Darkness seemed to possess a tangible weight, pressing down heavily in every corner of the mine tunnel. Only the faint glow from an unnamed light source in the old man's hand managed to dispel a small patch of the viscous gloom.

Leaf Gray followed closely behind the elder, his footsteps making soft sounds on the uneven ground. Taking advantage of this walking interval, he diverted a strand of his attention to quietly probe the storage bag he had just obtained from Ryan Carter.

His spiritual sense swept through the pouch. The space inside wasn't large, and the items seemed somewhat shabby.

He quickly identified several common bottles of Vermillion Dawn Pills and a mere handful of healing pills, largely similar to the findings in Manager Miller's storage bag, though significantly fewer in number. Besides these, there was a miscellany of jars and bottles with various labels, containing powders or liquids of different colors and smells. Leaf Gray didn't recognize any of them, only faintly sensing weak spiritual energy fluctuations from some.

In the corner of the pouch lay a few pieces of ore, shimmering with different hues, but whether in terms of spiritual energy content or quality, they were far inferior to the prized pieces Manager Miller had carefully collected.

"Ryan Carter's status was ultimately lower than Manager Miller's, so his possessions are naturally less substantial," Leaf Gray mused inwardly, feeling not particularly disappointed. After all, these were essentially found gains, like unexpected windfalls; any amount was enough to bring some satisfaction. He also stored the refined steel longsword taken from Ryan Carter into the pouch and then securely tied the pouch to his waist.

This action wasn't arbitrary. The conspicuous storage bag at his waist served, to some extent, as an excellent decoy. It attracted potential attention, making the truly valuable pouch containing the bulk of Manager Miller's assets, hidden close to his body, even more concealed and secure. It was a small, cautious plan he could devise based on his current circumstances.

The mine tunnel was silent, only the echoes of their footsteps reverberating.

Leaf Gray considered asking the profound elder ahead of him about basic cultivation knowledge or pill identification—precisely the information he currently craved. However, the words reached his lips only to be swallowed back.

The other party was, after all, a senior expert. Although he seemed kind and amiable, who could truly discern the nature of someone's heart in the cultivation world? Theirs was merely a chance encounter. That the elder was willing to lead him out was already a great kindness. If he overstepped by rashly asking questions and accidentally caused offense, it would be counterproductive, and the loss would outweigh the gain.

"The priority is to safely navigate this labyrinthine mine tunnel. Other matters can wait," Leaf Gray suppressed his thirst for knowledge and focused his attention on the path underfoot.

The elder's walking pace ahead didn't seem fast; his steps were leisurely, as if strolling in a garden. Yet, Leaf Gray frequently had to break into a slight jog just to keep up. What made Leaf Gray even more apprehensive was that the elder's figure would occasionally vanish without warning into the darkness ahead, only to reappear silently in the same spot moments later, as if he had never left.

Faint, almost imperceptible traces of blood occasionally drifted in the air, leading Leaf Gray to speculate that some disciples of The Lunar Blight, hiding in the shadows, had likely been casually disposed of by this Elder Lockridge. This elusive ability deepened Leaf Gray's awe for the elder's strength.

The passages within the ore vein crisscrossed like a spider's web, complex enough to disorient anyone unfamiliar. Even after a year of labor here, Leaf Gray needed to pause and recall at some key junctions to find the correct direction. Yet, the elder ahead seemed intimately familiar with it all. He proceeded without hesitation, every step on the correct path, as if guided by an invisible, precise map. Such ease and certainty were no accident.

After walking for about half an hour, the thick darkness ahead seemed to be dispelled by some force. Then, a faint point of light appeared at the edge of his vision, gradually expanding, becoming clearer and steadier.

It was the exit!

Leaf Gray's heartbeat involuntarily quickened. He followed the elder, stepping out of the dim, oppressive mine tunnel and back into the vast world. Long-lost sunlight instantly bathed his entire body, warm and dazzling. He instinctively narrowed his eyes and raised a hand to shield them slightly.

The influx of light caused some discomfort, but more than that, it brought an indescribable sense of release and excitement. He took a deep breath of the clear, crisp outside air, scented with grass and trees, and it seemed to expel the stale air accumulated in his chest. His mind grew somewhat dazed in that moment, as if awakening from a long nightmare, giving rise to a strange feeling of being reborn.

"Elder Lockridge!"

Several figures stood guard solemnly at the mine exit.

They wore unified attire, their spiritual power sharp and their eyes keen. They were clearly cultivators from the various sects under The Firmament Palace, stationed there to prevent any remnants of The Lunar Blight from escaping. Upon seeing the elder appear, they immediately shed their stern demeanor, bowing deeply with utmost respect.

The elder, addressed as Elder Lockridge, merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

A middle-aged cultivator who seemed to be the leader glanced at Leaf Gray behind Elder Lockridge, a flicker of doubt in his eyes, and cautiously inquired, "Elder Lockridge, this is...?"

Elder Lockridge's expression remained placid, his tone casual. "A disciple of The Profound Sect, whose sect was annihilated by The Lunar Blight a year ago. He was captured and forced into labor as a mine slave. Earlier in the tunnels, he provided me with some minor assistance. I simply brought him out on my way." His concise words inadvertently set the tone for Leaf Gray's presence.

Understanding dawned on the middle-aged cultivator's face, his doubts dispelled. He gestured to a younger cultivator nearby and instructed, "Take him over there for registration and identity verification."

"Yes, sir!" The young cultivator clasped his fists in acknowledgment, then turned to Leaf Gray, his tone businesslike. "You, come with me."

Leaf Gray turned, intending to express his sincere gratitude to Elder Lockridge. However, Elder Lockridge had already strode directly towards the depths of the valley, as if having completed a trivial task.

The middle-aged cultivator quickly caught up to Elder Lockridge, reporting in a low voice, "Elder Lockridge, Deputy Sterling previously gave orders that if you emerged, you were to see him immediately regarding an important matter."

Upon hearing this, Elder Lockridge stroked his long beard, muttering with a hint of complaint, "Really now, can't an old man like me rest for a moment without being disturbed?" Despite his words, his movements showed no delay. With a slight shift of his body, he shot up into the sky the next moment, transforming into a streak of light that vanished over the horizon in the blink of an eye, his speed astonishing.

By now, Leaf Gray was already being led by the young cultivator towards another part of the valley. The guiding cultivator seemed to have no desire for conversation, his face expressionless and his pace brisk. Leaf Gray was also content with silence, remaining cautious and observant of his surroundings.

Recalling Elder Lockridge's earlier words to the middle-aged cultivator, a wave of warmth washed over Leaf Gray, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted slightly.

"This old man... he's really quite decent," he thought to himself. What help had he actually provided in the tunnels? On the contrary, he owed the elder a tremendous debt. Without Elder Lockridge, he didn't know how long he might have fumbled in the tunnels, possibly even meeting misfortune. But Elder Lockridge had specifically said that—"provided some minor assistance"—clearly a deliberate act.

For a senior expert like Elder Lockridge, it might have been just a casual remark. But for a low-level cultivator and former mine slave like Leaf Gray, those words were enough to resolve many potential troubles he currently faced. The most direct concerned the storage bag hanging at his waist!

Leaf Gray was acutely aware that given his current status—a newly rescued, destitute mine slave—carrying a storage bag clearly belonging to a cultivator was far too conspicuous. It could easily attract unwanted envy and even disaster.

When he retrieved the pouch from Ryan Carter's corpse, he had already been mentally prepared, even for the worst-case scenario: if someone from The Firmament Palace took a fancy to the pouch, he would choose to hand it over proactively to ensure his own safety, sacrificing the goods to avoid greater trouble. After all, the truly valuable items, like those top-grade ore pieces and Manager Miller's savings, were well hidden on his person. Losing Ryan Carter's storage bag would sting, but it wasn't an unbearable loss.

However, with Elder Lockridge's characterization that "he provided me with some minor assistance," the situation changed significantly. It indirectly acknowledged a faint connection between Leaf Gray and Elder Lockridge, and the storage bag could be viewed as a form of "compensation" or "tacitly approved possession." Thus, unless they were foolish or exceptionally bold, most Firmament Palace cultivators probably wouldn't easily set their sights on this storage bag.

"This is a significant debt of favor," Leaf Gray thought.

He felt a slight regret that he hadn't been able to offer a proper, face-to-face thank you.

"Still, there will be time in the future. If the opportunity arises, I must repay him." He silently etched this kindness in his heart.

Following the guiding cultivator, Leaf Gray began to carefully observe the massive valley. The valley was pouch-shaped, surrounded by steep mountains on three sides, with only a narrow path to the east for entry and exit, making it easily defensible. Currently, the valley was bustling and noisy, filled with people coming and going, and various flags fluttered in the wind.

He looked around and saw the lingering traces of the recent battle strewn across the valley: large pits scarred the ground, deep sword marks and scorched black marks from spell impacts marred the rock walls, and in some places, dark red bloodstains hadn't yet fully dried. The air carried a peculiar mix of scents—earth, gunpowder smoke, and blood—silently narrating the intensity of the fierce battle that had taken place here not long ago.

From the looks of it, The Firmament Palace must have fought hard to capture this important stronghold of The Lunar Blight, and The Lunar Blight's losses were likely severe.

Throughout the valley stood tall, striking banners embroidered with distinct characters, emblems, or patterns—some resembling raging flames, others flowing water, and still others adorned with fierce beasts or sharp weapons. Beneath each banner gathered groups of cultivators, their spiritual powers either sharp and imposing or deep and restrained. Dressed in varied attire, they clearly belonged to different sects and families within The Firmament Palace.

Based on scattered information Leaf Gray had picked up in the past, The Firmament Palace was a massive alliance-type organization, comprising countless large and small sects, cultivation families, and loose cultivator forces, united by common interests or ideals.

What he saw before him was likely just the tip of the iceberg of The Firmament Palace's immense power. The other colossal force engaged in long-term confrontation and conflict with The Firmament Palace—The Ophidian Covenant—was said to have a similar organizational structure.

The joy of regained freedom still filled his heart, making everything seem fresh and interesting to Leaf Gray. Even the grim traces of the battlefield appeared to him as evidence of his broken shackles. He couldn't help but look around, his steps unconsciously slowing, prompting the young guiding cultivator to glance back at him several times, urging impatiently, "Hurry up, stop dawdling!"

The two made their way to a corner of the valley. A crowd had gathered here as well, but the atmosphere was starkly different from that of the Firmament Palace cultivators Leaf Gray had seen along the way.

These people were mostly ragged, covered in dust, sallow, and thin, their eyes filled with confusion, exhaustion, or the numbness of survivors. The majority were men, likely former mine slaves who had labored in the sunless ore veins. Years of overwork, malnutrition, and mental suppression made them look more like refugees than cultivators.

Seeing this group, Leaf Gray immediately understood: they were all like him, originally oppressed and enslaved by The Lunar Blight, now finally seeing the light of day again. For some reason, they had been gathered here.

In front of this crowd stood a simple wooden desk. Behind it sat a portly cultivator who didn't look very old. He was currently leaning back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his head nodding as he dozed, a faint glistening trail visible at the corner of his mouth.

The young cultivator who had brought Leaf Gray frowned, stepped forward, and rapped on the desktop twice, not too lightly, not too heavily.

Thump. Thump.

The portly cultivator started violently, his plump body shuddering so hard he nearly toppled from the not-so-spacious chair. He hurriedly grabbed the table to steady himself. Once he saw who stood before him, he let out a long sigh of relief, patting his thick chest with lingering fear. "Aiyo! It's you, kid! Walk without a sound? You scared me to death!"

A trace of helplessness appeared on the young cultivator's face. He lowered his voice. "Shixiong Sterling, even though this registration duty is a idle post and no one's watching closely, you can't be this lax. In broad daylight, if one of the Alliance's inspecting officials happened to see, both of us would be in serious trouble..."

Before he could finish, the portly cultivator, addressed as Shixiong Sterling, waved a fat hand impatiently, cutting him off. "I know, I know! So young, yet you nag like an old woman, endlessly." He rubbed his still-sleepy eyes, yawned, and asked, "Well? What is it?"

The young cultivator stepped aside, revealing Leaf Gray behind him. "Register him. Verify his identity and background."

The portly cultivator's eyes, originally narrowed into slits by the fat on his face, giving him a perpetually drowsy look, suddenly flew open. A gleam of sharp light shot from his small eyes as his gaze, like a hook, locked firmly onto the storage bag at Leaf Gray's waist.