Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Little Lake, amidst calculations, never gave up observing the backdoor operator.

However, the other party was really patient, observing unhurriedly like that.

Little Lake complained twice more, but later stopped — if people can be this stealthy, what can you say?

In all seriousness, as time went on, Qu Jianlei gradually became a bit impatient.

Currently, everyone’s cultivation is going well, but we can’t just cultivate and do nothing else, right?

Qu Jianlei was somewhat concerned about his teammates on Gemini Star, and despite being on Purple Star, he had many tasks to do.

For example, he needed to check how much energy block had been extracted from an abandoned energy stone ore.

Also, he wanted to test the teleportation array in space; aside from distance, he had to calculate teleportation energy.

The last time teleportation failed...or rather teleported too far, it was definitely due to erroneous space data.

Moreover, the year deadline was over half gone, and he needed to consider making up the three thousand million...

All these tasks could start now, but someone lurking in the dark monitoring them made it too unsettling.

He had four Supreme ones at hand, each with their strengths, but none could seamlessly connect with Little Lake.

However, if he traced back from the backdoor directly, wouldn’t all this waiting be in vain?

After much thought, he decided to find Paranoid and explain the situation briefly — he could only talk about Little Lake.

"Let me investigate," Paranoid appreciated Little Lake’s capabilities but didn’t believe AI was omnipotent.

"Some things are still more reliable when done manually."

He left with Mu Yu; although they hadn’t met before, now they seemed insatiably inseparable.

The two left for over two months, and upon their return, everyone learned that they had visited the core circle.

Whether they mixed personal business with official duties is unknown, but they toured the planet producing large computer groups.

Paranoid thought that with Little Lake’s surveillance, their exploration in the Celestial River Star Realm wasn’t very meaningful.

The two spent ten days near the computer group factory, caused three unexpected deaths, and gathered some information.

There had been some military representatives showing interest in this computer group setup.

Moreover, there were inquiries made about the equipment, indirectly pointing towards the Taiping Trading Group.

Of course, the latter was merely conjecture, just marginally better than baseless claims.

But for Qu Jianlei, this was enough; playing with circumstantial evidence wasn’t limited to others, right?

And Taiping was the key force suppressing Ping’an, which he had already confirmed.

Further investigation of past information showed Taiping caused quite a commotion during the computer group’s installation and debugging.

Soon after debugging ended, Taiping ceased the commotion, even sacrificing an A-level — the relatively old kind.

These matters can’t withstand careful thought; could there be so many coincidences in the world?

Strictly speaking, maybe, but Qu Jianlei wouldn’t consider such low-probability events.

What he seriously had to consider was the "military" factor.

From Collins’s last reaction, it was clear that the B-level with water attribute had someone backing them.

Therefore, the identity of the Military Intelligence Department was likely genuine, or else it wouldn’t alarm one of the thirteen heads to come to Celestial River.

Summarized, these two clues indicate... the military hasn’t given up and still targets his side.

He truly didn’t gather related information on the meeting between Xijiesi and Pianpian — no one is omnipotent.

Nevertheless, based on existing scant information, Qu Jianlei was able to analyze part of the truth and connect the dots.

The matter with Taiping... is not urgent, but having the military fixated on them was quite unsettling.

No significant movement from the backdoor side, yet they absolutely couldn’t be complacent.

Just like "fewer words mean bigger things," the other party’s calmness indicates a substantial potential threat.

He had to carefully consider the possibility of stowing away the large computer group.

Because dismantling and transporting this thing was truly challenging, making it easy for others to catch them off guard.

— The key is that it’s too expensive, and a loss would be really painful.

After discussing with six other companions, he was grateful that everyone supported his decision.

It took an entire day to dismantle the computer group this time.

Then everyone worked together to transfer the components three thousand kilometers away using storage rings and space pouches.

The reason for not using the storage talisman was that frequent use would deplete its durability — even if abundant, storage talismans couldn’t withstand such continuous use.

In the mountain forest three thousand kilometers away, Qu Jianlei had already established a large underground cavern as a secret camp for relocating materials.

The connection between Shanshui Small Building and the secret camp was made via the teleportation array.

At this distance, "near-earth transit" technology was relatively mature, and teleportation reduced the risk of being discovered during transportation.

Even if facing a global search, such remote deep forests were unlikely to be thoroughly searched.

After sending off the computer team, everyone decided to put away the Qi Gathering Array and Spirit Gathering Array as well.

Early in the morning, Duoduo had just finished breakfast when she noticed Lord Huang Tian approaching, with a rare look of gravity.

"Have you regained control of all your markets in Ping’an?"

Duoduo was somewhat puzzled, wondering why the sudden inquiry.

Nonetheless, she respectfully replied, "Almost, many places are starting to try expanding outward."

"That’s good," Flower Scorpion nodded, "Is there resistance in the expansion? Have you considered fiercely targeting one particular area?"

Duoduo was momentarily stunned before cautiously answering.

"We have considered it, but others are still cooperating well, so it’s not appropriate for the esteemed to make a move indiscriminately."

Flower Scorpion asked again, "If you were to select a target for retaliation, who would Ping’an lean towards choosing?"

The boss had advised her that it would be best if Ping’an voluntarily proposed Taiping as the target.

This time, Duoduo hesitated for several seconds before answering, "There might be several targets, but for specifics, I must inquire."

This is also the methodical way Ping’an operates.

They won’t purposely hide information from Duoduo, but to prevent her from inadvertently affecting esteemed guests, they won’t provide too much information voluntarily.

"No need for that trouble," Flower Scorpion waved her hand, "I’m just asking, are you not planning to act against the culprit, Taiping?"

"Taiping... culprit?" This information truly left Duoduo a bit baffled, "I only know they are one of the main suspects."

Flower Scorpion replied indifferently, "They’re the culprit, no doubt about it."

"I’ll report immediately," Duoduo jumped up high and ran to her room without looking back.

She had been here for over half a year already. Though her position was very important and highly valued by the Trading Group, it was really quite boring.

For an Awakened, being able to peacefully cultivate is ideal, and the benefits given by Ping’an are particularly high, so she lacks no resources.

However, life isn’t just about cultivation, and she hopes to do something for the Trading Group.

Now, seeing the stance, the esteemed are likely to take action, so she must quickly spread the news.

As it turned out, Duoduo’s position was indeed important; as soon as she reported the news, Jilt received it.

The Trading Group boss raised an eyebrow, "So, Taiping truly is the mastermind?"

Hail cautiously replied, "Lord Huang Tian said so, specifically... Duoduo is also unaware."

"Have they ever lied?" Jilt retorted indifferently, then stated.

"If they say it is, then it must be... Even if it’s not, what does Duoduo say about their intention?"

"The other side didn’t say," Hail aimed for precise expression, "but Duoduo thinks they may want to take action against Taiping."

Jilt straightforwardly stated, "In that case, send all the intelligence on Taiping’s key figures to Duoduo."

"All of it?" Hail was a bit surprised at the suggestion, "Such a broad area of impact?"

Jilt replied indifferently, "Of course all of it. Did they consider the impact when they were bullying Ping’an before?"

He already had an extremely poor impression of Taiping and had long wanted to make a move against them.

However, he had to weigh a lot of factors and couldn’t casually use his own trump cards.

But now, the other party has proactively brought it up, so there’s no reason not to use the opportunity.

Hail hesitated, then replied, "But sir, shouldn’t we find a reason first?"

The principle of having a justified cause may not seem very important, but if conditions permit... it’s best to consider it.

The action team leader thought they were currently in a favorable position and should pay a bit of attention to their image.

"No need," Jilt replied decisively, "We won’t even let the word out. Their losses have nothing to do with Ping’an."

Seeing Hail still bewildered, he couldn’t help but sigh and explain further.

"Think about it, did Taiping reveal themselves when they dealt with us?"

"If they can do it, we surely can do it too, we’re not the ones breaking rules first!"

"Moreover, when those esteemed speak, they already have made up their minds. We don’t need to ask the specific reasons, just provide the information."

Hail raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, "So, targeting Taiping, maybe there are other factors involved?"

Jilt shook his head, replying indifferently, "I don’t know, nor dare to ask. If you have the courage, you can try asking."

Hail shivered involuntarily upon hearing this; he was just unwilling to think deeply, not lacking intellectual capacity.

"Forget it, I’ll honestly provide the information... Anyway, a culprit like Taiping isn’t worth sympathizing with."

Half an hour later, Duoduo received encrypted data from headquarters.

However, this encrypted data package felt quite large, and using an encrypted channel, it was transmitted intermittently for quite some time.

This is reality; secrecy and efficiency can only be pursued one at a time.

However, when Duoduo opened the encrypted package, she was dumbfounded, "Two... over two thousand people?"

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