Chapter Seventy-One: The Unknown World

The fat man slapped Cheng Zhi on the back, annoyed that he’d acted first.
“A double-yolked egg, now that’s impressive—first time absorbing energy, and you’ve already leveled up. Still, we should keep our heads down; I heard something happened at another base. It’s better to stay low-profile for now!”
Zhou Yi nodded.
It seemed the fat man and Cheng Zhi were quite adept at eavesdropping, and besides, Valdenay hadn’t bothered to hide the matter. Dividing the spoils wasn’t shameful, as long as you didn’t do it in an obnoxious way.
Zhou Yi shot the two of them a warning look.
“I’m glad you understand. Let’s get some rest. We’ve already attracted enough attention at the base. Everyone’s watching us, so I expect another mission will be assigned soon!”
The fat man hunched his shoulders, realizing he’d said too much, and quickly nodded. Cheng Zhi also stowed away his grin. Zhou Yi returned to his room. Despite his dislike for the capsule bed, he had nowhere else to sleep, so he climbed in and lay down.
Valdenay had gone off to claim new territory—a matter of acting fast or missing out. For now, the focus on both the base and himself would lessen, which was just as well.
As for Cheng Zhi, the boy had a special sensitivity to spirit stones, even stronger than Zhou Yi’s own. After his awakening, he’d managed to protect himself when both the hunters and the chosen ones found him—no ordinary mental fortitude.
Though their pact was now sealed and Zhou Yi couldn’t sense Cheng Zhi’s thoughts directly, he could tell from next door that the boy was relaxed.
The fat man’s presence was even more tangible; maybe it was because of their shared world. Zhou Yi could even sense the fat man’s hunger at the moment. He chuckled and left them to their own devices.
He closed his eyes, thinking of Sophia.
Ever since that first world where he’d awakened—after the prison break, when he met Sophia—he’d felt a strange sense of familiarity with her, as if she were an old friend of many years, though he couldn’t say why.
After kidnapping Sophia and recounting so many details in the bunker, that feeling grew even stronger.
So, he believed most of what she said—except when it came to spirit stones. In World 2000, there were just too many of them; everyone’s eyes widened when they received their energy points at the base.
This time, by capturing two extra hunters, they’d obtained another spirit stone, and Zhou Yi himself received thirty percent of the energy points—a rare feat. In other words, these spirit stones and their energy were the most valuable things in this real world.
In the next world, he’d have to keep a low profile—seek out spirit stones and hunt as many hunters as possible.
That way, he could build up energy, and ideally help the fat man and Cheng Zhi level up as well, making his own group stronger. After all, loyal slaves were far more reliable than random recruits.
Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes, reflecting back to when he first woke up—Valdenay had simply siphoned off his energy to reach level three.
That meant, at level two, he could already own a base, even if a small one. Otherwise, Valdenay wouldn’t have been so eager to scavenge.
According to Sophia, the other six groups had abilities only slightly higher than his after suppression.
They were arrogant and self-important, unlikely to level up, so they were treated as expendables and sent to Base 72. Clearly, Valdenay’s ability to control his emotions, accumulate quietly, and work for advancement was the key; otherwise, one would always be at the mercy of others.
If he could own a base himself and find a way to acquire a mission world like 2000, he’d truly establish his footing.
At that thought, Zhou Yi smiled.
His mood lightened, and the frustration of being under someone else’s roof faded. If he lacked ability, he’d simply hide it well—when he was ready, it would never be too late.
…
By noon the next day, Zhou Yi had just finished a lunch that resembled nutrient solution when his wrist control panel lit up and Natasha’s figure appeared.
After nearly being caught off-guard last time, Zhou Yi instinctively checked his clothes at the sight of Natasha. Satisfied that he was presentable, he let out a faint sigh of relief.
“Mr. Zhou Yi of Group Eight, Vice-Lord Sophia has just assigned you a new mission. Please bring your two slaves and follow me to Mission Hall Three.”
Zhou Yi quickly grabbed a towel, wiped the water from his face and hands, tossed the towel into the bathtub, and nodded at Natasha.
“Alright, we’ll be right there. By the way, is Mr. Valdenay back yet?”
Natasha smiled and shook her head.
“Yesterday, Mr. Valdenay took over twenty people from Groups One to Four to another base. There’s no message as to when they’ll return. Is there anything else, Mr. Zhou Yi?”
Zhou Yi shook his head.
“No, I’ll bring my people now.”
Natasha vanished instantly. Zhou Yi was surprised—Valdenay had taken four entire groups with him. There were only eight groups at Base 72; two had lost members, so seven remained. Three groups stayed behind, four went to seize territory. Who knew how large that base was for Valdenay to risk so much?
Tsk tsk, not a pretty sight.
Zhou Yi shook his head. Now was not the time to resist; he’d do what he was told. After all, he didn’t lose out—he genuinely wanted to enter a mission world. There, he could do a little work on the side, and if he found something, all the better. If not, it would at least be training for his water and metal abilities.
By now, Zhou Yi had reached the fat man and Cheng Zhi’s door. As he pushed it open, the two of them immediately stood up.
“Boss!”
“Sir!”
Zhou Yi didn’t bother correcting them. It seemed there were no rules on titles at the base—group leader or any term you fancied was acceptable.
“Let’s go. We have a new mission.”
Both men looked excited. The fat man genuinely craved more energy points, hoping to impress Cheng Zhi and assert his status as senior disciple.
Cheng Zhi, meanwhile, knew Zhou Yi wanted to collect spirit stones in these mission worlds, so his priority was to keep his mouth shut.
Without further words, the two followed Zhou Yi to Mission Hall Three. Inside, only Sophia awaited; none of the white-robed servants were present.
Zhou Yi was a little surprised. Usually, only Carter would take people to the Time City to transfer hunters and spirit stones. Why was there no one here now?
“Vice-Lord.”
“Come and take a look.”
Sophia nodded, glanced at the three of them, and tapped her wrist console. A map appeared on the large screen.
“Previously, there were no Asians at this base. So although Mr. Valdenay took over this world, no one was ever sent to inspect it. Now that we’re to take charge of a new mission world, it’s time to do some cleaning up.
I’ve decided to send your Group Eight to investigate. The base can’t sense this world at all; all we know is that it was once occupied by the hunters for a while, then sealed.
By now, it’s been assigned to Base 72 for ten years. We don’t know if the hunters left any passageways in that world—everything is unknown. Do you accept?”
Sophia was looking at Zhou Yi. Clearly, she wanted his opinion. In a world full of unknowns, danger and opportunity went hand in hand.
But Zhou Yi heard something between the lines. If this world couldn’t be sensed by the base, did that mean he wouldn’t be restricted in his actions there?
He glanced at Sophia, noticing her gaze lingered on his wrist.
That confirmed it—while Valdenay was away, this was a rare chance to act freely.
“I accept. But since the base can’t monitor it, how do we enter? We can’t send in duplicates, can we?”
Sophia nodded.
“That’s where the danger lies. You’ll have to go in person, which will let you use your powers to the fullest. But if you die there, you can’t be transferred back to the base. Do you understand?”
Zhou Yi glanced at the fat man and Cheng Zhi beside him—neither hesitated, both looking eager for action.
“I understand. It’s just like when I went to the 2015 mission world, isn’t it?”