Chapter 69 - Return (1/2)

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Ye Chenshan moved closer to read the device, before he spoke up with a disappointed look, “I’m afraid we don’t know what this is. Maybe it’s valuable, maybe not. I’d say it’s just a cl.u.s.ter of random metals.”

Such things were everywhere in s.p.a.ce ruptures. Settlers who discovered them could bring them back to the Federation for inspection and earn a fortune if they proved to be of great use. Otherwise, it would only be a waste of their time.

“We should get a sample and bring it back then,” Luo Guxue suggested.

This was a logical decision and no one had a problem agreeing to it. They could learn the nature of the unknown mineral this way and come back to get more later.

Su Ping didn’t want his energy points to go down the drain because he had already spent 100 points to identify the mineral. The Federation was going to take everything at this rate; he might earn some compensation for the discovery but that wouldn’t be worth it.

“Can I have it?” His words attracted everyone’s attention.

He basically told the others that the unknown mineral was in fact, useful in some way. But he didn’t have a choice. Since the specialized device failed to tell what this was, he believed that not even the Federation would have an idea about what the material was, which meant people might let him keep it.

“Do you know this thing?” asked Fan Ganglie, curious.

Su Ping shook his head. “No. But my Astral Pet detected Undead energy from it, which means I can use it to feed my pet. If it’s okay, can we remain here for a few days so Little Skeleton can fully absorb the energy?”

That was partially a lie. As long as he played dumb, the Federation would not blame him even if they later recognized the true value of the material.

His excuse went through because Little Skeleton was undeniably the only Astral Pet present who could use Undead energy. Still, people weren’t precisely eager to stay in this place any longer than necessary just to keep Su Ping company. They had gone pretty far into this s.p.a.ce rupture and already encountered that eighth-rank Magical Corpse Beast. n.o.body knew what else could make an appearance.

Without minding their att.i.tude, Su Ping simply told Little Skeleton to start “eating.” He didn’t actually plan to remain behind until the energy was fully taken. It was just that, he didn’t want anyone to get suspicious.

His act worked out just fine. Seeing Little Skeleton drawing energy from the strange stone, the last bit of doubt vanished from the group.

All things said, they still didn’t understand why Su Ping would tarry in this dangerous area for days. They saw Su Ping pretty keen on keeping this stone for himself and couldn’t help wondering what else was hidden inside it. Usually, they’d trust the Federation’s device. If the device failed to tell anything, it was unlikely for a common shopkeeper to know more. However, Su Ping had shown them too many secrets for them to have this lingering belief.

Still, they had nothing concrete to stop Little Skeleton from feeding. They couldn’t make any use of the Undead energy anyway. While materials helpful with pet growth could earn them some merit should they bring them back, they had no reason to take this one from Su Ping after what he did.

“So this is just an element stone full of Undead-type energy, right?” asked Luo Guxue.

Fan Ganglie put a hand on it and nodded. “I think so. Though element stones are usually smooth and good to look at. This crude one is just a raw element ore.”

“I have no objections about Mister Su keeping it,” Fan Yujing claimed.

Fan Ganglie nodded again. “Same here. Mister Su helped us reach our destination after all.”

Ye Chenshan also spoke up with a smile, “Then it’s decided. I’ll let Mister Su make the decision. Just a piece of advice though, taking several days here can be risky. Since you have that puppet to help, shall we carry the stone back first?”

“Yeah… We’d better get out of here,” Fan Ganglie agreed.