"Old Yu, what do you say?"
Wang Lai spoke to the elderly, dark-skinned, and gaunt old cultivator.
Old Yu was startled, waving his hands repeatedly:
"No, no, I dare not steal from the Lu Family's mine..."
Wang Lai let out a scoff, "What's there to be afraid of? The bold thrive, and the timid starve. The Lu Family rides on our backs, making us suffer and slave away for them. They, on the other hand, enjoy their riches and luxuries while we can't even afford to eat. What does it matter if we steal a little ore from them?"
Wang Lai appeared to be considering Old Yu's interests.
Old Yu's gaze turned wary, and he shook his head again.
Wang Lai's eyes showed displeasure as he continued patiently, "Don't worry, the Lu Family won't find out."
"How do you know?" Old Yu cautiously asked.
"We'll go at midnight, unseen and unheard," Wang Lai whispered. "And besides, I've bribed the Lu Family's cultivators to turn a blind eye..."
"But that's a secret mine, the Lu Family's treasure trove, who knows how many good things are there."
"We won't take much, just one or two pieces. Once sold, they could be exchanged for a large amount of Spirit Stones..."
Wang Lai enticed him bit by bit.
Old Yu was visibly tempted, but after glancing at Wang Lai, he still shook his head.
He did not trust Wang Lai's character.
As for who Wang Lai was, Old Yu was all too aware.
Wang Lai tried to persuade him again, "Aren't you lacking Spirit Stones?"
Old Yu nodded, "In this mine, who isn't short on Spirit Stones?"
"But you're different," Wang Lai said, "Your grandson has an excellent Spiritual Root, but what a waste it is without Spirit Stones to cultivate..."
"Just think, if he succeeds in his cultivation, he could leave the mines behind for a promising future in Tao Cultivation."
"But you're so poor that without Spirit Stones for cultivation, no matter how talented he is, he'll end up just like you, unable to leave the mines for life, forever buried in these rotten stones, living a bitter existence until one day, dying in the pits..."
Wang Lai sighed, "If his Spiritual Root were poor, that'd be another story. We'd all share the same miserable fate, rotting in the mountains, left with nothing to say."
"But your grandson is different, isn't it a waste of his talent if he doesn't cultivate and gamble on his future?"
"Spiritual Roots are innate. Your grandson being born with such a Spiritual Root is a rare blessing that comes once in a hundred years, not every family has the chance to have a child with such a good Spiritual Root..."
Wang Lai's expression was sincere, and his tone was filled with regret.
Old Yu listened, somewhat dazed.
Seeing his chance, Wang Lai's eyes flickered as he whispered temptingly:
"Don't you want to earn a batch of Spirit Stones, to give your grandson, to give your Yu Family a chance to rise above?"
These words struck a chord in Old Yu's heart.
He looked guilty, his heart ached, and his skinny old hands clenched tightly. His hunched body trembled slightly.
He lived a hard life, but he didn't want his grandson to suffer the same fate.
They, as mining cultivators, truly rotted away in the mountains, never lifting their heads for a lifetime.
But as for stealing the ore, Old Yu had reservations and dared not agree too hastily.
Seeing this, Wang Lai wore a mocking smile:
"The older you get, the less courage you have. Half in the grave and still so timid."
"Forget it." Wang Lai sighed, "I only gave you this opportunity because your grandson is talented. If he becomes successful in cultivation one day, I could share in the glory too."
"But with you being such a disappointment as a grandfather, it can't be helped."
"Wang Er and Tang Wu will be enough."
Wang Er and Tang Wu were other mining cultivators from nearby, with multiple siblings in their families. They didn't have proper names and were called by their birth order.
Old Yu's heart skipped a beat, "They're going too?"
Wang Lai said, "Of course, it's all been agreed upon. Otherwise, relying just on an old man like you, how much could we possibly steal?"
After finishing his piece, Wang Lai got up and said, "If you're not coming, then forget it. But don't speak of this to anyone, or there will be consequences."
Wang Lai made a show of leaving.
Old Yu panicked inside and quickly grabbed his sleeve, "I... I'll go!"
Wang Lai looked none too pleased.
Old Yu softened his tone, "Master Wang, you're giving me this opportunity. I'm willing to accept fewer Spirit Stones. If my grandson makes something of his cultivation someday, he will surely remember your great kindness."
Only then did Wang Lai break into a smile:
"That's the answer I was waiting for!"
He patted Old Yu on the shoulder, "Don't blame me for being opportunistic. In a world without true kinship, one certainly doesn't get up early without prospect of profit. I'm also looking for a glimmer of hope..."
Old Yu laughed and echoed him, "Of course."