Qi Ze was in desperate need of a suitable weapon. After several days of observation, he had come to understand that these monsters possessed not only the Demon Resistant Body but also incredible speed, strength, and defense. They could dodge incoming shells in the blink of an eye, tear apart mechs with their bare hands, and their green skin was tougher than hyperalloy. Killing them was no easy feat.
The majority of the Kurtans were killed instantly upon encountering the monsters, including many psychics, while martial artists seemed to fare better and became the primary group taking down the monsters. Things had already taken a turn for the worse, yet more despairing events continued to unfold. Not only did these monsters have superhuman physical attacks, but if they were infected psychics, they retained their original psychic level and abilities. It was a nightmare.
Within just two or three days, they had taken over the entire continent and even jumped into the sea, swimming toward other continents. It was only a matter of time before they conquered the entire planet.
The Imperial Star of the Kurt Empire was now completely paralyzed. The military dared not conduct large-scale bombardments for fear of accidentally killing survivors; they could only send in ground troops and mech units to rescue people on the streets. However, in every street battle, the Kurt Empire's forces failed to achieve victory and instead suffered heavy losses. The country was being devoured, and the situation would only worsen day by day.
To eliminate those monsters, magic wouldn't work; it required pure physical strength. Qi Ze looked down at his own small arms and legs, his expression indescribable. This was the awkwardness of an Artificer: they weren't afraid of magical duels or treasure battles, but they struggled with hand-to-hand combat.
He still needed to forge a suitable weapon, and it had to specifically counteract these monsters. As he walked and pondered, he arrived at the most densely populated area of monsters and stopped, hiding in a corner under the concealment of his Dharma Robe.
These monsters were extremely bloodthirsty. Whether it was their own kind or another species, as long as it was alive and breathing, they would pounce on it. Unless a higher-ranking member of their kind appeared to intimidate them, they would never cease their attacks. At that moment, several monsters were fighting each other. One emerged victorious, devouring the heart and brain of its fellow monster before quickly running away. As it ran, its tail doubled in length and thickness, secreting a black venom from the bone spike at its tip, which dripped onto the ground along its path.
Qi Ze waited for a moment, ensuring there was no movement around him, before stepping out to collect the scattered limbs and bones, stuffing them into a Cosmic Ring. He walked and collected, only returning to the villa when the sky turned completely dark. Cassio was still pouring psychic energy into the large jar, his face pale and green, looking terrible.
"Darling, you're finally back!" Seeing Qi Ze enter the living room, Cassio cried out in relief, "Come take a look quickly. This little monster is growing too fast, this jar can no longer contain it!" What was originally a football-sized ball of flesh had now filled the jar to the brim. Its tender tentacles reached out toward the jar's mouth but were blocked by an invisible energy barrier, causing some deformation. It squealed, clearly ravenous. More precisely, it was never not hungry. From the day it hatched, its mind was dominated by two thoughts: devouring and becoming stronger.
This characteristic was very similar to that of the Gluttonous Divine Beast, which was one of the reasons why Qi Ze was interested in it.
"Stop crying, I'll get you a new home right away," Qi Ze said, taking the jar, his tone laced with a hint of indulgence.
Cassio stole a glance at him, his expression indescribable. He wasn't sure whether there was something wrong with his aesthetics or with Qi Ze's. The latter seemed to really like this little monster, treating it like his own child. Wasn't it an eyesore?
Qi Ze took out a larger jar, dropped a drop of fresh blood inside, added the venom, then placed the meatball in it. The meatball let out a happy cry, stirring its little tentacles vigorously, instantly sucking up all the venom.
"Oh my God, you're going to cut it again, aren't you? You lied to me! You're not an Artificer, but an evil biochemist!" Cassio looked away, unable to bear the sight. Without even looking, he knew what Qi Ze was doing. Every time the meatball drank enough venom, Qi Ze would use a small knife to sever its tentacles, causing it to split into numerous new meatballs, resulting in a massacre. After the massacre, the meatballs often expanded several times in size. It was such a disgusting scene!
But Qi Ze didn't find it disgusting. To him, no matter what he was refining, the process was always interesting. After cutting the meatball's tentacles, he dumped all the limbs and bones from the Cosmic Ring into the jar. The newborn meatballs immediately stopped fighting and pounced on these fresh and delicious meals.
Seeing the remains of the monsters, Cassio couldn't sit still. Discovering that Qi Ze actually fed these creatures to bugs, he almost rushed out regardless of everything. It was too evil! This was truly too evil!
"Hold this jar and input psychic energy into it," Qi Ze showed no consideration for the prince's feelings, unceremoniously placing the large jar in his arms.
"No, no, I really can't do it!" Cassio refused with a distressed face.
"Then take off your mask and Dharma Robe and go out alone." Qi Ze looked down at him, "Do you know how those monsters came to be? Don't know? You can experience it firsthand once you're captured and taken to Dr. Kulun's laboratory."
Cassio, who was shaking his head continuously, immediately hugged the jar tightly, his voice trembling, "Okay, okay, I'll help you raise it. Compared to those monsters, your little meatball is more adorable."
Only then did Qi Ze reveal a satisfied expression, reminding him, "Sleep with it tonight. You're already an SSSS-level psychic, right? Can you circulate psychic energy while sleeping?"
"Yes." Cassio wanted to cry but had no tears. In his heart, he felt that Qi Ze's degree of evil could match that of Dr. Kulun.
"Good." Qi Ze walked into the bedroom, not turning back as he said, "Once you've cultivated Little Taotie, it can save your life. You'll thank it then."
Cassio didn't believe a word of it, holding the jar stiffly, not daring to look inside.
After Qi Ze closed the door, he opened his personal space, took out a green tripod cauldron, and threw in the fragments left behind after the fairy gu worm exploded on ME219 Planet. With his left hand, he drew out a strand of pure demonic qi, and with his right, a strand of pure fire element. He combined them by rubbing them together slightly, forming a black hetero-fire.
This hetero-fire was icy and bone-chilling, yet capable of burning everything. Soon, it turned the green tripod cauldron a bright red. The fragments left behind by the fairy gu worm weighed hundreds of thousands of tons, and when pieced together, they could occupy a large city. But the green tripod cauldron effortlessly swallowed them whole. The sizzling sound during the refinement process lasted throughout the night. The next morning, when the hetero-fire extinguished and the green tripod cooled down, Qi Ze reached in and took out a soft, sticky mass. Before it could harden from the cold, he immediately molded it into a long sword, both blade and handle in their initial forms, with the edge yet to be sharpened.
Artificery was not accomplished in a single moment. Qi Ze submerged the half-finished product in a hundred percent pure energy fluid before leaving.
"How's the little meatball?" He took out a nutrient solution from his Interspatial Button and tossed it to Cassio, who had dark circles under his eyes.
"It seems to have grown bigger," Cassio said painfully, "In another hour, you'll have to get it an even larger container. I must give you a piece of advice. If you want to properly raise it, you must find the largest container in the world for it. I'm very doubtful that it will ever stop growing."
"You don't have to doubt it. That's its nature, it will continue to grow." Qi Ze cheerfully announced a piece of bad news.
Cassio instantly slumped on the sofa.
After breakfast, one continued to feed the meatball while the other took out the unfinished long sword, meticulously polishing it and engraving restrictions, divine words, and spell arrays. Two days passed like this, and all the food in the villa and the Interspatial Button was consumed. Only then did they retract the spell arrays outside the courtyard and prepare to find another residence.
"Dear, your robe can conceal your figure and scent. Why not find an airship and leave here? Wherever you are, I believe you will surely live well. No matter how evil Dr. Kulun is, can he compare to you?" Cassio inadvertently spoke the truth.
Qi Ze stared straight ahead and said, "An enemy unavenged is not the way of a gentleman. Have you heard this saying?"
"I'm not very familiar with the culture of the Huaxia Empire." Cassio scratched his head apologetically.
"It means that if you have an enmity with someone, you must seek retribution; otherwise, you're unworthy of being called a gentleman. I could indeed leave, but how can I avenge the grudge against Dr. Kulun? Until this grudge is settled, I will never be able to let it go." Qi Ze looked steadily at Cassio and said coldly, "I must kill that Spatial Psychic and Kulun. Do you understand?"
"Understood, understood!" Cassio felt uneasy, secretly vowing not to provoke Qi Ze.
They walked through several blocks without finding any food. The shops along the street had long been looted by survivors, and the military had promptly transferred large quantities of supplies. Scattered survivors who wanted to survive had to head to the safety bases set up by the government. The Eye of Heaven surveillance system spread across the city was continuously broadcasting announcements, informing survivors of the nearby bases and the safest routes to take.
"Should we act separately or go to the base?" Cassio was indecisive.
"Let's see as we go." Those monsters were naturally drawn to places with more people, and although Qi Ze didn't want to join the base, he planned to walk past it, scavenging more food for the meatball.
They found a shop to rest in. Just as they sat down and were about to set up defensive spell arrays, the metal door was removed, and a man with a robust physique and handsome features walked in, followed by five or six others.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Cassio immediately stood up to shield Qi Ze, but he didn't dare to use his Dark Psychic Ability. He was like a fat target; the monsters would swarm him at the slightest whiff of dark elements, tearing him to shreds.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't get excited. We're just looking for a place to rest." The man put the door back in place and flattened the hinges and lock with his palm. This way, the door couldn't be opened from either side unless it was forcibly removed.
"Yeah! This store sells jewelry, so the door is made very thick, and the security measures are good. Otherwise, we wouldn't have come in to disturb you." The teenager standing behind the muscular man further explained. The others sat down at a spot far from Qi Ze, their faces bearing expressions of vigilance.
"Are you an SSSS-level martial artist?" Cassio stared at the muscular man.
"What does it have to do with you? You're not thinking of relying on us, are you?" Before the man could speak, a beautiful woman rushed over. She seemed very worried about adding two more people to their group and tugged at the man, "Feng, they are both ordinary people, you absolutely cannot shelter them. Who knows when we'll be dragged down to our deaths by them, they're completely useless!"
"Miss, I didn't ask you to shelter us, you're worrying too much." Following Qi Ze, Cassio felt incredibly safe and had no intention of going with these unknown people. If it weren't for the fact that the man was a rare high-level martial artist, he wouldn't have asked that question.
Feng was a straightforward person and waved his hand. "Since I have the ability, bringing two more people along is fine. You guys are heading to the nearest safety base, right? We're on the same route."
"No, no, no, we can go ourselves." Cassio wanted to refuse, but when he saw the two nutrient solutions the teenager took out from his Interspatial Button, he immediately fell silent, "Thank you, we really need food." His cheeks flushed red as he accepted the nutrient solutions and no longer mentioned going alone.
The woman who came to intervene was so angry she stomped her feet, but she couldn't refute Feng and sat back down angrily. Immediately, two men surrounded her to comfort her, speaking condescendingly about the new members. They were either psychics or martial artists. Even if they couldn't fight, they could still play a significant role in daily life and naturally rejected the joining of ordinary people.
It didn't matter to Qi Ze who he went with. After thanking Feng, he summoned Cassio over and instructed, "My nutrient solution is also for you. Help me hold the little ball." Without a trace, he set up an isolating spell array around himself to prevent the scent of dark elements from leaking out.
"Do I, have to hold it again?" Cassio couldn't deny that the main reason for joining this team was not for the food but to escape feeding the little meatball. Such an evil monster, Qi Ze couldn't possibly take it out in broad daylight, right? But he didn't expect that Qi Ze simply didn't care about other people's opinions.
"You can drink your nutrient solution yourself. I'll help you hold it." Cassio pushed away the nutrient solution, accepting his fate as he took the large jar that Qi Ze pulled out from his Interspatial Button. Although he was a prince, he had excellent character and none of the rotten habits of the privileged class.
Qi Ze could already abstain from food and drink, so eating or not didn't matter. Still, he accepted this kindness. He put the nutrient solution into his Interspatial Button and stored it for Cassio. They sat side by side, one holding the large jar and inputting psychic energy while the other took out the long sword to polish it.
Feng was very interested in the large jar but only glanced at it, asking no more questions. He pointed to his teammates and introduced them one by one, "This is An, my brother, also a martial artist. This is William, a water psychic. With him, we don't have to worry about drinking water. This is Allen, a gold psychic. He can strengthen our housing for us. This is Sanchez, a fire psychic. Lighting, boiling water, cooking, everything relies on him. And this is Lily, a healing psychic. If you're injured, you can go to her."
Lily was the woman who protested earlier. She snorted coldly, determined not to waste her psychic ability on two people who were bound to die. Allen and Sanchez were her admirers, indifferent and merely nodded their heads. An and William sincerely said, "Welcome," and added self-deprecatingly, "In the past, psychics were the pride of heaven, receiving the best treatment. But now, aside from helping Feng a bit in daily life, we're actually a burden."
"Who said I'm a burden? Without me, you would have died hundreds of times already." Lily arrogantly spoke up.
"Of course, Lily is the treasure of our team." Allen flattered.
Sanchez spoke unhappily, "Feng, make it clear. Since you brought these two in, you're responsible for their safety. We won't be their babysitters."
"We don't need anyone to be responsible for us." Cassio immediately helped Feng out of the predicament. He dejectedly realized that his psychic ability was the most useless. Not only was it useless in daily life, but it also made the monsters stronger. Even if he revealed his identity as a psychic, he probably wouldn't be accepted but would be even more disliked.
Seeing that Cassio seemed very upset, Feng comforted him gently, "Don't worry, I'll safely escort you to the base. I belong to the First Brigade of the Ground Forces and am ordered to search and rescue survivors. You are my responsibility in the first place."
"What about your teammates?" Cassio looked around and didn't think Lily and the others were soldiers. Compared to Feng, they were worlds apart.
Feng's eyes reddened slightly, and he said hoarsely, "They all sacrificed themselves, but please rest assured. As long as there is one person left in our First Brigade, we will definitely complete this mission. Rest well, the journey ahead will not be easy."
Cassio thought of his guards and mech forces who sacrificed themselves for him and couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat. He had no ambition and thus had always stayed away from struggles. This disaster was the greatest calamity he had encountered in his life, and it made him understand what it meant to be a member of the royal family.
He must kill that Spatial Psychic and Dr. Kulun, he must! He gritted his teeth secretly. The amount of dark elements he poured into the jar unknowingly increased, making the meatball emit joyful cries.
"What is that?" Lily quickly approached, looking into the jar without permission, and then screamed in horror, "Oh my God, what on earth is this thing? It's disgusting!"
"A little pet, stay away if you find it disgusting." Qi Ze carved the blade while casually speaking.
"I've never seen such a disgusting pet! Where did you get it? I warn you, if you still want to follow us, throw it away immediately! I don't want to see it!" Lily shrieked hysterically, only stopping when scolded by Feng. Her face was red with anger, and she frequently covered her mouth and gagged.
"This team belongs to Feng, not you. You have no right to expel anyone. If you can't tolerate it, then leave." Cassio was highly repulsed by Lily's sharp personality.
"I'm a healing psychic. If I leave, you will all die! Feng, tell me who should leave and who should stay?" Lily asked forcefully.
"Feng, think it through carefully." Allen warned vaguely.
"Shut up! It's true that we need healing psychics, but I don't think we'll die without Lily. If you can't tolerate the new members, then leave. I'll leave you a flying car and some food. I'm a soldier, and I'm responsible for rescuing survivors. But if the survivors don't cooperate, I have no obligation to beg you to follow my arrangements." Feng glanced at An, who immediately took out a bag of food, his expression relaxed and relieved. He had long had enough of Lily and the others! If the addition of the two new members could get them to leave, it would be a great thing!
Lily hesitated to accept the bag, her face alternately red and green, looking terrible. Her psychic ability was indeed very useful, but her combat power was negative. Allen and Sanchez combined couldn't compare to Feng alone. Joining their team gave no sense of security. They might be torn to pieces by monsters the moment they stepped out.
"Sorry, Feng, I was scared and spoke nonsense. Please don't hold it against me." She waved her hand and forced a smile, "I'll follow your arrangements."
"Do you really not want to leave? Really?" An repeatedly asked her.
"Yes, we are a collective. We can't abandon anyone." Lily said beautifully.
"Okay then." An took back the food, looking very regretful. William also sighed mournfully, murmuring, "Why didn't you leave? What a pity!"
They didn't bother to hide their reactions, making Lily both embarrassed and furious but unable to vent. Seeing this scene, Cassio' bad mood improved, and when he looked at the meatball again, he no longer found it disgusting but began to feed it seriously.
Qi Ze didn't spare Lily a single glance from beginning to end, only focusing on polishing the long sword in his hand. Feng was thoughtful but didn't ask more questions. Their greatest enemy was those monsters, not their fellow humans. Even if they had doubts, they could wait until the disaster was over to inquire. Nevertheless, these two were definitely not ordinary people. As they walked, their shoes remained clean of dust, and their clothes free of dirt. Without genuine abilities, they couldn't have achieved this.
Thus, the group set off together. Since all the survivors had gone to the bases, the monsters followed, leaving the abandoned city relatively safer. Along the way, they didn't encounter high-level monsters. The low-level monsters were always successfully defeated through Feng and An's coordinated efforts. Each time this happened, Qi Ze would pick up the monster's corpse and throw it to the meatball for a snack. The meatball's home had long been replaced with a container with spatial properties, appearing only as big as a hug on the surface but containing a vast space within.
Lily detested the meatball immensely. Hearing Cassio say that it could eventually kill monsters, she mocked and attacked it with all sorts of vicious words, embarrassing Cassio to the point where he couldn't lift his head. But he had already gotten used to feeding the meatball with his psychic ability and held it every day, even when sleeping.
Qi Ze's long sword had been polished and completed. After remelting it once, he consecrated the spirit, attached the spirit, mixed in his own essence blood, and sharpened the blade, making it usable.
That day, the team finally left the city center and moved closer to the safety base. But their luck seemed to run out. On a pile of ruins not far away, a high-level monster with a double-horned head, bone spines on its back, and a thick, long tail stood there. Its icy vertical pupils fixed on the two flying cars before leaping and landing on the one where Lily was.