Chapter 294: Closing the Net, Traces of a Mysterious Creature! (6400)

Chapter 294: Closing the Net, Traces of a Mysterious Creature! (6400)

Braum crouched down low.

Little Chuchu stepped onto his shield, and the massive figure hoisted her up high.

As her elevation rose, Tong Chuchu arrived at the cockpit situated in the mecha's chest.

Stepping off the shield with a light hop, she entered the interior of the cockpit.

There, she saw a mechanical chair, which appeared to be the pilot's station.

In front of the console stood two control joysticks.

Tong Chuchu sat directly in the chair.

At that moment…

A synthesized mechanical voice echoed from within the cockpit.

"Pilot entry detected. Adjusting joysticks and button layout according to pilot's body size…"

The next instant, the joysticks shifted downward.

A row of buttons inside descended as well, making them easily accessible for Tong Chuchu's petite frame.

This mecha was originally a creation of the goblin race.

Because of their short stature, they had incorporated many user-friendly design features.

Moments later, the cockpit hatch sealed shut.

The archaic-looking mecha hummed into operational mode.

Tong Chuchu gripped both joysticks, beginning to familiarize herself with the mecha's various operations.

It was through these two joysticks that offensive and defensive maneuvers were executed.

The other buttons before her controlled auxiliary functions.

While it sounded relatively simple, it was actually quite intricate in practice.

Piloting a mecha with precision was no simple task.

Even veteran pilots would require several days of adjustment after switching to a new mecha.

Let alone Tong Chuchu, who was starting completely from scratch.

Of course, Cao Xing didn't expect her to display formidable combat prowess immediately.

Learning basic maneuvering was more than enough for now.

After a full five minutes of learning…

…Tong Chuchu had grasped virtually all the fundamental controls.

The next moment…

Everyone watched as the mecha finally began to move.

*Buzz!*

The energy core in its chest whirred into motion.

The [Earth Dragon Mecha] raised the chainsaw on its right arm high, assuming an attack stance.

Then, it slowly lowered it back down.

Tong Chuchu's tender voice drifted out from inside.

"Big Brother! I managed to control it!"

Cao Xing said with delight, "Well done, Little Chuchu."

The little girl was indeed a quick learner.

Nearby, Elisa also praised, "Little Chuchu is so amazing!"

"Hehehe…"

Tong Chuchu giggled happily and steered the mecha back and forth across the area.

Beside them, the goblin artisan stared at the colossal machine with eyes full of envy.

*Clank… clank…*

The heavy footsteps of the mecha echoed continuously.

Soon, she became fully accustomed to all the operational modes.

Children picked up novel things very quickly.

Just then, an idea struck Cao Xing.

He asked directly, "Chu Chu, check if you can summon robots while piloting the mecha."

Inside the cockpit, the little girl paused her controls, opened her skill menu, and activated one of her skills.

The next instant…

A surge of mechanical force converged beneath the feet of the Earth Dragon Mecha.

Immediately after, two self-destruct robots shaped like iron boxes materialized.

"Big Brother, it works!"

A look of joy spread across Cao Xing's face upon hearing her confirmation.

As expected, that was the true nature of the Mechanic class.

Even while piloting a mecha, they could still summon robots to engage in battle, suppressing enemies with overwhelming firepower.

This was the terrifying potential of a Mechanic.

In the later stages, a powerful Mechanic piloting a mecha while commanding a vast army of robots could match an entire legion on their own.

Even Cao Xing couldn't guarantee a decisive victory in a one-on-one duel against Tong Chuchu piloting this mecha right now.

Of course, the same principle applied.

While late-game Mechanics were devastatingly powerful, their resource consumption was equally staggering.

For an ordinary territory, the resources saved over a month or two might not even sustain a single large-scale battle.

Cao Xing let Tong Chuchu continue familiarizing herself while he led the others to sweep the camp once more.

After confirming nothing was overlooked, Cao Xing said, "Let's go. We're heading out."

With that, everyone regrouped and retraced their steps back through the exit.

*Clank! Clank!*

The Earth Dragon Mecha followed alongside them, moving with slight rigidity at first.

Yet as Tong Chuchu grew more proficient, its movements became noticeably smoother.

Every step it took carried an intimidating weight.

Behind them, the goblin Locke stared enviously at the back of the mecha.

Before long, they emerged from the underground passage.

The moment daylight broke over his head, the goblin Locke nearly burst into tears.

He prostrated himself excitedly upon the dirt, praying fervently to the ground beneath his feet.

"O Great God of the Caves, I'm finally out…"

"I thought I would never see the light outside the cave again."

The fellow had been locked in that dungeon for countless days.

He had watched his clansmen dragged away and devoured one by one.

Had he not possessed some utility, he undoubtedly would have met the same fate.

The others felt relatively indifferent, considering they had spent less than an hour inside combined.

Cao Xing remained silent, leading the group through the dense woods back to the edge of the canyon.

Peering downward, he saw his herd along with Jonard, Josent, and the others standing safe and sound.

He breathed an instant sigh of relief.

Then he called down, "Jonard, Josent, it's done! Bring the herd up now!"

"There's a slope over there. You can ascend from that side."

Below, the two Dragon Blood Warriors looked up and spotted the group at the cliff's edge, their faces lighting up with joy.

"Understood, Lord!"

"We're coming up right away!"

With that, they guided the herd out from the depths of the valley.

They climbed up along the same slope they had originally used to descend.

The two giant beasts, Dabai and Volibear, flanked both sides, guarding the herd like twin sentinel deities.

Upon reaching Cao Xing, the two said excitedly, "Lord, everything remained peaceful after you left."

Cao Xing nodded and tossed two [Advanced Hearts of Power] directly to them.

Catching them, the two Dragon Blood Warriors immediately felt the surging power within the crimson crystals, delight shining in their eyes.

They simultaneously dropped to one knee and said respectfully, "Thank you for your blessing, Lord!"

Cao Xing waved his hand. "It's nothing. Go ahead and use these Hearts of Power to make your breakthroughs."

"As you command!"

With that, the two crushed their Hearts of Power and entered the breakthrough state.

Meanwhile, Cao Xing walked over to Voli, crushed an Advanced Heart of Power, and guided the pure energy into its body.

At this moment, two men and one beast entered the breakthrough process simultaneously.

The rest waited quietly on the side.

A few moments later, system notifications appeared.

[Your territory members: Jonard/Josent have successfully used Heart of Power and become Tier 4 Leader-rank creatures. Base attributes increased by 100%.]

[Your pet: Volibear has successfully evolved and become a Tier 4 Leader-rank creature. Base attributes increased by 100%.]

…

Seeing the system prompts, a smile curled on Cao Xing's lips.

Three Advanced Hearts of Power, and all three succeeded—the success rate was remarkably high.

The transition from Tier 3 to Tier 4 represented another massive leap in strength.

He glanced at their attributes.

As Tier 4 Leader-rank creatures, Jonard and Josent had reached 75,000 HP and 2,200 attack power.

Voli was even more astonishing: his HP hit 140,000, and his attack power reached 2,100!

Once Voli evolved into a Lord-rank creature, his HP would surge to at least 190,000, almost catching up to Dabai.

Both Dragon Blood Warriors and Volibear appeared overjoyed after their breakthrough.

Voli trotted over to Cao Xing, affectionately rubbing against him with his fluffy head.

However, when Tong Chuchu steered the [Earth Dragon Mecha] closer, wanting to pet the big white bear as well…

…Voli instantly assumed a combat stance as if facing a mortal enemy.

"Roar! Roar!"

Volibear let out low growls, arcs of lightning crackling between his paws as he readied himself to strike at any second!

Seeing this, Tong Chuchu puffed out her cheeks in the cockpit and pouted, "Little Voli, it's me!"

"Don't you even recognize Sister Chu Chu anymore?"

Hearing the familiar voice, a look of utter confusion appeared in Voli's eyes.

He couldn't fathom how that cute little girl had suddenly turned into this big lump of metal.

Then, Tong Chuchu popped open the cockpit hatch.

Seeing Tong Chuchu sitting in the chair, Voli's hostility melted away, turning completely docile.

He even stood up on his hind legs, leaned against the mecha, and rubbed his head against Tong Chuchu inside the cockpit.

The pout vanished from the little girl's face, replaced by an innocent, beaming smile.

"Silly Voli, good thing you didn't forget me!"

Cao Xing smiled.

Now, the herd had been secured, and the raider camp thoroughly looted.

Next came the final task.

Namely, capturing the Light Feather Chickens!

"Elisa, lead us to find the flock of Light Feather Chickens."

"Okay, Lord! If we can catch those Light Feather Chickens, Elisa wants to eat lots and lots of eggs!"

"Can I?"

Elisa looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes.

Cao Xing chuckled. "Sure, you can eat all you want."

"Yay!"

Hearing his promise, the little girl cheered with immense delight.

She then led everyone forward in the direction Cao Xing and his team had originally arrived from.

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue mounted the Mammoth once more, herding the cattle as they retraced their original path.

The group followed closely behind Elisa.

*Thud! Thud thud!*

The heavy footfalls of the Mammoth echoed steadily through the mountain forest.

These mountains teemed with wild beasts, and roaring could often be heard resonating across the ridges.

Even formidable merchant caravans had to tread with utmost caution when traversing this area.

However, as noted before, the aura radiating from Cao Xing's party was simply too overwhelming!

The two gargantuan beasts alone were already terrifying enough.

Now, they were accompanied by a mecha nearly four meters tall.

Wild beasts were extremely perceptive of lethal danger.

Upon sensing the terrifying presence of Dabai and the others, they all scattered in panicked flight.

As a result, Cao Xing's group encountered zero attacks from wild beasts along the way.

Elisa strode forward at the front.

Arriving before a dense grove, she suddenly slowed her pace and whispered, "Lord, this is the place. We should move quietly from here on."

Cao Xing halted upon hearing her warning.

He then instructed, "Jonard, Josent, continue waiting here with Dabai and Voli."

"Little Chuchu, Locke Ritchie, you two stay and wait here as well."

The four of them nodded respectfully in response.

Cao Xing and Liu Muxue dismounted from Dabai's back.

Then, he turned to the remaining combat personnel.

"Alright, come over and collect your gear."

Hearing this, everyone gathered around him.

Cao Xing retrieved six sets of [Ejection Capture Net (Purple)] from his backpack, distributing one each to Elisa, Assam, Sarah, and the others.

He then explained the net's function and instructions for use.

Elisa exclaimed in delight, "Wah! Such an amazing capture net! Is this the secret weapon you mentioned, Lord?"

Cao Xing nodded.

"Awesome! With these, we'll definitely catch tons and tons of chickens!"

Cao Xing smiled. "Alright, lead us in."

"As you command, Lord!"

The group followed Elisa, stepping softly into the mountain woods.

The moment they entered the forest, the temperature began to drop noticeably.

As they pressed deeper, Elisa treaded with utmost care, ensuring she didn't produce the faintest sound.

After advancing roughly one kilometer further…

…everyone faintly perceived pulses of faint white light radiating ahead.

Focusing his gaze, Cao Xing spotted a flock of plump, succulent-looking wild fowl covered in shimmering plumage wandering amidst the trees ahead!

These were the Light Feather Chickens.

Their feathers were not pure white, but rather a vibrant blend of five distinct colors, standing out brilliantly against the mountainous landscape.

[part:gemini-3.5-flash-lite]

The cockscombs on top of their heads were like gorgeous crowns, displaying utter magnificence.

This flock of Light Feather Chickens was leisurely wandering around the mountain forest.

From time to time, they used their long beaks to peck at the leaves on the ground, and then peck at the soil.

Cao Xing roughly counted them.

The number of Light Feather Chickens here was well over a hundred.

However, they were scattered relatively far apart.

While thinking of a corresponding plan, Cao Xing glanced at their attributes.

[Light Feather Chicken: Magical Creature]

[Level: Level 15]

[HP: 3880 / 3880]

[Attack Power: 127 ~ 138]

[Skills: Peck (Performs a powerful peck on the enemy, dealing 178% damage and inflicting 1 layer of Bleed effect. Cooldown: 10 seconds), Rending Claw Strike (Quickly rushes at the enemy, using sharp hooked claws to tear the enemy's skin, dealing 2 * 133% damage and inflicting 2 layers of Bleed effect. Cooldown: 15 seconds), Light Feather Shelter (Releases the power of light within the body, causing surrounding enemies to enter a Blind state, while increasing own movement speed by 50% to quickly escape the battlefield. Cooldown: 30 seconds)]

[Talent ①: Purification (The Light Feather Chicken carries the power of purification within its body, immunizing it against all curses below Expert rank)]

[Talent ②: Nature (When affected by crowd control skills, there is a 95% probability of immunizing against this control state)]

(Description: A sacred creature living deep in the mountains.)

…

Seeing the attributes of the Light Feather Chicken, Cao Xing secretly nodded.

Not only did it have a skill that blinds enemies, but it also possessed a 95% crowd control skill immunity talent, making it very difficult to catch.

Therefore, using the method meant for dealing with Cloud Yaks on this flock of Light Feather Chickens definitely wouldn't work.

But fortunately, he had made full preparations before going out this time.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Xing had already figured out a plan in his heart on how to catch this flock of Light Feather Chickens.

Thus, he pulled out a pitch-black cube, which was none other than — [Ancient Weapon · Primordial Cube].

Strictly speaking, this gadget didn't belong to crowd control skills.

Therefore, it couldn't be immunized either.

Then, with a thought in his mind,

right where the Light Feather Chickens were densest, he directly created a small black dot!

Instantly, a terrifying suction force appeared in that area.

"Whoosh — Whoosh —"

All the surrounding branches, leaves, and everything else were sucked toward the central area.

Dozens of Light Feather Chickens in the nearby area also had their bodies uncontrollably flying backward.

No matter how they flapped their wings, they couldn't advance even an inch!

"Cluck ~"

"Cluck cluck ~ Cluck cluck ~"

For a moment, panicked sounds rang out from the flock of chickens.

However, before this flock of Light Feather Chickens could react,

Cao Xing instantly commanded: "Move!"

"Don't worry about the chickens in the central area. Seize the opportunity, use the catching nets, and catch as many chickens as possible."

Hearing the order, everyone instantly shot out like a string of shooting stars.

Swish! Swish swish!

Under the condition of their movement speed skyrocketing by 130%, everyone's speed reached an unimaginable level!

"Rustle rustle!"

For a moment, the chicken flock flew up in fright!

A large number of Light Feather Chickens erupted with sacred light from their bodies, trying to plunge Cao Xing and the others into a blind state.

However, everyone had already prepared beforehand.

Before that flock of Light Feather Chickens could cast their skills, they pressed the launcher buttons in their hands.

"Bang! Bang bang!"

Large nets woven from vines instantly ejected, covering a large cluster of them.

"Cluck ~ Cluck cluck ~"

The Light Feather Chicken flock let out panicked cries once more.

And the moment Cao Xing rushed out, he directly used [Ejection Catch Net (Purple)] targeting the central area.

"Bang!"

This large net directly enveloped all those dozens of Light Feather Chickens in the simulated black hole area created by the [Primordial Cube].

Seeing this scene, Cao Xing breathed a sigh of relief.

The situation for everyone else was also very smooth; they each caught a few to over a dozen Light Feather Chickens.

Soon, more than half of the over a hundred Light Feather Chickens on the field were caught by everyone.

Only a scattered dozen or so Light Feather Chickens flapped their wings, and radiating sacred brilliance, rushed out of the dense forest.

Furthermore, they flew into the sky without looking back.

Down below, the Light Feather Chickens trapped by the catching nets were still struggling frantically.

They continuously let out 'cluck cluck' cries.

At the same time, they were still casting the skill [Light Feather Shelter], looking like dozens of lightbulbs for a moment.

However, how could these Light Feather Chickens with only teens-level strength break free from Cao Xing's catching nets?

After all, these were made using the vines of a Tier 4 Face-Shaped Tree leader.

Dealing with these Light Feather Chickens was simply using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

This capture operation was extremely smooth.

Elisa hurried over and quickly began to count.

"One, two, three… ninety-seven!"

"Whoa! We actually caught over ninety Light Feather Chickens, everyone is so amazing!"

"That's great! This way, there will be tons and tons of eggs to eat in the territory!"

Hearing this, everyone's faces also carried joyful smiles.

For these Light Feather Chickens, Cao Xing didn't have the time to use pet contracts on them one by one.

He planned to take them back to the territory first and then slowly tame them.

Thus, he directly said: "Retrieve the nets."

As his words fell, everyone stepped forward one after another, rolling up the catching nets on the ground.

Inside these large nets, a large number of Light Feather Chickens were trapped respectively, crowding together like dozens of lightbulbs.

Cao Xing wasn't worried about the lives of these Light Feather Chickens.

After all, they were a group of magical creatures; they wouldn't die so easily.

Just as Cao Xing was about to lead the people back to regroup with the yak herd,

Renice's gaze suddenly locked onto a certain area deep in the mountain forest.

"Lord, it seems there's a situation over there."

Hearing this, Cao Xing looked in the direction Renice pointed, a look of confusion gradually appearing in his eyes.

Because he hadn't discovered anything special.

Renice explained: "I sensed a strong magic fluctuation there."

"A powerful creature should have passed through that area not long ago."

Hearing these words, Cao Xing seemed to think of something, a contemplative look appearing in his eyes.

To verify his guess, Cao Xing directly commanded: "Let's go, let's go over and take a look."

Hearing this, everyone walked over together.

Braum, Assam, Andrew, and other strong men each picked up and grabbed the catching nets on the ground, carrying this flock of Light Feather Chickens on their backs.

"Cluck ~ Cluck-da ~"

The chicken flock was somewhat noisy.

When they got closer,

Cao Xing also discovered some clues.

He noticed that the large trees nearby seemed to have been brushed against by some creature; their roots were overturned and bark had peeled off.

And on the ground, there were footprints as large as an adult's head, looking like two separated leaves.

These footprints extended all the way deep into the dense forest.

After pondering for a moment, a certain conjecture arose in Cao Xing's heart.

But it wasn't certain yet.

Therefore, he looked at Renice beside him.

"Are you confident you can track them?"

Renice lightly nodded her head, "Yes."

Hearing this, the corners of Cao Xing's mouth also curved into an arc.

"Alright, then go ahead. We'll head back to the yak herd first and wait for you there."

"Understood!"

As her words fell, Renice quickly left this place.

Wearing the [Silver Wolf Coat] bestowed by Cao Xing, its entirely white tone almost blended in with the environment in this forest.

When her figure completely disappeared into the dense forest,

everyone quickly turned around and returned along the original path.

Soon, they returned to the side of the yak herd.

Goblin Locke, who was waiting in place, saw the dozens of Light Feather Chickens on their backs, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"Oh! Gods of the Crypt above, these are actually Light Feather Chickens!"

"Although this kind of chicken is not as valuable as these yaks, as long as you use some special methods to cultivate them, the value of their subsequent output will also be quite considerable!"

Hearing this, Cao Xing also grew interested.

"Oh? How so?"

Goblin Locke hesitated for a moment; this seemed to involve a certain kind of secret.

But thinking that he would still have to serve this lord for the next year, he directly said: "This is also a secret we occasionally learned from running mercantile trade outside all year round."

"Under normal environments, the reproduction speed and growth speed of Light Feather Chickens are not high."

"But if you can place a large number of items filled with Holy Light elements in the area where they live, these Light Feather Chickens will really like it."

"Not only will the speed of reproduction and hatching chicks accelerate, but even the growth speed of the chicks will speed up a lot."

"It can even rival the reproduction speed of ordinary chickens."

Goblin Locke exclaimed: "Because the eggs of Light Feather Chickens have a special Holy Light aura, it is said that long-term consumption can purify impurities in the body, as well as enhance physique and prolong life."

"A single egg can sell for a price of over ten thousand crowns."

"If it's the kind of egg that can hatch into chicks, its value would more than double by dozens of times."

"Therefore, as long as they are properly cultivated, they can still bring huge profits."

Hearing this, Cao Xing nodded in realization.

Speaking of which, the value of this Light Feather Chicken was indeed quite terrifying.

After all, they could even possess the same reproduction speed as ordinary poultry.

Then it wouldn't be long before Cao Xing could possess a massive number of Light Feather Chickens.

Of course, the premise was to arrange a large number of items filled with Holy Light elements in the area where this flock of Light Feather Chickens lived, just as Goblin Locke said.

Cao Xing first kept this idea in mind.

Then he had people tie the chicken flock onto Dabai's back.

After finishing all this, it was time to wait for news from Renice's side.

Right at this moment, everyone suddenly heard bursts of muffled roars coming from the mountain forest ahead!

"Moo! Moo —"

[Your territory member: Renice Hawkeye attacked Frost Moose Lv47, dealing 5423 damage. The Hunting Mark special effect has taken effect…]

…

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