C17 Entering the Apocalypse Again Bad News

"Phew," Fei Liang exhaled deeply within the Spirit Bead Space, "That was a close call. If I'd been even a bit slower, those rats would have shredded me!" There were easily over a hundred Devil Rats, with the majority at Level Two, and I'm sure there was more than one Level Three, considering I saw several about the size of their leader. Such a formidable group would pose a threat to anyone, even someone at Earth Level Late Period.

"Imagine, a mouse as big as a hunting dog. Who'd believe that tale?" Fei Liang mused regretfully about the Level Three Devil Rat. He pondered the possibility of obtaining a Devil Core if he had managed to defeat it.

"Mr. Fei, you're still hung up on the Devil Core?" Meier gave Fei Liang a disapproving look. "If you had been any later, you might not have made it back at all."

"Indeed. The energy in the Magical World is enticing, but the dangers are greater. There's a fine line between opportunity and peril," Fei Liang reflected on his recent brush with danger.

"You understand, then. Mr. Fei, once you've grown stronger, you'll have all the energy you could possibly need," Meier counseled once more.

"Understood," Fei Liang said, grinning as he thought of his recent gains. Meier was exasperated, suspecting he hadn't really taken her words to heart.

"By the way, Meier, what's the highest level a Devil Rat can reach? And since this place is called the Devil Rat Forest, there must be some connection to the Devil Rats, right?" Fei Liang inquired suddenly.

"Why didn't you ask earlier? And now you're curious?" Meier pouted.

"Ah, well, isn't it the art of war to know both the enemy and oneself?" Fei Liang replied sheepishly.

"Monday morning quarterbacking," Meier quipped, but she explained nonetheless, "The Devil Rat is the most prevalent Devil Beast in the Devil Rat Forest, known for its staggering numbers. Typically, the young are Level Zero Devil Beasts, the juveniles are Level One, and the adults can reach Level Two, with some even achieving Level Three. Level Four Devil Rats are much rarer, often the kings of their small clans. And then there are the Level Five, Six, and even Seven Devil Rats. Level Five is already scarce, while Six and Seven are exceptionally rare variants."

"That's one twisted Devil Rat, boasting a level six or seven—that's on par with the Golden Core Stage." Fei Liang wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Meier, upgrade my protective shield to level two, please."

A Level Two protective shield could withstand a full-force attack from an Earth Level Middle Period Expert for five seconds or a single blow from an Earth Level Late Period Expert. It significantly increased safety.

"Sure thing, Mr. Fei." After deducting one hundred crystals, the protective shield was successfully upgraded to level two, leaving Fei Liang with 951 crystals.

"Ah, that's much better. The shield feels several times stronger than before!" Fei Liang expressed his relief, feeling the enhanced protection.

"That's to be expected. The Earth Level Middle Period is far more formidable than the Profound Level Middle Period," Meier said with a light laugh.

"Meier," Fei Liang said, his tone softening at the sight of her smile.

"What's up, Mr. Fei?" Meier asked, curious.

"You're so beautiful!" Fei Liang joked, a playful tone in his voice.

Meier's cheeks flushed with color.

"But seriously, you are truly beautiful, and your voice is so pleasant," Fei Liang complimented earnestly.

Meier blushed even deeper.

"Meier, why do I feel so incredibly familiar and close to you, as if you're the dearest person to me, like family?" Fei Liang suddenly voiced the question that had been troubling him for days.

"Mr. Fei, do you really not remember anything?" Meier's body tensed as she spoke with a quivering voice.

"What? Meier, what are you trying to say?" Fei Liang was puzzled, yet he felt as though he was on the verge of an epiphany.

"It's nothing, we can't force these things. Let's just go with the flow," Meier said, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Fei Liang didn't dwell on Meier's odd reaction, but instead mused, "And then there's Mao Ningyu, whom I met today for the first time. I feel the same way about her. And even Ximen Shuanger, to some extent."

Meier didn't respond to Fei Liang's musings. Instead, she pondered silently. What connection could Mao Ningyu and Ximen Shuanger possibly have with Fei Liang?

"Let it go, why overthink it? Things will work themselves out in the end." Fei Liang shook his head, pushing his thoughts aside.

Meier couldn't help but smile at the sight. His habit was surprisingly similar to her own.

"The Magical World is off-limits for now; it's too dangerous with my current low strength. Even if I were to switch planets, the risk would be about the same." The thought of those frenzied Devil Rats sent a shiver down Fei Liang's spine. Returning now would likely lead to a direct confrontation, and with his limited power, a single misstep could be fatal.

"The Crystal Card World seems just as perilous as the Magical World, so that's out. The Wuxia world has its own severe dangers; better to avoid that for now. That leaves the Human Realm." Fei Liang mulled over his options, concluding that the Apocalyptic Civilization might be the most manageable.

"Meier, why do Zombies and Devil Beasts of the same level in the Apocalyptic Civilization yield so much less World Energy when defeated?" Fei Liang was baffled by this aspect of the Apocalyptic Civilization.

"Mr. Fei, between gold and iron of the same mass, which is more valuable?" Instead of a direct answer, Meier posed this question.

"Gold, of course," Fei Liang replied instinctively, then had an epiphany as he turned to Meier.

"Exactly. Zombies contain too many impurities, making them less efficient for purification than Devil Beasts." Meier nodded, affirming his realization.

"So, could elements like rocks, water, and wood also be converted into World Energy?" Fei Liang asked, his eyes sparkling with the idea.

"No!" Meier dismissed the notion outright.

"Why not?" Fei Liang inquired, confused.

"Firstly, the conversion process for these materials consumes more energy than it generates, which is counterproductive. Secondly, these are the rules established by the master!" Meier was both exasperated and amused by Fei Liang's question. How had Mr. Fei become so obsessed with wealth?

"Oh, I see. Well then, let's focus on hunting Zombies!" Fei Liang said, a touch of dejection in his voice. His gut told him the first reason was just a pretext and the second was the true barrier, but rules were rules, and there was little he could do about it.

With a heavy heart, Fei Liang returned to the Second Planet of the Apocalyptic Civilization. As he set foot on the planet, his expression darkened instantly.

Fei Liang's discontent stemmed not from his return, nor from the lingering melancholy of before, but from the unsettling news he had just received: another planet had been added to the Apocalyptic Civilization, souring his mood further.

"Meier, why does this keep happening?" Fei Liang asked, his face a mask of brooding.

The expansion of the Apocalyptic Civilization's planets was hardly welcome news, yet the continuous increase in Zombie planets baffled him.

"Mr. Fei, it's due to human greed and selfishness," Meier explained somberly. "Humans often see themselves as all-powerful creators, daring to meddle with nature's forbidden laws. When the force of these taboos spirals beyond human control, it leads us down a path to ruin."

Fei Liang simply uttered, "Oh," in response, offering no further words. He turned and made his way toward the Zombies in silence, driven by a need to unleash his frustration.