Chapter 80: Discussion, Immunity!
Andy looked calmly at the people in front of him and slowly began to speak, “The energy crystals you desire—we do not currently possess them. But if you’re willing to join forces with us and overthrow the colonial company’s rule here, I can promise you that every energy crystal on this planet that belongs to the colonial company will be yours.”
A faint smile appeared on Aizemak’s lips as he softly questioned, “Even so, how can we simply believe your words?”
After all, he didn’t think these people’s goal was only to overthrow the colonial company.
What Andy said still didn’t win his trust.
Andy’s gaze was firm, and his tone sincere.
“At this point, you have no other choice but to trust us. You must have already noticed—this place is entirely under the control of the colonial company. And for people like us, the so-called ‘new humans’—if we’re discovered, you’ve seen for yourselves what happens to those people.”
Everyone fell silent, recalling the thrilling and dangerous scenes they had witnessed in the mining fields.
However, Aizemak still sneered internally. For him, the lives of others were meaningless. As long as he could get what he wanted, no matter the cost, he was willing to pay it.
Aizemak only needed to focus on completing his task. It was this very principle that had allowed him to survive the first three dungeons.
First, they had seen the terrifying power of the colonial company’s cyborgs—and their weapons were horrifying as well.
Ma Dong stepped out from behind Andy and said, “I know each of you has your own thoughts, but let me remind you—the colonial company is far more terrifying than what we’ve seen. And energy crystals are their most critical resource. Only through cooperation can we achieve our respective goals.”
Zhang Tao and Li Quan remained silent, deep in thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Wang Chao looked at Andy and Ma Dong standing beside him.
“Fine! I agree.”
Although Aizemak had his own hidden motives, he didn’t show them. He simply glanced at the others with a trace of calculation in his eyes.
Zhang Tao and Li Quan, seeing the majority’s stance, had no choice but to agree as well.
Andy was extremely pleased with the cooperation and began devising the next phase of the plan.
Su Ning opened her eyes and quickly got out of bed, straightened her clothes, and prepared to face the new day. She knew her task today remained the same: return to the mine and continue digging.
Recalling the information she had studied about various minerals yesterday and her use of [Scavenger’s Eye], Su Ning was confident she’d make a breakthrough today.
Instead of mining in the same area as before, she left Zone 3 and followed a small path deeper into the mines. Along the way, she encountered a few miners whose bodies had partially crystallized.
They emitted a faint glow, appearing mysterious and eerie.
These miners seemed to be heading toward a particular direction, and Su Ning followed them out of curiosity.
“Is that girl looking to die? She’s actually going into the Crystal Mine Zone.”
Others noticed the direction Su Ning was headed and glanced over.
People wondered if Su Ning really understood how dangerous the Crystal Mine Zone was.
“Hah! Just because she dug up a few graded ores, she thinks she’s hot stuff? Now she’s daring to enter the most dangerous crystal zone. If she wanted to get Crystal Lung Disease, she could’ve just said so! Hmph! And to think she kicked me! Go ahead and become a crystal patient already!”
The one speaking sarcasm was none other than the rat-faced man Su Ning had previously kicked.
The “Crystal Mine Zone” he mentioned was the most dangerous and lethal area of the entire mining site.
Of course, it was also where the highest-grade ores could be found—but with greater danger. Not only was the risk of contracting Crystal Lung Disease higher, but there was also a much greater chance of encountering dangerous creatures that guarded the ores.
Crystal Lung Disease was not the only threat in the mines.
As Su Ning ventured deeper into the Crystal Mine Zone, she increasingly felt its danger.
A strange, oppressive atmosphere filled the air, making it hard to breathe. The ground was littered with all kinds of uniquely colored and shaped ores, some of which glimmered faintly—signs of their exceptional quality.
Su Ning carefully avoided suspicious areas and stayed alert for any signs of dangerous creatures.
She knew she had to remain highly cautious here. Even the slightest slip could be fatal.
As she entered the Crystal Mine Zone, she noticed there were very few people around. Even surveillance was sparse.
Su Ning thought, “This is perfect—I can let Number 2 out to help me.”
Although energy crystals were her ultimate goal, the other ores in this world were incredibly valuable too. She wasn’t about to pass them up.
Upon reaching a relatively safe area, Su Ning stopped, scanned her surroundings to confirm no one was around, and quietly released Number 2 from the planting space.
Number 2 immediately adapted to the environment. Since zombies had no fear of inhaling crystal dust, he could function without issue. He quickly began helping Su Ning dig up nearby ores.
Even if Su Ning couldn’t use these ores herself, she could still collaborate with the government to build better shelters for the people—reducing their suffering.
If the shelters were safe, Su Ning could live with greater peace of mind too.
Right now, she still didn’t know if the natural disasters in the real world would ever stop, but she had heard that each new calamity would be even more terrifying than the last.
Of course, that piece of information came from a player with the [Precognition] talent.
“Natural disasters above, dungeons below… life isn’t easy. Gotta keep going.”
Su Ning sighed, then cautiously continued her exploration.
Cough, cough!
Suddenly, the sound of harsh coughing came from up ahead.
As Su Ning passed by a cave entrance, she saw an elderly miner crouching on the ground, coughing violently.
The old man’s condition was dire—his body was over 90% crystallized. His original features were completely obscured, and his entire form was covered in crystal. He clearly didn’t have long to live.
At that moment, the old man was tightly clutching an ore in his hands, struggling to stand but unable to move.
Su Ning noticed the ore in his arms—it was a two-star graded ore.
He stared at her with guarded eyes, clearly afraid she’d steal the ore he had worked so hard to obtain.
But Su Ning made no move.
The old man’s lips trembled as he muttered, “I just want to go home… If I can hand in ten more two-star ores, I can go home…”
But before he could finish his sentence, the light in his eyes faded. The two-star ore he clutched slipped from his arms and fell to the ground.
His body soon changed color and finally turned into a crystal statue.
This was the final stage of Crystal Lung Disease—becoming a statue of pure crystal.
So why would Su Ning knowingly enter such a dangerous place?
Because she had discovered she was completely immune to Crystal Lung Disease.
It was inevitable to inhale ore dust while mining—but Su Ning had noticed the disease was toxin-based.
That’s when she realized—she was immune.
(End of Chapter)
