The Black Stone Mine tunnel grew increasingly gloomy.
Lin Xuanchen pushed his battered mining cart deep into a long-abandoned branch. This area had long been deemed a "dead vein," its ore depleted and demonic beasts rampant. The sect no longer patrolled, and even the vicious miners dared not set foot there.
But he had arrived.
For the system had provided him with the coordinates for the only location of the "Pure Spirit Grass," deep within this area.
[Side Quest Activated: Dead Vein Exploration]
[Objective 1: Collect Pure Spirit Grass (Quantity: 1)]
[Objective 2: Survive]
[Reward: +1 Reinforcement Point, activate "Spirit Vein Sensing"]
[Warning: Current Area Danger Level C+, Avoid Combat Recommended]
Cold sweat broke out on Lin Xuanchen's forehead.
"Avoid a fight? I'm not even qualified to fight."
The only thing he could rely on was the system's temporary enhancement, his one remaining "energy point," and his unwavering willpower to not yield.
Behind him, the mine tunnel grew increasingly quiet, the only sound being the scraping of his cart's wheels against the gravel, a sound that hammered at his heart.
"We're here."
He stopped before a broken stone platform, a collapsed mine opening before him. Nestled in a crevice within the rock wall, a single, crystal-green plant glowed faintly.
Pure Spirit Grass!
Lin Xuanchen, overjoyed, was about to approach when a shadow suddenly slithered out from the other side of the mine.
"Gurgle..."
It was a first-grade, mid-grade poisonous rock lizard, its body the size of an ox, its body covered in stone spots, its pupils razor-sharp. It spitted out scarlet fangs and slowly approached Lin Xuanchen, emitting a low, threatening roar.
[Battle Tip: Spiritual Power Comparison Less Than 5%, Survival Rate Extremely Low]
[Triggered Hidden Mechanism: Life and Death Challenge]
[Activate System Battle Simulation? (One-time limit)]
"Activate!" Lin Xuanchen shouted almost instinctively.
In an instant, his mind flashed white.
In a split second, the system projected countless battle calculations against the poisonous rock lizard into his brain, every move, every form, every attack and counterattack, all meticulously detailed.
All he had to do was—do as he was told.
Lin Xuanchen took a deep breath, grabbed a piece of gravel, and slammed it into the lizard's right eye!
"Roar!"
The poisonous rock lizard roared and leaped towards him.
But Lin Xuanchen had already rolled to the side and back, hiding in a crevice between the ore. He then ripped free the rusty chain from the mine cart and wrapped it around the lizard's hind legs. Using the system's prompt, he plunged his broken pickaxe into the lizard's underarm ridge!
"Puff!"
The excruciating pain sent the poisonous rock lizard thrashing wildly, shaking the cave and sending dust and rocks flying. Lin Xuanchen was flung to the ground, his chest burning as he spat out a mouthful of blood.
But the poisonous rock lizard's movements gradually slowed, its blood began to boil, and wisps of black gas appeared on its skin.
[Hint: Highly toxic mineral gas has penetrated the wound, and the poisonous rock lizard's toxins are taking their toll.]
[Kill Success! Gain +2 Enhancement Points; Receive Special Item: Poisonous Rock Gallbladder (Can be used to refine poison pills)]
Lin Xuanchen endured the excruciating pain and crawled towards the Pure Spirit Grass. With trembling hands, he carefully plucked it and pocketed it.
Then, the entire mine began to collapse slightly!
"Shit!"
He staggered away, half-rolling, half-crawling out of the branch exit. Seeing the cave entrance collapsing, he quickly leaped out.
Bang!
The rocks completely buried the entrance, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
[Mission Completed]
[Rewards Calculating...]
▸Received: 1 Pure Spirit Grass
▸Reward: +1 Enhancement Point
▸New Ability Unlocked: Spiritual Vein Sensing (Can sense the flow of spiritual energy in heaven and earth)
▸Special Record: First Kill of a Higher-Level Monster
[Do you want to activate Spiritual Vein Sensing Meditation?]
Lin Xuanchen leaned against the rock, suppressing his fatigue. He closed his eyes and said, "Activate."
Then, a warm current flowed from the earth and air into his body, as instinctive and pure as a baby's first suck of breast milk.
His previously dormant meridians vibrated slightly, and the broken energy channels reconnected as if by some kind of regular thread.
[Congratulations, Host! You have successfully opened your first spiritual vein.]
[Cultivation Progress: Qi Refining Level 1 - Beginner]
Lin Xuanchen opened his eyes, a light in them.
"Finally... I've taken the first step towards cultivating immortality."
Just as he was about to leave, he heard hurried footsteps not far away.
"There's movement up ahead! Hurry—!"
Lin Xuanchen's eyes shifted, and he immediately dove behind a crevice.
A young woman in white stumbled out of the other side of the mine tunnel, followed by two monks in the uniforms of the Blood Killing Sect.
The girl's clothes were torn, her face bloodstained, but her eyes were clear as water. She gritted her teeth as she ran. A long whip lashed out, barely grazing her shoulder.
Lin Xuanchen hid in the shadows, his eyes cold, pickaxe in hand.
"To help, or not to help?"