Volume Two: Embarking on the Journey Chapter 6: Secrets (Part Two)

After the existential crisis of extinction was resolved, the various races that arrived first began to settle on Azure Star, rebuilding their homes while battling Star Beasts.

Later, other races arrived in succession. These groups also endured the "warm welcome" of the Star Beasts, leaving almost all of them severely weakened. Azure Star officially entered the era of safe zones. It was precisely because these groups helped humanity share the pressure from the Star Beasts that Azure Star was not completely occupied by them.

Once the major groups caught their breath, they began to slowly expand their territories. Even so, the total land occupied by all these races combined amounted to less than one-tenth of the planet. The Star Beasts held the remaining nine-tenths. If not for the existence of super-powered individuals within each race, they might have been wiped out by the Star Beasts long ago.

At first, the major races considered joining forces with their neighbors to combat the Star Beasts. Unfortunately, due to language barriers, they were unable to communicate, which led to many misunderstandings and even significant wars between the races. It was only after the human ancestor stepped in that these warring groups ceased their conflicts.

As more powerful beings from various races joined the fray, the issue of communication was brought to the forefront. Since every race had its own language, sitting together was useless; they had to rely on simple gestures to understand each other. Of course, for the super-powered individuals of these races, language was not a true obstacle. At their level of cultivation, they communicated primarily through consciousness. Because of this, they decided to invent a common language suitable for all. The various races were quite cooperative in this regard. Even so, it took a great deal of time to slowly create a universal language, and the hardships involved need not be described.

With a common language, communication became easier. However, since the safe zones were essentially "fiefdoms," people rarely traveled between them. Aside from the super-powered beings, most people only knew that, beyond their own safe zone, many others of varying sizes existed.

As these races developed, the shortage of cultivation resources became an unsolvable problem for all safe zones. Consequently, the super-powered leaders decided to launch a counter-offensive against the Star Beasts, slowly reclaiming the territory they occupied. Doing so not only provided access to mineral veins and medicinal herbs but also allowed for the expansion of their own territories. After all, for a race to develop, it needed more than just population—it needed land. It must be said that when it came to the interests of their own races, this plan was passed almost unanimously.

Thus, the "Border Battlefield" came into existence. Its purpose was to move far away from their own lands to fight the Star Beasts on their home turf, pushing forward bit by bit. These reclaimed lands eventually developed into the current Border Battlefield, where many races now coexist.

Unlike other groups that possessed their own inherited cultivation techniques, humanity had to rely on manuals and martial arts found in discovered ruins. While other races might not always find human techniques applicable, they could still draw some inspiration from them. As for the martial arts, they were considered a "panacea" for everyone.

Because new ruins were constantly being discovered, the number of powerful humans grew, as did their influence. This sparked dissatisfaction and jealousy among other races, leading to frequent brutal encounters in the wild areas of the Border Battlefield whenever conflicting groups crossed paths. After all, with the powerful figures of each race presiding over and restraining the Border Battlefield, mindless slaughter was generally prevented.

***

The knowledge in the small booklet had a massive impact on Wang Jue, leaving him questioning reality itself. He had always assumed he lived in a peaceful, modern world. Only after truly understanding the situation did he realize that his home was a carefully arranged setting created by powerful beings. To him, Peaceful Town was like a "newbie village" in an online game.

"Good grief..." Wang Jue couldn't help but click his tongue. "I never imagined that the Border Battlefield was the true face of Azure Star!"

At this moment, Wang Jue felt as if he were living in a fantasy world disguised in "modern" clothing. He had finished reading the booklet, and aside from the initial shock, he felt relatively calm. The passage of time was much the same as in the safe zones. Life here was virtually identical, with the only difference being that the "black technology" here was far more advanced.

Just then, Shen Feng, who was sitting beside him, noticed Wang Jue putting down the booklet with a dazed expression and offered some comfort. "Finding it hard to accept?"

"Yeah." Wang Jue nodded, feeling somewhat hollow. "The information in this booklet completely upended my worldview. It feels like I'm dreaming."

Seeing Wang Jue's distress, Shen Feng gestured to the bartender and whispered something in his ear. The bartender glanced at the dazed Wang Jue, nodded to indicate he understood, and then crouched down behind the counter to do something. A second later, a melody emerged—sometimes melodious and soothing, sometimes rapid and ethereal. Upon hearing it, Wang Jue immediately snapped out of his daze, his mind feeling significantly refreshed. As for what piece it was, his taste was not refined enough to recognize it; he only knew it felt pleasant.

"Wang Jue, I forgot to mention," Shen Feng said with a smile, changing the subject once Wang Jue had adjusted. "The first floor is a place for warriors to relax and rest. From the second floor up, they sell goods. The prices are no different from online shops, but the advantage is that you can get your items immediately."

"That is quite convenient," Wang Jue said, his eyes brightening. "I won't have to wait a day for my orders anymore."

"Alright, enough about that." Shen Feng waved his hand and addressed the group. "It's getting late, and we've rested enough. It's time to head out. I expect we'll have to spend the night in the wild."

"Understood," Su Yu and the others replied.

Shen Feng paid the bill for Wang Jue and the others, then led the way out. Su Yu and the others quickly finished their drinks and followed. Wang Jue imitated them, downed his low-alcohol fruit wine, and trailed after them.

***

"Stop dawdling and get in the car!"

As soon as Wang Jue stepped outside, he saw Shen Feng pulling up a heavy armored vehicle from somewhere. The tires were a meter and a half high, and the entire body was covered in layers of thick, heavy plating, resembling a true steel beast.

"Coming!" The group climbed in, and the steel beast roared as it sped toward the city gates.

***

After exiting the city and driving for thirty or forty miles, they left the main road and entered the wilderness. Across the vast, endless plains, natural ravines crisscrossed the landscape, dotted with low shrubs and grasses. Occasionally, they startled a Star Beast, and there were no roads in the desolate expanse. However, beneath the massive wheels of the steel beast, these were no obstacles at all.

"Our destination for this trip is the Mist Forest." Amidst the whistling wind, Shen Feng, who was driving, shouted to the others, "Everyone, grab your gear and be prepared for sudden attacks from Star Beasts."

Su Yu and the others moved quickly to prepare. Wang Jue had little to ready; he simply placed his long sword horizontally across his lap and recalled the information from the booklet. The Mist Forest was a region currently being explored by humanity. It was vast, filled with restricted zones and occupied by powerful Star Beasts. Many high-level experts had fallen there, and it remained incompletely explored. Its danger level was impossible to estimate.

Three hours later, as the sun began to set, a massive forest appeared before them. Shen Feng drove the vehicle into a depression outside the forest and slammed on the brakes. The massive body skidded, the tires carving an arc into the ground as it came to a halt. Without a word, Shen Feng grabbed his weapon, cut some branches to camouflage the vehicle, and then, with his pack on his back, began walking toward the Mist Forest.

"Wang Jue, the Mist Forest is very dangerous at night. You'll have to face it sooner or later, so there's no time like the present. We're going in now," Shen Feng said, turning to look at Wang Jue as he led the way. "Our priority is to help you adapt; we won't go out of our way to hunt Star Beasts, but if we encounter any, we'll take them down to avoid returning empty-handed."

"Understood, I have no objections," Wang Jue agreed readily.

To his frustration, he realized he had been placed in the middle of the formation, with Su Yu bringing up the rear and Jiang Yunyan and Jiang Yunxin walking by his sides. Wang Jue secretly smiled to himself, thinking, "It seems I'm being given special care..."

There was no help for it; it was his first time entering the forest, and they were entering at night. Even though Shen Feng and the others were experienced, they dared not be careless. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the light faded, and the forest grew completely dark.

"Wait." Shen Feng noticed the fading light, stopped, and said, "Everyone, put on your night-vision goggles and stay alert!"

Hearing this, Wang Jue immediately took out a pair of goggles that looked much like swimming goggles from his pack. Shen Feng had bought them for him before they left; they weren't expensive, but they were considered essential gear for any warrior. These goggles were not only powerful but also lightweight and comfortable. With rune enhancements, their durability, flexibility, and fit were top-tier, ensuring they wouldn't hinder combat.

"This thing is incredible!" Wang Jue thought, stunned, after putting them on. He found that everywhere he looked, it was as clear as day—or even clearer—with no impact on his combat capabilities.

As the group pushed deeper into the forest, Shen Feng suddenly raised a hand and whispered to those behind him, "Alert! We have a situation!"

At these words, Su Yu and the others immediately crouched, assuming defensive postures. From their movements, it seemed as if they were ready to defend or attack at a moment's notice. As for the rookie Wang Jue, he mimicked them, crouching down with his sword in hand, his eyes scanning the surroundings constantly.