Chapter 28: Peril in the Outer District

Chapter 28: Peril in the Outer District

Ming Bai's gunfire enraged the star beast giant snake.

Its vertical pupils glowed fiercely as it opened its scarlet mouth, with two fangs dripping foul-smelling corrosive fluid.

In the next second, the heavy, thick snake tail swung at Ming Bai without warning.

A green light flickered in Ming Bai's eyes.

With a sharp crack, his metal prosthetic limb ejected a jet of air, and the scorching air stream successfully lifted Ming Bai into the air, evading the deadly snake tail attack.

The AI chip in Ming Bai's eyes quickly provided data, projecting it onto a translucent control panel visible only to him.

"Star Beast Name: Star King Snake

Danger Level: A Grade

Characteristics: Integrated offense and defense, scales have 98% resistance to electromagnetic thermal weapons, capable of withstanding B-grade ballistic weapons.

Habits: Colonial; when you see one, dozens are watching you.

Weaknesses: Eyes, mouth."

"Why would there be a nest of Star King Snakes in the outer district of Luo Ri Star? Don't King Snakes only appear in energy-rich areas?"

Muttering to himself, Ming Bai pulled out a smoke grenade and a flashbang and threw them out.

He only had electromagnetic thermal weapons on him, which were clearly inadequate to penetrate the highly resistant defenses of the Star King Snake.

Thus, without hesitation, he decided to escape first.

The blinding flash and obscuring smoke exploded in the oppressive silence, instantly reducing visibility within a 5-kilometer area to near zero.

One couldn't even see their own fingers when extended.

Seizing the opportunity while the Star King Snake's vision was blocked, Ming Bai quickly ascended with the aid of the AI chip's navigation.

At the same time, Ming Bai pondered.

The Star King Snakes are actually living in clusters in the outer district, which is very unsafe for the residents of Sunset Star.

Most of the residents of Sunset Star are elderly, weak, sick, or disabled, and the planet's defense system only has a few delicate patrol robots, which cannot withstand the attack of the Star King Snakes.

If the Star King Snakes get any closer to the central city, with Sunset Star's current crumbling defense system, the entire planet might be wiped out!

Today, he will return to make incendiary weapons and burn the Star King Snakes to death.

He must not allow the Star King Snakes to threaten the safety of the residents.

While evacuating, Ming Bai did not notice that a star beast with transparent wings had been menacingly targeting him.

"Warning: behind!"

The chip inside Ming Bai's eye issued a red alert.

What?!

Before Ming Bai could turn around, a thicker snake tail slammed him to the ground from the air.

Ming Bai felt dizzy, and his vision began to fade.

Although he was once a soldier and a B-grade Awakened, having received standardized basic combat training, ever since graduating from the reserve force, Ming Bai had entered a weapons manufacturing research institute and become a researcher. His combat skills were not strong.

That tail strike nearly killed him.

"Cough, cough..."

Ming Bai was about to use the AI chip to activate the thrusters on his prosthetic legs and take off once more.

The metal legs sparked twice, made a clacking sound, and then emitted white smoke.

His prosthetic legs were damaged.

He should have purchased the parts to repair his legs earlier...

In a situation like this... without the prosthetics, he was as good as useless.

If only his legs weren't damaged...

Ming Bai sighed heavily.

He looked up, fixing his gaze on the culprit that had ambushed him.

The star beast before him was a giant three-headed snake, with a pair of transparent wings behind it. It was over 100 meters long, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

A three-headed snake with wings... What kind of star beast is this?

Why hasn’t he seen it before?

"Star Beast Name: Unknown

Danger Level: Unknown

Characteristics: Unknown

Weaknesses: Unknown"

The holographic screen from the smart encyclopedia chip displayed a series of unknown attributes, indicating that this winged three-headed snake is a new type of star beast!

Its level is likely above A-grade.

"Cough, cough."

Ming Bai coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, staining his dark clothing red.

"How could a new star beast have evolved on Luo Ri?"

"I can’t let them get any closer to the central district, or everyone inside will surely die."

After a moment’s thought, Ming Bai made his decision.

The danger level of the Star King Snake and the three-headed snake is extremely high. He would ensure this damned snake group died here, even if it cost him his life.

"Initiate self-destruction sequence."

"Command confirmed. Voiceprint confirmed. Mental state confirmed."

"Self-destruction sequence initiated. Countdown: 1 minute."

Ming Bai's mechanical spine began to heat up.

It was scorching hot, gurgling as if it were boiling his blood.

Ming Bai looked up at the starry sky.

The night sky of Luo Ri was always stunning, a deep and pristine blue, a stark contrast to the main planet’s night sky.

Nights on the main planet were vibrant, with colorful flying crafts zipping across the night sky, lively and noisy.

More than 10 years had passed since Ming Bai left the main planet. He still recalled that night as a drizzly one.

His once-revered teacher dragged him to the square and used an electric baton bristling with fangs to shatter his legs and spine, piece by piece.

The crackling of his bones echoed in his ears, accompanied by electric shocks, beating, and cold words, chilling Ming Bai’s heart alongside the abuse.

"Famous Ming Bai actually plagiarized the professor’s work; he deserved this beating."

"Hahahaha, the once-great mechanical engineer, now crawling like a dog, hahaha!"

"Well done! Teacher, hit him a few more times; we must teach this thief a lesson."

"His legs are still twitching; let’s help out and burn them!"

The flames raged, burning his legs, shattering his trust in others, and erasing his faith in the Canglan Star Region.

Though his past glory was gone, Ming Bai remained the passionate weapon researcher he had always been.

"Too bad I couldn’t complete my final work; I should send a message to Mù Xīng to apologize."

"I’m sorry, I can’t deliver the star beast information you requested."

"Self-destruct sequence: 40, 39, 38..."

The cold countdown reverberated in his ears, and the three-headed snake before him aimed all three heads at him, its maws agape, dripping corrosive liquid onto the ground.

In response, Ming Bai merely smiled faintly.

Even if he died now, the self-destruct sequence wouldn't halt.

A bomb with the force of a nuclear blast would be enough to obliterate this den of serpents.

In his final moments, being able to help others one last time, Ming Bai was content.

He felt no remorse.

If there was anyone to apologize to... it was likely only his young disciple.

Yet he was already disgraced, and it was better for his young disciple to be free of such a tainted master.

The snake's hiss drew closer to Ming Bai, whose body was already scorched red, and a massive shadow engulfed him.

Ming Bai closed his eyes.

Farewell.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past him.

Soft and calming.

The wind dispelled the stench from the three-headed serpent's maw and also cooled his fevered body.

Then the wind grew louder.

Five clanging sounds, "clang clang clang clang clang," echoed, mingling with the wind.

Confused, Ming Bai opened his eyes and saw a winged figure—perhaps an exotic being—hovering in midair.

The figure wore white, surrounded by a halo of fluorescent blue light, glowing brightly in the dark night sky.

Was this an angel come to take him?

Was he already dead?

Ming Bai wondered.

But in the next moment, the 'angel's' voice jolted Ming Bai back to reality.

"Oh my! What a massive snake. This would make for several meals of roasted snake meat, wouldn't it?"

Ming Bai’s eyes widened in shock.

Roasted... snake meat?

Star beasts can’t be eaten, can they?

Wait. Why does the voice sound so familiar?

The 'angel' slowly landed, its wings dissipating into a gentle breeze.

"Are you alright?"

The 'angel' turned around.

He had black hair, black eyes, and a calm demeanor. Bathed in fluorescent blue light, his face was stunning, more beautiful than the ancient paintings in the interstellar museums.

But…

This ‘angel’ looks familiar…

Ming Bai found it hard to believe, even wondering if he was seeing things.

But he had seen this face just this morning, and there was no way he could be mistaken.

This is… Prince Cang Cheng?

How is this possible?

It was widely known that Prince Cang Cheng was a useless, non-awakened pretty boy, yet his ability to ride the wind bore no resemblance to the rumors.

"Chief Official..."

Before he could finish, Ming Bai coughed again, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Don’t speak."

Prince Cang Cheng glanced at the bloodied man, giving a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

Ming Bai's heart pounded fiercely.

"Self-destruction countdown 19, 18, 17..."

The system voice persisted.

Ming Bai quickly ordered, "Stop the self-destruction procedure."

"Command acknowledged."

"Master, I am relieved you are still alive."

The overheated spine began to cool, but Ming Bai's heart grew warm, almost burning.

His vision grew blurry.

—Don't worry, I'm here.—

Thank you for being here.

Although Ming Bai had been prepared to sacrifice himself, his life was not valuable.

However, at this moment, having someone beside him, assuring him he was not alone, it felt reassuring.

Ming Bai thought, he was no longer alone.

*

After confirming the injured person's condition was temporarily stable, Cang Cheng soared into the air once more.

Through his perception, he detected the hostile presences surrounding him.

"Estimated 28 enemies, ranging from junior mages to archmages."

Cang Cheng felt uneasy.

Cang Cheng was currently at the intermediate mage level. He could face high-level mages above his rank, but facing archmages, who were two levels higher, Cang Cheng wasn't very confident.

Fortunately, his opponents were not human, but star beasts with underdeveloped intelligence, they would not be overly intelligent.

However, how could there be so many high-level snakes in the outskirts of Luo Ri Star?

Had he disturbed a snake nest?!

As Cang Cheng was considering his strategy, he saw the three-headed snake that he had previously forced back with a Wind Blade leap up again, its transparent wings spreading wide.

Its scales were immaculate, without a scratch, clearly showing that the Chain of Wind Blades had inflicted minimal damage.

The three-headed snake fluttered its wings and swooped down on Cang Cheng.

The smaller snakes behind it charged at Cang Cheng en masse.

Ming Bai reminded, “Their weak points are their eyes and mouths! Thermal weapons are ineffective against them!”

Hearing this, Cang Cheng’s fingers traced in the air, the fluorescent blue trail of light lighting up the area around him.

In an instant, nearly thirty Wind Blades converged and shot towards the snakes like a volley of arrows.

The leading high-level star beast snake was unaffected by the Wind Blades, but the lower-level star beasts couldn’t endure the dense and sharp Wind Blades. Those that couldn’t evade in time had their heads severed, landing on the ground with a ‘plop.’

Deep red blood soaked the entire area.

In a single engagement, nearly half of the snakes were eliminated, perishing swiftly.

Ming Bai was still astonished that Cang Cheng had awakened, but in the next second, he was taken aback by Cang Cheng’s swift combat techniques.

Such a precise and efficient combat technique, even more decisive than some military personnel.

The fifth prince… had concealed his abilities effectively.

However, his combat style seemed unusual.

It didn’t seem typical of a Spirit Warrior.

And how he used Spirit Runes just now appeared to be the carrier-less rune drawing technique.

Hmm.

No way, no way!

This Cang Cheng, who caused bodies to litter the ground with the rise and fall of the wind, was the Spirit Rune Master, a support class that needs protection? Was he truly the rumored ornamental but useless fifth prince?

Ming Bai felt his perception of reality shattered.

With most of the troublesome snake group gone, Cang Cheng finally felt less overwhelmed by claustrophobia.

However, the death of its kin had enraged the leading three-headed snake.

The three large mouths of the snake opened wide, and shaking its body, it spewed corrosive liquid at Cang Cheng.

Cang Cheng quickly flapped his wings and dodged gracefully in mid-air, avoiding most of the attack.

However, a corner of his cloak was splashed with the liquid, eroding a piece of it.

Without hesitation, Cang Cheng shed his cloak, revealing his slender upper body dressed in a black shirt.

In just a few seconds after removing the cloak, the snake’s venom had totally eroded it, leaving only some fibrous remains.

“So potent…”

Had he been any slower, the corrosive liquid would have burned Cang Cheng’s skin.

This stellar beast was not easy to deal with.

The three-headed snake kept up its assault, directing the remaining snakes. Half of them sprayed venom at Cang Cheng while the other half attacked him with their tails, relentlessly chasing him.

Cang Cheng dodged with his Wind Wings and simultaneously erected a Wind Wall to block the corrosive liquid spraying from unseen angles.

His hands drew multiple Spirit Runes in the air, the fluorescent blue glows never ceasing.

For a moment, the battle reached a stalemate.

However, Cang Cheng knew he needed to end the battle swiftly.

He had given all his Spirit Runes to Simon today; he had none left, and the magical consumption from creating runes without a medium was immense.

At this moment, his magic was barely enough.

Cang Cheng didn't hesitate, he ascended straight up, while drawing a Wind Wall rune in his hand.

A square-shaped wall of air formed abruptly.

Cang Cheng threw the Wind Wall downward again in a dart-like motion, from above.

The rapidly spinning Wind Wall was like a giant blade falling from the sky, accompanied by the wind, sweeping away all obstacles in its path.

The Wind Wall inflicted wounds on the snake's body.

The snake's flexible body, upon contact with the Wind Wall, instantly formed a concave shape, and in the blink of an eye, was crushed to the ground by the wall.

This impact not only left the three-headed snake dizzy but also either flattened or tore apart the other smaller snakes that were following closely behind.

A single strike cleared the area.

Cang Cheng remained floating in the air, he pursed his lips, his face paled slightly.

The three-headed snake's body twisted and flailed on the ground, its dark, muscular form covered in tiny wounds.

The Wind Wall had caused some damage to the three-headed snake, but they were only superficial, insufficient to be fatal.

Cang Cheng then raised his hand again, preparing to deliver more damage to the three-headed snake.

"Watch out behind!!"

At Ming Bai's horrified shout, another slightly smaller three-headed snake appeared behind Cang Cheng.

It turned out there was a second mutated three-headed snake!

This smaller three-headed snake had been hiding on the side since the beginning of the fight, like it was hibernating without any presence, which made Cang Cheng completely unaware of its presence.

Cang Cheng was surprised.

Oh no, he had let his guard down.

Physically weak, Cang Cheng couldn't evade in time.

As the thick snake tail was about to strike Cang Cheng down, a tall figure suddenly scooped Cang Cheng into his arms, shielding him. His solid body, coupled with a slightly cool presence, resembled a gust from the polar regions—cold, sharp, and authoritative.

"You always call my name, so why did you forget about me now?"

His tone carried a hint of displeasure.