At this depth, Wang Dong searched for a full thirty hours.
The reward was three units of low-level energy crystals.
As for the other ores, apart from the one hundred tons of ghost titanium ore, Wang Dong did not make any further attempts.
He needed to save time.
The endurance of near-space mining ships is generally not very strong.
After all, it is near-space mining, where both safety and logistical support factors are quite high.
There is no need for excessively high endurance, as it would take up limited space, reduce cargo capacity, and lower cost-effectiveness.
Energy crystals are indeed quite rare minerals.
Compared to other ores that can easily have hundreds of tons of reserves, energy crystals are measured in units.
One unit of energy crystal, the specific quantity depends on the energy contained within, and it does not exceed one kilogram at most.
A small piece like that is really difficult for an ordinary miner to handle.
These three units of energy crystals were discovered inside a piece of copper ore.
Wang Dong used large, medium, and small mining drill heads in succession to peel away the layers, and finally, after being loaded into the cargo hold, they were extracted with a manual alloy hammer.
The entire process took over ten hours.
After finishing, Wang Dong let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from his brow.
The minimum harvest target was considered achieved.
Long hours of continuous work had left Wang Dong's mind and body somewhat unable to cope.
Although the harvest could only be considered the minimum expected standard, Wang Dong chose to stop.
With his condition not being optimal, he exercised extra caution while piloting the ship.
In times like these, one must not lower their standards due to fatigue.
Carefully exiting the mining area, Wang Dong paused at the edge, waiting for the next window of opportunity to arrive.
The astronomical environment in the edge zone is much better compared to the depths.
Only then did Wang Dong dare to relax and rest a bit.
The interval of the window of opportunity was not long; a few hours later, Wang Dong successfully left the mining area and returned to the forward base.
The duty officer was still Sister Liya; after a brief inquiry, Wang Dong learned that Old Shi had already left the mining area and returned after admitting defeat.
Without Wang Dong's deliberate sabotage, Old Shi avoided the last deadly crisis, and it sounded like he was behaving much more honestly.
This was a good change, and Wang Dong was satisfied with it.
One hidden danger was eliminated.
Wang Dong only needed Old Shi to be honest for a while.
Such minor troubles could be resolved anytime in the future.
Not lingering at the forward base, Wang Dong quickly set off on his return journey.
After leaving the mining area, the automatic navigation function could be activated again.
On the way back, Wang Dong encountered a patrol team.
There were a total of four small teams in the daily patrol within the mining area star field.
Each team consisted of three warships, including two firepower reconnaissance ships and one assault ship.
The route from KQ-03 to the asteroid belt mining area was one of the key focus areas for the patrol team, ensuring a high level of safety.
Calmly watching the three warships pass by in formation, there was not a ripple in Wang Dong's eyes.
In the past, Wang Dong would have felt quite excited and full of longing upon seeing these warships.
Not only because of the fierce gun barrels and sturdy hulls protected by solid armor.
It was a man's romance.
But also because Wang Dong believed that they were the vessels for the activation of his golden finger.
After being reborn, Wang Dong felt completely indifferent to these warships.
"Just a bunch of low-tier warships."
These standard warships did not meet the system's requirements.
They lacked growth potential.
This was a principled and tasteful auxiliary system.
Although it never displayed any intelligence.
After all, it was just an auxiliary system and not responsible for cute antics, word count padding, or other major narrative responsibilities.
Docking the Mining Overlord II back at the mining company's berth.
The intelligent settlement device automatically classified, screened, crushed, and refined the ores in the cargo hold.
Wang Dong's final earnings would only be calculated after the entire process was completed.
There was no need to wait all the time; the entire process was recorded and could be viewed at any time.
In this regard, the mining company's credibility was still quite good.
It was not a matter of conscience.
In terms of profit distribution, the mining company itself took the lion's share.
Miners not only had to pay for the rental of the mining ship but also bear the costs of mineral processing and refining, and ultimately, the finished products had to be purchased by the mining company.
After the entire process, ordinary miners basically worked for the mining company, earning just a bit of pocket money.
Unless they collected valuable minerals like ghost titanium ore, they would have a more considerable income.
With those three units of low-level energy crystals in hand, Wang Dong strolled leisurely down the streets of the KQ-03 living area.
As for the low-level energy crystals, the purchase price offered by the mining company was not low, but Wang Dong's next plan had a crucial point that required these items.
Keeping these low-level energy crystals was technically a bit of a violation of the contract agreement signed with the mining company.
But it didn't matter; as long as he didn't take them to the market for trade, it wouldn't attract the mining company's attention.
Given that the mining company's purchase price for energy crystals was not lower than the market price, such occurrences were rare.
Ordinary people had no use for energy crystals at all.