Chapter Eighty-Five: I’ll Take the Jungle

The young hacker Zhao Yulong tapped a few times on the console, and instantly, a stream of light flowed across the surface of the crystal. At the same time, a three-dimensional image, projected entirely by light, appeared before everyone.

“This is the current map of the contaminated zone—otherwise known as the Evergrand Oasis.”

“We can see the residential area forms a perfect rectangle, with the walls and the temporal membrane creating the boundaries… The base I’ve hacked: the blue crystal, is located at the lower left corner of the map, on a grassy highland. There’s another base belonging to the alien creatures: the red crystal, situated at the upper right corner of the map, also on a grassy highland.”

Though Huang Jiang’s explanations surpassed the limits of human understanding, Zhao Yulong, who had cracked and controlled the crystal base, possessed even more intelligence.

“These two bases, besides cloning soldiers, have other functions as well. In fact, these crystals serve as control centers. Once I cracked this one, half of this contaminated zone became our sphere of influence.”

Zhao Yulong pointed to the center of the map.

“Here, a sandy path divides the community diagonally into left and right halves. Originally, this sand path was the river running through the area… From the blue crystal on the left to the red crystal on the right, there are three routes: two along the map’s edges, and one straight through the center. We can think of them as top lane, mid lane, and bottom lane.”

“Take note: on each of these three routes, there are defensive towers at regular intervals—fortresses built by the alien creatures, evenly distributed along every path. However, since I control the crystal center, the nine defensive towers in the left area are now ours.”

“Of course, the alien creatures’ territory has nine as well.”

Zhao Yulong raised his hand and pushed up the glasses on his nose. “These alien towers launch energy projectiles with tracking capabilities, and their power is immense! Even if you’re LV4 or LV5, having surpassed human limits, I really wouldn’t recommend testing their damage with your bodies.”

“The grassy highland where our blue crystal stands is surrounded by several Pandora crystals. By harnessing their energy, the base can continuously clone soldiers, forming waves to push forward. Use these clones to absorb tower damage, so we can destroy the enemy’s nine towers and, ultimately, shatter their central crystal.”

“Of course, the alien creatures won’t sit idly by. Their base also produces alien soldiers in a steady stream, forming their own waves… And the opposing team is a powerful squad of aliens. I’ve managed to pull up their profiles from the control center.”

The hacker tapped a few more times at the console, projecting five bizarre creatures.

“These alien beings are Martians from the inner realm. Based on their appearance, they can be named: Martian Octopus, Martian Worm, Martian Mole, Martian Moth, and Martian Mantis—all at least LV3 in strength!”

“Moreover, in their crystal base, they all have genetic backups. Even if killed, they can use the Pandora crystals’ energy to resurrect after a certain period. So we must completely destroy their crystal to eradicate these five aliens.”

“To clarify, these Martians came during species exploration on Mercury, when the inner realm and outer realm overlapped. So some native Mercury creatures also invaded reality, but they lack intelligence and only possess combat instincts. They can be considered neutral monsters.”

Zhao Yulong pointed out two locations beside the sandy path on the map. “Two powerful creatures occupy these spots: one is called the Mercury Spider, the other is code-named Colossus. Both are formidable! It’s advised not to provoke them lightly… Of course, slaying them brings enormous rewards.”

“That’s all I have to say. The enemy base is likely already operational, and our crystal must begin producing clones too. Otherwise, if their wave pushes forward, aided by their powerful alien fighters, our towers could fall, and that would be dangerous.”

“Even with LV4 or LV5, facing a horde of alien soldiers and five strong alien creatures, we couldn’t hold them off. Not to mention we must clear this contaminated zone within an hour.”

“I need to stay here, inside the crystal, to operate the base and keep producing soldiers. I can’t leave. Also, we need a modulator to serve as the cloning template—he or she must stay here too. You all decide who stays…”

“Oh, right, I almost forgot to mention.”

Zhao Yulong stepped out from the crystal and pointed to the ground beneath his feet. “Now, the ground of the residential area is covered with a thin layer of organic matter. When clone soldiers, alien creatures, or neutral monsters die on it, their bodies are quickly decomposed into nutrients, which are then transferred to the central crystal.”

“These nutrients can be used to manufacture items, such as stimulants and chitin exoskeleton armor. The nutrients earned by each person are recorded by the crystal center and converted into a numerical value. Based on this value, you can exchange for items… To put it simply, you last-hit minions, kill enemies, and take down neutral monsters to earn money, which you use inside the crystal to buy gear. That’s how it works.”

Everyone: “……”

After a few seconds, Dong Qing spoke up. “Isn’t this just a MOBA game? LOL, DOTA, King of Glory?”

“No.”

Finally finding a chance to speak, Huang Jiang, whose explanations exceeded human boundaries, sighed. “When we play MOBA games, we don’t die—here, in this contaminated zone, the five Martian creatures have genetic backups. We, the modulators, do not. Once killed, we die for real!”

Seeing the group’s faces turn serious, Huang Jiang smiled. “Don’t worry, everyone. Even though I’m almost an old man, I’ve played those games myself. Our modulator levels can be seen as game ranks: LV5 is Diamond, LV4 is Platinum.”

“Right now, we have a Diamond master and a Platinum expert leading the team.”

“As for the others, LV2 Yulong is inside the crystal; I, the Chef, and the Butcher are all LV3, which is equivalent to Gold. So as long as we’re careful, we should be fine.”

“There’s still an LV1, isn’t there? What does LV1 mean?” the scarred young man asked.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Yan Luo. The young man on horseback tilted his head in thought, somewhat uncertain. “I guess… Bronze…?”

Dong Qing: “……”

Chen Beixue: “……”

Zhao Yulong: “……”

……

Dong Qing broke the silence. “Three lanes—anyway, this is the contaminated zone, all of them need to be cleared. I’ll take the top lane… Big-chested girl, don’t follow me, or I won’t be polite! Hmph!”

The girl, a master of weaponry, lifted her chin and strode straight toward the top lane.

“Oh, please… I never intended to go with you anyway. In King of Glory, I have a 170-game winning streak! I’m taking mid, unless anyone objects?”

Naturally, no one opposed Chen Beixue, the LV5 powerhouse.

Pig Rong and Liu Sandao, the Butcher and Chef who had surpassed human limits, glanced at each other and said, “We’re friends in real life and teammates in the inner realm. We’ll take care of the bottom lane together.”

Huang Jiang nodded. “Then, Yan Luo, how about you stay in the crystal as the template for clone soldiers?”

“No…”

This contaminated zone has a recommended entry level of LV3—it must be a level 3 inner realm. Usually, as an LV1, I couldn’t access this level. According to performance, one can earn bio-energy, and those alien creatures might drop items and skills.

High-level monsters!

How could Yan Luo simply sit out and settle for a measly two gene points?

Although he was just an LV1 modulator, he had cards up his sleeve.

“I’ll jungle!”

“Don’t worry, I’m great at jungling!”