Everyone stared at her in disbelief.
She’s a woman?
“Hey, who are you?” Scrappy asked, eyes wide.
“I used to be a soldier,” Grace replied. “I found out by accident that the Sun Family might be secretly mining Mythril Ore here, so I came to check it out. Didn’t expect to get mixed up in all this.”
“You’re a soldier? Are you... a Spirit Practitioner?” Everyone gathered around her.
Grace nodded. “I am a Spirit Practitioner.”
“Can you get us out?” Scrappy asked nervously.
“Don’t worry,” Grace said, “I’ll lead you out. But you’ll have to follow my instructions.”
“Alright! Just tell us what to do!” Hope shone in everyone’s eyes.
“We’re going to dig a new way out,” Grace declared. “A path to survival.”
But... we’re trapped inside a mountain! Even if we start digging, it’ll take at least ten days, maybe half a month to get out. We don’t even have a bite to eat—how can we possibly make it?
“Leave the food to me,” Grace promised. “I have special pills—one will keep you going for a whole day. And I’ve got plenty, so just focus on digging!”
She didn’t really have pills that kept people full, but she did have some that could restore spiritual energy.
Plus, she had water stored in her Sanctum.
Everyone perked up at her words, grabbing their tools and getting to work.
“Don’t just dig anywhere!” Grace warned. “You have to dig exactly where I say. Here—”
The miners, in awe of the Spirit Practitioner, followed Grace’s orders and started digging.
Luckily, they were pros at digging. After about two hours, they’d carved out a deep tunnel when suddenly someone shouted, “We’ve broken through! We’ve broken through!”
As stones tumbled down, a cool breeze swept in, and fresh air filled the tunnel!
Grace was the last to crawl through and discovered they’d broken into an underground river!
The river was two or three zhang wide, with cool water dripping from hanging stalactites, merging into a stream that led out...
Everyone was thrilled, following the riverbed out. It wasn’t long before they reached the exit.
But the exit was a cliff halfway up the mountain.
The underground river spilled out, forming a small waterfall...
“Ah! It’s a cliff!”
“It’s so high—how do we get down?” Everyone turned to Grace.
Grace told them, “This cliff is over thirty zhang high and way too steep to climb. Wait here for me—I’ll go get help.”
“Alright! Miss, thank you so much! If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead in there!” Uncle Zane said, voice trembling with emotion.
“That’s right! Thank you for saving us!” Everyone thanked her sincerely.
“No need to thank me,” Grace smiled. “Actually, I have a favor to ask, if you’re willing.”
“What do you need, Miss? Just say the word!”
“I need you to testify to the authorities,” Grace said. “The Sun Family secretly mined Mythril Ore and tried to kill you to keep it quiet! Let the law punish them!”
“Of course we will!” Uncle Zane said, the first to agree.
“Me too!”
“Count me in!”
......
Grace nodded, handing each person a pill to restore their energy. “Wait here until morning. I promise I’ll bring help.”
......
After giving her instructions, Grace used her Magic Grappling Rope, anchored it into the cliff wall, and swung down.
She landed at the back of the mountain.
Her horse waited in a grove at the front of the mountain.
After landing, she circled around the base of the mountain, heading for her horse.
On the way, she’d pass the road leading up the mountain.