486: Chapter 486 Cooperative Exploration?

As the voice of Regina, the Dean of the Extreme Academy, faded, a clamor instantly broke out below.

There was no helping it; the outside world was simply too vast, so vast that even a top-tier force like the Extreme Phase Demon Palace might go decades without finding a normal, habitable planet.

And for a major power, a new habitable planet meant a massive amount of resources.

Otherwise, why would these top-tier forces be so powerful?

It was because their plantations were measured in entire planets, allowing them to produce such vast quantities of high-grade materials in bulk to meet their needs.

If they relied solely on the capacity of the Belvis World, in a place where Transcendents were growing exponentially, even the turf would have been licked clean by now.

Therefore, the major forces never tired of searching for habitable planets.

Because once a problem arose with logistical supplies, it could easily mark the beginning of their destruction, which was also one of the reasons these top-tier forces could maintain their dominance.

Now that a new world had suddenly been discovered, their benefits and welfare would likely increase once again.

Just as everyone was filled with joy and whispering among themselves, a massive pressure descended once more, instantly silencing the entire venue.

“Although discovering a new world is cause for celebration, however...”

Regina looked around and spoke once more.

“The Palace Master believes this is an opportunity for the outside world to get to know us again, so they have invited the people of the Yin-Yang Sect to co-develop this world with us.”

Hearing this, some people in the crowd immediately showed looks of dissatisfaction.

The resources represented by a single world were unimaginable; even a low-level world could bring them countless benefits.

To suddenly have someone else come and share a piece of the pie was naturally not something they wanted to see.

“Lord Dean, whether others believe us or not is their own business. I believe that even if the Extreme Phase Demon Palace wants to reform, it should not compromise the interests of the Extreme Phase Demon Palace.”

A 7th-Rank Wizard couldn't help but stand up and speak.

Many voiced their agreement. After all, personal strength was the only hard truth; there was no need to slice off a massive amount of resources for others because of this.

Regina gave the 7th-Rank Wizard a flat look. “Your suggestion is very good.”

Hearing this, a look of joy appeared in the eyes of those below, thinking that the suggestion had been adopted.

“However, this was decreed by the Palace Master. I will submit your thoughts, but as for whether they will be accepted...”

At this point, Regina spoke again.

Hearing this, the 7th-Rank Wizard couldn't help but laugh sheepishly. “Pretend I never said anything. I have always highly respected the Palace Master's decrees and firmly stand in the same camp as the Palace Master!”

The others cast disdainful looks at him, but not a single person stepped forward to argue.

Nie Ning took everything in. It seemed that the unseen Palace Master of the Extreme Phase Demon Palace held immense prestige.

Unfortunately, he didn't know much about this new Palace Master, and didn't even know what they looked like.

Regina didn't respond to him, but simply continued on her own.

“This time, we need to dispatch a total of 500 3rd-Rank, 200 4th-Rank, 80 5th-Rank, and 20 6th-Rank individuals to enter the unknown world for exploration.”

“Since everything is unknown, and an energy intensity of Rank 7 has been detected, those who wish to sign up should decide based on their own circumstances.”

Some looked delighted upon hearing this, while others appeared relieved.

Because this was not a mandatory mission, and not everyone was suited for this kind of exploration work.

After all, people were different; you couldn't force scientists to fight on the front lines.

Moreover, exploring a new world was a highly dangerous job. Not only might there be creatures that defied common sense, but even the air there might not be suitable for human survival.

In this Transcendent World, hazardous events caused by unknown viruses were endless.

Even top-tier forces had been wiped out because of this, which showed just how dangerous exploring a new world could be.

However, as Transcendents, it would be somewhat unacceptable if they couldn't fight at all. Therefore, more than half of the annual assessments were prepared for these shut-ins.

Only those who made significant contributions, such as developing something, could be exempted from this part.

Whether one met the standards still had to be determined according to the rules and regulations of the Extreme Phase Demon Palace.

...

Regina did not say much more. Instead, she dispatched personnel to register those who wanted to join the exploration team, preparing for the exploration work seven days from now.

Nie Ning looked at the crowd eagerly signing up, then couldn't help but turn to look at Amivika beside him.

“If you want to go, go ahead. I don't have the time anyway. After finishing up with the new shop, I still need to break through to the 6th-Rank, and the Mirror Pupil also needs to be tested.”

Amivika saw the look of anticipation in Nie Ning's eyes, but she truly had no time.

And these were only the things to be done in the short term.

Yet exploring a new world was not something that could be completed in just a year or two. Back when she was at the Yishi Mansion, she had already participated in this kind of work.

Once they finished most of the initial work, logistics would still need to spend nearly ten years conducting resource statistics and building specific Spiritual Plant cultivation bases.

After all, they were in it for the resources, and they wouldn't stop until they had squeezed a world dry.

The exact time required depended mainly on the size of the world.

“Then do you think this exploration of the new world will be dangerous?”

Nie Ning asked in a low voice.

For a world-class exploration mission like this, Nie Ning was not just curious; he also wanted to obtain some special genetic data from it.

After all, he had already decided to take the speedrun route, and the special biological skills he acquired were the source of his combat power.

Amivika shook her head slightly.

“It's hard to say. The Yishi Mansion has never invaded a world of this caliber before. In any case, if you go on this trip, you must be extra careful. When it's time to run, don't worry about anything else.”

A world where Rank 7 energy intensity was detected would inevitably contain Rank 7 creatures.

The only silver lining was that the strength of the Belvis World had always been top-tier, and in a one-on-one fight, very few creatures could defeat a Transcendent of the same rank.

But for someone of Nie Ning's rank, his strength was stuck right in the middle.

Therefore, the exploration missions would never be too simple. He would likely be primarily responsible for dealing with those high-rank otherworldly creatures, and the dangers involved could well be imagined.

Hearing this, Nie Ning fell into deep thought.

Mainly, he had never experienced an exploration mission, so he didn't know what they would face.

Because not every world was like the Saint-Ville World, and not every place was human territory.

There was a vast variety of alien creatures, and not a few possessed heaven-defying abilities. There were even worldly creatures more bizarre than the Corruptors.

For instance, the Soul-Eater Demon—the strength of such legendary creatures was beyond doubt, and some worlds could always give rise to a few exceptionally unique and powerful existences.

But not going was definitely out of the question, as this was a path every Transcendent had to tread.

...