Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Zhang Yi frowned deeply, appearing lost in thought.

However, in reality, his state of mind was the most tranquil.

Because, without a doubt, his harvest this time was the greatest among the four major regions.

Just the dozens of towering mountains of ore piled up in his Dimensional Space represented a massive quantity of the Elemental Stone Vein.

Not to mention, there was also the large number of Ground Centipede corpses he had collected. The Ground Centipedes fed on the Elemental Stone Vein, and after devouring it, their own bodies became highly purified energy.

And most crucially, he had obtained a piece of the Purple Crystal that everyone dreamed of.

Already having reaped a full harvest, he could naturally make his choice with ease.

Theoretically speaking, the three-tenths share of the Elemental Stone Vein was what they rightfully deserved.

That left only two Origin fragments of the exotic beasts for the three of them to split.

After some thought, Zhang Yi felt that, for his current situation, the Elemental Stone Vein held more value.

Others might not be aware, but Zhang Yi, having ventured deep into the underground world, discovered that the scale of the Elemental Stone Vein was far larger than what the Shengjing Region had detected—at least over ten times the estimated size.

Furthermore, Zhang Yi’s strength was already sufficiently high, and absorbing more Origin offered diminishing returns.

However, obtaining the Elemental Stone Vein could rapidly enhance the overall strength of the entire Tianhai City.

And by extension, boost the power of the Jiangnan Region as well.

He understood the apprehensions in Li Changgong and Han Shanzuo’s hearts.

While the Elemental Stone Vein was undoubtedly important, in their eyes, the mysterious existence in the underground world remained a latent threat.

Therefore, forcibly mining it might invite unknown troubles in the future.

In contrast, the Origin fragments of the exotic beasts had no side effects and were the safest acquisition.

If problems arose again in the Wuyou Valley underground in the future, Zhang Yi, despite seemingly gaining three-tenths of the Elemental Stone Vein, might end up with nothing after all his efforts.

After pondering for a while, facing the gazes of Han Shanzuo and Li Changgong, he slowly spoke while crossing his arms, ”I also very much want the Origin fragments.”

If you want to take something, you must first give something.

Zhang Yi deliberately didn’t state his position clearly, first letting Han Shanzuo and Li Changgong grow anxious to prevent them from reneging.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Han Shanzuo became somewhat flustered, ”If you put it that way, I’ll also choose the Origin!”

Zhang Yi let out a cold laugh, ”But there are only two Origin fragments. How do we split them?”

Han Shanzuo said, ”I can also give up my share of the Elemental Stone Vein, but I must have one of the Origin fragments!”

Li Changgong looked at Zhang Yi and suddenly said, ”Chaos, you didn’t miss the chance to gather quite a bit for yourself while in the underground world. You’ve already gained enough benefits. This time, let us choose first!”

What Zhang Yi had done wasn’t lost on the others; they all saw it. It was just that, during the battle, combat took priority, and no one called him out on it.

Zhang Yi’s expression showed some hesitation.

”The Elemental Stone Vein is indeed very important. The strength of our Jiangnan Region is relatively weak and needs a boost. But I’m somewhat reluctant to part with that Origin.”

Seeing Zhang Yi’s attitude wavering, Li Changgong and Han Shanzuo hurriedly tried to persuade him.

”Your strength is evident to all of us; it’s already formidable enough. It would be better to first consolidate the power of your region.”

”Let us have the Origin fragments this time! You saw it yourself; our self-preservation abilities when facing danger are clearly inferior to yours. We truly need it more.”

Zhang Yi hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding silently with a helpless air.

”Just this once, I’ll let you have the advantage.”

Li Changgong and Han Shanzuo inwardly breathed a long sigh of relief.

If Zhang Yi had truly insisted on competing with them, they would undoubtedly have been at a disadvantage.

Because both Origin fragments were actually stored within Zhang Yi’s Dimensional Space.

Moreover, if it really came to a fight, Zhang Yi’s strength could still steadily overpower them.

This point, both of them privately acknowledged after the battle in the underground world concluded.

Thus, the matter was perfectly resolved.

Zhang Yi handed the two Origin fragments to Li Changgong and Han Shanzuo, while he obtained three-tenths of the Wuyou Valley Elemental Stone Vein.

Everyone got what they needed, and this affair could be considered temporarily concluded.

However, regarding that mysterious underground world, everyone harbored complex thoughts.

Given the current strength of the Huaxu Kingdom, it was clearly incapable of deeply exploring that domain.

Bai Longzi’s power was too formidable; erasing a Chariot-level superhuman was as easy as an adult bullying a child.

No one dared to touch that forbidden domain again.

Even knowing there were immense treasures there, they could only gaze at the ocean and sigh in despair.

After the meeting concluded, everyone returned to their respective quarters.

With this matter settled, although they had experienced many dangers along the way, they had ultimately eradicated the scourge of the Ground Centipede race.

Each party had received satisfactory compensation and could no longer remain in Shengjing, preparing to embark on their return journeys.

Zhang Yi also prepared to take everyone back to the Jiangnan Region.

He held a huge secret in his hands: the Purple Crystal Totoro had stolen for him.

He knew the value of this thing was inestimable.

But for now, he couldn’t figure out exactly what purpose this object served.

He had to bring it back and study it carefully.

As for the Shengjing Region, they, as promised, shared some classified information with them, which included records of mysterious events from earlier years and research materials on superhumans.

These documents were too diverse and complex. Zhang Yi handed them over to Yang Xinxin for her to study on his behalf.

”I always feel that these mysterious underground beings are related to our ancestors,” Zhang Yi said to Yang Xinxin.

”What do you think? Could they be the ancestors of us humans? Did they create us?”

Hearing this, Yang Xinxin said noncommittally, ”That’s not an impossibility. If the serpent-folk are the deities from ancient legends, then the depictions of deities with human heads and serpent bodies in myths worldwide could be clearly explained.”

”But there are also many issues difficult to explain. For example, why do they dwell underground? And throughout the long river of time, there are very few records about them. It’s as if they deliberately avoid contact with us?”

”And the mysterious creature in the Mist Valley, and Totoro. They seem similar to the mysterious serpent-folk of Wuyou Valley, yet also distinctly different.”

Zhang Yi took a deep breath, ”The more I think about it, the more troublesome it gets. I always feel this world hides some enormous secret.”

Yang Xinxin glanced at Zhang Yi and smiled, ”Perhaps no one is deliberately hiding anything. It’s just that we aren’t standing high enough to see the truth clearly.”

Zhang Yi rubbed his nose and said helplessly, ”I thought I was strong enough now. Possessing such power, I believed I could live well in this ruined world.”

”But the sudden appearance of all these unknowns has plunged me back into anxiety and unease.”

Yang Xinxin lowered her head and said softly, ”Then, continue to grow stronger! All fear stems from insufficient personal strength.”

Zhang Yi nodded, ”That’s what I think too.”

With the Elemental Stone Vein obtained from Shengjing and that mysterious Purple Crystal, Zhang Yi felt both he and those around him could grow stronger once more.

”It’s time to leave.”

Thus spoke Zhang Yi.

Author’s Note