Despite their terror, Viper and his men could only brace themselves and sustain their protective shields. But the onslaught of spells was too fierce, exceeding their defenses' limits. Within moments, their shields shattered.

  Someone wealthy enough to afford that many consumable talismans, wielding a high-grade spirit sword—why would such an affluent person come to this miserable mine? Was he out of his mind? The cost of those dozens of talismans would take months of mining to recoup. After all, second and third-grade talismans were far more expensive than basic ones. Every other Palace disciple he had encountered in the mines had been pitifully poor. Killing them yielded only a low-grade spirit artifact and a storage pouch with a few worthless pills. Anyone with any means wouldn't choose such gruelling work.

  Viper had once been a Palace disciple himself. After stealing a Green Ginseng Fruit while guarding a Foundation master's spirit fields, he couldn't repay the debt. He was stripped of his status and exiled to these mines nearly twenty years ago. He knew the Palace well. He just never expected to run into an anomaly like Leo.

  Viper was both furious and terrified, deeply regretting his choice of prey.

  But Leo gave them no time for regret. As they struggled through the violent spell barrage, Leo lunged forward with his spirit sword, like a tiger among sheep.

  Clang! Viper and his men desperately hacked at ice spikes, fireballs, golden spears, and earthen lances. Their mining picks and shovels were riddled with cracks. Even Viper's durable spirit saber was chipped and battered.

  Viper barely survived the onslaught. Before he could recover, a figure flashed before him. What sharp instincts and timing. With no time to think, Viper raised his saber to block.

  Clang! The blade met the sword. The chipped low-grade saber couldn't withstand Leo's strike. Crack! The saber snapped in two. Horrified, Viper ducked.

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  "Too late to run!" Leo's first swing missed, but he instantly adjusted, his blade arcing toward Viper's head again. At this range, defenseless, Viper had no time for spells. This was why Leo had dared to charge.

  Thud! The blade sank into flesh. Blood sprayed. Viper stumbled a few steps and collapsed. Leo cut through the rest like a wolf in a flock. In moments, one late-stage cultivator was cleaved in two, another lost an arm. The survivors, an armless man and two mid-stage cultivators, fled in panic.

  "Don't let them escape! Viper has powerful allies. If they find out, they'll come for revenge!" The bald old man warned urgently, puzzled by Leo's apparent mercy at the end.

  "I killed Viper. I can kill them too. They'll think carefully about crossing me." Leo's spiritual power surged, evaporating the blood from his sword. He had let them go to spread the word. Let everyone know he wasn't to be trifled with.

  The bald old man paused, then understanding dawned. A trace of admiration crossed his face. "Young hero, you're both meticulous and formidable. You'll surely achieve great things."

  "You mean ruthless. Now, about Mist's secret?" Leo sheathed his sword.

  "I'll tell you everything. But... but I ask that you protect us, my nephews and me, while we're in the mine." The bald old man suddenly pleaded.

  "Is that a threat?" Leo's expression darkened.

  "No, no, a request! Even if you refuse, I'll still tell you." The bald old man shook his head frantically.

  "Fine. But I won't stay in the mine forever. While I'm here, you'll be safe."

  Leo nodded after a moment's thought. Even in the mine, he'd need someone to handle trivial matters, to deal with others on his behalf, keeping him undisturbed.

  "Th-thank you! What are you waiting for? Thank the young hero!" The bald old man was overwhelmed. Life, however wretched, was still life. Now they had not only escaped death but gained a powerful protector. No one would dare bully them now. Viper, one of the mine's most fearsome bosses, had fallen in moments. Others would think twice.

  "These healing pills. Take them, then tell me about Mist." Leo tossed a bottle to the old man.

  "This... this isn't safe. With Viper dead, others might... Perhaps we should gather scattered miners, build our strength." The old man's hands trembled as he took the pills. He had forgotten the taste of medicine in over a decade. But his caution returned. If more enemies came, even the young hero might be overwhelmed.

  "No. We'll wait here."

  Leo shook his head. He wanted to end this quickly, not waste energy on pointless power struggles. Dominating the mine wouldn't help him reach Foundation Establishment.

  "Very... very well."

  "It was many years ago. The greatest regret of my life was ever knowing that beast, Mist." The old man's face twisted with memories and hatred.

  Through the old man's tale, Leo learned a secret from over a decade past. The bald old man's name was Hann. His nephews were Kory and Kolin.

  Hann and Mist had once been sworn brothers. They roamed Moonwatch Immortal City together. Mist was cunning and scheming; Hann was skilled in artifact forging. With family help, they both completed the Palace's sect task.