475: Mining

However, just as Chen Xuan was about to ponder his next course of action, a sudden voice intruded upon his thoughts, abruptly interrupting them.

“You two, are you the newcomers who just Ascended here? Judging by your appearance, you seem to have some potential. Come with this Senior quickly!” As the voice faded, an old man in a gray robe, with an aged but vigorous face, appeared before them.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan’s heart filled with joy, and he quickly stepped forward: “May I ask, Senior, where exactly is this place? As a newcomer, this Junior is truly clueless, and hopes Senior can offer some guidance.”

“Where? Hmph, this place is a Mining Field!” The old man said, then turned and walked away without hesitation, not even looking back.

Upon hearing the words “Mining Field,” Chen Xuan was slightly stunned, but only for a moment before he recovered.

After all, Chen Xuan was a scholar. Although most of the books he read daily were not serious ones, he had seen plenty of plots in those books where people from the Cultivation World ended up in a Mining Field after Ascension.

So, when faced with such a situation, although he was surprised, he wasn't completely clueless like a headless fly.

“But… shouldn’t my Rou Wu also be here waiting for me? Why haven’t I seen her?”

Thinking of this, Chen Xuan quickly sensed his Inner World, and then discovered that Rou Wu was gone!

“How, how is this possible? Could it be that woman even knows about this? Did she use a Formation to teleport Rou Wu away too?”

“System, where are my Rou Wu and Bi Xiao?”

“Ding… Unable to find the person the Host mentioned!”

“What do you mean?”

“The person the Host mentioned is not within the search range!”

“You’re messing with me! You could sense my Bi Xiao when she was rushing here from the Primordial World, and now you’re telling me you can’t find her? Who are you trying to fool?!”

“Ding, the person the Host mentioned is not within the search range!”

“Playing riddles with me again, you dead System!”

From beginning to end, Chen Xuan never considered that he was the one who had left.

“Let’s go, young man. You only need to follow honestly to avoid trouble!” Seeing Chen Xuan in a daze, the old man urged.

“Alright, we’ll be right there!” Chen Teng quickly said.

With that, he and Chen Xuan followed.

“Senior, where are we going now?”

Since they were here, they might as well make the best of it. Since there was no immediate solution, it was better to familiarize themselves with the situation first.

“To assign you work.” The old man said calmly, his tone flat.

“Work? Are you going to make me mine?”

“Heh, you’re quite interesting, young man! Those other people who Ascended, they’re either arrogant and refuse to submit, or they’re timid and completely obey orders. But with you, there’s only pure curiosity. You’re a fascinating person!”

Chen Xuan scratched his head upon hearing this, grinning: “Hehe, I can’t help it, Senior! I’m in this place now, and besides being curious about the unknown, there’s nothing else I can do! Besides, do you think there’s any chance for me to leave here given my current situation?”

He finished, shrugging his shoulders helplessly.

“Hahahahaha…” The old man suddenly let out a hearty laugh, “Indeed, I can’t let you go, after all, you are my precious treasure!”

However, upon hearing this, Chen Xuan couldn’t help but frown, quietly moving behind the old man, preparing to set up a net.

“Ahem, young man, please don’t misunderstand my meaning! Back then, when I first arrived here, I was also full of vigor and ambition!

But who would have thought, in the blink of an eye, over six thousand years have passed! And you, you are the last person I’ve welcomed since I started working as a greeter here! Once I’ve properly settled you, I’ll be free again! Hahahahaha…”

The old man said, waving his hand repeatedly at Chen Xuan with a beaming smile.

After all, Chen Xuan’s appearance, with his sword-like brows, starry eyes, and extraordinary demeanor, would make anyone who saw him think that this child would surely achieve great things in the future. Coupled with the powerful Qi emanating from him, he was a rare prodigy!

And if he could successfully recommend such a talented person with excellent Aptitude to his superiors, the reward he would receive would surely be more than enough to buy his freedom!

It was precisely because he had such a plan in mind that he tried his best to restrain himself, absolutely not acting unless necessary.

After all, if he accidentally injured or crippled this “distinguished guest,” losing his value, it would be a huge loss! Not only would the bounty decrease, but perhaps even the hope of leaving this place would be completely shattered!

“What?! You’ve been trapped here for over six thousand years before getting a chance to buy your freedom? Then someone like me, who’s just arrived, won’t I have to endure who knows how many long years before I can see the light of day?!!!” Chen Xuan exclaimed in shock.

“My young friend, don’t be anxious. The intricacies and rules here are numerous and complex! Come, come, let’s walk, and I’ll slowly explain it to you.”

Seeing Chen Xuan’s anxious expression, the old man quickly spoke to comfort him, extending his hand in a gesture of invitation. Chen Xuan nodded slightly in agreement, then followed the old man forward.

Under the old man’s continuous explanation, Chen Xuan finally gained a general understanding of the rules of the Mining Field.

It turned out that this so-called Immortal Realm, despite being disparaged as worthless and low-grade by Bi Xiao, was nonetheless actually a world of medium level!

And beneath it were countless “Cultivation Worlds” closely connected. The place Chen Xuan was in was merely a drop in the ocean among these many Cultivation Worlds.

The reason this Mining Field was so special was precisely because many powerful and Divine Ability-wielding great beings of the Immortal Realm had worked together to successfully establish a close connection between it and a full quarter of the Cultivation Worlds below.

It was because of this that Chen Xuan and others, after Ascension, were directly transported here, as if drawn by some mysterious force.

So, the question arises, why did these important figures in the Immortal Realm go to such great lengths to do this?

The reason was actually very simple—those “natives” from the Lower Realm were simply too troublesome!

One must know, those who could endure countless hardships in the Lower Realm and finally Ascend here, apart from a very few rare exceptions, which one wasn’t exceptionally talented, a peerless genius?

And which one wasn't a cunning master, skilled in schemes? It could even be said without exaggeration that any one of them, when faced with danger, would merely furrow their brows slightly, then quickly retreat behind the crowd, and then subtly set up a net, waiting for the enemy to fall into the trap!