“Was anyone injured?”
Li Wufeng frowned slightly when he heard that the excavation had collapsed, revealing a cave.
“No injuries, but the cave feels a bit strange,” the person in charge replied, shaking his head.
“How so?”
“The cave shows very clear signs of manual excavation.”
Signs of manual excavation?
Li Wufeng’s interest was piqued instantly.
When they first arrived, there had been nothing here but supply chests. He couldn't help but feel curious about a cave that had clearly been carved out by hand.
He had the leader of the stone gathering team take him to the site.
Whether this cave was a ruin or something else, as the captain, he had to see it for himself.
Upon arriving, Li Wufeng inspected the cave’s appearance.
It was quite ordinary—a simple semi-circular opening—but because it was man-made, it was very regular. He lingered at the entrance for a while, examining the walls, and noticed that the excavation marks looked very old.
That made sense, though.
They had been sent here to populate the Kalim continent. Heaven only knew how long it had been since intelligent beings had last lived here.
“Gathering ends for today. Have your people bring some vines over to cover the entrance,” Li Wufeng decided after completing his investigation.
“Huh? We’re stopping?”
“We’re stopping.”
“But Shang Chuan’s side...”
“I’ll speak to Shang Chuan. I’ll take responsibility if there’s a problem.”
Although he knew what the man was worried about, Li Wufeng remained firm.
On one hand, this could affect their future deployment; on the other, the cave was too close to their tree hollow shelter.
The cave had to be investigated, but not right now.
That was why he wanted to hide it with vines first. It served as both camouflage and a way to see if any monsters would come out. If the vines were broken from the inside, he would have to report to Shang Chuan and move their shelter immediately.
With that thought in mind, Li Wufeng led everyone back to the shelter after the cave was hidden.
Li Wufeng: “We dug into a cave with clear signs of manual excavation while gathering today.”
Shang Chuan, who was browsing the exchange, was taken aback when he saw the message.
Logically, after receiving the heater yesterday, the squad should have been out gathering all day. Yet they were back before noon?
Did something happen?
Shang Chuan didn't think Li Wufeng was slacking off. He had personally recruited every one of his subordinates and knew their character well.
He tapped on the message and read the line.
A cave with clear signs of manual excavation?
That sounded like something significant—possibly even a major discovery.
He quickly replied.
Shang Chuan: “What’s the specific situation?”
Li Wufeng: “I only looked at the entrance. The excavation marks are very old, but it’s impossible to tell exactly how old. I’ve had my people camouflage it with vines for now.”
Shang Chuan: “You were right not to rush in. What’s your plan?”
Li Wufeng: “I’ll use the vines to see if there are any monsters inside. If there are, we move the shelter. If not, we go in and investigate.”
Shang Chuan: “That’ll take too long. Give me the coordinates. Tomorrow, I’ll find someone strong to go in and take a look. I’ll also get a batch of potions ready for you.”
Li Wufeng: “I can do that, but is the person reliable?”
Li Wufeng frowned slightly.
Sharing coordinates was a serious matter. If the wrong person got them, they could be robbed at best or killed at worst. The incident with the ‘Giant’ Mickey hadn't happened that long ago.
Shang Chuan: “Reliable. He’s a partner and major client for both me and the Witch. He’s very strong, with an S-rank combat talent.”
Li Wufeng’s concerns vanished when he saw that the person was a partner of both Shang Chuan and the Witch.
The Witch might have a bit of a notorious reputation, but she was also known for being exceptionally fair.
If this combatant was someone who could maintain a long-term partnership with her, it meant they weren't the type of person who would murder small fry like them for fun.
Besides, for people like them with E-grade or D-grade talents, trying to survive this world alone was suicide. That was why they chose to work with Shang Chuan.
Trusting Shang Chuan and the famous Witch was their only real option.
Li Wufeng: “Fine. What time should we meet tomorrow?”
Shang Chuan: “I’ll discuss it with him first and let you know the result.”
After finishing the conversation, Shang Chuan went to contact Li Huai.
Knowing that Li Huai, the leveling maniac, was likely not at home, Shang Chuan left a message and then went to find Lan Qingyou.
Lan Qingyou: “So, you want me to brew a batch of potions so your people can explore some cave?”
Lan Qingyou, who was currently in a lesson with Professor Gil, understood the gist of the situation after reading Shang Chuan’s message.
Shang Chuan: “Exactly. My merchant’s intuition tells me there’s likely something there.”
Lan Qingyou: “Making some potions is fine, but if your intuition says there’s something there, are you sure your people can handle the exploration?”
It wasn't that Lan Qingyou looked down on Shang Chuan’s men, but exploring under conditions where magic and talents were unusable was inherently dangerous.
Shang Chuan: “That’s why I invited Li Huai. He hasn't agreed yet, but it should be fine.”
Li Huai was a combat machine. If he knew there was an exploration that would likely involve fighting monsters, he would definitely jump at the chance.
Both Shang Chuan and Lan Qingyou knew this well.
But...
Lan Qingyou: “That’s not what I meant. Even if Li Huai has an S-rank talent, I don't doubt his combat ability, but have you forgotten we’re in a mana turbulence period? Even Li Huai might not be able to use his mana.”
...
Shang Chuan fell silent after reading Lan Qingyou’s reply.
Damn, how could I have forgotten something so important?
It seemed he had been too impatient in the face of a potentially massive profit.
Shang Chuan: “I’ll ask Li Huai if his talent is physical-based or magic-based when he gets back. If it’s magic-based, we’ll have to wait until the mana turbulence ends.”
He sent the message after adjusting his mindset.
Lan Qingyou: “I agree that the cave should be investigated, but the unknown is always the most terrifying. It’s better to be fully prepared. My suggestion is to wait until the mana turbulence ends regardless of his talent type.”
Shang Chuan: “True.”
Shang Chuan: “So, what do you suggest on your end?”
Lan Qingyou: “Antidote potions, resistance potions, attribute potions, and attack potions. I think your people should have some of each ready. That way, they’ll have options no matter what they face.”
Shang Chuan: “Then I’ll leave the preparations to you.”
Since Lan Qingyou had put it that way, Shang Chuan naturally didn't have much else to say.
However, just because he didn't have anything to say didn't mean Lan Qingyou was finished.
Lan Qingyou: “So, if they find something good, how will the profits be distributed?”
Rate on N.U.
