Something’s Wrong with This Game — I Became a God by Mining!

The Centenary Refined Vermilion Gold Throwing Dagger flew incredibly fast, at least one and a half times faster than an ordinary Seventh-Rank hand crossbow.

But the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile reacted even quicker. The moment the throwing dagger appeared, it immediately shut its eyes.

Clang!

It sounded like metal clashing.

The Fire Blade was blocked by the crocodile's eyelid, bursting into a cloud of flame and sparks.

Then the dagger exploded, its shattered fragments scraping across the crocodile's scales, producing another series of sparks.

White scratches appeared on the scales, and nothing more.

The Fire Vein Poison Crocodile seemed to realize these two prey were beyond its reach. It swept a cold, icy gaze over Yang Ling, then swung its body around and slithered away.

"Director Yang, an adult Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's scales are extremely hard. Centenary Refined Vermilion Gold isn't tough enough to break through its armor."

"If we could smelt that entire set of scales, we could forge a very decent piece of armor."

"A complete set, even."

"A complete set of armor?"

Yang Ling's expression shifted. "Master Zhou, are you saying the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's scales can be used to forge a full suit of armor?"

"Others can't, because they don't know how to smelt Fire Vein Poison Crocodile scales."

"If you use intense heat, they'll turn to powder."

"If the temperature isn't high enough, the scales won't melt at all."

"But my master once taught me a method. By adding certain ingredients, you can melt the scales into liquid and forge armor that's both flexible and durable."

Zhou Zheng's tone grew confident again as he spoke.

"A complete set of armor includes a helmet, bracers, chest piece, pants, and boots."

"If a Seventh-Rank martial artist could wear a full set like that, even facing a Lower Sixth-Rank expert, they could hold out for a long time, even if they couldn't win."

Yang Ling's eyes lit up.

He had been in the Divine Realm for so long, and his equipment was a mismatched collection.

A full set of armor had never even crossed his mind.

"If I can kill this Fire Vein Poison Crocodile, and if it doesn't turn into a treasure chest and leaves behind its corpse, then I can have Zhou Zheng forge me a complete set."

"A full set probably has set bonuses..."

With that thought, Yang Ling had already made up his mind.

He looked at Zhou Zheng, his expression serious.

"If I upgrade my Centenary Refined Vermilion Gold Throwing Dagger to a Quenched-Gold Armor-Piercing Flying Dagger, should it be able to pierce the crocodile's scales?"

"Theoretically, yes. But it also depends on your strength."

"You need enough power and speed to unlock the full potential of the Quenched-Gold Armor-Piercing Flying Dagger."

Zhou Zheng was cautious in his assessment.

Yang Ling had plenty of confidence in his own power and speed.

"Let's go. We'll dig up some Blazing Gold, upgrade my dagger, and then come back to settle the score with that beast."

Yang Ling smiled.

Zhou Zheng said, "If we can find some Blazing Gold, I can upgrade your dagger right here in the mine shaft."

Yang Ling was a bit surprised. "Upgrade it here? Do you have a furnace?"

Zhou Zheng gritted his teeth. "Director Yang, please follow me."

He led Yang Ling to a different branch of the tunnel.

Halfway down the passage, he suddenly struck a stone wall with force.

The wall flipped open, revealing a hidden interior space.

The stone wall was actually a stone door, its outline perfectly matching the natural rock, blending seamlessly into the environment. Unless someone looked closely, they'd never notice it.

"Director Yang, welcome to my secret forging room."

Zhou Zheng chuckled, inviting Yang Ling into the space.

Inside, every forging tool was available.

There was even a bed, along with a stockpile of water and dry rations.

"To be honest, Director Yang, my previous work wasn't exactly something I could do in the open."

"If I had set up a forging room nearby, it would have raised suspicion."

"So I built my forge in here. The noise doesn't carry out when I'm working."

"Unfortunately, even being as careful as I was, the Ironclad Department still found me out."

Zhou Zheng sighed softly. "I wonder how the Ironclad Department discovered my secret..."

"Master Zhou, you have two disciples, don't you?"

Yang Ling suddenly spoke.

Zhou Zheng nodded slightly. "An older and a younger disciple. They've learned about seventy or eighty percent of my skills."

"You were reported by your younger disciple. Did you do something to offend him?"

Yang Ling said with a faint smile.

He had read Zhou Zheng's case file and knew how he had been exposed.

He didn't mind sharing this information with Zhou Zheng.

Reporting one's own master was a shameless and despicable act.

His master hadn't committed murder, arson, or any heinous crime—just secretly dug up some Blazing Gold.

The younger disciple's motives for reporting him were clearly not pure.

Zhou Zheng was stunned for a long moment, then a bitter smile spread across his face. His eyes showed both disappointment and a hint of acceptance.

"Well, that's fine. At least now I know who to pass my craft to."

Zhou Zheng forced a smile. "I didn't offend my younger disciple. I was just deciding over the past few years who would receive my true inheritance.

Our trade has rules. No matter how many disciples you take, the core techniques can only be passed to one of them.

The others have to take supporting roles."

"I was originally planning to pass it to my younger disciple, because he was clever enough and better at dealing with people than his senior brother."

"But now it seems he lacks patience."

With that, Zhou Zheng seemed to quickly put the matter behind him. He led Yang Ling through the mine vein in search of Blazing Gold.

His experience was profound, and he could tell where Blazing Gold might be found.

About an hour later, Zhou Zheng suddenly crouched down at a freshly excavated spot and sniffed the air.

"Master Zhou, are you smelling for Blazing Gold?"

Yang Ling asked curiously.

Zhou Zheng slowly nodded, smiling. "This is also one of my trade's core skills. By using some rare exotic herbs and flowers, we can greatly enhance our sense of smell.

Every mineral has its own unique scent.

For example, Blazing Gold, when it's still in the earth, gives off a very faint, very subtle smell of rust.

In Zhao State, there are only a few blacksmiths with this ability, and I happen to be one of them!"

He paused. "Director Yang, please don't disturb me. I need to check if there's Blazing Gold nearby."

A smell of rust?

Yang Ling closed his eyes, twitched his nose, then pulled out his Centenary Refined Kylin Pickaxe and began frantically digging at a spot.

He moved at lightning speed, using his Ethereal Steps, his whole body vibrating like a blurry afterimage within a very small area.

The noise of his digging made Zhou Zheng reluctantly stand up and frown at Yang Ling.

The racket made it impossible for him to focus on finding Blazing Gold.

"Such speed, but what's the point of digging dirt..."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhou Zheng's eyes, followed by helpless resignation. "Director Yang, could you... please quiet down for a moment? Let me find the Blazing Gold first, and then you can take over?"

Yang Ling ignored him completely. A large pile of dirt had already formed beside him.

Zhou Zheng felt helpless but didn't dare to be too forceful. He could only stand to the side in a huff, watching Yang Ling's actions, ready to explain the logic when the other stopped.

About a quarter of an hour later.

The Centenary Refined Kylin Pickaxe suddenly struck something, producing a deep, crisp sound!

Zhou Zheng was startled and hurriedly leaned in to look. A piece of Blazing Gold emerged from the dirt, and judging by his experience, it weighed at least three to five catties!

"No way? He just got lucky and hit the jackpot like that?"

Zhou Zheng was slightly bewildered.

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