And this sunny disposition—could he be a criminal too? Did he come here for some special reason, just like them?
"Hello, Ms. Xiling. Sorry for the trouble."
Although the atmosphere here was quite pleasant, Jiang Xiao had not forgotten that this was Prison Star. He could not stay here forever.
Xiling nodded, her expression unreadable beneath the hood.
"Thank you very much for helping Xiao Xi, Mr. Jiang. Leave entering the Old Capital to me. Also, before we set out, please reconsider this once more—the Sin Capital's hostility toward Pan-Humans has grown increasingly intense lately. Even Tier 2 human martial artists can barely protect themselves, while the upper ranks of the Spark Gang have to hide and flee from place to place."
"Thank you for the warning, Ms. Xiling. I thought through the consequences long ago," Jiang Xiao said firmly.
Xiling fell silent for several seconds, seemingly letting out a sigh.
"In that case, pack up and get ready to leave."
Jiang Xiao was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something. He pointed to the Armored Jeep he had driven over. "For some reason, this vehicle probably can't enter the Sin Capital. There are also quite a few firearms and weapons. Does Starfire Camp have a recycling service?"
Hearing this, Guilliman stepped forward and took a look. "The jeep and weapons are all fairly good quality. How about we buy them back at eighty percent of the market price? You can confirm the exact rates once you reach the Sin Capital."
In the end, the Armored Jeep and the weapons and equipment in its cargo compartment were sold for thirty thousand Sin Coins.
The purchasing power of Sin Coins seems pretty high...
Thinking back to how they had scavenged only a little over ten thousand Sin Coins in the Rosaka Settlement, Jiang Xiao mused inwardly.
Without dawdling, Jiang Xiao said goodbye to the reluctant Xiao Xi. After enduring another three full minutes of thanks from Xiao Xi's mother, he finally boarded the Armored Jeep driven over by Xiling.
Come to think of it, did Prison Star only have three types of vehicles—jeeps, trucks, and motorcycles?
After closing the door, Jiang Xiao suddenly realized that the bartender from the Flame Bar was sitting in the driver's seat.
"Hello, Mr. Jiang," Bruce said respectfully.
"Hello..."
Looking at this cultured, middle-aged man with a standard Western appearance, Jiang Xiao casually tossed out a scan.
Solo Bruce (Roar Human) Level: Tier 1 Peak Talent Value (Source Energy): 1.78 Source Energy Intensity: 47
He was quite strong. Among everyone Jiang Xiao had met, his Talent Value was lower only than Guilliman's.
Right, there was also Ms. Xiling.
Jiang Xiao glanced toward the back seat from the corner of his eye.
Xiling Yarsophy (5% Pan-Human · Silver Elf Genes) Level: Tier 1 Peak Talent Value (Source Energy): 2.35 Source Energy Intensity: 49
What kind of Pan-Human race was a Silver Elf? It seemed quite powerful.
Tsk, tsk. Pan-Humans really were overflowing with talent. Not a single alien in the Old Capital or the Rosaka Settlement had a Talent Value above 1.5. Who would have thought such people were so common in Starfire Camp?
There were even two people above two!
Jiang Xiao suddenly became interested in the origins of the Spark Gang.
Just before they set off, Jiang Xiao suddenly remembered something. He lowered the window and asked the Guilliman who had not yet left curiously, "Come to think of it, Old Brother Guilliman, you wouldn't happen to have nineteen brothers at home, would you?"
Guilliman, who was preparing to return and deal with some paperwork, froze, his face full of confusion.
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Ahem, it just popped into my head. Don't worry about it. Take care, Old Brother Guilliman."
Over the past two days, Guilliman had grown fairly familiar with Jiang Xiao. He knew Jiang Xiao was simply an easygoing, cheerful, and rather careless type, so he did not find the question offensive.
"All right. Stay safe on the road." Guilliman smiled, nodded, and turned away.
Xiling's expression could not be seen from the back seat.
She was curiously studying Jiang Xiao's back. The personality Jiang Xiao displayed was just like that of a college student from one of the many human civilizations. She could not imagine why he had been sent to the Frontier Prison Star.
Although these people appeared extremely united and friendly, the crimes they had committed were genuinely among the most heinous.
The vehicle slowly started.
Half an hour later, Jiang Xiao could no longer stand the silent atmosphere and could not help starting a conversation. "Come to think of it, Bruce, what did you do to get sent to Prison Star?"
"..." Bruce looked at Xiling.
"There's nothing that can't be said. He launched a rebellion on a Resource Star on the outskirts of a Primary Civilization. Most people in Starfire Camp were sentenced for that," Xiling said calmly.
Jiang Xiao understood at once. No wonder they were so talented—it turned out they were the core members of the Rebel Army.
"What about you?"
Xiling suddenly asked.
Jiang Xiao's heart jolted, and cold sweat seeped across his forehead.
What should I say? That he was a breathing criminal? Or a criminal for showing his face?
No, those reasons couldn't compare with something as lofty as launching a rebellion. That would be too embarrassing.
He couldn't tell her. At least he could embellish it a little!
The thought process lasted less than a second. Jiang Xiao calmly said, "For the sake of making a living, I smuggled some Tier 1 contraband into the territory of an Intermediate Civilization."
Xiling froze, then immediately regarded him with solemn respect. She could tell that Jiang Xiao was not lying.
An Intermediate Civilization? A Tier 1 Martial Artist?
He really dared to do that! Truly, one couldn't judge a person by appearance.
Bruce also could not help looking at Jiang Xiao several more times, surprise in his eyes. The differences between civilization levels were immense. Something an upper-level civilization could create by simply grabbing a handful of sand could inflict considerable damage on a lower-level civilization.
It might have been "only" smuggling, but in terms of sheer recklessness, a Tier 1 Martial Artist smuggling Tier 1 contraband into an Intermediate Civilization was even more suicidal than launching a rebellion.
At least they had genuinely had a chance of succeeding.
"Impressive."
Xiling did not know how to evaluate him and ultimately managed only a dry response.
"Hahaha." Jiang Xiao inwardly sighed with relief. He still had to save face in front of his own kind, didn't he?
Over the next day, Jiang Xiao failed to find any more topics of conversation.
He could only study and digest the knowledge related to FT Alloy in his mind while attempting to derive other uses for the alloy in reverse.
He had no idea how much time had passed when a sharp, prolonged wail suddenly split the sky.
Jiang Xiao abruptly opened his eyes and discovered that evening had already arrived. In the night sky, a red, serpentine signal flare illuminated a vast stretch of wilderness.
Bruce quickly slowed the vehicle, his expression wary.
Jiang Xiao asked solemnly, "What's happening?"
Had the Black Mech Gang attacked?
"Hunters. Wilderness bandits." Xiling's calm voice came from behind him.
"They often rob settlements and passing convoys. It seems they've set their sights on us this time."
The next moment, the roar of engines approached from afar.
Dozens of battered jeeps and motorcycles came rushing toward them, while faint, strange howls echoed in the distance.
Jiang Xiao touched the Source Energy Battle Blades and the Floating Cannon disguised as an arm shield. His tone remained calm. "How strong are they?"
Xiling looked up at the red-glowing pattern in the sky and frowned.
"The Venomous Hunter Group, a fairly famous group of Hunters in this area. They number around seventy, with four Tier 1 Peaks. Most of the members are from the Viper Clan."
Seeing Jiang Xiao fall silent, Xiling comforted him. "Don't worry. Hunters fear injury the most, and not every member of the Viper Clan is connected to the Viper Gang. They don't have that many medical resources.
"Bruce and I are both Tier 1 Peaks. At most, they'll demand a toll. They won't fight to the death..."
Jiang Xiao listened to Xiling's reassurance without saying a word.
He coldly watched the Venomous Hunter Group closing in around them.
Why was it these bastards from the Viper Clan again?
I really am incompatible with the Viper Clan.
Chapter 21: Reaching the Sin Capital (Please Follow for More) ### The roars of the Venomous Hunter Group shattered the wilderness's deathly silence. Dozens of headlights, like the savage eyes of beasts, surrounded the jeep.
The Source Energy fluctuations around Xiling's body flickered erratically.
In the end, she reined in her aura.
If a conflict broke out, she might survive, but Jiang Xiao and Bruce would most likely be injured or killed.
The former was Xiao Xi's savior, while the latter was an elder of the Spark Gang. For both emotional and practical reasons, she had to take responsibility for their safety and could not act on impulse.
"Whew. Bruce, stop the car first," Xiling said before opening the door.
"Mr. Jiang, please don't get out," Bruce reminded him.
He then followed her out in his black robe. The auras of the two Tier 1 Peaks erupted without concealment, spreading in all directions and stirring up the sand into a swirling current.
"Tier 1 Peak?"
"They're actually Tier 1 Peaks! Call the bosses!"
The Venomous Hunter Group immediately fell silent. The dozens of motorcycle riders who had been shouting wildly shut their mouths and turned to look behind them.
Next, four members of the Viper Clan who were larger than the others walked out from the group. They wore battered mechanical armor. The leader's Source Energy aura was exceptionally dense, clearly a level stronger than that of the other three Viper Clan members.
"Hmph. Two mere Tier 1 Peaks aren't qualified to pass without paying a toll. If you want to cross Venom's territory, it's five thousand Sin Coins per jeep!"
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