Chapter 3: What are you gonna do with a stick?
This time, John wasn’t late. He arrived on time and, without hesitation, picked up a basket and a pickaxe.
Looking ahead, he saw only four people had arrived before him. One was the girl from yesterday, the one Fatmaster had taken to his room.
Bruises marked her hands, one of her eyes was swollen, and a cut marred her lips.
Her expression was haggard, and she was eerily quiet.
John glanced at her, understanding what she must have endured. He wanted to help, but he lacked the power.
If he intervened, he’d only get himself in trouble, and he couldn’t afford that. His strength was still low, and though his breathing had reached level two, its effects were minimal in terms of combat ability.
Challenging Fatmaster now would result in a beating, and even if he somehow defeated him—a cultivator—other cultivators stationed outside the prison would capture and kill him instantly.
Trying to play hero would lead to a grim fate.
It’s better to stay low-key and increase my strength as much as possible. When the time comes, I’ll escape this place, he thought, a determined expression crossing his face.
He didn’t yet have the power to face Fatmaster or other cultivators, but he had his upgrade panel. If he bided his time and stayed under the radar, one day he’d be strong enough to flee this hellhole. That would be the day he’d make his move.
Sighing, he glanced at the girl again and moved to a secluded spot to mine spirit stones. Since he couldn’t help her now, he focused on his own business.
He didn’t want to fall short on spirit stones and get beaten like the others yesterday. For now, he aimed to live a low-key life.