Chapter 652 - 615 Perfect Mining Coordination
The Black Forest was now a barren field of stumps. Such a desolate scene filled Da Fei with a sense of bittersweet melancholy. In any case, rest assured, my brothers, that I will build a formidable fleet to maintain world peace and harmony with nature, ensuring such tragedies do not repeat themselves.
At the end of the forest stumps lay a vast lake shore of red soil, resembling a red-framed mirror from a distance. This red soil was simply ordinary mercury ore known as "Chensha," and the Mercury Factory was specifically designed to refine Chensha to obtain mercury. As for the mercury lake that had already turned into liquid mercury, there really was no need for any Mercury Factory; just rush to the shore and scoop it up in a bucket.
So what Da Fei was planning now was how to scoop it up safely and effectively. Of course, one bucket wasn’t enough—Da Fei wanted to scoop two buckets, maybe even three buckets!
There were three assurances for the success of this mission. First, Da Fei’s God-level Reconnaissance Technique could stealth the troops. Second, Anlicia’s God-level Magic mist could effectively cover the troops. Third, and most importantly, ever since Demons infiltrated the Lava Space, the mercury vapor had completely stopped, which was very unusual and indicated a direct connection between Mercury Lake and the Lava Space. The Demigod Crow’s attention might be primarily focused on the invasive Demons.
But there were two factors for failure. First, the opponent guarding the mine was also a God-level creature, making Da Fei and Anlicia’s skill advantages less apparent. Second, the Tree Spirits were too large, and their movement might cause tremors, increasing the likelihood of being discovered.
These two issues were major problems! Was I supposed to gamble on it not discovering me?
Screw that! As a man capable of slaying gods, how could I rely on gambling? Even if I had to gamble, it would be after all preparations were made.
Da Fei pondered for a moment, realizing the biggest breakthrough point was the Demons in the Lava Space. If the Demons completely distracted the Demigod Crow, wouldn’t that give me the opportunity to succeed? And weren’t the Demons in the Lava Space under Ma Yinglong’s command? Damn, what was my relationship with Ma Yinglong? We were brothers!
Da Fei immediately messaged Ma Yinglong: "Boss Ma! Are you there?"
Before long, Ma Yinglong replied: "Brother Fei! I heard you’re going to donate to the Red Cross? Can’t you be a little less aloof and help out a poor brother like me instead? I’m really about to die of poverty and hunger!"
Come on! Can we not talk about donations? It seems like all of China thinks I’m a clown!
Da Fei sighed, "Boss Ma, considering my status, would I come to you for such petty things as money? I wanted to ask your brothers in the World Tree Magma Space to help with a small favor, distracting the Demigod Crow so I can complete a task."
Ma Yinglong’s brow furrowed: "Task?"
Da Fei chuckled, "An NPC wants me to collect some mercury samples. However, there’s a Demigod Crow guarding the Mercury Lake, so I can only steal it, and that’s why I need your help on that side."
I knew your men were lingering there, otherwise, the Mercury Lake wouldn’t be so peculiar.
Ma Yinglong was startled: "Is the Elf Kingdom planning to develop the mercury mine?"
Da Fei laughed, "Yes, with such a large mine, who wouldn’t want to use it? I don’t know Boss Ma has any requirements, but I can speak on your behalf in the Elf Kingdom."
Ma Yinglong exclaimed, "I’ll need to consult with the main NPC in charge. Brother Fei, can you wait a moment?"
Da Fei chuckled, "No problem, no problem. Thanks, Boss Ma."
...
At the Dragon Slayer Guild headquarters, Ma Yinglong hurriedly connected with the "Hell Special Group" members for a video conference.
The Hell Special Group consisted of more than ten traitor accounts bullied into Hidden Professions under Lei Huolong. However, Lei Huolong was still recovering in the hospital. Currently, these accounts couldn’t be considered Hidden Professions yet. Since last night, the members have been soaking in a "Lava Bath" with Hierarch Siriel, cultivating the so-called Fire Element Body, scalded to death in the lava and returning to the shore full of blood, jumping into the lava again repeatedly.
Now, a team member rushed to check the Mercury Lake Space and was instantly stunned by the vast scene of bare stumps before them: "President, there was a vast Black Forest here last night, and now it’s all gone!"
Gazing at the scene on the big screen and at the distant, looming row of level-six Tree Spirits, Ma Yinglong’s heart tightened: "There can be no doubt, the large force of the Elf Kingdom has arrived to pull off such a massive feat in such a short time."
The team members asked, "What should we do? Surrender through Brother Fei’s connections?"
Ma Yinglong shook his head: "We’ll wait and see what the NPCs decide, you all just focus on cultivating Hidden Professions."
"And should we help Da Fei with his request?"
Ma Yinglong was silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly: "The Elven large force has charged in, the outcome is certain. We’ll just make a gesture of goodwill."
"Understood, we’ll go disturb the Crow in the Magma Pool."
...
At that moment, Da Fei received Ma Yinglong’s reply: "Sorry for keeping Brother Fei waiting."
Da Fei quickly asked, "Is it possible?"
Ma Yinglong laughed, "Even if it’s impossible, it has to be possible! We must help Brother Fei, and when he acts, he should notify us so we can start the distraction."
Da Fei rejoiced, "Boss Ma, you’re indeed loyal!" Then, curious, he added, "How will you distract it, Boss Ma?"
Ma Yinglong laughed, "That Crow is not simple, it’s absorbing mercury at the Mercury Lake, while soaking up flames in our Magma Pool. Those unfamiliar with it might think it’s a Black Phoenix. In any case, if the Elf Kingdom wants to take down this dual-attribute Demigod, they’ll have to pay heavily."
Da Fei suddenly understood, realizing it was a dual-attribute Demigod. No wonder it was so odd! Meaning its strength was quite formidable, right? But as Ma Yinglong said, let the Elf Kingdom handle the spending. Once Brother Fei successfully takes Habbitt Village, it’s a strategic victory, and stealing some ore solves the immediate problem without tangling with this Demigod in the short term.
Da Fei then said, "Thanks for the reminder, Boss Ma, now I’m heading out!"
"We’re ready on this side too."
Now that everything was set, Da Fei assembled all 39 Elite Tree Spirits carrying Mercury Sealed Boxes and advanced towards Mercury Lake.
The team approached the lake shore and sprang into action!
——System Prompt: Your Vice Hero Alicia has cast the God-level Magic "Summoning Mist"!
——System Prompt: You used the sub-skill "Phantom March" from the God-level Reconnaissance Skill!
A fog appeared along the lake shore and promptly enveloped the team in the shadows. Perfect, this was exactly the desired effect.
The team advanced further into Mercury Lake, and then, Da Fei and Anlicia started to suffer from mercury poisoning, constantly losing health!
Damn it! Losing health while stealthy was particularly annoying; using a Healing Skill would immediately reveal us. But no worries, Da Fei had an S-grade Multi-headed Snake Ring from the competition, which regained 1 health point per second. There was also last time’s S-grade Nash’s Tooth accessory, which absorbed 1 point of poison plague damage per second and restored 1 health and stamina every 10 seconds; it was sustainable!
Just then, Ma Yinglong’s message arrived: "We’ve got its attention, Brother Fei, the rest depends on you."
Da Fei replied, "Thanks!"
Indeed, now it was up to me. With someone helping to distract it, could I possibly fail?
Getting closer, closer to the lakeside! Finally, the blurry figures of the Tree Spirits all entered the lake! Still no alarm at this point!
Oh yeah, a perfectly executed ore theft! The only imperfection was the lack of Tree Spirits! No more talking, pack it up!
While excited, Ma Yinglong messaged again: "Brother Fei, are you done? If we keep going, we’ll be in deep trouble on this side!"
Da Fei hurriedly responded, "Hold on for 10 seconds!"
Ma Yinglong urged, "Brother Fei, hurry!"
Finally, all Tree Spirits returned safely, overloaded with properly sealed boxes. This trip yielded 390 units! Haha, wahaha!
Just then, Ma Yinglong messaged again, "Brother Fei, are you finished?"
Finished? How could I be finished? I still planned to do a second and third wave! The first time was a favor, the second time I would reciprocate the favor through cooperation!
Da Fei laughed, "The initial mission volume is done, but I’ve tasted the sweetness and don’t want to miss this opportunity. Boss Ma, interested in continuing? If we continue, all collected ore is mine, and I’ll share half with you, 100 units! This rich mercury ore is Concentrated Mercury! High-end Undead desperately need mercury, especially Concentrated Mercury, and Boss Ma, focused on the Undead, surely needs it, right?"
Sharing 100 units of Concentrated Mercury in one trip was no small amount. It equaled 1000 units of ordinary mercury! Ma Yinglong was immediately tempted: "Alright, if Brother Fei isn’t afraid of stealing ore, how could we, who have nothing to lose, be afraid? We’ll play until the end with Brother Fei!"
Da Fei laughed heartily, "Worthy of being Boss Ma, you’re delightful!"
...
Now, the logistics personnel transported the first batch of 390 units of mercury back to the Swamp Space. Once Da Fei’s team was rested, they set out again. After coordinating with Ma Yinglong, they acted once more.
The Tree Spirit team approached the lake again, closer and closer, and then safely entered the lake! Oh yeah, pack it up!
As Da Fei happily packed, a red warning suddenly flashed before his eyes!
——System Prompt: Warning from your Reconnaissance Skill! You have entered the warning range of a powerful creature!
Da Fei’s heart tightened, finally, the challenge of a second ore theft was evident, but it only mentioned entering the warning range, not battle—it was temporarily safe—hold the line!
A few seconds later, the Tree Spirits once again overloaded and packed up successfully! No more talking, let’s get out!
Finally, as the team returned safely, Da Fei let out a long sigh of relief—another 390 units in hand.
Just then, Ma Yinglong messaged again: "Brother Fei, still playing?"
Da Fei laughed, "Playing! Of course, playing, but this will be the last round. If we keep playing, it’s going to be too much even for me!"
Indeed, there was room for one more round, but it couldn’t be overloaded this time. My sharing of 100 units with Boss Ma wasn’t taking advantage, but truly generous, wahaha!
(Note to readers: After enduring several days of stomach pain, I finally couldn’t withstand it. Today, I received pain-relief and anti-inflammatory drips, and tomorrow morning, I will undergo CT and ultrasound scans, and perhaps even the dreaded gastroscopy to confirm the condition. Forgive me for my lifetime of indulgence in smoking, drinking, and strong tea. If I survive, I vow to quit smoking, drinking, and strong tea!) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, your support through recommendation votes and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com) would be greatly appreciated. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)