Chapter 277: The Yang Family’s Reaction
The core region of the Alliance, Dawn Base, was the first base established by the surviving humans of the Doomsday Era. It was also from here that the horn of resistance against the Foreign Races had first been sounded.
After several hundred years of development, Dawn Base’s population had already exceeded ten million, and its territory now spanned over a hundred kilometers in radius.
Aside from the outermost towering circular city wall, there were two additional concentric circular walls within.
Within the innermost ring were located the Supreme Council of the Alliance, Blue Star Academy, the Alliance Military General Headquarters, and the Alliance Academy of Sciences.
It could be said that this place was the brain of the Alliance, governing the humans of Blue Star in their resistance against the invasion of the Foreign Races.
Within a hundred-kilometer radius outside Dawn Base lay its Safe Zone. The military constantly cleared out any Ferocious Beasts that entered this area.
Within the Safe Zone, aside from the cultivation of various crops, the major private forces of the Alliance were also distributed throughout.
The reason they had not established themselves inside Dawn Base was mainly to reduce the constraints imposed by Alliance Headquarters. After all, within Dawn Base there was a Legendary Saint.
No matter how powerful these forces were, some matters could not be brought into the open. In any case, there was no need to worry about the Foreign Races or Ferocious Beasts approaching Dawn Base.
Within a mountain range inside the Safe Zone stood various modern-style buildings constructed along the slopes. This was precisely the well-known Wind Eagle Yang Family among the Alliance’s upper ranks.
However, after the passing of the Yang Family’s Ancestor several years ago, the Wind Eagle Yang Family’s influence had declined considerably. After all, a Mid-level Transcendent expert was extremely rare even among the Alliance’s high ranks.
At this moment, within a courtyard of the Yang Family styled in an ancient and rustic fashion, waves of stern reprimands echoed.
“Ten High-level Professional Beast Tamers, and they just died inexplicably in the Endless Forest Sea?”
“What a joke. Has my Yang Family declined to such a degree that we cannot even deal with a mere brat?”
In the courtyard stood an elderly man dressed in purple casual attire. His expression was extremely grim, and the aura emanating from him made the air itself feel somewhat viscous.
This man was Yang Wenhui (Male), the Yang Family’s Ancestor. He possessed Early-stage Transcendent Rank strength, and his profession was a Weapon Master advanced from a Phantasmal Tamer.
Standing beside him with a bowed posture, listening to the scolding, was Yang Huaichang (Male), the current Family Head responsible for managing the Yang Family.
“Ancestor, although the target’s strength was decent, it is absolutely impossible for him to have slain all ten High-level Professional Beast Tamers at once.”
“I suspect another force is secretly meddling, attempting to weaken our Yang Family through this.”
Only after seeing that his ancestor had ceased reprimanding him did Yang Huaichang voice his thoughts. He simply did not believe the target could have killed ten High-level Professional Beast Tamers of the Yang Family.
Hearing this, Yang Wenhui gradually retracted his anger, for he shared the same suspicion.
The reason for his rage was mainly that someone had set their sights on the Yang Family, yet as Family Head, Yang Huaichang had not detected anything.
“This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Even if we must activate our embedded spies, we must find out who is stirring up trouble.”
Now that the Yang Family’s power had significantly declined, naturally others would attempt to seize the opportunity to take bites out of them. In such circumstances, the Yang Family had to retaliate.
Once the momentum of erosion began, it might even shake the Yang Family’s inheritance.
“And what about the Academy of Sciences…”
“This matter will proceed as planned. I have already received news that Lei Yuan (Female) has joined an absolutely confidential plan formulated by the Scarlet Sun Saint. The interests and research involved concern preparations for Blue Star’s integration into Tamu World. We must ensure that the younger generation of our family successfully wins her over.”
At the mention of Lei Yuan, even the Yang Family’s Ancestor could not help but admire her research capabilities. In less than a few years, she had already drawn the attention of an Alliance Legend.
According to his intelligence, regarding the research and application of Energy Crystals, few within the Academy of Sciences could rival her.
It was even rumored that the Scarlet Sun Saint, who had initiated the classified plan, had sent her a precious spiritual material capable of extending lifespan.
Yang Wenhui then continued issuing orders.
“The concern in Lei Yuan’s heart must be handled secretly. Additionally, the force that targeted our Yang Family must be identified.”
“If these two matters are not handled properly, you may relinquish your position as Family Head.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Huaichang’s body instantly tensed.
The position of Family Head did not merely represent authority—it also determined the extent of resources he could utilize.
Once he lost that position, given his circumstances, his opportunity for further class advancement would nearly be severed. The additional two hundred years of lifespan granted to a Transcendent-level expert would forever remain beyond his reach.
“Please rest assured, Ancestor. I will accomplish both tasks.”
As Yang Huaichang left the courtyard, Zhou Ming was already entering Bewitching Gorge, unaware that further trouble was on its way.
Bewitching Gorge appeared as though the earth itself had been torn apart. It was shrouded in mist year-round, and coupled with the chaotic magnetic fields, perception was affected to a certain degree.
Not long after Zhou Ming entered the gorge, a Jade Python adept at ambush launched an attack against him.
The Jade Python was a High-tier Ferocious Beast. Upon reaching maturity, it measured around fifteen meters in length. Its entire body was covered in jade-like scales, from which it derived its name.
Born with an affinity for Wood-element Energy Particles, it could conceal its form and presence within dense vegetation and excelled at ambushing targets in complex terrain.
Unfortunately, it had chosen the wrong target.
Comparable to a Mid-level Professional Beast Tamer, the Jade Python possessed no ability to resist against Zhou Ming.
Under the suppression of the Dark-gold Serpent Pupils, it was like a mouse encountering a Raccoon Cat, left entirely at his mercy.
“Bloodline Extraction.”
Within the mist-veiled forest, Zhou Ming used the spell he had personally developed to refine the Jade Python’s Bloodline Essence.
He had once considered advancing by devouring the bloodlines of various serpent-type Ferocious Beasts. However, the Bloodline Will carried by different bloodlines would inevitably infect his consciousness. Even with the Snake Swarm Will, it was difficult to ensure his own awareness remained unaffected.
If the Bloodline Will were stripped away, at most it could be used to strengthen the bloodline, but it would be difficult to produce qualitative transformation.
Thus, after multiple experiments, he had been forced to abandon that plan.
However, the Bloodline Essence refined through the Bloodline Extraction spell could be used to enhance Inkband and the others. It could also serve as ritual material. Therefore, Zhou Ming had no intention of collecting the Jade Python’s Ferocious Beast materials.
As a blood-colored giant serpent phantom bit into the Jade Python’s corpse, a Bloodline Jewel gradually formed within the phantom’s abdomen.
“Since I have already come to the Endless Forest Sea this time, I might as well take the opportunity to collect more Bloodline Jewels.”
Looking at the Bloodline Jewel in his hand, Zhou Ming pondered briefly before making a decision.
The ordinary Ironthread Snakes he controlled found it difficult to improve their strength. However, mutated Ironthread Snakes could, with his assistance, advance into High-tier Ferocious Beasts.
Earlier, he had already sensed the presence of mutated Ironthread Snakes within the Endless Forest Sea. Some had even advanced into Low-tier Ferocious Beasts on their own.
Thus, after obtaining the Mysterious Black Crystal Stone, Zhou Ming planned to further optimize his snake swarm.
And the Bloodline Jewels would be perfect for helping newly recruited mutated Ironthread Snakes advance into High-tier Ferocious Beasts.
With the plan taking shape in his mind, Zhou Ming wasted no further time. After storing the Bloodline Jewel, he headed toward the location of the Mysterious Black Crystal Stone mine.