After they stopped gasping, the group of Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples, including Niu Kong, stood looking at each other at a loss. They saw the answer in each other's eyes.
"Duan Ling Tian!" Many Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples exclaimed in a low voice at this moment. Various expressions could be seen on their faces.
"How could I have forgotten him… Three months ago, he killed two Vermilion Bird Sanctum's disciples. Rumor has it that one of them was at the Early Quintessential Saint Stage!"
"Even if he has not reached the Intermediate Quintessential Saint Stage yet, I'm sure it must be pretty close to the Intermediate Quintessential Saint Stage!"
"Rumor also has it that he possesses the yellow Innate Spiritual Root. By right, an ordinary disciple with a yellow Innate Spiritual Root shouldn't be able to break through to the Quintessential Saint Stage! However, he still managed to kill a Vermilion Bird Sanctum's disciple at the Early Quintessential Saint Stage!"
"I heard that his cultivation base has not even reached the Quintessential Saint Stage. The reason he's so strong is all thanks to the three high-grade Divine Abilities that he mastered!"
"Put aside his Innate Spiritual Root. Let's talk about his ability of mastering Divine Abilities. I'm afraid not many people can compare to him in the Fire Worship Sect. After all, he has comprehended three high-grade Divine Abilities. In the Fire Worship Sect, it's said that even Lord Sect Leader has only mastered three high-grade Divine Abilities!"
"What's most surprising is that even though he had killed the Vermilion Bird Sanctum's disciples for no good reason, the Saint Land Enforcement Hall still protects him! Not only that, but when a Saint Land Bronze Flame Elder with blue Innate Spiritual Roots made a commotion at the Saint Land Enforcement Hall regarding Duan Ling Tian killing of the Vermilion Bird Sanctum's disciples, the elder was sentenced to death instead!"
"Perhaps, Duan Ling Tian's Martial Dao innate talent is ordinary but his innate talent in mastering Divine Abilities is definitely extraordinary. However, what's most amazing is his mysterious background!"
"You have a point. If it's not for his extraordinary background, why would the Saint Land Enforcement Hall protect him in the first place?"
When the Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples discovered the newcomer was Duan Ling Tian, they began to discuss among themselves. They were no longer surprised by his strength. After all, they had all heard about him.
"So he's Duan Ling Tian…" A bitter smile appeared on Niu Kong's face. If he had known the other person was Duan Ling Tian, he would not even dare to attempt to snatch the extra-large wicker basket even if he was 100 times more courageous.
Many of the Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples looked at Niu Kong sympathetically. Although Niu Kong was quite strong, he could hardly compare to Duan Ling Tian!
Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian was unaware that the Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples had guessed his identity correctly.
He continued to walk further into the mining cave. He was mining as he walked. With his current strength, the entire process went smoothly. Soon after, the extra-large wicker basket on his back was already filled with high-grade Saint Stones.
The Saint Stones ranged from big to small. They had not been polished so they looked very coarse.
"To think that I haven't even found a quasi Celestial-grade Saint Stone." Despite having mined a basket-full of first-grade Saint Stones, Duan Ling Tian still had not come across any quasi Celestial-grade Saint Stone ore. He felt slightly disappointed.
'Now that my wicker basket is full, it's time for me to hand the Saint Stones over. I wonder how many baskets of first-grade Saint Stones I'll have to hand in to complete today's task,' Duan Ling Tian thought to himself.
In truth, Duan Ling Tian could be faster when it came to filling his wicker basket full of Saint Stones. He was a little slow because he had secretly sent many first-grade Saint Stones into the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
If it was not for the fact that he would be found out if he took too many Saint Stones for himself, he would have continued on.
'I'll continue again when I mine next time. It's time for me to stop.' The moment he thought of this, he carried the extra-large wicker basket that was filled first-grade Saint Stones and walked out. As soon as he appeared, everyone's attention shifted to him again.
"It's Duan Ling Tian!" When Duan Ling Tian heard the low exclamations of some of the Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples, he realized his identity had been exposed.
'I can't believe they identified me so quickly…' Duan Ling Tian shook his head.
When he walked out, he realized the people that had originally been tailing him had disappeared as well. He did not think it was strange since he finally understood why so many people were following him earlier when he entered the cave. As it turned out, all of them coveted his extra-large wicker basket. However, after he had shown his strength and his identity was exposed, those people no longer dared to covet the extra-large wicker basket on his back.
What a joke!
In the Punishment Zone of the Four Symbols Sanctums' First Mine, there was currently a total of 90 extra-large wicker basket, including the one Duan Ling Tian possessed. However, there were only about 50 to 60 people who were at the Quintessential Saint Stage or above in the Punishment Zone.
In other words, there were many elite powerhouses at the peak of the Exemplary Saint Stage with extra-large wicker baskets as well.
Apart from those who are insane, the Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples in the Punishment Zone would definitely rather snatch an extra-large wicker basket from those at the peak of the Exemplary Saint Stage rather than snatching them from Duan Ling Tian.
Duan Ling Tian was strong enough to kill an Early Quintessential Saint Stage Martial Cultivator! His strength was almost on par with an Intermediate Quintessential Saint Stage cultivator!
As Duan Ling Tian was about to leave the mining cave, there were also many Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples who were leaving. He stopped a middle-aged man who was about to leave and asked politely, "Senior Brother, do you know how many Saint Stones we have to mine today to complete our tasks?"
"Senior Brother Duan Ling Tian, you can just address me as junior brother. I don't dare to have you address me as senior brother!" The middle-aged became a little anxious when he saw Duan Ling Tian appearing before him. He was terrified, just like a mouse that had seen a cat, when he heard Duan Ling Tian calling him senior brother.
Earlier, he was present when Duan Ling Tian had injured Niu Kong with just a blow. For this reason, he knew the person standing before him was Duan Ling Tian, a Black Turtle Sanctum's disciple, who had been sentenced to serve in the First Mine's Punishment Zone.
He was only an Intermediate Exemplary Saint Stage Martial Cultivator, it was natural for him to panic when faced with Duan Ling Tian.
"With your extra-large wicker basket, you'll only need to fill it six times to complete today's task, Senior Brother Duan Ling Tian." Despite feeling terrified, the middle-aged man did not dare to act carelessly in front of Duan Ling Tian.
"Thank you." Duan Ling Tian merely shook his head and did not speak unnecessarily when he saw how afraid the middle-aged man was.
Swoosh!
In the next instant, Duan Ling Tian made a move and increased his speed. Soon after, he left the mining cave. 'Six wicker baskets of Saint Stones… With my previous mining speed, it'll take me 15 minutes at most to fill the basket up with first-grade Saint Stones. However, I still need to spend another 15 minutes to send some first-grade Saint Stones into the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda… All in all, it'll take me about 30 minutes. It'll take me three hours to fill up 6 wicker baskets. Adding on the traveling time to hand the Saint Stones over, it'll take me about four hours at most to complete the task!' Duan Ling Tian calculated the time inwardly.
Meanwhile, he followed the throng of people to the allocated place to hand over the Saint Stones.
Naturally, Duan Ling Tian became the center of attention since he was carrying the extra-large wicker basket. Many people were staring at him in jealousy, envy, and greed.
Some of the Four Symbols Sanctums' disciples suspected Duan Ling Tian was a newcomer when they saw his face. They instantly began to have covetous thoughts toward his extra-large wicker basket. However, when they found out he was Duan Ling Tian, horror dawned on them immediately. They had no choice but to dismiss the idea of snatching the wicker basket and suppress the greed in their hearts.
What a joke!
This person was Duan Ling Tian! Someone who killed an Early Quintessential Saint Stage Vermilion Bird Sanctum's disciple! They would just be seeking death if they tried to snatch his extra-large wicker basket.
When Duan Ling Tian arrived at the place to hand over the Saint Stones, he attracted the attention of a White Tiger Sanctum's Bronze Flame Elder who was in charge of collecting the Saint Stones as well. 'An extra large wicker basket? This person seems unfamiliar though…"
"Duan Ling Tian?" When he was registering Duan Ling Tian, he finally found out who Duan Ling Tian was. He finally understood what had happened.
If he was Duan Ling Tian, it was not a surprise for him to possess an extra-large wicker basket since his strength was obvious!
Compared to the Vermilion Bird Sanctum's Bronze Flame Elder, this White Tiger Sanctum's Bronze Flame Elder was also very polite to Duan Ling Tian after learning about his identity.
"Duan Ling Tian, you just have to send this one basket of Saint Stones today. You've just arrived at the First Mine, it's better for you to rest for now." Based on his words, it was obvious he was also giving Duan Ling Tian special treatment.
"There's no need for that!" Duan Ling Tian instantly rejected his suggestion. He was anxious when he heard the elder's words.
What a joke!
He wanted to stay in the mining cave longer. The longer he stayed in there, the more first-grade Saint Stones he could send into the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
Although the first-grade Saint Stones were not useful to him in the Fire Worship Sect, it would be extremely useful for his family and friends.
To the Azure Cloud Mansion that was located far away in the Lower Province of the Dao Martial Saint Land, a huge number of Saint Stones would raise their wealth. Moreover, it might even raise the strength of the Azure Cloud Mansion!
"Huh?" Although the White Tiger Sanctum's Bronze Flame Elder had no idea why Duan Ling Tian would reject his good intention, he no longer said anything since Duan Ling Tian insisted on staying.
It took another three hours before Duan Ling Tian finally completed his task for the day.
'It's time for me to find a place to stay. It's said that in the Four Symbols Sanctums' residence in the Punishment Zone, there's a hovering mansion with a cultivation environment that's on par with a Primus house. I, Duan Ling Tian, am going to take that mansion as my own!' Duan Ling Tian's eyes shone as he made up his mind.