Chapter 078: Fated But Not Meant to Be

"Haha, they're all ordinary-grade Bronzehide Piglets! Captain, we've struck it rich!"

"Quick, everyone, let's go! Don't let these treasures escape!"

"Be gentle—don't you dare kill them! Bronzehide Piglets are only valuable alive!"

"You think I need you to tell me that?"

"..."

Amid cheers, everyone surged forward, dashing into the grass to capture the tiny piglets with gleaming coppery hides.

Even Yang Kai was flushed with excitement as he lunged at a piglet in a single bound.

The chorus of squeals filled the air.

"It seems fate intends for us to make a fortune. Not only do we find Iron Peach Blossoms here, but also a whole herd of Bronzehide Piglets!" Lin Huafeng stood aside, rubbing his hands together, his face aglow with delight.

"Indeed. If the Martial Association folk knew we found so many Bronzehide Piglets here, they'd probably faint from envy," Tang Mubai replied, arms crossed, beaming as he watched his companions chasing piglets across the grass.

Bronzehide Piglets—miniature, fierce beasts in swine form—were adorable in size, their reddish copper skin smooth and lustrous. Their mild hallucinogenic ability meant that from the moment they were discovered, they rapidly became one of the most beloved pets among young women and newlyweds.

That’s right.

The reason for everyone’s jubilant shouts of newfound wealth wasn’t the price of Bronzehide Piglet meat—though it was delicious—but the value of the piglets as pets!

Some cute, harmless fierce beasts were extremely popular. In this new world, the pet market was a booming industry.

Some pets were beyond the reach of ordinary people, while others, like the Bronzehide Piglet, were affordable and manageable by both layfolk and professional martial artists.

These miniature piglets possessed a natural ability to induce a light euphoria, much like a narcotic, causing one to drift into a pleasant, fleeting illusion.

Although the effect lasted only five to ten seconds, it didn’t harm the mind or body; in fact, it was mildly invigorating.

Of course, moderation was important, and piglets of too high a grade were unsuitable.

Ordinary-grade Bronzehide Piglets were the most sought after.

One piglet fetched two hundred thousand federal credits on the open market!

And here on the grass, over forty piglets scurried about.

Catching them alive meant a windfall of eight to nine million federal credits!

These copper-colored miniature pigs were no longer just pigs—they were running bundles of cash!

If the Martial Association knew they’d left nearly ten million credits behind, they’d probably weep.

"Haha, some things simply aren’t meant to be," Lin Huafeng laughed heartily. "Come on, Little Bai, let’s get the task done first."

"Alright," Tang Mubai replied.

The two crouched down to harvest Iron Peach Blossoms. These flowers, resembling peach blossoms but iron-brown in color, grew on vines and were so dense that ten blossoms weighed half a pound.

The mission was to collect fifty kilograms of Iron Peach Blossoms. In less than ten minutes, Tang Mubai and Lin Huafeng had gathered them all, packed into two large sacks.

Meanwhile, the others, scattered about catching Bronzehide Piglets, soon finished their task.

Each person emerged with one or two piglets tucked under their arms, occasionally lapsing into a satisfied daze.

After three such episodes, the piglets under their arms would become limp and docile, resigned to being handled.

This was the aftereffect of their ability—at most, it could be used three times in a row. After that, the piglets needed half a day to recover before they could use their power again.

That was plenty of time for Tang Mubai and his team to load the piglets onto the trucks.

More than 120 centipede medicinal bugs and over forty Bronzehide Piglets filled the beds of three large trucks.

With so many extra catches, plus the mission reward, this trip had been immensely profitable!

"If I recall rightly, the last time we had such a haul was last year."

"Heh, once we’re back, Leopard and Old Ox will be green with envy!"

"That's right, and it’s all thanks to Captain Little Bai!"

"Captain Little Bai, if you ever need more hands for the next expedition, count me in!"

"And me too!"

"You lot are hopeless. If Captain is going to call anyone, he should call the Captain, not... Well, Captain, I owe you an apology—last time, it was me who stole your wine..."

"So it was you! You dare steal my wine? Don’t even think about coming out next time!"

"What? No, Captain, I was wrong, truly!"

"Hahaha..."

"..."

On the way back, the team joked, argued, and laughed over the radio, the atmosphere light and carefree.

Tang Mubai would chime in now and then, drawing flattery from all sides, only to be scolded by Lin Huafeng, which brought another round of laughter.

With all the Bronzehide Piglets caught alive, everyone was elated and relaxed. Yet, thanks to Lin Huafeng’s seasoned leadership, after the merriment he quickly restored order, and vigilance returned.

After all, the convoy was still in the wilderness, danger lurking at every turn.

With no piglets killed, Tang Mubai gained no life energy from them.

Fortunately, there were plenty of centipede medicinal bugs. The life energy collected and converted, plus his previous accumulation, now gave him a lifespan of 445 years.

Over four centuries—more than enough for Tang Mubai’s current needs.

Converted to vitality, that was more than 20 calories.

Hmm, perhaps I should raise my “perception” next? Tang Mubai pondered.

At that moment, a grating cry suddenly rang out from ahead and to the right of the convoy.

Along with the sound, a rustling came from the dense grass on a nearby hillside.

The unpleasant cries multiplied, coming closer and closer.

"Something’s up!" Lin Huafeng called out, his voice carrying through all five vehicles via radio.

"Everyone, be alert! Accelerate at once!"

Lin Huafeng remotely directed.

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

Acknowledgments echoed through the radios.

Yang Kai stepped on the accelerator, increasing speed.

The engines roared, their thunder reverberating through the mountains.

The five vehicles formed a line, speeding between two peaks.

"Chyak-haaah!"

The grating cries echoed from the woods on both sides.

Sounds circled the convoy from every direction.

Before the five trucks could clear the mountain pass, agile shapes burst from the forests on both sides, bringing with them a foul wind.

Each was two meters long, covered in blue-brown, keratinized hide—tough and rugged. Their slender bodies ended in a flexible tail, wide jaws bared sharp saber-like fangs, and thick hind legs supported them half-upright. Their forelimbs, spreading wide, each bore three sharply curved claws, glinting coldly.

"Those are... velociraptors!?" Tang Mubai’s eyelids twitched.

The creatures charging from the woods looked just like the legendary velociraptors—demeanor, physique, movements—all matched the now-extinct predators of old Earth.

And indeed, in this new world, dinosaurs did exist.

Like beastfolk, fierce beasts, and giant insects, they stood as formidable nonhuman lifeforms!