On the Avenue.

Chapter 714 Mining in the North Sea
The North Sea is a broad geographical area, located in the northern part of the Immortal Realm, and encompassing all the large and small worlds in the sea area from Beiju Luzhou to the Immortal Realm.

These worlds are very close to each other, and some are even connected by land bridges with rolling hills, allowing people from different worlds to travel between them.

This area is rich in mineral veins and mines, producing abundant gold, stones, and precious jade. It is also home to a mythical bird called Huihui, which is edible, tastes delicious, and can cure delusions.

In Beihai, one can often see a sudden burst of brilliant light shooting into the sky, almost reaching the heavens, which is usually caused by a leak in a mineral vein.

At such times, people do not run towards the place where the precious light shines into the sky, but instead flee in the opposite direction.

Because of the mineral vein leak, the waste gas that has been hidden underground for countless millennia appears alluring under the sunlight, but is actually extremely dangerous; even immortals would find it difficult to survive in the waste gas.

Therefore, where there is a gas leak, it often means a mining disaster; if you are slow to escape, you will die in the gas.

On his first day in Beihai Jingzhou, Chen Shi was immediately targeted by the enthusiastic Black Gang.

"Where are you from, fellow Daoist? Did you ascend from Xiniu New Continent? I'm also from Xiniu New Continent, our accents are very similar." A pretty woman approached Chen Shi and smiled.

"Black Bodyguards" is a general term for human traffickers.

They are not mine owners, but middlemen who sell miners to mine owners.

Outside the Western Heavenly Lake of the Heavenly Court, there roamed the Black Guards. Those immortals who had completed their ten-year term and left the Heavenly Army Camp were often lured by the Black Guards, who promised them high monthly salaries and exquisite magical treasures, and tricked them into going to the North Sea to sell them to mine owners.

There are also some cunning thugs who operate outside important celestial offices such as the Fighting Department, Thunder Department, and Plague Department, waiting for immortals whose terms have expired to leave these offices. They then use their silver tongues to trick these immortals into going to the North Sea.

Beihai is notorious for this, but the number of immortals who ascend to heaven each year is extremely large. Most of these immortals are unaware of the Beihai mining area, so many people are still tricked into working as miners in Beihai.

The Black Gang called this kind of business "sending heads" because the mine bosses paid according to the number of people sent. Sending in a "celestial being" was equivalent to sending in a head, and they would receive a payment.

Of course, there are also some unscrupulous gangsters who seek out those supposedly powerful immortals with three heads and six arms to try and overcharge them. These gangsters are often beaten up by the mine foremen and thrown into the mines, their fate uncertain.

Some immortals came to the North Sea seeking a chance to make a fortune, selling themselves to mine owners in the hope of finding rare treasures in the immortal mines and achieving great success.

"What do you call fellow Taoist?"

Chen Shi asked the pretty woman, surprised, "There are very few immortals from our Xiniu New Continent. I never expected to meet a fellow townsman here. It's just that your accent is a little different."

"I've been away from home for so long that I've forgotten my hometown dialect."

The pretty woman imitated his accent quite well, and laughed, "My surname is Guan, and my given name is Qinshuang. You're new to Beihai and don't know the rules here. Swindlers are rampant here; be careful not to get sold off since you're new here!"

Chen Shi blushed and said, "Senior Sister Guan, to be honest, I really did come here to sell myself. I'm desperate after leaving the Thunder Department, aren't I? I thought I'd make something of myself after leaving the Thunder Department, but I'm constantly being asked for money, and I even got swindled in the Northern Emperor Province..."

Guan Qinshuang felt a pang of sympathy and said, "There are more swindlers in the Northern Emperor Province than in the Northern Sea. They cheat and swindle. Even a Buddha would be skinned alive if he went in!"

She looked Chen Shi up and down and laughed, "You're not from the Thunder Department, are you? Your clothes are extraordinary; you don't look like a celestial soldier from the Thunder Department."

Chen Shi, after all, was the Grand Marshal of the Army and the People's Liberation Army. He was originally dressed in fine clothes, but worried that he was dressed too extravagantly and would not look like a newcomer who had just left the Heavenly Court. Therefore, he changed into simple clothes.

But even his simple clothes were too extravagant in Guan Qinshuang's eyes.

"To be honest, I am Zhong Wuwang, a clerk in the Heavenly Punishment Execution Bureau of the Thirty-Six Inner Courts of the Thunder Department. I have been ordered by my superiors to come to the grassroots to inspect the people's conditions and experience life."

Chen Shi's expression darkened slightly as he said, "I am here in secret, so Fellow Daoist Qin Shuang should not make a fuss."

Guan Qinshuang felt a chill run down her spine: "Thirty-six inner courts of the Thunder Department, clerk of the Heavenly Punishment Execution Institute? What a powerful background."

Little did she know that even the heads and deans of the thirty-six inner courts of the Thunder Department had to queue outside Biyou Palace to see Chen Shi.

But for an immortal like Guan Qinshuang, meeting a great figure like Zhong Si Ya Si was extremely difficult.

Chen Shi asked, "Fellow Daoist Qinshuang, do I look like a newly initiated immortal?"

Knowing his noble origins and lack of knowledge of the martial world, Guan Qinshuang quickly said, "Sir, your clothes may seem simple, but every stitch is exquisitely crafted, and the silk thread used has been refined through countless trials. Ordinary immortals may not see your nobility, but to us martial artists, we know that you have an extraordinary background."

"I see."

Chen Shi said with frustration, "How can I understand the people's plight? The higher-ups say I'm out of touch with reality and don't know the hardships of those below, so they sent me to Beihai for a trip. Fellow Daoist Qinshuang, could you help me get some clothes that people under the tutelage wear?"

Guan Qinshuang smiled and said, "What's so difficult about that? Please come with me, my lord."

Chen Shi said solemnly, “Fellow Daoist, I am here to observe the people’s conditions, so please do not address me as ‘sir.’ If you are so kind as to call me Zhong Wuwang, or Erniu, you may also call me Zhong Wuwang.”

Guan Qinshuang hesitated for a moment, not daring to actually call him Erniu, and instead said, "Fellow Daoist Zhong."

Chen Shi nodded reluctantly: "Don't make an exception for me, or it will seem like I'm different from these penniless people."

Guan Qinshuang found him a set of clothes for a low-level immortal and placed them in front of Chen Shi.

Chen Shi looked it over and then showed a look of disgust: "This is the clothing of a low-level immortal? How disgusting, take it away!"

Just as Guan Qinshuang was about to take it away, Chen Shi said again, "Never mind, leave it for now. I'll wear it."

Guan Qinshuang left the clothes behind. Chen Shi picked them up with two fingers, but still didn't have the courage to put them on. He sighed, "Is this what poor, naked people wear? How can we go out in these clothes?"

Guan Qinshuang smiled and said, "Young Master Zhong is a local from the Earthly Immortal Realm, isn't he?"

Chen Shi nodded: "I come from the Zhong family of Thunder Province in the Earthly Immortal Realm. My ancestors were immortals who ascended to the Earthly Immortal Realm with the Three Pure Ones."

Guan Qinshuang was deeply moved. An immortal who ascended to heaven with the Three Pure Ones? This is a scion of a noble family!
She dared not be negligent and said with a smile, "No wonder. Young Master Zhong, this garment is already quite remarkable for an immortal ascending from the lower realm. It is made from gastrodia elata produced in Fire Mulberry Valley. After being soaked in vinegar for forty-nine days, the hemp was extracted and woven by weavers. After being refined, it was imprinted with different defensive Dao patterns and spirit-gathering arrays. In addition, it has lightness talismans and radiant light talismans, so it looks like a Daoist immortal."

Chen Shi exclaimed in surprise, "These penniless bastards are dressed so well. They keep complaining that they can't survive. They're completely lawless!"

Guan Qinshuang explained, "It's not about being particular. This kind of clothing is extraordinary to mortals, like celestial garments, but it's somewhat useless to immortals. It doesn't improve their defense much, nor does it gather much spiritual energy. It also doesn't make them truly light."

"I see."

Chen Shi took a few Tianyuan Jiaozi (paper money) and stuffed them into her hand, saying, "I want to experience the local customs of Beihai. We shall part ways here."

Guan Qinshuang quickly said, "My lord, this is the North Sea after all, and people are treacherous. I am worried that it will be inconvenient for you to do things here. Why don't I accompany you and take care of you along the way?"

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment: "Won't this interfere with your business?"

"No delay, no delay."

Guan Qinshuang followed him, and Chen Shi observed the local conditions in Jingzhou City, buying many local specialties and spending lavishly.

Seeing this, Guan Qinshuang chuckled inwardly: "This young master isn't here to observe the people's conditions at all; he's clearly here for sightseeing. If I could get close to him, I wouldn't have to linger in this cesspool of Beihai."

She repeatedly expressed her desire to sleep with him, but Chen Shi was not interested.

Guan Qinshuang was eager to climb the social ladder, and seeing that he had no interest in it, she thought to herself, "Forget it, I'll just sell him to the mine owner and make some money first."

The two traveled by car to the countryside of Yanzhou. Guan Qinshuang was not familiar with the area and planned to sell Chen Shi to a mine owner once they reached Yanzhou city. After arriving in Daowang County, Chen Shi sold her to a mine owner in Heishui Mountain.

When the mine foreman came to collect the people, Guan Qinshuang realized something was wrong and immediately tried to escape using her immortal light. However, just as she took flight, a binding rope flew over and tied her upside down, causing her to fall to the ground.

Guan Qinshuang shouted, "I am the Black Guard! I am the Black Guard!"

The mine foreman stepped forward, lifted her up, slapped her twice, and shouted, "What are you yelling for? You're asking for it! Now you know that your man has sold you to our Blackwater Mountain!"

Guan Qinshuang cried, "I really sold people, not the ones being sold! He's not my man, I'm here to sell him! Go and ask around in Jingzhou, this old lady has sold quite a few immortals into the mountains to mine!"

The mine foreman slapped her a few more times, kicked her in the stomach, and shouted, "You've always been the one selling people out, and now you've been sold out. It's your own fault for being incompetent. Go ahead and mine in Blackwater Mountain. If you find any treasure, we'll give you money. We're not really heartless. If you're capable, you can make money, much better than you can make working outside."

Guan Qinshuang said with a forced smile, "Sir, I know that the miners in the mine rarely survive more than five years. I can sell myself..."

"Snapped!"

The mine foreman slapped her again, yelling, "You've got some nerve! We're immortal cultivators, we've severed our three corpses. Who cares about your frail body? You're nothing but a pile of bones. Get back to work!"

Guan Qinshuang cursed under her breath: "Damn it, I've run into someone who became an immortal through the White Bone Temple! He's completely unyielding."

The White Bone Contemplation is a method of cultivating immortality through visualization. It involves visualizing the human body as skeletons. Upon successful completion, one sees any beautiful woman or woman as merely a skeleton, and even others and oneself as skeletons. Therefore, one becomes ruthless and unfeeling, unswayed by emotions.

Not long after, Guan Qinshuang was taken to Blackwater Mountain, where a net of heaven and earth was set up to prevent the miners from escaping.

These mine slaves weren't subjected to brutal torture. They were paid if they found good ore, and they received plenty of Tianyuan coins and immortal energy liquid.

The real danger comes from deep within the mine. People often unearth unknown ancient artifacts, skeletons, or unusual spaces within the mine, only to meet a violent end.

Guan Qinshuang was taken to the No. 4 mining area and followed a group of immortal miners to prepare to go into the mountains.

Just then, she saw a familiar figure and was overwhelmed with excitement. She rushed forward, grabbed the man's sleeve, and shouted, "Zhong Wuwang! You scoundrel! You sold me here to be a mine slave! Today, I will never let you get away with this!"

The man was Chen Shi. He broke free from Guan Qinshuang and raised his eyebrows: "Miss, are you going to resort to violence?"

Guan Qinshuang was startled and dared not fight back. Suppressing her anger, she sneered, "How did you end up as a mine slave? Were you sold out too?"

Chen Shi shook his head and said, "I came here to experience the local customs, so after I sold you, I sold myself to the mine owner."

Guan Qinshuang cried out in despair, begging for mercy: "Young master, this mine changes its immortals every five years! Even a great immortal would have a hard time surviving for five years! Quickly reveal your identity and take me away from this hell!"

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Don't worry, if we encounter any danger, I will reveal my identity and take you away."

Guan Qinshuang felt a glimmer of hope.

The two followed the main group into the mountains. The mineral veins of Blackwater Mountain were different from those of Penglai West. The immortal ore of Penglai West was located within the mountain body, requiring the excavation of the mountain to enter the mine. However, the mineral veins of Blackwater Mountain were located on the mountain ranges on both sides of the Blackwater River.

These mountains are formed by piles of fist-sized rocks and soil, and are extremely steep. The mining immortals must enter the mountains from both sides of the Blackwater River, searching for treasures in the mines along the way.

The rocks in the mountains are mostly jade, containing spiritual energy of immortals, but the outer veins have been basically exhausted, leaving only the inner veins.

Chen Shi surveyed the mountain and saw that most of the ordinary stones here were Five Elements stones, containing the power of the Five Elements. Unfortunately, most of the Five Elements power had died and could no longer be used. Otherwise, they would be extremely precious Five-Colored Stones, which could be sold to the Nuwa Palace for a considerable sum of money.

"Beware of insects in the river, and do not get your hands wet!"

An old miner shouted, "If those worms get on your skin, cut the skin and flesh off immediately, and you might still be saved. If you're even a little slow, you'll have to have your legs cut off!"

"Do not touch the glow over the river; it is the light of heretics, and touching it will surely lead to death!"

"The radiant light in the mine could be jade, an ancient artifact, or even remnants of a great demon. Let's gamble! If we win, we won't need to mine for three years. We'll have plenty of spiritual energy every day, and beautiful wives and concubines—we'll have everything we could want!"

"Watch out for your teammates! Don't let anyone be behind you while you're mining!"

……

Hearing this, Chen Shi asked, puzzled, "Why should we be wary of our companions?"

Beside him stood a young immortal who said, "If you and your companions find treasure, your companions will become envious and try to kill you. Many immortals have died in the mines; if you die there, no one will care. So be careful of your companions."

Chen Shi suddenly realized: "I see. Fellow Daoist, were you sold into this place?"

The young immortal shook his head: "I'm broke, so I came here to mine. There are still many good things in Blackwater Mountain that haven't been dug out yet. Last time I dug up a piece of beautiful jade here, and the mine manager rewarded me with eight thousand coins and thirty bottles of immortal energy liquid, so I stopped mining. Now that I've run out of money and the energy liquid, I've come back to make another fortune."

Several mining immortals nearby gathered around, looking quite envious. One of them laughed and said, "Young man, you possess the Lucky Body and extraordinary fortune. You're sure to find treasure this time! Can we share in your luck?"

The young immortal glanced at them and sneered, "You four, do you intend to kill me and steal my treasure when I find it? This isn't my first time in a mine!"

He sped up, leaving the four behind.

One of the mining immortals spat, "You little brat, you think so badly of us! Your heart isn't pure!"

He looked at Chen Shi and said with a smile, "Young man, many hands make light work. Why don't we team up and look out for each other?"

Just as Chen Shi was about to agree, the other mining immortal, seeing Chen Shi's expression, quickly laughed and said, "The four of us are enough; there's no need to recruit more. Let's go!"

The four of them left quickly.

"Brother, this guy is clearly a novice, why did he leave?"

"Shut up! He's killed far more people than we have! I could tell he's ruthless just from our eye contact. Listen to me, stay away from him. Let's go and scheme against the other immortals, don't provoke him!"

Suddenly, a loud rumble came from ahead. A mountain made of five elements stones collapsed, killing many people. Some nearby immortals were forced to retreat when the Five Elements Mountain pressed down on them. Some retreated into the Blackwater River and were immediately eroded by the strange insects in the river. The insects burrowed into their skin and muscles and penetrated their bodies!

The quick-witted immortals immediately cut off their flesh or severed their own legs. Some immortals, unwilling to harm themselves, hesitated and were then burrowed into their bodies by strange insects. In a short time, they were eaten, leaving only bones, clothes, and hair, a truly horrifying sight!
Other immortals who flew into the sky encountered the heretical glow above the river, and immediately screamed in agony. They were corrupted by the heretical light, fell down, and their flesh and blood grew wildly, turning them into grotesque monsters.

The group used their magic to kill the immortals, but several others perished in the monster's jaws.

When Chen Shi approached, the situation had already calmed down, leaving behind more than twenty corpses.

"The immortals that Wencheng asked me to come here are the immortals who live at the lowest level of the Earthly Immortal Realm."

Chen Shi's face remained calm and composed, but a voice in his heart said, "If it weren't for my godmother and the Heavenly Secret Strategy, I would be struggling at the bottom just like them."

At this moment, a sorrowful and indignant voice echoed across the river. It was a celestial being from the lower realm shouting: "Fellow Daoists, must we live like this? Why can the Heavenly Court control the sacred land? Why are the gods so high and mighty? Why can the gods control our lives and deaths? Why can they obtain what we risk our lives for so easily?"

He was incredibly excited, and his voice grew even more impassioned.

"It is the gods who are unjust! It is the Heavenly Court that has caused all this injustice! Only our Celestial Court can break this injustice! Fellow Daoists who are unwilling to live like this, join our Celestial Court!"

Chen Shi listened and his heart stirred slightly: "The power of the Immortal Emperor Supreme has begun to infiltrate the bottom layer of the Earthly Immortal Realm, and it is extremely seductive."

(End of this chapter)