Chapter 2979: Gathering Information

Ye Liuyun and his group first settled down, and each day they took Tang Xinyao and the others out to gather information and become familiar with the environment here.

Monster Beast and Term (generic, exclude) were all sent by him into the Space World, leaving only his split selves outside to monitor the situation around their dwelling.

Outside their residence, someone has already set their sights on them. However, they are inside the city, Ye Liuyun's group is numerous, and they live within the First Star Bandit Gang's enterprise, so no one dares to make a move against them.

A few days later, Ye Liuyun also discovered that the Martial Cultivators in the city were discussing a major matter: the First Star Bandit Gang had obtained a Treasure Vault key to a Secret Realm in the Wasteland Sea World, and they were now recruiting Martial Cultivators everywhere to form an expedition team.

To recruit people, the First Star Bandit Gang offered a very high bonus and promised that after returning, these people could all join the First Star Bandit Gang, with no realm restrictions.

The local Martial Cultivators, however, were mostly cautious; after a few days of recruitment, only a handful had signed up, leaving the recruiter frantic, going around to promote and attract people.

But the Martial Cultivators here are also experienced bandits, not so easily fooled. He reads the book.

"It's obvious that the First Star Bandit Gang is recruiting cannon fodder. But the conditions are good; if they can return alive, they won't lack cultivation resources thereafter!"

Some Martial Cultivators are well aware of the expedition team's purpose; those who aren't truly unable to obtain resources wouldn't take this risk.

"They already have the Treasure Vault key, which shows they've already scouted most of it. It shouldn't be as dangerous as exploring an unknown Secret Realm."

Others think that having the Treasure Vault key shows the route and most conditions have already been largely surveyed, so the danger shouldn't be that great.

But some seasoned veterans think even more.

"What good is getting the treasure? The Wasteland Sea World is dangerous by nature, teeming with countless strong beings; after they obtain the treasure, can they get out?"

Even if they can escape, the way back passes through the Dragon Head Bandit Gang's territory. Would the Dragon Head Bandit Gang let them go back easily?"

Even Ye Liuyun finds these analyses reasonable. He also weighs the risks and rewards of joining the expedition team in his mind.

If he doesn't go with the First Star Bandit Gang, his chances of locating the Treasure Vault are slim. Moreover, since the Wasteland Sea World is dangerous, going alone would be even riskier; it's better to join the expedition team—more people, greater strength, making entry easier.

As for what happens after obtaining the treasure, they aren't like the First Star Bandit Gang, which must return here. Then they can simply don the Invisibility Cloak and flee.

He originally came here intending to fight more to improve himself before venturing into the Wasteland Sea World. He found that the Martial Cultivators here are indeed strong; even ordinary ones are not weak in combat power.

But now that this opportunity is missed, it may never come again, so he must advance his plan.

After learning Ye's news, Tang Xinyao and the others immediately realized that what Ye Liuyun sold was actually a Treasure Vault key, and they felt deep regret.

Tang Xinyao's mind instantly sparked again. She urged Ye Liuyun: "Why don't we sign up for the expedition team? Maybe we can snatch those treasures!"

Ye Liuyun nodded in agreement: "Alright, that works; we can also take the chance to check out the Wasteland Sea World. First, let's ask about the expedition team's departure time. Before we go, we need to recruit a few more people as reserves."

He didn't seem particularly interested in the treasure. Now that it's confirmed the metal he sold is the key, he feels more confident that the First Star Bandit Gang will definitely not get the treasure.

Tong Xin has already altered the varying depths of the notches carved inside the trident. As a key, those notch depths are surely the crucial factor for opening the Treasure Vault door, and the material change will inevitably affect the key's interaction with the mechanism.

The squad leader in charge of recruiting expedition members is Liu Yan, who has been frazzled over the recruitment issue. The Martial Cultivators' enthusiasm is low; lately he hasn't stopped being scolded by the higher‑up leader. Yet the more he tries to persuade others, the more they hesitate to join.

While worrying about this, he saw Ye Liuyun and his group approach, and naturally he was overjoyed.

"I'm Liu Yan, a squad leader in this city; are you that Ye Liuyun?"

As a leader of a bandit crew in the city, Liu Yan naturally knows the city's situation well. Ye Liuyun's group is sizable and has handed over the Treasure Vault key, so he had long been watching them. Several of them wear matching black armor, making them easy to recognize.

Ye Liuyun clasped his fists toward him and said, "Yes, I am Ye Liuyun. Pleased to meet you, Captain Liu Yan."

"Are you here to sign up for the expedition team?" Liu Yan asked, eyes full of expectation.

"We have that intention. We've been wandering the city these past few days, found no good channels to obtain resources, so we wanted to give it a try. But we don't know the registration requirements, so we came to ask first."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yan immediately became attentive, even changing his address: "Brother Ye, your choice is absolutely correct. All the profitable enterprises in the city belong to our First Star Bandit Gang. Ordinary people really have no chance. To earn resources, you have to go out of the city and fight for them."

"We are over‑recruiting this time to stockpile future members for the bandit gang. Those who return can directly join us. I'm not hiding anything from you; since you're stuck here and have to fight for everything, it's better to join our bandit gang for some security."

Then Liu Yan went on to explain in detail to Ye Liuyun the benefits of their bandit gang and the rewards of this expedition, fearing that he was new and unfamiliar with the situation here.

"Captain Liu, when is the expedition team planning to set out? How many people? Who are the leaders?" Ye Liuyun also started chatting with him.

Liu Yan told Ye Liuyun: "I estimate the exact departure will be about a month from now. We're recruiting five hundred people this time, a substantial number; we'll also field five hundred of our own, and everyone needs thorough preparation, so it may not be that quick."

"Our leader, Chang Yuxing, will lead the team personally; he's a Guiyi Fifth Layer powerhouse, and the strong members of the group will also go. With this strength, entering the Wasteland Sea World will be absolutely fine."

"The gang leader himself leading?" Ye Liuyun hadn't expected the First Star Bandit Gang to mobilize the whole group.

Liu Yan, feigning mystery, told Ye Liuyun: "Brother Ye, to be honest, the Treasure Vault we're after has already been mapped, and it certainly contains priceless treasures, but no one has been able to open it—its missing piece is the key you handed over."

"We're sending so many people not only to handle the dangers there but mainly to guard against robbery. The gang leader is strong, already capable of fighting at Guiyi Sixth Layer, so his personal involvement gives us even more confidence."

He thought Ye Liuyun would eventually learn of these matters anyway, so keeping it from him was useless. Since the key is already in their hands, Ye Liuyun's backing out would be futile.