Assaulting the Central Hub

"Then, Sir Zhen Jin, can you wield battle qi?" Cang Xu asked.

Zhen Jin shook his head, indicating that he could not.

He had originally discussed with Zi Di the matter of concealing his inability to use battle qi. But now that things had reached this point, hiding it had become meaningless.

Still, Zhen Jin continued to conceal the fact that he had lost his memory.

Cang Xu sighed. "If someone could activate Gold-level or lower battle qi, they could overturn this conjecture of mine. This old man truly hopes that my conjecture is wrong!"

Zhen Jin asked in return, "Then, Mister Cang Xu, have you thought of any good method that would allow us to overcome the bizarre magic beasts and environment here, and reach our destination safely?"

Cang Xu smiled bitterly. "My lord, you think too highly of me. I am merely an old man with one foot in the grave. I served the Shata Family for most of my life. The reason I took my leave this time was to personally come into contact with beastmen during the final stage of my life, to investigate the unique ecology of the Beastman Continent, and complete an academic work of my own."

"I have named this work 'Evolution Theory.' I believe that although nature has always maintained a fine cycle and balance, the forms of life living within it are not set in stone. Whether humans, dragons, beasts, or magic beasts, all are slowly evolving."

"This evolution is closely tied to changes in the natural environment and changes in how life survives."

Zhen Jin nodded. "It will surely be a classic work."

Cang Xu bent at the waist in salute and said sincerely, "Suffering a shipwreck was my misfortune, but encountering so many bizarre monsters here has filled my heart with joy. For this will powerfully prove my 'Evolution Theory' from another angle. That is precisely why I volunteered to join the Exploration Team—to come into contact with these monsters at the earliest possible moment."

"It is my honor to meet you here, my lord. During this time, I will certainly serve you, devote everything I have, and exhaust every ounce of my wisdom!"

"I have truly failed to live up to your expectations, my lord, but please forgive my inadequacy. After all... I am merely a scholar."

"I understand." Zhen Jin nodded.

He saw it clearly. Huang Zao and Lan Zao had sold themselves into slavery, but Cang Xu had no true intention of pledging himself to him.

What Cang Xu meant was this: while they struggled to survive on this island, he would assist Zhen Jin with all his strength. But once they reached the Beastman Continent, he would part ways with Zhen Jin, act freely, and complete his work, 'Evolution Theory.'

"If I become the White Sand City Lord, I will certainly help you gather intelligence on the beastmen," Zhen Jin continued.

"I am deeply grateful for this!" Cang Xu gave another deep bow.

Zi Di suddenly spoke at this moment. "If Mister Cang Xu's conjecture is true, then both this island and all these magic beasts are creations altered by someone. In that case, there must be a central hub somewhere on this island. What do you think would happen if we found it?"

This idea was exceedingly bold!

Lan Zao hurriedly said, "Isn't that too dangerous? Whatever can alter an entire island and create so many magic beasts is something we simply cannot contend against. Isn't that just seeking our own deaths?"

Zi Di smiled and shook her head slightly. "Not necessarily."

"Think carefully, everyone. Based on our previous analysis, there are two most likely possibilities."

"The first possibility is that the Sea Island Master has gone out and is not on the island. If we strike at the central hub now, it would be the perfect opportunity."

"The second possibility is that the Sea Island Master has been here all along, yet has not acted—perhaps watching us, toying with us, or simply not caring about us. But once we are about to escape this island successfully, They will certainly act to eliminate us in order to preserve secrecy."

"So rather than that, we might as well strike directly at the central hub."

"Once we destroy the central hub, we can stop the teleportation and restore the island's environment to normal. We will be able to use magic and battle qi, while those ferocious beasts will collapse as a result. That would be immensely advantageous to our escape."

Lan Zao fell silent. Thinking about it that way, it did seem right!

Zi Di turned to Zhen Jin again, her eyes gleaming brightly. "Sir Zhen Jin, we are heading to the Beastman Continent to strive for control of White Sand City. If we can obtain this kind of magical technology, capable of mass-producing Silver-level and Gold-level magic beasts—even if those ferocious beasts can only last for a brief time before self-destructing—how great do you think the benefits to us would be?"

In that instant, Zhen Jin's heart stirred.

Having Gold-level subordinates was an extravagance beyond measure!

And the words "mass-produce" sounded truly wonderful.

Better still, the magic beasts created this way would fear no death, truly fighting with their lives on the line. That would give their enemies an unbearable headache—perhaps even make them quake at the mere mention of them.

Zhen Jin looked into Zi Di's eyes. At this moment, those violet crystal eyes seemed to shine with the luster of gold coins.

Zhen Jin's understanding of Zi Di deepened by another layer.

The Young Knight could not help thinking: This young woman truly deserves to be the president of a merchant association. In pursuit of potentially enormous profits, she can even cast her life aside for the moment!

But Zhen Jin did not state his position. Instead, he looked toward Cang Xu.

"Mister Cang Xu, what do you think?" Zhen Jin showed the importance he placed on Cang Xu.

That earlier exchange had greatly raised Zhen Jin's estimation of Cang Xu. From the latter, Zhen Jin had truly felt the immense power of knowledge.

Cang Xu's broad horizons, abundant learning and experience, and profound insight were like a hand lifting one layer of mysterious mist from this enigmatic island before Zhen Jin and Zi Di.

"My lord," Cang Xu said slowly, "I do not agree with Lady Zi Di's proposal."

"First, we do not know the central hub's exact location. To search for it, we would inevitably have to brave dangers all across the island, facing every kind of bizarre ferocious beast as well as the harsh natural environment."

"Second, even if we find the central hub, common sense suggests that the Sea Island Master must have arranged powerful and stringent defenses there. Can we get past those defenses with our strength alone? And if we rashly attack the central hub, might we alert the Sea Island Master, who may be away?"

"Third, the existence of the Sea Island Master, the alteration of the terrain, and these ferocious monsters are all merely my conjectures. There is no direct evidence. Perhaps all my suppositions are wrong. Perhaps this is simply a very unusual island, shaped by heaven and earth. We can never fathom the power and will of nature."

"Fourth, although there is teleportation, there is an interval between each activation of this teleportation mechanism. In theory, as long as we keep moving in the correct direction and travel fast enough, we can cross the mountains, forests, and other terrain and return to the beach. Even if we are teleported again midway, the teleportation will most likely be random. Therefore, if we keep repeating this course of action, there is a strong chance that we will reach our destination."

Zhen Jin thought for a moment, then nodded. "An excellent analysis. The central hub is too elusive, and the risks are too great. Our strength is insufficient, so our first objective is to reunite with the main force and build a seaworthy vessel as quickly as possible to escape this island."

"Your command shall be obeyed, Master," Lan Zao said at once.

Cang Xu seemed to let out a breath of relief.

Zi Di opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated. In the end, she said nothing.

"Pass down the order. Rest for another quarter of an hour, then we set out," Zhen Jin commanded.

"My lord." Cang Xu spoke up again. "I have a small suggestion."

"Please, Mr. Cang Xu."

"My lord, allow me to report a most welcome discovery." Cang Xu pointed at the small map of the forested region. "Right here, at the furthest point we have currently explored. A flock of sheep lives there, and its numbers are enormous—at least a thousand sheep."

"I strongly recommend that we hunt down this flock. That way, we will have a considerable abundance of food."

Sir Zhen Jin's brow furrowed slightly. "A massive flock numbering over a thousand?"

The Boy looked at Cang Xu, then glanced at Lan Zao.

Lan Zao immediately said, "Master, it truly is a huge flock. We already tried it and successfully hunted two of them. They are timid and gentle, thinking only of fleeing. They are not dangerous. Many members of the Exploration Team believe this is a gift bestowed upon us by the heavens!"

"But our current food stores are plentiful," Zi Di said.

"For now, yes." Cang Xu nodded. "But we must guard against all manner of unforeseen events. For instance, once the teleportation mechanism activates, we may be cast back into the desert."

Cang Xu looked at Sir Zhen Jin again. He knew that Sir Zhen Jin was the one who could truly make the decision. "According to our scouting, even the leader of this flock only gives off a Bronze-level aura."

"Sir Zhen Jin, there is no need for excessive concern. This flock sits near the bottom of the natural cycle. There must be many packs of beasts, even Gold-level ferocious beasts, that feed on sheep. That White Bone Winged Deer may be one of them. Therefore, if we hunt the flock on a large scale, the greatest risk will not come from the flock itself, but from other predators."

"That is easy enough to guard against, since we will not be confronting those predators head-on."

Sir Zhen Jin pondered in silence.

Cang Xu continued, "Sir Zhen Jin, the main reason our Exploration Team set out was to gather enough food for everyone building the seagoing ship. Although we have been lost on this island for many days, if we return with sufficient food, it will surely greatly lift their spirits and offer them enormous help. At the same time, it will also be helping you, my lord."

Sir Zhen Jin nodded. "A good suggestion. Then we shall make a slight adjustment to our itinerary. We will hunt the flock first, then set out."

Based on his previous experiences, Sir Zhen Jin knew that on this island fraught with danger at every turn, opportunities for such easy hunting were few and far between.

Perhaps if they gave it up now, they would never again have such a good opportunity in the future.

According to the later plan, he did not intend to venture this deeply into the heart of the island again.

So he accepted the advice readily.