"Alright…"
"Activating identification mode…"
"Identification complete. This is a demon stone mine, a combination of demonic energy that can be refined into demon spirit crystals. These crystals can be used for the cultivation of demonic beasts and for crafting armor for demonic beasts."
"Demon spirit crystals? Then why couldn't the instrument identify them?" Zhou Ran asked.
"Demon Spirit Crystals are not minerals native to this planet; they originate from a distant star. Their function is nearly identical to that of spirit stones, but they are only effective for demonic beasts," the system explained.
"What planet?" Zhou Ran's curiosity was piqued, and he asked.
"The host does not need to know at this time," the system replied coldly.
"Fine, if you won't tell me, I don't want to know either,"
"Can you help extract it?" Zhou Ran asked.
"Yes, but there's a 100-point fee."
"..."
"You need points for that? I..."
"Vampire!" Zhou Ran restrained himself from exploding, as he didn't want to get slapped in public.
"It's really a pity. Only the front part is spirit stone, and the rest of the star energy has been diluted. As for the black ore at the back, I really don't know what it is," He Ziming said, looking at the scan list with disappointment.
Ou Chen also smiled wryly and said, "Maybe it's useful? Let's collect some and take it back to the research institute. Maybe there will be a pleasant surprise."
Everyone immediately nodded in agreement. Such situations had occurred before. In unknown spacetime rifts, they often discovered unknown plants or minerals. Typically, they would collect some samples for research. If they proved useful, it would be a great achievement, not only earning them a lot of honor points but also special rewards.
"Everyone..." Zhou Ran grew anxious the moment he saw them preparing to collect samples. If they took this back for research, they might uncover its secrets, leaving him with nothing to show for his efforts. Not only would he fail to obtain the Magic Spirit Crystal, but he'd also waste 100 points—a huge loss. Remembering they'd promised him first pick, he immediately spoke up.
Seeing Zhou Ran suddenly speak, everyone turned to look at him.
Zhou Ran immediately adopted a cold expression and said, "Can I have this?"
Everyone was utterly surprised. Han Chengyong and Ou Chen looked at Zhou Ran in astonishment. After all, since entering the異界裂縫, Zhou Ran had never once asked for anything on his own initiative. Yet he had spoken up about these unknown minerals. Could it be that these minerals had value?
Zhou Ran looked at everyone's expressions and felt helpless. He knew that asking for them directly would arouse their suspicion, but fortunately, they were also unsure of the value of these items, otherwise it would have been troublesome.
"Lin brother, do you really want these things?" Han Chengyong looked at Zhou Ran in confusion. "Do you know what they are?"
Since Zhou Ran often mentioned things they knew nothing about, they always felt he must be hiding something.
Zhou Ran shook his head hurriedly and said, "I don't know. It's just that my Liu Ying Huan Yue Dog sensed fluctuations of dark energy from these black stones, which are very suitable for the cultivation of ninth-tier demonic beasts. That's why I asked for them. You know that ninth-tier beasts are usually very sensitive..."
Zhou Ran felt incredibly anxious inside. He had only told half the truth. Even if the government research institute discovered these magic stone mines in the future, he wouldn't be suspected, after all, it was the beast that had sensed it.
Upon hearing Zhou Ran's words, everyone understood. Among those present, only Zhou Ran had a ninth-tier beast, so discovering some abnormalities wasn't impossible.
When Han Chengyong heard about the dark energy in these stones, he immediately asked his Dark Gold Magic Bear, but it just looked confused, clearly unaware of such a thing. So he believed Zhou Ran's words, after all, he owed him the first pick. However, Ou Chen might not agree.
Meanwhile, Zhou Ran commanded the Liu Ying Huan Yue Dog to approach the black ore, absorb the dark energy within, and simultaneously instruct the system to begin refining the magic spirit crystals.
A wisp of black gas continuously drifted out from the black ore and was absorbed into the Liu Ying Huan Yue Dog's body. Everyone was utterly astonished—the stones truly contained dark energy!
Out of curiosity, Han Chengyong commanded the Dark Gold Magic Bear to approach as well. However, strangely, the dark energy only flowed into the Liu Ying Huan Yue Dog's body, and his own beast couldn't absorb even a trace of it. This dispelled the last shred of doubt in his mind—this stone was likely only suitable for ninth-tier demonic beasts.
Ou Chen was also utterly astonished upon seeing this, then burst into laughter and said, Ha ha! Lin brother's beast is truly extraordinary. Since you need it, feel free to take it."
He wasn't that foolish. Offending someone with a ninth-tier beast, even if it was his own brother, would be unwise. Moreover, these minerals might not be valuable once brought back, so it was better to do Zhou Ran a favor and consider it making a friend.
"Haha, it seems everyone has no objections," Han Chengyong laughed. "But I wonder how Lin Xiong plans to take them back."
These ore deposits, as large as a small mountain, would be too difficult to carry back.
"No problem, I'll have the Liu Ying Huan Yue Dog carry them back itself." " Zhou Ran laughed.
Actually, he didn't have to do this. With a little time, he could have the system extract everything and store it in his star ring, but that would expose him. He still had to do the surface work.
"I just need Brother Ou's help. This vein is connected to the depths of the earth, so I need your drill beast to help cut it off." Zhou Ran said politely to Ou Chen.
"No problem!" Ou Chen immediately ordered the Drill Beast to burrow into the depths beneath the black ore.
Boom!
With a thunderous explosion from beneath the ground, the black ore was forced to the surface by the Drill Beast.
But at that moment, an incredibly powerful energy surged from the cave, pinning everyone to the ground and preventing them from standing.
"What's going on!" Han Chengyong looked terrified. This force was so powerful that even a seven-star beast tamer like him couldn't move a step. How terrifying!
"No! Could it be that the strange beast has appeared!" Zhou Ran shouted.
Everyone was so engrossed in the black ore that they had forgotten there was a terrifying strange beast in the cave. The anti-flight restriction was no joke.
The ground began to shake violently, instantly cracking open a massive fissure. Countless small bats flew out, followed by a gigantic headless red bat emerging from within.
It looked extremely grotesque, with no head, its entire body a blood-red color, and a massive demonic face on its abdomen.
"The Demon Face Blood Bat King! How is that possible..." Zhou Ran's face was filled with terror as he stammered.