Chapter 446 - 387: Target, Orinburg
However, once Flora Bloom’s little pets were imprinted by her space, they could never truly recognize another master. Therefore, even though Flora wanted to give the two little mantises to them, it was impossible.
But Lex Cross had said that as long as Flora Bloom’s level could break through the Stellar Level and reach the Cosmic Level, she would have enough spiritual power to control the imprinting authority over any life that entered her space.
In other words, as long as she could reach the Cosmic Level, she could allow her family and friends to enter her space without being imprinted as her subjects!
This gave Flora Bloom infinite motivation to level up.
But soon, a problem arose.
Flora Bloom’s current method of upgrading her superpower was slightly different from that of ordinary superpower users.
Other superpower users could level up and advance through tiers as long as they had enough Crystal Cores or Energy Gemstones to absorb.
However, using the same method, Flora could only max out her level within a single stage; she couldn’t cross over into the next tier. Each time she needed to advance to a new tier, she had to find a Crystal Stone fragment capable of upgrading her space to help her do so.
Conversely, if Flora’s level hadn’t reached the maximum for her current stage, she couldn’t advance to the next tier even if she had a Crystal Stone fragment. This was because she would be completely unable to absorb the fragment at her current stage.
This was also the reason why, back in Argent, she had been unable to absorb the golden Crystal Stone fragment, which represented the Gold Ability, that Lex Cross had given her.
Just as Flora Bloom was about to share this good news with everyone in Villa Three, another piece of good news reached her ears.
Professor Lawson’s repulsion device was officially complete. After an experiment using the Crystal Core of an evolved creature, it had successfully driven away all beasts within a ten-kilometer radius of the base.
"Professor Lawson, what level zombie’s Crystal Core did you use this time?"
Five looked at the device in Professor Lawson’s hands with great curiosity. Where he came from, technology like this was unheard of. The core strength of the Star Nation was absolute martial power, superior equipment, and their own innate love for battle.
So, even Lex Cross was quite curious about such technology.
Although he had some understanding of these things before the apocalypse, he had never imagined they could be applied in such a way.
’If a device like this were used on the extraterritorial battlefield, could I drive away those low-level extraterritorial lifeforms without a fight, just by using an Energy Crystal Core from a high-level creature to power it?’
At this thought, Lex Cross’s eyes lit up as he looked at Professor Lawson.
"How long does this thing last?"
The question made Professor Lawson a bit awkward. However, he quickly explained, "Because I’ve only used a level-one creature’s Crystal Core so far, there are limits to the duration of the energy supply, the range of the magnetic field, and the types of lifeforms it can effectively repel.
"Of course, the more advanced the Crystal Core, the more effective it is. If you can get me a Crystal Core from a high-level creature, then I think, based on the progression formula for Crystal Core energy tiers, a single high-level Crystal Core could definitely power it for at least a year.
"And it could repel all creatures below the high-level tier, including zombies!
"But there’s one thing I must remind you of. No matter how good the repulsion effect is from the Crystal Core of a land-based zombie or evolved creature, it can’t be used on an aircraft to repel flying creatures.
"Based on my research, flying creatures have a natural suppressive effect on land creatures. If you use it, the repulsive magnetic field it emits would be equivalent to a provocation to flying creatures. At that point, the repulsor would become an attractor. Don’t blame me when you draw a whole swarm of them."
Flora Bloom happily accepted the repulsion device. It was quite large; holding it, Flora felt it was about as big as her belly would be at six or seven months pregnant.
To make it easier to install, Professor Lawson had also added a mounting knob to the bottom of the device.
So, Professor Lawson led the group to a phoenix tree outside the base to run a test.
The level-one Crystal Core inside the repulsion device was depleted and dissipated ten minutes after being activated. However, the small herbivores that had made a nest next to the phoenix tree were successfully driven away.
This proved the device was a success. That meant if they could get a Crystal Core from a very powerful flying creature, the device could be used on an airplane.
Over the past month, everyone in the base had used up their Crystal Cores, causing all the superpower users’ progress to stagnate.
Many people felt the Morhaven base was safe and stable, with plenty of food and an ample water supply, and were quite content with the status quo.
At this moment, however, Flora Bloom’s team proposed that they assemble a force to attack Morhaven. The objective was clear: to clear out the zombies and all the monsters in Morhaven and obtain Crystal Cores to help the team members level up.
But this was just the public declaration.
Flora Bloom was using another method to ignite the fighting spirit of the superpower users in the base.
This method was quite effective.
Everyone knew that following Flora Bloom meant safety, reliability, and an abundance of food.
Most importantly, going with Flora was like getting free Crystal Cores; it would be a waste not to go. Plus, it was a chance to build good relations with the people from Villa Three. What was not to like?
Of course, the people who thought this way were the ones who knew a little about Flora Bloom and Villa Three.
As a result, the recruitment event Flora Bloom held, which resembled a military enlistment drive, received an excellent response.
Not only did Sepherdine’s entire team sign up, but the teams led by Quinn, Seth Warren, and Shawn Hale also actively participated.
However, before they departed, Flora Bloom privately made a request of Shawn Hale. If his team was going to participate in the cleanup operation in Orinburg, Rita had to go with them.
That night, everyone had decided to put the matter of Rita aside for the time being. After all, she hadn’t yet shown any signs of being a danger to anyone in the base.
Although, it was possible her level was suppressed, just as Lex Cross and the others’ had been before, which was why she couldn’t use some of her methods yet.
If they left her at the base and something happened, they would be too far away to react. It was more reassuring to keep her close where they could watch her at all times.
This time, the target was Orinburg. It was the closest city to Morhaven, only a day’s walk away.
Before leaving, Flora Bloom only needed Ethan Monroe to prepare everyone’s meals so she could put them into her space.
Sepherdine, Sherman Lynch, Robin Grant, and all the non-superpowered members of their teams were left behind by Flora Bloom to guard the base.
Additionally, Flora was still only taking Juggernaut, Vert, and Three-Eyes this time. Her other little pets were left behind as a precaution.
However, Villa Three’s defenses were fundamentally unbreakable by anyone at this stage. All these measures were just for Flora Bloom’s own peace of mind.
The next day, the main force of the base’s superpower users gathered in the former Area Nine, right outside the large shopping mall.
When Flora Bloom summoned the massive Juggernaut in front of everyone, a series of gasps rippled through the crowd.
Flora Bloom’s thinking was no longer as narrow as it once had been. ’There’s no point in being so secretive about my abilities,’ she thought. ’It’s tedious and unnecessary.’
This trip to Orinburg to clear out zombies was a perfect chance to train the coordination and combat readiness of the base’s superpower users. With Juggernaut present, they would have a foundation of confidence and courage.
It was a reveal she could afford to make.