Chapter 54 Make a Bigger Scene

800 attribute points seemed like a lot, but compared to the several Limit-Breaking martial arts and secret techniques he needed to upgrade, it still wasn't enough.

At this rate, even after the Treasure Area opened in seven days, he wouldn't be able to push his strength to the perfection of the Limit Break Stage 3.

Zhang Fan's gaze couldn't help but drift into the distance. To the west of Huahai City lay Qiandao Lake.

In the center of Qiandao Lake sat a main island known as the "Island of a Thousand Isles."

Before the arrival of the New Era, that island was a famous tourist attraction and residential area with a dense population.

After the disaster broke out, spatial rifts frequently opened over Qiandao Lake, leading to the emergence of countless ferocious beasts that cut off the waterways. The survivors on the island were trapped, their connection to the outside world nearly severed.

It wasn't that the Martial Artists Alliance hadn't tried to rescue them.

However, over years of accumulation, countless terrifying ferocious beasts lurked within Qiandao Lake. Several operations had ended in heavy losses and failure. Over time, it became a "forbidden zone" that the Alliance's power could not reach, as well as a nest where ferocious beasts entrenched themselves.

For ordinary martial artists, it was a land of certain death.

But for Zhang Fan, who was in urgent need of a large number of attribute points, it was a massive, untapped treasure trove!

The powerful ferocious beasts that had settled in the lake over the years were essentially mobile, high-value attribute point packs!

A sharp light flashed in Zhang Fan's eyes.

He needed a hearty "harvest" to satisfy the enormous amount of attribute points required for the Limit Break Stage 3.

Qiandao Lake was an ideal target.

He pulled up detailed maps and monitoring data of the Qiandao Lake area from over the years and began to study them. The distribution of ferocious beasts, their species, strength assessments, and the potential existence of Lord-level individuals... all the information integrated in his mind.

...

Meanwhile, in Donghai City, not far from Songjiang City.

This city was still nominally under the jurisdiction of the Alliance, but in reality, it had long been infiltrated by the private martial artist faction, the Adjudication Council.

"The intelligence has been confirmed."

"The opening time for the Treasure Area next to Songjiang City is the 20th of this month."

"That Treasure Area has been controlled by the Alliance for so many years; it's about time the benefits came to us."

"Everyone, what do you think?"

Around the round table, a fierce glint flashed in everyone's eyes.

"Take it!"

"The treasures produced by that Treasure Area every year are no small matter; they are top-tier resources that can help people break through bottlenecks! If we take it, our strength will surely reach the next level!"

"In fact... we can be even more ruthless! Let's first contact that King-level Ferocious Beast that has been lingering in the mountains for years. It has also been coveting that Treasure Area for a long time!"

A King-level Ferocious Beast already possessed intelligence no weaker than a human's, so it had naturally been eyeing that Treasure Area for a long time.

"We just need to drive the wolf to swallow the tiger. Let it go to the Treasure Area and first slaughter those genius seeds who go in to explore! Let that King-level Ferocious Beast and those geniuses fight until both sides are wounded."

"Afterward, we will step in and take over the Treasure Area!"

...

At the same time, in his top-floor villa, Zhang Fan had already spent the night studying all the data regarding Qiandao Lake.

In the core area of Qiandao Lake, there resided a King-level Complete Form ferocious beast named the "Sea-Covering Flood Dragon," with an assessed rank of "King-level Complete Form."

Under its command, more than three thousand various amphibious ferocious beasts were gathered. Among them, according to high-altitude reconnaissance and energy signature analysis, the number of Lord-level Ferocious Beasts might exceed thirty!

Even more troublesome was that this "Sea-Covering Flood Dragon" displayed extremely high intelligence. It seemed to be using the thousands of human survivors on the island as bait, intentionally leaving them alive to attract the Alliance's rescue forces, then ambushing and hunting them to devour powerful martial artists and promote its own evolution.

The Alliance had organized rescue missions many times, but all ended in heavy losses and retreat.

"A tide of three thousand ferocious beasts, over thirty Lord-levels, and one peak King-level intelligent water snake..."

A smile played across Zhang Fan's lips. "Just how many attribute points would that be?"

With his current strength at the Limit Break Stage 3, combined with the long-range void-piercing cannon and various other means, taking it down wouldn't be much of a problem.

Early the next morning, Zhang Fan took a Black Hawk fighter jet to Huahai City, found Zhu Chi's office, and stated his intention directly.

"What?! You want to make a move on Qiandao Lake?!" Upon hearing Zhang Fan's idea, Zhu Chi practically bounced out of his chair, his face turning pale.

Wang Qiang and several other officers nearby also sucked in a breath of cold air, looking at each other in shock.

"Zhang Fan, did you... did you see the Alliance records and find out there are still survivors on the island, so you want to go save them?"

Zhu Chi took a deep breath, trying to calm his tone, and said earnestly, "I understand how you feel. Don't you think I want to save them too? But that place is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den!"

"That 'Sea-Covering Flood Dragon' is incredibly cunning. It's intentionally keeping those people alive, waiting for us to go rescue them so it can hunt our experts!"

Wang Qiang also hurriedly added, "That's right, Commander Zhang! The scale of the ferocious beasts in Qiandao Lake is too large! Over the years, we've maintained a defensive posture precisely because we have no absolute certainty. Fortunately, that 'Sea-Covering Flood Dragon' doesn't seem very interested in coming ashore and has remained huddled in the lake, which is why Huahai City and several satellite cities have remained stable."

"Zhang Fan, I know you're strong, but it's too dangerous there." Zhu Chi spoke with heartfelt concern; he was truly afraid something would happen to Zhang Fan, his precious talent.

Especially at this critical juncture just before entering the Treasure Area.

Zhu Chi said, "You are the future hope of our human race; you must not fall in a place like that! As for saving people, we can plan that over the long term..."

"Minister Zhu, Wang Qiang, I understand what you mean," Zhang Fan said. "I'm not being impulsive. I've carefully assessed the risks. I'll go give it a try, and if it's not feasible, I'll retreat immediately."

"With my speed, as long as I'm not instantly surrounded, escaping won't be a problem. Besides, that 'Sea-Covering Flood Dragon' and most of its subordinates are aquatic beasts; they haven't left the water for years."

He looked at Zhu Chi. "We can't just never touch it because it's dangerous. The ferocious beasts are getting stronger and constantly evolving. Just like that King-level Ferocious Beast in the Catacombs Manor—at first, Wang Qiang and the others could suppress it, but as time dragged on, they became increasingly powerless."

Zhu Chi opened his mouth, then sighed. "You have a point. With your current strength, even if you can't win, you should have more than enough ability to protect yourself. However, you must promise me: the moment you find it's not feasible, you retreat immediately."

"Alright," Zhang Fan nodded in agreement.

Seeing Zhang Fan agree, Zhu Chi's expression softened slightly, and he immediately began to deploy: "Since we've decided to strike, we can't just play around. Wang Qiang!"

"Present!"

"Immediately mobilize the First and Third Mobile Corps. Draw elites from the Huahai City defense forces, carry heavy energy beam weapons, and assemble toward Qiandao Lake! Make it look like we're launching a full-scale offensive!" Zhu Chi ordered, a glint of an old fox flashing in his eyes. "Make a big scene for me!"