Chapter 015: The Giant Insect

Region.
A term used by the governments of the New World to collectively refer to local administrative areas.
In the New World, there are no divisions such as counties, towns, or villages—only regions.
The Great Xia Federation has a total of one hundred and nine regions. Each region governs a variable number of cities, with some overseeing a dozen or twenty cities, and others just four or five.
For example,
Tang Mubai’s Red Maple City belongs to the Thirty-Eighth Region, which governs seven cities.
The disparity is due to the distribution of non-human lifeforms.
Essentially, the powerful entities among non-human lifeforms possess a territorial mentality. Within their domains, humans cannot survive; even the fringes are forbidden zones.
Fortunately, these powerful non-human beings rarely leave their territories.
As long as humans do not provoke them, they seldom venture out.
To avoid trouble and for the sake of safety, humans deliberately steer clear of these domains, so the regions they inhabit are fragmented into distinct sections.
Some regions are vast and naturally contain more cities. Smaller areas have fewer cities.
Regardless of size, every region is fortified with a region wall!
Within the region wall, all cities are interconnected and humans live in harmony.
Outside the wall, non-human creatures rampage, fighting and seizing territory.
The region wall, towering over a hundred meters high and sixty meters thick, stands as a barrier of life, safeguarding humanity and enabling peaceful existence for millennia.
Tang Mubai’s shock at the appearance of half-beasts in Red Maple City stemmed from this.
With the region wall in place, how could half-beasts have entered?
Granted, before transforming, half-beasts are indistinguishable from humans.
But the military stationed at the region wall uses the most advanced instruments provided by the Great Xia Federation.
When it comes to identifying humans and half-beasts, specialized equipment has long been in use.
For instance, as Tang Mubai rides the bus, before leaving the region wall, he must undergo inspection.
Each candidate exits the vehicle and passes through a circular tunnel three meters high and ten meters long.
In just three seconds, the tunnel’s instruments scan and record the physical data of each person, including their vitality levels.
After data entry, everyone passes through an electrified archway for further scans.
With such thorough checks, it is nearly impossible for half-beasts to blend in among humans.
Yet, half-beasts appeared in Red Maple City—not just one or two.
Clearly, something is amiss—something far from ordinary.

Of course, matters concerning half-beasts are not directly related to Tang Mubai.
Now that the Security Bureau is aware of their presence, the Thirty-Eighth Region’s government will undoubtedly have countermeasures.
For Tang Mubai, the most important thing now is to pass the combat assessment.
After all inspections, everyone boards the bus again, crosses the region wall, and enters the world beyond.
A scene starkly different from inside the wall suddenly unfolds before their eyes.
Rugged mountains rise, green forests stretch endlessly.
Birds soar across the sky, beasts cry out from all directions.
A vast, majestic, and wild atmosphere sweeps over them unbidden.
For a moment, everyone feels as insignificant as ants.
Inside the region wall, outside the region wall—the contrast is immense.
No wonder the martial artists living within the wall venture out so frequently.
It is not just for hunting non-human creatures and earning rewards; more importantly, it is for strengthening themselves.
Within the wall, combat is forbidden.
But the path of martial arts is inseparable from battle.
Strength gained solely from cultivating vitality is incomparable to that of a seasoned fighter.
Thus, whether for breakthroughs or personal grudges, solutions are sought beyond the wall.
For Tang Mubai, to become stronger, he must step outside the region wall!
With non-human lifeforms kept beyond the wall, Tang Mubai must leave the region to hunt them and recover lost life force.
This combat assessment provides the perfect opportunity, a chance to explore.
As the bus travels, the scenery continually shifts.
Half an hour later, Tang Mubai notices the leading vehicles splitting off onto another road.
A few minutes later, several more buses break away, heading down other paths.
Soon after, Tang Mubai’s bus, along with several others, detaches from the convoy.
Five buses in total speed down a broad gravel road, finally arriving at the foot of a barren mountain.
There, a dozen military vehicles await.
Beside them, soldiers in uniform wielding firearms stand vigilant.
After disembarking, Tang Mubai and the others are ushered by members of the Martial Association into three rows.
A quick glance reveals nearly a hundred companions.
“So, there are several locations for this combat assessment?”
Tang Mubai muses.
Over five hundred people have been split into five groups, each sent to a different assessment site.
Such meticulous arrangements by the Martial Association!
“Listen up, everyone—I’ll only say this once!”
At the front, the Martial Association leader shouts, “Your task for this assessment is to bring back three giant insect corpses each! On the mountain behind me dwells a nest of eight-legged sandworms. You may act alone or freely form teams, but within an hour, each person must return with three eight-legged sandworm corpses to pass the assessment!”
“If anyone wishes to withdraw, now is the time! Anyone?”
He pauses, his sharp gaze sweeping the crowd.
Silence.
A hundred-strong group stands mute.
Having come this far, none would give up.
The assessment task—slaying giant insects—is daunting but not terrifying.
Like half-beasts, giant insects are formidable enemies of humanity.
However, compared to half-beasts, giant insects are actually more welcomed.
Most of their meat is edible!
In both flavor and nutrition, it surpasses beef, lamb, or pork.
For instance, this time’s target, the eight-legged sandworm, can be eaten!
“Since no one is quitting, the assessment proceeds.”
With no objections, the Martial Association leader shouts again, “Once on the mountain, if anyone feels fear during the hunt, wishes to abandon the assessment, or is injured and needs rescue, just shout out loud—the drones overhead will immediately assist!”
He gestures to a dozen drones parked in a military truck nearby.
Tang Mubai and his companions understand.
The combat assessment is dangerous, but the Martial Association has made thorough preparations to minimize casualties.
Still, once battle breaks out between humans and giant insects, survival is uncertain!
“The drones will rescue you, but if you call for help, your qualification for the assessment will be revoked! That’s all I have to say. Any questions?”
His sharp gaze scans the crowd.
“If not, then collect your weapons and head up the mountain!”