Chapter 34: Jade-Devouring Insect

"Mine No. 2"

"Total excavation: over 1,600 zhang"

"Total Warm Jade extracted: 1,800 jin"

"..."

Aside from Mine No. 1, the excavation progress in the other mines was mostly winding and circuitous, making exploration quite difficult.

However, Jiao Yujian showed no signs of impatience.

He maintained his previous approach, patiently investigating the conditions.

For the following day, the group's time was largely spent inspecting the interior of the mines.

As evening approached, the group arrived at the final mine.

Meng Kan followed the usual procedure: first, he produced the ledger, then introduced the current excavation progress.

According to the current task schedule, as long as they completed the inspection of the spiritual mines today, they could hand over the extracted Warm Jade tomorrow and return to Yellow Jade Island.

Once the Warm Jade was handed over, their mission would be considered complete.

Li Qing and Meng Kan's group remained standing at the entrance of the mine, waiting for the results from within.

Half an hour later, a streak of light appeared from inside the mine.

Jiao Yujian's figure landed on the ground.

"Senior Brother Jiao, since the inspection is—"

Seeing this, Meng Kan assumed the situation inside had been cleared and was about to call Jiao Yujian to return.

"Follow me."

"Something is wrong!"

At this moment, Jiao Yujian's face was grave, and his eyes even betrayed a hint of shock.

Seeing this, Meng Kan could not help but grow anxious.

He did not know what could have happened to cause someone at the late stage of Qi Refinement, like Jiao Yujian, to look so shaken.

The atmosphere around them instantly became tense.

Standing to one side, Li Qing looked on with confusion.

"No time for nonsense, follow me quickly!"

After saying this, Jiao Yujian led the group directly into the spiritual mine.

Meng Kan and the others had no choice but to follow, looking utterly bewildered.

Li Qing, however, followed unhurriedly at the rear.

Even if something happened to the spiritual mine, it had nothing to do with him; after all, he was not one of the guards stationed here.

After the group had traveled a distance along the main artery of the mine, Jiao Yujian suddenly darted into a side branch.

This branch appeared much narrower, measuring no more than two meters across.

It looked like a branch that had only recently been excavated.

Upon reaching the bottom of the branch, Jiao Yujian finally came to a halt.

As soon as Meng Kan and the others arrived, they immediately began looking around warily.

"Junior brothers, look at this."

After speaking, Jiao Yujian struck the front stone wall with a blast of blue spiritual power.

*Bang!*

The powerful spiritual energy punched a large hole into the hard jade wall ahead.

*Clatter!! Clatter!*

Several stone fragments containing Warm Jade fell to the ground.

Seeing that Meng Kan still looked puzzled, Jiao Yujian pointed toward the Warm Jade on the ground.

"Junior Brother Meng, why don't you extract the Warm Jade from within?"

Not daring to delay, Meng Kan struck the stones on the ground with a palm strike.

He then extracted several pieces of Warm Jade.

Meng Kan held the Warm Jade carefully and inspected it for a few moments.

"This is...?"

Meng Kan suddenly looked at the Warm Jade in his hand with a face full of tension.

The others immediately swept their divine sense over it.

They saw that on the fair, white Warm Jade, there were actually several tiny holes.

Meng Kan's expression became extremely complicated, and his eyes betrayed a sense of terror.

*Swish!*

A slender golden sword flew directly out of his storage bag.

This was Meng Kan's dharma treasure, a low-grade slender sword.

"Open!"

At Meng Kan's command, the golden sword flashed like a phantom.

The pieces of Warm Jade on the ground were instantly split in half.

Meng Kan stepped forward and immediately picked them up.

With his palms trembling slightly, he extracted a long, thin, dark-red insect from within.

The long, thin insect had a dark red body with a metallic luster, and its forelimbs possessed a pair of sharp spikes.

"Jade-Eating Worms!"

The other three guarding cultivators cried out in alarm.

Li Qing looked back and saw that all the guarding cultivators were pale with fear.

As the name was spoken, information regarding this creature flashed through Li Qing's mind.

"The Jade-Eating Worm is a special type of spiritual insect that feeds specifically on jade-type spiritual ores."

"These insects often hide within spiritual mines and are generally difficult to detect."

"The most terrifying aspect is that they often appear in swarms. If they are not exterminated in time, they can cause severe damage to the entire spiritual mine."

The Jade-Eating Worms, in particular, would traverse the mine, significantly destroying the intrinsic value of the ore itself.

Li Qing finally understood why the others looked so terrified.

If a swarm of Jade-Eating Worms was truly discovered, they, as the guards stationed here, would have to bear immense responsibility.

The growth cycle of a Jade-Eating Worm is relatively long; once eggs are discovered, there are methods to exterminate them in time.

But from the current situation, mature Jade-Eating Worms had already appeared.

Judging by the circumstances, things were looking bad.

Since Meng Kan and his group were responsible for guarding White Jade Island, they naturally understood the dire consequences of Jade-Eating Worms.

Once this matter was confirmed, the massive responsibility the guarding disciples would have to shoulder meant that no one would likely escape the sect's punishment.

After all, it would be a massive loss for the sect, and someone would inevitably have to take the fall.

For a moment, everyone stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do.

"Fellow Daoist Meng, what are you waiting for?"

Jiao Yujian's loud shout snapped Meng Kan out of his stupor.

"Why haven't you immediately gone to inspect the other mines?" Jiao Yujian said sternly.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Meng Kan had regained his composure.

The full extent of the situation was still unknown; if only this mine had the worms, there might still be a chance for remediation.

"I will personally continue to inspect this mine," Jiao Yujian said solemnly.

"The rest of you, split up and go to mines two, three, four, and five. You are familiar with the conditions there and will surely be able to discover any signs more quickly..."

"Alright, alright, alright."

Meng Kan was also in a state of panic.

"We shall rely on the help of you two fellow daoists."

"Once this matter is resolved, we will certainly not forget your great kindness and will present generous gifts."

Meng Kan immediately bowed toward Li Qing and Jiao Yujian.

The three behind him also bowed in unison.

"Now is not the time for this. Go investigate the spiritual mines first and then we will decide," Jiao Yujian said with a serious face before turning to look at Li Qing.

"Junior Brother Li, you are unfamiliar with this area. Why don't you go inspect the newly developed Mine No. 7?"

"That mine has only just been developed, so it should be easier to inspect."

"Alright, everyone, make haste!"

After Jiao Yujian finished his arrangements, Meng Kan and the others did not hesitate for a second, immediately speeding toward the distant mines.

Li Qing already knew the route to the spiritual mine, so he also turned to leave.

After seeing everyone depart, Jiao Yujian, who had originally looked solemn, regained his composure.

Watching Li Qing's receding figure, a trace of mockery appeared in Jiao Yujian's eyes.

(End of Chapter)