Chapter 44 The Ridge Spine Hunter’s Trail

Chapter 43 Heaven and Earth <TOC> Chapter 45 Diligence Leads to Wealth

Next page password is bold portion: dr8vik+&ripH?m

Translator: SumTLMan

Cui Mao and Zhou Yi talked until dawn, then rode their motorcycles away with their guards.

In front of the floor-to-ceiling window, Zhou Yi faced the Dead Sea.

The first rays of sunlight illuminated the edge of the mist-covered area, and the occasional flicker of deadly light began to grow more active. This gaseous field composed of light and mist reminded him of the boundless clouds he’d seen from an airplane.

It was that time again when the Light Absorber species became active.

Zhou Yi twisted open a can of latte coffee, sipping it as he mentally sorted through the information given by Cui Mao.

The open and covert battles between the Heavenly Kingdom and Star Pivot had already infiltrated numerous industries across many cities.

At first, this made Zhou Yi think of the rivalry between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War.

But according to Cui Mao’s description, it was entirely different.

“The Black Emperor seeks to reconnect the entire world, severed by the Dead Sea, and establish a new order centered on the Heavenly Kingdom. Under this order, every city and lord that joins, whether human or Light Absorber, must abide by basic legal constraints and fulfill their respective obligations.”

“The new order will stabilize the situation in each region, freeing forces from the chaos and anxiety of disorder, and reducing brutal conflicts by enhancing trade and culture. Scattered settlements will be reconnected, and all can find a stable place to exist within this framework.”

“The goal of the Heavenly Kingdom is to lead the unified order of the world.”

Star Pivot, on the other hand, had a completely different internal logic.

Cui Mao said: “Unlike the Heavenly Kingdom, the domain of Star Pivot isn’t in our world, but among the stars beyond.”

“Star Pivot promotes absolute elitism.”

“The Eye Beyond the World observes every person who joins Star Pivot, recording and evaluating their words, actions, and wisdom, seeking those with special talents, and giving them objectives and tasks. If a person can achieve them within a specified time frame, they may be chosen by Star Pivot and become a Star Pivot Elector.”

“The Elector are constantly protected by Star Pivot. If they face death threats or danger, they are enveloped by the Eye Beyond the World, making them difficult to harm. The Elector can also enter the realm beyond the world, Star Pivot’s domain, said to be composed of countless stars, where each Elector may have their own star…”

The Heavenly Kingdom aimed to become the leading civilization of the Wasteland Era, while Star Pivot focused on selective elitism, metaphorically reaping talent like harvesting wheat.

The fundamental conflict between the two forces was irreconcilable.

Both sides were consolidating their domains while trying to strike and weaken the other.

Qian Su and Ji Chang were a microcosm of the confrontation between these two major forces.

“To be honest, we’d really like to obtain evidence of Ji Chang’s crimes.”

“If we could secure direct testimonies and physical evidence, we could formally issue a warrant for his arrest, confiscate his assets in the Tianjin Knight Jurisdiction, and detain related personnel.”

Cui Mao said seriously: “If, and I emphasize, if, Mr. Zhou catches him, please hand him over to us. That would deal a heavier blow to Ji Chang.”

He handed Zhou a tool that resembled a firework, saying that once launched, he would see it and come immediately.

Zhou Yi said it would depend on luck.

His combat style had always aimed to eliminate enemy forces as thoroughly as possible, leaving little chance for anyone to survive.

It was a habit cultivated by the harsh environment of the Dead Sea.

After enduring the toughest battle yet, and hosting Qian Su and Cui Mao, Zhou Yi wasn’t the least bit tired.

After finishing his coffee, he climbed onto Iron Horse and headed back to the Dead Sea, quickly reaching an old, unnamed residential block.

On his last visit, he had primarily gathered some sofas, bed frames, mattresses, tables, chairs, and other furniture to furnish the container house on the top floor of Jade Emerald City, improving the office environment for the team.

This time, his target was food.

Zhou Yi walked into unit 101 of the nearest building. The security door had been pried open at the edges by Warrior Crabs, so it could be opened with a gentle pull. He’d covered it before leaving to prevent the Bone Fish from entering and destroying the items inside.

The interior was about 120 to 130 square meters, equipped with household appliances like a television, refrigerator, washing machine, and air conditioner.

There was also a family photo of three people in a frame on the TV cabinet.

Zhou Yi put his palms together in front of the photo and silently said: “Sorry for the intrusion, I’m just borrowing some supplies.”

He first opened the refrigerator and found two bottles of Fanta soda and a bottle of rice wine, all unopened. He also found a pack of dried noodles and a bag of rice.

In the past, Zhou Yi didn’t know what to do with dry grains. The water in the Dead Sea was contaminated by the deadly light and even glowed, making it look far from edible, and cooking with fire would easily attract the Light Absorbers. He mostly ate canned and packaged food.

But now he could bring some back to try.

Zhou Yi stuffed the food into the bag he had prepared and strapped it to the back of a Warrior Crab.

Suddenly, Red Falcon warned: “A creature is approaching.”

Zhou Yi immediately ordered the Warrior Crabs into a combat formation, ambushing indoors.

He looked at the remote control in his hand.

On the screen, a red dot was approaching his position, represented by a green dot.

The camera zoomed out, the intruder was a Long-Necked Crocodile.

A new red dot appeared.

There were now four Long-Necked Crocodiles gathered outside the residential area, all coming from the north.

Zhou Yi found it odd.

This C-Class monster was a solitary creature, so why were they suddenly gathering?

After observing for a while, Zhou Yi found that the four Long-Necked Crocodiles were just resting. Two of them were injured, with visible torn wounds.

Injured, coming from the north…

Zhou Yi immediately thought of the Long-Necked Crocodile he had previously killed, these two characteristics matched.

“Red Falcon, expand the surveillance range.”

The drone’s camera shot up.

On the remote’s screen, more red dots appeared in the distance, five in total, all Long-Necked Crocodiles, also coming from the north.

Zhou Yi asked: “Do Long-Necked Crocodiles have migratory or nesting habits?”

“This species does not have migratory or spawning behaviors.”

Red Falcon replied: “Based on the comparison of wound marks, the injuries on these Long-Necked Crocodiles are highly consistent with those caused by the B-Class creature ‘Ridge Spine Hunter.'”

“The Long-Necked Crocodile is also one of the Ridge Spine Hunter’s prey. Thus, it can be deduced that the Ridge Spine Hunter has been hunting the Long-Necked Crocodiles in the north, causing them to flee here.”

Zhou Yi frowned.

If that monster came over, it would be another headache.

This was the first time Zhou Yi had heard of this creature.

Though he was a veteran of the ocean depths, the creatures there mostly consisted of lower-level monsters like Warrior Crabs and Bone Fish. Even Long-Necked Crocodiles were rarely seen, the upper Dead Sea was where the high-level monsters roamed.

“Give me information on the Ridge Spine Hunter.”

Moments later, an electronic image popped up on the screen.

The Ridge Spine Hunter resembled a large white flower, with petal-like soft appendages that contracted and expanded, propelling its body through the water.

Next to it was a textual rating:

[Ridge Spine Hunter]

Strength: B

Skill: B

Vitality: C

Rating: B

Habit: Solitary, highly intelligent, excellent burst power and speed, with strong adaptability for survival.

Zhou Yi grew more cautious.

This flower-like creature was also a violent hunter.

Red Falcon added: “The Ridge Spine Hunter is highly aggressive. It is one of the few species that will hunt other organisms even when not in need of food.”

“Their skill is the [Light Prism Exoskeleton], which focuses and refracts deadly light through their exoskeleton, serving both offensive and defensive purposes. For this reason, Ridge Spine Hunters hunt during the day and rest at night.”

“Long-Necked Crocodiles are on their prey list. Judging from the current situation, this Ridge Spine Hunter is either not fully mature or is weakened or injured, having repeatedly failed in its attempts to hunt Long-Necked Crocodiles.”

Zhou Yi suddenly realized: “Why does this data description look so similar to the format of the —Dead Sea Atlas—?”

It only lacked the “Value” column.

Red Falcon responded: “Because the —Dead Sea Atlas— is based on the data created by Electronic and Mechanical lifeforms, modified from that original information.”

Zhou Yi thought that was convenient, having an electronic version was easier.

After a thorough scan, Red Falcon did not find any trace of the Ridge Spine Hunter within the searchable range. The Long-Necked Crocodiles, after a short rest, also left.

Confirming it was safe, Zhou Yi then commanded the Warrior Crabs to carry the bags back to Jade Emerald City.

Chapter 43 Heaven and Earth <TOC> Chapter 45 Diligence Leads to Wealth

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