Chapter 470 219: Void Energy (2)

The Ape Warriors only breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the Undead Fortress, gathering around Howling Black Ridge.

"Captain, are we just leaving like this?"

"The Undead still haven't released Gangben Black Ridge and the others."

"Yeah! You said it yourself—we Ape Warriors are fearless. If we leave now, they'll think we're weak!"

Howling Black Ridge raised a hand, silencing his chattering companions. "What do you want to do?" he asked them. "Force our way into their city, start a war, and then rescue our kinsmen? Did you see how many warriors they have? Do you think the few of us can beat them?"

One Ape Warrior said, full of frustration, "But we can't just let them get away with it! Are we just going to abandon Gangben Black Ridge and the others?"

Howling Black Ridge shook his head. "Of course we'll save them. We have a rough idea of who they are and how strong they are now. We'll report back to the Tribe and let the others come up with a plan. No one can bully the Ape Race and get away with it—not even the Undead!"

...

After sending Howling Black Ridge on his way, Li Ziyu led the Undead back to the room where Gangben Black Ridge was being held.

The three Apes, including Gangben Black Ridge, were sprawled on the floor, the very picture of despair. Seeing Li Ziyu return, they glared at him with accusing eyes.

Li Ziyu was baffled by their stares. "What's with the looks?" he asked, perplexed.

Gangben Black Ridge leaped to his feet. "Even if you are the King of Skulls, you can't humiliate us like this!" he said furiously. "We of the Ape Race can be killed, but not shamed!"

Now Li Ziyu was even more lost. A look of complete confusion in his eyes, he asked, "What happened?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the surrounding Skeleton Undead. 'Could they have mistreated these three Apes?'

'That's not right. I didn't give any orders, and the Skeleton Undead can't even be bothered to acknowledge these Apes. Why would they go out of their way to abuse them? It's just not in their character.'

Gangben Black Ridge instinctively assumed Li Ziyu's confusion was just an act. "We may be prisoners," he said, fuming, "but you still have to feed us! On what grounds are you starving us?!"

'Oh, so they're mad because they haven't eaten.' Li Ziyu almost laughed in exasperation. 'What a bunch of characters. Do they have no self-awareness as captives? Are they really demanding basic rights from me?'

Still, he had come over to bring them food and have a chat anyway. Li Ziyu had no prior dealings with the Ape Race, nor did he harbor any grudges. There was no reason to kill the three of them. Besides, he had promised Howling Black Ridge he would release them. As soon as they told him what he wanted to know, he could let them go.

Li Ziyu waved his hand. A Skeleton Undead from behind came forward with food and set it down in front of the three Apes.

The roasted meat was cold, but the three Apes clearly didn't care. They were truly starving. They snatched up the food and stuffed it into their mouths, their eating manners nothing short of ferocious.

"Your Tribe sent people over a little while ago. The one in the lead was called Howling Black Ridge," Li Ziyu said while the three Apes ate.

The name "Howling Black Ridge" made Gangben Black Ridge's hand pause for a moment. He struggled to swallow the food in his mouth, then looked up at Li Ziyu. "The Skeletons and our Ape Race have no prior grievances. Since Howling Black Ridge has already been here, you'd best release us quickly. It wouldn't be good for a war to break out between us."

Gangben Black Ridge understood now. The other party had no intention of killing them; they had just locked them up without resorting to torture. This meant they didn't want a direct conflict with the Ape Race. 'If that's the case,' he thought, 'then this should be simple.'

A Skeleton Undead brought over a chair, and Li Ziyu sat down leisurely. He gestured for Gangben Black Ridge to continue eating, indicating he shouldn't get so worked up. "Howling Black Ridge has already left," he said slowly. "Now, I have a few questions for you. I hope you'll answer them truthfully."

'So we're getting to the real reason.' Gangben Black Ridge's eating slowed. Asking for information was likely the real reason they had been captured in the first place.

"First question: does your Tribe have Void Crystals?" Li Ziyu asked, watching Gangben Black Ridge's expression closely.

Gangben Black Ridge said nothing, but he started eating a little faster. He clearly didn't want to answer the question, but Li Ziyu had already gleaned the answer from his reaction. The Black Ridge Tribe must have Void Crystals. They had survived here for some time and were very familiar with the Void Land. Even Guli Geli knew what Void Crystals were used for; they certainly would as well.

"Second question: what are the important resources in the Void Land? Think carefully before you answer," Li Ziyu said, his voice turning somber. "I don't want silence, and I certainly don't want you to lie to me."

Realizing he couldn't dodge the question, Gangben Black Ridge put down his food and sat cross-legged on the floor. He looked at Li Ziyu with his dark eyes, thought for a moment, and then said, "The most famous and precious resource in the Void Land is the Void Energy Crystal Stone."

Li Ziyu raised an eyebrow. Judging by the name, a Void Energy Crystal Stone was probably some kind of energy-rich stone, similar to Soul Energy. He had just never seen one before. "Do you have a Void Energy Crystal Stone on you?" he asked. "Take one out. Let me see."

Now that he had started talking, Gangben Black Ridge was direct. He fumbled with his bracer, pulled out a small, aqua-blue stone about the size of a quarter, and handed it to Li Ziyu.

After taking the Void Energy Crystal Stone, Li Ziyu had the system run a query.