Chapter 17: Cooperation
Wang Jie stepped into the shadows of the lakeside and pointed towards the depths of the Mysterious Lake. A spiral force of Qi surged through the air, striking the lakebed with a tremor so powerful that it felt as if something had exploded beneath the surface.
Before he could unleash a second strike, the lake churned violently, and an enormous dark silhouette swam across the depths.
With a single slash, Hong Sword cleaved through the water, forcing the creature to surface.
The blade light split the Mysterious Lake in two, revealing a massive black fish at the bottom. It lashed its tail in retaliation, shattering the blade light before attempting to flee. Feng Yu, Big Beard, and the others immediately sprang into action, surrounding it.
This black fish had the strength of a Seven-Seal combatant. Ten years ago, before the transformation period, such a creature had never existed. Now, even with their combined strength, killing it would still take time. The main challenge was its incredible speed, making it difficult to catch.
Wang Jie casually pointed again, his Spiral Qi Force piercing through the air and striking the black fish, leaving a hole in its body. With the advantage secured, Hong Sword unleashed a barrage of slashes. The Mysterious Lake fractured under his attacks, and soon, the waters turned crimson as the black fish succumbed to its wounds.
With the battle over, Wang Jie departed, heading straight for the Clean District to find Four Eyes.
There was no longer any need to keep his residence a secret. Old Five had recovered and could now protect himself.
On the seventeenth day, Wang Jie and Old Five sat in the courtyard, waiting in silence.
Old Five kept glancing towards the second floor, growing impatient.
After several hours, a figure leaped down from above, landing before them.
Old Five was elated. “Old Nine! You can walk again?”
Wang Jie glanced at Old Nine’s legs and slowly exhaled in relief.
Old Nine grinned and lifted his foot slightly before looking at Wang Jie. “Thank you, Big Brother.”
Wang Jie smiled. “The Three-Eyed Wolf King Fruit truly works. Congratulations on your recovery, Old Nine.”
He then handed over the cataclysm materials Hong Sword had sent to Old Five and Old Nine, urging them to absorb the Seal Power as soon as possible. Free resources were never to be refused. In this era, the strong ruled, and resources were scarce, given only to those who could make the best use of them.
Fairness? That was the greatest joke of all.
Hong Sword was already considered exceptional. He fought fiercely against mutated beasts to protect the base and never feared the Trial Takers. Yet, even he never entertained the thought of letting the people outside the base live within its walls. It was unrealistic. The conflicts would be too great, making governance impossible.
Kindness existed only above the baseline of survival.
That was the moral standard of this era.
The three brothers shared a hearty meal and even dragged Four Eyes into their gathering. At the time, Four Eyes had been engrossed in researching the cataclysm material from the Moon Plant, but he couldn’t resist Old Five’s forceful persuasion.
“Zuo Tian will definitely break through,” Old Nine stated after the meal as they rested in the courtyard.
Wang Jie responded with a simple nod. “I know.”
Old Five’s gaze darkened. “Big Brother, when do we take care of him?”
“When you both reach Seven-Seal strength.”
“Even you aren’t confident right now? That finger technique of yours is practically divine,” Old Five exclaimed.
Anyone who had witnessed Wang Jie’s battle against Wen Zhao was awestruck by his power.
Wang Jie’s expression turned solemn. “Have you forgotten why we failed two years ago?”
Old Five and Old Nine fell silent.
Wang Jie looked up. “If Wen Zhao could evade it, then so can Zuo Tian.”
“Then what do you plan to do?” Old Nine asked.
A sharp glint flashed in Wang Jie’s eyes. “We’ll probe the Heavenly Prefecture Base first—see how much he’s hiding.”
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
Wang Jie turned his gaze towards the courtyard gate. A familiar figure stood outside.
Liu Ying?
He had almost forgotten about her.
Under the teasing gazes of Old Five and Old Nine, Wang Jie opened the door.
Liu Ying looked just as she always did—covered in grime, exuding an air of the Sewage District. But the fact that she had found his place and wasn’t chased out meant she had the right to live in the Clean District.
“Sorry, I’ve been too busy lately and forgot to find you,” Wang Jie said, allowing her inside.
Liu Ying hesitated before looking at him. “Did you… did you find my brother?”
Wang Jie handed her a photograph.
She looked at it, her eyes reddening before tears started to fall.
Wang Jie said nothing.
On the second floor, Old Five grinned. “Did Big Brother just break up with her?”
Old Nine sighed. “Stop talking nonsense.”
“Still, Big Brother’s taste is… unique. That woman, tsk tsk.” Old Five clicked his tongue in amusement.
Liu Ying left soon after, but before she did, she left behind ten vials of beast blood.
Wang Jie did not refuse. It was, after all, part of the agreed reward, even if he no longer needed it.
In this era, no one was worthy of sympathy. For many, living was far more painful than dying.
With Hong Sword supplying cataclysm materials, Old Five and Old Nine immersed themselves in absorbing Seal Power. Within days, Old Five successfully broke through to Seven-Seal strength. His talent had always been extraordinary—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to take part in that event with Wang Jie two years ago.
Meanwhile, Old Nine recovered to Six-Seal strength and wouldn’t take long to reach Seven-Seal.
“It feels like the speed of absorbing Seal Power has increased,” Old Five remarked in surprise.
Wang Jie had noticed it as well. The change had occurred right after they killed the Moon Plant.
The Ten-Year Transformation Period…
Mutated plants and beasts could evolve in an instant, growing an entire level stronger. Humans couldn’t achieve the same, but their cultivation and breakthroughs had indeed accelerated.
As time passed, Seven-Seal powerhouses would inevitably increase in number.
If not for the Trial Takers, this would be a good thing. But now…
Reports of Trial Takers attacking bases surfaced continuously. Their true focus was clearly on targeting the cultivators of Blue Star.
The world outside was descending into chaos, yet the Golden Hill Base remained untouched. Perhaps there were fewer Trial Takers in the vicinity, or maybe they were wary of the massive crater outside the city.
At the same time, resentment towards the Trial Takers among Blue Star’s people grew. Countless had died at their hands, yet they were powerless to fight back. The difference in strength was too great. Most Trial Takers were at least Seven-Seal, and very few were below that level.
On this day, Feng Yu brought forth startling news. “Zuo Tian has clashed with the Trial Takers’ Squad in a fierce battle, forcing them to acknowledge our right to engage in equal dialogue. They have agreed to a council meeting in Upper Capital City one month from now.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Jie was taken aback, his expression growing solemn. Old Five and Old Nine were equally astonished.
That was no ordinary squad; each of its members bore the power of Seven Seals, yet they were compelled to acknowledge equality by Zuo Tian alone? How had he achieved such a feat? Though Trial Takers varied in strength, none were ever weak enough to be easily subdued.
With this turn of events, Heavenly Prefecture Base became the center of all attention in Hua Xia.
In the past, Upper Capital City had been the strongest base, the heart of civilization in peaceful times. But now, Zuo Tian had surpassed all, rising as the paramount figure leading Blue Star’s negotiations with the Trial Takers.
For the next two days, word spread swiftly across the land, all hailing Zuo Tian. His actions had led to a noticeable decline in Trial Taker attacks on Blue Star cultivators.
Zuo Tian was already a young hero, possessing a striking image and belonging to the exalted Three Gods. Now, his fame soared to unparalleled heights, earning him the admiration of countless people.
The upcoming council in Upper Capital City would determine how best to harness Blue Star’s resources before the arrival of the Second Wave of Trial Takers. The goal was to bolster the strength of both Trial Takers and Blue Star cultivators, ensuring they could stand against the greater threat to come.
A month—neither long nor short.
During this time, Zuo Tian proposed a mission for all: eradicate as many mutated beasts and plants as possible. Not only would this safeguard Blue Star, but it would also provide cataclysm materials to use as bargaining chips in future negotiations with the Trial Takers.
The suggestion was swiftly accepted by all.
Bai Yuan, one of Upper Capital City’s Three Gods, publicly urged unity among humans. “We must set aside our conflicts and first eliminate the monstrous threats plaguing our lands.”
In response, all Five Great Bases pledged their support.
Soon, the number of cultivators venturing into the wild to hunt mutated creatures skyrocketed. And yet, amidst all the fervor, four ominous words echoed in everyone’s minds:
Do not break through.
A thunderous boom resounded.
Outside Golden Hill Base, a towering bridge collapsed, crashing into the great river below. On the bridge’s southern end, a group of cultivators sighed in relief.
“That was close! A single misstep, and we would have been swept to our deaths!”
“Gray Claw, what kind of route is this? Didn’t you notice the bridge was about to collapse?”
Gray Claw hastily apologized, looking aggrieved. He had no way of knowing the bridge would give way.
“Wait, look over there! Isn’t that Wild Grass?”
All eyes turned toward the distant road where a vehicle approached, eventually halting at the riverbank. From within stepped Wang Jie.
He had ventured into the wilderness in search of Wen Zhao. With Zuo Tian’s fame soaring, it was no longer wise to approach Heavenly Prefecture Base. Before taking further steps, he needed to understand the true objective of the Trial Takers. Walking blind into the unknown was a risk he could not afford.
As he turned, he noticed the group watching him.
Gray Claw?
Wang Jie withdrew his gaze. The bridge had collapsed. That left only one option.
He bent his knees, channeling power through his limbs. Then, with explosive force, he launched himself forward like a cannonball, soaring across the river.
Gray Claw and his group watched in disbelief.
So bold?
In this era, the most terrifying dangers were not just the mutated beasts, but the deep and unfathomable rivers and seas. No one knew what lurked beneath the surface. To leap over a river in defiance of the unknown was madness.
Wang Jie, mid-flight, adjusted his posture, stepping off his own foot midair to propel himself further.
Just then, the water beneath him churned.
A colossal serpent as thick as a water barrel erupted from the depths, its maw gaping wide to reveal jagged fangs that gleamed menacingly in the sunlight. Its Seven Seal-tier scales reflected dazzling light.
A Seven-Seal mutated beast.
Wang Jie extended a single finger. A spiraling force surged downward, striking the serpent’s skull. The monstrous creature was slammed back into the river with a deafening crash. With another nimble maneuver, Wang Jie cleared the river and landed safely on the opposite shore.
The spectacle left Gray Claw and the others awestruck.
This was the prowess of a true master.
Unrolling a map, Wang Jie studied it carefully. Reports from the base indicated that Snow Steed had been sighted on the northern bank of the great river. There was still hope.
He advanced steadily, dispatching any mutated creatures he encountered along the way. Two Seven Seal-tier beasts had already fallen to his hands.
The wilderness was growing increasingly perilous.
In the distance, thunder rumbled. Dark clouds swiftly engulfed the sky, and within moments, torrential rain began to fall, merging heaven and earth in a misty veil.
Through the dense curtain of rain, a flash of white flickered.
Snow Steed.
Eyes narrowing, Wang Jie gave chase.
The beast sprinted through the rain before suddenly coming to a halt. Atop its back, Wen Zhao turned, raising a delicate hand. Energy surged to her palm before unleashing a force that visibly distorted the falling raindrops, sending them hurtling toward Wang Jie like an unseen blade.
He sidestepped the attack. “I’m not here to fight.”
Wen Zhao regarded him coolly before extending her left hand, revealing a neatly opened umbrella. “You were searching for me?”
Wang Jie met her gaze. “What is the purpose of your trials?”
Wen Zhao’s lips curled slightly. “And why would I tell you?”
“Because we share a common enemy.”
“Oh?”
“The Second Wave of Trial Takers.”
Wang Jie relayed all that had transpired. Wen Zhao fell silent for a long moment before murmuring, “I had assumed the first wave of Trial Takers would suppress your people completely. Yet, aside from Zuo Tian, another has managed to defy expectations.”
Wang Jie stepped forward, leaving deep imprints in the mud. “Blue Star humans and Trial Takers are not destined to be enemies. We can choose to collaborate.”
A low growl sounded.
Snow Steed issued a warning, barring Wang Jie from coming any closer.
All around, rustling noises hinted at unseen movements, but the beast’s presence kept them at bay.
Wang Jie eyed Snow Steed, focusing on its pristine white fangs.
“Hn. They really are quite white.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation