《Pretending To Be A Boss》


 Chapter 1 Temporary Workers Become Permanent (New Book, Please Collect and Recommend)

    (Written at the beginning, the story takes ce in an unfathomably distant future and a fantasy world, with no connection to the real world.)


    [Detested things: Women who cling after the fact.]


    [Feared things: Wife at home.]


    Tang Xian didn''t want to meddle too much, and the scumbag in his sight was also a familiar face.


    The man currently hitting on a girl was a permanent worker named Song Zhe, a F-grade permanent worker in the 669th mining area of the Huaxia region, and also Tang Xian''s foreman.


    Song Zhe was imitating the 21st-century ancients'' popr wall-pin maneuver, flirting with a girl from the third small team who had a decent appearance.


    Tang Xian vaguely remembered that this temporary worker girl''s name was Xiao Rong, and in his view, her fate was not much different from that of Xiao Hua, Xiao Hui, and Xiao Fang before her. In the end, she too would be one of those women who cling afterwards.


    When his gazended on Song Zhe, the data that appeared to Tang Xian were as follows:


    Gender: Male.


    Good-Evil Value: 35.


    Greed and Lust Index: 65.


    Favorability: 1 (Acquaintances)


    Wealth Assessment: 1 (Dirt Poor).


    Feared things: Wife at home.


    Current Honesty Level: 7 (Speaks his mind).


    Charm Value: 15 (Unnoticed).


    Current Luck Value: 25 (Proceed with caution).


    Current Needs Analysis:


    [Mating with a subordinate (48%)]


    [Fulfilling the superior''s demands (7%)]


    [Leaving the mining area (29%)]


    [Making life difficult for a few temporary workers (11%)]


    [Other (5%)].


    Song Zhe''s wealth assessment being "Dirt Poor" was rtively richpared to "Buried in Debt," which applied to the vast majority of temporary workers.


    The girl''s Greed and Lust Index was also at 54. Naturally, she was hesitant yet receptive when propositioned by a permanent worker. This was nothing new.


    Tang Xian withdrew his gaze and continued busying himself with his own work.


    Having spent six leisurely years in "Newbie Vige," he was about to be promoted from a temporary worker to a permanent worker that very night. He still had to deal with an audit by the mining team''s administrative staff, so he had no interest in meddling in other people''s affairs.


    At six o''clock, Song Zhe shed the girl a smile that said they hade to an understanding, then proceeded to make life difficult for a few unlucky neers, scolding them harshly.


    Everything unfolded just as Tang Xian had seen in the data, without exception.


    Unlike the ancient 21st century, the hierarchy of this era was clearly defined. Bosses physically punishing their subordinates was a legitimate right.


    Seeing the sky darken, the old temporary workers all showed expressions of fear.


    Monsters in the mining area often preyed on humans at night. Travel between the mine and reality was made possible through teleportation fissures, and to reduce casualties, "Newbie Vige" had more teleportation points than other areas.


    So, when the time came, Song Zhe and other permanent workers quickly left the mining area.


    Latter, Tang Xian and many old temporary workers also left the mining area.


    ...


    ...


    Unlike other temporary workers, Tang Xian had been worldly-wise and content with his lot for six years.


    Furthermore, once when a female leader happened to pass by, he helped her just at the right moment.


    Thus, Tang Xian was assigned a private room.


    In this era, all of humanity lived in huge mechanical Pyramids, with people of higher status living on higher levels.


    Tang Xian didn''t have to use themunal dining areas or toilets on the ground level like the other temporary workers, nor did he have to sleep with hundreds of others in ces resembling the assembly line factories of ancient times.


    His room wasn''t big, a ten-square-meter space with a separate two-square-meter bathroom,plete with a flushing toilet and a showerhead. It was a luxury that could be unted on the ground level.


    But what Tang Xian truly treasured was his stove.


    This type of stove hadn''t been produced for hundreds of years. Today''s stoves were used to make nutrient meals.


    Only these antiques,ing from the option to convert organic minerals, could transform organic minerals into various ingredients for cuisines that only existed in ancient times.


    Tang Xian''s stove was an antique that he had exchanged for a high price and it could cook a lot of Sichuan dishes, originating from Lianqing, a city known among locals for their love of hot pot.


    He often talked to the old temporary workers about ancient food, though most of the time he was talking to himself.


    "For Mapo Tofu, it''s best to use light soy sauce,bined with Pixian bean paste, and though the authentic meat choice is beef, mixed with shrimp the taste is even better..."


    Tang Xian believed this was a cultural regression.


    Thirty minutester, after finishing the freshly-made Mapo Tofu, Tang Xian cleaned the dishes and stove and then a voice came from outside the door.


    "Temporary worker number 560205278, name Tang Xian. Please follow me to the second level."


    Tang Xian opened the door. Standing outside was a soldier, armed.


    Given the gear, it seemed to be equipment transformed from blue-armored minerals, the firearms resembled the ancient artifact AK47 in shape, but were powerful enough to leave wounds on the shells of strengthened creatures.


    Data about this soldier popped up before his eyes.


    [Current Honesty Level: 68 (Keeps his word)]


    [Current Needs Analysis: Taking Tang Xian to the second level for promotion audit (74%)]


    Tang Xian dropped his guard.


    "Please bring your temporary worker records and follow me to the second level."


    "Thank you."


    Tang Xian lived in Pyramid Fortress No. 39. There were a total of fifty-six such fortresses in Huaxia.


    How many levels each Pyramid Fortress had, Tang Xian didn''t know; living at the bottom, he had only been up to the third level at most.


    That was during his student days.


    In this world, humans were divided by rank, but from the age of twelve to eighteen, even children from the lowest social strata had the right to be educated.


    Unconditional education.


    The policy was from ancient times, one of the few systems that hadn''t been abolished yet.

 Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Genius and Cheater (Please Collect)

    Thud.


    Tang Xian''s resume was ced on the desk by Bai Ling, one of the auditors in charge of promotion for official workers.


    "Not a bad resume. Not many survive the mining district, congrattions to you."


    Bai Ling knew Tang Xian; a few years ago, when she went to inspect the firstyer, she encountered some trouble, and Tang Xian cleverly resolved it for her.


    As a result, Tang Xian got his own house.


    Seeing that the auditor was Bai Ling didn''t make Tang Xian feel any relief. Bai Ling wasn''t the decisive factor.


    Next to Bai Ling was a young man who, judging by his attire, was at least a big shot on the fourthyer, and even there, he wielded significant influence. He had a handsome appearance and the firmness of a soldier.


    "In this life, there is essentially only one opportunity to be an official worker, which is to pass the ''Heaven''s Chosen'' exam. If you don''t do well on this path, the road ahead will be much tougher. My name is Jiang Ming, and you might not remember me since among your peers, hardly anyone was noteworthy enough to catch your eye, Tang Xian."


    This was a very bad situation.


    Tang Xian truly didn''t remember this man, only that he was from the same cohort and had the power to decide his promotion.


    "You''ve chosen a second path, and your luck has been pretty good as well. You kept to your work dutifully. By the third year, you could have been promoted, but you traded rare mining resources for an antique boiler. Many called you a fool, but this exactly shows that you''re far from foolish. You knew that your name hadn''t been forgotten, that you had to endure a few more years."


    "What a shame, for I loathe cheaters the most, and you''ve crossed paths with me."


    Jiang Ming looked at Tang Xian with a mocking smile.


    Miss Bai was slightly surprised, not expecting Jiang Ming to know Tang Xian.


    "Jiang Ming, there are no issues with his resume, and the state also provides opportunities for promotion to those without inherent talents. His efforts have earned this. I believe you should handle this impartially."


    Although Bai Ling had long repaid Tang Xian''s favor, she still spoke up for him.


    "Do I, Jiang Ming, take personal vendettas into official matters? Miss Bai, you don''t know this Tang Xian because you weren''t originally from District 669. But let me tell you, this Tang Xian got a perfect score on the ''Heaven''s Chosen'' exam, the likes of which humans have never seen before. Do you believe that?"


    Bai Ling wore an expression of shock.


    A perfect score on the ''Heaven''s Chosen'' exam?


    Indeed, such a feat had never urred in history, though there were a few geniuses who came extremely close.


    But those individuals had long gone to the fifthyer of the Pyramid or even higher areas.


    "Take another look at Tang Xian''s resume. A temp worker looking to be an official worker also has a series of exams. He scored perfectly on the cultural exam before the ''Heaven''s Chosen'' exam, yet such a person, in the subsequent years of testing, every subject, every exam, scored only around sixty points, fluctuating slightly.


    I happen to have education department statistics on every cohort''s exam scores in the lower levels, and Tang Xian''s scores have consistently been the average of everyone''s."


    Contempt filled Jiang Ming''s eyes:


    "I abhor cheaters above all else. Tang Xian, you may need to exin your scores."


    Tang Xian indeed hadn''t expected to encounter a former ssmate, let alone one firmly convinced he had cheated.


    The survival education, the ''Heaven''s Chosen'' exam, ultimately tested knowledge from the mining district, which to him was as if it was innately stored in his brain. A single read-through would suffice for him to remember everything and even integrate it seamlessly. While his peers struggled with just one discipline, he reigned supreme across all areas, naturally breeding arrogance.


    However, Tang Xianter realized that a prideful person, in making mistakes, attracts even more schadenfreude.


    He still retained his pride today, but he had adopted a way of expressing it that was less abrasive to others.


    No one knew what he was thinking, but everything assigned to Tang Xian was always handled impably well by him.


    To avoid drawing attention, he delivered decidedly mediocre results on various tests, just barely passing, without any highlights.


    If a hundred people were tested, Tang Xian was always the fifty-first. And it was always the same every time.


    He understood everyone in his mining district like the back of his hand: intellectual levels, moral hazards, financial resources, honesty, thinking patterns when making decisions. With the data before his eyes, Tang Xian easily fathomed them.


    So he precisely estimated everyone''s score levels, and hence he always achieved an average score.


    It was a precaution to keep a low profile, but this habitual average-scoring behavior seemed a bit forced and drew attention regardless.


    Jiang Ming had noticed it.


    Even the instructors didn''t dare im to predict every test''s average score, as student performance varied. Some good scorers might decline, while some poor ones might worsen.


    Firstly, one would have to know all the answers. Secondly, be aware of each individual''s level of knowledge of the mining district. And then calcte the scores they might achieve.


    Only by meeting these conditions could one produce the score they needed. Achieving an average score was much harder than a perfect score.


    Such a feat was simply impossible.


    Jiang Ming took out a stamp, ready to imprint the mark "Never to be Promoted" on Tang Xian''s resume.


    He indeed had the power to do this.


    But just at that moment, Tang Xian suddenly spoke up:


    "Next, you''ll leave a remark on my resume of another instance of cheating,pleting this audit. Although you can''t produce any evidence, and haven''t figured out how I could cheat without getting caught, you still haven''te to a conclusion. Everything is just your subjective judgment."

 Chapter 4: Chapter 2: The Genius and the Cheater (Please Bookmark)_2

    ```


    "After this, you will go to the third level''s Floating Restaurant for dinner with your wife. However, you have not made up your mind about this yet because you are hesitating about whether to visit your old instructor, who has retired and been demoted to the second level. But it''s gettingte; you are probably nning to visit him tomorrow."


    "After these two matters are finished, then will you consider going to the bottom level to summon two temporary workers, especially since you received a target from the higher-ups today."


    Tang Xian''s gaze remained calm as he lifted his head to look at Jiang Ming, making it seem like a nce without purpose.


    But Jiang Ming felt a chill down his spine, as if he had beenpletely seen through by this person.


    "Why would he know my uing arrangements?"


    Jiang Ming wondered internally.


    Of course, Tang Xian could not exin the data he saw in his eyes.


    Gender: Male.


    Good-Evil Value: 52.


    Greed and Lust Index: 20.


    Fondness Rating: -14 (slight aversion).


    Financial Assessment: 12 (barely making ends meet).


    Liked Things: Mining area good news.


    Disliked Things: Cheaters.


    Fears: Elite-level boss three-headed hellhound.


    Current Honesty Rating: 41 (sticking to facts).


    Charm Value: 44 (quite ordinary).


    Current Luck Value: 24 (needs to be cautious).


    Current Needs Analysis: [Complete the current work (35%)][Visit the old instructor who was demoted to the second level after retirement (25%)][Dine with wife at the Floating Restaurant on the third level (25%)][Summon and promote one temporary worker (10%)][Other (5%)]


    In Tang Xian''s view, Jiang Ming was a decent man.


    All the data also indicated that this man was not greedy for money and had principles in his conduct, a good-evil value over fifty suggesting a person with a fairly strong sense of justice.


    Indeed, when ites to critical junctures in life, many things can be melodramatic.


    Jiang Ming was silent for a long time before talking again, and his tone finally changed, he said:


    "Did you investigate me?"


    How would he know his own schedule?


    Even guess if he was hesitating whether to dine with his wife first or to visit his old instructor first?


    In Jiang Ming''s eyes, Tang Xian hadn''t so much as lifted an eyelid during his entire speech.


    The calmness in Tang Xian''s eyes showed no emotion, as if everything Jiang Ming had said today was about a stranger unrted to Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian did not answer the question and was not worried about revealing his secret.


    The selection test of the Chosen Ones from those days had taught him how stubborn the human definition of a talented individual could be.


    "You doubt my abilities, and I can understand that, but I have a few things I hope you will listen to," he said.


    "Go ahead."


    Those "guesses" from Tang Xian were still unsettling him.


    "You should be careful with the power at your disposal, as your life is unlike mine, without any blemishes. This is something to be proud of in today''s Pyramid, no matter the level."


    "Your abilities are pretty impressive, although I don''t have a deep impression of you, I know you have principles when you work."


    "Jiang Ming, please think carefully, if I hadn''t cheated and yet you were to stamp an innocent man''s record with a seal of ''never to be promoted,'' could you remain as clean as before in this lifetime?"


    Tang Xian''s tone was indifferent, as if he was talking about the weather being nice today.


    From beginning to end, Tang Xian gave Jiang Ming the feeling of beingposed.


    This man was soposed that his words instinctively made Jiang Ming reflect.


    "Please arrange a test for me."


    "What?"


    "If you think I am a cheater, then please arrange a test for me. A test with only me as the examinee. The examination room, the content of the exam can involve any subject, entirely up to you to decide."


    "Are you serious?"


    "I am serious, unless I get promoted right now."


    ```


    Jiang Ming froze again.


    He couldn''t possibly arrange a test for a temp worker. He still doubted Tang Xian, yet Tang Xian''s words also made sense. With a lifetime free of blemishes, the more cautious he had to be in his words and actions. He had indeed been somewhat impulsive just now.


    After a moment of silence, Jiang Ming slowly spoke:


    "Your resume indeed has no issues, and ording to the rules, you can be promoted. But I will investigate all the surveince footage of your previous exams, and if I find evidence, you will be dealt with immediately. However, for now, I will let you pass the test. Congrattions on bing a formal employee. Your residence will be upgraded to the second level..."


    "No need."


    "What?" This time it was Bai Ling who spoke.


    "I mean, I''ll just stay in that room on the first level."


    "Why?"


    "I''ve lived there a long time, bad habits are hard to change."


    "..."


    "Just give me the official employee number and open up all the ess and task permissions thate with it. As for the second level, it doesn''t really mean anything to me."


    The words of Tang Xian puzzled both of them.


    However, Tang Xian''s request was indeed feasible. It was not an excessive demand.


    "Right now, there are clean amodations on the second level. Think it over. If you regret itter, there might not be any spots avable."


    Once Jiang Ming no longer regarded Tang Xian as a cheater, he stopped making things difficult for Tang Xian and even reminded him not to give up the rights he had.


    Tang Xian said calmly:


    "The pinnacle of the second level is just a more refined ceiling. It bears no difference from the first level. By the way, I didn''t choose to be promoted three years ago, and it''s not for the reason you think. You might not believe my exnation, but if you ever get the chance, you might want to try eating hot pot. Of course, first you need to have a boiler like mine."


    ...


    ...


    After Tang Xian left, Bai Ling and Jiang Ming were organizing various documents and procedures rted to Tang Xian.


    Just as Jiang Ming was about to leave, he suddenly spoke:


    "Miss Bai, has Tang Xian not caused any trouble in the lower levels over these years?"


    "What?"


    Jiang Ming didn''t borate further.


    He remembered that during the Selection Test years ago, Tang Xian had filled in some ludicrous data.


    The data appeared absurd and humorous, and no one before him had ever filled in such data. It seemed as if he was mocking the integrity of the Selection Test.


    People concluded that Tang Xian was a fraud who had no talent but pretended to have some.


    Jiang Ming thought the same.


    Even now, his opinion hadn''t changed, but recalling the recent events, he started to believe that Tang Xian truly had some kind of ability.


    "Miss Bai, you know Tang Xian, don''t you?"


    "Yes, I specifically applied to be the promotion officer for Sector 669 after hearing that Tang Xian was going to be promoted. The Bai family values gratitude the most. Tang Xian has done me a favor."


    "Could you disclose how Tang Xian helped you?"


    "It''s rare for an elite like you to be curious about such matters. Actually, it''s notplicated. You know, there are many underground forces at the bottom level. When I went for an inspection, I was targeted by one of those forces. Coincidentally, the guards were lured away at that time..."


    "At that moment, I truly thought I might die on the first level, as things are really chaotic there. But then, Tang Xian appeared..."


    Bai Ling suddenly wore a puzzled expression.


    "Come to think of it, at that time, Tang Xian was just like he was today. He said a bunch of things, as if he hit on some concerns those people had, and the ones surrounding me quickly dispersed."


    Jiang Ming fell silent.


    This silence made Bai Ling somewhat concerned.


    "Is something the matter?"


    "Only someone who canpletely see through others can avoid the vortex of disputes. The bottom level is chaotic, with unrest every day, and people dying every day. For someone like Tang Xian to silently avoid any trouble and steadily survive six years to earn the qualifications for promotion is very rare. Most people''s records have some blemish, but Tang Xian''s doesn''t."


    "This..."


    After Jiang Ming said that, Bai Ling too felt something was off.


    Jiang Ming''s words made sense, the bottom level was a ce where even if you didn''t want to court trouble, it would find you.


    After pondering for a while, Jiang Ming found it somewhat incredible.

 Chapter 5: Chapter 3: Hot Pot and the Girl

    Jiang Ming did not believe that Tang Xian possessed a superpower simr to the Mind Reading Technique.


    No matter how powerful the gifted ones were in the mining area, once they left, they would be no different from ordinary people.


    Items from the mining zone could be brought into reality, but the abilities from there could not be taken out.


    He could only be certain that Tang Xian had likely made ample preparations for himself and Bai Ling.


    He did not need to know how Tang Xian did it. But if Tang Xian didn''t cheat, if someone capable of scoring full marks had prepared for an action for six years, then that action was bound to go smoothly.


    ...


    ...


    Sichuan peppercorns bobbed, and tripe tumbled; the boiling chili oil broth was also steeped with ingredients known as oyster mushrooms and fried tofu puff.


    These were ingredients that were now hard toe by.


    While reviewing the task handbook, Tang Xian swished ingredients in the hot pot.


    Unlike the temps, the formal workers'' tasks in the mining area were not limited to mining at the fringes.


    Rather than mining, taking on the task of hunting the creatures of the mining area to obtain their core minerals was a far more effective way to get rich.


    If one could explore an unknown region and discover new mining sources, their fame would spread to the upper echelons of every fortress.


    Tang Xian did not care about fame or wealth, but he did n to take on a few tasks to improve his living conditions¡ªmainly his diet.


    He had recently seen ChaoShan Fish Balls and salt and pepper slipper lobster in an old book on gourmet food, which suddenly piqued his interest in Cantonese cuisine.


    Fortuitously, the antique shop had received new stock recently, and a local heavy from the lower level gave Tang Xian a tip about several Cantonese-style stoves, all from the ruins of Yangcheng.


    This immediately sparked Tang Xian''s interest in hunting the creatures of the mining area.


    Besides that, he also wanted to buy a set of the Twenty-Four Histories and some Western history.


    Human civilization had undergone a great purge. Only one in ten of the surviving people remained.


    Coupled with many historical documents located in the ruins of ancient cities filled with nuclear radiation, humanity''s understanding of the past had be unclear.


    This was perhaps the most peculiar aspect: people mastered technologies simr to the Pyramid and quantum transition, yet many existing civilized technologies had been forgotten.


    It seemed that the upper stratum of power holders was also disinclined to trace these civilizations, shifting all strategic goals to the mining area itself, seeking a chosen one capable of defeating the creatures of the mining area, wanting to crack the rules of the seven-day survival limit in the mining area.


    Tang Xian did not understand but was grateful that the art of cooking and culinary skills were still preserved in the earliest models of stoves.


    After leaving the mining area, no matter how much time had passed, one would need ten hours before they could re-enter the mining area through the rift.


    While waiting rather bored, Tang Xian started thinking about how to handle the uing task.


    At that moment, the door was knocked on.


    He furrowed his brow but still opened the door.


    "Sir... Do you need service?"


    It was a young girl, whose figure was enchanting, mature beyond her years with curves in all the right ces.


    "Don''t look for me to do things that go against the socialist core values," Tang Xian decided and closed the door promptly.


    Such women were numerous, their ability to mine and exchange for goods limitedpared to the more robust men, and they were even "taxed" by some old temps.


    Most women chose to turn themselves intomodities.


    Tang Xian had not encountered this before. Commodities also pick their buyers. This was also why Song Zhe was often sessful.


    Most women could not wait a lifetime for the opportunity to showcase their figures to those in the secondyer or even higher.


    The girl before him was very young, looking a couple of years younger than himself. She also had a cute face.


    If she had changed into clean clothes and done her hair at a nicer salon on the second level, she would have been a stunningly beautiful youngdy.


    "Please, just let me stay for one night..."


    As Tang Xian went to close the door, the girl became anxious.


    "I decline."


    Tang Xian was resolute and applied a little force with his hand. Everyone had their own choices and lives to live.


    Having spent time on the first level, he had seen too many tragedies, which had hardened his heart. Moreover, the data in his sight indicated that this girl was not being honest.


    But suddenly, he paused.


    He saw the girl swallow, her cute little nose twitching faintly as she inhaled.


    The aroma of duck intestines and beef tripe steeped in the chili oil broth wafted out.


    At the opportune time, the girl''s stomach let out a growl.


    "Fine,e in," Tang Xian abruptly opened the door.


    The girl instantly looked up, grateful, then noticed that his face was surprisingly good-looking.


    "Sit on the floor. The room is small and doesn''t have much furniture. At least there are enough bowls and chopsticks," he said.


    "Thank you," she replied.


    After washing the dishes, Tang Xian handed them to the girl.


    She was somewhat befuddled when she received them.


    She had eaten nutrient meals that were akin to porridge and usually consumed with a spoon. Hence, she had never used chopsticks her entire life.


    Too embarrassed to ask, she watched Tang Xian eat, trying to mimic the way he used chopsticks.


    But she wasn''t quite sessful at it.


    Tang Xian ate his food in silence, enjoying duck intestines, blood curd, tripe, and tofu puff.


    He wasn''t nning to keep the girl around to fulfill humanity''s highest mission; he just simply... wanted someone to appreciate the deliciousness of hot pot.


    Tang Xian looked up: "Why aren''t you eating?"


    "I... I don''t know how to use these..."


    The girl was just clutching the chopsticks in her hand.


    Tang Xian had indeed forgotten about this; he had learned from a booklet that the ancient people of Huaxia always ate with chopsticks.


    They were cumbersome to use but looked rather aesthetically pleasing.


    So he endured the inconvenience and learned how to use them.

 Chapter 6: Chapter 3: Hot Pot and the Girl_2

    "Hold it gently with your middle finger, thumb, and index finger, cing the thumb next to the nail of the index finger..."


    Tang Xian began teaching the girl how to use chopsticks.


    The girl also studied seriously. When people are in a hurry, they often exhibit extraordinary wisdom. Of course, mathematics is an exception; if you can''t do math, you just can''t.


    With her stomach growling and smelling the tempting hot pot, the girl learned very quickly.


    Tang Xian was somewhat surprised.


    "Good, eat up. This is beef tripe, and this is duck intestine; they just need a quick swish and can be eaten. Don''t cook them too long; they''ll lose their tenderness if overdone."


    ...


    ...


    Initially somewhat reserved and conscious of her manners, the girl soon gave that up. She seemed to have a talent for learning; she quickly became proficient with her chopsticks,


    then smacked her lips while devouring the oily tofu and gently biting into the crispy tripe, asionally showing an embarrassed smile, tinged with a bit of shyness.


    But her mouth never stopped moving.


    Tang Xian liked that kind of expression; he was indifferent about many things, but when it came to food, he was very particr.


    Today''s nutritional meals offer a taste sensation that aligns with human aesthetics, but like the inte-famous faces of over a thousand years ago, they represent monotonous sameness.


    The sensation of deliciousness shouldn''t be singr.


    Since Tang Xian seldom had guests, he didn''t prepare much for hot pot, so the two of them finished eating rather quickly.


    Tang Xian then reverted to his initial demeanor, saying,


    "You should go now."


    "Ah?"


    The girl clearly did not expect that this man only wanted someone to appreciate his cooking, not interested in romantic pursuits.


    Tang Xian, digging at his ear, wore a smile that wasn''t quite a smile.


    Arriving neither early norte, a woman hade to serve him on the very night he was confirmed for his position; of course, he didn''t believe in coincidences.


    .


    The data on his interface amused him.


    The arrival of this girl was very likely arranged by someone, though not with malicious intent.


    "For the next few days, I''ll be staying in the mining area. You have a good figure and looks; in the lower levels, you''d be considered high-quality. If you''re just looking for a ce to be taken in, there are plenty of options."


    The girl lowered her head and said,


    "Do you find me unattractive?"


    "How could I? We''re both scum living at the bottom; neither of us is in a position to disdain the other. It''s just that I have a woman I love, and I''m not interested in you."


    After the introduction of a ss system, Tang Xian''s antique notions began to be slowly reced by a different set of ideas.


    In fact, it wasmon within the upper echelons of the Pyramid for women to have multiple men and for men to have multiple women.


    The strong had the right to mate and to dominate their peers.


    This saying was a jest in the ancient 21st century, but it has since be a reality.


    The girl was surprised by Tang Xian''s thoughts.


    Who among those who could secure a house for themselves in the lower levels was still an unadulterated good person?


    She stared at Tang Xian with wide eyes; he looked down to check the time.


    "You''re going to the mining area?"


    "Yes. So you should leave; I''ll be there for quite a few days."


    "But it''s nighttime now... The mining area is dangerous at night, isn''t it?"


    "That''s right, at night."


    The girl looked incredulously at Tang Xian, herrge eyes blinking.


    Indeed, in such matters, one would choose based on quality, not correctness. Perhaps it was the lingering aroma of red oil on her lips or perhaps it was Tang Xian''s calm demeanor.


    The girl didn''t really want to leave; she hesitated for a long time before speaking:


    "Are you a regr worker? Why not go to the secondyer?"


    "Barbarians do barbaric things, which I am used to seeing. But it''s ufortable to watch civilized people do the same."


    The girl didn''t understand the meaning of Tang Xian''s words.


    Tang Xian continued to urge, "You really should leave now."


    "Take me with you, I can help you! I can be your eyes!"


    Tang Xian raised his eyebrows.


    The term "eyes" was ng used within the exploration teams of the regr workers.


    A team would typically consist of six people, with one healer and one intelligence officer. Generally, the intelligence officer would be referred to as the "eyes."


    "Have you been to the mining area?"


    "I... I have learned the knowledge."


    "What''s your name?"


    "I''m Dong Ran. I''m not lying to you, please take me with you, I actually have four talents!"


    There was still a little while before they could enter the mining area again.


    A girl selling herself for lodging hade to find him, and she was a quadruple-talent bearer no less.


    Tang Xian felt that no matter who sent her, though they were not smart, they certainly did not skimp on the means.


    "If you can see four talents, you''ll have to exin how you ended up in a position to sell yourself for a ce to stay. Logically, a genius with four talents should at least live on the thirdyer."


    After Tang Xian finished talking, the girl lowered her head and said nothing, as if recalling something sad.


    Tang Xian was not in a hurry. He really didn''t dislike this girl named Dong Ran. If she truly could see four kinds of data, no matter who arranged for her toe to him, it would be of some help to him.


    His eyebrows slightly raised, he said:


    "I''m not interested in your body, but I will have to stay in the mining area for a while. Eating hotpot is fine asionally, but I need to diversify the menu, change a new pot. The area I will be going to in the mining area is infested with fierce beasts. If you are to follow me, you at least have to make me trust you.


    Even if you make up a story, you still have toplete the process, with a justification that puts us both at ease."


    Tang Xian''s gaze wasn''t sharp, yet the girl felt as if she was seen through.


    "I didn''t participate in the Talent Selection Trial."


    "Why?"


    "Someone harmed me at the time. When I got there... the exam was already over."


    "That''s not umon."


    "That day, my physical condition was very bad and I didn''t reach the examination site on time. And there''s no such thing as a make-up test for the Talent Selection Trial..."


    "So, you fell to the firstyer?"


    "Even if I tell people I have four talents, nobody would believe me. The firstyer is full of outcasts. You know, as the teachers would say in school, those without talents are ultimately the eliminated under evolutionaryws. I didn''t expect you to be a regr worker, let alone that you would be entering the... mining area now."


    Dong Ran''s eyes widened with a hint of defiance:


    "I want to live a better life; I can be useful! Please take me with you! You must be going to do something big, right?"


    Temporary workers could only go to the rtively safe newbie viges. The mining area creatures attacked the newbie viges the least, mostly at night.


    From what Dong Ran implied, Tang Xian understood that she probably wanted to hunt down mining area creatures toplete a mission on the task board and then get a regr worker to vouch for her, to earn an opportunity to prove herself and ascend to a higher level for a morefortable life.


    "Reasonable enough, I will tentatively believe you." To Tang Xian, this reason was full of holes, but the girl was somewhat useful, like having a bodyguard sent to your doorstep just as you were about to leave. But to guess who sent her would take some more time.


    "What mission do you n to take in the mining area?"


    Tang Xian looked at the time and said, "It''s about time. I''m nning to hunt a Cerberus from hell."


    Dong Ran was startled, thinking she had heard wrong.


    "What?"


    Tang Xian repeated.


    "An elite-level boss creature, the Cerberus from hell."

 Chapter 7: Chapter 4: Scholar Survival Skills

    Elite-level boss.


    Anyone who did reasonably well in school would understand the danger they represent.


    Every creature branded as a boss within the mining area is an extremely dangerous entity.


    Hunting bosses, even the lowest-tier elite-level bosses, requires the cooperation of several teams.


    Of course, this excludes teams made up of those chosen ones who possess various talents.


    On the map of the Rift teleporter, one can see many areas marked in four different colors.


    The colors indicate the level of danger.


    Yellow zones contain bosses that humanity currently needs to expend a great deal of manpower and sacrifice many elites to deal with.


    Blue zones are rtively weaker and are where teams earn their merits, but the death rate is not low. The beginner''s vige is a green zone, which is generally not too dangerous.


    As for the red zones, they hide creatures more powerful than the cmity-level bosses and are areas that are absolutely off-limits.


    There are not many blue and green zones; yellow and red zones upy the majority of the map, which is to say, human civilization is still in the pioneering phase within the mining area.


    Tang Xian pointed at a certain ce in the blue zone and said,


    "The hellhound is a subtropical canine species. The temperature nearby ranges between twenty-three and thirty-one degrees, which is extremely suitable for its survival, and the red soil forest here has quite a number of rabbit-eared mice, which are the favorite food of hellhounds and bone hyenas. Get ready, I''m going to go dog-ughtering."


    It was as if the hellhound was just some small creature. Dong Ran wondered if Tang Xian had any assistance. After all, how would one person go up against a hellhound?


    The two of them fell into silence. Tang Xian quietly flipped through the mission handbook, whiling away the time.


    ...


    ...


    Mining area, thend of red soil.


    Dong Ran was very nervous, after all, in the mining area, the vast majority of items would lose their function. A fully-equipped team naturally needed weapons; in the mining area, weapons used, whether knives, spears, staves, or firearms and grenades, were all converted from armed mines.


    To ughter an elite-level boss, aside from preparing weapons, one had to gather team members.


    Team members who were good at wielding weapons, those skilled in healing, and those proficient in observation.


    The more talent data one has, the greater the derivedbat ability.


    These abilities are indispensable in confronting bosses.


    Tang Xian had nothing.


    Inside the tent at night, after he turned off the light, hey quietly like a still sculpture.


    Dong Ran asked Tang Xian what data he could see, and his response shocked Dong Ran.


    "I''m not a talent. I have no talents."


    "Then... you must have some very powerful weapons, right?"


    "Do you think I look like someone who can afford high-end gear based on where I live?"


    "Are you, perhaps... backed by some very powerful teammates?"


    "I don''t know, there should be in the future. It might be worth considering cultivating a few, and we''ll see when I meet them."


    ...


    Dong Ran stiffened, suddenly wondering if she had encountered a madman.


    Such beings weremon in the lower levels, after six years of survival education they return to the first level, longing for the quality life of the third level, and back to the first level where food was scarce, some crazy ideas were born.


    "You must have some kind of preparation, right?"


    "Of course, I definitely can''t tear apart a boss with bare hands. The night in the red soil forest is very dangerous, but there are almost no poisonous insects, snakes, and ants in this area, mostly herbivorous mammals and carnivorous creatures. The food chain here is also quite simple."


    Dong Ran didn''t quite understand.


    "Nature has its own bnce, such as the nt that can neutralize poison may be next to the poisonous weed. Hellhounds are not bad at breeding, but the number of hellhounds visible on thisnd is still not many. It can even be said to be rare."


    Tang Xian looked at the girl''s befuddled expression, reminding him of the time when he was seventeen and had written an academic report "On the Potential for Domesticating Mining Area''s Biosphere," only to be dismissed by his teacher as fanciful. He felt the teacher was just like the girl before him now.


    People who are not on the same level simply cannot exchange ideas.


    "It means that the natural predator capable of killing hellhounds is also in this region. Beasts, after all, are just beasts. The biggest difference between them and humans is that humans can rely on rationality to suppress instinctive impulses, while beasts only follow their instincts."


    After Tang Xian finished speaking, he chose afortable position to lie down, as if he was confident that there would be no surprises tonight.


    The nights in the mining area are indeed dangerous. Tang Xian had deduced some patterns of nighttime activities of the mining area''s creatures based on three incidents of attacks in the beginner''s vige at night.


    Everything in this world has its patterns. It''s just that not many are willing to observe.


    ...


    ...


    The day broke quickly.


    When Dong Ran woke up, Tang Xian was squatting at the center of the tent with some fruits on the ground.


    "What are these?"


    Smelling a fragrance she had never encountered before, Dong Ran''s appetite was stirred.


    "They''re red-tailed tree fruits and blue bananas, the favorites of the ck-spotted monkeys. There are quite a few of them living around here. Naturally, there''s what they like."


    Initially, she did not think it would be edible, as the mining area gave the impression that the animals were wild, and the nts even more so.


    But seeing Tang Xian eating with relish, she stopped hesitating, peeled a blue banana, and started eating.


    The instant she bit into the pulp, a sweet, smooth, and juicy texturebined with a vani-like vor made Dong Ran''s eyes widen.


    Oh my, how delicious is this?


    Nutritional meals could replicate the taste experience of many fruits, butpared to actual natural fruits, they still fell short in texture.

 Chapter 8: Chapter 4: Survival Skills for Academic Masters_2

    Dong Ran looked at Tang Xian with surprise again. How could this man... seem to know everything?


    After finishing the fruit, Tang Xian said, "I''m going to look for the Hellhound''s location. Will you stay in the tent by yourself?"


    "I''ll go with you!"


    "Are you sure? Well, that''s okay. There won''t be any danger, but you might not be able to handle it."


    "What do you mean?"


    ...


    ...


    Dong Ran soon understood what he meant.


    The preparation work before looking for the Hellhound seemed even more difficult than hunting the creature itself, at least to this beautiful girl.


    Tang Xian first cut a lot of red, needle-like nts, which he also took the opportunity to exin to Dong Ran¡ªcalled Redline Grass.


    It was a type of grass whose leaves could emit a strange odor. This odor is harmless to the human body, and also not very toxic to animals.


    But the smell would make all animals steer clear.


    Tang Xian said, "To survive in the mining area, it''s best to crush Redline Grass and apply it on oneself. That way, carnivorous creatures won''t approach us unless we provoke them too much."


    Dong Ran was reluctant to do so, but Tang Xian was stubborn. If you didn''t do it, you weren''t allowed to follow him. As a result, the sweet, tender girl began to emit an odor that would keep all beasts at bay.


    Dong Ran wasn''t sure if this knowledge was true or not.


    In her student days, she wasn''t bad at survival education, barely considered an excellent student, but even those with better grades than hers seemed to rarely be as knowledgeable as Tang Xian.


    Moreover, he had strong practical abilities. Along the way, she truly hadn''t seen any creatures, even though this was the Blue Zone, which meant that the creatures were generally not strong but didn''t indicate there were absolutely no wild beasts along the way.


    "What''s next?"


    "We need to find the den of the Hellhound."


    ...


    ...


    The Red Soil Forest was extremely vast. Finding a nest of an elite boss creature in such a ce would take quite some time.


    Especially since humans can''t stay in the mining area for more than seven days. After seven days, one''s vitality plummets, leading to death.


    That''s why many people set their own safety limit at three days; those who set it at five days were rare. Moreover, finding the Hellhound''s den within a few days was almost impossible.


    Tang Xian didn''t think it was impossible¡ªif things went smoothly, he could finish today. And as for the time spent in the mining area, he personally liked it very much; he felt morefortable here than in the Pyramid.


    Tang Xian wanted to stay for the full seven days, to test what the so-called rapid loss of vitality felt like. Afterwards, he could even write an article on B¨© h¨± titled "What It''s Like to Spend Seven Days in the Mining Area."


    Dong Ran was very curious about how Tang Xian would look for the Hellhound next.


    In the morning, the air was still a bit moist.


    Tang Xian didn''t search aimlessly like a headless fly. After applying Redline Grass, his actions were decisive in the Red Soil Forest full of many nts, neither too shy nor overly cautious.


    Dong Ran noticed that Tang Xian seemed to pay extra attention to the trees.


    Beneath trees with particrly thick branches, Tang Xian''s gaze would linger for a long time.


    Under a Parasol Tree, which he had noticed before among the Redtail Trees, Tang Xian had merely observed and thought for a long time, but hadn''t actually done anything.


    It was only after discovering this Parasol Tree that Tang Xian slowly approached the trunk.


    Dong Ran followed not too far behind him.


    The Parasol Tree had no leaves, looking quite bare, with something like moss growing on its branches.


    Dong Ran had not learned about woody nts in her survival education, as she had majored in ornithology. It seemed Tang Xian must specialize in nts.


    Dong Ran felt that Tang Xian seemed very familiar with the ecological environment.


    Tang Xian crouched down and then touched the soil around the tree stump with his index finger. Dong Ran watched, wide-eyed, as Tang Xian carefully sniffed the muddy soil that looked rather nauseating.


    The soil smelled foul but was highly nutritious. It was called Red Soil because of its color; the area''s high vegetation coverage was due to this strong, unpleasant-smelling soil.


    The soil in the mining area was naturally different from the desert sand in the Human World, brimming with the breath of life.


    Tang Xian slightly furrowed his brow¡ªindeed, the soil did not smell good, but he still dug up quite a bit and bagged it in his utility pouch.


    Dong Ran didn''t understand. Tang Xian didn''t speak.


    Once he confirmed that the Parasol Tree had what he needed, he began to search for more Parasol Trees.


    The Parasol Tree could be counted as a towering tree, though it looked somewhat eerie and out of ce in the forest of Redtail Trees.


    "Animals all have a sense of territory; even those dogs in the Pyramid, domesticated by humans to the point of losing their wildness, know to mark their territory by urinating on amppost or something," Tang Xian suddenly said, probably feeling too quiet. He remembered reading a book titled "Research Collection on Canine Creatures in the Mining Area" at the age of thirteen.


    Then, to verify what he had read, he sought out many simr books, such as "Habits of Canine Creatures in the Mining Area" and "Q&A on Canine Creatures in the Mining Area."


    Compared to other creatures, Tang Xian had researched dogs the most. Because dog meat tasted very good.

 Chapter 9: Chapter 4: Survival Skills for Academic Masters_3

    Of course, he was well versed in all the research on the mining area already known to humanity.


    Take the parasol tree, for example.


    Tang Xian knew very well the distribution of parasol trees; finding soil with the same smell was just a matter of time.


    Later in the day, he finally found a dry, shady cave that could shelter from the rain.


    It was located nearly ten kilometers in the direction of thest parasol tree.


    Standing behind arge boulder outside the cave, Tang Xian whispered, "Because the hellhounds can breathe fire, they won''t live in a ce that''s too damp, apart from consuming the essential amount of water needed for survival, other sources of water are extremely lethal to them.


    Interestingly, the hellhounds'' natural enemy, the bone hyenas, also part of the canine family, are creatures that greatly fear water."


    "What do we do now?" Dong Ran didn''t grasp the intent behind Tang Xian''s exnation.


    Now that their was found, the question was how to hunt the hellhounds?


    Could Tang Xian do what several elite squads might not be able to achieve alone?


    Dong Ran really hoped Tang Xian was one of those hidden experts with amazing abilities that could secure a top-tier residence, yet opted to blend in on the first floor.


    It was amon trope in the novels of bottom-level vendors.


    However, Tang Xian didn''t possessbat capabilities, at least not for now. He nced at the hellhounds''ir and then turned to walk in another direction.


    Considering he had only one spectator, albeit a foolish one, Tang Xian still exined to kill the boredom:


    "Between animals and nts, those that coexist in a mutualistic or antagonistic rtionship often live close to each other. In ces where venomous insects, snakes, and ants reside, there are often detoxifying herbs or fruit. But it''s different for animals. Theirs of gazelles are far from cheetahs, and male deer don''t make their home next to lions.


    Although hunting encounters among them aremon, it''s because water sources bring them together."


    "However, the biosphere in the mining area is quite unique, especially for creatures like the hellhounds and bone hyenas that are very afraid of water. Even if they asionally encounter each other, it''s all just fate''s trick."


    "Bone hyenas loathe hellhounds immensely but can''t find their whereabouts. We''re lucky, just ten kilometers north from thest parasol tree where the scent trail ended, we found it. Of course, looking in that direction, the vegetation is obviously more barren. I suspect that area is drier, which suits the hellhounds'' criteria for choosing air. No wonder the bone hyenas can''t find them.


    So, they need a little guidance."


    This time, Dong Ran began to understand Tang Xian''s purpose.


    She wasn''t dumb and suddenly thought that since canines mark their territory with the scent of their urine, had Tang Xian been confirming the scent when he smelled the soil earlier?


    Descriptions of such scents asionally appear in textbooks, but even if described precisely... would it not be very difficult to put into practice?


    Is this man a genius? To be able to put into practice what he read about on paper so easily?


    Was observing parasol trees and red-tailed trees earlier meant to look for distinguishing features?


    If there are many trees, the hellhounds'' dders certainly don''t have an endless supply of urine, so they can''t mark each tree to show ownership.


    So they choose ones with certain features.


    These specific details are hard for others to know, but Tang Xian could easily find them.


    Simrly, Tang Xian could pick out the preferred type of red-tailed tree from among many for the bone hyenas.


    It''s not so much about the preferred tree as it is about the bone hyenas'' preferred... urine pot.


    The process was the same; he found a specific type of soil, smelled a disgusting odor, but this time, Tang Xian didn''t put this soil into his prop bag.


    Instead, he took out the soil with the scent of hellhounds'' urine from the prop bag and slowly covered it up.


    Dong Ran watched all this, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.


    Who would smell a dog''s urine? Who would remember how a book described an animal''s urine? Anyone capable of entering the mining area must be a regr worker, living on the second floor or even higher levels¡ªa person with refined tastes. Who woulde in and let themselves get stinky, applying crushed Redline Grass?


    Looking at the sky, Tang Xian frowned and said, "It''s best to finish all this before eleven o''clock tonight. Need to hurry up."


    Dong Ran was confused again.


    Tang Xian could see the expression on Dong Ran''s face from the corner of his eye, but he couldn''t be bothered with her dumbfounded look.


    There wasn''t much time; he had to speed up the pace.

 Chapter 10: Chapter 5: Dog Speak and Dog Meat

    Following the method used to find the Hellhounds, Tang Xian also located their of the bone jackals in the afternoon.


    More averse to water than the Hellhounds, the bone jackals also belong to the canine family, but arepletely hostile to the Hellhounds. In the Red Soil Forest, they are at the top of the food chain.


    However, bone jackals are not boss-level creatures. In terms ofbat ability, six bone jackals might not be able to take down an adult Hellhound. It''s just that their numbers far exceed the Hellhounds.


    Tang Xian wasn''t in a rush to do anything.


    It was only at dusk that he began to carefully spread the collected red soil, slowly cing it near some of the red-tailed trees.


    Dong Ran seemed to understand a bit.


    She just found the process somewhat disgusting; Tang Xian, to ensure that the scent was covered, even went so far as to sniff closely against the soil.


    Tang Xian caught a glimpse of Dong Ran''s expression and said:


    "Without strongbat abilities, one has to learn various skills¡ªsurvival isn''t a dance. Although humans are smarter than other creatures, there are many things in other creatures worth learning from. Take stink bugs, for example, because they give off a foul smell when they die, people are reluctant to squish them. Simrly, if you don''t want to attract ruffians, don''t wear provocative clothing."


    Dong Ran''s face flushed. How could he... seem to see right through people''s hearts?


    Tang Xian couldn''t really see through people''s hearts, but Dong Ran''s current needs showed signs of nausea, and he could guess the girl''s thoughts at a nce.


    The overall job was almost done; the bone jackals would be leaving their cave in less than an hour, and the red soil tainted with Hellhound urine would take at least two to three days for the smell to dissipatepletely, so he wasn''t worried it would lose its effect.


    However, there were some uncertainties waiting to ur, and he had to ensure everything waspleted before they arose.


    Tang Xian nced at the sky. Although he had started trying to observe the sky in the mining district newbie vige and had gradually summed up a lot of experience over six years,


    Being urate to the second still put some pressure on him.


    "It''s going to rain tonight. We need to hurry up."


    "Rain?"


    Dong Ran was somewhat skeptical. Understanding meteorological observations in the mining area, too?


    Tang Xian quickened his pace.


    Their destination for the return was the Hellhound''s den.


    Along the way, Tang Xian was constantly shaking and sprinkling; with every hundred or so meters advanced, he would spread some soil at the base of some red-tailed trees.


    Dong Ran carefully followed Tang Xian, actually looking forward to what was going to happen next.


    Hellhounds or bone jackals, such creatures are insurmountable foes for humans.


    This world has everything humans need, but acquiring these resources alwayses at a price.


    However, Tang Xian''s idea seemed somewhat crazy; he appeared to be using the world itself to calcte the world.


    ...


    ...


    As dusk fell, the temperature in the Red Soil Forest began to drop slowly, and the golden sunlight, like a thinyer of mist, evenly coated everything in sight.


    It made Tang Xian think of a cooking method called barbecuing, also involving a heap of seasonings, constantly being applied on the lightly charred food.


    Tang Xian felt hungry, looking forward to dog meat at night.


    The scent of the red line grass made it easy for the beasts attracted by Tang Xian and Dong Ran to detect them, but the pair remained motionless, hidden behind a giant rock, only a hundred meters away from the Hellhound''s den, actually within the olfactory detection radius of both the Hellhounds and the bone jackals.


    Eleven bone jackals had arrived. They didn''t get along with the Hellhounds; one marked territory under the red-tailed trees, the other under the Tuji trees. Although hostile to each other, they rarely met.


    The act of lifting a leg and urinating to proim sovereignty is not exclusive to canines; big cats like tigers do the same.


    Tang Xian had read about it in a book once: in ancient zoos from many years past, tigers would also lift their legs to urinate, even asionally spraying it onto visitors'' faces.


    This was essentially an act of provocation.


    Under Tang Xian''s arrangement, the bone jackals felt provoked. Normally, five or six bone jackals in a den would be enough. But clearly, these bone jackals were somewhat familiar with their old rivals'' scent and began to call forpanions.


    Dong Ran''s heart had risen to her throat.


    She remembered Tang Xian''s caution that if they encountered creatures in the mining district after being smeared with red line grass, staying low-key would prevent being attacked, simr to how humans would swat mosquitoes but not stink bugs.


    For beings like the bone jackals and Hellhounds, Tang Xian and Dong Ran were indeed just two little stink bugs.


    The Hellhound was huge, the size of an elephant, differing from the myths that described them as covered with hellfire.


    What Tang Xian saw now from afar, whether the three-headed appearance or their enormous bodies, was not the unapproachable me, but genuine robust muscles like those of a strong steed.


    Dog meat.


    That was Tang Xian''s target for the evening; as for the bone jackals, he wasn''t concerned.


    The flesh on bone jackal''s bones was like crystal, and Tang Xian had yet to learn any culinary techniques to deal with such materials.


    The battle began.


    The massive adult Hellhound and a dozen or so bone jackals instantly began tearing at each other.


    When both canine species roared, the entire den vicinity trembled slightly.


    This was the greatest obstacle for humanity in the mining area. These magical and powerful creatures possess strength that ispletely beyond any Earthly organism!


    Speed, power, destructiveness. All of them on a whole different level.


    Even with the use of weapons, it would still be hard to inflict serious damage on a Hellhound; of course, there are those with talents who could awaken powerful abilities in the mining district, but how rare were such talents?

 Chapter 11: Chapter 5: Dog Talk and Dog Meat_2

    The battle was a sight to behold.


    The tearing and biting force of the Hellhounds and Bone Hyenas, which were beyond human imagination, made Dong Ran''s eyes widen, and her expression was filled with horror.


    As for Tang Xian, he wasposed, asionally ncing up at the sky.


    They stayed over a hundred meters away from the battlefield, so as not to be affected. When Bone Hyenas and Hellhounds fought, it was a fight to the death.


    Therefore, Tang Xian truly felt it was not worth the concern.


    No matter how fiercely the two canine species fought, shaking the earth or tearing the sky apart, in Tang Xian''s view, it was ultimately...


    Just dogs biting dogs.


    The Hellhounds quickly became injured, and the Bone Hyenas didn''t have an easy time either. Some of them were even pped to death. Of course, one of the Hellhound''s heads also paid a heavy price.


    Dong Ran couldn''t help but think, if it were humans who wanted to inflict such a dramatic wound on one of the Hellhound''s heads, they would surely have to pay a terrible price, right?


    They might even need to use weapons transformed from high-grade armed mines, possibly requiring the awakening of powerfulbat skills.


    The Hellhound, to humans, is considered a boss-level creature that was not so unfamiliar and mysterious. But it was precisely because of this familiarity that it was taken seriously.


    Nobody would take on such a creature lightly. Even neers looking for merit and to prove themselves would search for weaker creatures.


    Yet there was Tang Xian, so carefree, lying behind a rock, plotting against this creature feared by humans.


    The injuries on both sides continued to deepen.


    Dong Ran wondered how much manpower and resources would normally be needed for such a situation?


    However... whether it was the Bone Hyenas or the Hellhounds, no matter who won, they would likely consume their opponent clean. How would Tang Brother collect the Soul Crystal Mine afterward?


    An oue where both sides were equally injured and perished together was almost impossible. Whether it was the Hellhounds or the Bone Hyenas, even if injured, they were still dangerous.


    Tang Xian saw Dong Ran''s doubts, but he wouldn''t exin a question he had already answered.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    The fierce battle between the Bone Hyenas and Hellhounds continued, and dark clouds had begun to appear in the sky.


    "It''s actually... going to rain?" Dong Ran had heard from Tang Xian not long ago that there would be heavy rain tonight, but she didn''t expect it to really happen.


    In their six-person team, indeed, some could predict the weather, others were experts in analyzing terrain, or some were more knowledgeable about vegetation and animals.


    Everyone receiving survival education would start to specialize at the age of fifteen, because the breadth of knowledge was simply too vast.


    Even Earth, with thousands of years of human civilization, had many unknowns in various fields, let alone a new world that had only appeared for a few hundred years?


    Dong Ran looked at Tang Xian''s profile, which was marked with a maturity that belied his age.


    Upon closer reflection, she realized Tang Xian''sbat strategy actually involved a lot of knowledge.


    Using the scent of nts to disperse wild beasts, achieving a state of not being actively attacked, then utilizing geographical knowledge to find the Hellhound''sir, and seeding in luring over its natural enemy by exploiting the animals'' territorial instincts.


    With the added precise prediction of the weather, was he waiting for the heavy rain to reap the benefits of a fisherman?


    This process seemed simple on reflection, but it involved so many areas. How could one person master so many disciplines?


    Tang Xian''s knowledge of the mining area was also too... tooprehensive.


    "Get ready, the Hellhound is critically injured, the rain will continue for a long time, and the Bone Hyenas will soon retreat. The rain will wash away the scent of the Bloodgrass on our bodies, but the Hellhound''s Soul Crystal Mine, being the core of a boss-level creature, will have a certain deterrent effect."


    "You''ve considered this as well?" Dong Ran''s mouth dropped open in surprise.


    Raindrops fell on them; despite the huge rock shielding the rain, it couldn''tpletely cover their bodies.


    Tang Xian nced at Dong Ran, whose clothes had be somewhat transparent after being drenched.


    Dong Ran could see clothes clinging to Tang Xian''s muscr lines, and it took her several seconds to realize something, at which point she yelled and sped her hands over her chest.


    "Tsk, weren''t you nning to sell yourself to me? What''s there to cover up?"


    "Don''t tease me..."


    Tang Xian turned his head away. The intensity of the rain continued to increase, and the Hellhounds and the Bone Hyenas emitted weak howls.


    Although both creatures were averse to water, it did not mean they couldn''t tolerate it. However, at that moment, they faced their natural enemy and were locked in a life-and-death battle, both heavily damaged. Water, therefore, was even more lethal to these fire-attribute creatures, and the onset of rain could very well drive one party away.


    After several minutes, thunder rumbled in the sky and the rain intensified.


    In the end, five Bone Hyenas barely alive made ns to drag theirrades'' bodies and flee, while the two side heads of the Hellhound had been severely damaged, and the middle head had suffered heavy injuries, even revealing the blue Soul Crystal Mine at the top of its skull.


    Tang Xian stood up.


    Dong Ran followed behind Tang Xian, her arms wrapped protectively around her chest.


    Tang Xian walked slowly; the Bone Hyenas clearly saw Tang Xian but paid him no attention. The heavy rain was too much for them to bear.


    They had wanted topletely devour the Hellhound. If they had not been so severely injured, they would have endured the pouring rain and consumed the Hellhound until no bones were left.


    But these few Bone Hyenas were too weak.


    The Hellhound, too, was on the brink of death. Tang Xian approached within five meters of the massive beast beforeing to a stop.


    Watching the elite boss creature''s brown chest heave, he was in no hurry. He let the heavy rain drench himpletely, sat down, and waited for the giant dog to take itsst breath.

 Chapter 12: Chapter 5: Dog Speak and Dog Meat_3

    Dong Ran had never before seen a creature like the three-headed dog from such close proximity, and even as it was weakened to the brink of death, possibly meeting its fate in the pouring rain, the imposing aura of a boss-level creature still made one''s scalp tingle with apprehension.


    But observing Tang Xian''s calm demeanor and those tranquil, profound eyes, Dong Ran suddenly felt...


    That this was the attitude humanity ought to possess.


    Once the rulers of Earth, a highly intelligent race that had forged thousands of years of civilization, humans stood at the pinnacle of all life forms by virtue of their wisdom.


    As Tang Xian gazed at the hellhound, his look was no different from usual, yet it carried the authoritative presence of a king facing his subjects.


    The storm raged with thunder and rain.


    The hellhound was finally on itsst legs, and the Soul Crystal Mine that flickered with blue light began to dim.


    Tang Xian prepared to stand up, retrieve the Soul Crystal Mine, andplete his mission.


    But at that moment, his eyes widened ever so slightly.


    He nced around, as if searching for something.


    Dong Ran asked in bewilderment, "Tang, what are you looking for?"


    "Do you hear any voices?"


    "Don''t scare me... What voices?" Dong Ran thought Tang Xian was referring to some kind of wild beast.


    Tang Xian slowly turned his gaze back to the dying hellhound and took a step back.


    "Save me, please save me... don''t kill me..."


    The voice that Tang Xian had just heard, weak, weary, and helpless, echoed again in his mind.


    This was the first time Dong Ran saw Tang Xian, a man who usually had everything under control, reveal such an expression.


    "Save me... You are also a powerful being... Why..."


    "Are you talking to me?" Tang Xian asked.


    There was no one else around, and the sounds of wind and rain battered the eardrums. Even with Dong Ran close by, one had to speak loudly to be heard.


    Yet the voice Tang Xian had heard was clearly and crisply echoing in his mind.


    After ruling out all impossibilities, no matter how absurd thest possibility was, it had to be real.


    With that thought, Tang Xian regained his usualposure.


    He had never heard of boss-level creatures being able tomunicate with humans. It was just like how he had never known why the data visible to him differed so greatly from that of ordinary people. But when faced with something unchangeable, Tang Xian chose to ept it.


    "Yes... save me... I am about to die..."


    "Sorry, but I''m a bit hungry."


    The hellhound''s eyes widened, breathing grew rushed, and with Tang Xian suddenly speaking as if to someone, all these elements together gave off a sinister aura, causing Dong Ran to shiver in fear.


    "Why do you, such a powerful being, choose to stay with these weaker creatures?"


    "What''s it to you? Weak or strong, all I know is that I''m hungry and dog meat tastes good."


    "..."


    The hellhound probably never expected that the being capable ofmunicating with it would help humans, despite looking the same as them.


    It was reluctant to ept this, but it truly had no strength left.


    The rain showed no signs of stopping, and after Dong Ran sneezed, it took another dozen seconds after the hellhound closed its eyes for thest time before Tang Xian, watching the massive beast breathe itsst, slowly approached the hellhound.


    But suddenly, the creature opened its eyes, and in a final surge of life, the boss-level creature tried to drag the man who refused to save it down with itself!


    The damaged head let out a roar as its paws, covered in bite marks and blood, swung through the air.


    Tang Xian was quick to react, but his body couldn''t keep up with his thoughts.


    Just as he was about to be torn apart by those terrifying ws, Dong Ran cried out sharply, and a powerful force emanated from her hands, pushing Tang Xian several meters away through the air.


    The hellhound let out a final, frustrated howl, but this time, its immense body finally copsedpletely in the downpour.


    The Soul Crystal Mine also lost all its shine, bing dull and lifeless.


    "Tang, are you alright!" Dong Ran ran over and helped Tang Xian up.


    Tang Xian nodded, breathing a bit raggedly, but otherwise maintaining a calm demeanor.


    "Thanks just now, I was careless. It seems the standards for determining the definite death of boss creatures need further revision. Even after ordinary creatures die, the Soul Crystal Mine still retains its glow for a while, but boss creatures are different."


    Barely escaping death, yet Tang Xian started to earnestly embark on an academic analysis. Dong Ran didn''t even know how to judge this person.


    "With such heavy rain, what should we do?"


    Taking into ount that Dong Ran had indeed saved him, Tang Xian replied with a slightly gentler tone,


    "The heavy rain will wash away our scent, as well as the traces of the fight between the hellhound and the bone hyenas, including the things I left along the way. So we might as well stay in the hellhound''sir openly and feast on dog meat."


    "You had all this nned out already?"


    Although Dong Ran had an idea of the answer, she couldn''t help but ask.


    Tang Xian nodded.


    A n should be thorough from start to finish. He had it all worked out before entering the mine.


    But he had indeed overlooked a few things.


    For instance, how to move the massive hellhound into the cave.


    After all, the primary motivation behind hunting the hellhound was his desire to indulge in a dog meat hotpot.

 Chapter 13: Chapter 6: Suspected Battle Ability Awakening

    Just as Tang Xian had thought, their of the hellhound was very spacious and dry, albeit with a distinctive musky odor.


    In the mining zone, many things were unusable due to a natural maic field that interfered with a lot of equipment, making human high-tech products virtually scrap metal here.


    Even lighters, devices made on the simplest of principles, happened to be operable.


    What Tang Xian hadn''t expected was that deep in the hellhound''s den there were nests made of dry, mmable whitegrass.


    This saved him a lot of trouble; at least he didn''t have to worry about making a fire.


    In his utility bag, he had pots and spices, and of course oil. Unable to bring something asrge as a stove, Tang Xian had to settle for some small cooking utensils.


    The corpse of the hellhound was brought in by Dong Ran.


    "You indeed have a talent," he said.


    "Mhm," Dong Ran responded softly.


    "That''s great, I should thank you for saving me, the gust of wind from your push and this superhuman strength to carry a hellhound; those must be part of your abilities?"


    "Yes, the gifted do receive some power enhancement. In the mining zone, we are stronger than we are in the Pyramid," Dong Ran said with some happiness. Although she wouldn''t have been able to hunt a boss-level creature alone, she had still been useful.


    "Is that so? That''s a pity. I''m not a gifted one. I know about this area of knowledge, but Ick the personal experience. Does that mean that even if a gifted one does not awakenbat abilities, they possess a more robust constitution than the average person?"


    "That''s right," Dong Ran said.


    Tang Xian nodded to indicate he understood, but in his hands, he held a knife.


    Once gifted ones enter the mining zone, they can see various data, and the types of data they see determine the strength of their talents.


    Moreover, the more types of data they can see, the morebat abilities they may awaken, such as Dong Ran''s Gust Palm, which is one of those abilities.


    "This doesn''t look like a weapon transformed from mining equipment, does it? It looks like a kitchen knife?" Dong Ran scrutinized the knife in Tang Xian''s hand, finding this man to be quite unbelievable.


    Others went hunting elite creatures with all sorts of weapons, but this man brought utensils used for eating.


    "Mhm, it''s just a regr dining knife iid with diamond. I traded three blue minerals for it specifically for chopping meat. The hide of the hellhound is very thick, and generally speaking, the meat of the legs is tastier, but when ites to hellhounds, you need to eat the belly. For creatures that walk on all fours, the belly is the softest. Still, ordinary knives would hardly scratch it.


    Luckily, it is dead now."


    Tang Xian held the knife and slowly traced over the vast belly of the hellhound.


    "It won''t struggle since it''s dead, which is perfect for me to figure out which part of the hellhound tastes the best, where it is softer, and what the meat quality is like."


    Neurotic¡ªwho would conduct such a meaningless inquiry. Dong Ran really found Tang Xian very odd.


    No one had ever eaten hellhound meat before; in fact, people only treated the mining area as a ce to transport resources.


    Who would think of cooking inside it?


    Even if they did eat, they would bring dried food and water supplies from the Pyramid that were easy to store.


    Dong Ran couldn''t help but ask, "That ... Tang, can the creatures here really be eaten?"


    Tang Xian said, "ording to Liu Jiang''s ''Record of Mine Area Creatures,'' the creatures in the mining zone prey on each other, and the hellhound is not at the top of the food chain. Above the elite creatures are the perfect ones, and above the perfect ones are the cmity ones, and above the cmity ones are the catastrophe ones that humankind has encountered no more than five times."


    "Be it these creatures or the bosses among them, their means of survival is not as depicted in novels where they live on dew and air. They survive on meat. If beasts can eat it, so can humans. Humans have lived for thousands of years, what haven''t they eaten? To me, the mining zone is like a huge animal husbandry farm."


    This statement sounded somewhatughable and wildly arrogant, but when Tang Xian said it, it felt very real. There was neither an earnest tone nor a hint of jest.


    "Tang, have you never thought of contributing to humanity, like venturing into the depths of the mining zone to bring back more resources?" Dong Ran asked, herrge eyes fixed on Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian shook his head and said,


    "Some say the mining zone is a game, and when it''s cleared, the Human World will be redeemed, but people have been striving in vain for hundreds of years. I used to think about it, but I''m not interested anymore."


    "I don''t n on breaking through the mining zone or clearing the hardest areas. There are plenty of geniuses for that. I just want to make my way through by eating, and my biggest wish is to eat a catastrophe-level boss once, to live a proper life."


    Dong Ran was taken aback.


    His words seemed somewhat domineering yet kind of adorable. She said,


    "Aren''t you afraid of being poisoned ..."


    "Appetitees first in human desires, even before sex, and the ancients were right to prioritize it. After all, thetter is only a moment of pleasure that also shortens life, whereas the former is a perennial theme that not only brings gustatory satisfaction but also the power to survive. Since I''m not having a sex life, naturally I should indulge myself in eating.


    If people can die beneath peony flowers and be considered romantic, then dying for the sake of eating is dying honorably."


    Dong Ran was choked up again by his peculiar logic, yet it somehow made sense.


    Then her cheeks turned crimson, as if she thought of something, and instantly lowered her head.


    Tang Xian didn''t pay attention and started using the knife.


    Generally speaking, an animal''s abdomen is where fat umtes, but for a formidable creature like the Hellhound, there isn''t really any fat to speak of.


    Therefore, choosing the abdomen should result in a texture most suitable for humans.


    Clutching the knife, Tang Xian thrust it in fiercely.


    No blood seeped out, which made Tang Xian somewhat happy, because, after all, the dog meat must be prepared before the blood flows out for the best taste.


    This was also the first time Tang Xian had touched a creature he had outwitted.


    Suddenly, not long after the knife pierced the Hellhound''s belly, Tang Xian froze.


    [Sessfully hunted elite-level boss creature: Hellhound.]


    [Acquired 10 points of Hellhound resistance.]


    [Damage to Hellhound increased by 10 points.]


    [Canine creature resistance increased by 1 point.]


    [Damage to canine creatures increased by 1 point.]


    [By killing an adult Hellhound, enhanced sense of smell acquired.]


    [Continue to hunt Hellhounds to gain stronger resistance and damage.]


    [Initial favorability with Hellhound-rted creatures -10, canine creatures -1.]


    [Initial prestige with Hellhound-rted creatures +10, canine creatures +1.]


    What''s going on?


    Where did that voicee from?


    In that instant, Tang Xian saw countless cards floating in an alien space, and then one card lit up; on it was the Hellhound''s image!


    What exactly is happening?


    Each gifted individual awakensbat abilities, but Tang Xian had never awakened before, and not having experienced such things, naturally he couldn''t analyze them. In fact, ording to human criteria, he would not even be considered a gifted individual, let alone have awakenedbat abilities.


    Tang Xian couldn''t understand it, but he quickly epted it.


    After staring nkly for a good ten seconds, Dong Ran saw Tang Xian in a daze and called out his name, prompting him to finally snap back to reality.


    "Tang, what''s wrong with you?"


    Tang Xian shook his head, suddenly put down the knife, walked over to Dong Ran, and then gently touched her. This was the first time he had touched her since she pushed him away with a palm strike.


    [Sessfully defended against the human skill Gust Palm.]


    [Acquired 1 point of human resistance.]


    [Damage to humans increased by 1 point.]


    [Failure to kill the target, unable to acquire the skill.]


    Tang Xian stiffened and stared at Dong Ran.


    Dong Ran felt somewhat ufortable under Tang Xian''s gaze and her face grew even redder.


    During this process, Tang Xian frequently hesitated to speak.


    About a minuteter, Tang Xian''s expression quickly became calm, no matter how strange the incident, he could always ept it quickly and did not exin his behavior just now.


    Is this mybat ability awakening? It seems as unreliable as the data I saw, Tang Xian thought. Recalling the words of the Hellhound, "Why would such a powerful creature like you stay with weak humans?" Tang Xian found there were indeed many suspicions about him.


    Tang Xian waved his hand, no longer dwelling on these things, and said:


    "It''s nothing. Let''s have dog meat hot pot togetherter."

 Chapter 14: Chapter 7: Want to Eat a Fox

    At the beginning, Dong Ran refused to eat dog meat. She couldn''t just eat it because she was told to. However, with a schrly research mindset, she believed it was necessary to try it herself to prevent others from being deceived. She wanted everyone to know what it felt like for her to eat dog meat, so they would know what it felt like when they tried it.


    As the aroma of the meat filled the air, Dong Ran started to use her chopsticks.


    She chewed on the tender dog meat, mixing in the aged oil, spicy sauce, and Sichuan peppercorn broth. Especially when the juices burst out from the meat fibers with each bite, Dong Ran felt that eating it this way didn''t really reveal its true nature. It didn''t prove the point that three-headed hellhound meat was unappetizing, so she served herself another bowl.


    Five minutester, Dong Ran ate another bowl.


    Ten minutester, Dong Ran added one more bowl to her tally.


    Looking at the remaining dog meat, Dong Ran felt her life wasplete.


    It seemed that this dog meat hotpot could well rival the rewards for ying an elite-level boss creature.


    After Dong Ran had her third bowl, Tang Xian was leisurely eating the hotpot. Just then, he had spread the remaining Red Thread Grass at the entrance of the way.


    "Tang, what were you just doing?"


    "Animals have memories. Even though most of those bone hyenas won''t make it back alive, the heavy rain will stop, and even the faintest scent could attract the enemies of the three-headed hellhound. Laying some Red Thread Grass down, as unappetizing as it is, should at least allow us to sleep a bit more peacefully."


    Tang Xian served himself a bowl of dog meat. Despite Dong Ran finding it very delicious, Tang Xian ate it with a hint of regret.


    After all, he was still missing some tools.


    Having a fully stocked kitchen with all the seasonings would have been nice.


    You could actually buy these things. There are some food shops on the second level, part of the official Pyramid institutions, not much business there.


    People would at most buy some ketchup or hot sauce to add to their nutritional meals. As for salt, MSG, pepper, sesame oil, and other seasonings, hardly anyone buys them.


    Of course, there are also quantum boilers for making these seasonings. Yet oddly enough, despite no one using these antiques, they''re quite expensive.


    Dong Ran nodded. The process of Tang Xian ughtering the dog seemed simple, the core of it being to draw the natural enemies of the three-headed hellhound to it.


    But while it may sound simple, how to survive in the Blue Zone? How to avoid dangerous creatures? How to find the three-headed hellhound, how to find its natural enemy, and how to escape afterward? Solving this series of problems would require a vast amount of knowledge.


    Aplex look shed through Dong Ran''s eyes.


    "Tang, what do you n to do after this?"


    "We''ll spend tonight in this cave, wait it out¡ªthe rain shouldpletely stop by thete night, but we''ll have to wait until tomorrow noon to be able to walk on the roads. We''ll leave at noon, head west. I''m nning to visit the Forest Sea. Last season was the breeding season for foxes. A few months have passed since then, and the little foxes should be up and moving around by now.


    Killing and eating them at this time, their gamey taste won''t be strong, and their meat would be tender."


    Dong Ran was shocked. Was it about eating again?


    "The Forest Sea? Isn''t that... a Yellow Zone?" Dong Ran asked incredulously as she looked at Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian nodded with a calm face, not seeing anything wrong with it.


    Dong Ran felt it was necessary to remind Tang Xian,


    "Tang, the Yellow Zone is basically a no-go zone, it''s only essible to top talents and teams, and often they have to group up to enter¡­ Elite-level bosses are considered on the lower end there; that ce has disaster-level creatures, oh Tang, going there just like this could be very dangerous. Aren''t there any foxes in the Blue Zone?"


    Unexpectedly, Tang Xian said, "It''s indeed dangerous. The fox I''m hunting is not a regr one¡ªit''s the Three-Tailed Spirit Fox."


    "¡­"


    Watching Tang Xian casually chewing and picking through the dog meat in the pot, Dong Ran found herself at a loss for words.


    "Three-Tailed Spirit Foxes usually live in groups, don''t they¡­"


    "Yes, there was someone collecting fox pelts at the market a while back, and I figured, with a bunch of people going after the ordinary foxes, it''d be too hard topete. After all, fighting beasts is one thing, but fighting people is a lot more troublesome. Cleaning up the mess is a pain, and you can''t eat human flesh, so there''s no point."


    "..."


    Dong Ran suddenly felt that if this person were to take a psychological test, he would definitely bebeled as a dangerous individual, right?


    "What I mean is, even though a three-tailed fox is an elite-level creature and may not be on par with boss-level beings, dealing with social creatures is... quite difficult, isn''t it?"


    Tang Xian had nobat abilities, which Dong Ran realized when the hellhoundshed out in its dying moments.


    Despite Tang Xian demonstrating strong survival and adaptability skills in the mine area, having a person without any magical talent hunt down a group of elite-level creatures was indeed like a fantasy.


    "Cut some extra Redline Grass for use; it smells foul but it doesn''t harm the skin and can prevent poisonous insects, snakes, and ants. As for the three-tailed spirit foxes, they''re not the Six-Tailed me Fox after all. A group is just a group, foxes have weaknesses too."


    Without further exnation, Tang Xian continued eating the dog meat.


    Dong Ran noticed Tang Xian was eating quite slowly, but when she came to her senses, she realized there wasn''t much meat left. With a cry of surprise, she stopped thinking too much and started to fight for the meat as well.


    "For this hellhound, shall we go to the mission department to register, or just go to the lower levels to sell it off the books?"


    "Oh, you know about off the books too?" This time, Tang Xian was somewhat surprised.


    "I also live... on the first level, so of course I know about it." Dong Ran felt nervous under Tang Xian''s gaze.


    "Off the books then. As you said, for two people to kill a hellhound, and both living on the first level, especially since I''m a non-talented person who only got a formal sry by doing grunt work. With this kind of partnership, if we managed to hunt a hellhound, we would probably attract some unnecessary trouble. Off the books isn''t bad; it just doesn''t improve the hunting ranking."


    Hunting ranking refers to the rankings of hunters who kill various creatures in the mine area.


    The number of kills and the strength of the creatures determine the ranking.


    A hunter capable of killing a hell-level boss with just one other person would likely be immediately noticed by high-ranking individuals.


    Dong Ran thought, so Tang Xian has always been aware of how incredible the things she''s doing really are?


    Is his calm demeanor because such matters are indeed very simple for him? Or is he just feigning being seasoned?


    Dong Ran couldn''t figure it out.


    Tang Xian patted his stomach, satisfied, and said:


    "We''ll spend the night in this cave."


    "Why not go back to the Pyramid?"


    "With such fresh air in the mine area, why would we go back to the Pyramid?" Tang Xian looked at Dong Ran with a you''re-really-weird expression.


    "Coming back to reality, re-entering the mine area would take ten hours. I don''t have the time to waste. By the way, it''s a half-day''s journey to the Sea of Trees. If you think it''s too dangerous, you can go back now."


    Dong Ran was actually considering this issue. It was as if Tang Xian had seen right through her thoughts.


    Despite Tang Xian''s calm facade, she was still very afraid inside...


    The yellow zone was indeed an area with a very high mortality rate.


    But then she thought of something else and, biting her lip, she eventually said:


    "I''ll go with you!"


    "Silver Fox Stew is pretty tasty. A bit of danger is no big deal."

 Chapter 15: Chapter 8: Nutritious Fruit

    The heavy rain stopped in thetter half of the night, and as a lone man and a single woman together in a mountain cave with the firewood aze, Dong Ran was somewhat uneasy.


    However, Tang Xian really had no interest in pondering humanity''s highest mission; he was a down-to-earth person. Once he said he would sleep, he could sleep, and the regr rhythm of his breathing indicated that he was sleeping soundly.


    Few dare to spend the night in the Soul Crystal Mine.


    Even in ces like newbie viges, few dare to linger at night, as there are too many creatures hunting after dark.


    Tang Xian seemed to have none of these concerns.


    The first night, he pitched a tent in a forest full of redline grass; the second night, he outright slept in the den of the three-headed hellhound, which was somewhat reckless, akin to that of a fugitive.


    But he remained alive and well.


    Without causing any trouble in the lower levels for six years, and after spending a day and two nights in the mine, he took down a boss creature. With such an achievement, Dong Ran could naturally have left if it were just about earning a formal employment qualification.


    But she wanted to see whether Tang Xian could actually capture the three-tailed fox.


    Once could be luck, but a second time would definitely mean there''s a connection.


    However, thinking about how Tang''s strongest offensive equipment was a kitchen knife, and his strongest defensive gear was an iron pot, while others came to the mine fully stocked with ammo and supplies, but he brought soy sauce and salt instead, Dong Ran still felt a bit nervous.


    But if there really was someone capable of effortlessly taking down the creatures of the mine, it naturally had its advantages to be on good terms with such a person.


    For instance... the silver fox hotpot that she had never tasted but sounded delicious.


    ...


    ...


    By noon, the ground slowly dried, and although walking still got one''s shoes covered in mud, Tang Xian didn''t care about maintaining an elegant demeanor.


    Coming to the Soul Crystal Mine was about eating things, consuming various strange creatures; when you''re about to eat them, why care about manners?


    So, he disdainfully watched Dong Ran as she carefully walked, unwilling to let the mud touch her ankles, and couldn''t help but quicken his pace.


    Trying to keep up with Tang Xian, Dong Ran had to elerate, and as she took a heavier step, mud sshed, staining her skirt¡ªwhich might not be very expensive, but girls tend to like cleanliness after all.


    "The forest sea is a marsnd, the favored ce of the three-tailed fox; the soil there is even softer. If you can''t stand it, then hurry back, don''t follow me."


    "Tang, you just want to get rid of me."


    "Women are such a hassle," Tang Xian said disdainfully.


    Dong Ran was taken aback. Was she not attractive? Throughout their journey, Tang Xian had looked at her with a gaze that seemed to imply she was an idiot more than once.


    "In ancient times, the 21st century to be precise, there was this mud bath where your entire body would be covered in mud; it''s actually very good for the skin. The red y from the red soil forests here is even richer in nutrients, better than the skincare products used by wealthy women in the third level, though it does smell a bit."


    Tang Xian knew why Dong Ran was following him, even if it meant facing the three-tailed spirit fox that''s more of a hassle than the three-headed hellhound¡ªthis girl would follow him like she was marching to her death.


    Of course, it wasn''t because she liked him. Everyone has their little secrets, but few could keep them in front of Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian didn''t expose her secrets; to him, it really didn''t matter.


    After all, he was just a gourmet; he was just there to eat. He didn''t mind sharing good food with another person. Deep down, he was not a stingy person.


    Just like during his school days, even though back then he was quite conceited, he still got along with many people.


    Everyone likes the kind of top student who''s willing to let others copy their exam papers.


    Even after it waster proved that he had no talent, and those people never contacted Tang Xian again, he wasn''t lonely.


    The road is long, with knowledge as hispanion.


    The six years as a bottom-tier temporary worker weren''t hard for him to endure. If it weren''t for the fact that good food ingredients simply couldn''t be exchanged for in the newbie vige, he wouldn''t even have wanted to be a regr.


    After walking for two hours, Tang would asionally look back.


    Dong Ran noticed Tang''s action and asked, "Tang, did you drop something?"


    Tang shook his head, slightly furrowing his brows, which Dong Ran remembered was the first time she saw Tang frown.


    "It''s the footprints. The soil is soft like snow and leaves footprints. Although most animals won''t track based on footprints, it''s not good if people see them."


    After a heavy rainfall, when the ground was saturated with water, was a good time for hunters to hunt Hellhounds.


    Dong Ran said, "Although this is a blue zone, hunting Hellhounds is ultimately very rare. Not many people dare to provoke boss-level creatures."


    Tang didn''t quite agree with that statement.


    The reason he furrowed his brows was that he sensed someone approaching.


    However, Tang wasn''t overly concerned. He said, "Let''s go. We should continue on our way."


    Tang was confident that his sense of smell had indeed enhanced.


    From the time he woke up, he could sense that the scents in the air had be much stronger. At the moment, walking on the earth after rain, the mixture of odors made the smells in his breath even more diverse.


    But unlike before, a person with extraordinary hearing could differentiate which person said what amidst many talking, and a chef with extraordinary taste could discern what ingredients and their proportions were used in a dish.


    Tang''s sense of smell was now extremely powerful. He didn''t know just how strong it had be, but he could tell where the smells in the air came from, what poisonous insects or snakes lurked nearby, which nts were present, and even that a group of people was rushing towards them from miles away, following their footprints, all just by smell.


    This strong sense of smell did not bring Tang any troubles. On the contrary, he found it quite useful.


    "There''s a stream not too far ahead. It''ll be good for washing our feet, and we can rest there for a while," Tang said.


    Dong Ran naturally agreed but was curious as to why Tang suddenly wanted to rest.


    It appeared that Tang was not tired at all.


    It took a little while to reach the stream. Dong Ran was no longer surprised how Tang knew there was a river at such a distance.


    Tang was just like a native who had lived in the Miner''s area for many years.


    Tang didn''t exin. He had gathered some fruits, unlike the blue banana fruits and red-tail tree fruits from before, these were of a different variety, and their shapes looked somewhat shy. Dong Ran initially didn''t dare to eat them, but she saw Tang wash them and eat directly, and before long, she couldn''t help herself either.


    However, this time, she didn''t feel like there was much to eat, and it tasted somewhat astringent.


    "These are Bogen Fruits. ording to Zhang Houshi''s ''Miner''s Shennong Record,'' they taste like sour persimmons but can replenish more nutrients than meat. They''re called Bogen because they''re elongated, the skin is smooth and stic, and they''re moderately long. Honestly, whether it''s the appearance, taste, or even the touch, they''re better than cucumbers."


    Though picky about gourmet food, when it came down to survival, Tang didn''t care about eating unpleasant things. He needed to replenish his energy. His description and exnation, however, really made Dong Ran more reluctant to eat the fruit.


    Dong Ran curiously said, "Don''t we still have dog meat? It''s stored in the bag."


    "In the Hellhound''s den after the rain, with the addition of Redline Grass, we won''t attract other animals. But here, smells spread easily, and riversides are usually where creatures gather. Don''t think there''s nothing now, but the aroma of meat will attract many predators.


    You need to think more when doing things, or you''ll get rusty," Tang said with a calm tone, quite patient with the girl who didn''t like to use her head much.


    Dong Ran couldn''te up with anything to say.


    Tang took out the Hellhound''s Soul Crystal.


    It looked like a pearl. If graded, it was worth twenty-nine times that of the rarest purple ore he had mined.


    This was a treasure, so that''s why he was frowning.


    "What are you going to do with that?" Dong Ran asked, not knowing why Tang was suddenly ying with the Soul Crystal.


    "Someone wille to rob it soon. I''m taking it out now, so it''s easier for them to take it when the timees," Tang said, still with that nonchnt demeanor.

 Chapter 16: Chapter 9: Legally Mindless

    Tang Xian''s thoughts were something that Dong Ran had not yet been able to adapt to, and having her convenience snatched away left her somewhat dumbfounded.


    What concerned her even more was Tang Xian mentioning that someone woulde after them soon.


    "What do you mean? Are there other people in these deste hills?"


    "Mhm, they should be able to catch up to us in a bit," Tang Xian said, his eyes gleaming as he looked at a fish in the river.


    "Then we''ll be robbed!" Dong Ran suddenly realized, a man and a woman, without any equipment, carrying a boss-level creature''s Soul Crystal Mine.


    This was definitely a robbery waiting to happen.


    This time, Tang Xian didn''t look at Dong Ran as if she were an idiot, since he needed to keep his eyes on the fish.


    He simply said, "Didn''t I already tell you we''re about to be robbed? But it doesn''t matter. If you take out your money openly and honestly, rather than sneaking it into your pocket, it gives off a different impression."


    Dong Ran didn''t know how Tang Xian had deduced that someone wasing, and anxiously said, "Shouldn''t we be running now?"


    "Run? If we run, our footsteps will sink deeper. Humans aren''t animals; we have brains and can analyze prey behavior. If we start running after we''vee this far, it would expose our emotions. Emotions often confirm the other party''s guesses."


    This time, Dong Ran picked up on the fact that Tang Xian was implying shecked brains.


    Just then, Tang Xian suddenly bent down and urately grabbed a fish.


    "Nice, we can have grilled fish tonight. This is a red phosphorus fish ¨C its meat isn''t as good as that of a green phosphorus fish, but if you get the grilling right, it can be just as crispy and delicious."


    Dong Ran was not cheered by the prospect of grilled fish, and Tang Xian went on to say,


    "Don''t take my words seriously. You''re not dumb. Even if I say you are, it doesn''t actually mean you are. Besides, in this world, some people are just in dumb, but you''re different."


    Feeling that Tang Xian was about topliment her, Dong Ran asked expectantly,


    "Different how?"


    "You have big boobs."


    "..."


    "Having big boobs means you can be legally brainless. That''s better than those who are brainless and t-chested. If you went to the third mining team where I am, and met Song Zhe, at least you''d fare better than those temporary workers with brains."


    Tang Xian really believed he was offering apliment; having big boobs was definitely a plus in his eyes.


    But Dong Ran was still hung up on the brainless part. As for who Song Zhe was, she didn''t care, figuring he was probably some sleazy guy.


    Seeing that Dong Ran was still somewhat worried, Tang Xian said,


    "The human heart can indeed be sinister, but for most people to actually go against their moral principles, aside from a few real psychopaths, the majority will struggle and resist. It''s not so much about conscience as it is about considering the risks. If you truly can''t grasp it, just listen to me andter just put on a cool andposed face."


    Dong Ran didn''t understand, and Tang Xian didn''t borate further.


    He put the red phosphorus fish into his bag. The bag was one of the few items that could be used in the mining area, after all, it was made from blue-quality inorganic mines.


    It could hold quite a lot of stuff, but it wasn''t a magical dimensional pocket. The items put in the bag didn''t shrink; rather, things like food could be preserved from rotting.


    Tang Xian''s bag was filled with various cooking utensils, and it looked like quite a bulky pile.


    After securing his bag, Tang Xian casually found a tree to lean on and soon, four figures appeared in the distance in his line of sight.


    Four people, three men and one woman.


    ording to Tang Xian''s knowledge, a squad typically consisted of six members: fourbatants, one healer, and a lookout.


    At a distance of only about a hundred meters away, Tang Xian could see their stats. He hadn''t really thought of a set way to deal with robbers before.


    But now, he had an idea.


    The three men and one woman, judging by their gear, were all wearingbat suits transformed from green-level mining armor. Such an outfit was notmon in ordinary teams; with such equipment, the group was likely well-equipped and not understaffed.


    Dong Ran was somewhat tense, while Tang Xian retracted his gaze, looking back at the surface of the river.


    He suddenly thought that one fish might not be enough to eat, so he checked to see if there were any other fish.


    The four approached.


    Dong Ran forced herself to stay calm, trying to appear as collected as Tang Xian.


    The leader of the four was tall and burly, wielding an axe which seemed to be of blue quality. Blue weapon, green armor ¨C such a team was usually trouble. But why were there only four of them?


    Behind the leader was a short man with shifty eyes and a mustache, whose green-converted dagger suggested his role.


    The man on his right was tall yet thin, clean-cut and seemingly well-mannered, but his weapon was of the same quality as the leader''s; it was a blue heat gun.


    Warrior, assassin, archer.


    A standard setup. The woman behind the three men, fairly attractive, had breasts that couldn''tpare to Dong Ran''s, but to Tang Xian, they still seemed rather inviting, and the medical kit in her hands rified her role.


    The team configuration was missing eyes and abat member, but that wasn''t the core role. A team like this could still operate.


    Tang Xian toyed with the bead in his hand and seemingly nced unintentionally at the four of them before his gaze continued to fall on the river''s surface.


    The burly man holding the battle-axe wanted to speak, but at that moment, Tang Xian had his back to him and made a shushing gesture first.


    "Shh! Don''t talk right now."


    Tang Xian stared at the river, one hand twirling the Soul Crystal ore, and the other ready to reach into the water at any moment.


    The group looked at Tang Xian with confusion, but each had their own concerns and remained silent.


    A few secondster, Tang Xian''s hand plunged into the water and once again caught a fat red-scale fish.


    The burly man asked, "What are you doing?"


    "Fishing," Tang Xian replied without looking back, pondering whether there were more fish in the river.


    No need for bait to attract them, the fish swam by the riverbank themselves; either the weather was about to change, or the river was simply teeming with fish.


    Tang Xian was certain it wouldn''t rain tonight.


    The four had arrived with a bold stance and their positioning was strategic, suggesting they knew a fair bit about formation knowledge from survival education.


    He had nned to feign friendliness, then pry into whether the two had visited their of the Cerberus and offer that his team was short of people.


    This would have allowed him to further extract the details about the others, to decide whether to steal their Soul Crystal ore.


    But what they hadn''t anticipated was how calm these two seemed. The woman looked as if she had known they woulde, and the manpletely ignored them.


    Was he seriously fishing?


    And he was brazenly ying with the Soul Crystal ore?


    Perhaps making a bit too much movement, Tang Xian noticed that the red-scale fish were mainly in the center of the river. He couldn''t be bothered to go after them, thinking that two fish would suffice¡ªonerge for himself and a smaller one for Dong Ran.


    It was still early, but it was time to find a ce to rest.


    Thus, Tang Xian turned around and said indifferently:


    "A bunch of you from Five-One Fortress have been following for a while now, what is it?"


    All four were shocked; how did he know they were from the Five-One Fortress?


    And how did he know they had been following?


    By their expressions, Tang Xian knew he had intimidated them.


    Putting aside the information brought by scents, just the panel of the leader exined much.


    Gender: Male.


    Good-Evil Value: 32.


    Greed and Lust Index: 49.


    Favorability: 1 (strangers).


    Financial Assessment: 6 (destitute).


    Loves: Soul Crystals from various mine creatures.


    Hates: The third-floor mercenarymander of the Five-One Fortress.


    Fears: Perfect-level boss¡¤Elk Bear.


    Current Sincerity Level: 11 (straightforward).


    Charm Value: 17 (unnoticed).


    Current Luck Value: 14 (minor misfortune).


    Current Needs Analysis:


    [Get close to Tang Xian and Dong Ran (54%)]


    [Rob Tang Xian and Dong Ran (21%)]


    [Leave the mine area (15%)]


    [Flirt with Zhang Yuan (5%)]


    [Other (5%)].


    Their goal in getting close was so obvious to Tang Xian that he didn''t even have to think about it. Next would be to y along with them, acting the part of a ripe sheep ready to be robbed.

 Chapter 17: Chapter 10: The Correct Posture to Face Robbers

    "How did you know we''re from Fortress 51?" the burly man said.


    Tang Xian didn''t immediately answer, he nced at the others and was amused.


    The demands in the interface of the other two men were exactly the same as those of the burly man.


    This was quite normal, indeed there were times when everyone''s demands aligned, but even the option to flirt with Zhang Yuan was the same, which was quite interesting.


    Three men flirting with one woman?


    Zhang Yuan was probably the healer carrying the medical kit at the end.


    Tang Xian took a look, and although this woman did have some charms, she probably didn''t possess the formidable strength to make five men willingly pursue her jointly.


    Because in her interface, the one she detested was Wang Tengyu.


    And in her demands, there was also the option to flirt with Wang Tengyu.


    If a person dislikes someone, they certainly wouldn''t flirt with them.


    So, Zhang Yuan probably wasn''t the kind of strong figure who enjoyed the mating rights of several men.


    Tang Xian figured Wang Tengyu must be one of the three men. And these three men, most likely each thought that they alone had won this woman''s heart.


    Thus, Tang Xian thought about it for an extra half second.


    If a person is both despised and yet needed to be pleased, they must be core to the team, and this burly man before him was indeed Wang Tengyu.


    This really was a team that could almost be toppled with just a little bewitchment.


    However, Tang Xian couldn''t be bothered with it, there were too many in this world who could manipte men at a p of their hands and women likewise, setting aside the moral aspect, at least in terms of intelligence, Tang Xian thought such people had value in existing.


    "The axe in your hand, its craftsmanshipes from the fifth level''s armory of Fortress 51, a few of the smiths there are acquaintances of mine, and one of them still owes me money."


    Wang Tengyu was startled.


    Not just him, the two men behind him were also surprised.


    The creators of the equipment in the mining area are usually those with deep backgrounds and ties to the military. To recognize these people, one must naturally be no ordinary individual.


    Wang Tengyu and the other two men exchanged nces, the mustached assassin squinted his eyes, giving a very slight shake of his head.


    "Are you also from Fortress 51?" Wang Tengyu asked.


    "Fortress 39. I''ve only been to Fortress 51 a few times for business."


    "What''s in your hand?" Wang Tengyu ultimately couldn''t hold back.


    "You know what it is, didn''t you follow all the way from the den of the three-headed hellhound for this very thing?"


    Dong Ran was a bit nervous, but seeing this moment, the burly man seemed more nervous, and she suddenly felt less anxious.


    "Cough cough... You must be joking."


    "Joking? In this wilderness, what do you think I and my assistant left footprints for? You saw the footprints and deliberately left two team members behind, sending only four people over. Could it be, our meeting here is just a coincidence?"


    Dong Ran didn''t quite understand.


    But Wang Tengyu did. His expression turned somewhat ugly, but his tone became even more amicable.


    "Hahaha... It really is just a coincidence."


    Tang Xian shrugged, with an expression that read ''if you say so.''


    Dong Ran couldn''t help admiring this man''s acting, or perhaps Tang Xian genuinely didn''t care?


    "I''ve already ughtered the three-headed dog, the meat was nice, but the leg meat is too tough, only the belly meat is edible, look, it''s all packed in the bag. I have another use for this Soul Crystal Mine, nning to exchange it for some better pots.


    If you''re here to rob, feel free to try, but ording to the mining area''s survivalws, taking action against military personnel gives soldiers the right to execute immediately."


    Still with a casual tone,zily smirking, he nced at Wang Tengyu once more.


    Soldiers?


    Immediate execution?


    Wang Tengyu''s facial expression changed rapidly as he tried to suppress his emotions, yet he couldn''t help but show some surprise.


    Could this man, who appeared to be in his early twenties, be from the military?


    That would make sense; otherwise, how could he have identified his affiliation based merely on a weapon?


    Originally, the few people in the Cerberus''s den didn''t believe that two people could kill a Cerberus on their own.


    But they had only seen the footprints of two people.


    Six against two, the odds were certainly in their favor.


    However, the team''s look-out, Zhao, suggested a more cautious n, so only four of them gave chase.


    Little did they expect that their motives seemedpletely transparent to this man; the situation turned out to be the least likely one.


    There indeed existed individuals who could single-handedly kill elite boss creatures, and they were either the strongest hunters on the leaderboard, or the aces hidden within the military''s ranks.


    The young man before them must be thetter. Thinking about it, they hadn''t seen any other bodies nearby.


    What puzzled Wang Tengyu the most was that this man did not have a single wound. His clothes did look quite dirty, with some red traces that seemed like blood.


    What six of them couldn''t aplish, the two of them did. Now with only four left, the thought of robbing Tang Xian was immediately dismissed.


    ncing back at his two teammates, it seemed that they hade to the same conclusion.


    At that moment, Tang Xian spoke up:


    "Still want to rob me? If not, I need to get going. I have to travel at night."


    "Hahahaha, brother, you must be joking. We really were just passing by. Our two teammates got separated, and we saw the footprints thinking they might be theirs. It was a misunderstanding¡ªwe''re all hunters from Huaxia. How could we possibly rob anyone?"


    Tang Xian pretended to think for a moment, then slowly nodded and said:


    "What a pity, you should have tried. With more practice, robbery bes a habit, but you''re sensible, at least. Let me give you a piece of advice, don''t sleep at night."


    "Sorry to have disturbed you. I think they might be to the east," Wang Tengyu didn''t understand the meaning behind Tang Xian''sst sentence, and right now, all he wanted was to get away.


    "I also think they''re to the east," Tang Xian''s eyes gleamed with greater amusement. He waved his hand, signaling for them to go their separate ways.


    Wang Tengyu didn''t say anything more, just waved his hand and quietly withdrew.


    Dong Ran followed Tang Xian withposure, their footsteps steady and unhurried.


    After walking for a long time, Dong Ran finally looked back and, seeing no sign of those people, disyed a somewhat panicked expression and asked:


    "Tang, what was that all about? Did you scare them off? Why send four people when six would have been better?" Dong Ran had noticed that Tang Xian had just performed an Empty Fort Strategy, but she still didn''t understand some of his words.


    Tang Xian had not expected Dong Ran to be slow on the uptake, but he exined patiently:


    "Six people found the footprints of two, and based on their understanding of Cerberus-type creatures, the likelihood of a single person or duo hunting a boss creature is the lowest. So they would think that we''re probably from a squad and that the other four members had died."


    "At that point, they naturally wanted to rob us. But there seems to be a cautious person in their team who thought that three warriors with a healer could definitely take down two people.


    There was no need for all six to move out, and if it really was the worst-case scenario, with the other party being powerful enough to kill boss-level creatures on their own, then these four could fabricate a story about their teammates dying or being lost to lower our guard even more, perhaps even extracting some information."


    After exining, Tang Xian looked at the distant hills, contemting that sleeping in a cave tonight would be quitefortable.


    "We''ve got a ce to stay for the night."


    "But what did you mean by telling him not to sleep tonight?"


    "That was just a hint. Like you, he''ll find it strange,ing at such an abrupt time, which will lead him to think it over repeatedly, creating a self-suggestion. He might actually struggle to sleep tonight. And a man with a woman tends to seek her out if he''s awake at night."


    It''s naturally more appropriate for infidelity to be discovered at night.


    Tang Xian didn''t borate further; he wouldn''t tell Dong Ran that the female healer had a fling with all five men in a squad.


    Just that today they encountered bandits, and although he wasn''t a bad guy, he was no saint either. He still needed to teach these people a lesson.


    As for what would happen to this squad tonight, he had no idea; he only knew that tonight, he wanted to eat grilled fish.

 Chapter 18: Chapter 11: The Cheaters Grilled Fish

    Grilling fish actually requires a lot of seasonings: ginger, garlic, green onions, pepper, cooking wine, green and red peppers, onions, and so on.


    Since he didn''t bring many seasonings, Tang Xian couldn''t create an authentic grilled fish. Moreover, grilling fish requires a particr type of oil that needs to be soaked in for two days, but Tang Xian, who couldn''t afford to waste that time, had to simplify the process.


    At the hilltop in his sight, Tang Xian spread out redline grass. Although he didn''t find a cave, he did find a natural overhang that could shelter them from wind and rain.


    Right now, as Dong Ran watched the fish turning constantly on the grill, she swallowed her saliva and couldn''t help urging him, "Tang, is it done yet? The fish looks cooked."


    "What''s the rush, still twenty seconds to perfect the heat."


    Tang Xian looked at the fish with a bit of regret; tonight''s meal could only be referred to as a barbeque, not a true grilled fish, which relies on side dishes for vor.


    This method of grilling fish on a rack and simply sprinkling on seasonings might be tasty, but at the end of the day, it was nothing more than amon barbeque.


    Giving the small phosphor fish to Dong Ran and keeping the bigger fish for himself, Dong Ran felt somewhat unsatisfied and said:


    "I... my appetite isn''t small either."


    "Next time you see me catch fish, remember to help out willingly. More effort, more gains."


    "Okay, okay, we''ll catch fish tomorrow too."


    "Are you a pig? Even pigs are happy eating the same thing every day. By noon tomorrow, we will have reached the Forest Sea, which should take four to six hours to navigate, and we''ll be able to catch a three-tailed fox. Then we can enjoy silver fox stew.


    People should try to eat something different every day; since we are humans, we should have the right to eat meat and choose what meat to eat, even if we don''t have that option for the moment, we should have that mindset."


    Dong Ran pouted, feeling a bit unhappy after being scolded again.


    Tang Xian simply ignored it.


    "We''ll spend the night here. The abundance of red scaled fish in this area suggests there aren''t many otherrgend carnivores around. You don''t have to be as vignt as you werest night."


    "I wasn''t..." Dong Ran started, surprised; she indeed hadn''t slept well the previous night.


    But Tang Xian had gone to bed so early; how did he know she hadn''t slept well?


    Upon further thought, how did Tang Xian know those people were from Fortress 51?


    To go to another fortress, one must ride a dedicated flying vehicle.


    Most known fortresses switch applications, which are mostly for some prison inmates; it''s rare for ordinary people to want to switch fortresses because the cost of switching fortresses is...


    Demotion by two levels. And the person must be at least on the third level.


    Had Tang Xian been to another fortress?


    The Empty Fort Strategy is just that, but how could he be sure the Empty Fort Strategy would work?


    "Tang, when you bluffed those people today, was everything you said true?"


    "Of course, it was true."


    "Ah... you''ve actually been to other fortresses?"


    "That''s false, you''re indeed as idiotic as those people."


    "Why are you insulting me again..."


    Tang Xian decided to correct Dong Ran.


    "Regarding descriptions of your intelligence, that''s not insults, that''s stating facts. You''ll have to get used to it; hoping for me to change my habits is impossible, and hoping for you to increase your intelligence is also a tough task. As for your question, I don''t need to go to another fortress, but I can get to know people from other fortresses."


    "Why? Isn''t changing fortresses only possible if someone from the third level is willing to be demoted two levels?"


    "Yes, but there is another way, which is to demonstrate special skills and pass the exams for certain national positions. Then, whichever fortress needs someone in that position, that person can legitimately transfer to that fortress."


    Dong Ran was shocked.


    Such talents were hard toe by even in an entire school district. They generally served in the military. How outstanding must this talent be?


    She had originally thought Tang Xian was bluffing, as long as he could intimidate the other person, that was enough. She never expected Tang Xian to actually know other fortress''s weapon designers.


    "This..."


    "Are you asking why I haven''t done well for myself if I have such connections?"


    "Um..."


    Dong Ran was still very cautious, feeling she might touch on Tang Xian''s sore spot.


    This was naturally not a sore spot for Tang Xian, who was quite calm.


    "Ke is indeed talented, with a strong sense of spatial dimension, and often shows me some very interesting designs. I asionally help him improve them. Most of the time, he doesn''t need my guidance."


    "To join the military, you need both ''Digitalization Scores'' and ''Mineral Reaction Studies'' to be at least one hundred and ten or higher. Actually, having inspiration is the most important. Designing weapons is ultimately about the design. The Pyramid can use high-precision tools to make equipment, so Digitalization Scores are rtively less important.


    The military system is still somewhat inflexible."


    Tang Xian felt the fish had gotten cold and frowned¡ªonce the meat cools, the taste can decline a lot.


    "During the final year of the mock exam for the chosen ones, Ke''s Digitalization score was seventy-seven, the best he had ever achieved. He was determined to be an equipment designer, but his score was a barrier. He wasn''t confident about improving by over thirty points in thest two months, so he asked me for help. I taught him for two weeks."


    Tang Xian passed the fish to Dong Ran, who immediately took it, not minding Tang Xian''s saliva on it, and enjoyed the meal greatly before asking,


    "What happened then? Did he pass? How many points did he score?"


    "Since he became an equipment designer, of course, he passed. He scored one hundred and thirty-nine, which was the second highest Digitalization score that year."


    "Who was the first?"


    Tang Xian didn''t speak, giving Dong Ran a look to let her figure it out for herself.


    After thinking for a while, Dong Ran eximed in surprise, "Could it be you, Tang?"


    Tang Xian nodded. Although it wasn''t something to boast about, it wasn''t something to be modest about either.


    "It was me."


    "Then why are you... still living at the bottom? Anyone who can score over one hundred and ten in any subject would surely be a talent desperately sought after by every fortress, right?"


    "Do you believe that someone could have a perfect score in all fields?"


    "A perfect score in all fields?"


    Dong Ran was somewhat unable to catch up. Generally, most people chose to specialize in one area, while a minority would specialize in several, like the Ke that Tang Xian mentioned.


    That is to say, specialize in both Digitalization and Mineral Reaction Studies at the same time.


    Such people would have high total scores, but their scores in individual subjects would definitely not be as high as those specializing in one subject.


    Even among those specializing in one subject, perfect scores are rare, aren''t they? After some thought, she realized that she had rarely even heard of near-perfect geniuses.


    The concept of a perfect score in all fields... is almost the limit of humanity, something that is thought to exist in theory but, at this stage, is something no one could achieve.


    "Don''t quite believe it," Dong Ran said truthfully.


    Tang Xian nodded. This time, he didn''t find Dong Ran to be foolish.


    "So I was used of cheating. That''s about the size of it."

 Chapter 19: Chapter 12: Tang Xian Is Right

    Dong Ran nodded. It made sense now: Tang had been sent to the lower levels because he was used of cheating.


    But that wasn''t right.


    Dong Ran frowned, realizing that the matter was not as simple as it seemed.


    Wait, does that mean Tang Xian scored a perfect score?


    A monster with a perfect score in digitalization?


    Dong Ran asked, "Tang, did you score a perfect score in digitalization?"


    Tang Xian nodded.


    It wasn''t just digitalization, but also all the other subjects he had ess to, or rather, subjects that humans were still teaching at this stage.


    Dong Ran fell silent for a while, then said, "Actually, you didn''t cheat, did you? If you had cheated, how could you have let your ssmatee in second?"


    Tang Xian showed a rare smile of satisfaction, yet said, "Because all this was made up by me."


    Frozen, made up? Had he been toying with me all along?


    She looked at Tang Xian, feeling somewhat aggrieved.


    Tang Xian found a spot to lean against and said,


    "Whether I cheated or not isn''t important. In any case, this conclusion is a reasonable one for everyone. It can even be said to be a joyous one, and that''s enough."


    Dong Ran realized that Tang Xian indeed had been teasing her, but she wasn''t angry, thinking about how a person skilled enough to score full marks in a single subject had fallen so low, she felt somewhat sad for Tang Xian.


    "Was there no one... to speak up for you?"


    "Speak up for what? Ke could have spoken for me at that time, but unfortunately, he was transferred to Fortress Fifty-One too early. As for the others, there were a few who I had taken care of who wanted to speak for me. Although they are now influential figures, at that time they had little influence."


    "They''re busy now. Those who helped me in the past have repaid the favor of my mentorship. They owe me nothing, and I naturally have no reason to seek them out."


    Dong Ran felt inexplicably sad.


    Tang Xian chose afortable position and reclined, showing no sign of sadness.


    Perhaps this is why some people still resent me to this day? They expect me to show a mournful face, loudly proiming my innocence or ''I didn''t cheat.'' They want topare me to some broadcaster from over a thousand years ago, or throw out ''So you''re saying you can''t do martial arts?''


    But back then, I was very calm, simply taking it as a misjudgment by them.


    In any case, ascending to a higher level or descending to the lower level didn''t make much of a difference to me.


    So although Tang Xian disliked being branded as a cheater, he truly didn''t care about the punishment or treatment.


    Living in a stratified pyramid, even at the very top, aren''t you still just a monkey locked in a cage?


    ¡­


    ¡­


    The following morning, Tang Xian and Dong Ran started their journey early.


    This time, Dong Ran refused to eat the Bogen Fruit that resembled a human organ, so Tang Xian left her hungry.


    Dong Ran was slowly getting used to Tang Xian''sck of sympathy and tenderness; as long as there was food in the evening, it was fine.


    Tonight they would eat fox meat, Silver Fox Stew, it sounded delicious. It was a brilliant idea to empty her stomach now to save space forter, anticipating eating more at night.


    "Tang, how much longer until we reach the Tree Sea?"


    "Not long, about two hours'' walk and we''ll be there," he replied.


    "And how are you nning on capturing the three-tailed fox?"


    This was the most pertinent question at the moment. Although Tang Xian seemed to be smart, the idea of capturing a group-dwelling three-tailed fox seemed nearly impossible to Dong Ran.


    The difficulty of the task was like facing a pack of bone hyenas.


    It was much harder than dealing with a single Hellhound.


    Tang Xian said, "Actually, foxes are solitary animals by nature, and six-tailed foxes are no exception. Common foxes in the real world are also solitary creatures, it''s just that three-tailed foxes are outliers."


    "Three-tailed foxes are social animals. If they encounter another group, they will either recruit or plunder. No matter what, such animals will always investigate cautiously."


    "Shi Wenbin''s ''Foxology'' mentions a phenomenon where even when their prey is dying, foxes won''t rashly approach; they observe first. Foxes are known to be cunning, and they truly are. They share at least one thing with clever people, and that''s skepticism."


    "Is skepticism a trait of clever people? Howe you''re not skeptical?" Dong Ran asked.


    Tang Xian gave Dong Ran a look.


    "I seldom encounter issues that require doubt. But that doesn''t mean I''m not skeptical."


    "So what if foxes are skeptical... Skeptical three-tailed foxes stille in groups, don''t they?"


    Tang Xian nodded his head and said, "Here, you should be skeptical."


    Dong Ran was stunned for a moment, then had an epiphany. Tang Xian was calling her foolish again!


    "Do you see those blue flowers over there?" Tang Xian pointed ahead.


    "Wow, what beautiful flowers."


    "This flower is called Five-leaf Biphasic Orchid. It has two scents. The first is incredibly fragrant when you smell it, but once you pick it and it''s detached from the root, it changes to apletely different smell. This smell is still within the range of fragrant but less intense, more fresh.


    Many animals, including the three-tailed, six-tailed, and nine-tailed foxes, like to line their dens with Biphasic Orchids."


    "First, it helps in identification, and second, it covers their musky fox scent."


    This time Dong Ran caught on.


    "Does that mean we can find the fox''s den by following this scent?"


    "Yo, you''ve made some progress."


    "But... the scent of the flower isn''t that strong. If the fox den is far away from us, how can we smell it?"


    Tang Xian was very pleased and patted Dong Ran''s head.


    Dong Ran''s face instantly turned red.


    "Not bad, you''ve thought it through. As for how we can smell the scent, that problem has already been solved. As to how it''s been solved, here you can be skeptical."


    Dong Ran stamped her foot.


    Tang Xian paid her no more mind. His sense of smell could now detect scents from a great distance, so naturally, he wasn''t worried about not finding the fox''s den.


    In fact, Dong Ran hadpletely misunderstood Tang Xian''s point.


    "There will be a lone foxingter. I didn''t bring any capture tools, and since we''re dealing with elite-level creatures, do you think you can beat one?"


    Tang Xian watched Dong Ran closely.


    Feeling a bit ufortable under his gaze, Dong Ran was about to say she couldn''t win but inadvertently ended up telling the truth, "I should be able to beat one."


    If it''s just a lone one, an elite-level creature, as a four-talent individual, Tang Xian thought Dong Ran shouldn''t have any problems.


    Dong Ran was surprised. She should have hidden some things, but she just couldn''t hold up in front of Tang Xian.


    Whenever this man stared at her, she felt somewhat... ufortable, as if he could see right through her.


    She quickly thought about other matters to distract from the awkwardness and difort.


    For example, if the skin of the three-tailed spiritual fox were sold, it would probably shock the merchants at the Pyramid, wouldn''t it? Adding the elite boss''s Soul Crystal Mine, if Tang Xian took these two items to register as a hunter...


    His initial ranking would definitely be high.


    Tang Xian said, "Good, as long as you can beat it, that''s fine. But unless I say to strike, you''re not allowed to. Understand?"


    "Okay... but why would a foxe here? A lone three-tailed fox at that?"


    "Be skeptical on your own or you can choose to develop a habit of thinking."


    "What habit?"


    "If Tang Xian says something wille, it definitely wille."

 Chapter 20: Chapter 13: Untitled

    Some truths are understood by both humans and animals.


    Take military reconnaissance, for example¡ªit''s suitable to be carried out by small units, and the most in-depth operations inevitably involve solitary operatives.


    One would not mass-mobilize to scout out the enemy; that would not be reconnaissance, that would be a deration of war.


    Even three-tailed foxes understand such actions.


    The forest sea is a marshy area that is highly suitable for three-tailed foxes to inhabit, especially since it contains their favorite food, squirrels, as well as their strong prey, pine birds, andcks natural predators. Therefore, many three-tailed fox dens are located within the forest sea.


    As Tang Xian collected Biphasic Orchids, he chose a location while exining to Dong Ran:


    "It''s like how ancient people''s buildings were divided into different districts, each with its own boundaries. You can''t just let another district''s supermarket open up in your own, or their cars park in your district''s parking spots. Such acts would be aggression."


    "There''s also a safe distance between the dens of the three-tailed foxes, and if a new den appears within this distance, they will send a scout to investigate."


    Tang Xian believed that by this point, Dong Ran surely understood. Now, all they needed was to find a suitable spot for an ambush.


    Dong Ran indeed got it and suddenly said with a realization:


    "Wow, I get it now! So, you''re saying we don''t actually need to worry about where a three-tailed fox den might be? We just need to create a fake three-tailed fox den, and the nearby foxes will send a scout over?"


    "A teachable student indeed."


    "Then why did you tell me earlier that you could find their dens when I asked?" pouted Dong Ran.


    "That was the truth though, I certainly can find them. But whether or not to look for them is another matter."


    Tang Xian realized that the sight of a woman puffing her cheeks in annoyance was indeed... worth describing with a tone fit for boration.


    But he was not in the mood for that now.


    "A fox''s sense of smell may not be as good as a dog''s, but it''s still quite keen. They can also judge and filterplex scents. So, to make a fox den, though notplex, would be troublesome and would require collecting quite a bit of Biphasic Orchid. Plus, some meat with a gamey smell."


    As they moved on, Tang Xian found a low-lying area with dense grass on both sides andrge trees overhead. He nodded to himself, thinking the spot was quite good.


    He started byying out some pieces of unprocessed Cerberus meat, then began setting up the collected Biphasic Orchids. The process was indeed notplex, just time-consuming.


    The Biphasic Orchids had to be evenly spread around the edges, and the meat, which had not spoiled yet, had to be ced in a well-ventted area.


    Dong Ran helped too.


    No longer caring whether it was clean or not, her movements became more unfettered, and she worked much more efficiently.


    Tang Xian nced her way on purpose and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.


    He felt that the girl was finally not so foolish.


    Survival is a matter that does not easily amodate elegance.


    If you want to live with elegance, you need a good father.


    In that moment, Dong Ran also admired Tang Xian, finally understanding why he had kept some of the dog meat without processing it.


    This Cerberus meat, once drained of blood, is left with only a gamey smell, especially the meat from the belly area which has a stronger odor. The utility bag could prevent the meat from rotting, so had Tang Xian actually... nned everything for today while they were dealing with the Cerberus?


    Considering that this was the Yellow Zone of the forest sea, where they could encounter terrifying creatures, Dong Ran still felt a bit nervous.


    Seeing her nervousness, Tang Xian said:


    "There''s no need to be afraid. In the shallow areas of the forest sea, although the strongest creatures are not three-tailed foxes, none would confront them. After all, a solitary creature, no matter how strong, fears being surrounded. Later on, we can even wash off the smell of Red Line Grass from our bodies."


    "Why?"


    "The scent of the Biphasic Orchid separated from its roots and of the dog meat after the blood has been let¡ªit''s a mix that bears a seventy percent resemnce to the den of a three-tailed fox. To other creatures, it''s indistinguishable from a fox''s den. That''s why no other creatures wille near," Tang Xian exined.


    Dong Ran silentlymitted Tang''s words to memory.


    Pointing to the tall grass above, Tang Xian said, "Once the nest is prepared, we''ll stay hidden there today, waiting for the prey to appear."


    "How long will we wait?"


    Though somewhat rxed, the thought of a man and a woman lying in the bush doing nothing, especially considering the crawling insects and ants, made Dong Ran feel ufortable.


    All girls are afraid of insects, and there are so many of them in the mine.


    Tang remarked, "It''s hard to say, anything from one to ten hours is possible. If you want to eat fox meat, you must be willing to invest some effort. If you had the ability to charge into a fox den and cause mayhem, that would be another story."


    Dong Ran admitted she did not possess such a talent. Hunters who did either became legends or secrets.


    Thinking about the time, Dong Ran felt a bit weak and could only pray for the three-tailed fox to appear soon.


    But then Dong Ran asked,


    "Tang, how will you know when the three-tailed fox is approaching? They''re very fast!"


    "Many things are hard to exin, so please develop a good habit: control your breathing and stay as quiet as possible starting now."


    Instead of lying prone, Tang Xian chose to lie on his back forfort.


    As for Dong Ran''s question, Tang Xian wasn''t about to tell her that he had in a hellhound and, as a result, his sense of smell had been enhanced.


    In fact, Tang Xian was already sensing the den of a particr three-tailed fox through his nose.


    It was just a faint sense of direction, still a long way off, but following it would likely lead them to a three-tailed fox den.


    Thinking that the fox might also catch a vague scent, he felt somewhat reassured.


    One hourter.


    Dong Ran''s hands didn''t feel sore, but catching sight of a praying mantisrger than her hand almost made her scream out loud.


    At that moment, Tang said, "That''s a female mantis, and soon there should be a male. You''re not as protein-rich as her husband, especially with the smell of Red Line Grass still on you. She won''t bite you, but if you open your mouth wide, she might just fly in."


    Dong Ran shut her mouth.


    Two hourster.


    The fox still had note, and Dong Ran found herself watching two praying mantises up close.


    Dong Ran didn''t consider herself a dirty-minded girl.


    But maybe because Tang Xian was lying right beside her, she inexplicably blushed.


    "You''re blushing."


    "Ah! How can that be! I''m not, I didn''t!"


    "It''s quite normal, really. In a wild ce like the mining area, seeing insects driven by instinct, there''s nothing to be concerned about. But to get excited over insects... that''s a new low."


    "Tang Xian, you''re so annoying!" Dong Ran tried to keep her voice down. This man was too vexing¡ªshe definitely did not feel that way!


    Tang Xian didn''t tease Dong Ran any further.


    He moved his nose slightly and said, "The prey ising, about ten minutes away. Get ready. Listen, don''t make a move until I say so."

 Chapter 21: Chapter 14: Waiting for the Fox in the Den

    The tail of the three-tailed fox had a tuft of blue fur, and the rest of its body was white, save for its ears and paws, which also bore blue fur.


    Overall, it appeared white, but if one were really to describe it as blue and white, it wouldn''t be entirely incorrect, since the human eye always tends to focus on the exceptions.


    The three-tailed fox could be considered an animal with swift speeds, but unlike the Cerberus and the Bone Hyena, as elite creatures, they relied not on sharp ws or teeth.


    Tang Xian had always been grateful to those pioneers who hadid the groundwork forter generations by braving the Soul Crystal Mine and studying its creatures, such as Shi Wenbin, the author of "Foxology."


    Tang Xian remembered a passage in Foxology about an internal conflict among three-tailed foxes, noting that though elite creatures, they had the capability to utilize Soul Crystals and wield elemental powers.


    Foxfire was an exceedingly powerful type of me.


    The foxfire of the three-tailed fox, although seemingly small when spitting out a fireball, held an orange-red me nearly three thousand degrees in temperature.


    It was an attack potent enough to heavily wound an opponent.


    The Six-Tailed me Fox was even more inconceivable, with its mes already reaching the purple stage; purple mes nearing seven thousand degrees, capable of instantly melting any creature''s core in a deadly assault.


    Perfect-level bosses naturally possessed formidable abilities, presenting a massive obstruction to the progression of human civilization.


    As for the ultimate bosses of cataclysmic tier, the Nine-tailed Fox, schrs such as Shi Wenbin could only theorize through Steven''s "New Mine Area Evolution Theory."


    Gifted individuals had caught sight of the Nine-tailed Fox, possessing life and offensive and defensive stats of a cataclysmic boss, but the specific powers of the Nine-tailed Fox and how it could usher in vast destruction remained unknown.


    Perhaps even the most elite human squadrons were nning to target these apex creatures of the mines.


    But at least... they weren''t capable of it now.


    Tang Xian smelled the scent of a three-tailed fox in the distance.


    He became alert and signaled to Dong Ran. Through the gaps in the bushes, he also spotted a white figure sprinting from afar.


    It was an adult three-tailed fox. To take on such a beast, one must dispatch it before it could spit its foxfire.


    Tang Xian believed that as long as he timed it right, Dong Ran could seize the opportunity to kill the elite creature in one fell swoop.


    Dong Ran was indeed exerting her full effort.


    She had concealed some matters from Tang Xian.


    Or rather, she thought she had.


    But now, with a three-tailed fox, a pot of running Silver Fox soup, and the credit of defeating an elite creature in her sights, she had no intention of hiding her abilities.


    As the three-tailed fox drew closer, Tang Xian felt uneasy for some reason.


    An extremely faint sense of terror seemed to envelop him.


    When the fox arrived, Tang Xian saw that it was actually wearing a Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid around its neck.


    Even as one who usually remainedposed, this time he revealed a look of shock.


    At that moment, the three-tailed fox revealed a huge vulnerability as it approached the edge of the bushes; seeing it from her crouched position, Dong Ran didn''t wait for Tang Xian''smand when she saw her chance and unleashed a forceful and mighty Gust Palm!


    "Damn it! Stop!" Tang Xian didn''t expect Dong Ran to act without his order.


    But his words came toote.


    The Gust Palm was incredibly powerful, indeed fulfilling its purpose, striking the unsuspecting three-tailed fox squarely and preventing it from spitting its foxfire; the fox staggered, its speed significantly diminished.


    Dong Ran, thinking to strike while the iron was hot, was too excited to notice the meaning behind Tang Xian''s shout to stop.


    In a flurry of palms, had the three-tailed fox faced Dong Ran in directbat, she might not have been able tond her hits, but after the sessful ambush, the fox''s movements slowed considerably.


    The force of the palms struck the three-tailed fox with full effect.


    The three-tailed fox tried to emit a howling sound; Tang Xian, disregarding his status as amon person, instantly jumped forward and mped his hands over the fox''s mouth!


    This action startled Dong Ran.


    Fortunately, her palms had seeded in killing the three-tailed fox.


    It bounced twice, and then it was dead.


    "Tang, what are you doing! If it had had even a bit of strength left, you would have just..."


    Dong Ran felt she had regained her dignity, her mood uplifting, as she had taken the initiative to find the perfect opportunity to kill the Three-tailed Fox; the surprise attack had been wless!


    She thought that this time Tang Xian certainly wouldn''t scold her.


    Tang Xian didn''t scold Dong Ran.


    He just red at Dong Ran, too angry to speak.


    Dong Ran was still awaiting praise and had also thought through how to exin her own strength.


    But Tang Xian didn''t seem to care about that at all.


    Tang Xian said:


    "From now on, I have nothing to do with you. I disregarded my own safety just now to prevent the Three-tailed Fox from calling its friends, which repays the debt for when you saved me."


    "We are even now. I''m leaving. You should go back on your own."


    Tang Xian tried to keep his tone as calm as possible.


    Dong Ran was puzzled but felt a bad premonition and an unprecedented sense of grievance.


    "Tang, I... What''s going on? Your expression looks terrifying."


    Although Tang Xian usually appeared quite indifferent, Dong Ran had never seen him this cold before.


    Tang Xian said:


    "If you want to live, leave quickly, or just use a teleportation rift here to return to the Pyramid; don''t enter the mine area again within two months."


    Dong Ran knew that Tang Xian wouldn''t say this without a reason, and her unease intensified.


    "But why, didn''t we just kill the Three-tailed Fox?"


    "You killed it, don''t involve me. Didn''t I tell you to wait for my signal before acting?" Tang Xian''s tone still carried a hint of anger.


    "But, but the Three-tailed Fox was so fast! The opportunity was just for a split second, by the time you would have spoken, it would have been toote, and I didn''t want to miss the chance..."


    Tang Xian interrupted Dong Ran.


    "I will act alone from now on. The biggest fear when cooperating with others is encountering self-righteous people like you who don''t follow the n. I don''t mind you taking the initiative when you show decision-making stronger than mine, but when there is a n in ce, you should follow it strictly. Are you really so undisciplined as a spy sent by the military to probe my depths?"


    Dong Ran was shocked. When did Tang Xian discover her true identity?


    Tang Xian didn''t care about these things at all, finding it reasonable that a spy would try to get close to him. Considering their acquaintance, he intended to let Dong Ran leave with a clear understanding.


    "This Three-tailed Fox had a Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid around its neck, whereas it''s rare for them to use even a Five-Leaf Biphasic Orchid."


    "Why?"


    Dong Ran realized she might have caused a disaster. Now she remembered that indeed Tang Xian had emphasized twice to wait for hismand before acting.


    "Because the Biphasic Orchid is somewhat simr to the fox n¡ªthe more noble and rare, the more there is at a certain ce. The Biphasic Orchid shows it in the leaves, the fox n in their tails."


    "And a Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid hung around the neck of a Three-tailed Fox signifies that there is an extremely rare fox in the nearby fox den. It intended to use the Seven-Leaf Orchid to warn intruders not to mess with its den."


    "A Six-Tailed me Fox?"


    Dong Ran had not expected to provoke a top-notch boss. Knowing that if a fox had her scent, she would have to be extremely cautious in the mine area from now on, her face turned deathly pale.


    But the expression on Tang Xian''s face clearly showed that the situation was even worse.


    "If it were a Six-Tailed me Fox, I would be confident in dealing with it, but the oneing this time..."


    Looking into the distance, Tang Xian heightened his sense of smell to the extreme.


    "I''m afraid it might be the strongest creature known at this stage... the Nine-Tailed Fox."

 Chapter 22: Chapter 15: Cataclysmic Creatures and the Lying Woman

    Nine-tailed fox.


    A catastrophic-level boss creature.


    In the few hundred years since humanity began entering the mining areas, up to the present, there had only been a two-digit number of cmity-level bosses killed.


    There had only been one instance of a catastrophic-level boss creature killed, and even then, they had taken advantage of a severely weakened Titan Beast.


    The Soul Crystals from a catastrophic-level boss could sustain an entire Pyramid fortress for thirty years'' worth of electricity consumption¡ªequivalent to the power of neen nuclear explosions.


    But even with such vast amounts of energy, the increasingly powerful human hunters, with their growing talent, still couldn''t oppose a catastrophic-level creature.


    When Dong Ran heard about the nine-tailed fox, she instinctively shook her head, thinking that Tang had gone a bit too far this time.


    Merely on the basis of a seven-leaved flower, they were to deduce that a catastrophic-level creature had emerged in the yellow zone?


    If that were the case, she would need to return to the real world immediately, inform the military, remake the world map of the mining area, and mark the forest area as red.


    But clearly, Dong Ran didn''t quite believe it.


    "Tang... this is a bit too much... The nine-tailed fox is a catastrophic-level boss, how could it possibly appear here?"


    Tang Xian had stopped believing that this foolish woman would ever see reason.


    "You need to understand the logic, it''s not that areas marked red have catastrophic-level creatures, but that areas with catastrophic-level creatures get marked red. Such regression in exploration isn''t unprecedented in history."


    "Regression in exploration? It can''t be that coincidental, right?" Dong Ran, looking at Tang Xian''s expression, finally realized that he wasn''t just trying to scare her.


    Humans once thought they could advance triumphantly into the mining areas, marking countless forests and grasnds as blue because they hadn''t seen any powerful creatures there.


    Butter, those areas were all ressified as red and yellow.


    Every construction that humans had left in those regions had been destroyed. That was the regression of exploration.


    In fact, before humans could truly defeat catastrophic-level creatures, Tang Xian didn''t believe such exploration could progress beyond twenty percent.


    Tang Xian''s nose twitched, he urged, "Hurry up and go, if you don''t leave now, you won''t be able to."


    It wasn''t an excuse to leave her behind.


    This time, even Dong Ran felt a terrifying presence approaching.


    How long had it been?


    In just a few minutes, it seemed a terrible force was spreading rapidly from a distance.


    The only advantage humans had over creatures in the mining area was the ability to return to the real world before the fight began, via a portable teleportation fissure.


    Mining area creatures wouldn''t possess such technology.


    "If I go, what will you do?" Dong Ran was somewhat reluctant to leave.


    Tang Xian''s expression also began to calm down.


    He had been somewhat agitated just a moment ago.


    Now that he thought about it, what had happened couldn''t be changed.


    He could utilize the knowledge he had to hunt perfect-level and even perfect-level boss creatures, but cmity-level and catastrophic-level were still too much for Tang Xian.


    He needed his own team.


    To formte a long-term n effective for at least a quarter.


    And a lot of advanced equipment before he could confidently hunt cmity-level creatures.


    As for the catastrophic-level...


    They were apexes of the ecological hierarchy, and Tang Xian believed that unless one day he could be the suprememander at the peak of the Pyramid, it would be difficult to hunt catastrophic-level creatures with just a squad''s resources.


    But, inspired by those sages, Tang Xian, driven by the spirit of research, was very eager to see a catastrophic-level creature at least once.


    "I''ll stay. I want to see the Cataclysmic creature," Tang Xian said in a very calm tone,


    "What about this fox?" Perhaps it was Tang Xian''sposure that put Dong Ran at ease, so much so that she suddenly thought of the silver fox stew. She even overlooked the terrifying logic that Tang Xian actually wanted to see a Cataclysmic creature up close.


    "Of course it deserves a proper burial."


    Dong Ran was speechless, unable to keep up with Tang Xian''s train of thought. A proper burial for a three-tailed fox?


    Tang Xian even started to dig the ground as he spoke.


    "We¡­ shouldn''t we just take it back with us? We could still eat it."


    Tang Xian red at Dong Ran, feeling that whoever was trying to test him, sending someone like Dong Ran as a spy was really stupid.


    "How can you eat a fox when they are so cute?"


    His words once again left Dong Ran speechless.


    Dong Ran didn''t bother to figure out his bizarre logic anymore, and she prepared to help Tang Xian, but Tang Xian''s tone turned cold again:


    "I warn you, either kill yourself now or roll back to the Pyramid. Your mission is over. No matter what information you''ve gotten from me, I''m not stopping you now. You can go. Go back and tell your master to stop testing me."


    These words were extremely harsh, and Dong Ran''s face turned pale.


    Indeed, when she first received this mission, she felt some resistance, but she had to obey themand of that person, even if it meant death.


    This was the education she had received from a young age, and so Dong Ran epted the mission.


    And she also prepared herself¡­ to devote herself to Tang Xian.


    But what she didn''t expect was that although Tang Xian often teased her, he never did anything very indecent to her.


    He even often disyed an air as if considering all women as stupid as pig''s heads, a vibe typical of a straight man with a titanium alloy backbone.


    This surprisingly made Dong Ran develop a bit of a liking for him.


    "Tang¡­ how did you know my identity?"


    "In the middle of the night, a beautiful womanes to sell herself, and she''s a talented one at that. If I couldn''t be suspicious, I wouldn''t have survived in the mining area for three months."


    "Is it just because of that?"


    Tang Xian said impatiently:


    "Women with big chests and round buttocks are mostly overweight, and those like you with a slender waist and small frame must work out regrly and have precise nutritional control to have such a figure. Many wealthy women on the third or fourth level may not even have a figure like yours. Most bottom-level women, even if thin, don''t have such proportions.


    Secondly, your hair¡ªthere''s a significant visual difference with long-term hair care, or theck thereof. A malnourished woman with plump breasts, a round behind, and a waist-length mane of hair can only be found in foolish novels that deceive men."


    "You are definitely not a bottom-level person. As for where you''re from, I don''t care. Since my student days, I''ve been used to people approaching me with motives. For me, there''s no difference."


    Dong Ran suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.


    It hurt to be told by Tang Xian that "you''re no different from the others."


    The three-tailed fox wasn''t veryrge, and Tang Xian dug the hole quickly, which was also due to the soft soil of the forest. He ced the three-tailed fox into the hole and scattered the Biphasic Orchids over its body, trying to make the funeral of a fox as dignified as possible.


    Coming back to his senses, he realized that Dong Ran was still standing there.


    "Why haven''t you left yet? Scram!"


    Tang Xian was getting anxious. Why wouldn''t this woman listen to reason?


    The faint scent was bing clearer, and so was the terrible sense of oppression. Of course, Tang Xian didn''t want Dong Ran to actually die here. After all, Dong Ran had a certain degree of influence; the military would take her word into ount and mark this as a red zone to prevent humans from entering, averting possible losses.


    But as for him, a bottom-level worker, who could he report to?


    Dong Ran nodded sadly without a word, ready to use the portable transporter to leave.


    But at that moment, a massive dark shadow loomed over the two of them.


    Above their heads, a huge fire-red fox fell from the sky.

 Chapter 23: Chapter 16: Pretending to be a boss

    The fiery red giant fox dropped from the sky without warning; the scent that had still been miles away was suddenly upon them, and Tang Xian hadn''t expected its immediate arrival.


    The terrifying pressure of the wind swept through the woond, and all the creatures within the forest let out cries of submission and fear.


    Dong Ran protected Tang Xian in front of her, channeling power in her hands, intending to push Tang Xian away.


    But in the next second, the enormous figure vanished, reced by a delicately charming figure that came into view, and Tang Xian''s nose was filled with a faint fragrance.


    Health, defensive power, attack strength, speed.


    These were the values Dong Ran could see, and in that moment, she didn''t even have time to process the enormous numbers before her eyes.


    A mesmerizing, yet indifferent chuckle resonated.


    After which, Dong Ran felt no more; she suddenly copsed to the ground.


    Passed out.


    Tang Xian felt himself beingpressed by an immense force, and thanks to Dong Ran''s shove, he managed to narrowly escape disaster.


    Dong Ran was a kind-hearted girl, but not the brightest. He nced at Dong Ran, confirming her survival.


    Although the disaster began with Dong Ran''s disobedience, anger and fear were the most meaningless emotions once the catastrophe struck.


    Tang Xian quickly calmed down.


    He scrutinized the woman before him, dressed in imperial garb, wless to the point of appearing almost unreal.


    Excessive beauty can seem unreal, especially the fluffy tail behind the woman, which added to Tang Xian''s sense of discordance.


    Tang Xian truly hadn''t expected such a scenario.


    "So¡­ a nine-tailed fox demon can transform into a human?"


    "Look at you talking, aren''t you the same? A human body has many limitations, but it looks good. By the way, why are you here?"


    The fox demon had a pleasant voice, and as she spoke, the fluffy tail disappeared. Now, she looked no different from a human being.


    Tang Xian said, "Hunting."


    "Hunting my foxes?"


    "Of course not. Foxes are so cute; how could anyone eat a fox?"


    "That''s more like it."


    The noblewoman-like figure nced at Tang Xian.


    It was just a natural gesture under her coy disapproval, yet her beauty made every move she made seem alluring.


    In a life-or-death situation, Tang Xian naturally wasn''t in the mood for flirtatious nces with a fox.


    But thinking of the term ''fox enchantress,'' it seemed indeed fitting.


    "Do you know this girl?"


    "Yes."


    Looking at the nine-tailed fox demon''s panel. Here is the data disyed to Tang Xian:


    Gender: Female.


    Morality: 60.


    Greed Lust Index: 20.


    Affection: 14 (Feels Familiar).


    Wealth Assessment: 30 (Small Savings).


    Likes: Biphasic Orchid.


    Dislikes: Humans who hunt foxes.


    Fears: None.


    Current Honesty: 66 (Honest Dealing).


    Charm: 99 (Nation''s Grace).


    Current Luck: 39 (Calm Seas).


    Current Needs Analysis:


    [Revenge for Subordinate (39%)]


    [Test the Man Before Her (27%)]


    [Harvest Flowers (29%)]


    [Other (5%)].


    Tang Xian was actually quite nervous; for some reason, he found himself conversing with the nine-tailed fox demon as if they knew each other. But he knew this was a critical moment.


    The nine-tailed fox demon must have misunderstood something.


    This misunderstanding could be an opportunity for him.


    Upon further reflection, thest words of the hellhound, who had spoken to him in a strange tone, came back to him.


    "You too¡­ are a powerful being. Why stay with such weak creatures?"


    The dying words of the hellhound shed through Tang Xian''s mind.


    He had pondered over the meaning of those words, but could never discern their significance.


    He felt there might be more to it, but the nine-tailed fox demon''s words interrupted Tang Xian''s thoughts.


    "You actually know humans?"


    "I know quite a few humans. And I don''t know you."


    Tang Xian''s expression was indifferent, as if he were making casual British small talk about the clear, cloudless weather.


    "My name is Qing JiuYu."


    The Qing surname isn''tmon, but it indeed belongs to humans.


    Tang Xian nodded. There were many things he still didn''t understand; the fact that a cmity-level boss had a human form and name was a massive shock to him.


    Right now, he needed to stay calm, to pretend¡­to pretend all of this was normal.


    Qing JiuYu looked at Tang Xian and said,


    "What''s your name?"


    "I''m Tang Xian. Are you here to pick flowers?"


    Hearing Tang Xian''s words, Qing JiuYu smiled, showing a little less wariness in her eyes, but then she slowly shook her head.


    At this moment, Tang Xian was more baffled than Qing JiuYu.


    But he was sure of one thing: This might be a characteristicmon to all boss creatures, or perhaps just cmity-level boss creatures. If he could figure out this characteristic, he might be able to blur the line between friend and foe for these powerful creatures.


    Tang Xian felt it was necessary to probe further.


    "You seem familiar with me?"


    "Not familiar. You don''t know me either, do you? Soul crystals have a certain resonance with beings of equal strength. You have a unique scent, very pleasant," she said and took another sniff, then frowned.


    There was indeed an aura on Tang Xian that she thought belonged to a peer, pleasant to smell, but the guy also reeked.


    "Why do you stink?"


    "It''s the Redline Grass."


    "Are you crazy? Why would you smear that on yourself for no reason?"


    "To repel mosquitoes."


    "Ordinary insects dare to bite you?"


    "Mosquitoes aren''t picky; they see all creatures as equal. From rabbits to lions, monkeys to humans, if there''s blood, they''ll bite."


    "Heh, you''re quite interesting. I indeed came out to pick flowers. Legend has it that this ce has the extremely rare Jiuye Biphasic Orchid, about to bloom soon. But something unexpected happened today."


    Qing JiuYu gestured towards Dong Ran, lying on the ground.


    "This human attacked my kin."


    "Yes, she did make a move."


    "You said you know her."


    "I do know her."


    "Is she your servant?"


    "Servant?"


    "I often use this form to attract humans. They even say they would do anything for me."


    "Oh... no, she''s more like an underling."


    Tang Xian found that actually, he didn''t need to lie much.


    His own scent seemed topletely convince the nine-tailed fox; all he needed to do was...simply tell the truth indifferently.


    Whether he was seriously turning lies into truth or sincerely turning truth into lies, he was adept at either.


    "What do you n to do with her?"


    "Humans love sending out spies and such. Is she loyal to you?"


    "I agree with the first part, it''s human nature to gossip. As for loyalty, when dealing with humans, loyalty is unreliable. You have to learn to negotiate with interests."


    Qing JiuYu nodded.


    "You seem much smarter than other beings of your level."


    "I''m more like a human."


    "There is a bit of that feeling. Your underling killed my scout, and I want to kill her."


    The other party''s tone always seemed somewhat ingratiating, even for asserting a straightforward principle such as avenging a n member, she used "want to kill" instead of "will kill."


    It was as if she was seeking his approval.


    Tang Xian couldn''t gather any more information yet.


    Although Dong Ran had caused trouble, she ended up trying to save him.


    He didn''t like being indebted. If Qing JiuYu insisted on revenge, he had nothing to say, but if her attitude wasn''t so firm¡ª


    Tang Xian was still willing to try and save Dong Ran.


    "This woman, I still have use for her."


    "What use?" Qing JiuYu''s eyes glimmered with allure.


    As a titanium alloy straight man, Tang Xian refrained from responding to that question and said,


    "If you let her go, there won''t be any more humans to bother your kin in this area in the future. Plus, I will find you three Jiuye Biphasic Orchids. How''s that?"


    "You really are like a human, so this is negotiating with interests?"


    Qing JiuYu pondered a moment. There should only be one Jiuye Biphasic Orchid in this area, so she nodded,


    "We foxes, once dead, are just dead; rarely does anyone bury us and sprinkle Biphasic Orchids over our graves. You give me a gentle vibe, and I like it. I agree to your terms. But I have my conditions, too."


    In his heart, Tang Xian was actually very anxious. Social creatures naturally ce great value on their nestmates.


    Luckily for him... it seemed he had quite a bit of face.


    If having face also counts as a superpower, today he might have disyed ¡ª the pinnacle level of superpower humanity has seen thus far.


    At least no one has lived to tell the tale after being in the clutches of a cmity-level boss creature.


    And to snatch food from the jaws of a fox.

 Chapter 24: Chapter 17: Be a Hero for a Second or a Coward for a Lifetime

    Tang Xian understood that the current situation was delicate.


    Qing JiuYu was convinced that she was not human; at least from her tone, she considered herself to be a boss-level being.


    "What are your conditions?" Tang Xian asked.


    The conditions proposed by a Cmity-level being, Tang Xian didn''t feel confident about being able to fulfill them.


    He now spoke firmly, appearing calm, but if the Nine-Tailed Fox wanted to force him into submission, he would have to take off his pants himself, and with aposed expression, convey: It''s not that you''re forcing me, it''s that I want to be forced.


    This was by no means an equal negotiation.


    Violence could solve all problems in the world, exin all the truths, but right now, Qing JiuYu was the one wielding the violence.


    Luckily, Qing JiuYu hadn''t realized this.


    "The Fox n is in turmoil at the moment; we are at war with the Nvwa Snake n."


    This was troublesome.


    Nvwa Snakes were Natural Disaster-level creatures, although far from a match for a Nine-Tailed Fox, they outnumbered the tails, and their strength also surpassed that of the Fox n''s backbone forces¡ªthe Three-Tailed and Six-Tailed Foxes.


    Tang Xian''s heart pondered whether Qing JiuYu was trying to take advantage of him, asking him to help deal with the Nvwa Snakes.


    "Yes, Nvwa Snakes are quite troublesome creatures, their scales are like cold ice, and it would take some effort for fox-fire to harm them."


    Tang Xian still looked unperturbed.


    "That''s true, the Fox n has lost many elites, some of the children had the chance to evolve into my form, it''s a shame, most of them are dead." Qing JiuYu''s expression seemed very sorrowful.


    Yet, Tang Xian suddenly became interested.


    In his memory, the Nvwa Snake n and the Fox n weren''t natural enemies. Whether Soul Crystal Mine creatures were hostile to each other for reasons other than resources was a very worthwhile subject of study for this schr.


    "How did your two nse to blows?"


    "Personal reasons."


    "Personal reasons?"


    Tang Xian quickly caught on, showing a look of understanding.


    Human history had never involved joint efforts against aliens or wild beasts. The mine area was the first time different national powers united against amon exterior.


    Before that, human history was all about internal ughter.


    The reasons for ughter, once the grandiose excuses are stripped away, are mostly personal. For instance, a younger son unsatisfied with his elder brother bing the emperor, or a beggar believing that it was his family''s turn to be emperor, or when someone''s adopted son kills him over a woman.


    If foxes could transform into human shapes, then maybe a Natural Disaster-level boss like the White Phosphorus Demon Snake could also take on human form.


    Perhaps in the ecological hierarchy of the mine area, there existed a government-like entityposed of various boss-level creatures, simr to that of humans.


    Although a Cmity-level boss like the Nine-Tailed Fox was very powerful, it couldn''t cope with the numerous Nvwa Snakes.


    It was possible that the two could start a war over personal reasons.


    After all... when an animal acquires the intelligence of humans, many habits can be ovee. Former enemies no longer need to be enemies.


    And those who were not enemies can be new adversaries.


    Human history, in a nutshell, isn''t it just a series of forming alliances and enmities?


    Tang Xian nodded, "So what do you expect me to do?"


    "Could youe here again in a week? I''ll tell you then?" Qing JiuYu asked.


    "If I agree toe here in a week, will you release the woman and trust that I will keep my promise toe?"


    Tang Xian smiled, though he couldn''t really smile. But he knew which facial expressions and words tobine to produce aposed effect.


    Qing JiuYu said, "ording to thews of the Beast Court, I can kill your pet, oh no, your follower."


    The Beast Court?


    These four words Tang Xian did not say out loud.


    He tried hard to keep his expression from showing surprise. But it was difficult for his heart not to be startled.


    So, the intelligence and civilization of the Soul Crystal Mine creatures had reached the point of havingw enforcement institutions?


    For someone more familiar with the mine area than the Human World, this information was rather overwhelming.


    "Yes, you can kill her. I won''t even stop you. But doing so, your fox won''te back to life either. Her death wouldn''t benefit me. It''s better to keep her alive, and we continue our transaction," Tang Xian said.


    Qing JiuYu said, "You really do speak like a human."


    Although Qing JiuYu didn''t particrly care for humans,paring one''s own kind to humans, in the context of the Soul Crystal Mine creatures, was considered apliment.


    Because human hearts areplex. In Qing JiuYu''s eyes, some creatures of the same rank might take on human form but do not possess human intelligence.


    Tang Xian gave her a very different impression.


    Tang Xian nodded slightly and did not deny it.


    "So, do you trust me just like that?"


    "No, I need to establish a connection with your Soul Crystal."


    Damn.


    Where did he have a Soul Crystal? Tang Xian knew that creatures from the Soul Crystal Mine could indeed establish a certain connection through the Soul Crystal Mine, but only if both parties agreed.


    It sounded a bit like a friend request on social media.


    But humans do not have such a connection with creatures from the mine.


    As for his own identity as a human, Tang Xian was absolutely certain.


    Especially before the Trial of the Chosen, there would be an extremely detailed andplicated physical examination.


    At that time, Tang Xian had seen his electrocardiogram, x-ray images. If he had a Soul Crystal in his head, it would have already been transferred to Fortress No. 2 for scientific research.


    Qing JiuYu seemed to be testing as well; this time, she was not as polite, but instead took hold of Tang Xian''s hand directly, her eyes shining with a strange light.


    That was the light emitted by the Soul Crystal deep inside her mind.


    [Catastrophe-level boss Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit requests to share your location, do you agree?]


    What the hell?


    In his twenty-four years of life, Tang Xian has never been as shocked as he was today.


    Qing JiuYu also seemed a bit surprised.


    She could not sense what kind of creature Tang Xian was, but she became even more convinced that he was a powerful existence not weaker than herself.


    The allure in her eyes deepened.


    Initially, she wondered why this male species looked so frail, questioning whether he was a human skilled at reading the room and masquerading.


    But then again, perhaps it was just the human form limiting his strength.


    The response from the Soul Crystal meant that this man was indeed an entity from this world.


    Tang Xian didn''t know what Qing JiuYu was thinking.


    However, in the panel before him, Qing JiuYu''s [Current Needs Analysis] no longer included probing the man before her.


    It had changed to, build a good rtionship with this man.


    He didn''t know how he''d managed to get through it.


    But he knew, he could speak with a bit more confidence now.


    Tang Xian showed a slightly displeased expression without speaking, just quietly looking at Qing JiuYu.


    Qing JiuYu was full of charm, and when a fox spirit pleased someone, seduction was natural.


    Tang Xian was immune to this kind of seduction.


    "You''d better tell me directly, what are the conditions?"


    "Hehe, don''t be angry, humans are very cunning, I was just testing earlier."


    Tang Xian nodded slightly.


    Humans are indeed very cunning, and he was one of those cunning humans.


    When it came toining about one''s own species in front of other creatures, Tang Xian recalled a meme.


    Do you want to be a hero for a second, or a coward for a lifetime?


    Tang Xian chose to be a coward for a lifetime, without hesitation, that is, unless someday there was no food left in the world that could tempt him.


    This beautiful highborndy in front of him wouldn''t need a second to kill him. But fortunately, it seemed he was not going to be killed.


    "I really can''t tell you now, but I hope you will keep your promise to meet in a week. Otherwise, I wille to find you. The Soul Crystal will guide me."


    "Fine, can I take her away now?"


    "Looking forward to seeing you next time."


    Tang Xian was somewhat surprised; he hadn''t really done anything. But Qing JiuYu''s favorability towards him had increased; the data in her eyes originally was 14, with the assessment [Seems Familiar], now it had be 29.


    The impression now was [Joyful Meeting].


    He was truly bewildered today and needed some time to think carefully about what was different about him.

 Chapter 25: Chapter 18: The Hand Behind the Curtain

    Finding a cave in the Forest of Trees is difficult, as this ce is a t in, unlike the Red Soil Region.


    However, the Forest of Trees boasts a wide variety of tree species, among which is a giant tree known as the Hundred-Handed Wood.


    This type of tree is beloved by countless writers and schrs.


    Especially those currently active on the Terminal Chinese Web, many authors wish their upper limbs could multiply like the branches of the Hundred-Handed Wood, evolving into a miraculous species called tentacle monsters, capable of updating their work with tens of thousands of words a day.


    Tang Xian set up his tent on the tough, thick branches of the Hundred-Handed Wood.


    Fortunately, he had brought enough red thread grass, and when Qing JiuYu left, she pinned a Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid on Tang Xian''s chest.


    In the fox tribe, this gesture probably meant "I fancy you."


    Tang Xian didn''t think much of it, merely considering that perhaps it could serve as a deterrent to the creatures of the Forest of Trees?


    The Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid''s fragrance is quite unique, and many creatures in the Forest of Trees recognize that its owner is not to be trifled with.


    He himself had no Soul Crystal.


    And he was one hundred percent human.


    First, it was the hellhounds, and then the nine-tailed foxes, both regarded as mere mine-area creatures.


    Once could be a coincidence, but twice suggested some kind of connection.


    At the moment, however, Tang Xian really couldn''t figure out the reason behind it.


    There were many mysteries about him that remained unsolved,


    such as why others would lose their abilities after leaving the mine area, but his vision remained full of information even after he left.


    The biggest mystery of all was the strange talent data.


    He could see the needs analysis of all living beings, even that of a caterpir.


    He even frequently passed time by betting with others on which person the mosquitoes in the mine area would bite next.


    Tang always won the bet.


    Most of the time, the root of the problem didn''t matter. In this regard, Tang wasn''t as carefree as the people from the ancient 21st century.


    In that era, many high school students would experience rebirth or reincarnation, often hearing a ''ding'' in their minds.


    Anyway, the saying that heaven subjects those whom it wishes to see great to sufferings for their minds and toils for their bones no longer suited theter eras.


    Having a rebirth or a system was the new standard for those destined for greatness.


    Tang epted this quite quickly.


    Now, with no clues in hand, he could only wait to unravel the mysteries of his own bodyter.


    Therefore, his gaze fell upon Dong Ran''s ample bosom.


    Dong Ran was a spy sent by someone, and someone who could make Dong Ran invest heavily at that.


    When he first met Dong Ran, Tang Xian had discerned her identity from the current needs analysis.


    To Tang Xian, a spy was nothing out of the ordinary.


    He just needed to figure out who had sent her.


    He recalled his short yet pleasant six-year study life.


    First, Tang dismissed Jiang Ming.


    Though Dong Ran arrived shortly after he saw Jiang Ming on the day he became an official guardian,


    Jiang Ming wasn''t close to him, at most harboring an obsession with him.


    The values of good and evil showed that Jiang was an upright person, albeit not the most magnanimous. An old instructor who cherished the past was, at the very least, someone with traditional virtues.


    He wouldn''t send a woman to test him by selling her appearance.


    And Jiang Ming didn''t have the time to arrange such a thing so quickly.


    After some thought, Tang Xian considered several other people, dismissing each one in turn.


    None of them necessarily had an advantage over Dong Ran.


    Dong Ran was a person with four unique talents.


    Based on the level of talent selection trials from his own period, Dong Ran would have ranked high in the practical tests.


    The range of people capable of manipting Dong Ran was significantly narrowed down.


    Atst, considering Dong Ran''s behavior in recent days, she had actually been quite decent to him.


    Twice, she had risked her life to save him.


    Perhaps, being a spy was one identity, and a bodyguard was another.


    Tang Xian carefully thought about which family''s son or daughter might have such a mindset during his student life.


    Eventually, he frowned and thought of a woman.


    If it was this woman, she could not be considered the mastermind behind the scenes. At best, she was a minor yer. But the problem was, this woman was a lunatic.


    "Her modus operandi and the financial power to ensure its execution could indeed be her doing. But there''s an illogical point. It seems I still have to wait for this busty idiot to wake up."


    Having said that, Tang Xian patted Dong Ran''s face and cut a little piece from the wormwood.


    He had always been a person who valued efficiency.


    The unsolved mysteries regarding himself were not urgent, so he was not in a hurry.


    But waking Dong Ran up was something that did not need to be dyed.


    The strong stench of the wormwood was so unpleasant that even the cmity-level creature Qing JiuYu found it ufortable.


    Even though Dong Ran was unconscious, the process of regaining consciousness was elerated by the smell.


    The girl quickly opened her eyes and looked at Tang Xian somewhat vacantly.


    Then the sleepiness and haze in her eyes immediately dissipated, reced by dry heaves caused by nausea.


    "Get it away, get it away, it stinks to death."


    Dong Ran became fully alert instantly.


    "Good that you''re awake. We''re even now. Saving you from the hands of a cmity-level creature equals the push you gave me."


    Tang Xian removed the wormwood, looking indifferent.


    "But you have been freeloading these past days and, as a spy, your identity has been discovered. You should at least exin who sent you here."


    Dong Ran shook her head, trying to clear the lingering dizziness.


    Thest thing she remembered was the fiery red nine-tailed fox descending from the sky. At that moment, she thought it was all over. The two of them, even if Tang Da was currently the strongest human with ten talents, nicknamed the First Hunter Akasi, couldn''t possibly survive against a cmity-level boss creature.


    So what exactly is going on now?


    Tang had actually driven away the nine-tailed fox?


    How could a person without any talents manage to repel the strongest creature in the mines?


    "Tang, what exactly happened earlier? And the fox?"


    Dong Ran didn''t know about the events that followed, but she remembered that the fox indeed had nine tails.


    And in its eyes¡­ there was an extremely terrifying number.


    Not to mention its attack, defensive power, or speed, just its health points alone were beyond Dong Ran''s imagination; she never thought a fox could have nearly a million health points.


    Even though the nine-tailed fox was not among the cmity-level bosses known for high defense and health.


    Thinking about it now still sent shivers down her spine.


    So how exactly had Tang taken her, unconscious as she was, and escaped from the fox?


    This man was too miraculous, wasn''t he?


    "She seemed to take a liking to me and so left as if nothing had happened," Tang said.


    "¡­"


    "Alright, as to how one survives an encounter with a cmity-level creature, I can''t share my experience with you. This ordeal was a unique case without general applicability or research value."


    Tang Xian looked straight at Dong Ran.


    People''s needs can change.


    With the "Current Honesty Level" and the change in "Current Needs," Tang Xian could asionally achieve mind-reading-like abilities.


    "Now let''s discuss something meaningful. Put the cmity-level creature aside for the moment. Was it Li Xiaoyu who sent you to spy on me?"


    Dong Ran was stunned.


    She would naturally never admit it; she had a vivid memory of this second youngdy''s methods.


    But whether she admitted it or not was one thing; Tang Xian guessing it was another matter entirely.


    Dong Ran gritted her teeth and shook her head.


    Current Honesty Level: 25 (Needs Further Analysis)


    Current Needs: [Divert Tang Xian''s attention (64%)]


    Tang Xian already knew the truth, and it was exactly what he had thought. He frowned and said:


    "So it really was that troublesome girl."

 Chapter 26: Chapter 19: The Smart Idiot

    Dong Ran listened to Tang Xian''s definite and certain tone. Although she straightened her tall chest, she lowered her noble head.


    She dared not look at Tang Xian.


    Believing in the illusion that if she didn''t look at Tang Xian, she wouldn''t be seen by Tang Xian''s prating gaze.


    "You can''t tell me about Li Xiaoyu''s affairs because there''s something wrong with Li Xiaoyu''s personality. If she knew you messed up or betrayed her, she would do something a thousand times more terrifying than losing your virtue to me."


    "Making a man no longer a man, making a woman no longer a woman, she oftenes up with such tricks."


    Tang Xian lifted Dong Ran''s chin, not needing to look into Dong Ran''s eyes to see the data on the panel.


    But this time, his look wasn''t one of disdain; instead, it had a hint of encouragement.


    Had Dong Ran been one of Li Xiaoyu''s people, then this poor girl must have been living in fear.


    Dong Ran felt a bit warmer inside as she looked into Tang Xian''s eyes.


    "You don''t have to fear her, nor do you have to fear me. I''m not some devil. Just do as I say, and she won''t be suspicious."


    "Why?"


    Dong Ran was puzzled.


    Tang Xian had clearly discovered that she was a spy, yet he was still helping her?


    "Li Xiaoyu must have juste of age, right? You don''t need to respond, I''m well aware that she''s not all there mentally."


    "When I first met her, I had one more year until I graduated from the Selection Trials, and she, a twelve-year-old child, joined our ss."


    "Li Xiaoyu cannot be described as merely intelligent. Speaking of IQ alone, she''s the second smartest girl I''ve ever met. She is strong inputation. But when ites to her brain, she belongs to those who act without thinking."


    "A twelve-year-old child studying with eighteen-year-olds is either isted or spoiled. She was an exception; she wasn''t isted; she isted everyone else."


    "In Li Xiaoyu''s own words, these people were too stupid. Breathing the same air as them was a defilement to herself."


    Left with no choice, Dong Ran bit off the part of the Bogen Fruit resembling a head. Although it didn''t taste good, she felt invigorated after taking a bite.


    As she listened to Tang Xian''sst sentence, she remembered the Second Miss''s demeanor and involuntarily nodded her head.


    Even she didn''t notice this nod.


    She thought to herself that the Second Miss was indeed the smartest person in the world... Tang was wrong to say shecked brains; few people had a better mind than the Second Miss.


    But the Second Miss... did indeed think the world was full of idiots.


    She just hadn''t expected that the Second Miss and Tang were ssmates.


    "I was somewhat bored at the time, and a few top students in my ss had been schooled by Li Xiaoyu at Go, and it just so happened that these few had a good rtionship with me."


    "I was still quite hotheaded due to my youth, so I challenged Li Xiaoyu to a match, and that was when the trouble began."


    Seeing Tang Xian frowning, Dong Ran wondered if Tang had lost?


    It made sense, after all, the Second Miss was very strong in areas that required calction.


    "She had never learned Go, yet she won against the best in our ss on her first try. I did the same to her; I hadn''t learned it either, then I beat her."


    His brows were deeply furrowed.


    Tang Xian still remembered the reaction of that imperious little girl after losing, as if she was questioning her entire life, as if the world had copsed in an instant.


    "Kids just love to whine about nothing¡ªit''s just a game of chess, right?"


    Tang Xian shook his head.


    Dong Ran was stunned.


    Her first impression had been that Tang was bragging, but then she thought about it, Tang was indeed very intelligent.


    "After that, things got tricky; for some reason, she started paying attention to me."


    "In the first half of the sixth school year, I encountered being stalked at least seven times. There were also two instances when my roommates told me someone was inquiring about me through them."


    "What happened next convinced me that Li Xiaoyu was a troubled child, there was something amiss here." Tang Xian pointed at his head.


    "At first, there was a girl who aspired to go into the mining fruit industry. This specialty''s exam was earlier than the others and didn''t include a talent test. Fearing she might fail, she frequently asked me all sorts of questions over a few days."


    "I patiently answered them. But on the third day, the girl no longer dared toe near me. She didn''t ask me any questions and eventually treated me like a stranger. I heard her father gave her a severe scolding, and his business went bankrupt."


    "I didn''t mind it; everybody has their own secrets. Every family has its own hardships, and I was happy to be left in peace."


    "Later, another girl invited me out for a meal, iming it wasn''t a nutritional meal but an ancient dish she''d learnt from reading historical periodicals, which I couldn''t refuse. We even made ns for next time."


    "But she never sought me out again, although her cooking skills were very average and I wasn''t particrly concerned, I learnedter that her family''s small business had been acquired."


    "Bearing in mind that once is a chance, twice is a coincidence, I started to suspect that these incidents might be rted to me."


    "When the girl looked at me afterwards, her eyes darted all over, and I was certain it had something to do with me."


    "I began investigating."


    Tang Xian''s eyes grew cold.


    "In gathering intelligence and prying into secrets, I''m quite skilled. It didn''t take long to find amon point in these incidents¡ªthey all stemmed from the powerful Li family on the sixth level, significant in bothmerce and politics to the entire Huaxia."


    "So my thoughts turned to a ssmate with the surname Li¡ªyour master, Li Xiaoyu."


    "The matter wasn''t difficult. Afterward, I generally refused to interact with girls who approached me. Later on, even the boys almost... ran into trouble."


    "Ke used to follow me around quite closely since he pretty much worshipped me. One day, he told me that three men in ck, without a word, pulled down his pants."


    She didn''t understand what this meant.


    "Li Xiaoyu''s mind is twisted. Seeing that I stopped interacting with girls, she wanted to test if I was gay or if Ke, often seen with me, was gay."


    "She thought if Ke really was gay, he would react to the provocative dance of the muscr men in ck."


    "Luckily, Ke''s orientation waspletely normal; otherwise, he might have be the greatest weapons designer at the Stronghold Fifty-One, while also being a eunuch."


    "I became certain of one thing¡ªyour young miss is obsessed with me, and she would make anyone who''s close to me suffer, regardless of whether they are male or female."


    Dong Ran was shocked; she hadn''t expected the second young miss to have done such ludicrous things.


    "Her background is so significant that those harmed by her received substantialpensations. Some people, for thosepensations, would be willing to cut out their tongues, slice off their fingers, and even lose arms and legs."


    "But the fact that she is brain-damaged cannot be changed."


    Tang Xian looked at Dong Ran, confused, and said:


    "So I''m very curious, how could she possibly send you to serve me? If she had sent a straight male spy, I would have understood better."

 Chapter 27: Chapter 20: Yuan Longpings Pot

    Tang Xian, though intelligent, was not omniscient and omnipotent.


    Dong Ran was also unable to exin the Second Miss''s thoughts clearly.


    Seeing Dong Ran''s expression, Tang Xian knew in his heart that Dong Ran was just a pawn and was not privy to Li Xiaoyu''s ns.


    He shook his head and said, "It seems that even after all these years, her brain still has issues. Your mistress, the least likely thing she would do, is to send a woman to serve me."


    Of course, Tang Xian did not think that Dong Ran was serving him; on the contrary, Tang Xian had always been the one in charge of resolving the food issue.


    He liked girls who could cook.


    Tang Xian''s favorite era was the ancient times of the twenty-first century.


    Science had not reached the quantum realm at the time, but for this reason, many traditions were preserved.


    Such as cooking.


    However, that era was not perfect.


    Tang Xian couldn''t understand how, subsisting at the bottom of society, without any survival skills, one couldn''t live past a week.


    The rules of the lower echelons were archaic yet fair: survival of the fittest, those who worked more, gained more.


    But in this book, Mister Zhuang Gengzhi gave an elegant exnation.


    It all stemmed from¡ªgreat scientific researchers like Yuan Longping and Xie Hua''an solving the greatest challenge of biological survival¡ªfood, resulting in too many people having nothing to do after filling their bellies.


    So it''s safe to say that rice is very important and worthy of research.


    "Tang, what happened afterward? How did the Second Miss treat you then?"


    "Later, she confessed to me," Tang Xian said calmly.


    Dong Ran was as if struck by a bolt of lightning out of the blue.


    "Confessed? The Second Miss... actually confessed her feelings?"


    "It was then that I found out, she has a special sense of possessiveness towards me. She would only allow people close to me who had no chance of bing rivals in love."


    "And you?"


    "I''m not a pedophile, and I wouldn''t fancy a twelve-year-old girl. She may be pretty, but shecks the aura of Natalie Portman."


    Dong Ran''s eyes widened, and her mouth hung open; she had guessed it, but she hadn''t thought that Tang would actually dare to reject the Second Miss.


    The Second Miss was now eighteen, and although Dong Ran didn''t know Natalie Portman, the Second Miss was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.


    "Moreover, a woman who can''t cook, who doesn''t even have the basic means of survival¡ªhow can you talk about love? In the end, it alles down to being too well-fed."


    Tang Xian''s criteria for choosing a spouse included one irond rule: knowing how to cook.


    He himself could cook, and even had some skills in the art, that was one thing; whether the woman could cook was apletely different matter.


    Dong Ran was at a loss for words.


    "Tang, I remember you saying that you have someone you like... wouldn''t that mean the Second Miss..."


    "They''ve never met, during our third academic year she transferred to another stronghold. This topic is not worth continuing. You''re oblivious to Li Xiaoyu''s intentions, and I can''tprehend the thoughts of a high IQ imbecile."


    Regarding topics that wouldn''t yield results, Tang Xian would quickly conclude the conversation.


    "So, what are we going to do next¡­? What exactly am I supposed to do, and when the timees... how should I report to the Second Miss?"


    "Did she explicitly say that you must lose your virtue to me?"


    Dong Ran''s face flushed red in an instant, a hint of shyness as she shook her head.


    "Then that''s settled, a virgin with four innate gifts, no one on the lower levels can afford that price. Since she has no hard requirements of you, you can report to her truthfully about what you''ve seen in the mining area."


    "Ah... you don''t mind?"


    "I don''t mind, but about the encounter with the nine-tailed fox, you''ll have to change your story. Say you met it alone, and the nine-tailed fox wasn''t interested in you, so it let you go. You can''t say that I saved you."


    Dong Ran nodded her head, understanding the importance and urgency of the matter.


    "In any case, you need to go back tonight. Have your second miss pull some strings to update the map urgently, the forest is now a red zone, and dissuade anyone looking to take on missions there. At the same time, think of a reason to keep meeting up with me, just to be safe."


    "I have to leave tonight..."


    "Mm."


    "What about you?"


    Her task was to supervise Tang Xian, but although Dong Ran had only spent a short time with Tang Xian, and despite his toxic tongue, she had grown appreciative of him.


    Appreciative of his indifference to feminine charms. Of the delicious food he brought. And for saving her from a cmity-level creature.


    She didn''t want to leave Tang.


    As Dong Ran thought this, she hoped Tang Xian would go back with her.


    "I still have things to do. The Jiuye Biphasic Orchid, it should only exist solitarily within the forest range, and is very rare. I have to find three of them."


    "So you have to go other ces?"


    Dong Ran was actually quite curious about what creature Tang Xian would hunt next.


    Foxes are so cute, how could anyone eat a fox, this was something Dong Ran remembered well.


    "No need, I''ll return to the mining area tomorrow, then tomorrow night, if your master still assigns you to watch over me after your report, you cane to my ce."


    During the time Dong Ran was unconscious, Tang Xian had already strategized his next moves.


    Initially, he had intended to stay in the mining area for seven days, but now that was no longer possible.


    The Jiuye Biphasic Orchid was too rare; to find three of them required covering too vast an area. Fortunately, he had cheat-like options.


    Eating was Tang Xian''s eternal pleasure, and for his next hunt, he needed Dong Ran''s help as well.


    If Dong Ran was unable toe back, he would have to hire someone at a high price from among the hunters.


    He had only one week, and after that, Tang Xian would fulfill his promise to Qing JiuYu as scheduled.


    Thinking this over, Tang Xian realized his schedule was rather full, and he was quite busy.


    "Okay... I''ll figure out a way. If worsees to worst... I won''t tell the second miss anything." Dong Ran was now a little ufortable and somewhat afraid knowing the second miss liked Tang Xian.


    Having received Tang Xian''s invitation, she felt a mix of anticipation and increased apprehension.


    Tang Xian shook his head and gave Dong Ran a look as if she were an idiot, saying:


    "The best approach is to report truthfully, without exaggeration or revealing personal emotions. Just provide a clear ount of my actions. Li Xiaoyu may have issues with her thinking, but she''s very efficient in her work. She''ll continue to use you if she sees your value. If you can''t provide intelligence, it''ll prove you''re a failure and she won''t keep employing you."


    Although Dong Ran was not very smart, she had a high moralpass and was a kind-hearted girl. Tang Xian might disdain her intelligence, but he didn''t dislike her.


    Dong Ran had a moment of rity; indeed, what Tang said seemed more in line with the second miss''s style.


    "Tomorrow morning, I''ll go in search of the Jiuye Biphasic Orchid. With a bit of luck, I''ll be back in the mining area by the afternoon. You can now open the portal rift and go back."

 Chapter 28: Chapter 21: The Right Way to Interact with Snakes

    After Dong Ran left, Tang Xian didn''t have much of a reaction.


    He might consider building a team in the future.


    The mining area was like a real-life online game. Offline, everyone was separated by different fortresses. They might never see each other more than a few times in their lives, but they could arrange to meet somewhere in the mining area through mission handbooks.


    Tang Xian disliked group activities.


    Unless the team members were quite obedient.


    Dong Ran was stupid but obedient and easy to train.


    With four talents, he wasn''t a disgrace, and if trained well, he could help Tang Xian with many things.


    Shaking his head, he took out a notebook from his prop bag.


    He began to document the day''s experiences.


    Tang Xian considered his IQ to be above average, and many things didn''t need to be recorded on paper.


    Yet, the legacy of human knowledge for a considerable time relied on predecessor''s notes.


    He would grow old and die.


    He was grateful for the wisdom of those before him and hoped to leave some experience for future generations.


    Regarding techniques for surviving in the mining area, Tang Xian wrote a book that, for anyone, including himself, was nothing but armchair strategies.


    Especially that year when he was only fifteen.


    A fifteen-year-old child talking about survival in the mining area? Ridiculously funny. The reviewing tutor barely nced at it before rejecting the publication request.


    Tang Xian didn''t mind.


    After all, he was young and not yet in a rush to leave hisst words.


    "The existence of mining area creature bosses indicates an intelligence independent of other creatures. Natural disaster-level bosses, or even catastrophe-level bosses, might not only in terms of wisdom and behavior but even in appearance, evolve to resemble humans."


    Tang Xian seriously took notes, then added some of his own arguments.


    "I advise those who want to eat foxes in the future not to set their sights on the Jiuye Demon Fox. Because cannibalism is illegal."


    "Philosophically, there are many definitions about what it means to be human. Historical literature also indicates that whether it hatched from an egg, jumped from a rock, or transformed from a fox, once it possesses human form and intelligence, it is human."


    "Moreover, it''s argued that thought and habits are secondary; appearance is the primary criterion for determining whether something is human."


    "Take Xu Xian, for example, as a brave hero with a ( ) snake. His greatest sess was not courage but that the White Snake could transform into a beautiful woman."


    "If the White Snake didn''t even have the ability to take human form, even if Xu Xian could ovee the tactile and visual difort of cold snake skin, imagining it as an indescribably warm ( ), he couldn''t fulfill the highest mission symbolizing peace between the two races. Because there was no ( )."


    After recording these insights, Tang Xian closed his diary with satisfaction.


    Actually, Tang Xian felt a bit of regret. He did want to eat the Jiuye Demon Fox''s meat.


    The White Phosphorus Demon Snake was no different.


    As well as some other catastrophe-level creatures he knew of.


    But as long as these creatures could take human form, Tang Xian could only reluctantly remove them from his menu.


    As he said, he didn''t eat human beings.


    Anything that could take human form was considered human.


    Unfortunately for the Hellhound that had exhibited some human intelligence just before its death, it couldn''t change its appearance as a dog.


    Reflecting on his experiences in the mining area for a while, Tang Xiany down and fell asleep.


    He fell asleep quickly.


    He had no dreams that night, which was indeed a bit tiring considering what he had been through during the day.


    ...


    ...


    When he woke up, the sun''s position indicated it was about ten o''clock in the morning.


    Tang Xian was surprised at how soundly he had slept.


    When he stepped out of the tent, he found animal paw prints on it.


    They were from some creature that wanted toe close but was ultimately driven away by the smell of Redline Grass and the Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid.


    Tang Xian didn''t care. He packed up his things, folded up the tent materials, put them into the prop bag, and began to hurry on his way.


    There were many Biphasic Orchids in the Forest Sea area, but the Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid was not difficult to find.


    Even in the nt kingdom, there are kings of flowers, grass, and trees.


    The Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid is the king among the Biphasic Orchids.


    For the fox n, wearing a Biphasic Orchid with more leaves signifies a higher status.


    For the Biphasic Orchid itself, the Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid with the most leaves holds a lofty status as well; it is always located in the center of the flower sea.


    From a great distance, Tang Xian spotted this Biphasic Orchid.


    During this process, he heard the mournful cries of birds.


    The birds dwelling on the trees of the Forest Sea all knew that this flower was the favorite of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, and no creature had dared to pick it until now.


    Tang Xian didn''t think too much about it.


    He needed three flowers, and there was only one here.


    He actually knew how to find the others as well.


    But without a mount, he wouldn''t even make it in time to travel within a week.


    Those ces are in the red zones, where human teleportation stations would not dare to be constructed.


    If one wants to go to those areas, one can only go on foot.


    Tang Xian could only find another way.


    After finding the Seven-Leaf Dual Phase Orchid, he didn''t pick it directly but took it along with the soil, then secured it with the bag he used for food. He directly put it into the prop bag.


    Afterpleting this task, he reluctantly opened up a portable teleportation rift and returned to the Pyramid from the mining area.


    ...


    ...


    Once back in his room, Tang Xian didn''t linger, though he really wanted to use the quantum boiler to make a dish of authentic Hechuan Sliced Meat.


    But he had to go to the phone booth now.


    As someone with principles, just as he said to Dong Ran, he wouldn''t trouble those who he had once mentored.


    Most of these people now hold positions of significant power.


    Tang Xian never thought of relying on them, after all, everyone has their own life.


    Those who should be in contact will always stay in touch.


    If, after many years, an old ssmate he hadn''t contacted appears, it''s mostly to lure him into some pyramid scheme or because they need a gift of money for a wedding.


    Tang Xian thought about it, and although he was about to contact someone he had not stayed in touch with, ultimately it was to contribute to the amicable rtions between humans and the fox n.


    Expecting to conquer the mining area by force is the most foolish n among all future strategies of humanity.


    If one day, boss-level creatures are willing to show a friendly attitude towards humans, perhaps humans... could openly go to the high ore regions to mine resources.


    Giving himself a lofty reason, Tang Xian felt much better, and he didn''t hesitate anymore when he dialed the number.


    The phone rang several times before it was quickly picked up.


    "Hello? Who is this?" Shang Lu was puzzled, his private number was being called by a number formatted like a phone booth.


    Such an event had never happened before; very few people knew his number, just a handful.


    He hadn''t changed his number over the years.


    Those in the know would not likely leak the number.


    During his years at the Hua Science Academy, he had been engrossed in researching various nts night and day, and had no time for socializing; to this day, despite having an ie above the fourth-tier average, he didn''t even have a girlfriend.


    "Little Lu, how have you beentely?"


    The phone almost slipped from his hands.


    The toneing through the phone was very calm, the sentence only four words long, but the voice immediately made Shang Lu''s nose tingle.


    "Xian... Xian bro?"


    "Hmm. It''s me."

 Chapter 29: Chapter 22: The Path to Wealth

    Tang Xian''s voice was faint.


    As if these years hadn''t been anything special.


    As someone who had once been guided by Tang Xian, Shang Lu had felt guilty in his heart for the past six years.


    Although he had spoken up for Xian back then, he ultimately couldn''t change the situation.


    Too many teachers thought Tang Xian didn''t respect his elders.


    Too many ssmates thought Tang Xian was too full of himself.


    That''s just how these people were, saying humility is a virtue, but if a person''s knowledge and research reached the ultimate realm, they still had to put on airs and say: "Ah, I''m so stupid, ah, my knowledge is shallow."


    That was the real hypocrisy.


    Many people''s humility wasn''t a virtue for self-discipline; they just didn''t want others to be proud, harboring some kind of inferiorityplex deep down. So when they met someone who truly had the right to be proud, they reacted with sarcasm and spite.


    Tang Xian guessed it had been about five seconds, and Shang Lu still hadn''t spoken.


    Through the phone, he couldn''t see the panel of Shang Lu on the fourth level.


    But the tone and pause were enough to make Tang Xian smile.


    "Alright, let''s not dwell on the past. You know I''m not someone who likes to reminisce," he said.


    "..." Just as Shang Lu was about to ask why Xian hadn''t contacted him over the years, Tang Xian interrupted with foresight.


    Then, getting straight to the point, Tang Xian said:


    "I need your help with something."


    "Sure! Actually, I have something I want to discuss with you too, Xian!"


    Not long ago, Shang Lu had met a girl.


    Girls change so much at eighteen that if her entourage hadn''t been so sizeable, he wouldn''t have recognized her.


    "If your matter is about helping me clear my name of cheating, we can drop it. Has Li Xiaoyu been looking for you recently?"


    "...You really haven''t changed a bit, Xian."


    Shang Lu chuckled bitterly. After all these years, Xian was still the same, always knowing what others were thinking during a conversation.


    Tang Xian knew that when he was branded a cheater and demoted to the lower levels, those ssmates he''d guided back in the day must have wanted to help once they heard about him.


    And having just been confirmed in his position when Dong Ran came probing, with a bit of thought, Tang Xian easily guessed what Shang Lu wanted to talk about.


    Knowing both what was happening and why it was happening,


    "I can''t go to the fourth level, soe down here to find me. In the residential area of the third mining squad, room number 15342," he directed.


    Shang Lu wanted to chat a bit more, but Tang Xian said, "People on the lower level can''t use the inter-levelwork, and phone calls are the only way tomunicate, but they''re quite expensive. We''ll talk when we see each other."


    Tang Xian then hung up the phone.


    Shang Lu was stunned.


    This was indeed Xian, but he hadn''t expected that the current Xian would be so poor he worried about the cost of phone calls.


    Without overthinking it, Shang Lu was eager to meet Tang Xian.


    That''s when he realized he had been in theb for many days.


    His hair was greasy and messy, and he had be somewhat emaciated.


    He was an academic researcher, a genuine lover of academia. Once immersed in a topic of interest, he often neglected both sleep and food.


    "Never mind, Xian has seen me like this before, it''s not the first time we''ve talked with me looking disheveled."


    Shang Lu tidied his hair a bit, which was really just patting it down a few times with his hand, and then hurried to the hover window leading to the lower levels.


    ...


    ...


    Tang Xian returned to his residence.


    Thinking of a guest''s arrival and that treating them to a meal wouldn''t be enough to repay the favor,


    Shang Lu had chosen botany as his field of study at fifteen. He was someone who knew a great deal about the nts in the mining areas.


    He was also one of the few people who could keep up with his own pace of conversation in a single field.


    Ultimately, there was an oversight.


    He should have picked some rare nts in the mining area as a gift for Shang Lu.


    Inside the pot, dog meat and Hechuan Sliced Meat were being prepared.


    This was a genuine Sichuan dish, the spicy sort that Tang Xian liked. He wasn''t sure if Shang Lu enjoyed it, so he prepared a dog meat hotpot as well.


    It was mentioned in "Ancient Humanities," published by the 29th Fortress Publishing House, that for the people of Lianqing and the Shu Capital, there was no problem that couldn''t be solved by a hotpot.


    If it really couldn''t be solved, then settling for a mandarin duck pot was an option.


    A few minutester, there was a knock on the door.


    Tang Xian opened it.


    Six years had gone by, and there stood Shang Lu, just as before, in his whiteb coat, hair in a disheveled bird''s nest. His once handsome features were now somewhat scruffy from too much immersion in academia.


    Shang Lu''s eyes were slightly wet.


    Tang Xian calmly said, "You don''t mind sitting on the floor, do you?"


    Shang Lu nodded and said, "I don''t mind. I''ll send some furniture overter."


    Tang Xian just gave him a faint nce, and immediately Shang Lu felt hisment was out of ce.


    "There''s no rice, but thankfully there''s plenty of drink. Dog meat hotpot and Hechuan Sliced Meat... You''re a bit early, I was thinking of making a couple more dishes."


    Naturally, Shang Lu didn''t mind, and Tang Xian didn''t say more.


    The two of them sat down on the floor without any awkwardness.


    As Shang Lu was pondering how to steer the conversation toward Xian''s life over the years, Tang Xian said:


    "Since I''ve returned, I won''t be rushing back to the mining area. I have a week to stay, so we can reminisceter. But first, I need to discuss the important matter."


    A single pot of soup and a te of food were indeed quite simple.


    Tang Xian wasn''t that particr, and started eating right away.


    But Shang Lu didn''t pick up his chopsticks.


    He just watched Tang Xian''s hands.


    Tang Xian realized, thest visitor had done the same.


    He chuckled bitterly.


    "This is called chopsticks. You''re a quick learner; just do as I do," he said.

 Chapter 30: Chapter 22: The Road to Wealth_2

    "Okay, Xian, what''s the real deal?"


    Shang Lu used his chopsticks swiftly; his talents were few, just two kinds¡ªdata of biological entities in the mine area, where he could only see their attack power and health points.


    But he was smart, with deep expertise in a single field, which is why he made it to the fourth level.


    He picked up a piece of dog meat.


    After popping it into his mouth, Shang Lu suddenly felt somewhat joyful.


    Xian really was Xian, a person who could live luxuriously no matter where he was.


    Such delicacies, in a ce like the lower levels, were like finding joy amidst hardship.


    "This."


    Tang Xian opened his item bag and took out the Jiuye Biphasic Orchid.


    Shang Lu''s interest was immediately piqued.


    "The leaves of this Biphasic Orchid... there seem to be quite a few, not something you''d see in amon area. Where did you get it?"


    It was as if he became a different person; he perked up instantly, as thrilled to see a rare nt as if he were seeing a lover.


    In issue 196 of the "Scientific Research Journal," it mentioned that the new genius from Hua Science Academy, Shang Lu, was still unmarried, which Tang Xian didn''t quite believe at the time.


    Now he did.


    There were people in this world who found games more fun than women.


    Those who preferred 2D characters over real people.


    But Shang Lu''s kind of special fondness for nts must surely be one of a kind.


    "Tree Sea, yellow zone, but it''s going to change to a red zone soon."


    Shang Lu nodded. He didn''t doubt Xian''s words; why a yellow zone would turn red didn''t concern him. As long as it was Tang Xian who said it, it couldn''t be wrong.


    "Jiuye, that''s incredibly rare."


    "It is rare, and very important. I saw the paper you published in issue 175 of the ''Scientific Research Journal,'' in the mining area nt column."


    "Really? That''s great, I''ve always wanted to know if there were any problems with my views." It was like going back six years, when many of his shorings were pointed out by the man before him.


    After leaving school and stepping into society, there were few who could guide Shang Lu.


    In the past year or two, when Shang Lu asionally recalled Tang Xian, he could increasingly appreciate Xian''s vast knowledge.


    There was only one person in the world who could be an expert in so many fields and, in a single field, also guide someone like him.


    "There''s no major problem with your paper; cloning of nts, in fact, was a technology avable in the twenty-first century. It''s just that civilization hase close to destruction several times, and much hasn''t been preserved. Moreover, cloning mining area nts, especially rapid cloning, is indeed a new field.


    Your idea is good, but there are improvements to be made in the selection of the nutrient solution''sposition."


    Tang Xian actually felt quite satisfied.


    However, Shang Lu pped his forehead and eximed, "Ah! That''s it! I knew something was off! My thinking was always focused on the gic code, but I ended up overlooking the cultivation environment. Xian, you''re incredible!"


    "It''s human nature. We tend to excessively focus on areas we''re not familiar with, thereby neglecting the more straightforward aspects."


    "I''ll study it as soon as I get back tonight."


    "How many days have you gone without sleep?"


    "Forgot. Not much need to sleep, not feeling tired anyway."


    "You should rest when you need to; if you overuse your brain, you''ll lose your hair."


    "That would be perfect... saves me the hassle of dealing with it."


    Tang Xian smiled again. So many years had passed, and this academic zealot was still the same.


    "I need your help to clone two Jiuye Biphasic Orchids; they don''t have to be identical, slight differences in details are eptable, cloning will do, so will rapid cultivation. With your current skills, you should be able to manage it."


    "No problem, how soon do you need them?"


    "The sooner the better, I''m giving you five days."


    "Five days is enough."


    Although the man before him was the only one who could guide him, Shang Lu was not overly modest about his own research field.


    Tang nodded.


    He had fulfilled his promise to Qing JiuYu.


    "I have nothing with which to repay you; in the next two days I''ll rush out some articles, all personal insights about the mining area nts. When you give me the Biphasic Orchids, I''ll hand them over to you."


    Shang Lu was stunned.


    Then he shook his head and said, "I believe your personal stuff will certainly be of great help to me, Xian, but I can''t ept it."


    "What''s with the pretenses? I would never choose to go to the fourth level and deal with nts at Huaxia Science Academy every day. Since you''ve chosen this kind of life, don''t give up any opportunity to improve yourself. Those at the top like to resolve mining district issues with brute force, but the biggest problem facing humanity now is that our strength isn''t strong enough."


    "If it weren''t for the fact that the creatures from the mining districts can''te to Earth through transport cracks, humanity would have been wiped out long ago. However, your research is different; studying nts might solve many difficult issues."


    Shang Lu was stunned.


    He felt touched. When he had made a mistake in the past, Xian had spoken to him in the same blunt manner.


    But now that he had be sessful, it turned out that those with greater talents than him had be cheaters. Thinking about it still made him feel choked up.


    "Alright, that''s enough about serious matters."


    The creatures from the mining districts had no idea about human cloning technology. Tang Xian looked forward to seeing the expression on Qing JiuYu''s face when he actually produced three Jiuye Biphasic Orchids.


    However, this matter couldn''t be rushed; right now, he had other things to do.


    "Xian, actually everyone..."


    Tang Xian waved his hand and said:


    "Living on the bottom level is veryfortable. As for the upper levels, if one day in the future, something interesting happens there, I will find a way to join in the excitement. I appreciate your good intentions, but there''s no need to worry about my affairs."


    It wasn''t that heckedpassion; he simply didn''t need help.


    Knowing Xian''s capabilities, Shang Lu didn''t insist anymore.


    Without that topic to discuss, the two men had little else to talk about.


    After thinking for a bit, Tang Xian figured it was better to find a topic to discuss and went on:


    "In the future, I might bring a lot of strange and rare nts, and there will be a lot of areas where I''ll need your help."


    "Are those nts all very rare?" Shang Lu asked.


    Tang Xian nodded.


    For the mining district creatures, some rare nts were highly valuable.


    But humans could clone nts, and since he could talk to the boss-level beings of the mining districts, he could sell some valuable nts.


    Tang Xian thought of a ce.


    The Beast Court.


    If the boss creatures of the mining districts had established a legal system, then they should also have a mary system.


    "I''ve met a bunch of foolishly wealthy patrons who love all kinds of strange nts, but they have no idea that there''s such a thing as nt cloning. Therefore, they will pay high prices to buy nts."


    Shang Lu wasn''t surprised, since after all, this method was only in his hands.


    But he was curious, as humans nowadays only needed minerals, and any ornamental nts could be synthesized through quantum conversion of organic minerals.


    Who would like odd nts?


    "What do you mean by foolishly wealthy?"


    "They don''tck minerals. Even Soul Crystal Jade."


    This time, Shang Lu was truly astonished.


    He didn''t know how Xian hade to know such powerful individuals, but there were very few in today''s world who could say they didn''tck minerals.


    The second son of Da Wan Mining, Wang Cong, and other upper-ss people from various Huaxia fortresses all sought to curry favor with him. But even such wealthy scions dared not say they didn''t need minerals.


    And Soul Crystal Jade was an omnipotent mineral that only powerful mining district creatures possessed.


    "There are others who don''tck minerals? That''s seriously wealthy."


    "Perhaps, to them, having money and having minerals are two different concepts."


    When Tang Xian saw Qing JiuYu''s fondness for Jiuye Biphasic Orchids, he spotted a business opportunity.


    He could collect the nts most favored by the cataclysm-level and disaster-level creatures for them and could even sell them inrge quantities. In return, they would need to help him collect Soul Crystal Mines from enemies or creatures he disliked.


    Traversing between two worlds, he would do business with humans as well as the mining district bosses.


    Shang Lu said, "Okay, Xian. If there''s any rare nt that needs cloning, just leave it to me. I''ll definitely deliver on time."


    Tang Xian knew that Shang Lu understood the value of his own technology. He agreed to help unconditionally only because he was Tang Xian. He had helped Shang Lu in the past.


    He didn''t want to take advantage of others and said:


    "I can''t tell you who they are. Only after the initial transaction will I know if it''s truly feasible. If it is, then I hope you can apply for a patent for rapid nt cloning technology, and¡ª"


    Tang Xian paused, then seriously added:


    "Partner up with me."

 Chapter 31: Chapter 23: Decay Street of the Underworld

    Shang Lu was stunned.


    He didn''t like to apply for patents, and had even nned to include this technology in public reading materials with the lowest reading permissions, for future generations to study.


    In the eyes of this academic enthusiast, up to now, there were still too few people who could discuss and delve into the subject with him.


    This was not conducive to scientific progress.


    However, the one who had made this request was Tang Xian, so he had to consider it.


    "Why apply for a patent?"


    Although he knew that if he applied, it would certainly be approved, Shang Lu was still curious about the reason.


    "To prevent the devaluation of money," Tang Xian said, directly addressing the crux of the issue.


    Shang Lu was puzzled.


    Tang Xian exined,


    "There are many disadvantages to monopolizing the market, but opening the market too early will lead many people to indiscriminately lower the profits of said market. If only we can produce rare nts, the base is at least small, and as long as we are not greedy, the value of the nts won''t decline too rapidly.


    On the other hand, if everyone has ess to this technology and each individual discovers they can trade with these people, then the market will be in chaos. In short, the bargaining power in such trades will weaken."


    Although this was what he said, Tang Xian didn''t entirely think this way, because... currently, he was the only one capable of conversing with boss creatures.


    Even if he didn''t want to monopolize the market, he couldn''t.


    Shang Lu was still confused,


    "Xian, ordinary wealth simply isn''t enough to sway you. What kind of wealth could possibly..."


    "The wealth is still that wealth. It''s just that the trading partner is too special, although indeed there are also some types of wealth that only we can use."


    "Such as?"


    "For example, information on creatures from mining areas that are still unknown to humans. Even includes Catastrophic and Apocalypse-level creatures."


    "They have even that?"


    Shang Lu was astonished.


    Despite hundreds of years of human exploration in the mining areas, there were still many unsolved mysteries.


    In the red zone of Magic Dragon Valley, are there truly dragons?


    In the red zone of Red Lotus Hell, are there truly mountain-sized volcanic giants?


    In the Ashen Sea, does a Sea Demon truly exist that''srger than a city?


    Some of these ancient records had been confirmed, while others remained mysteries.


    Tang Xian nodded his head. If he used a Jiuye Biphasic Orchid to inquire about the weaknesses and habits of the Catastrophic-level boss, the White Phosphorus Demon Snake, Qing JiuYu would likely tell him.


    A being of Apocalypse-level that grew up in a mining area might not know more than Tang Xian, but would inevitably have secrets unknown to him.


    Simrly, as long as one holds the corresponding chips, and gives them to the right person, they could exchange them for knowledge not yet possessed by mankind.


    Although Shang Lu did not know who exactly Tang Xian was referring to as the trading partner, he knew that Xian was not a person to boast aimlessly.


    "Agreed. Xian, then I''ll follow your advice," Shang Lu, after much deliberation, agreed to Tang Xian''s request.


    Feeling some hesitation from Shang Lu, Tang Xian knew the thoughts of someone like him and said,


    "I can assure you thatpared to your academic work being generously shared, following my approach will make it much more impactful, and might even change humanity''s standing in the mining areas. In any case, I won''t let your talent go to waste."


    "After my first sessful trade with them, I''ll let you know whether this n is viable. But in the meantime, you can start preparing the materials for the patent application."


    Tang Xian did not like to owe favors. He also valued talent highly.


    Shang Lu had done him a favor, and he intended to repay it.


    Turning Shang Lu into someone on his side was, at present, something Shang Lu still couldn''tprehend the full benefits Tang Xian had afforded him.


    But in the near future, he woulde to truly feel it.


    ...


    ...


    After chatting with Shang Lu for a while and having a drink, Tang Xian still felt somewhat happy.


    It was naturally worth feeling joyous to reconnect with an old friend after so long and still be as close as they had been.


    Their meeting was brief, as Shang Lu was eager to improve his nutrient solutions and perfect his nt replication technology.


    Tang Xian also had some other affairs to attend to.


    Now that he was back at the Pyramid, he wasn''t in a rush to "log in".


    Pulling out the Soul Crystal Mine from the hellhounds, Tang Xian nned to sell the mine.


    He would exchange it for a few antique stoves¡ªhe had a Sichuan cuisine stove, but he also wanted a Cantonese cuisine stove, a Hunan cuisine stove, a seafood stove, and a Fujian cuisine stove.


    As well as a specialized barbecue rack and a multipurpose seasoning stove.


    These items were no longer in production and they were considered impractical by most people today.


    They were expensive and deemed useless.


    But to Tang Xian, they were treasures.


    Before Dong Ran''s arrival, he decided to get an appraisal first.


    To handle the Soul Crystal Jade from the hellhounds, there are generally two methods if one wants to sell such rare goods: one is to go to the mission department and ept a national conscription to be a mine hunter.


    This was indeed an option, but it made one an easy target because hunters who performed well had only one path to take, recruitment by the upper echelons.


    The sry was handsome, and many people made it their life goal to be recruited, but Tang Xian didn''t like it.


    The second option was to sell contraband.


    Selling the Soul Crystal Mine to the ck market would fetch a lower price, but it offered convenience by avoiding a heap of procedures.


    Tang Xian hated making thingsplicated and wasn''t too concerned about the profits, as obtaining high-quality mines wasn''t a troublesome issue for him.


    His destination was Decay Street, where there was a ck market that Tang Xian found rtively trustworthy.


    At the same time, this ce also housed legitimate trading tforms for stringed instruments, which were very regr, without any of those superficial ''head and foot wash'' services. Everything was centered around the highest mission of studying biological reproduction.


    There were also many lending institutions here; as long as you were willing to take a loan, they would definitely give one out. You could try to hide with the attitude of not paying back a loan borrowed through your skills, but the oue would certainly be dire.


    There was also the absolute no cheating¡ªyeah, right¡ªcasino.


    But that''s gamblers for you. Even if you tell them that you lose nine times out of ten bets, nothing can stop the unfailing business of the Decay Street casinos from being flooded.


    Of course, the most popr among young people were the bars here.


    It didn''t matter if you were ugly or fat, the drunken women didn''t care about looks; as long as you had a piece of green ore in your hand, anything was possible.


    This was Decay Street, and as the name implies, it lived up to its reputation.


    The only thing that was still not considered corrupt was that this ce wasn''twless; on the contrary, its rules and regtions were very clear.


    After all, many of the business tycoons behind the scenes here were "civilized people" from even higher levels.


    As Tang Xian wandered around Decay Street for a while, he approached Dong Sanbao''s pawnshop and frowned.


    This "private mine" Money Bank had actually been sealed off.


    Tang Xian was puzzled, but soon he thought of the news he had seen before about an official on the fourth level losing his job because he had offended the son of an official from the fifth level.


    Thepanies under his name had been sealed as well.


    It seemed unrted, but Tang Xian naturally made the connection. After all, there were few secrets in the lower levels that Tang Xian didn''t know about.


    "Troublesome," he muttered.


    Besides Dong Sanbao''s shop, there were a few other ck markets, but the problem was that these ces weren''t tight-lipped. Dong Sanbao''s pawnshop had one good point¡ªthey never betrayed customer information.


    Tang Xian didn''t do business with those who couldn''t keep their mouths shut. Doing business with them was not much better than... bing a hunter.


    After hesitating for five seconds, Tang Xian made up his mind quickly.


    "I''ll be a hunter," he decided.

 Chapter 32: Chapter 24: The Eyes That Launched to Center Stage

    Tang Xian had actually made ns on how to deal with arge amount of Soul Crystal Mines in the future.


    Now, with a business opportunity in hand, selling contraband in the ck market could only solve a temporary need. Sooner orter, he would have to register as a hunter at the mission department.


    Therefore, without much hesitation, after discovering that Dong Sanbao''s shop was sealed off, he immediately made another decision.


    He went to the mission department to register as a mine hunter.


    However, this matter did indeed require careful consideration for Tang Xian. He did not go straight to the mission department, but returned to his residence first.


    Very few things would make Tang Xian ponder for a long time.


    He could often grasp the essence of a problem at once.


    How to keep his reputation from rising too quickly wasn''t a difficult issue, Tang Xian had already thought of a solution.


    If he, as a solitary person,pleted the mining area creature: Elite-level boss Cerberus hunting, it would attract a lot of attention.


    But if it was changed to a squad, although it would still be astonishing, it would be a lot more reasonable.


    Tang Xian nned to form a squad.


    There was a bit of striking while the iron was hot in this, as not long ago, he and Shang Lu had established a special trade organization.


    It was the only historical case of humans doing business with mining area creatures.


    Now that thepany was set up, forming a team wouldn''t be that strange.


    The real challengey in the team members.


    He could conjure things from thin air, but in the future, Tang Xian did n to recruit a few teammates.


    Choosing teammates turned out to be a difficult problem for Tang Xian.


    His ssmates weren''t suitable, most of them now held high positions of authority, with Shang Lu, who was on the fourthyer, being one of the less sessful ones.


    These people had ess to excellent resources and naturally could not be dragged into the mines to risk their lives.


    "I still need to find someone from the existing hunters."


    Tang Xian opened up the hunter rankings, a list that was updated in real-time.


    Upon opening the list, the first name that caught his eye was the legendary assassin Akasi.


    This Huaxia individual with an un-Huaxia-like name, was currently the strongest among all known Huaxia hunters.


    He was also one of the historically rare ten-talented Chosen Ones.


    Akasi didn''t have his own team and always acted alone.


    His power, it was said, was already capable of facing perfect-level boss creatures alone.


    It could be said that Akasi had the power of an entire army and was a one-man boss.


    The military wanted to recruit him, as did various fortresses, and even foreign fortress governments.


    Unfortunately, this man''s whereabouts were too elusive.


    And he spent most of his time in the mining area.


    After careful thought, Tang Xian realized that recruiting Akasi would be difficult, especially since he had no idea where this top hunter was.


    The information was still too scant.


    He then looked down the list. The second and third ranked hunters already had teams, the fourth was a lone wolf, and those ranked fifth and ninth also had teams.


    The lone wolves at the front end of the list had very little information avable.


    Tang Xian believed that as long as he could meet these people, he would be able to see their panel data ande up with corresponding recruitment methods.


    The problem was that he couldn''t bump into these people himself.


    ording to the writing of bottom-tier web novels, the people on these lists were all targets for the main character to show off and p in the face.


    But Tang Xian didn''t agree with that.


    He thought of them as good employees.


    He just needed to figure out a way to meet these employees.


    He dismissed those who were already in teams and decided to observe a few others who were teamless a bit longer.


    "It seems I have to pick some seed yers. The well-known ones are hard to meet, and even if I want to release a mission, I couldn''t afford these people."


    In fact, Tang Xian hadn''t intended to recruit teammates directly. He pulled out the hunter rankings just as a warm-up.


    His memory was excellent; he memorized everyone on the ranking from the first to the one thousand seven hundredth after just one nce.


    He took a special look at the other introductions of a few people he was particrly fond of.


    A team should have an eye, or a scout, fourbat members, and one healer.


    Tang Xian believed that when it came to being a scout, there was nobody better than him in the world.


    Therefore, the other members obviously had to be of somewhat higher quality and, under hismand, would at least be able to deal with Perfect-level creatures, including bosses.


    ...


    ...


    The next morning, Dong Ran arrived.


    Tang Xian was not surprised; as long as she followed his advice, Li Xiaoyu would certainly continue to send Dong Ran to follow him.


    However, Dong Ran had already be a spy within their ranks.


    "You''vee at the right time. Come with me to the second level."


    "Why are we going to the second level?"


    Dong Ran was used to Tang Xian''s decisive actions.


    Tang Xian took out a Soul Crystal Mine and said, "The ck market on the lower level was sealed off, coincidentally the one I trusted, so there''s no helping it, I''m nning to register a hunter team."


    "A team? But Tang, you''re just one person... A team needs six people."


    "Your identity card should have military privileges, right?"


    "Hmm... Everyone in the Li family, even the peripheral personnel, is considered part of the regr military forces."


    "ording to the military''s confidentiality agreement, a team formed by military personnel on their own does not need to register their identity information; they only need to leave code names."


    Dong Ran finally understood why Tang had waited for her.


    She then eximed,


    "Wait, Tang, you mean... I''m also a member of your team?"


    "You have four gifts, and yourbat ability is not bad; at least you react quickly. Although you''re a bit slow-witted, you have arge chest. Research shows that having girls like you as teammates can boost the male team members'' statistics in all aspects."


    Dong Ran''s face turned red. Tang Xian''s words were naturally meant to tease her.


    "Using your military status, you''ll be responsible for creating the team. Just leave my name for the team leader; as for the other four members, let''s conjure them out of thin air."


    Dong Ran nodded; she felt a little excited about being pulled into Tang Xian''s team.


    But if the second Miss found out, would she be unhappy?


    It didn''t matter, Tang seemed to be the second Miss''s bane, he was so smart, he must have thought of this as well.


    An ted Dong Ran said,


    "So, what role will I y on the team?"


    "You''ll be the fourthbat member. The other threebat members naturally have to be stronger than you."


    "So, Tang, you''re the scout?"


    "Mhm."


    "Who has ever heard of a scout as team leader?"


    In a team, the scout was usually responsible for gathering intelligence and surveying the terrain, or studying the weather; simply put, they were the clerical staff.


    While this role might seem important, scouts were often not well-regarded; they had the lowest status in a team.


    Because theyckedbat power.


    Tang Xian could understand Dong Ran''s thoughts but did not care in the slightest, saying,


    "There are teams like that now."


    Dong Ran still found it somewhat unbelievable.


    The team leader was generally the strongest on the team. If a scout were the leader, who would ept that?


    Thinking about the peculiar information that flooded his mind after hunting the hellhound, Tang Xian said,


    "Scouts aren''t strong because many teams'' scouts don''t look far enough. I am different."


    "I can see through everything."

 Chapter 33: Chapter 25: Shengtang

    Dong Ran believed that if Tang yed the role of the team''s eyes, he would undoubtedly be the most outstanding set of eyes.


    However, wisdom andbat strength are not the same concept. Ultimately, the mining area relies on individualbat capabilities.


    But regarding Tang Xian''s arrangements, she still chose to follow them.


    The mission department was on the second floor, and temporary workers couldn''t go to the secondyer to register unless they used fake IDs.


    In this era, it was very difficult to forge documents. Tang Xian knew two people capable of forging IDs.


    One had been sent to the prison in Fortress Number Neen. The other was living quite well, but his identity kept changing, and Tang Xian had lost contact with him.


    He certainly did not need to resort to forgery, but the sudden recollection of such a person sparked some other ns in his mind.


    "Will we be recruiting team memberster on?"


    "This question has been answered before."


    "Oh¡­ So, Tang, who do you n to find?"


    "Let''s skip that question for now."


    Tang Xian hadn''t figured out a reason for recruiting team members.


    A small team consists of six people; he had to recruit four. They needed to be not only exceptional in ability but also obedient, which was somewhat troublesome.


    Moreover, with too many talents, Tang Xian was not content with establishing just a single team. However, there was no need to think too far ahead at the moment.


    The secondyer arrived quickly.


    Although it was smaller than the firstyer, it took a long time to walk to the mission department. Dong Ran kept asking questions along the way.


    "Tang, what will our team name be?"


    Dong Ran was quite proud to be pulled into Tang Xian''s team, as if it were a recognition of her intellect.


    She had a lot to say on this topic.


    Tang Xian replied asionally just to ease the boredom.


    "I haven''t thought of one yet."


    "What about team member codes! For military-registered teams, you don''t need names, but you need codes¡­"


    "These things aren''t important; we can think of something on the fly when the timees."


    "It''s very important! Our codes will be the ones disyed on the Hunter Leaderboards!"


    Tang Xian suddenly stopped, and Dong Ran, who was following behind, nearly bumped into him.


    Looking at Dong Ran''s face, Tang Xian said:


    "Now, answer me truthfully, what are your abilities, I meanbat abilities."


    The more data one could see, the stronger thebat abilities awakened in the mining area.


    Such power was reflected in two aspects: the type ofbat ability and the depth of thebat ability.


    Dong Ran thought for a moment and replied:


    "I''m very strong... does that count? And I can attack with palm strikes."


    Tang Xian nodded.


    In other words, apart from the physical enhancementmon to all those with natural talent, Dong Ran''s ability in the mining area included an active skill rted to palm strikes and a passive state associated with strength augmentation.


    "Not bad. But that is not your most distinct feature."


    A delicate-looking youngdy possesses terrifying strength; Dong Ran always felt it didn''t quite match her, but Tang Xian thought that against certain enemies who judged by appearance, it would serve as a kind of smokescreen.


    Tang Xian continued on his way.


    He started nning the position assignments of the team members.


    This was an issue that could be considered immediately, so many of Dong Ran''ster topics, such as whether to look for male or female teammates, those from the same fortress or different ones, famed or unknown, were all brushed off by Tang Xian with "We will discuss itter."


    They soon reached the mission department.


    As one of the national institutions, even though this was the secondyer, the opulence of the building waspletely different from other structures. The expenditure on constructing the mission department couldpare with many buildings on the fourthyer.


    Tang Xian saw quite a few people.


    There were tall, short, thin, and fat people, all dressed more formally than Tang Xian; after all, those who could enter were at least official workers.


    Tang Xian didn''t care, these people were actually very ordinary.


    After entering the mining area, some of them could be powerful hunters, warriors, assassins, or healers amongst living and dead flesh and bone.


    But once they left the mining area, they were just ordinary humans.


    The mining area is awork game created by God, and this rule is also rted to that saying.


    Once they left the mining area, all those with natural talents reverted to ordinary people.


    Tang Xian was an exception.


    Without further dy, Tang Xian went straight to the ce for creating a team.


    The hunter team establishment area had a small window; the reviewer was a middle-aged man going through a midlife crisis, balding, with more than half of his hair already gone, revealing a Central Sea.


    No one else was around; others who came here were mostly to submit missions and collect rewards.


    Tang Xian knocked on the window.


    The middle-aged man nced at Tang Xian, looked at his attire, and raised an eyebrow, saying:


    "Can I help you?"


    "Yes, I''d like to establish a hunter team."


    "Fifty grams of blue organic ore, the fee for creating the team," the man said bluntly, thumb and middle finger pressing down in a gesture indicating that there was a fee for team creation.


    Tang Xian looked at the middle-aged man''s panel.


    Current Honesty Level: 5 (Talks big, says little)


    Current Needs Analysis: [Extort money from the young man in front (45%)]


    Tang Xian didn''t say much, promptly handing over the money to the middle-aged man, which somewhat surprised him.


    Dong Ran, who was there for the first time to register a team, didn''t know the procedure and would have faced no extortion had she simply shown her identity card with Tang Xian.


    But seeing Tang Xian pay readily, she also assumed that was probably the rule. A necessary expense.


    Tang Xian didn''t exin and watched the bald man open the registration software.


    "Registering a team requires six people, why are there only two of you?"

 Chapter 34: Chapter 25: Shengtang_2

    "The other four are on a mission and aren''t avable," Tang Xian said.


    On a mission?


    How can someone who hasn''t registered as a hunter be on a mission?


    The middle-aged man felt something was off, and that''s when Dong Ran took out her identity card.


    "Just scan it, and you''ll know," Tang Xian said indifferently.


    Looking at the two''s attire, the middle-aged man thought they must be workers who had just moved up from the lower levels, freshly minted full-timers, easy to deceive.


    But the moment he scanned Dong Ran''s identity card, he was dumbfounded.


    He, after all, also worked in a public sector job, with a D-level identity status, which was considered top-tier on the second level.


    Yet the scan revealed¡ªthis woman was actually a C-level soldier.


    At the same level, a soldier''s rank was inherently higher, let alone a C-level one.


    Looking at the identity information''s note, there was a red eagle emblem on the lower left corner, the family crest. Those who could have their family emblems on their identity cards were countable on one hand among Huaxia''s major families.


    With trembling lips, the middle-aged man uttered in a shaky voice:


    "The... Li family''s person?"


    Dong Ran was quite pleased with this effect, but Tang Xian remained calm.


    "Since you recognize it, this makes things a lot easier. In the eyes of thew, attempted bribery is apletely different crime from sessful bribery. Of course, your crime is quite special, you''ll also be charged with extortion of a soldier. The Li family is very petty. Not long ago, many shops on the lower level were sealed off, all rted to the Li family.


    Those on the fourth level were unlucky, having the lower level folks take the fall for them."


    "But you, you''re just on the second level, not high enough to ignore the rules, but not low enough to slip by unnoticed. Getting into trouble is very inconvenient for you."


    The middle-aged man went pale, feeling his legs turn to jelly, about to apologize.


    Tang Xian made a shushing gesture with his right hand.


    "There are many hunters around here, with many voices that could leak information. If word gets out, we can''t just let this incident slide."


    The man immediately quieted down.


    With his left thumb and middle finger pressing together, Tang Xian made a gesture that the middle-aged man was all too fond of making.


    "You''re in luck today. A hundred grams of blue organic ore, and we''ll pretend nothing happened."


    Dong Ran struggled to suppress herughter.


    She had been curious as to why registering a hunter team necessitated an additional fee.


    It turned out she and Brother Tang were being extorted.


    Tang Xian, having lived in the most chaotic part of the lower levels for six years, didn''t consider himself a genius, but he did know a thing or two about the various ways to deal with robbery, extortion, and deception. He especially enjoyed being extorted.


    What followed was much simpler.


    The middle-aged man in charge of registration felt terrible but waspelled to put on a smiling face, showing an incredibly high level of work efficiency.


    Tang Xian was very satisfied.


    But Dong Ran wasn''t as pleased.


    "Comm...Comm...Commander, as per regtions, you don''t have to leave real names, just codenames."


    "Hmm, mark this down, the first team member''s codename is ''Tang.'' He''s not here."


    The middle-aged man and Dong Ran were both stunned.


    What kind of codename was this?


    Most military hunter teams had hardcore codenames like ck Hawk or Cheetah. ''Tang'' was what exactly?


    Dong Ran opened her mouth wide, unable to believe Brother Tang woulde up with such a codename. Who would want to join a team with such a name? She began to worry about what her own codename would be...


    "The second one, not here, abat member, Tang Wudi."


    "..." The middle-aged man was speechless and could only register the name in silence.


    "The third one, not here either, also abat member, Tang the Mage."


    "The fourth, still abat member, here she is, it''s her, Tang (based on the crackdown, homophony)."


    "Ah!" Dong Ran let out a startled exim.


    Her ominous premonition hade true.


    Good heavens, what were these codenames? Tang the Terrible? Was this serious? Was this the work of a devil?


    Incredulous, Dong Ran looked at Tang Xian. She now understood the meaning behind Tang Xian''s words "that''s not your most defining feature."


    Tang Xian remained unconcerned, even feeling that these codenames perfectly fit the image he had in mind.


    Adept at elementalbat, the elite ranged unit could y a significant role in certain battles, as long as it was properly protected by teammates.


    Elites skilled in directbat must be able to shield their teammates from the fiercest of attacks.


    Assassins, adept at stealth and ambush tactics, are lethal when they gain the upper hand inbat, but speed is essential.


    They were Tang, Tang Da, and Tang the Mage. As for Tang Xian, he felt that having a mascot in a team was a very prudent setup for good Feng Shui.


    As for what Dong Ran herself thought, Tang Xian didn''t care.


    "The fifth one, who hasn''t arrived, is the healer, Tang Busi."


    The middle-aged man in charge of team registration was getting used to this man''s style. He looked up at Tang Xian, thinking that it must be Tang Xian''s own turnst.


    He figured that Tang Xian could only serve as the "eyes" of the team.


    The team leader was actually the "eyes"?


    He had seen many unusual teams, but it was his first time seeing the weakest inbat power taking on the role of team leader.


    Tang Xian didn''t care about the opinions of the insignificant, and said:


    "The sixth one is myself, the ''eyes,'' and my code name will be Tang Wudi."


    Dong Ran felt like she was about to spit out tender blood, and even the clerk who had been extorted by Tang Xian couldn''t help but want toin that he had never seen such a shameless person.


    Tang Xian''s expression was as calm and serious as ever.


    He truly thought so.


    Dong Ran was right about one thing; the team leader definitely had to be the strongest in the team.


    Tang Xian was confident he could win people over with his wisdom, but he waszy, so he nned to try somethingter.


    "Registrationplete... Are you sure about these code names?" Looking at the aggrieved expression of the girl from the Li family, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but ask again.


    Tang Xian nodded.


    These code names helped him categorize and know who he needed as teammates.


    As for Dong Ran''s "Tang", Tang Xian thought it was an absolutely adorable code name.


    A woman identified first and foremost for her "assets," if even her code name made one think of "assets," she was definitely a popr woman.


    Unfortunately, Dong Ran wasn''t wise enough to understand this.


    Seeing that Tang Xian nodded without any thought, the registrar said no more and finally asked:


    "What''s the team name?"


    "Shengtang."


    Perhaps because the earlier names had set low expectations, the formal name "Shengtang" was actually to Dong Ran''s liking.


    But the thought of "Tang" made her lower her noble head and stick out her ample chest.


    The following procedures were handled quickly.


    Afterpleting them, Tang Xian returned to the mission handover department.


    This time, there was no extortion; the person in charge of this task was a middle-aged woman, who seemed listless.


    "Hello, turning in a mission. The team name is Shengtang, number 055428." Tang Xian was just following procedures.


    The middle-aged woman entered the number and frowned, saying:


    "What mission could a team that''s only been formed for a few minutes havepleted? Go away."


    This time, Tang Xian wasn''t mischievous but calmly ced the Hellhound''s Soul Crystal into the identification box beside her.


    The woman froze instantly.


    While it wasn''t impossible for a six-person team to hunt a Hellhound, an elite-level boss, there hadn''t been any elite-level boss creatures'' Soul Crystal Mines in Fortress No. 39 for over a month.


    "Did you manage this?"


    Tang Xian nodded.


    A team that had been established for less than ten minutes would naturally be at the bottom of all hunter teams. However, with the achievement of having hunted a Hellhound, the team''s ranking would skyrocket to a very high level.


    The woman''s job was to record aplishments and issue task rewards, deal with various private task mandates, as well as handling enterprise and even national mission reward disbursements.


    She quickly found that sixteenpanies and thirty-four merchants had issued hunting missions for Hellhounds.


    "There are many high bidders. Who do you n to sell to?" The woman''s tone was much more polite, and she seemed more alert.


    When one creature bes a target for multiple people, the personpleting the mission has the right to choose who to trade with.


    "Choose the highest private bidder."


    The middle-aged woman nodded and immediately started checking for Tang Xian among the non-corporate and national mandates to see who offered the highest bid.


    "Let''s see, oh, here it is. This person''s bid is somewhat outrageous, fifty-two pieces of purple organic ore. His name is Jiang Ming."

 Chapter 35: Chapter 26: I want to get beaten up

    Upon hearing Jiang Ming''s name, Tang Xian let out a rare bitter smile.


    The world is really small.


    Recalling thest time he saw Jiang Ming, Tang Xian noticed in his data that he feared the hellhound, which suggested Jiang Ming must have had his own hunting team.


    It seemed that his team had encountered the hellhound and the oue was¡­ not too good.


    "Let''s go with him," Tang Xian nodded.


    Jiang Ming was willing to pay twice the price to buy the hellhound, likely tomemorate his deceased teammates.


    Tang Xian didn''t dislike Jiang Ming.


    "This Mr. Jiang Ming seems to have posted another task as well, also concerning the hellhound. It requires hunting a hellhound in the northern forest, characterized by missing an ear and an eye, and notably stronger than the average hellhound. The reward is... one hundred purple organic crystals, my goodness!" the middle-aged woman eximed.


    Having worked in the task department for so long, she couldn''t imagine someone offering a price fit for a top-tier boss creature for an elite-level boss creature.


    But Tang Xian understood and now had a clearer idea of why Jiang Ming''s financial assessment was ''just getting by''.


    Taking his entire fortune to avenge his teammates, it was natural that he wouldn''t have much savings.


    Given the location in the forest, he silently noted down this task.


    While you need to register to submit a task, picking one up doesn''t require registration.


    Whoeverpletes it first gets the reward.


    This was also why Tang Xian was targeted by the hunting team from Fortress 51 that day.


    The reward for a task would be deposited into one''s ount in the form of hunting points.


    In various miningpanies, you could exchange points for equivalent minerals.


    Afterpleting all this, Tang Xian went straight to the passage to return to the lower level.


    It was like wanting to shop as soon as you get your paycheck. What he wanted most now was to buy the coveted Cantonese cuisine boiler.


    But before that, Tang Xian still had something he needed to do first.


    ...


    ...


    This was Dong Ran''s first visit to Decay Street. The people on the street were of all shapes and colors.


    Most here had tattoos or ink on their bodies. Their gazes were uninhibited, as there were no seasons in the Pyramid. Basically, apart from the thickest cold-weather gear, any seasonal attire wouldn''t seem out of ce.


    Dong Ran dressed quite coolly, and since her role was to seduce Tang Xian, he believed most people''s first impression of her would be: "You''re quite provocative."


    Dong Ran felt somewhat nervous. She was a powerful warrior in the mine, but here in the Pyramid, she was no different from anyone else. She had heard of the chaos at the bottom level, and Decay Street was known to be ident-prone.


    "See that fat guy over there, the one standing in the dark alley with the rooster''s crest, he is greedy, lecherous, and violent. People in the lower levels have many dealings with underground organizations, and their characters are basically like this guy, passionate about money, women, and violence.


    Right now, his biggest need is to find an unlucky sod, like a gambler who''se out of the casino with a lucky win, and extort a sum of money, so he and the two next to him are squatting in the dark alley, waiting for their prey. I''ll go provoke him."


    "Ah? Why would you want to provoke him?"


    "For the future of humanity."


    "..."


    Dong Ran was speechless; the line "for the future of humanity" was clearly nonsense. However, Tang had his reasons for doing things.


    Dong Ran estimated that even a regr soldier would have to put some effort into dealing with such a big guy. Although Tang was well-proportioned and probably strong, this was like a lightweight challenging a heavyweight.


    Tang Xian didn''t exin much, only saying, "If I call for help, just show your ID card information to assist me. If I don''t call for help, remember, you mustn''t act on your own this time. No matter what happens, do note to assist me unless I call out."


    Dong Ran nodded, remembering Tang Xian''s eyes thest time they killed a fox, and dared not act impulsively again.


    After giving these instructions, Tang Xian made his way into the dark alley and walked up to the rooster-crested man, staring straight at him.


    Being stared at like this, the rooster-crested man frowned and said in displeasure,


    "Kid, what are you looking at?"


    "Looking at you, what about it?"


    "Keep looking and see what happens?"


    Tang Xian didn''t say "try me" and actually try it.


    He nced at the rooster-crested man''s twopanions: one was a thin man with a sinister gaze, the other was shorter with a crow tattoo on his neck.


    The three were working together, a gangmitting crimes.


    "I feel like getting a good beating, preferably by three people," Tang Xian raised three fingers.


    This odd request stunned the rooster-crested man and the tattooed man and the thin man next to him.


    "Don''t understand?" asked Tang Xian, thinking he had made himself very clear.


    With a smack, he pped him across the face.


    Five finger prints were imprinted on the red-haired cockatoo''s face.


    "Do you understand now?"


    From a distance, Dong Ran watched with her heart pounding. Had Tang gone mad?


    "Looking for death!"


    The cockatoo roared angrily, beckoning with his hand, and the thin tall guy and the tattooed man swung their fists, smashing them directly into Tang Xian''s head.


    What followed was essentially a one-sided beating of Tang Xian. The three of thempletely surrounded Tang Xian, venting their anger at will.


    Dong Ran''s eyes widened, wanting to help but recalling Tang Xian''s instructions. She was burning with anxiety, uncertain of what to do.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    As the fists hit his body, Tang Xian felt like his bones were about to break.


    Severe pain spread across his body, and those three didn''t hold back at all, attacking as if they were aiming to kill.


    The cockatoo, in particr, kept violently kicking Tang Xian in the abdomen, as if wanting to break his bones.


    Crouched in the corner, Tang Xian protected his head, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His expression was hidden by his hands, so no one saw... he was smiling.


    The pain was real, and so was the smile on his lips.


    The messagesing from his sea of consciousness assured Tang Xian that he had bet correctly.


    Although somewhat reckless, asking Dong Ran to do this would have been better, but it was less efficient. Getting beaten by one person was never as fast as by three.


    [Sessfully resisted ordinary human attack]


    [Obtained 1 point of human resistance]


    [Sessfully resisted ordinary human attack]


    [Obtained 1 point of human resistance]


    [Sessfully resisted ordinary human attack]


    [Obtained 1 point of human resistance]


    ¡­


    The continual appearance of these phrases in his sea of consciousness gave Tang Xian the strange illusion that getting hit felt rather good.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Hisst trip to the mining area had left Tang Xian with many unanswered questions.


    For instance, in the eyes of the various boss creatures, he seemed like an extremely powerful entity.


    And then there were those odd messages that emerged in his sea of consciousness.


    The mining area could activate a human''s potential, turning them into individuals with special talents.


    But once you left the mining area, those talents would disappear along with it.


    However, that wasn''t the case for Tang Xian. Ever since he had entered the mining area and taken part in the Trial of the Chosen, he had never mentioned this fact to anyone.


    His talent didn''t vanish upon leaving the mining area and returning to reality.


    On the day he fought the hellhound, Tang Xian believed that hisbat abilities had awakened. This ability seemed to be of a growth type.


    It required the umtion of experience points. In short, to increase damage, he needed to keep attacking, and to increase resistance, he needed to keep getting hit.


    Based on his own characteristics, he wanted to know if thisbat ability was also effective outside of the mining area.


    Now he had his answer.


    His resistance against humans was continuously increasing. Naturally, his sense of pain was also diminishing.


    Dong Ran looked at Brother Tang, worried because a normal person would be dead or crippled after such a beating. She decided to ignore Tang Xian''s instructions and rushed in.


    But at that moment, Tang Xian suddenly stood up.


    He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at the three gasping men with some regret, saying:


    "Please don''t stop."


    Smack! He finished speaking and delivered another p to the cockatoo''s face.

 Chapter 36: Chapter 27: The Bane of Humanity

    The turn of events unfolded as such, Dong Ran had always thought that Tang was a smart man, just a bit odd. But now it seemed that it was not mere entricity, but some sort of bizarre hobby.


    She couldn''tprehend the idea of someone actively asking to be beaten.


    It''s true that in the real world there were some with agile skills or robust physiques, but they ultimately couldn''tpare to the gifted ones who entered the mining area.


    Dong Ran was certain that Tang''s body indeed had no talent, at least physically; he was simply a healthy ordinary person.


    An ordinary person, beaten viciously by three strong hooligans for several minutes, should at least be severely injured¡ªthe thought was absurd to Dong Ran.


    It appeared... that Tang wasn''t hurt?


    It seemed that these people couldn''t actually harm Tang?


    Perhaps it was Tang Xian''s overly mocking expression. Combined with another p filled with resentment, the three felt something was off but still kept up their front and resumed kicking and punching Tang Xian.


    One minuteter, Tang Xian felt they were running out of steam, so he gave them another p.


    Three minutester, Tang Xian was sure their strength was really declining, and with heartfelt sorrow, he told them they should exercise more regrly.


    Five minutester, the three hooligans began to contemte life: why was it that the one being beaten wasn''t tired and even seemed to be getting stronger, while they, the beaters, were growing weary?


    After ten minutes, gasping for breath, with eyes wide open and looking at Tang Xian as if he were a monster, they said,


    "Big... Brother, we quit... you... you, huh, find someone else to hit you."


    The leader couldn''t take it anymore.


    He didn''t care about causing death at the bottom rung of society. So every punch and every kick was delivered with lethal intent,


    Although most of the time Tang Xian was a civilized person, when it came to fighting, he understood the feeling.


    "Adrenaline can give a person an endless burst of strength in the first few humiliating minutes, but it will hasten the drain on one''s physical energy. Many times, one doesn''t feel it during the fight, but as soon as they stop, the fatigue hits immediately. It''s like the saying, ''first use all your might, then decline and finally be exhausted.'' Fighting and brawling are the same."


    "So you can''t stop, otherwise, if you want to move againter, you''ll have no strength left."


    Tang Xian encouraged them as he looked on.


    Looking as though they had seen a ghost, the three said nothing further and took to their heels.


    Tang Xian shook his head.


    Initially, his resistance grew with every punch, butter it took several punches for a slight increase, making the efficiency much lower. However, today''s harvest was not bad, at least proving that this method was feasible.


    "Let''s go. We''ll head to the antiques dealer. After buying a pot, I''ll make you shrimp and crab-vored mushroom soup tonight."


    Tang Xian turned around as if nothing had happened.


    Dong Ran was also gradually getting used to Tang''spany. He would usually exin what she didn''t understand, but if he chose not to, she didn''t bother to ask.


    She didn''t know what shrimp and crab-vored mushroom soup was, but she was sure it would be delicious if Tang was making it.


    ...


    ...


    Tang Xian was efficient in his work.


    The owner of the antique shop also liked doing business with Tang Xian, because he never haggled.


    The owner''s name was Luo, nicknamed Six Eyes, alluding to the ability to see in all directions.


    Mostly poor people lived at the Pyramid''s bottomyer, and those with money would choose to live on the secondyer. Luo was different; he was truly wealthy, but he fancied the murky air of the bottomyer.


    Tang Xian was a customer he liked. Although Tang never haggled, he always could determine the minimum eptable price, so there was no need for a lot of talk and waste of breath.


    "Cantonese cooking pot, originating from Yangcheng, it''s an early model; noisy and time-consuming, but the vor is authentic, and it has a variety of uses," said Luo as he eyed Tang Xian.


    "Name your price."


    "Three purple organic ores."


    Tang Xian nodded his head.


    Luo''s current honesty level was 57. Afterpleting a straightforward deal, Tang Xian even gave him an extra piece.


    "Four pieces¡ªI''ll take the pot. And if youe across any pots from Yan Jing, keep an eye out for me too," said Tang Xian.


    "Oh, making big moves, are we? All right, I''ll have someone look into it for you. Next time you''re back at the bottomyer, I''ll let you know the news."


    Six Eyes had good eyesight. He could tell that Tang Xian had improved his position, and the youngdy behind him, although delicate in appearance, was definitely not an ordinary girl.


    With such grace, if she were too ordinary, she would only serve as amodity at the bottomyer.


    He had always thought there was more to Tang Xian, and now he was even more certain.


    "By the way, any news on those books I wanted?"


    "It''s hard toplete the Twenty-Four Histories. ''Book of Liang,'' ''Book of the Later Han,'' and ''Book of Jin'' are indeed hard to find. But we got a new batch of ancient records from the 21st century, the two-hundred-billion tweets preserved electronically in the great library by the state; do you want those?"


    "That works. Just tell me the price."


    "Most of it is empty talk, with little valuable content, five blue ores will do."


    Tang Xian paid promptly.


    Sustenance for the mind couldn''tpare with real gourmet food; he was always pragmatic. But Tang Xian was indeed very interested in the affairs of bygone eras.


    What interested him most was the twenty-first century, followed by the more remote five thousand years of history.


    In the mining district, one fought against beasts, but Tang Xian had a premonition that he would also fight many people in the future.


    Having these historical readings would help him avoid some detours.

 Chapter 37: Chapter 27: The Bane of Humanity_2

    ...


    ...


    Having purchased all that he wanted to buy, Tang Xian, apanied by Dong Ran, returned to his residence and began to make preparations for dinner.


    Dong Ran watched Tang Xian bustling in and out, somewhat lost in thought.


    This man was really strange.


    Pyramid was brimming with talent, and there were plenty of gifted individuals in the mining area as well.


    Among those who had proposed to the Second Miss, there were chosen ones with various talents. Some held high positions and possessed wealth beyond imagination.


    Although Tang was evidently weak, Dong Ran felt that he was very powerful.


    An indescribable kind of powerful.


    The food was ready quickly. After serving the delicious Pipi shrimp crab-vored mushroom soup, Tang Xian didn''t bother with formalities and simply served himself a bowl.


    As he savored the food, he felt that the cost of the mineflowers was well worth it. He considered himself to have a modest savings by now.


    Dong Ran also drank the soup eagerly. Perhaps the greatest benefit of being with Tang Xian was the chance to enjoy delicacies outside of the nutritious meals.


    "Tang, what are we going to do next?"


    Dong Ran was curious whether Tang Xian was going to hunt the Hellhound for Jiang Ming next.


    "Next, I will teach you a dance," Tang Xian replied.


    "Dance?"


    "Yes, you need to learn it well. People who are agile will look good when they dance it."


    Dong Ran did not understand. Could dancing be helpful for hunting in the mining area?


    She looked at Tang Xian doubtfully, and he said:


    "Dancing is an interesting activity, you''ll like it. Before you learn this dance, you cannot follow me into the mining area."


    "Why?"


    "I have some private matters to attend to in the mining area."


    Dong Ran did not ask any more questions.


    It was pointless to inquire about private matters, but she couldn''t help asking worriedly:


    "Will it be dangerous?"


    "Not sure, but I''ve already withstood the most dangerous encounter. There shouldn''t be any danger. Anyway, practice the dance steps I will teach youter during the time I''m not back."


    "Is this dance useful for anything?"


    "Enhancing the bust and lifting the buttocks."


    "..."


    The delicious pipi shrimps were quickly finished.


    This time Dong Ran was responsible for washing the dishes.


    Tang Xian sat quietly on the bed, nning his next moves.


    He fetched some paper and a pen.


    He intended to draw out the dance steps he had thought of¡ªthough he called them dance steps, they were actually designed to deal with the creatures in the mining area.


    For some of the longer-bodied creatures, turning around was a trouble.


    It was a task asborious as turning around a train.


    If the steps were designed properly and guided ordingly, these creatures would be easy to deal with.


    Why not practice it himself? The answer was obvious.


    Tang Xian soon finished drawing.


    After folding the drawing paper, he handed it to Dong Ran. He instructed her about certain precautions, then sent her off.


    ...


    ...


    The time was nine o''clock at night.


    The temporary workers from the lower levels had already returned from the newbie vige by this time, and the night was when the lower levels were at their liveliest.


    Without the Jiuye Biphasic Orchid from Shang Lu, Tang Xian couldn''t proceed to the mining area to deal with Qing JiuYu.


    Tang Xian nned toplete the task he had not finished during the day¡ªgetting beaten up.


    Decay Street might not have everything, but there was absolutely no shortage of hoodlums and ruffians. Three years ago, Bai Ling came here and nearly fell for a trap.


    Data about many people flickered through Tang Xian''s eyes; most of those on Decay Street had a criminal record. He nned to pick the person with the nastiest character to practice with.


    The guild system was one structure that, no matter how human civilization changed, was always retained.


    From the higher echelons with various councils, to the lower levels with all sorts of factions or family ns.


    One of the most troublesome for the security officers of the lower levels was the Xiang Family.


    Unlike other organizations like the ck Tiger Gang or the Triad, "Xiang Family" sounded like a single-family n. But only a few core members had the surname Xiang; the people underneath were not of the same blood or surname.


    These people originally came from Fortress No. 36, a ce that had once experienced some turmoil, during which many prisoners were sent to the prison of Fortress No. 39.


    A few yearster, after serving their sentences, they took up mining in the bottom levels of Fortress No. 39.


    They were all ruthless characters, the kind who fought with no regard for their own lives.


    The businesses on Decay Street were mostly backed by the higher-ups, but thergest gambling den here was opened by the Xiang Family. In fact, it received secret funding as well.


    Tang Xian knew who the people behind the scenes were; for him, the lower levels held no secrets.


    In the past, he always avoided provoking these people, preferring to keep a low profile.


    Today, he was also keeping a low profile, wearing a mask and a hat.


    He walked into the gambling den and, without hesitation, repeated what he had done during the day.


    The crisp sound of a p echoed.


    In the noisy gambling den, one wouldn''t hear such the sound of a p meeting a cheek with such gusto.


    But it could be seen.


    Everyone saw a tall, slender man with schrly features p the face of the gambling den''s boss, Xiang Peng.


    p!


    The first sound was drowned out by the shouts of the gamblers.


    p!


    By the second sound, the gambling den had quieted down significantly, and people began to look towards Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian kicked a security guard aside and grabbed Xiang Peng by the cor.


    p!


    This time, in the silent gambling den, everyone heard the clear sound of the p.


    All mouths hung open, imagining what woulde next. This young man, who didn''t know any better and was causing trouble in the Xiang Family''s territory, certainly wouldn''t be able to leave alive.


    Tang Xian didn''t care as he held Xiang Peng by the cor, pping him furiously.


    Xiang Peng bore no grudge against him. If anything, although he had brought ruin to many gamblers and their families, it takes two to tango.


    After all, nobody forced the gamblers at knife-point to ce their bets.


    "This is my first time smashing up a ce, so I might be a little inexperienced. I hope you won''t see me as a neer and will treat me just as you would anyone else," he said.


    Tang Xian''s tone was sincere, but paired with Xiang Peng''s face, swollen like a pig''s head, it seemed highly sarcastic.


    But the crowd did not rush forward.


    After a half-second pause, Tang Xian suddenly remembered he was using Xiang Peng as a shield. Who ever heard of someone getting beaten while holding a hostage? With a slight sense of regret, he tossed Xiang Peng into the crowd.


    "My apologies for the oversight."


    Sure enough, a few secondster, the furious roars of Xiang Peng could be heard.


    A group of thugs also raised various steel clubs, starting to rush madly towards Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian was swiftly brought down by the surging crowd.


    He didn''t know how much human resistance he had umted during the day, but now, as steel rods as thick as wine sses struck his body, he didn''t feel much. He could only feel the weight of the rods themselves, as if the force exerted by the person swinging them had beenpletely nullified.


    Fortunately, in his mind''s eye, phrases like ¡ª[Sessfully resisted a normal human attack][Acquired 1 point of human resistance]still popped up, so Tang Xian didn''t mind it much.


    Guarding his face, he found afortable seat and waited for the storm to hit.


    ...


    ...


    Time ticked away, second by second.


    Tang Xian didn''t count the time, but it must have been quite a while.


    So long that the group of people looked at him with exhausted eyes as if he were a monster.


    Fortunately, at that time, a message appeared in his mind:


    [Human resistance has reached its maximum value, humans will no longer be able to cause any effective damage to you]


    [Human resistance has reached the maximum value, unlocking the achievement: Nemesis of Thousands]


    [Nemesis of Thousands: Immune to damage from human units, and any damage taken from human units will not exceed 30% of the maximum health value.]


    Tang Xian''s response was indifferent, with only a slight sense of confusion.


    He could still feel the sensation of the steel rods and clubs hitting him, the force originating from humanspletely dissipated upon impact.


    Swinging des, rods, and clubs required strength, and with that thought, Tang Xian understood thest sentence in the footnote of Nemesis of Thousands.


    Cold weapons and fists would be unable to harm him, but heat weapons that didn''t rely on human strength could still cause effective damage. It just couldn''t instantly kill him; at most, it would inflict 30% damage to his health value.


    In simple terms, even if he were bombed with a rocketuncher, theoretically, it would take four shots to kill him.


    "Why do I feel like I''m the arch-enemy boss who specifically conquers humans?" he wondered.


    Despite theint, Tang Xian was very satisfied with the day''s oue. With genuine gratitude, he looked at the bewildered thugs in the gambling den and thanked them sincerely:


    "Next, I will pick a few lucky audience members to apany me in the next test."

 Chapter 38: Chapter 28: The No-Loss Deal

    When the casino''s bouncers were panting from exhaustion, Tang Xian picked out a few and proceeded to give them a vicious beating.


    He deliberately chose those with lower values of good and evil; it didn''t matter if they were greedy or lustful¡ªeveryone should have greeds and desires. However, his experience taught him that the lower the value of good and evil, the more ruthless they were when it came to acquiring wealth.


    The simple customs of the lower ss could not tolerate such scum contaminating the environment.


    Well, all that was nonsense.


    Tang Xian supported justice, but rarely took the initiative to enforce it. This time, his motive was simply to test another ability.


    [Sessfully inflicted harm on a human unit, increased damage against human units by one point.]


    [Sessfully inflicted harm on a human unit, increased damage against human units by one point.]


    ...


    The delightful prompts in his sea of consciousness made it impossible for Tang Xian''s limbs to stop moving. He knew that fighting was all about momentum, but he didn''t have much of it when he fought.


    Calcting the minimum force necessary for each strike, Tang Xian mechanically repeated the process with such calibrated force.


    Previously, Tang Xian couldn''t understand why people from the 21st century enjoyed ying games with high repetitiveness.


    Now, he understood. Whether the process was boring didn''t matter; what mattered was getting stronger.


    No one dared to approach Tang Xian anymore. A person who could withstand a beating with steel rods from dozens and still be fine as if nothing happened was someone they had only seen among the regr workers in the mines.


    Cupping his swollen face, Xiang Peng said, "May I ask which brother you are from? You''ve caused enough trouble for today, so perhaps leave some room for maneuver..."


    Tang Xian touched his cap. Indeed, during the fray, several had tried to remove his cap and mask, but he had kicked them all away.


    Confident he had not been exposed, he replied,


    "We won''t meet again. Since I dered I came to smash the ce, I must keep my word."


    Ignoring Xiang Peng, Tang Xian continued to pound away with his fists at the man he held.


    Leveling up was a monotonous task, and oveing monotony required focus.


    "Anyone else who talks or makes a fuss gets hit next."


    With that, no one else moved or dared to speak. Tang Xian enjoyed the quiet and concentrated on swinging his fists.


    After what felt like an anaerobic workout of several dozen minutes, and having switched his punching bag about seven or eight times, Tang Xian finally stopped.


    [Sessfully inflicted harm on a human unit, increased damage against human units by one point.]


    [Cumtive damage against human units exceeded one thousand points, unlocking the achievement: Unrivaled.]


    [Unrivaled: When attacking human units, an additional real damage worth ten percent of the target''s maximum health is inflicted.]


    That should do it.


    Now he was truly the nemesis of humankind.


    If one day he stood opposed to humankind, he might rank as a cmitous-level boss in terms of threat level, right?


    Tang Xian refrained from further fighting; he was precise with his blows, but with the achievement of Unrivaled unlocked, continuing the fight could actually lead to fatalities.


    After dusting off his hands, Tang Xian symbolically flipped over a couple of tables.


    That was his way of fulfilling the promise to smash the ce, and under the watchful eyes of Xiang Peng and the bouncers, he left openly and unabashedly.


    Before leaving, Tang Xian nced at Xiang Peng.


    [Current demand: Send someone to track down the troublemaker (51%).]


    "I''m giving you a friendly piece of advice: don''t send anyone to follow me. The guy on your left has been messing around with your wife. You''d be better off worrying about whether your wife has been recently eager to go y mahjong instead of dealing with someone like me who you can''t touch."


    Tang Xian walked away.


    Xiang Peng turned to look at his trusted aide to the left, his eyes widening.


    ...


    ...


    Labor is glorious.


    Tang Xian worked hard tonight and slept soundly.


    When he got up the next day, it was already noon.


    Opening the door, he nned to stroll around Decay Street to check on the aftermath of yesterday''s events. However, Shang Lu had been waiting at the door for quite some time.


    Shang Lu still looked unkempt, nowhere near what you would expect from a wealthy person on the fourth level, holding a bulging prop bag in his hand.


    "Why didn''t you knock?"


    "I did. No response," Shang Lu replied.


    "So you just waited?"


    "I thought you had gone to the mining district. Figured I''d wait a while."


    "If I had gone to the mining district, you might have had to wait for seven days."


    "Seven days? Xian, humans can''t survive in the mining district for seven days."


    "Never tried, nning to see."


    Tang Xian felt he was bing less and less like a human as time passed, but had no real basis for this feeling.


    Changing the subject, he said,


    "Have youpleted the flower I wanted?"


    "Yes, here it is. This is a replica of the Jiuye Biphasic Orchid. Although the pattern and veins are slightly different, the scent is the same. I kept one mother flower for myself; the rest is all yours," Shang Lu said proudly.


    Tang Xian was also very satisfied and added,


    "You''re more efficient than I thought. I''ll go to the mining district for the trade this afternoon."


    "Alright, call me if you have more work like this."


    "Will do. If all goes well, you should apply for the patent on this technology in a week''s time. However, I hope you keep this matter confidential."


    "Don''t worry about it." Shang Lu still didn''t understand what exactly the deal Tang Xian was making and with whom, but he trusted him.


    Pattting Shang Lu on the shoulder, Tang Xian suggested, "You should still tidy up a bit in the future. A handsome guy like you¡ª24 years old, you should consider settling down and establishing a family."


    Shang Lu justughed sheepishly and didn''t continue the conversation.


    ...


    ...


    Tang Xian didn''t revisit Decay Street. Now that he had the most crucial prop, he could make the trade with Qing JiuYu ahead of time.


    Opening the transportation rift, Tang Xian returned to the mining district.


    The forest of trees.

 Chapter 39: Chapter 28: The No-Loss Deal_2

    Travelers heading to the mining area could choose from several teleportation stations, which were mostly established in rtively safe regions.


    They could also choose to teleport directly back to thest ce they left from. However, this memory was retained only once.


    Now, the tree sea had be a red zone due to Qing JiuYu''s appearance. Tang Xian guessed that if he didn''t take action himself, the Hell me Wolf that Jiang Ming was concerned about might never be killed by anyone.


    The Biphasic Orchid could only be found at the edge of the tree sea, so Tang Xian did not rush to venture deep into it.


    Although he was considered a real boss-level existence to the human factions, he was still quite weakpared to the creatures of the mining area.


    He had taken only a few steps when he stopped.


    [Cmity-level boss Jiuye Fox has learned your location through sharing, sharing time remaining: 5 days, 21 hours, 19 minutes, 44 seconds]


    Tang Xian frowned.


    This was what Qing JiuYu had done to himst time, but he didn''t know what the implications of it were.


    Because right after that he had left the mining area.


    Now that he thought about it, as long as he was in the mining area, Qing JiuYu would probably know his whereabouts for nearly the next six days.


    Tang Xian shook his head.


    Dong Ran was now a member of his team, codenamed Tang, and as the team leader, it was natural for him to help rectify the mistakes made by his team members. So he didn''t mind.


    [You have learned the location of the Jiuye Fox, Qing JiuYu]


    At this moment, a certain image came into his mind through his sea of consciousness.


    It was at the edge of the tree sea, rtively far from the fox''sir, but the Jiuye Fox moved very quickly. In Tang Xian''s sea of consciousness, there was a map.


    A red dot was approaching him at high speed.


    At this rate, Qing JiuYu would be close to him in less than ten minutes.


    Tang Xian slowed his pace.


    Before long, he smelled a faint fragrance.


    After a while, the owner of the scent appeared in his line of sight.


    "It''s really strange, I couldn''t sense you with my Soul Crystal the day before yesterday. You were like you had disappeared from this world."


    Qing JiuYu was very puzzled, as this had never happened before.


    Tang Xian figured out what the situation was and improvised an excuse,


    "I went to a very special ce and picked a few Biphasic Orchids for you."


    Qing JiuYu''s eyes instantly lit up.


    Tang Xian opened his item bag.


    "This seems to be something humans use."


    "Humans are smart. They''ve invented many useful things, which we should learn from."


    Qing JiuYu nodded, finding the statement logical.


    Tang Xian took out three Biphasic Orchids.


    Qing JiuYu covered her lips. Despite being prepared, she was still overjoyed at the sight of the three Biphasic Orchids.


    Tang Xian had to admit that the evaluation of her charm as devastatingly enchanting was very fitting. The woman''s every grimace and smile carried an immense seductive power.


    "How did you obtain these?"


    "Like I said, it was a rather special ce. I can''t tell you."


    "Hmph, stingy."


    Qing JiuYu happily took the Biphasic Orchids.


    "Alright, your pet... oh, no, your underling''s killing of my n member can be considered squared away."


    It wasn''t that the life of a n member was worthless, but that Biphasic Orchids were too rare in this world. Otherwise, Qing JiuYu wouldn''t appear here when the flowers blossomed.


    "But you still have to do what you promised me. It''s not been a week yet; I''ll tell you when the timees."


    Women tend to be coy, expecting men to be persistent. But the thinking of the fox n and the humans was different.


    Tang Xian looked at Qing JiuYu, with the sincerity rating system evaluating her as: her word was as good as gold. Therefore, he didn''t ask further and nodded in agreement.


    He didn''t want to work for free, but this was an opportunity to prate the "upper tier" of the mining area.


    However, Tang Xian still wanted to strive for some legitimate rights.


    "This Biphasic Orchid, I actually know of a few other ces where it can be found. I can get some more for you."


    "Really?"


    Women love flowers, especially those that are etched into their gic memories. It''s probably the same reason cats love fish snacks.


    "Yeah, I keep my word, and you should have realized that by now."


    Qing JiuYu nodded.


    At first, when Tang Xian boasted about finding three Biphasic Orchids of Jiuye, Dong Ran was skeptical.


    But Tang Xian was highly efficient, and Qing JiuYu''s impression of him improved significantly.


    Tang Xian also noticed that Qing JiuYu''s favorability towards him had risen to 45, described as "heart-racing."


    Giving flowers to a woman really can boost the rtionship.


    Taking advantage of the moment, he said,


    "If you like other flowers as well, I can help you get them."


    "You''re a person who talks about interests, what do you want me to do?" Qing JiuYu was calm.


    "asionally I purely want to help people out of sentimentality, especially beautiful women."


    "Heh, you have a way with words. But I don''t like owing others."


    Tang Xian nodded.


    Continuing with pleasantries was the style of humans. Facing a fox with such high candor, Tang Xian said,


    "Has a Hellhound with three heads recentlye to the Forest Sea?"


    "That''s right. It''s quiterge and seems to be in an evolutionary phase. It may enter the next stage after a while."


    Tang Xian''s pupils contracted.


    An evolutionary phase?


    Indeed, in Steven''s "New Mine Area Evolution Theory," it is mentioned that the evolutionary cycles of mine area creatures are much shorter than earth creatures.


    But this requires some luck, probably rted to Soul Crystals. Most creatures do not evolve until their death. A select few, however, can evolve into the next form of their kind.


    "Hell me Wolf?" Tang Xian said.


    Among canine creatures, there are not many existences above the elite level boss. The perfect level creature Hell me Wolf is one of them.


    "Yes. It''s been in the mine area for a while and has been quite well-behaved. What about it? Did it offend you? If you want to kill it, I don''t mind."


    Tang Xian nodded, thinking that he was pretending to be an entity capable of standing on equal footing with a cmity-level boss. Not to mention a Hellhound with three heads, even a Hell me Wolf would be as good as dead if he said so.


    "What about the Beast Court?"


    "As long as you''re discreet enough."


    "I tend to be rather heavy-handed in my actions, and I have some connections with the bone hyenas of the Red Soil Forest. When the Hellhound sees me, it might fight to the death, unavoidably leaving clues. Not all creatures in the Forest Sea recognize me; they won''t necessarily help me."


    Qing JiuYu watched Tang Xian with a smile that was not quite a smile.


    Tang Xian didn''t beat around the bush.


    "Your kin hold a certain prestige here, not to mention you, and women are meticulous by nature, making few mistakes. Conveniently, it is not wary of you. In my hands are exactly two more Biphasic Orchids of Jiuye. Why shouldn''t we be good friends and solve each other''s needs?"


    "Tsk tsk, you speak just like a shrewd and cunning human, yet so straightforward. Okay, I agree."


    "It has one ear missing, and it''s also missing an eye. If possible, spare me the three heads, don''t burn them to nothing."


    When a cmity-level boss takes on an elite-level boss, Tang Xian didn''t even need to imagine it; the fight would surely be over in an instant. A breath of foxfire would leave nothing but ashes.


    He needed to make some requests.


    "Any other requests?"


    "Yes, it would be best to keep the belly intact as well."


    Qing JiuYu thought Tang Xian was amusing, curious about what he needed the head and belly for.


    Seeing the confusion, Tang Xian said,


    "Do you eat meat normally?"


    "Our fox n has always eaten meat."


    "That''s good, I love meat too. It''s just that my way of eating it differs from yours."


    Then Qing JiuYu understood.


    "I will disappear for another two days. Next time I see you, I''ll bring the Biphasic Orchids you need. If there''s any other nt you like, feel free to tell me as well."


    Qing JiuYu nodded, replying, "Wait a few days, and I''lle to you, bringing what you want."


    The deal was struck.


    Having a cmity-level boss work for you naturally saves effort.


    Latter on, Qing JiuYu chatted casually with Tang Xian about personal preferences, and he managed to learn some things.


    For example, the fox n actually likes Portugese Lilies, the Nvwa Snake that''s in conflict likes White Mulberry best, and Qing JiuYu herself is quite fond of shiny objects.


    Mostly he knew already.


    But for an entity like Qing JiuYu capable of assuming a human form, there ought to be a few private likes. Pleasing Qing JiuYu became a higher priority than the next n.


    Tang Xian did some calctions, seeing it as a deal that couldn''t lose.


    The leg of a cmity-level boss was outstretched; it would be a mistake not to cling to it, wouldn''t it?

 Chapter 40: Chapter 29: Translator

    As evening approached, Tang Xian had gathered enough redline grass and once again built a nest atop the Hundred-Handed Wood.


    He didn''t need to return to the mining district for the time being. Dong Ran''s dance steps still required practice, and he also had to patiently wait for Qing JiuYu to bring the things he wanted.


    And for Qing JiuYu to reveal what they wanted him to do.


    Tang Xian had some guesses. The conflict between the fox and snake tribes must be at a critical phase, and coincidentally, something significant had happened among the foxes.


    Without any clues, guessing blindly was a foolish endeavor.


    The evening breeze was gentle. After scattering redline grass on the tent and the branches of the Hundred-Handed Wood, Tang Xian sat leisurely inside, breathing the cleanest air.


    Having an enhanced sense of smell was a perk, allowing him to detect scents from far away. By these scents, he could deduce what was happening around him, which was quite an interesting thing for Tang Xian.


    At least it made passing the time very convenient.


    The forest sea was different from the real world.


    Outside the Pyramid, the Earth used to be magnificent. But now the deserts had expanded, the oceans turned murky, and most of the surviving sea life was from thousands of kilometers beneath the sea.


    Some had even mutated. As fornd creatures... Tang Xian wasn''t even sure if there were any left.


    Cities had turned to ruins, and the radiation left by wars was extremely lethal.


    In short, from the survival education Tang Xian and everyone else had received since childhood, the world outside the Pyramid had been thoroughly exhausted by humanity.


    It was an environmentpletely inhospitable to humans.


    It was said that many death row inmates were not executed but simply exiled outside the Pyramid, where they would die within a few hours.


    The mechanical Pyramids were humanity''sst refuge.


    If one could survive in the mining district for over seven days, humans would consider migrating there.


    Tang Xian really wanted to try, to see if he couldst seven days in the mining district. He was indeed making the attempt, and today marked the first day.


    Shang Lu had given him quite a few Jiuye Biphasic Orchids. He had only given three to Qing JiuYu; the rest were bargaining chips. If anything happened in the next five days, he could at least use location sharing to ask for Qing JiuYu''s assistance.


    Although the forest sea was currently a red zone, Qing JiuYu was the reason for it bing so. Although uncertain if the favorability described by "Heart Throb" was precise, his current rtionship with Qing JiuYu should be friendly.


    Getting through these days safely wasn''t an exaggerated expectation.


    Interestingly, there were numerous cases in survival education where people died after staying in the mining district for seven days. The impression of the mining district for everyone was that it was difficult to survive in, not due to the environment itself, but because of the ferocity of its various unknown creatures.


    Tang Xian''s thoughts differed; he found the mining district morefortable than staying in the Pyramid.


    Recalling certain special aspects about himself, he sometimes wondered if he had mutated.


    Many parents joked with their children, "You were picked up from the mining district by your mom and dad."


    Tang Xian''s parents had said such things too.


    He naturally didn''t take it literally, but he indeed couldn''t remember anything from before he was two or three years old.


    Shaking his head, Tang Xianughed at himself mockingly.


    HIs thoughts had wandered too far.


    He indeed had a series of ns, like building a house in the mining district. Then establishing a private teleportation station.


    Right here in the forest sea, as long as he kept good rtions with that group of foxes, he could likely be the first human in history to live in the mining district.


    But all this could only happen if he managed to stay in the mining district for seven days.


    ...


    ...


    Seven days weren''t a long time.


    Pyramid Fortress No. 39 was busier than usual during these days.


    There was a new debt to handle on Jiang Ming''s bill.


    Currently on the fourth floor, in his office, he opened his inbox and discovered that not long ago, a hellhound with three heads was hunted down by a team called Shengtang.


    As a person with a high credit rating, especially someone within the system and though Jiang Ming was young, he could enjoy the privilege of posting jobs and only paying once the task waspleted, just like many entrepreneurs.


    He paid the bill promptly and became curious about the team named Shengtang.


    Using the convenience of his position, Jiang Ming checked and discovered that this team was actually affiliated with the military.


    And it had been established for only two days. The team went from the bottom of the rankings to soaring past two hundred ces.


    "What kind of codenames are these? Tang, Tang, Tang Wudi... Even soldiers are getting less and less serious these days," he scoffed, shaking his head with a smile.


    Many teams were like this, luckily hunting down powerful creatures and shooting up the ranks overnight.


    But such luck, if had once in a lifetime, would already signify an extraordinary life. Many teams had experienced such sudden rises in rank, and afterward, they would simply be surpassed by other teams.


    Jiang Ming didn''t think too much of it.


    Soon, the Hunting Festival wouldmence.


    Teams of hunters from around the world would gather at Fortress No. 39, in the grand arena on the third floor, a grand event where hunters from all nations could exchange experiences andpete against one another.


    He was actually looking forward to seeing this Shengtang team.


    After paying the bill, Jiang Ming nced at his mission.


    "[Hunt the hellhound with three heads in the forest sea, bounty price, one hundred pieces of standard purple organic ore. Pendingpletion.]"


    Jiang Ming looked on with a hint of resignation.

 Chapter 41: Chapter 29: Interpreter_2

    ```


    This task had cost him dearly, as he poured all his years of savings into it, not for anything else, but just to seek revenge for his fallenrades.


    But just two days ago, the military elite, the high ranks of the Li family, released news that a cmity-level creature existed in the Tree Sea, and it was a boss-level entity.


    The Tree Sea was then marked as a red zone.


    Jiang Ming was certain that he probably wouldn''t be able to avenge hisrade. Hunterspeted for rankings to gain fame and fortune. However, the mightier the hunter, the less likely they were to approach dangerous areas.


    They were all elites focused on survival, and the strongest knowledge for staying alive wasn''t various hunting skills, but three words: Don''t seek death.


    "Forget it, I''ve done all I could."


    Letting go of the thought, Jiang Ming began to deal with other matters.


    As a civil servant, his primary responsibility was the review of temporary worker''s permanent employment applications.


    For this reason, he would often conduct inspections at the lower levels. He went down there just yesterday.


    The lower levels are now in chaos, and it seems like the nefarious organizations are undergoing a major power reshuffle.


    Jiang Ming heard some news, some of which carried the exaggerated ir of wuxia novels.


    For example, the biggest foreign power in the lower levels, the Xiang Family, had their most profitable casino smashed by a lone individual.


    It is said that the person wore a hat and mask, making it difficult to see their true face, but they had mastered the long-lost Vajra Invulnerability Skill of the martial world.


    Jiang Ming also heard about it from his secretary Liu and found it somewhat amusing.


    But the troublesome power of the Xiang Family, these past two days have been quite eventful for them.


    The third inmand, Xiang Peng''s wife had an affair, and the lover turned out to be Xiang Peng''s confidant. The investigation also revealed the true identity of this confidant, who was actually a hall master from another power, the Six Element Society.


    Decay Street has been aplete mess these days, but for thew enforcement of the lower levels, it''s actually a good thing.


    The various forces of the lower levels fight and trip each other up, such as reporting someone for hiding ancient furnaces capable of producing addictive tobo.


    This tobo was extremely addictive. Long-term use made people listless and reduced the mining efficiency of temporary workers in the lower levels.


    All along, the higher-ups had been investigating in secret and had suspected targets but no evidence.


    After the conflict between the Xiang Family and the Six Element Society erupted, both sides began to puncture each other''s defenses, and evidence thatw enforcement couldn''t find was actively being delivered to them.


    Consequently, many other forces were also uncovered in the process.


    With evidence in hand, the regr army could intervene, and for the merchants of the third, fourth, and even fifth levels, it was a good opportunity to take over the industries of Decay Street.


    Jiang Ming believed that in a few days, the forces of the lower levels would be quickly swept away. Even if there were remnants, they would be greatly weakened, and for a long time, there''d be no need to worry about the security of Decay Street.


    This matter even made it into today''s morning paper for Fortress No. 39.


    Jiang Ming had read it as well. ording to second-level journalists, everything stemmed from a single sentence uttered by a masked person.


    Now, the Xiang Family was offering a high reward for this masked individual.


    ...


    ...


    In the mining zone, the Tree Sea.


    Five days had passed, and Tang Xian had been living quitefortably these days. He had also encountered some of the zone''s wildlife on several asions.


    A herbivorous animal from the Tree Sea, the Ironbark Giraffe.


    Ranked as an elite-level ordinary creature, it didn''t meet the boss standard, so Tang Xian couldn''tmunicate with this type of animal.


    But looking at its long neck, he thought of a delicacy called duck neck.


    "What a pity, its skin is tough as ironbark, can''t bite through it."


    Tang Xian sighed and gave up the idea of nning against this creature, as herbivorous animals could be aggressive toward humans as well.


    In essence, to the animals of the mining zone, humans belonged to the chaotic evil alignment.


    But Tang Xian found it strange that he seemed to naturally radiate a kind andwful aura.


    He noticed several times that the Ironbark Giraffe, upon seeing him, showed a joyful demeanor.


    Even though the creature couldn''t speak a humannguage, its likeability in the panel read [Delighted to Meet], and had Tang Xian not applied Red Line Grass, perhaps this three-meter-necked Ironbark Giraffe might have even made friendly gestures typical of the Deer Tribe.


    It wasn''t just the Ironbark Giraffe, but also the Spiked Pigs he encountered by theke, which were among the weakest of the enhanced-level creatures. Of course, they were still ones Tang Xian couldn''t beat. These creatures were omnivores and extremely aggressive towards humans.


    When Tang Xian was fishing, he saw one as well. Its likeability wasn''t at [Delighted to Meet], but it showed no animosity whatsoever.


    After giving Tang Xian a couple of looks, it left.


    Tang Xian even felt that there probably would be no danger without the Red Line Grass. This feeling was veryforting.


    A sense of unity with heaven and earth, living in harmony with nature.


    But he never let his guard down.


    After all...


    He really wanted to eat these creatures.


    Roast them, steam them, saut¨¦ them, fry them, boil them.


    For most animals, so long as the meat wasn''t too tough and they couldn''t turn into humans, he thought they could be eaten in any way.


    The evolution of thousands of years of human civilization was so that we could have the right to eat meat.


    Still, there were some creatures Tang Xian didn''t want to eat.


    Last time, Tang Xian found animal paw prints on his tent, and this time, he saw the creature itself.


    It was a Lyrebird.


    Somewhat simr to a parrot but a few sizesrger. Sitting on a human shoulder, it wouldn''t look out of ce.


    Tang Xian was struck dumb.


    This was one of the least researched animals known to humans in the mining zone. It was only mentioned in the New ssic of Mountains and Seas.


    It possessed feathers of five colors, was extremely intelligent and understood the speech of hundreds of animals.


    ```

 Chapter 42: Chapter 29: Interpreter_3

    The rest included a bunch of descriptions, which Tang Xian immediately recognized as the origin of this bird.


    "Good morning, human. Can you treat me to a grilled fish?"


    Tang Xian wasn''t surprised that human words came out of the bird''s sharp beak.


    Unlike parrots, mynas are an enhanced existence; they speak not only humannguages but also those of various beasts.


    "You catch a fish, and I might consider cooking it for you."


    "You catch a fish, and I might consider not telling that silly fox you''re human."


    The myna cocked its head and scrutinized Tang Xian from its perch on the tree branch.


    Tang Xian became interested.


    This bird actually had another name, the "Gossip Bird" or "Troublemaker Bird."


    They were proficient in variousnguages and loved stirring up trouble between creatures that couldn''t understand each other, given that mimunication was inevitable.


    But if even a mosquito could be seen through, how much more a bird?


    Tang Xian also sized up the bird.


    Stats surfaced in his eyes.


    Gender: Male.


    Good-Evil Value: 29.


    Greed and Lust Index: 55.


    Favorability: 4 (strangers).


    Financial Assessment: 0 (penniless).


    Favorite Thing: Beautiful female bodies.


    Thing Hated: Cat-eared bats.


    Thing Feared: Cat-eared bats.


    Current Sincerity Level: 10 (tantly honest).


    Charm Value: 17 (unremarkable).


    Current Luck Value: 19 (slightly unlucky).


    Current Needs Analysis:


    [Extort the human in front of me (35%)]


    [Curry favor with that fox (40%)]


    [Stir up trouble between the human and the fox (20%)]


    [Other (5%)]


    Tang Xian couldn''t help butugh.


    Many people have unique ways of seeking help, often using methods of ckmail and extortion to ask for it.


    Luckily, Tang saw himself as someone happy to lend a hand; he loved being extorted the most.


    It just so happened that he needed a trantor in the mines, and here someone provided himself for the job.


    "Actually, I also detest cat-eared bats."


    The myna made a "Gaw!" in surprise, uttering its natural call.


    How did this human know it hated cat-eared bats?


    "Those creatures are bloodthirsty, not to mention they have ears just like cats. For someone like me who naturally loves petting cats, it''s downright disgusting. At the age of fourteen, I came across information about these creatures, and it almost made me quit my habit of petting cats."


    "Yes, yes, they''re so annoying. Ah, but wait, don''t change the subject, you crafty human."


    "But cat-eared bats taste really good, did you know? Their wings are stronger than those of regr bats, and there''s more meat on them. The flesh is tender, and whether you have it in a hot pot or fried with some hot sauce, it''s incredibly delicious."


    The myna''s head lifted slightly, as if it was swallowing saliva.


    "You surely want to eat cat-eared bats too, right? They live in the same ces as you do, mostly in deep mountains or tree holes, and they often bully you, don''t they? If you couldn''t speak theirnguage and constantly tter them against your will, you might already be dead, right?"


    "Gaw!"


    Could this human tell fortunes?


    "It''s horrible, but sadly you don''t know how to deal with cat-eared bats, but I do. Think about it, why would a nine-tailed fox choose to get close to a human like me? I know a lot of things, not just how to cook cat-eared bats, but also what they''re afraid of."


    "All you have to do now is catch a fish for me, and I won''t just treat you to grilled fish, I''ll also tell you how to deal with cat-eared bats."


    The myna''s eyes swiveled.


    "Deal, a deal." With two ps of its wings, it flew towards the river.


    Watching the myna fly away, Tang Xian''s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he started to scheme.

 Chapter 43: Chapter 30: I Want to Ride You

    Tang Xian didn''t sabotage. He was a human who loved to protect little birds.


    Mockingbirds and cat-eared bats alike favored dry and cool ces; they mostly nested in caves that were well-ventted yet devoid of light.


    Cat-eared bats had a bloodthirsty nature; if the mockingbirds weren''t fluent in thenguage of the cat-eared bats, they would have a hard time surviving. These creatures had cat-like ears and a temperament somewhat simr to cats; they would toy with their prey just as a cat would "y" with a little mouse for a long time before finally killing it when they lost interest.


    Tang Xian liked cats, but he was always aware of the cruel wildness within them. The cat-eared bats were even worse.


    Mockingbirds shouldn''t have appeared in the Forest Ocean, so he could imagine how miserably one mockingbird could''ve been bullied by cat-eared bats to the point of being driven from home.


    The mockingbird returned quickly, efficiently catching a Green Phosphor Fish.


    After receiving the fish, Tang Xian began earnestly roasting the fish and plotting how to recruit this interpreter.


    "G¨¡ zh¨©, sly human, you should fulfill your promise!" the mockingbird urged Tang Xian.


    "I heard that mockingbirds can sense many illusions, some residual brainwaves from other creatures, which is why you can master variousnguages," Tang Xian said.


    "Yes, we are clever birds. We speak all kinds ofnguages," the mockingbird said, obviously proud.


    "That''s really nice. The fish needs a few more minutes to roast; let me first tell you how to deal with cat-eared bats. These creatures have better hearing than ordinary bats, but they are averse to light and basically cannot operate during the day. All you need is a fire to light up the ce where they live. Their dwelling is dry and cool, easy to set afire.


    Being a neighbor, you should know this." Tang Xian said, looking at the fish while opening his prop bag.


    The mockingbird was initially overjoyed, then thought for a few seconds, and finally squawked angrily:


    "G¨¡ zh¨©! You deceitful human! You tricked me! How am I supposed to start a fire! If the fire starts, won''t my home be gone too?"


    "Hmm, so that method won''t work." Tang Xian did some calctions; the IQ of the mockingbird was probably slightly lower than that of an average human.


    Judging from the speed of reaction to the prank, it was roughly at the level of an IQ between 90 to 95.


    Plus, without human cunning, it actually scores less.


    In short, it was a silly bird. Of course, that was by Tang Xian''s standards.


    "I will tell that fox that you are an outsider human! You are like those who can vanish suddenly! You are an invader, g¨¡ zh¨©!" The mockingbird clearly hadn''t realized that the human in front of it¡ªwas really cunning.


    "Use your bird brain and think about it, when you incited other creatures in the Mining Continent, you relied on their inability tomunicate. But I have no barrier inmunicating with Qing JiuYu, and I''ve just given her the exceedingly precious Jiuye Biphasic Orchid. Do you think she will believe you or believe me?


    Life is short for a bird; why insist on antagonizing people you can''t afford to offend?"


    The mockingbird was stunned.


    Tang Xian continued:


    "Afraid of light cat-eared bats don''t necessarily need to be dealt with by fire. There''s a type of fungus, called Glow Mushroom, very rare. Tonight, you can go and see it; it can make dark ces as bright as day. Take these Glow Mushrooms during the night when cat-eared bats go out for activity and hunting, and spread them inside the caves; they won''t be able to return."


    "G¨¡! That''s how it is, that''s how it is!" the mockingbird was extremely overjoyed.


    "You should develop the good habit of listening before you speak. Do you know where the Glow Mushrooms are? Do you know how many there are? Know how to take them to where you live? If you pull them out directly, will they still glow?"


    The fish was ready, and Tang Xian gave the tail of the fish to the mockingbird.


    The mockingbird gaped; its bird brain was confused by the barrage of questions.


    "However, you don''t need to worry, fate arranged for you toe extort... ah no, seek help from me today. I''m a man happy to assist birds. Glow Mushroom grows at the bottom of YiSu Canyon, YiSu Canyon is south of the Forest Ocean. If you fly diligently, you can see them tonight; you can personally verify and see if they are as bright as I described."


    The mockingbird immediately became cheery again.


    "You are an honest human!"


    "Yes, my biggest w is honesty, soft-heartedness. So I still need to tell you honestly, there are only three to five Glow Mushrooms under YiSu Canyon and they are extremely rare. Probably, throughout the entire Mining Continent to the south, there are no more than ten nts.


    If you rely on your bird beak to take them back, let alone that they might not live at all, even if they could survive, how much can you take at a time? And even if you took them all... it is certain that three to five nts won''t light up much, you would just be bullied even worse."


    "G¨¡ zh¨©! What should I do, what should I do?" The mockingbird''s tiny head was filled with helplessness in an instant.


    "Fortunately, you met me, Tang Xian, today. Have you remembered my name? Say it, will you?"


    "Tang Xian, Tang Xian," the mockingbird repeated without realizing it had beenpletely following the other''s lead.


    Tang Xian couldn''t discern what the birdnguage sounded like, but he generously said:


    "I am very wealthy, I have enough Glow Mushrooms to illuminate aplete Forest Ocean. You could ask me for some. I could even personally take action and nt Glow Mushrooms in every cave north of the Forest Ocean. Furthermore, if you purchase this service now, you can get the Nine-Tailed Fox''s foxfire at half the price.


    Just imagine those fire-fearing dead bats; next time theye to bully you, your good friend Tang Xian, with his fox, can spew a great fire and roast them to death, eating their crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside wings. Doesn''t that sound great?"

 Chapter 44: Chapter 30: I Want to Ride You_2

    "Ah! Human, you are truly a great ''sugary salty''!" the mynah bird blurted out excitedly.


    Tang Xian furrowed his brows; that statement sounded somewhat awkward to him.


    "So, we are friends now, you see," he said. "In human rules, as long as everyone has shared grilled fish, we are friends for life and death. Do you know what it means to be friends for life and death? It means no matter what danger you face, I will help you out, and of course, the reverse is true as well."


    The mynah bird nodded incessantly, resembling a woodpecker pecking at wood.


    "Good,ter on, Qing JiuYu wille to find me," Tang Xian went on. "I''ll talk to her about helping you teach those bats a lesson. You''re trying to curry favor with her for this reason, right?"


    "Chirp-chirp! That''s right, that''s right!" In the eyes of the mynah bird, the selfless image of Tang Xian grew taller and mightier.


    "However, you''ll have to do some things for me too," said Tang Xian with a smile. "After all, in a life-and-death friendship, there should be give and take, don''t you agree?"


    "Definitely, definitely."


    "Tonight, you can go to the canyon first to check if the Glow Mushrooms are there. If they are, you can pick one for me. Don''t worry about killing it. In three days, I''ll bring the thing you want, and I''ll also ask you some questions then. We are best friends, and I won''t let you down, so you will surely answer me truthfully, right?"


    "Yes! You''re my good brother! Chirp-chirp!" the mynah bird nodded vigorously.


    [Current Honesty Level: 61 (Candid)]


    [Current Affection Level: 55 (Sharing Weal and Woe)]


    Looking at the data before his eyes, Tang Xian couldn''t help butugh; the creature with the highest affection for him in the mining area turned out to be a bird.


    Regarding the Court of Thousand Beasts, and even some situations within the upper circles of the mining area''s creatures, the mynah bird likely knew. The mynah bird was very useful, and what Tang Xian currently wanted to know the most was about the level of civilization advancement among those upper circles.


    These were things he couldn''t ask Qing JiuYu.


    He had to y the role of a mysterious and powerful boss creature, even though he didn''t know exactly what creature he was pretending to be.


    ...


    ...


    Having finished the grilled fish, the mynah bird flew south with high spirits, preparing to fly to YiSu Canyon.


    That ce was in the blue zone but rarely visited because thepulsory path went through the forest sea. Tang Xian thought, as long as he helped the mynah bird with the problem of the cat-eared bats, this mischievous yet pure-hearted little bird would likely be a great help to him.


    In the afternoon, Tang Xian began to survey the surroundings as he really nned on setting up a private base in the forest sea. After all, thend here cost nothing, and he only needed to maintain a good rtionship with the group of foxes.


    However, at this time, the scent in the air began to indicate that some changes were taking ce.


    Tang Xian then stopped what he was doing and waited patiently.


    A few minutester, Qing JiuYu arrived quickly.


    ording to the agreement, he would give her several Jiuye Biphasic Orchids, and she would bring the corpse of a hellhound.


    But Qing JiuYu did not look natural.


    Without even looking at the data, Tang Xian knew what had happened.


    He opened his item bag and spoke calmly,


    "Here are your Jiuye Biphasic Orchids. Though the hellhound got away, you made an effort to capture it, and that''s fulfilling our agreement."


    Qing JiuYu was taken aback.


    "You knew?"


    Tang Xian nodded and said, "Yes. A cmity-level creature visiting an elite-level creature, at a time of crucial evolution, would be extremely cautious. Its choice to escape shows the creature isn''t dumb; to have survived until its evolutionary period, it must have consumed many preys."


    "I''m sorry... Although my fox n has always been called cunning, we aren''t untrustworthy... but this time I..."


    Qing JiuYu did feel somewhat uneasy. The fox n''s sense of smell was not weak, but it couldn''tpare to that of dogs. Upon smelling her scent, the hellhound had started to run away, and when she arrived, she couldn''t even determine in which direction it had fled.


    Tang Xian, looking at Qing JiuYu, suddenly had a bold idea.


    "Now you are just like me, having a strong desire to kill the hellhound. You can run faster than it, but you can''t detect it. However, I can."


    Qing JiuYu didn''t doubt how Tang Xian knew she now wanted to kill the hellhound, as it wasn''t hard to guess.


    She looked at Tang Xian curiously and asked, "You can detect it?"


    "My nose is no worse than its own, so we might as well cooperate," he suggested.


    ```


    "How should we cooperate?"


    "I want to ride you."


    ```


    The character for "ride," both in its construction and its true meaning, is a proper word. Much like Tang Xian, who was a proper person. His expression was serious.


    Qing JiuYu was stunned for a few seconds, but then her face turned red.


    "You tell me the direction, and I''ll go catch it for you?"


    "Yes, so you need to turn into a fox, and then I''ll ride on you."


    "Even if I don''t revert to my true form, I am still faster than that dog."


    Tang Xian didn''t doubt Qing JiuYu''s word.


    ...


    ...


    The border between the Red Soil Forest and the Sea of Trees was indeed quite vast.


    It would take Tang Xian almost half a day to travel the distance.


    After the Sea of Trees was marked as a red zone, few teams dared to loiter nearby.


    Normally, there wouldn''t be any quests in an uninhabited zone.


    But at this time, an elite hunting team, ranked around fiftieth with all its members being experts, was slowly approaching the Sea of Trees.


    "Boss, although the hellhound with three heads is ridiculously expensive, are we really going to risk entering the red zone?" asked someone in the squad wielding a crossbow.


    The captain, whose weapon was a greatsword transformed from armed minerals and who had a burly figure, said, "That buyer originally offered a hundred pieces of purple minerals, which already was an astronomical price. I can determine that the person is a high-ranking official from some fortress.


    Now that he has raised the price to one hundred and fifty, it goes to show how much he wants that hellhound dead. Let''s just do the deal; even if it''s in the red zone, if we keep a low profile, we surely won''t run into the nine-tailed fox, right?"


    A team ranked around fiftieth, with all members having around five talents, consisted of experts among experts. They were capable of hunting the hellhound cooperatively, as long as they didn''t make any significant mistakes.


    The crossbowman nodded his head.


    Indeed, even though cataclysmic level bosses were unbeatable, they were rare species. If one could encounter them just by walking on the road, humanity would probably only dare to stay in the newbie viges.


    However, the team''s scout suddenly said, "It seems like the temperature has changed."


    "Nonsense, the temperature is always changing." The captain didn''t speak to the scout with the same courtesy as he did to the crossbowman because of the scout''s lesser strength.


    Although after leaving the Red Soil Forest, the captain also felt it was somewhat hotter.


    "My ability is to sense changes in temperature, boss. We should leave. Although the hellhound is a heat-me type creature, it shouldn''t be causing such a significant rise in temperature over thisrge area," said the scout, shaking his head.


    "Coward. It''s normal for it to be hotter here since there are fewer trees than in the Red Soil Forest. It''s not like we could possibly run into the nine¡ª"


    The crossbowman didn''t finish his sentence and suddenly stopped with his mouth agape.


    Everyone''s mouths fell open when, in the distance of their line of sight, a hellhound that was farrger than anything they understood to be possible suddenly appeared.


    They were battle-hardened experts. Even though the hellhound seemed unusuallyrge, with good teamwork, they might still win.


    But what shocked them to the point they forgot to draw their weapons wasn''t the hellhound.


    The hellhound was running towards them, and a hundred meters behind it, a fiery red fox¡ªnot the least bit smaller than the hellhound¡ªwas pursuing it at an even faster pace.


    The captain, the crossbowman, the scout, the healer, and the other two warriors were all dumbfounded.


    At that moment, they couldn''t count how many tails the fox had, but it was certainly more than six.


    In this world, there were no seven or eight-tailed foxes, so what appeared in front of them, they all knew what creature it must be.


    The breath of the Grim Reaper seemed tond instantly on each person''s neck.


    "Is... is that... the nine-tailed fox?" stammered the crossbowman, trembling all over.


    The terrifying aura emitted by the cataclysmic level creature, which also happened to be a boss, left them without even the thought of resisting.


    But as the two massive creatures charged their way, they noticed something even more shocking.


    "Good heavens! Boss, look, there''s someone... on the back of the nine-tailed fox!"

 Chapter 45: Chapter 31: Actually, I am a Glutton

    ```


    From the captain to the healer, the six members of the team all had their brains short-circuit.


    It was quitemon to see humans in the mining area, and encountering a hellhound sorge it could be considered mutated wasn''t uneptable, after all... even a cmity-ss boss like the nine-tailed fox had appeared.


    However, the pictureposed of these three was truly unimaginable to everyone.


    The weakest humans were riding the strongest creatures of the continent, hunting down an oversized hellhound; for this elite team, the scene was simply too shocking.


    For a hellhound, a few hundred meters was a distance it could cover in the blink of an eye; its colossal size did not slow down its speed.


    In the eyes of the crossbow-wielder and the captain, this hellhound''s speed far exceeded that of ordinary hellhounds.


    The captain, as the most talented person in the team, could see five kinds of data, including speed.


    "Is this really a hellhound? Its health, speed, and attack power are all far beyond normal values!"


    They finally understood why the reward price for this hellhound was so high.


    The team chose to give up at that moment, some even regretting venturing too deep.


    This hellhound had already be an extremely dangerous creature, its stats were well beyond the elite level.


    But what was truly terrifying was the pursuer behind it.


    Eye''s talent was rare, only one kind, and he did not hold a high position in the team. The only talent he could see was health.


    He did not know how fast the hellhound was.


    He only knew that the nine-tailed fox''s health was up to seven digits.


    As for speed, even without data, everyone could feel how terrifying the speed of the nine-tailed fox was¡ªthe hellhound was being relentlessly closed in on!


    "Get down!" Eyes shouted loudly.


    At this moment, the team did not hesitate and ally down.


    The huge hellhound swiftly swept over their heads.


    The next second, a horrific column of fire shot across!


    Though the hellhound was fast, it couldn''t outpace the fox fire; it had incredible defensive power, but one of its legs was instantly engulfed in mes.


    Creatures of the fire type had a certain resistance to fire, yet the fox fire of the nine-tailed fox could immediately burn everything to ashes.


    Emitting a painful howl from its mouth, the hellhound''s massive body could no longer stand on its one missing leg and crashed to the ground.


    It was merely grazed, but in just an exchange, the hellhound''s health was nearly halved.


    Seeing the numbers in their eyes, everyone''s mouths gaped open in shock.


    The scent of scorching filled their nostrils, and they could still hear the hellhound''s pained howling.


    "It can''t run anymore, can it?"


    The voice was human, speaking in Huaxia. The few did not get a clear look at Tang Xian''s face, but Tang Xian saw these humans.


    "Should we burn another leg? Just to be safe."


    "I wasn''t talking to you. Shut up, you dead dog."


    "Forget it, this dog is mutated; I won''t keep the body, just leave me the head."


    "Of course it''s useful."


    Tang Xian was talking to himself; the hunters lying in the pit had no idea who he was talking to.


    Everything just made them feel more terrified.


    What kind of person could ride a cmity-ss boss?


    Though he seemed like a lunatic talking to himself, he was not someone they could afford to provoke at the moment.


    Tang Xian was obviously not talking to himself.


    He was conversing with Qing JiuYu and the hellhound whose leg had been burned off.


    In the midst of the conversation, Qing JiuYu swung her ws, breaking off the hellhound''s other three legs. Without struggling for long, the Soul Crystal lost its glow. While it was not exposed, the eyes no longer held the unique color of boss-tier creatures.


    Even if these boss-tier creatures revealed their true forms, Tang seemed to be able to converse with them, further convincing Qing JiuYu that Tang was a creature of this world.


    Unlike those humans who could escape at any moment.


    "What about these humans? Shall we kill them? They look so stupid ying dead," Qing JiuYu said, not in a hurry to revert to her human form.


    ```


    She rarely transformed in front of humans. Tang Xian didn''t hope for this scene to happen either.


    He wasn''t someone who liked to monopolize knowledge, but the fact that a cmity-level boss could take human form was, for the moment, a secret he needed to keep to himself.


    "Forget it, just a few ants. We should y along with their act, we can''t simply ignore them. Sometimes, you have to try to understand humans so you can be more like one," he said.


    "You''re really tolerant of humans. By the way, what happened to that girl fromst time?"


    "She''s locked up." If he could see his current level of sincerity, Tang Xian believed he would probably receive an ''easy to read'' assessment.


    Qing JiuYu asked no further.


    Tang Xian jumped down from Qing JiuYu''s back. He paid no attention to the several humans lying on the ground, ying dead.


    He also hoped inside that these humans would have the sense to not trouble him at this moment, for even Akasi might not be able to save them if they did.


    Luckily, his team was also quite experienced.


    In terms of ying dead, Tang Xian felt they deserved a score of seventy. If there had been some blood, they would have passed.


    He ignored them.


    As he checked the Cerberus, he furrowed his brows.


    "Could you help me cut off this head?"


    The kitchen knife in his prop bag was not capable of chopping off the meat around the Cerberus''s neck.


    Qing JiuYu was somewhat puzzled; wouldn''t it just be easier to snap it off with a twist?


    Humph, this man was reallyzy. Not only did he not exert any effort while riding on her back, but even when it came to dealing with corpses, he expected her to handle it.


    Despite her internalints, her actions were quick and neat.


    With a swipe of her fox w, the three heads of the Cerberus were severed cleanly.


    Tang Xian asked, "Do you want the Soul Crystal?"


    "Its grade is too low. The Soul Crystal is of no benefit to me. I figure it''s of no use to you either," Qing JiuYu expressed no interest in the Cerberus''s Soul Crystal.


    "It''s useful to me, you don''t want it but I do," Tang Xian said calmly.


    "You are of the same rank as me; if you want to get stronger, it would be better to hunt the Nvwa Snake with me."


    "Next time, who said it was about getting stronger? Be good, help me get the Soul Crystal out. I just like collecting pretty stones."


    "..."


    Qing JiuYu maintained her fox form, her 24k fox eyes widened as she stared at Tang Xian.


    She had long heard from the older generation in her n that the more a being resembled humans, the more perverted their actions were.


    Tang Xian probably didn''t understand what it meant for a creature from the mining area to treat Soul Crystals as collectibles.


    But after a brief pause, he caught on.


    It was like carrying a ne made of human bones around in human society.


    Fortunately, Qing JiuYu didn''t dwell on it.


    "What exactly are you?" she asked.


    Tang Xian was taken aback.


    The question came quite out of the blue; he would have toe up with a good story to get through this.


    "Why are you suddenly asking me this?" he asked.


    "I just want to know."


    "Can I not say?"


    "Why?"


    "I''m very rare. I want to maintain a sense of mystery in front of a lovelydy."


    "Pfft, you''re quite the talker. But you should also know that while mystery attracts women, it also repels them. You need an appropriate level of honesty."


    Tang Xian had to admit, Qing JiuYu''s words sounded like those of an elegant and intelligent woman.


    Fortunately, at that moment, he thought of an answer that suited his image and said:


    "Taotie."

 Chapter 46: Chapter 32: Pretending to Pretend to Be Human

    Tang Xian, like many others, pondered why the mining area had suddenly emerged at the end of human civilization.


    There were countless hypotheses for this question, and this world, which seemed like a replica ne, was obviously moreplex than humans imagined.


    For instance, Tang Xian did not know about the Wan Beasts Court. High-level beings capable of transforming into humans seemed to conceal extremelyplex secrets within the mining area.


    However, it was certain that mythical creatures existed in the mining area; the nine-tailed fox was one of them, so... it was highly probable that the Glutton, a creature known for its voracity, existed as well, right?


    The Glutton had a fondness for food and therefore was represented on the lid of a cooking vessel. It was also said that the word for gluttonous is "Gourmet," which is why food connoisseurs were colloquially called "Gourmet." Tang Xian thought that if he had to pretend to be some boss, that would be it.


    "Oh, I''ve heard about it. It''s from the ancient Dragon n, no wonder I can''t sense your kind. So the ancient Dragon n really does exist..."


    Tang Xian nodded, his face wearing an expression that clearly said, "Yes, I truly exist."


    He was somewhat concerned about the humans pretending to be dead around him, but they couldn''t hear Qing JiuYu''s voice in his own mind, so they wouldn''t understand what he meant.


    "Yes, it really exists, but it''s very rare. Actually, I don''t really like to talk about this topic."


    "That''s indeed an interesting piece of news. Consider it yourpensation for today. Don''t worry, I won''t spread the word."


    Qing JiuYu didn''t feel particrly honored to have a member of the Dragon n riding on her back, driving her forward, but after learning Tang Xian''s identity, she no longer felt humiliated.


    However, she needed to find an opportunity to ride back one day. There were very few who had ridden a dragon, and even fewer were foxes.


    Most of the time, Tang Xian was able to guess what others were thinking, but he didn''t this time; otherwise, he would have sternly warned Qing JiuYu, "Female fox, your thoughts are very dangerous."


    After selecting one of the more recognizable heads of a Cerberus and putting it into his prop bag, Tang Xian and Qing JiuYu left.


    It was a long time after the self-talking man and the cmity-level boss-like creature left that the team pretending to be dead slowly rolled over and then stood up, dusting the dirt off their bodies.


    They were still in shock.


    "Can someone tell me if today''s events... were real?" Their eyes were still unfocused.


    "I don''t know. Speaking of which, with the other two heads of the Cerberus, can we still exchange them with that wealthy client for ore?" The healer in the team seemed rather bold.


    "I... don''t know. The Soul Crystal was taken by that person just now." The crossbowman looked in the direction they had departed, still frightened.


    "So that was the nine-tailed fox, truly terrifying. What exactly is the deal with that human?" the captain said.


    "I don''t know."


    Every frame, every scene of what had just transpired was something they had never seen before.


    So their answers always began with "I don''t know."


    "Was that person... talking to the monster?"


    "I don''t know. Oh my God, I''m baffled. Could it be that creatures in the mining area can be domesticated and tamed?"


    "Should we... report this to the higher-ups?" the eyes asked cautiously.


    "Idiot, they''ll say we were scared out of our wits by the nine-tailed fox, even that our brains got frazzled," the captain rejected the idea.


    He held the highest authority in the team and said in a grave tone, "We''re lucky to have escaped with our lives today. That person just now... might have even saved us. In any case, today''s events must not be spoken of. We''ll nevere to this forest again."


    The eyes nodded in agreement; the captain''s words made sense.


    No one had seen the man''s face. However, his voice was distinctive and had etched itself clearly in everyone''s memory.


    The crossbowman shrugged, "Nobody would believe us if we told them. A human riding a nine-tailed fox, that''s truly a grand... fantasy."


    ...


    ...


    Tang Xian found that riding a nine-tailed fox and observing the surroundingndscape was a quite unique experience.


    Although he would certainly not post an article on a tform like B-Hu about what it felt like to ride on a cataclysmic boss, if he did, people would likely mock him as a dreamer.


    This was like, over a thousand years ago, how many otakus fantasized Aragaki Yui and Rimi Ishihara were their wives.


    This couldn''t even be considered a dream, just an unrealistic fantasy.


    At least within the known existence of humans, Tang Xian was the person with the most in-depth research on the mining area, without a rival. Even he himself thought that today''s events felt somewhat surreal.


    But beautiful dreams are always short-lived.


    After returning to the sea of trees, the nine-tailed fox transformed into a human form.


    No longer able to ride the fox, but facing a body with a charm rating of 99 was also quite enjoyable.


    Qing JiuYu was curious, "Can you transform into your original form?"


    "No," Tang Xian firmly believed that he must strongly refuse this request.


    "Why? I''ve grown up hearing only rumors about dragons, and although I don''t know whether I''m stronger than the ancient Dragon n, at least their original forms seem to be more majestic than mine."


    Tang Xian said, "I''ll draw you a dragon when I get a chance, and if therees a day you can''t see me anymore, you can quench your thirst by looking at the dragon."


    "Hahaha¡­ You''re really funny," Qing JiuYu probably saw through Tang Xian''s attitude.


    "Alright, I won''t press you on this, but why though? Your current form seems very weak to me," Qing JiuYu didn''t understand.


    "Actually, I''m pretending to be a human. I''ve infiltrated the human ranks, and in the future, I''lle to know many humans. In short... the humans that stay with me will be friends of the fox n."


    Tang Xian blurted out nonsense on the fly.


    Although unclear if he was the only human able tomunicate with creatures of the mining area, Tang Xian could roughly imagine what the future might hold.


    He might be the type who would run between human and monster camps.


    "Pretending to be a human? That indeed is interesting. But it''s true that humans are full of schemes, and some long-lived beings have told us that humans once reached the pinnacle in another world. In that world, humans were definitely not a dominant force, yet they were able to cage creatures much more powerful than themselves."


    "Who told you that?" Tang Xian suddenly became somewhat wary.


    The mining area and reality are considered two different worlds, and they are not truly interconnected at the moment. At least creatures from the mining area cannot go to the real world.


    That''s humanity''s greatest reliance.


    But Qing JiuYu''s words seemed to imply that a being from the mining area had been to the real world, or at least... knew what the real world was like.


    "The Long-eared Ancient Apes. They are born with far greater intelligence than other creatures, and they also hold quite a high status among all beasts, although they are not powerful. Even the strongest warriors in their tribe are a bit inferior to the six-tailed members of my family. But they have long lifespans."


    "They have caught some humans before, or rather, they put some humans under hypnosis, making them talk about things from another world. The Long-eared Ancient Apes have been weak, but their say in the Court of All Beasts is not low, considering their long standing."


    Tang Xian nodded and rxed.


    He knew about the Long-eared Ancient Apes; some humans had hunted them, and the third-floor''s creatures'' museum even had their skulls, just elite-level creatures.


    From the existing knowledge on primate creatures of the mining area, it is known that the IQ of Long-eared Ancient Apes is extremely close to that of humans. Fortunately, this species is very weak and rare.


    Tang Xian no longer dwelled on it.


    Watching Qing JiuYu''s beautiful figure, he noticed that Qing JiuYu''s current needs had changed.


    [Bring Tang Xian to meet the children (55%)]

 Chapter 47: Chapter 33: The Fox Tribes Little Girl

    Tang Xian understood meeting the parents.


    Human civilization had gone through many twists and turns, and although male-female rtionships had be more casual, the process of marriage hadn''t changed much.


    However, Tang Xian didn''t understand what it meant to meet the children.


    The fox tribe''s den was deep in the Tree Sea.


    Qing JiuYu and Tang Xian strolled and chatted leisurely.


    Einstein''s Special Theory of Rtivity was correct, a long road, if apanied by a beautiful woman, would feel much shorter.


    The fox den was different from what Tang Xian had imagined, mainly in terms of scent.


    Not long ago, his sea of consciousness had updated with information, enhancing his resistance and damage against the hellhound with three heads. His sense of smell had also been enhanced once more.


    But the foxy scent of the den was not very strong. He could smell it from a distance, but upon arriving at the scene, he didn''t find it pungent.


    The scent of Biphasic Orchid did an excellent job of neutralizing the foxes'' scent.


    He began to understand why the foxes liked this kind of nt and had some inspiration as well.


    "Do they not wee me?" Tang Xian nced at the foxes and realized that his favorability with them was quite low.


    The favorability was fluctuating around 5.


    "It''s always like this when outsiders enter our territory. Don''t worry, just follow me."


    Tang Xian nodded.


    The three-tailed spirit fox was an elite-level creature. In the Tree Sea, it wasn''t powerful, but it had a strong backing. Not every race''s pinnacle had a cmity-level boss creature as its leader.


    He also didn''t need to deliberately please them; he just had to avoid offending them.


    The fox tribe''s den, however, was bigger than Tang Xian had imagined, housing around twenty three-tailed foxes. Even an elite-level boss creature wouldn''t dare to intrude carelessly.


    Before long, Tang Xian saw a human child.


    "Qing Auntie! You''re back!"


    The little girl had a round, chubby face with some baby fat, and by human standards, she seemed to be about five or six years old.


    Her illusionary clothes were quite antique, different from Qing JiuYu''s pce attire, belonging to ater period, closer to 21st-century ancient girls'' garment.


    But what caught Tang Xian''s attention was that the little girl had no tail.


    As soon as the child saw Qing JiuYu, she hopped and skipped over, but then became somewhat frightened and hid behind Qing JiuYu upon seeing Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian looked at the little girl; the panel disyed nothing unusual.


    Gender: Female.


    Good or Evil Value: 55.


    Greed and Lust Index: 5.


    Favorability: 2 (Strangers).


    Financial Assessment: 5 (Dirt-poor).


    Loved Items: Fish.


    Disliked Items: Fishbones.


    Feared Items: Snakes.


    Current Honesty Level: 64 (Honest and Open).


    Charm Value: 60 (Jade-like Home Beauty).


    Current Luck Value: 52 (Minor Fortunate).


    Current Needs Analysis:


    [Eating caught fish (50%)]


    [Catching fish to eat (45%)]


    [Other (5%)]


    The thinking of children is always simple; once you know what they like, it''s very easy to raise their favorability.


    Tang Xian was unclear about Qing JiuYu''s purpose in showing him this fox tribe girl, but from the way she was addressed, he knew she was not Qing JiuYu''s child.


    However, she was a pretty little beauty in the making, and Tang Xian always liked beautiful things.


    "Actually, there are many kinds of fish. If you''re afraid of bones, you shouldn''t eat Green Phosphorus Fish or Red Phosphorus Fish. Their meat is good, but they have too many bones and can easily get stuck in your throat. Plus, eating them is like eating watermelon¡ªfive seconds of eating, one minute of spitting seeds."


    The little girl was taken aback. Tang Xian continued:


    "In the March Marsh to the west of the Tree Sea, there''s a type of fish called the Dragon Thorn Fish. Despite its name suggesting it''s covered in thorns, it''s actually named for its dragon-scale-like appearance. This fish is very delicious and particrly suitable for making fish soup, and it has no bones. Do you know fish soup?


    It''s made by sprinkling all kinds of spices into the broth and slowly simmering it over a gentle fire."


    Although the little girl had never eaten fish soup, she mostly consumed fish by breathing out a burst of foxfire, then directly eating the somewhat charred flesh. Yet for some reason, she found herself swallowing her saliva at Tang Xian''s description.


    The sight was incredibly cute.


    "But today we don''t have time, I''ll find a chance to make a sturdier fishing rod and then go catch you a dragon spike fish. Today, I''ll take you for fish soup, and you''ll realize that the soup is tastier than the meat."


    The little girl''s eyes widened as if they were shimmering with light, and then she quickly nodded, saying:


    "Really?"


    "Of course, I''ll take you to catch fish in a little while."


    "Okay!" The little girl nced at Qing JiuYu.


    Qing JiuYu smiled and said, "How did you know she likes to eat fish?"


    "She smells faintly of fish," Tang Xian told the truth, even without relying on the panel, he could guess what the little girl liked.


    "Do you like her?"


    "She''s quite cute, but why doesn''t she have a tail?"


    "She is also a descendant of a nine-tailed fox, but her parents... well, her origins are somewhatplicated. Her tails will grow out when she''s older."


    "So, no matter how young, all nine-tailed foxes can transform into human form?" Tang Xian noticed Qing JiuYu''s candor had decreased.


    "Not exactly... It''splicated, I''ll tell you more about itter. She will be a powerful warrior for our fox n in the future, possibly even surpassing me. But for now, she''s still too small. I want her to grow a little in the Forest Sea, at least until she has a tail."


    Qing JiuYu''s expression seemed troubled, not because she didn''t trust Tang Xian, but because there were some secrets of the fox n she couldn''t easily share with someone from another n.


    Tang Xian nodded and said, "So, the reason you asked me to wait a week is that you needed time to bring her here?"


    "You''re very clever."


    "Where was she before?"


    "In another ce of the fox n, but the people there didn''t like her much."


    Tang Xian sensed there was more to Qing JiuYu''s words and that she had her difficulties, so he didn''t press the matter, saying:


    "The little girl is adorable. You say she has the potential to be even stronger than you in the future?"


    "Yes, I have no doubt about that. Don''t be fooled by her youth; she could easily handle a hellhound with three heads like we saw earlier."


    Tang Xianughed.


    A member of the fox n who looked entirely human on the outside but possessedbat strength exceeding that of elite-level bosses was rare.


    Of course, he also understood the meaning behind Qing JiuYu introducing him to this child.


    Qing JiuYu had arranged for the little girl to stay in the Forest Sea because it was safe, and the only thing in the Forest Sea that Qing JiuYu was a bit wary of was himself, acting out the role of a boss.


    "You''re nning to let her stay in the Forest Sea and have me help look after her."


    Qing JiuYu realized Tang Xian was indeed clever, even more so than most humans she remembered.


    Tang Xian looked into Qing JiuYu''s eyes and saw that she truly trusted him.


    He didn''t ask why.


    He figured it probably had to do with some doubts about him.


    Nor would he ask something tactless like, "Do you really trust me that much?" Such a question would only breed suspicion.


    He nodded, his voice calm and serious, "I promise you, and it just so happens I am setting up a nest in the Forest Sea, near your fox n. You''d better rify my rtionship with you to your fox n members."


    "What should our rtionship be?" Qing JiuYu''s eyes were full of allure.


    "Of course, a pure friendship."


    Tang Xian crouched down, extending his hand.


    He looked at the little girl in front of him, a girl shrouded in too many mysteries, but he wasn''t in a hurry to unravel them. He smiled and said:


    "Shall we go catch fish?"


    "Yes, yes!"


    The little girl also reached out her hand, grasping Tang Xian''s, and her affection for him instantly grew a few points.


    Children are like that¡ªyou y with them, and they''ll like you.


    "By the way, what''s her name?" Suddenly, Tang Xian remembered, he couldn''t just call the girl a nine-tailed fox, could he?


    A shadow of sorrow shed through Qing JiuYu''s eyes as she shook her head, "Actually, she has no name; I''ve always called her Xiao Ni."


    Tang Xian realized that the little nine-tailed girl''s background was perhaps quiteplex and her status somewhat special.


    But when it came to naming, Tang Xian didn''t mind at all, saying:


    "If she has no name, let''s give her one now. From henceforth, you''ll be called Tang Chiyu."

 Chapter 48: Chapter 34: One Man, One Fox, One Bird

    Tang Xian didn''t know how Qing JiuYu got her name, but Qing JiuYu knew that the name Tang Xian wasn''t quite pleasant to the ear.


    She somewhat expectantly said, "Are you willing to give him your surname?"


    "What''s wrong with that?"


    "Our names are mostly derived from ancient apes that we understand best, and surnames are actually more important to us than given names as they represent belonging. It''s just that Xiao Ni, she¡­"


    "Alright, I know this little girl is very special, and you have some unspeakable difficulties that you can''t talk about. I''ll be appearing in the Sea of Trees often, and if she follows me, having my surname will be more convenient. It''ll save a lot of unnecessary suspicion."


    Tang Xian spoke in a calm tone that also felt very sincere.


    Qing JiuYu looked at Tang Xian with some gratitude, then said, "You will always be a friend of the fox n, as long as I''m in it for one more day."


    This treatment surprised Tang Xian a bit. It seems this little girl was indeed very important.


    Qing JiuYu then smiled and said, "However, she can''t be called Tang Chiyu, that''s a bit too unpleasant to the ear. I know this name is very casual. You need to put more thought into it."


    Tang Xian didn''t agree.


    Take Dong Ran''s codename Tang, for instance¡ªone could immediately tell she was on his team, and it was clear what her distinctive feature was. Wasn''t it wonderfully vivid and direct?


    But since Qing JiuYu had asked, Tang Xian still nodded and said:


    "I originally nned to call you Tang Xiaoyu, but I know an idiot whose name sounds the same as yours. Hmm, you can''t end up like her in the future. So let''s call you Tang Xiaojiu."


    "Qing, do I have a name now?" the little girl asked with wide eyes, looking at Qing JiuYu.


    Qing JiuYu gently replied, "Tang Xiaojiu does sound quite cute. You, do you pick names just because they are easy to remember?"


    Nine represents the nine tails, and Tang Xian''s idea was very simple: if he would encounter more bosses entrusting their children to him in the future, he might as well start a nursery.


    To avoid confusing these people, having a word in the name that rted to their true form was a good method.


    Of course, the nursery was just an exaggerated joke. Having one cute child was nice, but more could be a hassle.


    Qing JiuYu''s entrustment of the little girl to Tang Xian wasn''t purely done to please her. When he looked at the little girl, he genuinely feltpassion.


    "So it''s settled. From now on, you''ll be called Tang Xiaojiu. I''lle to see you often, and I''ll take you out to catch fish to eat. Oh, I''m Tang Xian."


    "Okay, Tang Xian," Tang Xiaojiu seemed very happy to have a name.


    "It''s uncle... never mind, brother it is."


    He always felt that calling Qing JiuYu "Qing" and himself "brother" somehow seemed to be inadvertently demoting himself a generation. But children speak their minds, and besides, who can me him for being young?


    "I''m about to take Tang Xiaojiu to catch fish. What about you?" Tang Xian looked at Qing JiuYu.


    "Once I''ve settled her, I must go, now. The fox n up ahead still needs me." Qing JiuYu suddenly felt a bit reluctant.


    "The farewell seems to havee quite quickly. When will we meet next?"


    "I don''t know, probably not until the Nvwa Snake has retreated."


    Tang Xian frowned slightly.


    Deep down, he didn''t want to side with either the fox n or the snake n. He was interested in the war but didn''t want to get involved.


    He didn''t reveal his thoughts.


    The Nvwa Snake and the various other snakes were natural disaster-ss creatures that preferred cold environments. Forced to migrate south and wage war with the fox n for territories suggested there might be even stronger creatures emerging in the north.


    This was just one of Tang Xian''s guesses.


    "Humans have been studying the art of war andbat techniques in a way that other animals can''tpare. Many ancient texts that have been preserved are about the aesthetics of war.


    There are actually many interesting techniques in ''The Art of War by Sun Tzu.'' I''ll tell you about them when I have the chance, but for now, you might want to try and understand why the White Phosphorus Demon Snake led the Nvwa Snake to invade the south."


    Qing JiuYu nodded.


    "Well, separation will eventually lead to reunion. Take care on your journey. I''m off to catch fish with the little girl," said Tang Xian nonchntly.


    Qing JiuYu was slightly stunned as Tang Xian simply took Tang Xiaojiu by the hand and walked out of the fox burrow.


    She didn''t know when they would meet again. Tang Xian''s carefree attitude was not that of someone facing farewell; it was as if he was leaving for the day and would return in the evening.


    This man was truly interesting.


    Tang Xian''s thoughts weren''t thatplicated.


    Many people had some sort of rtionship with him, like those ssmates from his past, or those old temps from the mining area.


    As people got to know Tang Xian, they grew fonder of him.


    He was that kind of person, carrying a bit of pride. But once you got to know him, he was veryfortable to be around.


    But no matter how much others liked Tang Xian, he always seemed lukewarm to everyone.


    Farewells were the same, seemingly neither painful nor itchy.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Tang Xiaojiu was very lively.


    Catching fish, the little girl didn''t care about getting herself wet and walked barefoot by the riverside, energetically starting to fish.


    Compared to Tang Xian, who needed to wait patiently for the right moment to catch a fish, Tang Xiaojiu''s reaction and speed were much faster.


    Even if the fish swam swiftly, aware that two hungry creatures on the river''s surface were after them, Tang Xiaojiu could violently outpace them with speed.


    "The gap brought by bloodline really can''t be bridged," Tang Xian muttered with a wry smile.


    Just as Tang Xiaojiu was about to spout a mouthful of foxfire and then consume the fish in mes, Tang Xian said:


    "Eating like this is quite wasteful, you know."


    Tang Xiaojiu paused and asked, "What does wasteful mean, Tang Xian?"

 Chapter 49: Chapter 34: One Man, One Fox, One Bird_2

    "It could actually taste better, but you chose the least delicious method. Come, give me the fish. I''ll show you how to eat it."


    Tang Xiaojiu reluctantly struggled, battled with her conscience, and finally, obediently handed over the fish.


    To prevent Tang Xiaojiu from drooling along the way, Tang Xian put the fish into his carry bag and took her to his treehouse.


    Without dy, Tang Xian began cooking the fish.


    With wealth abound, one still only eats three meals a day. When ites to eating, one must be particr¡ªeven if most of life requirespromise, at least under the existing conditions one should live asfortably as possible.


    Lacking enough side ingredients, he couldn''t make aplex fish dish and decided to make a milky phosphorus fish soup.


    "I should nt a vegetable garden here in the future."


    Tang Xian initially wanted to add some chopped green onions but then realized he didn''t have any.


    Relying on a furnace for conversion, it inevitably had a fast-food quality which differed from naturally grown produce.


    Without stopping his hands, Tang Xiaojiu midway, lured by the aroma, couldn''t resist anymore and came in to urge him:


    "Tang Xian, is it ready yet?"


    Tang Xian vaguely heard the sound of swallowing.


    "It will take a little while longer."


    "How long is a little while?"


    Tang Xian stopped talking. Cooking is a serious matter.


    Especially since this bowl of milky fish soup had a special meaning to Tang Xian.


    Tang Xiaojiu felt that her fox life had never been so agonizing. Those little fish that smelled fishy, how had they changed vor in Tang Xian''s hands?


    It really smelled good, slurp.


    After a long wait, Tang Xian took out a bowl and soup spoon, specifically choosing the parts with the fewest bones for Tang Xiaojiu.


    Then he filled it with some garnishes.


    A bowl of fish soup that he was quite satisfied with was ready. After putting in the spoon, a utensil so simple and easy to use, he said:


    "Come in."


    Efficiently, Tang Xiaojiu came in. Tang Xian pointed at Tang Xiaojiu''srge bowl and then at his own small bowl before starting to eat the fish soup.


    If Dong Ran were here, she would probably sigh about the difference between humans and foxes, favoring the fox over the human. After all, when Dong Ran was present, Tang Xian always had therge bowl, Dong Ran the small one.


    The little girl, although only just over five years old, unexpectedly understood Tang Xian''s kindness.


    "Tang Xian, your bowl is so small. Is it enough for you?" Tang Xiaojiu said.


    Tang Xian was surprised, this girl was quite considerate and said, "It''s enough for me."


    "Oh, if it''s enough for you, could you give me some more? It''s really delicious."


    Tang Xian: "..."


    ...


    ...


    In the end, the milky phosphorus fish soup was not made in vain; one bowl of fish soupter, the little girl''s fondness for him quickly soared.


    It even surpassed Qing JiuYu''s.


    Food lovers can fall for the one providing the food through the food itself. The principle can be traced back to ancient times when people used candy to lure little girls.


    Tang Xiaojiu was like a nk sheet of paper, not only innocent but also easily deceived, the kind you could trick away with just two fish.


    Therefore, it was necessary for him to raise Tang Xiaojiu''s discernment regarding food.


    The sky slowly darkened.


    Tang Xian originally wanted to send Tang Xiaojiu back to the fox den, but Tang Xiaojiu did not want to go back.


    "Tang Xian, can I sleep here tonight?" she asked.


    "Why don''t you want to go back?"


    "They don''t like me. Qing left, and I''m scared."


    "Those tri-tailed foxes?"


    Tang Xiaojiu nodded, seeming a bit wronged.


    It was then that Tang Xian realized Tang Xiaojiu might not be a normal nine-tailed fox; otherwise, how could those tri-tailed foxes dare to show disdain towards her?


    He couldn''t understand fox expressions.


    But thinking back, when he entered the fox den, the expressions of those foxes... may have been... not just unfriendly towards him.


    Tang Xian was beginning to understand why Qing JiuYu entrusted Tang Xiaojiu to an outsider.


    He nodded and said, "I''ll go make somete-night snacks."


    "What''s ate-night snack?"


    "It''s delicious."


    "Yeah, yeah, I love midnight snacks."


    ...


    ...


    In the next two days, which were Tang Xian''sst two days of surviving the full seven days in the mining area, Tang Xiaojiu followed him around.


    Having a curious little girl trailing behind him gave him an unprecedented experience.


    He was reminded of his own childhood when he used to bombard his parents with endless questions and couldn''t help feeling sentimental.


    The idea of teaching Tang Xiaojiu human knowledge and concepts came to mind.


    Raising a nine-tailed fox with human methods would probably be an interesting experience.


    Tang Xiaojiu waspletely won over by that bowl of fish soup.


    Wherever Tang Xian went, she would follow.


    On thest day, the dumb bird came, and Tang Xian gave it a name, calling it Tang Gazi. At first, he said it was easier tomunicate with a human name.


    But by giving it the Tang name, Tang Xian''s intention was clear.


    He could only hear the voices of boss-level creatures and was unable to understand thenguage of ordinary creatures, so having a trantor was useful.


    However, he had to take the time to exin to Tang Xiaojiu that this bird was not for eating. He stressed this important point three times, and the little girl looked at Tang Gazi with disappointment.


    How could there be birds that one can''t eat? That seemed utterly unreasonable.


    Tang Gazi was very afraid of Tang Xiaojiu, but it still didn''t leave Tang Xian.


    After flying for more than a day, it finally found YiSu Canyon and saw glow mushrooms, and now it was waiting for Tang Xian to take it on a journey of vengeance.


    Tang Xian really hadn''t been calcting on purpose.


    After all, Qing JiuYu had entrusted Tang Xiaojiu to him, which was something he couldn''t have expected.


    As long as he had glow mushrooms, Tang Xian could drive away the cat-eared bats. But his real purpose was to win over Tang Gazi.


    So Tang Xian turned and asked Tang Xiaojiu, who was still drooling over the bird,


    "Do you want to eat bird meat?"


    "Tang Xian! What are you going to do, Gazi! I don''t taste good!" Upon hearing this, Tang Gazi got excited.


    "Shut up, I wasn''t talking about you," Tang Xian scolded the silly bird with a re.


    "Can bird meat also be made into soup, Brother Tang Xian?"


    "Yes, the taste is even more delicious, but it''s also good just to eat it like that."


    "Then let''s go eat bird meat!"


    "We''ll eat fish meat tonight, I have to get through this night. If I can survive tonight, I''ll take you to eat bird meat."


    "Have to wait another night?" Tang Xiaojiu found life as a fox to be very tough.


    Tang Xian then said to Tang Gazi:


    "Do those cat-eared bats often bully you and ridicule you?"


    "Yes, Gazi, they''re despicable!"


    "The cultivation of glow mushrooms will take a few more days, but just driving them away is not enough revenge. How about I take Tang Xiaojiu with me and we''ll burn that damned group of cat-eared bats and, by the way, we can eat bat meat."


    Tang Xian smiled and said, "Ordinary bat meat contains deadly poison, but the human cookbook still has the correct way to cook bats. And although the cat-eared bats bear the bat name, they''re not like bats at all; they are real birds that just have disgusting rat-like faces, simr to bats. Their meat is even more delicious."


    Upon hearing this, both the fox and the bird swallowed their saliva.


    Thus, human, fox, and bird reached a consensus: Tang Gazi would lead the way, Tang Xiaojiu would be in charge of lighting the fire.


    When the sun rose the next day, Tang Xian was ready to set out with a bird and a fox.


    But first, he had to get through the night.


    Though in the seven-day period, by just returning to reality for ten hours, one could go back to the mining area for another seven days.


    But this kind of interruption felt very ufortable.


    Tang Xian had seen some cases in textbooks about people who died after staying the full seven days. Their life force would rapidly decline within minutes, as if some invisible rule was forcibly expelling humans.


    He didn''t originally think he was special. It was just a bit regrettable.


    It wasn''t until he encountered the Cerberus and received strange resistance prompts in his sea of consciousness that he began to believe he had special potential.


    With less than an hour left until the seven days were up, he took out the portable transport rift, fully prepared for any scenario.


    As soon as Tang Xiaojiu knew Tang Gazi was going to take her to eat a bunch of birds, she had already considered Tang Gazi a friend.


    Tang Xiaojiu slept at the edge of the wooden hut, and Tang Gazi slept next to her little head. Their friendship was determined by their shared taste in food.


    Tang Xian hadn''t slept at all, his eyes wide open, waiting for thest second to arrive.

 Chapter 50: Chapter 35: The First 7 Days with the Idiot

    Time was up.


    The anticipated rapid loss of life force did not ur. Tang Xian clearly remembered when he had arrived at the mine.


    His brows furrowed slightly, the absence of the so-called seven-day certain death was naturally a good thing.


    But why would the textbook lie?


    Seeing is believing, personal experiences tell the truth.


    Tang Xian hade across simr cases in books, and everyone had only read about them, none daring to test it for themselves.


    He thought this ordeal would end meaninglessly, and he was ready to take out his diary to jot down some notes.


    But suddenly, Tang Xian felt his heart violently thump!


    It was as if a traveler known for light footsteps had suddenly stomped heavily on the ground.


    In an instant, Tang Xian''s eyes filled with bloodshot veins, turning frighteningly red in a very short time.


    He looked anguished, his breathing became rapid.


    His heart thumped more and more violently! The veins that pumped blood seemed as if they would burst under such intense vibrations.


    His eyes, nose, mouth, and even ears began to bleed.


    [Warning, subject to an unknown attack, unable to match corresponding resistance]


    In hisst moments of consciousness, he caught the alert in his sea of knowledge.


    Tang Xian''s gaze gradually grew vacant, and during this excruciating process, he couldn''t even make a sound. Just as he was about to open a dimensional rift, he realized his body waspletely out of control.


    He felt as if his entire body was paralyzed.


    In what Tang Xian understood to be a rapid loss of life, it seemed more like an elerated degradation of bodily functions in a short time. He had enough time to open a rift and return to the Pyramid.


    Yet, it was not so, it started with a violent trembling in the heart.


    Instead of weakening, the heart was overly active, leaving his limbs in a constant state of paralysis.


    Will I die here?


    Tang Xian could no longer express panic; he was like a puppet drained of consciousness and strength.


    Hisst thought was merely a fleeting puzzle about life and death.


    It was too quiet; throughout this ordeal, Tang Xiaojiu and Tang Gazi hadn''t even woken up.


    Perhaps it was Tang Xian''s presence that gave the fox and the bird a sense of security, allowing them to sleep deeply and soundly.


    Thud¡ªTang Xian fell to the ground.


    Hepletely lost consciousness, hisst action being the attempt to open a transport rift, only to find he couldn''t even bend a finger.


    [Unable to match corresponding resistance, current life value detected to be too low, life recovery rate increased by 5%. Maximum life value increased by 5%]


    [Life recovery rate increased by 10%, maximum life value increased by 10%]


    [Life recovery rate increased by 15%, maximum life value increased by 15%]


    ¡­


    ¡­


    [Life recovery rate increased by 315%, maximum life value increased by 315%]


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Tang Xian had alreadypletely lost consciousness; the messages in his sea of knowledge were like notifications urring in an unconscious state, as indecipherable to him as the sounds of the outside world to a person deep in sleep.


    However, the blood that continuously flowed from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose began to dry slowly.


    The temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly. Tang Xian''s lips turned a frozen purple, hinting at the cold. He curled up and trembled slightly, as though in his dream he was enduring freezing winds and snow.


    Suddenly, at some point, Tang Xiaojiu woke up. The little girl didn''t know what had transpired, but as soon as she opened her sleepy eyes, she saw Tang Xian curled up in agony.


    She remembered enduring simr pain in her childhood. Although now was also her childhood.


    Back then, it was Qing who snuggled up to her, gently patting her back and saying many strange things to her.


    Tang Xiaojiu tiptoed over to Tang Xian''s side.


    Although they had only known each other for two days, her impression of Tang Xian was exceptionally good.


    Her small body could only hug Tang Xian''s arm, not enough to encircle his waist. Her little hands patted Tang Xian gently.


    Humming an unnamed tune.


    If Tang Xian could hear, he would probably recognize it as a type of luby of the human race.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    As the life force and life recovery speed reached a certain value, the warning about the low life value in Tang Xian''s sea of knowledge was lifted.


    But in this world, it wasn''t just the unknown attacks that could im lives.


    Tang Xian had once read a book written by an author from the ancient Dongying Ind Country called "Complete Manual of Suicide," detailing various means by which one could die.


    The human body is fragile... so fragile that a slight change in temperature could mean death.


    In the dream, Tang Xian seemed to watch his surroundings filled with blizzards, still wearing his thin work attire.


    Walking through the storm, the difort on his body disappeared, but the bone-chilling cold did not.


    He lifted his head to observe the boundless blizzards in the distance, thinking he might indeed die.


    Die from the cold.


    But then, a ze of red appeared in the world of white.


    The winds ceased, the snow melted, all in a moment¡ªas the mighty mes overcame all the snow and ice.


    Atst, Tang Xian felt a certain warmth.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    He woke up.


    When he opened his eyes again, he saw it was already noon.


    The feeling of sweat-soaked clothing was not pleasing¡ªsticky and ufortable. At the moment, all he wanted was to take a bath in the river.


    "Tang Xian, you''re awake! Let''s go catch some Cat-Eared Bats to eat!" Tang Xiaojiu''s cheerful voice rang out.


    "It''s Bat-Eared Fox Gazi," Tang Gazi''s voice also followed.


    A night had passed, and Tang Gazi was no longer afraid of Tang Xiaojiu, even perching on her little shoulder.

 Chapter 51: Chapter 35: The First 7 Days with the Idiot_2

    Tang Xian smiled, the sunlight serene and beautiful, prating the gaps in the wooden hut andnding on the adorable little girl and the foolish bird before him.


    Having survived a great disaster, Tang Xian experienced no significant emotional upheaval.


    He had always been as calm andposed as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.


    It was just that the scenery before him seemed somewhat wonderful.


    It was a shame that things like cameras couldn''t be used in the mine area.


    Nodding his head, Tang Xian smiled and said, "Let''s go. We''ll feast on bird wings today."


    It seemed that the unknown power inside his body had helped him through a tough spot; the mine area¡­ should no longer have any restrictions on him now.


    However, after ncing at Tang Xiaojiu, Tang Xian''s gaze softened.


    Having lost consciousness, Tang Xian didn''t know what had happened.


    But the enhancement of his sense of smell allowed him to pick up many scents, including his own scent on Tang Xiaojiu.


    The mes in the dream must have been foxfire.


    In this moment, Tang Xian began to doubt Tang Xiaojiu''s true identity.


    But he also decided. No matter what dangers or troubles the little girl might encounter in the future¡ª


    He would always help her.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Fortress No. 39, the sixth floor.


    Dong Ran was very worried about Tang Xian; it had been a week without any news from Tang. Humans couldn''t survive more than seven days in the mine area.


    This point, although the vast majority had not verified it personally, the second young miss of the Li family had once conducted experiments using death row inmates.


    It was an inhumane thing to do, but the second young miss had always been like that; despite her youth, her methods were harsh enough and her thoughts inscrutable. To verify her hypotheses, she could take very unimaginable actions.


    In the n''s reputation, the talent of the second young miss was considered even greater than that of the eldest son, but most people were somewhat fearful of the second young miss. As for the third son¡­ well, it was better to forget about the third son, the great profligate of the Li family.


    At the moment, Dong Ran was very nervous; the second young miss seldom sent for her personally, and she couldn''t understand why she had been assigned the task of getting close to Tang.


    When the second young miss had inquired about herst time, Dong Ran also had a feeling of heart palpitations.


    Today, the second young miss summoned her again.


    These past few days, she hadn''t been in contact with Tang. She had been practicing dance steps supposedly to "enhance breasts and lift buttocks."


    Dong Ran felt these dance steps were strange; though she wasn''t too bright, after a week of practice, she knew that these steps weren''t for enhancing breasts and lifting buttocks.


    They must have another purpose.


    Besides, she already had a D-cup; any more would just burst the buttons; she didn''t need enhancing.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Li Xiaoyu generally stayed in the study.


    Someone once told her: Books are thedder of human progress; it is the most unrealistic fantasy of humanity to think of dominating the mine area with force, this would mean abandoning the greatest advantage of being an intelligent creature.


    Li Xiaoyu deeply agreed with this statement. As a person with only three days of talent, although considered talented among ordinary people, to her, it was tantamount to being handicapped.


    So, she loved reading.


    Yet no matter how much she read, she always felt she couldn''tpare to a certain person. This feeling had lingered for six years, like a persisting illness.


    Today, dressed in a dark evening gown, she was going to attend a soiree. Having not heard any news about a certain person for several days, she thought of summoning Dong Ran for an inquiry.


    Her delicate face bore no expression, resembling an exquisite sculpture or a machine.


    Only when she thought of someone would there asionally be shes of anger and humiliation in her eyes, along with some indescribable sentiments.


    A knock on the door sounded. Dong Ran had arrived.


    "Come in," said Li Xiaoyu, her voice pleasant to the ear, imbued with a sweet and soft quality, but that was just her innate vocal tone.


    Some men had mistakenly thought Li Xiaoyu''s speech was sultry and made frivolous advances toward her.


    This incident was known to the entire Li family andter to all the men who contemted pursuing Li Xiaoyu.


    Li Xiaoyu was very merciful.


    The manter lived a good life, marrying another man and having children.


    Dong Ran stood somewhat restrained.


    Li Xiaoyu spoke indifferently:


    "ording to intelligence from lower-level informants, during the six years Tang Xian worked as a temporaryborer, he did little work in the mine area and mostly chatted with people. He also left the mine area slightlyter than others each time. This indicates that he has a fondness for the mine area."


    Dong Ran didn''t understand the meaning of these words.


    "Therefore, he would try to stay in the mine area as much as possible. He once said that living in the Pyramid was like being a monkey in a zoo. That phrase includes me in the insult too."


    Li Xiaoyu never went to the mine area. She liked the feeling of controlling everything from within closed spaces.


    Dong Ran nodded her head.


    This indeed sounded like something Tang would say.


    "But I''ve personally tested it; it''s indeed impossible to stay in the mine area for a full seven days. So he must have returned, but did he not seek you out?"


    This was truly the puzzling part for Li Xiaoyu.


    She believed that once Tang Xian became a regr, he would spend five or six days in the mine area, which is why she was unconcerned in the previous days.


    She also knew that Tang Xian had asked Dong Ran to practice some steps.


    ording to her understanding, these steps were likely meant to deal with some creatures in the mine area, which also implied Tang Xian would still contact Dong Ran.


    But now seven days had passed, and Tang Xian had still not sought out Dong Ran.


    Li Xiaoyu felt somewhat anxious.


    Even slightly angry, why had Tang Xian given up a good temporary job to be regr?


    For six years, over two thousand one hundred days, more than twenty-three thousand hours, Tang Xian had been under her surveince. Only by constantly monitoring this man''s every move could she feel at ease.


    But now, Tang Xian had disappeared.

 Chapter 52: Chapter 35: The First 7 Days with the Idiot_3

    She had surpassed the time she had anticipated by a full fifty-one hours.


    For over 180,000 seconds, she hadpletely lost contact with that man, and naturally, she was annoyed, even on the verge of going crazy.


    Dong Ran didn''t know how to respond; she was also worried about Tang.


    In fact, she thought the situation was even worse than what the Second Miss had imagined.


    Dong Ran wasn''t very intelligent, but for some reason, she had strangely grown ustomed to Tang Xian''s quirks. She even believed that Tang was the sort of person who, out of the blue, would want to test what it felt like to stay in the mines for seven days.


    And then he would end up trapping himself to death.


    Although Tang was very smart, in some sense, he was just as crazy as the Second Miss in certain respects.


    "Or is it that she''s no longer interested in you? Or perhaps she''s lost her sexual interest?" said Li Xiaoyu indifferently, with a particrly cold gaze.


    Even though Dong Ran thought she could deceive her, she never really held out any hope for fooling Dong Ran.


    She even believed that with Tang Xian''s wisdom, he would probably see through Dong Ran''s disguise within a day.


    The truth was even more brutal than what Li Xiaoyu had thought.


    It took Tang Xian roughly three seconds to judge that Dong Ran was not from the lower sses by looking at her hair, chest, and hips.


    "He knew your identity long ago and still employed you as a team member, teaching you some special steps. It seems he is sexually interested in you. But men are fickle, perhaps he''s tired of you by now? In that case, you would be useless."


    Li Xiaoyu sized up Dong Ran, considering this possibility.


    Dong Ran was stunned.


    The Second Miss knew?


    Good heavens, her cheeks instantly flushed red. But the blush didn''tst a second before it turned deathly white.


    Tang had said the Second Miss liked him, and in the past, those who dared to approach Tang met with terrible fates.


    Her eyes filled with fear, Dong Ran looked up at the Second Miss.


    Li Xiaoyu slowly approached Dong Ran, her fingers white as jade, gently stroked Dong Ran''s face, and spoke tenderly:


    "Find him and prove your worth to me."


    Dong Ran nodded, trembling, thinking that since the Second Miss had seen through everything and she was still alive, perhaps the Second Miss had a special arrangement in mind?


    With this thought... Dong Ran found courage from somewhere and asked:


    "Miss... why did you want me to approach Tang... Tang Xian? Isn''t he your..."


    She still didn''t dare to utter "Isn''t he the man you like?"


    Unexpectedly, Li Xiaoyu didn''t get angry; she even seemed a bit smug.


    "Over the past six years, I''ve tried to offer him advantages, but he has refused them all. He just doesn''t want to get involved with me. But in this world, who else but me is worthy of him? He must have told you about some of our past, right?"


    Li Xiaoyu lifted her head, her gaze inscrutable as she looked at Dong Ran.


    Dong Ran nodded. At this point, there was no need to keep hiding it.


    "Heh, that vindictive man, isn''t it just because he disciplined a few vixens who approached him back in the day?"


    Pausing, Li Xiaoyu said with a lightugh:


    "He hates me because I hurt the women who approached him, but I will make him realize I can give him anything he likes, including women."


    Li Xiaoyu said contemptuously:


    "Mating, to him and me, is just a base pleasure. Of course, a truly intelligent higher being should engage in deeper, intellectual exchange. Sooner orter he will discover that only I possess the wisdom to match his own. As for women, if he wants them, I''ll just give them to him. Whatever kind he likes, I''ll provide. As long as he is mine, that''s all that matters.


    You are the most beautiful among my maids, and physically, your secondary sexual characteristics are the most pronounced, greatly aiding in stimting a man''s desires. That''s a natural advantage. So I sent you."


    Dong Ran was shocked. The Second Miss''s words were probably meant as a warning, but if Tang knew the Second Miss''s thoughts...


    He would likely think the Second Miss was really brainless, right?

 Chapter 53: 36 Chapters: The Strongest Smuggler in Human History

    Dong Ran now believed that the Second Miss was truly possessing an unhealthy obsession with Tang.


    Feeling inexplicably upset, she still didn''t dare to show it on her face.


    "All right, you may leave now. Report back to me when you have news about him," said Li Xiaoyu, her expression returning to the indifferent one she had at the beginning, seeming somewhat aloof.


    Dong Ran nodded and prepared to leave.


    "Wait a moment," Li Xiaoyu suddenly called out to Dong Ran.


    "He dragged you into forming a team? The other members haven''t been found yet?"


    "No."


    "So he borrowed your military identity?"


    "Yes."


    Li Xiaoyu furrowed her brows.


    If they hadn''t found six people, how could they participate in the Hunting Festival? Or was it that he didn''t n on participating?


    "Are the team members all using code names?" asked Li Xiaoyu.


    Dong Ran''s face turned red again as she thought of that embarrassing code name.


    She hoped the Second Miss wouldn''t ask what the code name was.


    "What''s his code name?"


    "Tang Wudi."


    Li Xiaoyuughed. After so many years, Tang Xian''s ability toe up with names was still just as bad.


    In the past, some of their ssmates had also been nicknamed by Tang Xian, and these nicknames were characterized by being very direct. It''s likely that in a few years, when a group of people recall the past, they may not remember the real names of their old ssmates, but those nicknames coined by Tang Xian would surely be remembered.


    "And yours?" Li Xiaoyu asked casually.


    "Tang... Tang the Terrible," Dong Ran felt her cheeks burn.


    Li Xiaoyu stoppedughing. She looked at Dong Ran very seriously.


    "You may leave."


    Dong Ran walked out of the study.


    Li Xiaoyu turned around and sat back down in her chair, picking up a book to read as she had before.


    However, she didn''t read for long. With her mind cluttered with thoughts, she made a phone call a few minutester to Hua Science Academy''s fourth-floor department that studied ancient nts.


    Being Tang Xian''s ssmate, Li Xiaoyu also knew Shang Lu.


    Shang Lu, upon receiving Li Xiaoyu''s call, was a bit nervous. Thisdy had a peculiar way of thinking, and the things she had done at school were unforgettable by anyone from their school years.


    "Miss Li, what can I do for you?"


    "I need a truckload of papayas, grapefruits, and kiwifruits."


    ...


    ...


    The mining area.


    The White Bone Mountain Range.


    Located to the north of the Forest Sea and rtively close to it, Tang Xian had a lot of information on the White Bone Mountain Range stored in his memory.


    The ce sounds frightening, but it''s actually just in the blue zone.


    The most troublesome creature there is the elite-level boss, the Night Vulture.


    As a hignd with many caves and being close to the Forest Sea, this area is considered arge habitat for avian creatures.


    Tang Xian and his group were now sitting in Tang Gazi''s home, a dry and cool cave, eating the wings of the Bat-Eared Bat.


    Tang Xiaojiu had oil all around her mouth, and bones were scattered around the edge of her bowl.


    "Gazi, your neighbors are really delicious," shemented.


    "Delicious, delicious," replied Tang Gazi. As an aviary creature, he had now been reduced to a parrot echoing Tang Xiaojiu.


    All the birds of the White Bone Mountain Range were actually trembling in fear. Although Tang Xiaojiu hadn''t shown the full strength of a catastrophe-level boss, she was close to the standard of amon creature at the disaster level.


    A small girl looking like a human made an entire cave of Bat-Eared Bats vanish with a burst of fire, and this news spread quickly through the avian-inhabited White Bone Mountain Range.


    asionally, Tang Gazi could even hear other birds suggesting in birdnguage that it should leave.


    It puffed out its chest in pride and flew onto Tang Xiaojiu''s shoulder, even though she had given it quite a scare with her burst of fire not long before.


    With strong martial power, there was no need to use their brains anymore, so Tang Xian happily took on the role of a dedicated chef.


    However, he needed to n for some uing matters.


    "Tang Gazi. In this world, you''re after all just a small bird with no strength. How about youe to live with me and Xiaojiu in the Forest Sea?" Tang Xian asked.


    Tang Gazi cocked its head, blinking its bird eyes as it pondered Tang Xian''s words.


    Tang Xian continued:


    "If you don''t want to follow me, I''ll nt the Glow Mushrooms for you in a couple of days. But you should consider, with so many birds in the White Bone Mountain Range, just because the Bat-Eared Bats are gone, does it mean the other birds definitely won''t bully you?


    Let me list them for you, the birds that got along with the Bat-Eared Bats include the Night Vulture, the Rock Pouch Bird, the Sharp-Beaked Flying Squirrel, the Electric Leaf Bird..."


    Tang Xian listed over a dozen species of birds all at once. In truth, most of them despised the bloodthirsty Bat-Eared Bats, but Tang Gazi didn''t know that.


    Beingbeled the enemy of the entire Avian Tribe on one side and having a powerful fox and a human who could make delicious food on the other, Tang Gazi, though simple, knew how to choose.


    "I''ll follow you, I''ll follow you," it nodded faster than a woodpecker pecking.


    Tang Xian nodded in approval. The Myna was settled, and soon they would be heading back to the Forest Sea.


    "After we finish eating, we''ll prepare to return to the Forest Sea."


    "Brother Tang Xian, if all the Cat Birds are eaten, will they grow back out of the ground?"


    Breeding Bat-Eared Bats wasn''t in Tang Xian''s ns, so he decided to extinguish Tang Xiaojiu''s desires for their meat.


    "That''s something to eat only asionally. Eating too much of it not only builds up toxins but can also cause recurrent nausea. Do you know what nausea is?"


    Tang Xiaojiu looked at Tang Xian nkly and shook her little head.


    "Nausea means thatter, when you see other delicious food, you won''t feel hungry and can''t eat it, and you''ll feel really ufortable. You''ll get sick just by looking at food and might even throw up what you previously ate."


    "Ah!"


    Tang Xiaojiu''s eyes widened, and the bird wing in her hand fell to the ground.


    There''s food that can make you not want to eat after consuming it? How awful can this food get?

 Chapter 54 Chapter 36 The Strongest Smuggler in Human History_2

    Tang Xiaojiu showed a frightened expression, feeling that life as a fox suddenly became dangerously wicked.


    "Tang Xian, will eating fish cause an upset stomach?"


    "That won''t happen. The ancient fishermen by the sea could eat fish all their lives. Fish is nutritious, rich in protein, replenishes cogen, and makes the skin better. With various cooking methods, one won''t get tired of the taste."


    "Then let''s eat fish." With a new pursuit in mind, Tang Xiaojiu felt revitalized.


    Tang Xianughed and then returned to the forest sea with Tang Xiaojiu and Tang Gazi, who had officially joined them.


    At dusk in the forest sea, looking westward, one could see the sunset reduced to a mere sliver, while the night sky on the other side already cradled a crescent moon.


    With both the sun and moon sharing the sky, Tang Xian sat inside the cabin, leisurely watching the distance.


    Tang Xiaojiu and Tang Gazi went to catch fish for him.


    While enjoying his free time, he began thinking about renovating the forest sea.


    There should be a vegetable garden.


    And a small fish pond, specifically to raise tender-fleshed fish like Dragon Spine Fish.


    The cabin in the Hundred-Handed Wood could actually be expanded and reinforced, mainly to withstand weather like heavy rain.


    Bring along some books, and life could be considered perfect.


    However, for now, it would be necessary to return to the Pyramidter in the evening.


    Tang Xian''s nose twitched, knowing Tang Xiaojiu and Tang Gazi were on their way back with the fish.


    Cooking was a joyous affair, one he wouldn''t decline.


    Tang Xian looked at the portable transport rift in his hand, stroking his chin in thought.


    "As soon as I leave the mining area, Tang Xiaojiu will have to stay here by herself for ten hours. If something happens at the Pyramid, there might be dys."


    That was somewhat troublesome.


    Although this little girl now possessed strength approaching that of a natural disaster-level being, she was just too kind and naive.


    After spending more time with a simple child like Tang Xiaojiu, Tang Xian increasingly understood why, in his childhood, his parents insisted on supervising everything he did.


    Even though he was far more sensible than other children his age.


    Tang Xiaojiu came back excitedly.


    "Tang Xian, Gazi and I caught so many fish. The little pocket can''t even hold them all."


    "Looks like we''ll need to make a fish basket," he said.


    Seeing Tang Xiaojiu''s happy face, Tang Xian felt cheerful as well.


    He then made a decision.


    "After we eat the fish, I will leave this ce. Tang Gazi, you stay here, responsible for keeping watch. Until Xiaojiu and Ie back, stay close to the cabin and don''t wander off."


    After speaking, Tang Xian took out a Jiuye Biphasic Orchid from his tool bag and ced it by the side of the cabin.


    Tang Gazi, not understanding Tang Xian''s intention, said, "Take me with you, take me with you."


    "The ce I''m going to has lots of humans, and their favorite thing to eat is talking birds."


    "Don''t take me, don''t take me," he said.


    Tang Xian nodded and began to prepare the fish meal.


    There was enough fish, so he shaved off a lot of the flesh and used the fish heads to make a special pot of fish head soup.


    The delicious fish head soup, with its vor carrying far, especially on such a night, could attract many creatures.


    But ultimately, Tang Xiaojiu carried the essence of a nine-tailed fox, which in a ce like the forest sea, was enough to deter all beings.


    With himself also present, naturally there were no worries about Tang Xiaojiu being tricked away.


    After drinking an entire pot of fish soup, Tang Xiaojiu blissfully patted her little belly, let out a satisfied belch, and said:


    "Tang Xian, where will we go next? Are we going somewhere delicious?"


    "We''re going to make some preparations," he replied.


    Explore more at empire


    "Preparing for what?"


    "To ensure you have delicious food every day."


    "Delicious food every day? Then let''s go now!" Tang Xiaojiu perked up.


    Tang Xian smiled, opened the portable transport rift, and recorded the current coordinates.


    The portable transport rift, with each transport of a person, would consume one unit of ore energy, and Tang Xian''s cheaper model only had four units of power at most.


    It only supported one round trip for him and Tang Xiaojiu.


    Looking at the door-like object that suddenly appeared, Tang Xiaojiu felt a bit scared, but holding Tang Xian''s hand made her feel much more secure.


    ...


    ...


    Tang Xian had always been aw-abiding citizen.


    So, when hemitted a crime for the first time, he felt a bit nervous.


    Bringing a creature from the mining area into the human world, he wasn''t the first to do so.


    Humans also hunted some of the ancient,mon creatures in the mining area. But they muste from authorized green zones, after passing through numerousplex tests such as epidemic inspection, danger rating, and bloodthirstiness rating.


    Because most advanced equipment malfunctions in the mining area, blood tests must be conducted first. Then, the blood is protected in an armored ore container with high defense levels and transported to the Pyramid. After about a week, the blood test results woulde back, and then the biology department of the Hua Science Academy would provide an assessment report on the creature''s behavior.


    The process was very troublesome.


    But it was for the safety of all mankind, and Tang Xian could understand that.


    To neglect this process was tomit the serious crime of smuggling.


    Tang Xian didn''t care about these rules; this was truly his first time breaking thew.


    Tang Xiaojiu was too special, and to him, she had to remain unknown to humanity.


    But leaving Tang Xiaojiu in the forest sea, he still felt uneasy.


    There were actually many smugglers, whether smuggling living beings or non-living things.


    Tang Xian''s smuggling was different; he would be the first in history to smuggle a cmity-level creature. Unprecedented, and most likely, there would be no one else to follow this path in the future.

 Chapter 55 Chapter 36 The Strongest Smuggler in Human History_3

    Despite this little foodie being rtively weak now, the destruction and threat she could cause outside of the mining area far exceed those within it.


    After all, humans in reality don''t have supernatural powers.


    Observing over the past few days, Tang Xian had not noticed a trace of bestial nature in Tang Xiaojiu, only the innocence and gluttony of a child.


    Moreover, Tang Xiaojiu was very obedient to him.


    Tang Xian also felt an inexplicable closeness to Tang Xiaojiu. He became increasingly certain that this girl had saved him once during his first seven days when he nearly died due to the mysterious rules.


    "Your little belly is all round after eating so much today. Stay in this room and rest, and tomorrow I''ll make you something even tastier than fish soup."


    "Ah... there''s something even tastier than fish soup? Tang Xian, don''t wait until tomorrow."


    "Alright, go to sleep. You can sleep on the bed."


    After settling Tang Xiaojiu, Tang Xian prepared to go out and make a phone call.


    There were quite a few people he needed to contact, including Shang Lu, who needed some vegetable seeds.


    He also had to ask Dong Ran about the progress on her dance practice.


    Furthermore, he had to trouble an old ssmate again today.


    Arriving at the phone booth, Tang Xian frowned.


    He was not sure if calling this number now would cause problems for the owner of the number, especially since six years had passed, and Tang Xian was uncertain whether the other party still remembered their old school friendship.


    After all, this person was different from academic enthusiasts like Shang Lu.


    One person living peacefully for six years, and another being wanted for six years, would result inpletely different personality changes.


    Still, Tang Xian made the call.


    It took about ten seconds before the call went through.


    "Who is it?" The voice on the other end was low and hoarse.


    Deliberately lowering his voice, Tang Xian revealed a smile. It was the person he was looking for.


    "It''s me, Tang Xian."


    There was nearly ten seconds of silence before the other end responded with a voice trembling from excitement:


    "Tch, six years without contact, and suddenly you callte at night. You motherfucker, after all these years, why are you still the same? Don''t you know my situation? Damn it, Tang Xian. I almost thought you were dead."


    Yu Xiaozhe swore profusely, his heart surging with excitement. He had never expected to receive a call from an old friend on what was, otherwise, an ordinary night. Most of the friends from back then had cut ties with him. Of course, they also never knew his contact information.


    "Get to the point. I''m swamped with shit. It better be something important. If you''re calling to catch up, just fuck off. I don''t want to get caught, so contact me as little as possible!"


    Experience more on empire


    Tang Xian did not know why the shy boy from back then had changed so much, but he could understand.


    In these six years, being one of Huaxia''s most wanted fugitives, it was impossible to maintain the innocence of youth.


    Even through the phone, he could feel some of the emotion in Yu Xiaozhe''s words.


    "That shy boy who could draw two kinds of currency with both hands is now talking like a gangster. I don''t know how you''ve been all these years. I''ve heard a bit about your situation. I''m not here to reminisce, but I need a favor. I want to get a fake ID for a kid, just with basic rights, under six years old. The name is Tang Xiaojiu, a girl."


    With a name like Yu Xiaozhe that didn''t sound fierce, but now speaking like an uncouth veteran, Tang Xian could not help but imagine the experiences behind it, and felt a touch of warmth in his heart.


    Time had changed a lot about this man, but it hadn''t changed the softest part of him that Tang Xian remembered.


    "Tang Xiaojiu, six years old? Sure thing. You''ve got some nerve. Did you knock someone up in our graduation year? This is big news, and back then we were so close. You never told me?


    Not even when you got married? You dog, you''re such a bastard. I need three days, I''ll meet you in the mining area to give it to you."


    Cursing aside, an old friend''s request still had to be honored. After all, having spent six years with Tang Xian, Yu Xiaozhe had never seen Tang Xian ask for help.


    But he hadn''t expected that Tang Xian was now in such a bad spot that even his daughter couldn''t be registered under a household.


    Obviously, Yu Xiaozhe had misunderstood something. Tang Xian thought it over. After all, his own parents had been gone for many years; it would be illogical to suddenly have a younger sister.


    "Who''s the kid''s mom? It can''t possibly be Li Xiaoyu, that lunatic, right? She was only twelve back then!"

 Chapter 56 Chapter 37 The Steps to Making Hot Pot and the Honest Man

    Tang Xian believed that Yu Xiaozhe wouldn''t ask such a stupid question and reckoned it was just a jibe at him, so he simply exined:


    "She''s not my daughter. Anyway, I''m counting on you for this favor. Seeing that you''re in the mood for jokes, it seems you rarelye off worse in your battle of wits with the hunters chasing you. If you run into trouble in the future, you cane to me."


    Yu Xiaozheughed. Tang Xian was still the same old Tang Xian.


    "Come to you? What can you, a talentless cheater, do against those hunting me? Pick a ce in three days, and I''lle to get you."


    "The Forest Sea."


    "That''s a red zone, isn''t it?"


    "It''s my turf, no need to be scared."


    "Scared? What am I scared of? I''m just curious, how can a guy with zero talent like you survive in the Forest Sea?"


    Yu Xiaozhe had been a bit worried about Tang Xian before; the red zone was a no-go area for humans.


    "You know I wouldn''t lie to you. Okay, help me out with this, and I''ll return the favor. Crossing the fortress calls are expensive, two liang of hot pot oil per minute, so farewell."


    Tang Xian decisively hung up the phone.


    The busy tone left Yu Xiaozhe somewhat stunned.


    "Damn, despite being so broke, why do you speak with more arrogance than Laozi?" Cursing with augh, Yu Xiaozhe turned off the TV; he had been watching a ser match.


    Many sports were declining, but basketball and ser were still going strong, and there were plenty of spectators in the two-level sports stadium.


    Yu Xiaozhe began searching for materials. As a master of forgery, he firmly believed that everything in this world could be replicated, even people.


    If it was done well enough, it became real, and in this world, the fake could sometimes be more real than the genuine article.


    For instance, in the ser match, there were yers whom he had reced. He was set to make a fortune today.


    But he had to deal with Tang Xian''s request quickly.


    It had always been this way. When he had asked Tang Xian for a favor in the past, Tang never dragged his feet. To reciprocate a friendly gesture, Yu Xiaozhe also didn''t dy.


    ...


    ...


    The fact that Tang Xian had returned to the mining area was first known by Li Xiaoyu, as always.


    She knew where Tang Xian lived and the ces he frequented daily.


    She also knew that Tang Xian was aware that she knew.


    This somewhat tongue-twisting rtionship had been maintained between them for quite a while.


    Li Xiaoyu believed Tang Xian liked being monitored by her. After all, it was too simple for him to shake off the surveince, but he hadn''t done so.


    Tang Xian nced at the gazes from people in the distance and nonchntly shook his head.


    He was justzy.


    After all, the most information was never leaking from him.


    Early the next day, Dong Ran arrived.


    When Tang Xian opened the door, he noticed that Dong Ran''s clothes were significantly more conservative, covering both necessary and unnecessary ces.


    Such attire was in line with the core socialist values, and Tang was very satisfied.


    "Come in," Tang''s tone was still indifferent.


    As soon as Dong Ran entered, she noticed a cute little girl sleeping soundly on the bed.


    "This is¡­?"


    "My sister."


    "You have a sister?" Dong Ran was surprised.


    "Seeing is believing, why the need for questions? How''s the dance I had you practiceing along?" Tang was prepping for hot pot.


    "It''s very polished now!" Dong Ran replied confidently.


    "That''s good. After we eat, I''m going to see a friend to get some vegetable seeds, then we can head to the mining area."


    Dong Ran was still obedient, although she would sometimes take her own initiative, but a little training would put her right. Tang was fairly pleased.


    "What''s the point of learning this dance, anyway?"


    "For the sake of having top-quality beef tripe to eat."


    The authentic hot pot was originally all about eating beef tripe and omasum. The taste of tripe made from synthetic minerals was somewhat replicable, but surely not as good as that of real beef.


    "Huh?" Dong Ran didn''t understand.


    "Bulls have four stomachs, but the ones in the mining area have six. These bulls were originally called Long-handle Bulls, but after discovering they had perfect-gradebat skills, they got a more serious name, Yi Niu. Their meat is tougher than Cerberus, but their offal is about the same as regr bulls.


    Although their frame isn''trge, they''re very long, and one bull is probably enough for us to have hot pot several times."


    Tang slowly skimmed the Sichuan peppers and chili peppers that had been soaking overnight and continued:


    "Yi Niu''s charges are swift, and they''re very powerful, but if you sidestep, it takes them quite a bit of effort to turn around. However, never think you can fight a bull with ease. Many hunters believe that once they dodge the first charge, they have ample time to avoid the second, but they overlook Yi Niu''s tail flick and back kick."


    "The dance steps I taught you are modified from the most legendary matador''s steps at the Madrid bullring in Spain. As long as you judge the angle of Yi Niu''s first charge correctly and respond properly, it won''t be able to hit you afterward."


    Dong Ran understood.


    So the dance was actually for bullfighting, which led to eating beef tripe?


    Dong Ran had heard about bullfighting, a dangerous sport, and she said, "Then do I need to prepare a red cloth? I heard that ancient matadors would use red cloth to attract bulls because bulls be excited when they see..."


    "Bulls are color blind. You should read more when you have time."


    Tang''s remark stopped Dong Ran in her tracks.


    "The red color was simply deemed provocative by the matadors; it isn''t meant to excite the bulls but to excite the audience."


    Dong Ran had grown ustomed to Tang''s criticisms.


    "Tang, have you been in the mining area... for seven days?"


    "Did Li Xiaoyu ask you to inquire?"


    "Hmm, the seconddy asked me, but I wanted to know myself."

 Chapter 57 Chapter 37 The Steps to Making Hot Pot and the Honest Man_2

    "No, humans can''t survive in the mines for seven days. I''m just ordinary, how could I possibly court death in there?"


    Tang Xian said with a calm face, and Dong Ran nodded as well.


    At this time, the broth of the hot pot hade to a boil, and the spicy aroma instantly awakened a little one from her dreams.


    Blinking her sleepy eyes open, Tang Xiaojiu excitedly said:


    "Tang Xian, what are we eating today?"


    "Hot pot."


    Although she didn''t know what hot pot was, Tang Xiaojiu believed that anything made by Tang Xian must be very delicious.


    "What''s your sister''s name?" Dong Ran looked at Tang Xiaojiu and thought the little girl was very cute.


    "I''m Tang Xiaojiu. It''s a name given to me by Tang Xian," Tang Xiaojiu said, liking her name very much. ording to the regtions of the fox n, she was not entitled to have her own name.


    So Tang Xian gave her a name, and the little girl was very happy about it.


    "So cute. Wait a minute... Why was Tang''s naming style so normal when you named Xiaojiu?"


    "I originally wanted to call her Tang Chiyu. I thought it sounded better than Tang Xiaojiu, but due to some irresistible factors, it was changed to Tang Xiaojiu," Tang Xian exined.


    In his heart, he still thought Tang Chiyu sounded better.


    Dong Ran felt a bit more bnced now. Tang Chiyu was indeed Tang''s style. So, this little girl''s identity must be special, right?


    Why did she need Tang to name her?


    "Sister, what''s your name?"


    "They call her Tang Da."


    "Oh, so Tang Da is also a member of the Tang Family."


    "Pfft, Tang, don''t lead the child astray. My name is Dong Ran, you can call me Dongran."


    "Okay, Tang Da."


    Tang Xiaojiu nodded obediently.


    ...


    ...


    Tang Xian''s house became much livelier.


    Dong Ran asked Tang Xiaojiu many questions, and Tang Xian was quite satisfied with the answers. Although the child was naive, she was not dumb.


    Dong Ran wouldn''t associate a little girl with a cmity-level boss creature.


    Tang Xian concentrated on making the hot pot. To create a delicious hot pot, he really put a lot of thought into it this time.


    As everyone knows, there are four steps to making hot pot.


    First, carry away Tang Xiaojiu.


    Second, carry away the Tang Xiaojiu who ran over again after smelling the aroma.


    Third, carry away the Tang Xiaojiu whose mouth corners were almost drooling.


    Fourth, serve the hot pot.


    As the three of them began eating hot pot, Tang Xian realized the room was really small. Three people in a ten-square-meter room obviously felt a bit cramped.


    Moving to the second floor for living quarters would mean losing the chaos of the ground floor as cover, which would bring its own set of troubles.


    Tang Xian ultimately shook his head, grateful that such problems didn''t exist in the mines.


    The hot pot was quickly devoured, and Tang Xiaojiu rubbed her small belly contentedly, her round cherubic face beaming with satisfaction.


    Tang Xian said to Dong Ran, "Come with me to the second level."


    "Okay. What for?" Dong Ran asked.


    "To sell this," Tang Xian said, without revealing the prop bag. After all, the smell from the head of a hellhound was very unpleasant, especially right after eating, it could make one ufortable. Instead, he just took out the Soul Crystal Jade.


    "What creature is this from?"


    Dong Ran nced and seemed to recognize it from a perfect-level creature, but it seemed tock a bit in luster.


    "It''s from a nearly evolved hellhound."


    "It''s not that one, right...?"


    "Yeah, the one with the high bounty."


    "Did you do it all by yourself?"


    "Well, indeed there was only me."


    Tang Xian felt he was telling the truth, but to avoid overturning Dong Ran''s worldview, he didn''t mention that there was also a fox on his side.


    Dong Ran suddenly found that Tang Xian was a bit iprehensible.


    Is this man truly without talent? Or could it be that everything was an act?


    Without paying attention to it, Tang Xian urged Dong Ran to wash the dishes. After giving some instructions to Tang Xiaojiu, and getting everything sorted, he took Dong Ran to the second level.


    ...


    ...


    The Task Department has many peopleing to collect bounties every day.


    Tang Xian noticed that when he was with Dong Ran, there were far fewer eyes on him.


    It was mainly those who were monitoring him, probably distracted by Dong Ran''s impressive figure. Thinking about it, Tang Xian suddenly realized Dong Ran was more valuable than he had thought, and decided to add an extra piece of fish fillet to her meal tonight.


    The employees in the Task Department changed every two or three days, and the sry was not bad. It could be considered a very stable and high-value job.


    Just by coincidence, the person in charge of receiving Tang Xian this time was the same middle-aged woman fromst time.


    The woman had asting impression of Tang Xian because their team''s name was quite ordinary, but the members'' codenames were memorably terrible.


    "Here to hand in a task?" the middle-aged woman asked.


    "Yes, there''s a special task that the employer wants to confirm in person. Could you please contact that employer for me? He requested the capture of a hellhound with a missing eye and ear near the Forest Sea."


    "You went to the Forest Sea?"


    Tang Xian nodded and did not mind the skepticism in the middle-aged woman''s tone.


    "I''ll contact Mr. Jiang Ming right now, but he might not be avable."


    "You just tell him about this, and he will definitely have time."


    Tang Xian, holding his prop bag, felt it was a bit heavy, so he found a ce to sit down.


    Just as he expected, after the middle-aged woman called, Jiang Ming hurried down from the fourth floor as soon as he heard someone was iming the bounty for the hellhound he wanted captured.


    It took Jiang Ming about fifteen minutes to arrive in a rush.


    He went straight to the counter, inquired about the rted matters, and then, informed by the middle-aged woman, he turned his gaze toward Tang Xian.


    Jiang Ming frowned; he took this matter very seriously.


    His teammate''s vendetta was something he could no longer pursue, especially since the Forest Sea had turned into a red zone. The task of hunting the hellhound had bepletely bleak.


    Hearing that someone from the Task Department was contacting him, he arrived as quickly as he could, eager to see which team from the leaderboard was bold and capable enough to take on the task.


    And then he saw Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian waved politely at Jiang Ming. Tang Xian believed that Jiang Ming had helped him in the past, after all, he had let him advance when he was a temp.


    The small conflict that had happened then was something he considered not worth worrying about.


    "What are you doing here? What are you here for?"


    "Handing in a task, obviously."


    "Wait, Wang, the one who''s handing in the task is him?" Jiang Ming turned to look at the middle-aged woman called Wang.


    Wang nodded and said, "Their team hase to hand in a task for the second time, and it''s also a hellhound. They chose to deliver it to you again. What, do you know each other?"


    Jiang Ming was stunned.


    Last time?


    He remembered now. There had indeed been such a payout on his bill, submitted by a team called Shengtang.


    Jiang Ming remembered clearly, the codenames of that team''s members were awful.


    He looked at Tang Xian in disbelief, his gaze filled with doubt and suspicion.


    "Given your reputation, I want to see that hellhound first. How are you going to prove to me that it''s the one I''m looking for?"


    Tang Xian nodded, although he wasn''t aware of what his reputation was. As a young man raised under socialist core values, he assumed it was a good one.


    "Even though some time has passed, you probably haven''t forgotten what your enemy looks like so easily, have you?" Tang Xian opened his prop bag.


    A foul smell immediately filled the Task Department.


    The dog''s head in the prop bag wouldn''t rot, but the umted odors were still enough to make everyone frown once the bag was opened.


    Jiang Ming took one look and sorrow and rage shed in his eyes.


    "Where did you hunt it? Did you really hunt it yourself?"


    "ording to the transaction rules, I''m not obligated to exin the task execution to you."


    "Others may not know your identity, but I do. If you don''t exin things to me, I''ll charge you with the crime of impersonating the regr forces."


    Tang Xian believed Jiang Ming would not do such a thing.


    He was just very eager to know how a cheater like him, with no talent, could possibly hunt such a powerful creature.


    After thinking it over, Tang Xian decided to tell a lie.


    "I happened to encounter Akasi."


    Jiang Ming was taken aback.


    The legendary hunter with ten talents, Akasi?


    Tang Xian actually had such an extraordinary encounter?


    Indeed, rumors said Akasi could now single-handedly kill perfect-level creatures and that going to a red zone to hunt down a mutated hellhound was very much in Akasi''s style.


    Jiang Ming took a deep look at Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian gave a frank smile, thinking it necessary to establish his honest and upright image, in order to dissipate Jiang Ming''s prejudice against him as soon as possible.


    As for the lie about encountering the top-tier powerhouse Akasi and the butterfly effect it might cause, Tang Xian was unconcerned.


    Sometimes life needs a few surprises.

 Chapter 39 The Mission to Rescue Tang Busi - Part 2

    Suddenlyughed again.


    The treehouse was more lively than ever before.


    After Tang Xian''s exnation, Dong Ran learned that not all creatures in the mining area were hostile to humans.


    Although Tang Gazi was talkative and somewhat foolish, his favorite thing was the beautiful bodies of various female species, so as soon as he found out that this woman was an ally, he quickly grew fond of Dong Ran.


    Amongst bird species, the mynah bird had a rather cute appearance, which Dong Ran and Tang Xiaojiu liked very much.


    Tang Xian was sure that Tang Xiaojiu''s fondness was simr to his own, mixed with a liking for the taste of bird meat.


    Watching Tang Xiaojiu and Tang Gazi,


    Dong Ran couldn''t help but wonder what Tang had experienced in the mining area. How in just a few days, he had faced hellhounds, gained a little sister, and even became friends with a bird that could speak humannguage? His adventures were quite rich.


    The sky was just right, and the crisp morning air quickly sobered Tang Xian up. He found it veryfortable and thought it was the perfect time to travel, so he prepared to take Dong Ran and Tang Xiaojiu to Waning Time Valley.


    "I''m going too, I''m going too," Tang Gazi said upon hearing this, hoping to follow Tang Xian.


    Tang Xian hoped to have someone to look after the house. With that in mind, he realized he couldn''t always leave a foolish bird in charge, so should he get a hellhound as a guard dog instead?


    He pondered this for two seconds and then dismissed the idea, as raising a dog seemed difficult, mainly because he would eventually have to eat dog hotpot.


    "The ce I''m going to has monsters that specifically eat birds," Tang Xian decided to continue leaving Tang Gazi to watch the house.


    "I''m not going! I''m not going!" Tang Gazi quickly shook his little head.


    Howe he had never noticed before that this world was full of creatures that wanted to eat birds? It seemed he couldn''t leave the treehouse, as the outside world was too dangerous. What a hard bird life!


    ...


    ...


    Choosing the forest sea as a dwelling ce was no random choice for Tang Xian. This ce was originally a yellow zone and was located at the central position of the terrain explored by humans. To the south was the region where humans were active.


    For example, the Red Soil Forest.


    To the north was an area that humans did not dare to venture into much. In short, the swampy forest had many essible routes and offered many destinations.


    Now that the forest sea was a red zone, humans hardly set foot there, which suited Tang Xian''s requirements in various aspects.


    For instance, to get to Waning Time Valley, it only required a seven-hour journey. However, with two girls in tow, the trip was slower than expected.


    Not to mention Tang Xiaojiu disyed a super ability, super eating.


    About every half hour, Tang Xiaojiu would say, "Tang Xian, what are we eating next?"


    So they traveled quite slowly, but fortunately, with the little fox on the way, Tang Xian did not bother to apply Red Line Grass since he wasn''t worried about any reckless wild beasts.


    Creatures at the elite and perfect levels basically dared not show themselves.


    At least in the northern part of the forest sea, within a vast range, there was no faking tiger by fox, only faking fox by tiger.


    As dusk approached, Tang Xian finally saw the outline of Waning Time Valley from afar.


    There was a reason for the name "Waning Time." The ce had guide-post locust trees that were evenrger and more towering than Hundred-Handed Wood, with a canopy that blocked out the sun. With the exception of deep autumn and winter, there was basically no sunlight here, as if the daylight was iplete.


    This ce was a yellow zone, and among the possible creatures to encounter, the greatest threat was, indeed, disaster-level beasts, but now, Waning Time Valley was supposed to be free of them.


    From a distance, Tang Xian saw the enhanced-level creatures, ck Spotted Monkeys, on the guide-post locust trees.


    These monkeys were quite weak and extremely timid; if they disyed activity, it meant that this ce most likely didn''t have any creatures beyond perfect-level bosses.


    "Tang, Waning Time Valley is so big, how are we going to find our way?" Dong Ran was very curious.


    "If a person is still alive and injured in such a ce, they would naturally choose a cave close to the water source. We need to think more¡ªour heads, as the part that can be described above the neck, should be put to good use."


    Tang Xian did think so. Coming up with a way to find Qiao Shanshan wasn''t hard, but he realized he didn''t have to think about it at all.


    Having killed two hellhounds, his prestige, resistance, and even damage to the hellhounds was enhanced. But for Tang Xian, the most useful attribute right now was his sense of smell.


    "But with the current terrain and visibility, you don''t need to use your brain¡ªjust follow me."


    Dong Ran had gotten used to Tang Xian''s put-downs and obediently followed behind him.


    Tang Xian sensed some odors and had a basic understanding of the situation in Waning Time Valley.


    Qiao Shanshan was still alive; the faint scent of her perfume didn''t mix with any smell of rotting flesh, nor was there the smell that apanies festering wounds. But there was another rather unique scent.


    Tang Xian smiled. Qiao Shanshan was quite clever. The situation might be better than he had imagined.


    The ce was dim even in daylight, and at dusk, it became even darker. With many wild animals around, he had to walk more slowly.


    With Tang Xiaojiu present, they didn''t fear the wild beasts¡ªit was just troublesome. They were animals that one could tell just by their smell wouldn''t taste good, and there was no need to kill them.


    In the pitch-ck environment, Tang Xian''s steps were slow but smooth, never pausing, which even surprised Dong Ran.


    Even Tang Xiaojiu, who looked like a five or six-year-old child, had a spring in their step, hopping and jumping along with Dong Ran and Tang, seeming very rxed.


    With so many things about Tang Xian that didn''t followmon logic, Dong Ran decided it wasn''t worth the effort to ponder it.


    If Tang Xian said something was there, then it definitely was. Why use their brain? Working this way was both rxed and efficient.


    Under Tang Xian''s lead, a faint light appeared not far from their view.


    ...


    ...


    Qiao Shanshan was a bit hungry.


    Using the krypton sulfurpound in her medical kit, which emitted a scent that was fairly mild to humans but strong to animals, she had not been attacked by other creatures all these days. But she couldn''t leave either.


    At the ce she wanted to go to, there were two Perfect-Level creatures blocking the path. Discover exclusive content at empire


    Contrary to the norm, these two creatures weren''t repelled by the scent, which astonished Qiao Shanshan. It was as if they were following amand to guard the valley.


    Before this mission, as the team leader, Qiao Shanshan had left clues at the Pyramid. If she didn''t return in three days, she had arranged for someone from the newspaper to publish news about it.


    She believed that the news of her team''s demise had likely already been released by the Pyramid. But even so, it was unlikely anyone woulde to rescue her.


    Qiao Shanshan had been in the valley for six days. It wasn''t that she didn''t want to go back; it was just that the portable teleportation rift was broken.


    One by one, her dear friends had been devoured by the cataclysmic Nvwa Snake, which also gave her the resolution to face death.


    But to her despair, the giant snake eventually left, and she wanted to follow it but couldn''t get past the two Perfect-Level creatures blocking the valley''s exit.


    There was still some water, as the water sources here were very clean.


    But food was scarce.


    Qiao Shanshan, who majored in medicine and had exceptionally strong healing abilities, was unfamiliar with the nts in the mining area. To her, the oddly shaped nts in this ce were probably not just inedible but also dangerous to approach.


    Exhausted and hungry, she slumped inside the cave, her nose twitched, and she suddenly smelled the scent of fruit.


    Qiao Shanshan squinted her weak eyes, savoring the pleasant illusion in her breath.


    But then she felt something patting her face.


    "Wake up, you get sleepy when you''re hungry? Hungry thing, want a Bogen Fruit?" Tang Xian said, pping Qiao Shanshan''s face and teasing her with his voice.


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