley appeared before them, as though it had been gnawed apart by some colossal beast.
The mountainside had been brutally carved open, exposing vast stretches of gray-white, yellow-brown, and even rust-red rock layers. Rubble littered the ground, with stubborn weeds growing through the cracks in the stone.
Several collapsed mine entrances gaped like black maws, scattered with decayed wooden supports and rusted metal tools, silently telling the tale of former prosperity and present desolation.
"Larvi——!!!"
Larvitar suddenly sprang up from Lin Xia's lap, tiny paws slapping excitedly against the carriage window. Its crimson, gem-like eyes widened as it stared unblinkingly at the exposed rock face of the mining site.
The thick scent of soil and stone hanging in the air was like the most tempting gourmet aroma, instantly igniting the instincts of this child of the earth.
It let out suppressed, trembling cries of excitement inside the carriage, its tail whipping back and forth with sharp pa-pa sounds, practically desperate to leap out and dive headfirst into that sea of rock.
The carriage came to a stop on a relatively flat clearing at the edge of the mine.
Lou Gao was the first to step down. His towering figure stood before the desolate mining grounds, his gaze sweeping across the abandoned tunnels and exposed cliffs, a complicated mix of nostalgia and emotion flickering in his eyes.
"We're here."
His voice carried a heavy, grounded weight.
"This is the place, Xia. See this mining site?"
"Back in the day, it was the livelihood of many common folk in Gengxin City. It fed countless families. Back then, this place rang day and night with clanging sounds, and caravans hauling ore passed through without end…"
Lin Xia stepped down from the carriage while holding the still-overexcited Larvitar. Hearing the emotion in Lou Gao's voice, he couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Teacher… does this mine have some special story behind it?"
Lou Gao turned his head and looked at Lin Xia's youthful, inquisitive face. A somewhat complicated smile appeared on his face, as if tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Instead of answering directly, Lou Gao patted Lin Xia on the shoulder, his gaze meaningfully shifting toward the deep, pitch-black mine entrances ahead.
"A story? Once you and this little fellow finish your experiment and see what's inside with your own eyes, you may understand. For now, let's focus on business."
Lou Gao's vague response only stirred Lin Xia's curiosity further, but he understood that this was not the time to press for answers.
After nodding, he suppressed the questions in his heart and refocused his attention on the experiment about to begin.
Lou Gao was clearly well prepared.
From his storage soul tool, he took out a bundle. After unwrapping it, several well-crafted torches soaked in oil were revealed.
With practiced movements, Lou Gao took out a flint. Two crisp scratches rang out, sparks flew, and soon two torches were lit.
The flickering orange flames dispelled some of the gloom at the edge of the mine, casting warm light and releasing a faint scent of pine resin smoke.
He handed one of the torches to Lin Xia.
"Take it. Watch your footing. Once we're inside the cave, your eyes won't be very useful."
Lin Xia accepted the torch, feeling its solid weight and warmth in his hand.
Larvitar curiously leaned closer to sniff the flame, only to be hit by the heat and let out a sneeze before retreating in disdain to Lin Xia's feet.
"Follow me."
Holding his torch high, Lou Gao took the lead toward one of the largest mine entrances—the one that showed the most obvious signs of collapse.
The entrance was piled with fallen rocks, leaving only enough space for a single person to squeeze through sideways.
The moment they stepped inside, the sensation changed instantly.
The afternoon sunlight and noise outside were completely cut off. A wave of cold air carrying the scent of damp earth and stone rushed toward them, raising fine goosebumps on Lin Xia's exposed skin.
The torchlight looked especially weak in the vast darkness, illuminating only a few meters ahead. Under the flickering flames, the surrounding rock walls cast huge, distorted shadows that swayed like silent, slumbering beasts.
The ground beneath their feet was uneven, scattered with loose gravel.
As they moved deeper, Lin Xia clearly felt the temperature continuing to drop. The chill grew heavier and heavier, as if seeping into his bones. Even the heat from the torch seemed to be mostly swallowed by the cold of the underground.
The surroundings were utterly silent. Only the crunch of gravel beneath their steps and the crackling of the burning torch echoed through the hollow tunnel, sounding unnervingly clear.
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