The team trekking eastward found a remarkably abundant open-air salt mine at the edge of a vast grassland, quickly forming an extraction team and a transport team.
But development is not always smooth sailing.
While establishing the quarry, they disturbed the Stone Howl Beasts that originally occupied the area.
These are creatures resembling giant apes, capable of shattering rocks with sonic waves.
Their Strength is astonishing, and they hold the advantage of the terrain.
In the initial conflict, the exploration team suffered losses, with several warriors injured by the shockwaves.
When the news reached Star Valley, Tu Hu did not personally intervene, leaving the issue to Ah Lann to handle.
Ah Lann, drawing from past experience, did not choose a direct assault.
He commanded the warriors to use metal tools to dig dozens of deep pit traps overnight around the activity area of the Stone Howl Beasts, embedding sharpened iron spikes at the bottom.
