This artillery strike caught the Zerg completely off guard. In fact, Wen Qi was not prepared at all.
The moment he detected the incoming shell, Wen Qi transmitted the message to the severely injured Master of Planet Blue-1 inside the mecha. Evidently, the Master was also unaware. Wen Qi watched as the Master’s expression shifted upon receiving the mental message. Without a moment of hesitation, the Master sprinted toward him.
Almost the instant the Master of Planet Blue-1 began to run, Wen Qi crouched down. He wrapped his body tightly in a massive cocoon of mental power. Even if it proved useless, it was the only thing he could do.
One second, two seconds, his heart hammered. Wen Qi did not know how much time passed before the sensation of weightlessness took over. He heard a deafening boom as something exploded. The earth shook, his ears rang, and then he could hear nothing at all.
A terrifying shockwave slammed into the transport as if it were a solid wall. Wen Qi shielded his head tightly. The transport shuddered under the blast, and its defense system emitted a piercing alarm. Outside, the female Zerg in the mecha stood before the vehicle, serving as its final line of defense.
Wen Qi remained crouched. A wave of sharp pain washed over him. After an unknown amount of time, the ringing in his ears gradually faded, replaced by a numbing ache. He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at himself. He was covered in blood, looking as though he had crawled out of a crimson pool.
A thought rose in his mind: “If I am this badly hurt with protection, then the female outside?”
Enduring the throbbing pain in his head, Wen Qi’s mental power radiated outward. He quickly found a faint presence in front of the transport. He also saw the craters left by the explosions. It might have been an illusion, but the craters seemed further from their position than he had anticipated.
He did not have time to dwell on it. Wen Qi stood up quickly, but a surge of intense pain hit him. His body felt as if it no longer belonged to him. The blood loss made his head spin. He clutched his head and waited for a minute until the lightheadedness subsided. He reached out and pushed against the window.
With a loud crash, the high-grade bulletproof glass shattered into pieces. It had reached its limit. As Wen Qi touched it, the entire transport collapsed, and the mecha shielding it fell apart as well. The mecha shattered, and a blood-stained figure fell to the ground, his life status unknown.
Wen Qi’s gaze sharpened. He was about to walk over when the remains of the transport beneath him gave way. His balance faltered, and after a moment of dizziness, he fell uncontrollably to the ground.
The landscape was a vision of devastation. Perhaps the intense pain had caused numbness, because Wen Qi did not feel the impact of the fall. However, the drop restored his sense of smell, and the stench of gunpowder filled his nostrils, making him gag.
He knew he could not stay here, as he might contract a disease from the environment. Yet, as he lay on the ground, he felt utterly powerless. He tried to crawl up several times but failed. His only functioning tool, his mental power, was nearly depleted and could only be used to confirm that the female nearby was still alive.
Realizing his condition, Wen Qi gave a bitter laugh, comforting himself with the thought that he had at least achieved his goal. He stared at the female for several minutes. Perhaps sensing the gaze, the blood-stained figure nearby opened his eyes. In that instant, a sharp, fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the Master of Planet Blue-1. He propped himself up with trembling arms and sat up.
Wen Qi retracted his mental power to form a protective barrier around himself. The two Zerg looked at each other with somber gazes. Wen Qi was putting on a front, while the Master of Planet Blue-1 was naturally stern. After several minutes of silence, Wen Qi finally found the strength to speak.
“Master of Planet Blue-1?”
Wen Qi’s face and body were covered in blood. The light-colored clothes he wore, a pale white with hints of green, were shredded and stained red. With his light green hair, he looked absolutely wretched, as if he had been fished out of a pool of blood. Even the Master was momentarily dazed, wondering if he was seeing correctly. Was this truly a male?
However, he was the Master of Planet Blue-1, and he soon regained his composure. Whether the male was real or not, he knew the truth better than anyone. “It is I, Mr. Male,” he said. His voice was raspier than before.
Wen Qi looked at him, but because the other was covered in blood, he could not tell the extent of his injuries. Despite his own pain, Wen Qi forced himself to remain alert and on guard.
Wu Yuan noticed the male’s wariness. The male’s body was tense. Although he tried to hide it, his defensiveness was obvious to a combat-hardened female.
He spoke first. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Wu Yuan, the Master of Planet Blue-1.” His tone was steady, though his voice shook with a gravelly rasp due to his injuries. “Mr. Male, I am sorry for involving you in today’s events.”
He continued logically, “I have set up a perimeter around this area. I am curious how you managed to get in. Furthermore, there are no males of your rank on Planet Blue-1. You must have come from another planet. So,” he looked up and met Wen Qi’s eyes, “what is your purpose?”
Wen Qi became even more guarded. He chose his words carefully for two seconds before replying, “It is true. I came from another planet.” He looked at Wu Yuan, his brows knitting together. “I entered this place voluntarily.”
“What can I offer you?” Wu Yuan was self-aware. Since a male had gone to such lengths to save him, he must want something in return. But what could this planet have that an A-rank male would desire? It was not that he looked down on the world he managed, but there were countless better planets elsewhere. If a male went there, he would surely receive much more than he could find here. Planet Blue-1 was a Trash Star. No high-level males wanted to be here, and even low-level ones were rare. Anyone who came must have a motive.
A sudden itch rose in Wu Yuan’s throat. He turned his head and spat out a large mouthful of blood. He coughed twice and asked, “I imagine it is not something easily obtained?”
Wen Qi’s heart tightened, but he did not hide his goal. Despite the pain, his voice was equally raspy. “I heard the Master possesses an SS+ rank female bone wing repair fluid. I need that item, so I came.”
Upon hearing about the repair fluid, Wu Yuan stopped wiping his mouth and stared intently at Wen Qi. “Female bone wing repair fluid?” he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief.
Wu Yuan never imagined a male would enter a Death Zone to save a female just for a repair fluid for another injured female. This was a Death Zone. Even a female would find it difficult to leave without losing a layer of skin. Yet what had this male done? He had not only saved someone but had also helped deal with two Star Beasts along the way. If this story got out, it would be a laughingstock, yet here it was, happening before his eyes. The male before him was real, he had truly saved him, and the reward he wanted was indeed an SS+ rank repair fluid.
Wu Yuan’s mind raced. He thought through all the SS and S rank females currently in the Blue Sequence who might need such a fluid. He soon narrowed it down to a few, and the one who needed it most was… Wu Yuan’s pupils contracted. Could it be?
He watched Wen Qi for two seconds and said, “Mr. Male, your information is indeed very accurate. I do have an SS+ rank repair fluid, but I do not have it on me. It is at the Master’s Mansion. You may collect it at any time. You are badly injured and need rest first. I have already sent someone to fetch healing fluid and scent suppressants.”
His voice was raspy, but he showed no hostility. His words even carried a sense of kindness. Wen Qi noticed that the female’s attitude had softened significantly.
“Thank you, Master.”
Perhaps because Wu Yuan had mentioned it, the pain Wen Qi had been trying to ignore became sharp and clear. The numbing ache felt like ants gnawing at his internal organs, making him feel as if he were dying. It was the first time he had felt this way, and he felt terrible. His face contorted, and he could barely maintain his expression.
Within minutes, his expression shifted repeatedly. Once he managed to shift his focus from the pain, he thought of the person responsible for his current state. His eyes narrowed as he spoke to Wu Yuan. “Does the Master know a man named Yi You?”
“Yi You?” Wu Yuan’s gaze fell on Wen Qi. After two seconds, he looked away, his voice flat. “The director of the First Hospital of the Seven-Colored Sequence. He is quite famous on every planet in the sequence.”
“Just a director?” Wen Qi asked. The intense pain made it difficult to show any expression. His voice dropped and sounded even worse. “He was just here. I thought he was a friend of the Master.”
Wu Yuan had been the Master for a long time and caught the underlying meaning in Wen Qi’s words. Yi You… The male had come for the repair fluid, but what was Yi You doing here? What could make Yi You ignore his commands?
Wu Yuan’s eyes darkened. “What did he do?”
“Nothing much,” Wen Qi said. “He simply used offensive measures in this Death Zone.”
It was not a small matter. He had fired a shell at him and blown up his transport. After the Star Beasts left, Wen Qi had remained alert and had not retracted his mental power. His power had brushed against the place where he had left his transport. It was a wreck, clearly destroyed by a cannon shot.
Based on Wu Yuan’s words, it was clear that Yi You had entered without permission. Wu Yuan had not known. Therefore, Wen Qi decided to lay the blame squarely on him. In short, whoever made his life difficult would suffer in return. Wen Qi was no saint. He watched Wu Yuan’s expression and saw the Master’s face darken at his words.
Just as Wen Qi was about to add more fuel to the fire, sounds came from the distance. Wu Yuan was the first to notice. His eyes turned sharp as he looked in that direction. Wen Qi followed his gaze but saw nothing. He turned back to Wu Yuan and saw the Master’s expression soften.
“It is my subordinates,” Wu Yuan told Wen Qi. “We are safe now.”
Wen Qi looked in the direction Wu Yuan had been watching. His vision was not as sharp as a female’s, but the incoming vehicles were fast. Two transports appeared before them within seconds. Wen Qi stared at them.
The first to exit was a middle-aged sub-female with a clean face and a sharp military uniform. After scanning the area, his face lit up with irrepressible joy upon seeing Wu Yuan. He seemed to relax instantly. He spent two seconds hiding his emotions, then handed a package to Wu Yuan, speaking in a businesslike tone. “Master, here is the healing fluid you requested.”
He leaned down and offered the fluid. Wu Yuan glanced at the three bottles and took one, telling the sub-female, “Give the other two to this gentleman.”
The sub-female walked over to Wen Qi, crouched slightly, and handed him the fluid. Wen Qi hesitated before taking it. Wu Yuan noted this and said, “Mr. Male, this is my adjutant and my partner.”
Wen Qi looked at Wu Yuan, then at Zong Tao, and relaxed his body slightly. Wu Yuan continued, “The healing fluid is unopened. If you need help with the injection, let us know. We bear you no ill will. Please try to control yourself so as not to harm anyone. We have no ill intent toward you or the female you are helping.”
Wen Qi looked at Wu Yuan and realized his secrets had been partially exposed. Although he was still worried, he was not a complete novice. He nodded. “Thank you, Master. My name is Lu Lin, a C-rank sub-female.” He opened the package and expertly injected the medicine into his body. He carefully checked the packaging first to ensure it was untampered with.
“Zong Tao, A-rank sub-female,” the adjutant said. He watched Wen Qi finish the injection, then crouched to examine Wen Qi’s wounds. “Does the gentleman need a pheromone suppressant?”
Wen Qi sniffed but smelled nothing. However, he remained cautious. “I do.”
The sub-female nodded. “Perhaps due to the battle, the scent of Mr. Lu Lin’s pheromones is a bit strong. But we did not expect to meet a male, so we did not bring a suppressant.”
Wu Yuan felt his strength returning after the injection. He stood up and stretched. “Will the gentleman return with us? The pheromone suppressant and the items you need are at the Mansion. Or you can wait here, and I will send someone to deliver them.”
Wen Qi replied, “I will go with you.” He had little strength left. Although the medicine from Zong Tao was effective and the pain was fading, it would take time to fully recover. Furthermore, his mental power was exhausted and would take days to replenish. Staying here would be dangerous if he were discovered. Going to Wu Yuan’s mansion also held risks, but the two Zerg had a good reputation on the Star Network, and logically, they would not harm him. An A-rank male’s wrath or resistance was not to be taken lightly. If they wanted to harm him, they could do it now. There was no need to lure him to the mansion. Staying here was far more dangerous.
“Fine,” Wu Yuan agreed decisively.
Zong Tao remained silent, glancing at Wu Yuan before opening the transport door. The Master’s Mansion was some distance from this small town. Even with the transport at full speed, it took nearly four hours to arrive. By the time they reached the mansion, Wen Qi’s body had mostly recovered, but his mental power was empty, which was extremely uncomfortable. He could endure it.
The Mansion was heavily guarded. After injecting the pheromone suppressant, the group entered. Wu Yuan left immediately to fetch the items. Zong Tao, who had been watching Wen Qi the whole way, approached him once Wu Yuan was gone.
“Mr. Lu Lin,” Zong Tao said. “Would you like a tour?”
He looked at the disheveled male, his surprise no less than Wu Yuan’s. Even after seeing him for four hours and smelling his pheromones, he still felt like he was dreaming. A male, a high-level male, had traveled to the Death Zone to save his Master. The story felt like a fantasy, yet it was the truth.
He knew the state of Wu Yuan’s mental sea. Even an A-rank male would shake his head at such a mess. Saving Wu Yuan would require a high price that most males were unwilling to pay. There were no A-rank males on Planet Blue-1, and though they had sought one out, none were willing to help. They had been forced to live in seclusion for the last two years. He had not expected things to come to this.
He knew how stubborn Wu Yuan was and would never have allowed a male into the Death Zone. The only possibility was that Wu Yuan did not know. The male had entered the zone without Wu Yuan’s knowledge and had saved him from two Star Beasts. The male must have a motive, but that did not matter. Zong Tao was grateful to anyone who helped Wu Yuan in his time of need.
Perhaps because he had not hidden it well, Zong Tao’s emotions were visible to Wen Qi. Wen Qi declined the tour. “Thank you, Adjutant Zong Tao, but that is not necessary.” He stated his goal directly. “I will leave as soon as I have the items.”
“Is that so?” Zong Tao continued. “Then please feel free to visit if you have time. I will not keep you today. However,” he paused, his gaze sweeping over Wen Qi, “would Mr. Wen Qi like to wash up first? You look a bit conspicuous. Females are warlike, and the smell of blood might provoke a desire for combat.”
Wen Qi looked down at himself. The blood had dried and was clinging to him, which was indeed eye-catching and uncomfortable.
Zong Tao added considerately, “There is cold water in the nearby courtyard. You can wash and change into clean clothes. If you are truly worried, you can contact your family to come and pick you up.”
Before Zong Tao could finish, a soldier ran in. “Reporting to the Adjutant, something is wrong.”
Zong Tao’s smiling face immediately turned somber. A sense of authority radiated from him, making him look like a different person. “What is it?” he asked coldly. The soldier glanced at Wen Qi. Zong Tao excused himself and instructed a nearby soldier to look after Wen Qi before walking away.
As they walked off, Wen Qi heard a faint voice. “Director Yi You of Hospital No. 1 is here to see the Adjutant. He is accompanied by the Planet’s Chief Administrator and Colonel Liu of the Planetary Defense Force. He says, he says the Master has died in the Death Zone and that we are keeping it a secret. They want you to give them an explanation. Otherwise,” as the two moved further away, the voices grew fainter. Finally, he heard only a few hushed words, “otherwise, there will be a battle, lives will be lost.”
Hearing this, Wen Qi, who was about to message Gu Nan, paused his hand.