Chapter 2531: On the Pirate Ship?

"A contract? It's not a big deal, to put it simply. If you want to use this passage, you have to help our Tianxuan Sect with mining for a year. After a year, you can leave and go wherever you want. We will definitely not stop you."
Upon hearing Yunxiao's inquiry, the old man smiled faintly and explained naturally.
"Mining for a year? The contract that you mentioned, is it for me to help your Xuantian Sect with mining for a year?"
Hearing the old man's explanation, Yunxiao raised an eyebrow slightly, understanding it already. It turned out that the so-called contract was just a one-year contract to work in the mines!
"That's right, it's that simple. You also know that we cultivators are never short of time. One year, it will pass in the blink of an eye. If you agree, we can sign the contract right now. If you don't want to, then leave quickly!"
The old man nodded and continued to speak to Yunxiao.
"Mining for a year..." Yunxiao's brow furrowed and he began to think quickly. "May I ask, senior, what kind of ore is being mined? Is there any danger involved?"
From the current situation, he wants to go to the heavenly realm through this passage. In that case, he has to sign this contract with the other party. Otherwise, he will have to take another route to other passages. But since the passages here have been privatized, I reckon the other passages won't be much better.
Hearing Yunxiao's question, the old man smiled and said, "You're not bad for a young person, so let me tell you a bit more. The so-called mining refers to the mining of Daojing ore veins. Do you know what Daojing is? It is a precious crystal used by martial artists to cultivate after reaching the Daoist realm. That thing is very fragile and must be carefully mined. As for the danger, it's just mining, so of course there is no danger."
"Daojing veins? Energy stones used for cultivation after reaching the Dao Realm?"
As soon as the old man's words fell, Yunxiao's eyes brightened slightly, and he completely understood it in his heart. At the same time, he inevitably felt a trace of curiosity and longing for the Daojing mentioned by the old man.
At the crucial moment of his cultivation, he needs some external force to progress further. Needless to say, the Dao crystal mentioned by the other party will certainly be helpful for his cultivation.
"How about it, young man? Do you want to make a contract with our Tianxuan Sect? Have you already made up your mind?"
Just as Yunxiao was lost in thought, the old man's voice resounded again, confirming to the former.
"Senior, are you sure it's only one year?" Upon hearing the question from the old man, Yunxiao pondered for a moment, his expression changing several times. Suddenly, he looked up and asked.
"Just one year, I'm sure." The old man nodded with a smile, speaking very calmly.
"Alright, since it's just for one year, then I'll sign this contract!"
Receiving the affirmation from the old man, Yunxiao gritted his teeth and immediately agreed.
One year's time is not considered long for him, and in order to be able to use the other party's teleportation passage, he can only reluctantly agree.
Moreover, he is also very curious to see what exactly this so-called Daojing treasure is. If possible, he might even be able to obtain some of it to enhance his own power.
Of course, even if there is some trickery involved, with his abilities, it would not be so easy for the other party to control him at will.
"Good, young man, you made a wise decision. This is the contract text, you can take a look. After reading it, simply drop a drop of your blood into it, and our contract will be completed."
Hearing Yunxiao agreed to sign the contract, a satisfied smile appeared on the old man's face. He raised his hand and directly threw a piece of jade slip to Yunxiao across from him, patiently explaining.
Yunxiao took the jade slip and looked at its contents. Sure enough, what was written on it was not much different from what the old man had said, and he couldn't see any problem.
He carefully checked the spiritual power on the jade slip several times, and when he was sure there was no problem, he no longer hesitated and directly dropped a drop of blood in it!
"Swipe!!!"
A ray of light flashed from the jade scroll, and then disappeared, as if nothing had changed.
Seeing this, Yunxiao didn't say much and immediately threw the jade scroll back to the old man, waiting for his next words.
"Young man, the contract is complete, come with me!"
The old man took the jade scroll and his smile grew even brighter. In the next moment, with a casual wave of his hand, a gateway appeared in the passage behind him, leading to an unknown world!
"Thank you for your help, senior!"
"Seeing the appearance of the portal, Yunxiao's face lit up, and he followed the old man and two others in directly, and as soon as he stepped into the portal, he felt his vision go black, completely losing sight. However, this process didn't last long. Soon, he felt his vision restored, and the air around him seemed to become more spiritual."
"Okay, open your eyes now, we've arrived at our destination!"
The voice of the old man came again, and upon hearing this, Yunxiao finally tried to open his eyes and looked around.
At first sight, a towering mountain emerged from the ground. At the foot of this colossal mountain, there were a few houses. However, at the bottom of the mountain, there was a massive cave, resembling a bloodthirsty mouth, which sent a shiver down one's spine when observed.
"Here is..."
With a frown on his eyebrows, he couldn't help but feel a sense of alertness in his heart and immediately turned to the old man for advice.
The corners of the old man's mouth raised, "This is the mine. The hole you see is the entrance to the mine, and it will be your workplace for the next year."
"Mine here? This..."
Hearing the old man's introduction, Yunxiao's face twitched, and subconsciously looked towards the hole in front, a trace of solemnity flashed in his heart.
Although he hadn't entered the mine yet, the things in front of him made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"Hahaha, Wu Lao, brought a new person again? That's great!"
Just at this moment, a loud laugh suddenly came from a house, followed by a middle-aged man stepping out and quickly approaching the group.
"Old Zhou, I've brought the person for you. As for how to arrange things next, I won't meddle anymore. Goodbye!"
As the middle-aged man appeared, the corners of the old man's mouth twitched. He notified the middle-aged man and left with his two followers from this place.
"Tch, why run so fast? I didn't ask you to be a villain."
The old man ran away with someone as soon as he spoke. The middle-aged man known as Old Zhou gave a disdainful look, a hint of contempt flashed across his face.
"Kid, did he not tell you about the rules in the mines?"
The man with a slightly stern face turned his gaze to the opposite cloud, and after a moment, the corners of his mouth slightly curved into a smiling expression as he asked,
"Rules?! Are there special rules here?!"
Hearing the words of the middle-aged man, Yunxiao's expression suddenly changed, and he suddenly felt a bad premonition.
He suddenly felt like he had been deceived!