Fonggho mused as he peered through the vines into the inky darkness where visibility was severely limited.

He decided to clear the way, stepping back a few paces.

The skeletal giant moved forward.

With a few powerful swings of his ax, the obstructing vines were severed, scattering to the ground and fully revealing the cave's entrance.

I'll send in the skeletal sparrow to scout ahead.

Fong House stated, retrieving a skeletal gray sparrow from his backpack and leaping back onto the skeletal dragon's back before casting his divine ability, he issued a cautionary reminder.

You two stay out of trouble, especially you and Jia.

Understood? And Ja replied with a pout, clearly displeased at being singled out by Fong Hao.

Leaning against the dragon's back, he activated his divine ability.

Ethereal blue flames ignited within the sparrow's eyes as it flapped its wings and soared into the cave.

As the sparrow ventured deeper, the cave's interior grew increasingly dim.

The skeletal framework supporting the cave had decayed and fractured with mining tools scattered about, their wooden handles long gone, leaving only severely corroded metal remnants.

Continuing inward, after traversing more than 10 m, scattered dry bones began to litter the floor.

As the gray sparrow approached, the bones clattered to life, transforming into a skeletal warrior.

The sparrow evaded the warrior's attack and pressed onward as it delved deeper.

The number of skeletal warriors multiplied, filling the cave's expanse ahead.

Fongo was compelled to redirect the sparrow, retreating from the cave.

Releasing his divine state, he turned to Injia, who inquired, "What did you see? Prepare for battle.

" A swarm of skeletons is about to emerge.

Fong Hao urged, rising hastily.

No sooner had he spoken than the cave erupted with the sound of numerous footsteps and the clanging of metal against stone.

"Ready the dragon's breath!" Fongo commanded as he leapt from the dragon's back.

Though he felt no urgency, he was all too familiar with skeletons.

He had faced greater foes before, and these wild skeletal minions instilled no fear in him.

The skeletal dragon lay low to the ground, its head poised towards the dark mouth of the cave.

The sound of footsteps grew increasingly closer, and soon a multitude of undead shuffled forth, wielding weapons that were grievously corroded.

Dragon's breath.

Fong how gently patted the massive body of the skeletal dragon.

With a resounding roar, the dragon's abdomen swelled.

And in the next instant, a column of black light erupted from its maw, flooding the cave with immense energy.

Beneath the dark beam, the skeletal forms disintegrated like fine sand, falling to the ground without a trace of resistance.

This was Fongghow's first time witnessing the skeletal dragon unleash its death breath upon the undead.

When used against living beings, it would cause their flesh and blood to wither away, ultimately leaving behind only a heap of bones.

Now, it was evident that when directed at skeletons, the effect was equally potent, leaving not even a remnant of bone.

Once the breath had been expelled, tranquility enveloped the cave.

After a few breaths, faint sounds of scattered footsteps could be discerned within the cavern, indicating there were still stragglers.

Funghow swiftly arranged for the skeletal trolls to surround the cave entrance, preparing for a free assault upon any that dared to emerge.

The skeletal trolls commenced their actions as commanded, leaving a gap of about 2 m in front of the cave, forming an enclosing formation.

Just as the deployment was completed, the first skeleton trudged out, brandishing a battered pickaxe.

However, as it stepped outside, two massive spike clubs fell from either side with a resounding thud.

The first skeleton's bones shattered, scattering into a heap of bone fragments.

Closely behind, the second skeleton emerged.

Thud.

Another two resounding crashes resulted in its immediate demise.

The third, fourth, and six skeletons met the same fate, and soon silence enveloped the cave.

Fong Ho peered into the cave entrance, observing the ground strewn with bone, ash, and scattered weapons.

"You few follow me.

The rest stay on standby outside.

" He signaled to approximately 30 skeletal trolls, retrieving several luminous stones from a storage space and fastening them to the ribs of four skeletal trolls.

What about us? And Jian inquired, "You and Lui will stay outside to protect me.

Should we encounter formidable foes, I will assign you to engage.

" Funho assessed the situation, noting that the cave seemed to contain only low-level skeletons, easily dealt with by the skeletal trolls.

Moreover, the cave appeared unstable.

A collapse could pose a grave danger.

Very well, and Jia conceded this desolate expanse offered no comfortable place for Fong had to rest, compelling him to return to the seat upon the dragon's back and invoke divine presence, commanding the skeletal ash sparrow to a light upon a troll's shoulder.

He issued the order to advance into the cave.

The skeletal trolls entered in an orderly formation, and as they delved deeper, the darkness intensified.

The trolls, bearing lanterns adorned with luminous stones, illuminated their surroundings, collecting the shadow stones scattered across the ground.

Fongo spoke up, directing their efforts.

Ahead on the road, shadows of dark stones began to emerge.

Wherever there are the remnants of the deceased, dark stones are typically found.

As the skeletal trolls passed by, they bent down to gather the dark stones.

Following the motion of one troll, Fonggho's gaze fell upon the dark stones, and he sensed something a miss.

Wait, clear the ground there, Fongghao commanded once more.

The skeletal trolls swiftly removed the debris from the area he indicated.

Beneath the rubble, a slender metallic track became visible.

Rails.

Funhow flapped his wings and landed upon the metal track.

Gazing back along its length, he discerned the exposed rails stretching along the path.

It appeared that this indeed was a mine equipped with railway carts.

The Cold Wind Mountains boasted numerous mines, yet they relied solely on manual labor for transport and extraction, lacking any constructed tracks or carts.

This mine's facilities seemed considerably more advanced.

Very well.

Onward, Fong Hao declared as he returned to the shoulder of the skeletal troll.

The procession resumed its advance.

As they delved deeper into the mine, two forks appeared before them.

Inscribed upon the tops of each path were markings now indecipherable.

After some contemplation, adhering to the age-old adage of men to the left, women to the right, he chose the left path.

The skeletal trolls began their journey down the left fork.

After advancing several dozen meters, the surroundings suddenly opened up.

Fong Hao perched upon the troll's shoulder, entered a vast chamber within a mine.

This expanse was remarkably spacious, equivalent to three or four basketball courts.

The iron tracks lay exposed upon the ground, while a severely damaged mine cart was filled to the brim with ore.

Just as Fong how intended to instruct his companions to gather the ore, an unusual noise echoed from ahead, a multitude of skeletal warriors rose, brandishing rusted iron swords and clad in tattered armor.

They were far better equipped than the skeletons vanquished at the cave's entrance.

Chapter 282.

The Myithil Mind.

Scores of skeletons stirred from their slumber, reclaiming their earthwile weapons and rising with stiffened bodies.

Upon noticing the sudden intruders, they paused for a brief moment before grasping their weapons and advancing step by step toward the foes.

It was evident from their appearance that the skeletal warriors here were equipped with superior gear compared to those vanquished at the cave entrance.

Yet, no matter how fine the weaponry, after lying buried for so long, it had decayed beyond recognition.

Fongo glanced behind him.

They had ventured deep into the mine and taken a fork in the path, rendering the cave entrance invisible.

Attempting to lure these skeletons back and utilizing the bone dragon's breath to annihilate them seemed excessively troublesome.

Moreover, he was uncertain if this mine could withstand a second onslaught from dragon fire.

Estimating roughly the number of skeletons appeared to be around 60 or 70.

Tasking the skeletal trolls with their disposal should pose no significant challenge.

Having made up his mind, Fongghao issued a direct command to prepare for battle and eliminate all adversaries.

Upon concluding his orders, he unfurled his wings and soared from the shoulder of a skeletal troll to the side.

Receiving the command, the skeletal trolls brandished their weapons and advanced toward the enemy.