Chapter 167 - 166: Dark Ore Vein

Chapter 167: Chapter 166: Dark Ore Vein

[Characteristics: Tough texture, moderate density, possesses good Energy conductivity and corrosion resistance. Basic physical Defense can withstand Level 10 physical attacks; after reinforcement by a Rune Array, Defense Power can be increased to Level 15 to Level 20.]

[Cultivation/Acquisition Method: ...]

[...]

[Minimum hull strength requirement for transoceanic voyages across the continent: Level 25 Extraordinary Materials (after special processing and Rune reinforcement)]

"The lowest-tier Hoffman Level ships use Level 10 Extraordinary Wood as their primary material... Only through Rune reinforcement can their Defense barely reach Level 15 to Level 20.

"And to cross that raging black ocean, the minimum requirement is Level 25..."

The gap was massive, but he had to take it one step at a time.

"I need to solve the problem of having nothing first. If I can mutate the lowest-tier Moxiang Wood, build the first Hoffman Level ship, leave this mountain range, and find a safer, more resource-rich base, then I’ll be qualified to talk about subsequent upgrades."

Han Ning opened his eyes and looked at the experimental field mixed with High-Energy Soil in front of him.

[Mutation Direction: Moxiang Wood (Level 10 to Level 15 Extraordinary Wood)]

[Mutation Guidance: Strengthen wood fiber structure, enhance Energy affinity, impart basic corrosion resistance...]

However, relying solely on Natural Blessing was not enough to mutate ordinary wood into Moxiang Wood. They had rather strict environmental requirements and preferred to grow in environments rich in Dark Energy.

It was worth noting that the aura of the Black Tide was not the same as Dark Energy; absorbing Dark Energy would not cause a creature’s temperament to become violent and volatile.

Han Ning once again communicated with the vast will of nature: "Moxiang Wood requires a Dark Energy environment. Are there any soils or Dark Ore Veins rich in Dark Energy nearby?"

After a brief silence, an image unfolded before him.

In the southwest direction of the flood-ravaged mountain range, deep within a col half-submerged by murky waters, the mountain had split open, revealing a hidden fissure. Inside the fissure, amidst the deep rock layers, specks of irregular dark purple crystals were embedded in the rock walls like stars, emitting dense and pure Dark Energy fluctuations.

"At the edge of the mountains to the southwest, in the flooded area..."

This location was not too far from their current cave camp. Seeing it, Han Ning felt the urge to set off immediately. To accurately confirm the coordinates, he used Summoned Partner to call over the Treasure-Seeking Bee.

"COO?" In less than a moment, the chubby Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee flew in front of him, trailing a line of water. Its large eyes were full of confusion.

Han Ning shared the image of the ore vein transmitted by the will of nature with the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee through their Mental Power connection.

Upon sensing the information about the Dark Ore Vein, the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee’s round body visibly stiffened, and even its antennae drooped. It buzzed around Han Ning a few times, gesturing wildly with its chubby front limbs:

"COO-COO... COO-ROO-ROO! COO!"

"Are you saying... that place is very dangerous and guarded by incredibly powerful monsters? It would be hard for me to deal with them alone, and... and those ores are growing inside the rocks, rock-hard, making them extremely difficult to dig out?!" Han Ning translated, sensing the Treasure-Seeking Bee’s Spiritual Fluctuations.

"COO!"

Suddenly, as if it had remembered something, its compound eyes lit up. Its antennae twitched excitedly as it began gesturing frantically again:

"COO-COO-COO! COO~"

"Natives with purple wings?" Han Ning looked at the absurdly well-informed chubby bee in surprise. "You even know about that?"

The Treasure-Seeking Bee indicated that if Han Ning was willing to help those natives drive away the monsters occupying the Dark Ore Vein, they would help him dig out the ores.

"COO-ROO-ROO~"

The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee proudly puffed out its round chest and flapped its small wings even more cheerfully, looking exactly like it was saying, *There’s nothing in this mountain range that I don’t know.*

"Alright! Take me to meet those creatures," Han Ning said decisively.

"COO!" The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee immediately changed direction, turning into a streak of yellow and black light that shot straight toward the southwest.

Han Ning followed closely behind.

The man and the bee shuttled through the rugged mountains, soon arriving at a col that had been flooded by mountain torrents to form a massive puddle.

BZZZ~ BZZZ~

A low buzzing of wings drifted over from the surface of the water. Following the sound, they saw dozens of gigantic, bizarre insects hovering low over the murky water. Their bodies were generally over two meters long, covered in streamlined, purple-black carapaces. Three pairs of long, narrow, and translucent purple membranous wings grew on their backs, their wingtips vibrating at high speeds and leaving behind faint afterimages.

These were exactly the "creatures that originally lived near the ore vein" the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee had mentioned. Han Ning called them Six-winged Dragonflies.

One Six-winged Dragonfly, exceptionally large and nearly three meters long, hovered over the center of the puddle. It was clearly their Leader.

The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee swaggered over, flying up and down in front of the Six-winged Dragonfly Leader. Its antennae twitched rapidly as it let out a series of unique buzzes, occasionally pointing its front limbs in Han Ning’s direction.

The Six-winged Dragonfly Leader turned its massive compound eyes toward Han Ning, its gaze lingering on him for a moment. Then, it let out a series of short, sharp hisses.

Since Han Ning had the Communication with Nature Skill, he could basically understand the meaning conveyed between the two insects without any barriers. The Treasure-Seeking Bee was introducing his identity to the Six-winged Dragonflies.

"HISS-CAW?" The Six-winged Dragonfly questioned Han Ning’s strength.

*Could such a bizarre creature really drive away that horde of monsters?*

Hearing this, Han Ning didn’t need the Treasure-Seeking Bee to explain. His body abruptly twisted and distorted, transforming into a Starlight Eagle wreathed in fierce winds and shimmering with starlight.

"SCREECH!!"

An oppressive aura, powerful enough to instill fear in the Six-winged Dragonfly Leader, rippled outward. Furthermore, birds were the natural predators of insects. Even the Treasure-Seeking Bee felt a bit uneasy!

FLUTTER...

The swarm of Six-winged Dragonflies was so intimidated by the aura of a higher-tier predator radiating from Han Ning that they trembled in fear.

RUSTLE~

The Six-winged Dragonfly Leader immediately indicated that they would be happy to help! The dozens of Six-winged Dragonflies behind their Leader hissed in unison. The frequency of their wingbeats abruptly increased, stirring up ripples across the water’s surface.

"COO-COO!" The Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee flew back to Han Ning excitedly, its chubby body wiggling smugly in the air.

Communication successful!

Looking at the flock of about eighty Six-winged Dragonflies before him, Han Ning flapped his wings and chirped, "Let me make the harsh terms clear up front: if I seize the Dark Ore Vein, I will have the right to freely mine it. As partners, you can live and roost there!"

"HISS-RUSTLE~" The Six-winged Dragonfly Leader possessed a fair amount of intelligence. It knew the difference between having a home and being homeless. Having a place to stay was definitely better than wandering out in the wild! It agreed on the spot.

"Let’s go!"

Han Ning flapped his wings and took off, letting the Treasure-Seeking Bee lead the way.

"HISS-CAW!" The swarm of Six-winged Dragonflies hissed in unison. Their three pairs of purple wings vibrated at high speed as they followed closely behind Han Ning and the Treasure-Seeking Bumblebee. Like a flowing purple ribbon, they flew in perfect unison toward the waterways of the southwest col where the ore vein was located.