Bamboo Pole seemed to know what Ding Meng was thinking. He took the initiative to say, "Area PC35 hasn't been very peaceful recently. Not many people have died, but all of them have some reputation. For example, Leopard. If you were able to kill him when you first arrived at the base, I'd be willing to bet one to five that you would've died."
Ding Meng said, "What if I said I was lucky?"
Bamboo Pole laughed. "I've lived for so long. Do you think I've lived for so long by relying on luck?"
Ding Meng was silent. In that battle with the leopard, just based on strength, he was really inferior to the leopard.
Bamboo Pole continued, "Let's say you were lucky. What about Machine Gun?
What about his subordinates?
What about Sadler later?
Did you rely on luck?
I think you know the answer to that. "
Ding Meng could only keep his mouth shut.
Bamboo Pole paused for a moment, then continued, "All the signs point to your strength increasing greatly in a short period of time. However, it's normal for a normal person to practice martial arts. However, you were knocked back by my kick just now. That's not something a normal person can do. If I'm not wrong, from the moment you discovered that the main mine was actually an interstellar warship, you had a fortuitous encounter. You might've found the legendary memory chip of the K virus."
Ding Meng was truly shocked when he heard the words "K virus." He wasn't the only one who was shocked. Even Little Rascal was quite shocked. The K virus was an extremely confidential matter. Even Grand Marshal Vader and the others didn't know the name of the virus, but Bamboo Pole was able to say it so easily.
However, Bamboo Pole's expression was still calm, so calm that it was a little scary. "Since the K virus didn't kill you, it's very likely that the memory chip is on you. However, how can you cultivate in the wilderness without a Sensory Pod?
I won't ask you this question, and I don't want to know. This is very likely your secret. How did you do it?
No one knows, so all I have to do is wait. "
"Wait?" Ding Meng didn't understand.
Bamboo Pole said, "I'm not the only one waiting. I think the people above are also waiting. They are waiting for you to die, to die in this so-called outside world. On the contrary, not only did you not die in this place, your Origin Energy is even more abundant."
Ding Meng asked, "What does this mean?"
There was a trace of excitement in Bamboo Pole's tone. "This means that you may have grasped the secret of the memory. You can evolve from an ordinary human to an Origin Ability user in a short period of time without the help of the induction chamber. If this secret were to be known by the Federation or the Empire, it would be a world-shaking piece of news …"
Ding Meng finally understood the real reason why the Tian Tian Mercenary Group hadn't made a move for so many years.
Bamboo Pole's tone suddenly had a hint of sadness. "I'm not interested in the memory chip of the K virus. At my age, my only wish now is to leave the base as soon as possible. I believe you're the same. You definitely don't want to die in this place."
Ding Meng naturally understood his mentality. Bamboo Pole probably only sensed Origin Energy in his middle age, but so what if he sensed it?
Not to mention, one of his legs was broken. It was basically impossible for him to have any achievements. Just based on the exchange just now, Ding Meng felt that Bamboo Pole was even weaker than himself. At most, he would be a beginner origin ability user.
Ding Meng said, "Are you saying that we can leave the base once we reach the place you mentioned?"
Bamboo Pole said, "You can find a quantum signal transmitter there. The program has already been written. Once the signal is sent, help will quickly arrive. If you really want to leave this place, this is the only way."
This time, Ding Meng didn't hesitate at all. "Okay, I'll go."
Bamboo Pole said, "I'll wait for you in the lobby of PC35. If someone comes down from the base, I might be able to block them for you. It depends on how fast you move."
Ding Meng didn't reply. He turned around and slowly walked toward the barrier.
Little Rascal suddenly popped out. "Ding Meng, do you really believe what he said?"
Ding Meng's expression darkened. He didn't reply. Clearly, he was thinking.
Little Rascal said, "Based on my calculations, it doesn't seem like he's lying. This situation is exactly the same as when we encountered the machine gun last time. We clearly know that he's telling the truth, but in the end, we still fell for his trick."
Ding Meng sighed. "I know that as well, but there's no way forward. There are pursuers behind us, and danger lurks everywhere underground. If we keep delaying like this and can't find a way out, I'm eighty percent sure that we'll be doomed."
This was what they meant by 'knowing that there are tigers in a tiger's den' meant. Little Rascal was silent for a moment before saying, "Then let's try the steel mixture he gave us."
Bamboo Pole hadn't lied to Ding Meng. After he consumed the unknown steel mixture, a cold energy immediately spread throughout his body.
Using his telekinesis vision, he discovered that the heat energy he cultivated was flowing through his body was golden in color, while the steel mixture produced a thin, sky-blue stream of energy.
Little Rascal immediately explained, "This is the power of the ice element. In theory, the ice element and your heat element are two completely different types of energy. However, they are both catalyzed by Origin Energy, so they won't clash violently for a short period of time. However, as time goes on, your heat element will devour them. We have to take advantage of this time to act quickly."
Ding Meng nodded. He could also sense that his body had suddenly become cold, so the high temperature around him couldn't devour him for the time being. However, the Origin Energy in his body sensed the influx of external energy, and the golden energy immediately sped up.
The barrier quickly appeared before them. Ding Meng sucked in a deep breath. What in the world was this thing?
What in the world was inside this thing?
He had been curious for so many days now. As such, he gently reached out his hand.
The barrier wasn't thick at all. His arm passed through it as easily as if he was reaching into water. There was no obstruction at all.
Little Rascal said, "The temperature inside is as high as 213 degrees Celsius. Even if a beginner level Origin Energy user can enter, they won't be able to stand for too long."
Ding Meng took a big step forward and finally entered the barrier. The world inside the barrier wasn't too different from what he had imagined. Countless airflows and intangible energies mixed together. If he could describe it, it was like a person staying in an underwater world. Everything around him was like a mirror, a mist, and a void.
However, there was one thing that exceeded his expectations. There was a faint light inside the barrier. It was clearly daytime, but the world on the other side of the battleship was dark. The only difference between day and night was this thin layer of barrier.
If he stretched his hand in, it would be like the first glimmer of dawn, but if he stretched his hand out, it would be the darkest night on the other side.
Ding Meng said in surprise, "Little Rascal, do you know what's going on here?"
Little Rascal said, "I can't figure it out for now, but this barrier is several dozen meters wide. Let's just pass through it and see what's going on outside."
"Okay." Ding Meng strode forward. It only took him a few seconds to pass through the barrier.
In that instant, an indescribable heat enveloped him. None of the previous heatwaves had been as intense and sharp as this one.
"Hurry up and circulate the energy in your body to resist. Otherwise, you'll be in danger of getting burned," Little Rascal said. "The temperature outside is as high as 493 degrees."
Ding Meng didn't dare to be careless. His vision focused on his heart, and he quickly condensed a mirror to strengthen his body's resistance. As the pure energy spread out, his limbs immediately cooled down.
At the same time, he finally saw the real world outside. He also finally saw the 'truth' that Bamboo Pole had mentioned.