Chapter 90: A New World
“We received Penacony’s invitation letter a long time ago, but there’s still plenty of time. We can choose to visit other worlds first. Also, I checked the current position of Luofu Xianzhou, and it’s very close to us. Dan Heng, do you still want to go there now?” Himeko said to Dan Heng.
“Yes, I want to see the current Luofu Dragon Lord. With my research on my own Martial Spirit over the past two years, I have confidence in restoring her Dragon Lord Legacy to completeness.” Dan Heng said. At that time, he could also let go of his last concern. “However, I’m not in a hurry. Anyway, even after returning from other worlds, it will only be one day in the past.”
“Huai Feng, do you want to return to your own world once?” Himeko looked at Meng Huaifeng again.
“I’ll hold off on going back for now. Recharging once takes so long. I’ll wait until my strength improves and the recharge time required decreases before going back.” Meng Huaifeng had already considered this and said directly.
“Then, shall we pioneer an unknown world first?” Himeko suggested. Everyone has curiosity, and an unknown world is like a cat’s paw, constantly scratching at everyone’s heart. Even Himeko was no exception.
“Wait, I have a question. Going to an unknown world won’t require staying for two years again, right?” March 7th raised her small hand.
“No, after connecting the two worlds, my Pioneer Destiny advanced another step. Now it only takes seven months to fully recharge energy once. By the time we go to the new world, we’ll definitely progress even further on the Destiny path. Plus, with the energy already accumulated, at least five or six months will be enough for us to return.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“Can’t the system only accumulate energy on its own? Can’t you actively recharge it?” Welt frowned and asked.
Meng Huaifeng was struck like lightning. He had never thought of this problem!
“System, system, can I actively recharge you?” Meng Huaifeng hurriedly asked.
“No, this system is formless and intangible, and the host has no recharge target. But if the host agrees, I can actively absorb the energy from your body.” The system replied.
Meng Huaifeng calmed down. It wasn’t his issue; the system had been dormant for the past two years and had only awakened for over ten days now, so it was normal not to have thought of it.
Correct.
“How much energy can I give you to recharge now?”
“Approximately five percent. If I drain the host dry every day, it would take only twenty days to recover one charge.” The system’s voice was emotionless.
“Draining me dry is out of the question. Absorb ten percent of my energy each time, three times a day. Let’s set it like that for now.” Meng Huaifeng didn’t want to become the kidney-deficient young master and decided.
Unknown worlds aren’t necessarily safe. No matter when, it’s best to keep one’s state in good condition.
“Instruction received.”
With the system’s words, Meng Huaifeng felt about one-tenth of the Imaginary Energy in his body instantly disappear. Apart from a slight discomfort in that instant, there was no sense of weakness.
Maintaining ninety percent energy was enough to keep Meng Huaifeng’s strength at peak state.
The change in Meng Huaifeng’s energy naturally couldn’t be hidden from everyone. Welt nodded and said, “It seems possible.”
“Now it only takes a little over two months to recover one recharge. If necessary, we can continue to speed it up.” Meng Huaifeng said to everyone.
“Two months plus is enough. We still need to lay Silver Rail. If it’s too fast, we might not finish laying the Silver Rail.” Himeko said.
“Is two months plus enough?” Welt asked, still worried.
“I overestimated the centrifugal force between the two universes. We actually don’t need that much Silver Rail. It was just the first time doing this, so I had no confidence and, for safety, asked you to lay as much Silver Rail as possible.” Himeko looked at Welt with some apology; she had made him work in vain for so long.
“No problem. It’s normal to lack experience the first time. As long as it succeeds in the end, it’s fine.” Welt didn’t mind.
“Yes, based on data analysis after connecting the two worlds, just one-tenth of the Silver Rail is enough to secure the other universe. Moreover, everyone’s strength is improving. The more Pioneer Power used to lay the Silver Rail, the stronger and more solid it becomes, requiring less quantity.” Himeko said.
“So it will get easier and easier in the future.” March 7th said happily.
“It won’t be easy, and you don’t need to lay Silver Rail anyway.” A Xing said.
“I suggest A Xing takes responsibility for laying Silver Rail in the next world.” March 7th puffed her cheeks and looked at A Xing.
“Seconded.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“Ah? What about our Galaxy Nameless team without me? Let March go instead.” A Xing hurriedly said.
“Alright, this kind of work doesn’t require you young people yet. Go have fun. Once you’ve gained more experience and matured, we’ll hand it to you.” Himeko interrupted the two who were about to argue again.
“Sister Himeko is young too.” Meng Huaifeng’s mouth was as sweet as if coated with honey.
Himeko’s lips curved slightly; she was clearly pleased with Meng Huaifeng’s words.
“Since we’ve decided, let’s set off, Pamu.” Pamu pattered toward the cockpit.
Meng Huaifeng and A Xing hurriedly followed.
The Stellar Train first departed from the vicinity of Yarilo VI, then slowly began its voyage at about 100 meters per second.
Although this time they didn’t need to stop immediately after passing through the wormhole to stabilize it, the places they traversed were always not too far from the so-called ‘protagonist’. If there were people or important structures nearby and they crashed into them at high speed, that wouldn’t be good.
Meng Huaifeng was responsible for opening the wormhole in the cockpit, while A Xing guarded against anyone or anything on the other side that the train might collide with, ready to add a shield to him in time.
At the train’s current speed, under the protection of A Xing’s Preservation power, even colliding with ordinary people would cause no harm.
“Wormhole ready to open. Ten, nine, eight… three, two, one!”
“Open!”
Meng Huaifeng’s voice sounded over the broadcast. As the countdown ended, the train crew saw through the windows that they had come from the vast Sea of Stars to a barren Gobi desert.
“The environment here seems a bit harsh.” March 7th pressed against the window, looking outside at the foggy expanse with no animals or plants, filled with dead silence.
Meng Huaifeng, A Xing, and Pamu returned from the cockpit to the observation car.
“Huai Feng, how is it? What kind of world did we arrive at?” March 7th asked impatiently.
“The world we came to this time is an apocalypse world.” Meng Huaifeng pinched his forehead.
“Eh? Are we saving the world again?” March 7th said in surprise.
“Over thirty years ago, the humans on this planet researched immortality and touched some kind of taboo, bringing disaster.”
“This world has a substance called Life Essence. The amount of Life Essence in nature seems limited, constantly cycling in the natural ecology. Human immortality permanently traps Life Essence in the body, preventing it from participating in the cycle.
Therefore, humans touched some unknown taboo. First, the Mantle Vines rampaged, causing violent shifts in continental plates and continuously releasing toxic spores, destroying the human survival environment.
Then Mana Flowers appeared, releasing Xinghongsu. Xinghongsu causes illusions, and over time, people gradually turn into Flesh Soil.
But that’s not enough. Soon, Mana Flowers began producing Devouring Beasts. Devouring Beasts can sense human emotions and absorb human Life Essence. Humans who lose Life Essence also turn into Flesh Soil.
After absorbing enough Life Essence, Devouring Beasts pass it to the Mana Flowers, allowing them to evolve further and produce stronger, more targeted Devouring Beasts.
Under the ravages of Mantle Vines, Mana Flowers, and Devouring Beasts, human civilization completely collapsed, leaving only a very few survivors struggling to hang on.”
Meng Huaifeng recounted all the world information intercepted by the system.
“What is this Life Essence? It seems everything started because of it.” Himeko said, somewhat puzzled.
Meng Huaifeng shook his head; the system’s information didn’t have this.
“Alright, looks like we’ll have to research it personally.” A hint of anticipation appeared in Himeko’s eyes. She continued, “So, who will stay behind on the train this time?”
“I’ll do it. The Belobog trip was only over ten days. I bet Welt hasn’t rested enough yet, and Himeko, you haven’t been off the train in a long time either.” Dan Heng volunteered.
“With just you and Pamu on the train, won’t it be boring? How about I stay to keep you company? I also need time to continue studying Aether Editing and analyzing my other Soul Skills. Plus, I have the True Game, so I can have game characters follow everyone. That way, it’s like the whole team is getting off together.” Meng Huaifeng said.
He could naturally sense everything around the character he controlled, and Aha’s Blessing would allow Dan Heng to perceive it too, so the whole team would be together.
“No need. Back in the Douluo universe, although there were three people on the train, Himeko was always in the laboratory researching. Usually it was just me and Welt, and we didn’t find it boring, Pam.” Pamu said indifferently.
“That’s different. Teacher Dan Heng is like a gourd. As a senior, I naturally have to lead by example. I’ll stay to accompany Pamu and Dan Heng.” March 7th couldn’t help saying.
“No need to argue. You all go ahead and get off. I’ll stay alone. With your restless personality, March, you probably couldn’t stay on the train.” Dan Heng said with a light laugh.
“March, Dan Heng thinks you’re noisy.” A Xing stirred the pot.
“No way! Everyone’s used to it by now.” March 7th rolled her eyes at A Xing.
“Alright, Dan Heng will stay alone. As usual, let’s first scan and probe this planet. Everyone use this time to pack your things. We’ll get off soon.” Himeko clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention and arranged.
……
Beacon, over thirty years ago it was an aerial prison called Tartarus. After the Mana Ecology outbreak, it was renamed Beacon, meaning humanity’s last home. Thanks to its floating city characteristics, it has survived until now.
“Lord of the City, we discovered a train suddenly appearing not far away.” Control room deputy Martin reported to Morgan.
“Suddenly appeared?” Morgan frowned and asked.
“Yes, we’ve been hovering here for three days, so we can confirm there was no train there before. It truly appeared out of nowhere; no one noticed how it came.” Martin said confidently.
That place didn’t even have railways.
“Send Scavengers… forget it, send the City Defense Force to check it out.” Morgan remembered the Scavengers hadn’t returned from gathering materials and changed his words.
Since it was not far from Beacon, sending the City Defense Force was fine.
“Yes, Lord of the City.” Martin saluted and left.
The City Defense Force, usually responsible for Beacon’s guarding, rarely had to go down to the ground for a mission. They nervously put on their equipment one by one.
City Defense Force Captain Senge piloted the Gravity Body, leading over ten fully armed City Defense Force members down to the ground via the lift platform.
There were no Devouring Beasts on the nearby ground, or Beacon wouldn’t have hovered here.
However, the City Defense Force members remained cautious and on high alert all the way.
The terror of the ground had long been etched into their hearts; one could never be too careful.
Outside the train, they couldn’t see inside. Senge stood at the train door and shouted, “Is anyone in the train?”
If no one responded, he would have someone pry open the door and search inside for useful materials.
Inside the train, Welt was reporting the probe results for the planet.
“Preliminary scans confirm this planet has just undergone violent crustal movement and remains unstable, potentially leading to frequent natural disasters. Additionally, there are massive life reactions on this planet, but according to Huai Feng, survivors are few and far between. So these life reactions should come from Devouring Beasts.”
“What about energy levels?” Himeko asked.
“The highest approaches Doomsday Beast level. A Xing and Little March should barely manage, but Huai Feng and Zhu Qing need to be careful.” Welt judged.
“Sister Himeko, Uncle Yang, people are coming outside.” Meng Huaifeng boredly looked out the window and was the first to spot the fully armed City Defense Force, giving a reminder.
“Looks like the natives here have discovered us. Let’s go out and meet them.” Himeko led the way to the train door.
The train door opened, and Himeko gracefully stepped out, saying softly, “Hello, we are Stellar Train Nameless. I’m Himeko. First time visiting your land, please take care of us.”
All the City Defense Force members were stunned. Decades of apocalypse had turned people into ghosts; surviving was good enough. Who had seen such a beautiful woman?
“Wow, so beautiful. Feels even prettier than Scavenger Captain Hong Kou.”
“Didn’t expect after over ten years without finding anyone, there are still people alive underground, and so beautiful.”
“If she joined our Beacon, then Dawn Hall…”
The City Defense Force members whispered among themselves.
“Shut up. Have you all forgotten the three major Survival Laws issued a few years ago?” Senge said in a deep voice, scaring all the City Defense Force members into silence.
Senge quickly sized up Himeko and the people behind her.
None carried weapons, and they all looked delicate and weak, not like they had trained. They shouldn’t be a threat.
Seeing them fully armed yet daring to come out completely defenseless—either naive, stupid, or both, just like the legendary… university students before the apocalypse.
He really didn’t know how such a group had survived until now.
If Beacon could obtain the secret of their survival, could it better ensure Beacon’s continuation?
What a huge merit that would be? Senge’s heart burned with excitement.
Having the idea, Senge contacted the command room: “Calling command room, this is City Defense Force Captain Senge. We’ve found survivors on the train. Permission to take them in?”
“Permission granted to take them in.”
Upon receiving the response, Senge controlled the Gravity Body to retract the faceplate and said to Himeko, “Hello, Miss Himeko. I am Beacon City Defense Force Captain Senge. I didn’t expect survivors still living underground after so long. Would it be convenient to inform us how many of you there are and how you’ve survived underground until now?”
Himeko blinked: “Captain Senge, in the apocalypse, asking such questions seems a bit presumptuous.”
Himeko had seen plenty of worlds fallen to apocalypse due to Stellar Cores. When survivors encountered each other in the wild, they mostly didn’t help each other but killed for meager resources.
“Please rest assured, Miss Himeko. Beacon is humanity’s last home, with a complete system and structure. Nothing you’re worried about will happen. In the apocalypse, humans as a Community of Shared Future should unite, advance together, and forge ahead. On behalf of Beacon, I formally invite Miss Himeko and all of you to join Beacon.” Senge said righteously.
“This person is really nice. What he said makes so much sense. Feels like a good person.” March 7th issued a good person card.
One more chapter tonight.
