Chapter 28: Recruiting Cannon Fodder  

In an instant, rogue cultivators from the surrounding Immortal Markets began flocking to the Chiling Gold Mine to work as miners. 

Thirty spirit stones a month. 

Three hundred and sixty spirit stones a year. 

This income was much higher than that of most internal Immortal Market cultivators. 

Compared to He Song, a spirit farmer who earned only one hundred and fifty spirit stones a year, the income more than doubled. 

Most ordinary rogue cultivators lived a life of constant danger. 

Now, with the emergence of a mining job that was both safe and highly lucrative, they naturally wouldn't let the opportunity slip by. 

As a result, the number of rogue cultivators coming and going in the Zhushan Immortal Market had significantly decreased. 

The once bustling Zhushan Immortal Market now seemed somewhat empty these days. 

"Fellow Daoist He, have you heard about the Chiling Gold Mine?" Since Lin Cong was eating at the same table as He Song, he naturally overheard the same rumors. 

For a moment, Lin Cong's eyes gleamed with excitement, as if he had developed a strong interest in the mining job. 

In his view, mining was undoubtedly safer than hunting demon beasts in the wild. 

Moreover, the income from mining was no less than risking his life to hunt demon beasts. 

If possible, he would like to give it a try. 

Who wouldn't want to earn spirit stones safely? 

Who would willingly choose a life of constant danger? 

"The Chiling Gold Mine..." He Song's mind flashed to Meng Guan's image. 

He wondered how Meng Guan was faring at the Chiling Gold Mine. 

Speaking of which, it had been half a month since Meng Guan left the Zhushan Immortal Market to work at the Chiling Gold Mine. 

There had been no news since then, which made He Song feel a hint of worry. 

However, faced with Lin Cong's question, He Song also recalled what Lin Cong had just told him. 

After some thought, he quickly made a decision. 

Very well, he would offer some advice to prevent his friend from rushing headlong into that mining area. 

"Fellow Daoist Lin, what I'm about to say goes from my mouth to your ears. Don't spread it around," He Song said in a low voice. 

Then, under Lin Cong's suddenly bright gaze, He Song casually took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. 

This paper was originally used for folding paper cranes and casting the Sound Transmission Technique. 

But since the place was crowded and words could easily be overheard, He Song had no choice but to resort to this method. 

Spiritual energy flowed between his fingers. 

Threads of spiritual energy seeped out, quickly carving a line of text onto the paper. 

"The Chiling Gold Mine only recruits rogue cultivators, not internal Immortal Market cultivators." 

After finishing the text, He Song casually handed the paper to Lin Cong and then continued to enjoy his meal. 

However, after handing the paper to Lin Cong, He Song felt a weight lift from his heart. 

Earlier, Lin Cong had shared the secrets of breaking through from the early to the mid-stage of Qi Refining with him. That was a favor. 

He had originally planned to use the information about the miscellaneous books in the Spirit Technique Pavilion as a way to repay the favor, but it seemed Lin Cong hadn't taken it seriously. 

He had been worried about how to repay this debt of gratitude. 

Now, it was settled. 

This piece of paper was enough for He Song to repay the favor. 

Even if Lin Cong didn't go to the Spirit Technique Pavilion to read those miscellaneous books later, He Song had already repaid the favor. 

"This..." Beside him, Lin Cong's eyes widened as he took the paper. 

However, despite his shock, after reading the text, Lin Cong immediately let out a wisp of spiritual energy. 

By the time the spiritual energy dissipated, the paper in Lin Cong's hand had already turned to dust, quickly scattering in the wind. 

The paper was gone, as if it had never existed. 

But now, Lin Cong's heart was in turmoil. 

With just a glance, he knew what kind of shocking information He Song had just handed him. 

Under what circumstances would a mine only recruit rogue cultivators? 

Under what circumstances would a mine recruit rogue cultivators to work as miners? 

Under what circumstances would a small mine dispatch several Foundation Establishment cultivators to oversee it? 

He didn't know the answers to any of these questions. 

But he knew one thing. 

The more heavily guarded a place was, the more likely it was to contain some kind of treasure—and the greater the hidden dangers within. 

In an instant, as this realization dawned on him, Lin Cong broke out in a cold sweat. 

Earlier, he had been thinking that if possible, working as a miner would be more comfortable than hunting demon beasts in the wild. 

But now he understood. 

Such a high reward wasn't for recruiting miners—it was for recruiting cannon fodder! 

Perhaps, within that Chiling Gold Mine, there were unknown dangers waiting for these cannon fodder. 

Under the suppression of several Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if the cannon fodder collectively rebelled, they likely wouldn't be able to cause any waves. 

As for what exactly was inside, that was something he couldn't know. 

At the same time as the cold sweat broke out, Lin Cong's gaze toward He Song also filled with deep gratitude. 

"Thank you for saving my life!" Lin Cong bowed deeply to He Song, feeling that his decision to befriend He Song years ago was the most correct choice he had ever made in his life! 

If he hadn't started actively befriending He Song five years ago, he might have already rushed off to the Chiling Gold Mine by now. 

And by then, his fate... 

Thinking of this, Lin Cong felt even more grateful to He Song and was thrilled to have become He Song's friend. 

Befriending He Song could truly save one's life! 

What Lin Cong was thinking, He Song didn't know. 

But the fact that the casually handed piece of paper had caused Lin Cong's expression to change drastically was something He Song had anticipated. 

This was information that had come from Wei Fan, a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, half a month ago. 

Although news of the Chiling Gold Mine had now spread throughout the Immortal Market, few people knew the inside details like He Song did. 

Thus, using it to warn a rogue cultivator like Lin Cong was no problem at all. 

The channels through which rogue cultivators could obtain information were far too limited. 

"Fellow Daoist, just make sure not to spread this around. This matter is sensitive, and if someone were to investigate..." After five years, He Song naturally had a good understanding of Lin Cong's character, but a little warning was still necessary. 

Although this matter wasn't strictly forbidden from being spread—Wei Fan had casually mentioned it to He Song and Meng Guan—even if it reached the ears of rogue cultivators, few would believe it. 

On the contrary, they might even think it was a lie concocted by someone who didn't want them to earn spirit stones. 

But He Song deliberately made the matter sound more serious to prevent Lin Cong from asking further questions. 

After all, He Song only knew this much. 

If Lin Cong kept asking, it would only make things awkward for He Song. 

"Fellow Daoist He, you worry too much. My lips are sealed. Come, let's drink! We won't stop until we're drunk!" Faced with He Song's warning, Lin Cong felt both alert and a hint of lingering fear. 

As a rogue cultivator, he had no idea what He Song was thinking. Instead, he felt even more grateful to He Song for the reminder, and his goodwill toward He Song grew. 

(End of Chapter)