32: Section 32

"Here!"

Jing Yuan plunged his blade into the Phage Beast's waist!

*Crack!*

Jing Yuan sensed a shattering sound, followed by a flow of life source essence rushing towards him.

Only then did Jing Yuan confirm that the Phage Beast before him was dead.

Soon after, the Phage Beast's corpse also dissolved into Fertile Soil.

"I was careless!" Mark exclaimed, "It's good you were here, otherwise I'd have been seriously injured again."

Jing Yuan also said, "The vital organ of this Phage Beast was in a different location!"

Upon hearing this, Mark understood why his previous attack had failed to kill the Phage Beast.

It was also at this moment that Jing Yuan realized why the Wasteland Hunters had not discovered the spirit seed.

If the spirit seed's location differs among different types of Phage Beasts, then unless a large number of kill samples are accumulated, it's very difficult to discover that the spirit seed is the key to killing them.

Jing Yuan only noticed this slight difference thanks to the scanning ability of his Mental Power.

There was an element of coincidence to it.

However, Jing Yuan was confident that if his Mental Power and telekinetic abilities continued to strengthen, he should be able to penetrate the Phage Beast's body and accurately locate the spirit seed.

After dealing with this Phage Beast, Mark immediately ordered a quick retreat.

Phage Beasts move in groups, so it was highly likely there was more than one nearby.

The Wasteland Hunters convoy fled all the way to ten kilometers away. Neither Mark nor Jing Yuan dismounted from their gravity bodies, remaining vigilant against another Phage Beast attack.

Only after moving far from the city ruins did the team stop for a brief rest.

Jing Yuan emerged from his gravity body and handed it over to Dust Citizens for maintenance.

"Thanks for your hard work!" Jing Yuan patted the Dust Citizen on the shoulder.

"It's my duty."

Mark, resting nearby, took the tablet handed to him by Ran Bing and asked with confusion, "Fuzi Beast?"

Ran Bing explained to him, "The large one is the mother beast, the small one is the child beast. Although named as such, it's speculated the two have a symbiotic relationship, not a maternal one. But..."

"But what?"

"The Fuzi Beast we encountered was different from previous ones. Before, they didn't have tails with human-like arms."

"This means they are also evolving, and imitating humans in their evolution!" Mark also offered his own judgment.

Seeing Jing Yuan, Mark beckoned him over.

"Jing Yuan, when we search for supplies later, you'll lead a team!"

"Alright!" Jing Yuan nodded in agreement, then asked, "Can I pick some familiar people to come with me?"

"No problem. But you can't pick all veterans; mix some newcomers into the team so they can gain experience."

"No problem."

"There's an old world Energy Reserve Center nearby. Our main mission this time is to retrieve these energy reserves," Mark announced to everyone. "Everyone, get ready! Synchronize our information with the Lighthouse. We'll withdraw immediately after securing the supplies!"

"Yes, sir!" the group responded and began their preparations.

Jing Yuan went to the side, found Erica, and said, "Erica, we did say we'd team up!"

"No problem!" Erica readily agreed.

Jing Yuan looked around. Teaming up with familiar people was best, but having just joined the team, he only knew a few.

He looked at Penny nearby, hesitated for a moment, then walked over and asked, "Penny, can you team up with us?"

Penny was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting Jing Yuan to invite her.

After a moment of silence, Penny nodded and said, "Okay!"

Jing Yuan's combat prowess was outstanding, allowing him to be considered a veteran. With Erica and Penny, that made three veterans. Adding three new teammates including Mo Dong, and three Dust Citizens, they formed a search team.

After the rest break, the Wasteland Hunters began heading towards the Energy Reserve Center.

In the sandstorm-swept wasteland, a wide building lay half-buried in the yellow sand.

The Wasteland Hunters approached the building's entrance, where they could faintly make out some text markings.

Following the pre-assigned plan, Mark had the four teams enter the building from four different directions to search.

The interior of the building was very dim. Abandoned for years, there was no power system, only sunlight filtering through broken walls provided illumination.

Jing Yuan and Erica, wearing gravity bodies, took positions at the front and rear of the team.

Penny, Mo Dong, Chu Feng, and Neil were in the middle.

The remaining three Dust Citizens carried some weapons and ammunition at the back.

With his Mental Power scanning the surroundings, Jing Yuan acted fearlessly, simply charging forward.

Erica didn't mind, but Penny couldn't stand it anymore and quickly said, "Jing Yuan, the environment here is complex. It's better to be careful!"

Jing Yuan didn't argue. In terms of experience, Penny indeed had more than him.

Penny took the lead, slowing Jing Yuan's pace, and also took charge of searching the various rooms in the building.

Penny opened an equipment room, and the sight inside stunned them all.

Chapter 33 Encountering Spinal Gu

This equipment room was neatly arranged with various types of equipment. Aside from a thick layer of dust on the surfaces, no obvious damage was found.

Usually, encountering such a situation was like finding a treasure.

Penny stepped forward to inspect the equipment, and Mo Dong also helped with the checks.

"These are some energy maintenance equipment," Penny turned and told the group.

"There are some repair tools over here!" Mo Dong picked up a toolbox and grinned, "Looks like we'll earn a lot of contribution points this time."

"That's great news!" Erica stepped forward and said, "Mo Dong, you direct these three Dust Citizens to move this equipment out first."

"Alright!" Mo Dong was very happy. They had found supplies even before encountering any Phage Beasts.

According to Wasteland Hunter regulations, those who find supplies receive relatively higher contribution points.

Jing Yuan scanned the area once more with his Mental Power, found no danger, and said, "You guys handle moving the supplies here. I'll go check further ahead."

Erica asked, puzzled, "You're going alone?"

"Yes, I'll go alone."

"Wasteland Hunters shouldn't operate alone. I'll go with you!" Penny stood up and walked towards Jing Yuan.

Erica nodded and said, "Alright. I'll wait here for them. Contact us immediately if there's any situation ahead."

Jing Yuan nodded, then walked deeper into the building with Penny.

Passing through a narrow corridor, Jing Yuan and Penny entered an open area.

Walking in silence felt awkward to Jing Yuan.

He tried to break the silence, saying, "This place is so big. Where might the energy we're looking for be?"

Penny also answered seriously, "Based on our past experience, energy reserves are usually separated from office areas. We were just in the office zone. The further in we go, the larger the space becomes. Ahead should be the warehouses storing supplies."

Seeing Penny so serious, Jing Yuan momentarily didn't know how to respond.

"They should have covered this kind of content back in school, right?" Penny added, her tone lighter this time.

Jing Yuan smiled and said, "They did, but specific problems require specific analysis. Theory must be combined with practice. So I still need guidance from a senior like you."

Penny also laughed and said, "Why are you being so humble now?"

"Actually, I've always been humble."

Humble? Who didn't know now that the Wasteland Hunters had a new recruit who was quite arrogant?

Penny didn't argue, instead saying, "Thank you for saving me earlier!"

"You're welcome!" Jing Yuan turned his head and added, "And thank you for being willing to team up with me."

Penny, however, smiled and said, "With your strength, anyone would be willing to team up with you."

Jing Yuan smiled. He knew this was both the truth and a polite remark.

After chatting for a bit, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

The two continued forward when suddenly a voice came through their earpieces.

Mark's voice came through: "All teams, attention. We have located the energy supplies, but we've also detected traces of mana ecology. Team Two, rendezvous with me now. Teams Three and Four, fall back and prepare for support."

"Roger!"

"Roger!"

Jing Yuan also acknowledged.

"Ah!"