CH 165

Although Little Frog didn’t get to meet the so-called “backing,” it still explained the results of the binding process. However, it spoke with its backside facing the others, especially Shu Shuishui. Clearly, the system felt deceived and believed that it couldn’t be placated without two roasted grasshoppers.

Because of the unique nature of this binding target, the system expended a tremendous amount of energy. However, in terms of the results, the system believed it was worthwhile because Mang Ya was truly a genius.

The speculations about Mang Ya’s mental power had long been circulating among the group. After all, he was a man who had shared thoughts and memories without going insane. It might be a bit eccentric, but it strangely suited the system’s taste, though the system wouldn’t admit it to anyone else.

According to the system, this binding was the highest level, and it was a lifelong commitment. If one party died, the other would die as well, but if one became stronger, the other would also become stronger. In other words, Mang Ya would not face a situation like Shi An’an’s, where the system abandoned him. At any time, the system and Mang Ya would advance or retreat together, which was exactly what Shu Shuishui wanted.

“To become a main god, you not only need to have an independent world and space but also a fully developed mall for issuing task rewards and selling items. Most importantly, you need sub-systems. Sub-systems have some degree of freedom and consciousness, but they must not go against the main god system. The main god system also needs the ability to travel through different times and spaces…” Little Frog listed the necessary conditions to become a main god, which could be summarized as being wealthy.

Shu Shuishui didn’t think this was a problem. “That’s easy. The Huanxing Continent is a cultivation world with dimensions higher than most other realms. We can modify and process the spiritual beings inside and sell them in the mall!”

Little Frog said, “But won’t we have to wait for two, three, four, five, six, seven years for that?”

“Nope.” Shu Shuishui raised his hand, and on his finger, there was a conspicuous Lan ring. Then, he held hands with Gu Langu, making sure everyone saw the Shui ring. “See this pair of rings? Besides representing our feelings, they also connect to the Huanxing Continent. Plus, you can get a random item from the Huanxing Continent every day.”

Little Frog’s eyes brightened. “So, all those items and materials not belonging to Cang Zhan Star come from here?”

“That’s right. I told you we have a backer!”

Little Frog nodded vigorously. “I see. You’re forgiven and the grasshoppers will be skipped.”

Gu Langu raised his head, realizing that the system was actually eyeing the grasshoppers. Fortunately, Shu Shuishui was smart. He couldn’t help but wonder how much business he needed to do to profit from these grasshoppers. After all, he had earned nothing from the system in the field of household chores. Now, he could shift his focus to Mang Ya, who seemed like a good sales target.

However, the real issue was that there were too many Mang Yas, and they couldn’t possibly take them all back to the base. The Warm Baby talismans couldn’t transport all of them back to the Cangyu Mountain.

Speaking of the clone bodies, since Mang Ya’s spiritual body was completely integrated and bound with the system, they would no longer be split apart. When the binding took place, the system asked Mang Ya whether he wanted to eliminate all the clone bodies. Mang Ya remained silent for a moment and chose to refuse.

As a result, all the clone bodies of Mang Ya were still alive, but they were no longer under Yang Tianjun’s control, and they wouldn’t share thoughts without reservation. In other words, from this moment on, all of Mang Ya’s clone bodies had become independent individuals. There might still be some subtle connections between them, but they wouldn’t influence each other anymore.

Mang Ya’s clone bodies had some flaws; their minds were damaged, they had a strong desire for battle, and their lifespans were short. Even if Mang Ya didn’t interfere, the clone bodies typically wouldn’t live for more than twenty years.

Once they were liberated, the clone bodies walked out of their rooms, and there were thousands of Mang Yas in the village, creating a spectacular scene. They stood at a distance, looking at their original self. They could sense their original strength, and they knew that their continued existence was a gesture of tolerance from their original. In the end, even after experiencing so many hardships and trials, beautiful people remained beautiful.

“Original, let’s have a fight! If you win, I won’t oppose you in the future!” One of the clone bodies stepped forward provocatively, issuing a challenge.

The others in the group were left speechless. It seemed that even among the clone bodies, there were still some who were a bit eccentric.

Mang Ya readily accepted the challenge, and as soon as they agreed to fight, there were no further delays.

However, Qing Mengxing furrowed his brows briefly and then relaxed them. “This clone body is probably the strongest. He wants to use this method to quell any dissent among the other clone bodies.”

Yu Jin watched the battle between the two Mang Yas and couldn’t resist a bit of mischief. “Is that so? I just have a feeling that they both simply want to fight.”

Cheng Que, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.

Qing Mengxing scratched his head in embarrassment. “Is that really the case?”

Yu Jin grinned. “I just didn’t think they were the type who needed each other’s approval.”

Qing Mengxing looked at Yu Jin in slight surprise, and his expression made Yu Jin slightly uncomfortable. “What’s wrong? Do I have a grasshopper on my face?”

“No,” Qing Mengxing smiled. “I’m just surprised that you understand him.”

Qing Mengxing had to admit that Yu Jin’s explanation was the closest to the truth. Mang Ya didn’t need the clone bodies’ approval or submission, and likewise, the clone bodies didn’t need to prove anything from Mang Ya. They had always been clear that they were themselves, not anyone else.

The battle ended quickly. After binding with the system, Mang Ya’s strength had undergone a qualitative leap, and his body was crafted from rare materials found in the system’s small treasury. The original Mang Ya achieved a crushing victory over the clone body.

After their defeat, the clone bodies didn’t linger; they quickly departed. Mang Ya gained his freedom and liberation, and so did all the Mang Ya clone bodies.

The team prepared to set out and return to Cangyu Mountain. However, little did they know that the story of Mang Ya on Cang Zhan Star was far from over. At this moment, Shu Shuishui and the others couldn’t have anticipated that the clone bodies who had left all had a common goal in mind. They would emerge over the next two years and elevate the Shui Jing Gong to the pinnacle of Cang Zhan Star.

On their way back, they encountered a snowstorm. Fortunately, Shu Shuishui was well-prepared and used a wind-shielding talisman to clear a path through the storm, allowing them to navigate through the white, vast world. When they stepped into the protective array of Cangyu Mountain Range, free from the resistance of the snowstorm, they all heaved a sigh of relief.

The Shui Jing Gong quickly received the news from the patrol team and eagerly came out to welcome them. In the evening, the base even held a celebration banquet for the outbound team and Mang Ya.

Upon learning about the impending arrival of the advanced civilization in six years, the major bases were all caught up in a flurry of activity. They were afraid of wasting any time, and such high-intensity work did require some relaxation.

On this evening, everyone had a great time. Even though there weren’t many entertainment facilities on Cang Zhan Star, they still had a blast singing around the campfire, chatting, and boasting among this group of men.

Not long after returning, Shu Shuishui and Gu Langu went into hibernation once again. This time, they would also take on missions in the simulator, conquer simulator dungeons, and obtain more extraterrestrial resources. Outside, the Shui Jing Gong’s cultivation efforts continued, and the new drought and frost-resistant plants from the Shui Jing Gong were in high demand.

Especially for bases outside the mountain range without protective arrays, many of them braved snowstorms in exchange for these hard-earned conquest rewards. They clearly noticed that these plants, once planted, had a significant temperature-regulating effect on the base. It was said that they were also resistant to flooding in the summer, and after a year, they could even bear fruit, with the fruits possessing unique functions.

The reputation of the Shui Jing Gong soared in just one winter, accumulating a large following. Alongside it, Gray Rats Company also became popular, known for its high-quality and efficient services, receiving widespread praise.

As the second year’s summer arrived and the snow that had accumulated over the winter began to melt, life was returning. The patrol team, following their usual route along the edge of the protective array, unexpectedly spotted a group of people and horses in the distance, coming towards them with vigor. When they picked up binoculars for a closer look, they were astounded to see Mang Ya! It was Mang Ya who looked exactly like the one from their base! Behind him was none other than last year’s attackers from Zone S.

This uncanny coincidence seemed oddly familiar, and the patrol team thought that Zone S was not giving up and had come to attack again. They immediately sounded the alarm for an impending attack. People from various bases rushed over, and tension was palpable. The Shui Jing Gong’s team naturally arrived at the edge of the protective array as well.

Just as everyone on Cangyu Mountain was gearing up for a potential battle, the Mang Ya from outside stepped forward and expressed that he was leading Zone S to join the Shui Jing Gong.

The people from the Shui Jing Gong were a bit bewildered, and so were the members of other bases. The strongest Zone S in the northern hemisphere wanted to join the Shui Jing Gong?

However, the most bewildered were not the Shui Jing Gong but Zone S themselves. They wore expressions of confusion, wondering if they had come to fight for territory, why did they end up offering themselves like this? Leader, what kind of tricky maneuver is this?

The baffled parties exchanged friendly greetings and tried to initiate small talk to ease the awkwardness. However, before long, people from another base arrived in full force, and surprisingly, it was led by Mang Ya as well. It seemed that after the winter, Mang Ya’s clones had dispersed to various bases, and when the time was right, they had manipulated, deceived, and threatened the bases into coming to Cangyu Mountain.