Chapter Seventy-Seven: Preparing for the Breakthrough

After hearing Luo Yu and the others’ explanation, the noblewoman fell silent for a moment. At last, she nodded and said, “I understand. It seems that if we want to learn the other party’s identity, we’ll have to wait for Hatsune to wake up... What do you all plan to do next?”

Luo Yu gritted her teeth and said, “Those under Greedy Wolf must die! Sister Qin, no matter what, we can’t let them go unpunished!”

Qin Hongyu nodded slightly. “I’ve already contacted the main corps in the One-Star Battlefield. If they spot anyone from Greedy Wolf leaving the city, they won’t show mercy. However...”

She frowned faintly. “Recently, Greedy Wolf knows about our actions. They seldom leave the Battlefield City anymore... If they don’t leave, there’s not much we can do.”

There were laws within Battlefield City; even as a commander of Celestial Palace, she could not act recklessly.

Otherwise, that day she saw Chen Ting at the battlefield hospital, a fight would have broken out long ago! There would have been no calm conversation.

The noblewoman’s brow furrowed at these words, but after a moment, she nodded calmly. “If he enters the battlefield, he’s yours. As for inside Battlefield City... leave it to me.”

The group was briefly stunned, but finally nodded in silence.

“May everything go smoothly,” Luo Yu prayed softly.

Soon, everyone bid the noblewoman farewell and departed. Before long, only the noblewoman remained in the room.

Her expression grew cold and distant. After a moment’s silence, she took out her communicator and dialed a number.

“I want all information on Chen Ting, commander of the Greedy Wolf corps in the Tianyao One-Star Battlefield. Also, make arrangements—capture him alive. I suspect this incident is not simple; there may be a hidden hand behind it. At least two gene bombs were used. No one among Hatsune’s acquaintances should have such resources. Even if they did, it wouldn’t make sense for them to stay hidden. I suspect those two gene bombs were prepared by the enemy... Yes, investigate to see which forces have sent gene bombs to Tianyao recently. Yes. Yes.”

After a brief conversation, she hung up, exhaled softly, and looked again at Hatsune, lying in the vessel.

A moment later, she instinctively moved to put away her communicator, only to freeze, hesitation flickering across her face.

She dialed another number, her expression a mix of anticipation and unease, wanting to call but apparently afraid...

This was nothing like her earlier composure and confidence, her air of complete control.

After a long while, she finally steeled herself and placed the call...

“It’s just meeting for a meal... He won’t refuse, will he?” she wondered anxiously.

...

...

Walking across the vast wilderness, Fang Mu pondered his next destination.

This time, his purpose in leaving the city was to advance—this was not a simple hunt. He needed to choose his target carefully.

It had to be something that put him under pressure... but not a situation of certain death.

There were quite a few such options, actually.

Lost in thought, suddenly, a vibration came from his pocket. He paused in surprise.

It was his communicator.

A communicator stored in spatial equipment couldn’t receive signals, so it had to be carried on his person.

When he took it out, Fang Mu’s brow twitched slightly. He pursed his lips, then answered.

“Hello?”

“Ah, Xiao Mu, are you in the One-Star Battlefield now?” a gentle woman’s voice came from the other end, tinged with expectation.

“Yes,” Fang Mu replied, his voice calm.

“I... I’ve come to the One-Star Battlefield too... Have you had breakfast yet? Would you like to... have breakfast together?” She chose her words carefully, a little nervous. Fang Mu could hear the anticipation in her voice.

This expectation made Fang Mu’s heart tremble for no reason, but soon, he felt a wave of irritation.

“I’m not in Battlefield City right now. I’m actually quite far from it, so I probably can’t make it,” he said after glancing back at the city, still visible in the distance, before turning away.

“Oh, I see... Well, alright then...” The woman’s voice became awkward and filled with disappointment.

The two fell silent.

Fang Mu took a deep breath and asked calmly, “Is there anything else?”

“No, nothing else. Um...” The woman hesitated, then lowered her voice, “Be careful in the battlefield. If something happens to you, I...”

She trailed off, unable to continue. Fang Mu remained silent.

“By the way, I might have to go to the Imperial Capital in a few days. I probably won’t be back for a long time. I... I’ll deposit some money in the card I left for you. If... if...” The woman seemed at a loss for words.

Fang Mu’s face twitched slightly, but at last he took a deep breath and said, “Alright, I understand. Anything else?”

The woman was silent, then finally said, “That’s all. Just... please, be careful. Promise me you’ll be careful...”

She urged him again.

“Yes, I know. That’s all, then. Goodbye.”

“...Goodbye.”

Fang Mu hung up and fell silent.

She had come to the One-Star Battlefield... For someone of her status to be here, it must be because of Hatsune.

Hatsune still hadn’t awakened?

Going to the Imperial Capital?

Fang Mu’s thoughts raced.

But soon he exhaled.

In any case, it had nothing to do with him.

With that, he shook his head, stopped dwelling on it, and strode deeper into the One-Star Battlefield...

In the intensive care unit on the eighteenth floor of Battlefield City, the noblewoman sat quietly, holding her communicator, lost in thought.

After a long while, she sighed softly, her eyes dim, and put away the device.

Drawing a deep breath, she composed herself. Her aura shifted once more, returning to that of the dignified, elegant noblewoman.

She gazed blankly at Hatsune in the vessel...

...

...

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Across the vast wilderness, a figure dressed in black approached.

Combat trousers, a hooded coat, a black mask and leather covering his face—only his eyes were exposed, making him appear utterly mysterious.

It was Fang Mu.

He looked out over the wilds ahead.

This was the place he had chosen for his close combat breakthrough—a leap in the level of life itself!

“Let’s hope it all goes smoothly...”

Fang Mu narrowed his eyes, pursed his lips, and, taking a deep breath, strode into the depths of the wilderness...