Chapter 92: Arrival at the Camp
After more than thirty factions in the camp agreed to Zhang Yunfeng’s proposal, the originally lively camp became even more bustling.
This time, only Apprentice Beast Tamers were allowed to enter the ruins, making it a rare opportunity for them to showcase their abilities.
Faced with such a chance, every faction’s Apprentice Beast Tamer naturally did everything possible to prepare, hoping to soar to the skies in one stroke.
On the second day after the order was issued, Zhou Ming finally arrived near the ruins and immediately discovered the vast temporary camp.
“Military presence? Looks like something unexpected really happened.”
Zhou Ming, travel-worn and dusty, lay prone on a low grassy hill, holding a High-powered Binocular as he observed the camp’s situation.
Through the binoculars, he could see more than a dozen Airships taking off and landing near the valley camp.
Armed soldiers disembarked from the descending airships, carrying heavy weapons and various supplies.
After a few glances, Zhou Ming stopped observing the organized military force ahead.
Though separated by a kilometer or two, with the military’s means, they might have already detected him—and Zhou Ming didn’t want to cause any misunderstanding.
Though he didn’t yet know the details within the valley camp, seeing people freely entering and exiting put him at ease.
He got up and began heading toward the camp, intending to understand the current situation.
With a black custom backpack on his back, Blood Hunter Type-1 Handgun and Thunder Type-2 Revolver strapped to his thighs, and the Inkband coiled over his left shoulder, Zhou Ming looked every bit like an ordinary hunter as he walked toward the camp gate.
As for Vermilion Jade and the serpent swarm, Zhou Ming had already recalled them into his Beast Space.
His arrival caused little stir.
The guards stationed at the camp gate merely gave him a few cursory glances—mostly because he was alone.
Without obstruction, Zhou Ming entered the valley camp smoothly.
Inside, he saw countless tents covering the entire valley, surrounded by hunters and Beast Tamers from various factions.
On both sides of the paths, all kinds of stalls were set up—not only selling Ferocious Beast materials, but also offering barbecue and even open-air bars.
Clearly, these Stall Owners were skilled people who could run businesses even in the wilderness.
Looking at the scene before him, Zhou Ming felt as though he had returned to the Hunter Guild’s market square, momentarily unable to guess what exactly had happened here.
“Brother, just arrived at the camp?”
After Zhou Ming had casually strolled around a few times, a strange voice called out from his right.
Turning his head, Zhou Ming saw a lean man with lively eyes smiling at him.
The man wore a Combat Suit, a Storm-series Rifle slung over his shoulder, and a pistol strapped to his right thigh.
Because the holster concealed most of it, Zhou Ming couldn’t identify the exact model—but the outfit was the standard look of a hunter.
“Something you need?”
Zhou Ming’s tone was mild as he returned the question.
Having just arrived and knowing nothing about the camp or the man’s background, Zhou Ming didn’t want unnecessary trouble over trivial matters.
“Hehe, judging by your look, brother, you must’ve just arrived. I was wondering if you’d like to know what’s going on around here.”
He added with a grin, “Just a small token will do.”
His fingers rubbed together—a universal gesture.
Glancing around, Zhou Ming said calmly, “You mean right here?”
“Of course not, brother. Please, let’s talk inside that tent over there.”
Seeing business at hand, the stranger’s tone became warmer, his smile even broader.
Zhou Ming didn’t hesitate.
Following the man into a nearby tent, he wasn’t worried about any schemes.
“Alright, tell me—how much is your ‘small token’ exactly?”
Inside a two-meter-high tent, Zhou Ming spoke first, wanting to confirm the price before anything else.
“Not much—one hundred thousand.”
As soon as the man said that, Zhou Ming turned to leave the tent.
“Hey, brother, the price is negotiable!”
“Ten thousand.”
Seeing the man trying to stop him, Zhou Ming turned and quoted his own price—removing a zero without hesitation.
“Brother, that’s too insincere.”
Hearing ten thousand, the man’s smile vanished instantly.
“I’m offering ten thousand for common knowledge around the camp. You think I can’t find that out myself?”
“This…”
The man hesitated.
He had hoped to fleece a newcomer, but apparently Zhou Ming wasn’t as naïve as he looked.
“Fine, ten thousand it is—call it drink money.”
Even a mosquito’s leg was still meat; a few words for ten thousand Alliance Coins wasn’t bad for an unexpected gain.
He then explained everything about the camp and the ruins.
After getting the information he wanted, Zhou Ming left the tent, leaving ten thousand Alliance Coins behind.
In the wilderness, card payments weren’t possible.
Most of this cash came from Hu Peng and the others—though not much, it was enough to cover the information fee.
“Good thing I didn’t give up halfway, or I would’ve missed this valuable opportunity!”
Walking out of the tent, Zhou Ming looked at the bustling crowd, his face showing satisfaction and a hint of relief—thankful he hadn’t made the wrong choice.
Now that he knew the details, Zhou Ming realized that his chance had arrived.
All he had to do now was wait for tomorrow and join the major factions in clearing out the beast hordes to earn his qualification to enter the ruins.
Finding a place that catered to lone wanderers and offered lodging, Zhou Ming paid more than the usual rate and got himself a temporary tent.
Having no intention to wander further, Zhou Ming stayed inside and quietly waited for the time to come.
At dawn the next day, he woke to a chorus of noise.
Still dressed, he checked his Firearms before heading toward the other side of the valley.
He wasn’t the only one—crowds filled the camp roads like a colony of moving ants.
Exiting the valley mouth, an open plain stretched ahead, packed with countless Beast Tamers and hunters—a sea of people.
Groups from different factions clustered together, while the lone wanderers like him scattered along the edges.
“Caw—!”
A sharp cry pierced the sky as a Gold-crowned Black-feathered Eagle, with a wingspan over ten meters, appeared above the crowd.
The moment the high-tier Phantasmal Beast appeared, the chatter below immediately ceased.
“Everyone, I am Zhang Yunfeng, representing all factions, here to make the rules clear in advance.”
A figure stood atop the eagle’s head, skipping formalities and going straight to the point.
His voice wasn’t loud, yet everyone present could hear him clearly—it was obvious he was using a special method.
Zhou Ming looked up at the man.
From the information he’d gathered, he knew this was the Third Elder of the Zhang Family of Yunhai, a High-rank Phantasmal Tamer who controlled wind-element energy particles.