Chapter 283: Entering the City (1/2)

Chapter 283: Entering the City

Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation

With the exception of Ye Chong and Hai Lian, the rest of them had no dimension keystones for their mechs. Full-skeleton mechs were too much of an attention grabber, and if they entered the city with those mechs, they would be noticed the moment they arrived. Ye Chong knew this from his experience at the Nine Gates of Daylight.

The person left behind to defend the base was Sang Mu. Sang Mu was a socially awkward figure, but in fact he had a quick mind, a typical strategist. He was an excellent fighter, and ruthless enough to be make some of the villagers wary of him. Ye Chong’s instructions to him were to protect the mechs, and retaliate where necessary. If their safety was compromised, they were to escape immediately. To Ye Chong, survival was of the utmost importance.

The rest of them were heading towards the nearest city.

Hai Lian was shocked. He never imagined that this lean young guy would be so strong. When he was carried by Sang Tie, the wind blowing in his face made it hard to breathe. He could barely open his eyes as the man ran like the wind. His mind was in circles, and he could not even form a coherent thought!

The eight people advanced in battle formation, surrounding Ye Chong in the center. Soundfall had considerably weaker gravity than at Archipelago. On the other hand, Sang Tie and others were already quite fast on Archipelago. Hence, they moved so fast it was like they were running on engines.

Ye Chong believed that even a Jie expert specializing in running would not be able to outrun them.

With the exception of Ye Chong and Hai Lian, the rest of them wore enthusiastic expressions. They had never experienced weak gravity like this. Every Sang tribe member yearned for greater power, speed and strength. Their heightened abilities here were unprecedented, so it was only natural that they felt so excited.

Mechs flew past them from above occasionally. There came in all sorts of designs, be it humanoid or animal shaped. Sang Fan and the rest watched with awe, new to the outside world. Even so, they remained in formation and did not slow down.

Their speed was getting a little too conspicuous, as some mechs would hover over them for a while before continuing on their journeys. Soon, Ye Chong realized the issue, and asked for them to slow down. However, even then, they were still running faster than normal.

The city’s silhouette came to view in the distance.

After Hai Lian was put down, he took nearly three minutes to recover himself. He then took a look and found the city in view, and was flabbergasted. He turned back to see the group, and found that they did not look strained or even tired at all. Even Sang Tie, who was carrying him, was breathing quite evenly.

Hai Lian gulped heavily, his fear of the group now refreshed. What astonishing stamina! They had actually arrived here on foot! He could not help but think, also, that if they were to go at ”it”, they could probably go on for days … He felt a little jealous

No one said anything. The group stayed in battle formation, wearing serious expressions.

However, Hai Lian quickly broke off his lewd thoughts, since he saw Ye Chong looking at him.

Hai Lian quickly spoke up, ”That’s the city called Foundation, I’ve been there a few times. The city’s under the power of the Kuri tribe. Please beware, the women of the tribe cannot be touched, or there will be trouble.”

”The Kuri tribe?” Sang Fan asked. Of all the younger Sang tribe members, only Sang Pu and Sang Fan could behave naturally in front of Ye Chong. Even Sang Ling would become behave more carefully around Ye Chong in later days.

Hai Lian said, ”Yes. The Kuri tribe is more conservative. Aside from weapons like mechs, they’re quite opposed to technology. They worship nature, and pray to a mythical goddess they call the Divine Lady. So, if any Kuri tribe member makes a vow in the name of the Divine Lady, you can rest assured they mean it.”

Everyone seemed interested in this.

Hai Lian noticed that he had everyone’s attention, and continued happily, ”The Kuri tribe may not be a huge tribe, with primitive technology, but seldom do people meddle with them. They’re weapon enthusiasts, investing much of their efforts in weapons technology, which is above average. Besides, the tribe members are all able and eager to fight, so people usually leave them alone.”

These people listening to him were actually his employers, and the ones who will give him his full-skeleton mech, so Hai Lian reminded them, ”However, the Kuri tribe is not exactly ruling the place diligently. As long as you leave them alone, they wouldn’t care what you do in Foundation city. As a result, Foundation is actually in quite a social mess. You’ll see fights anywhere, anytime, so please be careful.”

As they heard that there would be fights in the city, everyone instantly raised their guard. Hai Lian quickly soothed them. ”Relax, everyone. I believe that no one in Foundation would dare to mess with us.” The residents of Foundation were all weathered fighters, and would probably recognize that this group was not one to be messed with.

As they approached Foundation, the mechs in the sky grew numerous, and so did the pedestrians. Most of them walked steadily with hardened eyes. Their clothing looked weathered, and their faces even more so. Ye Chong was curious about this. In the Five Galaxies, the people on the streets all walked casually, their faces an unhealthy pallor, more like sick people compared to the people here.

”Who are they?” Ye Chong asked, pointing at them.

Hai Lian took a glance, and replied, ”They’re combat experts.”

”Combat experts?” Ye Chong was surprised. Combat experts were rare in the Five Galaxies, a forgotten line of work. Most of them only practiced in their own dojos. Here, however, Ye Chong had seen dozens of them walking around. Could combat experts actually be common in this place?

”Yes, they’re combat experts who’ve gone through ascetic training. Most combat experts who reached a certain level of skill would leave their homes for ascetic training to improve their skills and harden their resolve. These people you see are combat experts visiting here to train themselves. A combat expert who had completed his or her ascetic training is well respected here, and is usually very strong,” Hai Lian explained. However, he was immediately reminded of how crazily strong these people are. Now that was true strength.

Ye Chong grew curious. ”Why are combat experts still popular here? Shouldn’t mech pilots be more mainstream?”