The cultivator guarding the mine saw Ning Youfu displaying his token and immediately let him through.
Unlike the first time Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong entered the mine, they had to pay a fee.
Now, the Ning Family branch had gained partial mining rights, making them essentially co-owners.
Hanzhou entered the mine and ventured deeper.
He channeled the Bitter Cold Scripture to try mining.
Soon, he abandoned tools like picks and shovels and began digging with his bare hands.
With the empowerment of Suffering Body, the more fatigued and injured he got, the more his physical strength and power increased, and his movements became faster.
Ning Youfu, watching by his side, excitedly said, "What a great Cultivation Technique, truly superb."
"Our clan generally lacks Magic Artifacts, and our Mana is meager. By employing this Cultivation Technique, not only can we mine but also enhance our Cultivation Levels, achieving two goals with one action, truly ingenious!"
Hanzhou said, "Using Magic Artifacts to mine is much more efficient than digging by hand. However, considering the cost, using Magic Artifacts intensifies Mana consumption."
"Cultivators need to absorb Spirit Stones along the way to replenish their Mana to keep going."
"Moreover, mining Magic Artifacts wear out over time and need maintenance periodically."
"Considering all this, my Bitter Cold Scripture is indeed quite suitable for mining."
Realizing this, Hanzhou breathed a sigh of relief and murmured, "It seems I have not let Young Master Ning Zhuo down."
While he spoke sentimentally, his hands did not stop moving.
Suddenly, there was a crisp crack.
The rock wall he was digging into suddenly fractured.
The crack spread instantly, and shortly a large section of the wall split, revealing an opening.
Hanzhou and Ning Youfu had already retreated several steps, their hearts pounding.
Such changes were fraught with danger and could even lead to a collapse in serious cases.
When the dust settled, the mine was still stable.
Hanzhou and Ning Youfu then breathed a sigh of relief, calmed their minds, and carefully probed into the hole.
A Cultivator's Divine Sense was greatly hindered in the mine because the dense presence of Treasure materials throughout the mine blocked Divine Sense—which wasn't the case with normal soil and rocks.
Their Divine Sense spread through the cavern briefly, and both Hanzhou and Ning Youfu showed expressions of delight.
After ensuring it was safe, they followed the opening and descended.
Soon, their view widened as they arrived at an underground cavern.
There, many vines and grasses grew abundantly.
The vines were a brownish-yellow and very thick. The grass was sharp as swords, emanating a piercing essence.
"This is Living Earth Vine, Stone Breaking Grass," said Ning Youfu.
Hanzhou, unaware of these, quickly asked for more information.
Ning Youfu explained that Living Earth Vine was buried deep in the earth, and during its growth, it would soften the rock layers, transforming them into soil.
As for the Stone Breaking Grass, it often grew alongside Living Earth Vine, its leaves sharp enough to cut through rock.
"That's why ordinary rocks cannot exist here. Only minerals that can withstand the effects of Living Earth Vine and Stone Breaking Grass remain."
Hanzhou didn't need this explanation from Ning Youfu; he saw it for himself.
The underground cavern was vast, with every part, including walls, ceiling, and floor, consisting of Jade Dark Steel.
And this Jade Dark Steel was of far superior quality than elsewhere, almost of the highest grade.
Ning Youfu, with a delighted expression, looked at Hanzhou, "Daoist Fellow Hanzhou, for someone newly arrived, you've stumbled upon quite the opportunity. Such caverns are known as Treasure Caverns by veteran miners. Based on my Divine Sense alone, this Jade Dark Steel must be at least ten feet thick, with a total market value of thirty million low-grade Spirit Stones."
Hanzhou was visibly moved.
According to his understanding, a small Foundation Establishment Cultivation Force (with one to three Foundation Establishment Cultivators) had an annual income of only forty-eight million low-grade Spirit Stones.
The total value of this mine exceeded the half-year profits of a typical Foundation Establishment Force!
"Mining is indeed wonderful," Hanzhou exclaimed sincerely.
As Ning Youfu continued to use his Divine Sense to inspect, he smiled and said, "According to the rules of our branch family, Daoist Fellow Hanzhou, since you discovered this, you will get a thirty percent share."
"Ten million low-grade Spirit Stones?!" Hanzhou immediately widened his eyes.
His heart raced with excitement.
Then, within the Upper Dantian Divine Sea, the Bitter Cold True Intent melted away like snow under the sunlight.
Hanzhou's expression suddenly changed.
He decisively shook his head, his face showing a bitter smile, "This is an external object, I do not need it."
Initially, Ning Youfu thought Hanzhou was just being polite.
After a few more exchanges, Ning Youfu confirmed that Hanzhou truly did not want it.
The old man from the Ning Clan's branch couldn't help but draw in a breath of cold air, admiring Ning Zhuo's methods even more, "My heavens, where did the Clan Leader find such a person? Perfect fit!"
"The Bitter Cold Scripture and mining are a perfect match. It's foreseeable that a good number of our clansmen will, for the sake of improving their cultivation level, give up the compensation from mining."
"That's really impressive, truly impressive."
Suddenly, Hanzhou turned his head, looking towards the cave wall in the southeast direction, "Daoist Fellow Ning, eight feet beyond this point, there seems to be a different kind of Jade Dark Steel."
"Oh?" Ning Youfu's Divine Sense could only penetrate up to eight feet, and with considerable difficulty, the latter half of the perception being quite blurry.
Ning Youfu immediately used a Magic Artifact, regardless of the severe depletion of his Mana, and dug a deep hole.
After 30 minutes, he excavated a metallic ore.
The ore was deep green with a hint of blue, and its surface shimmered with a faint silvery-white radiance, like the surface of a lake showered with moonlight, sparkling and shimmering.
The surface of the ore was smooth as a mirror, cool to the touch, radiating a chilly air with threads of moonlight.
Ning Youfu became excited, "This is Green Moon Steel, the essence of Jade Dark Steel, formed by the combination of Jade Dark Steel with moonlight."
"It must have been during a clear, cloudless night, the light penetrating the cold and penetrating the ore veins, accumulating over hundreds of years to gradually take shape."
"This is a Golden Core Level mineral!"
Ning Youfu looked at Hanzhou, "Daoist Fellow Hanzhou, are you sure you don't want a share of this?"
Hanzhou's face grew even more bitter, shaking his head with difficulty, "No need, really no need."
Ning Youfu saluted respectfully and said solemnly, "Daoist fellow, your righteousness is rare in this world!"
"Please assist me in sealing this place."
"The reserves of Green Moon Steel still need to be detected."
"If the reserves are too large, it could lead to significant complications, and the prospects are worrisome."
"It's fortunate that the family elders are here, I must report this immediately."
Hanzhou then said, "Daoist fellow, go ahead, I will keep watch here."
Ning Youfu quickly left the mine, heading towards the mansion in the town center.
Ning Jiufan was drinking with the current mayor, Zhu Xuanji.
Ning Jiufan once again raised his glass to Zhu Xuanji, "This misfortune, thanks to Daoist Fellow Zhu's help, I owe you my life, and I will engrave this gratitude in my heart!"
Previously, Ning Jiufan had been ambushed, and although he fought impressively, he knew well that continuing to fight was fraught with danger. The attackers had come prepared and might have targeted Gan Laoma.
Watching from the clouds, Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu saw Ning Jiufan's moves growing old and he was about to falter, they decisively intervened, breaking the formation and saving him; moreover, Zhu Xuanji, with overwhelming might, cut down three cultivators.
His astonishing combat power greatly shocked Ning Jiufan.
Zhu Xuanji, also very generous, emptied his wine cup and was about to speak when a servant came to report.
Ning Youfu entered the mansion and immediately paid his respects to Zhu Xuanji, the current mayor, indicating that he wanted to report something privately.
Ning Jiufan led him to a side room, and upon hearing the good news, patted Ning Youfu on the shoulder and awarded him two talismans on the spot, telling Ning Youfu to give one to Hanzhou.
Returning to the table, Ning Jiufan candidly spoke of discovering a mine containing Green Moon Steel.
The Ning Family's honesty, not concealing this fact, pleased the current mayor, Zhu Xuanji.
The atmosphere at the table improved further.
For a time, they passed cups and shared laughter, all in high spirits.
After the meal, Zhu Xuanji went to see Shen Lingshu to inform him of the unexpected discovery of the mine.
"Elder, if Ning Zhuo has placed a Life Hanging Thread on Hanzhou, with intertwining fates, could there still be such good fortune?" Zhu Xuanji inquired.
Shen Lingshu took out a Xuanqi Capturing Bag.
This bag was bulging, filled with the Lifespan extracted from Ning Jiufan.
Shen Lingshu pondered and said, "I covertly observe every day, and while Ning Jiufan's lifespan loss is significant, it still maintains a high level."
"If it's a Life Hanging Thread, it would show these unusual signs!"