Assassin Seven, starting in Shennong Kingdom!

Chapter 270 Ecological Spread

Two weeks later, Mark returned to the lighthouse.

"This is Mark, requesting the lowering of the elevator platform."

"This is the command center. The elevator is being lowered. Mark, welcome back."

Nodding, a short while later, the car drove onto the elevator platform. Mark and Ran Bing returned to the lighthouse and went straight to the city lord's hall to meet Morgan.

The two told Morgan about what they had gained on the trip, but Mark didn't mention his own experiences; he only talked about how to avoid the Devouring Beasts.

“Lord of the city, the humans on the ground today evolve by stimulating their potential. There are no ‘hypnotists’ like you mentioned. Ran Bing and I have received some training and there are no signs of infection with the 'scent of red toxin’.”

Dr. Carrie was also present. Upon hearing this, she nodded and said, "Although a detailed examination will take some time, the instruments show that there are indeed no signs of stigmata in their bodies."

"Um……"

Morgan nodded slightly, seemingly relieved, and then said, "In that case, Mark, you will arrange the subsequent training tasks for the Hunters. The Lighthouse also needs to calculate as soon as possible where a base can be established on the ground, far away from the Mana ecosystem, to establish a new home for humanity. The Lighthouse's resources are only enough for two months, so it must be completed within this time."

The following words were spoken to Jingnan, who had always been in charge of the lighthouse's navigation.

Upon hearing this, Jingnan immediately nodded and said, "Yes!"

"Go down, Mark, you stay."

Everyone else left, leaving only Mark behind. Morgan looked even more exhausted, but looking at Mark, he still said, "I'm very pleased, Mark. The information you brought back is very valuable. Tell me, what are your thoughts?"

"First, naturally, is to establish a ground base to solve the problem of resource supply. We can't make a final decision on that yet; I plan to visit Dragonbone Village again to learn from their experience if I have the chance. If all goes well, the second step is to accumulate strength and then gradually eliminate the Mana ecosystem, rebuilding humanity's home. That's all for now. Of course, if all goes well..."

"Ah."

Morgan nodded slightly, acknowledging Mark's suggestion, and said, "Since you understand, I won't say anything more. Mark, you sometimes act too easily on emotion. This might make you an excellent hunter commander, but as a city lord, you need to know how to weigh priorities. Remember what I said before: when you really have to choose which group to sacrifice, you won't have the luxury of being willful. All of this... is for the survival of humanity."

After a moment of silence, Mark took a deep breath and said, "Lord, I understand..."

Nodding again, Morgan continued, "I sent Charles's men to explore a densely populated area that seems to hold some secret, as deciphered from the robots you brought back. However, they lost signal as soon as they got close. Charles insisted on starting the 'Abyss Project,' volunteering to be a test subject, which I refused. Mark, I owe him too much, but I also understand him. If I lose control of the Lighthouse, he won't let you take it over easily. Be careful."

"Yes, I understand."

Mark now vaguely understood what Morgan had done to Charles; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it sacrificing family for the greater good.

Morgan had made a tremendous effort to achieve this, and Mark would not ask for anything more, but he would simply be more wary of Charles.

Soon after, the lighthouse found a suitable area to serve as a base, far from the mana ecosystem.

After some attempts, the Lighthouse first had Mark lead the Wilderness Hunters to establish the simplest outpost on the ground, using it as the core to clear out the roaming Devouring Beasts, and then build defensive fortifications, thus completing the basic structure of the base.

During this period, Mark led his men to collect various resources, especially addressing the shortage of resources, which further enhanced his reputation.

Although he is not yet the city lord, he is no different from the city lord.

"Phew, this is the first time I've been able to move around on the ground without worrying about those beasts."

"Yes, there's also an underground water source nearby. Who knows, we might be able to grow crops there, and then we won't have a food shortage."

"Really!? I want to try the bread; it's a food of the upper class!"

"Didn't Lord Mark say that the first thing to do after the base is built is to solve the problem of resource shortage? Of course."

"Isn't he the deputy city lord?"

"Idiot! Isn't that the same as being the city lord?"

The first group of Dust People were assigned to establish a base on the ground. Fortress-like buildings gradually rose from the ground. Due to the movement of land plates, the terrain here was very treacherous, making it suitable for building fortresses.

In the distance, Mark and the others were discussing the blueprints for the fortress.

"Here, and here, install two more heavy artillery pieces. They can effectively strike any Devouring Beasts that might charge up."

"My Lord Mark, you make it sound so easy. We've almost run out of ammunition while clearing the ground. Why don't you go and get some more? Our research department's reserves are about to collapse."

Jessica complained from the side.

Mark fell into deep thought. This was indeed a problem. There were quite a few people on the lighthouse, and if they all came down, it would inevitably attract the Devouring Beasts.

Looking at Jing Nan, he asked, "I discussed this with the ground team before. They said that the bones of the Devouring Beasts can be used to make weapons that circulate life essence, which are very effective against Devouring Beasts. They also have some devices that can be used to create devices that isolate life essence. Can the research department try that? I can get the bones of the Devouring Beasts."

“I haven’t tried that before.” Jing Nan pondered for a moment and nodded. “I haven’t heard of any objects other than the human body and Devouring Beasts that can circulate life essence. It might be a breakthrough, and we can give it a try.”

"it is good."

Mark nodded and continued, "Tell me where you encounter any technical difficulties, and I'll figure out a solution."

"Ah."

No one else objected. The Lighthouse leadership was basically aware of the existence of humans on the ground, but they were not allowed to tell the other Lighthouse personnel because the time was not right.

Mark's plan is to learn from Dragonbone Village if he can't solve a problem anywhere, and he must build a ground base.

Just when everything was going well, Mark was summoned by Morgan and returned to the lighthouse.

"Cough cough..."

Morgan's health was deteriorating.

"Lord of the city, why did you summon me here?"

Morgan said to Mark, "Mark, the Lighthouse Central Command recently transmitted accurate coordinates, which match the analyzed coordinates. There must be something very important there. The people who went to investigate haven't returned, but that ecological zone is growing wildly, and it has probably formed what you call the 'bloody vortex.' This matter can't be delayed any longer."

"What!?"

Mark was shocked. When the mana ecosystem spreads to its extreme, it becomes a blood vortex. A high-density mana ecosystem can engulf everything!

This matter is of great importance. Mark frowned and said, "Lord, I'm going..."

Before he could finish speaking, Morgan looked at Mark seriously and said, "The ground base is the Lighthouse's hope. This is very dangerous, Mark, and I don't want you to take the risk. But this time, the Mana ecosystem's spread seems purposeful; they... are alive. Do you understand what that means?"

“I understand.” Mark nodded, insisting, “I will come back.”

"Charles recently volunteered to go to that ecologically dense area to investigate. He asked to take something with him, which I refused. However, it reminded me that perhaps you could handle that thing."

"what?"

"Come with me. It's time you learned about the Abyss Plan. Speaking of which, this is a plan proposed by that woman you met. Perhaps you are the most suitable candidate."