Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 275: When Autumn Comes on the Eighth Day of the Ninth Month, My Flower Will Bloom and Kill All Others!

Stepping out of the Research Institute, Cheng Ye was still shaken, his mind repeatedly replaying two vivid scenes.The first was the bizarre Mount Everest, with that green staircase reaching into the heavens, seemingly hiding an earth-shattering secret!

The second was the vanishing small building. With methods like that, wouldn't taking away a Mother Source be incredibly easy?

'If only I could search the Elders!'

Cheng Ye sighed inwardly, though he knew perfectly well that with his current Rank, he was completely unqualified to touch methods of that level.

Even if the Elders completely opened their permissions, the Collector's upper limit of eight hundred degrees wouldn't be able to collect any useful skills at all.

"Let's hope everything Yu Yong said was just a guess," he murmured, shaking his head. "Otherwise, Infection Sources are already tough enough to deal with. Coupled with various natural disasters, there probably won't be anywhere safe left to stay in the future."

Cheng Ye was never one to worry unnecessarily, but the more he uncovered the truths of this Wasteland World, the more he felt that Humans were repeatedly courting their own doom.

Of course, without those death-defying explorations, the Supernormal Golden Age of the previous era would never have existed.

Before the final results emerged, no one could say for sure whether civilization's next step was destruction or a glorious rise.

Fortunately, if the sky fell, the tall would hold it up. At the very least, he wasn't the one who needed to step forward to research the Eternal Night in Flower Province.

Since Yu Erlan had gone personally, the major shelter cities had undoubtedly dispatched their elite Researchers as well.

He only hoped they could produce results as soon as possible and prevent the chaotic natural disasters from expanding further.

Walking all the way out of the inner city, Cheng Ye quickened his pace. In a matter of seconds, he vanished from the pedestrians' watchful eyes around a street corner.

The news of the Inspector defecting had not been publicly announced, but the outside world was already quietly changing.

Teams of Guards on patrol had appeared on the streets, making the order in the buffer zone increasingly stable.

A single defection had also raised the curtain on a massive reshuffle within the buffer zone.

Moving forward, the troublemakers and Scavengers who caused unrest would be gradually weeded out. Only peaceful elders and those who could contribute to Happiness City would remain.

It wouldn't be long before the buffer zone might become just like the inner city.

A place where no one pocketed lost items on the road, and doors could be left unlocked at night!

Returning to District B-7, there were still plenty of Guards on the road. Most of them were concentrated in front of the Shopping Mall. It was hard to tell if they considered this place a den of thieves requiring strict control, or if they were laying the groundwork in advance to turn it into the center of the buffer zone.

Cheng Ye glanced at it from afar but did not approach to join the commotion. He waited until the Patrol Team had moved far away before slipping into the Shopping Mall.

"Greetings, Inspector Cheng!"

"Sir, you are here!"

"Good day, sir!"

Whenever he encountered Residents of the Tianyuan Community in the corridors, everyone stopped in their tracks to greet him respectfully.

Cheng Ye nodded in response. The moment he walked onto the first floor of the Shopping Mall, he saw the community elders, Hou Genbao, and a few unfamiliar middle-aged men sitting in the reception area.

Seeing him enter, everyone stood up almost simultaneously, their faces reflecting nothing but restraint and deep respect.

Hou Genbao, who possessed the sharpest mind among them, eagerly stepped forward first and said with a smile, "Sir, you have finally returned!"

"How are the preparations coming along?" Cheng Ye asked directly.

"Everything is settled!" Hou Genbao nodded immediately, his tone brimming with excitement. "Everyone's enthusiasm has been roused. The luggage and supplies are all completely packed. As long as you give the word, the fifteen hundred people of Yongxing Community can head out of the city with their belongings today and station themselves in Dabo Town!"

"That is quite the speed, Monkey. I did not misjudge your abilities," Cheng Ye remarked, casually using the man's nickname.

Hearing himself addressed that way, the smile on Hou Genbao's face grew even wider, carrying a hint of sycophancy. "It is all thanks to your excellent leadership, sir!"

Cheng Ye swept his gaze over the unfamiliar faces. "And who might these gentlemen be?"

"They are the administrators of the surrounding communities," Hou Genbao quickly explained. "They heard we are heading to Dabo Town to build a new city and want to tag along. All told, there are about eight hundred of them."

"Oh?"

Taking a seat, Cheng Ye accepted a cup of water handed over by one of the elders. "Since you want to follow, let us discuss the rules."

A brief pause followed.

Unlike the Yongxing Community, the people in these communities had previously migrated here in organized groups. Essentially, after a certain Gathering Place collapsed, the survivors banded together and traveled to Happiness City. Relying on their past relationships, they lived together, helped one another, and gradually formed a simple community model.

As for having an "ideal," that was far too luxurious a concept for small groups of only one or two hundred people.

Perhaps because they originated from a Gathering Place, these people were not the least bit resistant to going to work in a satellite city. They only hoped their future lives would flourish just as Cheng Ye had painted for them.

"You do not need to harbor any doubts about that,"

Cheng Ye stated calmly, his gaze sweeping across the four administrators. "To anyone willing to dedicate themselves to Dabo Town and follow my commands, I guarantee they will live a much more comfortable life than any Resident currently residing in the buffer zone."

The moment his voice faded, The four middle-aged men stood up simultaneously, as if receiving a unified command, and respectfully replied in unison, "We are willing to obey Inspector Cheng's arrangements!"

"Good." Cheng Ye nodded and looked at Hou Genbao. "Monkey, I am leaving these four communities in your hands."

"Rest assured, sir. Leave it all to me!" Hou Genbao quickly patted his chest. Sensing that Cheng Ye was ready to see them off, he immediately led the four men away at a brisk pace.

After they left, the stern expression on Cheng Ye's face finally relaxed. Smiling at the elders, he remarked, "Hou Genbao certainly slips into his new role quickly. There isn't the slightest hint of unfamiliarity."

"He is a clever man, and his methods are decisive. He is perfectly suited for handling these kinds of tasks," Song chuckled before shifting the topic. "From what you said, are you preparing to set out for Dabo Town?"

"Yes. The manpower is fully prepared, most of the materials have been transported over these past few days, and everything is in place."

Cheng Ye exhaled softly. He picked up the kettle to refill the cups of the three elders. "Besides, the city is far from peaceful right now. As an Inspector, I should also head out to lay low until this storm blows over."

He paused, his tone entirely sincere. "That I, Cheng Ye, have achieved what I have today is inseparable from the support of everyone in the Tianyuan Community, and even more so from the full backing of you three elders. There's no telling what might happen in the days to come, but I only hope our path forward is smooth and steady."

"Step forward with a peaceful mind, Inspector Cheng," He Lao said, taking a sip from his cup with a resolute gaze. "This world has always rewarded the brave. These minor waves are merely a test. Push through, and a vast blue ocean awaits you."

"The three of us have grown old. Moving forward, the community's affairs will be gradually handed over to Da Long and Er Long," Elder Zhou agreed, smiling as he picked up his cup.

"The three of us old folks have all reviewed the reform plan for Contribution Points you proposed, and it is indeed excellent," Song summarized. "As the Tianyuan Community grows larger, the need for standardized management becomes more pressing. Relying on our old methods simply won't work anymore."

"I appreciate your understanding, elders!"

Cheng Ye lifted his cup, a sudden feeling of emotion welling up within him. This scene carried a hint of a classic historic moment—relieving generals of their command over a cup of wine.

The development of the Tianyuan Community could no longer rely on the elders' one-man rule.

Over the three days since obtaining the core Inspector permissions, besides studying the Traits of the Ghost Shadow Spider, he had also hammered out the details of the contribution system, preparing to officially implement it.

These regulations might not be perfect and would require gradual adjustments in the future, but the one thing the Wasteland World did not lack was the opportunity to try.

As long as his Power could suppress any issues that arose, he had the right to experiment. That was far more convenient and secure than locking himself away to polish a 'complete version' behind closed doors.

The three elders clearly understood that once the contribution details were enacted, their authority would be substantially weakened.

But watching the community improve day by day and seeing the growing smiles on everyone's faces, what reason did they have to refuse?

Furthermore, being an elder in a dilapidated Tianyuan Community and being an elder in a prosperous Tianyuan Community were two entirely different matters.

Even if their voice was diminished in the latter, it only meant they had lost the power to formulate the rules.

The benefits they enjoyed and the status they held would not drop; in fact, they would significantly increase.

"Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I will depart for Dabo Town then," Cheng Ye announced.

"Tomorrow is... the eighth day of the ninth month..."

Song pondered for a moment before murmuring, "When autumn comes on the eighth day of the ninth month, my flower will bloom and kill all others!"

"An excellent omen. A truly wonderful omen!" Elder Zhou echoed, his face beaming with joy.

Cheng Ye simply smiled without replying. He chatted with the three elders about a few more miscellaneous matters regarding his departure from the city before standing up to bid his farewell.

Before he knew it, including the two days he had spent unconscious at Revival Medical, another week had passed.

The factory construction along the Pedestrian Street was progressing rapidly. The materials for the unfinished storefronts had also been continuously delivered.

Especially at the new site for Tianyuan Medical, the ground floor of the building was already undergoing renovation, advancing at a speed far exceeding expectations.

After all, the separation of the Medical Clinic had already been initiated. Wei Zhou and the others could move over at any time.

Returning to the fifth floor of the Electronics Factory Community, Cheng Ye began packing his luggage.

Leaving this time, he had no idea how many months it would be before he returned to the buffer zone.

The wave of reforms sweeping through the Inspection Station was spreading. The establishment of the Integrity Supervision Department, in particular, would impose limitations on the Power of every Inspector.

Actions like his—utilizing his Inspector's authority to win over Residents to build a satellite city—could practically be considered highly rebellious.

Even though everyone knew this was an experiment by the Idealist Faction, the newly appointed director of the Integrity Supervision Department belonged to the Transcendent Faction. Coming from a military background, the man had never gotten along with the Idealist Faction, meaning future difficulties were inevitable.

And the Elders obviously wouldn't give him a personal green light over such a minor matter.

Therefore, Cheng Ye decided to simply hide out away from it all. Even if the buffer zone turned completely upside down, it would have nothing to do with him. He would just return once the Inspection Station and the Integrity Supervision Department were done battling it out.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The round-headed Little Flame scurried out from a corner, standing on the bed and squawking at him.

The little fellow had woken up two days ago and was staying awake for longer and longer periods. It seemed its Shaping Period was almost at an end.

However, its size hadn't changed in the slightest. It was still completely bald, leaving him wondering when it would finally grow feathers and soar through the sky.

"What is it? You don't want to leave?"

Cheng Ye paused. Sensing the Intent transmitting from Little Flame, he couldn't help but chuckle. "You want me to pack up this bed and take it with us? Because this is your nest?"

"Chirp!" Little Flame immediately nodded in a human-like fashion, its tiny eyes shimmering with immense reluctance to part.

It had been born on this very bed. Feeling Cheng Ye's thoughts of departing, it was actually worried they would never come back.

"Alright, in a couple of days, I'll have someone transport the bed to Dabo Town." Cheng Ye patted the brown mattress. The bed was comfortable to sleep on; it had to be brought along.

The rest of the luggage was simple—nothing more than books and documents. When the time came, having someone drive them over would be enough.

He sat down and applied gun oil to his two self-defense firearms before carefully packing them into a gun bag.

His clothes, miscellaneous items, and the previously prepared 'Flee supplies' were stuffed all at once into his thirty-two-inch Suitcase.

After finishing all of this, Cheng Ye rested for a brief moment before hurrying non-stop to the training ground.

When the greenhouse-like training ground appeared before him, he stopped in his tracks, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

It truly was... the place where his dream began!

From a frail, ordinary person half a year ago to the current Inspector Cheng, who wielded two great Transcendent Powers.

Even if he pulled up his data from the beginning of his transmigration and compared it to now, it was like looking at two completely different people.

The days and nights spent inside the training ground flashed before his eyes scene by scene. That feeling of refusing to be mediocre and desperately struggling to catch up seemed to surge back up within him.

"Three months ago, I couldn't even break Brother B's defense..."

He murmured to himself.

Cheng Ye rubbed his chin and walked into the training ground through the familiar side door.

Compared to a few days prior, the number of people inside had multiplied several times over, making the space look far less empty.

Counting the days, the conscription season was fast approaching.

Once the autumn construction concluded, the winter draft would begin. Hall Masters like Miao Yang would come here to conduct intensive training, recruiting forces for Happiness City.

Cheng Ye walked further in and soon spotted Wang Kang on the arena ring, practicing his dodging techniques.

Miao Yang held up the focus mitts with both hands, shouting focused reminders as the rapid-fire smacks of punches hitting the pads echoed continuously.

It was obvious that Wang Kang had already forged his Martial Body. His overall agility and coordination had vastly improved, and he even showed signs of condensing Tiger Force. His progress was astonishingly fast.

But thinking about it, it was perfectly normal. Ordinary people didn't have the ability to shell out tens of thousands of Contribution Points at once, let alone get intentionally subjected to Parasitism by an Infection Source just to rapidly breakthrough to the Martial Body stage.

In a sense, Wang Kang truly counted as a "pay-to-win warrior," entirely built up by stacking the value of an Infection Source and the convalescent resources of Revival Medical.

"Hey, Inspector Cheng is here!" Hall Master Miao turned his head, catching sight of Cheng Ye not too far away, and called out with a grin.

Wang Kang's movements halted. He dropped his attacking stance, turned his head to see Cheng Ye, and immediately flashed a radiant smile.

The two of them stepped off the ring, and Cheng Ye walked up to meet them.

"Brother Cheng, are you done with your business?"

"Yes, I'm heading out to Dabo Town tomorrow." Cheng Ye nodded, then looked at Miao Yang. "Hall Master Miao, I'm afraid that after we part this time, we won't see each other again until next spring."

"Heh, there is no banquet in the world that never ends. It's only going to be a few months, anyway."

Miao Yang smiled and shook his head, his tone turning solemn. "You must be extremely careful once you leave the buffer zone. The Wilderness out there is completely different from here. Besides Infection Sources and Infected Bodies, you have to be even more wary of the unpredictable human heart."

"I'm well aware. The dangers of the Wilderness have always been endless."

Cheng Ye nodded in deep agreement before changing the subject. "Hall Master Miao, I came over today because I wanted to ask for your guidance regarding the Twelve Tendon Gates and the systematic knowledge concerning the subsequent Embryo-Holding Stage."

"Oh? You've already touched upon the Tendon Gates?" A flash of excitement crossed Miao Yang's eyes, and he couldn't help but suggest, "Do you want to spar with me and test it out?"

"Uh..." Cheng Ye paused, a troubled look crossing his face. "I'm afraid that won't be necessary."

The last time he sparred with Miao Yang, he had only used seventy percent of his Strength, yet he was already able to firmly suppress him.

And that was without even activating the pseudo-Embryo-Holding Stage buffs brought about by his Iron Physique.

Now, after enduring the torment from the Earth-Shrinking Giant Louse, his realm hadn't changed, but his base stats had become completely Non-Human.

"Don't look down on me. I've made progress during this time as well and taken another big step forward," Miao Yang said indignantly.

"Is that so?" Cheng Ye smiled, turning his head to look at the wooden training dummy beside the ring, and stepped forward.

He threw the most ordinary straight punch imaginable. It looked light and airy, but when his fist landed on the dummy, it went straight through its abdomen like piercing through foam, exposing half of his arm on the other side.

Crack!

There was no anticipated thunderous boom, only a crisp snapping sound.

Cheng Ye retracted his hand, leaving a jagged Large Hole in the dummy's abdomen, with wood splinters scattered all over the floor.

"Hall Master Miao, what do you think of the Power behind that punch?" Cheng Ye turned his head and asked.

"???" Miao Yang stared blankly at the Large Hole in the dummy, his eyes completely dazed.

After four or five seconds, he finally stepped forward and poked the splinters at the edge of the hole with his finger, utterly dumbfounded.

"That punch..." He subconsciously touched his own abdomen, only feeling a wave of numbness.

"You..." Miao Yang opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"My talent was Activated. My Strength is still constantly growing; it's just that my realm hasn't caught up yet." It was the exact same excuse as last time, but saying it now seemed far more convincing.

Miao Yang was completely stunned. He scratched his head, suddenly feeling a sense of bewilderment similar to when he had just enlisted in the army as a fresh recruit. "So you mean to say... you haven't even opened a single one of your Twelve Tendon Gates?"

"That's correct," Cheng Ye nodded earnestly. "I already know the grading and training methods for the Tendon Gates, but what about the Embryo-Holding Stage..."

"The classification of the Embryo-Holding Stage is very simple as well. There are five realms,"

Miao Yang explained clearly and logically, even though he hadn't fully recovered from his shock. "Initially condensing the Fetal Breath and being able to consciously focus your mind to keep it from dissipating is the Initial Incubation stage. The more attention you muster at this point, the stronger the physical control you unleash."

"Below that is Condensing Breath, which is the preliminary synchronization of your natural breathing with your Fetal Breath. It requires no conscious control to bring about enhancing effects. Further down is Solidifying Fetus, where the Fetal Breath operates autonomously like a heartbeat, swift and without lag when called upon. I was previously at this stage."

"As for what comes after, if one can comprehend their Belief, they can step directly into the Heaven-Man Unity Realm. But if they fail to comprehend it, there are two additional stages: Incubation of Spirit and Breaking Fetus. The former allows one to Temper their Intent, combining it with the Tendon Gates to erupt with even stronger combat Power. You can even predict danger and mobilize your power defensively in advance. The latter is the legendary 'Fetalized Body'. Rumor has it that one can achieve an indestructible spirit in this state; even if they suffer Parasitism by an Infection Source, they can use purely human Power to expel it."

Initial Incubation, Condensing Breath, Solidifying Fetus, Incubation of Spirit, and Breaking Fetus.

Once these five major stages were completed, it was basically the end of the line for the New Martial Arts path.

Even though today, relying on his transcendent Traits, Cheng Ye no longer needed to stubbornly grind down the path of New Martial Arts. As long as he collected more physical talents, he could continuously grow stronger.

But hearing Miao Yang mention the Fetalized Body and its ability to expel an Infection Source still left him slightly surprised.

"Can anyone actually reach the Breaking Fetus stage?"

"That I don't know. At the very least, I probably can't,"

Miao Yang answered honestly. "You could ask Inspector Liu for information in this regard. If there's anyone in our Happiness City who can reach it, it would be him. Having inherited Mr. Xiacang's lineage, which emphasizes the elevation of realms above all else, he might be able to ascend to the Breaking Fetus stage."

"Brother B, huh..."

Cheng Ye smiled and nodded. Scanning others wouldn't be easy, but scanning Brother B should be the simplest thing in the world!