68: Chapter 68 Failure

Ye Mo had about forty people on his side, while Duan Qiao had only about twenty; this should have been a battle without any suspense.

However, unexpectedly, Duan Qiao's subordinates were exceptionally fierce, while the people on Ye Mo's side were not giving it their all; most of them were just coasting.

They thought to themselves, "Anyway, once Duan Qiao is dealt with, the battle will end."

Furthermore, these people had just recently started following Boss Xiao, so naturally, they wouldn't risk their lives for him.

This resulted in Boss Xiao consistently failing to break through Duan Qiao's defenses.

Consequently, Ye Mo did not find an opportunity to make a move.

Moreover, during the battle, it was very difficult for Ye Mo to aim.

The battlefield immediately fell into a stalemate.

Ye Mo knew that continuing like this was definitely not working, so he hardened his heart and shouted loudly to Boss Xiao, "Boss Xiao, since these people want to court death, then let's kill them all!"

It was impossible to kill Duan Qiao for now, but his subordinates could still be picked off one by one.

Boss Xiao also realized the problem, so he decisively gave up on Duan Qiao and led Bi He and the others to attack the miners on the periphery.

Because Boss Xiao was leading the charge himself, a miner at the Qi Refining Mid-Stage was quickly killed.

Seeing this situation, Duan Qiao did not dare to strike easily because he had been worried all along that someone was attacking from the shadows.

His Divine Sense was almost constantly extended, observing all of Boss Xiao's subordinates.

Ye Mo also felt a Divine Sense sweeping over him from time to time.

This made Ye Mo afraid to act rashly; once it was discovered that he was the one attacking from the shadows, these people would likely eliminate him first.

"It failed."

Although Boss Xiao had killed some miners, their own side had also suffered casualties.

Continuing like this would do more harm than good.

Moreover, this was Duan Qiao's territory, and there were many miners at the Early Stage of Qi Refining. Although they generally wouldn't participate in the battle, if their own side suffered too many casualties, and Duan Qiao made them some promises, it was inevitable that they might join in.

Decisive when necessary, Ye Mo immediately suggested to Boss Xiao to give the order to retreat.

Boss Xiao saw that his people didn't want to continue fighting at all, so he had no choice but to issue the order to retreat.

Soon, everyone returned to their own mining area.

Boss Xiao's expression was very grim; perhaps because yesterday had gone too smoothly, he hadn't expected to be in such a sorry state today.

In fact, from yesterday when everyone discussed whether to attack Duan Qiao, Boss Xiao could already see some signs that his subordinates had no intention of giving it their all.

Boss Xiao didn't say much to them; saying too much would only incite rebellion.

Inside the Formation.

"Ye Mo, what should we do next?" Boss Xiao asked in a deep voice.

"Right now, everyone is not united, so we can only wait a bit longer. What we need to do now is to constantly monitor the movements of other factions, as well as those small factions in the south—what their situation is and whether they have formed any alliances."

Failure is a common occurrence in military affairs, so Ye Mo was not bothered by it.

Zhou Ruolin should give birth in no more than four days at the latest.

By then, reaching the Qi Refining Completion, Ye Mo would have fewer concerns.

"It seems we can only do this for now." Boss Xiao nodded.

Since he couldn't snatch any Spirit Stones now, Ye Mo didn't remain idle; he picked up the spirit hoe and started mining. Although Boss Xiao would help him submit the Spirit Stones, every bit he could mine was still something.

In the evening, it was time to submit the Spirit Stones again.

This time, Ye Mo didn't dare to stare at Deacon Liu Yan, and after submitting the Spirit Stones, he left in a hurry.

What Ye Mo didn't know was that as soon as he turned around, Deacon Liu Yan slightly opened her eyes, glanced at Ye Mo, and then immediately withdrew her gaze.

Not long after, Scarface Liu arrived again.

He consulted with Deacon Liu Yan and checked the ledger for the Spirit Stone statistics, yet Zhang Wentao still hadn't come to submit his Spirit Stones.

Scarface Liu walked away with a gloomy expression.

Near the mine entrance.

"Boss, don't be anxious. It's still early; Zhang Wentao will appear sooner or later."

Today is the last day.

Now Zhang Wentao only has two options: either send someone to submit the Spirit Stones or come in person.

There is no third option; otherwise, Deacon Liu Yan will go to the mining area to find Zhang Wentao herself.

"What I'm worried about now is that Zhang Wentao, in order to survive, will give the Medicinal Pill directly to Deacon Liu," Scarface Liu said, frowning.

"Rest assured, Deacon Liu has no use for a violent spirit pill. If he were going to give it away, Zhang Wentao would have done so long ago."

Boss Hong comforted him.

"I hope so..."

Time quickly reached the early hours of the morning, but Zhang Wentao still hadn't appeared.

Scarface Liu had a bad premonition.

Logically speaking, no one would dare not to submit Spirit Stones unless they truly had none on them.

But even then, they would need to report it to the Mining Site deacon in advance.

Intentionally failing to submit Spirit Stones is a capital offense once caught.

"Boss Hong, Zeng Shi, you two stay here tonight. When Deacon Liu arrives tomorrow, go with her to find Zhang Wentao."

With Zhang Wentao not appearing for so long, what Scarface Liu worried about most was that Zhang Wentao was already dead.

If that were truly the case, then his Medicinal Pill would likely never be found again.

"Yes." Boss Hong and the others nodded immediately.

October 1st.

Ye Mo went to mine as usual.

Deacon Liu Yan arrived at the mine entrance and began asking who had not submitted their Spirit Stones.

There were quite a few people.

Because people died in the Mining Site every day.

Subsequently, Deacon Liu Yan entered the Mining Site to conduct a check one by one.

Deacon Liu Yan's Divine Sense could extend over ten miles. Of course, to prevent anyone from using an invisibility talisman, she did not extend her Divine Sense fully.

Instead, she investigated mile by mile.

At this time, Boss Hong and Zeng Shi, leading a number of miners, followed closely behind Deacon Liu Yan.

Deacon Liu Yan ignored them. An hour later, the entire Mining Site had been searched.

Deacon Liu Yan only found one person who hadn't submitted Spirit Stones, and it was someone at the Early Stage. Deacon Liu Yan killed him on the spot.

Subsequently, she found this miner's boss.

Coincidentally, this boss was none other than Boss Xiao.

"You bosses also need to keep an eye on your subordinates to see if they have gone to submit their Spirit Stones; don't always wait for me to come looking."

Deacon Liu Yan's face showed little expression, and her voice was ice-cold.

"Yes, yes, I will definitely pay attention next time." Boss Xiao nodded immediately.

"Hmm."

Deacon Liu Yan gave a light hum, then turned to leave. However, after walking just two steps, she suddenly turned around and looked at Ye Mo, "What is your name?"

"Me? Me? My name is Ye Mo." Ye Mo was stunned and pointed at himself.

"What is going on?"

"Huh, could it be because of the Charm stat?"

"That shouldn't be; it only increased by a dozen points, surely Charm shouldn't be that strong?"

"Ye Mo..." Deacon Liu Yan murmured, then left without looking back.

Scarface Liu's base camp.

Because even Deacon Liu Yan hadn't found Zhang Wentao.

Then there was only one possibility: Zhang Wentao was dead.

"Who is it? Who the hell killed Zhang Wentao?" Scarface Liu roared, his Killing Intent undisguised on his face, and a violent aura filled the mining area.

His subordinates lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

Even Boss Hong was the same.

"Boss Hong, I don't care what method you use, find out who killed Zhang Wentao; I want to tear him apart!"

"Boss, it's actually not difficult to find this person. Consuming a violent spirit pill causes cultivation to surge. We just need to find someone whose cultivation has suddenly increased during this period."

Boss Hong said immediately.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go!"