Chapter 1879: I Want to Know Too
After all, the cost of developing a drug is extremely high, as seen from the situation in Zone 010 and Dr. Joyce—treating Black Thorn disease requires more than just money.
The last item was an invitation. Opening it revealed a special ticket, its surface bearing a dynamic golden fish pattern. In front, a small fish was swimming, while behind, a large fish chased it. When the small fish reached the center of the ticket, the large fish would bite it in one gulp. After swallowing the small fish, the large fish would shrink in size and become the small fish, whereupon another large fish would appear on the ticket, repeating the previous process.
This was the first time Xu Huo had obtained a specially crafted ticket. From the implication of the big fish eating the small fish on the ticket, it was likely a special banquet aimed at a specific group of people.
As for the specifics, he searched on Under Dimension but only found people offering high bounties for an invitation to the "Fish Feast," with no one specifically mentioning what kind of occasion the "Fish Feast" actually was.
Still, an invitation wasn't anything particularly important.
Two A-grade items, two primary trait upgrades, and one space device—these few things alone already left him very satisfied.
After organizing the items, he leaned against the simple bed and slept for the night.
The next morning during breakfast, he said to Deng Xiahei and the others, "I plan to go check out the Sand Sea Safe Zone later."
This perked them up, and Deng Xiahei immediately asked, "What are you planning to do?"
"I'll first look for any xenomorphs," Xu Huo said. "Then see if I can send away a batch of players."
If some instances were related to the Sand Sea Safe Zone, the most convenient method would be to destroy the safe zone. If this safe zone ceased to exist, then some instances should disappear along with it, and the stranded players could naturally break free from the instances.
Why were there more and more people in the Sand Sea Safe Zone? Simply because too many players were stranded there. This could largely solve the current problems facing Zone 010.
Completely destroying a safe zone was easy, but considering that Zone 010 was relatively poor, the Sand Sea Safe Zone was also a decent place—it would indeed be a pity to destroy it.
Deng Xiahei and the others had intended to cooperate with Liao Xiaoyi and her group. Last night, they had already spoken with the person in charge of the safe zone, but they hadn't made a decision yet. Now that Xu Huo was proposing to "help," they might never get a better opportunity. Since a fierce battle was inevitable anyway, it was better to start the fight with external support!
Thus, Liao Xiaoyi and her group quickly formulated an attack plan. Some were responsible for creating chaos within the city, others for luring away a portion of the safe zone's players. If they could retake the Sand Sea Safe Zone at a smaller cost, that would be ideal. If not, they would completely blow up the entire safe zone, which would at least send away some players from other zones, preventing them from standing united with the cannibal players.
Deng Xiahei and the others also participated in the planning. Xu Huo listened throughout without speaking until their plan was fully discussed. Only then did he obtain a rough layout map of the Sand Sea Safe Zone from Chang Shoujie.
"The center of Sand Sea has been remodeled by cannibal players over the years. The basic large facilities haven't changed, but they've likely altered the original layout. The place I originally designated for raising xenomorphs is beneath the Player Tower, a specially built underground cage. I just don't know if they're still using it."
Xu Huo memorized the map, then took out the "Same Zone Teleportation" and directly set the destination to the Player Tower.
"Everyone, I'll go ahead."
With that, he used the item to cross the desert directly and enter the Sand Sea Safe Zone.
Of course, he had set the location to the underground facility, but whether because the teleportation item couldn't be that precise or because the building's interior had changed, he ended up emerging right in the middle of a player meeting.
It was just that coincidental. Although he had already put on his invisibility cloak, the spatial fluctuations and the sudden appearance of a person still caught the attention of two factions on the verge of conflict.
Not wanting to attract firepower so soon, Xu Huo released his spiritual realm, opened a door heading down below the building, and also dismantled a nearby structure to divert the attention of the Sand Sea players.
The underground area specifically used to confine xenomorphs had indeed been remodeled. From Chang Shoujie's description, it should have been no different from an iron cage for holding wild beasts. But what now lay before him was a luxuriously decorated bedroom, with paintings on the walls, flowers on the table, and precious metals or ores casually placed in an open cabinet—probably because there was no room in the luggage compartment, so they were stored here.
This was a player's residence.
Without touching anything in the room, Xu Huo's spiritual power began to roam throughout the entire building. After searching around, he also checked the two adjacent buildings but found no trace of xenomorphs. He had no choice but to return to the previous meeting room.
By then, the several players who had been sent out to track him had returned from the collapsed building, reporting solemnly that they hadn't found anyone. The more than twenty players remaining in the meeting room, who appeared to hold decision-making power, all had grim expressions. One player in particular, with a scar on his face, sneered at the handsome man sitting across from him, "The matter of Boss Yang's death hasn't been clarified yet, and you and your people are already busy establishing your authority. Do you think that just because you schemed and took a few safe zones, the position of Sand Sea's boss is yours for the taking? Not only do I disagree, but who among those present respects you?"
The handsome man's expression remained unchanged, but the player standing behind him spoke up, "Zhang Kai, if you have the ability, go take a bite out of the Zone 010 people too. How many items did Brother Xia bring back this time? Ask around—can anyone else do that?"
"Let alone you guys, even Boss Yang never had such a glorious achievement!"
The scar-faced Zhang Kai was enraged. He slammed the table and stood up, about to speak when Brother Xia interrupted, "Someone has entered the Player Tower. Distinguish between the primary and secondary issues. Now is not the time for this."
"If not now, then when? Those cowards from Zone 010 would never dare to strike so quickly. First, clarify your matter—does Boss Yang's death have anything to do with you?" Zhang Kai demanded.
This remark provoked the people behind Brother Xia into immediate cursing, and Zhang Kai's side responded in kind. Although neither side resorted to violence, they thoroughly insulted each other's ancestors. Just as the situation was about to escalate, Brother Xia stood up to take control, "The players from Zone 010 are no threat. Don't forget the players from other zones who killed our people!"
"Players from other zones? Aren't you one too? How long have you been here before Boss Yang died?" Zhang Kai pounded the table, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at him. "I'll ask you just one thing—was Boss Yang killed by you?!"
Brother Xia called him unreasonable and was about to arrange defenses with his players behind him. But just as he turned, a voice came from the head of the long table, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I want to know too—was Boss Yang killed by you?"