Chapter 314: Chapter 314: Thunder Beast
In truth, it wasn’t just Hua Shangnan. Most of the people on the Starship who tried to get close to her had ulterior motives. Even Wang Qing, despite concealing it well, likely harbored intentions that were far from pure.
In reality, Ning Xuan’s disguise was quite successful. But no matter how good it was, she was still a woman. Her skin was fine, her build was light, and even with a ghastly scar on her face and her complexion darkened, she couldn’t completely conceal her delicate features.
Furthermore, male Spirit Controllers possessed a keen intuition ingrained in their very genes. The higher a male’s Level, the more easily he was driven by this intuition to feel an attraction toward her.
Conversely, those of a lower Level were less sensitive in this regard.
Several months passed, and Ning Xuan found herself missing Yu Mingche, Ying Yaoshi, Yun Han, Lin Mo, Chen Nan, and Di Youlin. When she first arrived in this world, the first person she saw was Lin Mo. Later, Chen Nan stayed by her side, and then more and more people gathered around her. ’Back then, I was with them for so long that I didn’t realize how extraordinary they were,’ she thought. Her recent experiences had made her appreciate it deeply. Whether it was Lan Xin, Di Youlin, or Yu Mingche, they were all paragons of beauty. Even the looks of Lin Mo, Nine-tailed, and the others far surpassed the most attractive people she had encountered here.
’If I hadn’t run off, at least Lin Mo would be with me now. With my status, I’d have so many privileges. Even serving at the Second Corps Headquarters Base, I could have recruited anyone I wanted, except for Ying Yaoshi. The conditions would have been so much better than this in every way.’
Ning Xuan felt like she was just making things difficult for herself. The battles she encountered here were all low-level, not nearly as thrilling as exploring the Secret Realm on the New Star Body.
However, according to the intelligence she had gathered, the current calm was simply because they were in a truce period.
After the three-month acclimation period ended, the atmosphere on the base grew noticeably tense.
One day, Hua Shangnan found Ning Xuan and said to her with a grave expression, "Ning Zhi, a magnetic lightning storm is approaching. Along with the severe weather comes a Star Beast unique to this Star Domain: the Thunder Beast."
"During this weather, the Black Obsidian Magnetite Ore Vein absorbs both magnetic force and the power of thunder and lightning. This process creates a special ore capable of storing that power. This ore is the true rarity, a priceless treasure that we must obtain at all costs."
"However, Thunder Beasts also rely on devouring this special ore to evolve. Therefore, for the next three months, this planet will be plunged into a long and grueling war."
"The regular combat team you’re in now will be treated as cannon fodder in the first wave of fighting. Fewer than thirty percent will be lucky enough to survive. So, join my special defense force. You’ll still be on the battlefield, but you’ll have access to more and better equipment. Not only will your survival rate increase dramatically, but you’ll also have far more opportunities to earn merit." In his bid to persuade Ning Xuan, Hua Shangnan didn’t hesitate to share this intelligence with her.
"Hua Shangnan, your surname is Hua. Are you related to the Qinglong Family?" Ning Xuan asked.
"I am from a side branch of the Huajia family. My aptitude is mediocre, so I was never given much importance. The position I have in the military is one I fought for myself; it has nothing to do with my family," Hua Shangnan explained earnestly. He didn’t want Ning Zhi to think he had relied on his family to achieve his current status.
"Oh. I used to be frail, and this is my first time out in the world. At first, I didn’t know the meaning of the black wristband, but I learned about it later," Ning Xuan said, her gaze cool as she looked at Hua Shangnan.
Hua Shangnan suddenly felt an oppressive pressure wash over him. He swallowed nervously, lowering his head, not daring to meet Ning Xuan’s eyes.
"I’m sorry. I was too forward that day." Hua Shangnan already knew she wouldn’t accept him, as Ning Zhi had been avoiding him ever since.
"But everything I told you today is for your own good. I just don’t want to see you in danger." Hua Shangnan didn’t understand why he felt so guilty in front of Ning Zhi; he hadn’t done anything to wrong her.
"Thank you for your kind intentions. I came here alone precisely because I don’t want to rely on anyone. Colonel Hua, I won’t be leaving my current team. Thank you for the information about the Thunder Beasts." With that, Ning Xuan turned and left.
As the atmosphere on the base grew increasingly tense, Ning Xuan could clearly feel the Thunder Energy in the air building up whenever she was on a field mission.
Ning Xuan emerged from the underground base and ascended the tallest tower on its perimeter. She released her spiritual power, scanning the area to make sure she was alone. Then, she sat cross-legged, began circulating the Spirit Guiding Technique, and drew in the external power of thunder and lightning, refining it and absorbing it into her blue meridians.
A small, fiery-red bird flew out from between Ning Xuan’s eyebrows and perched beside her, looking on with its cheeks puffed out in a huff.
When Ning Xuan finished her Cultivation, she reached out to pet the Little Red Bird. The little bird let out a series of sharp "CHIRP CHIRP CHIRPs" at her, looking thoroughly displeased.
"Alright, Little Red, I already told you. I’m just getting you a partner. In the future, if we run into danger, it can fight alongside you. Won’t that make us even stronger?" Ning Xuan said soothingly, cupping the Little Red Bird in her hands.
Ning Xuan had chosen this location after some initial screening, specifically for its thunderstorms. Since the area was prone to them, she knew there would be an abundance of the power of thunder and lightning.
Her second Companion Spirit was of the Wind and Thunder Element, and its Cultivation progressed very slowly in a normal environment. Even when she had been in seclusion and used a large number of Thunder Crystal Stones, the second Companion Spirit had still failed to coalesce and take form.
Therefore, she hoped to use this place to finally help the Wind and Thunder Element Companion Spirit within her take shape.
"Lieutenant Ning! Lieutenant Ning!" Ning Xuan heard someone calling her from below.
A burly, bearded man was waving at her. He was one of the squad leaders under her command, and from his anxious expression, it was clear something had happened.
Ning Xuan glanced at the height of the tower, then simply leaped off the edge. Seeing her jump, the squad leader was so frightened he shut his eyes.
"Commander Ning! It’s so high, how could you just jump? What if you’d gotten hurt?" the squad leader said, his face pale with lingering fear.
"What happened? Out with it," Ning Xuan demanded, frowning.
"Commander Ning, Lieutenant Huo was injured yesterday during a mission in the Ninth Mining Zone. The injuries are pretty severe, and he’ll need some time to recover. He recommended you to the higher-ups to take his post temporarily," the squad leader said with a conflicted look on his face.
"It’s not like I haven’t filled in for him before. What’s so special this time?" Ning Xuan asked sharply.
"Orders just came down from above. Our company is to move into the Ninth Mining Zone and hold it for seven days before we’re relieved," the squad leader said, his face etched with worry.
