Feng Jun had another request, which was regarding the energy stone mine.

The mine tunnel was discovered collectively, and they fought the first battle with the Insect Race there. Currently, he can mine it, but the ownership belongs to everyone.

He wanted Fishing Elder True Sage to inform others and see who has a need for profit-sharing.

The reason he asked Fishing Elder True Sage was firstly because Feng Jun’s own divine sense is still quite lacking and is inconvenient for contacting everyone. Secondly, he also considers it as reporting to Fishing Elder—I plan to start mining that energy stone mine.

Fishing Elder True Sage actually knows about that energy stone mine—after all, it was recorded by the Golden Core Master from Xuanhuang Sect, but this world does not lack energy stone mines. It’s already considerate to notify before starting the operation.

In fact, just like guarding against weapon smuggling, guarding against anyone cannot guard against Feng Jun, so why not be a bit more magnanimous?

Fishing Elder True Sage greeted the others, and as a result, everyone believed that if Mountain Master Feng wants to mine, then he should go ahead. Something unclaimed goes to the first one who gets it, and we have no interest demands.

This is a reward for Feng Jun’s assistance. Everyone is busy hunting the Insect Race, and mining energy stones is not very economical. Since Feng Jun has nothing to do, it’s better to find him something to work on.

However, some expressed that if Feng Jun extracts enough energy stones, they would like to purchase a batch—they may not necessarily use it themselves, but following Feng Jun’s suggestion, the large-scale use of energy stones has become inevitable.

Feng Jun agreed without hesitation, saying that there’s no need to purchase, just exchange with insect corpses.

The next moment, his body flashed, arriving in front of that hundred-kilometer-sized boulder. After carefully perceiving the surroundings and determining there were no other lifeforms, he raised his hand and transformed the sealed cave entrance back into sand.

Actually, as a Golden Core, if not fighting the Insect Race, his abilities are still very strong. In a few moves, he cleared the soil; the spiritual energy transformed into a large hand to excavate in the cave.

However, after a couple of digs, he felt something was off. It turns out when spiritual energy and energy stones meet, they actually... cancel each other out partially.

Feng Jun wasn’t particularly distressed about canceling out part of the energy stones, but he really was pained by the loss of spiritual energy.

He perceived the mineral vein of the energy stones, realized the vein was quite substantial, and after some thought, he simply went to Kunhao’s Lantern Town again.

In Lantern Town, he sensed White Pebble Beach and found nothing wrong, so he went to the manor, looked around, and quickly found Yue Qing with his divine sense, "Master Yue, you seem to owe me two tasks?"

"Eh, you came back?" Yue Qing was startled by his sudden appearance, flashed out of Qinggang Sect’s other courtyard, and knocked on the manor door.

The next moment, numerous divine senses descended, wanting to know what Master Yue was going to do.

Mei Yeyu welcomed him inside, and after a while, Yue Qing came out again, his face showing no emotion.

He had just returned to the courtyard when someone came to visit, one was Jinwu Sect’s Master Xiaomeng, the other was Tianxin Platform’s Ji Buseng.

They wanted to know what Mountain Master Feng had to discuss with Master Yue.

Yue Qing thought for a moment and responded, "Mountain Master Feng wants to take me to the Insect World..."

"Eh?" "Ah!" The two masters couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, "Is there such a good thing?"

It’s not necessarily a good thing, right? Yue Qing raised his eyebrows and replied, "It’s to help with mining, energy stone kind."

"Energy stone," Xiao Meng and Ji Buseng exchanged a glance, because of Feng Jun, the cultivators at White Pebble Beach are much more informed than ordinary cultivators, they even know this is energy unique to the Insect World, and cannot be long preserved in Tianqin.

Ji Buseng, known for his rebelliousness, couldn’t help but express, "Golden Core mining, isn’t it... isn’t it a bit of a waste?"

What he actually wanted to say was not "waste," but "inhumane," but ultimately dared not speak out. In present times, Mountain Master Feng is not someone he can openly judge anymore.

"That’s not the case," Yue Qing shook his head and replied solemnly, "Sending lower cultivators would be really too dangerous, Mountain Master Feng admits he doesn’t qualify for the front lines either, can only mine in places with no one around."

This situation must be clearly stated by Feng Jun, otherwise even if Yue Qing’s temperament is not bad, a knot in the heart would be inevitable.

Indeed, Yue Qing knows Feng Jun has to stand aside, only then did he let go of a trace of resentment—after all, he still owes Feng Jun two tasks, completing one this time is not bad.

Actually, he also knows well, given Feng Jun’s growth speed, it won’t be long before he doesn’t need his help anymore—that guy, when he speaks, Nascent Soul True Immortals would be eager to assist.

It’s only such somewhat humiliating tasks, he would think of him, right? With this thought, Yue Qing couldn’t help feeling somewhat discontented.

However, Xiao Meng did not see it that way, "You don’t want to go? Qu Jianlei will arrive tomorrow, why not let him go for you?"

Ji Buseng was startled to hear this, and gave her a glance, "What do you mean by this? Is mining something glorious?"

"Mining is not the main point," Master Xiaomeng looked at him, "Feeling the true essence of another world is a rare opportunity. Qu Jianlei originally lacked some accumulation, so it’s just right for him to supplement. Besides, mining might not necessarily mean avoiding the Insect Race, right? Is there any reward?"

The last sentence was directed at Yue Qing, who was momentarily taken aback before responding, "There is some, probably by trading insect corpses."

Master Xiaomeng glanced at Ji Buseng again, "Isn’t this a great opportunity that you feel is beneath you, and Master Yue doesn’t want to go?"

Yue Qing shook his head, realizing something himself, "I never said I didn’t want to go. It could also settle a matter with Mountain Master Feng, allowing me to gain insights and settle accounts. Why would I refuse?"

"Then I’ll go find Mountain Master Feng!" Ji Buseng stood up, and after listening to Xiaomeng’s analysis, he immediately changed his mind. Indeed, there are many madmen on Tianxin Platform, but that’s due to their own passions, not ignorance of benefits, "Why should I let you settle the account?"

The corner of Yue Qing’s mouth finally showed a hint of a smile, "Why do you think I’m telling you all this?"

Ji Buseng was momentarily stunned, then realized, "So Mountain Master Feng needs more than one Golden Core Master for mining?"

"Not entirely stupid," Yue Qing smiled faintly, "Who would use only one person to mine? It’s proper to have more Golden Core cultivators so that in case of encountering the Insect Race, they can negotiate somewhat."

Within half an hour of this statement, the news spread across White Pebble Beach. Some Golden Core Masters certainly valued their status, but more recognized the benefits.

Just for the chance to grasp the rules of another world, it was worth the labor. If they thought their Golden Core status was too noble for such work, they wouldn’t go far—thinking so highly of a mere Golden Core means they no longer aspire to a Nascent Soul, right?

By the next morning, more than thirty masters had signed up, including notable figures like Sumiao, Xiaomeng, and Yan Yuxi.

Feng Jun ultimately selected only twenty masters, mostly familiar faces. Venturing into another world, it’s more prudent to choose those he knew well.

However, for well-acquainted masters like Xiaomeng and Mei Yeyu, he did not bring them all along, as White Pebble Beach also required some defensive strength.

With his current capability, Feng Jun had no issues taking twenty masters at once. However, shortly after he left, seven or eight masters from a secretive family arrived, lamenting their tardiness.

Upon reaching the Big Stone, the twenty masters didn’t rush into action but first immersed themselves in understanding the rules of this world. Feng Jun wouldn’t hurry them; after all, masters shall remain dignified. Even if they came to mine, they shouldn’t be treated like ordinary miners.

About ten hours later, Yue Qing was the first to enter the mine. Seeing this, the others also stepped in. Before long, only Qu Jianlei, Guan Hongxiu, and Ji Buseng remained outside the mine.

Soon, seven more emerged from the mine—the space inside couldn’t accommodate too many masters working simultaneously, so they decided to alternate shifts.

Feng Jun wasn’t concerned, as all were Golden Core masters here, well aware of measures. Their cooperation was enough, so why should he overcomplicate matters?

Yet, seeing ten people alternating, he had an idea, "Help keep watch while I explore elsewhere for more energy stone mines."

After saying this, he left Qu Jianlei with an Essence Blood Protection Talisman, instructing him to crush it if anything happened. But Qu Jianlei, much like Yi Jue, firmly refused his talisman and instead gave one to him.

Feng Jun accepted it with ease, as his strength now surpassed Qu Jianlei, making it unlikely for him to need it. However, Guan Hongxiu, seeing this, also handed him a talisman.

She mentioned she would take turns guarding with Qu Jianlei, aiming to alert Feng Jun at the first sign of trouble.

When Feng Jun noticed Yan Yuxi hesitantly reaching for her storage bag, he quickly vanished with a smile, "Enough, enough, see you later!"

He couldn’t accept Yan Yuxi’s Essence Blood Protection Talisman; her hesitation was due to her representing the main bloodline of the Yan Family. Any tampering with her essence blood could even affect other family members.

As Feng Jun journeyed deeper into the Insect World, he passed through numerous places and saw many star systems, marking most into his path.

His mission now was to systematically screen planets for energy stone mines.

It was a very tedious task, and to avoid complications, Feng Jun chose planets uninhabited by the Human Race and Insect Race. Obviously, such planets... did not have the best natural environments.

Since the Stone Ring upgraded to Five Rings, the detection range suddenly increased significantly, with a radius of five hundred kilometers. But even so, scanning a planet the size of Earth would take Feng Jun half a day.

Fortunately, Feng Jun spotted energy stone mine traces after examining only three planets.

That planet was harshly divided in temperature, with one side reaching over five hundred degrees while the other side was minus fifty to sixty degrees. Due to this extreme temperature difference, constant storms swept across the planet, depositing toxic snowflakes.