Chapter 625: A Small World

As Zhang Lie followed the noises in the distance, he came across a group of genetic lifeforms chasing after a few members of an alien race.

The aliens were battered and bruised all over. The ?group of lifeforms chasing after them consisted of members of various species—what looked like dinosaurs, green-skinned dog-sized salamanders.

The aliens had bronze skin, jade-green hair, and muscular physiques, but they had clearly been pushed to their limits already.

"Keep the lifeforms barely alive," Zhang Lie murmured, sending the blood-red mantis into the fray like a comet.

Bloodied streaks appeared on the lifeforms' legs, and they all fell to the ground. The blood-red mantis was an existence close to peak-grade. Dealing with these lifeforms was trivial for it.

Zhang Lie appeared above the aliens' heads and punched down with [Fists of the Silent Sea]. His attack skirted over the aliens and sent the lifeforms reeling, vomiting blood as they staggered.

[You successfully killed a mutated-grade greenskin salamander. By consuming the flesh of the mutated-grade greenskin salamander, you may receive one to ten mutated gene fragments.]

Zhang Lie had controlled his strength very well so as to not cause the lifeforms to explode—they wouldn't taste good that way.

The aliens all turned around to stare at Zhang Lie. He ?wore the aura of the strong, and he was followed by a flock of black bats, but none of the aliens had ever seen his like. They ran off in alarm.

Zhang Lie frowned. "Don't you think you're all being a little ungrateful?"

In a flash of red light, the blood-red mantis blocked the aliens' path. Zhang Lie leisurely killed the dinosaur-like lifeform.

[You successfully killed a superior-grade earth tyrant. By consuming the flesh of the superior-grade earth tyrant, you may receive one to ten superior gene fragments.]

Zhang Lie was a little surprised to learn that the dinosaur had actually been a superior-grade lifeform.

Forced to a halt, the aliens glanced warily back at Zhang Lie, not knowing if he was friend or foe.

They had been chased by that pack of lifeforms for what seemed like eternity, and yet Zhang Lie had taken care of it all in one swift blow. Furthermore, he was apparently in control of a swarm of genetic lifeforms, and the aliens didn't dare make a move against him.

One of the aliens strode forward respectfully. "Thank you for saving us, kind sir. Is there anything we can do for you in return?"

Zhang Lie asked, "Do you know where I can find the human race in this world?"

"The human race?" The aliens glanced at each other in confusion. "We've never seen or heard of humans."

Zhang Lie sighed. It seemed as though he had his work cut out for him in this realm. "Perhaps your elders might know. Lead me to where your tribe is."

The aliens hesitated. Zhang Lie's eyes gleamed with a rainbow sheen, and then so did the aliens. They patted Zhang Lie on the shoulder.

"Of course! You saved our lives. It's the least we could do."

"And here I thought it might be dangerous to lead a stranger into our tribe! How laughable—a hero like you surely wouldn't attack us."

"No problem at all. We won't hesitate to help our savior, after all."

Zhang Lie had used his mistmeld clam soulshard to revise the aliens' wariness of him and elevate their feelings of gratitude. He had deep reserves of mental energy, and what he could do with it was staggering.

Zhang Lie shook his head. "Let's deal with these genetic lifeforms first. We'll have a meal right here."

The aliens were shocked. "It's far too dangerous! Any lifeform who smells the meat will come rushing over."

Zhang Lie licked his lips. "Even better."

Despite their mental conditioning, the aliens began looking like Zhang Lie as though he were crazy. Nevertheless, without complaint, they began preparing the lifeforms for consumption. Zhang Lie took some water out of his soulspace to the aliens' surprise—in this world, water was an extremely precious commodity.

As the aliens cooked the meat, Zhang Lie had the demonic bats stand guard and deal with any lifeform that was drawn by the scent of the food.

A pack of what looked like dogs had rushed over in the meantime. The demonic bats stunned them with their screeches, then dragged them up into the air with their claws before dropping them to the ground, supplementing Zhang Lie's feast.

The aliens made the lifeforms into roast meat and meat broth, which was flavorful in a way that he wasn't used to. The aliens' spices were different from his own, but they were interesting and developed in their own right.

[For consuming the flesh of a mutated-grade greenskin salamander, you received one mutated gene fragment. Current total: 11]

Zhang Lie continued eating.

[For consuming the flesh of a mutated-grade greenskin salamander, you received one mutated gene fragment. Current total: 12]

[For consuming the flesh of a mutated-grade greenskin salamander, you received one mutated gene fragment. Current total: 13]

The aliens all gathered by the fire and ate alongside Zhang Lie. As they enjoyed their meal, they questioned him as to his origins.

"From over there." Zhang Lie gestured vaguely at the stone city behind him.

The aliens glanced in that direction curiously; they weren't aware that there were other aliens in that direction.

Zhang Lie picked up a dinosaur drumstick and had a big bite.

[For consuming the flesh of a superior-grade earth tyrant, you received one superior gene fragment. Current total: 1]

[For consuming the flesh of a superior-grade earth tyrant, you received one superior gene fragment. Current total: 2]

[For consuming the flesh of a superior-grade earth tyrant, you received one superior gene fragment. Current total: 3]

Once he had obtained all ten superior gene fragments, he gave the rest of the meat to the aliens, who were shocked by the precious gift.

The dog-type lifeforms that the demonic bats had killed were made into a simple hotpot with wild vegetables that grew in the region. It was unfortunately rather bland; hotpots needed a particularly rich broth, and Zhang Lie made a mental note to himself to obtain some satchels of broth—the equivalent of teabags—when he returned to Earth.

[For consuming the flesh of a regular-grade wasteland hound, you received one basic gene fragment. Current total: 11]

[For consuming the flesh of a regular-grade wasteland hound, you received one basic gene fragment. Current total: 12]

[For consuming the flesh of a regular-grade wasteland hound, you received one basic gene fragment. Current total: 13]

As they feasted and conversed, the aliens and Zhang Lie grew closer to each other. One of the aliens brought out a vat of wine. He poured out a cup and handed it to Zhang Lie.

"Have a taste of our homemade alcohol!"

Zhang Lie had a gulp. Spicy warmth radiated down his body, as though he were simmering from the inside.

[For consuming regular-grade alcohol, you received one basic gene fragment. Current total: 21]

Zhang Lie: ? ? ?

Zhang Lie's eyes brightened. This was a very interesting brew! Not only did it give him gene fragments, it was even strengthening his body bit by bit. He was very surprised. As a disaster-grade lifeform, it should have been almost impossible for his body's strength to be raised by normal means, but this alcohol could somehow do it...