Chapter 1025: Split Operations

Hearing Baihu's reassurance, Zhuque frowned and spoke coldly:

"But we don't have that much time."

Zhuque naturally understood the logic behind Baihu's words.

However, the present situation was different from the past.

Back then, Shengjing Region was operating domestically—they had ample time and didn't need to face external threats.

But now, East Sea Region was racing against time to seize the Divine Source.

If the joint forces obtained it first, all their efforts would be wasted.

Moreover, there was another matter that stuck in their throats like a fishbone.

"During this operation, we haven't contributed much. Instead, the people from Jiangnan Region have taken care of most of our opponents!"

Zhuque pursed her lips. "If we fail this time, won't the other five major regions laugh at us for the rest of our lives?"

Even though they chose to follow orders and make finding the Divine Source their primary mission,

Zhang Yi's actions during this period had indeed stolen the spotlight too much.

He single-handedly challenged the entire joint forces, killed multiple superhumans, and nearly wiped out half of Hell's Lock all by himself!

In contrast, the superhumans of East Sea Region appeared dim and unremarkable.

Zhuque was also a top-tier superhuman with her own pride. If not for the region's plans, she would have gladly charged into battle to eliminate enemy superhumans!

Baihu certainly understood Zhuque's feelings.

He quickly comforted her, "I know you feel unbalanced. Chaos is indeed strong, and he has secured a rare opportunity for us."

"But once you obtain the Divine Source and advance to Epsilon level, you will far surpass him!"

"No one remembers temporary victories. When you become an Epsilon, no matter how strong he is, he'll only be able to grovel at your feet and look up to you."

Baihu's words made Zhuque feel slightly better.

"But where exactly should we look for this Divine Source?"

She helplessly glanced around.

In the areas covered by toxic miasma, mountains were everywhere, with more mountains beyond them.

According to Li Zongyu, the Divine Source was buried deep underground, which made the search even more difficult.

Baihu frowned slightly and slowly said, "With my puppet robots, it won't be difficult to find it as long as we spend more time."

Zhuque suddenly turned around and stared intently at Baihu with her deep, large eyes.

"We don't have much time left!"

"I must obtain the Divine Source! I won't allow any possibility of accidents."

Baihu looked somewhat startled. "Zhuque, what do you want to do?"

Zhuque crossed her arms and said coldly, "From now on, we'll split up. This way we can at least double our speed!"

Hearing this, Baihu said with concern, "That's not good. Before we came, the commander said I should..."

Zhuque waved her hand. "I know the commander's stance. But right now we need to race against time."

"Moreover," she looked sharply at Baihu, "you don't think I need your protection, do you?"

Baihu scratched his head. "I believe in your strength, but when we're together, we fear no opponent. But if we split up, we might..."

Zhuque interrupted him, "Baihu, this is what makes you unlikable. You're too cautious about everything."

"With that attitude, you'll never achieve anything great in your life."

"Anyway, I've made up my mind!"

Her tone suddenly became serious as she pointed to the left with one hand and to the right with the other. "I'll go left! You go right! We'll communicate through the puppet beasts. If anyone finds the Divine Source, notify the other immediately."

"Of course, for safety reasons, the direct distance between us shouldn't exceed thirty kilometers."

Baihu still wanted to persuade her further.

But seeing Zhuque's unyielding attitude, he had no choice but to swallow his planned words.

"Alright then, we'll do as you say."

He raised his right arm. His arm armor was unusually thick and bulky, several times larger than that of an ordinary person.

The combat suits of captain-level personnel were specially customized, tailored according to each person's ability characteristics.

Baihu's combat suit featured heavy white armor covering his arms and legs.

He tapped on his right arm, and a piece of armor immediately popped open, revealing an exquisite white metal cube inside.

Baihu took out the cube and handed it to Zhuque.

Zhuque skillfully opened the cube, which quickly transformed into a centipede about thirty centimeters long, then crawled onto her shoulder and firmly locked onto her combat suit.

This was a mechanical puppet created by Baihu.

He had specially designed it for environments like this.

Since it used ancient mechanical technology with very primitive communication methods that didn't rely on electronic communications,

it could still function even deep in Mist Valley where magnetic interference was severe.

The only drawback might be its inability to handle complex communications, but it was perfectly sufficient for calling teammates and confirming positions.

"Your hobbies are really... hard to describe!"

Zhuque sighed helplessly.

Although she wasn't some young girl afraid of bugs, women still had an innate aversion to insects.

Baihu quickly explained, "Ah, it's not like that. It's just because... this shape is very suitable for clinging to various complex terrains."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhuque had already turned and quickly walked in the direction to her left.

Baihu watched Zhuque's retreating figure helplessly, thought for a moment, and could only head in the opposite direction from her.

Deep in the toxic miasma, the fog churned as a group of huge, ferocious monsters appeared around Baihu, cautiously accompanying him.

However, when the two departed, neither noticed a man in a brown felt hat hiding behind a withered tree in the distance.

Hell's Lock second-in-command, Billy the Kid Yasin Canero.

He had a dried leaf in his mouth—certainly not picked from the toxic miasma-filled Mist Valley.

He used to enjoy collecting plants and butterflies to make specimens.

The leaf in his mouth came from his hometown—a plant with a slight sweetness mixed with spiciness that could cause mild addiction.

Baihu and Zhuque believed they were the first to arrive in Mist Valley.

Actually, this assumption was wrong.

Canero had arrived in this area earlier than them.

However, since he also lacked clear targets for searching for the Divine Source, he had instead adopted a laid-back approach.

In Canero's view, mining was work for miners.

What he needed to do was conquer this land and become the mine owner.

Then he could recruit numerous miners to work for him.

So he no longer considered searching for the Divine Source—such an inefficient and troublesome task—as his primary goal.

Instead, he chose the same approach as someone else—to begin hunting and eliminating all enemies.

Once they eliminated the threat from Huaxu Kingdom's two major regions, Star Island would naturally become their property.

At that point, they could search for the Divine Source however they wanted.

Even at worst, they could be the oriole waiting behind the mantis stalking the cicada.

Wait for others to exhaust themselves searching, then step in and seize the Divine Source.

And indeed, the duo of Zhuque and Baihu had now appeared in his sights.

Author's Note