Wei Huan's vehicle left the Five-Star Island overnight and continued to move further out, following Aosam's exploration direction.
Intelligence gathering would be handled by others. Tying down a "major fighting force" like Wei Huan merely for surveillance would definitely be overkill. Wei Huan planned to go to the islands far away from Aosam's main area to see if there were any opportunities for action.
Pioneer Corps now generally did not rashly open Gold Treasure Chests when they found them. This meant that the Pioneer Corps of various countries had filtered and left behind a considerable amount of Gold Treasure Chests, and this wealth was first-come, first-served.
Wei Huan could choose not to seize resources from islands where vehicles were stationed, but those without a garrison were public resources. With his capability, he would certainly open them first.
After spending most of the day discreetly leaving the three islands in Aosam's direction, Wei Huan no longer saw any islands with stationed vehicles. It seemed that Aosam did not have many combat units that entered the Tier 5 world. They dedicated most of their energy to developing and protecting the Five-Star Island, even resorting to creating the illusion of contesting islands with Daxia elsewhere.
The benefit of this was that after Wei Huan's vehicle traveled for just another half-day, he harvested three treasure chests on the seabed near the islands. Although they were only the lowest-tier chests, it indicated that the search teams dispatched by Aosam were far fewer than those of Daxia.
Treasure chests spawn randomly in various areas at uncertain times. The vast majority of the time, low-tier chests spawn, but occasionally, high-tier chests appear. Just like the Assessment Highway, someone is bound to encounter a Diamond Treasure Chest—a one in several billion chance—it's just a low probability, not impossible. However, the probability of encountering a random high-tier treasure chest while driving is too low compared to finding a ruin.
The worst ruins are at least Silver-tier, and their appearance probability is quite high. Islands are places where ruins are guaranteed to appear—sometimes two or three. For continent-like islands such as the Five-Star Island, merely guarding the island would likely result in over ten ruins appearing randomly. This is the benefit of occupying large islands.
Wei Huan subsequently opened two more treasure chests on the seabed. Shortly after dark, he discovered a Silver Ruin on a Dark Energy Island. Excluding the gold-tier resources he found on the Five-Star Island, this was the first ruin he had discovered in the three and a half days since he set out to explore.
It was unclear whether this ruin had been there all along or had just respawned. There were some monsters on the island, appearing as if they had not been cleared out.
The vehicle flew overhead, intending to land directly at the ruin's location, but before they arrived, the monsters on the island heard the movement and leaped up, attacking them. Tier 5 vehicles can only fly 30 meters above the ground, which is well within the attack range of most Tier 5 monsters.
Magic attacks such as water balls and stones flew out of the forest. Although not powerful, they were extremely dense, hitting the Tier 6 protective shield with loud crackles, which reflected powerful electric currents. Trees collapsed and burned, and the dense, smoke-filled jungle occasionally echoed with the cries of dying monsters.
"Whoosh!"
Immediately, a swarm of flying monsters, resembling pterodactyls but much smaller, rushed out of the dense forest. They appeared so densely packed, like a layer of locusts covering the island. It seemed these creatures were the dominant monsters on this island.
The waiting ranged professions, cooperating with the vehicle, cleared these monsters. Without deploying the Undead army, it took a full half-hour to clear the monsters that had surrounded them. Furthermore, if not for the protection of the Tier 6 shield, they might have had to retreat and flee in the face of such a quantity of monsters. This is why human vehicles, although flying, cannot simply "airdrop" units. The 30-meter altitude is fully within the monsters' striking range, and once surrounded, even Tier 5 vehicles are in danger. Therefore, they can only slowly push from the edge of the island towards the ruin's location. The speed is slower, but it prioritizes safety.
Wei Huan's team finally finished clearing the surrounding monsters and drove only one more Li (approx. 500m) forward before arriving at the ruin. The entrance was a dark, damp cave that the vehicle could not enter. From this point on, Challengers must leave the vehicle to act. Melee professions, especially the high-HP, high-attack Farmer Sequence, become the main force for exploring ruins.
This time, Wei Huan still did not deliberately create difficulty but also wouldn't let everyone idle. The Undead army was still deployed, and the melee professions who were on duty also had to leave the vehicle and venture out. With the addition of Challengers, the Undead army's weakness of low damage was compensated, and the Challengers were also safe with the Undead army providing protection.
Within five minutes, the roar of monsters was heard from deep inside the cave, followed by the sound of fierce combat. Wei Huan's vision showed the Silver Treasure Chest Monster, like an elephant being bitten by ants. Despite its massive physique, and its ability to fight three to five Martial Kings without defeat, the treasure chest monster was effortlessly gnawed to death alive.
The last Martial King left, and the ruin disappeared behind them. The vehicle restarted, activated its full-power protective shield, and stormed straight out the other side of the island. The awakened monsters rushed out to attack them during this process, but often, before their attacks could land, the vehicle was already far away. Once they flew off the island, only the flying monsters continued the chase, but they wouldn't go far, usually giving up after pursuing for three to five kilometers.
The appearance of this Silver Ruin seemed to mark a beginning. Early the next morning, the Butler announced that another Silver Ruin had been discovered ahead. Wei Huan did not pause his actions due to the nighttime and immediately sounded the Action Bell. All frontline combat personnel rushed to their battle stations within three minutes.
Shortly after, the vehicle plunged into the island without any intention of stopping to slowly clear monsters, heading straight for the ruin's location. The monsters in the darkness were fiercer, but they could not stop the iron treads of Wei Huan's vehicle. All surrounding monsters were either killed by the ranged attacks or died from the passive counter-attack of the vehicle's protective shield. To end the battle quickly, Wei Huan even released the Demon Eye Lord to participate in the fight. In less than ten minutes, the gathered monsters were cleared, and the entrance to the ruin was not far away.
At this point, the AI Butler said: "Captain, a vehicle is requesting a call."
Wei Huan glanced at the bottom left corner of the map, which displayed two small blue dots, and said, "Ignore them."
The vehicle stopped at the ruin entrance. The melee professions, already geared up, jumped off the vehicle, gathered in the middle of the Undead army, and entered the ruin.
A Bronze Treasure Chest and an Iron Treasure Chest were inside. The monsters that jumped out of the low-tier chests were like the ordinary monsters on the island, easily killed even by an average professional. Soon, only the Silver Treasure Chest deep inside the ruin remained.
The Butler then asked Wei Huan again: "Captain, the other party sent a message claiming they discovered this Silver Ruin first and were waiting for their companions to gather, planning to explore it tomorrow morning when it's light."
Wei Huan first spoke to the troops ahead via his tactical headset: "Finish the fight quickly. The Flying Monkey needs its attribute open."
Then he said to the Butler: "Tell him who I am and notify his companions not to come."
The Butler sent Wei Huan's message. Wei Huan didn't know the reaction of the opposite side but waited quietly for a few minutes. No more Undead appeared from the Teleportation Gate, indicating the battle was over. This time, killing a Silver Treasure Chest monster took less than three minutes.
When the vehicle restarted and left the island, the blue-colored friendly vehicle was still in shock that the person who came was Wei Huan. When they recovered their senses, Wei Huan's vehicle had driven off, and the "skull" icon representing the ruin had disappeared from the map.
Someone inside the vehicle asked incredulously: "Lily, does the missing skull mean the ruin is gone? Did Wei Huan really use less than half an hour from landing on the island to leaving?"
Lily was their AI Butler. In fact, few vehicles simply called their AI Butler the Butler. Most vehicles had named their Butler, treating them like a friend they would chat with.
Lily, the AI Butler of this vehicle, said: "Strictly speaking, it was 13 minutes and 21 seconds. It is confirmed that they have completed the ruin exploration, which is why the ruin disappeared from the radar. They landed on the island in 7 minutes and 3 seconds, and explored the ruin in 6 minutes and 18 seconds."
"Hiss!!" Hearing this inhuman number, the Captain and his crew were first shocked, then helpless, and finally looked extremely defeated. "Is the gap a little too big?"
Wei Huan didn't know how others were discussing him. He only knew that he adhered to the rules and did not act on "claimed" islands. This was the "No Man's Land," and resources were first-come, first-served. The one with the ability takes it first.
For the next two days, Wei Huan encountered ruins guarded by vehicles. But just like the first day, Wei Huan charged straight in and developed the ruins at an increasingly faster pace, leaving behind scenes of utter confusion and calmly departing.
Some Captains whose ruins were seized, after being refused multiple requests for a video call with Wei Huan, vented their frustration in the World Chat Room and angrily accused him.
[Wei Huan, please stop your plundering! This is the direction of our Aosam! You are seizing the resources of other countries and instigating war!]
Well, this fixed the problem. Wei Huan hated talking and was too lazy to explain, but Daxia had plenty of people who loved to "chat." All Challengers from the Daxia Legion became Wei Huan's mouthpieces.
[Oh? Did you plant a flag in the No Man's Land? Then you need to report and hand over the world map.]
[The No Man's Land is always first-come, first-served. Those with the ability take it first. Do you have no ability and still have the audacity to shout in the chat room?]
[It clearly broadcasts two words on your forehead: "INCOMPETENT."]
And some Daxia people brought up old accounts.
[Shut up, Aosam people! Have you earned enough for the Black Tortoise City compensation? Only ten days are left until the deadline! Or have you already finished building your new city?]
[Why give them a half-month deadline? Against this kind of unrepentant nation that is stubborn and refuses to admit fault, we should immediately break off diplomatic relations, expel them, and wage war! Look at what you've done! You eat our food and use our resources, yet constantly scheme to bite us back! We'd be better off raising a dog than you!]
The person who spoke last never said another word after that, because he was called away by his superior. After a light reprimand, the superior's expression relaxed, and he smiled: "I have to say what I have to say, but no matter what, I must say, well said! These bastards are getting more and more out of line!"
The incident where Aosam used Gold monsters to attack Black Tortoise City and then attempted to strike the Azure Dragon supply point now appeared to conceal too many schemes. Whether it was to slow down Daxia's development progress, attempt to eliminate Wei Huan, or divert the world's attention to conceal the existence of the Five-Star Island, there was too much calculation involved, and they simply tried to push it all away with the excuse of a "crazy Captain."
Daxia certainly wouldn't tolerate it. Compensation was one part of it. At the same time, all Aosam personnel in Black Tortoise City were expelled. Aosam's city was not yet built, and moving in now might mean facing a genuine beast tide.
Furthermore, Captain Fang William finally put aside all his concerns and launched a battle against Aosam's Pioneer Corps on that large island. The result was 21 deaths on Aosam's side and 11 injuries for Daxia. Aosam was forced to completely withdraw from the island. It was said that the witch Aosam relied on, Aglis, disappeared and couldn't be contacted during the war, only to reappear afterward, seemingly protesting the dishonorable methods of Aosam's high command in this manner.
In any case, this operation by Aosam, aside from annoying Daxia, did not cause substantial damage. Daxia suffered no fatalities, and the destruction of Black Tortoise City could be compensated. Most subtly, it gave Daxia considerable leverage in diplomatic settings, including directly cursing Aosam in the chat room, which had never happened before. And this was just the most minor, insignificant part.
Daxia became very tough in its diplomacy with Aosam. The shift in the international landscape of the Challenger World further impacted the relationship between Blue Star's nations. Daxia's aircraft carrier was pressing on Aosam's coastal cities for military exercises—something that had never happened in the past.
"It's still all about the Five-Star Island," Mu Zhong said casually in a video call with Wei Huan: "Aosam's strategy was initially very effective. Our energy was indeed drawn to the Vermilion Bird's island, and we never suspected that such a continent was hidden in Aosam's hinterland. If it weren't for two sudden variables, they probably could have concealed it for a while longer. Once they had built their city in the best area, we, Daxia, would likely not have contested the secondary land for city construction unless it was strategically necessary."
Wei Huan nodded: "So the variables you are talking about are one, Captain Fang William genuinely intending to develop the Gold Ruin, and two, us arriving?"
"Mhm," Mu Zhong confirmed. "Plans are not as fast as changes, but no matter what they are doing, what they fear most is the exposure of the Five-Star Island. You have to strike at the serpent's weak spot. Since we are going to fight back, we must attack them where they fear it the most. It must also be said here that the God of Luck is on Daxia's side, to have discovered Aosam's carefully hidden secret just like this."
Wei Huan raised an eyebrow, then smiled: "Yes, the God of Luck will always favor Daxia." Furthermore, finding the Five-Star Island so quickly this time was not just his achievement. If Mu Zhong hadn't acquired the "Heart of Steel" and upgraded his vehicle to Super AI, he would never have dreamed that the Five-Star Island had existed all along, hidden right under Daxia's nose.
Some things, it must be said, are truly subtle. Countless "causes" strung together to form the final "effect."
After chatting for a while longer, someone called out to Mu Zhong, who smiled helplessly: "I need to get back to work."
Wei Huan nodded and said, "Perfect timing. I've discovered another ruin... a Gold Relic?!"
Mu Zhong, who was about to leave, stopped and looked at him in surprise: "You found a Gold Relic?"
"Yes, on a large Dark Energy Island. I've ventured deep into the No Man's Land and finally encountered a Gold-tier ruin."
Mu Zhong's brow furrowed slightly, a little worried.
Wei Huan reassured him: "If I can't beat it, I can run. You can come pick me up."
Mu Zhong was momentarily stunned, then laughed: "That's too much trouble. You should just beat it directly."
When the two of them combined, if they unleashed Full Bloodlust without restraint, they could probably hold their own against not just a Gold Treasure Chest monster, but even a Diamond one. They still had their trump card. As long as they had a way to back up their actions, there was nothing to fear.
Mu Zhong's tightly-strained eyes visibly relaxed after hearing about the Gold Relic. He joked around until he finally had to leave, saying last: "I'll wait for your good news."
"Good," Wei Huan nodded. He ended the video call with Mu Zhong, and when he looked back at the relic ahead, a cold, sharp light gradually appeared in his eyes.
This island was large. They circled it, and its size was equivalent to the large island occupied by the Vermilion Bird Legion. However, it was a Dark Energy Island. A light purple mist that caused mental corruption permeated the island. Also, the trees were excessively tall, with the shortest ones being a hundred meters high. For their vehicle to enter the forest, they would have to drive right into the dense trees.
That was obviously not an option. It wasn't as if they couldn't cut down the trees. Why would they put themselves in an environment with poor visibility? For environmental protection?
Wei Huan finally chose the nearest straight line and deployed the Undead army to cut down trees and flatten the mountain. The Undead carried out the hard and tiring labor without complaint, while the combat personnel in the vehicle were responsible for killing the monsters that leaped out of the dense forest. To maximize visibility, he even ordered the Undead to clear a distance of one kilometer on both sides.
As the trees creaked and fell, they revealed the damp ground, perpetually shaded, covered with thick humus and tangled roots. However, as they pushed further, as the roots beneath the ground became more numerous, the trees came alive. Their roots would wrap around the Undead while they were cutting the trunks. The Undead, often lacking tactile sensation, would only realize they were fully wrapped when it was too late, then be pulled underground by a great force. The strength was enormous. Tier 4 Undead were almost unable to resist and were dragged into the damp soil beneath the humus, only to reappear in the Grand Tomb shortly after.
It was clear that large islands with Gold Treasure Chests were very difficult to deal with. No wonder Aosam, with the entire nation's effort, had failed to fully develop the Five-Star Island until now. The Undead army was killed in large numbers during this process. The speed of these deaths and revivals was comparable to a BOSS battle.
At this point, Wei Huan was even more grateful for his decision to cut down trees and flatten the mountain. If the vehicle had charged straight in, it might have gotten stuck. If these roots were this powerful, the tree trunks were likely no better.
Wei Huan reminded the personnel operating outside the vehicle via his tactical headset to be careful, but he realized that he sometimes underestimated these elites from various Legions. Their combat ability was much stronger than he thought. They often fought in groups of three or five when facing the roots that stood up like giant pythons. It wasn't that one person couldn't kill it, but small-team combat was more cost-effective. No matter how thick or numerous the roots and vines were, they were easily cut into pieces of wood through the squad's tacit cooperation. Cut into such pieces, even the most tenacious life force couldn't attack people again.
They slowly and calmly pushed forward.
When they were one kilometer away from the Gold Treasure Chest, five vehicles with the national emblem of the Aosam Pioneer Corps drove up. They immediately shouted: "Hello, Colonel Wei. We are the Aosam Pioneer Army. We regret to inform you that this Gold Treasure Chest has been marked by Aosam and uploaded to the World Map. We are now here to develop this relic. Please stand aside and rest."
Wei Huan agreed to their video call request this time, mainly because it would be difficult to explain the situation in just a few words, and he wanted to avoid a low-class argument in the World Channel. Facing the middle-aged Captain of the leading vehicle, Wei Huan spoke his first sentence: "Do not disturb me opening the chest, or I will take this Gold monster and parade it through your new city."
The middle-aged Captain said: "Will you not abide by the agreement? Unless simultaneously discovered, the party that first discovers the resource, as long as they upload the information to the World Channel, is granted 72 hours of 'Protection Rights'. The 'Protection Rights' were proposed by Daxia. Are you going to violate the rules you yourself proposed?"
After saying the last sentence, the middle-aged Captain couldn't hide a smug look in his expression, his eyes suggesting, Let's see how you handle this.
Wei Huan, however, was unconcerned: "Then I advise you to stay far away, so you won't be accidentally injured if a fight breaks out."
"You are openly violating the Protection Rights! Is Daxia going to break its own established rules? Are you going to make an enemy of all humanity?"
"Captain," Wei Huan finally said, "Do you want to die?"
"You!?" The middle-aged Captain was so angry he felt his cells separating (a Chinese idiom for extreme fury). "I will protest! I will send your dictatorial actions to the whole world! As Daxia's newest powerhouse, you are representing Daxia's attitude! Are you going to be hostile towards the whole world? Damn you! I won't let you have an easy time!"
Wei Huan ignored him and ordered the vehicle to continue pushing forward. During the time spent talking, they had already arrived at the Gold Relic.
Compared to the Silver Ruin, the entrance to the Gold Relic was much larger. It looked like the entrance to a gigantic natural pit, and looking down from the edge of the pit, one couldn't see the bottom. The pitch-black depths made one's heart turn cold, like the gaping maw of a demon.
Wei Huan glanced at the five Aosam vehicles that were still hovering in place and called back the crew who were fighting outside the vehicle. Then the Teleportation Gate opened, and he sent the Undead army in first to explore.
This relic turned out to be an underground river, sealed for an unknown number of years. Although no monsters emerged as the Undead army walked through it, it was imaginable that before the Challenger World "captured" it, it contained a massive amount of beasts. Now, there was no sign of life, yet everywhere one could see traces of its formerly "lively" past.
Occasionally, a low-tier treasure chest would be found on the walls of the underground river or deep underwater. When the chest was opened, some sea beasts would appear. It seemed this underground river was once connected to the ocean. Low-tier chests were easy to kill. Even when a Silver Treasure Chest was encountered, it was solved quickly. Wei Huan fully possessed the ability to fight a Silver Treasure Chest monster alone.
Finally, the Undead exploration reached its end. The end of the underground river led to an unknown destination, but the relic had reached its boundary. The exploring Undead were blocked by an invisible barrier. They then climbed up the wall and finally discovered the Gold Treasure Chest on one of the walls.
Found it!