The energy core has now been successfully modified, and as long as we wait for the outer framework to be completed, the device will be able to operate stably; this only requires a bit of patience. After hearing this news, the people in the canyon quickened their already busy steps. Having seen the finish line, they began their final push.

Ivankov and Ginny also did not cancel their original plans. To prevent any accidents during this final stretch, they intended to take advantage of the chaos caused by the pirates rushing in outside to try to seize the Devil Fruit being offered as a prize. However, before that, they had to participate in a new hunt, but this time, the roles of hunter and prey had been completely reversed.

“Oran, why don’t you go take a break? We can handle the rest.” The modification of the energy core is not physically demanding, but it is very exhausting. At this moment, Kate had already fallen into a deep sleep, having reached her limit in maintaining the stability of the electric field. Although Oran appeared to be unaffected, Bear and the others were somewhat worried.

“My body is special; not sleeping for a few days doesn’t affect me. If I fall asleep now, I can’t be sure when I’ll wake up. Have you set up everything I gave you before?”

“Yeah, it’s all set up.”

Seeing Oran’s firm attitude, Bear and the others didn’t say anything more. Their brief time together had made them understand a bit about Oran’s character; since one round of persuasion didn’t work, further urging would be pointless.

“Then there’s no problem. We’ll proceed as planned, but before that, there are some things I need to say.” Oran walked over to a raised platform on the rock wall, looking at the people who were still working hard, and picked up a simple megaphone to say:

“I’m sure you all know that a Celestial Dragon is approaching here. You’ve been quite lucky; at least no one has discovered this place in the past few days. However, in the days gone by, the Celestial Dragons have wantonly destroyed your homes and slaughtered your friends and family on your land, all just for their amusement! Your luck today doesn’t guarantee your luck in the future. Today, I have a way to help you leave this place, but who among you can guarantee that you won’t encounter the next time!

Is resistance so difficult? You have nothing left; these guys want to take away the only life you have left. Don’t you dare fight back in this situation? The knife is already at your neck, and you still want to reason with them?”

The people below temporarily halted their work, but no one made any response, which was not surprising. If shouting a few words could inspire thoughts of resistance, the rule of the Celestial Dragons would not have lasted this long. Even if a powerful weapon were exchanged, its effectiveness would be diminished. As long as they still have the protection of the Celestial Dragons, even if they are stranded on a deserted island, few would dare to lay a hand on them.

“Of course, I’m not telling you to attack the Red Line; that would be a death sentence. But if an opportunity presents itself and you don’t act, that is sheer weakness. There’s a murderer outside right now! Who is willing to take revenge?”

Silence still prevailed among the majority, but this time, a few scattered individuals stood up—mostly former slaves, with a few locals who had lost family members outside. Compared to the total number, they were few, but this was a start. As long as the myth of the Celestial Dragons is shattered, with their blood as nourishment, the seeds will eventually take root and flourish.

...

“Report... report to Saint Elatin! Saint Gringu has ordered everyone to return to the base immediately; this game is temporarily over.”

“Does that Gringu guy really think he’s the boss? Does the Figalan family think they can order me around? If I participated in the election, that position would be mine.”

A man dressed in a black suit, looking like an agent, knelt before a masked figure while holding a gem-encrusted transponder snail, his tone filled with respect. Around him were several similarly dressed individuals, but there were no Navy personnel present, as this was a hunting expedition for the Celestial Dragons, who only needed some scorekeepers and obedient hounds to find their prey. The Navy wouldn’t even qualify as their dogs.

“Saint Elatin, the call said there are pirates approaching here, so...”

The agent didn’t respond to Elatin’s words. The matters of the Celestial Dragons are not something that can be questioned by others; if he interrupted, he might be executed on the spot.

“A bunch of useless fools! Are those Navy officers just eating free meals? They can’t even handle this little thing; what use are they?”

“You’re right. So what should we do now...”

“Finish searching this area and return immediately. We still need a few more points; Gringu wouldn’t be afraid of me surpassing him, would he? You useless fools, don’t just stand around! Go find traces of the prey! Remember, you are not allowed to touch my prey; otherwise, I’ll have you all executed!”

“Yes!”

Although Elatin was displeased, he still followed Gringu’s orders to prepare to leave. Within the Celestial Dragons, there are distinctions in status, and Gringu is undoubtedly the current leader. Complaining is one thing; if he ignored the other party, Elatin would also be punished by the Celestial Dragons.

Elatin hadn’t encountered any high-scoring prey in the past few days, which left him in a bad mood. If his score was too low when he returned, he would be mocked by his family. Just as he was thinking about this, Lady Luck seemed to smile upon him.

“Saint Elatin! We’ve made a major discovery; it’s that SR-level slave from the Bacania tribe!”

Bear continued to take the initiative as bait, and the Celestial Dragons’ definition of him made Bear the one most likely to attract fire.

“Quick, chase him! If you lose him, I’ll take your head as a replacement!”

Ordinary people think the Celestial Dragons are unassailable; similarly, the Celestial Dragons have a confidence that no one dares to resist them. Elatin never imagined that someone would dare to set a trap for the Celestial Dragons on the island. To him, Bear was merely a hare worth ten thousand high points.

Using his familiarity with the surrounding terrain, Bear quickly led them into a nearby canyon, and Elatin followed closely behind under the guidance of his loyal hound.

Seeing Bear standing motionless at the end, he thought Bear was already trapped with no way out.

“Kid, don’t run anymore; let me kill you quickly to spare you some suffering.”

Since a one-hit kill would grant extra points, Elatin had no intention of torturing Bear, but Bear ignored him and turned around, disappearing once again.

This time, without needing Elatin’s orders, the agents beside him immediately chased after him, unaware that beneath their feet, mechanical lotus flowers had quietly bloomed.

Crack!

One agent stepped on a lotus flower, and as the trigger mechanism was activated, the spreading lotus quickly closed like a bear trap, firmly binding him, while at the root of the lotus, purple energy began to gather...