Chapter 11: Gloomspire Caverns

Chapter 11: Gloomspire Caverns

Qi Sheng materialized before the underground Crystal Barrier containment wall in Dizhong Village, crimson light flickering around him.

Staring at the Bonefire Life Soul trapped in the fourth containment cell, his mind automatically displayed its profile:

"Moyan (Inky Flame):

Primordial Ability: Consumes mental energy to release death flames controllable by consciousness, inflicting sustained burning damage on targets (damage magnitude correlates with user's mental strength).

Sacrificial Power Yield: 10/hour."

Raising his right hand, Qi Sheng generated a swirling sphere of Inky Inferno in his palm. Since containing Bonefire, the fourth puzzle piece of his Imperial Omen ability had reconnected, boosting his strength and granting him control over the inky flames.

Another boon arrived—players had discovered a lost domain node. Recovering it would expand Dizhong Village's territory and grant him a new domain ability.

As this thought surfaced, a notification from the Guide echoed in his mind:

"Alert: Sacrificial Offering 'Hollow Valley Grass' acquired. Gained 155.7 Sacrificial Power. 30% tax collected. 109 Sacrificial Power transferred to Challenger."

"Not bad", Qi Sheng muttered. Crimson flames engulfed his body as he shifted into Imperial Omen form. Piercing spatial barriers with his gaze, he observed the player group exploring the cavern below.

---

The Gloomspire Caverns opened into vast chambers beyond their narrow entrance, passageways branching deeper into the earth.

While exploring, the toddler-tier players stumbled upon a cavern wall glittering with clusters of violet-glowing crystals. Focusing their vision triggered Guide notifications:

"Essenceflow Stone:

Spirit Mine Grade: 1

Description: Low-tier spirit mine containing refined energy. Useful for sacrifices or crafting equipment."

"Black Ball: Haha, this place rocks—we've hit spirit resources!"

"Cute Toddler: Time to dig, boys!"

"Drunken Healer: Uh, how exactly do we mine?"

---

Attempting to harvest the crystals revealed their dilemma. The wall resisted damage, and none possessed mining tools.

"Mining equipment available in Function Panel's store. Exchange Sacrificial Power for purchase."

Following the Guide's prompt, the players summoned their panels and searched "mining equipment." Three options appeared:

"Pick (Durability: 100) – 1 Sacrificial Power."

"Crystbreaker Pick (Durability: 2000) – 100 Sacrificial Power."

"Gravity Pick (Infinite Durability) – 1000 Sacrificial Power."

Each cursed soldier kill yielded only 3-6 Sacrificial Power, making even the mid-tier pick unaffordable. Settling for the cheapest option, they purchased standard Picks—black tools materializing in their inventory.

But then Iron Hammer withdrew a shimmering crystalline pickaxe from his spatial pouch. Its azure body radiated starlight-like brilliance, the head sculpted into a razor-sharp eagle's beak. Swinging it left luminous trails in the air.

Realizing he'd spent his 109 Sacrificial Power on the premium model, the group flipped him double birds.

"Iron Hammer: Old rule—contributions get equal shares. No hoarding."

Nods of approval followed. But as they began chipping at the Crystal Barrier, complaints erupted.

"Black Ball: This thing's vibration is killing my hands! How's this realism so intense?"

"Marble: Be grateful for resources. Focus—we're in the early game. Early advantages shape our future strength."

"Drunken Healer: You're all idiots. Switch to monster form for attribute buffs!"

Transforming into a black-scaled serpent, Drunken Healer bit his pickaxe and swung wildly. After a furious "clang-clang-clang", he froze mid-strike, swiveled his head toward his stunned teammates, spat out the pick, and groaned:

"Vertigo city. I'm gonna hurl."

The group erupted in laughter—until they turned to Iron Hammer. His Crystbreaker Pick carved the wall like soft cheese. Two swift strikes netted two Essenceflow Stones.

Seeing their halt, Iron Hammer paused, scratching his head with a sheepish grin:

"Your hands shaking? Feels fine to me."

The response? Seven middle fingers in unison.

---

After resuming work, the group tested sacrificing the ore—each Essenceflow Stone yielded 5-15 Sacrificial Power, vastly outperforming enemy drops despite lacking Evolution Points.

Suddenly, subterranean tremors silenced them.

"Marble, activate perception!"

Choosing Hawk-Headed Demon form, Marble unleashed Vengeful Howl—a guttural cry radiating sonic waves. Dozens of meters crystallized into mental topography, revealing:

"Iron Shellworm:

Hunting Rank: 8

Description: Subterranean lifeform with armored shell and luminescent tentacles. Feeds on spirit mines."

Relieved sighs followed. But Marble's vision darkened—more shellworms emerged. Then a towering, two-meter figure stepped into the torchlight.

Gray-blue skin. Chiseled musculature. Scaled arms ending in clawed fingers—the humanoid behemoth locked eyes with them, pupils narrowing to vertical slits.

"Dungeonkin:

Hunting Rank: 19

Description: Subterranean race commanding local fauna. Possesses Tier-2 intelligence but operates under external control."

The Dungeonkin raised its head. All Iron Shellworms raised theirs in response, tentacles lashing like phosphorescent sea snakes.

"Let's go!"

The players shifted forms simultaneously, charging without hesitation.

In their dictionary, "retreat" didn't exist.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end