C18 In the Zoo

"How am I supposed to know? It's not like they wear their level on their forehead," the woman said, shaking her head. She took a hefty bite of meat, speaking between chews, "But I've sparred with quite a few of them. The strongest I've encountered was about at the Seventh Rank of Dark Iron."

Reaching the Seventh Rank of Dark Iron in under a month? These folks were no ordinary bunch!

"What's their interest in the Gold Tree Monster?"

"What else but to level up? Drinking the Gold Tree Monster's blood can help someone advance to Bronze. That piece of information has been out there for at least half a month."

Lin Yuan paused mid-stride, recalling how in his past life, many were bottlenecked at the Tenth Rank of Dark Iron. It took a year before the technique of using Blood Essence for advancement became widely known. Yet here they were, not even a month in, and this knowledge was already common—how?

"So, you're looking to advance as well?"

"Of course, who would pass up a chance to empower themselves?" she replied, nodding emphatically.

Lin Yuan probed further, "Who let the cat out of the bag?"

"That would be Mo Sanqiu. He works at the zoo and has been blabbering about how drinking the Gold Tree Monster's sap can lead to advancement. Then, just ten days ago, a team captain made it to Bronze, which confirmed the rumor."

Lin Yuan was genuinely taken aback. Someone had reached Bronze just ten days ago? That was alarmingly quick!

"With that kind of strength, he's not the top Superpowered around now, is he? Do you know his name?"

"Of course, he's a celebrity around here—Jia Shidong."

Jia Shidong, a legendary figure from his previous life, founder and president of the Mercenary Association, and a legendary Gold Rank Superpowered!

It seemed Redhedge truly was a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers—small, yet home to two legendary Gold Rank Superpowered. Impressive, indeed!

Lin Yuan pursed his lips and resumed his brisk pace. He had to admit, as someone reborn, he was somewhat underwhelming compared to these individuals blessed with extraordinary destinies. His sole edge was a bit of foresight, but when it came to luck, he was in a completely different league.

"Boss, what's your power level now? If you're not strong enough, just don't bother going. They fight as a gang, and you'll just be wasting your time as a lone wolf."

Miao Yihong rambled on as Lin Yuan, without turning his head, retorted,

"As if you're not a lone wolf yourself. If you can hang around here waiting for a chance, why can't I?"

"My target isn't the Gold Tree Monster, okay? I'm just looking to scavenge and take down some of the half-dead creatures they've left behind to level up. And as for moving up to Bronze rank, that's still a long way off for me!"

"I'm surprised you're so self-aware."

"Obviously. You only eat as much as your belly can hold. Unrealistic goals will just burst you."

"What rank are you?"

"Dark Iron, Seventh Rank."

"And your name?"

"Miao Yihong."

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen, in the prime of youth."

"Gender?"

"...Are you blind? Look at this figure; I'm the epitome of a beautiful woman!"

Lin Yuan glanced over her a few times and chuckled.

"Sorry, you speak with such a tough guy tone, I actually forgot you were a woman during our conversation."

Miao Yihong blinked and blurted out,

"Boss, with all these questions, you're not trying to hit on me, are you?"

Lin Yuan stumbled and nearly fell. Regaining his balance, he shot Miao Yihong a stern look.

"With your attitude, you'd make a great bro, but as a girlfriend? That's a hard pass. I can't afford that kind of embarrassment!"

"Embarrassing? I was the campus crush in my department before the Cataclysm. If you wanted to date me, I wouldn't give you the time of day!"

"Your department? Must have been Proctology, making nooses for hemorrhoids."

They continued their playful banter as they walked, a smile slowly spreading across Lin Yuan's face. Having someone to spar with verbally felt good, almost like old times.

"Hey, which group are you with? This territory is under my watch. If you want to pass through, you'll have to pay a toll!"

"..."

Lin Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words as he stared at the brash brute who had suddenly blocked their path.

"Hey Yihong, are you folks from Redhedge all cut from the same cloth? Why do I get the feeling you two are peas in a pod?"

"Boss, that's defamation and regional stereotyping. We Redhedge people are decent, even if occasionally a couple of us are a few fries short of a Happy Meal. And you just happen to run into them."

Miao Yihong's tone was laced with irritation. Lin Yuan smirked, thinking, 'At least you're aware you're not the sharpest tool in the shed. That self-awareness isn't too shabby.'

After setting down his pack, Lin Yuan leisurely drew his totem staff. The burly man with the twin axes saw this and involuntarily gulped.

"What's the matter? You looking for a fight? Just so you know, my axes aren't just for show!"

"Neither am I. I've been on a meat diet these days!"

Lin Yuan flashed a grin and lunged forward, swinging his staff right at the man's head!

"Clang!"

The axes and staff clashed, sending a shower of sparks flying. The brute force sent the big man stumbling back several paces.

Charge!

In a flash, Lin Yuan was at the man's side. With a flick of his totem staff, the axes were sent spinning into the air.

Before the man could gather his wits, Lin Yuan had him by the neck and was slamming him into the ground.

"Thud, thud, thud!"

The ground cracked under the impact, sending shivers down Miao Yihong's spine. She wondered if Lin Yuan's strength might have been too much—could he have killed the man?

Five minutes later, the big man was squatting submissively on the ground, picking mud from his nose and stealing glances at Lin Yuan.

"What rank are you?"

"Black, Dark Iron Seventh Rank."

"Your name?"

"Wu Yue."

"Age?"

"Twenty-three."

"Gender?"

"Male, male, I guess?"

Male, I guess?

Lin Yuan nearly burst into laughter. The man wasn't even sure of his own gender, despite his rugged, bearded appearance.

"Spill it, why did you try to rob us?"

"No, no reason, just... I was hungry and wanted something to eat."

He hadn't finished his sentence when his stomach started growling loudly.

Lin Yuan couldn't resist turning to Miao Yihong, thinking to himself, 'Birds of a feather, these two. Absolute gluttons!'

Ripping off a chunk of meat, Lin Yuan tossed it to the burly man known as Wu Yue, then shouldered his pack and strode toward the zoo.

Miao Yihong followed without a word, and after a moment's thought, Wu Yue, chewing on the meat, trailed behind as well. With the boss's astonishing fighting prowess, sticking close might mean getting a share of the spoils.

They walked on until Lin Yuan came to an abrupt halt, causing Wu Yue, preoccupied with his snack, to bump into the backpack.

"Boss, what's up?" Miao Yihong inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Without a word, Lin Yuan wielded his Jungle Blade to part the tall grass. Just a few meters ahead, several bodies lay scattered haphazardly, each with a gaping wound the size of a large bowl in their chest, their organs likely missing.

"Isn't that Yellow Hair? Saw him just this morning. How did he end up dead so suddenly? This world's gone to hell!" Wu Yue peered at the bodies, his face etched with dismay.

Crouching down, Lin Yuan smeared a bit of blood from near the wound and sniffed it; it was still fresh, indicating a recent death. But what could have inflicted such a massive wound?