Chapter 235: Boy · Firmament
Dawn descended, and a pale fish-belly white emerged across the horizon. A new day had already arrived.
Maple Leaf Ridge, which had erupted in fierce slaughter the night before, had long since fallen into silence. Only the flat ground before the entrance to the Underground Stronghold remained scarred with broken stones and crisscrossing trenches.
No one could have imagined that the infamous Dark Card Organization’s stronghold here would be wiped out overnight.
Ordinary forces could not locate the Dark Card stronghold. And those organizations that did possess intelligence about it would not lightly provoke them out of fear of the Dark Card Organization’s strength.
Yet no one could have imagined the existence of a freak like Zhou Ming.
His strength was terrifying, and the field he researched happened to overlap with that of the Dark Card Organization—both involved bloodline genes and human experimentation.
As the saying went,同行是冤家.
Zhou Ming had not damaged the Dark Card Organization’s interests, yet conflict still arose simply because their research fields overlapped.
Sometimes, as the old saying went, it was difficult to explain the word “grudge” in terms of right and wrong.
For Zhou Ming now, the only good news was that the Dark Card Organization still did not know of his existence.
As sunlight gradually rose over the horizon and shone upon Maple Leaf Ridge, a terrifying explosion suddenly rang out across the Wilderness.
The earth began to tremble. Solid rock walls cracked and split. Birds took flight and beasts fled in panic, as if a small-scale earthquake had suddenly erupted.
Maple Leaf Ridge, which had once coiled like a flood dragon, now collapsed inward from its center, as though a divine sword from the heavens had split it cleanly in two.
The drastic terrain change was naturally caused by the Underground Stronghold established by the Dark Card Organization. After its self-destruct mechanism was detonated, the underground karst cavern collapsed, creating the scene before them.
The earth-shattering explosion at Maple Leaf Ridge naturally drew the attention of Qinghui Base.
Because Foreign Races had appeared within the Panlong Mountain Range, Qinghui Base was now in a state of war. Any abnormal change would touch the tightly stretched nerves of the high command.
Facing the sudden incident at Maple Leaf Ridge, Qinghui Base immediately dispatched an investigation squad. Including the leader, every member was a Professional Beast Tamer.
However, after the violent explosion, the Dark Card Organization’s stronghold was buried beneath tens of thousands of tons of rock. No one could determine what exactly had happened.
As for Zhou Ming and the others, who had destroyed the Dark Card Organization’s stronghold and created a scene resembling a dragon turning beneath the earth, they had already safely returned to the Underground Dark River Camp beneath Three Mounds Ridge.
Inside the Small Building on the central island of the underground lake, Su Mei, the Camp General Manager, was reporting the results of the operation to Zhou Ming.
To avoid their actions being discovered by the outside world, Zhou Ming had abandoned most of the resources within the stronghold.
From the Dark Card Organization’s upper echelon, he had obtained seven Spatial Storage Equipment pieces. Aside from storing various Transcendent equipment and rare materials, they were mainly used to store the stronghold’s scientific research data.
Even though electronic storage methods such as storage cards existed, the Dark Card Organization still kept paper copies of their research materials. Perhaps no one fully trusted electronic storage.
In addition, Zhou Ming had brought back ten researchers.
It was not that the stronghold lacked personnel, but there had been too many to transfer in time. He could only take away the top-tier scientific talents.
After listening to Su Mei’s report, Zhou Ming finally asked,
“Su Mei, how is the preparation work for developing the small underground world progressing?”
Hearing him suddenly mention the matter, Su Mei was slightly surprised, but she detailed the progress of the preparations.
“My lord, the passage leading into the small underground world has already been opened. It is wide enough for a combat vehicle to enter and exit freely.”
“We plan to use the waterfall formed by the dark river to construct a large-scale hydroelectric power station as the primary energy source. Energy Crystal power generation will serve as an emergency backup.”
As the population within the camp gradually increased, the current Energy Crystal power generation could still sustain operations, but the consumption of Energy Crystals was severe.
According to Zhou Ming’s plan, a city would be constructed within the small underground world, and within it he would build his own castle.
Whether for city electricity, cultivation of medicinal herbs, or mining development, all would require enormous amounts of power.
That was why Su Mei had chosen to build a hydroelectric power station using the waterfall.
After hearing her detailed explanation, Zhou Ming pondered briefly before issuing new orders.
“Accelerate the construction and development of the underground world. Send a message to the Han Family. They previously promised that we could purchase thirty percent of their Source Crystal shares with Alliance Coins. That agreement no longer counts.”
“However, they must provide various engineering construction machinery. In addition, make use of the channels established by the camp and our faction.”
“Also, inform Lu Tao to open training classes in advance. Those Wildfolk who are not skilled in combat should be trained for the necessary professions—such as operating engineering machinery.”
“Do not wait until formal construction begins to discover that we lack the appropriate personnel.”
“Please rest assured, my lord. I will make the arrangements.”
After receiving Zhou Ming’s instructions, Su Mei prepared to leave to carry out the orders.
“Wait.”
Just as she was about to depart, Zhou Ming stopped her.
“Take this Spatial Ring. Inside are three thousand Source Crystal Coins, along with some cultivation resources.”
“If there are resources you do not need, distribute them to Mu Ye and Ding Mowen. Cultivate them as quickly as possible.”
Zhou Ming had been building his faction for several years. Although the early stage had been pure investment, he was now gradually experiencing the benefits of having capable subordinates to command.
As a Professional Beast Tamer, Su Mei would naturally receive his full support.
“Thank you for your reward, my lord.”
As Camp General Manager, Su Mei lacked no ordinary resources. But as for Transcendent resources, even she could not mobilize them freely.
Whether for her own cultivation or for purchasing longevity potions for her father, she required a large amount of Source Crystal Coins.
Therefore, she did not decline Zhou Ming’s reward.
“Just do your job well.”
Zhou Ming did not keep her any longer. After giving a brief reminder, he waved his hand, signaling that she could leave.
After Su Mei departed, Zhou Ming turned his gaze toward a corner of the living room.
“Aina, bring Firmament here.”
As Zhou Ming’s voice fell, Aina, dressed in a maid outfit, walked toward him with a small boy.
To prevent the Dark Card Organization from tracking him down, Zhou Ming had no choice but to completely destroy the stronghold they had established near Qinghui Base.
This operation had yielded scientific talents, Transcendent resources, and various research成果. But the greatest gain was the little boy Zhou Ming had just named—Firmament.
During the human experimentation conducted at the Dark Card Organization’s stronghold, the boy’s Spiritual Consciousness had undergone a special mutation, granting him an ability similar to telekinesis.
He had no name, only the experimental designation 9527.
Thus, Zhou Ming gave him the name Firmament.