"He said I'm about to join him soon?"

Yang Ling's face flickered with uncertainty in the firelight.

The first person that came to mind was Supervisor Wu.

"Could it be that the competitions between the major mine veins are so dangerous that they could lead to deaths?"

"If that's the case, I should level up more, and it's best to secure an identity before the competition for safety..."

"Wait, why didn't I gain any experience points from killing Fifth Brother?"

Yang Ling's expression turned a bit strange.

He had gained experience points from the other mine bandits he killed earlier, but not from Fifth Brother.

Logically, Fifth Brother's attributes were the highest among this group of mine bandits.

"Could it be because it was too easy? Do you only gain effective experience points through life-and-death struggles?"

"That must be it. Otherwise, when some players become powerful, they might start massacring villages or cities..."

Understanding this, Yang Ling immediately focused his thoughts on Fifth Brother and his group.

He first checked the map, confirmed a very remote location, and then moved the bodies of Fifth Brother and the others there one by one.

Then he dug some earth to bury them and stomped the ground firm with his feet.

"Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for anyone to discover their bodies. Even if they do, I might not be in the mine vein by then."

Yang Ling felt a bit more at ease.

Only then did he belatedly start to feel nauseous.

The games he played before weren't this realistic, and after realizing something was off with this game, he confirmed that he had really killed someone!

Five minutes passed.

Yang Ling's breathing gradually steadied.

His mindset was also adjusted.

"If I don't kill these mine bandits, they'll kill me. To survive, what's killing a few mine bandits?"

Muttering to himself, Yang Ling began to check the spoils of this battle.

First was the Fire Crystal Rock Mine that Fifth Brother used as bait.

He had deliberately spread it on the ground.

A total of three pounds, worth three hundred coins.

Then he scavenged some Fire Crystal Rocks and copper coins from the other corpses.

Together, it amounted to nearly a pound and four hundred copper coins.

"I dug two pounds of Fire Crystal Rock Mine myself, plus these four pounds, that's six pounds, which can be exchanged for six hundred coins."

"And there are over four hundred coins in cash here."

"Altogether, it's exactly one tael of silver."

A smile appeared on Yang Ling's face.

This way of making money is indeed fast, no wonder Fifth Brother and his group became mine bandits.

"Fifth Brother's money pouch seems quite light?"

Yang Ling began to check Fifth Brother's money pouch.

With a gentle flip, he found a piece of broken silver!

"Broken silver? This is at least two taels!?"

Yang Ling weighed it with delight.

With this, his wealth had reached a total of three taels.

Just two more taels, and he could buy an identity in Qingshan City!

"Once I have an identity in Qingshan City, I can look for other ways to level up or switch to a mine that offers more experience..."

Yang Ling packed up his things, thinking as he continued deeper into the mine.

He didn't dare use the Fire Tinder on the way, instead feeling his way in the dark.

Every few steps, he would stop to listen for any sounds.

Fortunately, the system's map was visible without light, and with its aid, he ventured deeper and finally found a Fire Crystal Rock Mine.

This time, there was no ambush, and Yang Ling swung his pickaxe, focusing on grinding experience.

One strike after another!

With each hit, a cool experience flowed into him, relieving his fatigue, easing muscle soreness, and indirectly increasing his stamina!

When hungry, he ate a biscuit.

When thirsty, he drank water.

When tired, he took a short rest.

Yang Ling wasn't sure how many places he had changed.

He only knew his cloth bags were getting fuller.

Luckily, he had prepared several in advance.

One cloth bag could hold about ten pounds of Fire Crystal Rock.

When he filled three cloth bags, a pleasant notification sounded again.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations, you have leveled up and gained 1 free attribute point."

"Level 6!"

Yang Ling was very happy.

This time in the mine, he had leveled up twice!

He added the attribute point to strength again.

Knowing the importance of strength for mining, he wouldn't choose to add to agility or spirit.

Opening the attribute panel:

Character: Yang Ling

Profession: Miner

Level: 6

Strength: 12 (3)

Agility: 5

Spirit: 10

Health: 90/90

"Pure strength has reached 9 points, and with the pickaxe's boost, my strength is on par with Supervisor Wu."

"My agility is 3 points lower, but my spirit is 7 points higher than his."

"In total attributes, I far surpass Supervisor Wu."

Yang Ling was very satisfied.

As long as everything goes smoothly, his attributes would greatly improve in a month!

"First, reach level 10. In other games, there's usually a job change quest after level 10. I wonder if 'Divine Realm' will be the same."

Yang Ling focused on mining again.

When he noticed he was running low on biscuits, he started to head back.

However, for safety, he chose a different route on the way back, taking a longer path.

Leaving the mine, it was already late at night.

In the mine vein, a few figures could be vaguely seen.

"Thirty-some pounds of Fire Crystal Rock Mine, I wonder if it will arouse Steward Niu's suspicion."

"Too bad this game didn't give me a storage compartment..."

Gritting his teeth, Yang Ling decided to take a risk.

He had thought about burying the Fire Crystal Rock Mine somewhere first.

But he knew that his mining speed would only get faster.

By then, burying so much Fire Crystal Rock Mine would make it even harder to convert into cash!

Instead, he decided to see Steward Niu's attitude.

At the exit, the Mine Vein Guard glanced at him and called out Steward Niu.

Steward Niu yawned:

"Yang Ling, you've been in the mine for several days."

"Steward Niu, I found a very rich Fire Crystal Rock Mine, so I dug with all my might."

Yang Ling whispered.

"Very rich?"

Steward Niu was slightly taken aback, "How rich?"

Yang Ling tossed the three bulging cloth bags onto the table.

Steward Niu was shocked.

He immediately picked up a small scale.

After a while.

He looked at Yang Ling with a strange expression: "Thirty-two pounds..."

"You didn't become a mine bandit, did you?"

"Steward Niu, I wouldn't dare!"

Yang Ling's body tensed.

"Scared? Just kidding."

Steward Niu chuckled, "Since it's thirty-two pounds, giving you copper coins would be inconvenient.

I'll give you silver instead."

"Steward Niu, wasn't it thirty pounds?"

Yang Ling said.

Steward Niu looked Yang Ling up and down, then suddenly smiled and nodded:

"Right, it's thirty pounds."

With that, he took out a piece of broken silver, weighed it, and tossed it to Yang Ling.

As soon as Yang Ling held it, he knew it was a full three taels.

His heart was aflame.

Adding Fifth Brother's two taels of broken silver.

He already had enough to buy an identity.

But... buying it now would be too conspicuous, he still needed to wait a while.

"Thank you, Steward Niu."

Yang Ling thanked him politely and then quickly left.

"Steward Niu, there's something strange about that kid."

The Mine Vein Guard quietly approached, staring suspiciously at Yang Ling's back.

"He's a refugee."

Steward Niu said calmly.

The Mine Vein Guard asked in confusion: "I know that."

Search "pawread.com" for the original.

"Not long ago, Hongkun City suffered a disaster, there was a civil uprising, and bandits took the opportunity to loot the city, wiping out the Yang Family, the largest clan in the city.

The Yang Family's enemies took advantage, and the family scattered.

Shortly after, this kid showed up."

Steward Niu smiled.

The Mine Vein Guard was slightly shocked: "You mean, he might be a descendant of the Yang Family?"

"Possibly. I was just suspicious before, but now he looks more and more like it. He probably knows martial arts, he's a Martial Artist."

"A Martial Artist? Like Supervisor Wu!?"

The Mine Vein Guard was astonished.

Steward Niu waved his hand: "I'm just being kind to others, to leave myself more options."

"Steward Niu, you're impressive, with sharp eyes."

The Mine Vein Guard gave a thumbs up, expressing admiration.