"Calamity seed?"
Cheng Xing heard another unfamiliar term, but from the solemn expression on Su Yanran's face, he could tell that this item was extremely dangerous.
"We will meet again."
Ling Zhong didn't waste words. He gave Cheng Xing a deep look, then crushed the black sphere in his hand.
As the black sphere shattered, a heart-palpitating energy wave instantly spread outwards.
Having done this, Ling Zhong unhurriedly retreated, melting into the shadows of the mall.
Seeing this, Cheng Xing was about to give chase but was pulled back by Su Yanran.
"Everyone, quickly pack your things and return to the base!"
Su Yanran didn't explain immediately. Instead, she shouted to the remaining Hackclaw Squad.
Everyone in the Hackclaw Squad looked at each other, and it was only after seeing Cheng Xing nod that they quickly collected all the spoils of war on the ground at the fastest speed.
A minute later, Su Yanran led everyone directly towards the South China Base.
Cheng Xing didn't press for answers. If Su Yanran was willing to give up chasing Ling Zhong, then the upcoming matter must be far more important than pursuing a Fallen.
Ever since he met Su Yanran, Cheng Xing realized that this world was far less simple than he had imagined.
First, there was the Awakener Management Bureau, then the calamity seed; there were too many things he didn't know.
Thinking of this, a faint light flickered in Cheng Xing's eyes, as if he was deep in thought.
...
"Wait a moment, I left something here. Is there enough time?"
The group moved very quickly, and soon they arrived at the edge of the L Town Disaster Area. As they passed a relatively intact tall building, Cheng Xing suddenly spoke.
"There's enough time, but if it's not something valuable, then forget about it."
Su Yanran was stunned for a moment, checked the time, and said subconsciously.
After getting the answer he wanted, Cheng Xing quickly borrowed a few unused large backpacks from the Hackclaw Squad and rushed into the tall building.
A minute later, Cheng Xing emerged from the tall building with large and small bags.
Through the unzipped zippers, everyone saw the backpacks filled with Disaster Beasts materials and more than a dozen pieces of equipment.
If all these things were sold, they would probably be worth millions.
Su Yanran couldn't help but widen her almond-shaped eyes. With so much equipment and materials, it was hard to tell if he was here to level up or to stock up.
"Could this guy really have an SSS-grade talent?"
...
"Help me carry these. I'll give you 10% when we get back."
After Cheng Xing brought out the items, he raised his hand and gestured to the Hackclaw Squad.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the Hackclaw Squad's eyes lit up, and they scrambled forward to help carry the load.
It was then that they realized how satisfying it was to cling to a strong leg and win effortlessly.
After packing up all the spoils, they no longer lingered and rushed back to the base at top speed.
While in L Town, Cheng Xing had already sensed that something was amiss. All the Disaster Beasts in L Town were frantically rushing towards one place.
This place was the mall.
They even encountered Mad Rabbit several times on their way out, but they didn't even look at them.
After leaving the Disaster Area, Su Yanran visibly relaxed. At the same time, batches of troops appeared in their sight.
Seeing so many base troops, the Hackclaw Squad was startled. They had never seen so many base troops mobilized collectively.
The base troops quickly discovered Cheng Xing and his group and swiftly approached to inquire. When Su Yanran showed a certain credential, an officer emerged from the ranks.
After verification, he respectfully escorted Su Yanran away, leaving only Cheng Xing and his group.
"Sister Su isn't in trouble, is she?"
The Hackclaw Squad looked at the surrounding base troops and couldn't help but worry.
"Don't worry, these base troops were probably called by her."
When he left the mall, he saw Su Yanran take out her phone to contact someone.
After the apocalypse, old digital products had been rendered useless, replaced by new products made from Disaster Beasts materials, but their prices were incredibly expensive, and he, living in H District, naturally couldn't afford them.
Not long after, Su Yanran returned, respectfully escorted by the officer. After saluting, she led the base troops towards L Town.
"Let's continue back. The rest is not for us to meddle in."
Su Yanran looked at the direction the base troops were heading and said softly.
Turning around, her eyes met Cheng Xing's. As they walked towards the base, she began to explain:
"Calamity seed is a concept proposed by scholars who specialize in studying Disaster Beasts a few years ago."
"They believe that there should be an energy source within Disaster Beasts, and this energy source is the origin of the Disaster Beasts' power."
"And this power source is the calamity seed. Moreover, scholars have determined that calamity seeds can be dropped by killing Disaster Beasts."
Upon hearing that it could be dropped, Cheng Xing raised an eyebrow. Since it could be dropped, why had he not seen it?
As if seeing his confusion, Su Yanran smiled slightly and continued:
"Calamity seeds need to be dropped by killing E-grade or higher, and the drop rate is very low."
"This also leads to an extremely rare number of calamity seeds. Once they appear, they are acquired by the base, resulting in very few people knowing about them."
"Regarding its function, what is currently known is its absolute attraction to Disaster Beasts."
Speaking of this, Su Yanran recalled the calamity seed in Ling Zhong's hand and continued.
"The calamity seed in Ling Zhong's hand, judging by its size, should be a calamity seed dropped by a Level 30 or higher, which means a C-grade Disaster Beast."
"That calamity seed is enough to attract all C-grade and below Disaster Beasts within a hundred-mile radius, thereby triggering a beast tide."
Upon hearing that they would be surrounded by C-grade Disaster Beasts, the Hackclaw Squad members couldn't help but tremble. Luckily, Sister Su reminded them, otherwise, they wouldn't even know how they died.
Cheng Xing also understood why Su Yanran gave up chasing Ling Zhong.
Firstly, Ling Zhong wouldn't surrender willingly, and no one knew if he had any other tricks up his sleeve. Secondly, the L Town Disaster Area was too close to the base and on the edge of the Qingcheng Disaster Area. A large concentration of C-grade Disaster Beasts posed too great a threat to the base. If the A-Class Disaster Beast in the center of Qingcheng was disturbed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Weighing the pros and cons, they had no choice but to abandon the pursuit and immediately notify the base's high command to formulate a response.
After the explanation, the high walls of the base appeared in everyone's sight.
Passing through the huge steel gate, they returned to the original adventurer camp.
At this time, even though it was evening, there were still many adventurers gathered in the camp. They all wanted to go out of the city to hunt Disaster Beasts, but they were unexpectedly informed that adventurers below C-grade were not allowed to leave the city for the next few days, causing a commotion.
Seeing the familiar adventurer camp, the Hackclaw Squad, who had just skirted the edge of death, relaxed and collapsed onto the ground.
First, they were chased by Blood Mantis, then surrounded by a swarm of Blood Mantis, and then a group of Fallen appeared. If they hadn't firmly clung to Cheng Xing and his group from the beginning, they would probably have met the same fate as the Hunting Dog Squad.
Thinking of this, they all couldn't help but cast grateful glances towards Cheng Xing and his group.
Their actions were immediately noticed by some sharp-eyed people in the camp. Connecting it with their recent return from outside, they perhaps knew what had happened.
So many people quietly approached them, but before they could get close, several figures blocked their way.
"Guild investigators are at work. Please do not approach."
...