Online Game: Starting with an SSS-Level Plundering Talent

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Under Strict Surveillance, Acting Independently

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Under Strict Surveillance, Acting Independently



The old village chief wore a furious expression, his gaze icy as he bellowed, "Everyone, shut the hell up!"

Everyone jumped, immediately recalling the fear the old village chief had instilled in them over the past few days. Not daring to utter another word, they fell silent.

"Hmph!" The chief sneered dismissively. "You have two choices: either work obediently or endure a full day of mental torture."

Terror filled their faces. A day of mental torture was more than enough to break them.

They swallowed hard, any thoughts of resistance quickly abandoned, and reluctantly complied.

"Good," the chief said, "now move out immediately. If you want a break, finish today's workload as quickly as possible!" With a wave of his hand, he activated a spatial teleportation array.

Expressionless, everyone lined up, resigned to their fate, and entered the portal one by one. John, as usual, was at the back.

The village chief kept a close watch on him, and as John stepped into the array, the chief followed right behind.

Buzz!

Spatial energy pulsed around them, and John and the others found themselves once again at the mine.

The atmosphere was tense; more Shadow Clan soldiers patrolled the area, scrutinizing everyone coldly.

The recent incident involving the palace had alarmed the Shadow Clan, and they were convinced that John had something to do with it.

"Village Chief, how's it looking?" A Shadow Clan leader approached, looking at the chief and asking in a low voice.

The chief shook his head, casting a glance toward John in the distance. "No signs of trouble. You can handle them for now."

"Don't worry. I'll keep someone watching him at all times," the leader replied, nodding as he waved his hand, signaling a large number of Shadow Clan soldiers to descend into the mine via the lift.

John and the others were transported down as well.

Clang! Clang!

Deep in the mine, sounds of hammering and shouting echoed around.

The sky was barely beginning to lighten, yet work had already started.

John suspected that some of the workers hadn't rested at all the previous night.

The presence of even more soldiers down here made things worse; the entire area was now heavily guarded, leaving no opportunity to slack off.

"Sir, it seems they're targeting you," Dumas whispered as he took in the scene.

"No talking!" A burly, scar-faced brute strode over, glaring coldly at Dumas and John. "You two, split up!"

"Yes, sir. Yes, sir." Dumas flinched, swallowing hard as he moved a few steps away.

John frowned slightly. He hadn't fully grasped the workings of the Shadow Clan yet and didn't want to take action prematurely. For now, he had no choice but to tolerate the situation.

Everyone worked anxiously, hauling massive chunks of ore with laborious steps.

Then, he spotted the Behemoth, Quagmire.

Quagmire moved with a numb expression, his gaze hollow, dragging heavy chains behind him, hunched under the weight of the ore he carried.

There were questions John needed to ask him, but no chance to do so.

The Shadow Clan had stationed a significant number of soldiers inside the mine, clearly there to keep an eye on him.

"This is such a hassle," John muttered to himself, lifting a boulder as large as a person and walking slowly forward, contemplating his next move.

With such strict surveillance, he'd have no freedom to act at all-likely, he'd even be watched throughout the night.

His mind flashed to an idea-his avatars!

He could only rely on his avatars in this situation.

With a single thought, he transferred his Split Void ability and god-level disguise talent to his Beast Clan avatar. Tonight, he'd use it to locate Quagmire and get some answers.

In the meantime, the work in the mine was relentless. Dumas and the old man, Quagmire, suffered most without John's assistance, now forced to carry their loads on their own strength.

Dumas was in a slightly better situation with a quota of just 100 cubic meters; he might manage to finish by midnight.

But Quagmire's burden was far greater. With a quota of 200 cubic meters and no help from John, he had no hope of completing it, even if he worked around the clock.

Life Laws into both men.

"That should be proof enough. The Shadow Clan's dark power could never comprehend the Laws of Life," he said calmly.

Quagmire and Dumas exchanged glances, finally letting down their guard.

"Sir, it's strange to see you disguised as a Shadow Clan soldier," Quagmire remarked, still

uneasy. He had endured so much suffering under the Shadow Clan that his fear ran bone-deep. John didn't elaborate and instead got straight to the point. "Time is short, so I'll keep this brief. Do either of you know where the Spirit Stone Mine or the Immortal Herb Garden are

located?"

Both shook their heads.

Quagmlier spoke up, "Sir, I've only ever moved between the main mines and the novice

village. I've never been anywhere else."

Quagmire added, "Same here. However, in my novice village, there's someone who works in

the Immortal Herb Garden. Maybe he'd have some information."

"Oh?" John's interest was piqued.

Quagmire looked worried. "But, sir, this guy is a traitor from the Windling Tribe, the Shadow

Clan's most loyal lapdog. He won't help you."

Unfazed, John replied coldly, "Simple. I'll just kill him and take on his appearance."

"That could work," the group said, eyes lighting up at the idea.

John's current disguise as a Shadow Clan soldier was flawless, and if he transformed into the

Windling Tribe traitor, he would certainly be able to deceive the Shadow Clan soldiers.

"Do you know anyone who works in the Spirit Stone Mine?" he continued. Quagmire shook his head, explaining, "I've heard that the Spirit Stone veins are highly

specialized; only peak upper-tier gods are allowed entry. We're far too weak to come into

contact with those powerhouses."

"Peak upper-tier gods?" John frowned, his curiosity piqued. What was so unique about the

Spirit Stone Mine that only peak upper-tier gods could mine there? Quagmire elaborated, "It seems it's because the mine is filled with Undying Flame, and only peak upper-tier gods can withstand it."

"Undying Flame?" John's surprise grew. Tony had once mentioned that only The Immortals possessed such a thing.

Could the Spirit Stone Mine be connected to The Immortals?

Unfortunately, neither of them knew more about the Spirit Stone Mine, nor did they have any

contacts with access to it.

It seemed that rescuing Cand-Dragon and the others would be more challenging than

anticipated.

"By the way," he added, turning to Quagmire, "you mentioned you've worked at several mines. Do you remember their coordinates?"

These ores were unique, and John was intent on collecting all of them if possible. With his World-in-Hand ability, he could store any quantity of ores or veins, no matter the

amount.

"Yes, I remember." Quagmire thought for a moment before giving him several coordinates. These were from mines he'd worked in, though some had been fully depleted.

"I have a few more mine coordinates as well," Dumas added. He didn't know John's exact

purpose but was willing to support anything aimed against the Shadow Clan.

John carefully noted each location, then channeled a bit of the power of the Life Laws into the

three of them, healing their injuries and easing their fatigue.

"I have other matters to attend to. You'll have to work a bit harder today," he said before

activating his Split Void talent. A spatial passage opened, and with a swift step, he vanished into thin air.