The Game of Global Mining

Black Dragon Secret Abyss City.

As guild members headed home, Uriel poured all his enthusiasm into his new job. After all, Uriel felt guilty, and being forgiven felt like divine redemption.

The first thing Uriel did was to head to the Golden Divine Throne as a diplomatic envoy to discuss peaceful mining operations.

There was still the question of which ship to use?

Taking a big ship would be provocative, and the Emperor was likely simmering with anger.

Taking a small boat would appear cowardly, diminishing the recent victorious vibe.

Fortunately, Uriel, being clever, opted for the landing ship that returned a millennium ago. It was small, avoiding provocation, yet still impressive.

Not long after Uriel set out, there was news in the commerce channel:

— Dios Commerce Association Notice: Congratulations! Welcome new member Vonima Pink Illusion Crystal to the association!

— Dios Commerce Association Notice: Congratulations! Welcome...

— Dios Commerce Association Notice: Congratulations! Welcome...

...

— Dios Commerce Association Notice: Congratulations! Welcome new member Vonima Soft Crystal Earth Flame to the association!

Uriel was stunned; all of them were Vonima!

Are they members of the Earth Flame Tribe? Despite many trips to transport ore, he had never seen these ten... Ten? Could they be the ten little ones raised as a fish farm? Is it the time-cross effect causing the Earth Flame Tribe’s accelerated progress?

Uriel was instantly excited, after all, the Earth Flame Tribe was a custom-designed grand package. If one Vonima could be born within the 100-year span between custom and server opening, then ten in a millennium made sense!

Uriel had lost control over one Vonima, but he must seize these new ten!

Had Uriel not already boarded, he’d teleport back to the Earth Flame Tribe now. But running into the guild leader would be awkward, so it had to wait.

Luckily, on this trip, the Golden Divine Throne responded tactfully, sending a mid-ranked NPC official in a small boat to initiate contact. However, the language was carefully chosen, stating "agreement to maintain the status quo" rather than approval or disapproval regarding peaceful mining.

Overall, the sides merely signed a memorandum: no agreement reached, but meetings and discussions occurred. However, without Michael’s cooperative revival, maintaining the status quo was Uriel’s greatest achievement.

Upon reaching port, an official reported: "Vice President, your commerce association has gained ten new members who are blocking traffic as we can’t command them..."

They came!? From the Earth Flame Tribe? Their pace is astonishing!

Uriel rushed to the teleportation array square, discovering ten multi-colored Earth Flame Giants, as tall as a building, like a wall!

This physique, exactly those ten! But why such colors? Regardless, the energy emitted was leagues beyond previous levels!

Uriel hastefully approached: "Do you recognize me?"

The ten immediately recognized him: "You’re the one who often came to transport ore when we were young!"

When they were young? Clearly, it was just a few days ago during the last mining run!

Uriel felt uneasy about this time lapse but was comforted: "I’m the Vice President. Did the leader send you here?"

The ten replied: "Yes, the chief told us to mine ore only, nothing else!"

Uriel frowned, feeling constrained. However, mining was the only immediate task.

Uriel promptly made arrangements: "I’ll contact the Mining Guild and the military to arrange a large mining ship to transport you all together for mining."

The ten replied in unison: "Okay!"

Clearly, the appearance of the ten Little Giants caught significant attention from the military, and a mining ship was prepared swiftly, along with two escort ships.

If only two ships escorted a mining ship, it would incur heavy losses. But this was the first Void mining expedition, making its exploratory significance crucial. A successful operation would lead to endless subsequent mining ships and escorts.

Then, Uriel tried commanding two Void Lords via the commerce channel. The Lord named Vonimana was very agreeable: "I even know a vast area rich with Void Crystal Ore, where human empire mining ships dare not venture!"

Uriel was instantly motivated: "Could the Lord lead us there?"

"Certainly!"

The Pava Landing Wine Angel, drinking at Bast’s place, immediately responded in the commerce channel: "We’re joining too!"

The Lizard Prophet also responded: "For this inaugural mining, I must contribute too..."

Uriel was thrilled, yet Michael grew anxious: "The Divine Throne NPC’s are simply foolish; if they agreed to co-mine, they could join too!"

Sela chuckled: "Boss should not underestimate the Emperor’s intelligence. He’s mined in the Void for a thousand years; he should know where the ore is rich. Perhaps he wishes to observe Black Dragon City’s actions or let them fall into pitfalls."

Uriel smiled: "What the Emperor can’t do, my three ships certainly can’t either. Actually, I just want to witness these two Void Lords’ strength across the millennium. They even summon storms, which was already impressive during the competition."

Sela grumbled: "Can we not mention the competition?"

Michael sighed: "Actually, I miss my expedition team. No news despite what discoveries they might have made!"

Samuel lamented: "I miss my freedom! Can’t believe you people constantly monitoring this guy, aren’t you bored? Can I go out for lunch?"

Uriel laughed: "Have a burger."

Michael declared earnestly: "Burger is a solution! Ensure city-wide surveillance!"

Samuel exasperatedly: "I’m so bored I’m eating civilian garbage..."

Raphael chuckled: "The global PK selection tournament starts soon, you can combine monitoring with competing and avoid boredom."

Gabriel grumbled extremely displeased: "Will Chun compete?"

Sariel snorted: "If he enters, you all know..."

Samuel sighed: "Let me see that modded car of his while we’re at it."

...

Meanwhile, Chun unwittingly approached midnight.

—World Channel: Attention Global Players, registration for the month-long Olympus Arena Competition opens now!

Chun switched to his main account to check the news:

—System Notice: It is currently May 1, midnight, Golden Continent time, noon...

—System Notice: You received an Honorary Elder’s daily wage from Southern Canyon Village...

—System Notice: Congratulations! You received a pre-sale dividend of 1,000,000 Mining Coins for 20,000 portions of Ina’s "Bean Flour Oil Baguette". Received pre-sale dividend of 400,000 Mining Coins for 400,000 portions of "Xinna Smoke Processing Formula" and "Original Divine South Enzyme Anti-Plague Formula."

—Astrologer Profession Notice: Your fortune today is "suitable for travel, suitable for mining". Today is Moon Day. Today’s setting for your "Chapter of Misfortune" includes injury, paralysis, forced labor, scapegoating, and you’ve accumulated nine days of misfortune. The stronger the misfortune, the stronger the converted good fortune will be.

—System Notice: Olympus Arena Competition...

...