In the dim and damp mine tunnel, Lu Ye carried a mine basket on his back and held a mining pick in his hand. His steps were a bit unsteady, but he remained determined. The mining pick was heavy, and his shoulder had long since grown numb from the weight, but he didn’t pay much attention to it. After all, surviving in this mine was far more important than anything else.

The young man’s expression was somewhat melancholic, his eyes fixed on the empty space ahead, seemingly focused on some invisible target. To an outsider, there was nothing in front of him except a long mine tunnel. But in Lu Ye’s eyes, he could vaguely make out a blurry image.

It looked like the shadow of a tree, gray and indistinct, with lush branches and leaves. The trunk split into two-thirds, supporting a semi-circular canopy. Every time he concentrated, this translucent shadow appeared before his eyes, as if a guiding light was shining in his mind. Yet to anyone else, there was not even a trace of it.

“Truly a miserable life,” Lu Ye muttered with a self-deprecating smile, a surge of despair rising in his heart.

A year ago, he was dragged into this strange world by an unknown force. Just as he had begun to adapt to his new environment, a disaster struck. His once-proud sect, the Xuantian Sect, was overtaken by the marauders of the Evil Moon Valley in a single night. Nearly everyone perished, and the surviving youth were captured and sent to the mines to become slaves. Lu Ye was one of them.

From the idle chatter of other mine slaves, he learned about the state of the world. This world was divided into two major factions, the Haotian Alliance and the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge. His former affiliation, the Xuantian Sect, had long since vanished in the ongoing conflict between the two powers. The invasion of the Evil Moon Valley had plunged the entire Nine Provinces continent into prolonged war and chaos.

However, Lu Ye’s fate was not so complicated. To him, whether it was the Haotian Alliance or the Evil Moon Valley, these high-ranking sects and powers were nothing more than a fog, blocking his vision. All he knew was that he was a mine slave, and his job was to mine. Surviving was the only goal. As for sects or factions, he couldn’t care less.

After all, he didn’t feel any sense of belonging—Xuantian Sect was gone, who would care about a disciple from a small sect?

“A mine slave is just a mine slave. As long as I survive, it’s already a gain,” Lu Ye cheered himself up. Though he had little skill, at least he was luckier than those who died early.

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The Evil Moon Valley needed some idle young people to serve as laborers, and youths like Lu Ye, who had no cultivation, were perfect candidates. After all, mine slaves were not completely without a chance. Those who could open their spiritual acupoints had the opportunity to report to the overseers and participate in an assessment. If they passed, they could join the Evil Moon Valley and have a bright future ahead. Though there were very few mine slaves who could open their acupoints, Lu Ye continued to strive every day, even though the mysterious shadow tree had yet to offer him any practical help.

“Every day, I’m just mining for that little hope,” he chuckled bitterly to himself. This road was long and out of reach.

Today’s harvest was fairly good. His mine basket was full of ores, and he expected to earn three contribution points. These points could barely buy him two steamed buns, and the remaining points would just be enough to exchange for a Blood Qi Pill. The Blood Qi Pill couldn’t help him open his acupoints, but it could at least provide enough vitality to maintain his strength and continue working in the dark mine tunnel.

Just as Lu Ye was preparing to leave after collecting his ores, he noticed an unusual sight in the distance. There was a large boulder blocking the path, which seemed out of place. His gaze swept over the scene, and he suddenly noticed two figures hiding behind the boulder, seemingly plotting something.

“This doesn’t look good,” Lu Ye’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly dropped his mine basket and gripped his pickaxe, ready for action.

Without hesitation, he dashed toward the boulder with swift and agile steps. When he got close, he sidestepped, stamping on the mine tunnel’s rock wall to rebound and, like a leopard, swiftly leapt toward the figures behind the boulder.

The two individuals hadn’t expected anyone to appear so suddenly. Just as they were about to stand up, Lu Ye had already reacted. He tossed one of the ores in his hand, hitting one of them squarely in the nose.

“Ah!” The man cried out in pain, blood spraying everywhere, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.

The other person quickly dodged the attack, but there was no time to react further. Lu Ye followed up with a swift kick to the man’s abdomen, delivering a powerful blow. The man bent over in agony, flying backward and crashing to the ground, vomiting a large mouthful of sour bile.

“You’re looking for death,” Lu Ye muttered coldly, showing no signs of stopping.

Though he didn’t have much cultivation, life in the mines was harsh, and every mine slave saw death as a constant companion. In situations like today, those who reacted quickly survived, while those who hesitated became others’ spoils of war.

“What are you two up to?” Lu Ye slowly approached the fallen figures, his eyes cold.

The two men struggled to lift their heads, fear and panic in their eyes, but also a hint of anxiety. Clearly, they hadn’t expected to run into such a vigilant mine slave.

Lu Ye sneered and prepared to “teach them a lesson.” After all, in this mine, survival was the only rule that mattered.