"So, rather than press for these Energy Stones now, it would be better to open our minds and treat this place as a reservoir of them. We don't need to exhaust ourselves trying to obtain them at this very moment. Remember, after any horror movie world is completed, the squad members can use points to re-enter it. The two other teams will not appear in that specific horror world again. Therefore, if we can build good relationships with the Elves and the local plot characters now, we can later exchange for this world's specialties—Energy Stones, Mithril, or any other unique materials—using items redeemed from the 'Main God,' instead of being greedy right now. Our current objective is to secure the 'Influence' of this realm, ensuring our early entry orchestrated by Fei Keshou wasn't in vain."

These were Chu Xuan’s exact words, and everyone knew he was right. Their current great enemies were the strengthening plot characters, the hordes of minions, and two even more terrifying teams waiting for them. In short, now was truly not the time to covet Energy Stones. However, despite saying this, the resting members couldn't help but cast glances at the abundance of Energy Stones surrounding them; merely describing it as extravagance wouldn't suffice.

Since the evening hours were open, the members of the three teams conferred. Operating as three distinct units, they decided to explore or search this city, hoping to uncover any side quests or key plot items. With nothing else pressing, it was better to utilize this time.

Such a stroll could also serve as a form of rest.

There wasn't much to report regarding the veteran members of the three Reincarnation Squads. They were extremely safe within the Elven city, and discussing mere leisure topics would hardly pique the readers' interest. So, we shall turn the page and shift the lens to the newcomers of the three squads.

The three Reincarnation Squads comprised seven veterans and seventeen newcomers: four from the Central Continent team, six from the North Ice Continent team, and six from the South Flame Continent team.

A total of twenty-four individuals. Ever since separating from the main forces of the Reincarnation Squads at Rivendell, these twenty-four had been making their way toward the Rohan Gate along the main path. Although the combat strength of these twenty-four was concerning, they carried no Rings, and being west of the Rohan Gate—still within the sphere of influence of the Elves and Humans—they had remained quite safe on their journey.

Because these twenty-four were following the conventional route, walking from Rivendell to the Rohan Gate normally required about forty days, or roughly thirty days even when pushing hard daily. Thus, they were still mid-journey. The scenery along the way was unparalleled, and since this world absolutely lacked environmental pollution or excessive deforestation, the beauty had utterly captivated the newcomers. Their trek felt more like a tour.

In stark contrast to the newcomers' ease, the seven veterans were perpetually on edge. The least experienced among them, the one from the North Ice Continent team, had only survived three horror movie worlds. Even he understood that the "Main God" would never allow them an easy world for point farming. This world appeared serene now, but they had no idea how they might meet their end.

Furthermore, the members of the Central Continent team, including Ba Wang, developed high fevers while traveling. Yet, the fever came fast and left just as quickly. After Ba Wang and the others recovered from their fevers, they had, without realizing it, unlocked the first stage of the Gene Lock. This seemed to be the effect of the T-virus original solution manufactured by Chu Fei Keshou.

Although there was a slight discrepancy in the timing, the effect remained unchanged.

It allowed them to unlock the first stage of the Gene Lock, and Ba Wang and the others noticed subtle improvements in their strength and reaction time, though the specific results weren't as pronounced as those from Dragon Blood.

Then came the encounter between Hao Tian and the four veterans of the Central Continent team. This occurred five days into their journey. He, accompanied by Ling Dian and three others, arrived at a large open field. He then smiled at the four and said, "Although it's a bit bothersome... let's reintroduce ourselves. The 'Immortal and Thief' duo. I am 'Immortal' Hao Tian... cough, it seems you don't recognize me."

Ling Dian and the other three frowned, staring strangely at Hao Tian. The young man also seemed somewhat troubled. He laughed heartily and said, "Let me put it this way... I am a thief who specializes in stealing valuable items—scientific technology, even people... If it's precious and difficult to obtain, it becomes my target. My collaborator and I steal countless valuables in the real world. The 'Immortal and Thief' gang is our nickname..." Luo Gandao interjected, "And how does that concern us? No matter how powerful or influential you are in the real world, once you enter this world, you are just struggling to survive. Does being a thief instantly make you a super-strong individual?" "That’s not what I meant, Tualai..." Hao Tian scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly. After laughing for a while, he composed himself and said, "Back to the main point. I was just reintroducing myself. What I mean to say is... Chu Xuan has a mission for us."

Hearing Chu Xuan’s name, the expressions of Ling Dian and the four immediately changed. In particular, one among them had previously suffered a significant loss due to Chu Xuan’s scheme; if Zheng Zha hadn't supported him, that person would have been dead back in the Starship Troopers world.

"Chu Xuan's mission is..." Hao Tian’s memory flashed back to the first time Chu Xuan sought him out for a private talk. When Chu Xuan uttered his entire thief group's moniker with his first breath, even calling out his real name, Hao Tian was shocked. If not for the environment they were in, he would have instantly killed Chu Xuan.

"There's no need for such hostility towards me. You shouldn't have forgotten, right? Your file was archived in the Ninth Year of the National Security Bureau. Coincidentally, I have the authority and the habit of rapidly reviewing such archives, so I am quite familiar with your file... You are the improved genetic modification, created a year and a half after the first-generation genetically modified humans were born? Unlike the first generation that tried to modify extensive genes aiming to create the ultimate evolving entity beyond human limits, the second generation only modified the necessary genes as required. Unfortunately, the mortality rate remained extremely high. Among the twenty-odd survivors, you are the only one without negative side effects from the genetic modification..." Hao Tian looked silently at the unremarkable young man before him and stated coldly, "Who are you... I give you thirty seconds."

"The first-generation genetically modified human... the only survivor. My name is Chu Xuan..." Hao Tian was also a genetically modified human, but he had only two genes modified: intelligence and telekinesis. The purpose was to grant him sufficient intellect and combat ability. He was the only one among the second generation to survive without adverse side effects, thus living past twenty years old.

Hao Tian's creation mission was simple: he was engineered purely for theft—recovering lost Chinese treasures, information from illicit international channels, and even technology. Since such operations could not be done openly, no official Chinese organization listed Hao Tian's existence. He appeared as someone without origin, the only proof of his background being a thin sheet of text in the Ninth Division of the Ministry of State Security.

"Because of your intelligence and combat capabilities, we never provided you with any support, other than intelligence. Yet, you completed countless impossible missions. Only later did we discover you had a partner, the 'Immortal and Thief' duo. 'Immortal' is you, hence why you named yourself Hao Tian, meaning 'Emperor of Immortals.' What about Adam? That person called the ancestor of God, what is his background?" Chu Xuan asked indifferently. Hao Tian scratched his head wryly, "The rule among us is not to inquire about each other's origins; that is how we survive... Colonel Chu Xuan, I never expected it to be you. I didn't think you would enter this world too. In the collaborations we had, you were the only one, besides Adam, who truly convinced me. Without your schemes, I likely would have died somewhere long ago..." Chu Xuan nodded. "I have two questions: One, Adam's whereabouts. Two, the method you used to get here... You can lie to me about Adam's location, but given your personality and your body free of genetic side effects, it’s improbable you would enter this world voluntarily. Tell me how you got in." Hao Tian scratched his head again. "I was tracking Adam to get in... more accurately, Adam vanished into thin air inside a secret room—a truly sealed room. Even with intelligence comparable to yours, Adam, I couldn't figure out how he left. So, I could only investigate the possibility that he disappeared within that room. A laptop had fallen onto the floor..." "And then?" Hao Tian waved his hand. "The result? I checked the surveillance recording from that room—it was one of Adam's habits; he constantly observed his own abnormal behavior. In short, I saw him click 'YES' on the laptop screen and disappear from the room. I then tried to find the program for that 'YES,' but there were absolutely no residual traces. After that, I used the computer to search for similar cases in countries worldwide. The result... I found that message you sent them in China’s largest military base archive... Wait, you are asking about Adam's whereabouts—do you intend to kill him?" Chu Xuan nodded. "Precisely. A dangerous individual like that, if allowed to live, is far too perilous... So, that's the basic situation. Now, I will tell you my plan, and what you need to do is..." Jump to