Chapter 72: Space

"Men Luo, have you ever touched a monster's scales?" He suddenly crouched, tapped the Earth Dragon's belly rock armor with his Tang Sword; the crisp clack echoed through the Mine Cave. "I heard high‑level monster materials can forge enchanted gear."

Men Luo, who was squatting beside the Dragon Horn, didn't lift his head and sneered, "Come on, this is the third monster I hunted in the Mine Cave, what do you think!" Yet his hand gripping the sword trembled slightly, the blade tip quietly pressing against the most fragile bone gap at the base of the horn—the knight clearly also recognized the material's value.

Robin's peripheral glance caught Men Luo's subtle movements, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a barely noticeable curve.

He seemed to casually sweep the back of his sword across the dragon's belly, but in fact stopped precisely at the location of the Magic Core.

The purple glow of the System Prompt flickered on his retina, reminding him of the Magic Energy Detection Device he saw three days earlier in the Wizard Apprentice laboratory; back then the Crystal Ball's Magic Wave display was less than a tenth of the current one.

From deep within the Mine Cave came the sound of iron picks striking; two Great Knights were directing miners to clear the battlefield.

Robin suddenly drove his Tang Sword deep into a fissure of the dragon's belly rock armor, then turned to Men Luo with an innocently harmless smile: "What if we coat the arrowheads with Dragon Blood—could that double the power of the Earth Explosion Arrow?" His boot silently crushed the scales at the tip of the Earth Dragon's claw—there a faint earth‑colored halo glowed, marked by the system as a "Resonance Point."

Men Luo's pupils suddenly contracted, and the veins on the back of his sword‑gripping hand bulged.

Robin abruptly pulled out a Leather Wine Bag and tossed it: "Just kidding, this thing should make great infused wine."

As the wine bag arced through the air, his sword tip had already precisely gouged out the Magic Core, and using the momentum of his turn he sucked the Dragon‑blood‑soaked Crystal Stone into the System Space.

The whole sequence flowed like clouds and water, and even the Third Apprentice Wizard nearby, who was stripping Dragon Skin, didn't notice anything amiss.

The System Space wasn't discovered by Robin; the system itself, upon contacting the Soil Dragon, autonomously alerted Robin that this function existed.

Though the space is small—about a cubic meter—it suffices for him to hide many items.

Thus, this seemingly ordinary System Panel holds great development potential; most crucially, Robin suspects the system possesses a degree of intelligence, merely concealed, which is certainly not a good thing for him.

"Tonight I should try mixing Dragon Blood with the Breathing Method," he licked his dry lips, listening to distant Wizard Apprentices arguing over the Dragon Horn's ownership with a Great Knight, and suddenly thought that being a shadow‑lurking "Experience Fisherman" wasn't so bad.

Robin stood before Meng Fei Si, mustering courage to say, "Boss, could I have some Earth Dragon Blood?"

Meng Fei Si squinted, his gaze sweeping over Robin as if to read his thoughts. He waved his hand, and two Knights immediately approached, beginning to search Robin.

Robin stood his ground, allowing them to inspect, while inwardly he was relieved that he had already hidden the Magic Core in the System Space.

The Knights meticulously examined Robin from head to toe, even turning his Quiver upside down, and after confirming he hadn't smuggled any materials, they nodded to Meng Fei Si.

Only then did Meng Fei Si reveal a satisfied smile, patting Robin's shoulder: "Robin, you performed well this time; I can allocate some Earth Dragon Blood to you. However, remember, the Mining Area's rules cannot be broken—any material must be distributed uniformly."

Robin quickly nodded, his tone tinged with gratitude: "Thank you, boss, I understand."

Meng Fei Si waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to fetch a small bottle of Earth Dragon Blood, handing it to Robin: "This is your share; make good use of it."

Robin took the bottle, feeling the warm touch of the liquid inside, his heart racing with excitement.

This bottle of Earth Dragon Blood will become the key to boosting his strength.

"By the way, Robin," Meng Fei Si suddenly said, "your performance these past two days has been impressive; keep it up. I'm planning to recommend you to the Lord. If you're interested, you could consider joining the Mining Area Guard Team; the compensation would be far better than now."

Robin froze for a moment, then shook his head: "Thank you for the offer, boss, but I still prefer a freer life."

Joining the Mining Area Guard Team, even with doubled wages, wouldn't help, and it would require staying in the Mining Area for long periods, which doesn't suit his development.

Meng Fei Si smiled, saying nothing more: "It's up to you. But if you change your mind, you can come find me anytime."

Robin nodded, turned, and left.

He walked to an empty corner, opened the System Panel, and placed the Earth Dragon Blood together with the previously hidden Magic Core. The system's prompt message popped up again:

Earth Dragon Blood: a lingering, thin dragon lineage blood, can temper the flesh, enhancing physical strength and recovery ability.

Magic Core: can aid cultivation, greatly boosting magical affinity and Spiritual Power.

Robin inhaled deeply, his heart full of anticipation.

He knew the Magic Core could aid cultivation, but had never heard of it increasing magical affinity and Spiritual Power—could it be due to the Dragon Devouring Breathing Method?

He speculated silently that perhaps the special effect of the Dragon Devouring Breathing Method further amplified the Magic Core's function.

Just as Robin was quietly thrilled, the Mining Area erupted into chaos. Third Apprentice Wizard Lei Duo Li shouted, "Who stole the Earth Dragon Magic Core?"

At those words, the entire Mine Cave instantly descended into disorder.

Robin's heart tightened; he hurriedly produced the Earth Dragon Blood, preparing for another inspection. Though he had hidden the Magic Core, the Earth Dragon Blood was also a precious material that required careful handling.

Lei Duo Li's staff tip, the Amethyst, suddenly burst with a dazzling glare.

As that light swept over the crowd, Robin remained unfazed, standing still; soon, however, the Earth Dragon Blood in his hand began to emit a faint glow.

Lei Duo Li, his face cold, approached Robin, his gaze tinged with doubt.

Just as he prepared to conduct a further check, Meng Fei Si timely stepped in front of Lei Duo Li.

"That bottle of Earth Dragon Blood was just requested from me," Meng Fei Si said calmly, though his eyes held an unmistakable authority.

Lei Duo Li frowned, clearly not fully convinced by Meng Fei Si's explanation. He coldly said, "Have him hand the Dragon Blood to someone else; I'll perform another Magic Inspection."

Robin's heart tightened, but he obediently handed the Earth Dragon Blood to the nearby Knight.

Lei Duo Li swung his staff again, the Amethyst light sweeping over Robin's entire body, yet yielding nothing.

Robin exhaled silently, realizing the System Space's tier far exceeded Lei Duo Li's, completely shielding his probing magic.

Lei Duo Li snorted coldly, evidently displeased with the result, yet he could no longer press charges against Robin.

He turned and pointed toward another direction, where a group of people he had already inspected stood.

(End of Chapter)