Chapter 397 - 397: Hidden Facility
Just as humans could utilize spiritual energy to become cultivators, and rocks could morph into spiritual crystals, the same held true for beasts.
Though encountering such creatures was an incredibly rare occurrence, even for the crew it was their first time doing so.
Some enthusiasts of the cultivation world might have wondered… Given that usually every living being possessed at least a small reserve of spiritual energy, shouldn't in theory, spiritual beasts have been far more abundant, especially on Earth where life was both plentiful and thriving?
However, in reality, theory and practice didn't always overlap. In such cases, the simplest explanation was usually the most correct.
While beasts could indeed absorb the energy in the air, growing stronger in the process and even aiding humans, such cases were extraordinarily limited… since beasts and animals in general simply lacked the intelligence required to cultivate at all.
Bizarre as it may appear to some, with the exception of the foreign aliens, humanity's intellect was unmatched across the whole solar system. The simplest concept a five-year-old could grasp in a second would seem impossible to comprehend even among the smartest beasts there were.
Enlightenment couldn't be shared or forced. Researchers who had held numerous inhuman experiences had consistently reached the same conclusion.
The only way for a spiritual beast to emerge was through a combination of naturally high intelligence, as seen in creatures like crows, coupled with immense luck and the right living conditions.
With the high level the crew was operating, everyone should have been aware of this, yet it became painfully apparent that someone had been slacking off at her studies…
Ruby's sparkling blue eyes locked with the crow's dark gaze. Her ears perked up, head tilted to the side, silent as the crow, mimicking her movements, both observing each other with curiosity.
"Are you sure this crow isn't an alien?" Ruby murmured, fascinated. Her feline instincts stirred, her mouth watering. "Or maybe prey?"
Michael chuckled. "Beasts differ from aliens in that they both originate from Earth and do not harbor any inherent resentment toward humanity. Unless outright provoked, they are our allies… So please don't try to eat it."
Caw!
Nyx nervously flicked his feathers in agreement, causing his owner, Nyla, to giggle.
Victoria gulped slowly, her attraction to cute things taking over.
"Can I pet it?"
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Nyla smiled. "Only if you are gentle, is what he said."
Despite time being of the essence, few resisted the urge to briefly pet the creature. If they were going to rely on it, a bond of trust was essential.
"That makes me wonder…" Nyla glanced at Michael. "Why don't you have a spiritual beast? With all the praise your teammates give you, I would've assumed taming one would be easy for you."
Michael offered her a warm smile.
'Bonding with a spiritual beast requires the soul to connect with it. Yet in neither this life, nor the prior, did I ever manage to find a beast capable of matching the intensity of my spirit. Those that tried ended up dying shortly after… But I can't exactly say that out loud.' He thought.
"Never truly connected with one." Michael answered, neither lying nor revealing the full truth.
With a nod, Nyla dropped the subject, unwilling to pry further. With everyone ready, they departed.
The difference in traversing the hollow valley with the feline scouts was like heaven and earth. The crew was able to travel significantly faster and more efficiently. Not only was the terrain flatter, but dodging potential alien encounters also became easier.
Nyla stood at the very front, while Nyx flew above them. Due to the crow's small size, no aliens paid any heed to the creature as it glided overhead.
"Sometimes it pays to be small." Ava whispered with a smug expression, feeling more confident about her petite build.
"Keep telling yourself that." Richard exclaimed, trying to stir up an argument for his own amusement.
He was met with a lackluster reaction as Ava simply responded by giving him the middle finger and nothing more.
Abruptly, Colt stopped, signaling for the others to follow his example.
"What is it?" Nyla asked, barely above a whisper.
Putting a finger over his lips, Colt politely told her to keep her mouth shut, and the other complied.
In a flash, the ground before them split apart. Large tentacles emerged from the depths, writhing hungrily in search of prey. They coiled over trees and nearby aliens of the same species, pulling them toward the dark depths below.
With its hunger satisfied, the alien retracted its appendages underground. The destroyed landscape was the only proof of its sudden rampage.
"My… would you look at that." Nyla said, throwing a teasing glance toward Colt. While she could observe the skies, underground she was completely blind.
"You can be quite useful after all. If you could keep your mouth shut when it counts, that would be even better."
Colt clicked his tongue. The acknowledgement sounded more like a jab at his past blunder, but he didn't bother arguing and continued forward.
Gradually, the aliens thinned out until they were nowhere to be seen.
"We are here." Nyla whispered, lowering her voice.
Before them stood a research facility, cleverly concealed among the surroundings.
The metal structure had been painted the same dark color as the mountain it was built into. Without knowing what to look for, missing the facility entirely would have been easy.
"Let's go!" Ruby said, eager to rescue her brethren.
Just as she was about to sneak forward, a voice stopped her.
"Please, wait!"
It was Colt, an ashamed expression on his face.
"We might not have gotten off on the right foot, but please allow me to come with you. Leaving this entirely to outsiders is shameful no matter how you look at it. It's not about pride, but honor. We felines are able to look after our own, and I want to prove it!"
Ruby frowned. "Do what you wish, but don't expect help if you screw up."
"If the moron is coming, then I guess I am too." Nyla chimed in.
Colt and Nyla promptly joined the crew while the rest of the scouts remained at their posts close to the cultist's base on lookout.
This time Michael took the very center, assuming the leading role.
"Rescue the abducted… Kill the others on sight." He ordered coldly.