Ready to Take Off!

Ready to Take Off!

The off-road vehicle sped down the highway.

Watching Eastern Base City gradually shrink in the distance, Wang Ye, seated in the back, was filled with mixed emotions.

His first Joint Operation.

His first time heading into the real wilderness.

Nowadays, aside from China's ten major Base Cities, many cities still had intact defense systems and remained operational.

Planes and railways had long since ceased operation. The only means of travel were vehicles equipped with firearms and heavy armor.

Even so, traveling was fraught with difficulty.

Because they could very well run into Nightmare-level Monsters.

Those creatures generally did not fear firearms.

Thus, any vehicle heading into the true wilderness needed at least an Intermediate Evolver aboard.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" Song Shuyi pressed her palms together and apologized desperately in the car. "My sister was worried, saying we had to bring this and that, so we got delayed before leaving."

"It's okay." Yu Shuiqin comforted her gently.

"The rescue mission is urgent. There's no need for so many daily necessities. Your sister is in a Rescue Team too, isn't she aware of that?" Tong Wu said coldly from the driver's seat.

"That's exactly what I told her, Team Leader Tong!" Song Shuyi muttered. "But she said that whenever she carried out missions in the Ace Rescue Team, she always brought everything she might need. Better safe than sorry."

Ace Rescue Team?

An Advanced Evolver!?

Wang Ye and the other two were all stunned.

They only knew Song Shuyi's sister was also a rescuer. They had not expected her background to be this impressive.

No wonder Song Shuyi had managed to fight her way through with a Rookie Trial ranking of twenty-fifth and obtain the final remaining Rescue Team slot...

"...Your sister is right." It took Tong Wu a long while to squeeze out that sentence.

Song Shuyi:?

Their destination was Wu Yi County.

It was 185 kilometers from Eastern Base City.

Wang Ye fell asleep the moment he got into the car.

After looking up information yesterday, he had cultivated all night.

Yu Shuiqin connected her consciousness to Moon Web to cultivate.

Huang Zirui, sitting in the front passenger seat, spoke with Team Leader Tong while humbly learning wilderness knowledge. At the same time, he monitored the route, controlled the firearms, and had a heavy workload.

Song Shuyi had been excited when she first got in, but when nobody responded to her, she had no choice but to imitate Yu Shuiqin and enter Moon Web to cultivate.

However, before long, her consciousness grew tired. Then she fell into a deep sleep with her mouth open, snoring away.

*

*

After a five-and-a-half-hour drive.

They safely reached their destination.

Team Leader Tong was experienced, and the journey had passed without incident despite a few scares.

When Wang Ye and the other four got out of the car, the South Camp vehicle had already arrived.

Like their team, it consisted of one team leader and four newcomers.

Tong Wu walked over, greeted Team Leader Chen from South Camp, and chatted with him for a few moments.

Wang Ye looked around.

The area was desolate, filled with crumbling walls and ruined wells, with scorched earth stretching as far as the eye could see.

The city buildings were utterly dilapidated, with no sign of human life.

Wind and sand filled the sky. Insects crawled everywhere, and faint monster roars could be heard nearby.

"Wang Ye, do you think anyone is still alive?" Yu Shuiqin walked to his side, her voice carrying a trace of sorrow.

"Don't underestimate humanity's will to survive," Wang Ye said. "The city may have been destroyed, but as long as there's water, food, and hope in their hearts, they can survive."

"Do everything we can to save every refugee who wants to live. That is the duty of us rescuers."

"Mm." There was a glimmer in Yu Shuiqin's beautiful eyes as she looked at Wang Ye.

"That sounds so familiar..." Song Shuyi muttered beside them.

Of course it does. You were asleep during class... Wang Ye grumbled inwardly.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

An off-road vehicle came roaring over.

It was moving at a startling speed, ending with an exaggerated drift.

Click! The door opened.

A handsome young man wearing sunglasses stepped out. He raised an eyebrow at Tong Wu, a smile curling at his lips.

The rear doors opened, and the four newcomers from East Camp immediately got out and vomited their guts out.

"Wang Ye! In this Joint Operation, East Camp will definitely take first place!" A young man wearing the same combat uniform as Huang Zirui clenched his fists and shouted at Wang Ye.

Then he turned around and vomited violently again.

Good thing Song Shuyi wasn't driving our car...

Wang Ye and Huang Zirui exchanged a glance at the same time.

"Who's that?" Wang Ye asked.

"Wei Shengtian. He took first place in both East Camp's Graduation Exam and the Rookie Trial. Didn't I mention him before?" Huang Zirui looked mildly surprised.

Did you...? I don't remember.

"Is there any reward for taking first place?" Wang Ye asked curiously.

"No. It's just a traditional competition among the Four Camps of Evolution Camp. Just look at the two team leaders," Huang Zirui said, gesturing with his eyes.

"Empty fame." Wang Ye looked toward Team Leader Tong, who seemed utterly incompatible with Team Leader Ma from East Camp, the man in sunglasses.

The healthy competition within Evolution Camp was everywhere.

East Camp, where Evolution Camp Headquarters was located, was the foremost of the Four Camps.

In terms of resources and talent, it was the best among the Four Great Camps.

Wei Shengtian, for instance, was currently the only Third Order Gene Warrior in the 101st Class across all Four Camps.

Huang Zirui was just a little short of that level.

Before long, the North Camp vehicle arrived safely as well.

The team leaders of the Four Camps gathered and divided up their respective areas of responsibility.

"This is the center of Wu Yi County, and also the assembly point for this Joint Operation. You can return to the vehicles to rest tonight," Team Leader Tong told Wang Ye and the other four. "The area we are responsible for searching and rescuing is west of Wu Yi County, the region cut through by Qin Yin Stream..."

Wang Ye took out the map he had prepared beforehand and quickly circled the area.

It included one street, two towns, and two townships.

"This rescue mission will mainly be handled by the four of you. I'll be responsible for Hong Xi Street and overall support. Decide among yourselves how to divide the rest," Team Leader Tong said.

Huang Zirui pondered slightly and glanced at Yu Shuiqin.

Just as he was about to speak, Wang Ye had already drawn a straight line across the map with his finger.

"Above Qin Yin Stream, Wangzhai Town and Da Shu Township are ours."

"Below Qin Yin Stream, Qin Yin Town and Bai Mu Township are yours."

"No problem, Zi Rui?"

Huang Zirui had yet to process what was happening.

What did he mean, yours and ours?

"You've already divided into groups?" Team Leader Tong looked at the four of them.

"Mm, yes. Xiao Qin and I are one group, while Zi Rui and Shuyi are another," Wang Ye said.

"Ah? How come I didn't know about that?" Song Shuyi wore a naturally blank expression as she asked the question Huang Zirui most wanted to ask.

"Xiao Qin and I discussed it yesterday. Two-person groups are more efficient, right?" Wang Ye said.

Yu Shuiqin nodded gently and gave a soft affirmative sound.

"If we're one group, then you and Zi Rui naturally make another, don't you?" Wang Ye said to Song Shuyi. "Or do you not like being grouped with Zi Rui?"

"Oh, right!" Song Shuyi suddenly understood. "No, no, I really like being with Brother Rui."

But I don't like it!

Did anyone ask for my opinion?

Huang Zirui protested inwardly, but he could only put on a polite smile and happily accept the grouping arrangement.

"Alright, it's decided," Team Leader Tong said decisively. "Report directly if there are any problems. Request assistance immediately if you encounter a Nightmare-level Monster. Remember, do not try to be brave."

"Yes, Team Leader Tong!"

*

*

The operation began!

Wang Ye and Yu Shuiqin quickly headed toward Wangzhai Town.

"Espers have stronger consciousness. Xiao Qin, you'll handle detection, searching, and navigation. Leave sweeping Ferocious-level Monsters to me." Wang Ye naturally had his reasons for choosing to team up with Yu Shuiqin.

Not only was Yu Shuiqin capable, but she would not compete with him for Sweep Missions.

Those were all Potential Points!

If he had teamed up with Huang Zirui, his Potential Point gains would probably have been cut in half.

More importantly, Yu Shuiqin had a gentle temperament and knew how to cooperate. They were also the optimal pairing for completing missions.

If it had been Song Shuyi instead...

Well, Huang Zirui could deal with the headache.

"Be careful. There are two mid-level Ferocious Monsters thirty degrees east of north." Yu Shuiqin's gentle voice came from behind him.

Whoosh!

Wang Ye swiftly changed direction.

He had sensed them too, but slightly slower than Yu Shuiqin.

As expected, a second-order Esper's consciousness was more sensitive.

Slash! Slash!

The Crimson Sun Battle Blade II Series cut through two arcs.

One slash each. Wang Ye cleanly dispatched the two mid-level Ferocious Monsters.

Blood dripped from the blade as light flickered before his eyes.

Killed a second-order canine monster.

Potential Points: 5 → 5.

Killed a second-order canine monster.

Potential Points: 5 → 5.

It was here!

Wang Ye's eyes lit up.

The 100% Potential Point gain from kills had not been weakened in the slightest by Yu Shuiqin's presence.

As an abandoned city, this place had no fewer monsters than the Rookie Trial grounds.

He was about to take off!

"You're amazing." Yu Shuiqin's beautiful eyes looked toward him.

It was her first time seeing Wang Ye kill in actual combat.

He was completely different from when the four of them sparred together. It was as though he had become another person—decisive, ruthless, and extremely efficient.

Judging from the power of his attacks alone, he might even be stronger than Brother Rui!

In the first hour after entering Wangzhai Town, Wang Ye gained 12 Potential Points.

In the second hour, he gained 11 Potential Points.

In the third hour, another 11 Potential Points.

His gains were more than double what they usually were.

They searched every ruin and every building, avoiding the possibility of missing any refugees.

The chances were slim, but even one person was a living life.

That was the duty of the Rescue Team.

Ten days ago, the Elite Rescue Team had already carried out one round of sweeping, killing many Nightmare-level Monsters and rescuing dozens of refugees.

However, the Elite Rescue Team had demanding missions and few members, making it impossible for them to be excessively thorough.

That was why the Rescue Team was needed to conduct a more meticulous Second Round of search and rescue.

"We're the Rescue Team! Is anyone there?" Wang Ye shouted through a residential complex of broken walls and rubble, but received no response.

Instead, he drew the attention of a high-level Ferocious Monster, which shot down from a rooftop like a streak of light.

Whoosh!

Yu Shuiqin fired an energy arrow, heavily injuring the high-level Ferocious Monster as it lunged at Wang Ye.

Wang Ye's blade flashed past and killed it.

Killed a third-order bird monster.

Potential Points: 9 → 9.

The rewards for killing above his level were still greater.

And with Yu Shuiqin's support, it was incredibly comfortable.

Potential Points were practically delivered right to his mouth. He did not even need to use Enhancement Technique.

Yu Shuiqin immersed her consciousness and sensed for signs of life within the residential complex.

Wang Ye opened the Light and Shadow Panel.

His consciousness settled on the "+".

Spend 40 Potential Points to raise the level of the Star Seed Evolution Method?

Yes!

Between heaven and earth, Wang Ye transformed into a star seed.

He absorbed boundless Life Energy, strengthening himself.

As he cultivated the Star Seed Evolution Method, his understanding deepened, and over endless years, he gradually grasped its true essence...

Whoosh~~

Enlightenment poured into him, and his life transformed.

The Star Seed Evolution Method had reached mastery!

His body's cells transformed. Wang Ye's physique became even more refined and perfect, and his physical attributes surged.

The chaos within his Soul Sea gradually dispersed and slowly expanded, revealing a faint, invisible boundary.

Though it was still covered by thick chaos, its outline could vaguely be seen.

This was the shackle of one's life level.

First Order Esper → Second Order Esper

Light flashed before his eyes.

Wang Ye looked at his Personal Panel.

Second Order Gene Warrior, 77%!

Second Order Esper, 1%!

Everything had improved!

Whoosh!

Wang Ye's eyes shone brightly, and his six senses became exceptionally clear.

Not far away, Yu Shuiqin was watching him with her beautiful eyes wide open.

Wang Ye grinned. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly whipped his head toward the distance. "There's a sound! Did you hear it?"