Chapter 270: Chapter 226: Mobilizing the Masses, Opening the Ore Vein

After mining Sharp Pattern Copper by himself for more than half a month, Lu Zhao’s brow gradually furrowed.

The yield was certainly substantial. In just half a month, he had excavated enough Sharp Pattern Copper to refine the Main Material for a Tier Two Puppet.

However, it was far too inefficient! Relying on his strength alone, even with his Foundation Establishment Cultivation and a Divine Sense that far surpassed his peers, his progress was nowhere near what he had hoped for.

This ore vein stretched far and wide, its deposits rich. If he wanted to quickly convert it into the resources needed to refine Tier Two Puppets, he would have to use outside help.

’Looks like I’ll have to get those Cultivation Clans to send people over after all,’ Lu Zhao thought.

However, he was well aware of an iron law in the Cultivation Realm: there is no such thing as a free lunch. He couldn’t expect the clans to contribute their labor for nothing; they simply wouldn’t be efficient otherwise.

But he had already thought it all through. The Sharp Pattern Copper Ore Vein didn’t consist solely of the primary ore. After digging for the past several days, Lu Zhao had familiarized himself with the accompanying mineral deposits.

Besides the relatively rare Tier One High-Grade Sharp Gold Stone, which was somewhat useful for his puppet making, the vein also contained several types of Tier One Middle and Lower-Grade Spiritual Materials such as Sharp Iron Stone, Profound Copper Sand, and Cyan Steel Jade.

To Lu Zhao, these Spiritual Materials were of limited value now.

’I’m really not short on Lower Grade Spirit Stones.’ When he had sold off the Le Family’s massive inheritance, he had gained nearly eighty thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

In addition, over the past few years, the merchant caravan led by Wang Hui had worked diligently. Besides selling Puppets, they had also continuously sold off the Tier One Spiritual Materials he had no use for, accumulating tens of thousands more Spirit Stones for him.

The number of Lower Grade Spirit Stones now lying quietly in his Storage Bag was approaching a staggering one hundred and fifty thousand!

This huge sum was an astronomical figure for a Qi Cultivator, but for Lu Zhao, who was in the Foundation Establishment Stage, it had become a sweet burden.

Lower Grade Spirit Stones had low purchasing power, making it hard to buy Tier Two Spiritual Materials. His real problem was figuring out how to turn this "burden" into a more valuable hard currency—Middle-Grade Spirit Stones—or trade for Tier Two Spiritual Materials directly.

’The accompanying minerals... they’re the perfect bargaining chip.’ A sharp glint flashed in Lu Zhao’s eyes.

While those Tier One Spiritual Materials were of little use to him, to the Cultivation Clans and Demon Hunting Teams of Broken River Castle, they were a genuine fortune. They were the foundation upon which they nurtured their young, purchased Magical Artifacts and Pills, and strengthened their ranks.

To use these "useless items" to trade for their labor, compelling them to mine the truly valuable Sharp Pattern Copper for him... the deal was incredibly advantageous.

With his decision made, Lu Zhao no longer hesitated. He put away his Spiritual Pickaxe, recalled Li Xuerou and the Corpse Puppet Battle Array, and with a flicker of his body, transformed into a pale blue streak of Escape Light, speeding towards Broken River Castle.

[One day later. The council hall of Broken River Castle.]

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. At the head of the hall, Lu Zhao sat upright, his expression calm, but his body naturally exuded the faint pressure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Below him, five figures stood respectfully on either side: Wang Zhen, Patriarch of the Wang Family; Xu Kui, Patriarch of the Xu Family; Hann Song, Patriarch of the Hann Family; Zhao Tieying, leader of the Qingyang Demon Hunting Team; and Sun Lie, leader of the Red Fire Demon Hunting Team. All five had their eyes fixed on Lu Zhao, while Zhao Xiaoshu stood in attendance at his side.

Lu Zhao’s gaze slowly swept over the five men, and he got straight to the point. "I have gathered you all here today because an opportunity has arisen."

He spoke concisely, recounting how he had ventured deep into the Wilderness to hunt a Tier Two Middle Stage Anteater and had unexpectedly discovered a rich Sharp Pattern Copper Ore Vein.

When they heard the words "Tier Two Lower Grade Sharp Pattern Copper Ore Vein," an irrepressible, fiery light instantly erupted in the eyes of the five men, and their breathing grew heavier.

Tier Two Spiritual Material! And a mainstream Refining Material at that! This was an unimaginable fortune for any faction!

However, Lu Zhao’s next words were like a basin of cold water poured over them. "I am determined to claim this ore vein. All the Tier Two Lower Grade Sharp Pattern Copper will belong to me."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. The excitement on the faces of Wang Zhen, Xu Kui, and the others stiffened, and a trace of disappointment and unwillingness flashed in their eyes.

Lu Zhao took in everyone’s expressions, his tone unchanging as he continued, "However, I have no intention of hoarding the vein’s accompanying minerals for myself."

"I will need to take a portion of the Tier One High-Grade Sharp Gold Stone for my own use. The remainder, along with all the Tier One Middle and Lower-Grade accompanying Spiritual Materials—like Sharp Iron Stone, Profound Copper Sand, and Cyan Steel Jade—can be divided among your five families, as well as any other small clans and Demon Hunting Teams from Broken River Castle who wish to participate."

A sudden twist!

The disappointment in the five men’s eyes was quickly replaced by new hope. Although they had no share in the most precious Tier Two main ore, the value of the accompanying minerals from a new ore vein was still absolutely astounding!

Especially the Tier One High-Grade Sharp Gold Stone, which was also a fine material for refining Magical Artifacts! Not to mention the vast quantities of Middle and Lower-Grade Spiritual Materials, enough to fill their warehouses several times over!

As the leader of the Qi Cultivation factions of the Broken River Plains, Hann Song was the most meticulous thinker. He took a step forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "Elder Lu, we are endlessly grateful for your generous gift!"

"I just wonder what you require of us? Are we to continue dispatching our clans’ Cultivators to mine deep in the Wilderness?"

"To be honest, after continuously sending men to explore the Wilderness, every family and team is truly stretched thin. This is especially true for the Cultivators capable of venturing deep into the Wilderness; there are very few of them left."

"I’m afraid we can’t bear the heavy burden of mining a Tier Two ore vein," he said, his tone sincere and tinged with a hint of helplessness.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao’s lips curved slightly, revealing a knowing smile. This was exactly what he had been waiting for.

"Patriarch Hann speaks the truth." Lu Zhao nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Cultivators are precious and naturally cannot all be thrown into the mines. But mining an ore vein does not rely solely on the power of Cultivators."

He paused, his voice rising slightly, filled with an unquestionable resolve. "What I want are Mortal Martial Artists! The more, the better!"

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