Chapter 523: Breaking the Peaceful Atmosphere

"Emperor, did this energy fragment fall off a Zerg?"

Daoer placed the purple energy fragment in front of an instrument and, after some data analysis, said in surprise.

"Daoer, I hope you can create a way to release the energy within this fragment to solve the New City-State's energy supply problem."

Daoer moved his gaze away from the crystal fragment before him, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.

"If there is enough of this energy crystal, the New City-State's energy problem can indeed be solved, but wouldn't this increase the casualty rate of the soldiers on the front lines?"

Upon hearing Daoer's reply, Yingzhou spoke immediately.

"Do not worry, I will have a War Dog Squad carry out this task when the time comes."

It was already noon when Yingzhou returned to the Outer City from the Research Institute; although his physical constitution meant that staying up late did not affect his body, considering his mother, Yingzhou still decided to stop by home to see Mother Ying and could also use the opportunity to improve his physical constitution.

Family Residential Area.

When Yingzhou pushed open the door, he saw his mother sewing a robe for Horus.

Mother Ying had medical tape wrapped around her fingers; seeing this, Yingzhou looked at the medical Xiunu standing behind her.

"What is going on here?"

The medical Xiunu immediately knelt on the ground sincerely, her voice full of remorse as she spoke.

"Reporting to the God-Emperor, I..."

The medical Xiunu had just begun to speak when she was interrupted by Mother Ying's voice.

"Little Zhou."

Mother Ying stopped the movement of her hands and looked at Yingzhou's face.

"It has nothing to do with her; I accidentally hurt myself last night. I didn't expect her to wrap my palm so tightly; it's actually just a minor injury. By the way, why are you back so early today?"

Yingzhou's Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a helpless tone.

"Mom, I just wanted to know how your hand got hurt. But, as long as you're fine, that's all that matters."

Yingzhou stopped pursuing the topic and instead sat beside Mother Ying, saying to her.

"Mom, didn't I improve Yingxin's physical constitution before? The little one hasn't been sick since then, and her physique is much sturdier than other children her age. This time, I want to improve your physical constitution."

Upon hearing Yingzhou's words, Mother Ying hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I don't know what you mean by this physical constitution improvement, but since you, Little Zhou, have already made your decision, then I certainly trust your choice."

Seeing this, Yingzhou did not say anything more and silently recited the command to use the physical constitution improvement.

Border between the Beast Race and Zerg territories.

The Kandong Tribe was peaceful at this moment, and the Beast Race Sentinel on the Watchtower was leaning against it, yawning.

Gema walked out of her tent and stretched.

Cooking smoke drifted from near the various tents of the tribe, mixed with the aroma of stewing Two-legged Sheep meat.

Gema walked toward the water pool, passing the sisters who were processing Insect Shell Shields; their scale-like armor clattered as they moved.

She scooped up a handful of clear water and looked at her curved Liaya reflected in the water—she had only just sharpened them with an Insect Mandible this morning.

The wind swept across the Insect Mouthpart Wind Chime hanging at Gema's waist; those organs that were once capable of spraying acid now swayed emptily, emitting a wail similar to a clay ocarina.

"Gema, do you know about High Priest Wali mobilizing troops to crusade against the Demon Race a while ago? I heard the situation there is very tense right now."

The Green Skin female Orc who was processing an Insect Shell Shield put down the shield and said to Gema.

"I heard, but with High Priest Wali there, those Demons won't go to full-scale war with us, right? Probably."

Just then, Gema heard a cry, but she was already used to such things.

Those captive Two-legged Sheep always made such cries when they were being slaughtered.

Gema expressed understanding for the miserable screams of the Two-legged Sheep before death.

Every head of livestock would let out some screams before dying; it was just that the screams of the Two-legged Sheep were a bit special.

The sound was as faint as a butterfly with broken wings, coming from the breeding farm on the west side of the tribe.

Several sisters who were applying Insect Glue to their shields suddenly began to laugh and play; the dull thud of iron boots hitting the ground easily crushed all other sounds.

"Fresh insect paste needs tender lamb to taste right."

The Beast Race woman who had just been chatting with Gema smacked her lips after hearing the cry.

"We only get to eat tender lamb at large festivals, right? You're being greedy again!"

Gema smiled and tapped her forehead, then turned to head toward the breeding farm.

When she arrived at the breeding farm, she saw a Beast Race warrior kick open the sheep pen cage; the sound of dragging iron chains startled swarms of flies.

From deep within the cage came the crisp sound of iron hooks piercing collarbones.

More than 20 Two-legged Sheep were curled up in a web of mucus-dripping insect cocoons; the skin of these Two-legged Sheep appeared morbidly transparent, and one could see blue-purple blood vessels pulsing beneath the sheep-skin.

The youngest one was still twitching; it was missing a leg, and the blood at the incision site had almost drained away as it was being carried by two Orc butchers toward the pickling vat.

"Old man Fukande, what are these Two-legged Sheep being prepared for today?"

Gema looked at the Two-legged Sheep being stuffed into the pickling vat, walked up to an elderly Beast Race butcher, and asked.

"It's Gema. The leader says this batch needs to be pickled for thirty days."

Butcher Fukande was scraping the leg bone of a Two-legged Sheep with a blood-stained file, then added.

"Once High Priest Wali wins over there, every tribe will hold a victory feast. At that time, there must be Crystal Trotter Jelly on every table at the feast."

Gema turned her head and saw the scratch marks left on the ground as the Two-legged Sheep were dragged away, with broken fingernails embedded in the deep and shallow indentations; Butcher Fukande followed Gema's gaze and complained.

"Honestly, cooking these Two-legged Sheep always makes such a mess of the surroundings."

"It's fine, I'll help you clean up in a bit."

Gema patted Fukande on the shoulder and walked toward the large pot where the mutton was being cooked.

A gust of wind carrying the aroma of stewed meat brushed past her Liaya, bringing a faint, salty, fishy scent—that was the final secretion from the tear glands of the Two-legged Sheep before they were removed.

Gema stirred the soup ladle in the large pot.

Through the murky brine, she saw the plump, tender white flesh of a Two-legged Sheep cub and could not help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

"The Two-legged Sheep being cooked today..."

She had just opened her mouth when an explosion came from outside the breeding farm, from the direction of Zerg Territory.

"Boom—"

Gema looked toward the distant horizon in surprise; the sound had come from Zerg Territory, yet it seemed no signal for an attack had been sent from the Zerg side.

Moreover, both races were currently at war with other races, and at a time like this, no one would be willing to make another enemy for themselves.

Soon, a Beast Race Patrol Squad rode Dire Wolves back to the Buluo, and the leading Beast Race Decurion shouted loudly at the Sentinel in the Watchtower.

"There is an anomaly! There is an anomaly on the Zerg side!"

The Beast Race Sentinel in the Watchtower immediately blew a bone horn, the sound of which rang through the entire Buluo, shattering the peaceful atmosphere within the Buluo.