Chapter 157 – Returning to the Federation
[Mountain Collapse and Earth Crack] was a very strong offensive ability, especially effective against the indestructible creatures within the Threshold. Using [Mountain Collapse and Earth Crack] could peel away their hard exteriors, making it a rare treasure.
[Blooming Flowers and Full Moon] could attack from a distance. Although she hadn’t tested it yet, its potential seemed boundless, so she had no intention of discarding it.
After some deliberation, Tu Ran finally closed that page.
She planned to return to upgrade it after accumulating enough useless superpowers.
Tu Ran then opened the intermediate superpower panel.
She remembered having seven or eight intermediate superpowers.
She checked to see if any could be upgraded.
However, after opening it, no green text indicating an upgrade appeared.
This showed that the number of intermediate superpowers was still insufficient to upgrade to advanced superpowers.
Indeed, the higher the level, the more difficult the upgrade.
Tu Ran’s thoughts returned to the present.
Today marked the seventeenth day since she arrived at the Threshold.
She and Pangpang had returned to the mountaintop managed by the ancient turtle.
The old turtle was asleep, its cave was sealed off, with the dragon head resting at the entrance, preventing Pangpang from entering.
Thus, Tu Ran had dug a new hole not far from the cave entrance for Pangpang to stay in.
The Pao Xiaos on this mountain had already been cleared out by Tu Ran, and the remaining ones had scattered and fled. Overall, there were no formidable creatures left.
Moreover, the old turtle had mentioned that the creatures here would show it, the mountain god, some respect, so Pangpang was relatively safe nearby.
Most importantly, not far from the cave entrance was a fruit grove with a variety of fruits and a small stream. Pangpang had no worries about food or water, living a life akin to that of a fairy.
In the past couple of days, Tu Ran had been waiting for the Threshold’s gate to open.
She had already explained to Pangpang that she might never come back, and they might never meet again.
Pangpang had accepted this fact.
It accepted it even faster than Tu Ran had imagined. It didn’t cling to her, wanting to follow her. Instead, it spent its days eating, drinking, and sleeping, living like a fairy.
This made Tu Ran see it in a new light. After all, Pangpang was a free-spirited creature that had once roamed the dangerous Threshold and had seen much of the world. Its ability to adapt was certainly strong.
On the third day back on the mountaintop, while patrolling in the morning, Tu Ran noticed energy fluctuations on the trunk of a fruit tree.
The subtle waves were like a small stone dropped into a calm lake, the ripples brown and blending with the trunk. They would be easily missed if not looked at closely.
“I’m leaving,” Tu Ran said calmly, looking at the energy fluctuations on the tree trunk.
“Boss, goodbye,” Pangpang waved its wings to bid farewell.
“Mm, you chicken, be careful,” Tu Ran couldn’t help but remind it. Seeing its weak and defenseless appearance, she was still uneasy even though she was leaving. “Don’t trust any humans, especially those wearing the same clothes as me, got it?”
“Got it. Boss, you’ve told me many times.”
Tu Ran shot a look, and Pangpang shrank its neck. “I was just worried that my words might go in one ear and out the other.”
“Don’t worry, Boss. Pangpang remembers, Pangpang will definitely not trust any humans other than Boss,” Pangpang said solemnly.
Tu Ran nodded, satisfied. “If my next destination in this world is still this forest, I’ll come find you.”
“Mm, Pangpang hopes Boss will return to this forest next time.”
“Take these three bombs,” Tu Ran said, pulling three explosive devices from her backpack. “If you encounter danger, pull this ring and immediately throw them. They will blow up…”
Tu Ran paused, considering the tough hides of the creatures in this world, and amended, “They might not blow them to bits, but they should cause enough pain to buy you some time to escape.”
“Did you get that?” Tu Ran asked, looking at Pangpang. She didn’t even realize that her concern for Pangpang had grown far beyond what she had initially imagined.
Pangpang nodded, carefully cradling the three bombs in its arms. “Pangpang understands. Pangpang learned how to use the bombs when Boss used them on the Pao Xiao leader.”
“Good,” Tu Ran said. “Be careful. Don’t touch them unnecessarily, and be careful not to blow yourself up. Also, keep them away from where you sleep; your sleeping posture isn’t the best.”
Tu Ran sounded like a parent giving last-minute advice to a child before a journey.
She thought for a moment, realizing she had no more instructions to give. “Well, I’m leaving now.”
“Mm, goodbye, Boss.”
Tu Ran stepped into the energy vortex.
Her body was enveloped once again by the familiar, jelly-like sensation.
When she opened her eyes, the scene before her had changed.
The atmosphere was tense, and the air felt thick. Tu Ran’s mind tensed instantly.
Countless dark gun barrels were aimed at her. Fully equipped security personnel formed a half-circle around her, blocking her in the center.
Heavy mecha vehicles surrounded the perimeter, their massive cannons also aimed at her, ready to fire and blast her into pieces.
Three helicopters hovered low above, patrolling and roaring with noise.
Everything before her was the Federation’s reception ceremony for the surviving pioneers.
It was a unique reception ceremony for the pioneers.
It was exactly the same as when she first emerged from the Threshold.
Once again, the golden-haired lady with the big waves stepped forward to welcome her.
At this point, Tu Ran’s equipment was fully connected to the network, including the voice translation system, which had begun operating normally.
Tu Ran could easily understand her language.
“Congratulations, you’re the first pioneer to come out today. I’m truly pleased to see you and welcome you home.”
“Thank you,” Tu Ran replied politely.
The blonde lady’s eyes scanned her up and down, then she asked, “You seem to be in good condition. Do you need a stretcher?”
Tu Ran shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“Alright, please follow me. The security check is ready.” She gestured for Tu Ran to proceed.
Tu Ran walked in the direction indicated.
The dense security personnel cleared a narrow path for her, just wide enough for one person to pass through. Guards on either side held up shields, with gun barrels protruding through the gaps. As she moved forward, the gun barrels adjusted their angles to always remain aligned with her.
They were very cautious, only shifting their focus to the next pioneer after Tu Ran had entered the glass enclosure.
As the first returning pioneer, Tu Ran immediately drew many gazes upon entering the glass enclosure.
Among those watching were the guards holding their guns, the “human shields” ready to ask questions and verify her identity, and a few doctors in medical uniforms.
Meng Fancheng was among the doctors, having volunteered to handle emergencies here.
