Translator: AnubisTL
Jieming spotted a group of strikingly familiar creatures!
They possessed segmented, spider-like bodies with abdomens and tails that suddenly elongated like snakes, moving with serpentine agility.
Apart from slightly smaller frontal appendages and a dense layer of fine fur covering their jet-black carapaces, these creatures were virtually identical to the space-manipulating "Spider Snake Monster" Jieming had captured in the wild.
Most importantly, the wizard at this stall had captured an astonishing number of Spider Snakes!
In addition to the live specimens displayed at the front of the stall, hundreds more were confined within massive metal cages behind him.
"What are these?" Jieming asked the stall owner, forcing down his surprise and pointing at the caged creatures.
He made no attempt to conceal his interest; wizards weren't fools, and a sudden inquiry would inevitably raise suspicion.
The wizard, who appeared somewhat disheveled, glanced up at Jieming before immediately adopting an enthusiastic smile and launching into an explanation about the creatures:
"This wizard has excellent taste! These little creatures are what I've temporarily named 'Sonic Spider Snakes.' They occupy the lower rungs of the food chain in the cloud-shrouded depths. Their most notable traits are their communal behavior and their ability to use 'sonic-based' skills."
"When an entire colony attacks together, the combined sonic waves can be quite formidable, even capable of affecting the spirits of second-tier wizards. However, their individual strength is pitiful—weaker than even a first-tier wizard apprentice—making them easy to capture."
"As for the specifics of these creatures, I haven't had enough time to study them thoroughly since their capture was so recent..."
As he listened to the explanation, Jieming calmly picked up a "Spider Snake Monster" chained to the stall as a live specimen. He examined it closely.
After scrutinizing it with his Universal Eye, Jieming was nearly certain that this creature belonged to the same species as the powerful "Spider Snake Monster" he had captured.
However, the one he had caught was likely a one-in-ten-thousand "mutant."
I never imagined that such seemingly weak, almost harmless creatures could become so terrifyingly powerful after mutation, even posing a threat to me! Jieming marveled inwardly.
This also indirectly highlighted the terrifying power of the "space" ability.
Considering his plans for a comprehensive study of the mutated Spider Snake Monster, having a large number of ordinary individuals as reference points was crucial.
Moreover, with proper breeding, he might even be able to cultivate more mutated specimens.
Having made his decision, Jieming inquired about the price.
After a fierce round of haggling, Jieming ultimately purchased all the Spider Snake Monsters from the wizard's stall and his reserves—over ten thousand in total—for five thousand military merits.
The wizard beamed with delight after the transaction.
After all, wizards rarely bought such low-tier creatures in bulk, especially those lacking combat prowess or special resource production.
To express his gratitude, the wizard even gifted Jieming several cages with basic sealing capabilities.
Jieming felt he had struck a good bargain.
Thus, the transaction was a win-win for both parties.
However, Jieming soon encountered a new problem.
"Where am I going to put all this..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, a headache brewing as he watched the cages being transported endlessly before him.
In his initial excitement, he had bought everything, but only after taking possession did Jieming realize the sheer scale of over ten thousand Spider Snake Monsters.
Even caged, they occupied an enormous volume.
His internal space simply couldn't accommodate such a massive "cargo."
The wizard seemed to sense Jieming's predicament and kindly offered:
"If you're having trouble storing them, you can rent a large-scale warehouse specifically designed for rearing creatures at the Affairs Center in the camp. But be warned, the rental fees for those warehouses are quite steep."
"If you rent for too long, the cost could exceed the value of the spoils themselves. In that case, it might be more profitable to sell the spoils directly to the camp."
"I see. Thank you for the information," Jieming replied, expressing his gratitude.
He then activated his alchemy, levitating all hundred-plus heavy iron cages from the ground and suspending them behind him.
Then, carrying the iron cages in a "grand and imposing" procession, he hurried toward the "Affairs Center."
Fortunately, in this camp teeming with powerful warriors and monstrous creatures, there were many wizards whose displays of power far surpassed his own.
Returning with large quantities of spoils of war was a common sight, drawing little attention.
Jieming quickly located the alchemy puppet at the front desk of the Affairs Center.
"I'd like to rent a warehouse."
"Certainly. Please select the type of warehouse you wish to rent."
After a brief consideration, Jieming directly rented a "high-tier warehouse," theoretically capable of housing over a million medium- to small-sized creatures.
Following the puppet through the camp, they arrived at an inner area deep within the settlement.
After opening an unremarkable, inconspicuous door, Jieming saw the true nature of the warehouse he had rented.
Behind the door wasn't the expected room, but a vast, self-contained, and life-filled rearing space!
The facility was equipped with a full range of environmental simulation systems:
Constant-temperature systems, nutrient supply systems, energy circulation systems... capable of housing creatures of various sizes and meeting their specific living requirements.
Jieming gazed in astonishment at the vast space, which could almost be called a man-made ecosystem.
"The camp has completely mastered the spatial rules of this area in just one month? Their technological prowess is terrifying."
Jieming assumed they had only mastered the "nearby" spatial rules because of the Void Domain Plane's inherent characteristics.
In such a vast plane rich in wind elements, yet lacking a unified gravitational core, the subtle spatial rules likely varied significantly between different regions.
After placing the chattering Spider Snake Monsters in the warehouse, he activated its built-in magical formation and the specialized alchemy puppets designed for rearing them.
Jieming then allocated a portion of his military merits to purchase a large supply of high-concentration, high-energy nutrient feed.
Only then did he feel he had properly secured these Spider Snake Monsters, which were crucial for his future research.
With everything settled, Jieming couldn't help but glance at his terminal's military merit balance. "Renting this warehouse for ten years cost one hundred thousand military merits! That's far more expensive than buying the Spider Snake Monsters themselves!"
"Still... considering the mutated Spider Snake that can only use spatial power, these initial expenses are probably worth it."
Jieming circled the plaza a few more times, but he couldn't find the spell artifact he needed.
As the agreed-upon meeting time with Jack approached, he finally stopped lingering and hurried toward their rendezvous point.
(End of the Chapter)
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