Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Dust-Sealed Ancient Mine
"How many soldiers are here?"
"What is the strength of the Lord?"
The man nodded, eagerly asking one question after another.
His gaze was fixed on Zong Shen’s territory from a distance, seeing it not just as a territory, but as a treasure, a pearl!
And he was to become the new owner of this treasure and pearl.
"There are no less than twenty Professional Warriors in this territory."
"The Lord’s strength is also strong, able to easily and without injuries, take down the Grassland Ox."
The masked woman called Caitlyn said truthfully.
At this, the man furrowed his brow.
"A bit tricky..."
"However, he will eventually have a time when he’s alone."
"Caitlyn, I order you to closely monitor this territory, tonight I will take Viper, Mijello, and Soliz to deal with another Lord."
"After we’re done, we’ll come to meet you."
"Tomorrow at noon is when the novice protection period ends, that will be our time to act."
"Eliminate him, and this will be our new territory, our new home..."
The man said sinisterly, not concealing his intentions in his words.
"Yes, my Lord, I will surely monitor the territory well."
The man in black armor gave Caitlyn a long look, and reached out somewhat lasciviously, slowly brushing over the rises and falls of her body.
Then with a light laugh, he turned his horse and left.
Heading toward the west side of the grassland.
At the spot, Caitlyn maintained a stoic expression and silently disappeared into stealth.
...
On the other side, after traversing for more than forty minutes, Zong Shen and his group crossed the Burial Ground and continued moving northeast.
The group passed through a section of city wall ruins.
This was where a section of the wall of the Elf Giant City of Aisala once stood.
Just looking at these broken ruins, one could imagine how grand, majestic, and thick Aisala’s city walls were back then.
The width of the city wall ruins alone was over thirty meters, enough to station giant Defense Equipment, and allow 8 to 9 standard carriages to pass side by side.
They passed through this area of city wall ruins.
The group continued onward until they arrived at a cliff face.
There was no road into the mountain here.
The small mountain ahead was as steep as a vertical wall.
There were similarly some ruins.
Below the cliff, there was a very obvious mine shaft, gradually extending downwards.
The mine entrance was supported by thick Magic Pattern Steel Beams.
These steel beams were covered with strange runes, which ensured they hadn’t decayed even after long years.
The entire entrance was large, with a height and width of over ten meters in a square entrance.
One could see mining tracks extending from the inside, all of which were decayed and damaged.
Due to the cliff blocking and the mine facing north, the entire entrance was dark as pitch.
Outside, one could also see some remnants of mine carts and ancient mining site relics.
Various vegetation grew on the ruins, providing an oddly beautiful sense of rebirth after a catastrophe.
The group halted outside the ruins.
Korby approached Zong Shen, seeking guidance.
"Sir, it’s here."
Zong Shen nodded, slightly tilting his head, examining the not-far mine entrance.
[Sealed Ancient Mine]
[This was once one of the most productive mines in Aisala, and complex underground tunnels have already formed beneath Aisala]
(This mine is rich in iron, copper, secret silver, refined gold, and other mineral materials, with rumors that below was once a secret base of the Elf Resistance Army)
(However, over the long years, the mine has been occupied by some terrible monsters and slumbering Undead)
"It seems promising, this mine still appears to have exploitable value, but it requires the entire mine to be fully cleared first."
"If the mine can be occupied, it would provide a ready-made mining point."
Zong Shen contemplated silently.
From their position on the open ground to the mine were all uneven ruins.
Vines and thorns grew through the gaps in the ruins.
The horses weren’t suited for traversing such uneven ruins, their hooves easily getting caught in the cracks, unlike the Giant Wolves which were more agile.
Zong Shen dismounted first, and the others followed, tying their horses on the grassland beside the ruins.
With seven Wolf Cavalry leading, the group set off over the ruins, gradually approaching the mine entrance.
"My Lord, please be careful, we’re nearing the territory of the Blood-toothed Wild Boar."
"Last time I explored here, it was near the mine entrance where I was attacked by the Blood-toothed Wild Boar."
About a hundred meters from the mine entrance, Korby halted, cautiously turning to warn.
Due to the terrain here, sunlight couldn’t shine directly in, making it seem dim, like the oppressive darkness before a storm.
Zong Shen nodded, indicating he understood, and gestured for Favide.
"Favide, shoot a Small Fireball into the mine to check the path, everyone prepare themselves."
Receiving the instruction, Favide nodded compliantly, raised his Magic Staff, and began chanting magic.
Aisha quietly stood behind Zong Shen, and Madeleine found a piece of broken wall on the ruins, using it as cover.
"Shoo!"
The magic chanting soon completed.
A fireball, with an orange-red trail, shot into the mine.
The light of the fireball illuminated the pitch-black mine entrance, then collided with the stone wall inside, sparks flying, debris scattering.
The sound of the fireball’s impact echoed inside the mine and then faintly resounded out.
During this brief pause, the group noticed that the mine interior was piled with countless pale white bones.
Evidently, the entrance of this mine had been completely occupied by some monster.
As a mine near the ancient Elf City of Aisala, after centuries of extraction, the lower mine shafts must have formed a considerable underground network beneath the ruins.
Having more than one entrance.
At this moment, two breaths like steam whistles were heard from inside the mine.
The next instant, a gigantic shadow slowly moved out, causing a change in light and shadow in the pitch-black mine,
The shadow stepped out from the mine, revealing its full form to the group.
This was a Giant Wild Boar over five meters in length, possessing a pair of blood-red tusks that were sharp, curved, and a meter long.
Its entire body bristled with red fur, resembling the ground covered with magma.
It glared with eyes like bronze bells,
Appearing quite nimble as it scrutinized these unexpected guests before it.
With each breath, its two nostrils expelled a heavy, turbid air.
Nevertheless, this giant creature did not rashly attack.
Facing the tactic of swarming numbers, it surprisingly displayed a cautious demeanor.
This showed that its wisdom surpassed its ferocity.
"Goodness, this boar is quite clever!"