Richest Rag-picker

At the bottom of the pit, which was now over five meters deep, the rock had expanded from its original diameter of about three meters at ground level to a width of nearly ten meters. And judging by its downward trajectory, it likely extended much deeper still.

Looking up at the midday sun directly overhead, Fang Chenyi had everyone start working in shifts. Each team would work for one hour, then come up to rest for one hour.

Not only that, but Fang Chenyi also had Liu Yishou airlift in several large freezers and a few generators.

At lunchtime, the crew ate in shifts. By evening, the massive pit had been dug to a depth of more than ten meters. As for the great rock at the bottom, its diameter was now at least twenty meters.

It had to be said, the diamond concentration here was astonishingly high. In just one day of work, the crew members in the pit had been unearthing diamonds almost constantly.

This much was obvious just from looking at the small box at the edge of the pit, which was now filled to the brim.

However, Fang Chenyi’s attention wasn’t on the box of diamonds in the slightest. Seeing how excited the crew was every time they found one, he made a magnanimous gesture and announced, "All these diamonds are yours to keep!"

In an instant, the entire site erupted. The crew members, who had already been working hard, became as energized as if they’d been shot full of adrenaline, their shovels and pickaxes rising and falling in a blur.

Time trickled by, and soon the sky grew dark. But at this moment, powered by seven or eight large generators, dozens of massive searchlights bathed the construction site in brilliant light.

Fang Chenyi, who was digging alongside his crew with a shovel in hand, glanced at the exhausted men around him. He immediately called Qi Xiaotian over and told him to send this group back to rest, and to have the other hundred crew members come take over.

Qi Xiaotian, who also had a shovel in hand, wiped the sweat from his face and nodded. He then started communicating with Liu Yishou.

About half an hour later, three amphibious armored vehicles returned, bringing the relief shift.

The carrying capacity of these vehicles was impressive; thirty men had piled into each one, rated for only eleven, and they were just a little cramped.

The crew members who jumped down this time were obviously full of energy.

Although these guys had also been on duty all day, they were in much better shape than the crew who had spent the day performing hard manual labor.

With the arrival of these reinforcements, the hundred exhausted men from the previous shift boarded the amphibious vehicles and returned to the camp and the *Chen Meng*.

This infusion of fresh manpower significantly boosted the project’s progress. The excitement reached a fever pitch when these new guys also started unearthing one diamond after another, making them howl with glee.

"Haha, these guys really have some energy," Fang Chenyi said. "Xiaotian, you should go get some rest, too."

Qi Xiaotian planted his shovel firmly in the ground by stomping on the blade with his military boot. He chuckled and said:

"I’m fine, Brother Fang. I’m in much better shape than these guys. I could work all night and not get tired. You’re the one who should go get some rest."

Fang Chenyi shook his head. He was indeed tired, but he wouldn’t leave now. ’Who knows if that legendary thing is about to appear?’

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP~

Just as Fang Chenyi and Qi Xiaotian were chatting, the sound of helicopter rotors filled the air. A moment later, Liu Yishou jumped down, grinning as he approached them. Looking at the two men, who were completely caked in mud, he said:

"Brother Fang, Captain, you two go get some rest. I can watch over things here."

Seeing him here, Qi Xiaotian’s eyes widened in a glare.

"What are you doing here? Who’s in command of the *Chen Meng*?"

Seeing that Qi Xiaotian was genuinely angry, Liu Yishou immediately lowered his head.

Although the two were usually close, Liu Yishou knew his place when Qi Xiaotian spoke with the tone of a superior officer discussing official business.

Watching from the side, Fang Chenyi patted Qi Xiaotian’s shoulder, amused.

"Come on, Old Liu was just trying to help," he said. "Alright, alright. Since Old Liu is here, you should head back to the *Chen Meng* and take over command."

After speaking to Qi Xiaotian, Fang Chenyi turned to Liu Yishou.

"Yishou, I’m leaving things here in your hands," he said. "Remember, if you notice anything out of the ordinary, contact me at once! No matter the time, it has to be immediate. And one more thing, do not, under any circumstances, act on your own!"

Glancing at the massive rock, its bottom still nowhere in sight, Fang Chenyi had no idea how much longer it would take to fully excavate. ’I really am exhausted,’ he thought. ’Might as well let Liu Yishou take charge for a while.’

"Yes, sir! Don’t worry, Brother Fang. If anything happens, I’ll inform you at once!"

Fang Chenyi patted Qi Xiaotian’s shoulder, then turned and started climbing out of the pit.

Noticing his master was leaving, Vajra, who had been swinging a pickaxe nearby, instantly tossed it aside and let out a cry as he scrambled after Fang Chenyi.

Behind Vajra, Er Gouzi hesitated. Part of him wanted to go back with his master and rest for the night, but when he looked at the massive rock, he seemed conflicted.

Just as Er Gouzi was caught in his dilemma, Vajra, who had already started to run off, suddenly doubled back. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, he swept Er Gouzi up into his arms and resumed his chase after Fang Chenyi.

Once Fang Chenyi was back on the ship, he headed straight for his room. Meanwhile, Vajra and Er Gouzi tactfully followed Qi Xiaotian into the command room.

Once inside, an aide who had been in temporary command immediately greeted Qi Xiaotian. Qi Xiaotian simply nodded, picked up the ship-wide intercom, and announced that he was now assuming command of the vessel.

Back in his room, Fang Chenyi looked in the mirror at his reflection, caked in mud from head to toe. He gave a wry, helpless smile, revealing a flash of pearly white teeth.

He took a shower, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and stretched his stiff muscles before finally diving into his soft, sprawling bed to sleep.

RING-RING-RING~

Fang Chenyi felt as if he had only just laid down when the phone on his nightstand began to ring.

He groggily picked it up and glanced at the caller ID, which instantly jolted him wide awake. He shot up in bed, frantically pressed the answer button, and spoke into the phone: