019 Entering the Wild

Xie Lingzhi, well aware of her place, immediately kept quiet and ceased her requests for Ryan to take her.

The group moved briskly and soon arrived at the border of West District.

Ryan stopped first, and everyone else followed, standing next to the protective net and observing the outside from a distance. Beyond the protective net lay endless parched yellow and scorched earth, without a speck of green in sight. In fact, not just the West District but the East District, North District, and 90% of the planet's land were barren and depleted like this, with a lack of resources which made development of planet 101 impossible.

Thus, it could only become a garbage planet.

After negotiating with the personnel guarding the protective net and obtaining permission to travel, Ryan then led the group to the gathering point to board the Floating Airship.

During this season each year, many people set out to the wilderness to collect Iron Pear Wood. Because a robust protective net separated them, many couldn't get out, and some even broke the net in their desperation to escape. Eventually... when the situation escalated and became uncontrollable, the Administrator set a few rules to regulate: ① All personnel going out are responsible for their own safety, and in the event of any danger, the government will not dispatch rescue. ② The protective net opens at 8:00 AM, no waiting if late. ③ At 6:00 PM, the protective net closes promptly, no waiting if late. ④ Each person must pay a tax of 1 credit point.

Just those four points; as long as one signs the agreement in advance, anyone wishing to explore outside is allowed by the planetary administration.

People flowed continuously to adventure in the wilderness, giving rise to a group of airships specializing in transporting clients. A ride costs only 1 credit point, directly flying to a fixed starting point in the suburbs, which greatly facilitates adventurers, especially since if one doesn't have a Mecha, an airship, a Floating Car... relying solely on walking, who knows how long it would take to reach the border areas where materials grow.

Ji You and the others boarded the airship; this was a small airship that could carry up to 50 people at most. Ji You and her group boarded and filled it to exactly 50 people; seeing the count, the pilot quickly started the airship.

A round trip took 5 minutes. The airship had only one hour in the morning to board passengers, allowing a maximum of 6 trips. That's why the pilot wanted to make the most of the time, even an extra trip could earn dozens more credit points.

About 5 minutes later, the airship stopped at a very spacious location. From there, looking into the distance, one could vaguely see a lot of shrubbery, the target for Ji You, Lea, and the rest of the group. Further beyond, the vegetation was much richer, but correspondingly more dangerous. As for even further, one could only see a swath of deep green, the details of which were unclear.

Actually, planet 101 was not completely a desert; at its inland heart lay a very lush jungle, deep in West District, filled with numerous Star Beasts and fraught with peril; ordinary people dared not tread lightly.

After all 50 people disembarked, the airship quickly departed. Those who stepped off the airship were all wearing protective clothing and carried baskets or bags, and of course, some were empty-handed and appeared at ease, as their tools were actually stored inside the Space Button.

The current location was a temporary stopping point set up by the airship operators. The nearby shrubbery had already been stripped clean by people, to gather quality Iron Pear Wood one had to go deeper.

Grandma Jenny asked, "Ryan, which direction should we head in today?"

Ryan looked into the distance and pondered for a moment before responding, "I plan to head in the Southwest direction."

Grandma Jenny said, "Then, we'll go with you towards the Southwest, but we'll only stay at the edge, not venturing deep, is that okay?" Being near Ryan, with his strong Combat Power, made it convenient to receive his protection.

Hearing this, Ryan nodded, "Hmm, follow me then."

Xie Lingzhi looked at Ryan's tall figure, her eyes filled with infatuation... Hearing his words, she quickly ran to catch up, staying close to Ryan, and asked adoringly, "Brother Ryan, did you bring a Mecha along?"

Daring to venture deep alone is impossible without a Mecha.

And having a Mecha is everyone's dream.

Ryan remained silent.

Xie Lingzhi did not receive a reply, but she did not mind; after all, Ryan was a man of few words, and his silence was normal.

Ryan led the way, with Xie Lingzhi following closely behind. Grandma Jenny, Lea, and Ji You walked in the middle; Xie Chuanqiong willingly brought up the rear. The group slowly headed southwest. Some people saw them and, thinking Ryan was strong, wanted to follow for protection, while others did not want to take the risk and just stayed near the passenger airship stop to scavenge...

Xie Lingzhi caught sight of these tag-alongs and couldn't help but purse her lips, turning to ask Ryan, "Brother Ryan, are we just letting them follow? Shouldn't we drive them away?"

She felt that with so many people following, they would definitely compete with her for resources—

Ryan's brow furrowed slightly; in truth, he was not used to Xie Lingzhi's chatter. All along the way, Xie Lingzhi stuck close to him, bombarding him with questions non-stop, barely giving him a moment of peace. Ryan, exasperated, only responded selectively, occasionally giving a perfunctory reply.

He preferred quiet teammates, but since it was Xie Lingzhi's first time exploring the West District, she was very excited and curious. Seeing her as just a young girl, Ryan didn't want to dampen her spirits and thus didn't say anything.

About half an hour later, there was a noticeable amount of Iron Pear Wood around. Some people following Ryan's team, upon seeing this, couldn't resist stopping to gather with their tools.

Later on, they came across a small grove of Iron Pear Wood and another group stopped.

...

This way, the group gradually decreased significantly, and in the end, only Ji You, Grandma Jenny, Lea, Xie Lingzhi, and Xie Chuanqiong were left; there were no outsiders.

After entering the jungle, Ji You clutched her axe tightly, raising her vigilance to the highest level, fearing a sudden encounter with danger. Everyone else did the same, and even the usually noisy Xie Lingzhi gripped her weapon tightly and quieted down considerably.

The only sounds were the soft whisper of the wind and the footsteps of the few people.

After crossing a small hill, Ryan suddenly said, "I've been here before. Just ten more minutes inside, there's a large area of very high-quality Iron Pear Wood. You can gather there. I've checked the surrounding area before; there are no dangerous Star Beasts."

Xie Chuanqiong said, "Brother Ryan, lead the way."

Stumbling along, Ryan finally stopped and said, "We are here."