Three Days Later.
A flying ship bearing the banner of the Profound Gold Sect descended toward the mine.
On board was Elder Tie (Earth Immortal - Early Stage). He was a level above Human Immortal. He could manipulate the tectonic plates.
"Captain Luo missed his report," Elder Tie grumbled. "Probably drunk on slave wine. I will discipline him."
The ship landed.
The camp was silent. The miners were working, but... strangely. They were rhythmic. Too quiet.
"Captain Luo!" Elder Tie shouted, walking down the ramp.
A figure sat on the overseer's throne. He wore black armor with dragon motifs.
"Luo is retired," Mo Tian said, looking up.
"Who are you?" Elder Tie sensed the aura. "A Human Immortal? Did you kill Luo?"
"I promoted him to fertilizer," Mo Tian stood up.
Elder Tie laughed. "Arrogant slave! You think because you killed a Captain, you can defy the Sect? I am an Earth Immortal! I control the ground you stand on!"
He stomped his foot.
"Earth Law: Stone Coffin!"
The ground beneath Mo Tian rose up, forming a box of solid rock to crush him.
Mo Tian didn't move.
"Dragon Scale."
His skin turned into black scales.
CRUNCH.
The rock coffin slammed shut on him.
Elder Tie smirked. "Done. Now, execute the rebell—"
BOOM.
The stone coffin exploded.
Mo Tian stepped out, dusting off his shoulder. Not a scratch.
"Is that it?" Mo Tian asked. "My bed in the lower world was harder than that."
Elder Tie's eyes widened. "Impossible. That was compressed granite!"
Mo Tian opened his mouth. A ball of black and blue energy gathered.
"Void Breath."
ROAR.
A beam of dragon breath shot out. It didn't burn; it erased space.
Elder Tie raised a shield. "Gold Wall!"
The beam punched through the gold wall. It punched through Elder Tie's shoulder.
"ARGH!" The Elder stumbled back, clutching the hole in his body. "Dragon Arts?! You are from the Dragon Palace?"
"No," Mo Tian walked forward, drawing the Heaven-Splitter. "I'm self-taught."
"ALL GUARDS! ATTACK!" Elder Tie screamed, retreating.
Fifty Human Immortal guards charged from the ship.
Mo Tian snapped his fingers.
"Miners. Lunch break is over."
From the pits, the 1,000 Ascenders leaped out. They weren't holding pickaxes. They were holding spears, enchanted rocks, and pure rage.
"KILL THE MASTERS!" The Barbarian King roared, tackling a guard.
It was a riot. A massacre.
Mo Tian ignored the chaos. He walked toward the retreating Elder Tie.
"You have a nice ship," Mo Tian said. "I'm taking it."
Elder Tie panicked. He tried to fly away.
Mo Tian threw the Heaven-Splitter.
SHINK.
The sword pierced Elder Tie's leg, pinning him to the hull of the ship.
Mo Tian landed on the deck. He grabbed the screaming Elder by the hair.
"Now," Mo Tian whispered. "Tell me everything about the Profound Gold Sect's treasury. And don't skip the details."
"I... I will tell you!" Elder Tie wept.
Mo Tian smiled.
"Good. Welcome to the Eternal Night."
[Faction Upgrade] [Asset Acquired: Void Ship.] [Asset Acquired: Earth Immortal Hostage.] [Next Target: The Profound Gold Sect Main City.]
The Ascent had begun.