Chapter 21: Fallen Star Eye
With nothing better to do, Liu Xiao took out three animal hide maps and nine hide documents. Since returning from Earth, he'd been caught in near-constant combat. Only now did he finally have time to properly examine these spoils of war.
After spending 100 merit points—a steal—to master the lizardmen's language and script, he began his study. The very first hide revealed something extraordinary.
It documented the lizardmen's research on spiritual metamorphosis. While mentioning spirit crystal recharging was expected, the shocking revelation was about devouring metamorphosed spirits. His previous understanding had been wrong—the hide stated that after death, a metamorphosed being's spirit would linger briefly. If the kill notification appeared, there was still time to extract the spirit from the corpse. No need to reduce enemies to near-death and frantically dig into their still-warm bodies.
This gave Liu Xiao new insight into the Qixiao's relentless killing spree. More importantly, it significantly boosted his own faction's metamorphosis potential. Truly, knowledge was the ultimate power.
The next hide recorded lizardmen population growth—metamorphosed and non-metamorphosed numbers per Origin cycle, development status, individual metamorphosis times, and spirit crystal reserves. Liu Xiao cursed his luck: only two crystals remained when he attacked, with one being used during the battle. Had he struck earlier...
217 metamorphosed lizardmen versus 339 ordinary ones—still daunting numbers, but knowing the enemy's strength was invaluable.
The third hide contained something stranger: a timetable for a faith ability called Power Release, showing usage times and effects. Recipients gained about +15 Strength on average. Unfortunately, no other details were given. This reminded Liu Xiao of that bizarre ritual he'd witnessed—the small lizardman rapidly growing after metamorphosis. He'd assumed size came with metamorphosis, but apparently Power Release caused the transformation.
That explained the dark-red lizardman—the zone's "strongest creature"—who'd been waving that short staff. He must have been casting Power Release, which explained the shamanic dance motions. Liu Xiao had underestimated him; the title wasn't undeserved—he'd just been a mage-type. And what were mages weak against? Rushdowns and sniper attacks.
"My apologies, 'strongest creature.' You died before showing your true power."
The next five hides recorded each metamorphosed lizardman's physical attributes—similar to his own team's records. Non-enhanced lizardmen averaged Fortitude 13, Strength 15, Agility 8, and Burst 7. Post-ritual, their Strength exceeded 30. Thank goodness they weren't superhuman in all stats, or Liu Xiao would've died in their first encounter.
The final hide tracked one lizardman across 24 Origin cycles, reaching Fortitude 22, Strength 41, Agility 15, and Burst 14—noted as having "returned to home planet." Liu Xiao immediately knew who this was: their race's prodigy, now lying in pieces in the "defective goods" pile. Had they not accidentally killed it, this four-stat super-soldier could have soloed their entire team.
Disappointingly, there was no mention of spirit crystal mines. With their crystal reserves, they must have found a vein. Perhaps the maps would help.
The first map showed Falling Star Sky Eye's crude overview—an almond-shaped outer region surrounding a circular core zone like an eyeball in its socket. The outer area spanned the mountain's base to its flat summit, while the core was a massive circular sinkhole. "Falling Star"—was it literally formed by a stellar impact?
The map detailed eight outer settlements and several sinkhole entry points. "Perfect timing!"
The second map showed the southern settlement's surroundings—water sources, animal dens, and vegetation (useless to Liu Xiao but potentially valuable to Ye Shan).
The third map baffled him until he recognized the curved line as the human-occupied river valley. Centered on Mirror Lake (drawn six times larger than the valleys), it showed routes from the western Misty Marshlands heading toward but never reaching the lake. Why were lizardmen so obsessed with it? Egg-laying grounds? And what was "Yadin"? A lake monster? Their deity? A sunken city?
Answers would require personal investigation. While still lacking core zone or crystal mine information, he'd gained valuable entry clues. Carefully rerolling the hides, Liu Xiao returned them to the "defective goods" pile.
The War Domain's regional assessment still hadn't concluded, meaning the Qixiao's hunt for humans continued—or that the number of hostile creatures in the area still met the threshold for war.
Liu Xiao had no idea what was happening outside. What had become of the valley after the fires died down? Perhaps the mountaintop would provide answers.
Training among the teams remained intense. Those like Yang Yunlong, who already had solid foundations, only needed minor adjustments to reach the beginner level in spear mastery. But for others—especially those with no combat or weapon experience—progress was slow.
They could afford to wait, to take their time. But Liu Xiao couldn't. He had only given them this brief window to prepare.
Human physical capabilities were practically trash in the Origin. Without rapid growth and early advantages, a "steady development" mindset would soon leave them as less than trash—crushed underfoot, just as they had been by the Qixiao. No one would grant them time. To survive and thrive here, humans had to take greater risks and grow stronger, faster.
Liu Xiao approached Li Tianjia and exchanged a few words.
"Last hour!" Li Tianjia then announced to the group.
The logistics team member with a watch immediately began counting down.
Next, Liu Xiao found Ye Shan. He instructed her to draft a list for spiritual metamorphosis—the four girls would be first, followed by others based on personal willingness and the danger level of their pre-teleportation environments. He also handed her the map marking resource points around the lizardmen settlements, explaining the symbols and text.
Ye Shan's logistics team worked efficiently. They had already identified suitable hardwood in the forest for arrows and established an assembly line to produce hundreds of shafts. Without metal, however, the arrowheads were simply sharpened wood—severely reducing their lethality.
Liu Xiao test-fired a few arrows and shook his head in frustration. These wouldn't penetrate lizardmen scales unless they hit vulnerable spots like eyes. But something was better than nothing. Besides, since lizardmen produced hunting knives, daggers, and claw weapons, they must have smelting tools. If they lacked resources, they could just take them—hadn't their ancestors done the same during the revolution?
The melee teams' weapons were in better shape. Using weapons and materials Liu Xiao had previously looted, they'd assembled some genuinely lethal arms.
An hour passed quickly.
The final assessment showed only seventeen had reached beginner-level weapon mastery: three in the spear team, twelve in close combat, and two archers. Though the number seemed small, it exceeded Liu Xiao's expectations. Li Tianjia, Yang Zhao, and Yang Zhe had made the cut—Zhou Yukè hadn't, given his complete lack of experience beyond some farm work during holidays.
The two archers who achieved beginner proficiency were his earliest followers—his designated "Number One" and "Number Two"—who had both chosen the Primary Precision skill.
The group assembled in formation: Liu Xiao at the front, followed by the spear team, close combat fighters, medics and logistics, with a small spear squad bringing up the rear.
Before departure, Li Tianjia gave a rallying speech:
"Our target is the Falling Star Sky Eye's outer region. Our enemy: over five hundred lizardmen. You all know what we're facing. Let me be clear—we're not going to die pointlessly, but we can't fear sacrifice either! We Chinese must show our courage in the Origin! Being slaughtered by beasts doesn't mean we're weak—only that we weren't strong enough! Those who survive this battle will have a chance to become true warriors! And those who fall will be remembered—by this land, and by every one of us! That's all. Move out!"
"Move out!" came the suppressed, determined growls.
"Hell yeah, that got me fired up!"
"Once I'm as strong as the boss, I'm going back to slaughter those alien bastards!"
"After metamorphosis, I'm settling accounts with these creatures right here in the Origin!"
Though their thoughts varied, the three hundred members shared an unprecedented surge of morale.
....
Holding the bottle containing the pathfinder insect, Liu Xiao moved swiftly through the woods. Three meters behind, the main force followed in silence.
Progress was slow. After nearly half an hour, a system notification finally appeared:
[Discovered Primary Danger Zone: Falling Star Sky Eye Outer Region]
They had truly entered hostile territory. After a brief rest, the team pressed on.
Gradually, unfamiliar flora and fauna appeared. The logistics team grew excited—their food supplies were critically low—but after consulting Liu Xiao, Ye Shan decided against hunting for now.
Liu Xiao's priority was capturing the southern lizardmen settlement—the same one he'd previously raided. Their advantage lay in stealth; if the lizardmen mobilized en masse, their small force would be overwhelmed.
Combat effectiveness wasn't just about attribute points. A metamorphosed lizardman might only have 1.5 to 2 times human stats, but could two or three children defeat an adult? What if that adult wielded a butcher's cleaver? Or wore scaly armor?
The advance proceeded surprisingly smoothly—not a single lizardman sighted, nor any of the animal traps Liu Xiao had seen before.
Without major incidents, the group reached the Falling Star Sky Eye's summit.
While marveling at the panoramic view, they also witnessed a harrowing scene.
The river valley plains below were no longer humanity's safe haven but Qixiao territory. Though ordinary humans couldn't see clearly, Liu Xiao's enhanced vision revealed Qixiao scouring the plains for survivors playing dead—and more feasting on both human and their own kind's corpses.
At the forest's edge, trees occasionally toppled or shook—likely signs of Qixiao hunting humans deeper within.
As Liu Xiao had predicted, the deeper woods were calmer. The mountain's base showed no signs of large-scale pursuit.
As survivors of the racial war, the group felt surreal witnessing these events from such detached safety. From the university students' early evacuation to Liu Xiao's tactical withdrawals, everything had unfolded according to his foresight. Even in the chaos of battle, he'd maintained control.
This realization deepened everyone's respect for Liu Xiao. Though his title's influence had faded after leaving the valley's War Domain, his authority remained undiminished.
After a short break, the team continued with heightened caution—their destination was near.
Liu Xiao scouted ahead alone, increasing his lead from thirty to over a hundred meters.
Among the trees, he pulled up his hood and activated [Camouflage], blending seamlessly into the environment—only his sharp eyes remaining visible.
Seeing Liu Xiao vanish, Li Tianjia raised his right fist. The entire group halted, crouching low in tense silence.
No one dared breathe loudly. Beyond their own heartbeats and rustling leaves, the forest was eerily quiet. The agonizing wait stretched endlessly as each person fought to steady their nerves and still their trembling weapon hands.
Nervous? Of course. Unless battle-hardened veterans, no one could escape this primal tension before combat.
One spearman in the second row trembled uncontrollably, his body seemingly beyond his control. Then a large hand gently pressed against his back. Turning, he saw a older man smiling reassuringly. Feeling that warmth, the student bit his lip, nodded gratefully, and gradually calmed his breathing.
A shadowy figure suddenly emerged from ahead, whispering briefly with Li Tianjia before disappearing back into the woods.
"Battle formation! Prepare to engage!"
Li Tianjia's command, though quiet, carried undeniable strength.
Orders passed down the line in hushed tones as the groups awkwardly arranged themselves—spears forming the front and flanks, close combat fighters behind, archers taking elevated positions on boulders, with medics and logistics at the rear.
"Good luck!"
"Let's do this!"
They encouraged each other—both their comrades and themselves.
With formations set, three hundred and two pairs of eyes fixed anxiously on the woods ahead.