Collect ore
Changing into a new set of attire, carrying an iron pickaxe, the diligent miner, Jiang Han, enthusiastically delved into the mining area with the spirit of exploration, utilizing the Eye of Insight to assess the situation—
[Amethyst Ore] (Gold Grade)
[Crystal Ore] (Gold Grade)
...
The periphery of the desolate mining area was adorned with gold-grade ores, prompting Jiang Han to venture deeper.
"Sip!"
A colossal scorpion appeared at the corner of the cave, and as Jiang Han entered the field of view, the poisonous hook thrust out.
Indeed, the mining area was not a safe zone!
Without changing his iron pickaxe, Jiang Han kicked the poisonous scorpion to death and continued deeper into the mining area. Soon, he cleared a path, walking on the corpses of the scorpions until he spotted the target minerals—
[Glistening Gold Ore] (Dark Gold Grade)
Introduction: High melting point, extremely sturdy after solidification, suitable for forging armor.
[Azure Summit Ore] (Dark Gold Grade)
Introduction: Tough texture, one of the superior ores for weapon forging.
...
Not bad. Let's try digging a few pieces first!
Jiang Han, with his iron pickaxe in hand, began to unearth the buried ores after fifteen minutes of effort, successfully extracting one.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You have acquired the universal skill [Mining Technique] (Low-level)!
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You have obtained the item [Azure Summit Ore] (Dark Gold Grade), and your mining skill has been upgraded; current level: 2/100!
It only took fifteen minutes to excavate one Azure Summit Ore, and it also provided a two-point increase in mining experience. Effortless indeed. Once he reached the intermediate level of mining technique, the speed of mining would surely increase.
A hundred ores, no need for rest, the task could be completed in just over twenty hours.
Continue, continue!
The patient miner, Jiang Han, spent a full thirty minutes to dig out two pieces before proceeding further into the mining area.
Dark Gold-grade ores were hardly worthy of Jiang's attention. No need to bother with them!
Entering a tunnel leading to a deeper section, Jiang Han encountered large, pitch-black scorpions blocking the way. Compared to the previous ones, these scorpions had sharper and larger venomous hooks, indicating they were not to be trifled with—
[Mining Area Scorpion] (Ghost-level)
Level: 110
HP: 7,500,000
Attack: 29,000-29,700
Defense: 20,000-20,800
Skills: [Evil Restraint][Venomous Hook Thrust]
Introduction: Scorpions rampant in the desolate mining area, the energy emitted by the ores makes them stronger. Therefore, the rarer the ore, the more formidable the scorpion guardians.
...
"Hiss..."
Jiang Han took in a cold breath.
Ghost-level!
And it's a level 110 Ghost-level Scorpion!
Close to a maximum attack limit of thirty thousand, coupled with a defense as high as twenty thousand, its attributes were formidable. Ordinary players would likely meet their end here.
"Sip!"
The scorpion noticed an unwelcome guest and emitted a piercing cry. With eight legs, it swiftly moved, attacking Jiang Han with venom-drenched, elongated hooks.
Clearly, this attack was meant to be fatal.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Congratulations on killing the [Mining Area Scorpion], gaining rewards: experience +0.2%!
Switching to a weapon, Jiang Han kicked it to death, gaining a slight increase in experience.
"If there are many, it would be a breeze!" Jiang Han licked his lips.
Now, with his level at 96, combined with Jiang Han's upgraded attributes, his attack had surpassed six digits. With a single kick, he could even kill the mining area scorpions instantly.
Brushing off the scorpions and advancing, Jiang Han quickly reached a new mining point. He could already see the deepest part of the mining area, where the shimmering ores sparkled with a deep black glow—
[Black Ink Ore] (Spirit-level)
Introduction: High-temperature resistance, low cold resistance, extremely malleable, perfect for forging armor.
"Spirit-level ore!"
Jiang Han's eyes lit up. "It seems we haven't reached the innermost part yet. If we continue further in, might there be Earth-level ores?"
Earth-level ores!
Those would be treasures useful to him!
Currently, he only possessed a set of Spirit-level equipment, with a few Earth-level pieces. However, they were far from sufficient. If he could mine Earth-level ores, he could have the Dwarf Clan help forge Earth-level equipment when he returned.
At that time, his attributes would definitely skyrocket.
"Ding ding ding..."
With his iron pickaxe in hand, Jiang Han began to extract the Black Ink Ore.
As he delved deeper, the quality of the ores increased, but the quantity rapidly decreased. Even if there were Earth-level ores within the cave, there would likely be only a few. The idea of completing the collection task with Earth-level ores was overly optimistic.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You have obtained the item [Black Ink Ore] (Spirit-level), and your mining skill has been upgraded; current level: 14/100!
The experience provided by Spirit-level ores was much faster, directly offering ten points per piece. Although the time to extract each piece was longer, once the mining skill reached the intermediate level, efficiency would naturally increase significantly.
While collecting Black Ink Ores and exploring the mining area, after approximately four hours, Jiang Han's mining skill reached the intermediate level, providing a 30% increase in mining speed, and the task completion progress reached 12%.
Subsequently, Jiang Han silently continued mining, occasionally dealing with scorpions that sought a self-inflicted death.
After consuming a full twenty hours, Jiang Han's mining skill reached the advanced level, further enhancing efficiency.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the task [Collect Ores] (Difficulty: A), you can go to the mentor to claim your reward!
"Phew..."
Completing the task, Jiang Miner freed himself from the tedious mining life, switching back to his weapon, and entering the deepest part of the desolate mining area.
Even before, Jiang Han had sensed that there lay a giant scorpion over three meters long. Beside it, two ore pieces shimmered with yellow light, waiting for Jiang Han for a long time.
At this moment, the scorpion king was dozing off, completely unaware of the distinguished guest's arrival—
[Mining Area Scorpion King] (Earth-level BOSS)
Level: 120
HP: 38,000,000
Attack: 61,000-62,000
Defense: 37,500-39,000
Skills: [Poisonous Zone][Scorpion Tail Sweep][Dark Wave of Light][Super Hatred]
Introduction: The scorpion that mutated beside the Radiant Crystal Mine in the mining area, under fortuitous circumstances, became the scorpion overlord. It believes that as long as it guards the mine, it will eventually ascend to a divine level.
...
Guarded by an Earth-level BOSS, the ores were undoubtedly extraordinary. Jiang Han would not miss this opportunity.
Lifting his weapon, he approached the side of
the Scorpion King, activating the Dark Thunder Tiger to initiate a War Stomp.
"Boom!"
The shockwave shook the cave, firmly pressing down the Scorpion King's head.
"Ding!~"
System prompt: You used the skill [War Stomp], dealing 6,371,847 damage to the Mining Area Scorpion King, suppressing for 1.5 seconds, and increasing your own attack by 20%, while decreasing the enemy's attack by 15%!
With over 6.37 million damage, the Scorpion King's health plummeted to nearly 17%. Jiang Han felt a sense of relief.
The lethality of this kick could be described as terrifying!
Next, his sword burst out with an extremely dazzling golden light, almost drowning the blade. Accompanied by the formidable breaking sound, the sword struck down, causing the Scorpion King to suffer severe wounds.
The Shattered Stars overlaid with the Shadow of the End, both enhancing the Destruction Slash!
-20,257,891!
A massive red damage number appeared, nearly scaring Jiang Han himself. Triggering a critical hit, combined with Jiang Han's additional 50% critical damage, he unintentionally dealt the highest damage so far.
Before even starting the fight, the Scorpion King's health was only at 12 million.
"Sip!"
Taking advantage of the Scorpion King still being in a suppressed state, Jiang Han used the Grip of the Holy Spirit. A blood-red energy condensed, forming a large hand that grasped the Scorpion King, continuing to control it. He then initiated the Sword Breaker of the Eight Directions, summoning two shadows to attack together.
"Sip!"
When the Scorpion King broke free from the restraint, its health was already reduced to 20%, and its eyes were bloodshot as it woke up from its nap, howling in anger.
Who knew what it had experienced!
It had only slept for a while, yet it had almost been ambushed to death!