Chapter 631: Chapter 218: Life Unfolds, Miraculous Runes! Fizz.
It was like iron-grilled squid falling onto a blazing hot steel plate, making a sizzling sound.
The eyeballs at the ends of the four tentacles were almost simultaneously scorched by the sunlight, turning into a form of trait value that the Collector could absorb.
[Collector detects dispersing biological information, beginning automatic absorption...]
[Absorption complete, trait of Demon Eye Sponge increased]
[Trait value of Cotton Room has reached 200% of full value, cannot continue absorbing]
[Trait value of Passage Rune has reached 200% of full value, cannot continue absorbing]
[Regulated Eye trait value reached 100%]
[Matrix Eye trait value reached 100%]
...
"Not bad, not bad!"
Cheng Ye looked up and scanned the popping reminders on the panel, nodding repeatedly with pleasant surprise.
The intelligence of the Demon Eye Sponge is actually not low, roughly at the level of a human five or six-year-old, and it’s exceedingly vindictive, each attack more fierce than the last.
However, the eyeballs at the ends of its tentacles seem to lack normal visual abilities, even if they "see" him go into the water again, they don’t react until a piece of sponge or a tentacle is chopped off, provoking a furious counterattack.
"Is it thanks to the Obsidian Battle Armor?"
Cheng Ye touched the black armor on his body, silently praising in his heart.
When Bai Wei gave him this armor, he only said it could maximally hide human scents to prevent being detected by infection sources. It turns out it can not only avoid scent detection but also blind visual detection, truly the highest level of Destruction Level defensive equipment.
"Are you...are you going down again?"
Luokuke pointed underwater, involuntarily swallowing.
After Cheng Ye’s third successful sneak attack, the Demon Eye Sponge’s tentacles simply stopped retracting, staying a meter below the water surface, as if strictly defending.
"No, we already have enough specimens. We’ll go back and rest first; we’ll plan more in the afternoon."
Cheng Ye peered toward the water.
He faintly sensed that maintaining the current state should consume a great deal of energy from the Demon Eye Sponge.
This is good news, meaning the energy supply for the Immortal Objects fragments will decrease, and the potential threat at night will be reduced.
However, further provocation by going underwater seems a bit unwise, it’s best to stop while ahead.
The two took off their Obsidian Battle Armor, first returning to the truck laboratory, stuffing the freshly acquired tentacle samples into the analysis equipment, then hurried to the sauna room to check on the removal of the Ghost Water Cave Crab infection.
It was noon by now, and the first batch of residents entering the sauna room had completed removal.
After repeated dehydration and rehydration, they looked weak, but their spirits were quite good.
With Wastelanders’ recovery speed, they should feel better by tomorrow afternoon.
Seeing this, other residents sighed in relief, some secretly hoped they would get infected, so they could take a break from work, lying in a unit room to rest.
During lunch, four inspectors gathered together.
Luokuke quickly reported the underwater situation, briefly explaining the existence of the Demon Eye Sponge, cautiously avoiding the frightening scene of "thousands of tentacles" to prevent Wang Kang and Garcia from being scared, only mentioning the cave under the Demon Eye Sponge’s body.
Even so, Garcia’s face turned pale with fear, while Wang Kang looked curious, probing for underwater details.
"Brother Cheng, are you going underwater tonight?" Wang Kang asked.
"It’s hard to say, let’s check the situation in the afternoon; it’d be best if we can complete the exploration during the day." Cheng Ye grabbed a bag of Nutrient Paste, tore open the tube, and guzzled it down, drinking three bags nonstop.
He just made three full sprints, and the accelerated energy levels had dropped to 30%.
Luckily, the "Fish Mimic State" helped, otherwise relying solely on regular diving, it would be impossible to efficiently explore the Demon Eye Sponge, only able to follow Luokuke’s initial plan to slowly search along the underwater perimeter.
"After work this afternoon, you should prioritize setting up defense facilities, clearing any hazards along the road from the riverbank to the camp."
Cheng Ye paused, looking up at the slightly darkening sky, his tone becoming more serious, "I have a feeling tonight’s rain might cause problems, likely involving a fight."
"No problem!" Wang Kang responded immediately, "The solar panels are already dismounted from the truck and installed, all that’s left is arranging the searchlights and running wires. Sun Dazheng is also setting up lookout towers, once completed, we’ll clearly see any movement at the riverbank from the camp."
"No issues on my side either." Luokuke interjected, "Yesterday I led a team to clear a large section of ruins, today’s main task is to refine residential units while assisting in setting up defense installations."
He then looked at Garcia.
Garcia remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded, "The residential units are almost fully set up this morning. This afternoon, I’ll lead a team to clear the road to the riverbank, arranging defensive works to ensure yesterday’s Ghost Water Cave Crab sneak attacks won’t happen again."
"Good!"
Cheng Ye threw the empty Nutrient Paste bags into the trash can and extended his hand, "Outside Happiness City, in the Wilderness, we inspectors are a team. Facing the infection source, we need to cooperate wholeheartedly if we want to survive."
Wang Kang grasped the idea first, hurriedly placing his hand on Cheng Ye’s.
Luokuke hesitated not, following suit.
Garcia glanced at the other three, gritted his teeth, and ultimately put his hand on top as well.
The four exchanged glances and recited the first motto that every inspector must remember during the apprenticeship period:
"With my responsibility, with my hand!"
"Civilization!"
"Everlasting!"
With these words, the four hands firmly pressed down, igniting a quiet determination from the depths of their hearts.