Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly poured down his face.

It’s over, it’s over. The matter with those two dead Cultivators must have been discovered. A knock at the door in the middle of the night definitely means trouble.

In a frantic rush, he hid the storage ring in the secret compartment of his shoe sole before sluggishly heading to open the door.

"Old Man Wang, it’s so late. Is something wrong?" Fang Hao forced himself to stay calm and squeezed out a smile.

Standing outside was Old Man Wang, the guard of the abandoned mine shafts. He held a lantern and had no particular expression on his face.

"Pack your things. We’re heading back to the Main Mining Area tomorrow morning," Old Man Wang said concisely.

Fang Hao was stunned. "Back to the Main Mining Area? Why?"

"Supervisor Liu has been transferred. The new overseer wants to reorganize the mining area, so all the utility workers have to go back." Old Man Wang yawned. "Get some sleep. You’re coming with me tomorrow morning."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Fang Hao standing at the door in a daze.

That was it? They weren’t here to arrest him? Fang Hao let out a long sigh of relief and wiped away his cold sweat. It was just a false alarm.

But going back to the Main Mining Area... the news left him feeling uneasy. On one hand, he could finally leave this godforsaken place, but on the other, he was reluctant to leave the Spirit Spring Cave. More importantly, would there be risks in going back?

Early the next morning, Fang Hao followed Old Man Wang toward the Main Mining Area. Along the way, he was calculating how to take the items from the Spirit Spring Cave with him.

Upon arriving at the Main Mining Area, Fang Hao noticed the atmosphere had indeed changed. The ferocious Supervisor Liu was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar middle-aged Cultivator who looked serious but didn’t seem like the type to whip people on a whim.

The new overseer, surnamed Chen, gathered all the Servant Disciples for a briefing.

"From today onward, the rules of the mining area will change," Overseer Chen announced in a booming voice. "You will work for twelve hours a day. Any extra time is yours to use for your own Cultivate. Those who perform well each month will even receive Cultivate resources."

The Servant Disciples below looked at each other, unable to believe their ears. Had the sun risen from the west?

Fang Hao was also secretly surprised. What was this new overseer’s background? Why was he so generous?

He later found out through inquiries that the Sect’s higher-ups had issued an order to strengthen the training of Outer Sect and Servant Disciples, rather than letting Inner Sect Disciples hog all the resources. Overseer Chen had been sent by the leadership to implement this policy.

Fang Hao was reassigned to work in the mine shafts, but this time he wasn’t doing hard labor; he was a recorder responsible for logging the daily Spirit Stone production. This job was much easier, leaving him time to slack off and Cultivate.

Back at the Work shed that evening, the Disciples in his room were all discussing the new overseer’s policies, their faces beaming with joy. Only that brat Tiger Zhao had a long face, as if seeing everyone happy made him miserable.

Fang Hao didn’t join the discussion; his mind was on the items in the Spirit Spring Cave. He had to find a way to go back and retrieve those treasures.

A few days later, Fang Hao finally found an opportunity. Using the excuse of retrieving left-behind items from the abandoned mining area, he requested half a day off.

He snuck back to the abandoned mine shafts and crawled into the secret cave. The Spirit Spring was still bubbling with Spiritual Qi. Fang Hao took a deep breath, feeling his whole body relax.

He collected the Medicinal Pills and Talismans hidden in various spots into his storage ring, finally resting his gaze on the Jade Slip containing the Treasure Trove map.

The location indicated by the Treasure Trove map seemed to be deep within the abandoned mine shafts. Since he was already here, why not go explore?

Gritting his teeth, Fang Hao followed the map’s guidance deeper into the mine. It became increasingly remote until he reached a collapsed tunnel.

According to the map, the Treasure Trove was behind this collapsed tunnel. After observing for a long time, Fang Hao found an inconspicuous crack on the side that he could just barely squeeze through.

After exerting a tremendous amount of effort to squeeze through the crack, the view suddenly opened up before him.

It was a naturally formed grotto with a stone platform in the center, upon which sat a jade box.

Fang Hao’s heart raced as he cautiously stepped forward. The jade box wasn’t locked. He opened it gently to find a yellowed ancient book and several Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

On the cover of the ancient book were the words introduction to formations. Fang Hao flipped it open to find it filled with methods and principles for setting up various Formations.

This was truly a good item! Formations were a scarce skill in the cultivation world; anyone who knew them would be highly sought after wherever they went.

Fang Hao quickly put the items into his storage ring and searched the grotto thoroughly once more. After confirming there was nothing else, he returned the way he came.

Back at the Main Mining Area, Fang Hao began to secretly study the introduction to formations. While working as a recorder during the day, he would secretly practice drawing Formation symbols on paper; at night, he would engage in practical exercises.

The first thing he learned was the simplest Minor Spirit Gathering Formation. This Formation could gather Spiritual Qi in a small area, accelerating the speed of Cultivation.

Using several Low-Grade Spirit Stones as the Formation core, Fang Hao set one up around his bed. Sure enough, once the Formation was complete, the surrounding Spiritual Qi slowly gathered. Although it couldn’t compare to the Spirit Spring, it was much faster than normal Cultivation.

The Disciples in the same room felt the change in Spiritual Qi, but no one suspected Fang Hao. They assumed it was the new overseer’s policies taking effect.

With the help of the Minor Spirit Gathering Formation and the Medicinal Pills, Fang Hao’s Cultivation speed increased even more. A month later, he successfully reached a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

This speed was practically like riding a rocket among Servant Disciples. However, Fang Hao didn’t dare to make a scene. He usually used Spells to hide his true cultivation level, only showing the appearance of the Qi Refining Second Layer.

One day, something happened in the mining area. A major mine shaft suddenly collapsed, blocking the way to the area with the richest Spiritual Vein. Overseer Chen was pacing anxiously; if this affected production, he wouldn’t be able to explain it to his superiors.

"Does anyone here know about Formations or civil engineering?" Overseer Chen asked after gathering everyone.

The Disciples looked at each other in silence. How could Servant Disciples know such high-end skills?

Fang Hao’s heart stirred. He had just learned a simple Earth Stabilization Formation from the introduction to formations. Perhaps it could be of use.

But should he step forward? Stepping forward might attract attention, but if he didn’t.

In the end, Fang Hao raised his hand. "Overseer Chen, I know a little about earth stabilization methods."

Everyone looked at Fang Hao with eyes full of doubt. Xu Bao sneered openly, "You? Don’t make things worse."

Overseer Chen didn’t dismiss him immediately. "Tell me, what’s your plan?"

Fang Hao explained the principles of the Earth Stabilization Formation as he understood them. Although some parts weren’t very professional, the general idea was correct.

Overseer Chen’s eyes lit up. "Good. I’ll let you try. What Materials do you need?"

Fang Hao listed several common Materials, and Overseer Chen immediately sent someone to fetch them.

Under the skeptical gazes of the crowd, Fang Hao began setting up the Formation. Following the methods in the introduction to formations, he used Spirit Stones as the foundation and the Spiritual Vein as the conduit to set up an Earth Stabilization Formation.

As the final stroke of the Formation was completed, the entire mine shaft suddenly glowed with a faint yellow light. The previously loose earth and stones actually stabilized.

"It worked." a Disciple exclaimed.

Overseer Chen was overjoyed and patted Fang Hao on the shoulder. "Good lad. You were hiding your light under a bushel. From today on, you don’t have to be a recorder. You’ll be the mining area’s Formation Assistant, specifically responsible for maintaining the safety of the mine shafts."

Just like that, Fang Hao turned a misfortune into a blessing. Not only did he get a plum job, but he also made a name for himself with the overseer.

Returning to the Work shed that evening, Fang Hao noticed that the way everyone looked at him had changed, gaining a hint of awe. Only that fellow Xu Bao had eyes full of envy and resentment.

Fang Hao didn’t care; his mind was now filled with knowledge of Formations. The more he studied the introduction to formations, the more profound it seemed. Many of the Formations recorded within were incredibly exquisite.

A few days later, while Fang Hao was studying a new Formation, he suddenly heard a commotion outside. He went out to see a group of Outer Sect Disciples surrounding a young man in fine silk robes.

The young man had a dignified bearing, and his cultivation was unfathomable, appearing to be at least at the Qi Refining seventh or eighth layer. Fang Hao took a closer look, and his heart sank—

This was none other than Ye Qing, who had joined the Sect with him and been taken in as a Personal Disciple by an Elder.

Ye Qing clearly saw Fang Hao too. His gaze lingered on him for a moment, seemingly recognizing this Wasted Spiritual Root who had joined the Sect at the same time. A faint, barely perceptible trace of contempt appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Fang Hao clenched his fists, then slowly released them.

Times had changed. Of the two who had joined the Sect together, one was now a favored child of heaven, while the other was still a low-level utility worker.

But there was no envy in Fang Hao’s heart, only a more steadfast determination.

He had the Myriad Manifestations Heaven Swallowing Art, knowledge of Formations, and the resources in his storage ring.

One day, he would make everyone see him in a new light.

Coming from a utility background didn’t mean one couldn’t reach the Peak of the immortal path.

Fang Hao turned and went back to the Work shed to continue studying his Formations. The commotion outside had nothing to do with him; he would walk his own path.