As evening approached,
A gentle breeze stirred, and Ye Feng’s eyes snapped open, his senses catching the tantalizing aroma of roasted meat.
Scanning his surroundings, Ye Feng noticed a bonfire burning in the distance, where Xiao Xiao, Ling Xi, and others were busily engaged.
“Big Brother, you’re awake! Yue Miao and Bao Yu Ting brought the roasted whole lamb; it’ll be ready soon!”
Seeing Ye Feng approach, Xiao Xiao pointed towards Yue Miao, Bao Yu Ting, and “Shen Bo Tian” who were sitting nearby, engrossed in discussion.
“Hmm?”
Curiosity piqued, Ye Feng walked towards the trio.
“These few locations have been fully explored with no findings. If there are any other treasures in the Brad Base, they can only be here!”
“Blood Moon City… that place is already a ruin. Searching will undoubtedly be troublesome!”
“Indeed!”
Just as Ye Feng reached them, he overheard Yue Miao, “Shen Bo Tian,” and Bao Yu Ting discussing a somewhat faded map.
“Treasures?”
The word immediately piqued Ye Feng’s interest.
“Ye Feng, it’s like this,” Yue Miao turned to explain, “we were exploring some of the Brad Base’s supply depots, looking for any good items…”
…
As night descended,
Ye Feng and his companions commenced their roasted whole lamb feast. Ye Feng produced wine, spirits, coconut juice, cola, and various other beverages. Everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves immensely.
Once the roasted lamb was mostly consumed, Ye Feng lay down on the grass some distance from the bonfire, so he could better admire the countless stars in the sky.
Having experienced starlight falling upon him twice before, Ye Feng found himself increasingly curious about the stars above…
“Thump, thump…”
As Ye Feng was recalling the moment starlight had covered him, he suddenly heard footsteps nearby. He turned his head and saw “Shen Bo Tian.”
“What’s wrong?”
Ye Feng furrowed his brow slightly. He had sensed since daytime that “Shen Bo Tian” seemed to have something to tell him, but the presence of others had prevented him from speaking.
“Ye Feng, I have something to tell you!”
“Shen Bo Tian” did not beat around the bush. He glanced towards the bonfire and spoke to Ye Feng.
“Oh, alright!”
Ye Feng stood up and walked towards a more secluded spot.
Soon,
Ye Feng and “Shen Bo Tian” arrived at a rather remote location and climbed into the canopy of a large tree.
“Ye Feng, you must be very curious about my situation, right?!”
“Kacha, kacha…”
As “Shen Bo Tian” finished speaking, his body contorted and shifted, emitting a mechanical sound.
“This… a robot?”
Seeing the mechanical structure within “Shen Bo Tian’s” chest, Ye Feng was greatly surprised.
“You could say that!”
“Kacha, kacha!~”
“Shen Bo Tian” nodded slightly. With a mechanical whirring, his body returned to its original form.
“As I said before, I am not physically here, but the one speaking to you now is indeed me!”
“I am remotely controlling this Heaven-tier mecha from Mech City!”
After a pause, “Shen Bo Tian” spoke again.
“Heaven-tier mecha?”
Ye Feng was astonished. Heaven-tier mechas were the highest class of mecha, and this was his first time seeing one.
“Yes!”
“Shen Bo Tian” nodded and spoke rapidly, “However, this is not a combat-type Heaven-tier mecha, but one designed for stealth and exploration. You can call it ‘Stealth Shadow.’ I managed to bring it out of Star Treading City by chance!”
“I obtained this Heaven-tier mecha twenty years ago. At that time, to investigate the mysterious rise of the Brad Base, I began the stealth plan with Stealth Shadow!”
“Stealth Shadow’s camouflage capabilities are incredibly strong, and its exploration and identification abilities are even more so. With these two strengths, I gradually gained the Blood Ancestor’s trust, becoming one of the top ten Blood Guards of the Brad Base, Blood Ten…”
Shen Bo Tian quickly recounted the story of Stealth Shadow.
“What… so the news about the Brad Base exploring ancient ruins was leaked by you on purpose?”
Ye Feng looked at “Shen Bo Tian” in disbelief.
“Yes.”
“Shen Bo Tian” nodded. “Causing some trouble for the Brad Base is always good. It helps my investigation!”
“At that time, I intended to explore it myself, as the ancient ruins might contain the Stone of Hope.”
“But then Angel Qiao Ying suddenly broke into Blood Moon City in the Brad Base, injuring Blood Three and killing Blood Seven. Naturally, the one who went to the ancient ruins became the Blood Guard substitute, Number 11…”
As he spoke, “Shen Bo Tian” glanced towards the bonfire in the distance.
“I see…”
Ye Feng frowned slightly and asked, “Then, Senior Shen, why have you been infiltrating the Brad Base for so many years? Is it because of that Blood Ancestor fellow?”
“No.”
“Shen Bo Tian” let out a soft breath. “I came to the Brad Base actually for Kelleji!”
“Kelleji?”
Ye Feng looked at “Shen Bo Tian” with surprise.
“Yes.”
“Shen Bo Tian” nodded, his tone heavy. “If I’m not mistaken, the entire Brad Base, including the Blood Ancestor, all the blood races, fused beings, and modified humans within the Brad Base are likely pawns of Kelleji!”
“To be precise, they are experimental subjects. Experimental subjects for Kelleji’s mysterious plan!”
As he finished speaking, “Shen Bo Tian” looked in the direction of Blood Moon City.
“Experimental subjects?”
After hearing “Shen Bo Tian’s” words, Ye Feng’s frown deepened.
“That’s right!”
“The Brad Base, one of the seven great powers, being mere experimental subjects for someone else is indeed shocking, but based on my years of investigation, this seems to be the truth!”
“Shen Bo Tian’s” voice was filled with emotion.
“Ye Feng, do you remember when we were in Mech City, I mentioned the Brad Base’s ultimate human evolution plan?”
After a pause, “Shen Bo Tian” spoke again.
“Yes, I remember!”
Ye Feng nodded. “You said there was someone named Kong who almost succeeded. Flesh is weak, ascend through machinery, and so on. But he was reduced to scrap metal by a passing elder!”
“Exactly!”
“Shen Bo Tian” picked up the thread. “That person named Kong was part of the ultimate human evolution!”
“The many blood races, fused beings, and modified humans in the Brad Base are all part of the ultimate human evolution!”
“According to Kelleji, these bizarre experiments, which can only be described as insane, are to create a perfect body for the Blood Ancestor!”
“Exploring ancient ruins, searching for the Stone of Hope… designing ambushes to capture angels… eliminating the indigenous people of this land, and seeking the legendary Anka are all for this plan!”
“Although even the Blood Ancestor believes Kelleji is creating a perfect body for him, my investigation suggests otherwise!”
“Shen Bo Tian” surveyed their surroundings, his voice grave as he spoke to Ye Feng.
…