Free Web NovelChapter 205: Chapter 205: Red Sand Sea
Ning Xuan and her group had been at Spiritual Spring Valley for three months. After this period of Cultivation, she could feel that the energy accumulated in her body had hit a bottleneck. No matter how much she trained, her progress was slow.
They had explored the entire area within a several-hundred-kilometer radius and had finished drawing a detailed map.
Between their group’s Cultivation and the mining of local resources, the energy density in Spiritual Spring Valley had noticeably decreased.
Figuring it was about time, Ning Xuan decided to leave.
Their exploration of the area had yielded significant results. Not only had they created a comprehensive map, but they had also discovered a Primitive Civilization Ruins, an Energy Stone Mine, and two special mineral deposits. These accomplishments could be exchanged for a great number of Merit Points. Furthermore, according to the New Star Body’s development rules, whichever security zone reported these findings would be granted the mining rights.
Spiritual Spring Valley was situated right on the border between the Panshi Safety Zone and the Jiujiang Security Zone. Since the Heavenly Might Corps was stationed at Jiujiang, Ning Xuan would naturally submit the data to the Jiujiang Security Zone’s terminal.
It wasn’t as if they’d had no contact with the outside world during these three months. In fact, with the exception of Ning Xuan, the others had split into two groups, taking turns visiting the Jiujiang and Panshi Security Zones to trade for supplies and gather intelligence.
So, even though Ning Xuan had been focused on her Cultivation, she was still well-informed about the state of the outside world.
It had been nearly five months since the university graduates and external reinforcements were deployed to the New Star Body. So far, excluding the one Ning Xuan was about to report, a total of six Primitive Civilization Ruins had been found on the planet. All six were discovered by garrison troops, with two of them found by the forces at the Jiujiang Security Zone.
The reason items exclusive to the Primitive Civilization Ruins were appearing in the Panshi Safety Zone’s market was that it was relatively close to the Jiujiang Security Zone, allowing for closer trade between the two.
After Ning Xuan decided to hand over their findings from Spiritual Spring Valley to the Jiujiang Security Zone, Yun Han personally made a trip there. He returned with a team of nearly a thousand people.
At Ning Xuan’s request, Spiritual Spring Valley was put under heavy protection, with entry strictly forbidden.
"Let’s go," Ning Xuan ordered. The mechanical vehicle slowly started up. Their next destination was the Red Sand Sea, but they would be stopping at the Jiujiang Security Zone for a while before heading in.
"Contractor," Yun Han said, "according to our intel, the Red Sand Sea’s danger level increases by 300% during its dust storm season. It’s in that season right now, which usually lasts forty to sixty days. Only a month has passed so far. If we rest and recuperate in Jiujiang for a bit, the season should be just about over by the time we arrive." He knew Ning Xuan planned to take on a mission in the Red Sand Sea, so he had already sent Qiao Yu to gather information on it.
Ning Xuan nodded. "Thank you, Yun Han. It’s a good thing you sent someone to gather intel ahead of time. If we went now, we’d likely run into a lot more trouble." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"I’m just doing my duty." Yun Han gently smoothed her wind-tousled hair.
Di Youlin pouted. "Yun Han, we agreed it was my turn to serve Master today. Stop getting involved." frёewebηovel.cѳm
During this period, who would share her bed at night was entirely up to Ning Xuan. She spent most nights with Yun Han, but would occasionally choose Chen Nan or Lin Mo.
However, for the trivial daytime chores—combing her hair, washing her face, pouring her water, serving her meals—Yun Han and the others had a rotating schedule.
Most of the time, however, Ning Xuan preferred to do things herself and wouldn’t go out of her way to order them around. Of course, if the person on duty was busy, the others would proactively step in to help.
"Fine, you do it," Yun Han teased. "You’re so clumsy. If you hurt the Contractor by pulling her hair, watch out or she’ll beat you up."
Di Youlin clearly had a history of being clumsy. He tied up Ning Xuan’s disheveled hair, then complained pitifully, "Master, look at Yun Han! He didn’t just steal my chore, he threatened me! You have to stand up for me!"
Di Youlin nuzzled against Ning Xuan’s shoulder, acting like a big, spoiled dog.
Ning Xuan patted his head to soothe him and was about to humor him when a strange roar suddenly echoed from up ahead.
The sound wasn’t high-pitched, but it pierced their eardrums. Ning Xuan and her companions instantly grew vigilant.
A wisp of energy gathered at Ning Xuan’s fingertip as she gripped the black rod in her hand. The others readied their own weapons, assuming defensive postures.
Di Youlin even unfurled his wings and flew into the air, securing the space above them.
Peering through the swaying shadows of the trees, they saw a brown bear, easily ten feet tall, standing on its hind legs. Its bristly, needle-like mane was caked with dark purple blood. One of its giant, barbed paws clutched a ball of vibrant fur—it was a Spiritual Fox, its body covered in purple markings!
"ROAR—" A low growl, like muffled thunder, rumbled in the brown bear’s throat. Its blackish-blue claws suddenly extended three inches, and it swung the Spiritual Fox, slamming it into an ancient cypress.
The ancient tree trunk snapped on impact. The Spiritual Fox crashed through a tangle of branches and landed in a pile of decaying leaves. Its fluffy, beautiful tail drooped limply, a pathetic sight.
The brown bear had already sensed their presence. It stomped a forepaw, sending spiderweb cracks across the ground. A foul, dark-red mist billowed toward them, and a pair of crimson eyes locked onto Ning Xuan’s group.
’This Exotic Beast is infected with a virus.’ Ning Xuan’s heart sank.
This Exotic Beast was a high Level. A beast like this, with its tough hide and high defense, was already difficult to fight. Now that it was infected, it would be even tougher. ’This is definitely going to waste more of our time,’ Ning Xuan thought.
As Ning Xuan’s sleeve fluttered, she considered her options. ’Should I use my poison and the Ghost-faced Red Vine to finish this Exotic Beast quickly?’
After all, if they didn’t get going soon, they probably wouldn’t make it to the Jiujiang Security Zone by nightfall.
Just as Ning Xuan was about to act, the Spiritual Fox—which had been thrown against the tree and fallen to the ground—shot up like a bolt of lightning. It latched onto the back of the brown bear’s neck. The beast’s seemingly thick hide was instantly pierced, and blood sprayed into the air. The brown bear collapsed, unable to rise again.
Ning Xuan stared in astonishment. The Little Fox, barely larger than one of the brown bear’s massive paws, had displayed incredible combat prowess.
As Ning Xuan watched the Little Fox, it turned its head and looked right back at her.
Unlike the bear’s blood-red eyes, the Little Fox’s were clear and bright. Its gaze, as it looked at Ning Xuan, was soft and endearing, and Ning Xuan could somehow sense a hint of a plea within it.
The Little Fox’s fluffy tail swayed gently in the morning light, like a wisp of scattered clouds. Its body, no bigger than her palm, was covered in snow-white downy fur, with just a few smudges of silver-gray at the tips of its ears and tail, as if an artist had dipped a brush in moonlight to color them.
Its almond-shaped eyes were like two pools of shimmering spring water.
Sensing Ning Xuan’s gaze, it tilted its head and brought its forepaws together. The movement sent ripples through the fluffy fur on its chest.
