GAMMT - Chapter 29
Chapter 29: Seizure!
At the farm, the guard captain and his men had already made arrangements according to Fu Chuan's instructions. A few hundred meters away, an airship landed directly.
Groundhog was a little puzzled. "Didn't you say we should observe the farm's situation first? Why did you decide to land the moment you saw the fields?"
Ah Qi replied, "This farm harvested its crops beforehand. Whether it was luck or something else, it's clear they have ample food. That's very important. If these really are Scorpion-Tail Locusts, their reproductive ability is terrifying. They can gather a massive number of minions in a short time, enough to trap us here for days. With so many people, food becomes the most critical resource."
Groundhog had a sudden realization. That's right!
"You smart people are all so damn cunning."
Was that the proper way for a decent person to give a compliment?
Ah Qi wasn't as good-tempered as Fu Chuan. She looked quiet and dull, but she was actually quite rebellious. She glanced at Groundhog and said, "Then you're not the least bit insidious."
Groundhog: "?"
I feel like that was an insult, but I have no proof.
However, Ah Qi meant no harm. She actually found this Groundhog, who was clearly a simpleton but always pretended to be shrewd and forceful, rather cute. No wonder their captain, who seemed so steady and unfathomable, was so tolerant of him.
"I wanted to ask… our captain was so cautious before. I was surprised she entered the wind tunnel. It's a good thing she was okay in the end. But then she gave us resources… how should I put it… I've never met anyone like that."
They both knew Fu Chuan had shared the resources because they had provided support from the outside, contributing in their own way without being a burden. But in this world, were there really people who took the contributions of others so seriously as a matter of course?
There were, but they were rare.
Groundhog shook his head. "I've never met anyone like her either. I don't even know what she looks like."
Ah Qi suddenly gave him a deep look. "I think you do."
Groundhog: "…"
Ignoring Groundhog's strange expression, Ah Qi looked toward the farm, preparing to head over. But a thought lingered in her mind: Such a steady person, yet she took such a risk for a chest in a nest that might not have even existed. Something's not right.
On the way, the little fatty had mentioned that their captain had predicted there were tens of thousands more locusts inside. No matter the species, that would have been extremely dangerous for her. And considering the locusts' tier, the chest inside would have been green-tier at best, and there certainly wouldn't have been many. They had already obtained a good amount of green-tier resources, so why would she take such a risk?
She had a feeling that the wind tunnel held something else their captain wanted. That person had a purpose from the very beginning.
But it probably wasn't the Insect Marrow Crystals. Otherwise, even if she wanted to reward them for their efforts, she wouldn't have been so generous as to give them one each. So what could it have been?
At that moment, Ah Qi was incredibly curious about the captain she had just met.
The instant noodles were still steeping, the noodles softening and absorbing the flavor.
The room gradually filled with the smell of instant noodles.
It was a cheap scent, yet full of life. For no reason, Fu Chuan was reminded of her entrepreneurial days, when she and a group of like-minded friends were holed up in a rented apartment, struggling to make it.
When she came back to her senses, she realized she was holding four S1 Gene Keys in one hand and three Insect Marrow Crystals in the other.
There was no going back to the past.
But she had to survive.
She began to recall a certain procedure.
"The main purpose of Insect Marrow Crystals is to refine a pet's aptitude, but they have another use: as a material for gene medicine to stimulate the mutation of the Gene Tree's branches and activate talents."
Normally, stimulating a talent awakening was something that could only be done after the 1st Sequence was completely filled and the second sequence was unlocked. Was Fu Chuan resorting to desperate measures in a crisis?
Not exactly. She had been planning this ever since she used the Devouring Scroll.
The Devouring Scroll was a gene-based method. The coexistence of two bodies' genes had already broadened the complexity of her genetic system. In other words, she had already passed the most difficult hurdle: genetic exclusivity.
At the time, her thinking was either to die outright, eliminated by this world at the very beginning, or to walk the most dangerous, most promising, and most glorious path.
Since she had survived, she had to follow this path, leveraging her initial advantage.
The genetic path. In this area, she would surpass those geniuses and powerhouses who held vast resources from the start.
"Insect-type crystals happen to be the lowest-grade genetic resource, and from low-level species like locusts at that. If they were any higher-grade, my Gene Tree would definitely be unable to withstand it and would collapse. Right now, it's a perfect confluence of factors."
During her recent killing spree, Fu Chuan had hoped to obtain such resources from others, but it was clear they were extremely rare; none of these low-level Arcanists had any. That was why she had entered the wind tunnel despite knowing the dangers within.
Fortunately, her efforts had paid off.
"If three crystals have no effect, any more would be useless. None of my three branches are lit yet. If I use more than three, even if I succeed, the Gene Tree won't be able to bear it and will rupture."
That was why Fu Chuan had given two crystals to the others. But with three in hand, she first had to improve her body's constitution. If her genes were to undergo a butterfly-like transformation, her body would surely experience a tsunami-like upheaval.
And then there were the mental power potions… if her mental power consumption couldn't keep up, her spiritual world would also collapse.
Fu Chuan laid out all the necessary and potentially useful resources in front of her. She then began to carefully crush the three Insect Marrow Crystals, pouring the liquid from within into a vial for later use. After that, she started consuming the S1 Gene Keys to activate the third branch.
The first S1 went in. No reaction.
The second S1 went in. The branch shimmered slightly and trembled.
The third S1 went in. The branch's glow lingered for a moment before starting to fade.
Fu Chuan saw the change. The instant the effect of the third key ended, just as the glow was about to dissipate, her hands were perfectly steady as she decisively used the fourth.
Buzz! The light on the branch flickered violently, shaking it. Faintly, starlight began to split apart…
It was going to work!
Fu Chuan was experienced and knew it was a sure thing. She quickly drank the crystal liquid and guided it toward the third branch.
Toward the spot where the fission was occurring.
The crystal liquid seeped into the fission point like a gentle stream of water, but in reality, it was as corrosive as sulfuric acid. In an instant, the light produced by the Gene Tree became chaotic and underwent a drastic change.
The other unlit branches were fine; they were sealed off. No matter what happened to the third branch, the ones below it wouldn't be affected. But the first and second branches were a different story. They were connected to the third. Under such a massive change, their light also became chaotic, coursing wildly between the branches and crashing around, which amounted to another frantic round of cleansing and aptitude transformation, far more intense than the previous two times.
Fu Chuan felt a deep pain within her flesh and bones. Even her ten fingers curled up in agony. Then, something began to seep out of her uncontrollably… She couldn't even maintain her current form. With a whoosh, she was passively reverted to her original body. She rushed into the bathroom and retched, vomiting up a large amount of foul-smelling substances… But through her blurry vision, she could clearly feel blood seeping madly from her ten fingers and palms. Her bones and flesh felt like they were on fire, but they weren't burning. It was more like her muscles and skeleton were being reorganized.
She knew this was a gene-induced mutation. Her goal was achieved. She just didn't know what kind of ability would be awakened.
I haven't turned into a monster, have I?
A locust spirit?
Three minutes later, Fu Chuan looked down at her hands, which were now as slender and elegant as carved jade, and her expression was strange.
She had never been a delicate person in her past life, especially after starting her own business when she was constantly on her feet. The Fu Chuan of this world was even less so; her hands always bore the marks of a manual laborer.
But these hands were different.
After the reorganization, they possessed a perverse kind of beauty.
Slender and jade-like, exuding a forbidden allure.
If these hands didn't belong to her, and she saw them on someone else, she would have the subconscious urge to be caressed by them.
Fu Chuan wiggled her fingers and suddenly opened her attribute panel.
Level: 9.
Main Attributes.
Mental Power: 2070 (Initial Mental Power 1+99)
Strength: 5200 (Initial Strength 1+18)
Constitution: 4500 (Initial Constitution 3+15)
Agility: 9900 (Initial Agility 2+25)
Skill Points: Arcane Missile LV9, Flame Blast LV5, Forest Thorns LV5, Azure Radiance Feather LV4, Locust's Stun LV1.
Such stats were already comparable to those of an ordinary level 20 Arcanist with buffs from pets and other sources.
And she was only level 9.
In the end, if you spent enough money, your aptitude could soar.
At least in the early stages, it was best to focus on aptitude. It was only after level 20 that the difference between a genius and a mediocrity gradually became apparent.
"This is easier to distinguish." Fu Chuan looked at her hand and let out a long sigh. She knew that only now did she truly have an ace up her sleeve, something to give her a firm foothold in this world.
Awakening a gene talent on the third branch of the 1st Sequence, even if it was an insect-type, was still a talent.
Her starting point now had a game-breaking brilliance.
After sighing, Fu Chuan's sharp hearing caught the sound of hurried footsteps from the guards downstairs. She raised an eyebrow, quickly rinsed herself off, and then…
"What! You want money?!"
"Is your boss that desperate for cash! You're charging for this?!"
"Damn it, this is a dungeon! If we don't fight the monsters, you'll all die!"
After asking several times and confirming that they really had to pay, the group of "players" at the farm gate nearly exploded on the spot. They cursed and swore, ordering the farm's tenants around and showing no respect for the guard captain and his men.
Groundhog and Ah Qi were also in the crowd of players, but they were quieter, observing from the edge.
It wasn't that they were unwilling to pay, but they were surprised that the farm was suddenly demanding money, and that these people… were causing a scene over it.
Groundhog offered a fair assessment: "This farm owner isn't being very rational."
Ah Qi was wiping the bloodstains off her body, using leaves to smear away the blood and mask the scent of the Scorpion-Tail Locusts she had been exposed to. She handed some to Groundhog so he could do the same. But she also glanced over and said, "This isn't normal."
What, the farm owner isn't normal?
He's being way too greedy.
Just as the guard captain was about to speak, several burly and aggressive Arcanists stepped forward. A young man with beady eyes sneered, "You'd better think this through. If we leave, you'll have no one to protect you. When those locust swarms arrive, you'll die without a doubt. Are you really going to put yourselves in danger for such a paltry sum?"
The guard captain and his men hadn't been very resolute to begin with. Seeing the fierce resistance from these dozens of Arcanists, they felt a headache coming on. They even considered just letting them in. After all, they were outnumbered and couldn't win a fight. But if they let them in, they would fail to carry out the young master's orders. And thinking about what that scum of a young master with his terrible temper would do to them…
Damn it, they were in a bind!
I wonder if the young master is here yet. Please get here soon!
Just as the guard captain and his men were struggling, a cold voice suddenly came from behind them. "Then why don't you leave! If you leave, you won't survive two days out there. We can at least hide in the house for a few days. Let's see who dies first!"
The words were sharp, nasty, and incredibly forceful.
Everyone turned to look and saw a young man in a bathrobe, flanked by a guard, appear on the second-floor balcony of the house inside.
He had the air of a true young master, a spoiled one at that. His eyes were tilted with impatience and arrogance.
The bizarre thing was that the guard beside him was dutifully holding a bowl of instant noodles.
The noodles were probably just ready, their aroma wafting through the air. But the young master was irritable for having been called away before he could eat. He looked down at the people in front of him. Before they could retort in anger, Fu Chuan had already assessed their status—a few level seven or eight Arcanists, proud of their little bit of combat power. They were probably third-year high school students whose brains hadn't fully developed yet. So she added, "I don't plan on giving you a chance to think it over. Now, immediately, get lost!"
The few Arcanists were stunned, and a clamor rose from the rest of the crowd.
Groundhog and Ah Qi were also taken aback.
They knew that the Xie Clan's illegitimate son was at this farm, so this must be him. But they hadn't expected him to be like this.
"This…" Just as Groundhog was about to say he was being too forceful and unreasonable, the group of Arcanists predictably blew up, even drawing their weapons.
Fu Chuan's expression changed slightly, but she only became angrier, pointing at them and shouting, "You want to fight? Don't you know this is Xie Clan territory?"
The players who had been on the verge of acting immediately hesitated.
Suddenly, a few players stepped forward. One of them was dressed in designer clothes, looking fashionable and expensive, with a badge pinned to his chest.
"Of course, we knew that when we arrived. I also know you're the illegitimate son the Xie Clan hasn't officially recognized. Alright, perhaps it's a bit offensive for me to say that."
He smiled, appearing cultured and elegant, but his tone was filled with arrogant mockery. Then, as the face of Fu Chuan, the illegitimate son and scum farm owner, twisted in anger, he gave a hypocritical, theatrical noble's bow. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Teng Yunli, a disciple of the Jingyang Teng Family."
"Due to the dungeon, I would like to borrow your esteemed farm. Considering the current situation, if you insist on making the wrong decision, then don't blame my Teng Family for not giving the Xie Clan face…"
His status, his posture, his words, and the Arcanists behind him who were clearly level ten or higher, all served as a powerful deterrent to the other players.
This was a noble's son—magnificent in bearing, elegant in manner, and possessing the air of a leader. And then you look at this other one…
Just as the crowd was about to turn their gazes back to the scum young master, they saw him impatiently interrupt Teng Yunli.
"Are you dense? Why are you talking so much?"
"You want to snatch the farm, declare yourself king, rally these people, and reap the biggest rewards from this dungeon, right? Does talking so nicely make you sound cultured, like you've graduated middle school?"
"But I did understand one thing. You're saying that you're being chased by dogs outside, and when you get to my doorstep, you tell me the dogs are vicious and will eat everyone, and that you're the only one in the world who can save us. So I need to give you my farm, and if I don't, I'm the one who doesn't know what's good for me, and my family is the one who doesn't know what's good for them."
"Are you implying that our Xie Clan is inferior to your Teng Family?"
"Answer me. I'm recording this!"
Her torrent of cold sarcasm completely dismantled Teng Yunli, whose face darkened slightly. But he still managed a smile. "It seems an illegitimate son is still an illegitimate son. You haven't received a proper education and don't understand what it means to prioritize the bigger picture. You clearly don't care about the lives of these tenants and farmers. Fine, then I shall be the one to save them all…"
He raised a hand, and a group of players, including the ones who had been shouting earlier, gathered behind him.
The tide had turned.
The people inside the farm were afraid, and some of the guards felt a sense of dread. But out of professional habit, they all drew their weapons. The situation grew tense, on the brink of violence…
More and more players were swayed, tempted to follow Teng Yunli, take over the farm, and teach this scum of a farm owner a lesson.
They could clearly see the lack of confidence in the guards and the terror on the tenants' faces.
See? This idiot farm owner was about to pay the price for his greed and stupidity!
But… why wasn't he afraid?
Fu Chuan, however, leaned on the railing and said, "You want to fight? You think that just because we're in a dungeon, life and death are determined by the dungeon, so even if you kill us farm folk, it won't matter? What a bunch of morons. You read a few books and think you're professors."
"This is a farm! The grain has already been harvested. After this disaster, all of this is my money, my property. It's also a resource for the government to manage the market in response to the disaster. Do you think the government won't send people to inventory and collect it? Even if you kill me and get away with it within the dungeon's jurisdiction, once the dungeon ends, the ownership of the farm's grain will become a legal case. You! The noble's son, right? Think you're so tough? On X5, I saw a huge conglomerate like the Li Corporation practically wishing they had ten packs of tissues stuffed down their pants when they were being investigated by the government. You think you'll be fine?"
"Of course, you'll have problems, because our Xie Clan won't let this opportunity go. We will definitely bite down and blow this up. Tell me, if the Teng Family wants to get out of this unscathed, won't they have to push out the instigator to settle things?"
"The noble's son will be finished. And what about the rest of you? With a crime on your record, think about your families. Do you still want your kids to be able to take the college entrance exams or get a civil service job?"
"Alright, you want to fight? Come on, then. I'd like to see who dares!"
With that speech, Fu Chuan had, in minutes, torn the image the noble young master had just built to shreds.
She had berated the entire crowd and seized control of the situation, and not a single person dared to refute her.
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