Around the spirit mine of the Qingfeng Sect, the master and disciple duo quietly lay in wait.
Li Yingling cautiously raised his head, observing the situation below while keeping a worried gaze fixed on his second junior brother. He asked, "Master, isn't this too risky for Second Junior Brother?"
"Theoretically, you're in greater danger than him."
Hearing this, Li Yingling looked at his master with a hint of confusion.
Chu Xingchen had his reasons for saying this. Li Xingtian, who was currently disguised as a miner, still carried a protective talisman capable of withstanding attacks from a Golden Core cultivator, along with two teleportation talismans. If anything went wrong, Li Xingtian would undoubtedly be the fastest to escape. Therefore, in terms of sheer danger, Li Yingling, who was by his side, was actually in greater peril.
At that moment, Li Xingtian had successfully infiltrated the mine disguised as a miner.
As Li Xingtian had predicted, the core disciples of the Qingfeng Sect wouldn't bother meticulously checking whether the number of insignificant miners had increased or decreased. Having actually worked in the mines for several years in the past, Li Xingtian navigated the area with ease, blending in seamlessly.
He pushed a cart, his eyes scanning everyone he passed by.
He was searching for Ning Qianqian's father.
Back in the ruined temple, Chu Xingchen had already sketched a portrait of Ning Qianqian's father based on her description. The likeness was so accurate that Ning Qianqian herself had confirmed it.
As long as Ning Qianqian's father was still alive in the mine, there was no chance of missing him.
Chu Xingchen relaxed slightly. It seemed the backup plan wouldn't be necessary for now.
All they needed now was to wait for Li Xingtian's signal.
Ning Qianqian, who had no cultivation, would only be a burden if brought along, potentially requiring extra care. Thus, it was more practical to leave her behind in the ruined temple.
Therefore, only the master and his two disciples were involved in this operation.
Li Xingtian, as the observer, would carefully inspect the mine and locate Ning Qianqian's father.
Chu Xingchen, as the vanguard, would directly assault the spirit stone warehouse guarded by a Golden Core cultivator, drawing everyone's attention to cover his disciples' retreat.
Li Yingling was the backup. If any unexpected situations arose, he would step in to handle them.
Additionally, if everything went smoothly, Li Xingtian had devised an ultimate plan: to destroy this accursed mine and free everyone trapped inside.
Though Chu Xingchen wasn't optimistic about this plan, as releasing all the miners might not be a good idea. The Qingfeng Sect would undoubtedly hunt them down and interrogate them.
However, Li Xingtian argued that staying in the mine was a death sentence, and escaping was their only chance at survival. He was merely giving them that chance. Those who didn't want to run could stay.
In response to Li Xingtian's proposal, Chu Xingchen suggested a more direct approach: once they were strong enough, they should simply destroy the damned Qingfeng Sect.
Li Xingtian didn't oppose his master's decision, though he seemed hesitant before finally nodding in agreement.
It was likely that Li Xingtian felt his own plan wasn't reliable.
In any case, for now, all plans hinged on Li Xingtian's signal.
Only after the operation began could they decide their next steps based on the actual situation. There was no guarantee they would even find Ning Qianqian's father.
It must be said that pushing this rickety cart to transport spirit stones was an excruciating experience for Li Xingtian.
Especially along this route, which, despite the passage of time and his experiences in more perilous secret realms, still stirred unrest in his heart as he walked it again.
Only one thought occupied Li Xingtian's mind: in his past life, after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he should have annihilated the Qingfeng Sect immediately!
This damned mine had scarred him no less than that accursed demonic cultivator woman!
Li Xingtian kept his head down, his eyes swiftly scanning the miners hauling and breaking stones outside. He didn't spot Ning Qianqian's father among them.
Most likely, he was inside the mine shaft digging. Li Xingtian needed to find a way to sneak in.
He subtly glanced around and made a hand signal in the direction of his master.
After a brief wait, a sharp sword cry echoed from afar.
The three Qingfeng Sect disciples chatting nearby immediately turned their attention to the source of the sound.
Two of them quickly rushed toward the sound, while the remaining one pulled the large alarm bell in the center of the mine.
The clanging of the bell rapidly spread throughout the area.
Many miners stopped their work, their numb faces showing traces of fear. They didn't know what was happening, but it likely wasn't anything good.
The noise quickly filled the valley.
The crowd began to stir, instinctively clustering together. Li Xingtian decisively blended into the group.
Soon, two Qingfeng Sect disciples rushed over from the distance.
They were stationed on the outskirts, and upon hearing the bell, they hurried toward the mine.
They quickly scanned the area, suppressing the restless crowd.
At the same time, a Qingfeng Sect disciple sprinted out of the mine shaft, followed by a group of miners.
His sharp eyes swept over the panicked crowd as he barked, "Everyone, line up according to your shifts!"
At his command, the agitated crowd quickly calmed down and began forming lines.
Li Xingtian's eyes rapidly scanned the emerging miners, and he soon spotted Ning Qianqian's father.
The man was emaciated, barely recognizable. If not for his meager Qi Refining cultivation, he would have likely perished long ago.
But at least he was still alive.
Li Xingtian then glanced toward the warehouse, waiting to see if the Golden Core cultivator would appear.
This figure was the key to determining how far their plan could go.
After a quarter of an hour, the two Qingfeng Sect disciples who had gone to investigate returned, declaring the area safe and lifting the alarm.
Li Xingtian quickly blended back into the miner crowd and, under the Qingfeng Sect disciples' orders, began moving toward the mine shaft.
However, the anticipated Golden Core cultivator never showed up.
"I will report this to the Sect Leader and the elders. Be vigilant," said the eldest Qingfeng Sect disciple, taking charge.
"These are critical times. No matter what, we must ensure the mine operates smoothly. Everyone, stay alert!"
The other disciples quickly bowed and responded, "Yes, Senior Brother!"
Having successfully infiltrated the mining group, Li Xingtian followed the crowd into the mine shaft. He quickly approached Ning Qianqian's father, Ning Kun, and discreetly slipped a token from Ning Qianqian into his hand.
In the dimly lit mine shaft, Ning Kun's eyes locked onto Li Xingtian, his grip tightening around the cloth-like object.
Li Xingtian didn't look at him but whispered, "Qianqian."
Ning Kun's eyes lit up, but his expression quickly shifted to one of urgency. He started to speak, but Li Xingtian raised a hand to stop him, his gaze sweeping over him. "No matter what happens, stay close to me!"
"What are you doing? Hurry up!"
The supervising Qingfeng Sect disciple barked, urging them on. "If the work isn't done, none of you will sleep tonight!"
Li Xingtian ignored Ning Kun, quickly picking up a nearby pickaxe and moving forward.
After about ten steps, they reached a corner.
At the corner, a faint yellow candlelight flickered ominously.
Li Xingtian's heart skipped a beat as a chill ran down his spine.
An overwhelming sense of foreboding washed over him.
This mine... something felt off. He had worked here in his past life, but it had never felt like this.
He tightly gripped the long-distance teleportation talisman his master had given him.
Cautiously, he followed the crowd around the corner.
What greeted him was not the expected mining tunnel.
Instead, it was a scene of utter horror.