Chapter 7: Gold Blood Village
Soon after the aptitude test ended. The top three achievers were led to a secluded room beside the big building where the Foremans are staying.
There lies an old structure reinforced with spiritual stone and lit by luminescent ore embedded in the walls. The atmosphere buzzed with quiet energy.
Entering the building, you are welcome with a blast of Soul Essence directly on your face. In the center of the room stood three stone tablets, each carved with glowing runes. These were the Skill Monoliths, sacred stones said to have been left behind by ancient miners who transcended mortality, these stones hold a big importance for all the upcoming and young miners. Because, inside of it lies, thousands and thousands of different skills.
"Only one mining skill, and two battle techniques," a nearby Foreman reminded, his voice ancient as dust. "Choose wisely. The techniques you choose here will become your helping tool to advanced in life."
Xing Yan walked toward the monolith with "Mining Skills" carved ontop of it.
He then pressed his hand and focused his mind.
A hum echoed from deep within Xing Yan's soul, and suddenly hundreds of mining techniques poured into his mind, fragmented glimpses of movements, control, and insights passed down for generations to generations.
"Hiss... So many?"
Xing Yan didn't waste anymore time and started browsing the thousands of techniques in his mind.
Reading them one by one, Xing Yan clicked his tongue.
'There so many good techniques! I can't help but drool!'
After 30 minutes of browsing, Xing Yan found out that the techniques stored in this monolith is in between the level of Excellent to Meteoric Grade.
And it makes sense, techniques are considered treasure in this world, it wouldn't make sense if they put all the strongest skills in just one monolith.
30 more minutes passed, after browsing almost a round a thousand types of techniques, his attention was drawn to one glowing technique.
>Unparalleled Mining Technique (Rank: Transcendent)
An ancient method that allows the miner to absorb the Soul Essence of any ores piercing any conditions. Ores can be refined with minimal waste, and it can increase the yield exponentially. The only downside is the miner needs two times the Soul Essence to breakthrough a realm, minor or major breakthrough.
"This one..." Xing Yan's eyes widened. This was it. This technique felt like it was made for the Primordial Forge. Almost as if it this was stored especially for him...
"I choose this." His voice was firm.
The rune under the technique's name blinked and disappeared, marking this as his claim.
Next were the Battle Technique Tablets.
For his first pick, he picked up an explosive body-refining method,
>Iron-Burst Body (Rank: Meteoric)
-Channels refined Soul Essence through the muscles and bones, increasing explosive strength temporarily. Each burst comes at the cost of immense strain, but in return, grants monstrous short-term power.
A balance technique that improves both his offense and defense. Considering how frail Xing Yan's body is, training it will exponentially raised his combat prowess.
For his second pick, a unique pickaxe technique caught his attention,
>Shattering Pick Technique (Rank: Excellent)
A hybrid of swordsmanship and mining precision. Turns the pickaxe into a bladed weapon using sharp arcs and rotational strikes. Each swing seeks to break through both ore and flesh.
Xing Yan smirked. Pickaxe swordsmanship, huh? Sounds just about right for me.
After completing the selections, he felt a searing sensation on the back of his hand, three rune marks appeared, indicating the three techniques he chose had been claimed by him.
"You sure took your time choosing your techniques huh."
The old Foreman said to Xing Yan when he finally opened his eyes.
"Sorry for the inconvenience Foreman." Xing Yan said, while slightly bowing his head.
"Heh. It's okay. Just take these and go, the elder that came to escort you have been waiting."
The old Foreman said handling Xing Yan three bright scrolls. This must be the techniques he chose.
"May I ask a question, Elder Foreman?" Xing Yan looked up, questioning.
"Sure what is it?"
"I don't know how to use these scrolls."
The Elder Foreman frowned, "Is this perhaps your first techniques?"
Xing Yan nodded, "Yes, Elder Foreman."
"Hmm. Okay. Just put the scroll of the technique you want to learn, near the center of your eyebrows." The Elder Foreman explained.
"Like this?" Xing Yan put one of the scroll he's holding near in the center of his eyebrows just like the Elder Foreman instructed.
"Just like that. Now, focused your mind in the scroll you're holding."
Just as the Elder Foreman said, Xing Yan focused his mind in the scroll and suddenly a bunch of movements and instructions flowed inside his mind.
"Ah. So this is how it works..." Xing Yan exclaimed.
After that. One by one, he brought up the remaining scrolls near his eyebrows and focused his mind.
"Hu..." Xing Yan sighed, satisfied about the techniques he chose.
"Now that you've done that, try to look at them yourself." The Elder Foreman directed him.
"Look at them myself...?" Xing Yan tilted his head.
"Yes. Try focusing your mind in your whole body and you'll see what I mean." The Elder Foreman smiled.
Hearing what the Elder Foreman instructed, Xing Yan tried to focused his mind at his own body.
Then–
Hum...
A data of informations appeared in his mind.
[Personal Information]
:Xing Yan
Level: 1
Bone Age: 13 Years Old
Realm: Early-Perishable Realm
Soul Essence: 360
Mining Perception: 15 meters
Strength: 75 kg
Mining Companion: Unavailable
Mining Techniques: Unparalleled Mining (Level 1)
Battle Skills: Shattering Pick Technique, Iron-Burst Body
'Is this all the informations of my body? So this is what the Elder Foreman mean by looking at them myself.' Xing Yan thought, amazed.
"What you see is the accurate informations of your body, from your abilities to your weaknesses. So try to keep it a secret as much as possible." The Elder Foreman said firmly.
"Thank you so much for your guidance, Elder Foreman."
"Don't mention it. Go now."
Xing Yan bowed his head a last time, before he stepped out of the building.
"What an interesting fellow." The elder Foreman grin, while stroking his beard.
---
As Xing Yan stepped out, an elder with a silver beard was already waiting.
"You must be Xing Yan," the elder said, his voice like molten rock, heavy and aged, but not without warmth. "I am Elder Yun. Your Aunt sent me to escort you to Gold Blood Village."
"My Aunt?" Xing Yan blinked. Even in the hazy memories of of the previous Xing Yan, he doesn't remember a distant relative like an Aunt.
Elder Yun gave a knowing smile. "You'll understand soon enough. Follow me."
Xing Yan and Elder Yun walked for a bit until they reached the entrance of the trial shafts.
There Foreman Tie and 50 or more people was quietly standing near the neverending tunnels.
Elder Yun cupped his hand and bowed slightly when he saw Foreman Tie, "Foreman Tie, thank you so much for letting us participate in this event."
Foreman Tie cupped his hand and answered, "Elder Yun, the pleasure is ours. This batch was especially… colorful." Foreman Tie gave Xing Yan a glance.
As the elders exchanged courtesies, the top three participants from different villages, stood quietly, waiting to be dismissed.
Xu Yueling happened to glance sideways and locked eyes with Xing Yan. Her crimson gaze was sharp, prideful, and unreadable. She didn't say a word, just gave an enticing wink, before walking in one of the tunnels.
Xing Yan gave a faint smile. 'Weird girl. i wouldn't want to meet her again.'
From the side, Huo Shuan tilted his head just slightly, he just gave Xing Yan a cold glance.
Xing Yan didn't avoid the gaze, he looked directly in his eyes with no fear.
Huo Shuan smiled a little, before walking deep inside one of the tunnel.
Xing Yan smiled wryly, 'I hope I don't meet you again. You monster."
Just as he turned to leave with Elder Yun, a quiet presence passed by – Mo Lin. She brushed past him silently, her expression calm, her long dark lashes lowered. But for the briefest second, she looked up, and their eyes met.
There was no smile. Just a long gaze, like she was trying to memorize his face.
Xing Yan didn't speak. He merely watched as she walked away, her figure merging into the departing crowd of young talents.
"They won't remember you for long," Elder Yun said beside him as they began walking. "But sometimes a glance is enough." he continued.
Xing Yan raised an eyebrow. "You're quite poetic for a miner, Elder."
"Hmph," Elder Yun chuckled. "That's because I'm retired. Now come. Gold Blood Village isn't close, and the tunnels are long."
Xing Yan followed without a word, leaving behind the trial shaft and the counless eyes staring at him.
---
The journey through the tunnels was long, rough, and quiet.
Days passed in the dim underground expanse. They traveled through old mining tunnels, past collapsed chambers and man-made holes. Sometimes, they'd pass a patrol team or a caravan from other villages. But most of the time, it was just silence, stone clashing to stone, and the steady crunch of their footsteps.
Elder Yun moved with practiced ease, his hand often tracing the walls as if reading some brail words on the side of the walls.
Xing Yan spent the journey absorbing the techniques he had chosen. With every hour that passed, he felt more in sync with the energy flowing through his body. He practiced in empty caverns when they camped, hammering the Iron-Burst Body into his muscles and perfecting the strikes of his Shattering Pick Technique. Even the Unparalleled Mining Technique began to take root, he still didn't used it yet, he can't find the perfect opportunity with Elder Yun around.
At one point while travelling. Elder Yun watched him practicing his Battle Skills, silently from afar, nodding in approval.
"You learn fast. But don't burn too bright too quickly," he warned.
"I have a long road ahead," Xing Yan replied without stopping his training.
And so, they pressed forward.
—
On the fifth day, the tunnel suddenly widened into a massive, natural chamber where a dozen intersecting paths converged. In the center, a giant stone gate stood carved into the rock itself. Above it, a symbol shaped like a burning drop of blood etched into gold shimmered faintly.
Elder Yun stopped and gestured with his chin. "There it is."
Gold Blood Village.
The gate opened slowly with a groan, revealing a sprawling underground settlement nestled within a vast cavern. Glowing moss lit the ceiling imitating the sky. Buildings of stone and metal stretched out in layers along the cavern walls, housed to each and every person living in the village. At the very center of the village stood a giant forge, its fire unceasing, and almost grumbling every time, smelting the ores the villagers put inside it.
Xing Yan took it all in quietly.
"It's not much to outsiders," Elder Yun said. "But to us, it's home, and will probably yours too."
They passed through the village's main street, where muscular miners carried carts of ore and children ran through tight alleyways. Several villagers turned to glance at Xing Yan with open curiosity, some recognizing Elder Yun, others whispering about the newcomer.
Soon, they arrived at a small, secluded courtyard near the base of the big forge.
A middle-aged woman stood at the entrance. Her hair was tied in a tight braid, her arms crossed. She wore a blacksmith's apron and had a stern gaze, one that could silence trouble makers with a glance.
"Xing Yan," she said, her tone neutral. "So you're finally here."
Xing Yan paused, something flashed faintly inside his mind, like a memory reaching out but just out of grasp. "You're... my aunt?"
She studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Not by blood," she said. "But close enough. Your father and I… we were like kin. He was the one who left you at the mining school when you were six. Said it was the only way you'd survive in a world like this."
Xing Yan's expression hardened slightly. A hazy face of a man covered in mist, appeared in his mind when she started talking about his dad.
"I don't clearly... remember."
"I'm not surprised. You were just a boy. The mining school shaped you, beat survival into your bones. But it wasn't abandonment," she said quietly. "Before he disappeared, he came to me. Told me, If anything happens, look after my son."
She stepped closer and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I didn't expect it only took you six years to pass the trial. You're more talented than your father. Anyway, because I promise him I'll take care of you, you're now living here with me."
Xing Yan lowered his gaze, unsure of what to feel. A strange warmth pulsed in his chest, tangled with confusion. "So he's… gone?"
She hesitated. "Vanished. No word since. Some say he's dead. But I don't believe it, that idiot father of yours is a crazy strong bastard. He won't die that easily."
"I see…" Xing Yan murmured.
She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You'll live here now. You'll train with me during the day and mine with the others when scheduled. I expect results."
Xing Yan nodded. "Understood."
Elder Yun chuckled from the side. "You'll fit in just fine."
With that, he turned to leave, but not before tossing Xing Yan a small crystal.
"A communication shard," he explained. "Use it if you ever need my help. But don't rely on it too easily, it won't be any helpful if you're too far from the village."
Xing Yan caught it, clutching it in his palm. "Thank you, Elder Yun."
"No need for thanks," the elder waved a hand. "You're a miner now. And the underground world doesn't wait for the unprepared. I have to go now, try to explore the village if you have time."
Xing Yan cupped his hand and nod, "Yes Elder Yun, thank you so much."
Elder Yun stomped and immediately vanished.
Xing Yan also cupped his hand and faced his Aunt.
"Thank you so much for accepting me Auntie...?"
"Li Diao, call me Aunt Diao. And I'm just doing what I promised to your father." Aunt Diao said smiling.
"Xing Yan you must be tired after that long journey, why don't you rest for a bit? That room is your now." Aunt Diao pointed at one of the room near the corner.
"Thank you so much Aunt Diao. I'll go and take a rest now." Xing Yan bowed his head and went inside his room.
After Xing Yan went inside. Aunt Diao heavily sighed.
"I fulfilled my promise right?" Aunt Diao murmured, staring at the distant caverns.
"Where did you go you bastard..."