Chapter 1358: Don't Lie to Me

Everyone pulled off a piece of their scales!

"Not allowed to pass off inferior as good!"

"Once a month, you should know what to do!"

On the makeshift stone table, Lin An frowned, watching the guard squad push a large box.

Although I don't quite understand what these Alien Species Elders are doing, I also roughly guessed the reason.

Once a month, the hardest scales.

Looks like this is the "tax" of the lowest level of the Alien Species world. Penniless low-level Alien Species have nothing of value except the scales they themselves generate.

"This world seems to lack Equipment and skills, but there is clearly a system..."

"The strengthening of Alien Species comes from absorbing energy, and there is also something like a talent panel."

"So for them, scales that provide defense and survival are actually equivalent to Equipment and resources in the human world?"

Thinking silently, constantly absorbing information from the Alien Species world, Lin An strove to sketch out the true nature of the Alien Species world in his mind.

There's no way; he doesn't have this world's system, so he can only guess many things.

If he had a system, a quick glance at this world's mountain range channel would reveal the key information...

"Leave a few high-status Alien Species unharmed and try to see if we can use revival questioning..."

"Relying solely on indirect interrogation to gather intel is too slow..."

"Ahhhhh!!"

Hearing the incessant low growls of miserable screams from his ears, Lin An's mind moved and he looked up.

Seeing the Alien Species whose scales were first pulled out, at this moment the scale on his forehead was being pulled out alive from his flesh; in extreme pain, he could only watch helplessly as the scales he had accumulated were taken away.

Each scale represents the energy they have accumulated and triggered.

Pulling out one scale means their strength is deprived by a portion; over time, their power suffers severe hindrance...

Watching Alien Species continually have their scales pulled out, Lin An's eyes flickered, and he silently retreated two steps.

It is obvious that this practice of the Alien Species world amounts to concentrating resources.

Using the flesh and blood of low-level Alien Species to feed a portion of Alien Species.

This is far more cruel than the human world.

Putting ourselves in their shoes... on Earth, there has yet to be a case of using Awakened Ones as generators.

"We need to act quickly."

"After all, I have no scales."

Seeing that it would soon be his turn, Lin An's gaze grew even colder. After quickly locking onto a few Elder Alien Species that had left intact corpses, he decisively strode up to that white Alien Species.

Information, obtained from the mouths of dead Alien Species.

But entering the Fortress, it seems there will be a selection... this girl might be able to help him.

Just as Lin An was about to walk over, hesitantly trying to guess the name of this Alien Species, the other party spoke first:

"Hong Ya, do you want to be selected?"

"I can help you, but you must promise me one thing!"

Lin An blinked slightly, somewhat surprised looking at the white Alien Species before him; hearing the other party proactively offer to help him, he even found them somewhat cute at this moment.

That fierce, slender snake head also looked much more pleasing.

Without any hesitation, Lin An directly agreed.

"No problem, you know I really need... to live better."

Not sure how the Alien Species world calls resources or currency, Lin An gave a vague answer, indicating he needed Bai Lin to live better. At least, not so bitter.

Fortunately, the white Alien Species girl at this moment didn't pay much attention to his wording; on the contrary, hearing Lin An's unreserved agreement, a faint sense of loss flickered in her eyes.

"I knew it... you treat Bai Lin well..."

After muttering a sentence softly, the girl actually appeared in Lin An's eyes as indifferent yet somewhat proud.

"Well, if you get selected..."

"From now on, you must come and have children with me."

After she said that, the scales on her face actually flushed red, causing Lin An to stare in shock.

What?

What thing?

Stunned in place, even with his hyper-effective thinking, Lin An also froze for a moment.

Have children? Help me sneak into the selection, the price is to accompany her in bearing children?

What on earth is this Alien Species thinking?

Seeing Lin An suddenly freeze, the girl was not surprised either; she lowered her head and began to mutter to herself:

"I can ask my brother to give you a spot."

"But you must promise me, the next child will be borne with me…"

"Ah, actually I've liked you for a long time. It's just that your status is too low, my dad disagrees. But it doesn't matter; once you're selected, my father should agree."

Pinching his slender three-clawed sharp claws, the half-human, half-snake Bai Lin Yan seemed to recall the memories with Hong Ya.

As a kind-hearted old-timer of the gathering place, Lin An probably never imagined that the Alien Species he disguised himself as was actually quite popular among the "girls".

Although of low birth and poor talent, thanks to Hong Ya's efforts, many Alien Species secretly harbored affection.

Actually, if Lin An could obtain a bit more information, he would realize that an Alien Species only at Second Level Initial dares to go outside to gather spirit crystals and can survive monster attacks; this is a very brave and remarkable feat.

Especially, for his own family.

"What about Bai Lin? Can you tell your brother now?"

"How far is the Fortress from here?"

Suppressing the strangeness in his heart, Lin An could not, for a moment, determine whether he could agree.

Who knows what these alien species' views on partners are.

Although he didn't mind deceiving this alien species, at this critical moment he needed to first figure out what exactly this alien species wanted to do.

"You really would worry about White Scale eating sour stones, wouldn't you?"

"No way, White Scale is nice, she'll accept me. Actually, strictly speaking, I was the first to like you!"

"Back when we grew up together, you even said you wanted to have kids with me!"

A grab smashed onto Lin An, and White Scale Smoke hissed like an angry girl, as if scolding Lin An for being a liar.

Although their identities differed greatly, the girl's feelings were simple. Back when they were little at Red Tooth, she often brought food for the other. Yet when they grew up, despite being from Green Tree Bamboo Flower, they lost to reality.

After roughly realizing the situation, a hint of hesitation flashed in Lin An's heart.

He more or less understood; it was no wonder this alien species treated him so well—loving the house and thus the crow, he didn't mind even though he already had White Scale.

"An alien species that has admired 'himself' since childhood?"

He didn't care about these.

He hesitated now, wondering whether to follow the original plan and quickly kill off this batch of alien species, or first let this alien species escort him into the fortress.

First kill off these alien species, then force them to help me—would that work?

The risk is too great..

The other side has an older brother in the fortress, and given the inability to block system message transmission, he would easily expose himself.

But not killing... or waiting until after he enters to kill..

"Red Tooth Leaf! What are you doing standing there!?"

"Where are your scales!? Hand them over quickly!"

Without waiting for Lin An's hesitation, several guard alien species pushing boxes filled with bloody scales walked over to his side with a tiger-like stare.

From the posture, it seemed that if he didn't voluntarily pull them out, they would attack.

His heart sank, Lin An's mental power slightly spread, instantly locking onto the entire scene.

Damn it..

He doesn't even have any scales to speak of.

Even the corpses of Red Tooth and his wife and children had been shaken by him into ash; even if he wanted to conjure a scale, he couldn't.

His gaze grew ever colder.

This is forcing him to act.

However, before Lin An could sigh inwardly, he still planned to first kill the person then stun White Scale Smoke.

All that could be seen was this white alien species girl suddenly lifting her head, her right claw reaching toward her own forehead.

"Rip—"

A crisp, teeth‑aching scale‑peeling sound.

Bearing the pain, the girl trembled all over as she weakly handed over a bloody scale and spoke weakly.

"I handed over Red Tooth Leaf's scale for him!"

"I don't need to hand over my own; this counts as his!"

Having said that, White Scale Smoke, trembling all over from pain, looked at Lin An and forced a smile:

"As promised... no cheating me."

"For the selection, you need to be in good health; this time just consider it a debt you owe me."

"You'd better not let me down again...."