Mysterious Woman

At the edge of the crystal-clear Ore crystal, there was a simple platform where a woman was sitting cross-legged, concentrating and calming her Qi.

The woman was dressed in white, with an exquisite, ethereal, and captivating figure.

Her beauty was enough to captivate a nation.

More importantly, her identity was, surprisingly, also that of an Ore slave!

This was because she also wore a restricting copper ring on her arm.

The other slaves were either sallow-faced or dressed in rags.

But she was completely different from them.

Not only was her skin like congealed fat and her face like a jade crown, but her attire was also very refined.

If an uninformed person saw her, they might think a Fairy had descended.

Not only that, while others went to hand in their quota, she sat there, and many people came over to give her a portion of their Ore, respectfully bowing to her.

"Who is this?"

Zhong Qing wondered.

Within the Ore cave, there was such a special existence?

Just then, 8524, who belonged to the same ninety-seventh Ore cave as Zhong Qing, quickly approached.

"So you guys are here."

"Earlier, time was tight and the tasks were heavy, and there were some things I didn't make clear to you!"

"Quick, come with me, I'll introduce you to an adult!"

Zhong Qing had no reaction.

Being in the Ore vein, he had come to understand the situation of these people, and he didn't believe they could bring him any benefits.

On the other hand, Xiang Fei said with an expectant look, "Brother, what benefits?"

8524 pointed to the woman sitting cross-legged.

"Do you see her? That adult is a very special existence in our Ore cave!"

"She can alleviate the restrictive power of the copper rings on our hands."

"Although it doesn't completely break it, it can allow us to use a bit more profound Qi when mining."

"Thus, our mining efficiency can be higher."

"Of course, there's no free lunch in the world!"

"To ask her for help, we naturally have to show her respect!"

"One-tenth of the Ore we dig out goes entirely to her!"

Xiang Fei asked doubtfully, "If that's the case, wouldn't our task be even heavier!"

8524 explained, "Even if we hand over one-tenth, because the copper ring is partially unsealed, we will actually be more relaxed."

"In fact, the entire nearby Ore caves, because of her existence, our lives are much more comfortable than those in other Ore areas."

"Moreover, she doesn't appear often; when she doesn't appear, we don't need to hand over that extra one-tenth share."

"Many people want to find her to alleviate the restrictive power on the copper rings, but they don't have the means!"

Hearing 8524's explanation, Zhong Qing looked at the woman in surprise.

"She's so special, doesn't the Phoenix Feather Sect care?"

8524 motioned for Zhong Qing to speak quietly.

"This lady is not comparable to ordinary Ore slaves!"

"She has powerful methods!"

"Besides being able to alleviate the copper ring pressure, she also seems to have some means of influencing people's minds, so even if a supervisor notices her existence, they will just vaguely let it pass."

"Such methods are not something ordinary people can compare to."

Xiang Fei was startled: "No, if she's so strong, how can she be here as a slave?"

8524 looked at the woman with reverence, then lowered his voice to explain.

"That, we don't know the specifics."

"Some say she's here to recuperate from injuries, others say she's hiding from a powerful enemy."

"Of course, whatever the reason, we don't need to know; how could we investigate the affairs of such an existence?"

"You two quickly come with me to pay your respects; if you catch her eye and can get her to help, your days in the Ore cave will undoubtedly be much more comfortable from now on."

Hearing this, Xiang Fei's heart pounded.

8524 urged the two, "What are you still standing there for? Come with me to pay respects!"

"Brother Zhong, let's go!"

Xiang Fei also urged.

Zhong Qing didn't move.

"You go, I won't!"

8524 looked puzzled.

"Brother, a heaven-sent opportunity is right before your eyes; if you miss this village, you won't find this shop."

"This lady is like a Dragon, seen only by her head and not her tail; if you want to ask her for help next time, you won't have such a good opportunity as today!"

Zhong Qing shook his head, unmoved.

8524 wanted to persuade him further.

The woman not far away spoke.

She lightly parted her red lips and said expressionlessly, "Those who wish for me to alleviate the restrictive power of their copper rings, it is entirely voluntary; if your heart is unwilling, there is no need to force it!"

As she spoke, she said to the surrounding Ore slaves, "And the price for me to act is one-tenth of your daily output."

As her words fell, whispers rose from the scene.

Apparently, many newcomers had recently entered the Ore field, and the older ones were explaining the woman's power to them.

For a moment, some were tempted and stepped forward to ask the woman to help them alleviate the restrictive power of the copper rings on their hands.

Others remained unmoved.

And the woman, facing the Ore slaves who requested her help, simply waved one hand, and a divine light flashed into the copper rings, instantly greatly reducing the restrictive power on the copper rings.

Under 8524's urging, Xiang Fei also requested the woman's help to alleviate the restrictive power of the copper ring on his hand.

Many requested the woman's help.

But she acted very quickly.

She could resolve one in almost a single breath.

Soon, there was no one left beside her.

Finally, the woman's gaze fell on Zhong Qing.

Zhong Qing cupped his fists towards the woman.

"Apologies, I temporarily don't need to alleviate the restrictive power of the copper ring on my hand."

The woman heard this and said nothing more, as cold as a Fairy from the heavens.

But this coldness was not due to dissatisfaction with Zhong Qing, but rather her inherent temperament.

Without a word, she closed her eyes and began to meditate on the spot.

Zhong Qing only felt that this woman was quite mysterious.

After all, not everyone could ignore the restrictive power of the copper ring like him.

And for the woman to be able to help others alleviate the copper ring's restrictive pressure under these circumstances, this ability was something even ordinary Myriad Laws Realm powerhouses couldn't achieve.

While Zhong Qing was pondering, 8524 once again urged, "Brother, this is a heaven-sent opportunity; could it be that I would harm you?"

"Believe me, you definitely won't regret asking this adult for help."

At this moment, Xiang Fei also came to Zhong Qing.

"Brother Zhong, this adult is indeed very special; after her operation, I can now use a portion of my profound Qi, and I feel much more relaxed."

"How about you still ask her for help!"

Zhong Qing shook his head.

"I know what I'm doing, so you don't need to persuade me!"

"Today's task is still very heavy, everyone should disperse!"

Seeing his persistence, 8524 and Xiang Fei no longer tried to persuade him.

Only the former shook his head, looking at Zhong Qing with a bitter smile on his face, saying, "Alright, perhaps when you realize the difficulty of mining, you'll know what you missed today."

Zhong Qing merely smiled politely and did not respond.

...