Chapter 566: Chapter 250: Rebirth Through Ruin, The Strength of the Sacred Estate, Celestial Cyan Mine (Part 2)

One of the five esteemed academies, the Demon-hunting Academy.

Ning Zhiqiu stood in the night, her red attire strikingly vivid, her whole being resembling a statue.

Yet, her cold face bore traces of agitation, contrary to her attire and demeanor.

Closing her eyes, her mind was constantly haunted by that vision of the blood sun, an unstoppable specter in her thoughts.

The events of that day were bittersweet; she succeeded, the true meaning of Martial Dao resurged from its decay, but ultimately, problems arose, and Xu Guang’s Divine Soul left a profound shadow on her heart.

It was like a nightmarish inner demon.

...

In the quiet night, many remained awake.

Zhuge Wuliang stood atop a high building in Beiji City, quietly gazing at the night.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind,

and promptly, a shadow emerged.

"Is it you?"

Zhuge Wuliang showed a sudden realization, somewhat surprised by the young man before him.

He hadn’t expected the sender of the mysterious letter to be someone from the Northern Emperor Academy.

Zhuge Wuliang nodded, "Are you connected to the Purple Dipper?"

The mysterious shadow shook his head, "Only acting on someone’s behalf."

Zhuge Wuliang was not surprised; after a moment’s silence, he spoke softly, "What do you want me to do?"

...

The morning sunlight bathed Beiji City in golden rays, making it look like a majestic golden fortress.

Power dynamics in Beiji City are intricate, housing the most complex situations in Jizhou and even the Thirty-Three Eastern States, and home to the greatest number of masters.

The South Mountain Green Cloud Mine is under Jin Buhuan’s ownership.

Established in a small town outside Beiji City, Jin Buhuan spent lavishly to place his own people as the mayor of Green Cloud Town.

Xu Guang surveyed the bustling massive mine from afar, his expression peculiar.

This is a mine producing Fengqing Stone, a fairly common mineral, but commonality does not detract from its value.

Three thousand pounds of Fengqing Stone can be refined into Fengqing Soul Liquid, a commonly used mineral among Third Grade ’mining’ martial artists, significantly enhancing miners’ collection efficiency in the Void Realm.

Fengqing Stone’s preciousness is evident; Void Crystal is Dao Le, Fengqing Stone mine is like changing the color of ink.

Bai Xiaozhu followed behind Xu Guang, excited like a husky, "Boss, is this our place from now on?"

Xu Guang glanced at her, "Where’d you learn such slang? Our place?"

"Don’t mind the details." Bai Xiaozhu grinned cheekily.

At this moment, Cai returned from afar.

"Did you see anything?"

Upon arrival, Jin Buhuan briefed Xu Guang on the mine’s situation, stating the recent decline in production and asking Xu Guang to investigate if he had the time.

Bai Xiaozhu shook her head slightly, "We just arrived, Cai said she didn’t notice anything unusual."

Xu Guang nodded, pondering the peculiarities—is someone exploiting the mine, or is there something devouring Fengqing Stone?

The geology of Celestial Cyan Town is complex; among the sprawling mountains, numerous Fengqing veins exist, and Jin Buhuan has purchased only one.

Comparable to Celestial Cyan Town’s scale, there are thirteen veins in total.

The various mining districts frequently engage in dirty dealings.

These can only be understood after meeting the mine’s people.

A moment later.

Outside Celestial Cyan Town’s government office.

An elderly man in a black and red tunic stood before Xu Guang, his demeanor humble, his smile honest, like an old farmer.

"I’m Lei Dong, paying respects to Young Master Xu. The matter has been communicated by the young master, the future mining affairs will be under your command.

Young Master Xu indeed stands out, the young master said you are the number one of the Northern Emperor Academy, your presence in the imperial assessment is unforgettable."

Lei Dong, one of Jin Buhuan’s people, is not from Jizhou but found by Jin Buhuan’s uncle in Yunzhou, said to be capable and loyal.

Xu Guang wasn’t swayed by Lei Dong’s flattery and spoke matter-of-factly.

"Show me the accounts of the past few months; Senior Brother Jin asked me to handle affairs, and some matters must be resolved."

Having said this, Xu Guang released his Divine Thought, carefully observing everyone’s expressions.

Lei Dong showed slight change but maintained composure overall; a middle-aged man behind him, however, had fluctuating emotions, like putting on a color-changing show.

Xu Guang seemed oblivious and proceeded into the town’s government office.

Lei Dong cautiously followed, signaling subtly to someone beside him.

"Mayor Lei, kindly brief me on the mine."

"Celestial Cyan Town has a population of twenty-three thousand, among them fourteen thousand martial artists, more than seventy percent work in the mine, mining workers are from the overseas barbarian islands, totaling 134,600.

Currently, the mine has nine tunnels, which monthly produce two billion pounds of Fengqing Stone, yielding a virtual profit of forty thousand crystals. In these months, many barbarians died in the tunnels, slightly decreasing production, monthly yields are about 1.6 billion pounds..."

Production dropped by twenty percent?

Xu Guang frowned, selling Fengqing Stone raw isn’t overly expensive, one virtual crystal can purchase about fifty thousand pounds of it.

Such a drop in production isn’t a simple matter for any mine.

"So, what you mean is, many mining barbarians died, hence the production drop? How did they die?"

Lei Dong’s expression changed, he gritted his teeth, spoke quietly, "I do not know, many martial artists investigating also went missing."

Xu Guang abruptly turned, expression cold.

"Missing or dead!?"

Fully unleashing Martial Master’s Might, his presence astonishing, an aura formed from years of battle and experience.

Though Lei Dong is skilled, a Third Grade martial artist, in front of Xu Guang’s aura, he felt an urge to kneel.

"Please calm down, young master! Most are missing, but some bodies were found."

Xu Guang withdrew his aura, ignoring Lei Dong.

A moment later, Lei Dong showed him the mine’s ledger for the past months.

Everything appeared consistent with what Lei Dong mentioned.

Xu Guang said little, only asking General Wei for protection, closing his eyes and entering the virtual realm.

In the Third Level sea.

Xu Guang found Bai Xiaozhu.

Before entering the town, he parted ways with Bai Xiaozhu.

Though his power should make him invincible in Celestial Cyan Town, and being the top disciple of the Northern Emperor Academy, no one dared make a move.

But mines are historically home to ruthless bandits.

Not wanting to suffer any setbacks, he had Bai Xiaozhu disguise herself, secretly investigating within the town.

"Any leads discovered?"

Bai Xiaozhu’s muddled face emitted a voice, weighted with seriousness, "Some leads; Cai smelled treasure at a mine entrance, with traces of blood.

A legend of a blood-sucking demon circulates in the mining area; I haven’t verified specifics, but rumors outside suggest overseas barbarians’ disappearances and deaths are linked to this demon."

Xu Guang nodded, "Got it, I’ll investigate from above; keep investigating. If you find clues, have Cai inform me."

After exchanging some words, they quickly exited the virtual realm.

Returning to reality, Xu Guang did not leave; after scanning the surroundings, he took out the Tai Chi Dragon Egg and Beast Taming Secret Technique that Ning Zhiqiu had given him, starting his study.

If suspicions are justified, it depends on whether anyone comes knocking.

...

In the town hall.

Lei Dong sat in the room; before him, a middle-aged man was restless, pacing continuously.

"Enough, stop moving around, you’re making me dizzy."

"Uncle, aren’t you worried at all? Jin Buhuan sent someone like him here; should we continue our dealings with the east?"

Lei Hai spoke in distress, hesitating for a moment; suddenly, a thought struck him, his eyes lit up.

"Uncle, should we find someone to handle Xu Guang?"

Lei Dong’s expression remained unchanged, but the next moment, he stood abruptly, slapping Lei Hai’s head.

"Don’t drag me to your death, do you know what stature Xu Guang holds? The top rank in the Northern Emperor Academy’s internal assessment, do you think he’s just any Second Grade? Think with your pig brain, who could you find to handle him."

Lei Hai was left dumbfounded, red-faced, eyes filled with fear.

Uncle was clearly enraged, it had been years since he laid hands on him.

"Then Uncle, what should we do? We’ve finally secured this connection, don’t you want to stop being a servant to the Jin family forever?"

"How to proceed isn’t something you instruct me on; behave for the time being!"

Lei Hai quickly nodded,

"Rest assured, Uncle, you know me; I was merely speaking offhand."