"Meteorite Star's official archives don't list the Great Mole Flower, but yesterday you said the beast tide seemed controlled. I considered several causes for the beast tide and thought the electronic parasites might just be intermediaries, with something else truly controlling the beasts," explained Li Nannan. "Then I checked Meteorite Star's historical archives and found that the Great Mole Flower was discovered at the planet's initial development. After it was killed, it wasn't found for twenty years, and then it was declared extinct."
"But it's still possible for it to appear, right?" Jiang Ye asked. "Many creatures declared extinct are actually lurking in the corners of vast wilderness, and after a long time, they can reproduce. Is that what you mean?"
"Yes," Li Nannan replied. "I suspect the sudden global beast tides are caused by the Great Mole Flowers collectively emerging, trying to seize power. These plants are terrifyingly intelligent. They aren't fooled by appearances. They know that the inconspicuous humans on Meteorite Star are the true rulers, so they manipulate large numbers of beasts to attack humans. The electronic parasites' signals might have been modified by the Great Mole Flowers, turning them into their subordinates."
Jiang Ye got goosebumps. The instigators of the global beast tides were giant flowers two stories tall?
Plants that grew by absorbing dark energy and possessed super-high intelligence?
This felt incredibly sinister.
"Are there any ways to deal with these Great Mole Flowers?" Jiang Ye asked. "Can't we just use satellites to find them and then bombard them?"
"I doubt we can find them," Li Nannan said. "Would an extremely intelligent creature expose itself in broad daylight?"
"Then..." Jiang Ye's mind raced. "In the captured human city buildings? Beneath canyon cliffs? The deep sea? Underground caves?"
"Very likely."
Jiang Ye was dumbfounded.
Satellites couldn't find these places; it would require searching them piece by piece with manpower and machinery.
During the search, they would still have to face the rolling beast tides.
If the Great Mole Flowers were indeed trying to control this planet, their actions were undeniably successful.
"Let's not talk about these troublesome matters for now. I have some good news for you," Li Nannan suddenly switched topics.
"Hm?"
"The organization has given you and Cen Yemeng a public fund for a trip. To Zhigaoxing."
"Zhigaoxing?" Jiang Ye asked blankly. "What kind of place is that?"
"It's a planet with a pleasant climate. Over ninety-nine percent of its citizens were once planetary leaders, planet chiefs, or marshals. Its current population is over a billion," Li Nannan explained. "These people held high positions for a long time and grew weary. So, they brought immense private wealth to Zhigaoxing to live as commoners. If, one day, you and Cen Yemeng grow tired of your work as planetary leaders, you can also apply to go to Zhigaoxing and become ordinary people."
Jiang Ye thought for a moment, his expression suddenly changing.
"Does them giving us a trip mean they intend to dismiss us?" Jiang Ye asked nervously.
"No, don't overthink it. It's a normal procedure," Li Nannan smiled. "Every planetary leader, upon reaching a certain age, gets the opportunity to travel to Zhigaoxing. In any case, when the fighting on Meteorite Star is less busy, you and Mengmeng can take some time to go and play. Oh, Isabel and Shao Wan can also go."
"Alright, I'll relay this to them. Thank you very much." Jiang Ye said.
The call ended.
Cen Yemeng's eyes were full of anticipation. "After we take Meteorite Star, we'll go, right? I've always been curious about that place."
"Curious?" Jiang Ye reached out and took her delicate hand. "You know about Zhigaoxing?"
"I've heard that life there is quite peaceful and beautiful," Cen Yemeng said. "The crime rate is almost zero because everyone is extremely wealthy. Everyone is equal, also because everyone is very wealthy. Those who choose to work do what they love, and there are also those who don't work and just travel around every day. And almost everyone is immortal, free from illness and disaster, truly a paradise on earth."
Jiang Ye's expression was slightly awkward.
Paradise on earth...
It seemed that some of the word's connotations had been clarified today.
"Okay, once Meteorite Star is secured, we'll go on vacation."
Jiang Ye got up and went straight to his office, starting to monitor the battle on Meteorite Star.
All troops had arrived on Meteorite Star. The majority of the forces were busy consolidating the capital city, constructing defensive fortifications in its suburbs.
To avoid environmental pollution, many rapid construction equipment couldn't be used due to high emissions. They could only rely on robots and manpower to build them piece by piece. Construction sites even had manual laborers, a rather backward step in time.
Trains were also departing one after another, sweeping through the beast tides along the way while repairing inaccessible railway lines.
...
Meteorite Star, Capital City Station.
At four in the morning, the sky was still dark. The station's white lights cast onto the wet platform.
Several dark mechanical soldiers dragged hoses, using high-pressure water streams to wash the train at the end of the tracks. A layer of splattered blood on the train's body was continuously peeled off by the water flow, finally revealing its pure white, jade-like body.
The bloodstains were from yesterday's battle. The beast tide had approached within two meters of the train at its closest. Attack aircraft desperately called out from above the train, but the officers on this train had ordered the entire vehicle to hold its ground and not abandon their weapons or flee. The soldiers fought to the last, shouting ferociously, using a barrage of bullets to kill the last few Hell Tigers at the train's side. The rescue aircraft swarm witnessed the thrilling process and flew away, cursing over the communication channel.
"Click! Click! Click!"
The sound of heavy military boots echoed on the platform, the footsteps firm and powerful, like the striking of iron.
The busy mechanical soldiers quickly turned off the water and stood at attention, saluting the approaching figure.
A man in a military officer's uniform walked slowly. He was one meter ninety tall, with a sturdy build but a very thin face. He wore only a regular officer's uniform, yet he exuded an aura like a general.
Pei Yongxin, thirty-five years old, was the train's captain.
"Report, the train has just finished being washed," a mechanical soldier said.
"Good work," Pei Yongxin nodded.
He walked around the train, occasionally squatting to inspect the underside. Then he boarded, inspecting carriage by carriage.
This was Pei Yongxin's habit. Before every mission, he would arrive two hours and five minutes early to inspect the train thoroughly. Besides confirming the train's integrity, he also checked the weapons and equipment inside. He required the soldiers to maintain their weapons before leaving the train and had established strict procedures and standards. He could tell if the soldiers had followed through by the smell of gun oil.
While Pei Yongxin was inspecting, the soldiers on the platform outside began to assemble. When Pei Yongxin emerged from the last carriage, a complete and orderly troop stood on the platform.
"Blake Tess, your hat is crooked. Peng Shu, tie your hair up. Zang Hanyin, straighten your uniform." Pei Yongxin's gaze swept over all his subordinates, like a wolf king scrutinizing his cubs. "Shen Puzhe, your complexion is poor. Are you unwell?"
"Report! Stayed up late playing cards! I was wrong!"
"After boarding, sleep for one hour immediately. After waking, you will stand for the entire day, and even use the latrine while standing."
"Yes!"