Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas
The insects’ evolutionary ability had always been a research topic for humankind, especially the abyss insects. They were not just normal-scary. If they appeared on a large scale, humanity would be unable to repel them. Luckily, they did not leave the abyss, and were simply an excellent research material for humanity.
It was also Butcher’s first time seeing such insects. “We had to activate 2 teams to catch him. It’s dangerous for those with a weak mind to approach it.”
A worker had sustained a direct hit from it, and almost had his mind fatally shattered.
Xie Yuxin was always laid-back, only becoming excited at such research. He had moved in a completely different direction, but he had not thought Wang Zheng would be able to freely access such a place, and to be on such familiar terms with Butcher.
“This Zerg is excellent material for us. Through it, we could find the evolutionary gene. Although this Zerg is a mutation, but it’s obvious that its previous stage may have been a spider Zerg. But through some developmental process, it became what we see now. At the same time that we are researching them and learning, the insects are studying us too.” Xie Yuxin said.
“Yuxin, do you mean that the insects have some sort of plan?” a tall girl asked. Vermillion Bird Region, from Aslan. It was clear this slightly haughty girl treated Xie Yuxin very well.
“Senior Millie, that was my reaction when I first saw it. But I find it curious. From the information we currently have, the abyss insects are much stronger than us. Evolution is a process that naturally selects the strong over the weak. Don’t you all find this strange?” Xie Yuxin asked.
Everybody thought over this for a while. Humans that fought in the abyss triumphed through numbers. In that space, it was difficult for insects to enter. Where their true base was, nobody had ever uncovered, or dared to wander too deep.
Wang Zheng looked at the insect. The cage was surrounded by a force field which could disrupt the insect’s mental attacks. But when Wang Zheng looked at it, the insect seemed to understand him. It faced Wang Zheng, although it had no eyes.
In that instant, Wang Zheng could feel a strong signal emitting from the insect, but he did not understand its meaning. But the workers were shocked, because the insect’s energy waves was peaking since the time they had captured it.
Wang Zheng was a little puzzled, but a question suddenly came to him.
“Senior Butcher, I have a conjecture. To these Abyss Zergs, I think their biggest worry is not us, but the abyss!”
Wang Zheng said. Nobody reacted for a moment, but after a few moments, their faces changed.
“You mean to say they wish to come out?”
“Exactly. Whether it is our insects or the abyss variety, expansion and destruction is in their nature. We can enter freely, but the insects can’t. Given their capabilities, that would definitely be their goal. That they have mutated this way is not because our ability is stronger, but it’s simply to find the reason why they cannot escape!”
Wang Zheng said. This was bold imagination. Nobody would have thought this way, but Wang Zheng felt this was common sense. He had heard Charcoal mention it in his ramblings. In some lost history, there had been cases where the Zerg had evolved to be like humans, although the truth was no longer verifiable.
Butcher’s expression became grave, because he had just realized this point as well. He looked over at the insect, which was in a frenzy at the moment. The sensors gave out warning sounds.
In just 3 or 4 seconds, the insect suddenly exploded into meat paste.
Everybody glanced around. A sinister air filled the laboratory.
Butcher sighed deeply. “Everybody, please do not disseminate this point of view. I will bring it to my superiors, and we will think of how to handle this. But based on what we know, even if the insects were so capable, such a feat will not be easy. In other words, if they really evolved in this way, their resulting power would not be too strong. There are too many possible variations.”
But Butcher still left hurriedly. Clearly, this matter was of momentous importance. Humans had learnt much from the abyss, but a small slip up could lead to disaster.
The experimental subject had become pulp, and it was apparent that everybody could only head back. It was a rare chance that Wang Zheng and Xie Yuxin could meet, only there was an unwanted lightbulb, that Millie girl.
As they walked out, Millie was waiting for Xie Yuxin. Xie Yuxin smiled slightly. “Wang Zheng, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, senior Millie.”
Wang Zheng was surprised, then guffawed. “You sure hide it well. Hello, senior!”
Millie glared at Xie Yuxin. “Can’t you drop the ‘senior’ already?”
Xie Yuxin smiled mildly, unconcerned. But Wang Zheng laughed. “Not bad, not bad. Senior, this little guy doesn’t show it much, but he’s nice at heart.”
“Scram!” Even the composure of Xie Yuxin could not stand Wang Zheng’s jibes.
“Haha, see? The truth revealed. Senior, if you have anything you want to know, just ask me. Nobody here knows him better than I do.” Wang Zheng laughed.
“Wang Zheng, you… better watch what you say!” Xie Yuxin had been unlucky in making friends. He did not know which nerve had grown wrongly back then, to have made friends with Wang Zheng and Yan Xiaosu.
But any girl would definitely be very interested in their boyfriend’s past, especially past loves. But it was clear that Xie Yuxin was the distant type. Although such people were popular in adolescence, but they were not as well informed. Yan Xiaosu had always said it was a waste of talent. If it had been him, he would have found 10 or 20 girlfriends. One a day, a different type every week.
“Based on what you just said, it seems the two of you have vastly different personalities. How would you two have become fast friends?” Millie was not too fond of Wang Zheng’s personality. The way she saw it, Xie Yuxin and Wang Zheng were two completely different people. But she had been the mature one. When she knew that Wang Zheng was Xie Yuxin’s good friend, she had been very courteous. This was basic courtesy, but it did not equate to her approval.
Xie Yuxin shrugged. “I was tricked.”
Millie could not help smiling. Xie Yuxin had his humorous moments. It made him easy to like.
The 3 found a resting place, chatting over drinks.
“Right, how are Achilles and the rest doing? I haven’t heard from them in a while.” Wang Zheng asked.
“Achilles? Vermillion Bird Xuan Grade Class 1, but low profile. Not much news, really, we haven’t been interacting much. You know me.” Xie Yuxin said. “But they’re definitely competing this time round. And they already passed the qualification test. Lie Xin’s joining as well. It seems like you have a talent for scaring those around you into running away.”
Wang Zheng laughed. “Don’t make me out to be destined to being alone.”
“Huang Grade people are just there to play. Don’t be too serious.” Millie could not resist saying. She was Xuan Grade, and from Xuan Class 1 at that. She could not curb her haughtiness, especially knowing that Wang Zheng was from Huang Class 7.
Wang Zheng and Xie Yuxin just exchange a knowing smile. Neither offered an explanation. Somebody else might have stood up to sing Wang Zheng’s praises, but Xie Yuxin was not that kind of person. He did not mind these things. Gold would always gleam no matter where it went. It was just a matter of time. And since that was inevitable, why bother explaining?
But their smiles left Millie unhappy. “Students Yuxin and Wang Zheng, I’m saying this for your own good. The competition is a real battle. Getting wounded is normal. If you’re not careful, your studies could be affected. That’s why you need to be prudent, and not brash.”
Millie said. Although the words were not pleasant, but there was some good intentions in it. Besides, Xie Yuxin did not need to participate.
Truly, support-types like them were pretty well off. They got respect, but did not need to enter these competitions. Although Xie Yuxin was not afraid of battles either.
Seeing Millie pouting, Xie Yuxin smiled mollifyingly. “Don’t worry about him, this guy is a Roach.”
“Roach? What’s that?”
“It’s a creature with super high survivability. It’s a distant relative of a Zerg.”
“Piss off! YOU are the Zerg’s relative.” Wang Zheng spit. This guy’s tongue became especially smooth when insulting Wang Zheng.
Xie Yuxin quickly recovered, his mouth smirking in a superior manner. Wang Zheng was annoyed. Verbal battles were a lost cause against Xie Yuxin. This guy always had a way to make you feel like you did not have a way. Xie Yuxin was a natural narcissist.
“Wang Zheng, Senior Mille’s reminder is timely. I know you’re confident, but this is Elite Academy. As I know, the 4 Experts of the Xuan Grade have all returned. The runic mech is very important to them. What’s left for the rest is just a quota.”
Xie Yuxin had hit the nail on the head. At one side, Millie did not know whether to laugh or cry. These two guys were so serious in their act. One had to know that the Xuan Grade itself counted for much. Besides the 4 Experts who were near the Earth Grade, the rest were not weaklings themselves. If it had been just reputation at stake, there would not have been that much interest. But since a specialized mech was at stake, they could not back down easily.”
“Oh, there’s someone called Pampas. Is he one of the 4?” Wang Zheng asked.
“Yup, Pampas is the No. 1 in Azure Dragon Region. His ability X is Unbridled Creation.” Millie said.
Wang Zheng and Xie Yuxin were both stunned. Wang Zheng smiled. “Sounds very mystical. Interesting.”
“Seems like you’ve met him before?” Xie Yuxin asked.
“Not really met him, a chance encounter is all.” Wang Zheng said, spinning his cup absently. Creation power. Amongst the cycle of the 5 minor elements, it should be Earth. But it was definitely part of the cycle of 5 major elements. It was just that they had no idea what degree his creation ability could reach.
“Oh? What do you think are the odds?”
“Without having faced off for real, it’s 50-50 against anybody.” Wang Zheng was rather sanguine. His understanding of battle was very different from others. A normal clash and a life-and-death battle was very different. And any battle came with risk.
50-50?
