Chapter 315: An Enemy Of The Whole World?
Forbidden zone!
To Lin Qi, this word felt like the very boundary of the world. All he knew was that the forbidden zone was a place no race could set foot in.
As for what existed within the forbidden zone, no one knew. They only knew the forbidden zone had encased the Four Regions for over a hundred years.
But from the known world map from a hundred years ago, it could be seen that the Four Regions occupied only a very small part of the known world. Yet people seemed completely uninterested in exploring the forbidden zone outside the Four Regions. Even within the core information of the City of Light Chasing, there was no information about exploring the forbidden zone beyond the Four Regions.
He had never imagined that the top factions of the Four Regions had actually been exploring the forbidden zone outside the Four Regions all along.
In response to Lin Qi’s question, after hesitating for a moment, Hong Lao gritted his teeth and said, “Originally, everything about exploring the forbidden zone was kept secret among the major powers. But now that the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall is qualified to explore the forbidden zone, even if I tell you, it should not be considered breaking the rules.”
“The reason it is called a forbidden zone is not because it is some desolate wasteland. On the contrary, it is a place where life is extremely vigorous. It is just that the energy within the forbidden zone is incomparably dense and violent. Ordinary people cannot survive there at all. Only martial artists in the Viscera Refining Realm, whose internal organs have been greatly strengthened, can barely survive within the forbidden zone.”
“So, does that mean the forbidden zone is actually a good place?” Lin Qi was slightly surprised.
Energy was crucial for a martial artist’s training. The denser the energy, the more beneficial it was for cultivation methods. Even if it was violent, a martial artist could still make some use of it, making it far superior to places where energy was scarce.
“Under normal circumstances, yes.” Hong Lao nodded and gave a wry smile. “But because of the special environment of the forbidden zone, many extremely dangerous plants, animals, and abnormals have appeared within it. Compared to those plants, animals, and abnormals, catastrophe level monsters are like little cuties.”
He had deep personal experience with the dangers inside the forbidden zone.
A single exploration had left him so traumatized that it took months after returning before he recovered.
If possible, he would never step into the forbidden zone again for the rest of his life.
“Catastrophe level monsters are little cuties?” Lin Qi was a bit stunned. Catastrophe level monsters were entities that could easily destroy a city within the Four Regions. Typically, only a Domain City would intervene to deal with them. It was hard to imagine they would be considered little cuties inside the forbidden zone. He then asked curiously, “Then what are those abnormals? Some kind of lifeform?”
The term “abnormal” was one he was hearing for the first time. Hong Lao had deliberately distinguished abnormals from plants and animals, which clearly showed that these abnormals were extraordinarily dangerous.
“Something like that.” Fear flickered in Hong Lao’s expression as he spoke. “I am not clear on what those abnormals truly are. I only know they can possess people. Often, when the team is resting, some people suddenly become abnormals. To normal observation, those companions look completely fine and can communicate as usual, but in truth that person is no longer human.”
“They will think of every way to get rid of the others. One of our scouting teams of ten, on their way back, was noticed by the leader to be acting strange. It was discovered that all ten had already become abnormals. They were dealt with immediately. We do not dare imagine what would have happened if those abnormals had mixed back into the team.”
“As for what abnormals really are or how they possess people, all the major powers are completely in the dark. The only thing we know is that abnormals seem unable to leave the forbidden zone. That is the good fortune of all our races. Otherwise, if even one entered the Four Regions and was not killed immediately, it would become an unimaginable doomsday.”
“They possess directly and still appear no different from normal people?” Lin Qi’s gaze involuntarily grew solemn.
These abnormals were indeed far more terrifying than monsters, just as Hong Lao had said. Monsters could be seen with the naked eye; everyone knew they were enemies. But abnormals could become one’s companions. An enemy that could not be distinguished from friend, and could continuously increase its numbers, was undoubtedly the most troublesome kind.
“For over a hundred years, the top factions have never stopped exploring the forbidden zone. They have always hoped to break out of it, or to find places inside as safe as the Four Regions. Otherwise, as the forbidden zone continues to erode, we will all die in the end!” Hong Lao let out a deep sigh and said sincerely, “So this time, on behalf of Azure Wing City, I want to invite the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall to explore the forbidden zone together in the future. With our decades of accumulated experience regarding the forbidden zone, combined with the strength of the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, entering the forbidden zone will surely yield great gains. We can split the harvest fifty-fifty. This is a price no one else can offer.”
Lin Qi thought for a moment and asked, “If our two sides cooperate, can I purchase some things from Azure Wing City?”
“Of course. As long as Azure Wing City can provide them, and Hall Master Lin can offer an appropriate price,” Hong Lao replied without hesitation, smiling.
“The production line for C-grade alloy flying transport vehicles, and synthesis equipment for energy blood essence. Do you have these two?” Lin Qi asked.
As for exploring the forbidden zone, it was one thing when he did not know about it. Now that he knew how troublesome it was, he naturally had to participate. With the current rate of erosion, the Four Regions might not last a hundred years.
And martial artists, through training and advancement, could enhance their control over their bodies and thus extend their lifespans. Martial artists in the Bone Forging Realm could normally live to 150, those in the Blood Condensation Realm typically over 200, and those in the Heavenly Human Realm even longer. So the forbidden zone had to be explored.
But what he needed most right now was the production line for flying transport vehicles and the instruments to manufacture energy blood essence. With these two things, the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall’s development speed would increase dramatically.
“Those two?” Hong Lao frowned slightly, looked at Lin Qi, and said slowly, “The production line for C-grade alloy flying transport vehicles is not a problem. Azure Wing City can sell that. But as for synthesis equipment for energy blood essence, its manufacture has always been controlled by the Domain Cities. All synthesis equipment for energy blood essence within the Four Regions comes from the Domain Cities. If we sell one to you, Hall Master Lin, Azure Wing City will be short one unit.”
“All from the Domain Cities?” Lin Qi was slightly surprised. “Isn’t it possible to directly pay a high price to buy from other Domains?”
“You can indeed spend two million energy crystals to purchase from another Domain.” Hong Lao nodded, not hiding anything. “But for the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, that may not be possible.”
“What do you mean by that?” Lin Qi looked at Hong Lao in confusion. He could not understand. “Do you mean others can buy, but the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall cannot?”
“That is not it. As long as you pay two million energy crystals, any faction can go to Tianhe Domain City to buy,” Hong Lao said. “It is just that transporting it back is difficult. To reach the Tianhe Region, those from the Mist Mountain Region must pass through the Mountain of the Dead. Now the Smiling Skull will likely not let your people pass, let alone return.”
“Moreover, you heavily damaged the Dragon Hunting Corps of the Red Moon Merchant Guild. The Red Moon Merchant Guild will not let you go easily. The Dragon Hunting Corps was one of the main corps used by the Red Moon Merchant Guild to explore the forbidden zone. And the Red Moon Merchant Guild has deep ties with Tianhe Domain City. Many goods from Tianhe Domain City are sold across the Four Regions through the Red Moon Merchant Guild’s trade routes.”
“If the Red Moon Merchant Guild says a few words to Tianhe Domain City, that business will likely be abandoned even if it hurts them. Although Azure Wing City could sell synthesis equipment for energy blood essence to you and then reorder from Tianhe Domain City, if the Red Moon Merchant Guild found out, they might restrict Azure Wing City’s purchases. That is a risk we truly cannot take.”
“So the Red Moon Merchant Guild and Tianhe Domain City have that kind of relationship.” Lin Qi was also somewhat taken aback and could not help asking, “Can’t you buy from other Domain Cities instead?”
Since only the Domain Cities controlled the manufacture of synthesis equipment for energy blood essence, the other three Domain Cities should also be able to produce such equipment. It should not be exclusive to Tianhe Domain City.
“The manufacture of synthesis equipment for energy blood essence is not easy. It requires many key materials that the other three Domains have very little of. They mainly purchase those key materials from Tianhe Domain City,” Hong Lao explained. “Tianhe Domain City does not want the other three Domain Cities to profit from this trade, so an agreement was made long ago: except for their subordinate cities, they are forbidden to sell to anyone else, any other factions. The other three Domain Cities had no choice but to agree in order to secure the key materials. So within the Four Regions, if you want to buy synthesis equipment for energy blood essence, you can only go to Tianhe Domain City.”
“No wonder all the Domains give face to the Red Moon Merchant Guild. So this is the reason.” After hearing this, Lin Qi finally understood.
“Exactly.” Hong Lao nodded, also rather helpless. “Tianhe Domain City controls the synthesis equipment for energy blood essence, and the Red Moon Merchant Guild is needed by Tianhe Domain City. To provoke the Red Moon Merchant Guild is almost the same as provoking Tianhe Domain City.”
“If Hall Master Lin wants to manufacture energy blood essence, at present, the only way is to establish a subordinate city within the jurisdiction of Mist Mountain Domain City. Do not even think about secretly producing it in some remote place in the short term.”
He did not know how the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall had come into conflict with the Red Moon Merchant Guild, but the Dragon Hunting Corps was the guild’s darling. Now that it had lost more than half its strength, and given that the Red Moon Merchant Guild was never a charitable power or friendly to others, it was impossible that they would let this go lightly. Otherwise, they would never have been able to control the trade routes of the Four Regions.
Before the Red Moon Merchant Guild calmed down, it was impossible to buy synthesis equipment for energy blood essence from Tianhe Domain City. Other factions were powerless as well, unless they did not want that equipment themselves anymore.
“If our Obsidian Martial Arts Hall could replace the Red Moon Merchant Guild?” Lin Qi asked.
“Replace the Red Moon Merchant Guild?” Hong Lao was slightly stunned, then shook his head. “I am afraid that is impossible. Leaving aside that the Red Moon Merchant Guild controls the trade routes of the Four Regions and can safely transport goods between Domains, even if Hall Master Lin could achieve that, what reason would Tianhe Domain City have to replace them?”
“What if I have something that would interest Tianhe Domain City?” Lin Qi smiled faintly and took out a blood-red fruit, the Fruit of Life.
“What is this? Such dense life energy!” Hong Lao stared at the Fruit of Life in Lin Qi’s hand and could not help swallowing. He hurriedly suppressed the almost instinctive urge to swallow it.
“This is called the Fruit of Life. It is extremely precious. It can regenerate severed limbs and heal all injuries,” Lin Qi said with a smile. “I think Tianhe Domain City should have great use for this, right?”
Injuries could be healed with healing potions, but regenerating severed limbs was something healing potions could not achieve, and the disability rate among martial artists was always high, including many powerful individuals.
There were many strong experts in the Domain Cities, and certainly no small number among them bore permanent injuries.
“Regenerate severed limbs?” Hearing this, Hong Lao fixed his gaze on the Fruit of Life in shock. “It can truly regenerate severed limbs?”
“I can guarantee it with the reputation of our martial arts hall. Anyone who eats it can regenerate severed limbs within a short time.” Lin Qi nodded. “Do you think this could persuade Tianhe Domain City?”
“Yes! Absolutely!” Hong Lao could not help exclaiming. “If Hall Master Lin can handle transport across the Four Regions, then with the Fruit of Life you can definitely replace the Red Moon Merchant Guild as Tianhe Domain City’s agent, without any problem. I wonder if Hall Master Lin would be willing to sell a few Fruits of Life to Azure Wing City? I promise a fair price that will not disappoint you!”
To be able to heal all injuries and regenerate severed limbs was practically equivalent to an extra life for martial experts. Azure Wing City had several Blood Condensation Realm experts who had been crippled while exploring the forbidden zone. If all of them could be healed, Azure Wing City’s strength could easily suppress the current mercenary alliance, and might even be able to contend with mountain bandits like the Smiling Skull.
“Cultivating the Fruit of Life is not easy. I do not have many on hand right now. But since our two sides are going to cooperate, I can sell one Fruit of Life to Azure Wing City.” Lin Qi looked at the extremely tempted Hong Lao and could not help but smile.
Just from Hong Lao’s excitement, he could tell that the Fruit of Life was even more precious than he had imagined. However, as he had said, he did not have many. Over the past few days, he had accumulated a total of forty Fruits of Life, consuming most of the blood essence stored in the martial arts hall’s warehouse.
Without a large amount of monster hunting by players, it would be difficult to produce so many Fruits of Life again in the short term.
“Hall Master Lin, what is the price of a Fruit of Life?” Hong Lao had calmed down a little, but his heart was still uneasy.
If a single Fruit of Life cost as much as one unit of synthesis equipment for energy blood essence, Azure Wing City could not possibly afford it. Two million energy crystals was an amount an ordinary faction could never produce. Even if Azure Wing City could, it would cripple them.
Seeing the worry in Hong Lao’s expression, Lin Qi smiled and said, “Two flying transport vehicle production lines: one B-grade alloy, one C-grade alloy, plus helping me pass a message to Tianhe Domain City, telling them that our Obsidian Martial Arts Hall wants to replace the Red Moon Merchant Guild and become Tianhe Domain City’s agent. How about that price?”
“Only two flying transport vehicle production lines?” Hong Lao was slightly surprised. A B-grade flying transport vehicle production line was worth about eight thousand energy crystals, and a C-grade line about twenty thousand, for a total of only twenty-eight thousand energy crystals. For a fruit that could heal a Blood Condensation Realm expert’s severed limb, this was not expensive at all. As for passing along a message, that was trivial. He immediately said, “No problem. We can complete the trade right now!”
After that, Lin Qi and Hong Lao reached an agreement for cooperation and trade. Not only would their two sides join forces, but once Azure Wing City completed its tasks, it would be able to purchase one more Fruit of Life, which made Hong Lao so excited he almost jumped up. He left the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall almost immediately to rush back to Azure Wing City to report the news.
After Hong Lao left, Lin Qi summoned Wu Zhuoqun.
“Hall master, were you looking for me?” Wu Zhuoqun, who had been running around all the major cities, asked with deep respect.
“Has the production of the superconducting electromagnetic gun been going smoothly lately? How many have been produced?” Lin Qi nodded and asked calmly.
Ever since he had put Wu Zhuoqun in charge of selling superconducting electromagnetic guns in the major cities, he had also had Wu Zhuoqun manage the Obsidian Workshop, recruiting a large number of mechanics to work around the clock producing superconducting electromagnetic guns. Luo Qi had even complained that he had poached many mechanics from her, slowing down her progress on researching Tier 3 weapons.
“Very smoothly. There are currently 8,235 B2-grade superconducting electromagnetic guns in the warehouse, 1,647 B4-grade superconducting electromagnetic guns, 476 B6-grade superconducting electromagnetic guns, and 124 C2-grade superconducting electromagnetic guns. Right now we can produce about three thousand a day, and we are still expanding recruitment. I believe that in a few days, we can increase to five thousand per day,” Wu Zhuoqun reported in detail. “But counterfeit products have already appeared in the major cities, priced much cheaper than ours.”
“More than eight thousand B2-grade?” After a brief silence, Lin Qi ordered, “Tomorrow morning, prepare ten thousand B2-grade superconducting electromagnetic guns, and also prepare five hundred thousand rounds of B4-grade bullets. Can you manage that?”
“No problem!” Wu Zhuoqun did not know what Lin Qi intended to do, but he answered with complete confidence.
Lin Qi then sent Wu Zhuoqun off to prepare the superconducting electromagnetic guns and bullets, and his gaze fell on the system panel, where one notification after another showed the completion of resting place renovations. Three days earlier, he had spent a massive amount of energy to renovate all the resting places in the branch halls in one go, a total of one thousand four hundred and twenty-three resting places.
“Kui Lang, is it?” Lin Qi looked at the one thousand four hundred and twenty-three resting places, his gaze turning cold. “Let us see if you can withstand my one thousand four hundred and twenty-three resting places inside the City of Light Chasing.”
He had originally planned to take his time playing this game with Kui Lang. But after learning about the forbidden zone, he realized he could not waste any more time. He had to strengthen the Obsidian Martial Arts Hall as much as possible. He had to obtain the inheritance of the body strengthening secret technique as soon as possible, even if it meant starting a battle inside the City of Light Chasing.
Lin Qi then opened the system announcement and directly notified all players: the new expansion pack, Golden Road, would be launched, with ten thousand additional game slots, and a special newbie event, Night of Light Chasing, in which any player below the martial artist level could participate.
“Send!”
Looking at the completed message on the announcement board, Lin Qi clicked the send button in satisfaction.
In an instant, all online players received the system notification at the same time. Seeing this sudden prompt, the entire Obsidian Martial Arts Hall exploded into chaos. One after another, they could not believe it was real!
