West of Star City.
A pale green Domain Field barrier stretched across the southern edge of the mountains, its towering height seemingly merging with the sky. Under the moonlight, the surface of the barrier shimmered with crystalline specks of light, exuding an eerie glow.
A lone figure approached from Star City, descending rapidly as he neared the green barrier.
His previously blurred silhouette became clear, revealing his identity—Feng Qi.
Reaching out, he placed a hand on the surface of the barrier, his expression filled with contemplation.
Over the past period, Star City's development had progressed steadily—infrastructure projects, economic reforms, and cultivation advancements were all being methodically implemented.
However, one critical issue remained unresolved.
If the problem of resource scarcity couldn't be solved, all plans would be meaningless.
After all, even the most skilled craftsman cannot work without materials.
Take the establishment of Dawn Academy, for example. While planning and construction weren't major challenges, the real difficulty lay in sustaining the resource investment needed for its future development.
Star City's annual resource acquisition was limited, and turning Dawn Academy into an institution comparable to Star City Academy would demand an enormous supply of materials, funding, and manpower.
If external resources couldn't be secured, the only option would be internal allocation, which would inevitably lead to a reduction in resources for Star City Academy.
While this redistribution could accelerate Dawn Academy's short-term development, it would hamper the long-term growth of Star City Academy.
With fixed internal resource quotas, the only viable solution was to expand alternative sources of resource acquisition—a matter of utmost priority.
The Supreme Council of Star City had proposed a strategy: establish a dedicated supply zone controlled solely by Star City, using Domain Fields as primary resource extraction sites.
This proposal had received overwhelming support.
Feng Qi's presence here was at the request of Wei Wei, the Director of the Gene Division, to capture a Domain Creature for research.
The reason she hadn't assigned a Crimson Research Institute combat squad for the task was that most of them had been deployed to assist in the construction of Dawn Academy.
And this pale green Domain Field before him was Star City's next strategic target.
Capturing Domain Creatures from within would allow Star City's research institutes to study their traits, helping to minimize casualties when a full-scale Domain Conquest Operation began.
Establishing a supply zone west of Star City would require a massive investment of manpower and materials.
The Supreme Council had deliberated extensively on how to mitigate this burden.
One notable proposal came from a council representative, suggesting:
"Star City should publicly announce its intention to build a supply zone and invite the four other major cities to participate in its construction. In exchange, they would provide essential resources needed for the development of the western supply zone."
This strategy would prevent Star City from falling into an immediate resource crisis during the construction phase.
However, the trade-off was clear—if the other four major cities participated, then Star City would have to share the supply zone's output with them in the future.
This meant that Star City wouldn't be able to monopolize the resources entirely.
Take, for example, the Winterfell Supply Zone and the Future Supply Zone—these were originally joint projects built by the five major cities.
Because of this, Star City had been entitled to an annual share of their resources.
In the early stages, this collaborative model had been highly effective.
The five major cities had developed in tandem, allowing talent from all cities to circulate freely.
For instance, Star City not only contributed to the initial supply zone construction but also continued to send trained warriors to reinforce supply zones in other cities.
It was a positive cycle of mutual benefit.
However, in recent years, cracks in this model had become apparent.
Just how much of the frontline supply zone's resources actually ended up benefiting humanity?
If Star City's western supply zone was completed and its resources were distributed among the four other cities, a significant portion would inevitably be siphoned away by hidden Domain-aligned forces operating within those cities.
Despite these risks, Star City still needed the support of the other four major cities to complete the project.
Otherwise, Star City's internal resource reserves would quickly become critically depleted.
Thus, a portion of the resources had to be sacrificed—it was an unavoidable cost.
However, the long-term benefits of constructing the western supply zone far outweighed the drawbacks.
Star City's greatest vulnerability had always been its dependence on external resources.
From the initial city planning phase, the risk of food shortages had been anticipated.
As a result, Star City had implemented a self-sufficient agricultural model, ensuring that even if other cities cut off their grain supply, Star City would not face an immediate crisis.
Moreover, additional farmland could be developed to expand food production.
However, spiritual resources were a different matter.
Without a steady influx of high-quality spiritual materials, even if Star City's citizens could survive, their path of development would be severed.
With the western supply zone, Star City would achieve a level of self-sufficiency never seen before.
Even if connections with other cities were severed, Star City's growth would continue uninterrupted.
Most importantly—ownership of the supply zone would remain firmly in Star City's hands.
Even though Star City had to share resources in the early stages, the moment it became necessary, they could cut off access to the other cities.
This would become one of Star City's most powerful strategic assets.
From both a developmental and security standpoint, constructing the western supply zone was essential.
At today's Supreme Council meeting, the finalized construction plan had been approved.
The designated site for the supply zone was the very region occupied by the pale green Domain Field before him.
This area was backed by mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Additionally, once construction began, a transportation route would be built, linking the supply zone directly to Star City.
This main supply artery would ensure a continuous flow of resources into Star City.
But before construction could begin, the Domain Field had to be neutralized.
Feng Qi had not found any records on this Domain Field from his research into historical data 1,500 years in the future. All the information he had came from the Star City Military Department's preliminary investigations.
The military had designated this Domain Field as the "Forest Domain Field."
The name was derived from the environment inside the Domain Field.
Without hesitation, Feng Qi stepped forward, passing through the pale green barrier into the Domain Field.
The moment he entered, a brief sense of spatial disorientation overtook him. However, it quickly faded, and his vision suddenly expanded—revealing a land of towering ancient trees.
The vegetation here was incredibly lush, with even the smallest trees towering over 100 meters.
Spiritual plants grew symbiotically with the massive trees, winding around their trunks, sprouting from their bark, or even forming entire colonies in their branches.
Among the treetops, numerous wooden huts and thatched houses woven from vines and spiritual flora could be seen dangling from the canopy like lanterns.
As his gaze sharpened, he noticed small, green-skinned creatures fluttering between the trees, their transparent wings shimmering in the light.
The concentration of spiritual energy within the Forest Domain Field was exceptionally high.
With every breath, he could clearly feel the spiritual particles entering his body, circulating through his lungs, purifying his internal energy, and expelling impurities as he exhaled.
At this stage, knowledge of this Domain Field was still limited, so Feng Qi chose to proceed cautiously.
Unlike Mu Qing, who had the power to sweep through an entire Domain Field alone, he wasn't planning to forcefully conquer this place today.
His primary objective was to capture a Domain Creature and bring it back to the Crimson Research Institute for analysis.
As he stood there, his muscles tensed. The flesh on his arms ruptured, dissolving into golden mist that converged at his forehead, forming a solidified spiritual crystal imprint.
With his body now enveloped in telekinetic force, Feng Qi levitated into the air.
As he advanced, the metallic device in his hand emitted a flickering green glow, actively scanning and mapping the terrain.
This terrain detection device was a product of the Institute of Technological Research. Based on its development timeline, it was likely created after Hei Lin had infiltrated and taken control of the institute for a period.
The scanner could analyze everything within a 30-meter radius, constructing a real-time three-dimensional model of the environment.
Once he exited the Domain Field, all the collected data could be downloaded into a computer to reconstruct a detailed map of the terrain.
Additionally, this device was capable of measuring spiritual energy density and detecting environmental anomalies.
It was one of the latest-generation tools developed by the Institute of Technological Research.
From a certain perspective, Hei Lin's investment in the development of such devices had significantly accelerated humanity's ability to explore Domain Fields.
But Feng Qi had no illusions about Hei Lin's motives.
It was obvious—the faster humanity conquered Domain Fields, the greater the potential benefits Hei Lin could reap from it.
Everything Hei Lin did was for its own benefit, and the creation of this detection instrument was no exception.
Moreover, not all Domain Fields were compatible with such technology.
Some Domain Fields had unique rules and spatial distortions, making electronic devices completely inoperable.
In such cases, even starting the scanner was impossible, rendering it nothing more than a useless hunk of metal.
As he traveled deeper, the device's green light suddenly shifted to red.
A small metal probe extended from the instrument's top, and a thin green laser beam projected outward, locking onto a specific point to his right.
Following the beam's direction, Feng Qi's eyes fell upon a vibrantly colored plant.
It stood just over half a meter tall, its leaves shimmering like they had been dipped in iridescent oil, glowing in various hues.
Numerous tiny winged insects hovered around it, attracted to its scent.
He approached the exotic plant.
Click!
A shutter snapped—his device had automatically captured an image of the unidentified spiritual plant, marking it for further research.
Reaching out, he gripped the plant firmly at its base, yanked it from the soil, and stuffed it into his backpack.
Without lingering, he continued forward.
Mapping terrain and collecting plant samples were secondary tasks.
He wasn't an expert scout, and bringing a detection device was merely a convenience.
His true objective remained the investigation of Domain Creatures' strength levels and capturing a specimen for research.
The Forest Domain Field was Star City's next conquest target.
Understanding the Domain's inhabitants would be key to efficiently neutralizing the Domain Field.
As he moved between the towering trees, he locked eyes with a green-skinned, winged creature.
At close range, Feng Qi could clearly observe its features.
From a human perspective, it looked grotesque, its limbs thin and spindly, its expression eerily animated.
Not all winged beings were fairy-like—some were just hideous Domain Creatures.
The moment the creature spotted him, its eyes widened in shock.
It let out a sharp, panicked cry.
Then, with surprising speed, it raised its right hand, quickly tracing intricate glowing patterns in the air.
The green light flickered, forming complex sigils in the space before it.
In an instant, the massive tree trunks surrounding Feng Qi began twisting and extending, their branches lunging toward him like writhing serpents.
Despite the sudden attack, Feng Qi remained unfazed.
Lifting his right hand, he clenched his fingers slightly—his telekinetic force surged outward.
The air trembled.
The green-skinned creature abruptly froze—its throat constricted by an invisible force.
Suspended mid-air, it thrashed wildly, struggling desperately against the grip of his telekinesis.
Under the binding force of his telekinesis, the green-skinned Domain Creature's struggles were completely futile.
Feng Qi did not immediately kill it. Instead, his gaze shifted to the approaching figures, emerging from all directions.
Within moments, more and more green-skinned figures appeared, rushing towards him.
Feng Qi quickly retreated, dragging the telekinetically bound Domain Creature with him, heading towards the Domain Field's barrier.
At that moment, the green-skinned creatures inside the Domain Field launched their attack.
Dozens, then hundreds, of figures began tracing complex runic patterns in the air, activating their abilities.
Immediately, the surrounding forest reacted.
The trees expanded at an unnatural speed, their trunks twisting like giant hands reaching for the sky, tearing themselves from the ground and lunging toward Feng Qi.
As he maneuvered between the massive trees, Feng Qi quickly grasped the fighting style of these creatures.
They seemed capable of manipulating plant life through runes and spells, accelerating growth and weaponizing the flora.
In a battle within this Domain Field, these creatures would have a significant terrain advantage, making them particularly troublesome to fight.
However, if this was their only ability, Feng Qi was confident that clearing this Domain Field wouldn't be a major obstacle.
To test if these green-skinned creatures had other hidden abilities, Feng Qi activated the spiritual energy crystal at his forehead.
As the crystal heated up, an overwhelming wave of telekinetic energy erupted from it.
At the same time, a blazing surge of sword aura ignited within his chest.
The moment his telekinetic force was unleashed, it condensed into invisible blades, raining down upon the creatures like a storm of slicing wind.
Instantly, dozens of green-skinned creatures were torn from the sky, their bodies falling like scattered leaves.
Yet, what truly caught Feng Qi off guard was their regenerative abilities.
Even when his telekinetic blades sliced through their bodies, these creatures rapidly healed, as if their very existence defied conventional wounds.
One creature, for instance, had its right arm severed, yet within seconds, a new limb sprouted from the stump, glowing with radiant green light.
Feng Qi narrowed his eyes.
This level of regeneration was impressive—but not insurmountable.
Without hesitation, he unleashed another wave of telekinetic blades.
A second storm of slashes cut through the pursuing creatures, causing even more of them to plummet from the sky.
The scene was chaotic—a downpour of green bodies crashing into the treetops and forest floor.
By now, Feng Qi had retreated all the way to the edge of the Domain Field barrier.
From this brief engagement, he had gathered enough information about this Domain.
Though he wasn't sure if these green-skinned creatures were the true rulers of this Domain Field, he had completed his initial reconnaissance.
Glancing down at the struggling creature in his grip, he furrowed his brows slightly.
The only concern left was whether this Domain Creature could survive outside the Domain Field.
Some Domain Creatures were immediately recognized by the world's rules the moment they entered human territory, integrating seamlessly.
But there were also many Domain Creatures that could not immediately adapt to the world beyond the Domain Field.
Some required a period of fusion with Earth's environment, while others—like the Mist Lord or the Flesh Puppets of the Demon Blade—could only exist within the Domain Field's unique rule structure.
Feng Qi wasn't going to waste time pondering this now.
The moment he brought the creature outside, he'd find out the answer.
Just as he was about to exit the Forest Domain Field, something caught his eye.
In the distant sky, a cluster of crimson lights appeared, slowly growing larger.
Narrowing his gaze, he focused on the red lights, and as they came into clearer view, he felt a chill run through his spine.
They were floating, blood-red eyes—huge, ominous orbs hovering in midair.
And they were moving toward him at high speed.
What shocked him most, however, was that these red eyes looked exactly like the ones he had encountered 1,500 years later.
The very same Blood-Eyed Creatures whose defeat had granted him his Malice Talent.
Their flight speed was staggering, and before they had even reached him, he could already feel the overwhelming surge of telekinetic energy crashing toward him like a tsunami.
Realizing the danger, Feng Qi didn't hesitate.
Clutching the green-skinned creature, he immediately retreated through the Domain Field barrier.
The Blood-Eyed Creatures' telekinetic strength was exceptionally powerful.
Especially the one he had fought in the future—even in the hands of Hei Lin, it had survived for a considerable amount of time.
He knew that if he were to face a group of them here, his current strength alone would not be enough to ensure his survival.
Yet, what bothered him most was why these Blood-Eyed Creatures were inside this Domain Field.
Could it be that they were the true rulers of this place?
But that didn't make sense—according to historical records, this species was nearly wiped out 1,500 years later.
Only a few scattered individuals remained.
For example, the one he had encountered in the future had been completely alone, without a clan or support.
This mystery was not something he could solve right now.
Feng Qi lowered his gaze, looking at the creature struggling in his grip.
Its agony was evident—its body trembling violently, its skin pulsing with glowing green light.
Watching this, Feng Qi sighed in frustration.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.
After a few moments, the call connected.
"Boss, the operation failed. The Domain Creatures inside the Forest Domain Field can't survive outside its range. If I bring it back, it'll just be a lifeless husk."
"Did you find anything else?" the voice on the other end asked.
"I mapped out part of the terrain and collected one spiritual plant sample… Oh, and I also encountered a group of unique Domain Creatures."