153: Section 153

This war blade has been sitting here for all these years; is it because they didn't want to use it?

No, it's because it couldn't be used.

In the village, those known for their strength included Belyankov himself, Aodeng, and Great Mountain.

However, they could only lift it.

Being able to lift it and being able to use it are two completely different concepts.

Jing Yuan casually demonstrated a few moves, then walked toward Belyankov and smiled, "Senior, I can take this blade, right?"

Belyankov's gaze darkened; although he was happy the war blade had found a master who could use it, it felt like a child he had raised for years was being taken away.

So, his happiness didn't show.

"You may. But remember, bring me materials from Monarch-level Shi Ji Beasts in the future."

"I'll definitely remember!"

"By the way, when will the village organize a trip outside to collect supplies?"

Jing Yuan had promised Belyankov three things; the first was to help the village collect supplies.

Belyankov smiled slightly and said, "Excursions are all arranged by Boss Bai; you can go ask her."

"Alright! Thanks, senior!"

Jing Yuan picked up the war blade with one hand, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and left Belyankov's shop.

Jing Yuan walked through the village's shops with the war blade on his shoulder, drawing strange looks from everyone. Some knew the blade's history, while others did not.

Overall, though, it was just that the war blade was too large and conspicuous.

Jing Yuan arrived at the village pond, where Bai Yuekui was training Mark.

Since Mark couldn't awaken his Source Essence Potential, Bai Yuekui took the initiative to give him physical training.

According to Jing Yuan's guess, Bai Yuekui must also know how special Mark is; otherwise, why would she have followed the Wasteland Hunters every time they went to The Surface for a mission?

And back then at Nirvana, she even wanted to take Mark away.

Why did she want to take him? Was it to train him?

Bai Yuekui had never said it explicitly, and Jing Yuan hadn't asked directly.

Facing Bai Yuekui, Jing Yuan just waited to see how things would unfold.

Jing Yuan walked over; Bai Yuekui saw him, glanced over, and asked, "Did you go see Belyankov?"

"Yes."

Bai Yuekui's gaze fell on the war blade, and she asked, "So, are you planning to help the village collect supplies, or go hunt a Monarch-level Shi Ji Beast?"

"Both!"

Jing Yuan suddenly realized something and quickly asked, "Wait! Are you saying doing one of those two things would have been enough?"

Bai Yuekui smiled slightly.

Jing Yuan realized that maybe she was the one who arranged this.

Bai Yuekui explained, "Although the village has free trade, resources like weapons, food, and housing can all be exchanged for contributions. It's similar to your Lighthouse! That war blade in your hand is one of the few good weapons around; doing two things for it isn't a bad deal for you!"

"Fine!" Jing Yuan shrugged; anyway, there was no time limit for killing a Monarch-level Shi Ji Beast, so it didn't matter to him. "I just came to ask, when will you organize a trip outside to collect supplies?"

"I won't be going out again anytime soon, but tomorrow Star Shatterer will lead a team to Steel Flame Fortress for a supply trade. If you want to go, it'll count as one mission for you."

"Steel Flame Fortress?" Jing Yuan asked, puzzled. "What kind of place is it?"

"Another human settlement nearby."

As soon as Jing Yuan heard it was another human settlement, he instantly became interested.

"Alright! I'll go!" Jing Yuan also wanted to see what another settlement in this apocalyptic world was like.

"Then go find Star Shatterer!"

"Okay!"

Just as Jing Yuan was about to turn and find Star Shatterer, Mark, who was training, heard them and walked over, asking, "Is there a mission? Do you need my help?"

Before Jing Yuan could speak, Bai Yuekui said, "With your current strength, you can't help yet. Practice more and awaken your Source Essence Potential first!"

Mark looked embarrassed; he was once the Lighthouse's top combatant, yet now he didn't even rank in Dragon Bone Village.

Jing Yuan didn't like hearing this either; how was this different from the suppressive education of the elderly in the old world?

"Boss Bai! Mark! And Jing Yuan is here too!"

A clear voice came from the side; it was Wulan Maiduo, wearing a short red skirt.

Mydo carried a small basket and walked up to everyone, saying with a smile, "These are Green Fruits newly cultivated at the farm. Do you want to try some?"

Jing Yuan looked into the basket; it was a kind of Green Fruit he had never seen before.

Mydo gave one to each of them.

Bai Yuekui took a bite and nodded, "Tastes good!"

Mark also took a bite; his expression was a bit strange, but he didn't say anything.

Jing Yuan took a bite and found the fruit to be very sour and astringent.

He looked at Mydo in surprise, and she explained, "These are fruits that have adapted to The Surface environment. Although they can't compare to fruit from the old world, they're already quite good. On the Lighthouse, you probably don't even have fruit, right?"

Mark said, "The Lighthouse has kept an apple tree, and it produces some fruit every year. If you want, we can give you some."

Bai Yuekui remarked, "With the yield of just that one tree, I'm afraid most Upper Citizens have never even tasted it!"

Mark was speechless; apples were reserved specifically for the City Lord.

Saying he'd give some to Dragon Bone Village was meant as a diplomatic gift.

Mydo said generously, "You could bring them to the village market to sell; maybe you could exchange them for things you need."

Jing Yuan looked at Mydo; this young girl was quite pure-hearted, and she was also very nice, warm, and generous.

Most Lighthouse people remained vigilant upon arriving at Dragon Bone Village; someone as warm as Mydo was truly unique.

Whenever she encountered Lighthouse people in the village, Mydo would greet them warmly.

Learning that Jing Yuan was going to find Star Shatterer, Mydo kindly led the way for him.

Star Shatterer was charging the vehicle at the Resource Supply Station; when she saw Jing Yuan approaching, her heart tightened.

Chapter 157: Heading to Steel Flame Fortress

Back when Jing Yuan broke into the Ecological Base, the final battle was against a Humanoid Bioweapon.

Star Shatterer had solemnly made a bet with Jing Yuan.

That bet still hasn't been settled yet!

Mydo led Jing Yuan over and introduced with a smile, "This is the Resource Supply Station."

"Oh." Jing Yuan looked around; there were several warehouses and a few vehicles.

"Look, Star Shatterer is right there!" Mydo waved at Star Shatterer as they approached, but Star Shatterer didn't react.

Mydo went up and asked with a smile, "Star Shatterer, why do you look so unhappy?"

"I'm not," Star Shatterer said with a cold expression.

"What, are you unhappy because of the mission?" Mydo thought for a moment and said, "True, being away for three or four days is indeed quite exhausting."

Before Star Shatterer could say anything, Jing Yuan said in surprise, "It's going to take three or four days?"

Mydo nodded, "Yeah! Steel Flame Fortress is seven or eight hundred kilometers from here. Counting the breaks and charging time, it takes a whole day just to get there. If we run into powerful Phage Beasts or other special circumstances on the way, it might be delayed by another day."

After hearing Mydo's explanation, Jing Yuan understood. It wasn't like the old world; the highways were likely unusable long ago. Seven or eight hundred kilometers was probably the straight-line distance, and they'd likely have to take detours.

"What are you doing here?" Star Shatterer looked at Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan smiled, "I heard you have an excursion mission, and Boss Bai told me to come along. She said it would count toward my mission quota."

"Why do you need to earn mission quotas?" Star Shatterer was a bit confused until she saw the war blade behind Jing Yuan and realized.

"To pay for the village's weapon."

Mydo looked at the two of them and waved, "Then I'll leave you to chat. I'm off!"

Jing Yuan looked at Mydo and smiled, "Thanks! Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

Mydo left with a light step.

Jing Yuan looked at Mydo's back, thinking that this girl had a great mindset! In this post-apocalyptic world, it was rare to find someone with such a disposition.

Star Shatterer looked at Jing Yuan with a look of disgust and snapped, "Stop staring! She's still a minor!"

"Yeah... it's hard for adults to have that kind of innocent charm anymore..." Jing Yuan said halfway, then turned to Star Shatterer. "What do you mean by that?"

Star Shatterer turned her head and didn't answer. Instead, she said coldly, "Since the Boss arranged it, I have no choice but to let you come. It just so happens that Sky Breaker was beaten so badly by Belyankov that he can't get out of bed, so you can take his place!"

Jing Yuan smiled, "Well, that certainly is a coincidence!"