Chapter 31: Clues to the Closed Beta Site

However, even though this side quest is very lucrative, the earliest it can be triggered is a month from now.

Perhaps it would be perfect for leveling up before the player arrives, but for Ji Ming right now, it's a cake he can't get.

If you can't have it, just pretend it doesn't exist.

Temporarily setting the side quest aside, Ji Ming decided to first see to the main character of this thread.

"No matter how useful a potion is, the foundation of all health ultimately lies in the body itself."

He smiled and handed the unopened honey bread to AdaiEr.

"Here, have a bite; you can increase your intake a bit over the next few days, no problem."

AdaiEr instinctively wanted to refuse, but seeing the increasingly gaunt hand wrapped in a white glove, finally took it.

"Thank you, doctor."

It's fine; just remember to come rescue me when I'm being chased and hacked later.

He silently said the words to himself, and Ji Ming stood up with composure and calm, leaving the fire.

He returned to the stone he had been sitting on, and only after AdaiEr's flickering gaze shifted did he quietly loosen his collar.

Damn, I should've known not to wear this robe; I almost got dizzy from the campfire heat a moment ago…

After finishing lunch, he also completed the final character's formal dialogue in the squad.

Ji Ming suddenly realized that his daily grind as a 007 had finally afforded him a bit of precious idle time.

Slacking off, slacking off is great.

He stretched his neck, cooling off while leisurely observing his surroundings.

Perhaps because of his Grave Digging Technique, being already half a professional, his attention quickly shifted from the people to the cave.

Come to think of it, the structure of this cave is actually quite beautiful.

The entrance is rounded, the interior spacious, with no pillars obstructing the view, and the surrounding rock walls are solid.

If a big door were installed at the entrance, it would make the perfect secret storage.

If a hole were made on the mountaintop, it would become a natural furnace.

Considering the nearby forest and stream as well, the place, with mountain and water reflecting each other, can be called harmonious yin‑yang, with the five elements flowing smoothly, making it a rare yin residence.

Ji Ming couldn't help but marvel at nature's marvelous craftsmanship.

With a little repair, this could become a perfect grand tomb.

It's a pity not to bury a king, noble, prince, or princess here, to critique the old aristocratic class's extravagant excess.

Take this spot, the recessed curve is so beautiful; if a golden coffin or silver sarcophagus were placed here, wouldn't that—

Hmm?

Ji Ming furrowed his brow, noticing something odd about the cave.

He calmly picked up his hand shovel, pretended to look for centipedes, and moved closer to the nearest cave wall.

Using the distant campfire's light, he focused his gaze and finally saw the patterns on it.

On the hard rock were rough yet perfectly regular arcs.

Could this thing… be natural?

Following this line of thought, he quickly discovered more irregularities in the cave.

From shallow to deep, although time had polished many parts clean, it was clear that artificial marks were everywhere.

Only when he reached the deepest part, standing before a towering rock wall, did he finally confirm his suspicion.

Because beneath his feet lay a half‑broken floor tile, bearing a faint but unmistakable relief of a knight.

Observe, touch, calculate, ponder.

He walked from left to right, then from right to left.

He even tapped the rock and soil ahead with his shovel, then crouched to examine closely for a moment.

He finally reached an exciting conclusion.

—Deep within this cave lies a clearly buried entrance of a ruin covered by a mountain collapse!

Is it an underground city where countless subhuman spirits and monsters live?

Or a massive tomb burying endless restless souls?

Or perhaps an ancient imperial fortress teeming with various elemental creatures and heroic spirits?

One speculation after another sprang up in his mind.

But regardless.

Secluded, spacious, monster‑filled.

This is definitely a perfect place for a closed beta!

So, the only remaining question is…

After sipping the already‑cooled coffee, Ji Ming typed a line of inquiry.

"Good morning, if I find a suitable closed beta site but it likely contains monsters I can't handle, what assistance will you provide?"

Little boss Yang Yue still provides reliable instant replies.

"Please don't worry, the system and I will provide you with comprehensive services."

"According to Article 114 of the 'Fourth Day Disaster Plan'…"

"The moment you step onto and confirm a piece of land as a closed beta site, the system will make you the 'owner' of that land."

"You automatically gain, but are not limited to, the following abilities: full monster data acquisition, arbitrary teleportation within the site, alteration of building structures and decorations…"

"Reminder: after confirming the closed beta site, the system will issue you a 'Universal Character Resurrection Card'; please prioritize reviving strong corpses for convenience."

"To sum up…"

"Once you have the right location, you first pick the soft targets to crush; if you can't beat them, you can run away at any time, and if that still fails, you can call in thugs to clear the area?"

Marvelous!

Having made up his mind, he nonchalantly carried back a bag with a modest harvest to the team.

Now with many people around and eyes everywhere, it's not convenient to operate; better wait until later when I can come alone and dig secretly.

Doctor, you're working too hard.

Ston had long noticed Ji Ming running around everywhere, but he just hadn't felt comfortable speaking up.

Who would have thought, he was actually running around looking for centipedes and lizards, and even digging three feet deep with a shovel!

Ha ha, just to supplement the household.

Ji Ming also knew Ston was watching, so he brushed it off lightly.

After everyone rested a while longer, Lao Bo'er walked in.

We should be heading off; once we get back to town, we still have to sell our goods.

Thus they extinguished the fire, the adventurers tidied up and set out again on their journey.

Take this way; there's a path that's both quick and safe.

Lao Bo'er had already reoriented himself earlier; following his lead, the party took a new forest trail.

As they wound down the mountainside, the Iron Cable Squad arrived at a valley abundant with wild fruit.

Who could resist those sweet‑tart little fruits hanging from the branches? Everyone plucked a few to snack on.

Eager to return home, though the journey was peaceful, it was nonetheless boring.

Ston also casually picked up a fruit, took a bite, and after gulping it down with some effort, he stroked his stubble and laughed.

Speaking of which, is it because we have a doctor? This should be the safest of our many adventures.

Such a vast valley, with fruit trees covering the hills, so peaceful—how could there not be a single adventurer?