Chapter Two: The Crimson Dragon

Shen Yi sat comfortably in the command hall of the base, his gaze fixed intently on the large screen that prominently displayed “Constructible Engineers.” Carefully studying the engineers’ capabilities, he learned that these units could not only repair human machinery and buildings but also possessed the remarkable ability to locate mineral deposits and convert energy. Glancing at the panel, he noticed only five hundred crystals remained. After a moment’s thought, he decisively chose to produce five human engineers. With a subtle ripple of energy, five engineers appeared neatly within the base and soon set out alongside the hunting team to undertake the task of converting energy crystals.

The following days proceeded smoothly. Under the relentless purge led by Shen Yi’s troops, the surrounding magical beasts diminished significantly, bringing a newfound tranquility to the once perilous forest. Shen Yi was well aware that unknown dangers lurked deep within the woods and dared not venture recklessly, fearing a devastating encounter with powerful beasts that could wipe him out. Now, with the base as his stronghold, he deployed the three machine gunners he had been guarding closely to join the hunt, substantially boosting resource-gathering efficiency.

One afternoon, as Shen Yi was drifting toward sleep, the familiar synthesized electronic tone suddenly rang through the command hall: “Engineers have detected underground mineral deposits convertible to crystal energy. Commence extraction?” Instantly alert, Shen Yi switched the system to the engineers’ perspective. Since the engineers’ mechs housed humans inside, what he saw was an electronic display showing a vast area marked with dense red icons—clearly mineral veins rich in crystals. Judging from the extensive range, a substantial yield of crystals was expected.

Without hesitation, Shen Yi produced five more engineers to fully commit to mining. He also summoned the remaining eight troops to protect the engineers, halting the hunting missions temporarily. Hunting alone had proven too slow for crystal collection; after two days, they had barely accumulated five hundred crystals, which had already been exhausted by producing ten engineers. Shen Yi glanced at the command center’s screen, which showed that constructing a barracks required one thousand crystals. He quietly calculated, feeling that the day of producing more troops was drawing near.

Filled with anticipation, Shen Yi longed to leave the stifling forest once he had gained sufficient strength. Here, there was not a single person with whom he could hold a normal conversation, which left him restless. At first, watching his troops clash with beasts filled him with anxiety, fearing mishaps; later, he grew accustomed and found the thrill somewhat exhilarating. But as days passed, consistently choosing seemingly easy prey led to battles with predictable outcomes—a one-sided slaughter that soon bored him. Of course, if the fights were truly suspenseful, Shen Yi’s timid nature might not allow him to remain so calm. After all, arriving in this utterly unfamiliar world, he harbored no sense of security amid the ever-present threat of man-eating beasts. In such circumstances, what mattered most? Undoubtedly, strength. Only by possessing great power could he secure the peaceful life he yearned for. No one wished to lose their life easily, and Shen Yi’s fear of death was extreme. Since entering the base, he had not dared to step outside. For now, only this human stronghold provided him with a rare sense of safety.

Another day passed, and the engineers’ efficiency lived up to expectations, successfully converting over five hundred crystals in a single day. Shen Yi’s panel updated as follows:

Crystals: 1100
Gas Mines: 0
Human Base: Engineers 10, Machine Gunners 3
Protoss: Zealots 2
Zerg: Runners 3
Mission: Collect 5000 energy crystals to unlock Zerg base!

For nearly a week, Shen Yi had remained holed up in the base. Fortunately, as a human stronghold, it catered meticulously to daily human needs such as food, rest, and hygiene. The base contained simulated natural plantations, all mechanized, with abundant daily necessities managed intelligently. Whether the three machine gunners or ten engineers, the “humans” inside were actually androids. From inception, they had been imbued with knowledge pertinent to their units and implanted with chips ensuring absolute obedience to Shen Yi as supreme commander. Their thoughts were somewhat mechanical, simply following orders unquestioningly. Every night, Shen Yi had them return to the base for rest.

Estimating roughly, the steel fortress base contained about a thousand residences. Assuming two occupants per room, it could house roughly two thousand people. This was only a Level One human base. Upon upgrading to Level Two, capacity could expand to ten thousand. However, the icon for upgrading to Level Two remained dim, indicating the requirements had yet to be met.

One day, Shen Yi finally mustered the courage to step outside the base. He arrived at a cleared area recently prepared by the engineers. Though capable of converting all matter, plant-based energy yielded relatively little, so the area had been cleared to construct human barracks. At Shen Yi’s command, the ten engineers promptly began orderly construction amid the hum of machinery.

The barracks were expected to take ten hours to build, but Shen Yi found the wait excruciating and returned to the base to nap, confident that with ten engineers working simultaneously, completion might come in four to five hours. Besides, the outside world was fraught with danger; the base was far safer and more comfortable.

Just as Shen Yi was about to drift off, a Protoss zealot patrolling nearby suddenly spotted a massive red dragon roaring across the sky. Zealots, possessing advanced intelligence and powerful mental abilities, transmitted a message instantly to Shen Yi: “Great Commander, an extremely dangerous creature detected. Shall we continue observation or withdraw immediately?”

Though tense, Shen Yi’s curiosity compelled him to order continued observation. He eagerly shared the zealot’s visual feed.

On the screen appeared a Level Five red dragon—immense as a multi-story building, radiating innate majesty. This noble creature bore indomitable skin and ancient draconic magic in its memory. Though not yet mature, it ruled this vast forest without question, tolerating no rebellion in its domain. Every few days, it patrolled its territory, selecting level-two-or-higher beasts as prey. While the red dragon had no natural enemies here, it recalled bitterly being wounded by vile humans and seethed with rage. It vowed that once it reached Level Six, it would utterly eradicate humanity from this continent.

Suddenly, the dragon detected a swarm of small dots rapidly approaching. Leading them was a middle-aged man with thick brows and stern eyes, glaring fiercely at the dragon. He rode a purple flying sword, clad in azure robes, a smooth white jade pendant hanging at his waist. Behind him followed over a hundred disciples, also mounted on flying swords. The man shouted across the distance: “Western dragon, how dare you run rampant in my Eastern lands! One hundred Black Wind Sect disciples, join me to exorcise this demon! Form ranks! Show me your true form before my Demon-Reflecting Mirror!”

Beside him, an elderly man with a youthful face and white hair spoke solemnly: “Sect Leader Ren, it seems that is its true form.” Ren nodded slightly before replying, “Elder Zhen is right. I merely aim to inspire my disciples. Our righteous sect must act with cause.”

“You are the Sect Leader; your words are law,” Elder Zhen murmured softly.

Unmoved, Ren bellowed again, “Justice prevails! Follow me to kill!” He formed sword hand seals and charged toward the dragon, his disciples unleashing their arts fiercely. Yet, many secretly scoffed, “Justice? They just want to seize the dragon’s treasures!”

Meanwhile, Shen Yi hid within the human base, engrossed in this spectacular magical battle. He had sensed the dragon’s presence since its patrol began but dared not provoke such a formidable foe—no one wanted to die needlessly. Shen Yi understood that survival was paramount to endless future possibilities.

Watching through the zealot concealed in the forest, Shen Yi marveled at this world’s immense power system. The battle was a dazzling, dangerous fireworks display of spells: thunderclaps roaring painfully; light swords flashing like shooting stars; talisman papers transformed into fireballs and ice blades raining down; colossal blade energies descending from the heavens, striking the dragon, which howled in response.

The red dragon fought back fiercely, its body a living arsenal. Claws shattered flying light swords with ease; its sweeping tail left destruction; it endured thunder strikes with its hardened skull and unleashed torrents of fire, fireballs, and even mightier dragon flames.

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