Chapter Sixteen: The Dungeon, Beneath the Nine Mountains Mine

Yeyu’s expression grew grave. Due to the Shen Shang headset, the gameplay within the virtual reality world had fundamentally changed.

As the sealing barrier began to collapse, the six followed the trail of radiant golden lines, their palms blooming with dazzling golden light. In an instant, the entire barrier shattered, and the entrance to the cavern suddenly appeared.

The world trembled.

Immediately after, a system announcement echoed across the world channel, stirring a frenzy throughout the realm.

System Announcement: Congratulations to player “Cool Night” for successfully unlocking the entrance to the Ore Vein of Nine Mountain Ridge, opening the Nine Mountain Ancient Kingdom instance, and being immortalized in the server's history. Warmest congratulations once again.

System Announcement: Congratulations to player “Xin Ai” for successfully unlocking the entrance to the Ore Vein of Nine Mountain Ridge, opening the Nine Mountain Ancient Kingdom instance, and being immortalized in the server's history. Warmest congratulations once again.

System Announcement: Congratulations to player “Ikkyu Grandmaster” for successfully unlocking the entrance to the Ore Vein of Nine Mountain Ridge, opening the Nine Mountain Ancient Kingdom instance, and being immortalized in the server's history. Warmest congratulations once again.

System Announcement: Congratulations to player “Dark Night” for successfully unlocking the entrance to the Ore Vein of Nine Mountain Ridge, opening the Nine Mountain Ancient Kingdom instance, and being immortalized in the server's history. Warmest congratulations once again.

System Announcement: Congratulations to player “Smart Brother” for successfully unlocking the entrance to the Ore Vein of Nine Mountain Ridge, opening the Nine Mountain Ancient Kingdom instance, and being immortalized in the server's history. Warmest congratulations once again.

System Announcement: Congratulations to player “Qu Xiao Zheng Dang Ah Dang” for successfully unlocking the entrance to the Ore Vein of Nine Mountain Ridge, opening the Nine Mountain Ancient Kingdom instance, and being immortalized in the server's history. Warmest congratulations once again.

World Channel 25, Ruthless Rogue, Human: “Staring hard—I just finished the main storyline in Hero Town, and this party of leveling maniacs has already reached this stage?”

Now, after reaching level 25 and completing Hero Town’s main storyline, every player’s world channel post displayed their race.

World Channel 25, July Twenty-Two Clear, Human: “Unbelievable. At this rate, I doubt Three Years Younger could beat Cool Night’s fixed team.”

World Channel 25, Knows the Warmth and Cold of People, Human: “Cool Night the great! I have to say, Three Years Younger’s group is no match for them—so weak. If the great master hits level 40 today, who knows what level Three Years Younger would be.”

World Channel 23, Wild Cool Magic, Demon: “Both of the leveling maniacs from the demon race are also in Cool Night’s team. Looks like the rumors were right—are they really newbies?”

World Channel 23, Troublemaker Demon: “They are indeed newbies. The restriction mechanism of Shen Shang is well-designed; with this system, it’s almost impossible for old players to get in.”

World Channel 24, Suddenly Looking Back Demon: “The rest must be studio players. Without studios, earning game currency would be tough.”

The conversation in the world channel gradually shifted. Each message consumed a purchased item from the shop—World Transmission.

The entrance to the cavern led directly into the ore vein. At that moment, a massive vortex formed, and at its center appeared a blurred figure, clad in resplendent, jewel-like royal robes. As this person emerged, all six players gazed at the clear name floating above.

King of Nine Mountain Kingdom!

“Breaking my barrier—impressive. But with your half-baked skills, you might be able to toy with my officers, yet if you seek my treasure, heed this: life is given but once.”

His voice was cold, thick with murderous intent, and his eyes were sharp as blades.

All six felt a tangible, overwhelming pressure descend upon them—a suffocating and terrifying aura, as if invisible hands bound them tightly.

Once the task with the stationed officers was completed, Yeyu and his companions awaited the next main storyline quest.

Main Storyline: Martial World Rises—Nine Mountain Ridge Chapter, Nine Mountain Mine Depths
Quest Level: 26
Quest Giver: Entrance Officer
Quest Description: The sealing barrier at the entrance to the ore vein world has been broken. With the phantom of the King of Nine Mountain Kingdom revealed, you must enter the ore veins and uncover the mysteries behind these enigmatic forces.
Quest Objective: Enter the ore veins and the Nine Mountain Mine Depths instance.
Quest Submission: Entrance Officer

“At this point, it looks like we have to enter this instance. Third Brother, do you have a guide?” Luo Wei asked.

Yeyu nodded in response. “Given the circumstances, entering the instance is inevitable. The difficulty of the first run isn’t too high. There are twenty minor guards, one basic boss, one intermediate boss, and finally, the main instance boss.”

In Shen Shang, instances are divided into tiers, each separated by a vast gulf in difficulty—remarkably distinct.

Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Super, Ultimate, and Instance Boss.

The instance boss is the final challenge, boasting the highest average stats in the instance and resisting nearly ninety percent of control skills.

“Let’s go,” Yeyu said.

The six stepped directly into the vortex, and as they did, the King of Nine Mountain Kingdom’s chilling, murderous sneer echoed in their ears.

“Foolish youngsters. Since you have the courage, I’ll oblige you—there’s no return from where you go.”

Nine Mountain Ridge, Ore Vein

After entering the cavern, Yeyu and his party pressed on for several hundred meters. The cavern suddenly brightened, and the surrounding walls began to glitter with luminous ores, eventually transforming entirely into mineral stone.

“Our level is a disadvantage—we’re only at 27, but the instance recommends level 30,” Yeyu remarked.

Luo Feng proceeded to look up information about the instance. With the Shen Shang headset, the game’s intelligent assistant system activated, displaying details about the Nine Mountain Ridge instance. The first team to clear each instance would be recorded in the server’s history, so Yeyu’s party was immediately listed on the Nine Mountain Mine Depths leaderboard.

“The first run of any instance is always tough. The loot’s good, but you need to survive to enjoy it. Third Brother, seriously, do you think we can win?” Luo Feng asked gravely. The challenge in Shen Shang was notorious—even the newbie phase was fraught with difficulty. At level 27, they were already facing a level 30 instance, and the damage they’d endure was daunting.

“If we use some technique to dodge fatal attacks, the twenty guard monsters offer solid experience and plenty of level 30 gear. The overall stats are much better than newbie sets,” Yeyu replied.

The Shen Shang equipment system was tiered: white, blue, green, purple, pink, orange, gold.

Orange and gold tiers included legendary and epic gear—epic being the highest stage. There were also sacred and divine weapons, only awarded to players ranked in certain leaderboards. Fourth to tenth place received sacred weapons, first to third divine weapons.

As they advanced, Yeyu pointed toward twenty soldiers in ancient bronze armor patrolling ahead. “Those are the ones—guards at the entrance to the ore vein. Even the weakest are level 30. Instance monsters’ stats are boosted; here, a level 30 minion is about as tough as a level 40 monster outside.”

“So, Third Brother, you’re saying that with just level 30 minions, at our current level and gear, we’ll get wiped out?” Huang Hong was momentarily stunned, his expression skeptical as he looked at Yeyu.

Yeyu nodded. “Defeating these twenty soldiers looks difficult, but with tactical maneuvering and our healer’s sustained support, it’s not impossible.”

“Now that we’re at level 27, I’ve learned two healing skills. If we can keep dodging and attacking, sustained healing should be doable,” Luo Feng affirmed.

Yeyu then said, “Only ranged classes have the advantage. Melee, hold your position.”

He chose to advance alone. As he approached, carrying his ancient zither, the soldiers seemed to sense his presence. Three swiftly charged toward his location, their spears crackling with deadly brilliance. If he were hit by all three, Yeyu would likely fall.

Shen Shang’s instances carried a unique mechanic: death meant defeat. Unless a healer was present, the instance would eject the player, and they’d have to start over.

Swish!

The spear tips flashed, three deadly weapons aimed straight at Yeyu.

But his lips curled into a faint smile—he’d anticipated this. With a light step, he retreated, holding the zither before him. His slender fingers struck the strings, sending tangible waves of sound toward the three soldiers.

“Snow Moon Rainbow!”

Three violet beams shot forth, striking the soldiers directly, followed by a resounding explosion.