Chapter 2843: Hostile Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio "Where are the mutant worm creatures? Are they still in the mine?" "They’re still in the mining area. We just tried entering the periphery, but we were attacked by the mutant worm swarm as soon as we got close." Joachim turned his head toward the mining area, his brows furrowed as he prepared to lead his team closer for a look. "Boss." A trusted player gently tapped Joachim’s shoulder and whispered, "Look, the energy reaction of the mining area’s resources is abnormal." "Hm?" Joachim lowered his gaze to the mapping device in his subordinate’s hand, his expression immediately shifting to one of concern. What the hell?! The energy readings were rapidly depleting! What was going on? Joachim quickly raised his head and stared at the mining area once again, his mind racing. What’s happening over there? Where’s the ore? Why was the energy consumption so fast?! Had the mutant worm swarm been devouring it?! "Report!!" Two more squad members rushed over one after another, hastily delivering their report. Joachim’s voice grew cold as he barked, "Speak!" "Boss, the A-29 mining area was attacked by mutant worm creatures. We couldn’t defend against them..." "Enough! Don’t say anymore!" Joachim’s eyes blazed with fury. It’s only his mining areas being repeatedly attacked by the mutant worm swarms. Who else but Fang Heng? But even if he knows who the enemy is now, what can he do? Against the overwhelming strength of the mutant worms, he has no way to fight back! ... Federation ship. Captain Zoran had just received information about the mutant worm swarm, and he was immediately taken aback. The mutant worms had somehow appeared out of nowhere and attacked Joachim’s large mining areas. Other mining areas seemed to be unaffected, but why was Joachim’s being targeted? Zoran had been prepared to teach Joachim a lesson and give him a hard time, but upon hearing this news, he decided to hold off for the moment. Was it Fang Heng behind this? Ha! Interesting! It looks like Joachim has run into something far beyond his expectations this time. Let him learn a proper lesson! While Zoran was contemplating, several beams of light from spatial transmissions flickered inside the ship. Joachim stormed in, accompanied by several subordinates, and approached Zoran. "Joachim? What’s the matter?" "Captain, Fang Heng is controlling the mutant worms to invade my mining areas, damaging our ores. Isn’t the Federation going to intervene?!" "Joachim," Zoran said coldly, fixing him with an intense gaze, "The spirit crystal mines do not belong to any of you exclusively, understood?" Joachim clenched his fists and stared back without fear, "So you’re saying the Federation is allowing us to fight over the mining areas?" "Fight over? As I understand it, your mining area is being attacked by mutant worms." Zoran gave Joachim a frosty look and asked, "You say Fang Heng is controlling the mutant worm swarm to occupy your mining area. Do you have evidence to prove it?" Joachim was at a loss for words. Everyone knew Fang Heng was behind the scenes causing this trouble. But evidence? What evidence did he have? As he watched his once successful mining areas being eaten up one after another by the mutant worm creatures, Joachim felt powerless. His fists clenched tightly, his nails digging into his skin. Taking a deep breath, Joachim spoke again. "Captain, my mining area is in danger. I request the Federation to send reinforcements to help me deal with the mutant worm swarm attacking the area." "Hmph! Joachim! Do you even know what you’re asking? Do you really think the Federation will deploy forces just for you? Get real! The Federation is not here just for you!" Captain Zoran had long been displeased with Joachim’s actions in the game, not to mention that Joachim’s moves against Fang Heng had already crossed his bottom line. Did he really think a simple apology would be enough to make Zoran step in? What a joke! Zoran had no problem giving Joachim a harsh lesson. Joachim took a deep breath, his eyes cold as he stared at Zoran. "Captain, are you unwilling to help me?" Zoran sensed the threat in Joachim’s voice, and it made him even angrier. He replied coldly, "I didn’t say that. The issue of your mining area being attacked by the mutant worms will be discussed. You’ll receive a response afterward." "Captain Zoran, I hope you won’t regret your decision today." "Are you threatening me?" "Is there any? Since the Federation is openly siding with Fang Heng, there’s no point in me staying here. Goodbye!" "Heh..." Zoran’s anger flared as he watched Joachim use the transition passage to leave. Just a mercenary. And he dared to threaten him? Ridiculous! It’s best if someone like him leaves his ship. On the other side, Joachim stormed out of the ship with his subordinates, still filled with rage. "Boss, just leaving like this?" "What else should we do? Can you deal with those mutant worm creatures?" The subordinate fell silent. "Hmph." Joachim snorted coldly. "I admit defeat this time, but before we leave, let’s teach them a lesson." "Boss, what are you planning to do?" Joachim raised his head and cast a cold glance at the ship, "If I can’t have it, neither can they!" ... Central desert zone. After a few underground passages were opened and after more than four hours of waiting, ore materials started to be delivered again. Wayne, along with his subordinates and players, worked in shifts to sort them. A full day and night passed! Wayne and Wu Xiao, along with a group of players, were mentally exhausted. Why did they even provoke Fang Heng in the first place? Sorting ores nonstop felt worse than being in prison. Meanwhile, Fang Heng was sitting in the center of the iron mine, remotely controlling his zombie clone to search for new mining areas. Joachim’s large mining areas had been depleted. His master-level psychic skill had also been maxed out. At the current rate, factoring in the time needed to exchange for the grandmaster-level skill book, max out the grandmaster-level skill experience points, and set aside some contribution for unlocking after logging out... There were still plenty of things that required spending contribution points. At this pace, it would take another three to four days of grinding. Would the mutant worms and ore in this world be enough for him to farm? Or should he summon all his zombie clones deployed in the Death Realm and focus all his strength on mining? As Fang Heng was pondering, a game hint suddenly appeared on his retina.. [Hint: The Federation starship’s overall damage has exceeded 30%. The ship is under attack by the mutant worm swarm. You have triggered an emergency mission—Rescue the Starship.] Mission name: Rescue the Starship. Mission description: The starship has been continuously attacked by a large number of mutant worms, and the damage has exceeded 30%. If the ship is destroyed, you will be unable to continue. Please be careful! Mission requirements: Support the starship (additional contribution points will be rewarded for completing this mission). Fang Heng’s pupils constricted suddenly. Not good. The ship! This game world’s entry method was through the starship. It was like the unique teleportation method of the spawn. If he kept grinding happily here but the starship got destroyed and couldn’t send the ores out to exchange for contribution points, wouldn’t that be a waste? What’s worse, he might even be trapped in the game? Fang Heng quickly stood up and jumped out from the mine.