239: Runestone House

Before their eyes was a cluster of buildings constructed from massive stones, emanating a desolate aura that struck one's soul. The peculiar four-cornered domed buildings were orderly, adorned with mysterious runes that seemed to channel a strange power. Mist around them was drawn into threads, forming an array of organized symbols.

On a twenty-meter-high stone gate, a wolf was etched—a lifelike Mist Wolf that emerged from the carvings, baring its fangs at the tiny invaders before it. A Talent User was already on the ground, injured by this Mist Wolf, which was seemingly tethered within the mural.

Green mystical light rose beside Tang Ping and fell upon the man, his injuries healing in an instant.

"Thank you, thank you," the man hastily got up and expressed his gratitude.

Tang Ping nodded slightly in response, his gaze continuously surveying these peculiar four-cornered domed buildings.

Through the mist before him, he could observe over a dozen houses. They appeared to be crudely built, yet the stones were extraordinary, and the runes on them were incredibly mystical. Each house was perfectly circular, with diameters ranging from about ten to forty meters and heights from twenty to fifty meters.

Aside from the runes on the boulders, each large door featured a carved wolf head, within which a wolf-shaped Mist Spirit was bound.

Several auras arrived, followed by some weaker ones, evidently other faction leaders or apocalypse squads, who also came to investigate the situation.

Old Man Xuanshan was the first to rush forward excitedly: "This, this is the White-Haired People's civilization! Their civilization has always existed, not lost to history. I thought that as their intelligence diminished, they would forget everything from the previous era. I never imagined it would reappear."

As if recalling past events, his eyes showed determination: "Young friend Tang, you are right. It seems we must engage them in a decisive battle as soon as possible, otherwise, with the resurgence of their era's civilization, it will undoubtedly be a disaster for us!"

"Senior Xuanshan, can you discern anything else from these buildings?" Tang Ping inquired.

Old Man Xuanshan observed carefully, his gaze suddenly tightening: "Oh no, something terrible has happened!"

"What is it?" Li Tianheng's heart tightened.

Tang Ping and Miao Qingshi exchanged glances, evidently having also observed something amiss.

Old Man Xuanshan said in a deep voice: "This place is merely for the White-Haired People, or rather..." He stared at the runes, seemingly discerning something, "or rather, this is just a single tribe of the Wuxiao Tribe."

"A single tribe? Not all White-Haired People!" Someone in the crowd behind exclaimed, their face pale.

"It's over. This must be the tribe of that group of White-Haired People from before. Now that they've left, they must be going to other tribes to call for reinforcements. If three or five tribes of White-Haired People come back, won't we all die!"

"Surely, surely there aren't that many," someone said uncertainly.

"Not that many? I think it's very likely there are even more!"

"But, are we just going to abandon the territory we've worked so hard to seize?" A faction leader was unwilling.

"No!" A faction leader's expression turned ruthless. "No matter what, we must defend this place. Haven't you noticed that many of the flowers and plants here are wreathed in mist, and even parts of their bodies have become misty? This is a true treasure land!"

Prompted by this person, some others who hadn't noticed also exclaimed: "Really, really! Can this place really cultivate mist grass!"

"Absolutely. And it's definitely related to these buildings. I suspect that even though this is deep within the mist, the mist here is much thinner than in other places, and it must also be related to those semi-mist grasses!"

"These White-Haired People can actually artificially intervene in the birth of mist grass, and even cultivate mist grass!"

Everyone was unsettled now. mist grass, after all, is a rare treasure that can enhance mental power and heal mental injuries. If they could also master this technology, or even if they couldn't, just acquiring a few acres of land, or even a small plot, would be a treasure trove for continuously obtaining mist grass.

"Damn it, let's do it. I don't believe these White-Haired People can truly be so united and resist outsiders!"

"That's right, even if they are naturally born with some Mystical Art, so what? Aren't we also naturally awakened Talent Users? Even if we can't compare, at worst, at worst we'll make all ordinary people in the base awaken!" One person's words were astonishing. One must know that a full awakening not only meant fiercer competition for resources among Hengtian Base's Talent Users but also meant that many talented individuals might rise above them.

This was something all Talent Users in the base did not wish for.

For the core administrators of the base, having many geniuses but very few resources was not a good thing. Because if resources were concentrated to focus on cultivating a few powerful combatants, it would inevitably lead to dissatisfaction among others. But if they were fair, it would mean that the top-tier combat power would fall behind other bases, and even be at a disadvantage when facing rapidly evolving Pollution Beasts. Therefore, making everyone awaken their Talent was not a good thing for anyone.

But now, if they could truly occupy this river valley plain and establish this foothold deep within Shennongjia, the abundant mist grass would continuously bring in resources from all over the world through the trading zone, just like Tang Ping's Peach Mountain.

This was also the reason why Tianfu Base dared to awaken all its citizens; a continuous supply of immortal grass would bring them an unending stream of resources.

And for Hengtian Base, if it could acquire this river valley plain, the same logic applied.

"Leader!" A faction leader spoke, "Let's awaken everyone! Our Dragon Python Society is willing to contribute a thousand b-rank experience stones to support one B-rank Talent Holder at Level 4, as well as several thousand D-rank experience stones. We only hope that the Leader can allocate one house to us!"

No one was foolish. What good were land and grass? These houses were the real treasures, suspected of being able to cultivate Mist Spirits!

Moreover, those mysterious runic boulders were also extremely extraordinary. If they could be studied, they might even yield another kind of power.

"Leader Miao, our Horizon Gate is also willing to contribute an equivalent amount of resources, only asking for a house in return!"

"Leader Miao, our Soul Severing Pavilion is also willing to contribute an equivalent amount of experience stones!"

These factions that spoke were all Level 4 A-rank powerhouses. Contributing some b-rank experience stones would not threaten them.

Other factions also expressed their stances, even willing to share a house.

As for the apocalypse squads and lone wolves, they could only watch enviously, as their wealth was naturally far inferior to that of these factions.

Miao Qingshi's heart was stirred, and just as she was about to agree, Tang Ping stopped her.

Miao Qingshi looked at him in confusion. Tang Ping nodded, then walked forward.

"As for the houses, you shouldn't even think about them. But I can offer you a greater benefit."

"A greater benefit? Mr. Tang, what benefit of yours could compare to these houses? These houses can cultivate Mist Spirits." The Dragon Python Society's faction leader frowned.

Tang Ping chuckled: "A benefit that will stably allow every one of your descendants, for generations, to acquire powerful strength."

These ancient insect bloodlines were originally something he intended to use to elevate his own side's strength to counter the upcoming White-Haired People. Now, it was a good opportunity to exchange for some resources, and also prevent these factions from acquiring Mist Spirits. One must know that Mist Spirits were something he couldn't control, but these bloodlines were different. It would boost his own strength, control all factions, and even gain additional resources—killing several birds with one stone.

And those faction leaders, upon hearing this, all had their pupils contract. One must know that Talent cannot be inherited, and no one wished to hand over the faction they painstakingly built to others. But if it were possible... only, was this true? These faction leaders were not entirely convinced in their hearts.