021 Detected anomaly

Ji You paused for only a few seconds before picking up the axe and continuing to chop the tree.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

…

Finally, it broke, and the tree roots fell to the ground with a crash.

Ji You, delighted, stepped forward and pulled out the dagger in her hand, beginning to peel the bark. After cutting through the Iron Pear Wood, peeling it became much easier. She inserted the blade into the crevices of the bark's fiber structure and slowly began to cut...

After the bark and the stump were completely separated, she continued to divide the inner fibers. These fibers were like silk; discarding the debris and trimmings, she could extract a complete thread of silk that would solidify quickly upon exposure to air, becoming extremely tough.

Ten minutes later, Ji You collected about three liang (approximately 50 grams) of silk thread.

She blinked happily and placed it into the basket she carried with her. Then, she looked up to see Grandma Jenny and Lea nearby, working together at a faster pace, having already collected two trees.

Noticing Ji You's gaze, Lea turned her head and smiled at her: "You, you've finished one tree? Not bad."

Ji You scratched her head and smiled: "Yeah, I've gotten quite skilled at it."

"Keep it up."

Lea made a gesture and continued to work.

When Ji You withdrew her hand, she noticed that her palm was scraped from holding the knife too tightly while cutting. This was a common occurrence, and she was used to it. Unfazed, she continued to collect.

Time seemed to pass unnoticed while she was busy.

Sweat appeared on her forehead; she raised her hand to wipe it off and inadvertently caught sight of the time on her Light Computer, realizing with a jolt that two hours had already passed.

Ji You looked around and spotted Lea and Grandma Jenny about 15 meters away, not too far. The quality of the Iron Pear Wood at her feet was too good to give up, so she decided to quickly finish collecting it and then meet up with them.

She bent down to begin.

Suddenly—

In the corner of her eye, she noticed something shimmering near a large stone not far away. Ji You's mind sharpened, she tensely gripped the axe in her hand, staring intently at the shining spot.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

…

No movement.

Could it be?

Not a Star Beast?

Ji You dared not be careless; she took the opportunity to send a message to both Lea and Xie Chuanqiong.

Meanwhile, she kept her eyes fixed on that place, noticing that the glint of light flashed again, seemingly not emitted from a Star Beast but—

It was the light from an energy weapon!

Ji You's eyes brightened instantly. Spotting an energy weapon would be a huge win for her.

However, she did not act rashly and continued to watch quietly, always aware of her surroundings. Just seconds later, she heard Lea's voice via her Light Computer: "You, what's happening?"

Ji You whispered, "I saw a strange glint of light, thought it was dangerous, but it seems to be the flash from an energy weapon."

Lea said, "Don't move yet, wait for me to come over."

Ji You responded, "Okay."

Soon after, Xie Chuanqiong also sent an inquiry.

Ji You replied to him again and received his answer that he and Xie Lingzhi would be coming over immediately.

Ji You was a very steady person with little curiosity. She adhered to the principle that life safety comes first and resolutely refrained from going ahead to check the situation. In this wilderness, hidden dangers were simply too prevalent.

Not to mention crises from Star Beasts, just talking about humans alone, if they are not acquaintances or from the same team, robbery, theft, pillaging... in these unmonitored wilds, such incidents occurred from time to time.

Suddenly, an energy weapon appeared...

If it wasn't something left behind by someone else or by someone who had died earlier, it might likely belong to someone still alive—

During the waiting period, the light flickered a few times, then suddenly stopped.

Afterward.

For about ten seconds, there was not a trace of movement.

Ji You tensed up.

Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps reached her ears. As Ji You turned around, she heard Lea's familiar voice: "It's me—"

After Lea arrived, Ji You's nerves relaxed somewhat; she whispered, "Over there..."

Lea followed the direction Ji You pointed, glanced, and her expression suddenly tightened. In a hushed voice, she said, "It's a long-eared rabbit."

Ji You widened her eyes in shock: "!!!"

Lea's spiritual power and physical strength were much higher than Ji You's, and she was more sensitive. With just a brief look, she fully understood the situation and confidently concluded. Seeing Ji You's shocked expression, Lea pressed her index finger to her lips and whispered softly: "Speak quietly, don't talk."

"Let's deal with it when Aqiong arrives."

The two girls leaned close together, daring not to speak loudly, for fear of startling the long-eared rabbit beside the stone.

The rabbit's fur resembled the surrounding dry branches, if not for hearing Lea's certain words, Ji You wouldn't dare confirm that it truly was a long-eared rabbit. The long-eared rabbit lay next to the stone, only its ears moving slightly...

As for the shining object, it indeed was an energy weapon.

Lea said, "It's an energy machete, but it doesn't have much energy left, so the light it emits flickers for a while then stops."

Ji You's eyes sparkled upon hearing this.

In the interstellar realm, these energy weapons, once their energy is depleted, can be refitted with a new segment of an energy cell to continue usage; these energy cells are much cheaper than the ones used in Mechas, priced at 50 credit points per segment, and each can be continuously operated for about 200 hours. Naturally, these energy weapons are very convenient; if you don't use them, their energy consumption automatically stops.

If it really is an energy machete—

Ji You wished she could rush over now and check immediately, but she restrained herself, waiting for Xie Chuanqiong to arrive so they could check it together.

Two minutes later, Xie Chuanqiong and Xie Lingzhi hurried over.

Sensing the movement around them, the long-eared rabbit suddenly flicked its ears, and the group quickly held their breath and focused. The rabbit looked around, noticing nothing unusual, and then continued gnawing on the energy machete at its feet.

"Level 1 long-eared rabbit."

"We can handle it."

If it was a Level 3 long-eared rabbit, without saying anything, they would immediately run, but now it was a Level 1. Based on the group's combat power, they could easily kill it, so after making their assessment, Xie Chuanqiong said: "You, watch the left, and Grandma Jenny, watch the right; stay in place and keep an eye on the surroundings." Those with lower combat power would not participate in the battle but were arranged to stay alert.

"Lingzhi, move closer to it from the right."

"Lea, approach it from the left."

"Me, moving towards the middle. Everyone—"

Xie Chuanqiong raised his hand, signaling a move.

Although the team didn't often act together, everyone was neighbors and familiar with each other. Everyone quickly took their positions, advancing one by one according to Xie Chuanqiong's plan—

The long-eared rabbit flicked its ears again—

By the time it sensed the danger, Xie Chuanqiong's attack had already reached its head; the rabbit instantly flicked its ears in retaliation and lept to the left, but immediately, Lea's attack also arrived.

Caught off guard, the rabbit was struck by a sword.

Startled, it thrust out its long legs, wildly sweeping around; Lea, unprepared, was suddenly knocked to the side, his entire body crashing into the branches of the Iron Pear Wood...