Chapter 29

Lin Haoming looked at the jade talisman she had crushed, which was similar to the one Ling Shengjie had given him. Sure enough, not long after, Ling Shengjie flew over.

As soon as he saw Xie Ruolan, he immediately flattered her, asking, "Ruolan, what happened? Did that Kong guy bother you again?"

"Ling Shengjie, who's bothering who? If anyone is bothering, it's you, this useless kid, who keeps bothering Junior Sister Ruolan!" Before Ling Shengjie could finish speaking, another burly man with a tiger-like back and bear-like waist also flew over from a distance.

"Junior Sister Ruolan, why did you crush the jade slip I gave you?" Kong Yuanliang, who had landed in front of them, asked curiously.

Lin Haoming had met Kong Yuanliang a few times before, but several years had passed. Back then, Kong Yuanliang was just a year younger than him, but his appearance had changed a lot. If it weren't for knowing his name, he probably wouldn't have recognized him.

"Senior Brothers, Junior Sister just took this kid to Red Leaf Mountain. While dealing with a little monk from the Golden Temple, we unexpectedly discovered a spirit stone mine. Now that little monk from the Golden Temple has already informed the sect elders! Junior Sister doesn't dare to claim all the credit alone and is willing to share it with the two of you!"

Hearing this, the two were startled and exclaimed simultaneously, "Is what you're saying true, Junior Sister?"

"Absolutely true, don't believe me? You can ask him!" Xie Ruolan pointed at Lin Haoming.

"What's there to ask a mere outer sect disciple!" Kong Yuanliang looked at Lin Haoming with disdain.

Ling Shengjie, however, smiled and said, "Junior Brother Lin, don't be upset. This Kong guy doesn't believe you, but I do. This time, if you follow Junior Sister Ruolan and get any benefits, I won't forget to give you a share!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ling!" Although he had discovered the spirit stone mine himself, it now seemed as if he was getting a handout. Lin Haoming forced a smile, but he felt extremely aggrieved inside.

However, even Xie Ruolan had immediately found these two guys upon returning instead of reporting directly to the sect. Lin Haoming knew that this credit was not something he, an outer sect disciple, could claim alone. Perhaps if Grandfather Lin were still around, it might have been possible.

"Hmph! Ling Shengjie, you're really going downhill, calling an outer sect disciple brother!" Kong Yuanliang said with disdain upon seeing this.

"Senior Brothers, this isn't the time to talk about that. We should quickly report this to the sect and say that we discovered it together!" Xie Ruolan said.

"Yes, indeed. This matter shouldn't be delayed. Junior Sister, don't worry. With me here, your credit will definitely not be overlooked. If the spirit stone mine is significant, the sect's reward will definitely ensure your foundation building. Let's go!" Kong Yuanliang said.

Kong Yuanliang said and did, and the group immediately flew toward a certain place.

Seeing Lin Haoming also flying over, Kong Yuanliang said unhappily, "Junior Sister Ruolan, why is this kid following? Tell him to go back to the first level!"

Ling Shengjie, not wanting to share the benefits, immediately said, "Junior Brother Lin, go back to the first level first. Here, take this token. With this, you can enter the first three levels at any time."

Lin Haoming looked at the token Ling Shengjie threw over and felt a chill in his heart.

Lin Haoming knew that these two people's attitudes clearly showed that the discovery of the spirit stone mine had nothing to do with him anymore.

He didn't mind others sharing his credit, but not giving him anything at all made Lin Haoming feel a surge of anger.

The spirit stone mine was clearly discovered during his fight with the little monk, and Xie Ruolan was right there, so it was normal for her to be considered a co-discoverer. But these two, who were just along for the ride, had kicked him out. If he had the strength now, Lin Haoming would have wanted to eliminate these two guys.

From these two people's attitudes, Lin Haoming knew that whether it was Kong Yuanliang, who looked down on him, or Ling Shengjie, who seemed to have some friendship with him, they didn't actually see him as a person. To them, he was just a tool, at most a talking tool.

"Junior Brother Lin, go back first. Don't worry, you will get credit this time!" Xie Ruolan also spoke up at this moment.

She wanted him to leave, which was within Lin Haoming's expectations. Lin Haoming knew that if he didn't understand the situation, Xie Ruolan might not protect him. Moreover, when she called these two over, she didn't even inform him, indicating that in her mind, he was just someone with a few years of acquaintance. When it came to crucial moments, like now, she would abandon him.

"Alright, I'll go back first!" Lin Haoming put away the token and changed his course toward the first level.

After leaving the three, Lin Haoming's face became particularly gloomy.

Discovering a spirit stone mine was the highest reward in the sect. Even a newly entered outer sect disciple knew that discovering even a small mine that could produce only 100,000 spirit stones a year would earn a foundation-building pill as a reward.

Lin Haoming didn't know how large the spirit stone mine was, but if he had a share, he would definitely get a foundation-building pill. Now, it was clear that he wouldn't get it.

With his talent, without a foundation-building pill, it was impossible for him to achieve foundation building on his own. Being kicked out was like cutting off his path to immortality.

Back in the market of the first level, Lin Haoming tried to calm himself down.

He repeatedly told himself that as long as he had the merit bead, he would definitely achieve foundation building, even condense a golden core, and reach the yuan infant stage. At that time, he could avenge this humiliation.

However, although he thought this way, the opportunity right in front of him was lost, which made Lin Haoming very unwilling. Even the little bit of goodwill he had for Xie Ruolan completely disappeared after this.

Reflecting on the past few months with Xie Ruolan, Lin Haoming had really thought about working hard to condense a golden core within a hundred years and seeing what Xie Ruolan would do then. But now, he no longer had that thought.

Lin Haoming knew very well that in Xie Ruolan's eyes, he was not worthy, or rather, she didn't even look up to him. He was just someone she used to relieve boredom and vent her frustrations.

Less than three days later, Lin Haoming received the news that Xie Ruolan, Kong Yuanliang, and Ling Shengjie had been credited for discovering the spirit stone mine. They were waiting for the mine's reserves to be determined before being rewarded. As for him, he was like a non-existent person, and no one had even acknowledged him for days.

As the days passed, Lin Haoming's face became increasingly gloomy.

A month later, the sect announced that the spirit stone mine's reserves had been determined, with an annual output of 30 million spirit stones.

The three who discovered the spirit stone mine had been promised by the sect to be guaranteed foundation building. After foundation building, they would be personally taken as disciples by a golden core elder.

Just as Lin Haoming learned about these benefits from the sect, Xie Ruolan finally came to him.

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