Chapter 73: Earth · Beast Tide (XIV)

This transaction would bring abundant rewards to many, enabling them to guarantee that their civilizations would break through their current level within three months—except, of course, for those few who had already reached the late phase of the second tier.

Watching the screen, Sun Meng asked, “How is it going? Has the Gene Core Force technology been fully decoded yet?” Because of time constraints, he had only revealed the most basic components on the screen—the technical level involved did not exceed the late first tier. However, without the system’s assistance for technological transformation, it was not easy to completely decipher and integrate this into Earth’s own civilization’s technology.

“We have already successfully constructed the rune patterns. It seems to have triggered a new method of weapon forging. You can give it a try; here’s how…” A red message scrolled across, followed by a concise introduction.

Xu Xiao’s super-intelligent mind naturally understood the simplest mode Sun Meng could comprehend, so Sun Meng could deduce what to do from the content of his messages.

After gathering the necessary materials, Sun Meng released his inner energy, using his mental strength to control and bind it in his palm, continuously compressing and condensing it, while attempting to infuse fire elemental power into it.

After more than a dozen failed attempts, the inner energy in his palm finally transformed—a golden-red flame, about the size of a soybean, emerged, wrapped in his inner energy and flickering gently.

At this moment, Sun Meng sensed his connection to this flame. He looked at the screen.

“That’s right, this is the natal flame formed by combining martial will, mental power, and inner energy. However, each person’s flame should be different. If we want to popularize it now, further research is needed. I suspect we may have touched upon the embryonic form of an advanced technique that our civilization might only achieve in the future.” The red message confirmed Sun Meng’s speculation.

“By the way, aren’t there some unsolved mysteries on Earth? I suspect those places may be related to prehistoric civilizations, as well as some ancient legends. If possible, investigate them. I believe the reason the Pimon civilization and the Azure Star civilization managed to reach the late second tier before the assessment and were able to discover ruins within the test world is that they found some clues left behind by prehistoric civilizations,” Sun Meng said.

“I understand. We’ll be extra cautious during this operation.” Another red message scrolled by.

Sun Meng nodded. By now, it was time to depart. He left the room and boarded the flying vessel that Pix had prepared long in advance.

The spaceship, brimming with technological sophistication, left many contestants who boarded it once again astounded by the Pimon civilization’s technological prowess. Though the systems of each civilization differed, the practical effects were fundamentally similar; the technology displayed on the ship further deepened their trust in Pix. It was not a trust born of genuine conviction, but rather one imposed by the chasm between civilizations.

People on Earth keenly observed and recorded much of the technology exhibited by the spaceship, rapidly documenting and analyzing it, attempting to simulate these technologies within the framework of their own civilization.

Even though they were not utterly crushed by the other side, the feeling was still far from pleasant.

When the spaceship started, Sun Meng felt only a fleeting sensation, and then it was as smooth as if they had never moved at all. Looking outside, the window served as a smart screen, displaying the view outside with crystal clarity.

Half a day later, the spaceship came to a stop—they had arrived at their destination.

Following the original plan, each team quickly found their assigned positions.

Pix announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, whether or not you can obtain advanced technology from the ruins will depend on your own efforts! Move out!”

Everyone advanced rapidly and soon saw the monster horde moving along the shoreline. The long-range firepower teams opened fire from both sides, unleashing a barrage of attacks that left the monsters reeling, bewildered by the unexpected assault.

Yet soon, a roar swept across the beach—the most powerful late second-tier monster here issued a command, and all the beasts on the coast turned as one, bellowing as they charged toward Sun Meng and his companions hiding in the forest.

“Target Five has appeared. Corresponding team, prepare to attack!” Pix’s order was relayed. Soon, the monster that had surfaced halfway out of the sea was struck in the head by a laser cannon blast.

The enraged monster’s attention was drawn, and several more attacks followed. The monster opened its mouth and sprayed a torrent of high-pressure water, actually knocking the laser blasts aside!

This time, the monster charged ashore, heading straight for the fifth group.

The second wave of large-scale attacks commenced. On land, a large swath of lower-tier monsters was blown apart. Even the second-tier beasts did not fare well. The teams in the other three directions also successfully lured out their targets, preparing to deal with them according to plan.

“It’s our turn!” Pix announced, pressing a button on his wristband. The spaceship behind them transformed into a massive robot, then into a colossal turret, relentlessly bombarding the beast horde ahead and blasting open a path.

“Let’s go!” Pix called.

Even Sun Meng was astonished by this maneuver, for he could sense that every shot from that turret had energy equivalent to a full-force attack from a mid-second-tier being. As long as there was enough energy, the bombardment could continue—stable, precise, replicable, and mass-producible. Such was the advantage of technology.

The group advanced swiftly. Though the earlier assault had wiped out ninety percent of the low-level monsters along this route, if that alone could have scared them off, such careful planning would not have been necessary.

At last, the final monster they had planned to face appeared—a giant octopus. Its eight arms broke the water, each like a long, black dragon. Driven by instinct and overwhelmed by higher-level presence, the remaining low-tier beasts charged mindlessly at Sun Meng’s group, their meager intelligence easily drowned out.

Usala led the way, the idol in her hand emanating a pale green whip of light. With each swing, a dozen low-tier monsters were flung aside. Most strikingly, the monsters showed no fatal wounds, yet they collapsed as if stripped of consciousness.

“It’s a mental shock—a pure ideological impact. These low-tier monsters weren’t very bright to begin with, and under this assault, they’re driven straight into chaos or even mental death. I thought she was following a divine arts path, but didn’t expect such a direct application.” Mu Xingye commented as he blasted apart an early second-tier beast.

Sun Meng’s bow sang ceaselessly, each shot felling over a dozen low-tier monsters. Glancing at the idol in Usala’s hand, he could feel the chaotic crash of faith-based voices even though the attack wasn’t aimed at him. Fortunately, his martial will gave timely warning and cleared the interference before it could do any harm; otherwise, he might have suffered injury as well.

“If their civilization truly reaches the third tier, what will happen to the god they worship? Will it manifest in reality?” Although Sun Meng’s memory told him that gods born of acquired faith were not impossible, at least those were usually coherent deities—unlike this one, which seemed pure chaos.

“I couldn’t say for sure. After all, my own civilization’s research doesn’t focus on this field. But most likely, a stable state would emerge; otherwise, their whole civilization would self-destruct. Judging by the idol’s behavior, it hardly resembles a proper deity!” Mu Xingye replied.

Sun Meng glanced at him, increasingly convinced that Mu was hiding a great secret. The more time they spent together, the more apparent this became.

Soon, they reached the shallows. Many monsters attacked not only from the surface but also from below, forcing the group to stay fully alert.

“Ice Road!” Kokoraru, having held her breath for half a minute, unleashed a powerful spell. A frigid ice path formed on the water, the cold seeping out and slowing the monsters’ movements, giving Sun Meng and the others a chance to strike—instantly advancing more than ten meters.

But then, the monster that appeared to be a late second-tier, but was in fact a half-step into the third tier, finally made its move. A dark blue halo swept out, and after its passage, a domain was formed.