Full-Time Public Enemy

Gong Shuxu really wanted to say he'd stop bothering with that guy, but after all, he had saved everyone's lives. It was also evident lately that Chen Gu was close to becoming delirious with hunger.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Grab one for him so that he can fill his belly; that's the only way we'll make good progress on the road—otherwise, who knows what other trouble he'll stir up!"

"Sure." Actually, everyone was thinking the same thing.

To their surprise, those big spheres moved quite fast, and Chen Gu quickly caught up with them just outside the stone forest. He drew the Riverwash Sword and didn't hesitate to unleash the "Nuclear Frenzy Slash," propelling his speed to the limit. In an instant, he overtook a big sphere, crimson lightning flashed, and the sphere was sliced in two. Chen Gu didn't even pause for a moment before chasing after the other seed spheres.

The others who followed behind exchanged glances. Are you that greedy, wanting all ten spheres for yourself?

Gong Shuxu helplessly said, "Intercept the rest for him."

However, as everyone was about to dive in, Chen Gu heard Gong Shuxu's words. While chasing down the seed spheres, he yelled out, "Don't lay a hand on them!"

"These are top-notch ingredients! You won't handle them properly. I'll do it myself!"

What?! Gong Shuxu was frustrated and waved his hand to stop the others. "Never mind. He thinks we're meddling. Let him handle it himself."

True to form, the annoying Brain Domain Hacker! the Sixth Energy Level Psychological Spy master thought.

Chen Gu launched three consecutive "Nuclear Frenzy Slashes" and indeed managed to split all the seed spheres by himself.

Once the spheres were cut in half, of course, they couldn't roll anymore.

Ma Shuwen approached to inspect a seed sphere that Chen Gu had sliced in two: in the center of the huge, fluffy structure, there was a fist-sized, tender "meat chunk"!

Calling it a meat chunk was somewhat inaccurate, though; it was very tender, and it appeared somewhat like some kind of fungus.

This thing was overall pinkish-blue, with a semi-transparent membrane wrapped around it, dotted with fine red "blood threads"—something that looked disgusting at first sight.

Ma Shuwen also saw that Chen Gu's sword strike was very precise, neatly slicing the fluffy exterior of the seed sphere in half without damaging even a single layer of that membrane.

The others also gathered around. "Chen Gu clearly didn't want us to ruin these... 'meat chunks.' But is this really the top-notch ingredient he was talking about?"

"Can this stuff even be eaten?"

The doll-like Lisa hid behind Ma Shuwen. "I won't eat it! I won't eat it! Even if I starve, I won't eat that!"

Chen Gu dragged the other spheres back. He was full of enthusiasm, arranging the ten spheres together, radiating a sense of accomplishment.

Then, Great Actor Chen began preparing the cooking utensils, completely oblivious to the odd glances from his companions around him.

Seeing him put together an assortment of pots, pans, and utensils, the Professionals were fully convinced that he was indeed the one they found in the Energy Gathering Spider Den.

Then they watched Chen Gu start cooking with devout concentration. As the strange smell spread, they saw Chen Gu sniff the aroma, his face alight with rapture, making them even more bewildered by him.

Lisa quietly asked Ma Shuwen, "Captain, could Chen Gu's profession affect this area?" She pointed to her head.

Ma Shuwen felt awkward. I don't know either. Although, that's what I'm guessing too…

Chen Gu was about to finish cooking when Elton, with sneaky glances around, volunteered, "I... I'm feeling a bit ill. I need to find a place to relieve myself."

It was a clear attempt to get away.

Then, without waiting for everyone to respond, he dashed off in a flash. Suppose Chen Gu was extremely enthusiastic and wanted to share this oddity with everyone—would you eat it or not? Better to run away first.

Following Elton, the rest of the group also hurriedly found excuses to slip away.

But they had clearly overthought things. How could I possibly share such a worldly delicacy with them? Chen Gu mused. Seeing that everyone had left, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If you all had been around, it would've been very awkward not to invite you to eat too, but I just couldn't bear to part with it!

Once everything was set, Chen Gu sat down properly and began savoring the delicious meal.

However, just as he was politely taking a bite, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Elton poking his head out in the distance. Chen Gu immediately tensed up and abandoned all ceremony meant to show respect to the food, gobbling down his meal like a whirlwind.

Elton retracted his head; he had actually just peeked out to see if Chen Gu had finished eating.

After about fifteen minutes, Chen Gu had polished off everything. This time he was finally full. He patted his belly contentedly and let out a burp tinged with blue light.

"Ah, satisfied—"

With his hunger and thirst quenched, Chen Gu regained his senses.

He called everyone back and started acting disingenuously. "Oh dear, it was so delicious. I really wanted you to join me, but since you were all busy, I started without you. And before I knew it, I couldn't stop myself and gobbled it all up.

"Next time, next time I cook, I will make sure everyone gets to taste the purest food from this planet!"

Everyone also repeatedly expressed understanding. "No worries, you were terribly hungry. It doesn't matter whether we eat or not, just don't starve yourself."

Comparatively speaking, it was clear that Great Actor Chen had the superior acting skills.

With that issue swept aside, Chen Gu went on, "I think we shouldn't proceed with the original plan."

Gong Shuxu was cautious. "You don't want to go back?"

"I do," Chen Gu said, "but I think we should figure out what secrets this planet is hiding.

"From what we've seen, this planet's native creatures are far more numerous than we thought. Yet, why are they always hiding underground?

"Where did those celestial Energy Gathering Mechanical Species come from, and why did they come to this planet? They rush blindly onward, but where are they heading? And why do they want to go there?"

Chen Gu posed a series of questions, but he had deeper reasons of his own. He thought of that terrifying mechanical lung.

From the countless scripts he had read in his previous life, Chen Gu deduced a pattern: seemingly unrelated clues often hide deep connections.

Just like the mechanical lung and those celestial Energy Gathering Mechanical Species.

Everyone turned to look at Gong Shuxu, who, at the Sixth Energy Level, weighed the matter seriously and reluctantly agreed with Chen Gu's suggestion. "You make a valid point. Both the numerous celestial Energy Gathering Mechanical Species and the equally numerous native creatures hidden away pose a huge potential threat to our forces.

"Chen Gu's matter is important, and this is just as important.

"Moreover, in terms of priority, it is clear that the matters on this planet are more urgent. Let's follow those celestial Energy Gathering Mechanical Species and see where they are heading."

Everyone naturally followed orders. The celestial Energy Gathering Mechanical Species had already gone far, and not daring to delay any longer, they sprinted in pursuit.

Along the way, they came across vast swaths of the celestial Energy Gathering Mechanical Species' corpses.

Just like in the stone forest, they had all been drained of their blue flames and blue liquid, their bodies slowly rotting away.