The drifting clouds moved slowly as the wind rustled through the treetops, stirring the green leaves into a chorus of rustling.
–Mr. Zicang, what are you doing?–
Professor Chen looked curiously at Yang Zicang, who was fiddling with a small furnace behind the wooden cabin.
–Counterfeiting coins—iron ‘copper cash’.–
–What a rare term.– Xiao Liu walked over, crouching down to watch Yang Zicang’s movements. –I’ve noticed you seem to know a bit of everything—digging the ground, cutting trees, setting up tents, and now making money.–
–Well, try living with primitives in the Yore-Realm for a few thousand years, and you’d know how, too.–
–A few thousand years…– Xiao Liu shuddered, then turned to his teacher. –Old Chen, how about helping Penglord out? Don’t you have the skills for this?–
–Shoo, shoo,– Professor Chen waved his hand as if shooing off a stray pup. –You little brat, talking without any respect.–
It wasn’t the first time Professor Chen had seen Yang Zicang make these things. He had some understanding that Yang Zicang could use this method to store Chronos power, so he joined in, helping carve the mold.
The two of them got to work together, and in less than two days, they had added a small, manual –stamping– press to the campsite. Watching these skilled manufacturing moves, Yang Zicang remarked that sometimes it’s no wonder human civilization hasn’t advanced for thousands of years—because the same inherent thinking has been used all along, like himself, for instance.
–Now that looks much better.– Professor Chen said, satisfied with the cooled iron coin before him.
After the molten iron had completely solidified and cooled, Yang Zicang emptied a few iron coins from the compacted mold. Though they weren’t very sturdy without quenching, they were more than sufficient for storing Chronos.
He crushed the energy sphere.
[Lifespan Bank Activated.]
A faint, shimmering glow was born on the iron coin instantly, and within moments, it already contained over nine thousand years of extra lifespan.
｛Zi Cang, there’s something I need to tell you.｝
A thought-link from Ju Yin Chase came through.
Yang Zicang straightened up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
–Any news from Ms. Wheat Aphid?–
｛She’ll be back soon, but this isn’t about her; it’s about the ‘Editor-in-Chief.’ His subordinates have recently been spotted in the Shibin Wastes, seemingly up to something. I just found out that aside from the Lost-Frequency Inn, two other secret intelligence trading posts have also been wiped out. At the last place, someone was seen referring to themselves as the Pen of the Editor-in-Chief. ｝
–The Editor-in-Chief!–
Yang ZiCang suddenly recalled that earlier voice—how could he have completely forgotten about the chief editor?
–Is it his subordinates doing the cleanup?–
Amid the bewildered gazes of those around him, Yang ZiCang let out a startled cry.
Suddenly, Yang ZiCang felt a gaze upon him. Everyone nearby turned toward the edge of the woods, where, in a patch of scenic ground, an eerily handsome man now stood, appearing as if he had materialized out of nowhere.
The young man’s lips were deathly pale, his eyes shimmering with golden light. Dressed in a gray suit with his hair slicked back, he seemed like a being stepped straight out of a spiritually charged, ethereal world.
–Hello, Yang ZiCang,– he said in human language.
Even though he bore a human appearance, Yang ZiCang was certain he was not human—no human could be crafted so flawlessly.
A person in a matching suit, his face bearing marks like burned brands, walked up beside the young man and said somberly:
–Esteemed members of Cargo Crew, this man before you is a distinguished officer of the Lost Illusion Company: Valley Wind Illusion, honored by the title Sir Xiao.–
Sir Xiao bore a faint smile as he looked at the somewhat bewildered Lyu Zhi and the others, saying:
–You may think of me as a real journalist. I’d like to record your experiences from that battle with Justiceer.–
Yang ZiCang’s heart trembled as he struggled to maintain a solemn tone:
–Of course.–
The young man looked at the nearby land: –As for these terrains, do you have any plans for the future?–
–We’re going to build this place into a new Peng Zone, which can sustainably provide for dozens of people’s daily needs in the long run.–
{Ah, sneaky Yang.}
Yang ZiCang looked up. A small ray of light appeared, carrying a sharp, high-pitched voice.
{I suggest the celebrity seek help.}
[As the great Quad, I sense that the elite journalist corps is paying attention to the existence of ‘Pen and Finger’.]
Little figures emerged one after another above their heads.
{We can’t record it, big shot—unseen.}
–What’s happening?– The journalists suddenly appeared. –What can’t the big shot see?–
Xiao, Mr. Xiao, withdrew his gaze from Yang ZiCang’s few tents and wooden huts. Facing these suddenly appearing journalists, he remained distinctly unfazed.
–Don’t worry. What they mean is that, because of me, Hubville can’t see this place.–
He looked at Yang ZiCang: –In my past career experience, I once held a position you longed for but failed to obtain—a crafter of Up-Freq items that produce Moxel lines.–
With a flick of his finger, the energy at his fingertip dissipated, and from within emerged an object—a dark, lusterless crystal resembling a Lost Moxel, containing a golden dotted line inside.
Robin Lo, who had just come out of the tent, caught his breath. –That’s it—the tool that provides one chance to advance to the Moxel lineage.–
Zuo Feixian and the others were already stunned by these sudden arrivals, for the energy of annihilation radiating from him was strikingly similar to the moonlight monster that had appeared last time. But even that monster’s energy fluctuations paled in comparison to the man before them.
Yang Zicang’s gaze tightened. What exactly was this newcomer’s purpose?
Mr. Xiao put the object away.
–I heard you tried to join the Lost Mirage Company just to become a staff member in charge of burying it, thereby obtaining its Crosspace code through a city entry to acquire that tool, correct?–
Yang Zicang said cautiously, –I’ve already given up that plan.–
He signaled to Professor Chen beside him, urging them to slip away immediately. Professor Chen, well aware of the implication, had already started pulling Little Liu back and using Syn-Link to alert the others to flee at once.
Suddenly, Mr. Xiao turned his gaze toward Lyu Zhi, who was preparing to slip away first with the statue in his arms.
–Stop. Put down what you’re holding.–
Everyone felt the atmosphere turn icy cold, as if a storm was brewing.
Yang Zicang was slightly enlightened. –Your target is it?–
Hearing this, Lyu Zhi, clutching Chin Mong’s keepsake, dared not set it down—this was the only proof that his friend had ever existed in this world.
–Still not following orders? I told you to put it down, or I will begin assessing your contribution. Declaration: Those with insufficient contributions will be subject to my authority for elimination.–
–Wh-what?– Lyu Zhi felt as if a dragon had locked onto him, cold sweat running from head to toe.
Yang Zicang urged, –What use is this statue that you’d make a special trip for it?–
On hearing that, Lyu Zhi gritted his teeth, turned around, and bolted.
–Hmph!–
Xiao, the senior staffer, wore a slight scowl. The man beside him opened his mouth in anger, a gruff voice booming in everyone’s mind:
{Assessment begins. Great Builder Crew Cargo, historical renown score: 415 points.}
{Target: Lyu Zhi. Contribution less than one-tenth.}
{Rating: Rank-F member of the Great Builder.}
{You are now eligible for elimination.}
In Lyu Zhi’s chest, the murmur of his Moxel’s thoughts echoed.
[I am now eligible for elimination.]
–What?–
Mr. Xiao raised his arm, fingers pointing straight, with flashes of energy fluctuations surging at his fingertips.
–Lyu Zhi!– A circular ring rapidly emerged on Yang ZiCang’s chest.
Bang! Lyu Zhi’s legs turned into a cloud of blood mist in the midst of the swiftly shooting chaotic energy threads. –Ahh!–
Yang ZiCang froze for a moment, then a surge of anger rushed to his brain. He violently kicked off the ground, his figure flickering as he moved.
Slap! Before the young man could even hit the ground, he and the statue abruptly turned a corner and fell into Yang ZiCang’s arms. He looked up, staring intently at the distant, pale-lipped youth.
Mr. Xiao clapped in approval, saying, –Not bad at all. Pretty quick reflexes. I’m curious—how fast must your Moxel face before it’s too late for you to redirect their trajectories? Based on the reporters’ records…–
He paced while supporting himself on an armrest, then turned his head with a smirk and said, –When that innocent guy you controlled had his head stabbed by your friend just now, you should have been able to save him, right?–
｛Yang ZiCang, don’t act rashly.｝
Robin Lo’s voice rang out urgently.
–Brother Jiazi…I…– Lyu Zhi, limp in the young man’s arms, spat out blood. Yang ZiCang quickly took out a healing ability sphere he carried with him and started using it on him.
–It’s okay, I’ll get you the best doctor.–
–My… legs are gone. Even the best doctor can’t make me stand again… In this world… I couldn’t protect my friends, nor myself…–
Yang Zicang set the person down, picked up the statue from his arms, and said angrily to Master Xiao, –Why do you want it?–
–You’re not worthy of what’s inside.–
–Could it be there’s a bloodline in there?–
Yang Zicang stared at him squarely: –Now then, calculate my contribution and see?!–
Master Xiao stepped forward, the pressure of his aura growing heavier, but the young man didn’t retreat an inch—only Lyu Zhi on the ground was suffering.
–There’s no need to calculate yours, but I want to tell you this: hand over these bloodlines right now, and you will gain my friendship. Or, feel free to become my enemy and face my fury.–
–Don’t think I don’t know—since when has the Illusion Corporation been allowed to interfere freely in the development of the Shibin Wastes? Has your power truly grown so great?!–
Yang Zicang raised a faintly glowing coin.
The woman behind the young man said, –Master Xiao, there seems to be a great deal of Chronos energy within it.–
The magic patterns in Master Xiao’s eyes spun slowly, and the numbers –9999N– flickered within his gaze on the coin.
He stared at Yang Zicang for a long while.
–You know quite a lot—old debts, to be sure—but you’re a legend who’s amassed over two hundred points from name value alone. If you die like this, my reputation will take a real hit.–
He raised his index finger.
A flicker of energy rippled across his fingertip—Boom!
[Override Command.]
[Resisted by authority suppression; override effect is negligible.]
Whoosh! The energy wave streaked through the air toward the distant figures.
–No!– The attempt to alter its trajectory failed this time. Yang Zicang stared in shock at the deathly ripple heading his way.
[Authority realized: Individual Level!]
In an instant, Quad enveloped the surroundings.
The running figures suddenly transformed, and with a deep rumble, the shockwave grazed the scattering crowd as it hit the ground and exploded.
–Ha, so this time it altered the trajectory of the target—quite the quick reaction.–
Though it didn’t directly hit Professor Chen and the others, the sheer energy radiated by that beam alone shredded their clothes into tatters. Along the path, two wooden cabins were instantly blasted apart, leaving nothing but wood chips and debris scattered across the ground.
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