novelraw Chapter 280: Time Flies
Chapter 280: Time Flies
Time flies, the wind and sand on the Gobi Desert have blown over and over again.
Stars silently wheel overhead.
In the blink of an eye, a year has quietly slipped away.
This year.
For Su Zhan, lurking in the uninhabited zone of the northwest, was a year of hunting that was monotonous, arduous, yet remarkably fruitful.
Su Zhan's life routine was as fixed as the rocks on the Gobi: venture deep into the heart of the uninhabited zone, attempt to summon a Mist domain.
If successful, he would transform into the calmest and most efficient hunter, using the summoner's privilege to launch a fatal ambush before the Mist Creatures could react.
If he failed, he would either patiently wait for the daily quota to refresh.
Or drive to find the next possible location.
Su Zhan's understanding of the summoning ritual deepened day by day.Although he still couldn't break through that intangible quota limit, nor could he precisely control the quality of the Mist Creatures that descended.
He learned how to more finely adjust the domain's range to extend its duration.
He could now preliminarily sense the emotions of that chaotic will.
Whether it generously allowed the channel to stabilize, or was stingy and only permitted a weak connection.
This directly determined the strength of the prey.
Over the course of this year.
Su Zhan encountered and hunted a wide variety of Mist Creatures.
From swarming tides of Bone-Erosion Rats.
To shape-shifting sand demons capable of lurking beneath the sandy ground.
From rot-winged bats that spewed acid in the air.
To giant stone scorpions with heavy carapaces...
Su Zhan's combat experience accumulated at an astonishing rate.
His use of the Time Abyss Pupil became increasingly proficient, and his flight ability was as natural as moving his own arm.
Relying on this almost cheat-like cultivation method, his strength surged forward triumphantly.
As if riding a rocket, starting from High-risk third tier, fourth tier, fifth tier... he broke through all obstacles and charged straight to the peak of High-risk tenth tier!
This was a realm countless Awakened individuals and Aberrants dreamed of.
Su Zhan encountered an unprecedented bottleneck.
Special-risk level, that was a true chasm.
To cross it, one must absorb the Life Essence of a Mist Creature of the same level, that is, Special-risk level.
But the problem was, Special-risk level Mist Creatures were simply too rare!
Even when Su Zhan successfully summoned a large, stable Mist domain, what descended were mostly High-risk low-to-mid tier existences, occasionally encountering High-risk high tier, that is, seventh to ninth tier.
That was already hitting the jackpot of luck.
Special-risk level?
Throughout this year, he had only sensed their terrifying Pressure emanating through the domain three times, but the other party either just cast a cold glance and left.
Or retreated deep into the Mist before he could even attempt to approach.
The higher the realm.
The gap between each small stage was like a vast chasm.
And the gap between major realms was even more a difference in quality.
Su Zhan was very clear, with his strength at the peak of High-risk tenth tier, facing a Special-risk level Mist Creature head-on, even if it was just Special-risk first tier, his chances of winning were minuscule.
Let alone killing it.
Su Zhan needed an opportunity, needed the right timing, favorable terrain, and human harmony.
For example, a Special-risk creature that was severely injured.
Or a special environment that could greatly weaken the opponent.
Or perhaps... finding other Special-risk level existences to cooperate with?
Su Zhan tried countless times, hunted who knows how many High-risk creatures, yet his cultivation made no further progress.
This uninhabited zone, once regarded by him as a treasure trove for leveling up, had now been squeezed dry of its value.
Staying here any longer would just be a waste of time.
Su Zhan stood on a weathered yardang landform, gazing at the endless golden sand dunes before him, and slowly let out a turbid breath.
A year of wilderness ascetic training had made his temperament even more composed and steady.
His eyes were like a hawk's, yet also carried a trace of weariness.
"It's time to leave."
Su Zhan murmured softly to himself.
Driving that weather-beaten off-road vehicle, he left this Gobi that had borne witness to a year of his frenzied cultivation.
The wheels rolled over the familiar road.
This time, he did not look back.
When Su Zhan saw the rugged city outline of Xichuan City again.
He actually felt a sense of being in a different lifetime.
The brief period of dormancy was over.
It was time to step back into that tumultuous, complex human world.
To seek new opportunities.
To face old grudges.
To assault that seemingly unreachable Special-risk realm.
"What is that car ahead doing?"
Su Zhan saw the car ahead coming from the opposite direction getting closer and closer to him.
A black SUV, clearly modified, approached from the front side.
It blocked the only road leading to Xichuan City.
Su Zhan could only slam on the brakes hard, forced to a stop by the other vehicle.
The doors opened.
Two men and one woman got out.
All three wore casual clothes suitable for action.
But their postures were upright, and they faintly emitted the unique energy fluctuations of Awakened individuals.
The leading young man with a stern face walked directly to Su Zhan's driver's side window and presented his credentials:
"Aberrant Purge Division, routine investigation. Please cooperate."
Su Zhan's heart sank slightly, and he quickly nodded: "Of course, of course, sir."
Where did he slip up?
Was it because his frequent trips in and out of the uninhabited zone to purchase large quantities of supplies drew attention?
Or... worse, did they detect abnormal Mist energy fluctuations in the uninhabited zone and locked onto "Chen Qing," who frequently ventured deep into the Gobi alone?
The leading man began the interrogation: "Name, age, present your identification."
"Chen Qing."
Su Zhan smoothly reported his false identity and handed over that almost indistinguishable fake ID card: "21, 22 in nominal age."
The man took the ID, carefully comparing the photo with Su Zhan's currently somewhat weathered face.
The woman beside him held a tablet-like device, seemingly conducting a rapid search.
"Where are you coming back from?"
The man continued asking, his tone scrutinizing.
Su Zhan knew this question was crucial.
If he said he went to another city, a check of surveillance cameras and traffic records along the way would instantly expose the lie.
Su Zhan could only answer truthfully, trying to appear as natural as possible: "Just from... that Gobi desert over there."
He pointed towards the boundless wilderness behind him.
The three instantly exchanged glances, their wariness noticeably intensifying.
The stern-faced man narrowed his eyes slightly: "Gobi desert? That's an uninhabited zone, you know that, right?"
"I know."
Su Zhan nodded, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "I just like to wander around, take some scenic photos, do some exploring and such."
This reason was common, but also the most easily suspect.
As he answered.
The short man among the three, who hadn't spoken until now, had quietly taken half a step back, turning his back to Su Zhan, his fingers rapidly swiping across his phone screen, his shoulders slightly tensed.
That was definitely not playing on the phone;
it looked more like relaying information, calling for backup!
The atmosphere instantly became delicate.
Su Zhan maintained a calm exterior, but alarm bells were already blaring loudly in his heart.
The other side was clearly prepared, likely having long noticed the anomalous target "Chen Qing," who frequently purchased large quantities of survival supplies and entered the uninhabited zone alone.
If they took it a step further and linked the recent frequent small-scale Mist incidents within the uninhabited zone to his movements...
Then he would almost certainly be the prime suspect, nailed down solid!
They weren't taking immediate action now.
Perhaps because they still lacked conclusive evidence.
Perhaps they were waiting for stronger backup.
After all, someone who could survive and operate alone in an uninhabited zone suspected of frequent Mist incidents was definitely no ordinary person.
Should he continue to stall, waiting for the possible encirclement?
Or...
Su Zhan's peripheral vision swept over the positions of the three, assessing their strength.