Most people wouldn't expect there to be a vein of Clearstone located on the outskirts of the Crimson Abyss.
To find that place, one must first go behind the entrance connecting the Abyss and Crimson No.2, then pass through a dense forest, and slide down into a pit concealed by naturally grown bushes to reach the Clearstone vein.
The Purple Fox Squad had a stroke of luck; at the beginning of their formation, due to poor coordination, a Dangerous-level Demon escaped their encirclement. In pursuit of the demon, Qiao Lingzhi accidentally fell into this pit, forcing Shinkai Katsuyuki and Brandon to enter the pit to rescue him.
At first, they didn't know the stones embedded in the pit walls were Clearstones, only found them visually appealing and did some minor investigation after returning.
Since they weren't inside the Abyss, killing witnesses wasn't an option, leaving the Purple Fox Squad's three members resigned to signing a contract with two others to prevent the Clearstone vein's discovery from leaking.
Yan Luo was the fourth person to arrive at the Clearstone vein, and upon seeing the azure stones embedded in the walls, he knew he had become entangled with the Purple Fox Squad's interests.
From now on, it would likely be difficult for him to quit the Purple Fox Squad.
Clearstone is a small stone with an overall azure hue, vaguely shimmering with silver light, primarily used to craft space equipment, except for occasional exceptions where higher-grade alternatives are available.
Currently, apart from using materials from the Abyss, Blue Star is unable to manufacture space equipment.
The existence of the Abyss led Blue Star down a development path distinct from the one lost ten years ago, now deeply intertwined with the Abyss.
However, over time, the Abyss will gradually expand, possibly nurturing Doomsday-level demons, eventually bringing destruction to the entire Blue Star.
Thus, the United Government periodically organizes a group of Hunters to eliminate an Abyss that has expanded to a critical point.
But these issues have nothing to do with Yan Luo for now, as his power is not yet strong enough to participate in such affairs.
Yan Luo glanced at the azure stones on the pit walls, eyes reflecting a complex emotion.
Though it defies the Hunter's Guild and United Government's regulations, he must secure this first pot of gold; otherwise, he can't form his own team or fulfill his dreams.
Since Yan Luo was a newcomer, Shinkai Katsuyuki and the others didn't let him collect Clearstones, ultimately mistrusting Yan Luo.
Yan Luo was assigned by Shinkai Katsuyuki to 'keep an eye on the surroundings,' while Brandon stood nearby, playing with his handgun, occasionally glancing at Yan Luo.
They needed Yan Luo's intellect and knowledge but couldn't fully trust him.
Fortunately, this issue could be resolved; as long as Yan Luo accompanied them on several Abyss hunts and privately sold Clearstones, they could then trust him.
While Shinkai Katsuyuki and Qiao Lingzhi killed demons, collecting Clearstones using the demons' dissipating magic power, Yan Luo quietly observed the pit.
The pit's appearance was quite mysterious, as if specifically created for Clearstone extraction.
Numerous Clearstones were exposed to the air, appearing uniformly and evenly distributed, resembling artificial constructs.
Yet, it's well-known that no artificial constructs exist within the Abyss, puzzling Yan Luo, who could only reluctantly explain it as 'just how the Abyss is.'
Perhaps Shinkai Katsuyuki and the others had similar doubts, but the tremendous profits from Clearstones led them to ignore such suspicions, fooling themselves.
"Alright, let's go!"
Eighty harmless and ordinary demons resulted in merely sixteen Clearstones for the Purple Fox Squad.
However, for Shinkai Katsuyuki and his group, it was a significant haul.
Previously, they could collect at most eight Clearstones, as most demons they captured were harmless-level. This time, with Yan Luo's help, their yield doubled.
The thought of profits from sixteen Clearstones was enough to make their minds whirl.
Yan Luo's participation incurred a share of profit, but their total revenue increased significantly!
Even individual gains were considerably higher than before!
Brandon, nimble due to his [Spirit Cat] Engraving, served as the squad's scout prior to Yan Luo's joining, thus he was the first to leave the pit.
With Clearstones on his back, Shinkai Katsuyuki was second, followed by Qiao Lingzhi, while Yan Luo was assigned to exit last.
Yan Luo didn't protest, understanding that the trio still distrusted him.
Emerging from the pit, the first thing Yan Luo did was to watch his surroundings.
During the past half-day's operation, Yan Luo noticed that although Shinkai Katsuyuki and the others had a hunter's vigilance, their techniques were crude, often missing demon activities.
Before Yan Luo could finish observing, Qiao Lingzhi called for his departure.
They had to sort out dinner next, as well as find a resting place.
With dangers lurking throughout the Abyss, they had to find a spot free from Dangerous-level demons to rest peacefully.
And this responsibility fell on Yan Luo's shoulders.
Yan Luo didn't complain; everyone on the team had their duties, and his was precisely this.
Compared to other Abysses, Yan Luo had greater knowledge of the Crimson Abyss since his parents died amidst its demon tide. If he could eliminate an Abyss, this would be the first he'd target for destruction.
After careful searching, Yan Luo unexpectedly discovered signs of no Dangerous-level demon activity in their area.
"...something isn't right!"
A flash of insight struck Yan Luo's mind, sending tingles down his spine and his eyes widening.
He turned and shouted to Shinkai Katsuyuki and the others: "We need to leave here now!"
"What—what's the matter?"
Yan Luo's sudden terror startled Shinkai Katsuyuki and his companions.
Hearts pounded within their chests, pumping blood urgently to the brain under pressure.
Eyes darted within sockets, breathing becoming irregular.
Yan Luo forced out his thinking: "There might be a deadly-level demon here!"
—What?!
Shinkai Katsuyuki, Qiao Lingzhi, and Brandon were shocked rigid.
The connection point between Crimson No.2 and the Crimson Abyss lay near the Abyss' edge, undeniably its perimeter region.
Logically speaking, a deadly-level demon shouldn't appear here.
But that didn't guarantee a deadly-level demon absolutely wouldn't emerge!
Every demon has its own activity range, harmless and ordinary demons included, simply less apparent due to their weaker 'territory' being easily invaded by other demons.
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This area showed no signs of Dangerous-level demon activity; Yan Luo could only surmise one possibility—there was a deadly-level demon here!
After two seconds of panic, Brandon regained calm, eyeing Yan Luo warily as he queried: "Why would you think that?"
Yan Luo hesitated briefly, frowned, and replied: "Because there's no sign of Dangerous-level demon activity here..."
"There wasn't any when we were here before either!"
Brandon bluntly interrupted Yan Luo's words.
Hearing this, Shinkai Katsuyuki and Qiao Lingzhi instantly recovered composure, exchanging glances and subtly raising their firearms, pointing them at Yan Luo.
At this moment, Yan Luo finally understood why Brandon questioned the obvious.
"You don't trust my judgment?" Yan Luo's probing gaze swept over the three standing opposite.
Shinkai Katsuyuki tried to mediate, "It's not that we don't trust your judgment, but we've always operated in this area without encountering deadly-level demons—there's never been Dangerous-level demon activity here. Therefore, the argument based solely on 'absence of Dangerous-level demon activity signs' is insufficient to prove the existence of a deadly-level demon."
Yan Luo frowned deeply, silently observing the trio of Shinkai Katsuyuki, who said nothing.
Unwilling to let Yan Luo off, Brandon pressed on: "You suddenly claim a deadly-level demon might appear after finding the Clearstone vein with us—there's something fishy! I know, it's because we've relaxed vigilance lately, spent excessively, not matching our income—someone suspects us, right? Who's behind you? Wu Zechuan? You staged a play in the hall with him! Otherwise, who would refuse Mountain and River Warband's invitation and join our small squad... Oh, I get it, your pre-entry rejection by other squads was an act! Just to show us!"
Brandon's breath quickened as he spoke, eyes red.
Not only Brandon, but also Shinkai Katsuyuki and Qiao Lingzhi became increasingly suspicious of Yan Luo's motives for joining the Purple Fox Squad.
Yan Luo took a deep breath, calmly asserting: "What you're saying is illogical..."
"Shut up!"
Brandon interrupted again, clutching the shotgun grip tightly, yelling angrily: "Tell me, who is behind you!!"