Cultivation Online

A hundred million years... a billion years... ten billion years... a hundred billion years...

Yuan’s Eternal Essence soared as he wreaked havoc across the Purple Zone, annihilating every Void Specter in his path while absorbing the energy contained within the thousands of Unknown Ores scattered throughout the land.

However, such rapid growth did not occur over the span of merely a few days. Even at Yuan’s pace, it still required several weeks of relentless effort.

Of course, the Scorpion Squad followed him the entire time.

’This guy... he’s not human!’ Captain Chen clenched his fists tightly, desperately trying to suppress the trembling in his body.

’Chen... It’s obvious now that he truly intends to enter the Black Zone,’ one of the members remarked. ’Maybe we should... head back to the base?’

’I agree with Mung. At this point, I don’t see any reason to keep following him. Hell, I don’t even think we’ll be able to ambush him!’

Captain Chen pondered for a moment before responding, ’We’ll keep following him until he enters the Black Zone.’

The others exchanged concerned looks.

’I know what all of you are thinking—and I feel the same way. I’m afraid of him too... but at the same time, I can’t help feeling curious. I want to see what other secrets he’s still hiding.’

Captain Chen turned to look at them and continued, ’It won’t be too long before we reach the Black Zone. Moreover, it’s clear that he isn’t aware of our presence.’

A few days later, Yuan slowed down when he noticed that the purple mist had darkened so much that it had turned black.

’Am I in the Black Zone?’ he wondered.

He examined the black mist a moment later.

’Oh?’

Although it was not by much, his Chaotic Essence had improved slightly after absorbing the mist!

Meanwhile, Captain Chen and the others finally stopped following Yuan.

’He’s really entering the Black Zone.’

’I’ve been watching him for the last several weeks, but I still cannot fathom his actions.’

’There’s no point thinking about it. Let’s go back and report his death.’

Thus, the Scorpion Squad turned around and began their journey back to the city.

As they traveled, they couldn’t help but feel that, all things considered, the situation had turned out far better than they had anticipated, especially after they’d been exposed. After all, Yuan could’ve returned to the city after learning of their schemes, but for some reason, he decided to enter the Black Zone on his own.

The Scorpion Squad had expected a smooth journey back to the city. However, a week later, while they were still traveling through the Purple Zone, they encountered something completely unexpected—or rather, someone.

’I-Isn’t that the Ironwoman?! To think we’d encounter her out here! How unlucky!’ Captain Chen cried inwardly after seeing her.

’Chen! What should we do?! Should we just ignore her?’ one of the members asked anxiously.

’No. Greet her normally, then leave as quickly as possible.’

The Scorpion Squad approached the Ironwoman and her squad, who had already come to a stop after noticing their presence and were now watching them closely.

Once they were close enough, Captain Chen and the others greeted them.

"We greet the Ironwoman and the Stellar Squad!"

The Ironwoman nodded in acknowledgment before asking, "Are you returning from a mission?"

"Y-Yes, we are," Captain Chen replied, unable to hide his surprise at the question. The Ironwoman was well known for minding her own business, so he hadn’t expected her to show any interest in them.

The Ironwoman fell silent.

"Then, if you’ll excuse us—"

Just as Captain Chen and the others prepared to leave, the Ironwoman spoke again, "Where do you think you’re going?"

Captain Chen’s movements instantly froze at the sound of her cold tone.

"Excuse me?" he turned to look at her.

"Is this all of you?" she then asked.

"Yes." Captain Chen nodded.

Despite his seemingly calm demeanor, Captain Chen’s back was already drenched in cold sweat. The Ironwoman hadn’t said much, but she had said enough for him to realize that her appearance—and their encounter—was no mere coincidence.

"That’s funny."

"Why would it be funny?" Captain Chen frowned.

"You see... before coming out here, I heard that your squad had secretly brought a new soldier out on a mission."

The Ironwoman scanned the members with a cold gaze before continuing, "So, where is this soldier? Surely, you didn’t leave a mere corporal who’d just joined the military behind in the Purple Zone."

Captain Chen subconsciously clenched his fists.

’Fuck! To think they’d send the Ironwoman to search for Corporal Yuan!’ he cried inwardly, realizing that he’d underestimated how important Yuan was to General Mei.

However, Captain Chen quickly replied, "There must be some kind of misunderstanding. We didn’t bring anyone who wasn’t supposed to be out here with us."

"That’s right!" Captain Dung added. "What you heard was nothing more than a baseless rumor. Unless you personally saw us bringing this corporal out here, you shouldn’t be making such accusations!"

The Ironwoman merely shrugged. "The gate guards have already admitted what happened, and they’re willing to testify that they saw you use the teleporter with Corporal Yuan."

Captain Chen narrowed his eyes. "For argument’s sake, even if we did bring Corporal Yuan out here, it wouldn’t be against the rules. As officers, we have every right and authority to take soldiers with us on missions."

"You’re right. It isn’t against the rules," the Ironwoman replied. "However, his safety would then be your responsibility. If he dies under your supervision, you’ll have to answer for your negligence and failure to protect him. And, of course, we’d also have to investigate whether his death was truly accidental."

"Anyway, Scorpion Squad, you’re under arrest on suspicion of conspiring against a fellow soldier. Are you going to surrender peacefully, or do you want to make this difficult?"

Captain Chen glanced at the others before slowly raising his hands in surrender. The rest of the Scorpion Squad followed suit without resistance.

Even if they chose to fight, they stood no chance against the Stellar Squad—much less the Ironwoman, who was more than capable of defeating all of them by herself.

"Arrest them." The Ironwoman commanded, and her squad swiftly restricted their movements and cultivation with a golden chain.

"Take them back to the city. I’ll stay out here for a little longer," said the Ironwoman.

"Yes, squad leader."

Her squadmates had complete faith in her abilities and did not question her decision to remain behind and venture through the Purple Zone alone.

Once the Stellar Squad departed with the Scorpion Squad in custody, the Ironwoman turned toward the direction they had come from and flew off.

’The chances of Corporal Yuan still being alive are slim...’ The Ironwoman had realized this the moment she saw that he wasn’t with the Scorpion Squad.

Even so, an inexplicable feeling in her gut urged her to keep searching.

A few days later, the Ironwoman arrived at the border between the Purple Zone and the Black Zone.

"..."

She hovered silently in the air, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Throughout the past few days of travel, she had noticed a disturbing lack of Void Specters. No, it would be more accurate to say that they were completely absent.

’I’ve never seen the Purple Zone this quiet before... Just what the hell happened here?’

However, that wasn’t even the strangest part.

The Ironwoman lowered her gaze toward the ground, where thousands of Unknown Ores lay scattered openly across the barren landscape.

It was such a bizarre sight that she could only imagine seeing something like it in a dream.

The Ironwoman scratched her head, utterly bewildered by the situation before her.

Eventually, she decided to stop dwelling on it and entered the Black Zone, where the trail of Unknown Ores continued into the distance like bait deliberately laid out to lure unsuspecting prey.

Unsurprisingly, the Black Zone was no different. Not a single Void Specter could be sensed anywhere, as though some unknown force had swept through the region and completely eradicated them.

One day... three days... five days...

Time passed quickly, and after nearly an entire week of following the trail of Unknown Ores, the Ironwoman suddenly came to a halt when she sensed an immensely powerful presence in the distance.

The moment she detected it, she immediately increased her speed and rushed toward its source, which also happened to be where the trail ended.

"T-That’s..."

Her eyes widened beneath her mask, filled with shock and disbelief as she stared at the lone figure standing at the end of the trail.

"C-Corporal Yuan?!" she cried out in disbelief.

Hearing her voice, Yuan turned around to face her.

"You are..." He quickly recognized her.

"What are you doing out here alone?! And what the hell is up with the Unknown Ores on the ground?!" the Ironwoman asked as she slowly approached him, unable to suppress the faint wariness she felt toward his presence.

"I..."

Yuan hesitated, unsure how to respond.

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