Chapter Forty-Five: The Scarlet Mist Wilderness

Su Yi and Ji Cheng’s eyes met; she lowered her gaze shyly.

“Before this mission, we already spent a week getting used to each other. We assigned everyone’s workflow according to their genetic attributes and knowledge base. We ran 48 simulated prospecting drills and found mineral sources 32 times. We did 40 simulated excavations, with an accuracy rate of 85%.”

The prospecting and extraction of energy crystal mines, as the lifeblood of Baishan Star, had developed over decades. The industry rules and technical procedures for exploration and mining were now highly sophisticated. By regulation, each step had to be handled by a specialist, and a backup was always required.

After all, mining for energy crystals carried enormous risks; losing several team members was considered routine. Even in low-risk mining zones, it wasn’t uncommon for six or seven to set out, and only the team leader to return.

“You already know this one. Her name is Millie, though she prefers to be called ‘Sister Millie.’ She holds a formal mining license and is in charge of orebody positioning.”

Su Yi pointed to a middle-aged woman. “This is Qiao Tongtong, responsible for tunnel excavation parameters.”

“That guy with the buckteeth is Mou Zhi. Don’t be fooled by his goofy look—he’s a master at operating excavation machinery.”

“My lord, I’m Hou Shang, assistant-grade mining license. I work with Sister Su on real-time risk assessment.” The short, skinny man couldn’t wait for Su Yi to introduce him and blurted out, “I’m sorry about earlier, truly embarrassed. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Ji Cheng shook his head. Since becoming an ability user, the side effects of the Tyrant Serum no longer affected him. When necessary, he could kill without blinking, but he wasn’t so petty as to hold a grudge over something so trivial.

“So, none of you have ever been into the wild?” he asked directly, his tone sharp.

“Yes,” they replied in unison.

What a mess, Ji Cheng cursed Lu Shangbai inwardly.

Though he’d never truly ventured deep into a mining zone, at least he’d experienced the wild during the ability user selection. He was far more seasoned than these rookies. Leading a team with no real mission experience would make things much more difficult.

He fell silent, his demeanor turning grave.

“Since you’re all rookies, let me warn you first.”

“You should all be aware—the wild is a place where people die.”

His voice was solemn.

“The wild offers no warm beds, no rooms to shelter you from wind and rain, no tasty food, no clean water—only endless danger. Especially in mining zones. Once you enter, no one knows when death will come. The only things that can keep you alive are your knowledge reserves and…”

Ji Cheng’s keen gaze swept over each of their faces.

“Caution. Unparalleled caution.”

“In the mining zones: radioactive soil, out-of-control defense systems, mutated beasts, the terrain itself—quicksand, falling rocks, toxic gas, extreme cold—the threats are countless.”

“You can joke around now, but once in the mining zone, I expect absolute obedience. You all have mining licenses—even if inexperienced, you should know what must and mustn’t be done.”

His tone softened. He gestured to the large case behind Chen Qian. “Come and collect your gear and supplies. Find somewhere to change into your combat suits. We move out in ten minutes.”

He glanced at Su Yi with a smile. “You especially—make sure your combat suit is fully secured.”

Ten minutes later, Survey Team 1257 of All-North departed the logistics center, officially setting foot on the wild earth. Ji Cheng now wore an all-black combat suit, fully armed, leading at the front.

“Keep your comms open at all times. Out here, communication is the first rule.” He scanned the landscape: endless wind and dust, distant glimpses of the Gobi and scrubby forests, hard earth and withered grass beneath their feet.

“The map says we head northwest after leaving the city, about fifteen to twenty kilometers, then cross Boot Mountain, and we’ll reach the Scarlet Mist Wasteland. That’s where we’ll begin the search.”

The six team members activated their earpieces. After a brief beep, a pinhole camera switched on at each headset.

“My lord, why aren’t we starting the search here?” Mou Zhi asked, puzzled.

“Simpleton.” Millie fiddled with her binoculars, eager to impress Ji Cheng. “First, mining zones are typically on the ruins of former cities. Second, this area has been picked over countless times—do you really think there’s anything left?”

“Oh, I see! Millie, you know so much.”

“There’s a lot to learn about prospecting. You should read the Encyclopedia when you have time.” Millie looked pleased.

Bzzt.

Chen Qian’s voice came through the earpieces. “Team 1257, this is the monitoring desk.”

As the personal secretary, she didn’t need to go into the wild. She stayed at the logistics center, providing intel analysis.

“Team 1257 receiving. Go ahead,” Ji Cheng replied, pressing his earpiece.

“Other teams report geological activity fifteen kilometers northwest—potential danger ahead. Suggest rerouting west, entering the Scarlet Mist Wasteland via Xu Ridge Pass.”

Ji Cheng glanced at his wrist computer. “Received. Team 1257 rerouting to Xu Ridge Pass. ETA 10:46 a.m.”

“Xu Ridge Pass has north winds forecasted. Watch out for mist dispersal. Keep your channel open and cameras unobstructed.”

The call ended.

“My lord, I’m surprised. You not only became an ability user at such a young age, but you’re so experienced in the wild.” Qiao Tongtong spoke up. “Your coordination with Miss Chen is flawless—so concise, just a few words to convey so much.”

She gave an embarrassed smile. “If it were me, I’d probably just say ‘okay’ and leave it at that.”

You’re overthinking it, Ji Cheng thought, exasperated. “Just call me ‘boss.’”

“Let’s go.”

Following the map, they skirted far to the west, pressing on. The thousand hills and gullies of the Gobi grew sparser, the crackling dead grass thinned, and the air became dry and coarse.

All six, except Ji Cheng, had been injected with a gene agent and had undergone simulation training before departure. They adapted well—no one lagged behind. They pressed on without hindrance for about half an hour, until the massive form of Xu Ridge Pass loomed into view.

Xu Ridge Pass, also called Xu Ridge Saddle, was a saddle-shaped flatland atop a high mountain ridge, formed of heavily wind-eroded, metamorphic rock.

Looking from a small hill, the windward face of Xu Ridge Pass was pitted and hollowed out by gales, honeycombed with caves and utterly barren.

“Once we cross, we’ll be in the Scarlet Mist Wasteland. The red mist there is atmospheric metal pollution from an explosion. Breathe it in, and you risk brain damage and chronic poisoning—put your bio-masks on now,” Ji Cheng reminded them.

They descended the slope, reaching the lowlands of Xu Ridge Pass, then turned north along a broad, steep rock face, and suddenly an endless desert spread before them. Boulders, grinding stones, shale, pea-sized gravel, sand, dust, and powder rolled on and on.

Sunlight filtered through the crimson haze, throwing curved shadows across the sand waves—like another world draped in red mist.

Just then, Ji Cheng’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, he gave the order.

“Prepare for combat.”