Lin Xia withdrew his Soul power. Still wearing a shocked expression mixed with emotion, he looked at Lou Gao, who remained simmering with anger, and asked in a probing tone.
"Teacher, this… does that mean Ghost Douluo truly returned everything that had been extorted over these past years? With so many Soul coins and materials in hand, should we… still go ore prospecting?"
Lou Gao stopped pacing in circles and halted his cursing. The fury on his face eased slightly. He rubbed the storage ring in his hand, his gaze gradually turning deep and determined.
He nodded firmly, speaking without the slightest hesitation.
"Go! Of course we go!"
Lou Gao looked at Lin Xia, eyes filled with persistence and renewed heat.
"Xiaoxia, look carefully. There are indeed many things inside, and truly valuable as well—fine iron and cold iron in abundance, some mithril and refined gold too. But what are these?"
"They are the foundation! Consumables!"
His voice carried the clarity of someone who had seen through the essence.
"What we lack now are rare ores—minerals capable of bearing the core of high-level Soul device formations, perhaps even those that contain special rule-based power in their original state! Those are the keys that can support our research into Soul device mecha, this epoch-making creation!"
Lou Gao weighed the ring in his palm, tone resolute.
"Are such things inside this ring? No! What Ghost Douluo returned were, in the end, merely ordinary goods—just the common items Meyers had blackmailed and swindled from us over six years."
"The true top-tier minerals that determine the future of Soul device cores, we still don't possess!"
"We must head into the depths of untouched veins, rely on luck, and dig them out ourselves!"
As he spoke, the eyes of this master blacksmith shone with the light of an adventurer longing for unknown treasure.
"Prospecting isn't for money, it's for our path! For that 'unprecedented' creation!"
Lin Xia watched the flame in his teacher's eyes burn even brighter than before. The hesitation brought by sudden wealth vanished instantly.
The mystery of prospecting itself, the thrill of the unknown, and the desire for rare veins began to grow wildly in Lin Xia's heart like stubborn weeds.
He nodded heavily, an excited smile spreading across his face.
"Teacher is right. What we need is a key to open a new door! Then… we depart?"
"Depart!"
Lou Gao waved his hand heroically, as if all the previous anger and the mountain of wealth were nothing but passing clouds. His mind had already flown to the limitless possibilities hidden within the deep veins outside Gengxin City.
"Si Di, guard the house well! I'll take Xiaoxia and this little fellow out for some fresh air. Prepare the carriage to the Blackrock Valley mining site in the west of the city!"
The moment those words fell, the previously angry Lou Gao now looked carefree and full of spirit.
"Larvitar!"
Hearing "depart" and "mining site," Larvitar instantly perked up. His ruby-red eyes glittered with excitement. The tiny claws wrapped around Lin Xia's trousers, letting out eager, urging cries.
For the little creature, prospecting meant fresh delicacies—unknown stone feasts containing powerful energy. That was far more tempting than chewing stored stock inside the association.
After a quick tidy-up, Lin Xia and Lou Gao went straight toward Blackrock Valley.
The carriage rolled across the rugged dirt roads of the western suburbs of Gengxin City, raising clouds of dust along the way.
Inside the cabin, Lou Gao and Lin Xia had changed into durable leather armor suitable for movement, covered with dark cloaks.
Larvitar lay on Lin Xia's legs, scarlet eyes curiously observing the barren landscape rapidly retreating outside the window. His small nose twitched from time to time, as if trying to capture faint traces of ore scent in the air.
"That's the place ahead, Blackrock Valley."
Lou Gao pointed toward a deep rift in the distance that looked like a scar torn across the earth, voice tinged with expectation.
"A newly confirmed rich mining site. The geological structure below is extremely complex, yet the energy reaction is strong. Those veteran prospectors assured me there must be real goods down there—an uncontaminated original vein! Perfect for testing our luck, and also…"
He patted the bulging Soul device at his waist.
"—to try our new gadgets."
At the mention of new weapons, Lin Xia's eyes lit up sharply. He immediately stretched out his hand.
"Teacher, give me that shotgun first, and also a Level rifle. I'll use them for self-defense. The mine tunnels are complicated close combat is highly possible."
Lou Gao grinned widely.
"Ha! Just what I wanted!"
With practiced movements, Lou Gao began taking items out from the storage Soul device belt at his waist.
Heavy metal clashing sounds echoed inside the carriage compartment.
The first thing handed over was a rugged weapon with a short and thick barrel. The handle was wide, the body lines full of raw strength, the shotgun designed by Lin Xia.
Next came a streamlined and precise assault rifle. The long magazine revealed its capability for sustained lethality.
Finally, Lou Gao produced two weighty ammunition bags and boxes of gleaming yellow bullets, stuffing them directly into Lin Xia's hands.
"Take them! Shotgun shells and rifle rounds—fully prepared!"
Lou Gao himself then carefully drew out an AK assault rifle with a wooden stock and the iconic curved magazine. He affectionately stroked the cold metal body and smooth wooden guard with obvious delight.
"Heh, this one really has power!"
"Looks handsome too!"
Lin Xia did not know what to say about that.
As long as his teacher liked it.
Soon, Lin Xia's mouth twitched slightly.
Because they were going down the mine without knowing if poisonous gas might be present, Lou Gao took out two masks from the storage Soul device once again. After tossing one to Lin Xia, he put the other on himself immediately.
With the masks on and firearms in hand, Lin Xia suddenly felt an absurd sensation. They no longer looked like prospectors, but rather like two bandits preparing to rob someone!
Yet considering Lou Gao's vast experience, Lin Xia did not refuse and put on the mask as well.
The carriage wheels rolled across the last stretch of rugged mountain path before stopping at the valley entrance.
Lou Gao jumped down first, breathing deeply the fragrant forest air filled with the fresh scent of vegetation. He pointed toward the lush green valley ahead and spoke to Lin Xia, who followed him down.
"We've arrived! Xiaoxia, this is Blackrock Valley!"
Lin Xia looked around, eyes full of doubt.
The valley before him was vibrant with life—towering trees with dense branches, low bushes spreading everywhere, wildflowers decorating the thick layer of soft soil and fallen leaves. It looked exactly like a primeval forest. Where was there any sign of a mining site?
In Lin Xia's imagination, a mining point should have exposed rocks, scattered slag, and dusty metallic air.
"Teacher!"
Lin Xia could not help speaking out, voice carrying deep confusion.
"Are you sure this is truly the mining point? This place is thick with trees and greenery—it doesn't look like there could be ore here at all! Not only are there no tunnels or pits, I can't even see a trace of slag."
Lou Gao laughed proudly beneath his thick beard, as if he had long expected Lin Xia to ask this very question.
He did not answer immediately. Instead he bent down and casually picked up a fist-sized stone from beneath the seemingly ordinary leaf layer. Its surface was completely covered by moss and mud.
"Hehe, kid, relying only on what the eyes see won't work. The first lesson of ore prospecting is, never be fooled by appearances!"
Lou Gao weighed the stone in his hand, gaze sharp as an eagle.
"Watch carefully."
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