Chapter 15: Only strength can break the Killing Qi

The icy dark river water soaked through his clothes, a bone‑chilling cold…

The yin‑cold, bone‑eroding Killing Qi Erosion within him intertwined, making Chen Wen's teeth chatter.

He hid behind a protruding rock, gasping violently.

Each breath carried a faint taste of blood.

——That was the injury he had suppressed during his escape.

【Warning! Abnormal status: "Deep Killing Qi Erosion" (Stamina recovery –80%, strength and agility slightly reduced, continuously producing cold and weakness)】

【Current Stamina: 31% (Danger)】 【WP: 65】

The system panel's glaring red warning and low stamina value announced that he was on the brink of despair.

From deep behind in the mine cavern, the icy echo of iron boots on stone could faintly be heard; the pursuers had not given up.

He couldn't just wait for death!

Chen Wen bit his tongue hard; the sharp pain cleared his foggy mind a little.

He recalled the system's initial prompt:

High‑intensity labor can speed up dispelling negative statuses!

Work! I must work!

As long as he can move, he must strive!

His gaze quickly swept the surroundings.

Here the underground river was relatively calm, but ahead it seemed to become more turbulent, with a fork.

The bank was piled with many dry wood branches washed down from upstream.

Got it!

A plan instantly formed in his mind.

He would make a raft!

It could use the water's power to quickly escape the danger.

And by undergoing the "raft‑making" process he could perform high‑intensity labor to dispel the Killing Qi!

Say it, do it!

He struggled to climb ashore, dragging his injured leg, and began gathering suitable wood.

His four‑fold strength was crucial now; logs that would strain an ordinary person he could lift relatively easily.

【Gathering wood, Diligence Points +2】

【Gathering wood, Diligence Points +2】

The system's prompt tone was especially pleasant right now.

He cast aside all distractions, threw himself into the gathering work, and soon had enough wood.

Next came binding.

Without rope, he used what was at hand—a extremely tough vine growing on the riverbank.

He smashed the bark with a stone, pulled out the inner long fibers, and twisted them into a sturdy grass rope.

【Crafting rope, handiwork proficiency up (4× bonus)! Diligence Points +5】

【Crafting rope, Diligence Points +5】

His movements grew faster, all his muscles exerted, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

The cold inside him seemed to be dispelled considerably by the labor's heat.

The heavy feeling from the bone‑like Killing Qi Erosion also lessened bit by bit.

【High‑intensity labor, Deep Killing Qi Erosion weakened! Current stamina recovery: –65%】

It works! It really works!

Chen Wen's spirits lifted, and he worked even harder.

He laid the timber side by side and tightly bound it with the twisted vine rope.

The whole process required great strength and repetitive motion, perfectly showcasing his four‑fold physical advantage.

【Crafting raft (basic), handiwork proficiency greatly up (4× bonus)! Diligence Points +30!】

【High‑intensity labor, Deep Killing Qi Erosion weakened! Current stamina recovery: –50%!】

Finally, a sufficiently sturdy simple raft was completed!

Though crude, it was enough to carry him downstream.

More importantly, after this frenzy of labor his stamina was greatly depleted.

But his mental state improved greatly; the yin‑cold Killing Qi was dispelled by nearly half!

【Current Stamina: 28%】 (Labor consumed much, but recovery improved)

【WP: 109】

【Abnormal status: "Deep Killing Qi Erosion" changed to "Killing Qi Erosion" (Stamina recovery –50%)】

The pursuers' sounds seemed to have drawn nearer.

Chen Wen hesitated not, heaved the raft into the water, and flipped himself aboard.

He grabbed a long wooden pole as a punt and shoved hard!

The raft wobbled away from the bank, merged into the underground river's main current, and its speed gradually increased.

He glanced back at the dangerous mine area, his gaze resolute.

No matter what lay ahead, he would use these hands capable of creating multiplicative miracles to carve a path of survival and find his family!