Golden Ghost

Soon, the enormous Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpion, including its slightly corrosive acid and deadly venomous stinger, was all neatly categorized, transformed into bottles and jars of perfectly preserved materials.

In the corner of Meng Chao's eye, information popped up:

[Congratulations, Flamebearer, on completing your first standard resource collection]

[Resources are the primary element for the survival and development of civilization. All wars of civilization revolve around resources. Resource collectors are also the most important soldiers of any civilization.]

[Your civilization will become stronger because of the resources you collect. Contribution Points +3, Expert Level "Elementary Harvesting Technique" proficiency +1.1%]

Meng Chao whistled.

But he found that it was silent behind him, and the atmosphere was a bit strange.

Looking back, everyone, including his father, was staring at him with a ghostly expression.

"..."

Meng Chao realized that he had accidentally gone too fast and too hard.

Although it was only the second level of the "Elementary Harvesting Technique," what he had mastered was the refined, future version.

Moreover, his muscle fibers and nerve endings had just been tidied up by the "Perfect Level Basic Gunmanship," and his control over breathing, heartbeat, and subtle movements far surpassed that of ordinary Harvesters.

This was not the level of a high school student, but simply an old driver in the Harvester circle!

"Dad, uncles, now that things have come to this, there is a secret I have to tell you."

In the silence, he could only force an explanation, "Actually, I have had the dream of 'becoming an ace Harvester' since I was a child. Every time Dad went to work, I secretly hid and practiced hard—these days, various highly realistic monster models and specimens, as well as monster illustrations in the network, and lifelike three-dimensional structural diagrams, are not difficult to find.

"Especially after I was injured last year, knowing that my hope of going to university was slim, I became even more determined to become a Harvester, practicing frantically ten times harder. Ninth High School is a key high school, and the biology teachers are all monster experts. They helped me with 'private tutoring,' which benefited me a lot.

"In addition, influenced by my family, and with hard work, I achieved what you see."

The Harvesters woke up as if from a dream.

They were not well-educated and had an instinctive awe for the legendary key high schools.

Subconsciously accepting this explanation, they looked at Meng Yishan with envy.

"Brother Meng, you are so lucky to have such a powerful successor. Now you can just wait to enjoy life!"

Meng Yishan said suspiciously, "Meng Chao, you wanted to be a Harvester since you were a child? I haven't heard you mention it. Why?"

Meng Chao's face turned red: "Isn't it because... Dad, you are the person I admire most in my life. I think the work you do is the greatest career in the world. I swore since I was a child that I would become someone like you!"

Meng Yishan was stunned.

"That's true." The middle-aged man thought, "I was quite handsome when I was young. It's only natural for my son to take me as an example."

Meng Chao's face turned even redder: "As for not mentioning it... I was too embarrassed to admit that I admired my dad. It's too cheesy."

"Silly child!"

The old father laughed dumbly, "Even if you didn't say it, couldn't I see your admiration for me?"

He completely believed his son's words, feeling both gratified and sad.

The efficiency of the entire team was greatly improved.

The corpses of the Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpions were quickly dismantled, and the materials were carefully packed into special containers.

Meng Chao also took the initiative to take on the task of vigilance.

He held the hunting rifle, and his eyes swept around like radar.

The hunting rifle was equipped with a high-magnification scope, which could clearly observe the subtle movements within a kilometer.

The scope was also connected to the tactical eyepiece, which could mark the location of each monster on the tactical map.

This was the standard equipment of the Resource Recycling team.

But Meng Chao's tactical eyepiece was different from others.

In addition to the tactical map, there was also a translucent, three-dimensional human body model.

The model was covered with dense, spider web-like lines.

Each line represented a nerve, a blood vessel, or a muscle fiber.

This was the "Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball" that Meng Chao had just obtained.

It was also the biggest secret of his rebirth.

"Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball" was a very special treasure.

It was said that in the depths of the Other World, there was a kind of Nightmare Beast called the "Golden Ghost."

The Golden Ghost was extremely rare, but it was born with the ability to devour the brains of other monsters and even Superhumans, and perfectly copy their memories, skills, and even their souls.

After the Golden Ghost devoured enough brains, it would condense a "Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball" in its body.

The Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball contained all the memories, skills, and souls that the Golden Ghost had devoured.

If someone could refine the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball, they could obtain all the power of the Golden Ghost.

Of course, the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball was also extremely dangerous.

If the refiner's spirit was not strong enough, they would be swallowed by the memories, skills, and souls contained within the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball, and become a walking corpse.

In his previous life, Meng Chao was lucky enough to obtain a Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball.

But he was not strong enough to refine it.

In the end, he was swallowed by the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball and became a walking corpse.

But before he completely lost his mind, he activated the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball with his last bit of consciousness.

Unexpectedly, the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball was activated, but it did not swallow him completely. Instead, it turned into a mysterious force that sent his soul back to the eve of the Dragon City catastrophe.

Now, this Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball was hidden in his mind.

It was like a supercomputer, constantly analyzing his body, and providing him with the most accurate data and the most efficient training methods.

It was also like a super database, containing countless memories, skills, and souls.

As long as Meng Chao's strength was strong enough, he could extract these memories, skills, and souls, and turn them into his own power.

"The Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball is indeed a treasure, but it is also a double-edged sword."

"If I am not careful, I will be swallowed by it."

"Therefore, I must be careful and cautious."

"I must become stronger as soon as possible."

"Only by becoming stronger can I control the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball and use its power to change my destiny."

Meng Chao took a deep breath and focused his attention on the surrounding environment.

He knew that this was not the time to think about the Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball.

His top priority was to ensure the safety of the team and complete the Resource Recycling task.

"Be careful, everyone."

Meng Chao said in a deep voice, "I feel that there is something wrong with the surrounding environment."

"What's wrong?"

Manager Gu asked.

"It's too quiet."

Meng Chao said, "It's too quiet here. It's as if all the monsters have disappeared."

Manager Gu frowned.

He also felt that something was wrong.

The monster activity in this area was usually very high.

But today, it was unusually quiet.

It was as if all the monsters had been scared away.

"Everyone, be careful."

Manager Gu said, "There may be a Super Beast nearby."

The Harvesters were all shocked.

Super Beasts were monsters that were far more powerful than ordinary monsters.

They were usually the leaders of a group of monsters.

Their strength was comparable to that of Superhumans.

If they encountered a Super Beast, they would be in big trouble.

"Everyone, get ready to fight."

Manager Gu said, "If we encounter a Super Beast, we will fight it together."

The Harvesters all took out their weapons and prepared to fight.

Meng Chao also held the hunting rifle tightly and aimed at the surrounding environment.

He knew that the Super Beast was likely hiding nearby, waiting for an opportunity to attack.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew.

The trees swayed violently.

A strange sound came from the depths of the forest.

The sound was like the cry of a baby, but it was also like the roar of a beast.

It was creepy.

"What is that sound?"

A Harvester asked in a trembling voice.

"I don't know."

Manager Gu said, "But it must be a very dangerous monster."

The strange sound became louder and louder.

It was as if the monster was getting closer and closer.

Suddenly, a black shadow rushed out of the forest.

The black shadow was extremely fast.

It was like a bolt of lightning.

In the blink of an eye, it arrived in front of the Harvesters.

The Harvesters finally saw the true appearance of the black shadow.

It was a Golden Ghost.

A Golden Ghost that was emitting a dazzling golden light.

"It's a Golden Ghost!"

A Harvester shouted in horror.

The Harvesters were all scared out of their wits.

They had never seen a Golden Ghost before.

They only knew that the Golden Ghost was a very terrifying monster.

It was said that the Golden Ghost could devour the brains of other monsters and even Superhumans.

It was an extremely dangerous monster.

"Everyone, run!"

Manager Gu shouted, "Run for your lives!"

The Harvesters all turned around and ran.

They ran as fast as they could.

They only wanted to escape from this terrifying Golden Ghost.

But the Golden Ghost was too fast.

It was like a ghost.

It chased after the Harvesters.

In the blink of an eye, it caught up with a Harvester.

The Harvester screamed.

The Golden Ghost opened its mouth and bit the Harvester's head.

The Harvester's head was bitten off by the Golden Ghost.

The Harvester's body fell to the ground.

The Golden Ghost devoured the Harvester's brain.

The other Harvesters were all scared out of their wits.

They ran even faster.

But the Golden Ghost was too fast.

It continued to chase after the Harvesters.

One by one, the Harvesters were caught up by the Golden Ghost and devoured.

In the blink of an eye, only Meng Chao and Manager Gu were left.

"Meng Chao, run!"

Manager Gu shouted, "I'll hold it back!"

Manager Gu turned around and charged towards the Golden Ghost.

He wanted to hold back the Golden Ghost and give Meng Chao a chance to escape.

Meng Chao looked at Manager Gu with a complicated expression.

He knew that Manager Gu was going to die.

But he also knew that he could not stay here.

If he stayed here, he would only die with Manager Gu.

He had to escape.

He had to live.

He had to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could he avenge Manager Gu and the other Harvesters.

Meng Chao took a deep breath and turned around to run.

He ran as fast as he could.

He ran towards the depths of the forest.

He knew that the Golden Ghost would not let him go.

But he had to try.

He had to fight for a chance to live.

"Tiger Lord, I'm sorry."

"I can't avenge you now."

"But I will definitely avenge you in the future."

"I swear!"

Relieved, he saw that his son was so sensible and capable, born to make a living as a Harvester.

Saddened, however, he felt useless, unable to obtain enough resources to help his son get into an Undergraduate program.

One should know that being a Harvester has a very low barrier to entry, but a very high ceiling.

Harvesting ordinary monsters can be done by anyone, not much different from slaughtering pigs and cattle.

But to harvest the kings among Super Beasts, the "Nightmare Beasts," "Hell Beasts," and "Doomsday Beasts," one must possess Superhuman strength.

With his son's talent, if he could become a Superhuman, he might really have a chance to become an ace Harvester.

At that time, all the peerless powerhouses in Dragon City would respectfully ask him to process monsters.

But now, his son could only linger at the very bottom of the Harvester circle for the rest of his life, just like them...

"Dad, should we continue?"

Meng Chao interrupted his father's thoughts, "After practicing just now, combined with the theory I learned in class, I seem to have found the feeling."

Father and son joined forces and harvested seven more Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpions.

Meng Yishan's team marveled again and again, and everyone looked at Meng Chao with new eyes.

Meng Chao also gained a lot.

The proficiency of the Elementary Harvesting Technique continued to accumulate, and the memories of his previous life became clearer and more solidified. Every time he swung his knife to cut off a monster's limb, peel off a bundle of nerves, or suck out a mass of mucus, the feeling at his fingertips was wonderful.

Suddenly, his movements stopped.

"Golden Ghost?"

Golden Ghost, a variant of the Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpion.

Its size is slightly smaller than that of an ordinary Giant Tail Scorpion, but its toxicity is five times stronger, and its poisonous needles and venom can be shot dozens of meters away.

It also possesses a certain mimicry ability, often disguising itself as an ordinary Giant Tail Scorpion to launch a fatal blow to its prey.

The battlefield was filled with smoke and fire, and just now this Golden Ghost was piled together with other Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpions, and no one noticed it.

"You even recognize the Golden Ghost?" The Harvesters carefully identified it for a while, and exclaimed.

"The biology teacher just taught us about it."

Meng Chao smiled slightly, moving his wrists and fingers, "Prepare No. 9, No. 14, and No. 22 knife handles, No. 5, No. 8, and No. 11 blades, as well as a armor-piercing hammer and a bone-probing needle, and also prepare a 35% concentration of cooling stabilizer, and be careful to add 1% of mithril to it. There is a high probability of opening high-level materials inside the Golden Ghost, which must be properly preserved."

Unconsciously, the domineering aura of an "Expert Level" was revealed.

Meng Yishan and others, however, looked hesitant: "Ah Chao, leave it alone, just use cooling spray to keep the corpse intact, Manager Gu will come to deal with it later."

Manager Gu is the most technically skilled Harvester at Nine Xin Resource Recycling Company.

Meng Yishan and his roughnecks have brute strength, and after more than ten years of work, they have no problem dealing with ordinary monsters.

But the Golden Ghost is close to the peak of ordinary monsters, only a line away from Super Beasts.

Its internal structure is complex, containing venom and acid, and there may also be Spirit Transformation organs and crystalline bodies.

These high-level monsters are usually handled by Manager Gu or the Superhuman who killed it, such as Tiger Lord himself.

Meng Chao had forgotten this rule.

But…

He leaned close to the Golden Ghost's fatal wound and sniffed, then carefully dabbed a bit of the fluid flowing from the wound, sensing its viscosity.

"No, this Golden Ghost suffered a penetrating wound at the connection between its torso and tail. The nerve cord and spirit transformation nerve ball have been exposed to the air for too long. If we wait any longer, the flesh and blood will mutate, and the spirit energy will go out of control, turning it into a ticking time bomb in minutes." He shook his head and said, "We can't wait for others to come. We have to race against time and salvage as much material as possible."

The harvesters stared at each other, dumbfounded.

Meng Yishan sniffed. "It does smell a bit off."

"Even if it's off, there's nothing we can do."

One of the harvesters kindly said, "Ah Chao, you don't understand. Our skills are too poor to handle such high-level monsters. If we mess up, Tiger Lord will blame us, and no one will have a good time. As for the material rotting, that's not our problem. The battlefield is so chaotic, who can guarantee that every monster will be harvested 100% perfectly?"

Meng Chao was still unwilling to give up.

He knew that his dad was affiliated with Nine Xin Resource Recycling Company, with a very low base salary, relying entirely on performance.

Ordinary monsters, depending on the difficulty of harvesting, the risk factor, and the quality of the materials, could earn them about 2 to 4 percent of the material's value.

The value of a Golden Ghost was dozens of times higher than that of an ordinary Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpion. How could they let it go to waste?

Chirp.

A flash of knife light pierced into the Golden Ghost's fatal wound.

Another flash, and the carapace around the wound was peeled away, revealing the trembling contents.

"It's okay, uncles, take a rest. Dad, give me a hand. That famous teacher from another school who came to Ninth High School for advanced studies happened to teach me the anatomy of the Golden Ghost," Meng Chao said calmly.

"Ah!"

Everyone was taken aback by his recklessness.

Meng Yishan also frowned slightly, but his son had already opened the wound, and the monster material was rotting and mutating at a speed visible to the naked eye. He could only stand firmly behind his son.

"You guys take a break. I opened this Golden Ghost; if anything happens, blame me," he waved his hand.

The harvesters were stunned for a moment, and then they all gathered around.

"Brother Meng, what are you saying? Ah Chao is like our own nephew. How can we let you two father and son bear the responsibility?"

"Although we are roughnecks, we can handle a Golden Ghost!"

"Brother Meng, don't even think about hogging this Golden Ghost. We all make money together, and we all take responsibility if something happens!"

Hearing the joking and scolding, Meng Chao felt a warmth in his heart, and his hand speed increased.

In everyone's eyes, his stability, precision, and delicacy had all improved a great deal compared to before. His ten fingers were like feathers and scalpels, quickly stripping away a large amount of material.

The light golden material exuded a faint, strange fragrance, completely different from ordinary Giant Tail Scorpions. Soaked in stabilizing fluid, it looked like a delicious delicacy, making people salivate.

Meng Yishan was originally a little worried, but his son's consummate technique made him more and more at ease and delighted.

He simply took the whole set of tools and concentrated on assisting his son.

The two father and son cooperated tacitly and soon dealt with the most critical part.

"Switch to the No. 11 blade, widen the opening by another 3 millimeters, use the aspirator to clean the operating surface, and spray a 5% microporous polysaccharide solution to slow down the rate of cell decay."

Meng Chao's instructions were clear and methodical.

Just as the mucus on the operating surface was completely suctioned away.

Two scalpels, one large and one small, one straight and one curved, transformed into two silver whirlwinds.

The Harvesters could no longer see his movements clearly, only hearing "Crackling sounds," as the Yellow Striped Giant Tail Scorpion's tail was emptied at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Meng Chao gently flicked, and in his hand was an additional, crystal-clear yellow crystal core.

"A Spirit Transformation Nerve Ball!"

The experienced Harvesters were greatly surprised.