Chapter Seventy-One: Earth · Beast Tide (Thirteen)

“Alright, that concludes our plan. Does anyone have any questions?” After detailing the steps of the operation, Pix asked the group.

At that moment, a woman spoke loudly, “How are we dividing into teams? How can you guarantee that those entering the ruins aren’t people you’ve handpicked in advance? In the end, whatever technology is discovered inside will be dictated by you, won’t it?”

This woman’s skin was a dark green, her figure towering and imposing, clad in simple leather armor. Her muscles seemed even more intimidating than some of the male contestants. Yet her voice was entirely feminine. From Sun Meng’s angle, he couldn’t see her face, but judging from her profile, she was unlikely to be beautiful—though certainly not unpleasant either.

“Ms. Usala, I understand your concerns, and I believe many share them.” Pix continued, as new information appeared on the large screen. “These are details I’ve gathered about your respective civilizations—not through investigation, but inferred from the technologies you’ve exchanged. I believe this ranking accurately reflects your civilization’s true level.”

The content on the screen unsettled many. Not only did it list the names of their civilizations and their own names, but it also laid out their civilization’s development systems, ranking, personal combat level, and preferred fighting styles. All of it was uncannily accurate.

Despite Pix’s claim that he hadn’t specifically investigated them, only a fool would believe it. This only heightened their unease. To have compiled such thorough information on their civilizations within three months, without arousing suspicion, was a feat that spoke of terrifying capabilities.

Seeing the contestants fall silent, Pix smiled, “Now, I’ll assign the teams. If you have any objections or suggestions regarding the distribution, you may speak up.”

When the teams were announced, Sun Meng wasn’t surprised to see his name in the first group—the one destined to be the last to enter the ruins. There were twelve members, excluding Pix, Mu Xingye, and Kokolalu. The remaining eight were all individuals whose combat abilities were rated at mid-second tier.

Sun Meng glanced at their civilization profiles. Among the eight, there were three types: melee, ranged, and mage, divided in a five-two-one ratio. Usala, the woman who had spoken earlier, was one of the melee fighters; her weapon was a sacred idol unique to her civilization. Indeed, her civilization was the one Sun Meng had previously mentioned, following the path of a divine kingdom.

“Since there are no further questions, let’s settle this matter. Our trade fair and evening banquet will continue as planned, and in three days, we’ll set out together.” As Pix finished, the projection vanished. The passageway appeared again, and everyone returned to the place they had left, resuming their unfinished transactions.

Yet it was clear that Pix’s announcement had dampened their enthusiasm for trading. None had expected their first major group activity to be hosted by a fellow contestant.

“Do you have any more technology to trade?” Mu Xingye asked Sun Meng and Kokolalu. “If not, I’d like to gather our team now.”

---

Sun Meng turned to Kokolalu. “I have nothing left.”

“I’ve finished my trades,” Kokolalu replied. In her mind, her impression of Sun Meng had improved once again. She believed he had helped her—without his assistance, she would have had no chance of making it into the first group based solely on her own abilities. Though Pix had promised any technology acquired from the ruins would be fully disclosed, the first to obtain it would still hold an advantage. There could be things that simply couldn’t be shared.

“Alright, come this way.” Mu Xingye led the two to a small room, and soon the others arrived.

“We’re all in the same group. Our task is to face the final late-second-tier monster guarding the entrance to the ruins. It’s a semi-draconic beast twenty meters long. Based on our analysis, its weaknesses are its eyes, the base of its horns, and the reverse scale on its neck. We’ve prepared cold weapons rated for late second-tier combat, but we’ll need someone to probe for weaknesses and deliver the finishing blow.” As Pix spoke, an image of the monster appeared on the virtual screen.

“Actually...” Sun Meng hadn’t finished when one of the ranged specialists stood up. “I can target those points precisely with my weapon.” He glanced at the others. “My name is Kurid, a contestant from the Mora civilization. Our civilization specializes in bio-energy armor, and I excel at mental targeting. I can lock onto any target within the effective range of my armor.”

“Hitting a stationary target is different from a moving one. I believe our Xixila civilization’s magical archery is more reliable,” said another. Both were ranged specialists, and upon seeing each other’s capabilities, a subtle rivalry began.

“Ahem, you two needn’t compete,” Pix interjected before they could escalate. “Your main task is to distract the beast. The critical strike falls to someone else.”

“Who?” both asked in unison.

“Me,” Sun Meng stood and said. “Whether it’s your armor or his magical archery, there are limits. But my bow, so far, hasn’t encountered any constraints.”

“How so?” asked the Xixila contestant. While he was eager to outdo Kurid, he also disdained those who didn’t rely on their own skill. In their civilization, everyone is born with a magical seed inside them, determining their attributes, strengths, and profession—he was a wind-thunder dual attribute mage archer.

Sun Meng, too, wielded a bow. Compared to Kurid, he was more likely to win the favor of the Xixila contestant.

“All you need to know is that my bow maintains a constant state: once I set a target, the arrow will always hit unless it’s destroyed or a new target supersedes the original.” Sun Meng smiled.

---

“So, if you see my heart, your arrow could pierce my armor and skin!” Kurid exclaimed, stunned. If this was true, then given enough power, Sun Meng would be unstoppable.

The others grew wary of Sun Meng as Kurid spoke. He had already seen through them, and though he might not act against them now, who knew what would happen in the future? They might die without even realizing it.

Mu Xingye and Pix, however, remained unfazed. Sun Meng was certain his bow’s effect couldn’t be broken by them, but they knew how to counter it.

Usala suddenly spoke, “So your arrows aren’t special; it’s the bow’s state that makes them guaranteed to hit. If your first arrow misses, and you shoot a second, the first loses its effect, right? Or can you shoot multiple arrows at once?”

Sun Meng glanced at her, unable to discern her motive. Was she probing intentionally? The others relaxed at her question—a clear weakness they could exploit.

“I can fire up to five arrows at a time at the same target, with the effects stacking.” Sun Meng looked at Kurid. “Any other questions?”

“None. I’m willing to follow your command,” the Xixila contestant replied, his gaze filled with fervor. Perfect accuracy—every archer’s dream. He hadn’t considered if Sun Meng’s bow could be used by someone else; Kurid, however, had, though he kept it to himself.

“I’ll provide arrows forged from late second-tier materials. If you have any special requirements, let me know. Your attack is crucial,” said Pix.

“No requests—so long as they can breach the beast’s defenses,” Sun Meng replied.

Pix nodded. “The rest of you will focus on distracting the monster. The plan is as follows…”