Qin Zheng glanced to his left at the Cangjie SC4-01, which was being protected at the center of the formation.
If someone can afford a Mk IV Mecha, they shouldn't be a rookie, right?
He looked again at the three options before him. Even though the "Evil-Defying Sword Art ★★★" was three stars, he wouldn't practice it. The remaining options...
Qin Zheng didn't hesitate for long and directly chose the third option: Pierce the Heavens.
Since they were all paths for survival, naturally, he would choose the one with the most rewards. What if he succeeded?
Closing the system panel, Qin Zheng controlled the Bedrock PS-01 to continue on their way while speaking in the team channel:
"This mission is a bit strange. Everyone, stay alert. If we encounter danger, prioritize escaping. Don't play the hero."
Combat Engineer GC2-01: "Don't worry, Zheng Ge. We understand. Fugui Ge taught us to run first if we can't win!"
Combat Engineer GC2-01-2: "Yeah, we'll follow your lead and retreat immediately."
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-01: "Zheng Ge, did you discover something?"
Qin Zheng couldn't directly mention the system prompt, so he hinted vaguely:
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Bedrock PS-01: "Something feels off. This little noble might be hiding information from us. That Shieldmount's provocation was too sudden and suspicious, yet they said it was just a personality issue..."
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-01: "Yeah, but with these private missions, employers usually don't tell us everything. On one hand, we wouldn't understand even if they did. On the other hand... if it was something they could casually mention, they probably wouldn't issue a private mission."
Bedrock PS-01: "Better safe than sorry. Stay vigilant!"
The group maneuvered their mechas quickly forward. The area near the airfield had been traversed countless times by other teams on missions, making it relatively safe.
Thus, Zhu Fugui led the way without slowing down, charging ahead at full speed and quickly covering 50 kilometers.
From this point, the Zerg were active.
Since Luo Qingning's target was just the ordinary Sawtooth Bugs, Zhu Fugui slowed down and activated the detection radar mounted on the back of his mecha.
The L-782 Compact Bio-Detection Radar, with its unassuming gray shell, was something Qin Zheng knew was incredibly valuable, even more so than the Bluebird Transport Ship that brought them here!
Although the radar's detection range was only 500 meters, it was still a solid safeguard for a team exploring the wilderness.
Now that they had a radar capable of detecting bugs in advance, they felt much more confident.
Inside the PS-01, Qin Zheng smacked his lips. He couldn't quite figure out their client, Luo Qingning. Such an expensive radar was requested by her to be welded directly onto the back of the Sabertooth Tiger before departure.
It was puzzling. Wouldn't it be better to mount it on Shieldmount?
At this moment, the radar was active, and the detected content was shared in real-time on everyone's mecha systems. Zhu Fugui looked at the radar screen before him and couldn't help but exclaim:
"What the hell! Zheng Ge! There's a massive lifeform at your location!"
Qin Zheng also noticed the situation on his side. The screen showed a very distinct life signal at his position within the team.
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "Everyone move to the left to evade!"
The woman in charge of command reacted swiftly, immediately issuing the evasion order.
However, no matter how they adjusted their formation, the strong signal source continued to shadow Qin Zheng, always overlapping with him.
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-01: "Damn! Can't we shake this thing off?"
Combat Engineer GC2-01: "No idea why, but it keeps following Zheng Ge."
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "Everyone halt, maintain vigilance on the spot."
As everyone maneuvered their mechas to stop, the biological signal source also halted and began to gradually weaken.
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "PS-01, move forward ten meters and then stand guard."
Following the command, Qin Zheng controlled the PS-01 to move forward ten meters.
At that moment, everyone realized the issue. The biological signal source on the radar moved forward a short distance in sync.
PS-01: "Is this me?"
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "It seems so. Your PS-01 is an early model mecha without an anti-detection coating, so the radar can directly detect your biological signal."
Sabertooth Tiger HS2-01: "But none of us have the coating, and Zheng Ge's signal is way more obvious."
Cangjie SC4-01: "That's because his physical condition is extremely strong. In ancient terms, it's 'vital energy surging'! His body functions far exceed those of ordinary people." Read this novel at NovelPing for the best experience.
Luo Qingning's voice brought a brief silence to the channel, as if she had developed a slight interest, and she continued:
"Now I understand why you could pilot a Mk I Mecha and easily topple the Mk III Shieldmount. Your formidable individual strength compensates for the mecha's shortcomings... No, I should say, you complement each other."
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "This Mining Planet truly hides many talents. Since the crisis is resolved, let's continue."
The group continued advancing in their mechas, but everyone's attention occasionally drifted to the biological signal on the right side of the team.
Qin Zheng also kept an eye on it. It was too conspicuous.
He even noticed a pattern: when he practiced the Breathing Technique, the signal grew stronger; reducing the technique's operation weakened the signal.
While he was studying this, a large number of red dots suddenly appeared on the radar map at the left front edge.
Each red dot represented a biological signal, and although these signals were generally weak, their dense concentration was unsettling.
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "Slow down, approach the left front signal source. Shieldmount, move forward and set up a defensive formation. Everyone else, stand by behind Shieldmount. Sabertooth Tiger, go check the perimeter."
HS2-01: "Understood."
Zhu Fugui cautiously maneuvered the Sabertooth Tiger forward. The red dots on the radar clustered together, all displayed on everyone's radar interface.
QJ3-01 (Red·Commander): "176 biological signals, signal strength matches that of Sawtooth Bugs, no additional strong biological signals detected."
As she spoke, she instinctively glanced at the PS-01 on the right side of the team and continued:
"Return, Sabertooth Tiger. Everyone prepare. QJ3-02, fire the grenade cannon, activate the swarm!"
QJ3-02: "Roger, grenade cannon ready, firing!"
The Qianji Mk III Mecha in the center of the team raised a launch unit, and with a "boom," a grenade arced through the air, landing precisely in the center of the biological signal cluster.
"Boom!"
Following the distant explosion, a piercing insect screech erupted, and the seemingly calm ground was suddenly upheaved by a black swarm of bugs.
The gaping-mouthed Sawtooth Bugs burst forth from the earth, swarming densely towards the group.