bookbashuk Page 28
Page 28
Giving Chen Yuan no chance to defend himself, Bai Yuekui believed that the potential threat posed by someone of unknown origin who seemed to know some of the core secrets of Dragonbone Village (even if it was just the naming conventions) far exceeded that of the Devouring Beasts who only knew how to kill.
Therefore, for the safety of Dragonbone Village, this thorn must be removed immediately.
This was also Bai Yuekui's bottom line that she would never allow to be crossed, but this was Chen Yuan's psychological tactic; the more she cared, the more she would take it to heart.
The Tang sword in his hand once again transformed into a chilling light that would slay everything, aiming straight for the energy core in Chen Yuan's chest that emitted a ghostly blue light.
The speed was so fast that Shandong University and the others who had just arrived only had time to utter a short exclamation.
"It seems there was a misunderstanding, but it's alright, we can talk about it next time!"
When Chen Yuan first met Bai Yuekui, he wanted to fight her and test how much of a gap there was between him and one of the strongest humans in the wasteland world, relying on this mecha.
As it turns out, even without the Abyss Rider, Bai Yuekui's true combat power far surpasses that of the Dragon Core 5 suit.
If they rely on aerial combat, their chances of winning from a distance are not high. Bai Yuekui is very fast, and she can block even the Five-Finger Armor-Piercing Bullet with her Tang sword. Even if this suit of armor is used up, her ranged weapons may not pose much of a threat.
Even if they fight to the death, it's hard to say who will ultimately outlast whom. Although Chen Yuan understands the evil in human nature in the wasteland world, he would never kill someone without a reason.
Before the opponent's Tang sword could strike, the flight thrusters beneath Chen Yuan's feet emitted blue-white plasma flames, propelling him into the air and escaping danger.
Bai Yuekui's figure, swift as lightning, pounced forward, but his incomparably sharp blade struck only empty air. The condensed blade energy, like a giant plow, tore a trench several feet deep and more than ten meters long in the hard ground, sending rubble flying like bullets.
"I hope we can become friends, Grandma. See you next time."
Chen Yuan, known for his sharp tongue, spoke from high above, his voice carrying a hint of mockery, but it was quickly drowned out by the sound of the wind and engines.
The silver figure, like a shooting star flying backwards, rapidly ascended under the astonished gazes of the people of Dragon Bone Village and Bai Yuekui's icy stare, quickly transforming into a tiny silver dot in the sky before disappearing behind the hazy clouds.
"Grandma?"
Bai Yuekui slowly sheathed his sword, a solemn expression appearing on his face.
"He even knows this?"
She muttered to herself that Bai Rikui deliberately concealed his actual age, and even his closest friends might not know it completely.
Just how many secrets of Dragon Bone Village does this mysterious Chen Yuan know?
Is the power behind him the rumored "eye tumor"?
"check."
A single word, heavy as a thousand pounds, struck the heart of everyone.
"Use all available channels to find out everything about Chen Yuan: his background, his purpose, and the forces that might be behind him..."
"Focus on investigating that combat suit. It couldn't have just appeared out of thin air. The village's database should have a record of it, or anything related to it. The village is on high alert for now..."
Shandong replied in a deep voice, "Yes, boss!"
Sui Xing silently put away her bow, her sharp eyes scanning her surroundings as if searching for any possible clues.
Xia Dou and Xu Tong exchanged a glance, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes.
……
Lighthouse, medical area corridor.
Mark's footsteps echoed through the cold, metallic corridor.
The air purification system emitted a low hum, filtering out the dust and residual scarlet molecules brought back from the ground, but Mark felt that every breath he took was so unreal.
He refused the medical officer Penny's request for an examination, and mechanically removed his gravity armor, handing it over to the maintenance team.
Luna looked at Mark with concern and asked softly, "Captain Mark, you look terrible. Should we get you checked out..."
I'm fine, just let me... be alone for a while.
Mark waved to indicate that he was fine.
Rest area corridor.
Leaning against the cold metal wall, Mark slowly slid down to the ground.
The helmet had long been removed, and his messy black hair was soaked with cold sweat, clinging to his forehead.
He lowered his head, and those images instantly flashed back to him.
Giant beast...woman...mech...
The convoy is safe and sound.
"Could it be that the high concentration of scarlet pigment interferes with our optic nerves and distorts our brain's judgment, causing us all to hallucinate?"
"wrong!"
Mark suddenly remembered a detail he had almost deliberately ignored: at that very moment, the precision sensors of the gravity body had truly captured two unusually strong energy signal sources.
The location coordinates point to the back of the behemoth.
"So, it's true, there really are still humans living on the ground. If that's the case, then they must have mastered a way to survive on the ground, perhaps..."
Thinking of this, Mark immediately felt an urge to explore the ground, but reason told him it was inappropriate. The hunter team had just returned and should rest properly, so he gave up the idea.
The seed of doubt has been planted, but one day Mark will find out the truth.
Chapter 36 The Flower of Mana
A month later.
Note that this month refers to the month before the story begins.
Chen Yuan already had over 30,000 points, and after a month of arduous hunting of the Garbage Devourer, he gained another 80,000 points, for a total of 116,300 survival points.
"Dragon Core, consume 80000 survival points to upgrade your battle suit." Chen Yuan's voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness.
[Command confirmed. 80000 survival points deducted. Remaining survival points: 36300.]
[Loongson 5 Nanoscale Steel Suit Upgrade Program Initiated… Core Architecture Overclocking and Reconstruction… Deep Optimization of Nanounit Sequences… Loading New Functional Modules…]
Estimated time: Approximately 2 hours.
The silver armor was enveloped in an even more dazzling cocoon of energy, from which came a deafening roar of reorganization, like the rumble of an engine.
Chen Yuan slept soundly and woke up to find that the upgrade was complete. The Loongson 6 was unveiled, with sharper lines and a restrained energy aura flowing across the surface of the armor. The overall sense of oppression it exuded was far greater than before.
The most significant change is that...
On both shoulders: each shoulder has an additional angular protrusion covered with tiny launch ports, the outline of a small missile faintly visible inside.
Feet: The thruster nozzle structure is more complex, with a special energy circuit and retractable sharp protrusions faintly visible at the bottom, and it is equipped with an electromagnetic shock wave vibrator and a thermal puncture nail.
"not enough……"
Chen Yuan glanced at the remaining 36300 survival points on the virtual screen and opened the shop without hesitation.
"Exchange: Loongson 1 Nano Steel Suit (Basic Type), consumes 30000 Survival Points, currently has 6300 Survival Points remaining."
A faint light flashed, and another silver-gray basic mecha storage box appeared in front of him.
The initialization process was initiated, and the second mech warrior, codenamed "Iron Guard 2," stood silently.
He has the same appearance as Iron Guard 1 (which has been upgraded), and is also equipped with an electromagnetic laser gun and basic defense and attack methods. His eyepieces gleam with a loyal blue light.
"Spend 5000 points to upgrade Iron Guard 2."
"Command received. 5000 survival points deducted. 1300 survival points remaining. Upgrading..."
At this point, Chen Yuan had two major bodyguards under his command.
Secondary Wing: Iron Guard 1 (upgraded to V2) possesses autonomous early warning and close-combat weaponry.
Secondary Wing: Iron Guard 2 (upgraded to V2) also possesses autonomous early warning, basic firepower, and close-range support.
"Iron Guard No. 1, Iron Guard No. 2, come with me to kill monsters!"
Chen Yuan issued the order.
The three suits simultaneously activated their thrusters, transforming into three streaks of silver, gray, and gray light as they shot out of Ark Survival Base No. 9 and sped toward the area where the Dragon Core Mark Mana energy reaction was unusually active.
……
The target location is the bottom of a huge open-pit mine completely covered with scarlet moss.
This place has become a small den of Devouring Beasts.
The air was filled with an overwhelming, nauseatingly sweet, fishy odor.
In the center of the mine, a Mana flower about three meters tall was blooming eerily, its huge petals like a beating heart, constantly spewing out dense, scarlet spore mist.
These spores acted like stimulants, plunging the surrounding horde of Devouring Beasts into a state of frenzy.
The number and variety of Devouring Beasts on site are numerous.
More than a hundred snake-dogs slithered restlessly along the edge of the mine, howling and bony spikes protruding.
The spiky eels, densely packed, surged like a scarlet tide through the crevices of the rock face and beneath the moss; their numbers were incalculable, at least a hundred or so.
The spinal worms, which attach themselves to large snake-dogs and hiss, number in the dozens.
The Earth Roar, numbering over fifty, was scattered around the Mana Flower, its back sacs bulging as it emitted a low growl.
A dozen or so small sarcoma symbionts took root in various parts of the mine pit, their tentacles wriggling.
There were over three hundred Devouring Beasts in total. Stimulated by the scarlet spores, they became exceptionally ferocious, crowding together, roaring, and exhibiting chaotic yet powerful energy reactions from their abnormal life forms.
Three mechs hovered above the edge of the mine, their cold goggles looking down at the boiling crimson hell below.
"Target confirmed: Mana Flower is the core, symbiotic sarcoma is the secondary node, and the rest are interference clusters." Loongson's scan data is clearly presented.
"The quantity... is quite a lot."
Chen Yuan's eyes, hidden beneath his mask, showed no fear, but rather burned with fierce fighting spirit.
"Iron Guard No. 1 and No. 2, execute the extermination agreement, prioritize clearing out the outer barbarian eels and spinal worm clusters, suppress the snake-dog charge, and clear a path for us."
[Iron Guard 1 received, clearing mission activated.] Iron Guard 1 responded calmly.
[Iron Guard 2 received, clearing mission activated.] Iron Guard 2's voice was somewhat monotonous but equally firm.
Chen Yuan's gaze was fixed on the alluring Mana Flower in the center of the mine pit, along with the surrounding earth roars and fleshy growths. "Let me test the new functions of Loongson 6."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Yuan launched the first attack.
"Shoulder-mounted reconnaissance missiles launched, target: area surrounding Mana Flower, inflict heavy bombardment!"