Volume 1: Planet of Beasts Chapter 48: Crisis

An 80 million copper coin mission reward, an additional 10 million bonus, and 10 million from selling the snake corpse—a total of 100 million copper coins. Yet when Li Juxu checked the bank, the balance showed 120 million copper coins.

“Miss, why give him an extra 20 million copper coins? Our offer was already generous enough; there’s no need for additional payment,” the assistant said, somewhat puzzled by her decision in the luxurious suite.

“If it weren’t for Li Juxu, how long do you think it would have taken us to find the incense grass, based on your estimate?” Jiang Yuehu spoke casually, her attention fixed on the map.

“Well… maybe half a month, maybe a month, or even several months—it’s hard to say!” The assistant hesitated. Searching for something with no clues was like looking for a needle in a haystack; no one could be sure.

“Now that we have the incense grass in hand, think of the time saved. The value of time is immeasurable,” Jiang Yuehu said.

“But we’ve already rewarded him 10 million copper coins,” the assistant insisted, feeling the bonus was excessive.

“Li Juxu got the snake corpse that even Old Sun admired, and now he has the incense grass. Don’t you think he’s someone extraordinary?” Jiang Yuehu glanced at him.

“I see now, Miss. You want to invest in Li Juxu’s future potential,” the assistant suddenly understood.

“People like him are destined for remarkable achievements. He lacks money now, but I don’t. Forming a good bond might bring unexpected returns. Even if it doesn’t, 20 million spent is nothing to me,” Jiang Yuehu explained.

“You really have foresight, Miss,” the assistant said, feeling ashamed.

“Inform the convoy—we leave tonight.” Jiang Yuehu’s gaze fixed on a certain point on the map, her demeanor shifting abruptly from a young lady to a commanding presence.

“Yes, ma’am!” The assistant felt a chill run down his spine.

...

“How wonderful it is to have money!” Li Juxu could roughly guess why Jiang Yuehu gave him extra funds—she saw potential in him. He knew she must be incredibly wealthy; 20 million was but a drop in the ocean for her. She tossed it out without a blink. Yet he was deeply grateful; he truly needed the money.

With this sum, Zhao Huier’s treatment was secured. He was desperate to return to their home planet and personally share the good news with Zhao Huier—that she need not worry any longer and that her illness was curable. The satellite was still broken, and no one knew when communication would be restored. Without it, interstellar transport was useless. For now, they could only wait.

On his way back to the inn, he ran into the hurried Black Hornet.

“Where have you been? Haven’t seen you these past few days.”

“I’ll tell you later. Come on, let’s rush to the weapons store and stock up. Something big is coming,” Black Hornet said in a low, tense voice.

“What’s the big event?” Li Juxu was startled; it was the first time he’d seen Black Hornet so serious.

“Some rich heir appeared out of nowhere and, for no reason, went to Lingyun Cave and dropped an armored pangolin missile. With the volcanic scorpions’ nature, they’re bound to retaliate. I fled early; I floored the accelerator. The news will spread in less than an hour,” Black Hornet said through gritted teeth.

“This guy must be crazy! Of all things, he had to provoke the volcanic scorpions. Now we’re in deep trouble,” Li Juxu couldn’t help but curse.

Newcomers didn’t understand Lingyun Cave, but the veterans knew its terrors well. Lingyun Cave was home to hundreds of millions of volcanic scorpions. These creatures were fierce and held grudges; if angered, they could pursue their target for hundreds of miles, rivaling even the fiercest predators.

One key reason the old hunters feared Lingyun Cave was the unknown number of volcanic scorpions within. Adjacent to the 11th gathering place should have been the 10th, but in reality, there was no 10th—only the 9th and 12th.

Gatherings were named sequentially. The 10th had existed but was destroyed by the volcanic scorpions. That disaster was due to human ignorance and misunderstanding of these creatures. The scorpions swarmed out in billions and obliterated the entire 10th gathering place.

Learning from this, humans never rebuilt the 10th. Clearly, this rich heir was arrogant and ignorant. Armored missiles were indeed powerful, costing over 3 billion copper coins each, but he had no idea of Lingyun Cave’s vast underground labyrinth stretching thousands of meters deep and extending over 80 kilometers—a volcanic scorpion stronghold. Not even ten such missiles could wipe them all out.

If the volcanic scorpions retaliated, the nearest 11th gathering place would be the first to suffer. Should a large-scale conflict erupt, prices within the gathering would skyrocket within minutes. Now, with communications cut off and the gathering isolated, prices would become absurdly inflated.

Thinking this over, Li Juxu lost interest in asking for more details. He quickened his pace, almost running. Suddenly, he shouted to Black Hornet, “Go ahead. I’ll catch up soon.”

He went to find his younger sister, who never wandered off and stayed nearby. Using the briefest words, he recounted the situation.

She trusted him completely and asked no questions. Together, they rushed to the store, then split up—she went for ammunition, while he purchased potions. He knew his physical condition was poor and needed to remedy his weaknesses quickly.

Two bottles each of bone-strengthening, strength-enhancing, speed-boosting, and agility potions, plus one skin potion. The bone potion cost 12.5 million copper coins per bottle, while the others were 12 million each. Speed potions increased linear running speed—crucial for fleeing. Agility potions improved reaction time—vital in close quarters and dodging attacks. Skin potions densified the skin to enhance defense, resist cold, heat, and blunt force. Had he taken skin potions earlier, climbing Blood Wolf Canyon wouldn’t have been so brutal on his hands.

These were all first-tier potions. He wanted second-tier, but the price was ten times higher, and he could barely afford one bottle—none if it were bone potions. He had no choice but to settle for first-tier, spending 109 million copper coins in one go.

It was a major purchase, yet the staff gave no discounts—every copper coin was genuine. Li Juxu dared not complain and also bought 35 nutrient vials. In prolonged battles, food demand and prices soared. Nutrient vials became the preferred sustenance—high energy, compact, portable, and rapidly absorbed. The only downside was their cost: 200,000 copper coins each. But in life-or-death situations, 200,000 was insignificant.

This added another 7 million copper coins to expenses. From the 120 million earned from Jiang Yuehu, only 4 million remained—seemingly substantial, but Li Juxu knew it was barely enough. Every penny had to be carefully budgeted.

Medicines cost 1 million, high-calorie foods like chocolate and vital water—the source of life—totaled 300,000. He already had weapons and only needed bullets, grenades, landmines, and bombs, which cost 1.7 million. With 2 million left, he spent another 1 million on other necessary items.

Afterwards, he arrived at the second-best hotel in the 11th gathering place, "Peach Blossom Spring Chronicles," an 11-story building, just two floors shorter than the top-ranked "Eastern Hotel."

“Room for a month, please!”